2022

ACM Awards

Artists announced to perform at ACM Awards

Prime Video, the Academy of Country Music, and MRC today announced the first group of country music superstars set to perform live at the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards on Prime Video, Monday, March 7 at 8 p.m. EST/7 p.m. CST/5 p.m. PST. Kelsea Ballerini, Walker Hayes, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, Parmalee and Blanco Brown featuring Brooke Eden, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, and Breakthrough Artist for Amazon Music, BRELAND, will hit the stage at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. With more than 20 performances, additional details will be announced in the coming weeks. The two-hour show will stream live without commercial interruption and is hosted by icon Dolly Parton and co-hosted by reigning ACM New Male Artist of the Year Jimmie Allen and reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year Gabby Barrett. Making their ACM Awards performance debuts, Parmalee and Blanco Brown will be joined by Brooke Eden, for a can’t miss version of their platinum multinational No. 1 smash hit “Just the Way.” Two-time ACM Award winners Ashley McBryde and Carly Pearce will take the stage for a performance of their Music Event and Video of the Year nominated hit “Never Wanted To Be That Girl.” BRELAND, who earlier this week was named the next Breakthrough Artist for Amazon Music, will perform his new song “Praise The Lord.” Breakthrough is the emerging artist program from Amazon Music, aimed at amplifying the best new talent and championing them early in their careers. BRELAND is the second country music artist to be named to the program, following this year’s ACM Awards co-host Gabby Barrett, who was selected in 2020. Performance details for Kelsea Ballerini, Walker Hayes, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, and Chris Stapleton will be announced in the coming weeks. Morris is a five-time ACM Award winner and nominee for Female Artist of the Year. Thomas Rhett is an eight-time ACM Award winner and nominated for Male Artist and Album of the Year. Stapleton is a five-time nominee this year, including his fourth nod for Entertainer of the Year and seventh for Male Artist of the Year. He is a nine-time ACM Award winner. Read more country music news in the February issue of Maverick Magazine.

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C2C

C2C confirm more artists for the pop-up stages

The wait is almost over!  C2C Country to Country; Europe’s biggest country music festival is back at The O2, London next month for what’s set to be an unforgettable return. Just announced are the much-anticipated line-up of the festival stages and The Bluebird Café, plus the complete line up of the arena Spotlight stage. Featuring multiple performances per day and artists from all over the UK, Europe and the US, C2C once more provides an incredible opportunity for fans of country to discover and support new artists. C2C ticket holders will have access The Town Square, The Big Entrance, BBC Radio 2 Stage (at Indigo at The O2), Country Music Week Hub and The Saloon (All Bar One), The Icon Stage and The Garden Stage. Country to Country will officially kick off at midday on Friday and 10.00am on Saturday and Sunday when the Town Square opens, and the first Festival stage artists start. Festival activities include market stalls and stands, authentic food from the American South, cocktails, whiskey and craft beers and more. All visitors to The O2 can access the free stages which are Big Entrance Stage, Icon Stage and Garden Stage. The Bluebird Cafe returns to C2C and once again we will welcome guests to the intimate O2 Blueroom at The O2, on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th March. This seated show takes the form of a ‘songwriter’s round’; with each artist taking it in turns to talk about their relationship with The Bluebird Cafe, their songwriting and the stories behind their music. Introduced by Erika Wollam Nichols, who has worked for The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville for over 30 years, C2C presents this unique opportunity to experience the famous Bluebird Cafe straight from Nashville. The line up over the two shows includes Alex Hall, Caitlyn Smith, Laci Kaye Booth, Shy Carter, Tony Arata and Tebey. Tickets go on general onsale Friday 18th February at 10am via https://c2c-countrytocountry.com. As previously announced the official C2C Official Aftershow Parties will take place post mainstage celebrations and will feature headline sets from Breland, Willie Jones, Seaforth and DJ sets across the weekend from DJ Hish in London at Indigo at The O2. Festival stage stars join mainstage headliners Luke Combs, Darius Rucker and Miranda Lambert. Also making their return are multiple CMA Award winners and nominees Kip Moore, Brett Young, and Ashley McBryde alongside Russell Dickerson, Scotty McCreery, Flatland Cavalry, Tennille Townes and Hailey Whitters who all make their main stage debuts. Inside the arena, C2C hosts a spotlight stage featuring sets across the weekend from Avery Anna, Breland, Brittney Spencer, Callie Twisselman, Callista Clark, Eric Kinsey, Matt Stell, Seaforth and Tenille Arts.  At C2C Glasgow the spotlight stage will also make a return featuring sets from Brittney Spencer, Callista Clark, Erin Kinsey, Matt Stell, Seaforth and Tenille Arts.  Fans should also expect surprise artist announcements across the weekend, details of which will be revealed on the C2C app. The app will feature stage times, artist info plus notifications about competitions, secret performances and more. The official C2C app can be downloaded for free at https://C2C.lnk.to/AppiOS for iOS and https://C2C.lnk.to/AppAndroid for Android.

