Exclusives

The Academy of Country Music (ACM) will be releasing a special, star studded cover of the classic Willie Nelson hit ‘On the Road Again’ on August 13. The cover of the song features a plethora of country music’s brightest talents, including Ingrid Andress, Gabby Barrett, Jordan Davis, Russell Dickerson, Lindsay Ell, Riley Green, Caylee Hammack, Cody Johnson, Tenille Townes and Morgan Wallen – all of whom will be joined by Nelson on the track. Ross Copperman and Jimmy Robbins both produced the single. All proceeds from the song will benefit the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Relief Fund, which will then subsequently be disbursed to those in the country music community who are in dire need of assistance as a result of the pandemic. Speaking about the track, Damon Whiteside, CEO of the ACM, expressed his pride at being able to work with both Nelson and the 10 stars for the single, while also thanking them all for their efforts for what is a fantastic cause. “The Academy is honoured to work with Willie Nelson and all 10 ACM Awards New Artist Nominees to create a new contemporary version of the classic ‘On the Road Again (ACM Lifting Lives Edition)’ that is so poignant for our current times,” Whiteside said. “This is a powerful way to showcase so many of our newer and fast-rising artists alongside one of our genre’s most legendary artists and iconic songs of all time. “It feels very appropriate that this event will raise much needed funds for our Country Music industry members in financial crisis through our ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund. “A huge thank you to the artists, Ross Copperman and Jimmy Robbins as well as our friends at Warner Music Nashville for donating their time to this important project.”

Emma Swift has whipped up anticipation of the release of her upcoming record by unveiling the video to her recent single You’re a Big Girl Now. You can see the video below. [wpdevart_youtube]ejmLQiMMRVA[/wpdevart_youtube] Swift will be releasing her new solo album ‘Blonde on the Tracks’ – an album composed of Bob Dylan covers – on August 14, with the record being produced by Patrick Sansone from Wilco. The album can be pre-ordered here. Speaking about the video for the song, Swift opened up on how it was a homage to one of her favourite graphic designers in Milton Glaser, who sadly passed away a few months ago. “This animated clip was created as a loving tribute to graphic designer Milton Glaser, who died in June this year,” Swift said. “His bold and fabulous designs have inspired so many and his iconic 1967 Dylan poster is a favourite of mine. “As artists, no matter what field we’re working in, we’re always in search of what Glaser famously coined the ‘wow’ factor. His colourful, surrealistic vision was more than ‘wow’ though, it was revolutionary. “From his famous ‘I Heart NY’ logo to the spectacular closing credits for the final season of ‘Mad Men’, Glaser left behind a tremendously inspiring visual legacy and I am forever a fan.”

The Country Music Association (CMA) have revealed that Marty Stuart, Hank Williams Jr. and Dean Dillon will be the 2020 inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Stuart will be going into the Hall of Fame under the ‘Modern Era Artist’ category, Williams Jr. will be going in as a ‘Veterans Era Artist, while Dillon will be entering under the ‘Songwriter’ category. Speaking about the inductees, Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, said that she was overjoyed to be able to welcome the three into the Hall of Fame and while the pandemic has put a halt to this taking place at a ceremony in person, she is hopeful that it can bring positivity to the genre. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Dean, Marty and Hank Jr. into the unbroken circle and honour this revered milestone,” Trahern said. “I’m sad we can’t toast this year’s class in person at the Country Music Hall of Fame, but I hope this news can bring some joy and cause for celebration during this time that our world has turned upside down. “In particular, our hearts are with Hank and his family following the recent loss of his daughter, Katherine.” In normal circumstances, the CMA would host a press conference in the rotunda of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, but alas that cannot happen this year. However, a formal induction ceremony for the trio will take place, with details on that to come as and when.

