Rochelle Mills, Author at STAGING Maverick

Black Deer announce 2023 line-up

Leave a Comment / Live events, News / Rochelle Mills

The award-winning Black Deer Festival today reveals the first wave of artists on the bill for the 2023 edition of the festival, taking place at Eridge Park, Kent on June 16-18 2023. From established and legendary performers to fresh, exciting newcomers, the line-up is an eclectic and diverse mix of incredible talent from the world of Americana, Folk, Country and beyond. Priding themselves on a true sense of community, one that is accessible to all, Black Deer Festival is on a mission to bring the authentic Americana way of life to the UK, with festival-goers able to immerse themselves in the music, food and storytelling of a culture like no other. Following 2022’s triumphant event that hosted some of the biggest, brightest and most notable artists including Wilco, Van Morrison, The Waterboys and more, Black Deer is excited to announce the first set of artists for 2023. Joining Black Deer’s 2023 line-up is one of the defining faces of Americana, Bonnie Raitt. In a career spanning 50+ years, Bonnie has won 10 Grammy Awards (as well as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award), released 18 acclaimed studio albums, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She continues to inspire, with her 2022 Grammy-nominated Americana Album Of The Year, Just Like That… being a timely reminder of her songwriting prowess and exquisite precision over her slide-guitar. She is no doubt an artist who has inspired many other names on the Black Deer bill and definitely not one to be missed. All the way from Colorado, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats have established themselves as an exhilarating and unique offering, effortlessly weaving the sonic styles of folk, R&B and rock ‘n’ roll into a genre-hopping sound that flourishes even more in a live setting. The band, spearheaded by multi-instrumentalist Nathaniel Rateliff, released their third LP in 2021 entitled The Future – which was capped off by a triumphant performance of their single, ‘Face Down In the Moment’ on The Tonight Show, capitalising on the marker set by 2016’s Billboard Number One, ‘S.O.B.’. The Teskey Brothers have rapidly amassed a legion of fans around the world with their soulful recordings and stunning live shows that have made them a festival favourite. The four friends from Melbourne, Australia, have warmed the hearts of listeners via their melancholic, analogue tones, with their recent cover of The Zombies’ classic, ‘This Will Be Our Year’ showcasing this, alongside their own international hit ‘So Caught Up.’ Another legend on the Black Deer 2023 line-up is Lucinda Williams. Widely considered one of the greatest songwriters of all time, with Time magazine making it official by naming her “America’s best songwriter,” Lucinda is a fiercely independent artist who had to fight for the creative freedom that has allowed her to do her best work. The trailblazing artist has an incredible back-catalogue of hits and deep cuts to cherry-pick from for her performance that will no doubt be one of most memorable sets across the weekend. Calexico has spent the better part of the past three decades exploring the dusty musical borderlands of the American Southwest, crafting singular, cinematic songs as mysterious and magnificent as the arid desert landscapes that inspired them. Their 2022 album, El Mirador is one of the year’s standout releases, blending a kaleidoscopic mix of sounds and influences. Canadian singer-songwriter, musician and activist Allison Russell, is another 2022 Grammy-nominated artist playing Black Deer. The singer has been part of several successful bands including Birds of Chicago and Our Native Daughters , but it was her 2021 debut LP that really catapulted her to international acclaim, with Variety describing it as an album flowing with “emotional potency, melodic fluency, social significance and heartrending beauty.” The rest of the first wave of artists announced for Black Deer Festival 2023 includes smoky-voiced Americana Award winner Elles Bailey, Amythyst Kiah who was described by Rolling Stone as “one of Americana’s great up-and-coming secrets,” Liverpool’s ‘Scouse Springsteen’ Robert Vincent, hotly-tipped Canadian bluegrass star Bella White and Arkansas’ Dylan Earl – a Black Deer favourite who wowed crowds at this year’s event during the inaugural Ozark Holler Hottenanny. With many more big names and upcoming artists set to join the bill, as well as news on the festival’s much-loved artisan streetfood & drink offering (including the hugely popular ‘Live Fire’ Arena names, brought to you by Grillstock founders and popular authors Jon Finch and Ben Merrington), The Great Americana Songbook, The Songwriter Sessions, Gospel Brunch, Ozark Holler Hootenanny, Arkansas Porch Sessions, Young Folk area, and much more, be sure to keep an eye out for further exciting updates and announcements for Europe’s premier Americana playground, Black Deer Festival. Founders of the Black Deer Festival, Gill Tee and Debs Shilling, add: “We are thrilled to reveal the first names for Black Deer Festival 2023. Bonnie Raitt, Nathaniel Rateliff, Lucinda Williams, Allison Russell… it reads like a who’s who of Americana music past and present. We can’t wait to welcome our community back into the deer park to enjoy it all!” A limited amount of Tier 1 day & weekend tickets, along with add-ons and VIP upgrades are now available here.

