Rochelle Mills, Author at STAGING Maverick

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

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.

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

Caitlyn Smith Releases Vulnerable Track, “The Great Pretender”

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

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.

Caitlyn Smith Releases Vulnerable Track, “The Great Pretender” Read More »

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

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

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.

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

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!”

Tyler Bryant is in the Pink with three major announcements! Read More »

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.

Black Deer announces next wave of artists Read More »

Kelsea Ballerini entertains sell out crowds!

Leave a Comment / Live events, News / Rochelle Mills

Kelsea Ballerini is one of those rare and unique artists that sounds as good live as she does on her records. Supported by Georgia Webster, Ballerini put on an incredible performance for the Manchester Crowd in a packed out O2 Ritz – I’ve never seen it that full. I wasn’t overly familiar with Webster before she was announced as support for Ballerini but she has some well written songs that the first few rows in the crowd were singing along to. She built up an instant rapport with them as she worked the stage. She was full of energy and delivered a powerful set. The queue to meet her afterwards was extensive. Time for the main event, the crowd roared as the lights went down and Ballerini’s voice could be heard on a record. Subject to Change was the opening number as the lights came up again she was stood on stage with an enormous grin. She too was full of energy as she walked backwards and forwards, getting the crowd involved at every turn. The place was bouncing as she played a medley of hits, ‘Love You Like You Mean It’, ‘Dibs’ and ‘Yeah Boy’. All the while, the visuals behind her were well thought out and brought the songs to life even more as colour filled the stage. She took it down a notch as she went into ‘Love Is A Cowboy’ immediately followed by a cover of Dixie Chicks, ‘Cowboy Take Me Away’. One of my favourites of hers was next, ‘Half of my Hometown’ – her voice was flawless in its delivery. A highlight of the night was when she invited Webster back up on stage with her to perform ‘Homecoming Queen’. Both women did a brilliant job of this heartfelt track. But the most powerful moment was yet to come as she performed a live debut of new song ‘Penthouse’ off the project she released just last week. Her voice was full of emotion but the crowd were supportive as she sang this very personal track. Another highlight for the Manchester crowd was one of her biggest hits ‘Peter Pan’. The lighthouse visuals in the background added to the atmosphere as everyone sang along in fine voice. It was a phenomenal show from one of country-pop’s biggest talents!

Kelsea Ballerini entertains sell out crowds! Read More »

Brad Paisley Inks Deal with Universal Music Group Nashville

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

Universal Music Group Nashville announces the signing of country music superstar Brad Paisley to EMI Records Nashville. Paisley has cemented his place in country music history as one of the genre’s most talented and decorated male solo artists. For more than 20 years, his songwriting and unmatched showmanship led to numerous accolades and awards including three GRAMMYs, two American Music Awards, 15 Academy of Country Music Awards, and 14 Country Music Association Awards. The signing reunites Paisley with UMGN Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan and President Cindy Mabe. Dungan was instrumental in signing Paisley to his first deal at Arista, and Mabe served as Paisley’s marketing point person through many of his early album cycles including his breakthrough projects, Mud on the Tires and Time Well Wasted. “There were two people that should get the credit that you even know my name – Mike Dungan and Cindy Mabe. I ran into Mike at the fishing department at Walmart after having met with several labels and he talked me into signing my first deal with Arista. They assigned this woman named Cindy Mabe to me – we graduated the same day at Belmont. I got to work with her on my first few albums and now I get to work with her at UMG,” said Paisley. “Cindy’s a genius and terrific human being. She heard what I was up to with the new music, and she pointed me further into the direction I was headed. I’ve never had this kind of enthusiasm and empowerment. She said, ‘Make music that matters.’ It’s an amazing thing to work with Mike and Cindy again. It’s great to know they believe in this music as much as I do.” “Brad is a true creative. He has no boundaries to what he uses as his canvas. He has used his voice and his words as a gift to heal the world through his philanthropy, his song writing, his guitar playing, his entertaining, his music videos, his sense of humor and his heart,” said Mabe. “He has been a part of the country music duo with Carrie Underwood that helped define country music to the world. And getting to reunite with my friend and collaborator in his next creative adventure is something I’ve wanted for a long time. I cannot wait for him to share the music he has created with the world.” Paisley, a consummate entertainer and creator, is finishing his next studio album, the first for UMG Nashville, expected later this year. This Friday, Feb. 24, Paisley is set to release a new song from forth coming album- “Same Here,” written by Paisley, Lee Thomas Miller and Taylor Goldsmith, and produced by Luke Wooten. Paisley joins UMGN’s esteemed roster including Alan Jackson, Brothers Osborne, Carrie Underwood, Caylee Hammack, Chris Stapleton, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, George Strait, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Josh Turner, Kylie Morgan, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Mickey Guyton, Parker McCollum, Priscilla Block, Reba McEntire, Sam Hunt, Sam Williams, Tyler Hubbard, Vince Gill, Little Big Town, Maddie & Tae, The War And Treaty, and more.

