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Jack, Jon and Miranda to release film about the making of ‘The Marfa Tapes’

Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, and Jon Randall will give viewers a rare glimpse inside the creative process behind their anticipated, upcoming album The Marfa Tapes with a full-length film premiering Saturday, May 8 (7:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CT). Available to view for 24 hours via Lambert’s official Facebook page, the film was directed by Spencer Peeples and features live performances set against the West Texas backdrop, candid interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage captured during the five-day album recording sessions in Marfa last November. Barely a dot on the map, Marfa is an eccentric outpost in the midst of a vast expanse of nothingness, the perfect place to lose – or find – yourself. For Lambert, Randall, and Ingram, it’s both. For more than half a decade, the desolate location has become a songwriting haven for the trio, yielding both massive hits and profound personal growth. Recorded raw and loose with just a pair of microphones and an acoustic guitar, The Marfa Tapes is a stunning work of audio verité; an intimate, unadorned snapshot of a moment in time fueled by love, trust, and friendship. The Marfa Tapes arrives May 7 via Vanner Records/RCA Nashville (pre-order/pre-save here). Anticipation continues to grow for the album, which Entertainment Weekly proclaims “both familiar and new in equal measure, and one of the most inspired projects Lambert has ever released.” The trio recently performed the debut release, “In His Arms,” on the “56th ACM Awards.” Watch here. Heralded as a “tender, lovely tune” (Consequence of Sound), “In His Arms” has been lauded as “a low-key charmer…Wistful and romantic” (Billboard) and “a lovely dose of traditional, bare-bones country” (Brooklyn Vegan). Additional early highlights include “Tin Man,” revisited in its original, stripped-down state for the first time since its whirlwind run up the charts and slew of award nominations, as well as a win for ACM Song of the Year. The “harmony-drenched cheating saga” (Rolling Stone) “Am I Right Or Amarillo” and the “slow, sexy” (Whiskey Riff) ballad “Anchor” are also available now, along with accompanying videos. The trio recorded much of the album outdoors, inviting the ambient sounds of the desert to seep into their live, bare bones performances, and the atmosphere is utterly transportive. While a couple of the tracks may already be familiar to listeners – “Tin Man” as well as fan favorite “Tequila Does” – the vast majority of these songs have never been heard outside of Marfa. The result is a candid, unvarnished look at Lambert, Randall, and Ingram’s undeniable chemistry in its purest, most honest form. The Marfa Tapes Album Track List: 01) In His Arms 02) I Don’t Like It 03) The Wind’s Just Gonna Blow 04) Am I Right Or Amarillo 05) Waxahachie 06) Homegrown Tomatoes 07) Breaking A Heart 08) Ghost 09) Geraldene 10) We’ll Always Have The Blues 11) Tin Man 12) Two-Step Down To Texas 13) Anchor 14) Tequila Does 15) Amazing Grace (West Texas) To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Lukas Nelson to release new album ‘A Few Stars Apart’

