October 2017

Katy Hurt hits the road!

Not to be missed in November… Katy Hurt is hitting the road this November with a touring version of her Katy Hurt & Friends show, which played to a sold-out audience at Freedom Bar on 4th July.   The show’s unique concept consists of two full band headline sets from Katy and resident tour guest Sonia Leigh, along with an acoustic Songwriter’s round, featuring guests from a selection of over 20 top UK and US artists who will join them throughout the tour. Katy has spent the summer performing at over 60 festivals and events around the country since the launch of her last EP “Pieces of Me”, a selection of songs that have impressed fans by combining the honest lyrical content of modern country music with the riffs, solos and raucous vocals of southern rock, a là Lynyrd Skynyrd or Cadillac Three. BBC Radio 2’s Paul Sexton recently described Katy as “one of the most exciting prospects on the burgeoning British country scene”, going on to say “Hurt’s confident, distinctive EP Pieces Of Me is the latest evidence of a career that’s already produced an iTunes UK Country No. 1 in last year’s ‘Love You More,’ among other successes”. Acknowledging her skill as a songwriter he also noted she is “a vivacious and magnetic performer…Come and check her out now whilst you can still get to the front row”. To coincide with the Katy Hurt & Friends tour, Katy has also just released her latest single “Cheap”. Co-written and produced with guitarist Gab Zsapka, Cheap is a feel-good, rock and roll throwback track. The single is accompanied by her first official music video recorded live at the legendary Metropolis Studios in London. You can check it out here… get ready to start tapping your feet!   Upcoming Dates 2017: 02/11 – The Prince Albert – Brighton http://www.wegottickets.com/event/416846 03/11 – Kensington Rooftop Gardens 06/11 – The Star Inn – Guildford TICKETS COMING SOON 09/11 – Studio 2 Parr St – Liverpool http://www.wegottickets.com/event/416887 15/11 – Cellar Bar – Oxford http://www.wegottickets.com/event/416886 17/11 – St James Wine Vaults – Bath http://www.wegottickets.com/event/419444 18/11 – Nashville Nights – Under The Bridge London 19/11 –The Maze – Nottingham http://www.wegottickets.com/event/416888 22/11 –Bassment Bar – Chelmsford Essex http://www.wegottickets.com/event/416889 26/11 –Gullivers – Manchester http://www.wegottickets.com/event/416890 03/12 – Paradise London Live at Omeara – London 13/12 – Zigfrid von Underbelly – London http://www.wegottickets.com/event/419362 Check out Cheap on Spotify: www.katyhurt.com https://www.facebook.com/KatyHurtMusic https://twitter.com/KT_Hurt13 https://www.instagram.com/katy_hurt/  

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Toronto-based Harrow Fair announce UK tour dates!

Toronto-based duo Harrow Fair; Miranda Mulholland (formerly Great Lake Swimmers) and Andrew Penner (Sunparlour Players) are excited to announce their return to the UK this autumn with a string of live dates throughout October / November, concluding at London’s Green Note on Wednesday 8th November, 2017. The band recently set up shop in Toronto’s Revolution Studio recording covers of iconic Chris Isaak song Wicked Game, released earlier this year, plus the new stunning cover of Memphis Minnie track When The Levee Breaks, also made famous by Led Zeppelin. One part stomping songs that echo early country and rock ‘n’ roll, the other gritty ballads that sound sweet and haunted. The duo released their debut full-length album Call To Arms in the summer of 2016, with tracks from their rapidly expanding collection of songs, including the kick-drum booming opener of Hangnail setting the tone for this soulful country album filled with guitar hooks and southern charm. Rounding off their adventures of 2017 Harrow Fair perform at a host of festivals across the US and Canada, before returning to the UK for a headline tour. Tuesday 31st October Stables 2, Milton Keynes https://stables.org/ Wednesday 1st November The Met, Bury http://themet.biz/ Thursday 2nd November Old Cinema Launderette, Durham www.oldcinemalaunderette.uk/retro-gig-venue Friday 3rd November Caroline Social Club, Saltaire www.carolineclub.co.uk Saturday 4th November Biddulph Up In Arms www.biddulphupinarms.com Sunday 5th November Greystones, Sheffield www.mygreystones.co.uk Tuesday 7th November The Tunnels, Bristol www.thetunnelsbristol.co.uk Wednesday 8th November Green Note, London www.greennote.co.uk www.harrowfair.ca https://twitter.com/harrowfairmusic https://www.facebook.com/HarrowFairMusic

