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One instrument that our Lifestyle Editor Eric Dahl has been wowed by is the Kunkel Banjo, as he explained for us as part of our Tools of the Trade segment If you’re tired of the standard heavy banjo that is the norm with production models, you might want to consider a light weight Kunkel Banjo. Handcrafted by master luthier Bruce Kunkel in his Nashville, TN shop, each banjo has a hand carved wooden tone ring instead of the typical metal. Kunkel developed the machines to make his banjos and he has a variety of models to choose from that offer a warmer, less metallic sound that is created from beautiful tone woods. Bruce achieved national recognition while creating art guitars for Gibson’s Custom shop and now he develops his own guitar design innovations and the Kunkel Banjo!   www.kunkelguitars.com

The nominees for the 2020 Grammy Awards have been announced and Ashley McBryde, Dan + Shay and Eric Church have been nominated for two gongs each Recent CMA New Artist of the Year Award winner McBryde has been nominated for both Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song with Girl Goin’ Nowhere, capping off a very special 2019 for McBryde. In the Best Country Song category, she will be up against Brandi Carlile (Bring My Flowers Now), Miranda Lambert (It All Comes Out in the Wash), Church (Some of It) and Dan + Shay (Speechless), while in the Best Country Solo Performance, she will be contending with Tyler Childers (All Your’n), Willie Nelson (Ride Me Back Home), Blake Shelton (God’s Country) and Tanya Tucker (Bring My Flowers Now). Church and Tucker are also up for Best Country Album for ‘Desperate Man’ and ‘While I’m Livin” respectively, where they go up against Reba McEntire (‘Stronger Than the Truth’), Pistol Annies (‘Interstate Gospel’) and Thomas Rhett (Center Point Road). Meanwhile, Dan + Shay are also in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category with Speechless, where they face Brooks & Dunn (Brand New Man ft Luke Combs), Brothers Osborne (I Don’t Remember Me (Before You)), Little Big Town (The Daughters) and Maren Morris ft Brandi Carlile (Common).  Elsewhere, Lil Nas X has been nominated for Best New Artist, his album ‘7’ has been nominated for Album of the Year, Panini has been nominated for Best Rap/Sung Performance and Old Town Road (Remix) ft Billy Ray Cyrus has been nominated for Record of the Year, Best Music Video and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The awards take place on January 26 2020.  

Ahead of her recent one off London show at The Grace, Maverick spoke to Lindsay Ell – celebrating her first Number One – to find out what she has planned for the near future Congratulations on your Number One, you must’ve felt like it was a long time coming for you? It feels surreal, honestly. I’ve dreamt of having an Number One ever since I was a little girl and the fact that it just happened the week of the CMA Awards in Nashville, where I was nominated for my first CMA ever…it felt like everything happened at once and I’m really grateful. Just how rewarding is it for you to see all your hard work pay off in this way? It’s crazy – like, you want these things for so long and you just dream about them so they become like they’re almost fantasies. They don’t feel real. I’ve been playing since I was 10 and living in Nashville, I would see all my friends celebrate Number Ones and it just became this thing that I saw all my friends celebrate. I celebrated with them of course, but to finally have one of my own is just amazing. I’m so grateful. You certainly made the CMA Awards memorable by performing as part of the second medley, how did that come around? You know, I love Little Big Town as a band and hearing them sing acapella acoustically is one of my favourite things – they are so talented, so sweet as human beings, so generous and so beautiful inside and out. They wanted to do a really special moment at CMA Awards, which I felt was about celebrating women in country music anyway and they wanted to sing Girl Crush as not only a tribute to girls, but a tribute to the future of country music with the new female artists. The fact that they wanted me as part of that group and the fact that the CMA and Mr. Robert Deaton wanted me a part of that group…I just felt incredibly humbled. The cool part was I got to kick it off with my friend Kelsea Ballerini – my good buddy – and the fact that we got to share a special moment on a satellite stage, kicking off Girl Crush and then meeting the rest of the group on stage…ah. It was a cool experience, one of my faves. To hear Karen Fairchild stand up on that stage and say that this is the future of country music, it means a lot. It really means a lot. I was just so happy to be part of that performance. The last time we spoke, you told me you were working on a new album and that it was coming along really well – I trust that’s still the case? It still is! We’re going into the studio in January to finish recording it and we might have a couple of tracks after, but I’m so excited about this new music. I haven’t had any new music out for a minute and it feels like forever – it’s been a couple of years since ‘The Project’, so I am ready to get music out. Having What Happens in a Small Town with Brantley Gilbert this year was amazing, but I’m really excited about everything I’ve been writing. The last couple of years I’ve gone through a public break up, I’ve gone through all different facets of moving on from that break up, I turned 30 and I’ve embraced that in my life and I’m finally happy with where I’m at. I’ve kind of gone through the whole process of the ups and downs, come through the tunnel, done the work and come out the other side and I’m ready to take control of my life. I’ve been writing about every stepping stone that you go through and I Don’t Love Youis the brand new single that just came out, which is the first part of that process. Lots to write about then! One thing you also mentioned last time was that you were discussing a Christmas album – is that still on?  It is! I really wanted to do it this year, but because of the new song, we decided to just focus on the new single and have that be the thing. Next year, for sure though…my manager just walked in the room to hear this, but next year for sure, we’re going to do some Christmas songs. You’re off to Germany now and you’ve got European dates for C2C – could we see you at the UK version? We were just talking about that earlier actually – I’m really excited to play the Berlin and Amsterdam shows at C2C and then we are hoping to plan something in London around that. If not, we’ll do something very shortly afterwards!