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real’s highly anticipated new album, A Few Stars Apart, will be released June 11 on Fantasy Records and is now available for pre-order. In advance of the release, the album’s first single, “Perennial Bloom (Back To You),” is out today—listen/share HERE. Already one of Rolling Stone’s “54 Most Anticipated Albums of 2021,” A Few Stars Apart is a testament to finding a human connection: between close family and friends, as well as one’s own heart. Produced by Grammy Award winning producer Dave Cobb, the album was inspired by the stillness Nelson found while riding out the beginning of the pandemic with his family in Texas and was recorded with the full band live on eight-track tape over three weeks at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A. The eleven songs reveal what it means to come home again, to be still, and to find community—and yourself. “I’m from what one might say is the ultimate road family—I’ve been on the road my entire life,” shares Nelson. “I’ve never been anywhere longer than three months, and suddenly here we are, the four of us together. And thank god we were together. I can’t remember the last time we had that much time together as a family. We had a lot of really important bonding that happened during that time. And I have to say, as terrible as the pandemic has been in so many ways, for my inner peace, I was able to take a lot of good from this time. I was able to pause and reflect.” He continues, “It took me a really long time to come back to the home in my heart. In a physical sense, that’s Texas and Hawaii. But in a spiritual sense as well—I think I finally decided not to run from who I am and who I am destined to be. First and foremost, that’s a songwriter. That’s what this record means to me. There’s a story being told through the whole record. A story about connection and coming home.” Based in Texas and Hawaii, Promise of the Real is: Lukas Nelson (lead vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano), Anthony LoGerfo (drums, percussion, tambourine), Corey McCormick (bass guitar, upright bass, Mellotron, vocals), Tato Melgar (percussion) and Logan Metz (piano, Wurlitzer, B3 organ, lap steel, banjo, Mellotron, vocals). Since their debut over a decade ago, the acclaimed band have toured relentlessly playing countless sold-out one-night shows and festivals around the world and occasionally serving as Neil Young’s road band. Nelson also co-produced the music for 2018’s lauded A Star Is Born film in addition to appearing in the film with the band and went on to win a BAFTA Award for Best Original Music and a GRAMMY Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media for his work. Pre-order A Few Stars Apart: HERE A FEW STARS APART TRACKLIST 1. We’ll Be Alright 2. Perennial Bloom (Back To You) 3. Throwin’ Away Your Love 4. A Few Stars Apart 5. No Reason 6. Leave ‘em Behind 7. Wildest Dream 8. Giving You Away 9. Hand Me A Light 10. More Than We Can Handle 11. Smile To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Exclusive First Look: Leo Sawikin – A Whole World Waiting

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

Take an exlusive first look at the video for Leo Sawikin’s single ‘A Whole World Waiting’ off his upcoming record ‘Row Me Away’. Leo Sawikin originally gained attention as frontman of the folk-rock group, The Chordaes, before deciding to step out on his own. ‘A Whole World Waiting’ is the latest in a line of releases leading up to the singer’s debut full length, Row Me Away, which is set to drop in Autumn 2021. Sawikin’s songwriting is a mature and measured response to always feeling like someone else has it better, that looks at the world’s problems and wonders why there is such a lack of compassion. Instead, the compassion and companionship is created through his music. As a songwriter, Leo is deeply inspired by classic pop and rock legends Brian Wilson, Carole King, Burt Bacharach, and Jimmy Webb – the latter two especially for the way they blended simple melodies with complex harmonic ideas. “Overall, the new album reflects this feeling that you’ve missed out on the best the world has to offer, and just the pervading sense that things are getting more difficult in the world – and every attending emotion that goes along with it,” Leo adds. “It’s kind of like letting go of that and trying to figure out what you do after everything falls apart. When I wrote these songs, they were about the way my friends and I were thinking, that the world we think we have is not going to last long. We were thinking more in terms of issues like climate change or the political divisiveness, but the pandemic, which none of us expected, gives the songs more power. We’re already starting to live that new reality where you can’t turn your back for a second. In the old world, we could distract ourselves with our day to day lives, but now we’re forced to stare down just how fragile everything is.” ‘A Whole World Waiting’ is out on Friday 16th April 2021. Full length Row Me Away will be released in Autumn 2021. To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Reba McEntire releases new song ‘Somehow You Do’

