July 2018 - STAGING Maverick

How Catherine McGrath became the Talk of This Town

To promote her newly released album, ‘Talk of This Town’, Catherine McGrath treated fans to an intimate performance at HMV Oxford Street, London, followed by a signing session. Maverick’s Christian Brown spoke to the rising country music star on the day. How are you feeling now the album has been released? I still don’t feel it’s real! As soon as the album came out, I could see people tweeting about it, and I don’t think it’s sunk in at all yet. It’s just crazy. I’ve been working on the album for what feels like, the whole musical journey that I’ve been on. I’ve had these songs for myself and I’ve been wondering if people will like them, so now they are out in the world, it’s insane – literally anyone can hear these songs that are so personal to me. It’s so exciting, and to have the reaction that I’ve had has been amazing, so I’m really excited about it. One of the things you told us last time we interviewed you, was that you cut down from around 100 songs – how difficult was that? It was hard for me to pick which ones I wanted people to hear, and to decide which ones represented me best – that was the hardest part. But in the end, me and Phil Christie from Warner were like, ‘let’s both go away and make our own lists, and just see what songs we both say’, and we came back with basically the exact same lists. That made it easier for me, because if we both like the songs, they were probably the strongest songs, and the ones that people would like most. Judging by the response, people do love the songs, so I think we made the right choice. Do you think any of those songs that were cut out might see the light of day as B sides? Maybe! A lot of the songs that are on the album we’ve bought back from EP’s and stuff, so they are definitely ones that I absolutely love, and might kind of bring back at some point. We will see. Second album? Yeah, we will see if we get that far! How was it working with Hunter Hayes, on ‘Don’t let Me Forget’? That was so cool. I wrote it before I actually knew Hunter was going to be on it. I loved the song so much, and when it came to picking the album tracks, it was like, ‘what if we made this one a duet’? I sent that over to Hunter, who I’d met a few times before, and we weren’t sure if he was going to like it, or what his opinion was going to be – but he loved it so much, that he was like, ‘yeah, I will sing on it and play guitar on it as well’. That was really cool, and we got to shoot the video together in Nashville, and he is such a lovely guy and so, so talented. I can’t believe he is on the album, I’ve been a huge fan for years. Speaking of Nashville, you said to us last time that it was a place you’d love to live in the future. When are you going next? I will hopefully be going back at the end of August to do more songwriting. I’ve been seven times now, and it just feels like home to me. The songwriters are amazing. It’s just somewhere that I wanted to go for so long, and the fact that I’m able to go over there now is insane. I’d love to get to play more shows there, and kind of explore the country scene more, and see what people think of my music over there. How did you find the initial songwriting sessions in Nashville? It was everything. Every time I go over, its just so surreal – especially that first writing session with Liz Rose. To have Liz for my first songwriting session, with her being someone I looked up to for so long was incredible for me. I think the thing that shocks me most is just how accepting everyone there is of someone coming over from Ireland, the other side of the world, and saying that they want to do country music. For that whole community to accept it, and be so welcoming and so kind to me…that was incredible. Going back to Liz Rose, and the work you did with her on ‘Cinderella’, how was it working with one of Taylor Swift’s songwriters from her country days? It was so weird just walking in and seeing all these pictures of the songs she’s written on the walls – like there was Taylor Swift and Hunter Hayes, and I was like, I can’t believe that you’re writing my songs with me! I’ve seen her name in the albums, and everything, and she was so lovely to work with – she just talked to me a bit about what I wanted to write about and who I was, and where I was from, and then the song actually happened really fast. It was quite a natural process as well, which was nice. Were there any songs that you’ve had to labour over to get into a position that you’re happy with it? It’s so strange the way that works. I think in the UK it tends to take longer to write the songs, and I don’t know if that’s because it’s harder to write them, or because it is a different vibe. In Nashville, the songwriters write three songs a day, so they are used to doing all of that. I don’t know if any were more difficult to write, but in Nashville, they do tend to happen quicker. In any case, all the songs on the album are songs that I love and am proud of. One thing that I’ve noticed is that a lot of people are referring to you as the Northern Irish Taylor Swift

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Luke Bryan makes history by becoming first country music artist to headline LA Dodgers Stadium

