Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne, Author at STAGING Maverick

Ringo Starr invited to make Grand Ole Opry debut on 21st February

Leave a Comment / News / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Multi-Grammy Award winner Ringo Starr was invited to make his debut on the Grand Ole Opry last night during the first of his two-night sold-out headlining shows at the famed Ryman Auditorium in support of his new country album, ‘Look Up’. The Academy Award winner and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee was surprised onstage with the invitation by his friend and Opry member Emmylou Harris. Starr will make his Opry debut on February 21 at the Grand Ole Opry House as part of the Opry’s ongoing 100th Anniversary celebration. Harris surprised Starr onstage to welcome him to Nashville and asked if he would come back again next month to play the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. When Harris asked, Starr pretended to think about it and, with his trademark wit, teasingly replied, “When is that, July?” Harris answered, “February,” to which he enthusiastically replied, “I’d love to. It’s an honor and a pleasure. Thank you.” “What an honor that after all the extraordinary music he has made and all the incredible history he’s been a part of, Ringo Starr will be making his Opry debut during this, the Opry’s milestone 100th year,” said Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers. “It’s going to be a night like no other.” Starr will be back at the Ryman Auditorium tonight performing songs from his new album. Starr’s lifelong love of country music has been apparent and celebrated throughout his illustrious career. He performed and wrote numerous country and country-tinged songs throughout his years with The Beatles (i.e. “Act Naturally,” “What Goes On,” “Don’t Pass Me By”) as well as with the earlier Rory Storm and The Hurricanes, and recorded a country album, ‘Beaucoups of Blues’, in 1970 as his second solo album. His love of Country and the Blues led him to try and emigrate from London to Texas while still a teen, after reading that Lightnin’ Hopkins lived in Houston. The artist’s new album comes after a chance meeting with T Bone Burnett at an event in Los Angeles in 2022 (the two had first met in the 1970s), where Starr asked Burnett to write a song for an EP he was recording. Taking the task to heart, Burnett returned with nine songs, all in a country vein, which happily put Starr on a path to record ‘Look Up’. To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Hannah Larvin, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Kaitlyn Baker & Joe Lasher Bring ‘Nashville Nights’ to the UK

Leave a Comment / News / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Country music fans, mark your calendars! This February and March, the UK will host an electrifying celebration of country music as the highly anticipated Nashville Nights Tour rolls into town. Featuring the critically acclaimed Nashville recording artists Kaitlyn Baker and Joe Lasher, alongside their talented full band, the tour promises an authentic experience of the biggest hits from country music’s brightest stars. From the heartfelt ballads to high-energy anthems, Baker and Lasher will bring their southern charm and powerhouse performances to a series of intimate venues across the UK. This dynamic duo is set to capture the spirit of Nashville, offering fans an unforgettable night of music and storytelling. The tour kicks off on 20 February at Leeds’ Brudenell Social Club and continues to venues across the UK, including Glasgow’s Òran Mór, Southampton’s The 1865, and London’s O2 Academy Islington on 13 March. Here’s the full tour schedule: 20/02/2025: Leeds, Brudenell Social Club 21/02/2025: Barnsley, Birdwell Venue 22/02/2025: Northampton, Roadmender 23/02/2025: Lincoln, Drill 25/02/2025: Glasgow, Òran Mór 27/02/2025: Kendal, Brewery Arts 28/02/2025: Bury, The Met 01/03/2025: Bilston, The Robin 02/03/2025: Bristol, The Fleece 04/03/2025: Bury St Edmunds, The Apex 05/03/2025: Shoreham, Ropetackle Arts Centre 07/03/2025: Southampton, The 1865 08/03/2025: Chester, The Live Rooms 09/03/2025: Reading, SUB89 11/03/2025: Nottingham, Metronome 13/03/2025: London, O2 Academy Islington To get a taste of what’s on offer, see here: To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Hannah Larvin, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Caylee Hammack announces new album ‘Bed Of Roses’

Leave a Comment / News / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Caylee Hammack is set to release her new album ‘Bed Of Roses’, bearing the fruits of life, love and loss, will be out March 7th. The 13 fresh tracks trace the universal story of a 20-something’s coming of age with a mix of gypsy soul, 70’s twang, and heel stomping red-dirt rock – “we all have similar heartbeats and heartbreaks,” she says – it’s filled with raw emotions and riveting energy, as the rising star learns to plant not just for a short pop of beauty, but aims to cultivate the nutrient dense, potent ground of experiences she continues to pull from with every song she releases. “Your bed of roses is the bed you make – you get to decide how you spend your time and how you plant your garden,” Hammack says. “Good love is flowers that come back every year. Bad love, it’s just the thorn. Sometimes you got to till shit up. You’ve got to work through things and it’s not going to be fun. And then one day, your friends come over and you sit as a family on the back porch in the garden. And when they compliment the roses near the gate or the cherry tomatoes speckled about in the pasta, you get the pleasure of realising, ‘I grew that, I put love, time, and belief into something and it paid off.’” Sharing producer credits with studio savants Dann Huff and John Osborne of Brothers Osborne, a bouquet of experimental yet-somehow-timeless sounds emerged, centered in modern country. With live instruments, rich organic textures and a throbbing pulse, they matched the chaotic harmony of nature to Hammack’s otherworldly vocal, washed by waves of tremolo and reverb. To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Hannah Larvin, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Mackenzie Carpenter will release her debut album ‘Hey Country Queen’ on 7th March

