September 2017 - STAGING Maverick

Country star Ronnie Milsap in Waukegan

Country music star Ronnie Milsap is set to appear in Waukegan. According to The Chicago Tribune, the artist will grace the stage of the Genesee Theater in Waukegan on Oct. 12 where he will perform a range of hits. Known for hits including “Smokey Mountain Rain,” “It Was Almost like a Song,” “I Wouldn’t Have Missed It for the World” and “There’s No Gettin’ Over Me”, Milsap is one of country music’s living legends – and one who has penetrated popular music with his blends of contemporary-country. The artist has six Grammy awards, as well as CMA awards for Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2014.

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Johnny Cash ‘Greatest Hits – The Sun Records Years’

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Following hard on the heels of the The Original Sun Albums 1957-1964 8 CD box set of Johnny Cash recordings for Sun Records label earlier in 2017, comes Johnny Cash ‘Greatest Hits – The Sun Records Years’, a twenty-track vinyl-only release which contains such defining JC recordings as I Walk The Line, Folsom Prison Blues and There You Go. This is but the first in what will comprise a total of eight high-quality 180-gram audiophile quality vinyl releases, cut from lacquers and sourced from original master tapes, which restore the classic Sun sleeve artwork. The reissue series comes with the full involvement and oversight of Sun Entertainment Corporation president John A Singleton, and has been project managed by Charly label manager Rob Caiger in London, in conjunction with some of the UK’s finest studios and leading mastering engineers, including Matt Colton and Barry Grint at Alchemy Mastering, and Nick Robbins at Soundmastering Ltd. Track Listing Side 1: Cry! Cry! Cry! / Folsom Prison Blues / So Doggone Lonesome / I Walk The Line / There You Go / Train of Love / Next In Line / Home of the Blues / Ballad of A Teenage Queen / Big River Track Listing Side 2: Guess Things Happen That Way / Come In Stranger / The Ways of a Woman In Love / You’re The Nearest Thing To Heaven / Thanks A Lot / Luther Played The Boogie / Katy Too / Straight A’s In Love / I Love You Because / Oh Lonesome Me More albums are set to follow in 2018.

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Country's Canadian "hidden gem", Johnny Burke, dies

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A Country musician who performed with artists such as Glen Campbell and Loretta Lynn has died. Johnny Burke, 77, a Canadian country musician, died of cancer on Thursday last week, leaving behind a string of mourning fans who were looking forward to his last Canadian performances. Burke was one of 13 siblings who grew up in Rosaireville, 25 kilometres from Miramichi. Performing at his family’s own kitchen parties, it wasn’t until 1960s that Burke left Toronto to stay with an uncle while building his career on the music scene. In the 1970s, Burke played with the Caribou Showband, which was later named Johnny Burke and the Eastwind; late in the decade the band became the house band for CTV’s Funny Farm, playing live and in studio for acts such as Loretta Lynn and Glen Campbell. Burke’s biggest hit emerged in 1978 with “Wild Honey,” which won top country single at the Big Country Awards, Canada’s country music awards at the time. In 2005, Burke was inducted to the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame and in 2012, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.

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Debut single from Brett Young available for download!

