October 2022

W21 Records

W21 Records launches with five artist closed roster

w21Music Group partners with ZimagineD to launch w21Records
! A full service indie label that will offer a stepping stone to artists on their way to a major label deal. After working side-by-side as separate entities in the flourishing UK Country and Americana scene, they are joining forces to support their shared roster. w21Records is launching with a closed roster of five artists and has built the services it will offer around them. They are US based singer songwriter Brian Collins and UK Americana artist Paul Carella, both long-time collaborators with w21Music Group, and three artists managed by Donna Zanetti of ZimagineD: Singer-songwriter Kezia Gill; Americana artist Emilia Quinn Music (UK), and Nashville-based Country Artist Audra McLaughlin. Pete Woodhouse and Donna Zanetti said “This label has been built to service our existing artist roster to give them a truly bespoke in-house team. Nurturing and developing artists careers to the point where they are attracting the attention of major labels is what w21Records is all about. We want to be a stepping stone on the journey, an indie artist’s gateway to a major label deal.” The first single to be released on the label will be Brian Collins’ ‘When The Sun Gets In Your Eyes’ on 7th October. Closely followed by Kezia Gill with ‘Like I Did Before’ on 21st October.

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Jon Pardi

Jon Pardi concludes ‘Always The Cowboy’ tour

Capitol Records Nashville multi-Platinum hitmaker Jon Pardi wrapped his headlining AIN’T ALWAYS THE COWBOY TOUR on Saturday (10/1) with a sold-out show at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater. The CMA and ACM award-winning singer/songwriter/producer took the stage to a capacity crowd in Music City to perform his fan-favorite hits plus new music from his red-hot new release, Mr. Saturday Night, after selling out over a dozen more dates on the nationwide run that included Los Angeles, New York, Boston, a bucket-list hometown show at Sacramento, CA’s Golden 1 Center and more. View photos from the final night of Pardi’s AIN’T ALWAYS THE COWBOY TOUR here. Moments before the wall-to-wall Nashville show kicked off, Pardi was surprised with the news of his third studio album, Heartache Medication, officially earning GOLD certification by the RIAA. Pardi was presented a GOLD plaque commemorating sales of 500,000 units by UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO, Mike Dungan. The critically acclaimed project was nominated for Album of the Year by both the CMA and ACM, and named one of the best albums (all-genre) of 2019 by the Los Angeles Times and Rolling Stone. Doubling down on his instantly identifiable brand of neo-traditional country, the second single from Pardi’s latest album Mr. Saturday Night, “Your Heart Or Mine” hits country radio airwaves today. Penned by Bart Butler, Justin Ebach, and John Pierce, the toe-tapping erotic slink of denial follows Pardi’s fifth #1 hit, “Last Night Lonely.” As Mr. Saturday Night continues to earn high praise from Billboard, Rolling Stone and The Tennessean and more, Pardi has recently delivered stellar performances on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, CBS Mornings, The Talk, America’s Got Talent, and The Kelly Clarkson Show. Pardi is currently a double nominee at the upcoming 56th Annual CMA Awards, on the ballot for Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year for his sweeping collaboration with Midland, “Longneck Way To Go,” featured on Mr. Saturday Night.

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Chloe Matharu releases ‘Small Voyages’