For the November/December Tools of the Trade feature, Lifestyle Editor Eric Dahl singled out four things that took his fancy in his Accessory Roundup Phil the Tip Jar Many bands and musicians make their extra money thanks to a Tip Jar, but unfortunately these are usually low-tech buckets or pickle jars in Nashville. Thankfully, there is a new high-tech alternative named Phil the Tip Jar that is available now.  Once a patron puts their money into Phil the Tip Jar, they are provided a thank you card or – if you choose – the chance to win a t-shirt or something else from you. You can also control the lightshow inside of Phil to draw more attention to it! This is hands down the best tip jar tool I have ever seen – visit the website below to learn more and I believe you will see your tips increase thanks to Phil the Tip Jar. Plus, your audience will enjoy engaging with Phil and will hopefully fill him up with money for you and your band! www.tipfortipjar.com Dummiez This product is one of those why didn’t I think of that examples!  Dummiezare eye catching rubber 6.3mm (¼ inch) dummy plugs to designed to keep rust, moisture and dirt out of your music gear input jacks!  Available in diamond, alien or skull toppers designs Dummiez add some fun to your music gear while protecting it at the same time! They come in two, twelve or twenty-four packs depending on what your needs are.  Besides working great they are also a fun conversation piece! They are very flexible so if bumped on your amp, guitar or mixer they won’t break off. A dummy jack was once a cut off guitar cable now Dummiez has made them visually appealing and more effective! www.getdummiez.com Cordial Cables Maverick received two Cordial Cables for review, their CXI 6 RP-SKY-Silent instrument and the CPM 5 FM-Flex XLR mic.  Compared to standard duty cords these are both equipped with heavy duty Neutrik connectors.  The 6.3mm instrument cable has a tangle free fabric wrap and the right-angle jack features Neutrik’s “Silent Plug” sleeve so you can connect and discount instruments without the popping sound.  If you are like me a frequently changing instruments on a gig this is an incredible addition to a cable.  The microphone cable is of high quality also and features hand soldered connectors like the instrument cable.  The upgraded XLR lock on the male end of the cable has smooth operation when plugging in. Cordial Cableshas many other models besides the ones we reviewed. They exemplify quality craftsmanship. www.cordialcablesusa.com Kepma Guitars Kepma Guitarsare being seen on stage with Country and Americana artists in Nashville now.  What has gained Kepmathe most attention is their “AcoustiFex” system allowing you to produce room or hall reverb and chorus or delay with the guitar unplugged! For testing I spent time with the KepmaElite D-2 131A model which has a solid spruce top, African mahogany back & sides with rosewood fretboard.  This guitar comes with its own rechargeable battery that inserts next to the ¼ inch input near the strap button.  I was astonished by the sound effects you can achieve with the Kepma, but it also delivers when plugged in and in smooth playability.  I performed out with this guitar and everyone wanted to play it. Take a closer look at Kempa’s new guitars I believe you will be impressed as well! www.kepmausa.com  

