Exclusives

Lindsay Ell has released a video for her latest single wAnt me back, which was shot following direct inspiration from Sonny and Cher. You can see the video below. [wpdevart_youtube]Y065nyQJ1u4[/wpdevart_youtube] The song features on Ell’s recently released album ‘heart theory’ and was co-written with Kane Brown, Matt McGinn and Lindsay Rimes, while it has also been very successful in the charts, with the song being the #1 most added song at US Country radio in its debut week. Speaking about the video to CMT, the Canadian star opened up on the Sonny and Cher inspiration and also explained the meaning behind the song, while also elaborating on why the video was shot the way it was. “For this music video we based the narrative on the story of Sonny and Cher, where I’m previously in a duo called “Eddie and Ell,” until I ultimately decide that I want to emerge as a solo artist,” Ell explained. “The video captures the story line in which my whole persona changes from an unconfident, held-back woman, to then realising my own self-power and stepping into it.” Lindsay Ell will be partaking in UK Country Music Week, albeit digitally, with the artist participating in a Day in the Life Instagram takeover of the C2C Instagram account, appearing at a BMG and BBR afternoon tea and performing a live set with Ashley McBryde from the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.

Ferris & Sylvester have released a live version of their recent single Knock You Down, which got the stripped back treatment at Real World Studios. You can watch the video below. [wpdevart_youtube]mABaJ5jc4Bc[/wpdevart_youtube] Knock You Down features on ‘I Should Be On a Train’, which is the latest EP released by the duo – made up of Issy Ferris and Archie Sylvester – but the pair have opted to give it a slightly different twist. Speaking to EARMILK about the new version, the pair stated that they had always wanted to record something at Real World Studios before opening up on how it came to fruition in this format. “We’d always wanted to record something at Real World,” the duo explained. “We were in the studio’s smaller live room called The Wood Room and everything looked and sounded warm, lively and exciting. It felt really interesting in this new set up, making it perhaps more melancholy and thoughtful. “We waited until it got dark, cleared the room of everything but this amazing grand piano and just sang it together. In the spirit of a live session, we wanted it to be totally transparent, so we shot it with one camera angle. “There isn’t anything to hide behind in that environment, we just had to trust ourselves in the moment. We’d never done a live session on piano before, so it felt nerve-racking and exciting when the engineer hit record. It certainly had a magic to it and we hope that translates in the video.” ‘I Should Be On a Train’ was released by Ferris & Sylvester on October 2 and can be listened to here.

Country music duo LOCASH have teamed up with the Gronkowski brothers for their latest single Cloud of Dust, which is their first release since 2019 album ‘Brothers’. You can see an audio video below. [wpdevart_youtube]4hds5SgNoOk[/wpdevart_youtube] LOCASH, made up of Preston Trust and Chris Lucas, became friends with the Gronkowski brothers – consisting of NFL legend Rob, Super Bowl winner Glenn, NFL players Dan and Chris and baseball star Gordie Jr – over lockdown and their friendship has blossomed to the point they were included on the song. Speaking about the track, the country pair said that the Gronkowski brothers gave the song a new lease of life, while the whole experience was not only a hugely pleasant one, but also one that links in with their latest release. “I’m not sure there is a group of brothers that know how to throw down more than The Gronk Brothers—they were the perfect pick to help us finish this song,” said Brust. “Not only did they add their infectiously, energetic golden Gronk touch to the lyrics but they also rocked some vocals on the track and made the song feel and sound like a big anthem!” “We’ve been getting to know Rob outside of the spotlight and the touchdowns and he is an awesome guy—meeting his brothers and getting to work with them was such a fun, creative experience,” Lucas added. “It was also such a natural fit to collaborate with them, because our last album is called Brothers and it’s all about coming together and that brotherly bond.” LOCASH will be appearing at Country Music Week 2020 – Digital, with the pair taking part in a BBR and BMG showcase at 8pm BST on October 24.

Ida Mae have released the title track from their upcoming EP ‘Raining For You’, which is set to be released on November 20. You can watch the video below. [wpdevart_youtube]fOMNs3qaWOg[/wpdevart_youtube] The British husband and wife duo, made up of Chris Turpin and Stephanie Jean, have wowed just about everyone in the Americana scene since their 2019 debut album ‘Chasing Lights’ and ‘Raining For You’ is the next instalment from the pair. Speaking about the title track, the duo – now residing in Nashville – explained that it was one of the first tracks that they conjured up when the lockdown measures started to hit, while also explaining the meaning behind the track. “This was one of the first tracks we recorded as lockdown measures began here in Nashville TN,” the duo said. “It’s a simple love song written from the perspective of a friend of ours, someone I knew that was losing themselves in the darker memories of a past romantic relationship. “Through social media and memory, I think many people today can find themselves feeling like a helpless voyeur, watching the self-destructive behaviour of someone brilliant they love, but feel powerless to help.” Ida Mae will also be featuring the talents of Ethan Johns and Marcus King on the upcoming EP, which will be a Thirty Tigers release.

