21 February 2018

KBA 2018

British owners of unique record label honoured by top US music heritage organisation

The Blues Foundation, the guardians of the heritage of American Blues music, has honoured a British couple with its prestigious Keeping the Blues Alive award. The award is for “individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the Blues world.”   Recipients Gary and Gillian Atkinson own the independent roots music label Document Records, which is known for specialising in the issue and reissue of early recordings of American Blues, Gospel, Spirituals, Jazz, and early Country music, covering the complete recorded works of artists, presented in chronological order. Document Records earliest recordings date back to Spirituals recorded in the late 1800s. Document Records reputedly has the largest catalogue of its kind in the world.   With roots stars such as Son House, Mamie Smith, ‘Ma’ Rainey, Big Bill Broonzy, Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup, and Muddy Waters to their name, the Atkinsons have also found their services to music honoured by such contemporary stars as Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones) and John Mayall in the UK and Paul Simon, Jack White and Pearl Jam in the US.   For Maverick readers, there is additional interest as Document Records is working on publishing more of its significant collection of early Country (‘Old Timey’) music. To find out more about Document Records, please visit their website: https://thedocumentrecordsstore.com/

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Chris Antonik

Chris Antonik: 'Monarch' tour 2018: The “Future of the Blues” comes to the UK 6th- 15th April 2018

“The Canadian Gary Clark Jr… this is how modern blues should sound.” (Concert Monkey) Celebrated Toronto-based blues-rock guitarist, singer and songwriter Chris Antonik’s upcoming ‘Monarch’ UK tour follows hot on the heels of his latest album ‘Monarch’. Monarch, which was nominated in Canada’s prestigious 2018 Maple Blues Awards (Recording/Producer of the Year; Songwriter of the Year), confirmed Chris as one of the country’s top performers, alongside artists such as Matt Andersen, Steve Hill, and Colin James. Chris, already named ‘The Future of the Blues’ by Canada’s Blues Underground Network,  has been compared to Eric Clapton for his stunning guitar work and innovative, sensitive songwriting. His second album, ‘Better For You’ (2013), was described as “a masterpiece,” “the best Canadian blues-rock album of 2013,” and “the sound of someone taking the blues to a new place.”   Chris has already toured the UK, headlining the Upton Blues Festival in 2016, and has performed at major blues festivals across Canada and the US. He has toured the US extensively, including performances at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago (for the 2015 Buddy Guy’s Legends Blues Festival), and Biscuits & Blues in San Francisco. Catch him as he tours the UK in April.   Website: www.chrisantonik.com   Tour dates:   Friday 6th April – The Old Fire Station, Carlisle, Cumbria   Saturday 7th April – Ripley Town Hall, Ripley, Derbyshire   Sunday 8th April – Ain’t Nothing But Blues Bar, London   Tuesday 10th April – The Wrotham Arms, Broadstairs, Kent   Wednesday 11th April – Worthing Pier, Southern Pavillion, Worthing, West Sussex   Thursday 12th April – The Troubadour, London   Friday 13th April – Globe At Hay, Hay On Wye, Cwmbran, Wales   Saturday 14th April – Borough Blues Club, Cwmbran, Wales   Sunday 15th April – O2 Academy Sheffield Sheffield, Yorkshire, HRH Blues

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Awards Show hosted by Ruthie Foster begins 30th conference by Folk Alliance International

Folk Alliance International (FAI) kicked off its 30th Annual Conference with the International Folk Music Awards Show held for the first time at Kansas City’s historic Folly Theater. The awards show, which included a live-streamed broadcast and was presented in partnership with Folk Music Canada, opened with a ceremonial land acknowledgement by Ed Smith, a leader from the Osage Nation. The evening included celebratory reflections from FAI Executive Director Aengus Finnan, and the screening of a new 30-year retrospective short film about the organisation’s history. Three-time Grammy Award nominee Ruthie Foster emceed the evening, which featured performances by Guy Davis, Giri and Uma Peters, Anais Mitchell, and The Staley Falcon Chorale. The evening ended with a full-cast finale performance of “Goodnight Irene” with the full audience singing along. The People’s Voice Award went to Bonnie Raitt and The Spirit of Folk Awards went to Kristian Blak, Richard Gillmann, Martyn Joseph, Anaïs Mitchell, Betse Siggins. Special guest presenters during the evening included acclaimed artist John Oates, who presented the People’s Voice award, and the legendary Kingston Trio, who presented the memorial Lifetime Achievement Award to the late Richie Havens. Throughout the evening, awards were presented for Lifetime Achievement, Spirit of Folk, and member-voted ‘Best of 2017’ (including Album, Song, and Artist of the Year). In a permanent commitment to honor the socially conscious roots of folk music, the People’s Voice and the Clearwater Awards were also awarded. Three inductions were made into the Folk DJ Hall of Fame. Album of the Year went to Freedom Highway by Rhiannon Giddens; Song of the Year was awarded to “You Didn’t Call My Name” from Molly Tuttle, while Artist of the Year was awarded to Ordinary Elephant. Folk Alliance International (FAI) is a registered nonprofit based in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded in 1989, FAI is an advocacy, professional development, and networking organisation that produces the world’s largest conference of the folk music community and industry. Finalists for the 2017 Album, Song and Artist of the Year awards are based on U.S., Canadian, and International industry year-end lists as well as Folk DJ airplay. Winners are determined by the voting membership of Folk Alliance International and the results are announced annually. The Clearwater Award was awarded to Winnipeg Folk Festival and Lifetime Achievement Awards were given to Peter, Paul and Mary (Living), Richie Havens (Legacy), Elektra Records (Business/Academic).

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