Friday 20 June 2014

Country Bites News snippets June 2 - June 8, 2014

Country Bites News snippets June 2 – June 8, 2014

SOURCES / LINKS shown in RED

UK & IRISH News

The Shires were Live in Session on Weekend Wogan on Sunday June 8, 2014 where the UK country duo performed a couple of acoustic songs ("Nashville Grey Skies" and a cover of Candi Staton's 1976 chart hit Young Hearts Run Free") for Sir Terry. >> Listen back BBC Page or Download the MP3 Podcast "Gosh, that was really beautiful, fantastic" said Terry.

Dolly Parton with “Home” remained on the BBC Radio 2 "A" playlist for the week commencing Saturday 7th June 2014. Miranda Lambert with "Automatic" was pulled from the "B" playlist. The Common Linnets the #2 Eurovision song “Calm After the Storm” stayed on the “B” Playlist

The Shires, the BBC Radio 2 playlisted UK country duo and #C2C2014 pop-up artists have announced live dates in July:
The Deaf Institute, Manchester (Sat, 26 July 2014), Water Rats, London (Mon, 28 July 2014) and The Temple @ The Institute, Birmingham (Wed, 30 Jul 2014) - gigsandtours

The Haley Sisters have released a compilation album with tracks taken from previous albums: “The Angels Break Free”, “No Boundaries”  & “Vicissitude”. It includes the original demo recording (Circa 1990) of Brians Rainhill Boogie instrumental.
It's now available from their website. It’s currently not available to download, although songs are available to download from the original album Vicissitude.

Eve Selis with Marc Twang will be coming over for a UK duo tour 11-25 July, 2014. Not only will they be playing some of the favourite Eve Selis songs, they will also be bringing along their friends Berkley Hart who will be opening every show on the tour. Eve's second set will feature their new “fearsome foursome” CD project called Berkley Hart Selis Twang (BHST) with all four of sharing the stage together. They have been writing songs together  for the past year and have just finished a full length self titled CD! It's available only on this tour in the UK at their shows!! Eve had a bit of a rollerblading accident in late May where she tore her hamstring off her pelvis. She is getting around nicely on crutches and her goal is to be walking on stage at every show! See Tour Schedule Page

Canadian singer-songwriter Tia McGraff and hubby Tommy Parham returned home to Canada "feeling truly blessed". Their "Break These Chains" UK tour (Promoter RL Noble ) they declared was “a total success with all the shows sold out”! Just one mishap their June 7th Glasgow CAA show has been cancelled due to the loss of the venue. They made some new fans and reconnected with some old ones, and made some new life long friends to boot. Thanks for the memories UK. We will be back! We love you all! she shares. They visited their friends Bob Harris (OBE) and wife Trudie. While there they did one of Bob's "Under The Apple Tree Sessions”.

UK CHART NEWS

Official UK Top 100 Album Chart (Week Ending June 14, 2014)
Johnny Cash with OUT AMONG THE STARS (Columbia) moved 32-29 in its 10th week with sales around 3,000 copies and an estimated new tally of 56,600. Miranda Lambert with PLATINUM (RCA) made a debut at No.52 (1,725 sales), this her fifth album and is the first to chart. It was fuelled by a 4 week BBC Radio 2 playlisting (weeks commencing May 10 – May 31st, 2014) for the the lead off single “Automatic”. Miranda was somewhat distance of  the new entry by Vera Lynn’s NATIONAL TREASURE. The Forces' Sweetheart, who celebrated her 97th birthday in March of this year, entered at No.13 (8,225 sales) with her new collection. The double album, compiled by Decca Records, features such iconic songs as We’ll Meet Again, (There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover, and How Green Was My Valley, along with three newly discovered, previously unreleased tracks heard here for the first time. National Treasure was released to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings this weekend.

Official UK Country Album Chart (Week Ending June 14, 2014)
Johnny Cash with OUT AMONG THE STARS (Columbia) stays at No.1 for a tenth week.
Miranda Lambert with PLATINUM (RCA) makes a debut at No.2.
Lady Antebellum’s NEED YOU NOW refuses to go away in its 132nd chart week at No.3.
Rascal Flatts with REWIND (Big Machine) held at No.4 in their third week
The Secret Sisters with PUT YOUR NEEDLE DOWN (Republic Records) fell 3-5
US duo Megan & Liz debut at No.11 with SIMPLE LIFE (Hidden Cow)
Brantley Gilbert with JUST AS I AM (Big Machine) slipped back 7 slots in his second week (6-13)
Cassadee Pope with FRAME BY FRAME (Decca) is no longer on the top 20 after its 3-18 slump last week and fell 52-223 on UK iTunes Top 1500 Country Albums. Oooch!

