February 2023 - STAGING Maverick

Ashley McBryde Unveils New Single “Light On In The Kitchen”

GRAMMY Award winner Ashley McBryde has spent most of her life on the road and often writes about her experiences being away from her loved ones, evidenced by songs like “Sparrow” and live set favorite “Made For This.” With “Light On In The Kitchen,” written by McBryde with Connie Harrington and Jessi Alexander, the Arkansas native celebrates the warm glow shared across homes around the world, a symbol of affection signaling that someone may be missing tonight, but thoughts of them are present. “When I tell someone there’s a ‘Light On In The Kitchen’ for them, to me it means you’re thinking of them, even if they’re not coming home that night,” shares McBryde. “While writing this, we were all able to look back and remember the women in our lives who comforted us, gave us advice and made sure we knew we had a place to go. Writing this song showed me how necessary that simple comfort had been. “I sent it to the important women in my life, and they reminded me that they still leave the kitchen light on for me, just like when I was growing up. Knowing someone, somewhere is thinking of you in that way can get you through a lot. And it’s a bonus that now we get to say, ‘I love you’ or ‘I’m thinking of you’ by saying ‘The light’s on for ya.’” Released today via Warner Music Nashville, “Light On In The Kitchen” conjures up images of those late nights spent at the kitchen table with a trusted confidant, the one person in the world with which you can unapologetically be yourself, all while they give you a little motherly advice: Always check the door before you lay down, Keep a glass of water by the bed A dose of local honey Will keep your nose from running Little things like that she’s always said Never back up farther than you have to And pray for those that don’t have a prayer Honey trust yourself You better love yourself Cause ‘till you do You ain’t no good for anybody else And honey boys are dumb But you’re gonna find you one You’ll love him hard And bless your heart You’ll need someone to listen That’s why I leave a light on in the kitchen Today’s release follows the Grand Ole Opry member’s triumphant two-night sold-out run of Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville Live at Ryman Auditorium, with American Songwriter praising, “Between the humorously crafted songs and brilliant creativity of some of Nashville’s brightest stars, with a little bit of heart mixed in, Live From Lindeville is easily one of the most unique shows Nashville has seen,” while POLLSTAR observes, “McBryde takes the caricatures and injects so much humanity into every stereotype… These songs serve as vignettes and scenarios, but also deliver pathos without getting saccharine.” McBryde will appear on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” on March 1 to discuss “Light On In The Kitchen” and recent GRAMMY Award win for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for her No. 1 duet “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” with Carly Pearce. Check your local listings for timing. Set to perform two shows in her home state tonight, Feb. 24 and tomorrow, Feb. 25, McBryde will embark on a run of additional headlining shows, festivals, two dates at the Grand Ole Opry, three dates with Eric Church on The Outsiders Revival Tour and seven shows with Jelly Roll this spring and summer. Tickets are available at AshleyMcBryde.com.

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The Long Road releases first wave of artists!

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

Returning to Leicestershire’s stunning Stanford Hall for a highly anticipated 4th edition this summer, The Long Road festival has announced the first wave of names for the lineup today. Fast becoming the beloved home of Country and Americana music and culture in the UK, the three-day camping experience takes place 25th – 27th August 2023 and boasts an incredible line-up so far, including headliners Jon Pardi, Blackberry Smoke, alongside Tenille Townes, Eli Young Band, Margo Price, Breland, Nickel Creek, Sierra Ferrell and more. The Long Road promises the most immersive and authentic experience for anyone after a taste of Nashville this side of the pond, with an event that captures the culture and lifestyle surrounding the music. This must-see festival for fans of the genre is a welcoming and inclusive event for all ages. 2022 was a landmark year for the festival, with standout shows from the likes of The Cadillac Three, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Drake White, Brandy Clark and more, and this year looks set to bring a bounty of stars and unmissable sets to the UK once again. Headlining the Rhinestone main stage, and making his long-awaited UK debut whilst doing it, is the multi-platinum selling artist from California, Jon Pardi. Having made a name for himself for his energetic live performances and known for his traditional country sound and honky-tonk style, Pardi has been praised for bringing a fresh and authentic approach to the genre and has won numerous awards off the back of four acclaimed studio albums. With his catchy melodies, relatable lyrics, and undeniable charisma, he has become one of the most popular country music stars of his generation and is set to bring one hell of a show to The Long Road this August. Southern rock masters Blackberry Smoke are also announced as mainstage headliners today, and bring over 20 years of stellar country riffs to the party. Riding high off the back of their latest album, ‘You Hear Georgia’, which gives a nod to their home state and went straight in at number 1 on the Billboard Americana/folk chart, the group was also described as a “sensational live band” by The Independent after one of their last UK shows at The Roundhouse. Expect a sprawling, blues-infused hoedown for the ages.