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‘In Case You Didn’t Know’ is the debut UK single by Brett Young, 2017’s biggest breakout Country star and is available to stream and download now. Featuring guest vocals by Una Healy (The Saturdays), ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’ is a new version of Brett’s massive US single, a Billboard and Mediabase No.1 which was recently certified double Platinum with over 2 million sales. UK fans will get their first chance to see Brett live next month when he supports Lady Antebellum on their UK Arena tour, including London’s O2 on October 10th. “I think the new version of the single turned out great,” says Brett. “Una’s voice is special and adds a different flavour to the track. I’m also looking forward to the upcoming UK dates! I’ve heard great things about British country music fans and can’t wait to see everyone at the shows.” ‘Brett Young’, the Californian singer-songwriter’s eponymous debut album, will be released October 6th on Big Machine Records and contains the US hits ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’, ‘Sleep Without You’ (certified Gold), plus latest single ‘Like I Loved You’. Named as the only Country act on Shazam’s ‘Emerging Artists of 2017’, Brett Young has captured the imagination with his West Coast-meets-Southern sound, aptly dubbed ‘Caliville’ style. “Destined for mass appeal” (Rolling Stone Country), the CMA New Artist Of The Year nominee recorded the album in Nashville with producer Dann Huff (Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, Steven Tyler). 11 of the 12 tracks were co-written by Brett, including the singles ‘Like I Loved You’ and ‘Sleep Without You.’ With ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’ Brett became the first Country artist to hit the RIAA PLATINUM-certification sales mark with a song released in 2017, with the song recently reaching 2 x Platinum status with sales of over 2m certified units. The video was No. 1 on Vevo’s Country Chart for six consecutive weeks and is currently the only Country song on Vevo’s list of Top 10 Videos of 2017. With more than 110 million views, Young is the only Country artist on the list joining the rankings with Zayn and Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar and DJ Khaled. Watch the video here. ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’ was nominated for a Teen Choice Award for Choice Country Song and was also nominated for Breakthrough Video of the Year at the 2017 CMT Music Awards. Brett was also nominated for two Association of Independent Music Publisher (AIMP) Awards for Writer of the Year and Song of the Year for ‘Sleep Without You.’ In addition to his solo headline dates across the US this year, Brett has been on tour with Lady Antebellum on their ‘You Look Good World Tour’ throughout the summer. Fans and critics are raving about the show and his performance, with The New York Times saying “Brett Young renders deep feelings with thick polish.” BRETT YOUNG UK TOUR SUPPORTING LADY ANTEBELLUM October 4 Manchester Arena October 5 Dublin, 3Arena October 7 Glasgow, The SSE Hyrdro October 9 Birmingham Barclaycard Arena October 10 London O2 Arena Brett Young’s debut album is available from October 6, 2017.

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Kirsty Merryn celebrates women on debut 'She & I'

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London-based singer-songwriter Kirsty Merryn is releasing her new album on November 9. Specialising in contemporary folk melodies, Kirsty has become a regular on the UK folk scene and is most commonly associated with introspective piano based songs and this album is no different, filled with tracks that celebrate all things feminine. *See teaser!* Funded by the English Folk Dance and Song Society, and produced by award-winning Gerry Diver (Sam Lee, Lisa Knapp, The Speech Project), ‘She & I’ includes the talents of Steve Knightley from Show of Hands, and tells the story of Grace Darling, a Victorian heroine, and her father William, a lighthouse keeper and is filmed on the Devon coast. In 2015 after being discovered by Steve Knightley Merryn received national airplay on BBC Radio 6 Music and in 2016 opened the main stage at Sidmouth Folk Week for headliners Show of Hands. Kirsty will be touring this autumn.

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Move over Taylor Swift…Check out 'Off The Wagon' by Philippa Hanna

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‘Come Back Fighting’ is the brand new album from UK female artist Philippa Hanna. Set for release on November 24th amidst opening a formidable 29 date tour for BGT winning vocal group Collabro, the album is her 6th studio offering marking 10 years of making music and well over 1000 live performances. With much of the album written in Nashville, Philippa has brought together a range of pop, country and gospel influences, assembling an impressive collection of musicians. With features from BBC Radio 2 presenter Paul Jones on harmonica, world-champion banjo player John Dowling and a leading UK gospel choir, the album was recorded at Chairworks Studios in West Yorkshire. Working with long-term collaborators guitarist Roo Walker and manager Andy Baker, the production has a fresh and unique flavour that won’t leave fans disappointed. “Every once in a while Sheffield spawns an act that redefines the music industry’s outlook – while many are waiting for the next Arctic Monkeys, there is a big possibility that Philippa Hanna might be an unexpected recipient of their crown.” From the acoustic-reggaeinfused Dorothy to the hardhitting bluesy title track Come Back Fighting, listeners can expect to be drawn into the storytelling narrative that has put Hanna on the singer-songwritermap. With coversof WIllie Nelson’s classic Always on My Mind and Hank William’s I Saw The Light the album succeeds in catering for broad fan-base that has seen the Sheffieldsinger open tours for Lionel Richie and Little Mix. Tour dates are available philippahanna.com with Philippa’s own Christmas events starting in December.

