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Country-pop singer Catherine McGrath announces UK tour & festival dates

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Following her performance at London’s Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, country-pop’s newest rising star Catherine McGrath has announced a number of UK shows including support for US country singer/songwriter Canaan Smith on his March UK tour. Catherine has also just announced a third date with The Saturdays’ Una Healy and will now be playing at Bush Hall on the 15th May in addition to the February shows at London’s St Pancras Old Church on 15th and Dublin’s Sugar Club the following day. You can also catch Catherine performing at this year’s Country 2 Country festival at London’s O2 Arena on the 11th and 12th of March and The Great Escape in Brighton on the 18th of May with many more to come. Following a series of live in-session videos, Catherine has just revealed ‘Say You Love Me’ filmed live from Firepit Studios, showcasing her stunning voice which is winning the hearts of young fans across the country. This comes after the release of her debut EP ONE, which came out just before Christmas via Warner Bros. Records and saw Catherine dubbed as ‘Ones To Watch 2017’ by Amazon Music. The EP has so far clocked up almost 1 million streams on Spotify and features the three original tracks ‘Hell Would Have To Freeze Over’, ‘Cinderella’ and ‘She’ll Never Love You’ as well as her beautiful version of Jessie Ware’s hit single ‘Say You Love Me’. All four tracks have been added to numerous Spotify playlists including the UK and Global New Music Friday Playlists and lead track ‘Hell Would Have To Freeze Over’ reached #1 on the Very Nearly Nashville Playlist – with Catherine as the cover star – and #9 on the Spotify Viral Chart. Embracing her love for Nashville and country music while conserving her Irish folk roots and pop influence, Catherine’s songwriting talent is going from strength to strength. Writing of love, loss and life, her youthful touch relates to her audience and is as engaging as it is beautiful.

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Garth Brooks joins lineup for February 8 tribute to Randy Travis

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Joining the star-studded tribute to Randy Travis on February 8, 2017, will be CMA Entertainer of the Year, Garth Brooks. Tickets for the historic night are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations and the Bridgestone Arena Box Office. “Mary and I are so blessed to have amazing friends all over this industry. Garth Brooks is an amazing artist who always entertains everyone in the house, I am humbled by his involvement,” said Travis. The event, titled 1 Night. 1 Place. 1 Time: A Heroes and Friends Tribute to Randy Travis, will also feature performances from over 30 artists including Alabama, Rodney Atkins, Kane Brown, Mark Chesnutt, James Dupre, Jeff Foxworthy, Montgomery Gentry, Ben Haggard, Chris Janson, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss, Neal McCoy, Scotty McCreery, William Michael Morgan, Joe Nichols, Paul Overstreet, Shane Owens, Michael Ray, Collin Raye, Ricky Skaggs, Kenny Rogers, Daryle Singletary, Michael W. Smith, The Bellamy Brothers, The Randy Travis Band, Ricky Traywick, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, Josh Turner, Phil Vassar, Chuck Wicks, Wynonna, Chris Young with more still to be announced. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Randy Travis Foundation; a 501(c)3 non-profit that raises money for stroke research and rehabilitation. In October, Randy Travis was officially inducted into The Country Music Hall of Fame. The multi-platinum country giant suffered a massive stroke in 2013 and has since made miraculous strides towards recovery. He recently sang “Amazing Grace” at his Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony as well as the tagline to his iconic “Forever and Ever, Amen” at the 2016 CMA Awards in November alongside numerous country legends and stars.

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UK Americana Awards 2017 – Results

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The second UK Americana Awards took place at London’s St John at Hackney this evening, rounding off two days of activities at this year’s Americana Music Association UK conference. In a wonderful night celebrating the thriving UK and International Americana music scene, an audience of guests, AMA-UK delegates, members of the music industry and the public were treated to performances from Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Richard Thompson and five time Grammy award winner Mary Chapin Carpenter. There were performances from UK artists Yola Carter, William the Conqueror, Peter Bruntnell, Danni Nicholls, Lewis & Leigh and Ethan Johns, alongside International Album of the Year Award winner Sam Outlaw. To mark the first anniversary of the launch of the Official Americana Albums Chart, Jools Holland joined Martin Talbot, CEO of the Official Charts Company, in presenting Van Morrison with the award for Best Selling UK Americana Album of 2016 for his album KEEP ME SINGING, which spent ten weeks at number one on the chart. Harry Shearer presented Richard Thompson with the AMA-UK’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his unparalleled contribution to, and continuing influence on, the UK’s roots music scene. Andy Fairweather Low introduced a video acceptance from Trailblazer Award winner Albert Lee. Devon trio Wildwood Kin received the prestigious Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award. The star-studded event, hosted by Bob Harris OBE, saw AMA-UK membership-voted awards presented by Imelda May, Kiki Dee, Jim Lauderdale, Timothy B Schmit, Angaleena Presley and Guy Fletcher OBE. Winners of the seven membership-voted Awards were as follows: UK Album of The Year presented by Imelda May Ghost by Lewis & Leigh (produced by Matt Ingram) International Album of the Year presented by Jim Lauderdale Angeleno by Sam Outlaw (produced by Ry Cooder and Joachim Cooder) UK Artist of the Year presented by Al Booth Yola Carter International Artist of the Year presented by Timothy B Schmit Sturgill Simpson UK Song of the Year presented by Kiki Dee The 4:19  by Lewis & Leigh (written by Al Lewis and Alva Leigh) International Song of the Year presented by Angaleena Presley Hands of Time  by Margo Price (written by Margo Price) UK Instrumentalist of the Year presented by Guy Fletcher Chris “CJ” Hillman