Lindsay Ell will be embarking on a 24 hour live stream on her Instagram in support of her upcoming album ‘heart theory’, which is due for release on August 14. You can pre-order the album here. At 11pm CT (5am BST), the Canadian star will be taking to her Instagram account for a whole day, bringing special guests on with her, performing songs from the record, explaining individual songs in more detail and plenty of other surprises as she seeks to make it a memorable launch. The launch date will spark a very hectic few days for Ell, who will also be performing her new single wAnt me back on NBC Today from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on August 17. The track was the number one most added song upon its release and continues to make a dent in the country charts stateside. While the pandemic has naturally halted any touring plans, 2020 has still been a very productive and fruitful year for Lindsay Ell, who has also been nominated for New Female of the Year at the upcoming ACM Awards. In addition to that, her song with Brantley Gilbert – What Happens in a Small Town – is also nominated for Musical Event of the Year at the ACM Awards, on top of being Ell’s first Number One song.

Kane Brown will be releasing a new seven-track EP on August 14 titled ‘The Mixtape Vol. 1’, one of which being recent single Worldwide Beautiful. The Tennessee born star‘s last release was the hit album ‘Experiment’ back in 2018, though it remains to be seen whether a Vol. 2 will come along and join the two pieces together. The EP will also feature Brown’s collaboration with John Legend, Last Time I Say Sorry. Dann Huff also has a prominent part as producer for the EP, producing all but two songs (Be Like That and Last Time I Say Sorry), while Lindsay Rimes, Charlie Handsome and Andrew Goldstein also share production credits. The EP will also feature Cool Again, which has become Brown’s fastest rising single to date, with the track the most added song for country radio in its release week as 103 different stations latched onto it, while the song is rising in the Top 10. The tracklisting for ‘The Mixtape Vol. 1’ by Kane Brown is: 1. Cool Again 2. Be Like That (ft. Swae Lee and Khalid) 3. Worship You 4. BFE 5. Didn’t Know What Love Was 6. Last Time I Say Sorry (ft. John Legend) 7. Worldwide Beautiful

Ward Thomas have released a music video directed by Thomas Broadhead for their new single Sweet Time, which was released on July 30. You can see the video below. [wpdevart_youtube]lK8eEzWydEI[/wpdevart_youtube] It is proving to be a very exciting time for the twins Catherine and Lizzie Ward Thomas, who also recently announced news that their fourth album ‘Invitation’, which is due for release on October 2. Sweet Time will be featured on the record. Speaking of the song, Catherine Ward Thomas explained that the song is about taking things slow in a relationship setting, while also explaining how much she loved being more hands on when it came to the video production. “The song is about taking your Sweet Time in a relationship and we felt it ties in nicely with a long and meandering bike ride through life enjoying the view,” Catherine said. “Every video we’ve shot before has always been much more in the hands of a company or label, but this time it was much more like a bunch of friends having fun, which was what we wanted to convey in the final result.” Ward Thomas will also be embarking on a UK tour for 2021, including two dates at the Union Chapel in London. The tour was meant to take place this year, but the pandemic forced them to reschedule. Tickets are available here. The twins will be playing: April 9 – Grand Theatre, Liverpool, England April 10 – Engine Shed, Lincoln, England April 11 – Forum Theatre, Barrow, England April 12 – City Varieties, Leeds, England April 13 – Epic Studios, Norwich, England April 15 – Mackintosh Church, Glasgow, Scotland April 16 – Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland April 18 – Assembly, Leamington Spa, England April 19 – O2 Academy Bournemouth, Bournemouth, England April 20 – New Victoria Theatre, Woking, England April 21 – Palace Theatre, Southend, England April 23 – St George’s, Brighton, England April 24 – Forum, Bath, England April 25 – RNCM Theatre, Manchester, England April 26 – Union Chapel, London, England April 27 – Union Chapel, London, England

Jessica Lynn has unveiled the video for her most recent single Now or Never, which she released as a track in the UK on July 17. You can see the video below. [wpdevart_youtube]kGAjr8YrVKA[/wpdevart_youtube] Lynn is very much a rising star in the US and has shown great affection to the UK as well, with the New York based artist crossing the Atlantic several times now. Speaking about both the song and the video, Lynn explained the full backstory to the track and also opened up on the visual meaning behind the video, which was purposefully shot to bring back a sense of days gone by. “Now or Never is the story of young love and also the excitement that comes with the rush of it all,” Lynn said. “It’s about the leap of faith to just follow your heart, seize the moment and enjoy every adventure with a special someone. “To me, all of these feelings remind me so much of summer and I hope this song will be the soundtrack to many memorable rides with the windows down and radio blasting! “Filming ’Now or Never’s music video was such a blast. It’s pure nostalgia: set in neon lights at an Americana-themed, old school, drive-in movie theater. When you watch, I want you all to re-live the feelings of your first love — the rush and euphoria that came with it.” Jessica Lynn will be touring the UK again next year – you can find all dates here.