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Even more performers at 51st CMA Awards announced!

The Country Music Association has announced additional performers for the 51st CMA Awards. New performers include Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Pink, Keith Urban and an opening collaboration featuring Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker and Keith Urban. The all-star event also includes performances by Garth Brooks, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood. Country Music Hall of Fame newby Alan Jackson will also take the stage at the highly anticipated event. Previously announced collaborative performances include Kelsea Ballerini and Reba McEntire; Dierks Bentley and Rascal Flatts; Maren Morris and Niall Horan; and Brad Paisley and Kane Brown. Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley will team up for the 10th time to co-host the upcoming CMA Awards, which will air live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 8-11 p.m. ET on ABC.

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Kelsea Ballerini puts on a show for students

Country music star Kelsea Ballerini put on a show over the weekend, performing at Central High School, Knoxville. WBIR-TV reports that the well-known artist partnered up with Tennessee’s Tourism Department for the release of her next album Unapologetically – part of a campaign called “Soundtrack of America, Made in Tennessee.” Ballerini is said to have insisted on travelling back to her hometown to perform at the Central, encouraging her most dedicated fans to attend.

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Emerging singer-songwriter Ryan Hurd releases self-titled EP

Breakthrough Nashville singer/songwriter Ryan Hurd has released his self-titled EP, a 4-track collection which has now amassed almost 50 million streams. As one of Nashville’s most-celebrated young writing talents with songs cut by Blake Shelton, Brothers Osborne, Dierks Bentley and Lady Antebellum, Ryan captured the country format with his artistry by releasing the EP consisting of 4 tracks, each of which is accompanied by its own music video. Billboard praised Hurd’s unique release strategy saying, “…Hurd has been impressively attracting a variety of listeners, solidifying himself as an emerging artist-to-watch with each track he releases.” Lead single “Love In A Bar”, co-written by Hurd and singer/songwriter Joey Hyde showcases Ryan’s celebrated lyricism as a writer and soulful, gravelly vocals. The electric, autobiographical, anthemic track from the Grammy-nominated songwriter has notched more than 17 million streams since its initial release last year. Watch the video for “Love In A Bar” below. Following the release of the EP, Ryan landed on over 10 watch lists for 2017 including Pandora, Rolling Stone, Huffington Post, CMT and more. He kicked off the year joining his fiancée, Grammy winner Maren Morris on her sold-out HERO tour, followed by supporting Thomas Rhett on his US tour dates, alongside Kelsea Ballerini and Russell Dickerson, then heading out with Chase Rice and Florida Georgia Line. In November, Ryan is making his first trip to the UK, supporting Maren Morris on her tour on this side of the pond: 12th November The Academy, Dublin 13th November O2 ABC, Glasgow 15th November O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London 17th November O2 Institute, Birmingham 18th November Anson Rooms, Bristol 20th November O2 Ritz, Manchester 21st November Leadmill, Sheffield   RYAN HURD – EP Tracklisting We Do Us (Ryan Hurd/Mikey Reaves/Laura Veltz) Love in a Bar (Ryan Hurd/Joey Hyde) City Girl (Ryan Hurd/Gordie Sampson/Troy Verges) Hold You Back (Ryan Hurd/Nicolle Galyon/Will Weatherly)

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'Nashville's Clare Bowen married Brandon Robert Young this weekend!