Brad Paisley Inks Deal with Universal Music Group Nashville Read More »

Congress: Buffalo Bill Comes to Town New album, book, live show and radio show from John Ward

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

On a road trip through Colorado a few years ago, John and his wife Lynne, spontaneously happened upon the museum and grave of William F Cody, aka Buffalo Bill. It was there that they learnt the surprising fact that Buffalo Bill had brought his show containing 800 performers & crew, 500 horses and 40 different nationalities, from the Wild West to the far east of the UK – Britain’s most easterly town of Lowestoft and John’s hometown. Buffalo Bill was a frontiersman and tracker, living on the Great Plains of Dakota in the 19th century. Realising that the Wild West and the traditional way of life of the Native Americans were vanishing rapidly with the western expansion of the European settlers, Bill curated his show which toured railway towns of the USA and Europe for 30 years. Perhaps Bill brought his show to your town? John’s interest and imagination was kindled and after several years of research, writing and recording, the result is Congress – a book/CD package, a single release, a live show, a slideshow, a festival/community/educational workshop, a serialised BBC radio broadcast and an art/photographic exhibition. Congress the CD is folk roots music but with a surprising variety of styles which reflects the fishing heritage of the UK’s east coast and the international nature of the travelling show. Like Bill’s extravaganza, it is full of surprises and quirkiness, whilst maintaining its roots in the music of the folk. The music features the trademark harmonies of John, Lynne and Les Woodley, aka The John Ward Trio, with ambitious arrangements aided by top notch musicians, Ian Sainsbury on piano/keyboards and Jim O’Toole on violin, all bound together by soundscapes to conjure the times and the events. Congress the book tells the story of John’s characters, Lakotas Soaring Hawk and Standing Cloud, whose paths cross briefly with Lowestoft’s Grit village fisherpeople, Jack and Maggie, when the show comes to Lowestoft. The book is written in a similar poetic narrative style to John’s previous book, The Iron Bridge, set against the history and heritage of John’s hometown of Lowestoft. Congress is a book intended to be read aloud and has been edited for performance at the live shows. Congress is John’s 9th CD and 2nd book and will have its full national release on 3rd April, including all streaming platforms. The Book & CD package is available to buy via www.johnward.org.uk – £18 including P&P. It is also currently available in Dial Lane Books in Ipswich, Books and Prints @ The Grit in Lowestoft, and other selected outlets.

Congress: Buffalo Bill Comes to Town New album, book, live show and radio show from John Ward Read More »

Grand Ole Opry To Celebrate Ronnie Milsap’s 80th Birthday

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

The Grand Ole Opry will celebrate the 80th birthday of legendary Opry member Ronnie Milsap with a special “Ronnie Milsap & Friends” Opry performance Saturday, March 25 at the Grand Ole Opry House. Milsap, who will be among the night’s performers, turned 80 on January 16. The country music icon was inducted into the Opry family on February 6, 1976. Milsap’s birthday celebration will feature performances by the legend himself plus some of his biggest fans and fellow Opry members including Trace Adkins, Mandy Barnett, Little Big Town, and Mark Wills.Portions of the show will air as a Saturday night OPRY LIVE later this year 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.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 Lauren Alaina, Bill Anderson, Henry Cho, Ashley Cooke, Dailey & Vincent, The Isaacs, Crystal Gayle, Vince Gill, Chris Janson, Jamey Johnson, LOCASH, Dustin Lynch, Ashley McBryde, Scotty McCreery, Craig Morgan, Lorrie Morgan, Wendy Moten, Carly Pearce, Darius Rucker, Ricky Skaggs, and Nate Smith, among many others.

Grand Ole Opry To Celebrate Ronnie Milsap’s 80th Birthday Read More »

Dalton Dover Releases Highly Anticipated New Single “Giving Up On That”

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

On the heels of being named a Pandora 2023 Artist to Watch, an Amazon Music 2023 Breakthrough Artist to Watch: Country Class and a member of CMT’s LISTEN UP 2023 Class, MusicRow-dubbed “master country talent” Dalton Dover releases his highly anticipated first single “Giving Up On That” via UMG Nashville/Mercury Records. “It feels incredible to finally be able to share ‘Giving Up On That’ with the world,” says Dover. “I performed it during my Grand Ole Opry debut, and for it to be my first official single with Mercury Records makes this song even more special to me.” “I hope everyone can relate to it, as we’ve all had those relationships where we regret not bringing our best selves to the table until it’s too late, and I hope it finds the folks that need to hear it most,” he explains. Written by Dover with Adam Craig and Josh Pierce, “Giving Up On That” showcases the Georgia native’s sharp vocals as he pleads with a long-gone lover, recounting his previous screw-ups and outlining the steps he’s taken to prove his loyalty and his desire to try again.

Dalton Dover Releases Highly Anticipated New Single “Giving Up On That” Read More »