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Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton releases ‘Blue Bonnet Breeze’ from upcoming album ‘Run Rose Run’

Dolly Parton has today released the second single, ‘Blue Bonnet Breeze’ from her upcoming album ‘Run, Rose, Run’. The album which will be released on March 4th accompanies her first novel, of the same name, which she has written with James Patterson. The novel comes out the following week on March 7th. ‘Blue Bonnet Breeze’ follows the lead single ‘Big Dreams and Faded Jeans’ which came out to rave reviews a few weeks back when she also announced merchandise to accompany the release. Parton made headlines during the week as it was announced employees at Dollywood would have their tuition fees paid if they chose to continue their growth and attend college. Starting 24th February, employees at Dollywood who pursue a college degree will have their tuition, associated fees and books 100% covered by the Dollywood theme park. Pre-order for the Run, Rose, Run Album is available now. Pre-order for the Run, Rose, Run novel is available here. To read more exclusive features and latest news please see our February issue here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Thomas Rhett

Thomas Rhett releases new song ‘Us Someday’

5X GRAMMY® Awards nominee Thomas Rhett continues to preview new music from his upcoming sixth studio album WHERE WE STARTED — available on April 1 via The Valory Music Co. — sharing today the brand new track, “Us Someday.” Available to listen to here, the song opens with an effervescent string arrangement as the superstar flexes the “vocal skills that will soon be heard all over his upcoming album” (PEOPLE). As the 18X chart-topper continues to mine his own romantic journey, the song was written by Thomas Rhett with Rhett Akins, Jesse Frasure and Amy Wadge, and joins previously released tracks, “Church Boots,” current Top 20-and-rising single “Slow Down Summer” and “Angels,” an already declared “Top 5 Love Song of 2022” by Marie Claire. “For me, this song is sort of talking to Lauren at 19 years old telling her, ‘I know you think this is crazy, but I believe all of these things are going to happen for us.’ And now here we are, over 10 years later, and most of those things actually happened, which is just the wildest thing,” said Thomas Rhett. “I also love how different this song sounds from the rest on the project, it opens with just strings and a vocal. I hope people will listen and be able to relate with their own relationships.” Continuing the momentum leading into his the highly-anticipated sixth studio album, the reigning ACM Awards Male Artist of the Year has earned fresh nominations for Album of the Year for COUNTRY AGAIN: SIDE A and Male Artist of the Year. The ACM Awards will stream live on Prime Video on Monday, March 7 at 8:00P EST/7:00P CST/5:00P PST from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. To read more exclusive features and latest news please see our February issue here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Maren Morris releases new single ‘Background Music’

Grammy-winning superstar Maren Morris shares a new song, “Background Music,” today—listen here. Written by Maren alongside previous collaborators Jimmy Robbins and Laura Veltz, the song is taken from Morris’ forthcoming album, Humble Quest, slated for release on 25th March on Sony Music Nashville’s Columbia Nashville imprint—pre-add/pre-save it here. Maren says: “I wrote ‘Background Music’ about the beauty of the temporary, which is inevitably all things. The romanticism of eternity sounds nice, but I like to think I savor things better when I know I’m not entitled to it in perpetuity. It’s a love song that addresses mortality but it’s also promising someone that even when we aren’t cool anymore, I want to grow old with them and laugh about the times we thought we were.” Additionally, Maren is nominated for Female Artist of the Year at the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards. To read more exclusive features and latest news please see our February issue here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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ACM Awards