Laura Evans performs a special livestream to launch her new EP ‘Running Back to You’ Welsh-born Laura Evans —rising star in the new wave of British country-blues talent and soul music singer-songwriters — will launch her eagerly-awaited, new 5-track EP  ‘Running Back To You’ (on the Rosie Music label) by performing a special Facebook Live streamed show  on Thursday 30th July (8:00 PM BST). The EP itself will drop  Friday 31st July, on all digital streaming platforms. Laura explains that “The album launch performance will be a stripped-back acoustic show, filmed & recorded live from Arnos Groove Studios, London. I’ll be singing all the songs & telling stories from the new EP, premiering a brand new song and there’ll be a few more surprises on the night!” “I’m so excited to share this EP with the world and I’m very proud of these songs,” says Laura, “I’m excited I’m finally making the music I’ve always wanted to make, crossing boundaries between genres, yet still being true to myself.” The singles that Laura has already released from the EP have been making their mark.  The EP’s infectious, debut title track ‘Running Back to You’ charted and went straight to Number One in the UK iTunes Blues chart. The single also entered the US Blues Chart, peaking at Number 43. Her rocky second single ‘Drag me Back In’  has been getting well-deserved radio play on Planet Rock  and earned huge praise  BBC Radio Wales and was added to their Welsh  A- LIST. It was also added to the popular Spotify editorial playlist ‘Nu-Blue’, curated by Heidi Shenk, alongside US artists like Larkin Poe and Dave Stewart. Best-known for her soul-style ballads, bootstrap blues and rooted folkways, the EP does show Laura’s range and willingness to step across boundaries. Often compared to Stevie Nicks, ‘Drag me Back In’ shows the lady’s got Bonnie Raitt-style controlled, raw edge and power too. “Laura Evans is a rising star that’s for sure, who can appeal to both the country and blues markets. Her songs have the appeal to be played on daytime radio with plenty of crossover appeal,” said Get Ready To Rock, in their review of the EP. “Musically she sets her stall out between country and blues, with a lovely soulful vocal that reminds you of Stevie Nicks at times.” GRTR weren’t the only one to see the Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac vibe… “If you like Fleetwood Mac, check this out,” said All About The Rock, “If you like bluesy, country or soulful music, check this out. Hell, if you like music you should check this out!” Sound advice! Check out ‘Running Back To You’s special livestream launch and watch out for the EP hitting digital platforms tomorrow.   Follow us on social media and share this post! Twitter, Facebook, Instagram See more news here.

Haley & Michaels have offered fans a rare glimpse into the full story of the song Hail Mary, which is one of their biggest songs to date. You can see the video below. [wpdevart_youtube]5DnQYmj5jn8[/wpdevart_youtube] Produced and edited by Emmy Award winner Robert Campbell – who was also the Director of Photography for both the 49ers and the Netflix music video shoots, the duo discuss the meaning behind the song, the impact it has had since and how the song has grown in the way it has. It also looks into their performances of the song on huge stages, including the Levi’s Stadium for the NFL franchise the San Francisco 49ers and how they also got to record the music video there, which was directed by Rob Alberino, the team’s VP and executive producer, while being produced by 49ers Studios. They also discuss how much of an honour it was for them to see the song feature in the Netflix feature ‘Walk. Ride. Rodeo’, where the song itself is used in a notable and emotional scene. In the next issue of Maverick, there will be a feature with Haley & Michaels that sees them discuss their rapid rise and how they are coping with it, amongst other things.