Leave a Comment / News / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Rising Country singer/songwriter Mackenzie Carpenter today announces her highly anticipated debut album, ‘Hey Country Queen’, on 7th March. Co-penning all 13 tracks on the new project, Carpenter pays homage to the beloved Country Queens that paved the way for her to speak her mind, write her truth and have some fun along the way. “This album has been a long time coming, and I’m so excited to finally share these songs with you. I’ve lived with them for years, and now it’s time to set them free,” shares Carpenter. “Hey Country Queen captures the essence of girlhood, heartbreak and love, and I can’t wait for you to hear it.” With her brand-new song ‘Dozen Red Flags’, out today, Carpenter is finally confronting the true colours of a former love. He’s secretive; he’s entitled; he has a relentless wandering eye, and the list goes on. Written by Carpenter alongside award-winning singer/songwriter Nicolle Galyon and frequent collaborator Brandon Hood, “Dozen Red Flags” is an anthem for the Country Queens who realise that they deserve to be knee-deep in red roses – not red flags – and have the courage to step away in search of something better. “This one’s for the girls who’ve ever fallen for the guy with more red flags than green,” adds Carpenter. “‘Dozen Red Flags’ is flirty, fun and all about knowing he’s trouble but diving in anyway—because let’s face it, he’s cute. The song covers a little heartbreak, a lot of lessons and a fun debrief with your girls.” Steadily making a name for herself as a songwriting force for years with cuts like Lily Rose’s 2021 No. 1 hit “Villain” and many of Megan Moroney’s fan-favourite tracks (“I’m Not Pretty,” “Indifferent,” “28th of June” and more), Carpenter has also been bolstering her own catalogue. Tongue-in-cheek earworms like “Huntin’ Season” and “Don’t Mess With Exes,” plus viral hit “Boots On” quickly landed her and her artistry recognition on a slew of prestigious lists including Spotify’s Hot Country 2024 Artists To Watch, CMT’s Next Women of Country class of 2023 and Nashville Briefing’s Artists To Watch 2023. Now, she’s preparing to give listeners insight into who she is as an artist with a full-length project that is all her own. To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Hannah Larvin, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Jon Pardi gets dark for ‘Friday Night Heartbreaker’ video

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Country superstar Jon Pardi hits the streets in a dark and thrilling new music video for current radio single ‘Friday Night Heartbreaker’. Released as the lead track off his upcoming fifth studio album, the video for the track was directed by Jim Wright and shot in Nashville’s historic Printer’s Alley. It highlights Pardi’s signature mix of honky-tonk rhythms and contemporary flair, capturing the bittersweet blend of infatuation and the heartbreak often felt during fleeting moments of romance. With its lively melody and mysterious edge, ‘Friday Night Heartbreaker’ highlights Pardi’s knack for blending storytelling with an infectious, danceable sound. “I always enjoy filming with Jim Wright, even if it means being in Printer’s Alley until 2 AM,” says Pardi. “You really see some wild characters down there at that hour. One of my favorite parts of the shoot was chatting with the actors and actresses who performed the circus stunts—they were amazing! All I had to do was play guitar and drive a cool car while they were over there breathing fire and swallowing swords. It was awesome to watch it all come together!” To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Hannah Larvin, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Neil Young to release ‘Oceanside Countryside’ on 14th February

