2022

Chase Rice

Chase Rice To Release New Album

For multi-Platinum singer/songwriter Chase Rice, a year off the road spent reconnecting with his passions both musically and personally resulted in a brand-new album featuring a sonic return to his roots: I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell set for release 10 February, 2023, available to pre-order / pre-save HERE. Featuring 13 tracks, ranging from emotional reckoning to admiration of a Western way of life and including recent releases ‘Key West & Colorado‘ and ‘Way Down Yonder,’ plus a reimagined album version of ‘If I Were Rock & Roll,’ the project honours his late father, Daniel Rice, with its cover art. “My dad was one of those good guys you read about – tough, hardworking, always helping other people out,” Rice notes of the man gracing the album cover. “I try to live my life in a way that would make him proud. I haven’t always measured up to that, but I get closer to that man I want to be and the man he’d be proud of every single day. “Making this album was a big step towards that musically, too,” he continues. “Not only is it the most vulnerable I’ve ever been, it’s also a sound he’d enjoy listening to. I’ve always wanted to honor him by using this photo as an album cover, and I know this project is the one that deserves that. I can’t wait for y’all to hear it.” Building on solo songwriting sessions with just his acoustic guitar, plus trips with friends where songs were born from real life as opposed to Music Row writing appointments, Rice took the same approach into the recording process with producer Oscar Charles. Forgoing a traditional studio, Rice and Charles turned his rural home into their 24/7 workspace, bringing in a live band with no click track to capture a rugged, authentic sound. “It was incredible,” Rice shared with CMT of working with Charles. “He gets in there, grinds, and doesn’t just try to do the same old thing… If I didn’t feel like we had something vocally, we didn’t just tweak it. He would say, ‘step up and sing it right.’ We wanted to make everything great. He pushed me, and we pushed each other… This album brought my voice and songs to life in a way people have never heard before.” The resulting sound is a raw, passionate side of a reinvigorated Rice, who serves as a writer on all 13 tracks, including three solo writes. “‘What can I put out that makes me come to life?’,” he explained to PopCulture of the writing and recording process. “Because if I come to life when I’m on the stage and up there singing songs that I’m passionate about and love, man, people are gonna love them that much more… I’m at the place in my life now where I just want people to know who I really am as opposed to who they think I am. I think this record’s a good start.”

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Jordan Davis

Jordan Davis Announces New Album

Multi-Platinum MCA Nashville hitmaker Jordan Davis today announced his highly anticipated new full-length album, Bluebird Days. The album, available everywhere February 17, will include Davis’ multi-week, 2x Platinum No. 1 single, “Buy Dirt,” which earned Davis his first Song of the Year win last week at the 2022 CMA Awards.  One of the most-streamed songs of the year in 2021 and 2022, “Buy Dirt” was co-written by Davis and his brother Jacob, along with Matt Jenkins and Josh Jenkins, and is currently also nominated for Favorite Country Song at the 2022 American Music Awards, airing November 20 on ABC. Davis shared the album cover and title with American Songwriter before joining Bobby Bones this morning to share the news of his upcoming album. Starting today, exclusive Bluebird Days packages are available for Davis’ fan club, The Parish, available HERE. General pre-order opens tomorrow via JordanDavisOfficial.com along with upgrade packages and autographed memorabilia.  “It’s been an evolution, and not just from a songwriting standpoint,” Davis shared with American Songwriter about the process of creating Bluebird Days with Producer Paul DiGiovanni, who also produced his debut album, Home State. Adding, ““Everything matches the song…letting the song be a song and letting the lyrics lead it. Nothing feels forced. To me, it’s an album expressing exactly where I’m at right now.” “Buy Dirt” (feat. Luke Bryan) about “faith, family, and friends” continues to resonate with fans on a global scale, topping the Country radio airplay charts for two weeks, amassing more than 735 Million global streams to date, and earning NSAI Song of the Year (2022). In addition to its 2022 CMA Song of the Year win, “Buy Dirt” has tallied multiple awards nominations including Top Country Song at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards, Musical Event of the Year at the 55th CMA Awards, and for Music Event, Single, and Song of the Year at the 57th ACM Awards. Read the story behind the making of “Buy Dirt” here. In addition to “Buy Dirt,” Bluebird Days will feature several recently released tracks including fan-favorites, “Next Thing You Know,” “Midnight Crisis” featuring Danielle Bradbery, “Part of It,” and his current hit single, “What My World Spins Around,” which has amassed more than 145 Million streams since its release this Summer. Written by Davis, Matt Dragstrem and Ryan Hurd and produced by Paul DiGiovanni, Davis first debuted the hit on NBC’s TODAY and will perform the song at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC (11/24) and during his headlining performance at Canada’s upcoming CFL Grey Cup Halftime Show (11/20). In addition to his current direct support slot on tour with Luke Combs through December, Davis has headlined sold-out venues coast to coast and played back-to-back sold out nights at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium this year, with Music Row noting, “Davis…rises to stardom, shines on Ryman Stage.”  He will next join Thomas Rhett early next year for the international leg of his Bring the Bar To You Tour. For more information on upcoming tour dates and to purchase tickets, visit jordandavisofficial.com/tour.

