July 2021 - Page 3 of 3 - STAGING Maverick

The National Museum of African American Music

Although Nashville TN is pervasively known as the home of Country and Bluegrass music, many styles and genres have forged this musical melting pot. The National Museum of African American Music opened up earlier this year in historic downtown Nashville, to share the history and contributions African Americans have made to so many forms of music. When I was invited to tour this new conceptual museum, I expected the usual museum displays that are sometimes sterile, uninspiring and can be down right boring. My preconceived notions were dispelled from the moment I walked through the exhibit doors. NMAAM is a 5202 sq. meter facility that is fully interactive. Images and videos are displayed on entire walls with artefacts in cases to reinforce the style of music playing. Upon first entering visitors relax in the Roots Theatre for a short introductory video. After that we are released into the musical stream of the Rivers of Rhythm central corridor. The different galleries take you from the early 1600’s and religious music experiences of “Wade in the Water Gallery,” to the “Crossroads Gallery” that depicts African American migration, the birth of the blues. In this exhibit you will find large touch screens where you can create your own blues songs and play them. You can save this, and other music in the museum, to your bracelet that is provided upon entry to listen to and share your NMAAM musical experience. The next gallery is “A Love Supreme” reflecting the evolution of Jazz and the Harlem Renaissance. Next up is “One Nation Under a Groove” which is a powerful space ranging from the 1940’s through the Civil Rights Movements and on to today. “The Message” gallery begins in the 1970’s and shows how Urban renewal and life in the cities changed and morphed the music from then to now. There are so many interactive opportunities within The National Museum of African American Music that I could fill a full article with just those. Some of my favourites were the audio booth where you can try your hand at being a DJ/MC and a Dance area where you are dancing with other virtual performers. The Rivers of Rhythm has a massive horizontal screen in the middle of the room where visitors can touch and interact with artists and music they see and hear. At random intervals an African American artist live performance will be projected in the Rivers of Rhythm hall for everyone to see and hear. While I was visiting the featured artist was Prince as he played the Super Bowl Football Game Halftime show in the rain in 2007. A total of 50 different musical genres are part of the NMAAM experience. It is such an immersive experience that I recommend you order your tickets ahead of time and plan to allot a minimum of two to three hours to fully enjoy it. Various rotating artists/bands will be featured at the museum also. This year the Fisk Jubilee Singers, first started in 1871, will be represented. Besides the incredible visuals and music, you will also find performance clothing and instruments from some of the most popular and groundbreaking African American musical artists in the world here. I have always been a fan of museums, especially music related ones, but I have never visited a museum that was so interactive and engaging. It isn’t only aimed at adults, but also for children of all ages. The National Museum of African American Music is a must see on your next visit to Music City! To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Eric Dahl, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Country Music Association to host Summer Jam!

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The Country Music Association will host “CMA Summer Jam,” a brand new, two-night summer concert experience live from Nashville’s open-air Ascend Amphitheater Tuesday, July 27 and Wednesday, July 28. Featuring performances and collaborations from Country Music’s hottest stars, the live event will also be filmed as part of a three-hour primetime television special airing later this summer on ABC. Artists taking the stage at Ascend Amphitheater on July 27 include Luke Bryan, Mickey Guyton, Carly Pearce, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Cole Swindell, Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson and Dwight Yoakam, while Jimmie Allen, Gabby Barrett, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Luke Combs, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Jon Pardi and Thomas Rhett will perform on July 28. Details about the television special, including additional performances filmed at other locations in downtown Nashville, will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for “CMA Summer Jam” are on sale Wednesday, July 14 starting at 10:00 AM/CT. For more information about tickets, visit CMASummerJam.com. A portion of ticket sale net proceeds will benefit the CMA Foundation. Since its inception in 2011, the CMA Foundation has been committed to improving and sustaining music programs throughout the U.S. so all students have equitable opportunity to participate in a high-quality music education. “CMA Summer Jam” marks the first new outdoor concert event for CMA in almost two years. Fans can get excited for the event by listening to the “CMA Summer Jam” playlist onApple Music. Stay tuned to CMASummerJam.com and CMA socials for additional news including merchandise, content and more. While COVID-19 capacity restrictions have been lifted in the city of Nashville, CMA continues to follow guidance from local, state and federal authorities as well as unions and guilds to ensure the safety of all staff, performers and attendees. To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Mickey Guyton to release new album ‘Remember Her Name’

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Capitol Nashville’s Mickey Guyton will release her album, Remember Her Name, on September 24. Mickey co-penned 15 of the 16 songs on the album. Remember Her Name follows the release of her critically acclaimed EP Bridges which included “Black Like Me” for which she went on to receive a historic GRAMMY nomination. Her performance on the prestigious GRAMMY show was the first by a Black female country artist and was touted by NPR as “the night’s most affecting live performance.” “Remember Her Name is a culmination of the last ten years of my life in Nashville,” shares Guyton. “This album is the closing of a chapter. All those years ago, I set out to create music that would make people feel self-empowered, loved, and comfortable with being themselves and this album holds true to all of that. I hope everyone who listens finds something that connects and speaks to them.” Mickey is coming off an incredible year that saw her co-hosting the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards in April with labelmate Keith Urban, a historic performance and nomination for “Black Like Me” on the 63rd GRAMMY Awards in March and “Black Like Me” being named a Top 5 song of 2020 (all genre) by NPR and The Associated Press. Physical pre-order available HERE. To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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WATCH: Jessica Lynn’s line dance tutorial for Roadhouse

