Live events Archives - Page 20 of 34

American Idol entrant to reignite Country music love

An American Idol entrant has pledged to change Country music, bringing back the raw style that we were accustomed to in yesteryear. Will Vanderheiden, 17, wants to change Country music, reigniting the old style of story-telling. “Where the songs have a meaning and they have a story behind them and not just about a party, I want to have a true story,” said Vanderheiden. “How I got through it and how life can be really hard at times, and if you keep your head up you can get over situations and music has helped me do that.” Some of the stories Vanderheiden writes are based on his brother, who died at only 20-years-old. His songs tell of getting through the tragedy. Will auditioned for the show in Omaha where he was unsuccessful, subsequently travelling to Rapid City to audition. Will will try out for The Voice, next.

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First Tequila Bay Country Music Festival takes place in Miami Marine Stadium

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Country music took over Miami during the weekend as the first ever Tequila Bay Country Music Festival took place on the grounds of Miami Marine Stadium. More than 10,000 people are reported to have flocked to the venue according to the Miami Hearald, including Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore and Montgomery Gentry. Free tequila was served for three hours in the afternoon, including 15,000 shots. A Country Music Association study has shown that the number of Hispanic country music fans across the nation has grown by 25 percent in the last 10 years, prompting Nelson Albareda, president of producer Loud and Live, to bring the event to Miami.

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NEW: First trailer for TOWIE's Megan McKenna Country reality show released!

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There’s Something About Megan will soon be launching on ITV, tracing The Only Way Is Essex’s (TOWIE) Megan McKenna on a journey to fulfil her country music ambitions. The reality show star is seeking to conquer Nashville with her singing abilities and has previously sought to propel herself to stardom through talent shows Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor. She has also appeared on UK television programme Ex on the Beach. The show is being filmed in Tennessee by Lime Productions and will allegedly show McKenna laying down tracks in Nashville with some of the best in the business. Megan first tasted TV fame in 2009, when she performed the hit Defying Gravity from the musical Wicked on Britain’s Got Talent. Megan also entered the X Factor in both 2013 and 2014. The reality show star and aspiring Country songstress is reported to be a long-time fan of Dolly Parton and Country-folk. **SEE the Trailer here**

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Fairport Convention celebrates 50th anniversary with autumn tour

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In continued celebration of their 50th anniversary, British folk rock legends Fairport Convention have announced an autumn tour where they will play selected songs from their new album ‘50:50@50’, along with a selection of favourites from their extensive back catalogue. The autumn tour follows Fairport’s Cropredy Convention festival, near Banbury, Oxfordshire which takes place from August 10 – 12, 2017. The line-up includes Feast of Fiddles, Richard Thompson, Marillion and Petula Clark and Divine Comedy As well as selling out the Cropredy Festival this year, Fairport Convention continues to win critical acclaim. The band won a coveted BBC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002, and BBC Radio 2 listeners also voted one of British folk music’s high water marks – the groundbreaking album ‘Liege & Lief’ – ‘The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time’ around the same time. Songs from that album still make up a significant part of the band’s regular set list. Founding member Simon Nicol commented: “Fairport Convention have been extraordinarily fortunate to create a work ethic based on live performance. As someone whose hobby ultimately became a career, I’m happy every time the van pulls up outside my house to take me off on my travels, where the stage awaits, and I get a chance to make everyone happy that they made the choice to buy a ticket.” Fairport Convention’s line-up is Simon Nicol on guitar and vocals, Dave Pegg on bass guitar, Chris Leslie on fiddle, mandolin and vocals, Ric Sanders on violin and Gerry Conway on drums and percussion. The band will also play a set of dates across Scandinavia. The UK tour dates are as follows 20 Oct 2017 Emsworth Baptist Church 21 Oct 2017 Ilminster Square and Compass 22 Oct 2017 Ilfracombe Folk and Roots Festival 24 Oct 2017 Newbury Corn Exchange 25 Oct 2017 Gloucester Cathedral 26 Oct 2017 Ludlow Assembly Rooms 27 Oct 2017 Stow St Edwards Church 28 Oct 2017 Leicester Y Theatre 29 Oct 2017 London NELLS Further details can be found at www.fairportconvention.com

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Jacksonville to host Florida Oktoberfest and Music Festival

Live events / Editor

Metropolitan Park in Jacksonville, Florida will play host to the first Florida Oktoberfest & Music Festival in October, festival organisers 904 Happy Hour have announced. The festival, which is set to take place from October 6-8, 2017, and tickets are on sale now from TheFloridaOktoberfest.com. The line-up had not been announced at the time of publication, however featuring some of the biggest stars in rock, alternative and country music, are expected to play. 904 Happy Hour president, Charles Wagoner said: “The Florida Oktoberfest & Music Festival will generate a lot of excitement and showcase Jacksonville as a destination for entertainment. Events like this have a major impact on tourism and the local economy and I am excited to promote this festival across the country.” The Florida Oktoberfest will be partnering with multiple local charities so all facets of the community can be touched by this exciting event. Communities in Schools, War Fighters in Arms, K9s for Warriors, The Jacksonville Jaycees, The Fraternal Order of Police, and others. FOP President Steve Zona added: “We’re proud to be a part of a weekend full of music and fun for everyone. Hope to see you there!”