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

Country icon Reba McEntire is giving fans their first taste of new music in two years today with the release of the original song “Somehow You Do,” listen HERE. “Somehow You Do” was written by Diane Warren for the feature film Four Good Days and marks the third time Reba has collaborated with the award-winning songwriter following the success of “What If” in 1997 and “I’ll Be” in 2000. The song also reunites Reba with longtime producer Tony Brown. This stunning video, which highlights Reba among a picturesque Southern Californian backdrop, was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jon Avnet (Fried Green Tomatoes, Risky Business, Black Swan). Fans can watch HERE. “Somehow You Do” is the featured track in the new motion picture Four Good Days, which opens in select theatres on April 30, 2021. Directed by Rodrigo Garcia, Four Good Days includes knockout performances by Glenn Close and Mila Kunis. The film had its worldwide premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. In celebration, Reba has released the official music video today. “It’s an honor to get to sing a Diane Warren song anytime, but then to be associated with talented actors in a movie like Glenn and Mila is just icing on the cake,” says Reba. “Add in Jon Avnet directing the video and it just doesn’t get much better!” “Reba’s interpretation of Diane Warren’s song was so nuanced and moving,” adds Jon. “When I was asked if I would direct the filming of it, I jumped at the opportunity. I hoped to use the film to interpret both the song and the movie ‘Four Good Days.’ It was worth every minute in the desert working with Reba. She’s a pro’s pro and fun to boot! And of course, this is my second go around with Diane Warren. The first was ‘Because You Loved Me,’ that Celine Dion sung for my film ‘Up Close and Personal.’ That one worked out well and I think ‘Somehow You Do’ should as well.” “‘Somehow You Do’ is a song about hope, about how even through the times that are so hard and moments in your life that are so devastating, that somehow you will get through them and get to the other side,” shares Diane Warren. “It is a song about strength of the human spirit and no voice can convey that as much as Reba McEntire. She makes you feel with every note that you might think you can’t get through it, but somehow you will, and somehow you do.” To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Jameson Rodgers releases new EP!

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

iHeartRadio Music Awards Best New Country Artist nominee Jameson Rodgers is quickly cementing his place as one of country music’s most intriguing singer/songwriters. Not only does the Mississippi born, now Nashville native, currently find himself enjoying the success of his Gold-certified No. 1 hit “Some Girls” and the smash “Good Dogs” co-written with Hunter Phelps, Jake Mitchell, and Brent Anderson’- he now releases focus track “Cold Beer Calling My Name”, featuring label mate Luke Combs, to UK Country radio. Now this multi-talented 33-year-old is utilizing these powerful, addictive songs as the firm foundation for his new EP, “In It for the Money”- released 23rd April 2021. It’s all a part of a journey that began in 2010, when Rodgers moved to Nashville and started laying the groundwork of his career at a myriad of open mic nights in Music City. Soon, Rodgers’ talent as a songwriter began to get noticed, as he co-penned Platinum-selling hits for Florida Georgia Line (Top 10 single “Talk You Out of It”) and Chris Lane (No. 1 smash “I Don’t Know About You”), along with “Camouflage Hat” on Jason Aldean’s most recent album 9 and the title track of Luke Bryan’s latest release “Born Here Live Here Die Here”. In 2019, Rodgers found himself in arenas of screaming fans as an opener on Combs’ tour, only to find himself off the road in 2020 due to the pandemic. But it is this time that offered him the chance to create a new EP that takes bits and pieces of Rodgers’ truth and puts them together into a project in which a shy guy speaks loud about life and love and lessons learned. As well as writing the EP, Rodgers decided to help Nashville live venues remain viable during COVID-19. In conjunction with local radio stations, he is hosting ‘Jameson Rodgers & Friends’ events at The Listening Room venue in Nashville with all proceeds going to MVAN, a coalition working to ensure no Nashville independent music venue closes its doors permanently due to the pandemic. Livestream Tickets for this are available here: https://listeningroomcafe.com . PRESAVE /ORDER “IN IT FOR THE MONEY” HERE: https://jr.lnk.to/IIFTMEP “IN IT FOR THE MONEY” TRACK LISTING: 1. Cold Beer Calling My Name (Jameson Rodgers/Brett Tyler/Hunter Phelps/Alysa Vanderhym) 2. Good Dogs (Jameson Rodgers/Hunter Phelps/Jake Mitchell/Brent Anderson) 3. Some Girls (Michael Hardy/Jake Mitchell/C.J. Solar) 4. In It for the Money (Jameson Rodgers/Jake Mitchell/Hunter Phelps/Brent Anderson) 5. Rolling Rock, Rolling Stones (Jameson Rodgers/Jake Mitchell/Smith Ahnquist/Hunter Phelps) 6. When You Think Of Mississippi (Jameson Rodgers/Smith Ahnquist/Jake Mitchell/Josh Miller) 7. Desert (Jameson Rodgers/Josh Miller/Jake Mitchell/Smith Ahnquist) To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Interscope Records and UMG Nashville Announce Partnership to Release Upcoming Kacey Musgraves Album