UK iTunes Top 1500 Country Songs
Long-time favourite Dolly Parton’s latest BBC Radio 2 “A” playlisted single “Home” is at No.1 with retro songs “Jolene” at No.2 joined by another BIG pair of Parton’s with Islands In the Stream” at #3 and “9 to 5” at No.4.
Taylor Swift has a 6 song sprinkling on the top 20. an artist who hasn’t charted on any Billboard charts in recent weeks. Contrast to her Big Machine label pal Cassadee Pope who was recently over in the UK on a promotional media visit see’s her singles languishing at #231 with “I Wish I Could Break Your Heart”, #513 “Wasting All These Tears” and #966 “11”. With the brand new release from Miranda Lambert out her highest position are at #69 Somethin' Bad (with Carrie Underwood) her BBC Radio 2 playlisted single “Automatic” is at #90 with title cut “Platinum” at #95
(Last updated June 12, 2014)
1. Dolly Parton - Home 
2. Dolly Parton - Jolene 
3. Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers - Islands In the Stream 
4. Dolly Parton - 9 To 5 
5. Taylor Swift - I Knew You Were Trouble. 
6. Lady Antebellum - Need You Now 
7. Dolly Parton - Blue Smoke 
8. Dolly Parton - Jolene (Single Version) 
9. Taylor Swift - Everything Has Changed (feat. Ed Sheeran) 
10. Hayden Panettiere - Don't Put Dirt On My Grave Just Yet  
11. Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers - Islands in the Stream 
12. Taylor Swift - Love Story 
13. Willie Nelson - From Here to the Moon and Back (feat. Dolly Parton) 
14. Dolly Parton - 9 To 5 
15. Dolly Parton - Here You Come Again 
16. Charles Esten & Lennon & Maisy - Believing 
17. Taylor Swift - 22 
18. Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together 
19. Taylor Swift - You Belong With Me 
20. Heartland - I Loved Her First

On the Hotdisc Chart (June 8, 2014 Chart)  

David Frizzell & Shelly West with the re-issued "You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma" (Collins/ Pinkard) held at No.1 on for a fifth week. Whilst Frizzell's "Where Are You Spending Your Nights These Days" reached a new peak moving up 7-6.
Allan Craig Miller with "Cornfields" climbed 3-2 just sqeezing past and traded places with Bertie Higgins and his countrified "Key Largo" which slipped 2-3.
Leah Seawright’sCountry Girl 101” made a one place rise 5-4.
With new tracks from the Hotdisc #186 June 2014 promo disc beginning to impact the chart saw a Hot Shot debut at No.5 for  Sawyer Brown (former chart stars with Capitol Records) with their latest single, "Walk Out Of The Rain" (written by Harley Allen) being promoted Grass Roots Promotion drawn from their album TRAVELIN’ BAND. This hot news was warmly greeted by Stuart Cameon the Hotdisc CEO stating - “proving that the boys who have a catalogue of big hits to their name are as popular now as they were many years ago”.
The other new entries in the top 10 tier were 3 other US artists with Jamie Lee Thurston’s15 Minutes” co-written with Tony Mullins making a bow at No.7, M Callaghan with “God’s Green Earth” (co-written with Michael Hunter Ochs) blew in at No.8 and evergreen Gentleman Jim Reeves with "I'll Fly Away"(2014 Version; penned by Albert Brumley) rounding out the Top 10 at #10. It marks the 50th anniversary of his death and five decades of Jim Reeves’ music lives on!
The track is drawn from a new 8CD Set on H&H Records titled THE GREAT JIM REEVES which has 170 tracks (including 92 overdubs). The blurb reads: Even if you have bought every VoiceMasters and/or H&H release before, this set still offers 42 NEW overdubs of RCA masters you have never heard before. Reeves' magnificent voice has been isolated from the original backings, remastered for greater clarity, then combined with tasteful new accompaniment, including by current members of the Grand Ole Opry band! By using some of the world's top musicians, background singers and orchestrators, these old tracks sparkle with a rich new luster, making them sound like Mr. Reeves just recorded them
Click to Enlarge
Graphic
today! Jim's voice truly IS timeless. You will treasure this special, limited-edition collection for years to come. The Great Jim Reeves 8-CD set comes in a handsome, unique, silver-trimmed and high-gloss durable case which opens like a book. The track listings are displayed on two panels which then fold open to reveal all 8 CDs in convenient storage pockets. There is also a separate 48-page booklet inside called “Songs & Recordings” (running about 18,000 words!) in which Larry Jordan (author of the award-winning, 672-page book, “Jim Reeves: His Untold Story”), provides fascinating and detailed notes on each song. Listen to the >> Country Medley samples. For more information visit www.jim-reeves.com/greatjimreeves , see the track listings here and order from www.jim-reeves.com $60.95 USD (incl postage)