Nominations announced for ACM Awards

The Academy of Country Music® announced today the nominations for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards™, honoring country music’s biggest stars and emerging talent, and celebrating the year’s top hits, most successful collaborations, and thrilling performances. Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett revealed this year’s ACM Award nominees for Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, New Female Artist of the Year, and New Male Artist of the Year on the ACM Awards Twitter, where Allen and Barrett both surprised each other with respective nods in the Male and Female Artist of the Year categories and shared their excitement about co-hosting this year’s show with Dolly Parton. This year’s show, on Prime Video, will make history as the first major awards show to livestream exclusively and promises to be a nonstop party, bringing legendary artists together with today’s favorites for exciting and unexpected collaborations, surprising moments fans will never forget, and world television-premiere performances. Further details including the ACM Awards performance lineup will be announced in the coming weeks. Check out the nominations below. ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR Eric Church Luke Combs Miranda Lambert Chris Stapleton Carrie Underwood FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Gabby Barrett Miranda Lambert Ashley McBryde Maren Morris Carly Pearce MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Jimmie Allen Luke Combs Thomas Rhett Chris Stapleton Morgan Wallen DUO OF THE YEAR Brooks & Dunn Brothers Osborne Dan + Shay LOCASH Maddie & Tae GROUP OF THE YEAR Lady A Little Big Town Midland Old Dominion The Cadillac Three NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR  Tenille Arts Priscilla Block Lily Rose Caitlyn Smith Lainey Wilson NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR  HARDY Walker Hayes Ryan Hurd Parker McCollum Elvie Shane ALBUM OF THE YEAR  29: Written in Stone – Carly Pearce Country Again: Side A – Thomas Rhett Dangerous: The Double Album – Morgan Wallen Famous Friends – Chris Young The Marfa Tapes – Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall  SINGLE OF THE YEAR Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan  Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown  Fancy Like – Walker Hayes If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood  You Should Probably Leave – Chris Stapleton SONG OF THE YEAR 7 Summers – Morgan Wallen Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan Fancy Like – Walker Hayes Knowing You – Kenny Chesney  Things A Man Oughta Know – Lainey Wilson VIDEO OF THE YEAR Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home) – Elle King and Miranda Lambert  Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown  I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift featuring Chris Stapleton If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood  Never Wanted To Be That Girl – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde  SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR Jesse Frasure Nicolle Galyon Ashley Gorley Michael Hardy Josh Osborne MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan  Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown half of my hometown – Kelsea Ballerini featuring Kenny Chesney  If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood Never Wanted To Be That Girl – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde  

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Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson announces new studio album ‘A Beautiful Time’

Legacy Recordings, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release A Beautiful Time–Willie Nelson’s new studio album (and 17th for the label)–on Friday, April 29. A Beautiful Time arrives on the artist’s 89th birthday and will be available on vinyl, CD and digital formats (including in spatial hi-res audio in Atmos and 360RA formats). “I’ll Love You Till the Day I Die,” the first single and video from A Beautiful Time, premieres Thursday, February 10. The track, Willie’s studio performance of a new Rodney Crowell/Chris Stapleton composition, exemplifies the album’s focus on finely-crafted pop-country songwriting. Among its many musical delights, A Beautiful Time introduces a variety of newly-written future pop-country classics including five new Willie Nelson/Buddy Cannon compositions and contributions from some of Nashville’s finest contemporary songwriters. The collection also premieres Willie’s heartfelt and insightful covers of Leonard Cohen’s “Tower of Song” and The Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends.” Produced by Willie’s longtime musical collaborator Buddy Cannon (who’s co-written six of the album’s new songs, including five with Willie), A Beautiful Time is a fully-realised new studio album showcasing Willie and Trigger (his signature guitar) playing with musicians including Jim “Moose” Brown (B-3 organ, Wurlitzer), Fred Elringham (drums), Barry Bales (upright bass), Bob Terry (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, steel guitar), James Mitchell (electric guitar) and the patented harmonic stylings of Mickey Raphael. Melonie Cannon sings backup on five of the album’s tracks. To read more exclusive features and latest news please see our February issue here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Buckle and Boots