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Country Music Week performances announced!

Live events, News / Editor

Artists and musicians performing during Country Music Week have been announced! The organisers behind the Country to Country (C2C) festival have announced more artists and events appearing during Country Music Week. The new, week-long series of shows features new and established Country acts and takes place from October 2nd to October 8th, 2017. Amongst the list of performers will be Randy Houser who will be performing in the UK for the first time. Houser has already racked up three consecutive No. 1 hits and more than four million in singles sales to date with his Stoney Creek Records album, How Country Feels. He topped the charts with the title track, “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” and “Goodnight Kiss” (also his first No. 1 as a songwriter) and earned critical acclaim for his powerful delivery of the Top 5 smash and CMA Song of the Year–‐nominated “Like A Cowboy.” Houser added a fourth No. 1 to his catalogue with “We Went” from his latest album, Fired Up, and has been tapped to perform at several major country music festivals in 2017. Breakout artist Eric Paslay – a Platinum-selling hit songwriter and a dynamic performer who has enjoyed five No. 1 hits including “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” (Eli Young Band), “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (Jake Owen) and “Rewind” (Rascal Flatts) will also perform, alongside the alt-country duo Two Ways Home, duo Holloway Road and Logan Brill, who will be returning to the UK after impressing audiences at C2C earlier this year. Lindsay Ell, Walker McGuire, Temecula Road, and Jillian Jacqueline will also be displaying their musical talents. The Country Music Week Hub will feature live music, interviews, meet and greets, giveaways and more programmed from 12 midday until 5pm on Saturday and Sunday in The Borderline. The CMW Hub is the opportunity to get up close to the many artists performing during the week, catch live performances, get the backstory on their songs, career, meet them and find out how they are enjoying being in the UK. The Hub will have a host giving out spot prizes, plus great music all day, Chris Country and the CMW social team will be on site… Head to www.CountryMusicWeek.com to see the full line up…

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Kelso in Scotland gets new folk fest

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Kelso in Scotland gets new folk fest Kelso Folk and Acoustic Music Club on the Scottish borders is launching a new annual Folk music festival, which will take place at various venues in the town from September 1-3, 2017. The weekend will feature live concerts, sessions, workshops and open mics featuring award-winning bands and artists as well as a showcase for local talent. Set to play over the weekend are Breabach, voted ‘Folk Band of the Year’ and ‘Album of Year’ at the 2016 Scots Trad Music Awards and BBC ‘Folk Musician of 2012’, Tom McConville. Supporting them will be the 2016 winners of the Celtic Connections Danny Kyle Award, Northern Company, and the talented Jenny Biddle. The festival is being sponsored by Awards for All, Scotland and the Fallago Environmental Fund and includes a free lunchtime concert in the Old Parish Kirk on the Saturday. Tickets are available at www.bordersevents.com Full details at www.kelsofolkfest.org

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Margo Price shows us what she's made of on new EP

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Margo Price, the acclaimed US singer/songwriter has officially released her new EP ‘Weakness,’ via Third Man Records. Recorded at Sam Phillips Recording in Memphis, ‘Weakness’ was produced by Grammy-winner Matt Ross-Spang (Jason Isbell, Zac Brown), Alex Munoz, Jeremy Ivey, and Margo herself. The collection features four new tracks including recent live show juggernaut “Paper Cowboy,” as well as the hard-drinking, country-rock title track, which Zane Lowe premiered yesterday on his Beats1 radio show. ‘Weakness’ is available everywhere now both digitally and physically as two 2-song 45’s. Following the release of her 2016 critically acclaimed debut ‘Midwest Farmer’s Daughter’, Margo has performed on SNL, Fallon, Colbert, Seth Meyers, Conan, Charlie Rose, CBS This Morning, Austin City Limits, and Jools Holland, collaborated with some of her heroes including Jack White, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, and Kris Kristofferson. She has also won the Americana Music Association’s ‘Emerging Artist’ Award, the American Music Prize, and was even given her own display at The Country Music Hall of Fame. Later this year Margo will play dates with Willie Nelson, Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, John Prine, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill and others. For full dates visit http://www.margoprice.com/ To read about more of our news, head to https://staging.maverick-country.com/industry-news/

