February 2017

Vince Gill Notches 21st Grammy Win

Most Grammys Won By A Male Country Artist Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill won his 21st Grammy trophy at the awards ceremonies in Los Angeles—this one for Best American Roots Song.  Gill’s winning song was Kid Sister, the title track for The Time Jumpers’ latest Rounder Records album. He wrote it in honor of vocalist Dawn Sears, a  member of the band who died of cancer in 2014.  Gill is a long-time member of The Time Jumpers.  “I wish you all would have had the chance once in your life to hear the voice of the woman I wrote this song about,” said Gill to the Grammy audience in Los Angeles.  “Her name was Dawn Sears. And on behalf of myself and The Time Jumpers, we got to perform a song  that I wrote to honor her.  It was one of the greatest thrills in my life and one of the best voices you’ll ever hear in your life.  I encourage you to find her voice.” Apart from her work with The Time Jumpers, Sears toured as Gill’s backup vocalist for 22 years.

Vince Gill Notches 21st Grammy Win Read More »

The Oak Ridge Boys Celebrate 35th Anniversary of BOBBIE SUE

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the release of one of The Oak Ridge Boys most popular albums, Bobbie Sue. The seventh album by the band was released on February 10, 1982. Its title track became a #1 Billboard country chart hit (on April 3, 1982) and hit #12 on the Hot 100 singles chart. The album also featured cover versions of two songs, the 1959 hit “So Fine”, a song initially recorded by the Fiestas, and “Up on Cripple Creek”, an original by The Band. The Oak Ridge Boys have achieved a decorated career, winning five GRAMMY® Awards, and multiple CMA, ACM and Dove Awards for their cross-over brand of pop, country and gospel music that spans multiple generations. Made up of members Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban, The Oak Ridge Boys are members of the Grand Ole Opry and achieved arguably country music’s highest honor in October 2015 when they were inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame. The Oak Ridge Boys have given many command performances throughout their legendary career, from performing for King Gustaf of Sweden, to Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline of Monaco, to Her Royal Highness Princess Anne of Great Britain and five U.S. presidents: Carter, Reagan, H.W. Bush, Clinton and W. Bush.

The Oak Ridge Boys Celebrate 35th Anniversary of BOBBIE SUE Read More »

Dolly Parton wins 8th Grammy award

World-renowned singer/songwriter/entertainer Dolly Parton continues racking up the honors! In 2014, The Recording Academy inducted Parton’s self-penned hit JOLENE into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Now, in 2017, that same song, released as a collaboration with Pentatonix, was awarded a Grammy in the Country Duo/Group Performance category. “Oh my Lord I am so excited to have won the Grammy with Pentatonix on my old song Jolene,” says Dolly Parton. “I am so happy and am so very proud of Pentatonix. The song is one of my favorites. Thanks to the Grammys, but most importantly thanks to all the fans. I love you all.” The award-winning collaboration between Pentatonix and Parton happened through a partnership with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, which has enjoyed success with both acts in the past with exclusive editions of albums from each. In Parton’s case, the partnership stretches back to her 2009 Backwoods Barbie Collector’s Edition project, which was followed by the release of An Evening With…Dolly and became the first Gold album-ever certified by the RIAA for Cracker Barrel Music. That relationship has continued with her latest Dolly Records / RCA Records release Pure & Simple. Released in the summer of 2016, the album – which netted Dolly her first chart-topping album since 1991 – was released in a deluxe Cracker Barrel-exclusive edition that featured live performances of her classic hits “9 To 5” and “Jolene” from the Glastonbury Festival, along with a 48-page ZinePak magazine filled with photos and interviews highlighting memorable stories from Parton. “Cracker Barrel is thrilled to have brought these two extraordinary talents together, Dolly Parton and Pentatonix, as part of our Spotlight Music Program for the exclusive collaboration of “Jolene.” We share in the celebration of their GRAMMY Award win as they are both a special part of the Cracker Barrel family,” said Don Hoffman, VP of Marketing at Cracker Barrel. CTK Management CEO Danny Nozell said, “The collaborative video produced by Cracker Barrel between Pentatonix and Dolly has been viewed over 22 million times and has now won a Grammy. Dolly proves, once again, that she is making music that the fans will respond to.”

