Editor

Iconic country singer, actress and philanthropist Dolly Parton has announced the release of her new album. BLUE SMOKE which will be released by Sony Music Masterworks and Dolly Records on May 13, 2014 in the US. Following the album release the Blue Smoke World Tour will hit select dates in the United States, England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Germany, Norway and Sweden. “On this CD I think there are all of the colours of my life in all the areas of music that you’ve allowed me to dabble in through the years,” says Dolly. “You will hear my old world mountain voice on songs like ‘Banks of The Ohio’ and ‘If I Had Wings’ my tender side on songs like ‘Miss You – Miss Me’ and ‘Unlikely Angel.’ My country / bluegrass side of songs like ‘Home,’ ‘Blue Smoke’ and ‘Don’t Think Twice’ and my funny tongue-in-cheek side on ‘Lover du Jour.’” TRACK LISTING: 1. Blue Smoke 2. Unlikely Angel 3. Don’t Think Twice 4. You Can’t Make Old Friends 5. Home 6. Banks of the Ohio 7. Lay Your Hands on Me 8. Miss You-Miss Me 9. If I Had Wings 10. Lover du Jour 11. From Here to the Moon and Back 12. Try Dolly is the most honoured female country performer of all time. Achieving 25 RIAA certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards, she has had 25 songs reach number 1 on the Billboard Country charts, a record for a female artist. She has 41 career top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and she has 110 career charted singles over the past 40 years. Dolly was inducted as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999. And the litany goes on. Dolly’s career has spanned nearly five decades and is showing no signs of slowing down. Blue Smoke world tour dates: NEW ZEALAND/AUSTRALIA Feb 11 Australia, Melbourne – Rod Laver Arena Feb 12 Australia, Melbourne – Rod Laver Arena Feb 13 Australia, Adelaide – Entertainment Centre Feb 15 Australia, NSW, Hunter Valley – Hope Estate Feb 16 Australia, Tamworth – TRECC Feb 18 Australia, Sydney – Entertainment Centre Feb 19 Australia, Sydney – Entertainment Centre Feb 21 Australia, Brisbane – Entertainment Centre Feb 22 Australia, Brisbane – Entertainment Centre Feb 24 Australia, Cairns – Cairns Convention Centre Feb 27 Australia, Perth – Perth Arena US May 22 Tulsa, OK – Hard Rock Casino May 23 Tulsa, OK – Hard Rock Casino May 25 Cherokee, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee Casino May 27 Richmond, KY – EKU Center For The Arts – (St. Mark’s Evening Among Friends) May 28 Knoxville, TN – University of Tennessee – (Benefiting Dolly’s Imagination Library) May 30 Thackerville, OK – Winstar Casino May 31 Thackerville, OK – Winstar Casino UK & EUROPE Jun 08 England, Liverpool – Echo Arena Jun 10 Northern Ireland, Belfast – Odyssey Arena Jun 11 Ireland, Dublin – O2 Arena Jun 12 Ireland, Cork – Live At The Marquee Jun 14 England, Newcastle – Metro Radio Arena Jun 15 Scotland, Aberdeen – GE Arena Jun 17 Scotland, Glasgow – SSE Hydro Arena Jun 18 Scotland, Glasgow – SSE Hydro Arena Jun 20 England, Leeds – First Direct Arena Jun 21 England, Manchester – Phones 4U Arena Jun 22 England, Birmingham – LG Arena Jun 24 Wales, Cardiff – Motorpoint Arena Jun 25 Wales, Cardiff – Motorpoint Arena Jun 27 England, London – O2 Arena Jun 28 England, London – O2 Arena July 02 England, Nottingham – Capital FM Arena July 05 Germany, Cologne – LANXESS Arena July 06 Germany, Berlin – o2 World July 08 Denmark, Copenhagen – Forum July 09 Norway, Oslo – Spektrum July 11 Sweden, Stockholm – THE GLOBE

