Further acts have been revealed for the 2018 Towersey Festival. Oxfordshire’s 54th Towersey Festival, the event will include performances from Big Country, Beth Orton and Sharon Shannon Band. Also part of the line up is Fisherman’s Friends, Martin Simpson, Blair Dunlop and Blowzabella amongst others… The event takes place from Friday 24 to Monday 27 August 2018 and will take place on the Thame Showground, Thame, Oxfordshire
Towersey Festival 2018 lineup Read More »
An interview earlier this week with Dierks Bentley revealed that both Bentley and Luke Bryan were given the boot from the Academy of Country Music Awards. Speaking to Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, Bentley said, “That’s over… We got fired. Is that not common knowledge?” The comment was made offhandedly while images from Bentley and Bryan’s time hosting the event flashed up on-screen. Bentley replaced Bryan’s former co-host, Blake Shelton, whom Bryan had hosted the show with since 2013. The ACM has since confirmed that Bryan and Bentley will not be returning to the award show, while Bentley’s manager has also confirmed the news. This year’s ACMs will be hosted at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 15. Information on who is hosting will not be revealed for another 2-3 weeks.
'We got fired!': Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan not hosting ACM awards Read More »
The third annual UK Americana Awards took place at London’s Hackney Empire on Thursday 1st February, rounding off two days of activities at this year’s AmericanaFest UK, including an evening of artist showcases in venues around Hackney on Wednesday 31st January and daytime conferences. In a glorious 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 Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, a stripped-down, unamplified performance from the front of the stage by Mumford & Sons, winners of The Trailblazer Award, plus a unique, surprise collaboration between Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters and Mumford & Sons. Also taking to the stage were International Artist of the Year 2018 Courtney Marie-Andrews and fellow nominees Imelda May and Angaleena Presley and UK Artist of the Year 2018 Emily Barker as well as UK Album of the Year winner Robert Vincent, Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award recipients The Wandering Hearts and Award nominees Aaron Lee Tasjan and Worry Dolls. The evening was capped by an all artist finale of “Wild Flowers” in tribute to Tom Petty. To mark the second anniversary of the launch of the Official Americana Albums Chart, Martin Talbot, CEO of the Official Charts Company was joined by Wolverhampton Wanderers and England footballing legend Steve Bull to present Robert Plant with the award for Best Selling UK Americana Album of 2017 for his album Carry Fire. Host Bob Harris OBE presented Robert Plant with the AMA-UK’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the genre and introduced a congratulatory video message from Rich Hall. Billy Bragg and Executive Director of the US Americana Music Association Jed Hilly presented the Trailblazer Award to Mumford & Sons. Danny George Wilson and BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean presented Come Down & Meet The Folks with the new Grassroots Award and London’s The Wandering Hearts received the prestigious Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award. The star-studded event saw seven AMA-UK membership-voted Awards presented by Sir Patrick Stewart and Sunny Ozell, Simon Mayo, Frank Turner, Mary Gauthier, Chris Difford, Sam Baker and Stevie Freeman and Jesse Buckley. Winners of the seven membership-voted Awards were as follows: UK Album of The Year presented by Simon Mayo I’ll Make The Most Of My Sins by Robert Vincent (produced by Robert Vincent, Michael Gay and Etienne Girard) International Album of the Year presented by Sir Patrick Stewart & Sunny Ozell The Nashville Sound by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit (produced by Dave Cobb) UK Artist of the Year presented by Frank Turner Emily Barker International Artist of the Year presented by Mary Gauthier Courtney Marie Andrews UK Song of the Year presented by Chris Difford Home by Yola Carter (written by Yola Carter) International Song of the Year presented by Sam Baker & Stevie Freeman Tenderheart by Sam Outlaw (written by Sam Outlaw) UK Instrumentalist of the Year presented by Jesse Buckley Thomas Collison Recipients of Awards from the AMA-UK Board: Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Bob Harris Selected by the board members, their highest honour is awarded to a UK artist, duo or group in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Americana genre over the span of their career and life in music. Recipient 2018: Robert Plant The Trailblazer Award