Chloe Matharu is a singer-songwriter and Celtic Harpist in Wemyss Bay, Inverclyde. Following her well received singles ‘Clyde Islands’ and ‘Catching A Free Ride’ released earlier in the year, Chloe is excited to announce her new single from the album out this Friday – September 9th; the third single from her forthcoming debut album of the same name, due for release on September 30th, 2022. Many of Chloe’s songs draw on her experience as a Navigational Officer in the Merchant Navy, sailing around the world on oil tankers and are inspired by the natural world experienced at sea. As a result, her thoughtful and sensitive songwriting offers an insight into the modern seafarer’s life. Chloe’s voice, coupled with her harp playing, form a haunting combination perfectly suited to the reflective nature of her material. Speaking of the creation of the new single, Chloe explains; “As a deck cadet I trained onboard Coastal Oil Tankers and spent much of the time sailing around Scotland and Ireland. At the time I was frustrated about being kept in Northern Europe and dreamed of bigger and better ships that would sail to far flung, exotic places. However, when I finally made it to these vessels I realised my cadetship was the best time of my life, sailing on tiny ships and feeling part of a small crew and close to the sea. This song is reminiscent of the short voyages on these tankers, around familiar places, and for this reason I returned to one of my first ports of call, Grangemouth, for the the artwork of this album.” In her recorded work Chloe blends field recordings of the natural world with that of the harp, creating an evocative backdrop for her emotive lyrics and melodies. Her music offers a new maritime narrative, the voice of the female seafarer and her talent affords a refreshing outlook on this new tradition of maritime Folk music. Of Scottish, Welsh and Punjabi heritage, Chloe sings both in English and Welsh. Whilst crossing boundaries in her career at sea, Chloe is keen to explore breaking down cultural and gender barriers through the language of music. Since starting to perform live in October 2021, Chloe has enjoyed playing an impressive line up including venues such as DKOS Celtic Connections, Glad Cafe Glasgow, Greenote in London, Beacon Arts Centre Inverclyde, Cwtch Café Pembrokeshire, Unearthed Festival, Fishguard Folk Festival, Fringe by the Sea and Hartlepool Folk Festival, to name a few. She has also recently been chosen as one of the sixteen artists selected globally for the Fatea Showcase, Canada. Chloe’s eagerly awaited debut album ‘Small Voyages’, which was recorded at Dramatic Studios in Ayr and produced by musician and producer Brian MacDonald of the MacDonald Brothers duo, is due for release on September 30th 2022. UK TOUR DATES SAT – 1ST OCTOBER – HARTLEPOOL FOLK FESTIVAL  MON 17TH OCTOBER – GREEN NOTE – LONDON  23RD OCTOBER – THE GLAD CAFE – GLASGOW  30TH OCTOBER SHAMBELLIE HOUSE, DUMFRIES  26 NOVEMBER – WIGHTON LIBRARY, DUNDEE

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Matt Stell releases ‘One Of Us’

In only the last three years, “versatile” (Billboard) artist Matt Stell has quickly made his mark on country music, amassing over half a Billion music streams across his catalogue, including back-to-back U.S. No. 1s ‘Prayed For You‘ and ‘Everywhere But On‘ along with fan favourites ‘Boyfriend Season‘ and ‘That Ain’t Me No More‘. Today (30/9), he shares a brand new track, ‘One Of Us‘, written by James Barker, Travis Wood, Gavin Slate, and Jim McCormick and produced by Ash Bowers and Stell and available to stream/download everywhere. The release coincides with the first night of his 17-city U.S. headlining Man Made Tour 2022, with Matt also due to return to the UK for the second time this year, on a co-headlining Country Music Week tour with Elvie Shane. For tickets and information, check out mattstell.com. Following his early success, he has since made his Grand Ole Opry debut and performed on “Good Morning America,” “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s” #LateShowMeMusic digital series, “Bachelor In Paradise” and sung the national anthem for NASCAR and NFL events. He launched his Give A Damn Foundation, kicked-off his hugely successful 8-week Instagram-live series, Penned Up, and was the first-ever artist to receive a virtual plaque from the RIAA for “Prayed For You,” which is now approaching 2x Platinum status, and is an ASCAP Pop and Country most-performed song awards winner. In 2020 he released his EP, Better Than That, the follow up to 2019’s Everywhere But On, and is prepping a new project for 2022, led by his current U.S. country radio single ‘Man Made‘. The 6’7” Arkansas native has come a long way from playing college basketball for Drury University and making the choice to head to Nashville instead of Cambridge, MA where he was accepted into Harvard University’s Extension School Pre-Med program. Following his dream of writing and performing, the self-taught vocalist and guitar-player made the move to Music City in 2014, landing a management deal with Wide Open Music and a record deal with music industry powerhouse Barry Weiss’ RECORDS Nashville. Stell has received “Ones To Watch” shout-outs from multiple partners, including Vevo DSCVR, MusicRow’s Next Big Thing, CMT Discovery Artist, YouTube Music Artist on the Rise and more. Upcoming UK dates: Wed 19 Oct | Deaf Institute, Manchester* Thurs 20 Oct | Stereo, Glasgow* Sat 22 Oct | Bush Hall, London (Country Music Week Hub) Sun 23 Oct | Bush Hall, London* (* – w/ Elvie Shane)

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Trisha Yearwood on the Opry’s Signature Barn

