2022 - Page 26 of 32 - STAGING Maverick

Black Deer announce full line-up!

James led by renowned showman Tim Booth, along with Grammy-nominated Nashville star Cam, Americana poster boy Hiss Golden Messenger and folk-pop favourites Darlingside will join Van Morrison, Wilco, The Waterboys, Jake Bugg, Imelda May, Drive-By Truckers and Foy Vance at Europe’s premier Americana playground in June. Indie giants James will get the party started for the event three years in the making following successive postponements due to the pandemic, completing an impressive three day lineup alongside Van Morrison, Wilco and The Waterboys. The much loved British band, whose career has spanned a staggering 5 decades and have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, will be bringing their charismatic live show to the deer park. Other brand new additions to the line-up include Orange Goblin, Israel Nash, Ida Mae, Amy Helm, Noble Jacks, Blue Rose Code, Josh Okeefe, ASG, William Crighton, Madison Violet, Black Water County, The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell, Kezia Gill, Powerhouse Gospel Choir, The Outlaw Orchestra, Josiah, The Jonny Halifax Invocation, Black Orchids, Hannah White, Willi Carlisle, Dylan Earl, Eddy Smith & the 507, Franky Perez, Bonnie Montgomery, Misty River, Chris Fox, My Fine Companions, Hayley Ross, The County Affair, Ruby Dew, Jessie Reid and Thomas Jay. Back for its third year, The Black Deer Songwriter Sessions bring artists together for a Nashville-style ‘in the round’ performance you won’t see anywhere else. Confirmed this year for these intimate and must-see gatherings are Imelda May, Hiss Golden Messenger, Cam and many more. Another unmissable musical offering in the deer park in 2022 will be the inaugural Great Americana Songbook. A house band, led by AMA-UK award-winner Robert Vincent, will headline the festival’s party central Haley’s Bar on Saturday night and be joined by a range of artists from the Black Deer line-up to perform a set of Americana standards. The theme for 2022 is The Band’s seminal ‘The Last Waltz’. Though still in its infancy, Black Deer has already won a string of awards for its authentic celebration of Americana culture, showcasing some of the genre’s greatest acts. But the festival is more than an appreciation of a musical genre. Black Deer is a celebration of a way of life. Alongside the musical program, the festival has built a strong allegiance with quality fodder, cooking up a storm in their Live Fire Arena thanks to the skills and associates of Grillstock founders Jon Finch and Ben Merrington. Chefs appearing this year include BBC stars Hang Fire, Southern Kitchen’s Sam Evans & Shauna Guinn, Twe12ve Fires fire-cooking hero John Relihan and acclaimed best-selling author Genevieve Taylor. Black Deer’s hugely popular cookout will also return, alongside the new and highly anticipated chilli-eating competition. The acclaimed Gospel Brunch will also make a comeback – famous for bringing a congregation together on festival Sunday for free food, communal gathering and old time sing-a-longs to the likes of ‘Amazing Grace’ with the Powerhouse Gospel Choir and very special guests. The Young Folk area, a partnership with not-for-profit Community Interest Company Woodland Tribe, has been a major attraction for festival-going families since day one. Promoting the best kind of adventure play, allowing children to safely use hammers, screws and rope, the youngsters at Black Deer get to build the playground of their dreams. And last but not least, hear the growl of the counterculture at The Roadhouse, Black Deer’s heavier space. Curators Desertscene and Clash Magazine will present performances from artists as diverse as The Picturebooks and Wildwood Kin on their respective stages, while Black Deer partners Harley-Davidson will also be on-site amongst the custom motorcycles and vintage vehicles, with their revolutionary JumpStart Motorcycle Experience.

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CMT names seven nominees for new social-only category “Trending Comeback Song of the Year”

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

CMT today introduced an all-new, socially-voted category honoring superstar hitmakers who have cemented their status in music history with classic songs that withstood the test of time, and have found themselves the catalyst of recent social trends as their hits still resonate with fans old and new: Trending Comeback Song of the Year. Beginning today, fans can vote for their favorite nominees by swiping up on CMT’s Instagram Story through Saturday, April 9th. The winner will be announced across CMT’s social platforms ahead of the 2022 CMT MUSIC AWARDS, airing on CBS on Monday, April 11th. The following seven superstar acts are nominated for “Trending Comeback Song of the Year”: Alan Jackson – “Freight Train” Brooks & Dunn – “Neon Moon” Dolly Parton – “9 to 5” Reba – “I’m A Survivor” Sara Evans – “Suds in the Bucket” Shania Twain – “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” Taylor Swift – “Love Story” Last year, Taylor Swift took home the 2021 socially-voted “Best Family Feature” category for “The Best Day (Taylor’s Version).”