LeAnn Rimes will be releasing a five-track remix EP containing her songs from the hit film ‘Coyote Ugly’, as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. The EP will be released on October 23. The EP, which has been remixed by DJ Dave Audé, will be titled the ‘Coyote Ugly MegaMix’ and will offer a fresh spin on some of Rimes’ biggest hits, such as Can’t Fight the Moonlight. Speaking about the release, Rimes said that it was very nostalgic to revisit some of the songs and she is hopeful that Audé’s DJ skills can breathe fresh life into the tracks. “It was like going down memory-lane working with my friend Dave Audé on the ‘Coyote Ugly MegaMix,’” said Rimes. “Looking back 20 years later, it’s crazy to see how big of an impact the movie had on pop culture and how recognised the soundtrack is. “I hope that Dave’s remixes help dig up some nostalgic memories and lead to some epic dance parties!” LeAnn Rimes has had an exceptional career, winning two Grammy Awards, one CMA Award and three ACM Awards along with shifting 44 million units worldwide. She will be celebrating her 25th year as a recording artist in 2021 and is expected to do something to mark the occasion. The tracklist fir the ‘Coyote Ugly MegaMix’ is: 1. Coyote Ugly (Dave Audé MegaMix) 2. Right Kind of Wrong (Dave Audé MegaMix) 3. But I Do Love You (Dave Audé MegaMix) 4. Please Remember Me (Dave Audé MegaMix) 5. Can’t Fight the Moonlight (Dave Audé MegaMix)

The schedule for Country Music Week 2020 – Digital has been announced, with a bumper week in store for country music fans up and down the UK. Put on by the organisers of Country to Country (C2C), a host of country music’s biggest names will be contributing in some way, shape or form to CMW 2020 – just from a digital perspective. The likes of Darius Rucker, Thomas Rhett, Ashley McBryde, Lady A, Scotty McCreery, Danielle Bradbery, Old Dominion, Lindsay Ell and a whole lot more will be participating, as CMW tries to be the best it can be despite the circumstances. The Country Music Week 2020 – Digital schedule is as follows: October 19 8:15 AM               Chris Country Full Country Breakfast Show interview 9.30AM                The Shires Chris Country Full Country Breakfast Show interview 10AM-1PM         Tenille Townes interview Baylen Leonard show Country Hits Radio 3:00 PM               Lainey Wilson – BMG & BBR present Tea with Twinnie 5:00 PM               Jimmie Allen A Day in the Life: C2C Instagram takeover 6:00 PM               Niko Moon; Good Timers Country Music Week UK Edition 7:00 PM               Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack, Lainey Wilson, Kalie Shorr, Twinnie, Vic Allen And Emma & Jolie Song Suffragettes – Live From Nashville 8:00 PM               Tenille Townes Country Hits Takeover 9.00PM                 Lisa McHugh ‘You’re Gonna Get Back Up’ Behind The Song 10:00 PM             The Shires ‘From London to Nashville Radio’ on Apple Music Country  – an interview with Lauren Alaina October 20 8:15 AM               Matt Stell Chris Country Full Country Breakfast Show interview 9:00 AM               Dustin Lynch Smooth Country Radio Interview – show starts 9am 10AM-1PM         Matt Stell interview Baylen Leonard show Country Hits Radio 3:00 PM               Jimmy Allen and Lauren Alaina – BMG & BBR present Tea with Twinnie 5:00 PM               Lindsay Ell A Day in the Life: C2C Instagram takeover 7:00 PM               Matt Stell: Sony Music Nashville’s UK Sessions 8:00 PM               Old Dominion Country Hits Takeover 9:00 PM               Tenille Townes – BBC Radio Scotland October 21 8:15 AM               Mitchell Tenpenny – Chris Country Full Country Breakfast Show interview 9.30 AM               Ward Thomas – Chris Country interview 10AM-1PM         Lee Brice Baylen Leonard show Country Hits – Interview and Single Premier 3:00 PM               Andrew Farriss – BMG & BBR present Tea with Twinnie 5:00 PM               Scotty McCreery A Day in the Life C2C Instagram takeover 5:30 PM               The Cadillac Three – Big Machine Happy Hour 6:30 PM               Mitchell Tenpenny:  Sony Music Nashville’s UK Sessions 7:00 PM               The Adelaides Bounce Back Mini-Doc 8:00 PM               Scotty McCreery – Country Hits Takeover 9:00 PM               Ward Thomas – Live on Chris Country Facebook live October 22 8:15AM                Michael Ray Chris Country Full Country Breakfast Show – interview 9:00AM                Lee Brice Smooth Country Interview – show starts 9am 10AM-1PM         Chris Lane interview Baylen Leonard show Country Hits Radio 11:05 AM            Lady A in session BBC Radio 2 Ken Bruce Show “House Music” 3:00 PM               Lindsay Ell – BMG & BBR present Tea with Twinnie 5:00 PM               Midland A Day in the Life – C2C Instagram takeover 5:30 PM               Payton Smith Big Machine Happy Hour 6:00 PM               Ingrid Andress presents “Is That The Tequila Talking?” UK Edition 7:00 PM               Brent Cobb A night in with Destination Country 8:00 PM               Jordan Davis Happy Half Hour – Destination Country 9:00 PM               Michael Ray Facebook Live with Chris Country Radio 9:00 PM-10PM  Morgan Wallen in session BBC Radio 2 Country Show with Bob Harris Show plus exclusive live lockdown performances from Thomas Rhett, Brett Eldredge and more October 23 8:15 AM               Jameson Rodgers interview on the Full Country Breakfast Show – Chris Country Radio 10:00AM-1PM  Midland interview Baylen Leonard show Country Hits Radio 3:00 PM               Lucie Silvas – BMG & BBR present Tea with Twinnie 4.30PM                 Brett Eldredge Session Performances – Chris Country Radio with videos on CountryLine 5:00 PM               Caylee Hammack A Day in the Life – C2C Instagram takeover 5:30 PM               Tyler Rich Big Machine Happy Hour 6:30PM                 Willie Jones In Session 7:00 PM               Jameson Rodgers: Sony Music Nashville’s UK Sessions 8:00 PM               Ashley McBryde, Lindsay Ell and Carly Pearce: Live from the Bluebird Café, Nashville October 24 3:00 PM               Willie Jones – BMG & BBR present Tea with Twinnie 4:00 PM               Willie Jones and Carly Pearce Country Hits Takeovers 5:00 PM               Noah Schnacky A Day in the life of – C2C Instagram takeover 5:30 PM               Danielle Bradbery Big Machine Happy Hour 6:00 PM               Haley & Michaels plus guests Drinking About YoUK Tour CMW Edition 7:00 PM               The Destination Country – Country music quiz 8:00 PM               The Shires, Granger Smith, LOCASH, Track 45 and Elvie Shane on the BBR & BMG Showcase 10.00PM              Kip Moore In Session From Grimey’s, Nashville October 25 9:00 AM               Twinnie – Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch – Live interview and performance 12:00 PM             Charles Esten Sunday Lunch with – Chris Country Radio 1PM-3PM            Darius Rucker, Ashley Campbell, Billy Strings & Reyna Roberts – The Front Porch with Baylen Leonard– Country Hits Radio 3:00 PM               Country Hits Takeover – Runaway June 4:00 PM               Country Hits Takeover – CAM 5:00 PM               Jordan Davis A Day in the Life – C2C Instagram takeover 5.30 PM               Kyle Daniel In Session 6:00 PM               Lee Brice, Rodney Atkins, Mo Pitney, Ruthie Collins, American Young, Jackson Michelson and Tim Dugger presented by Curb Records 8:30 PM               Bob Harris – Stand By Me: 50 Years In Broadcasting a special zoom event hosted by Destination Country