Nashville star Clare Bowen got married this weekend to her longtime partner, and fellow musician, Brandon Robert Young. The pair were engaged in 2015 and have recently toured the UK with the Nashville In Concert tour. Clare shared photos on Instagram of the wedding preparations, which took place in Nashville on Saturday, 21st October. Brandon proposed to Clare as she performed at the Grand Ole Opry in 2015. They put their wedding plans on hold after Bowen’s brother was diagnosed with cancer soon after the engagement, however he is now in remission and, happily, the wedding plans went ahead. Earlier this month, Bowen shared this message on Instagram accompanying a photo of her parents: “My parents waltzing their way through @sydneyairport to come help me do all the things I never thought I’d do, because I never thought I’d get married, because that’s something that happened to other people. I really had no interest in it at all… Then @brandonrobertyoung turned up and turned everything upside down and this photo is emotional napalm and I get to see them tomorrow and I’m not crying you’re crying.” She shared a few more insights into the big day with her Instagram followers over the weekend. Huge congratulations to the newly married couple!

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Buck’ N Bull Saloon returning November 3rd with Holloway Road & Baylen Leonard

Buck’ n Bull Saloon are back on November 3rd for their second pop up event Buck’ N Bull Saloon presents Guy Fawkes Friday. Their first event brought fans together for a southern-inspired evening filled with line dancing, a bucking bronco competition, live music from Two Ways Home and a floor filling DJ set from Chris Country’s Baylen Leonard. Organisers have relocated to the Islington Metal Works in Angel for their second event and have another sell-out line up planned.  2016 UK Country Duo of the Year, Holloway Road, will be performing their latest full band set at the event. The Essex boys continue to go from strength to strength and have recently been seen opening for Lindsay Ell at Country Music Week having already played the Martin stage at CMA Fest 2015, performed for the C2C crowds for two consecutive years, written with Jacob Bryant (John & Jacob), partied with Kacey Musgraves, and landed both their EPs in the iTunes country top ten.  Buffalo Trace Bourbon are an official partner of the event and have sponsored one of the bars providing a similar bar and experience as seen at Country2Country 2017. Cocktails will include: Buffalo & Ginger Ale, The Dixie Apple, Old Fashioned, Honky Tonk Manhattan and of course the old classic Boilermaker as well! If you prefer your bourbon straight up, on the rocks or with a dash of coke, then bar staff will be more than happy to accommodate that too! Maxwell Thompson, Managing Director of Buck’ N Bull Saloon stated “we’re incredibly excited to be bringing our unique country party back to London in an amazing new venue. We’re delighted to have Buffalo Trace as an official partner, not only are they providing us with some really cool theming items for one of our bars, they’re also giving the first 60 people through the door a free shot of Eagle Rare bourbon! Lastly it’s great to have Baylen back to deliver another stand out DJ set and ensure the party keeps going all night long.” Tickets are on sale for the next event on 03.11.17 at www.bucknbullsaloon.com/guyfawkesfriday

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‘Nashville Sounds In The Round’ – Presented By Your Life In A Song