Other new Hotdisc entries in the top 20 standings were 3 other USA acts: Bryan Mayer with his self penned “This Is Me” at #12, Jessie Lee Cates at #14 with her follow up single “Let Your Country Out” (co-written with V Bonvissuto and B Ellis) and the lovely Erica Sunshine Lee graced the chart at #16 with her terrific and catchy “Georgia For This”.

Tony Clark’s self penned “You & Me” fell back 13-15 on the Top 40 but he secured his first British & Irish Hotdisc Chart No1 moving 3-1 as Gary Curtis’ April single "Crazy Love” fell 10 rungs 8-18 (1-3 British & Irish) and The Hayley Oliver Band’sBright Side Of Life” nosedived (10-25 Top 40; #2 - #5 British). Mime Grey with “The Ways Of Love” (co-written with Josi Corias) was the highest British debut (No.24 Top 40, #4 British & Irish), the song is being promoted by Lee Williams (Django Promotions, 2013 CMA International broadcaster, CEO CMR Nashville)

UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES


(26 May 2014) The Music Of Nashville: Original Soundtrack Season 2, Volume 2 (Label: Decca) 21 Tracks/ Time: 1:12:59 CD - MP3 - iTunes - Amazon.com 

(29 May 2014) Heather Dickson - Eventually (Heartshake Records)
11 Tracks/ Time:38:21 MP3 - CD BABY - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Blurb: Nashville recording artist from Kingdom of Fife Scotland. Extraordinary singer and outstanding songs. Be ready for eargasms" / “Isn't that just gorgeous, every hair on the back of my neck is standing on end" (Keith Greentree BBC Radio Norfolk playing "Eventually")
(3 June 2014) Big Smo - Kuntry Livin (Elektra Nashville)
14 tracks/ Time: 46:54 CD - MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com 

(3 Jun 2014) Lucy Hale - Road Between (DMG Nashville)
16  Tracks/ 57:26 Deluxe Vesion  CD - Deluxe - Smart Choice Music - Amazon.com 

 (3 Jun 2014) Various Artists - Now That's What I Call Country 7
18 Tracks/ Time: 1:08:38 CD - Smart Choice Music …contains eighteen hits, including top toppers from Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and others plus some up-and-coming stars of the future.

(9 Jun 2014) Johnny Cash - Out Among The Stars - Special Edition [Special Edition] CD
This exclusive 2CD special edition combines the critically acclaimed new lost album ‘Out Among The Stars’ with ‘The Classics’; a 24-track collection of Johnny Cash hits including I Walk The Line, Ring Of Fire, Folsom Prison Blues and A Boy Called Sue, all housed in a card slipcase. Spoil your dad (or yourself) this Father's Day.

(June 10, 2014) Toby Keith - 5 Rounds [Box Set] CD - Amazon.com
2014 five CD set that contains the Country great's five studio albums released between 2008 and 2012: THAT DON'T MAKE ME A BAD GUY, AMERICAN RIDE, BULLETS IN THE GUN, CLANCY'S TAVERN and HOPE ON THE ROCKS. Includes hit singles like 'Red Solo Cup', 'God Love Her', 'She Never Cried In Front of Me', 'American Ride', 'Made in America' and 'Beers Ago'.

(10 Jun 2014) Gene Watson - My Heroes Have Always Been Country (Fourteen Carat Music) Import (UPC 888295071468) CD - MP3 - Smart Choice Music - Amazon.com 

(10 Jun 2014) The Osborne Brothers - Nashville (Pinecastle Records)
8 Tracks/ Time: 21:53 CD - MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com 

(10 Jun 2014) Mary Gauthier - Trouble & Love (Proper Records)
8 Tracks/ Time: 38:21 CD - MP3 - UK iTunes - Smart Choice Music - Amazon.com 

(10 Jun 2014) The Gentlemen of Bluegrass - Carolina Memories (Pinecastle Records)
14 Tracks/ Time: 39:06 CD - MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com

(10 Jun 2014) Demun Jones  - Jones County (Average Joes Entertainment)
12 Tracks / Time: 40:21 MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com 