Eric Church’s new album THE OUTSIDERS is out now. Church will be celebrating with his fans by playing six free shows in six different cities across America, February 13 – 14, 2014. These shows are first-come first-serve until the venue reaches capacity. Some shows will feature acoustic moments with Eric and others will see the full band play with the ECB! Standard and Premium Church Choir members can apply for a guest list spot on any of these shows today. Spots are Limited and not guaranteed. February 13: 5pm – 8 Seconds Saloon, Indianapolis, IN Acoustic, 21+ 7:30pm – The Dusty Armadillo, Rootstown, OH Acoustic, 21+ 9pm – Joe’s Bar, Chicago, IL Full Band, 21+ February 14: 5pm: Blind Horse, Greenville, SC Acoustic, 18+ 7pm: Coyote Joes, Charlotte, NC Acoustic 18+ 8pm: Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta, GA Full Band, 18+

Three Compass Records artists were winners at the 40th annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards. Dale Ann Bradley, Michael Cleveland and The Gibson Brothers took home awards on the night Dale Ann Bradley was again crowned Female Vocalist of the Year, this was her seventh time receiving the award following wins in 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and 2001. “I am truly humbled to receive this award. Thank you to everyone for your support and I look forward to making the next album!” said Dale Ann. Michael Cleveland took home Fiddle Player of the Year, after an amazing performance with his band. “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone for the support and encouragement that you have shown! It would not be possible to do what we do without you all!” said Michael. Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper are the studio this month putting the finishing touches on their new album to be released on Compass Records in late spring 2014. Two-time reigning IBMA Entertainers of the Year, The Gibson Brothers, won the 2014 SPBGMA Song of the Year Award with They Called It Music, the title track from their most recent release which has held a top 10 spot on the Bluegrass Unlimited Chart for weeks. The Gibson Brothers are currently touring in support of the album. Compass Records has been called “one of the greatest independent labels of the last decade” by Billboard Magazine. The label is home to a diverse roster of artists including Colin Hay, The Gibson Brothers, Victor Wooten, Altan, BeauSoleil, AJ Croce and The Farewell Drifters.

This now annual and signature release presents a track from each of the nominated artists for The BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2014. Released on February 17, this acclaimed 2CD set includes 27 tracks from the cream of the crop in the folk world: Lisa Knapp, Martin Simpson, Bella Hardy, Will Pound, Linda Thompson, Georgia Ruth, Chris Wood, Breabach, Lau, Full English Project, Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker, Fay Hiles, Greg Russell & Ciaran Alger, Melrose Quartet and many more… The Awards, which celebrate their 15th anniversary in 2014, are taking place on Wednesday February 19 at The Royal Albert Hall in London. The ceremony, including performances by some of the biggest names in folk music, will commence at 8pm and will be broadcast live on Radio 2, via the Red Button, and online at bbc.co.uk/radio2, with video highlights to follow the next day.

Charlie Daniels’ first new album project release since 2007 is the musical legends dedication to his own person icon – Bob Dylan. Daniels added his guitar to three of Dylan’s Nashville produced projects (NASHVILLE SKYLINE, SELF PORTRAIT and NEW MORNING) in the 60s. Charlie has explained that the Dylan sessions not only did a lot for his confidence, but helped legitimise him in Nashville circles and beyond as a serious musician. He certainly repays the debt of gratitude on this new project. “It was about 50 years ago when I first became aware of Bob Dylan—and no, I was not naive enough to think I could swim in the same stream, try to emulate what he had done, or cop his licks. Nobody could do that,” comments Daniels. “My ambitions were to provoke some thought, to colour the imagery of my songs, to think outside the box of conformity—in other words to be myself.” The new collection contains Daniels’ signature deft musical delivery on ten of Dylan’s finest writings: Tangled Up In Blue Times They Are a Changin’ I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight Gotta Serve Somebody I Shall Be Released Country Pie Mr. Tambourine Man Hard Rains A Gonna Fall Just Like A Woman Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn) “Whatever it was Bob Dylan meant by his lyrics, they grabbed the attention of the world and changed the face of music forever,” continues Charlie. “He inspired musicians to knock down the restrictive, bubble gum, three minute a side, Tin Pan Alley world that set the parameters of popular music and turn their creative minds loose in a thousand new directions.” OFF THE GRID will be released on Blue Hat Records in association with MRI and distributed by RED. It is set for release on April 1, 2014.

