2016

The search begins for members of a new National Youth Folk Ensemble

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The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) has launched a nationwide search for talented young musicians to become the first members of the new National Youth Folk Ensemble. A series of Sampler Days will be held throughout England during May and June to audition musicians aged 14 to 18 for up to 25 places in the Ensemble, which is supported by Arts Council England. Led by the Ensemble’s Artistic Director, BBC Radio 2’s Folk Musician of the Year 2015 Sam Sweeney, each Sampler Day will include creative workshops with a team of professional folk artists, individual auditions, and a question and answer session with Ensemble staff. Selected musicians will be invited to a final audition in London in July. To register for a Sampler Day, musicians have to be aged between 14 and 18 on 1 September 2016, live in England, be able to play confidently on any instrument and have an interest in folk music. Places on the Sampler Days are free but limited and booking is essential at www.efdss.org/nationalyouthfolkensemble. Katy Spicer, EFDSS Chief Executive and Artistic Director, said: “We are looking for excellent instrumentalists who are dedicated to developing as folk musicians and excited about collaborating with others who share their passion.  This is a unique opportunity for young musicians and the first time a group of this kind has been established on a national basis. It offers a chance to develop in a nurturing environment with experienced and skilled musicians. “We are hoping the Ensemble will discover, encourage and inspire the folk performers, educators and leaders of the future, and we would encourage as many young musicians as possible to sign up to the Sampler Days.” National Youth Folk Ensemble Sampler Days 2016: Sun May 8 – Birmingham Conservatoire Sat 28 – Sage Gateshead Sun 29 – Leeds College of Music Mon 30 – Manchester, Royal Northern College of Music Tue 31 – Derby, Guildhall Theatre Thu Jun 2 – Exeter Phoenix Fri 3 – London, Cecil Sharp House Sat 11 – Cambridge, West Road Concert Hall Sun 12 – Didcot, Cornerstone The National Youth Folk Ensemble will formally launch in October.  Members will take part in four weeks of intensive residential courses around the country, receiving high quality tuition and guidance from leading professional folk artists. They will also develop skills in performance, arrangement, leadership and facilitation and give public performances.

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Folk Alliance International kicks off 28th annual conference

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Folk Alliance International (FAI) kicked off its 28th Annual Conference tonight with the International Folk Music Awards Gala held in the Century Ballroom at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, MO. The awards show presented six Spirit of Folk Awards, three Lifetime Achievement Awards, and the introduction of three new awards categories, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Artist of the Year. A list of award winners is below. Hosted by Steve Poltz and sponsored by Prohibition Hall, the awards show featured performances by Spirit of Folk Award recipient 99-year-old Arkansas fiddler Violet Hensley, Anishaabe drummer, dancer and singer Mimkii Osawamick, Derbyshire, UK-based singer/songwriter and Album of Year nominee Bella Hardy, and Massachusetts-based quartet Darlingside. International Folk Music Award 2016 Winners: Album of the Year: Rhiannon Giddens, Tomorrow Is My Turn Song of the Year: The Stray Birds, “Best Medicine” Artist of the Year: Darlingside Spirit of Folk Awards: Troy Campbell, Violet Hensley, Sam Lee, Dave Siglin, Phyllis Stenson, and Tony Turner Lifetime Achievement Awards: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott (Living), Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee (Legacy), English Folk Dance Society (Business/Organization) About Folk Alliance International Folk Alliance International (FAI) is a registered 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization based in Kansas City, Missouri. With five regional affiliates throughout the United States that provide conferences and services in their respective markets, the mission of FAI is to nurture, engage and empower the international folk music community—traditional and contemporary, amateur and professional – through education, advocacy and performance. Since 1989, and with over 3,000 members worldwide, Folk Alliance International has served as an organization promoting, advocating and supporting folk music with an annual conference that is one of the five largest music conferences in North America. Folk Alliance continues to grow while providing a unique range of member services to the community, which includes artists, record companies, publishers, presenters, agents, managers, manufacturers, and music support services. (www.folk.org)