(10 Jun 2014) Danny Boone - Fish Grease (AVJ Records) MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com

(16 Jun 2014) Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison - Our Year (Premium Records)
10 Tracks/ Time:  31:26 CD - MP3 - Smart Choice Music - Amazon.com (May 27) 

BLUEGRASS NEWS
The Bill Monroe Memorial Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival, winner of the 2013 International Bluegrass Music Association’s IBMA Bluegrass Event of the Year Award, will hold their 48th annual festival June 12-21, 2014. This world famous event, known as the longest continuous running bluegrass festival in the world, will take place at the Bill Monroe Memorial Bluegrass Music Park & Campground in Bean Blossom (Brown County), Indiana. Hope River Entertainment Press - Flyer - Performance schedule

AUSSIE NEWS
See the Australia artists doing the country proud at the CMA Music Festival 2014, strengthening their Tamworth/Nashville Sister City relationship! - Facebook Gallery

NEWS
Snapshot Country Aircheck's Insider Artist News:
June 6, 2014 [LP Field: Fireworks at 2014 CMA Music Festival, CMT Music Awards, Rocking Charity: Taylor Swift]
June 10, 2014 [The King Rides Away: Best Fest Ever: Highlights from the CMA Music Festival's LP Field]

Dolly Gets Randy: Randy Travis was actually in attendance at Dolly Parton’s Thackerville, Okla., show on Saturday, May 31, and seemed to be in good spirits. “There are some people you just love and admire for their talents,” she said from the stage. “Tonight, one of those people are here. I actually think he is hiding somewhere way back there or dressed up like Kenny Rogers. But anyway, Randy Travis is here. So wherever you are, I hope you are enjoying the show.” - Read More/ Photos

2014 CMA FESTIVAL


Did she use those scissors on her skirt? LeAnn Rimes sizzles in slinky white dress with thigh-high slit as she cuts ribbon to kick off CMA Music Festival… Read More Daily Mail

Ashley Monroe Breaks Hearts, Sings New Music During CMA Fest Showcase at 3rd and Lindsley on Thursday June 5, 2014
Relive the 2014 CMA Music Festival with video recaps and photos! - CMA World
2014 CMA Music Festival (June 5-8 in Nashville) - Video Playlist

CMA Fest 2014 Night 1: Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw Kick Off Festival’s Nightly Shows
Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw and other top acts helped get CMA Music Festival off to a blistering start at the first night of evening concerts at Nashville’s LP Field, Thursday (June 5). Fans jammed the football stadium, home to the city’s NFL Tennessee Titans, for a six-pack of headliners featuring Luke, Tim, Alabama, Brantley Gilbert, Dierks Bentley and Rascal Flatts.

Country Superstars Kick Off 2014 CMA Fest LP Field Shows (DAY ONE) -Taste Of Country
Miranda Lambert + Others Thrill Fans With CMA Fest LP Field Shows (DAY TWO) Taste Of Country
Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line reward Soaked Fans During CMA Fest LP Field Show (DAY THREE) Taste Of Country

June 10, 2014 Country Aircheck's Insider Artist News: Best Fest Ever: Highlights from the CMA Music Festival's LP Field

Rollingstone Country: 37 Best Things We Saw at CMA Music Fest 2014….The underlying theme at this year's CMA Music Festival, which wrapped up its four-day run on Sunday, was
one of re-discovery: 
Both new acts and veterans reminded us just how powerful country music can be with performances that ranged from the massive (Miranda Lambert at LP Field) to the intimate (Striking Matches at the HGTV Lodge)
Best Unsigned Duo: The Muddy Magnolias / Best Nostalgia: Alabama / Best Breakfast: Charlie Worsham /
Best Late Night Jam: Marty Stuart and Friends / Best All-Star Audience: Ashley Monroe /
Best Faces Behind the Songs: ASCAP Songwriters Round (Josh Kear, Jessi Alexander, Chris DeStefano and Ashley Gorley)
Best Time Performing: Striking Matches /  Best Performer Under Pressure: Jamie Lynn Spears - Her set showed no traces of her teen-mom notoriety, hand-me-down hang-ups from big sister Britney, nor the intrinsic challenges of being a country newbie.
Even better news? The girl sang her Louisiana guts out. Amid "y'all"-laden banter and a few songs from her brand new debut EP (including the twangtastic romp, "Shotgun Wedding," and the weepy single, "How Could I Want More"), Spears tackled Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" — memo to her critics, perhaps? — and even teased the crowd with a few bars of "Oops I Did It Again." The youngest Spears should look back fondly at the 2014 CMA Fest, as it may have been the unofficial kickoff to her country music career.
Best Up-and-Comer: MamaDear / Best Cult Fan Base: Big Smo / Best Surprise Stage Presence: Dakota Bradley

Daily Mail - Jamie Lynn Spears puts on a long and leggy show in military-inspired playsuit as she poses with fans at the CMA Music Festival
Daily Mail No chance of her blending in! Kellie Pickler rocks out in camouflage top as she takes the CMA Festival stage in Nashville.