​‘Nashville Sounds In The Round’ is set to bring together a selection of the UK’s greatest country talent for one very special evening in Birmingham, presented by Your Life In A Song. Taking place at the gorgeous Kitchen Garden Café on Wednesday 29th November, this will be an intimate acoustic showcase hosted by Sally Rea Morris and Steve Marks of Gasoline & Matches, who will be joined by Darcy and Jeannine Barry. Fans will have an opportunity to hear the stories behind their songs in a Bluebird-style ‘In The Round’ session, stripping the songs right back to their origins and transporting us right back to the writing rooms. Darcy has become one of the UK’s most exciting new country artists following the release of his new ‘Hooked’ EP. Having recorded the EP in Nashville using some of the city’s reputable musicians (including a former Paramore drummer, John Mayer’s bassist and Jimmy Buffet’s keyboard player), the result is a phenomenally polished, accomplished collection of songs that stand up well against the current crop of US country radio favourites. The EP has received rave reviews from bloggers far and wide, and the launch at Buckle & Boots Country Festival was a powerful introduction to an artist who is well and truly making his mark on the British country scene. Jeannine Barry will be bringing a wealth of experience to the show, having performed at the UK’s premier country festival, C2C, and headlined impressive shows of her own at The Garage, The Barfly and last year’s C2C launch party at the O2. Her pop-country style has proved popular with a wide variety of music fans and she has garnered comparisons to the likes of Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes and Emmylou Harris. Jeannine’s third studio EP ‘Bittersweet’ was released last year and shows Jeannine in a different light. Lyrically intricate with mellow sounds and authentic, vulnerable, yet powerful vocals. The hosts of the event, Gasoline & Matches, are another of the UK’s brightest emerging country acts. The duo first met in 2011 in a music shop in Birmingham. Coffee and guitars led to discovering a mutual admiration for Americana and Country music. Shortly after, they wrote, recorded and performed their first song ‘The Artist’ in just one day, feeling an immediate spark. Unfortunately, fate propelled the duo in different directions – Steve was touring internationally and Sally moved stateside to sing her way around 39 states. It wasn’t until her return to UK in 2016 that the duo reconnected and Gasoline & Matches was born. With the addition of 3 new members, the band has become a unique blend of heart felt vocals fuelled by edgy guitar licks and a killer rhythm section. Think Bonnie Raitt meets Brad Paisley and you’re half-way there for this explosive 5-piece about to set the UK Country scene alight. The Kitchen Garden Cafe  17 York Road  Kings Heath  Birmingham B14 7SA 

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Michael Ray shocks fan as he sends Uber for her to see his show

Country music star Michael Ray made a metro Detroit fan’s day by moving heaven and earth in order to get the fan in question to attend his show at the Rockin’ Country Music Festival in Taylor, after noticing a plea for assistance on social media. The fan, named Kayla, put a tweet out on the 9th September from Ypsilanti that “actual tears are rolling down my face knowing @Michaelraymusic is so close and i’m car-less and can’t go see him,” with a screenshot attached of a post from one of Ray’s social media accounts. What happened next was completely unexpected, as Ray got in contact with Kayla on Twitter, and said that he would send a Uber taxi to pick up both Kayla and a friend and take them back after, while also providing them with two tickets and met them as well. Kayla had informed Ray that she was intending on coming to the show, but she didn’t have a car on her campus, so was unavailable to attend – until she took Ray up on his offer. To make things better for Kayla, she also got to meet Carly Pearce, who was taking to the stage before Ray, in what turned out to be a very good day for the fan in question. Ray released the single ‘Get to You’ earlier in 2017, and is thought to be working on his next studio album.

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Country Music Hall of Fame choose to spotlight Ray Stevens

The Country Music Hall of Fame unveiled their Ray Stevens ‘Everything is Beautiful’ display on the 22nd September, and the display will be a part of their ‘Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music’ exhibition. Items from the Grammy-winning artist will be featured in a well thought out effort that is set to honour his 60-year career within the country music scene. Stevens himself is said to be both very flattered and incredibly excited that the Country Music Hall of Fame have chosen to display several items from what has proved to be an illustrious career. The display will feature numerous artefacts, such as the spinet keyboard used by Stevens in order to compose ‘Everything is Beautiful’, the two Grammy awards which Stevens won for ‘Everything is Beautiful’, Stevens’ plaque for his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Association International Hall of Fame in 1980, and a handwritten studio chart for ‘Everything is Beautiful’ with musical notation, as well as several other items of note. During Stevens’ lengthy country music career, the critically acclaimed artist has sold in the excess of 40 million albums, and still continues his daily office operations at his home base, Ray Stevens Music, which is on Nashville’s Music Row. Towards the Autumn period this year, it’s expected that Stevens will open his own entertainment venue in Nashville, which is set to be called The CabaRay Showroom.

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