Dolly Parton wins 8th Grammy award Read More »

Sam Outlaw new album announced as debut wins International Album of the Year at UK Americana Awards

Sam Outlaw – one of Los Angeles’s only modern country artists – was presented with the International Album of the Year Award for his acclaimed, Ry and Joachim Cooder produced debut album ‘Angeleno’ at the UK Americana Awards 2017. He also performed at the ceremony, which took place on Thursday 2nd February at St John at Hackney. Outlaw’s much anticipated sophomore LP, entitled TENDERHEART will be released on April 14th (Six Shooter Records/Thirty Tigers) and he has announced a special London show at Oslo, Hackney on Thursday March 30th. On TENDERHEART Outlaw offers an extraordinary refinement of the artistic identity laid out on ‘Angeleno’. Sonically, the album elaborates on his “SoCal Country” sound: a sun-bleached, Baja- influenced twang that deftly points to country’s neo-traditionalists and LA’s legendary singer-songwriters. Thematically, ‘Tenderheart’ is a thesis on self-discovery and the power of love – from the cinematic mariachi-laced climax on opener “Everyone’s Looking For Home,” to the determined swagger on side-A highlight “Trouble,” to torch song showstopper “Diamond Ring” – Outlaw meditates on his own conflicted quest for peace amidst the chaos of his chosen path. The 13-track collection of originals was recorded in the San Fernando Valley and co-produced by Outlaw alongside Martin Pradler. Outlaw enlisted many of the same musicians that made his first album, 2015’s ‘Angeleno,’ an undisputed breakthrough and one of the best-reviewed debuts of that year: harmony singer Molly Jenson, pedal steel pro Jeremy Long and guitarist Danny Garcia, along with Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes) and Bo Koster (My Morning Jacket). In addition, ‘Tenderheart’ features local mariachi group Erwin Vasquez and Mariachi Teocuitatlan. ‘Angeleno’ earned great reviews both in the UK and US, with The Guardian stating: “His debut LP is a polished and cosmopolitan west coast take on traditional country music (he’s called it ‘SoCal country’) with songs that are moody and wry all at once.” The Telegraph commented: “A very fine debut album from Californian singer-songwriter” and Maverick Magazine added: “A classic, fun and thought-provoking album which you will want to listen to again and again.”

Sam Outlaw new album announced as debut wins International Album of the Year at UK Americana Awards Read More »

Honey Ryder Guitarist launches Artist Development company with Staffordshire Songwriter

Guitarist and Producer Matt Bishop and Songwriter Charlotte Elizabeth have joined forces to create a new Artist Development company in Staffordshire. Matt and Charlotte met 18 months ago when Charlotte first started thinking about releasing an EP and after working so well together and developing a friendship, they noticed a gap in the market for other services. Charlotte said “After speaking to a number of artists, it became apparent that there is a gap in the market for development and support in the industry.  Many people are going into the studio to record their songs without any guidance or chance for development. We have found that they have nobody to co-write with, no access to a choice of musicians and no knowledge to develop themselves as artists” Matt added “Our partnership means we can offer everything an artist needs to develop from that first song right through to releasing a complete album. This takes stress and a heavy work load off the artist and allows them to focus on what they do best” Matt, known for his work as one third of UK Country Group Honey Ryder, has played The O2 as part of the annual Country 2 Country music festival, recorded in Nashville and is well known in the local area for being a member of Rock & Pop function band Live Wires. Charlotte’s debut EP, produced by Matt debuted in the iTunes Country Chart at number 4 when released earlier this month. Charlotte saw two of her songs declared Semi Finalists in the UK Songwriting Competition 2016. Matt & Charlotte will be offering a variety of different priced packages including the production of singles, EP’s & Albums, Music Videos, Photography shoots, PR & Radio and Artists Management. They will operate from Inspire Music Recording Studios in Fulford, Staffordshire but are also available to work nationally depending on artist requirements.