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Brandy Clark announces UK tour

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

10x GRAMMY-nominee Brandy Clark has announced two very special UK headline dates as part her upcoming Art of the Storyteller tour. Tickets go on sale Thursday 31 March at 9am via www.gigsandtours.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk. The news precedes the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards where Brandy is nominated for two awards: Song of the Year (“A Beautiful Noise” performed by Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile) and Best American Roots Performance (“Same Devil” featuring Carlile). The nominations add to a landmark year for Clark, whose new deluxe album, Your Life is a Record (Deluxe), is out now on Warner Records. The special extended edition features all eleven tracks from Clark’s Grammy-nominated album, Your Life is a Record, as well as six new songs including “Same Devil.” The deluxe version, which was released this past spring to celebrate Your Life is a Record’s one-year anniversary, also includes a collaboration with Lindsey Buckingham as well as “Remember Me Beautiful,” which Clark wrote late last year with Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose for NPR’s Morning Edition Song Project. Released to widespread acclaim, Your Life is a Record was nominated for Best Country Album at the 63rd GRAMMY Awards and landed on several “Best of 2020” lists including NPR Music, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Variety, Paste and Slate. A ten-time GRAMMY nominee and CMA Awards “Song of the Year” recipient, Clark is one of her generation’s most respected and celebrated songwriters and musicians. Her songs include Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow,” Miranda Lambert’s “Mama’s Broken Heart,” The Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two” and Hailey Whitter’s “Ten Year Town.” Her past two solo albums—2013’s 12 Stories and 2016’s Big Day in a Small Town—each garnered immense critical acclaim landing on “Best of the Year” lists at New York Magazine, Billboard, NPR Music, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, Stereogum and many more. Brandy Clark will be appearing at The Long Road Festival in Leicestershire before her UK headline dates in August and September.

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Carly Pearce announces first UK headline tour

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

Award winning and multi-platinum selling Carly Pearce has announced her first headline UK tour for September including Islington Assembly Hall. Tickets go on sale Thursday 31st March at 9.30am via www.gigsandtours.com, www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.axs.com.For a girl who left her Kentucky home as a teenager to perform at Dollywood, the Grand Ole Opry member (fittingly invited by Dolly Parton) and ACM/CMA Female Artist/Vocalist of the Year is living out her childhood dream. Lighting a fire with her debut album EVERY LITTLE THING and the PLATINUM-certified history-making title track, Carly’s 2X PLATINUM-certified “I Hope You’re Happy Now” with Lee Brice won both the CMA Musical Event and ACM Music Event, plus ACM Single of the Year.The committed songwriter navigated disappointment, loss and resilience across the 15-track 29: WRITTEN IN STONE (Big Machine Records). The arc of realizing, accepting and moving on wiser for the experience resonated with both fans and caught the attention of music critics from Billboard, NPR, Rolling Stone, The New York Times touting her on their year-end Best of Lists.She recently picked up her second consecutive ACM Awards Music Event of the Year with Ashley McBryde duet “Never Wanted To Be That Girl.”Following a sold-out initial run, Carly is currently in the US on a second leg of THE 29 TOUR and will join as direct support on Kenny Chesney’s HERE AND NOW TOUR 2022 ahead of her UK headline dates.Carly Pearce UK headline dates:Thu 15 Sep 2022 London Islington Assembly HallFri 16 Sep 2022 Manchester GorillaSat 17 Sep 2022 Glasgow Oran Mor

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Review: ‘Popular Mechanics’ – Sam Outlaw

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Sam Outlaw is known for his unique blend of SoCal country. His first three studio albums captured hearts of fans throughout the US and Europe and led him to the stages of some famous festivals and venues. His fourth album he created with vinyl in mind and as such is split into two sides. Side A transports the listeners back in time to the 80’s, synthesizers and fretless bass dominate the instrumentation. The recording opens with the chugging of a muted electric guitar on ‘Here On A Mission’. Outlaw’s vocals have never sounded better and they shine on the laid back, upbeat ‘Half A World Away’ especially in that chorus. Side B leans more towards the Americana influences that inspire Outlaw’s music with its layered guitars. This side opens with the powerful sound of ‘Stay The Night’ which boasts an arena ready sound, the backing vocals helping the chorus to gain momentum. The real stand out is ‘Language of Love’ with it’s simple, stripped back arrangement it gives Outlaw’s lyrics and voice the space to hammer home the beautiful message. Though the album was released last year, it shall be released on CD in March of this year before Outlaw embarks on a UK and European tour.