News / Editor

Luke Bryan created history on the 28th of July, by becoming the first country music artist to headline a date at the LA Dodgers stadium, which was a sell-out. More than 50,000 people packed into the stadium to watch the 42-year-old, donning LA Dodgers merchandise, perform a career-spanning set, which brought the house down. The American Idol judge has frequently played in big venues in Los Angeles, but this was the first time he – or any other country music artist – headlined the Dodgers’ stadium. Luke Bryan played: Country Girl (Shake it for Me) Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day I Don’t Want This Night to End This is How We Roll (Florida Georgia Line cover) All My Friends Say Light it Up Someone Else Calling You Baby Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye Most People Are Good Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset What Makes You Country Kick the Dust Up Strip it Down Drunk on You Crash My Party Home Alone Tonight Do I Good Directions (Billy Currington cover) Mountain Music (Alabama cover) Drink a Beer Roller Coaster Play it Again Rain is a Good Thing Move That’s My Kind of Night

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Miss 'Country Soul' Jeannie Seely to be honoured with star on Music City Walk of Fame

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Country music royalty and a fifty year member of the Grand Ole Opry, Jeannie Seely, will be honoured with a star on Music City Walk of Fame during an induction ceremony on Aug. 21, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. in Music City Walk of Fame Park. Jeannie’s vivacious stage presence and sultry voiced combined with her deeply moving vocals earned her the nickname of “Miss Country Soul,” a title that’s still used today. Inductees are recognized for their significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and for contributing to the world through song or other industry collaboration. In addition to Ms. Seely, Brenda Lee, Ray Stevens and Ben Folds will also be inducted into the Walk of Fame. “I’m so thrilled, honored and blessed,” states Jeannie Seely! “ To be recognized for your contribution to the Country Music industry with your own star on the Walk of Fame Park is more than I could ever have dreamed” Jeannie Seely’s recordings have spanned six decades and she continues to entertain at full speed today. Seely is a host on SiriusXM “Willie’s Roadhouse,” where she shares personal memories and fun stories about the songs she spins. Jeannie was recognised for ranking #2 in Billboard’s Top TV Songs Chart in January 2018 for her composition, “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand),” written in 1964 and recorded by Irma Thomas. The familiar song has been featured consistently in numerous episodes of the Netflix science fiction anthology series, “Black Mirror.” Acclaimed music artists Seal and Boyz II Men recorded their own versions in 2017, and the song is the trailer theme for the new “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.” She is a prolific songwriter who recently released “Written In Song,” a CD project with 14 tracks all co-written or self-penned by Seely. Many of the songs were recorded by Hall of Fame members. Jeannie earned a Grammy for her recording of “Don’t Touch Me” in 1967. A country music legend and trailblazer, Seely became the first female to regularly host segments of the weekly Opry shows and is credited for being the first to wear a mini-skirt on the Opry stage. She hosted a show on the Armed Forces Network, wrote a book and starred in several major stage productions.

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Sir Elton John backed project CountryLine – the first global app for country music fans – launches

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CountryLine (www.countryline.tv) has launched the world’s first and only global digital fan club for country, Americana and roots music. Serving up a world class proposition of music, interviews, sessions and features, CountryLine has been designed to connect country artists and their fast-growing global community of fans more intimately than ever before. Available on web, iOS, Android, tvOS and Amazon Fire, CountryLine works as a digital membership club for country lovers and the ‘country curious’. Alongside an exclusive mix of premium video content, CountryLine will add further membership features in 2018 including gig guides, ticketing and rewards. CountryLine has partnered with Sir Elton John to celebrate the release of Restoration, the acclaimed album featuring thirteen country stars re-imagining the songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, which was featured as BBC Radio 2’s Album of the Week. Nathalie Cox, CountryLine’s co-founder and creative director, sat down with Elton to talk exclusively about the album and its stars from Little Big Town and Chris Stapleton to Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. You can watch that here: Nathalie said, “At CountryLine we try and get behind the music, so it was truly special to hear first hand from Elton why he loves country music and what this record means to him. “As a fan, what drove me to create CountryLine was the same passion for the genre and desire to build a platform for up-and-coming artists alongside the world’s greats. “Elton is a legend, but what makes him truly special is that relentless and generous focus on new talent. Restoration is CountryLine’s favourite album of the year, and we couldn’t have dreamt of a better project to showcase for CountryLine’s launch.” Sir Elton John said: “I’m just delighted to support CountryLine – a wonderful innovation whose time has come. Restoration was a passion project for Bernie and me, and the artists on the record are simply amazing – the musicianship out of Nashville is the best. “The country music scene has never been healthier and it’s growing so fast in the UK with an exciting new audience. It’s about time the world had something like CountryLine and it’s so great that it’s come out of the UK.” CountryLine is now live in the UK and US with plans to roll out globally in 2019.

