December 2020

Tim Prottey-Jones has released a music video for his debut single as a solo artist in Bite The Bullet, which will feature on his upcoming EP. You can watch the video below. [wpdevart_youtube]15-WjAYCcA0[/wpdevart_youtube] Prottey-Jones will be well known to UK country music fans, as he was the fourth member of The Wandering Hearts prior to his departure in 2019, which has led him to this next project. The EP will be coming out in the early stages of 2021 and while details are scant right now, there will be a ‘feel good’ track on the EP that is titled Good Life. The project will also be released via Autonomy/Believe. Tim Prottey-Jones has also spent a lot of time as a songwriter since his departure from The Wandering Hearts, working with the likes of The Shires, Remember Monday, Twinnie, Jake Morrell and Fiona Bevan, while also working alongside some of Nashville’s best during his career in the shape of Jeff Cohen, Jamie Floyd and Steve McMorran. His time with The Wandering Hearts also saw him grace stages such as the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, while he also performed at BST Hyde Park on the same days as Robert Plant, Tom Petty, Mumford & Sons and Stevie Nicks.

Foreign Affairs will be premiering their new single One of These Days on BBC Radio 2’s The Country Show with Bob Harris tonight (December 3). ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris has long been an advocate of the duo, who have gone from strength to strength ever since they burst onto the scene and their latest single comes hot on the heels of their previous release, The Hope Comes Again. Speaking about the song, the pair – made up of brothers Adam and Lawrence Purnell – said that it has been kicking around for a fair while and initially had a very different purpose, but has since evolved and grown into this track. “The instrumental for the song has been in the locker for a long time,” Adam said. “Initially it was written for the purpose of a musical interlude at live shows but the more we played with it we felt there was a vocal to be explored and I think the lyrical content compliments and lifts the track really well. ” “I never have to search for emotion when singing One of These Days, it’s right there from the off,” Lawrence added. “I get lost in it, it feels like a soundtrack. ” The single marks the third release from Foreign Affairs in 2020, with the duo making the very most of the worldwide publishing deal they signed with Peer Music in 2019.

Jess and the Bandits have become the latest country act to get involved with the festive spirit, with the group releasing the ‘My Country Christmas’ album. You can listen to the record below. ‘My Country Christmas’ is the first full length record from the group, which consists of Texas born frontwoman Jessica Clemmons and her assembled band featuring four Brits, for three years, although they did release the ‘Riding Shotgun’ EP earlier this year. The album itself was recorded in Texas during the lockdown period – adding perhaps extra impetus to White Christmas in Houston – and features a plethora of classic Christmas tracks, including Happy Xmas (War Is Over) and I’ll Be Home for Christmas. Speaking about the record, Clemmons said that given her faith, she is naturally drawn more to Christmas anyway, but aside from that, December is always one of the best times of the year for her as she feels that everyone subconsciously gets wrapped up in the Christmas mood, thus making them happier as a result. “I absolutely love Christmas,” Clemmons said. “I am a Christian so this record has a special meaning to me. But, it feels like a time of year where you can’t help but be happy. People seem friendlier. Generally the best of who we are comes out during the Christmas season.” Jess and the Bandits continue to be a leading country music group, especially on this side of the Atlantic Ocean and have regularly featured on BBC Radio 2 playlists over the years.

Chase Rice has surprised his fans by releasing new track Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen‘ featuring Florida Georgia Line. You can listen to the song here. Rice has been abandoning the traditional release schedule in an attempt to be more active musically, releasing his most recent album in two different parts and singles as and when he pleases. Speaking about the track, Rice opened up on the meaning of the track, while FGL said it has been a dream of theirs to hit the radio with their close friend. “We actually wrote this song before the pandemic, which is crazy because it’s almost like God was intervening in the song just to say, ‘Hey y’all, get ready. You’re gonna have a lot of time to sit around a fire, drink some beer and hang out with me,’” Rice said. “It’s a special song in that way because it really is a celebration of what 2020 became for us and a lot of other people – slowing down to enjoy these moments with our loved ones and having deeper, more meaningful conversations with each other.” “We are so excited to be on this jam with our boy Chase,” Florida Georgia Line added. “We’ve dreamed of being on the radio together ever since we were roommates 10 years ago. “This song is the perfect one for us, as we often find ourselves drinking beer and talking God when we get together. We hope this brings lots of good times and great conversations. Cheers to making music with friends!” Prior to lockdown, Chase Rice toured the UK and included a date at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London.