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Set to be released on February 14th, ‘Oceanside Countryside’ is the latest of Neil Young’s great “lost” albums to be issued as part of his Analog Original Series (AOS). The album was recorded from May to December 1977, preceding the release of ‘Comes A Time’ in 1978. The two albums share the same country/folk sound, and three songs (‘Goin’ Back’, ‘Human Highway’ and ‘Field of Opportunity’) appear on both albums. The vinyl release of ‘Oceanside Countryside’ includes some tracks that are on the CD of the same name in Neil Young’s ‘Archives Vol. III’. However, this track list is how ‘Oceanside Countryside’ was originally planned to be released and finally will be made available on vinyl for the first time ever. Recorded on tape, these are the original mixes done at the time of recording. As Neil Young states, “This analogue original album, recorded in 1977, was unreleased at the time. These songs are the original mixes done at the time of the recordings. I sang the vocals and played the instruments on ‘Oceanside’, in Florida at Triad studios and Malibu, at Indigo studio. I sang the vocals and recorded with my great band of friends at Crazy Mama’s in Nashville on ‘Countryside’. I hope you enjoy this treasure of an Analog Original recording as much as I do.” On this analogue original vinyl release, the versions of ‘Lost in Space’, ‘Captain Kennedy’ and ‘The Old Homestead’ are from ‘Hawks & Doves’ in 1980. ‘Sail Away’, ‘Goin’ Back’, ‘Human Highway’, ‘It Might Have Been’ and ‘Pocahontas’ are the same versions as on Archives Vol. III in digital. ‘Field of Opportunity’ and ‘Dance Dance Dance’ are original versions that have Neil Young on backing vocals instead of Nicolette Larson as they appeared on ‘Archives Vol.III’. To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Hannah Larvin, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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UK Americana Week returns!

Leave a Comment / News / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

The highly anticipated UK Americana Music Week is set to return to Hackney, London from Monday, January 20 to Thursday, January 23, 2025, promising an unforgettable celebration of international and homegrown Americana music. The week begins with the premiere of a specially commissioned documentary film, “I’ll Take You There”, a co-production between the Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK), Sweet Home Alabama, The Romano Sidoli Consultancy and Northern Cowboy Films on Monday 20 January. More details to be revealed soon. Two nights of showcases in venues across Hackney will take place on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22, featuring an incredible line-up of artists from around the world including: Altameda, Annie Dressner, Beth Bombara, Celeigh Cardinal, Chloe Foy, Ferris & Sylvester, Julian Taylor, The East Pointers, Willie Watson, and many more. Full list below. During the daytime on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22, the annual AMA-UK conference, the cornerstone of the week’s programming, will be held at Night Tales in Hackney. Next year’s theme is “Can Songs Change the World? Americana in 2025,” covering a diverse range of topics tailored for Americana enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. The week’s events will culminate in the prestigious UK Americana Music Awards, powered by Sweet Home Alabama, hosted at Hackney Church on Thursday 23 January, where standout achievements in Americana music from the past year will be celebrated. The AMA-UK Board’s Special Awards for 2025 honour: Iconic, multi-platinum singer and songwriter Candi Staton – International Lifetime Achievement Award; Four times Grammy Award-winning singer, composer and actor Lyle Lovett – International Trailblazer Award; and acclaimed Irish singer, songwriter and musician CMAT – UK/Ireland Trailblazer Award. Categories for the eight panel and member-voted Awards include UK and International Artist of the Year, UK and International Album of the Year, Live Act of the Year, and more. Nominees feature leading talents in the global Americana genre such as: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Waxahatchee, Bonny Light Horseman, Jason Isbell, Charley Crockett, Larkin Poe, Sierra Ferrell, Kacey Musgraves, Hurray For The Riff Raff, Julian Taylor & Allison Russell, Lizzie No, Elles Bailey, Robert Vincent, Katherine Priddy, Nina Nesbitt, Hannah White, The Heavy Heavy and Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand. Full list below. Award Nominations: UK ARTIST OF THE YEAR Elles Bailey Ferris & Sylvester Hannah White Katherine Priddy Robert Vincent The Heavy Heavy UK ALBUM OF THE YEAR Elles Bailey – Beneath The Neon Glow Hannah White – Sweet Revolution Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand – Willson Williams Nina Nesbitt – Mountain Music The Hanging Stars – On A Golden Shore The Heavy Heavy – One of a Kind UK SONG OF THE YEAR Blue Rose Code – “Sadie” Brown Horse – “Stealing Horses” Jack Francis – “Failure” Nina Nesbitt – “Pages” Our Man In The Field – “L’Etranger” Robert Vincent – “Follow What You Love and Love Will Follow” UK INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR Ashley Campbell Henry Senior Jr Joe Coombs Joe Harvey White Joe Wilkins Keiron Marshall INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR Bonny Light Horseman Charley Crockett Jason Isbell Larkin Poe Sierra Ferrell Waxahatchee INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR American Aquarium – The Fear Of Standing Still Bonny Light Horseman – Keep Me On Your Mind/See You Free Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well Kyshona – Legacy Willie Watson – Willie Watson INTERNATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – “Empty Trainload of Sky” Hurray For The Riff Raff – “Buffalo” Julian Taylor & Allison Russell – “Pathways” Kyshona – “The Echo” Lizzie No – “The Heartbreak Store” Sierra Ferrell – “American Dreaming” LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR Ben Ottewell & Ian Ball (of Gomez) Campbell Jensen Danny & The Champions of the World Kezia Gill Lola Kirke Morganway Savannah Gardner Skinny Lister The Heavy Heavy Wunderhorse To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Hannah Larvin, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Review: Black Eyed Sons – Cowboys In Pinstriped Suits