At a scandalously hot Glastonbury 2019, Maverick caught up with Catherine McGrath after her set on the Acoustic Stage to find out where she’s at with her music career So Catherine, how was your set at Glastonbury? Amazing! It was the sweatiest and hottest show I’ve ever played, but it was so much fun. It’s one of those festivals that you hear about all the time, so to be on the line-up was just insane and it was everything I hoped it would be. I kind of joked before I came here that it would be one of those things that you build up and then you’re in a tent with like, three people, but no, it was filled out, it was amazing and people were singing along. That was a full band show for you, have you got much else coming up like that? At the minute, my main focus has been writing new music. It’s been so nice to get back into songwriting, because when the album came out, you spend so long doing stuff around the album that you’re out of writing because you’re so busy, so it’s been nice to get back into it with some of my favourite writers. I’ve written some stuff I’m really excited about. The sessions have gone well then? Yeah, really, really good. I was back in with Jimmy Robins who did the first album and I’ve also been working with Josh Kerr. I just love writing with these people because I’m a fan of their work before I write with them, so it’s really, really exciting. To spend a month and a half in Nashville as well is so much different – you really get to embrace it and run into people you haven’t seen in a while and I just feel like every time I go, I become more a part of the country community, which is always really nice. When it comes to picking songwriters to work with, does it depend on how well you get on with them? I think I’ve just been really lucky in that almost everyone I’ve ever worked with has been really nice – especially in Nashville, because to me in the UK, I always felt like nobody understood what country music was. In terms of the songwriting community, it’s a lot smaller in the UK, whereas writing in Nashville is so cool because you go into a room and everyone already knows all your favourite songs, so it’s so easy to write a good song together because you just know what you’re doing. Back in the UK it can be a bit more of a challenge, but actually it can work out in a really fun way. I got a lot of songs off the album in the UK and they kind of turned out to be country, but with a twist. It’s always different, but yeah, everyone has been really nice so far. In terms of what you do next, what are you thinking about putting together? I haven’t decided yet which way I’m going to release the music, so I’m going to focus on brining songs together and once I get a taste of what the message in my songs is and what is tying them together, then it’s easier for me to see where I’m going to go with it and what the release plan is going to be. For me, I have to have the music before I think of the next step ahead and then once I get a few songs, my mind goes crazy and I’m like, ‘this is going to be the music video, this is how we are going to sing live, this is going to be my outfit…!’ I’m still in the creative process at the minute, but hopefully I will get a bunch of new songs that people will be able to hear soon enough. It seems like you’re taking it at your pace, but you know where you want to be and how you want things to be, which is naturally a good thing. In terms of having that plan, how important do you think that is? With me, I have to have a rough idea of where I want to be. I know that I’m going to be doing music for a long time, I know that I want to do more shows in Europe and more in America and I know that I want to do more headlines in the UK. I have these rough ideas of what I’m going to do musically, but I also have to leave this space to see where things go. I have to have that balance, which is something that I always did – especially with the first album. When I was writing the first album, I was never thinking that this is going to be released on a record label or that this is going to be an album of this nature – I just didn’t think that way while I was writing. I try to live in the moment as much as possible so that inspires me to get to the next step, so I think it’s that balance of knowing roughly what I want to do, but just letting it happen. I’m still learning how to do that properly, but that’s the way I kind of view it. In terms of your label, am I right in saying you’ve parted ways? Yeah, so the next album is not going to be with Warner Brothers. I think this time, I want to creatively get everything I want first. I want to get all the songs ready and then make my own plan. Warner Brothers were amazing with me on the first album though and I’m still so proud of it – everything I did I think was done right and yeah, I still keep in touch with all the people that I worked with. Are you looking at going independent then? I’m

Rob Mayes has released a brand new track in the shape of Grandpa’s Hands, which follows the release of the ‘Closer’ EP he released in September. You can watch the video below. [wpdevart_youtube]aU8-pUHddLI[/wpdevart_youtube] Speaking about the track, the actor/artist said that th song was inspired by his grandparents and that it was fitting that the song was released when it was, given the personal significance of the timing. “I wanted to write a very personal song about my grandparents,” Mayes said. “My grandmothers raised me while my folks were working. They taught me love and patience and to do what makes you happy. My grandfathers taught me strength and loyalty and the beauty of honing one’s craft. My mum’s dad was a woodworker. My dad’s dad played guitar and banjo. They together taught me the importance of family. “Not a day goes by that I don’t think of them. I’m so grateful I had as much time with them as I did. Not everyone can be that lucky. I thought it was fitting to release the song on my birthday weekend, without them, I wouldn’t even be here.” Mayes’ acting is also very prominent at present and will feature in the upcoming film ‘Soldier’s Heart’ alongside Val Kilmer.

The CMA Songwriters Series returns to London C2C for 2020 on March 12, with Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, Jaren Johnston and Niko Moon taking part. Tickets go on sale at 10am on November 22. In what has become something of a staple of C2C, the Songwriters Series brings together five artists and they perform ‘in the round’ – taking it in turns to perform a song each and explaining the history and story behind the song. Last year, Cam and Jimmie Allen performed  at the event – which takes place at indigo at The O2 – and many C2C attendees believe that the songwriters series is the highlight of the festival, with the likes of Maren Morris, Luke Combs, Kristian Bush, Brandy Clark and Chris Young also having performed at the songwriters series in the past. Speaking in the aftermath of the announcement, Milly Olykan – CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development – said that it is an event that the CMA very much looks forward to and is pleased to see the impact that it has made on the UK audience. “Each year we look forward to the CMA Songwriters Series on the eve of C2C,” said Olykan. “The show has become very special to the UK fans and to the artists and songwriters who have experienced it. There’s no doubt we’re going to see the magic happen once more with these hit writers on stage together.”