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Grammys

Grammy nomination news

Nominees for the 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards® have been announced and Brandi Carlile receives 7 nominations whilst Miranda Lambert gets 4. See all the country, roots and Americana nominations below. Album Of The YearVoyage — ABBA30 — AdeleUn Verano Sin Ti — Bad BunnyRENAISSANCE — BeyoncéGood Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe) — Mary J. BligeIn These Silent Days — Brandi CarlileMusic Of The Spheres — ColdplayMr. Morale & The Big Steppers — Kendrick LamarSpecial — LizzoHarry’s House — Harry Styles Best Country Solo Performance“Heartfirst” — Kelsea Ballerini“Something In The Orange” — Zach Bryan“In His Arms” — Miranda Lambert“Circles Around This Town” — Maren Morris“Live Forever” — Willie Nelson Best American Roots Song“Bright Star” — Anaïs Mitchell, songwriter (Anaïs Mitchell) “Forever” — Sheryl Crow & Jeff Trott, songwriters (Sheryl Crow)“High And Lonesome” — T Bone Burnett & Robert Plant, songwriters (Robert Plant & Alison Krauss)“Just Like That” — Bonnie Raitt, songwriter (Bonnie Raitt)“Prodigal Daughter” — Tim O’Brien & Aoife O’Donovan, songwriters (Aoife O’Donovan & Allison Russell)“You And Me On The Rock” — Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile Featuring Lucius) Best Americana AlbumIn These Silent Days — Brandi CarlileThings Happen That Way — Dr. JohnGood To Be… — Keb’ Mo’Raise The Roof — Robert Plant & Alison KraussJust Like That… — Bonnie Raitt Songwriter Of The Year, Non-ClassicalAmy AllenNija CharlesTobias Jesso Jr.The-DreamLaura Veltz Best Country Duo/Group Performance Wishful Drinking – Ingrid Andress & Sam Hunt Midnight Rider’s Prayer – Brothers Osborne Outrunnin’ Your Memory – Luke Combs & Miranda Lambert Does He Love You – Revisited – Reba McEntire & Dolly Parton Never Wanted To Be That Girl – Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde Going Where The Lonely Go – Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Best Country Song Circles Around This Town Ryan Hurd, Julia Michaels, Maren Morris & Jimmy Robbins, songwriters (Maren Morris) Doin’ This Luke Combs, Drew Parker & Robert Williford, songwriters (Luke Combs) I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) Lori McKenna & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift) If I Was A Cowboy Jesse Frasure & Miranda Lambert, songwriters (Miranda Lambert) I’ll Love You Till The Day I Die Rodney Crowell & Chris Stapleton, songwriters (Willie Nelson) ‘Til You Can’t Matt Rogers & Ben Stennis, songwriters (Cody Johnson) Best country album Growin’ Up – Luke Combs Palomino – Miranda Lambert Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville – Ashley McBryde Humble Quest – Maren Morris A Beautiful Time – Willie Nelson

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Brett Young

Brett Young live in Manchester

Brett Young has had an incredible UK tour with packed out, sell-out shows across the country. It follows his main stage performance at C2C earlier this year where he won over more fans with his energetic stage presence. I went along to his Manchester show at the Academy 2 where you couldn’t move for the crowd of people who had flocked to see the entertainer. He was supported by label mate Callista Clark who was one of the highlights of C2C as she took to the smaller stages. Her powerful voice and her talent for telling a story got the London crowd on board in March and she won over a few more followers in Manchester on Saturday night. She talked us through her new album which came out in October and played songs such as ‘Brave Girl’ which appeared to be a favourite amongst the crowd. She held her own on stage, bursting with confidence she delivered her perfectly written songs. For the main event next and Young entered the stage energetically, his tight knit band bursting to life as he played through his repertoire. Fan favourites such as ‘Sleep Without You’ had the whole crowd singing along. He stopped the show at one point to check on a fans wellbeing and after help was called he resumed with ‘In Case You Didn’t Know’. During this song a couple got engaged which Young saw and congratulated from the stage. He shared the stories and meanings behind the songs with the audience. When the crowd twigged he was about to sing ‘Mercy’ they roared to life. His voice had never sounded better and his band looked as though they were enjoying every second of this tour too. He worked the stage pacing up and down, getting the crowd on either side hyped up. He played through the highlights of his latest album, songs such as ‘Lady’ resonated with the crowd and ‘Like I Loved You’ tugged on the heart strings as he delivered it with emotion. An acoustic section in the middle of his set, saw him perform a cover of Tim McGraw’s ‘Don’t Take The Girl’ which he really made his own. He concluded with an encore of ‘You Didn’t’, his latest single. It was a fantastic night with Brett Young at his very best and it’s no wonder the run of shows saw a sell-out crowd attend. Young continues to go from strength to strength.