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Bill Kirchen Announces UK Tour

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Bill Kirchen, the “titan of the telecaster”, returns to the UK at the end of February for an 11 date tour which takes in venues including the Half Moon in Putney and Leicesters Musician. Kirchens band for the tour will feature pub rock pioneers Austin DeLone and Paul “Bassman” Riley, with our very own Malcolm Mills on drums. Check out this recent live video for a taste of what to expect and find the upcoming dates below.   BILL KIRCHEN & AUSTIN DELONE AND BAND THE TITAN OF THE TELECASTER MEETS THE GODFATHER OF PUB ROCK Mar-17 18 London Troubadour 21 Sheffield Greystones 22 Leicester The Musician 23 Newcastle Live Theatre 24 Stourbridge Talbot Hotel 25 Leek Foxlowe Arts Centre 26 Bristol Golden Lion 27 Topsham Globe Hotel 28 Brighton Bleach 29 Havant Langstone Sailing Club 30 London Ivyhouse 31 Oxford Bullingdon Apr-17 1 London Troubadour 2 Whitstable Duke of Cumberland NEW ALBUM THUMBNAIL IMAGE

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The Round Up' hosted by Two Ways Home

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Alt-country duo Two Ways Home are hosting a monthly Nashville-style writer’s round, starting this Friday 3rd Feb upstairs at the Metropolitan pub in West London. The first night features songwriters Catherine McGrath, Katy Hurt and Ann Bailey, and we’d love to have you there! The Round Up (hosted by Two Ways Home) featuring Catherine McGrath, Katy Hurt and Ann Bailey. Doors open 7:30pm The Metropolitan, 60 Great Western Road, Westbourne Park, London, W11 1AB Free Entry Facebook event here www.twowayshome.com

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Country duo High Valley to release new album DEAR LIFE March 3

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Recently declared by Rolling Stone as a Country Artist You Need To Know, Nashville duo High Valley are gearing up for the UK release of their major label debut album – DEAR LIFE – on Friday 3rd March 2017. With more than 6.6 million streams, lead single Make You Mine has already been downloaded more than 150,000 times worldwide, as it climbs up the country radio charts in the USA. The 11 songs that make up High Valley’s DEAR LIFE are being praised for their “sunny, upbeat tunes and soaring harmonies” (Pandora), and the duo continue to catch the attention of fans and critics alike. The group also embark on their first ever headline tour of the UK preceding the release of DEAR LIFE, as they come to Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Aberdare, as well as a very special C2C Country to Country Social show at London’s Bush Hall this February. While High Valley’s Brad and Curtis may have been raised in the close-knit, remote community of La Crete, Alberta — more than 2,500 miles from where they now live in Music City, Nashville Tennessee — the brothers’ music reflects bluegrass roots with a modern pulse. Over years of relentless touring, High Valley have developed a devoted fan base that has devoured more than 10 million music streams on Spotify including 6.6 million of their high-energy hit Make You Mine, songs on the EA Sports Madden NFL 17 soundtrack, and countless North American concert tickets – including dates alongside Martina McBride on her Love Unleashed Tour.

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The Bluebird Cafe @ Country to Country Acts Announced

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The Bluebird Cafe @ Country to Country  Featuring Nashville-based singers and songwriters, including Cassadee Pope, Charlie Worsham, Seth Ennis, Logan Brill, Chase Bryant, Josh Osborne, Canaan Smith and Jeff Cohen.  We are very pleased to announce that once again there will be a Bluebird Cafe @ Country to Country. This will be a daytime attraction featuring special performances by Nashville songwriters and stars. Since opening its doors in Nashville in 1982, The Bluebird Cafe has become a world famous venue where up and coming songwriters and artists rise to fame and build careers.  From the novice to the star, all levels of songwriters are welcomed and supported.  Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Trisha Yearwood took crucial early steps at this venue when they were unknown.  It is regularly featured in the Nashville TV series. The Bluebird Cafe @ Country to Country will be ticketed, late morning/early afternoon performances (before the main arena opens) in The O2’s listening room, Club WM at The O2.  The Nashville stars appearing include Cassadee Pope, Charlie Worsham, Seth Ennis, Chase Bryant, Logan Brill and Canaan Smith.  The songwriters are Jeff Cohen who has had songs recorded by Sugarland, The Band Perry, Big & Rich and others; and Josh Osborne who has had songs recorded by Kacey Musgraves, Sam Hunt, Reba and others.  The Bluebird Cafe at C2C  Two programming slots on Saturday and two on Sunday. Saturday 11th March 11.30am – Cassadee Pope, Charlie Worsham and Seth Ennis 1.45pm – Chase Bryant, Logan Brill and Josh Osborne  Sunday 12th March 11am – Canaan Smith, Logan Brill and Jeff Cohen 1.15pm – Charlie Worsham, Josh Osborne and TBC  