Honey Ryder Guitarist launches Artist Development company with Staffordshire Songwriter Read More »

Woody Pines

Visit Woody Pines http://www.woodypines.com/     April 5 The Atkinson Theatre, Southport April 6 Green Note, London April 7 Llandeilo Acoustic at The Angel, Llandeilo April 8 Playhouse 2, Shaw, Oldham April 9 Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington April 11 B Bar, Barbican, Plymouth April 12 Wed 12  The Victoria Hall, Stockland, Devon April 13 The Square Tower, Old Portsmouth, Hants April 14 Brookside Farm, Salfords, Surrey April 15 Square & Compass, Worth Matravers April 16 Square & Compass Worth Matravers (Afternoon) Sun 16 Pebbled Vinyard (evening), Clyst St George, Exeter April 18 The Pump House, Louth, Lincs April 19 Eastgate Theatre, Peebles April 20 Acoustic Music Club, Kirkcaldy April 21 The CatStrand, New Galloway April 22 Glenbuchat Hall. Strathdon April 23 The Blue Lamp, Aberdeen     April 26th Hamburg GERMANY Hafenbahnhof April 28 Crailsheim GERMANY 7180 Bar April 30 Essen GERMANY #SoulHell     May 1 Lessens BELGIUM #Roots&RosesFest May 2 Dordrecht NETHERLANDS #De Melkbus May 3 Essen BELGIUM #Heuvelzicht May 4 Waardamme BELGIUM #Cowboy Up May 5 Vlissingen NETHERLANDS #Bevrijdingsfestival May 6 Ospel NETHERLANDS Moulin Blues festival     May 10 Bilbao, Kafe Antzokia SPAIN May 11 Madrid, Boite Live SPAIN May 12 Zaragoza, Rock & Blues Café SPAIN May 13 Barcelona, Rocksound Almogavers SPAIN May 14 Valencia, Loco Club SPAIN May 16 Cangas oj morrazo, Sala Son SPAIN May 17 Gijón, Sala Acapulco (Casino de Asturias) SPAIN   BIOGRAPHY If you’re wondering where the music of Nashville troubadour WOODY PINES comes from, look to the streets. It was on the streets as a professional busker that Woody first cut his teeth, drawing liberally from the lost back alley anthems and scratchy old 78s of American roots music, whether country blues, jugband, hokum, or hillbilly. Heavy rollicking street performances are the key to some of today’s best roots bands, like Old Crow Medicine Show (Woody and OCMS’ Gill Landry used to tour the country in their own jugband), and they’re the key to Woody’s intensely catchy rhythms, jumpy lyrics, and wildly delirious sense of fun. Woody traveled all over the streets of this country, road testing his songs, drawing from the catchiest elements of the music he loved and adding in hopped-up vintage electrification to get that old country dancehall sound down right. That’s why the songs on his new self-titled release WOODY PINES (released May 28 on underground label Muddy Roots Recordings) are so hot. This is gonzo folk music, the kind of raise-the-rafters, boot-shakin’ jump blues that used to be banging out of juke joints all over the South in the late 1940s, but now it’s burning into the earholes of a younger generation of Nashville kids, all looking for music with deep roots and something to hang on to. It’s tempting to call Woody Pine’s newest music “rockabilly,” and in fact he recorded the new album at Sputnik Studios in Nashville, famous for recording rockabilly and psych-twang heroes JD McPherson, Jack White, and Sturgill Simpson. But it might be more accurate to call Woody’s new songs “hillbilly boogie;” a rarely remembered genre of American music made famous by the Delmore Brothers. Hillbilly boogie sits at the exact moment when the buzzed- out, electrified hillbilly country music of Appalachia (which itself drew heavily from country blues), first hit the sawdust-floored honky-tonks of old Nashville and Memphis. It was the moment exactly before the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. Woody writes with a wink to this critical time on songs like “Anything for Love” and “New Nashville Boogie,” drawing in modern references at will to make his points. He also dives deep into the tradition, drawing up gems like the old gangsta- folk song “Make It to the Woods” from the Mississippi Sheiks. In Woody’s music, there’s never an idea that roots music should be a recreation of an older time. Instead, he taps the vein of this music that’s still beating today, finding common ground with the old hucksters and bar-hounds who created the music in the first place. When Woody Pines sings “when the train rolls by, I get a faceful of rain,” this isn’t some hipster dilettante twisting a faux-handlebar mustache and singing about old-timey railroads, this is a dedicated student of Woody Guthrie who used to hop freight trains to get from town to town. This is serious roots music that’s as much a way of life as an aesthetic choice. This music isn’t for dabblers; you gotta feel it in your bones. Let Woody Pines help. QUOTES “WOODY SOUNDS LIKE WILLIE NELSON SINGING A JOHNNY CASH SONG IN A 1930’S ALABAMA JUKE JOINT.WILDLY ADDICTING.  ONE MAGICAL ALBUM.” -NO DEPRESSION  “WOODY PINES IS THE BEST BAND I EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE I SWEAR…. I’M THEIR BIGGEST FAN NOW!” – BILLY JOE SHAVER AMERICAN ROOTS UK  “GO AND SEE THEM, YOU WON’T REGRET IT”!  “ROCK SOLID SEXY OLD TIME VAUDEVILLE HILL-BILLY GROOVE.” – SXIP SHIREY OF THE LUMINESCENT ORCHESTRII, NYC “A ROLLICKING, ENGAGING AMALGAM OF OLD-TIME BLUES AND JUG BAND SENSIBILITIES. “….WALKING DOWN THE ROAD HAS OVERTONES OF EARLY DYLAN IN ITS GUITAR FINGER-PICKING AND WISTFUL DRAWL.” – JIM GILCHRIST, THE SCOTSMAN “Woody Pines brings that low-key street corner style of performance to his stage show, but with all the polish and seasoned professionalism of a tour-bus-and-green-room rock stardom. Crackerjack musicianship goes a long way toward a band’s greatness, but showmanship seals the deal. Pines, on stage, is an old soul and natural performer, storied and steeped in the best of American music.” – Alli Marshall Mtn. Xpress, Asheville, North Carolina