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“Deborah Bonham and her band are from and for the heart, soul and feet…"

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“Deborah Bonham and her band are from and for the heart, soul and feet. No one does what they do. We need them.” Those were the words used by the BBC to describe the group who have a vast portfolio of performances behind them. Worldwide festival favourite Deborah and her powerful band featuring players who have performed with Paul Rodgers, Black Sabbath, Steve Marriott & Rory Gallagher began yet another year on a high with her sold-out show during London Blues Week at the legendary 100 Club in January. 2017 sees a select series of UK dates and her return to Europe for further sold-out shows, where the French press call her “Princess of Rock”. Deborah and the band return to the UK for Giants of Rock in 2018 as the only band to have been invited to perform there four times. In announcing the ‘Free Spirit’ UK tour, earlier this year, it was clear that Paul Rodgers felt that the tour would be something very special: “It was so inspirational playing Free material with Deborah Bonham’s band, led by guitarist Pete Bullick, when we played charity gigs that I promised myself that someday we would tour the UK with this band”. Backing the legendary Free, Bad Company and The Firm vocalist as he revisited his phenomenal catalogue with one of music’s’ seminal blues-rock bands was a timely reminder of the skills and power of the gifted and supremely talented Deborah Bonham Band. Deborah opened the shows with Nigel Kennedy and former Robert Plant guitarist, Doug Boyle. “She’s quite possibly the most vocally impressive, entertaining and awe-inspiring performer I’ve seen. The band’s visual presence is phenomenal, all of who are visibly taking enjoyment from their time on stage.” (MetalTalk) Deborah’s performances over the last few years have included a mesmerising performance at The Royal Albert Hall, where she received a standing ovation at the sell-out concert, opening for Paul Rodgers. When Blues Matters! caught her duet with Dan McCafferty of Nazareth, it was “a vocal marriage made in Heaven”. More recently, Robert Plant stepped on stage unannounced to a delirious crowd at Deborah Bonham’s show to perform Led Zeppelin’s ‘When The Levee Breaks’ with her band and added the Johnny Kidd & The Pirates’ classic, ‘Shakin’ All Over’ with Deborah, delighting the crowd with their obvious shared, magical chemistry. Deborah’s opening set for Foreigner at their most recent, sold out London Palladium show drew a rapturous response and Deborah was invited back on stage for the encore to duet on ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’. With all of her albums now being released in through Cadiz Music, ‘The Old Hyde’ feat. Jason Bonham & Mick Fleetwood, ‘Duchess’ feat. Paul Rodgers & Jerry Shirley (Humble Pie), ‘Spirit’, feat. Robert Plant, Deborah is performing many of these songs live, plus several originally recorded in 1985 for her debut album ‘For You And The Moon’. ‘Looking Back At The Moon’ is a collection of the 1985-1991 sessions released for the first time on cd including the best of ‘For You And The Moon’ and some unreleased tracks. Now also available is ‘The Complete Sessions- Remastered’ the definitive version of her album last studio album, ‘Spirit’, which now gathers together all of the songs recorded at the ‘Spirit’ sessions, drawing together songs from the Limited Edition pre-release album, official album and a further, unreleased track.

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Thomas Rhett aspires to release merchandise

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In an interview with ‘W’ magazine, Thomas Rhett announced today that he’d like to release a clothing line, following in the footsteps of some mainstream music artists. Combining Country with Pop and R’n’B makes Rhett one of the most diverse of Country music artists and one of the most original. Now the artist is expanding into fashion with a collaboration with designer Daniel Patrick, in LA, whose a favourite of Justin Bieber, whereupon fans will be able to purchase shorts, caps and pullovers. The artist is one of few who has reached beyond Country in the world of Fashion.

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Southern Halo to perform at British Country Music Association Awards