presented by Billy Bragg & Jed Hilly Selected by the AMA-UK board and celebrating a UK artist, duo or group that has taken an exceptional path, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps in developing the Americana genre. Recipient 2018 – Mumford & Sons Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award Selected by Bob Harris OBE, this special award celebrates the breakthrough artist, duo or group that has particularly impressed the legendary music broadcaster throughout the year. Recipient 2018: The Wandering Hearts The Grassroots Award presented by Danny George Wilson & Ralph McLean A newly-established award selected by the board members, this special award celebrates the sometimes un-sung heroes of the UK Americana scene. It is presented to people working in the industry (in a capacity other than as artists) who have made outstanding efforts to support Americana music from the grassroots up. Recipient 2018 – Come Down & Meet The Folks The Best-Selling Americana Album of 2017 presented by Martin Talbot and Steve Bull The AMA-UK works with the Official Charts Company to create the UK Americana Chart. This Award is given to the best-selling Americana Album of the year, by a UK Artist. Recipient 2018 – Robert Plant for Carry Fire
UK Americana Awards closes on a high Read More »
Stars of Lionsgate’s hit television series “Nashville” are set to play one final time for audiences in England, Wales and Scotland during their Farewell UK Tour in April. Launching April 14, 2018 in Birmingham, England, the tour will feature cast members Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Charles Esten, Jonathan Jackson and Sam Palladio. Tour stops will feature songs from the series as well as artists’ original material and are set to include: Leeds, Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff and a final show at London’s The O2. All shows go on sale Friday, December 8. “Nashville” staged sold-out tours in the UK in 2016 and 2017. “The cast of ‘Nashville’ have become tremendous ambassadors and representatives of a city that they now love. They carry with them the spirit of the city and its music,” said Steve Buchanan, president, Opry Entertainment. “The 2018 UK Tour will be bittersweet for our cast of amazing actors, singers and songwriters as they share the stage together for one last farewell to the fans.” The UK shows are onsale now at www.ticketmaster.co.uk, www.gigsandtours.com and www.axs.com. VIP ticket packages are available on all dates. 14 Apr 18 Birmingham Genting Arena 15 Apr 18 Leeds First Direct Arena 17 Apr 18 Glasgow SSE Hydro 18 Apr 18 Manchester Arena 20 Apr 18 Cardiff Motorpoint Arena 21 Apr 18 London The O2 The tour is produced by Opry Entertainment. “Nashville” airs in 225 territories worldwide. Since its debut, the show has inspired 22 soundtracks, including a Christmas album, which have collectively sold more than one million album units and over 5 million single-track downloads to date. It has also been nominated for multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards. Currently in production, “Nashville” is produced by Lionsgate and Opry Entertainment. The final season of “Nashville” premieres in the U.S. on Thursday, January 4 at 9pm ET/PT only on CMT. The 16-episode season will air in two parts, with the finale airing in the summer (exact date TBD). Long-time SVOD partner Hulu will continue to bring fans new episodes of “Nashville” by making them available to stream the day after they air on CMT, and the complete series can be streamed exclusively at http://www.hulu.com/nashville. “Nashville” is set against the backdrop of the city’s music scene and follows the lives of country music superstars as well as the up-and-coming performers and songwriters trying to get ahead in the business. Music City can mean so many things to different people. In “Nashville,” musicians and songwriters are at the heart of the storm, driven by their own ambitions. Some are fuelled by their creativity and passion for fame. Others struggle to cope with the pressures of success and are doing everything in their power to stay on top. “Nashville” stars Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, Clare Bowen as Scarlett O’Connor, Chris Carmack as Will Lexington, Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne, Kaitlin Doubleday as Jessie Caine, Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley, Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott, Maisy Stella as Daphne Conrad and Lennon Stella as Maddie Conrad. In addition, Season 6 features Rhiannon Giddens as Hallie Jordan and Cameron Scoggins as Zach Welles in recurring roles. The series is executive produced by Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick (the creators of “Thirtysomething”), Steve Buchanan and Callie Khouri, who created the series.