Black Deer announce 2023 line-up Read More »

Opry Country Christmas Kicks Off November 27

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

The Grand Ole Opry® kicks off Nashville’s newest holiday tradition with the return of Opry Country Christmas at the Grand Ole Opry House. Hosted by Grammy®-winning Opry member Larry Gatlin, Opry Country Christmas will showcase songs of the holiday season beginning Nov. 27 and running through Dec. 22 for a total of eight shows. Each show features Opry members The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett and Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy. Other Opry members, special guests, and spotlight artists will round out the shows made up of artists’ original songs and timeless Christmas favorites. Spotlight Artists for this year’s run include Steve Wariner (November 27); Lauren Alaina (Dec. 1), Scotty McCreery (Dec. 4), Steven Curtis Chapman (Dec. 8); Chris Janson (Dec. 11), Josh Turner and Chris Young (Dec 15), Lorrie Morgan (Dec. 21), and Ricky Skaggs (Dec. 22). Additional artists scheduled for various Opry Country Christmas shows include John Berry, Jason Crabb, Louise Mandrell, Kathy Mattea, Jeannie Seely, and Rhonda Vincent. Tickets are on-sale now starting at $55.00 at opry.com. All Opry Country Christmas shows air on WSM Radio as well as WSM and Opry digital platforms. For Opry Country Christmas tickets and more information on the full Opry schedule including Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night performances, visit opry.com.

Opry Country Christmas Kicks Off November 27 Read More »

Lainey Wilson Debuts “Smell Like Smoke” on Yellowstone

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

CMA 2022 Female Vocalist of the Year, CMA 2022 New Artist of the Year, ACM’s 2022 New Female Artist of the Year and CMT’s 2022 Breakout Artist of the Year, Lainey Wilson, debuted her original song “Smell Like Smoke” yesterday (Sunday, 20th November) during episode 503 of Paramount Network’s smash hit series, Yellowstone. Now part of Bell Bottom Country, you can listen to the song here. The fiery song depicts a powerhouse woman not scared of who she is or where she’s been, including hell. Wilson made her acting debut in the Season 5 premiere as a musician named ‘Abby,’ a role creator Taylor Sheridan created specifically for her, and one that will see her sing more original music throughout the season. Last month, Wilson released her new album, Bell Bottom Country, which now features 15 tracks (with the inclusion of “Smell Like Smoke”), including hit single, “Heart Like a Truck,” which is currently Top 20 (US) and climbing, as well as “Watermelon Moonshine” and “Hold My Halo,” both of which will be featured this season on Yellowstone. In March 2023, Wilson will return to the UK to perform on the main stage at C2C: Country to Country in London, Glasgow and Dublin. Tickets and additional information can be found here: https://c2c-countrytocountry.com/

Lainey Wilson Debuts “Smell Like Smoke” on Yellowstone Read More »