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Tour dates released for Amanda St John

Live events / Editor

Amanda St John is a singer songwriter from Northern Ireland who blends soul, blues, gospel and roots styles to achieve her sultry sound. Having been compared to artists like Imelda May and Dusty Springfield by the critics and described as a “Head-turning vocalist with serious song writing prowess………a sensational artist” (Visit Dublin)” it is clear to see why, when you experience her powerful, emotive live performances as well as her uplifting and deeply personal lyrics. After releasing a hugely impressive debut album in 2016 she has spent most of the last year touring Ireland and after a run of promo dates in England she returns with her first UK Headline dates with an eight date Tour, which commences on the May 27th. Amanda said: “I have had such a great response from audiences in the UK so far and I am so looking forward to connecting with new music fans and sharing my songs in these renowned and intimate venues”. Gaining substantial media interest in Ireland and the UK including extensive airplay on the BBC and RTE as well as reviews in Hotpress Magazine & The Irish Times; Amanda has started to gain nationwide interest in the UK with upcoming live sessions on BBC Radio London as well as recently recording for Radio 2’s ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris. Recent Tour successes combined with high profile support slots for Eddi Reader, Brian Kennedy and Mary Coughlan have ensured that Amanda is fast establishing herself as one of Ireland’s leading vocalists! Spring/Summer 2017 UK Tour Dates: 27th May: The Stables Milton Keynes 28th May: The Underground Theatre Eastbourne 30th May: The Green Note, Camden London (Last Few Tickets remain) 31st May: The Latest Bar Brighton 4th June: SD Bells Belfast (SOLD OUT) 11th June: The Tap Room Newcastle (N.Ireland) 16th June: Kilmore House Glenariff 18th June: McHugh’s Belfast Comments from the press includes: “The songs echo jazz/soul/gospel greats such as Etta James, Odetta and Billie Holiday.” Irish Times “An incredible vocal performer and wonderfully talented songwriter.” Ralph McLean, BBC Radio Ulster “Amanda St John is totally in control of her craft and could be a huge international star”. John Kearns Irish News and Cool FM “Feisty and fresh soul infused vocals…a must listen!” Hot Press Magazine More details, social media links and further info can be found at: amandastjohnmusic.co.uk

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Nashville Nights, the UKs Country Music Nightclub Celebrate the end of an amazing first year at London Venue Under the Bridge

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2016 was a hectic and eventful year for the Nashville Nights team. Launched in February 2016 their aim was to bring the USA Country Music Charts to the UK’s nightclub scene and create an event specifically for a new age of country music fans. For their launch year they embarked on an ambitious UK tour visiting seven major cities including; Glasgow (where they held three events in 2016), Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol, Brighton and their Flagship event in London which took place five times in 2016. Over 3000 country music fans came together to enjoy the nights and 2017 looks set to be even bigger with the last two events being completely sold out! Founded by three sisters, and run as a true labour of love, the trio could not be happier with how popular the events have become, “we’ve been fans of USA country music for more than 20 years and there’s no doubt that country music is growing in popularity in the UK. We had wanted an event like this for so long and are thrilled to find out we weren’t the only ones. When we took the plunge and decided to put our plan – which was formulated over a family Sunday dinner – into reality, we had no idea how it would go. All we knew is that if we put on an event that we would want to go to ourselves then the worst that would happen is we would end up having a really expensive (and exclusive) party! Thankfully that didn’t happen and we have ended up meeting a whole host of amazing likeminded country fans and hosting what we hope will be a celebrated night out for other country music fans in the UK“. As well as the nightclub part of the evening Nashville Nights are also very keen to showcase the very best in ‘live’ country music too. Each of the London events begins with a guest performance by rising stars on the UK scene. Previous artists have included The Pauper Kings, Laura Oakes, Holloway Road, Liv Austen & Dexeter to name a few and the plan for 2017 is to continue to host the very best of the UK’s talent but also entice some of the US acts across the pond to perform as well. “We have our wish list of artists that we would love to have appear and we will continue to work hard to get the most talented UK and USA artists onto the Nashville Nights stage. Our main focus is to make sure we provide the best night out as possible for everyone who comes along to one of our events” “This is what country music fans living in the UK have been waiting for, somewhere to socialize and dance to current country music in fantastic venues with friends old and new. We are hoping that we can convert some of the country-curious too and show people that it’s not old fashioned to like country music, it’s a thriving and extremely popular mainstream music genre in the USA and we are sure that it will become that in the UK as well” Tickets are now on sale for the next London event on 12.05.17 at www.nashvillenights.uk

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