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Kilkenny Roots Festival Celebrates 20th Year with Stellar Line-up Including The Handsome Family, Marah, Joan Shelley and More

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The much-loved Kilkenny Roots Festival celebrates its twentieth year from 28th April to May 1st, 2017 with a stellar line-up including country-noir favourites The Handsome Family, alt.country rockers Marah and the celebrated singer-songwriter Joan Shelley. Also confirmed for 2017 are the legendary songwriter Chip Taylor, rising country singer-songwriter Andrew Combs, acclaimed Belfast-based band Arborist, and Yolo Carter, who is making giant strides both in the UK and the US with her brand of country soul. Los Angeles’ The Americans make their European debut, so too emerging country gospel star Paul Cauthen, the ‘Queen Of Oklahoma’ Carter Sampson, Ireland’s own David Kitt and Western Centuries, a straight-ahead country band featuring Jim Miller (Donna The Buffalo) and Cahalen Morrison. More names to be announced. Scattered around a number of venues in the beautiful historical city of Kilkenny, situated an hour south of Dublin, the Kilkenny Roots Festival has been a staple on the roots circuit for a number of years and has attracted a loyal, hardcore following that makes the festival one of the ‘must attend’ events and most enjoyable on the calendar.  Alongside the ticketed events there is a free Music Trail that gives the chance to a number of local bands to perform across the four days of the festival.

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Big & Rich set to release new single California March 6

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Country hit makers Big & Rich aren’t wasting any time getting the party started with their upcoming single, California, which will impact country radio in March and be available for purchase March 6. California will also be promoted through a new partnership with cookie bar TWIX®, which will begin promoting the single in Walmart® stores nationwide in April. California will serve as the lead single for the larger-than-life duo’s upcoming album, DID IT FOR THE PARTY. The project is slated for a third quarter release and will be Big & Rich’s sixth studio album. Big & Rich Records are excited to team up with Thirty Tigers and Sony RED for marketing and distribution for DID IT FOR THE PARTY . The Technicolor Cowboyz will also be hitting the road this summer for the “Did It For The Party Tour,” which will see Big & Rich performing at stadiums and top festivals throughout North America, with more dates to be added. As previously reported, Big & Rich will be featured on Westwood One’s Super Bowl LI Game Day Coverage on February 5. Fans can listen to an exclusive remixed version of their song, Party Like Cowboyz, which will be the opening theme, mixed with highlights and sound bites from the two participating teams in their quest for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The broadcast is presented by Westwood One Sports, the official network radio partner for the National Football League, providing comprehensive coverage of Super Bowl LI, live from NRG Stadium in Houston Texas, where the Atlanta Falcons will battle the New England Patriots.

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Newcomer Michael Tyler to release debut album '317' March 17

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When Michael Tyler looked at his odometer after he arrived in Nashville from his hometown in Thayer, Mo., he noticed a number in his dash that’s resonated with him since his arrival: 317. It’s no coincidence that the 23-year-old’s debut album will be titled 317, available from Reviver Records March 17. MT, whose current single They Can’t See is one of the Top 5 Most Added records at radio this week according to Country Aircheck, continues to connect with fans and the country music industry. Performing rights organization SESAC awarded Song of the Year to MT for co-writing the multi-week No. 1 platinum-selling Dierks Bentley smash Somewhere On A Beach. And now, enthusiasm is building for MT in 2017 with rave reviews about the young talent: MT also penned Jason Aldean’s Laid Back on the platinum-selling album OLD BOOTS NEW DIRT three songs on the LOCASH album THE FIGHTERS (Shipwrecked, Ain’t Startin Tonight, and Moonwalkin) and a Jason Aldean/Kelsea Ballerini duet First Time Again on Aldean’s No. 1 album THEY DON’T KNOW. Hailing from Thayer, Missouri, known as a railroad town, it’s ironic MT is the descendant of the late, great Jimmie Rodgers, known as “The Father of Country Music” who learned his craft around the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad. At the age of 13, over a Myspace meeting, MT met award-winning producer Michael Knox (Jason Aldean/Thomas Rhett/Kelly Clarkson/Trace Adkins). After a few years of sending songs and ideas back and forth, MT came to Nashville, Tenn. to play a show at Tootsies Orchid Lounge for their first face-to-face meeting. At that time, Knox was hired by peermusic Nashville to help restructure the creative department. After watching MT play a few shows, Knox felt it was time for him to make the move to Nashville as a peermusic songwriter. The future has just started for this young singer/songwriter who is on the road touring all over the country with his energetic live show.

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