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

Today Interscope Records and UMG Nashville announced a unique partnership under which the two labels will jointly release the forthcoming new album by multi-GRAMMY Award winning singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves. The album is set for release later this year. “Kacey is one of the most powerful storytellers in music today, a true albums artist who creates potent song collections that are timeless,” says Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman & CEO John Janick. “We are truly delighted to have her as part of our Interscope Records family and look forward to working alongside the UMG Nashville team and her manager Jason Owen to deliver this important project to audiences around the world.” Interscope Geffen A&M Vice Chairman, Steve Berman commented: “Kacey’s unique approach to making music and her overall boundless creative presentation is innovative and absolutely exciting. We are so happy to welcome her into our Interscope family.” Under the new partnership agreement, both labels will collaborate together on marketing, radio promotion and international marketing for Musgraves upcoming release. “I have never worked with anyone whose cultural reach is so vast,” says UMG Nashville CEO & Chairman, Mike Dungan. “This artist and her music have thrived in so many diverse environments. Kacey, the music, and the career deserve the broadest base of experience and expertise. We have discussed some type of cross label partnership for her music for a couple of years now and this is the perfect fit. We’re excited to partner with our friends at Interscope on the next chapter of Kacey Musgraves.” “Kacey’s music has never had boundaries,” adds UMG Nashville President, Cindy Mabe. “Her clever songwriting, adept storytelling, vulnerable and real emotional delivery, and her overall ‘take me or leave me’ spirit have translated through genre, time, space and culture. She simply connects. As we begin to set up her new music, it made sense to once again push the boundaries to reach more fans around the world as we continue to serve the fans who have been here from the beginning.” The 6x GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter’s studio album Golden Hour (2018, MCA Nashville) earned Musgraves her third No. 1 debut on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and distinguished her as the third artist ever to take home Album of the Year at the GRAMMY Awards, Country Music Association Awards, and Academy of Country Music Awards. Golden Hour was named one of the best albums of 2018 by everyone from Apple Music, NPR, Time, The Associated Press, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Billboard, GQ, Esquire, American Songwriter, Complex, Consequence of Sound, and Vulture, among others. In support of the album, Musgraves played the biggest venues of her career, including New York City’s Radio City Music Hall and her first headlining arena show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, and to top it off she became the first-ever female country artist to play Coachella. Musgraves has been honored at Billboard’s Women in Music event, Variety’s Power of Women event, and celebrated the opening of her exhibit, All of the Colors, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. At the 2019 CMAs, Musgraves received two wins for Female Vocalist of the Year and for Music Video of the Year for “Rainbow.” Musgraves first received massive critical acclaim and recognition with the release of her gold-certified major label debut album Same Trailer Different Park (2013). The album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, making Musgraves the first solo female in 5 years to top the chart with a rookie release and only the seventh to do so in Nielsen SoundScan’s 22- year history. Same Trailer Different Park earned Musgraves 2 GRAMMY Awards for Best Country Album and Best Country Song (“Merry Go ‘Round”), 2 CMA Awards for “New Artist of the Year” and “Song of the Year” (“Follow Your Arrow”), and an ACM Award for Album of the Year. Musgraves’ follow-up album Pageant Material (2015), earned Musgraves her second No. 1 debut on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and soaring to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Ziggy Alberts: An Adventure to Last a Lifetime