Rhonda Vincent’s new album, ONLY ME, debuts at number one on Billboard Bluegrass Album chart, ending a 4-month reign by Alan Jackson. In addition, the album debuts on four other Billboard charts including number ten on Heatseekers, and number 36 on Top Current Country Albums, “It’s a dream come true!” says Rhonda Vincent. “I was hoping for a number one CD with ONLY ME, but never expecting it after only 2 days of sales. This is unbelievable! ” The album has been endorsed by country superstar Dolly Parton and features duets with both Willie Nelson and Daryle Singletary. Nelson said: “Rhonda’s voice is beautiful. I am thankful for her letting me be a part of it all,” while Singletary said that he loves singing with Rhonda “cause she makes you bring your A game.”

C2C Country to Country 2014 is excited to announce 28 up and coming acts to appear at the London 2-day festival at The O2 where tickets for the main concerts are almost completely sold out with less than two months to go. Fans will get a rare chance to discover new artists who will be playing intimate shows around the venue. These shows are free and will follow the huge success of last year’s gigs where the cream of new talent were given a stage to showcase their talents and prove that country music has a very strong future in the UK. Artists performing on the Pop-Up Stages include Jill & Kate from Nashville who have toured internationally as Kelly Clarkson’s backing singers, Emma Jade a former contestant on BBC’s The Voice and Jill Johnson who is a platinum selling artist in her native Sweden. Also appearing are the duo Striking Matches, who are in the UK courtesy of the CMA and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation and are also on the bill of the recently announced CMA Songwriters Series on 14th March. BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris: “”I am thrilled to be a part of this years C2C festival and am particularly looking forward to seeing the performances on the pop up stages. It’s a wonderful opportunity for these artists to broaden their audiences, while giving C2C fans a chance to hear their music. The pop up stages add hugely to the wonderful atmosphere of the weekend”. With artists coming from as far and wide as America (Houston, Nashville, New Jersey), Germany and Sweden to home-grown talent from the UK and Ireland, country music’s new stars performing on the pop-up stages will be a truly international get-together. C2C Country to Country returns to The O2 in March 2014 after already selling out weekend and Saturday tickets and a total of 25,000 tickets have been sold over the weekend in total. Pop up stages will be in the themed marketplace, in the main entrance to the venue and dotted along the boulevard within the O2. These exciting new artists will be heading to The O2 to perform alongside US megastars Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Chris Young, The Band Perry, Zac Brown Band, Dixie Chicks and Dirks Bentley and Country Queen Martina McBride. Full list of artists confirmed to play on the pop-up stages over the weekend: Ann Doka – Frankfurt Curran – New Jersey Dexeter – Connecticut Emma Jade Gary Quinn – Ireland Hannah Jane Lewis Hometown Show Jessica Clemmons – Houston Jill and Kate – Nashville Jill Johnson – Sweden Lisa Marie Fischer- Germany Lisa Redford Luke and Mel Maria Byrne – Ireland McKay Raintown – Glasgow Star Lane Stephen Kellogg – USA Steve Agnew – Scotland Striking Matches – Nashville The Diablos The Dirty Beggars – Scotland The Shires The Sonny Walters Band Thorne Hill Tom Wright Ward Thomas