Kelsea Ballerini on tour with Kenny Chesney

Leave a Comment / Live events, News / Rochelle Mills

Having won the 2021 Country Music Association Vocal Event and Video of the Year for “Half of My Hometown,” as well as being nominated for 2022 CMA Single of the Year, there was only one choice for Kenny Chesney’s I Go Back 2023 Tour: triple GRAMMY nominee Kelsea Ballerini, the songwriter/dreamer from Mascot, Tennessee. “Kelsea understands everything about where I come from, because she’s from there, too,” Chesney says. “She knows how hard it is to leave, how much you miss all those things that make you who you are… but also how the only way to chase the kind of dream she has is to do just that. It’s a tough call when you love home the way we both do, but for kids like us, there was never really a choice. “When she texted me to sing on the song she’d written with some of our friends, I said, ‘Let me hear it,’ knowing she knew everything about who I was,” Chesney continued. “As soon as I heard that first verse, I was in. And I have been one of Kelsea’s biggest fans ever since. She’s a writer, a girl who sings from her heart and isn’t afraid to honor where she comes from. To me, there was no other choice for this tour.” Having played to over 1.3 million fans on 2022’s Here And Now Tour, including breaking his personal best at many of the 21 NFL stadium plays, Chesney knew he wanted to take his music to the people who live beyond the major markets. Always committed to bringing the best musical experience, his choice of Ballerini recognizes an artist who has a strong sense of roots, but it also invested in pushing where country music can go. “Music has taken me so many incredible places,” Ballerini says. “Around the world, singing with some of my heroes in pop, alternative and contemporary music, but singing with Kenny is going home. He was the only voice I heard on ‘half of my hometown,’ and when he comes in, it’s just like hitting the Knoxville city limits. So to be able to go out to those cities like the place he and I grew up with an artist who’s accomplished what he has, it’s a lot like going home.” Like Chesney, Ballerini has caused a sensation since taking her debut “Love Me Like You Mean It,” follow-up “Dibs” and “Peter Pan” all to No. 1 on the country charts, a trifecta that matches her with Wynonna’s solo emergence in the ‘90s; it helped earn the honeyed alto a Best New Artist GRAMMY nomination. Fresh-faced and fashion-forward, she’s drawn on her own young woman coming of age in today’s world for some of modern country’s most personal songs. “half of my hometown,” written with Ross Copperman, Nicolle Galyon, Shane McAnally and Jimmy Robbins, reflects Ballerini’s journey, but also both artists’ way of seeing the world around them. It’s that passion for taking risks, but remembering where one comes from, the desire to have big dreams and never lose the ability to enjoy the simplest kinds of fun and friendship.

Kelsea Ballerini on tour with Kenny Chesney Read More »

Allie Colleen Announces Exclusive Booking Representation with APA

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

Promising Country Music artist Allie Colleen has announced that she’s signed an exclusive booking representation with APA Agency. With over 35 successful festival and theater performance dates across the country in 2022 and internationally, Allie has been building her following and winning over audiences with her engaging personality, wit and a sound that is like no other artist. Follow her tour schedule on Bandsintown and her official artist website for current updates and more information.“My team and I are very excited about this new road season with APA. We are so grateful to have spent the time we did at our previous agency regardless of the decision for change. We cannot wait to return to previous venues as well as see some new places and faces along the way. Come see me on the road everyone!! APA will assist on all booking inquiries going forward and I cannot wait for the opportunities ahead.” “APA is excited to welcome Allie Colleen to our expanding roster. Allie’s undeniable talent, rising star power and work ethic are a great fit for our team and new culture at APA. We are all looking forward to getting her and the band out on the road to new audiences” –Jeff Hill – APA.

Allie Colleen Announces Exclusive Booking Representation with APA Read More »

Cody Johnson Awarded with Pandora’s Billionaires Plaque

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

Signifying more than One Billion streams on Pandora, COJO Music / Warner Music Nashville Platinum recording artist Cody Johnson was awarded the internet radio and streaming service’s Billionaires plaque commemorating his status as a Pandora Billionaire. Cody, a two-time CMA Awards winner for Video of the Year and Single of the Year for “’Til You Can’t,” was surprised last week just after his CMA performance rehearsal during an interview with SiriusXM’s Buzz Brainard. Cody’s current Pandora streams are 1.5 billion, and he has been added to Pandora’s Country Billionaires Radio in celebration of the honor. “This is all because of the fans, they did this,” said Cody expressed. “They’ve stuck with me for many years and never cease to surprise me in their constant support and involvement.” For all of your favorite Cody Johnson tracks in one place on Pandora go HERE.

Cody Johnson Awarded with Pandora’s Billionaires Plaque Read More »

Chase Rice To Release New Album

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

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

Chase Rice To Release New Album Read More »

Jordan Davis Announces New Album

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

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

Jordan Davis Announces New Album Read More »

Grammy nomination news

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

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

Grammy nomination news Read More »

Brett Young live in Manchester

Leave a Comment / Live events, News / Rochelle Mills

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

Brett Young live in Manchester Read More »