Runaway June have shared the music video to their most recent release We Were Rich, which they released as a single in June. You can watch the video below. [wpdevart_youtube]7DtAAvdqQbY[/wpdevart_youtube] The video, which was directed by Patrick Tracy (Dan + Shay, Halsey) and is a coming of age video, highlighting some of their upbringing as individuals. Speaking about the video, Natalie Stovall – the latest addition to the trio after Hannah Mulholland left – said that the video made her feel incredibly emotional when she watched it back and gave some insight to some of the images that we see. “The first time I saw our music video I just started sobbing like a baby,” Stovall said. “I didn’t expect to get so emotional! It opens on the house I grew up in, features my parents and sweeps through intensely nostalgic moments, people and places from my childhood and hometown. “I couldn’t think of a more perfect visual love letter to the town that made me who I am. And the fact that this is my first music video with Runaway June just makes it even more special.” Runaway June is made up of Stovall, Naomi Cooke and Jennifer Wayne and the trio will be releasing their debut Christmas record, ‘When I Think About Christmas’ on October 16. The five-track EP will contain two originals, in addition to the three well known Christmas classics. You can pre-save the EP here.

The hosts of the 54th CMA Awards have been chosen, with Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker being chosen to present the iconic event, set to take place from Music City Center in downtown Nashville. Reba was also a co-host for the 53rd (2019) Awards, taking to the stage with Dolly Parton and Carrie Underwood, making this her fifth time hosting the Awards. By contrast, this is Rucker’s debut. Speaking about the announcement, both Reba and Rucker expressed their pride and joy to be hosting the event and while it won’t be the same as normal, they’re excited to see how it goes. “I’m thrilled to be back hosting the CMA Awards and even more thrilled that I get to share the stage with Darius Rucker,” McEntire said. “We’re looking forward to a night of celebrating great Country Music and hope you’ll tune in and watch.” “I look forward to the CMA Awards every year because of the incredible performances and the opportunity to celebrate the year in Country Music,” Rucker added. “To be invited to host this year’s awards alongside Reba — are you kidding me?! — it is an absolute honour. Even though this year will look a little different than normal, I know that we’re all eager for a night of musical celebration and this year’s show definitely won’t disappoint!” There are more details to come from how the CMA Awards will go on the night, but there have been a number of live performances from huge stars promised.