Four-time GRAMMY Award winner Steve Wariner will go on tour again this April, to promote his new album. IT AIN’T ALL BAD. His process for putting together the concert’s set-lists will be much different this year as he asks his fans to help choose the songs that he will perform on tour. “I’m always hearing from my fans that they loved all the songs I performed in concert, but they wish I had performed one particular song or another,” says Wariner. “I want to give them a voice in this year’s set list, and hopefully their song will make the cut. I can’t wait to see what they choose!” With over 50 hit singles to his credit, Wariner has quite the selection of songs for his fans to choose from. In addition to his own, he has also written and co-written several hits for other artists, including “Longneck Bottle” for Garth Brooks, “Nothin’ But the Taillights” for Clint Black, “One Small Miracle” for Bryan White, and “Where the Blacktop Ends” for Keith Urban (among others), so fans may choose to vote for those songs as well. Voting began yesterday, Monday February 3 and will continue until Friday February 28, 2014. In order to vote, fans should visit www.SteveWariner.com, A list of Wariner’s hit singles and song-writing credits can be found on the website too. “Of course, I’ll also perform several songs from my new CD, IT AIN’T BAD, as well as an instrumental or two,” continues Wariner. “And since Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the Del McCoury Band, Peter Tork, and Don Williams have all recently recorded my songs, I might occasionally perform my versions of those songs as well. I am really excited to create this set-list based on what I hear from the fans!” www.SteveWariner.com

At a ceremony last week held at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., Bob Taylor, President of Taylor Guitars, was presented with the Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) to honour the company’s transformative work in the ebony trade and in the lives of its many employees at its ebony mill, Crelicam, in Cameroon. This annual award recognises U.S.-owned businesses that play vital roles around the world as good corporate citizens in supporting sustainable development, respect for human and labour rights, environmental protection, open markets, transparency, and other democratic values. At a formal presentation ceremony held in the Benjamin Franklin Room, Secretary of State John Kerry presented the award to Bob Taylor, noting that through Crelicam, “Bob and Taylor Guitars have fundamentally changed the entire ebony trade.” Secretary Kerry underscored the company’s commitment to both the environment and its employees, and as an advocate for improved economic policies and responsible forestry management. “Taylor Guitars has become an effective advocate for legal and policy reforms to improve the permitting process around the ebony trade to better protect both the environment and the rights and needs of other forest users,” he observed. “Taylor ensures that its works are protected, and they ensure that their workers likewise benefit as a result of this.” To close, he noted that “this is absolutely the example of how people ought to do business. We’re so proud to be able to tell this story, as each of these stories, because they’re a wonderful example of the best of corporate citizenship globally. It’s an honour for me to present the 2013 Award for Corporate Excellence to Taylor Guitars.” Upon receipt of the award, Bob Taylor acknowledged the company’s commitment to a vision which would transform the ebony trade, and the lives of its employees, by applying business solutions to an environmental problem. Equally important, Taylor underscored the company’s commitment to act in the spirit of compassionate capitalism, with an emphasis on enriching the lives of employees through training and social events, and to retain the value of ebony wood in Cameroon. “Our vision was to transform the way that ebony is harvested, processed, and sold into a new model of responsible social forestry while enriching the lives of our 75 employees through meaningful work,” Taylor shared in his formal remarks. “To accomplish this, we assumed the role of guardian of the forest, and we operate with the philosophy to use what the forest gives us. To us, this means using ebony of all colours and all variegations, including wood that features spotted or streaked colouring, wood which prior to our involvement would have been left to deteriorate on the forest floor.”

Darius Rucker has just received a Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance for his number one hit Wagon Wheel, featuring Lady Antebellum. This is Rucker’s third career Grammy, but first time winning this award. The good times continue as tickets for the second leg of his 2014 True Believers Tour go on sale. He will he joined by Eli Young Band, Corey Smith and Joel Crouse on a tour around America. Rucker recently received three Academy of Country Music Award nominations including Single Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year for Wagon Wheel. The 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will take place in MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 6th 2014. The first leg of the tour, featuring Eli Young Band and David Nail, began January 29, 2014 and will continue until March 9. The second leg will begin March 27 and run until August.