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Ziggy Alberts

Spotlight: Ziggy Alberts

Ziggy Alberts returns with new album, ‘DANCING IN THE DARK’ and will embark on a UK tour next year, kicking off in Brighton at the end of May  Can you tell me about some of the people you worked with on this latest album, ‘DANCING IN THE DARK’?  I’m glad you’ve asked this; I worked with Paulie Bromley, my long-time producer, who I’ve recorded and produced with on and off for nine years. Steve Summers assisted on both searching for freedom & this new record and has become a wonderful cornerstone of these projects. I also worked with Angela Newcomb from The Dawn Light – she did our lady vocals. And of course, the one and only Donavan Woods, a singer-songwriter from Canada, who’s an absolute legend featuring on THE SUN & THE SEA. The mastering we do with Paul Blakey, who is a wizard.    You refer to the album as being ‘Future Folk’ can you tell me what that description means to you?  In short, it’s about time codes, antidotes to dissonance, new soundscapes & topics, tuned backing vocals and synth bass, all intertwined in a folk foundation. I didn’t expect the added Latin influence in some tracks, which is the beauty of letting an album grow and change along the way. I’ve never looked to recreate records, so I add this new one to a growing collection that has already spanned nearly 10 years. The title of the album largely describes endeavouring to continue towards peace and hope even in the darkest of days.  READ THE FULL INTERVIEW IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF MAVERICK AVAILABLE HERE! Media Contact: Zoe Hodges, Editor Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Scott Hayley

Spotlight: Scott Hayley

When did you first know that you wanted to be a musician?  I knew I first wanted to be a musician around the age of eight. The radio was filled with the new sounds of 90’s country hitmakers Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn, Clay Walker, Doug Supernaw, Billy Ray Cyrus and many others. I knew one day I would want to be a part in making that type of music. I would constantly sing into the mirror, sing on the playground, or in the car.   When it comes to your songwriting where do you draw inspiration from?  I draw my inspiration from the good and bad that has happened in my life. The pain from those I’ve lost, or a love that went wrong, to a love that will never die. If something makes me mad, I write about it. If something makes me happy, I also write about it. I write about the emotion that comes to heart.   Music is god’s language to the heart. I take the emotions I’m feeling or the things I’m dealing with in my life, and I write a song about it. I think that’s what helps people connect to music. When a singer is writing music from the heart, other people hear it and feel the same emotions. Some of my favorite songs in my life really captured something I was feeling at the time. The singer spoke to me through their music, and that’s what I’m doing when I sit down to write my own music.   READ THE FULL INTERVIEW IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF MAVERICK AVAILABLE HERE! Media Contact: Zoe Hodges, Editor Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Savannah Rae

Spotlight: Savannah Rae

What music did your parents play to you on long car journeys and what are you choosing to listen to now?   My parents gave me a vast love and appreciation for all types of music. They threw everything at me from rock to pop to country to, you know, like fifteenth-century lute music, you name it, they pretty much threw everything at me. But I would say that the main two ones that they threw at me were rock music. Then of course, being from Texas, was country music. Those are the two that I connected with the most, especially nowadays.   Can you remember the first song you ever wrote?  I remember the first song I ever wrote. It was like a play off of the ABCs, I was five years old. And I was like, I’m gonna write a song about the ABCs, but it’s not going to be the ABCs, it’s going to be different. I think I tried to relate it to like friendships, but I never ended up finishing the song.   What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever written a song about?   I do some writing exercises, just to keep my mind fresh, and find different ways to spin things. So I’ll find any inanimate object in a room or just where I’m at and write a song about it. It could be a stick, it could be a rock, it could be this candle. There’s a song by Hardy called ‘About a Rock’ but he spins it into so many different things, I think one of them is like, the church and like God and stuff, he spins the rock into a ring – put a rock on her finger. There’s so many different ways to spin things, so I do like those little songwriting exercises like that.  READ THE FULL INTERVIEW IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF MAVERICK AVAILABLE HERE! Media Contact: Zoe Hodges, Editor Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Michael Coleman