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

Ziggy Alberts offers an antidote for the past year with new album Searching For Freedom Ziggy Alberts is a free spirit, something that is evident on his latest record ‘Searching For Freedom’. His music is the embodiment of exploration, from the interesting acoustic guitar parts that support his captivating, storytelling lyrics to his international approach to the recording process. The record, due out on March 19th, will be his fifth studio album and after starting his career off busking to touring globally, Alberts has come to realise that he is on one big adventure that will last a lifetime. Those early days, picking up a guitar for the first time and busking around town, must seem a while ago now to Alberts who was always a bit of a loveable vagabond just searching for what he should take up next. Songs From the Surf “I started playing guitar 10 years ago, the first year after I had graduated – I was looking into different career paths, but very quickly I started pursuing freelance journalism and music while working at a music bar and at a coffee shop. My early decision making was if I did a couple more shows a week, I would be happier, just as broke and have more time to surf!” Alberts searched for freedom in both music and in the waves, something which he still does now. In fact, some of the songs on this record were inspired whilst out in the surf. He’s had more time to do that recently and in this crazy world we’re currently residing in, Alberts hopes this record will be the antidote that many need right now. “The record ‘Searching For Freedom’ probably wouldn’t exist if it hadn’t been for the pandemic. Many of the songs wouldn’t have as deeper meaning, and likely wouldn’t have been written.” The pandemic gave Ziggy Alberts a chance to reflect on the life he leads and get back to his roots in many ways. “I chose this album title because I think it is the overarching theme of both the record and human existence. I believe the pursuit of love and freedom connects everyone on the planet.” This desire to connect through music lead him to write some of the most deeply personal songs that he’s written. Alberts pours his heart and soul into the track Circus as the song takes us on a lyrical journey, “I wanted listeners to look up four minutes later and wonder where they went.” Similarly the title track, the last Ziggy Alberts wrote for the project, is perhaps one of the most poignant on the album as he takes us on a quest of self-identity. It is a testament to the formidable songwriter that he is. When someone has that raw talent it’s sometimes indescribable even to themselves! “The writing process is different every time, but in general, the process of finding a melody is kinda like catching it as it flies on past through the universe, whilst my lyrics are much more intentional. My instrumentation is somewhere between these two. I feel it is a great balance!” Finding his own voice For all the hard hitting, thought provoking songs, Ziggy Alberts isn’t afraid to have a little fun and get creative within his writing, whilst discussing the strangest things to write about in a song Ziggy revealed the strangest line he’d ever written features on this upcoming record. “There is a line in track 11 of the new album – a song called feeling you – that talks about “dogs out on the street chasing satellites” – which is about UFO’s and the likely satellite pollution astronomers and common folk could face in the future when looking up at the stars.” The unique sound of Alberts’ music has gained him a global fanbase, he attributes this to the array of influences he had growing up “Mum listened to the likes of Salt’n’Pepa and Destiny’s Child, while my father listened to James Taylor and The Eagles. I think that explains a lot about my music. I listen to just about everything these days. Right now, I am just listening to my favourite records of Ben Howard, Jack Johnson, Asgeir, Hozier and Matt Corby.” Many of those influences can be heard in this latest album but its Ziggy Alberts ability to turn a phrase that sets this record aside from the rest of the pack. Alberts’ looks forward to getting back to where it all started, performing live and connecting in person with his fans. For now he delivers a record which captures a snapshot of the man he is, the road he’s travelled and the lessons he’s learned all set to a minimalistic yet purposeful production. READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF MAVERICK MAGAZINE. GET YOUR COPY HERE! To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Caylee Hammack releases ‘Small Town Hypocrite’ with Chris Stapleton

Leave a Comment / News / Rochelle Mills

Singer/songwriter Caylee Hammack is releasing a new version of her deeply personal song Small Town Hypocrite with a guest vocal by Chris Stapleton, available here. Since Hammack released the autobiographical song, critics, fans and peers alike have had an overwhelming affinity for the track and the picture it paints of the songwriter’s journey of heartbreak and reflection. Hammack also hand illustrated the single art for the special release of the track, depicting the trailer featured in the vulnerable lyrics. “My one whim for this song was to hear Chris Stapleton accompany me on it”, shared Hammack. “Two years after I spoke this wish out loud in the studio, Chris agreed to sing the part I had written in hopes of hearing his voice on it. Life is a beautiful full circle sometimes. I am so grateful to Chris for singing on this song.” Capitol Nashville “songwriter/producer/full-throttle vocalist” (HITS) Caylee Hammack just released her debut record IF IT WASN’T FOR YOU. Critics have continued to highly praise the 13-track set that sees Hammack with writer and producer credits on every track on the album. “Hammack has arrived with this 13-track adrenaline blast…every song on here plays out like an entry in Hammack’s diary—and is just as compelling…Hammack deserves to be a star” declared Billboard. Recently winning a nod for ACM “Music Event Of The Year,” with Miranda Lambert, Caylee Hammack has been noted as an “Artist To Watch” by outlets including The Bobby Bones Show, Rolling Stone and HITS Magazine for her “voice to move mountains” (Rolling Stone). With her breakout Top 30 single “Family Tree” marking the most-added single at Country radio by a female artist in over three years, Hammack has previously brought her unforgettable live set to opening slots for Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Trisha Yearwood, Brothers Osborne and some of country music’s biggest festivals. To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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ACM Awards showcase the heart and soul of country music!