Stars of Lionsgate Nashville on farewell tour this Spring Read More »
Following the release of her chart topping album ‘Come Back Fighting’, Philippa Hanna will be heading out on the road this April for her most exciting run of headline shows to date. Her country-tinged 6th release hit Number 1 on the iTunes UK Country Chart on the day of release and topped the Official Christian & Gospel chart in December 2017. Fans can expect to hear ‘Off The Wagon’, the lead single that has drawn comparisons with the likes of Dolly Parton, as well as the acoustic reggae-infused Dorothy and the hard-hitting bluesy title track ‘Come Back Fighting’. In additional to established favourites and classic country covers, Philippa will be championing upcoming singles ‘Getting On With Life’ and ‘The Hero’. Joined by a small ensemble of accompanists on stage, in her signature style, Philippa will share the stories and insights behind the songs in tandem with her daily inspirational YouTube blog. Having captivated UK audiences on tours supporting Lionel Richie, Leona Lewis, Anastacia, Wet Wet Wet, Collabro & Rebecca Ferguson, her reputation as an outstanding acoustic entertainer is hard to rival. With just 4 dates planned for the tour, fans are advised to get tickets early to avoid disappointment. They go on sale on Friday 12th of January. Philippa will be appearing live on Good Morning Sunday on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday 4th February after recording an Under The Apple Tree live session with Bob Harris. Full tour dates: Tuesday 3th April – O2 Academy 3, Birmingham Wednesday 4th April – Night & Day, Manchester Thursday 5th April – Bush Hall, London Friday 6th April – Plug, Sheffield For tickets visit: Ticketmaster.co.uk, AXS.com, Gigantic.com, Alttickets.com All live performance dates and further info available at philippahanna.com facebook.com/philippahanna twitter.com/philippahanna instagram.com/philippahanna youtube.com/philippahanna
Philippa Hanna UK headline tour dates announced Read More »
From Friday 9th to Sunday 11th March 2018, The O2, London will see country legends Faith Hill & Tim McGraw, alongside first time headliners Little Big Town and Kacey Musgraves, take to the stage at the sixth annual C2C. The fifth CMA Songwriters Series, returning to indigo at The O2 on Thursday 8 March, will be hosted by celebrated songwriter Brett James (“Jesus, Take The Wheel”, “Out Last Night”). He will be joined by a host of incredible songwriters and performers to celebrate the art of storytelling through song, including Luke Combs, Nicolle Galyon (“We Were Us”, “All the Pretty Girls”), Natalie Hemby (“Downtown”, “Automatic”) and Kip Moore. Country to Country will officially kick off at 1.30pm on Friday and 10.00am on Saturday and Sunday when the Town Square opens and the first Festival stage artists start. For the first time, the Town Square will be hosted in a new area (outside the main entrance), to make room for the ever-growing selection of festival activities including; market stalls and stands, authentic food from the American South, cocktails, whiskey and craft beers from Signal Brewery, a Big Machine hang out booth, artist signings, meet and greets and more. C2C ticket holders are invited to enjoy any of the Festival Stages across the weekend, subject to capacity. This includes C2C Late Night Stage (Building Six); BBC Radio 2 Stage (indigo at The O2); Country Music Week Hub and The Saloon (All Bar One) and C2C Sessions (NY-LON). In addition to the Official Aftershows, C2C hosts a series of late night stages. Entertaining crowds into the evening this year are LANCO, Russell Dickerson, Lindsay Ell, Mo Pitney, Delta Rae and Ryan Kinder. New for 2018, fans have the chance to get up close to the newest UK and Irish country names making a big impact on these shores. The C2C Close Up Stage in Building Six will reveal the backstory and future plans of some of the most promising UK and Irish acts, with intimate performances from Catherine McGrath, Andy Brown, Una Healy, Twinnie, Liv Austen, Katy Hurt and Jake Morrell. Non-ticket holders are also able to access these stages with a Festival wristband which can be purchased for £10 via https://tickets.axs.com/shop/#/STAGES-03ed-479c-b118-59ea9619ac86. Separate tickets are required for The Bluebird Cafe and the Official Aftershows. All visitors to The O2 can enjoy entertainment from the free stages, which include Town Square Stage, the Big Entrance Stage and Club WM. Other free festival activities include the traders, food, drink and retail in the Town Square, the merchandise area and the record store. Fans should also expect surprise artist announcements across the weekend, details of which will be revealed on the C2C app. The app features stage times, artist info plus notifications about signings, competitions, secret performances and more. CMA Presents