Spotlight: Michael Coleman

When did you first know that you wanted to be a musician?     That’s an interesting question as I don’t really fancy myself as a musician, per se. I classify myself more as an artist. What I mean by that is I am more of a creator of artistic work and my main medium happens to be music. I look at it that way as I do so much more than just pick up a guitar or sit down at the piano. When I composed the theme song to the NAGAAA Softball World Series which is featured on our latest album, “From His Mind” I composed that by tapping it out on the dashboard of the car on a cross country road trip. There were no instruments involved until we went into the studio. With that said, I think I first knew I wanted to be an artist early on in life. When I was 7 or 8 I had the dream of being a dancer/choreographer and that was my main focus for quite some time and it wasn’t until later in life that I decided to write songs and create music even though music was always a huge part of my life.      Tell me more about the creation of ‘See Your Shadow Songwriting’ and what its aims are?     Well See Your Shadow was started initially as a means for me to set myself apart from all the other writers trying to crack the Nashville market. Instead of presenting my work as just another writer, I formed the entity known as See Your Shadow and presented my work as the entity.  Over the years it has morphed into many different iterations, but the cornerstones have always been the songs I write.  I chose the name See Your Shadow because my birthday is Groundhog Day and our original logo before we rebranded was a groundhog coming out of the ground and its shadow was wearing a cowboy hat. See Your Shadow’s goals are simple and that is to create good art – plus I would like to have more recognition for our work here in the United States. We are embraced more in the international markets. 

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Hillbilly Vegas

Spotlight: Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas, with their blend of Southern Rock and Outlaw Country, have a string of Billboard top 20 Rock singles under their belt and headline festivals in their home country. Now, with a new album on the way, ‘The Great Southern Hustle’, Hillbilly Vegas will make their live debut as they play a show at The Troubadour in London, a venue where Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page & Robert Plant, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, Ed Sheeran & Adele made their mark. Steve Harris, lead vocalist of the band, filled me in on how it all began.    Since this is our first time connecting, can you tell me about the formation of Hillbilly Vegas please?     We weren’t a band. We were just hanging out at Johnny’s house out in the country playing songs and telling stories. It was just for fun but pretty soon we were writing songs and the truth is…if you put a a bunch of musicians in a room they’ll eventually start a band. We did and here we are.      Who were your earliest influences when you were growing up?    Honestly, 70s rock along with the early Outlaw country stuff. In my opinion, it’s the greatest era of music ever. For me personally it was Paul Rodgers, Glenn Hughes and taking a weird left turn in there somewhere Hank Jr, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Charlie Daniels and Waylon Jennings.     Can you tell me about the process for writing and recording the new record ‘The Great Southern Hustle’?    This is our favourite part. The creation. These songs are our lives.  We are story tellers first. Each song is about us, maybe someone in our lives or just personal observations.  It’s all 100% us. As for the recording process most of the record was done with Alex Gerst at Empire Sound in Dallas. It’s our home away from home. Our producer for the record is also our Keyboardist Geraldo Dominelli. Geraldo is so in tune with our sound and who we are. He makes these songs sound like us. Believe it or not, that’s not always a given. We’ve worked with people early in our career that took our personality away and created something we didn’t even recognise. We promised ourselves we would never let that happen again. So being in control from writing to the finished recording is our process.   READ THE FULL INTERVIEW IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF MAVERICK AVAILABLE HERE! Media Contact: Zoe Hodges, Editor Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Engelbert Humperdinck

Spotlight: Engelbert Humperdinck

Can you tell me about the decision to record ‘Forever Blowing Bubbles’ and its use in the film ‘Bullet Train’?  When I heard about the request to record a song for Sony Pictures, I was very honoured and when I heard it was staring Brad Pitt, I was in. I was on tour traveling on The Bullet Train in ’73….many stations ago!    The song has been a family favourite as my sister Bubbles sang it constantly.  We had a great time at Capital Records Studios.  Your latest single, ’You’re The First, The Last, My Everything’, has a country influence to it, and a number of your past hits have had strong links to genre – what does country music mean to you?  That country thread has run through so many of the songs and decades of my life. The core of country is the relatability of the stories told. The writers are the true artists as a great country song can be covered by many singers and still touch you and the icons of country can get you from the first “Hello Darlin!”   We put some Nashville on Barry White’s massive R&B hit and shot a video and it looks like I’m going to have to learn some new moves and pull out my old boots for stage. A good song can have more than one turn on the dance floor.   The new project has quite a few unexpected song choices that we reached back to. I’m looking forward to putting them in the show.    READ THE FULL INTERVIEW IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF MAVERICK AVAILABLE HERE! Media Contact: Zoe Hodges, Editor Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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