Leave a Comment / Live events, News / Rochelle Mills

The ACM Awards put on a fantastic weekend of music, starting on Saturday night with the ACM Lifting Lives Concert which saw New Male Artist of the Year, Jimmie Allen perform alongside Cassadee Pope, Tenille Townes and Kameron Marlowe to name a few. The ACM’s philanthropic arm donated the funds raised from the pre-taped lifestream to ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund and Packages From Home. This was followed on Sunday night by the three hour ACM Awards show which showcased the very best in country music. Unlike many award shows the ACM’s provided performance after performance and hit after hit, they showed the world how we could come together in the midst of a pandemic, how the world can be united through song. In between performances Mickey Guyton and Keith Urban lead the introductions, they managed to show their passion for the genre they love whilst getting straight to the point, meaning the entire night was completely engaging! The first award of the night was awarded to Old Dominion as they retained their Group of the Year status. Chris Stapleton, who took home the award for Album of the Year, performed ‘Maggie’s Song’ with Miranda Lambert who had a busy night as she opened the show with a duet with Elle King at The Ryman and later joined Jon Randall and Jack Ingram for a rendition of ‘In His Arms’ off their upcoming record ‘The Marfa Tapes’. The most nominated Female country star in ACM history really showed the world why she’s the reigning Queen of Country, despite not taking home a prize at this years ceremony. Instead, it was Maren Morris who took home the award for Female Artist of the Year and after performing a magical, romantic duet with husband Ryan Hurd just minutes earlier, was visibly emotional as she accepted the award for Song of the Year for ‘The Bones’ without her co-writers Jimmy Robbins and Laura Veltz by her side. Gabby Barrett showed why she deserved to take home the award for New Female Artist of the Year as she performed her song ‘The Good Ones’ featuring a prominent fiddle that came into it’s own in the iconic Bluebird Cafe. Dierks Bentley and War and Treaty paid tribute to JT Gray, the owner of The Station Inn before they performed at the iconic bluegrass venue. Meanwhile, Carrie Underwood teamed up with Cece Winans to showcase their powerhouse voices on a gospel medley which features on Underwood’s My Saviour album. Despite watching it from home, the performance gave us goosebumps, with many of their peers tweeting the same. The two ladies stole the show! Luke Combs accompanied by a socially distanced string section donned a smart suit as he sung Forever After All. The sound was awe-inspiring, truly breathtaking. It was a shock that Combs failed to take home a prize on the night. Back at the Bluebird Cafe, Brad Paisley showed up to surprise Jimmie Allen as they sang their duet ‘Freedom Was a Highway’. Martina McBride announced the award for Single of the Year which went to Carly Pearce and Lee Brice for their duet of ‘I Hope You’re Happy Now’, the last song that producer Busbee worked on. Brice and Pearce had already picked up the prize for Musical Event of the Year and have now become the fourth male/female duet to win single of the year. There were a few throwbacks on the night too as Alan Jackson performed a classic hit and Blake Shelton showcased how far he’s come in the past twenty years as he performed his debut single ‘Austin’, followed by his latest single ‘Minimum Wage’. After performing at the top of the show, Thomas Rhett, who is days away from releasing his fifth studio album took home the award for Male Artist of the Year, beating tough competition from the likes of Luke Combs and Eric Church. He lost the title of Entertainer of the Year though to Luke Bryan who unfortunately couldn’t be in attendance due to a positive covid test. Both ACM Awards hosts took to the stage to perform as well as Mickey Guyton performed ‘Hold On’ a song that featured in the film ‘Breakthrough’ and Keith Urban gave a rousing performance of his song Tumbleweed, with a camera attached to his guitar so we could see his insane playing abilities. Kelsea Ballerini and Kenny Chesney took to the stage together to sing ‘Half Of My Hometown’ in a debut performance of the song, their voices blended so well together as if they’d been duetting together their whole lives. Despite the star studded performance, that showcased the live industry that we’ve been missing this past year, there were stark reminders that Covid 19 is still very much dictating our lives as a depleted Little Big Town performed on Broadway without Phillip Sweet who was isolating due to a positive covid test. Nashville really lived up to its name of music city as cameras panned across the banks of the river Cumberland as various artists such as Lady A and Ashley McBryde rocked out on the riverfront stage, whilst Underwood gave us a taste of gospel at the Grand Ole Opry, whilst traditional country rang out from the Mother Church of Country Music in the form of Alan Jackson. The sound quality was impressive throughout the night, so credit should be paid to the technical teams involved too! The 56th ACM Awards were the most entertaining awards ceremony I’ve ever witnessed, the performances really captured the heart and soul of what country music is and from across the pond I felt like I was there! To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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PREMIERE: Tim Prottey-Jones and Stephanie Quayle ‘Until I Do’