Leave a Comment / Top Picks / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

The Black Eyed Sons are back; but with a new name. Previously known as The Quireboys, the rock outfit have charged back into our lives with this instantly catchy album offering. First track ‘Lie To Me’ includes some too often underappreciated harmonica, which we are big fans of – in fact, there’s enough harmonica on this album to fill our boots! Guy Griffins rock vocal line on ‘Autumn Reigns’ gives a nostalgic, comforting side to the track, not completely out of line with the season itself. The title track steps in with ‘three chords and the truth’, showing exactly what Black Eyed Sons are aiming for with their renewed lineup in tow. Killer electric guitar riffs that you’d find in any rock show, lots of harmonies and stadium-filling drums. Overall, what a way to re-write their names in the history books! Read the full feature in our free digital magazine here: https://bit.ly/3WUe56j Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Hannah Larvin, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Review: Steve Knightley – The Winter Yards

Leave a Comment / Top Picks / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Knightley’s album delivers an emotionally charged collection, starting with ‘Transactions,’ a beautifully written tribute to the downtrodden, addressing key issues in the UK, including immigration, identity, and the Post Office Scandal. ‘The Ride (The Winter Yards)’ offers a reflective, lockdown-inspired track, while ‘If You Come Back’ boasts a captivating guitar line, with a groove that oozes swagger. ‘I Tried’ brings a touch of melancholy, adding emotional depth to an already diverse album. ‘Requiem’ impresses with acapella harmonies, infusing the traditional ‘The Parting Glass’ with haunting beauty. ‘I’ll Never Forgive You’ echoes Nick Cave’s influence, while ‘The Mermaid (The Wedding Song)’ showcases Knightley’s lyrical wit. Closing with the moving ‘A Song for Wickham,’ this album is a well-rounded, poignant masterpiece. Read the full feature in our free digital magazine here: https://bit.ly/3WUe56j Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Hannah Larvin, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Spotlight: Ricky Valido

Leave a Comment / Exclusives / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Your latest album, ‘A Collection of Songs’, presents a unique blend of traditional and contemporary country sounds. Where do you find yourself getting inspired most often? Inspiration comes from personal experiences, my environment, and the people around me. I often pull from the juxtaposition of the modern world and vintage sounds that inspire me. Growing up near the Florida Everglades influenced my music deeply. Its beauty and wildness shape my perspective as an artist. While my music draws on my own life and experiences, my new project, ‘Dear Everglades’, will focus more on nature itself, particularly the Florida Everglades. This project dives into environmentalism, conservation, and how our relationship with nature shapes us. The title suggests a compilation rather than a single concept. Can you share how the tracks came together and if there’s a common theme or thread linking them? While ‘A Collection of Songs’ might sound like a compilation, there is a thread tying it together. Each track reflects different stages of my life, blending personal stories with metaphor and fiction. The songs move between emotional, reflective moments and upbeat, traditional country vibes. At its core, it’s about authenticity—each song tells a part of my story. The diversity in style reflects my range as a writer and performer. ‘I Miss You Mama’ is one of my personal favourite cuts from the album, showcasing your versatility perfectly. How do you decide which direction to take with each track, both musically and lyrically? Each song dictates its own direction. Sometimes it starts with the music, while other times it begins with a lyric or a feeling. For ‘I Miss You Mama’, the lyrics came from a personal place—it’s a tribute to my mother and great-grandmother. I wanted the arrangement simple to allow the message to come through. The story blends fiction with real emotions, depicting an outlaw on the run while reflecting my family connection. This song is personal and cathartic, both a tribute and an emotional release. How does ‘A Collection of Songs’ reflect your musical journey up until this point, and in what ways do you feel it represents your growth as an artist? This project is a culmination of my journey so far. I’ve blended traditional influences with a contemporary sound, pushed myself to experiment, and incorporated honky-tonk, bluegrass, and rock into my music. ‘A Collection of Songs’ represents my growth as a writer and performer. While I’m proud of this project, I’m even more excited about what’s next. ‘Dear Everglades’ will be a concept album tying my love of nature with artistic exploration. The shift to a more focused approach reflects my evolution, and I’m eager to see where this chapter takes me. Which track on the album was the most personal for you to write or record, and why? ‘I Miss You Mama’ was the most personal track to write and record. It channels my love and loss of my great-grandmother. Writing it was emotional, and the recording process was cathartic. I felt a need to honour maternal figures, and the song resonates with those who have lost loved ones. The emotional vulnerability is something I’m proud of—it’s a piece of my heart I’ve shared with the world. Read the full feature in our free digital magazine here: https://bit.ly/3WUe56j Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Hannah Larvin, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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