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Tenille Townes Duets With Bryan Adams On ‘The Thing That Wrecks You’

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

Born from a chance encounter in a stairwell, ‘The Thing That Wrecks You,’ available everywhere now, brings reigning CCMA Entertainer of the Year Tenille Townes and GRAMMY Award winner Bryan Adams together on a vocal performance that matches the energy of the song’s lyrics, describing the moment love careens headfirst towards heartbreak. “I was recording a song for a Hallmark Movie in Vancouver last summer and found myself completely enamored by the recording space we were in,” remembers Townes. “Later in the day, I found out that it was Bryan Adams’ Warehouse Studio, and I actually ran into Bryan himself on the staircase on my way out. We talked for just a few minutes, and I was so happy to meet him because his path as a fellow Canadian has been incredibly inspiring to me, with a collection of songs that have impacted the world in such a huge way. “Later that night, I thought about ‘The Thing That Wrecks You,’ a song I’d written a while before with Kate York and Daniel Tashian, and how the spirit of that song made me think about his voice,” she continues. “I decided to go out on a limb and sent him the song along with a letter asking if he might be up for singing on it with me. Fast forward to now, where not only have I gotten to sing with a hero of mine, but I have also found a mentor and friend through this whole adventure. This song is evidence to me that putting a wild thought out in the atmosphere and believing in it is a powerful thing.” Just shy of four minutes, the driving track produced by Townes and her band’s guitarist, Jaxon Hargrove, was recorded with her touring band joining her in-studio as well as with Adams adding his own guitar prowess to the song alongside his vocals. Trading opening lines, the pair come together for a stirring duet on the chorus: We’re running down a darker road Where even angels fear to go And stars fall like a lonely tear When they’re crashing through the atmosphere It looked just like a dream come true But love can lead you straight into The thing that wrecks you The song offers a preview at new music from Townes, whose most recent project, Masquerades, was released in April 2022 via Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville in partnership with RCA Records. Fans can also catch her on the road this summer, including at major festivals such as Cavendish Beach Music Festival, Faster Horses Festival, Watershed Festival and more. For more information, visit TenilleTownes.com and follow on social media @TenilleTownes.

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Kassi Ashton Releases New Song “Drive You Out of My Mind”

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

MCA Nashville artist Kassi Ashton releases brand new track, “Drive You Out of My Mind.” Written by Ashton with Travis Wood and Todd Clark, “Drive You Out of My Mind,” serves as the Missouri-native’s next country radio single hitting the airwaves March 13. “When nothing else works, I hit the gas,” says Ashton. “I feel like I can breathe when the windows are down, and my main character soundtrack is turned up. Put this song at the top of your playlist the next time you need to get lost.” Listen to “Drive You Out of My Mind” HERE Ashton is set to make her debut on the Grand Ole Opry March 15. The widely acclaimed singer/songwriter known for her free spirit and her rich, soulful voice, is also currently on the No Bad Vibes Tour with Old Dominion. Upcoming dates include Kennewick, WA; West Palm Beach, FL; Key West, FL; and Bangor, ME. For more information, visit www.KassiAshton.com.

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Kip Moore Announces New Album “DAMN LOVE,” Releases Title Track

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

Multi-PLATINUM singer/songwriter Kip Moore‘s fifth studio album DAMN LOVE will be available on April 28 and is available to pre-order now HERE. Over 13 new tracks, co-produced by Moore and Jaren Johnston (The Cadillac Three), emotionally raw and thick with epiphany, Moore explores an internal tug of war and puts it simply enough: Damn Love. Moore is giving fans a first look into the forthcoming 13-song project by releasing the title track today, available to listen HERE. Leading the album like a cross between campfire contemplation and redemptive rock anthem. We can’t escape love and the longing it brings, Moore finally admits. “I’ve always had a nomadic spirit, at the core of me that’s what I am, and it’s a beautiful life I lead – I don’t take that for granted,” Moore says. “But I still crave that companionship down deep in my DNA, and that’s where ‘Damn Love’ comes from. There’s a reason love and relationships have been written about so much – and why they continue to get written about. Because at the core of us, that’s what we desire the most.” The genre-blending songsmith has a history of entrancing audiences around the world with sold-out headlining shows in Australia, South Africa, the U.K., Europe and a slot at Bonnaroo all slated for 2023. Moore holds on to passion in the persistent anthem, “Heart on Fire,” while “Another Night In Knoxville” captures the magnetic draw of the stage – a sweeping ‘70s-rock ballad that soundtracks a long-cherished memory. Meanwhile the refreshing “Kinda Bar” conjures magic from a roadside tavern, and a comforting sense of clarity arrives with gentle instant classics, “Some Things” and “One Heartbeat” (featuring Ashley McBryde).