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Carolina Country Music Festival announce Alabama as first headliner

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Alabama will be headlining the next edition of the Carolina Country Music Fest, which will take place between the 6th to the 9th of June 2019. The legendary country music band have sold over 80 million albums since forming in 1969, as well as clocking up a staggering 43 Number One singles, and will be celebrating their 50th anniversary next year at The Bowery in Myrtle Beach. Alabama are currently in the middle of their tour schedule, which is running all the way through to November. Tickets are available now at CCMF.com, and there are also a number of payment plans on offer. The 2018 edition of the Carolina Country Music Fest had a host of big names play, including Luke Bryan, Toby Keith, Brett Young, Old Dominion, the Zac Brown Band, and Cole Swindell.

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Getting to know The Sharpeez

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Q 1: Who is in the band? A: William “Bill” Mead is the lead singer and guitarist (and main songwriter). Loz Netto (ex-Sniff ‘n’ The Tears) is lead guitarist, Brendan O’Neill (ex-Rory Gallagher and Nine Below Zero) drummer and Baz Payne is bass player. Q 2: Where and when was the band formed? A: The first version of the band was formed in London in 1984 and played the pub and club R&B scene, with the likes of Dr Feelgood, Eddie and the Hot Rods and The Stranglers. Filling such famed venues as The Nashville Rooms, Hope and Anchor, The Marquee and the Golden Lion. Q 3: What recordings has the band released so far? A: Our fifth album “Wild One” has just been released by 3MS Music. The album which we recorded in France, (with recording engineer Paul Madden, who has worked with The White Stripes, Jack Bruce, Robin Trower, The Stranglers and many others), has received widespread critical acclaim and much radio airplay across UK and Europe. We were in the Top 20 of the IBBA chart based on airplay. Q 4: What style is your music? A: What we call “Maximum R&B”. It is rockin, loud and will get your feet moving and your hips swaying. Great driving music, great dancing music and a focus on strong original songs. Two guitars, drums, bass and vocals that guarantee a good time in the flesh or on our albums. Q 5: Who writes the songs on the latest album? A: Bill Mead penned six of the nine songs, co-writing the other three cuts: “Bullet” with Strawbs member Brian Willoughby and Nashville-based Cathryn Craig, “Stiletto Heels” with former Sharpeez guitarist Pete Goodey and “Desperate Man” with Pete Feenstra. Q 6: You got a break some years ago, when you were booked to open for a star band? A: Yes. The support band to The Stray Cats pulled out on the day of the gig, and we got a call to save the day. When we got there, the place was full of Hell’s Angels and I wondered if we’d get out of there alive when they heard us. But they loved what we did, and we went down a storm. Q 7: You were offered a record deal with a major record label some years ago? A: Yes. The manager of the band Fischer Z got us a contract with A&M. But this fell by the wayside at the 11th hour after issues with two of the band members. Q 8: You (Bill Mead) were so upset about losing the record deal and that big chance, you quit the music business? A: I did. I was so disillusioned with the band and the music business, I sold all of my equipment and focused on my family and a day job for some years. Q 9: So, what made you come back? A: I had made an album by then and my two daughters got to hear it one day and learned all the tracks off by heart, and they loved the record. They were sad that their Dad had quit the music scene. We were sat having a meal in a pub one night, music came from the back room and my daughters went to investigate, to find a jam session just starting, by chance. There was no bass player and they put my name in the frame and I was asked to step in. I got the buzz and the bug for playing live again. Q 10: You regularly tour in Europe and over here. Which is best for audience response? A: I love playing live in the UK and mainland Europe, equally. The buzz comes from being well received and people wanting to take home your music in the form of CDs. The venues we play usually want us back, and we had a full-house for our CD launch gig at The Half Moon in London recently. So, I figure we must be doing something right after all these years! For more details on The Sharpeez: www.sharpeez.webs.com

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An insight into the Cinelli Brothers