Screenings in the Cinema CMA and Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. (NCVC) will have screenings on Saturday and Sunday at Cineworld at The O2, including BBC Music: Country Music Awards 2017: Highlights, which sees Bob Harris introduce highlights of The 51st Annual CMA Awards from Nashville, Tennessee. NCVC will show It All Begins With A Song: a film about one of the most important and unknown, forces in music: The Nashville Songwriter. BBC Radio 2 Stage Again there will be a BBC Radio 2 Stage at C2C 2018 which will feature High Valley’s only London performance on the Friday. Other performers include; Ashley Campbell, Ashley McBryde, Catherine McGrath, Danielle Bradbery , Delta Rae, Jillian Jacqueline, LANCO, Levi Hummon, Lindsay Ell, Mo Pitney, Morgan Evans, Russell Dickerson, Ryan Hurd, Walker Hayes and The Wandering Hearts. BBC Radio 2 will broadcast live from C2C on Friday 9th March from 8-11pm. The radio station will also be recording the Saturday and Sunday concerts, for broadcast on Bob Harris Country on 15th, 22nd and 29th March from 7pm. These programmes will include performance highlights and backstage interviews with the performers. The Bluebird Cafe at C2C (separate ticketed event) Nashville’s world famous Bluebird Cafe (as featured in the Nashville TV series) returns to London with ticketed, early afternoon performances. Introduced and curated by The Bluebird Cafe’s Erika Wollam Nichols, the line-up includes; Ryan Hurd, Jillian Jacqueline, Mo Pitney, Walker Hayes, Ashley McBryde and Leslie Satcher. Country Music Week Hub in All Bar One Available to C2C ticket and wristband holders, the Country Music Week Hub will feature talks, on stage interviews and performances, plus meet & greets and signings after all performances. The Spotlight Stage (inside arena) Between artist performances on the main stage there will be short sets each day on the Spotlight Stage. Announced to perform are; Brett Young, Morgan Evans, Lukas Nelson, Jillian Jacqueline, Ashley McBryde, Walker Hayes, Russell Dickerson and Lindsay Ell. www.c2c-countrytocountry.com
Countdown to C2C 2018! Read More »
Folk legend Richard Thompson is set to make an electrifying return to this year’s Shrewsbury Folk Festival after organisers announced a rare appearance by the musician with his Electric Trio. The former Fairport Convention musician, named by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the top 100 guitarists of all time, will headline the festival’s Bellstone stage on Saturday August 25. More than half of adult weekend tickets have already been sold with over six months to go to the event that attracts around 7,000 people to the West Mid Showground. Other names added to the programme include the new duo of Peter Knight (ex Steeleye Span) and John Spiers (Bellowhead) and singer songwriters James Riley and Edwina Hayes. Already announced are American singer songwriter Gretchen Peters, Steeleye Span, Irish super group Usher’s Island, Show of Hands, Jon Boden and The Remnant Kings, Gigspanner, BBC Folk Award winner Daoirí Farrell and Scottish folk rockers Skerryvore. Chinese flautist Guo Yue and Japanese drummer Joji Hirota will reunite for the festival with the London Taiko Drummers and Canadian band The Fitzgeralds – one of the hit groups of last year’s festival – will also make a welcome return. Other performers include Welsh indie roots band Rusty Shackle, State of the Union – the duo of Boo Hewerdine and Brooks Williams, O’Hooley & Tidow, Megson, Blowzabella, Banter, Alden, Patterson & Dashwood, The Rogues Shanty Crew, Emma Morton & The Graces, Midnight Skyracer, FOS Brothers, Inlay, and Foreign Affairs. Dance bands will be Blowzabella, Bedlam, Committee Band, Vertical Expression, Kirkophany and Out of Hand. The festival, which will run from August 24 to 27, has four main music stages, a dance tent featuring ceilidhs, workshops and dance shows, children and youth festivals, more than 100 workshops, a craft fair, food village, real ale, prosecco and cocktail bars and on-site camping. There are also fringe events at town pubs with dance displays in the centre of Shrewsbury and a parade through the streets. Director Sandra Surtees said: “We are delighted to have secured this rare appearance by the Richard Thompson Electric Trio for Shrewsbury. Richard is a folk legend but he doesn’t often perform in this format so it’ll be a real treat for our audience. “The line up contains a wide variety of traditional and contemporary folk alongside singer songwriters and north American and Canadian acts so there is something to appeal to all tastes. “That’s echoed in the strong ticket sales we’re experiencing with many of our visitors coming back year after year as they love the festival so much!” Weekend and day tickets are now on sale and can be booked at www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk.