Woody Pines Read More »

Kelsea Ballerini UK Bound For The First Time

Hard to believe that the acclaimed, award winning singer, songwriter Kelsea Ballerini is still just 23 years old. Without doubt she’s the most exciting new voice in contemporary American country music, the obvious heir apparent to Taylor Swift’s crown. On March 10th Sony Music Commercial Group UK, in conjunction with Black River Entertainment will release ‘The First Time,’ the phenomenally successful debut album from the exciting rising star. This special UK edition will feature 4 bonus acoustic tracks. “After having the opportunity to launch Kelsea’s career, we’re thrilled to take these additional steps to further it by introducing her to the global marketplace,” said Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr. “We look forward to a strong and successful partnership with Sony Music Commercial Group.” The RIAA Gold-certified album features the smash #1 US singles; the Platinum-certified “Love Me Like You Mean It,” “Peter Pan” and Gold-certified ‘Dibs,’ along with current hit single “Yeah Boy,” and fan-favourite “XO.” Each of the 12 tracks are delivered in her remarkable voice, a voice that belies her youth with a passion and spirit that make you sit up and take notice. Kelsea has sold over 300,000 albums in the USA, over 2 million singles, has 80 million YouTube hits, and is coming up for 250 million streams. Her life went into a tailspin when her parents divorced and she turned to songwriting for salvation after hearing Keith Urban’s ‘Stupid Boy’. Attracted by the gut-wrenching lyrics and raw story, she started to write her own songs, drawing inspiration from Kelly Clarkson, Shania Twain and Taylor Swift. At 15 she and her mother moved to Nashville from East Tennessee and the rest is fast becoming history. In 2015 Kelsea received Billboard’s prestigious ‘Rising Star’ at their Women In Music event while last year she received CMT’s Breakout Artist of the Year. This year she is nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy Award, as well as Best New Country Artist at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. She has also established herself as an incredible live performer, having opened for Lady Antebellum, Rascall Flatts, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban in addition to a sold out headline US tour last autumn. Rolling Stone called Kelsea Ballerini “one of the most unique new talents the genre has seen in a long time” and who are we to argue. Kelsea Ballerini is currently in the studio working on a new record due for release later this year. In the meantime the UK can enjoy this wonderful debut album and look forward to her touching down on UK soil later this Spring. 

Kelsea Ballerini UK Bound For The First Time Read More »