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Q 1: Who is in the band? A: Marco Cinelli is the lead singer and guitarist, his brother Alessandro is the drummer, Enzo Strano on bass, Rollo Markee plays harmonica and Alberto Manuzzi is on keyboards. Q 2: Where and when was the band formed? A: In London about two years ago. Alessandro moved here from Italy and Marco from Spain. Q 3: What recordings have you released so far? A: The debut album, “Babe Please Set Your Alarm”. Self-released in May 2018, to great critical acclaim. A dozen tracks; nine originals and three covers by Prince, Willie Dixon and Don Covay/Aretha Franklin. Q 4: What style is your music? A: Authentic Chicago and Texas blues with a soulful, modern edge, played with passion and from the heart. Q 5: Why blues and how did you become influenced by that genre? A: As kids back in Italy, we (Marco and Alessandro) would dance in the warm Mediterranean sunshine to the glorious sounds of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix, from our father’s record collection. We were hooked ! Q 6 : Was anyone in your family musical and when did you both start to play instruments ? A : Our Father played guitar and drums in church. Marco picked up the guitar at the age of 11, while Alessandro started playing drums when he was seven. Both took lessons. Q 7 : Marco, guitarists will be interested in your technique and the equipment you use. A : I play an Eastwood Arline Tuxedo guitar that I bought second hand in Milwaukee, Wisconsin five years ago. I use thick strings, dropping the tuning in D, and I never use a ‘pick’ (plectrum), only my fingers. No pedals or effects. Q 8 : What was your aim when you recorded your debut album, “Babe Please Set Your Alarm” ? A : To make an authentic blues album with a modern twist, to sound like the records our Father used to play at home in Italy. To achieve that, we needed to go old-school and record to analogue tape. Playing live in the studio and working fast. We cut 18 songs in three days and chose 12 for the album. Q 9 : The band plays live here and overseas. Where have you toured so far ? A : As the band : UK, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. My brother and I have been to the USA several times and sat in there with blues players, in Chicago and New York. Q 10: Who is this album dedicated to? A: Our main influence is the legendary blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter Little Walter. He is the reason we do what we do. So, we dedicated the record to him – and to our parents; who encouraged us to learn to play our instruments and to get out there, see the world and perform. For more information about The Cinelli Brothers and to buy their album “Babe Please Set Your Alarm”: store.cdbaby.com/cd/thecinellibrothers www.cinellibrothers.com

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Arkansas Dave UK tour starts this weekend!

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It’s a romantic cliché to find an escape in music , but living that life is a different matter. Ask Arkansas Dave about growing up in a broken home, with fundamental Christianity on one side, and crippling drug-addiction on the other, and you can see in his eyes that this is no easy ride, and that at times music really was his only friend. Chasing his dream of music, Dave played in bands, funding his music with a succession of jobs where he had to find his feet quickly – from busboy to assembly-worker in a trash-bag factory. His wake up call came at the edge of a breakdown with a cataclysmic weekend epiphany. He headed home for a rare visit, and was persuaded to play a few songs to his family. The response he got from his grandfather sent his mind racing, only for him to find out the next week that his grandfather had died 24 hours later. Determined to clean himself up, and sort his life, Arkansas Dave enrolled on an audio engineering course at Media Tech in Austin Texas, driving into town with a trailer loaded with all his possessions, ‘like something out of the Beverly Hillbillies’. And that’s where everything changed – the college was housed at that time in the famous Arlyn Studios, home to sessions from Willie Nelson, Neil Young and Ray Charles. Dave with his musical co-horts took the night shift at the studios – laying down tracks and learning the ropes. A succession of bands followed, picking up a strong local following around Austin. The final part of his musical education saw Dave touring North America as a member of old bluesman Guitar Shorty’s band, where he learned ‘what it took to be a professional musician’ Fast forward to 2016 and Dave has written the album he’s always wanted to create – a wide ranging blues-rock based record that tells the story of his life, but resonates with all of us. The project just needed one more ingredient, so enter the Swampers, the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. In a blistering eight-day recording session at Fame Studios the band laid down the backing tracks, and Dave returned to Arlyn to complete the vocals. So the next chapter of Dave’s life is about to be written as he pulls his band together and takes his album out on the road – this time on a road that he’s building…. 6th July – Maverick Festival, Ipswich 7th July – Maverick Festival, Ipswich 8th July – The Stag Inn, Hastings 11th July – The Doublet, Glasgow 12th July, The Atkinson, Southport 13th July – The Green Note, London 14th July – The Pennoyer Center, Pulham St Mary 19th July – The Chapel Arts, Bath 20th July – Birmingham International Jazz & Blues Festival 21st July – Summertyne Americana Festival, Gateshead 22nd July – The Sun Inn, Dedham

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The Devil Makes Three back with CHAINS ARE BROKEN

