Rochelle Mills

Cementing their game-changing duet in the history books of country music’s rich story song catalog today, HARDY and Lainey Wilson are #1 on the Mediabase country chart now with platinum-certified hit, “wait in the truck”. “I’m just so happy a song like this still has a place in country music” HARDY says. “Thanks to everyone involved for taking this song to the top, and for believing in this one”. “I’m so honored HARDY asked me to join him on a song that’s had an impact on so many people and shed light on a topic a lot of folks are scared to talk about” Lainey Wilson shares. “He is one of the most brilliant songwriters I’ve ever met and puts on one heck of a show. I can’t wait to be back out on the road together this fall!” “wait in the truck” earned three nominations at the 2023 ACM Awards for Song Of The Year, Music Event Of The Year, and Visual Media Of The Year. Named one of the Best Songs of 2022 by Los Angeles Times, Billboard, American Songwriter, Holler, Wide Open Country, and more, “wait in the truck” is a “soul-stirrer” (The Tennessean), “a harrowing tale of domestic violence and vigilante justice” (Rolling Stone) that’s made a lasting impact. Streamed over 219 million times and paired with a cinematic, CMT Collaborative Video of the Year Award-winning official music video, the collaboration saw buzz worthy performances at the 2022 CMA Awards and on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The LBJ Foundation is delighted to announce that Eric Church, Sam Hunt, Elle King and Lyle Lovetthave signed on to play musical tributes to Willie Nelson as the LBJ Foundation gives Nelson its highest honor, the LBJ Liberty & Justice for All Award, at a gala Friday, May 12, at the LBJ Presidential Library. These musicians have been inspired by Nelson and share deep admiration for his musical talents and philanthropic efforts. “It’s a reflection of Willie’s impactful legacy that these extraordinary artists will be paying tribute to him,” says Larry Temple, chairman of the LBJ Foundation Board of Trustees. “We couldn’t be happier with how the evening is shaping up.” Net proceeds from the gala will benefit the newly established Willie Nelson Endowment for Uplifting Rural Communities at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, a part of The University of Texas at Austin. Nelson has long advocated for sustainable agriculture, worked to eliminate global food insecurity and assisted those affected by natural disasters. Farm Aid, perhaps his best-known cause, has raised more than $70 million in aid and helped increase awareness about the plight of family farms. The Willie Nelson Endowment will fund research and student fellowships focused on sustainable agriculture, eliminating hunger, resilient energy, sustainable water and natural disaster recovery to benefit rural communities. The endowment has received $100,000 sponsorships from President and Mrs. Johnson’s daughters, Lynda Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson, as well as Texas retailer H-E-B, which is the largest private employer in Texas. “No three have cared more about rural Texas than LBJ, H-E-B and Willie Nelson,” says Luci Baines Johnson. “Please join us in getting ‘On the Road Again’ for rural America and continuing Willie’s legacy of helping farmers and those in need.” Ticket and sponsorship information is available at www.lbjaward.org.

After a five-year hiatus from touring in the United States as a collective, the stars of the iconic, hit television series “NASHVILLE” are returning with shows in Chicago and in Nashville. “NASHVILLE” The Reunion Tour will play Chicago’s Rosemont Theatre on Saturday, September 23 and the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Monday, September 25. “NASHVILLE” The Reunion Tour will see stars Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Jonathan Jackson and Sam Palladio take to the stage to perform classic songs from the series as well as their own original material. The four artists will play the Ryman Auditorium on September 25, before kicking off a UK run starting on October 11 in Glasgow. Due to overwhelming demand and sold-out shows, additional dates were added to the UK tour, which will also travel to Birmingham, Manchester, London and Cardiff. In a special one-night event, Chris Carmack will join cast members Bowen, Esten, Jackson and Palladio for the concert in Chicago on September 23. Carmack has previously toured with his “NASHVILLE” castmates and currently stars in “Grey’s Anatomy” on ABC.  “NASHVILLE” became a TV phenomenon when it first debuted in 2012. Set against the backdrop of Nashville’s music scene the show followed the lives of Clare Bowen as Scarlett O’Connor, Chris Carmack as Will Lexington, Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne, Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley and Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott as country music superstars, up-and-coming performers and songwriters trying to get ahead in the business. The show’s popularity grew instantly reaching over 225 territories worldwide before its final season in 2018. Since its debut, the show has inspired 22 soundtracks, including a Christmas album, which collectively sold millions of album units and single-track downloads around the world. “NASHVILLE” was also critically lauded with multiple Emmy®, Golden Globe® and Critics Choice award nominations. The incredible cast of the series carry with them the spirit of Music City and will once again share the stage together to celebrate the magic of “NASHVILLE”. Tickets for Chicago and Nashville go on sale on Friday, April 21 at 10:00 am CST. Ticket information for all US and UK shows can be found at www.nashvillereuniontour.com.

Musician and mental health campaigner Craig Gould releases his long awaited new album Songs From The Campfire Friday 14th April, in partnership with CALM charity. You often hear people talk about how music “saved their life.” For Craig Gould, that’s literally true. Now, with the release of his debut album Songs From The Campfire (14 April), he’s hoping his own music will help save other lives too. In a unique collaboration, Craig is donating all the proceeds of his debut album Songs From The Campfire to a mental health charity. Because these songs were born from his own mental health crisis. It was 2016 when Craig, who had long ago shelved his early songwriting efforts for a job on the railways, suffered a severe mental breakdown – in the middle of a rush-hour crowd at one of Britain’s busiest stations. “I was on the platform at Birmingham New Street when I just blacked out and collapsed,” he recalls. “When I came round I couldn’t move and couldn’t speak. The paramedics thought I’d had a stroke. My doctor said it was a complete mental breakdown. My body had shut down. When I got home I couldn’t even leave the house.” Celebrated as both songwriter and performer by some of the UK’s most respected acts, Folk / Americana artist Craig Gould announces the release of his long awaited debut album ‘Songs from the Campfire’ – part of his groundbreaking project in partnership with CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably, on the 14th April 2023.   Full biog attached on Craig’s project and story attached. Craig will be heading out on tour including a show at The Harrison in London on Friday 21st April, full tour dates below –   Saturday 15th April – Burton HMV – Burton On Trent Sunday 16th April – Birmingham HMV (The Vault) Friday 21st April – The Harrison – London Saturday 22nd April – The Folklore Rooms – Brighton Thursday 27th April – Little Buildings – Newcastle  Friday 5th May – The Chapel – Nottingham Friday 19th May – Prohibition Studios – Liverpool Friday 9th June – Tamworth Tap – Tamworth

James Dunne is one of the most exciting artists on the UK scene! After the successful release of ‘Duty’ at the end of last year which helped him to further build his ever growing fanbase, Dunne is back with his latest single ‘Black Train’. ‘Black Train‘ talks of a man standing up and taking responsibility which ebbs and flows with the melody, whilst the production allows him to put the spotlight on his rich and gravelly vocal that adds layers to the strong message that is weaved throughout. Speaking about the song, James Dunne says: “When I started writing for the follow up to Duty, it became apparent I had a lot of pain and frustration to get out that I never realised I had, or maybe just didn’t want to address as a man, a father, a partner, a working man and a veteran, all social roles that symbolise a strong person. There were dozens of songs that made it onto paper, which will remain a personal dumping ground for me but it took this period of honest self reflection to accept that no one is invincible”  The song features on his upcoming EP which is set for release later this year and you can watch the accompanying video above. Check out the latest issue of Maverick for an interview with Dunne and stay tuned for the next issue where we will take you through our favourite songs off that EP!