The Grand Ole Opry®, the show that made country music famous, once again joins together with Susan G. Komen® in the fight against breast cancer with Opry Goes Pink on Friday, October 14, presented by Humana.  Grammy Award winning Opry member Trisha Yearwood will flip the switch on the Opry’s signature barn backdrop, turning it pink for the night.“We all have friends and family members who are battling, have won, and those who have lost their fights against breast cancer. Everyone who knows me knows how important this cause is to me, in particular prevention, yearly screenings, early detection, and research for effective treatments and cures. I’m honored to flip the switch and join the Grand Ole Opry in spreading information and love during Breast Cancer Awareness month.”Beginning today when fans order tickets, $5 from every ticket sold will be donated to Susan G. Komen® for the fight against breast cancer. Tickets are available at opry.com and at (800) SEE-OPRY.Additional artists scheduled to perform include Opry members The Oak Ridge Boys and Mandy Barnett as well as Easton Corbin, and making her Opry debut, Miko Marks.Next week, the Opry is set to celebrate its 97th birthday with six nights of shows October 4 – 9. The Opry will host its traditional Tuesday, Friday and Saturday night shows as well as Thursday night’s Opry Country Classics and for the special birthday week shows have just been added on Wednesday and Sunday. Additionally, a special “Opry Loves The 90s” Studio A live fan event featuring Deana Carter and celebrating OPRY AT 97 is scheduled for Saturday, October 8. Among those scheduled for appearances on various birthday week shows are special guests Opry NextStage artist Breland, Deana Carter, Chapel Hart and Jon Pardi plus Opry members Bill Anderson, Terri Clark, Vince Gill, The Isaacs, Jamey Johnson, Craig Morgan, Carly Pearce, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner, Chris Young and more. Fans are also invited to the Opry Plaza for free music celebrating the Opry’s birthday on Friday evening, Oct. 7, and all day Saturday, Oct. 8. For more information on OPRY AT 97 click HERE.

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Jennifer Hart

Jennifer Hart Releases Debut EP – 1992

Nashville, TN – RECORDS Nashville singer/songwriter Jennifer Hart is excited to release her debut EP, 1992, today, September 30th. Fans can stream 1992 HERE and check out the exclusive premiere of the title track music video via Country Now today. Jennifer appeared live on The Chris & Sandy Show earlier this week, check out the interview HERE. Aptly named 1992, the year Jennifer was born, and releasing to coincide with her 30th birthday on October 2, the EP features five brand new songs along with a reimagined version and original cut of her viral hit, “Half The Man.” 1992 introduces Jennifer as a country songwriter whose music mixes the classic twang of her ’90s influences with modern moves. “My parents filled the house with ’90s country songs when I was young,” she remembers. “My dad would sing ‘The Dance’ by Garth Brooks to my sister and me every night before bed. We all loved that kind of music. It’s the way we bonded.” Stocked with honest, organic, autobiographical songs from the heart, the seven sides, all co-written by Jennifer, share her roots, struggles, and successes. She teamed up with producer Brandon Hood for 1992, creating music that leans toward the country side of the country-pop bridge, blending pedal steel, mandolin, and other traditional textures that compliment Hart’s contemporary writing.   “This record is my life,” says Jennifer. “It’s me. It’s very honest. We are intentionally releasing 1992 right before my 30th birthday, because it marks a real milestone in my life. All of it just feels like it’s supposed to happen at this time.”

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Darius Rucker’s “Ol’ Church Hymn”

Multi-Platinum star and three-time GRAMMY Award winner Darius Rucker continues to reveal new music with today’s release of redemptive ballad “Ol’ Church Hymn” featuring rising trio Chapel Hart. The song comes on the heels of another collaboration from Rucker and the group, who joined forces for a performance of Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About” during the “America’s Got Talent” season finale earlier this month on NBC. Watch the electrifying performance HERE and listen to “Ol’ Church Hymn” HERE. Written by Rucker together with Ben Hayslip, Josh Miller and Greylan James, the gospel-inspired love song features Rucker’s rich baritone vocals, praised by Billboard as “one of the most distinctive voices of country’s modern era,” joined by the three-part harmony of Chapel Hart to profess a born-again love in the joyful chorus:         You soothe my soul like an ol’ church hymn        Found in a book in the back of a pew        Born again love I’m a new person        Hand in the air hallelujah        Amen, Amen, Amen        Amen, Amen, Amen        You soothe my soul like an ol’ church hymn The new duet follows recent releases “My Masterpiece” and “Same Beer Different Problem” as Rucker crafts his forthcoming solo project. Fans can also see Rucker perform new music live as he brings the inaugural Riverfront Revival festival to his hometown of Charleston, S.C. on Oct. 8 and 9, with Jimmie Allen, Brothers Osborne, Charley Crockett, SUSTO and more joining him on the lineup. Limited tickets remain available for purchase at RiverfrontRevival.com. With the NFL season underway, Rucker also continues to blend his passion for music and sports, returning for a second year of the NFL x Darius Rucker Collection by Fanatics, expanding from 22 to 27 items due to popular demand. The 2022 collection includes something for every fan, including t-shirts and outerwear, shorts and pants and more. Fans can shop the new line today at Fanatics.com and NFLShop.com.

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