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Jon Pardi Releases New Music Video for “Your Heart Or Mine”

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

CMA and ACM Award-winning singer/songwriter/producer Jon Pardi released the official music video for his current single, “Your Heart Or Mine.” “Your Heart Or Mine” was written by Pardi co-producer Bart Butler, as well as Justin Ebach and John Pierce and it currently has more than 50 million streams to date. Filmed in the colonial-era city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, the cinematic video directed by Carlos Ruiz also features former Miss World Peru, Paula Montes. Pardi unveiled the official music video this morning HERE. “It was a fun adventure filming this video in the city of San Miguel de Allende. The town is full of color and life, and I think the video really captures that,” shared Pardi. Praised for his “signature neo-traditional country” and “clever play on words,” Pardi is sets the “quintessential honky-tonk standard” (CMT). “Your Heart Or Mine” is the follow up to Pardi’s fifth No. 1 at country radio, “Last Night Lonely,” and is on his latest studio album, Mr. Saturday Night. The album features 14 tracks steeped in losing, a little loving and what’s in between. Mr. Saturday Night reunites producers Bart Butler, Ryan Gore and Pardi– the same team behind the boards of his critically acclaimed third studio album– Heartache Medication, which was nominated for CMA and ACM Album of the Year and was named to Rolling Stone’s and the Los Angeles Times’ best albums of the year lists. A “hero in the making” (Variety), Pardi is noted for his “long-lasting mark on the genre” (Music Row) and his impressive ability to carve out his own path proving “the kind of country music multiple generations came to know, and love can still work on a mass scale” (Variety). Filled with fiddle, twang and steel guitar, Pardi continues to “apply new ideas to country’s old sounds” (Los Angeles Times) and “bring authenticity back into country music” (People). For more information, visit jonpardi.com.

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Caitlyn Smith Releases Vulnerable Track, “The Great Pretender”

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After completing her new album High & Low and turning the self-produced body of work in to her label, Caitlyn Smith wrote a song so powerful and important that the only answer was to cut it overnight, alone in her home. The recording’s vulnerability and isolation serves “The Great Pretender,” an appropriate closing track for her third studio project arriving April 14 on Monument Records. “‘The Great Pretender’ is about the mask I’m guilty of putting on, pretending everything is perfect, when in reality, it’s anything but,” says the Critics Choice winner. “I wrote this song after High & Low was finished and turned in, but I knew it was too important to not have on the album, so I recorded it in my house alone.” Nobody knows I’m crying in a bathroom stall I’m living in a house of cards about to fall But I make them believe that I’ve never been better I am the great pretender I am the great pretender “I’d realized that I’d grown into this version of myself that only wanted to show and talk about the highs and became quite dependent on keeping up this façade that I have it all together,” Smith shares. “Real life is gritty, and wild, and never perfect, and it’s given me so much freedom to be able to be more vulnerable not always put on a happy face, and be honest and unafraid of the more difficult feelings.” Written by Smith with Bob DiPiero and Joe Clemmons, you can listen to “The Great Pretender” HERE. The additional six new tracks balance 2022’s critically-acclaimed High, celebrated by NPR as “her most fully realized project yet,” with High & Low capturing the full picture of who Smith is as an artist and as a creator – where embracing the yin and yang simply makes you more human. Pre-save High & Low HERE.

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Grand Ole Opry Celebrates Dierks Bentley on the Release of GRAVEL & GOLD