Buckle and Boots announces 2022 line up

Following last summer’s hugely successful return to delivering country music at the farm, Buckle & Boots returns with another stellar line-up for 2022, taking place over the bank holiday weekend of the 2nd-5th June at Whitebottom Farm near Manchester. Continuing their loyal commitment to supporting homegrown talent, as well as introducing rising stars from across the pond to a UK fan base, this year once again sees an array of talent from all over the world, including Sweden, Canada and the United States. Buckle & Boots are delighted to be bringing back William Michael Morgan who was first introduced to, and subsequently warmly embraced by, a UK audience at B&B 2019. Named as a “Country Artist You Need to Know” by Rolling Stone, his infectious brand of traditionally influenced country music helped him sell out a UK tour at the back end of 2019 and he will no doubt, once again, capture the hearts of the festival attendees. Following the tradition of presenting Canadian country stars such as Brett Kissel (2019) and Tebey (2021), this year’s line-up boasts two artists from the Land of Maple Leaf. Québec native, Matt Lang’s latest album debuted at No.1 on the iTunes all genre chart, on the iTunes country album chart and was the #3 selling album in Canada. His singles ‘Getcha’ and ‘In a Bar’ reached Top 5 at Canadian country radio and he recently received his first CCMA Nomination for Rising Star of the Year. Alberta’s Dan Davidson has created undeniable momentum in the last few years with 6 CCMA nominations, 10 ACMA awards, a gold record and a number 1 selling Canadian song and record. Texas born artist, Julia Cole, has amassed over 50 million streams, has been featured on CMT, Spotify’s Hot Country as well as Apple Music’s Today’s Country and many more. Julia has toured globally in over 10 countries opening for acts like Dan + Shay, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Kane Brown, Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice and Runaway June to name just a few. Julia was recently named in the “CMT Next Women of Country” Class of 2022. UK fan favourites American Young return to host an ‘Evening with Friends’ on June 2nd where they will be showcasing music from their latest offering ‘AY II’. New Orleans country singer/songwriter Karen Waldrup, Nashville recording artist Jeremy McCombs, former NBC’s ‘The Voice’ season 6 contestant Audra McLaughlin and Swedish songstress Sophie Hanson make up the international contingent. Buckle & Boots will once more welcome some of the best UK talent to their stages this summer. To read more exclusive features and latest news please see our February issue here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves announced to play Hampton Court Palace Festival

Historic Royal Palaces and IMG today announce three very exciting additions to the ever-growing Hampton Court Palace Festival 2022 line-up. UK pop heroes McFly are set to take the historic stage on Wednesday 15 June, Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves will belt her chart-topping hits on Wednesday 22 June and 80s synth-pop legends The Human League are confirmed for Thursday 23 June. These exciting new acts join an incredible bill of previously announced artists including Elbow, Jack Savoretti, and Crowded House. Tickets are on sale for both shows on Monday 7 February at 10AM at www.hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com. Making her return to the UK in 2022, critically acclaimed American singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves will enchant Hampton Court Palace Festival with a set full of her bold, empowering and deeply personal songs this summer. The six-time Grammy winner and triple No.1 Billboard Top Country Album recipient, will perform at the beautiful and unique grounds of the festival following the release of her latest, and fifth, studio album ‘star-crossed’. Hampton Court Palace Festival is a series of truly special and unique open-air concerts. Artists perform in an intimate 3,000-seat auditorium in Base Court, set against the backdrop of Henry VIII’s magnificent Tudor Palace. Musgraves will play on Wednesday June 22nd. 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

The Shires release video for ‘I See Stars’

The UK’s biggest country music exports The Shires build upon the news that their soul-stirring new album ‘10 Year Plan’ will be released on March 11th by sharing the video for their current single ‘I See Stars’. While ‘I See Stars’ finds the duo – Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes – translate their authentic country roots into an uplifting, anthemic and arena-ready sound, the video takes them back-to-basics. Accompanied by two musicians from their live band, The Shires present an intimate performance, led by Ben and Crissie’s perfectly entwined vocal harmonies, which reiterates that the song is always the star. It also echoes their organic approach to songwriting, which requires little more than a guitar and the perfect pitch of their voices. 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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