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Chris Stapleton 2016

Grammys 2016 Country Music Winners

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Grammys 2016 was just over, and the ecstatic victors wish to have more in the next awarding ceremony. For those who missed the trophies, there will always be a next time. The Grammy 2016 winners in the country music categories were well  chosen. For THE TRAVELLER, two categories went to Chris Stapleton. He bagged the Best in Solo Performance and the Best Album for this year. Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, and Liz Rose also pocketed two trophies. They got the Best Country Duo/Group Performance award and bagged the Best Song for Girl Crush, a track from their album PAIN KILLER. In the CMA Awards last November, Girl Crush also took home the Song of the Year award and the Single of the Year. The three winners upped the stage to express their thanks. Lindsey mentioned her baby girl Bennett as their lucky charm. Taste Of Country reported that Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild jubilantly addressed the girl trio saying, “Thank you for bringing us to this big ol’ party.” “This is the best thing ever. Thank you, thank you, we are so happy,” Phillip Sweet uttered. It is another milestone for The Little Big Town. The CMA awards last November was kind to them giving them two trophies. Rolling Stone reported the Awards results for other categories not mentioned above. The song See That My Grave Is Kept Clean performed by Mavis Staples was given the Best American Roots Performance award. Jason Isbell won in two categories: Best American Roots Song and Best American Album. The song 24 Frames and the Something More Than Free album are his winning vehicles. The Steel Drivers got away with the Best Bluegrass Album for their MUSCLE SHOALS RECORDINGS. The Best Blues Album was a compilation of Buddy Guy. His Born to Play Guitar was favored. For the Best Folk Album, Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn bagged the award. This year, the Grammy 2016 country music winners were all deserving.

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The Guitar Show Live Stage Line-up Grows

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With less than two weeks to go until the UK’s biggest guitar event, The Guitar Show has added two more exciting home-grown talents to its Live Stage line-up. Joining the likes of Thin Lizzy’s Scott Gorham and folk star Martin Simpson at the show are Adrian Nation (described by Guitar & Bass magazine as “a superior fingerstyle troubadour” and recently seen on Sky TV’s Guitar Star) and fast-rising young blues rocker Krissy Matthews, presented by Patrick James Eggle. Krissy has already supported The Tedeschi Trucks Band, Gregg Allman and Toto in his short career and is definitely one to catch at The Guitar Show. Taking place at Birmingham’s New Bingley Hall on 27 and 28 February, The Guitar Show also features the latest and greatest guitar, amplification and accessory brands in the industry of course. And the involvement of retail partners Fairdeal Music and PMT means special show-only deals will be available throughout the weekend. For a full list of exhibitors, from Marshall and Fender to PRS Guitars and Ibanez see below. Tickets for The Guitar Show are priced at £12.50 in advance and £15 on the door (child tickets for visitors between 6-13 years of age are £7 in advance, £8 on the door), with discounts available on group bookings of ten or more. For more information and ticket booking information visit www.theguitarshow.co.uk The Guitar Show retail sponsors: Fairdeal Music and PMT Media sponsor: Guitar & Bass Magazine Current Exhibitor List Yamaha, Marshall, PRS Guitars, Fender, Blackstar, Peavey, Laney, Vigier, Ibanez, Roland, Boss, LAG Guitars, Orange Amplification, Wampler Pedals, Gordon Smith Guitars, Dean Guitars, Seagull, Simon&Patrick, Godin, Line6, D’Addario, Faith Guitars, Tanglewood, Diezel Amps, Zilla Music, Manson Guitar Works, Cort Guitars, Patrick James Eggle, SIMS Custom, Focusrite, Novation, KRK, Cakewalk, Audio-Technica, Tascam, Westside Distribution, London Guitars, Hot Rod Pickups, Scott Dixon, Stand-Made, James’ Home Of Tone, Crimson Guitars, Kingdom Guitars, Flame Guitars, Stone Wolf Guitars, Hathaway Guitars, Smooth Hound, Tuned Inn, RSM Custom Guitars, James Collins Guitars, Advanced Guitar Centre, Druzkowski Guitars, Thorpy FX, Harris Custom Guitars, Auden Guitars, Matrix Amplification, Panama Guitars, RCF, Custom Pedal Boards, JJ Guitars, Wudtone, Fairdeal Music, PMT, Fret Funk, John Hornby Skewes, Cassidy Guitars, Warman Guitars, Patrick Eggle Guitars, The Fretboard, Jaden Rose Guitars, Little Guitar Shop, Reflex Print, Rob Williams Guitars, Production Room, ACS, Strings And Things, SLead, Eternal Guitars, Guitar & Bass Magazine, Bareknuckle, Madison & Fifth, Heistercamp, Twin Stomp, guitarguitar, guitars4you, Harry’s Guitar Company.

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Stella Parton will celebrate her sister Dolly with a new album, Mountain Songbird