Review: ‘Raised’ – Hailey Whitters

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Hailey Whitters is one of the most talented songwriters in Nashville right now. She has just been nominated for two GRAMMY Awards for two songs she’s written with and for other people – Brandy Clark and Alicia Keys. But her latest album will surely bring in accolades of it’s own as she teams up with fellow hit makers such as Lori McKenna, Tom Douglas and Nicolle Galyon to name a few. She draws influence from her roots on this record and gives a nod to the boys she grew up with in high school on the track ‘Boys Back Home’ which she co-wrote with Jessie Jo Dillon and Brandy Clark, it’s a stand out on the record for me, her lyricism shines through. Whilst the single ‘The Neon’ has a great beat, it is a catchy track with country-pop hooks reeling you in to that chorus. The strings in the production, subtle yet effective. The album is book ended by cinematic instrumentals which set the scene well. Though her songwriting prowess has been established, her voice excels on this album. Whitters told me she hoped to break through on country radio with songs from this album, well if country radio doesn’t play this then they don’t know what’s good for them!

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Review: ‘Down At The Crossroads’ – Steve Bonham and the Long Road

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I reviewed one of the band’s previous records last year, it was my first time listening to them and I was pleasantly surprised by their all round artistry. The band really showcase their musicianship on their latest four song EP, opening with the dramatic instrumental that becomes the title track. It has a cinematic feel to it and the intensity remains, even when the slightly laid back vocals come in. ‘Something’s Gotta Change’ is a toe-tappingly good track, upbeat, yet there’s an urgency and determination in it’s delivery. They are a band that doesn’t follow the mainstream and that’s exhibited in their songwriting with the structures and arrangements pushing the boundaries to create an original sound. I have commented before about the chemistry exhibited by Steve Bonham and The Long Road, they are a tight knit group and once again it’s a well produced, cohesive record.

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Review: ‘The Friday Night Club’ – Anna Howie

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Anna Howie is a homegrown talent who’s debut 11 track album seeks to solidify her status as one of the fastest rising stars of the scene. Howie penned some of the album in Nashville and reflects upon her time there whilst she also takes influence from family and friends and the trials and tribulations we all faced in the last couple of years. The stand out track comes in the form of ‘In The Morning’ which features a brass section, which is unusual for the genre. Meanwhile, ‘A Bird Sings In Nashville’ Howie wrote on a porch swing out in Nashville where she had planned to record the album but she made the most of the travel ban by instead recording and producing this track in the UK with Lukas Drinkwater who has kept things simple but has done a great job. Howie captured the hearts of fans with a livestream every Friday night which garnered nearly two million views and inspired the name of the album. It’s a very well written and produced record that is most certainly worth a listen.

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Review: ‘Blue in the Sky’ – Dustin Lynch

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Dustin Lynch has never quite got the respect and the attention that he deserves over the past few years. In his own words he says how excited he is to go on his headline ‘Party Mode’ tour because he’s always had to be an opener. His duet ‘Thinking Bout You’ with Mackenzie Porter was a game changer for both parties as it blew up last year and rightly so. That track, that topped the airplay charts for six weeks, features on Lynch’s latest record which is a fun loving celebration of life, inspired by the great outdoors lifestyle that he leads when he isn’t in the studio. He teams up with Riley Green on ‘Huntin Land’ a more traditional sounding country song that boasts a bit of humour when it comes to love. Meanwhile, Chris Lane joins him for the laid back, fun loving ‘Tequila on a Boat’. Arena-ready ‘Stars Like Confetti’ is a real highlight on the record. Lynch co-wrote five of the 12 songs whilst out in the country on writing retreats with friends. The end product is a superb collection of songs which is bound to be the soundtrack of the summer with a nice blend of ballads and upbeat, party numbers. In my opinion, it’s Lynch’s best album to date, I just hope he decides to bring his tour over here to the UK so we can all join in the fun!

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Review: ‘Somethin in the Water’ – American Blonde

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For those of you who remember the group Southern Halo, you’re bound to enjoy American Blonde as the two older Morris sisters return to the spotlight to form the duo. The songs are grittier and edgier than Southern Halo’s but with a new producer on board the pair feel they have found their true sound. Their vocals still soar though and the songwriting is still gripping. ‘Blackwater Creek’ is a stand out as it discusses the themes of reckless hearts set to a mysterious and eerie production reminiscent of some of the Civil Wars music. The quietness of the verse is juxtaposed when the chorus hits allowing their vocals to become explosive and powerful. The rockier ‘Hurricane’ keeps the energy high whilst the emotionally charged ‘Dust On my Wings’ tugs on the heartstrings as the pair pay tribute to their grandfather in this beautiful song. Their harmonies throughout are what set this duo apart from the rest of the field. I loved Southern Halo but American Blonde have rediscovered themselves and have gone from strength to strength with their beautiful vocals and well written, authentic songwriting.

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