Shrewsbury Folk Festival reveals more names Read More »
Almost a year after the release of critically-acclaimed debut album ‘Deep Cuts’, one of Nashville’s most exciting singer-songwriters Kenny Foster has announced his second tour of the UK this March. Highlighted last year as one of Rolling Stone’s ‘Country Artists You Need To Know’, Foster will bring his ‘Livin’ In These Walls’ tour to a multiple of cities including London, Birmingham, Harrogate and Glasgow. In his own words: “I’m headed back to retrieve the bit of my heart I left there last year. It’s theirs to keep obviously, but if it’s alright, I’d like to visit it as much as I possibly can. I can’t wait to see my old friends and make new ones along the way.” Kenny Foster is a rising independent artist based in Nashville, Tennessee, who has shared the stage with artists including Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Brothers Osborne, Old Dominion, Lady Antebellum, Marc Broussard, Butch Walker, Buddy Miller and countless others. He has received press in the New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today and Forbes among others, and has been featured in two Superbowl commercials with Sheryl Crow and Danica Patrick, respectively. Kenny has appeared in numerous episodes of ABC’s “Nashville” and had songs placed in US TV shows like “Extreme Home Makeover” and “Boston Med.” Kenny’s first UK tour in 2017 included the opportunity to be a part of Whispering Bob Harris’ ‘Under the Apple Tree Sessions’ which led to an invitation to appear in his next documentary, alongside artists like Emmylou Harris, Brandy Clark and Jamey Johnson. Full dates below: 1st March – The Round Up, Camden 2nd March – The Ent Shed, Bedford 10th March – Country on the Clyde, Glasgow 11th March – Country on the Clyde, Glasgow 15th March – Halfway to 75, Oxford 16th March – Chapel Arts Centre, Bath 21st March – The Musician, Leicester 23rd March – UTAT @ Warehouse Recording Co, Harrogate 28th March – Kitchen Garden Cafe, Birmingham Tickets and info from https://kennyfostermusic.com/tour/
Kenny Foster 'Livin' In These Walls' tour coming to the UK Read More »
Country music idol Chris Stapleton wowed guests on Sunday night, as he took home three of four Grammy Awards in the country music categories. The singer-songwriter also performed with the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and 13-time Grammy winner Emmylou Harris, the two taking to the stage with acoustic guitars to play Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers”, paying tribute to everyone the music world lost in 2017, including country’s biggest losses such as Glen Campbell, Mel Tillis, Troy Gentry and Don Williams. “This is a wonderful room to be in tonight. We’re so proud. We always try to make great records, as good as we can, and I guess this is a testament to that. It’s a real joy to get to make music,” Stapleton said. Before the official television broadcast, the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony announced the winners in more than 70 categories, including a handful of country music categories. First up was the Grammy for country solo performance, which went to Chris Stapleton for his song “Either Way.” “Sorry I’m out of breath. I just ran six miles. I literally walked in the door as they read the last one,” a hatless Stapleton laughed. “So I’m so happy that I made it. This is amazing, this is always an amazing honour to be here and get to be a part of this. This song is just me and an acoustic guitar. That’s all it is. So for that to win is a beautiful thing to me,” he said before thanking the Recording Academy and anyone who had ever bought his record. “Either Way” was originally recorded by Lee Ann Womack for her 2008 album Call Me Crazy. Eric Church, Maren Morris and Brothers Osborne also came together to perform Eric Clapton’s 1991 Grammy-winning song “Tears in Heaven” at the event to remember the 58 people killed and 489 injured during the Route 91 Harvest festival where the musicians played, and the Ariana Grande music concert in Manchester, UK where a terrorist attack led to multiple deaths. James Corden hosted the show live from New York City’s Madison Square Garden, and the broadcast featured performances and tributes of every genre. Little Big Town harmonised on their Grammy-winning “Better Man” with a makeshift roof and the New York City skyline forming a silhouette on stage, winning the Grammy for country duo/group performance. The criteria for the Grammy Award for country album required that the album contain at least 51 percent playing time of new country recordings. The nominated albums were Kenny Chesney’s Cosmic Hallelujah, Lady Antebellum’s Heart Break, Little Big Town’s The Breaker, Thomas Rhett’s Life Changes, and Stapleton’s From a Room: Volume 1. Winners in the Americana, bluegrass, folk and American roots categories included Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, the Infamous Stringdusters, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Alabama Shakes and Aimee Mann. The country song Grammy went to Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson, the songwriters of Stapleton’s “Broken Halos.” Reba also won a Grammy for the best roots gospel album for Sing It Now: Songs Of Faith & Hope. Zac Brown was one of the presenters during the Premiere Ceremony in the American Roots, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues, Folk, Regional Roots, Reggae, World Music and Children’s categories. The Premiere Ceremony — held at New York’s Theater at Madison Square Garden — was hosted by former David Letterman musical director Paul Shaffer.
Country stars dazzle at 2018 Grammy Awards Read More »
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville is bringing the flavour of 70’s Country music to the public this May, with an exhibition that will chronicle the life and times of the period’s most renowned country musicians. ‘Outlaws & Armadillos: Country and the Roaring ’70s’ will open on the 45th anniversary of seminal outlaw releases, such as Willie Nelson’s Shotgun Willie, WaylonJennings’ Honky Tonk Heroes, Jerry Jeff Walker’s ¡Viva Terlingua! and Billy Joe Shaver’s Old Five and Dimers Like Me. The exhibit opens on May 25th 2018 – February 14th, 2021 and will blend visual art, film and historical footage, with interviews and concert footage. Head to the website for tickets https://countrymusichalloffame.org