Country-pop singer Catherine McGrath announces UK tour & festival dates

Following her performance at London’s Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, country-pop’s newest rising star Catherine McGrath has announced a number of UK shows including support for US country singer/songwriter Canaan Smith on his March UK tour. Catherine has also just announced a third date with The Saturdays’ Una Healy and will now be playing at Bush Hall on the 15th May in addition to the February shows at London’s St Pancras Old Church on 15th and Dublin’s Sugar Club the following day. You can also catch Catherine performing at this year’s Country 2 Country festival at London’s O2 Arena on the 11th and 12th of March and The Great Escape in Brighton on the 18th of May with many more to come. Following a series of live in-session videos, Catherine has just revealed ‘Say You Love Me’ filmed live from Firepit Studios, showcasing her stunning voice which is winning the hearts of young fans across the country. This comes after the release of her debut EP ONE, which came out just before Christmas via Warner Bros. Records and saw Catherine dubbed as ‘Ones To Watch 2017’ by Amazon Music. The EP has so far clocked up almost 1 million streams on Spotify and features the three original tracks ‘Hell Would Have To Freeze Over’, ‘Cinderella’ and ‘She’ll Never Love You’ as well as her beautiful version of Jessie Ware’s hit single ‘Say You Love Me’. All four tracks have been added to numerous Spotify playlists including the UK and Global New Music Friday Playlists and lead track ‘Hell Would Have To Freeze Over’ reached #1 on the Very Nearly Nashville Playlist – with Catherine as the cover star – and #9 on the Spotify Viral Chart. Embracing her love for Nashville and country music while conserving her Irish folk roots and pop influence, Catherine’s songwriting talent is going from strength to strength. Writing of love, loss and life, her youthful touch relates to her audience and is as engaging as it is beautiful.

Country-pop singer Catherine McGrath announces UK tour & festival dates Read More »

Review: Emily Maguire A BIT OF BLUE

Emily Maguire A BIT OF BLUE Shaktu Records **** Haunting landscapes and imagery rich songs Emily Maguire, the British born singer-songwriter, has had a remarkable journey. Plucked from obscurity in 2007 to support Don McLean at the Royal Albert Hall, she has released 3 albums, written poetry and prose, published a book on the Bi-polar condition and suffered numerous health setbacks and challenges so it is no wonder that her songs aren’t three minute puff pieces about men. Produced by Nigel Butler, (K.D. Lang, Robbie Williams, Will Young), he has helped to transform this set of beautiful, broken images into a series of ethereal songs, linked by the binding narrative of lush orchestration, sparse instrumentation and the dream-like quality of Maguire’s voice. This is no easy listen – this isn’t an album to pop on in the kitchen whilst you make tea. This is one of those rare, wonderful beasts in today’s instant world that has to be loved. Every lyric needs a time and space to breathe, to settle and to be poured over. Melodies are in abundance here but are not necessarily evident on first listen, you won’t get to the end and have one of the songs lodged like an ear-worm in your brain – A BIT OF BLUE is not one of those albums, it’s a grower, it needs nurturing and like everything that is given a chance to flourish it will give back in spades, as long as you allow it to. Despite the fact that some of this album was recorded in Queensland, Australia and some in Ross-on-Wye there is a clear coherence and binding narrative running through the middle of it, linking all the songs together. Maguire’s haunting vocals and the beautiful use of piano and strings produce a lush yet sparse feel to many of the tracks. It is by no means an easy listen but who said music has to always be commercial and consumable? If you prefer your music deep, dark and dramatic, if you want every lyric on every line to have a meaning and not just placed there to advance a melody then A BIT OF BLUE might well be your colour. James Daykin www.emilymaguire.com

Review: Emily Maguire A BIT OF BLUE Read More »

Review: Kate Rusby LIFE IN A PAPER BOAT

Kate Rusby LIFE IN A PAPER BOAT Pure records 4.5 stars Another gem from the award winning Yorkshire folkie Soon to be celebrating 25 years in the folk business, Kate Rusby albums never fail to impress and LIFE IN A PAPER BOAT is up there with the best. Kate’s fragile but hauntingly beautiful vocals are perfectly suited to the mix of self-penned and traditional numbers. Producer husband Damien O’Kane has done a sterling job and there is nothing approaching a sub-standard track on the album. Rusby has surrounded herself with some of the best supporting musicians from the folk world with Dan Tyminski and Ron Block from Alison Krauss’ Union Station guesting on a couple of tracks. Her song writing is as innovative as ever and I really loved the imaginative lyrics on ‘Hunter Moon’ and the two songs with a seafaring theme, ‘The Mermaid’ and of course, the title track. Just one cover, Archie Fisher’s The Witch of Westmorland; a great tale of a witch with amazing healing powers. One bonus track is included; the catchy Big Brave Bill, a ‘Superman’ like character from Barnsley who comes to the rescue on numerous occasions and derives his strength from drinking Yorkshire Tea! The album runs for almost an hour but the quality fare on offer ensures the listener’s attention is never distracted. The beauty of this album is that it should appeal to a diverse audience rather than a strictly folk oriented clientele. John Roffey www.katerusby.com

Review: Kate Rusby LIFE IN A PAPER BOAT Read More »

Scroll to Top