Scottish trio Traveller have released their new album ‘Blank Page’, which is now available on streaming platforms everywhere. The group – made up of Gerry Sheridan, Brian Socha and Simon Usher – have previously released singles Old Stories, Running and Traveller from the album, with fans getting plenty of opportunity to see what the record will sound like. To celebrate the album launch, the trio have released Us as their next single, the fourth from the 12 song record, which can be heard here. The Americana/country group cite Keith Urban and REM as influences and the album has been self-released.

Rising Welsh artist Shannon Hynes has shared the first piece of music from her upcoming EP in the shape of Off Guard. You can listen to the track here. The EP, which is set to be released sometime in spring, represents a debut record for Hynes, who has previously released singles such as I’m Not Pretty and Someone to Drink With. Off Guard is also the first new music that Hynes has released since December 2018. Speaking about the new song, Hynes said that it represents a new sound for her and that she is full of immense pride that this is the song that will be starting the new era. “Off Guard is a bit of a different sound for me – a bigger sound, you could say,” Hynes said. “In true country music style, it is a step by step story and I’m so proud and excited that this is the lead single of my new project.” Hynes, who is London based, is very much on the live circuit and will be supporting Lucy Blu at her London headline date at The Water Rats on November 26.

The 2019 CMA Awards took place last night (November 13), with Garth Brooks, Luke Combs and Maren Morris taking home key awards. For the seventh time in his career, Brooks won Entertainer of the Year, while Combs won Male Vocalist of the Year as well as Song of the Year for Beautiful Crazy. There was some minor controversy as Combs picked up Male Vocalist, with it seeming like the crowd were booing – however, it later transpired that they were probably shouting “Luke”. Meanwhile, Morris took home the gong for Album of the Year, while Kacey Musgraves was awarded Female Vocalist of the Year – making 2019 incredibly remarkable for her given her Grammy success earlier this year. Elsewhere, Dan + Shay won Duo of the Year for the first time in their career, Old Dominion won Vocal Group of the Year, Ashley McBryde won New Artist of the Year and Blake Shelton won Single of the Year for God’s Country – which he also performed on the night. It was also announced before the ceremony that Jenee Fleenor won Musician of the Year – the first ever woman to be nominated for the award, let alone to win it – which followed the earlier announcements of Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus winning Musical Event of the Year for Old Town Road (Remix) and Musgraves winning Music Video of the Year for Rainbow. Hosted by Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire, the 53rd incarnation of the CMA Awards was designed to celebrate the impact women have made in the genre on country music’s biggest night and it opened with a staggering 10 minute medley that featured a number of high profile artists. Underwood, Parton, Reba, Jennifer Nettles, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, Tanya Tucker, Gretchen Wilson, Crystal Gayle, Terri Clark, Sara Evans and Martina McBride all joined forces at various different points to sing a number of female led songs in an empowering statement. The newer guard of female country artists also had their say on the stage – after Kelsea Ballerini sang homecoming queen?, Lindsay Ell joined her on the small stage to start covering Girl Crush by Little Big Town, before Runaway June, Ashley McBryde, Maddie & Tae and Carly Pearce finished the song off on the main stage. Reba, Underwood and Parton also performed individually on the night – Reba blowing everyone away by singing Fancy, Underwood performing her new single Drinking Alone and Parton joins forces with King & Country for God Only Knows and Zach Williams for There Was Jesus, before finishing her segment with a full choir for Faith. There were a number of collaborations on the night as well – P!nk and Chris Stapleton for Love Me Anyway, Kacey Musgraves and Willie Nelson for Rainbow Connection, Lady Antebellum and Halsey for What If I Never Get Over You and Graveyard, Brooks and Shelton for Dive Bar, Brooks & Dunn and Brothers Osborne for Hard Workin’ Man and Dierks Bentley and Sheryl Crow brought Chris Janson, Joe Walsh and John Osborne on stage to perform Kris Kristofferson’s Me & Bobby McGee. Also on the night, Dan + Shay performed Speechless, Old Dominion played One Man Band, Morris sung Girl, Keith Urban played We Were, Eric Church sang Some of It, Miranda Lambert nailed It’ll All Come Out in the Wash, Thomas Rhett sang Remember You Young and Luke Combs performed Beer Never Broke My Heart. The list of winners in full are: Entertainer of the Year – Garth Brooks Male Vocalist of the Year – Luke Combs Female Vocalist of the Year – Kacey Musgraves Album of the Year – ‘GIRL’ by Maren Morris Vocal Group of the Year – Old Dominion Duo of the Year – Dan + Shay Song of the Year – Beautiful Crazy by Luke Combs New Artist of the Year – Ashley McBryde Single of the Year – God’s Country by Blake Shelton Musician of the Year – Jenee Fleenor Musical Event of the Year – Old Town Road (Remix) by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus Music Video of the Year – Rainbow by Kacey Musgraves