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Released in May, Jessica’s ‘Roadhouse’ has become a fan favourite from Jessica’s acclaimed live shows and stage spectaculars. The song’s unabashed joie de vivre, combined with Jessica’s, much-lauded spectacular stagecraft — have rightly earned fans’ ardent appreciation and set them tapping their feet and dancing, roadhouse style. Now, there’s a remarkable chance to become part of a great group dance project for this fun-loving, high-spirited song. “I always felt that Roadhouse was perfect for a line dance,” says Jessica, “so I was so excited to choreograph and create this video for the release. I took dance my whole life and always really enjoyed line dancing. While touring around the world, I found it fascinating how popular it is in so many different countries. I would love to capture different teams and organizations doing the dance from all around the globe, then create one collective video, bringing everyone together through dance and music. Really looking forward to it!” Watch the video and you’ll see Jessica, in her trademark plaid shirt, white tee and ripped blue denim shorts (plus of course boots), taking her 4 featured dancers (Christina DeCesare, Kalynn Montero, Alyssa Shaw and Arianna Stockinger) through their paces at Starstruck Dance Studio, demonstrating the 32-count, 2-wall line dance choreography. Jessica’s keenly-held goal is to get as many folk as possible to do the dance: from line-dance associations and organisations around the world, gathering momentum and snowballing. Jessica will collect videos from teams/crews/teachers with their students performing the moves, from which footage she aims to make another video compiling all the vids, with on-screen labels like (London, England, Austin, Texas, etc!). She hopes to see it performed in line dancing clubs around the world and at her live shows. Jessica will be in the UK this month playing main stage at Tennessee Fields Festival (formerly known as Dixie Fields). Tennessee Fields is a boutique country music festival, based in rural Essex, that attracts talent from both sides of the Atlantic and this year takes place over the weekend of 9-11th July, 2021 at Sandy Brook Fields, Chelmsford. To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Drake Milligan to release debut EP July 23rd!

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Country music newcomer Drake Milligan is set to release his debut EP, Drake Milligan, on Friday, July 23rd. The announcement of his self-titled debut is accompanied by the official announcement of Drake as the newest artist signed to BBR Music Group / Stoney Creek Records. Pre-save/pre-add the self-titled EP HERE. “The greatest pleasure of creating this EP was getting a masterclass in country music from the best songwriters, musicians, producers and engineers that Nashville has to offer,” says Drake. “I hope y’all will have as much fun listening to these songs as I had making them!” The songs on the EP represent Drake’s sound as old school in a new way. The way he carries himself is well beyond his years. An old soul. Through his manner and music, he re-creates vintage with a modern twist. He co-wrote every song on the EP, tapping into different themes for each to showcase his songwriting talent and vocal chops. While the upbeat tracks showcase Drake’s ability to entertain, it’s the heartfelt ballads where his deep, smooth as silk vocals really shine. Co-writing every song was explicitly important to Drake for the EP to express exactly the kind of artist he wanted to be. In the trouble-drowning, alcohol-soaked “Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin’,” the Texas native layers the fiddle and steel, while on the upbeat, rebellious track “Sounds Like Somethin’ I’d Do,” he reignites the lost art of fast talking. In the ballad, “Don’t Look Down,” he eloquently paints a picture of falling in love on a dance floor, defying gravity thanks to the honky-tonk’s trusty old jukebox, while “She” is a beautifully simple but emotive depiction of a lovesick boy, listing off everything he loves about a girl. Now 23, Drake moved from Fort Worth, Texas to Nashville, Tennessee at only 19 years old. Armed with an appreciation for the history of Country music, a standout voice and charisma, he listened intently in his co-writes and recording sessions — where prolific songwriters taught him how to tell a story, legendary producers taught him how to use the mics and studio as a vehicle for his voice, seasoned musicians were willing to back the new guy, and his country music heroes shared insightful advice on how to seamlessly shift from the studio and the stage. Wisdom instilled, he’s finally ready to present himself to the world. Co-produced by the award-winning industry icon Tony Brown and songwriter/producer Brandon Hood, Drake Milligan’s debut self-titled EP is due out July 23rd. For more information on Drake Milligan, visit his website HERE. To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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The Shires announce acoustic tour!

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The UK’s best-selling country act and awarding winning duo The Shires have today announced an intimate acoustic tour for October and November 2021 performing their greatest hits and favourite tracks. Tickets go onsale Friday 09 July at 10am via www.gigsandtours.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk. Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes – The Shires are the most popular and best-selling country act in the U.K having made huge waves both on home soil and across the pond becoming the first UK artists to win ‘Best International Act’ at the prestigious Country Music Awards. The duo released their debut album, Brave in 2015 which soon reached GOLD-certified status and topped on the U.K. country charts. A further two gold-certified albums and three Top 10 singles followed firmly cementing their status as two of country music’s most prominent voices. In 2020 Ben and Crissie released the acclaimed Good Years and in April this year they released a new version of their ballad track ‘On The Day I Die’ with American country superstar Jimmie Allen. Since 2020 The Shires have been part of Apple Music Country’s inaugural radio program roster, London to Nashville playing their favourite songs and interviewing guests which lead them to win International Broadcaster of the Year in 2020 at the CMAs. Currently focusing on writing album five, The Shires will be headlining Buckle and Boots festival this summer before embarking on an intimate acoustic tour this autumn. The Shires Acoustic October 2021 05 Bromley Churchill Theatre 11 Exeter Corn Exchange 12 Stroud Sub Rooms 13 Tenby De Valance Pavilion 14 Frome Cheese & Grain 16 Leeds City Varieties 17 Snape The Maltings 18 Southend Palace Theatre 20 Norwich Epic Studios 21 Margate Theatre Royal 23 Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms 26 Leamington Spa Assembly Rooms 27 Epsom The Playhouse 29 Newark Palace Theatre November 2021 01 Glasgow St Luke’s 04 Sheffield Leadmill Read our latest interview with The Shires HERE! To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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