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The Grand Ole Opry will celebrate Opry member Dierks Bentley on the release of his 10th studio album, GRAVEL & GOLD out now, with a special one-hour set, “Dierks Bentley & Friends,” on the Friday, March 3 show. The Opry will bring to life a portion of the Gravel & Gold album with performances by Bentley as well as his friends Jordan Davis, Ashley McBryde and more to be announced. The “Dierks Bentley & Friends” one-hour set will air as a Saturday night Opry Live on March 18 on the Opry’s television broadcast home, Circle Network, Circle All Access Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The Opry show will be heard on opry.com and wsmonline.com, SiriusXM Willie’s Roadhouse, and the show’s flagship radio home, WSM Radio. 20 years into an exceptional career, Bentley delivers GRAVEL & GOLD today as the 14-track album details perspective and self-awareness at many levels from the personal to the professional. It’s also a testament to the many strains of country music Bentley has mastered and cultivated in his career, from the arena shaker to the barroom weeper to the bluegrass fireballer. GRAVEL & GOLD is a story of renewal, family, persistence and devotion to making the music as authentic and lasting as it can possibly be.Tickets are on sale now for all shows through Summer 2023 at (615) 871-OPRY and opry.com. Tennessee residents can save on Opry show tickets year-round with a TN Friends $45 ticket offer. Visit opry.com/tnfriends for details. Among the artists scheduled to appear on the Opry in the coming weeks include Trace Adkins, Lauren Alaina, Bill Anderson, Mandy Barnett, Blanco Brown, Steven Curtis Chapman, Henry Cho, Dailey & Vincent, Gary Mule Deer, The Fairfield Four, The Isaacs, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town, LOCASH, Dustin Lynch, Louise Mandrell, Ashley McBryde, Scotty McCreery, Ronnie Milsap, Craig Morgan, Lorrie Morgan, Wendy Moten, Oak Ridge Boys, Darius Rucker, Don Schlitz, Jeannie Seely, and Ricky Skaggs, among many others.

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Tyler Bryant is in the Pink with three major announcements!

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

Rootsy rock ‘n’ blues singer-guitarist Tyler Bryant has been honoured by no less than Fender with a limited edition, signature model, custom guitar. To celebrate, Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown have announced the release of a new EP. The fabled Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) and Fender Custom Shop (FCS) announced today the launch of a special, custom, made on demand, limited edition guitar that honours Tyler Bryant, based on his shell pink signature instrument. The limited edition Tyler Bryant “Pinky” Stratocaster® marks Tyler’s first collaboration with the iconic guitar brand.Additionally, less than six months after the release of Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown’s critically acclaimed album ‘Shake The Roots’ (which made it into Classic Rock’s Ultimate Review 2022 list, with the single “Bare Bones” shortlisted for Best Song of 2022) Rattle Shake Records have announced a new batch of songs from the Shakedown entitled ‘Dirty Work.’ The EP pictures a beat up shell pink Fender Stratocaster on the cover — the exact guitar that Fender has cloned to be released as the Tyler Bryant Signature model!“It’s insane to me that Fender put my name on a guitar. I used to mow yards when I was a kid to make layaway payments on guitars. It’s truly a dream come true for me” says Tyler.With the release of ‘Dirty Work,’ the band proves that they were not bluffing when they said they wanted to release more music on their terms. The album starts with “Strike,” featuring a blistering guitar intro that sounds as if Bryant is trying to convince himself that he’s worthy of having his name on a guitar. Following number “Burnin’” offers a positive lyrical message of persistence, despite obstacles — something that is the epitome of The Shakedown story. “We’ve had our music shelved by record companies. We’ve been stranded on highways trying to figure out how we were going to make shows. We’ve had times where we felt like we were banging our heads against the wall. But you keep your head down and keep going. It’s all part of the journey,” Caleb Crosby, adds. “Dirty Work” also features Tyler Bryant’s wife Rebecca Lovell (Larkin Poe) as a guest vocalist; Tyler recently co-produced ‘Blood Harmony’ with Larkin Poe in his Nashville studio.“I call my studio the Lily Pad. There’s always something fun coming out of it and I keep it set up to capture moments” confirms Tyler, who continues: “Tennessee,” off of the ‘Shake The Roots’ album, is a recording that happened around 2AM one night when we were all hanging out. Caleb and I did two passes and (rhythm guitarist) Graham Whitford yelled from the other room, ‘First one was better.’ I listened to it the next day and thought, ‘Ya, let’s share this!’” “To me, my studio is a place where perfection takes a backseat to passion. Working on that Larkin Poe record though, those girls almost always sound perfect. I’ve been really inspired by working on records with other artists and I think it has undoubtedly had a positive impact on the music that I make.” The first single from the new EP is “Sho Been Worse.” Bryant sings, “I’ve been better, but I’ve sho been worse,” between lead lines on his beat up shell pink Strat. You can hear Bryant and Caleb playing off of each other with a rock solid, yet playful rapport that has been developed over many years together on the road. As always, Graham Whitford is chugging away with an abundance of guitar attitude; something the Shakedown never lacks. ‘Dirty Work’ will be released worldwide on 24th March and available on all digital platforms and of course, will be released on shell pink vinyl. See website for updates on vinyl release. The first single ‘Sho Been Worse’ will be available from 3rd March, With new music, a new record label and a shell pink guitar with a fresh coat of Fender paint, the band continues to hone their unique style. If you find yourself within ear shot of the Shakedown, grab your ear plugs and check out one their celebrations of “life, sound, and community!”