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Popular rockin’ Country sister trio, Southern Halo, will be special guests of the British Country Music Association Awards on October 22. The American girl group, nominated in the International Act of the Year (Touring) award category, have also been invited to perform and to present an award to another of the evening’s hopefuls. The entertainers made quite a name for themselves on this side of the pond in June as London openers for superstar Dionne Warwick at the David Gest Memorial Concert. Following the awards show, Southern Halo will embark on a promotional radio tour that includes select performances in Scotland. A complete schedule appears below. The Morris sisters hail from the small town of Cleveland, Mississippi in the heart of the Delta, the home of Blues and Rock & Roll. Natalia (principal songwriter, guitarist, lead vocalist), Christina (drums) and Hannah (bass) are Southern Halo, and they’ve created their own signature sound that offers a blend of multiple Country styles, current Alt. Pop vibes and a dash of Southern Rock. It’s youthful, energetic music – made immediately recognisable by the sweet familial harmonies that have become Southern Halo’s trademark. In addition to their incredible harmonies, the girls lay it all on the line with high-energy stage shows during opening sets for top-tier acts and as headliners. To date, they’ve kicked off shows for Warwick, Brantley Gilbert, Eric Paslay, Maren Morris, Love and Theft, Tyler Farr, Randy Houser, John Michael Montgomery, Parmalee, Old Dominion, Jamie Lynn Spears, Craig Campbell, Uncle Kracker, Julie Roberts, American Young and B.B. King. Last year they made their CMA Music Festival debut with appearances on two separate stages, were named Nashville Universe’s Vocal Group of the Year 2016, performed at an elite pre-GRAMMY Awards show in Los Angeles, and launched Townsquare Media’s “Say It With Pepsi” Concert Series. They returned to CMA Music Festival again this year, and have enjoyed a jam-packed schedule since then. The blond beauties with their joyous attitudes enjoy a rigorous band practice regime, writing sessions, tour dates, photo and video shoots, and more. Musical tastes differ and with a range of influences that runs the gamut from Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake (Natalia) to Dave Grohl and Pink (Christina) to Selena Gomez and Michael Jackson (Hannah), the creative forces in play are diverse. Their current CD, SOUTHERN HALO, was produced by SESAC’s 2012 Writer of the Year Catt Gravitt (Kelly Clarkson, Jake Owen) and Gerald O’Brien (writer of hits for Martina McBride, Trace Adkins). The disc, available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon, has generated three hit single/videos: “Little White Dress,” “Rewind” and “Living Like That.” “We’ve been so fortunate,” notes Natalia. “We’ve gotten a lot of breaks since getting to the National finals of the 2014 Texaco Country Showdown, and we have worked hard to be worthy of them. We love the UK – the energy and love of music the people have there is inspiring – and we cannot wait to return.” Southern Halo fans can catch them at these events: Oct 22 / Wolverhampton – BCMA Awards – The Wolfrun Hall, 7 p.m. Oct 23-25 / Radio visits, interviews, television Oct 26 / Elgin, Scotland – Ex-Services Club, 8 p.m.-12 midnight Oct 27 / Dundee, Scotland – No 1s, 9 p.m. Oct 28 / Aberdeen, Scotland – Barra Castle Inverurie, 9 p.m. – 12 midnight

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SHANIA TWAIN announces 2018 UK & Ireland tour

Live events / Editor

Having stolen the show at Radio 2’s Live in Hyde Park earlier this month, multiplatinum, multi-award winning Shania Twain announces 6 unmissable UK & Ireland arena dates for autumn 2018 -the first time Shania has toured in the UK in 13 years! With the imminent release of her stunning new album ‘NOW’ (out 29th September on Virgin/EMI) and three decades into her storied career, Shania Twain’s new album contains the joyful lead track and radio mainstay ‘Life’s About to Get Good’. ‘NOW’ is the first time Shania has assumed the role of sole songwriter and co-producer. Following recent performances on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and ‘The One Show’ as well as the Radio 2 Breakfast Show with Chris Evans, Shania feels “It’s time to get back out there and give the music a chance to live a life!” and so will embark on her first UK & Ireland tour since 2004’s huge ‘Up!’ Tour. Tickets for the six arena dates go on sale from 10am on 29th September: Fri 21st GLASGOW, Glasgow SSE Hydro Sat 22nd MANCHESTER, Manchester Arena Mon 24th BIRMINGHAM, Birmingham Arena Weds 26th IRELAND, Dublin 3Arena Sat 29th BELFAST, Belfast SSE Arena October 2018 Tues 2nd LONDON, London O2 Arena Shania is a five-time GRAMMY Award-winner and the reigning Queen of Country Pop. With 90 million albums sold worldwide, Shania remains the top-selling female country artist of all time. Shania’s albums include her Platinum-selling 1993 debut, Shania Twain; the GRAMMY Award-winning, Double Diamond-selling 1995 release, The Woman in Me; Come On Over, the best-selling studio album in Soundscan history by a female artist in any genre and the best-selling country album of all time with over 40 million units sold worldwide; and UP!, Shania’s third consecutive Diamond-selling album release. Recognising her indelible impact and achievements in music, Shania is the first and only female artist to receive CMT’s Artist of a Lifetime Award. She was also honoured with the Icon Award at Billboard’s Women in Music ceremony. Shania’s hits include “Any Man of Mine,” “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” “You’re Still the One,” and “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!”.

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