Leave a Comment / Exclusives, News / Rochelle Mills

TimProtteyJones · Until I Do – Tim Prottey-Jones (feat. Stephanie Quayle) Written by Award winning Nashville based songwriters Jeff Cohen, Jamie Floyd and Steven McMorran, ‘Until I Do’ is the latest single from UK based Country artist Tim Prottey-Jones and today we can bring you an exclusive first listen! After leaving The Wandering Hearts back in 2019, Tim has been laying strong foundations for a successful solo career. His first two solo singles, ‘Bite the Bullet’ & ‘Good Life’ were released to critical acclaim and received their exclusive first plays on The Country Music Show with Bob Harris on BBC Radio 2. Tim’s brand new single features CMT’s ‘Next Women of Country’ inductee and Grand Ole Opry regular, Stephanie Quayle. For a long time, Tim has longed to do a duet that would build a bridge between the US and UK country scene and upon hearing the song Tim realised it had to be this one! Tim said “For me, the song paints a picture of a search for a love that may never be realised. But what is worse? Searching and never finding that special person or not even trying to find the one? There’s a hope to the lyrics that I believe will speak to the listener as it did with me. It’s that voice in your head that says, “if you don’t try, you’ll never know” and sometimes, that’s exactly what we need to hear. As people, as musicians, as lovers.” Jeff knew Stephanie well and Tim had always wanted to collaborate with her. Stephanie has featured as a performer and guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, has been hosted by the Grand Ole Oprynumerous times, and has shared stages with the likes of Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Aaron Watson, and LOCASH. The pair sound like they have been singing together for a long time, the way their voices blend so well together and the production, though boasting a modern feel to it, is deep seated in a nostalgic country sound with a prominent banjo in the arrangement. Teaming up with the Grand Ole Opry darling saw the inevitable 2020 way of collaboration. Due to ongoing travel restrictions in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic Tim and Stephanie recorded remotely from separate continents. Yet this distance did not stand in the way of the magic they have captured with their performance. Talking of the track, Stephanie said, ”Tim is an incredible artist and human and when he reached out about the opportunity to collaborate on his song ‘Until I Do’, it was an honour to be a part of it. We recorded all parts of this song across the pond from each other which was wild and magical. In a time where we all feel so separated, it’s amazing we were still able to bring this all together…even from thousands of miles away. I can’t wait to get back to the UK once travel is a bit safer and for us to get to play this song together!” The song is available from tomorrow, April 16th to buy and stream from all your usual digital platforms! To stay up to date on the latest country music news, please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Zoe Hodges, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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