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Black Deer announces next wave of artists

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

Today Black Deer Festival reveals the next wave of artists joining the bill for the fourth edition, taking place at Eridge Park, Kent on June 16-18 2023 – a carefully-curated collection of some of the most exciting, in-demand and acclaimed musicians in Americana, country & beyond. Tickets are selling fast at https://blackdeerfestival.com/tickets/. In a line-up that already includes Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Lucinda Williams, The Teskey Brothers, Calexico, Allison Russell, and Bonnie Raitt – fresh from claiming the prestigious ‘Song of the Year’ at the 65th Grammy Awards with “Just Like That” – this year’s Black Deer is already shaping up to be an unmissable weekend. Now, Europe’s premier, award-winning Americana festival is thrilled to announce additional names added to this stunning array of songwriting artisans. The Pretenders remain one of the most enduring acts of the rock era, a band whose immeasurable influence and impact on guitar music continues to be felt today. Led by the charismatic, unflinching Chrissie Hynde, recently described as “still the epitome of an iconic rock star” by The Guardian, their 2020 album Hate For Sale further demonstrated the band’s natural swagger and ability to create rock’n’roll that rips up the rulebook. Expect a similar unmissable spectacle from their performance at Eridge Park. Formed in London, Bear’s Den, consisting of Andrew Davie and Kevin Jones, have amassed a dedicated and international fan base with their anthemic songs that touch the soul. Recent album Blue Hours was the duo’s most personal record to date, and also one of the best-selling Americana releases of 2022 – handling topics of intimacy and mental health in a beautiful, melancholic manner. Americana pioneers Midlake returned in 2022 after a decade away, releasing For the Sake of Bethel Woods, an emotive, luscious, and powerful album that received rave reviews from critics and fans alike. Blending a kaleidoscopic mix of styles and influences, Midlake are refreshed and revitalised, releasing some of their best output in their 20-year history. One of the most celebrated artists of his generation, Steve Earle first won an audience as a country musician, though it didn’t take long for him to demonstrate that designation was too narrow for him. This versatility and consistent critical acclaim helped him attract a loyal following throughout his stylistic evolution, right up to his most recent album, Jerry Jeff, which is incredibly his 22nd LP. He’ll be performing an intimate solo set at Black Deer 2023 that is sure to be an ‘I was there’ highlight. Kurt Vile & The Violators are also set to perform at Eridge Park. Acclaimed for his inventiveness, distinctive guitar style, and laid-back affability, Vile has continued to grow in both skill and popularity over a career arc that grew from self-released CD-Rs to major-label releases. Taking to the stage with his regular backing-band The Violators, expect a transfixing psychedelic indie rock performance. Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real have garnered plenty of plaudits since their early days when Neil Young hired the quintet as his backing band. Since then, Nelson, son of Country legend Willie Nelson, has gone from strength to strength, winning a BAFTA and Grammy for his work as a co-producer of the music for A Star Is Born, releasing seven studio albums, and playing over 400 live shows across the world. Another group attracting plenty of attention is Far From Saints, made up of Kelly Jones of Stereophonics and Austin’s Patty Lynn of The Wind and The Wave. Releasing their debut track “Let’s Turn This Back Around” only last month, straight onto the BBC Radio 2 A list, their set at Black Deer will be their first ever festival performance – showcasing their forthcoming album that evokes a cross-genre sound spanning all routes of Americana. This stunning second wave of artists also announced for Black Deer Festival 2023 include: Bonnie Light Horseman, This Is The Kit, Joanne Shaw Taylor, CMAT, Drake White, Katherine Priddy, Tami Neilson, Angeline Morrison, Simeon Hammond Dallas, Willi Carlisle, Melissa Carper, Sleep Walking Animals, Dylan LeBlanc, Bonnie Montgomery and Luke Elliot. Black Deer favourites Young Folk, The Roadhouse and Arkansas Porch Sessions are also confirmed to be returning, with news on the festival’s much-loved artisan streetfood & drink offering (including the hugely popular ‘Live Fire’ chefs , brought to you by Grillstock founders and popular authors Jon Finch and Ben Merrington), The Great Americana Songbook, The Songwriter Sessions, Gospel Brunch and Ozark Holler Hootenanny coming soon. Final Tier 1 day & weekend tickets are available now here, with day splits coming soon. Fancy camping, pre-pitched camping upgrades and other VIP upgrades are also available here.

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