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Stella Parton has announced that she will honour her sister Dolly with a new album, MOUNTAIN SONGBIRD: A SISTER’S TRIBUTE. The album is available now and includes a Dolly and Stella co-written duet, More Power To Ya. MOUNTAIN SONGBIRD comprises re-recorded songs previously made famous by Dolly. The new album project coincides with a 16-date UK tour  running from February to March. “I have been asked many times throughout my career to record an entire album of her music, but in my heart and mind, I never felt I could ever do her music or performances justice. So in the end, while making the decision to record this tribute album of eleven of my favourites, I decided to sing the story songs because they resonated with me the most,” Stella said. Stella chose to release the album on her sister’s birthday, January 19. “I wanted this to come out on her special day. Dolly has always been my favourite songwriter, although I grew up in a family chocked full of them. It was indeed a daunting task to choose 11 of my favourite songs from a catalog so vast. I have chosen to sing them as sincerely and respectfully as possible and I hope you can hear that in my humble and honest approach to my sister’s beautiful songs. I am pleased and honoured to share my sister tribute” Stella said. “Stella is a great singer, entertainer and songwriter. All the more reason I am so proud she decided to do a tribute CD of my songs,” Dolly said. “She was there from the beginning of my career and always complimented and encouraged me in my writing. I admire and respect the way that she chose to do my songs. She stayed true to the original spirit in which I wrote them and yet found a way to make them her own. I really love how they turned out and I think you will, too. It’s been a personal source of joy to be able to hear this loving tribute from one sister to another and just to be able to work that closely with her. I am especially proud of the song we wrote together More Power To Ya. I hope you will enjoy this CD as much as we’ve enjoyed working on it for you.” MOUNTAIN SONGBIRD: A SISTER’S TRIBUTE TRACK LISTING: 1. Mountain Songbird 2. In the Good Old Days 3. Jolene 4. Blackie Kentucky 5. Coat of Many Colors 6. Bargain Store 7. Steady as the Rain 8. Down from Dover 9. Just Because I’m a Woman 10. The Flame 11. Seeker 12. I Will Always Love You 13. More Power To Ya (duet with Dolly)

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Locust Honey String Band

Live events /

North Carolina-formed, now Nashville-based old-time/bluegrass trio Locust Honey String Band have announced extensive February-March UK & Ireland tour in support of their new album NEVER LET ME CROSS YOUR MIND. Thu Feb 25: Lincs, Ewerby Reading Rooms Fri 26: Belchford, St Peter & Paul Church Sat 27: Notts. Norwell Village Hall Sun 28: Lincs, Braceborough Village Hall Mon 29: Rainham, The Oast House Community Centre Tue Mar 1: Birmingham, Kitchen Garden Café Wed 2: London, Green Note Thu 3: Warks, Kineton Sports & Social Club Fri 4: Warks, Clows Top Victory Hall Sat 5: Derbyshire, Chinley Community Centre Sun 6: Moreton, Millennium Community Centre Mon 7: Sarratt, The Cock Inn, The Old Barn Sessions Tue 8: Leicester, The Musician Wed 9: Towersey, The Three Horseshoes Thu 10: Barry, West End Club Fri 11: Newcastle upon Tyne, Studio at Live Theatre Sat 12: Scarborough, Woodend Gallery Sun 13: Beverley, The Rose & Crown Mon 14: Hawick String Theory, Tower Mill Café Bar Tue 15: Glasgow, Woodend Bowling and Tennis Club Thu 17: Ballater, The Deeside Inn Sat 19: Renfrewshire, Kilbarchan Performing Arts Centre Sun 20: Stranraer, The Grapes Mon 21: Omagh, Myles K. McCann’s Tue 22: Cookstown, The Red Room Wed 23: Galway, Róisín Dubh Thu 24: Listowel, St. Johns Theatre Sat 26: Naul, The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre Sun 27: Roscommon, JJ Harlow’s Mon 28: Kilkee, The Greyhound Bar Tue 29: Sixmilebridge, The Mill Bar, Sixmilebridge Folk Club

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This week saw the Country Radio Seminar return to Nashville

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Radio Personnel met this week in Nashville for  the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2016, country radio’s biggest event of the year. The three-day conference began on Monday, February 8 at its new home, Omni Nashville. CRS 2016 provided various educational and networking opportunities and the agenda was packed full of instructive discussions, intriguing panels. Performances came from some of country music’s biggest stars as well as some of the most talked about emerging acts of 2015-2016. Several favourites from past years returned too, including the Grand Ole Opry at CRS, Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley, Team UMG at The Ryman luncheon and more. Additionally, Big Machine Label Group hosted their first CRS-sanctioned luncheon. Notable discussions and panels that took place at CRS 2016 were the ‘New Views From the Top’ keynote discussion, CRS research presentation ‘What Content Makes Country Radio Matter’ presented by Edison Research and the ‘Programmers Boot Camp’ series, sponsored by Benztown. This year’s seminar also included an appearance from featured speaker, Tim McGraw. CRS welcomed a number of other after-hour destinations and sponsored events, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Reception and Gallery Tours, Mix Lounge, in2une/Momentum Label Group Showcase, Nashville-Access Superpick Showcase, Reviver Records After Hours Party, SSM Nashville Beer Garden, Stallions Entertainment Showcase, Smith & Wesley Performance at Barlines, Thirty Tigers at The Stage, the SMG CRS Fest 2016 at Margaritaville (sponsored by Spin Doctors)and more.

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