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The Devil Makes Three is set to return with Chains Are Broken on August 24. The 11-song set was produced by Ted Hutt (Gaslight Anthem, Flogging Molly) and recorded at Sonic Ranch Studios in El Paso, TX. CHAINS ARE BROKEN is The Devil Makes Three’s first album of original material since 2013’s acclaimed I’M A STRANGER HERE and follows their widely-praised 2016 collection of covers, REDEMPTION & RUIN, which heralded the groups second #1 on the Billboard Top Bluegrass Albums Chart. Instead of their traditional revolving cast of collaborators in the studio, The Devil Makes Three stuck to its signature power trio of Pete Bernhard, Lucia Turino, and Cooper McBean – with one addition. This time, they invited touring drummer Stefan Amidon to power the bulk of the percussion, as the band seamlessly translated the spirit of their must-see live show into a studio recording. For as much as The Devil Makes Three remains rooted in troubadour traditions of wandering folk, Delta blues, whiskey-soaked ragtime, and reckless rock ‘n’ roll, the band nods to the revolutionary unrest of author James Baldwin, the no-holds barred disillusionment of Ernest Hemingway, and Southern Gothic malaise of Flannery O’Connor. In that respect, Chains Are Broken resembles a dusty leather-bound book of short stories from some bygone era. “I always want our songs to unfold like short stories,” affirms Pete Bernhard. “You could think of them as chapters of a book. This was a much more personal album about what it takes to be a writer of any kind – and what you have to do to make your dream possible. It was really the headspace I was in. It might have something to do with getting older. You start reflecting on life and the people around you. I was doing that in these songs. That’s what makes the record more personal. I’m pulling from these things. Some of it is about drug addiction. Some of it is about the things you sacrifice. Some of it is about the detrimental things we do for inspiration. Nevertheless, they all have some sort of narrative.” The Devil Makes Three will begin touring in support of Chains Are Broken with shows in the UK. Dates are as follows: Mon 10 Sept NOTTINGHAM Rock City Basement Tue 11 Sept GLASGOW Oran Mor Wed 12 Sept MANCHESTER Deaf Institute Thu 13 Sept BIRMINGHAM Hare & Hounds Fri 14 Sept LONDON Islington Assembly Hall

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Sam Palladio at Summertyne Fest!

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Stars from the hit American musical drama Nashville will take to the stage at this year’s SummerTyne Americana Festival at Sage Gateshead. UK actor and musician Sam Palladio plays Gunnar Scott in the award-winning series, which follows the lives and tragedies of rising and fading country music stars in Nashville. He will be joined on Stage One stage on Sunday 22 July at 7.30pm by his good friends Striking Matches, who have contributed no less than nine songs to the Nashville series, which sparked a ratings surge, not to mention huge critical acclaim for the fresh and exciting duo. Completing the Bluebird style line-up is bright young Nashville star Sarah Darling who co-wrote the song Anchor from her hugely well received Dream Country album with Sam Palladio and has also contributed songs to the series. This year’s Festival, which kicks off on Friday 20 July, will include a mix of legendary Americana heavyweights, cross-over artists and breakthrough talent from both sides of the Atlantic. Graham Nash, Shawn Colvin, Natalie Merchant, Steve Earle and Iris Dement are among the headliners. Tamsin Austin, Director of Performance Programme at Sage Gateshead, said: “Striking Matches are a dynamite live act and audiences have always loved seeing them at Sage Gateshead and will really enjoy the chance to see them again alongside Sam and Sarah Darling, who are all great friends. “Sarah Darling is a rising star with Sage and SummerTyne audiences and received a fantastic response from audiences when she supported The Shires in 2017 and at her own gig earlier this year.” Sam grew up in the southwest of England and got his acting and musical big break playing the role of soulful, country songwriter Gunnar in ABC drama Nashville, created by Academy award-winning writer Callie Kouri and executive music producers T Bone Burnett and Buddy Miller. Sam found himself immersed in the worlds of Americana, folk and country and was able to make music with some of the finest musicians and songwriters in the world. He had found the perfect platform for the dual career he always dreamed of. His other television and film credits include Channel 4’s ‘Humans’, BBC’s ‘Episodes’ with Matt Leblanc, ‘Runner Runner’ starring Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck and Lucasfilms’ animated musical ‘Strange Magic’. Sam’s blend of modern Americana is influenced by the folk and rock sounds of the 1960s and ‘70s and classic storytellers like James Taylor and Paul Simon. SummerTyne Americana Festival attracts visitors from across the world for a sizzling celebration of Americana music in and around the spectacular setting of Sage Gateshead, on the south bank of the river Tyne. SummerTyne is a must for all music fans, bringing together established and new artists from America, Australia and the UK. Visit www.summertyne.co.uk or call Ticket Office on +44191 443 4661.

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