CMA fest draws 80,000: The CMA Music Festival, which ended Sunday after four days in downtown Nashville, matched last year's attendance record of 80,000 fans per day. The event sold out a record 15 weeks in advance. "The advance sell out speaks to the strength of the event with our fans," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern. "The popularity of our artists and the entertainment value of this festival is what drove attendance and filled the streets of downtown Nashville." Attendance figures for 2014 include 4-day ticket packages and promotional tickets, as well as attendance in Fan Fair X, and free areas downtown. In all, more than 450 artists participated in more than 150 hours of concerts on 11 different stages.
"Country music is reaching a broader and more diverse audience than ever and we believe these shifts have an impact on our attendee base," said Karen Stump,
Findings from this year's survey indicated:
  • 50 percent of attendees were attending for the first time (48 percent in 2013)
  • Among first time attendees, 52 percent were visiting Nashville for the first time
  • 17 percent of first time attendees reported they had become a fan of the genre recently (within the past one to five years)
  • 52% said they were under the age of 40 (Up from 50% in 2013).
Grand Ole Opry at CMA Music Fest - Facebook Gallery

CMR Nashville ["Europe's #1 Country Music Radio Station"]: Another CMR Nashville Showcase at The Bridgestone Arena Glass Tower with American Young, Shantell Ogden, Pete Kennedy, and Sam Hollyman. 
UK's Sam Hollyman:
Signing at CMA Festival booth
Full house and invited back to do it all again next year - Image
Lee Williams (Django Promotions, 2013 CMA International broadcaster, CEO CMR Nashville) writes: “The CMA Fest is now over and what a fantastic and productive time it was. I would like to thank all the following artists who made our showcases so successful. Pete Kennedy, Sam Hollyman, Shantell Ogden, American Young, Allan Craig Miller, Sonia Leigh, Justine Blazer, Erica Sunshine Lee, Brooke Eden, Connie Kis Anderson, 12N, and Shantell's musicians. Also Manuel, Dawn at Kore Pr, the Nashville Visitors Bureau, Jeff Walker, Cameron Tilbury and so many more. If I missed anyone I apologise in advance. We have developed a real family and a lot of love was shown by everyone. We are looking forward to doing it all over again next CMA Fest.

Did she use those scissors on her skirt? Set for the snip: LeAnn Rimes opens the CMA Music Festival - Image - Image
City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game during the CMA Festival June 7, 2014 - Sara Evans and Brian Kelley -
Jamie Lynn Spears, Scotty McCreery, Jana Kramer, and Lauren - Image

2014 CMA Festival Onstage LP Field Performances (Photos) :
Brantley Gilbert - Image  Thomas Rhett, Brantley Gilbert, and Justin Moore Image - * Image
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill - Image - Image
Dierks Bentley - Image Luke Bryan - Image The Band Perry - Image
Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood - Image - Image - Image - Image
Eric Church - Image Lzzy Hale & Eric Church - Image - Keith Urban - Image - Image
Darius Rucker - Image Keith Urban and Karen Fairchild (Little Big Town) - Image * Image
Tyler Hubbard, Keith Urban, and Brian Kelley - Image - Image
Kimberly Schlapman and Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town - Image - * Image
Oak Ridge Boys - Image Charlie Daniels Band (Chris Wormer, Charlie Daniels, and Bruce Brown) - Image - Image
Thomas Rhett - Image  Richie Sambora and Zac Brown - Image
Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum - Image - Image
Hunter Hayes - Image Brad Paisley - Image - Image
CMA Music Festival wraps up another year - * The Tennessean

MUSIC NEWS
Union of Independent Music Artists Newsletter : Digital Distribution and the Unsigned Artist by Lucy Zirins
We live in a digital age. There is no denying that the internet and social media are still growing, and mobile technology such as smart phones and tablets are advancing fast and becoming ever more affordable. This in turn is having a direct impact on the way we create, distribute, find, listen to and share music. Digital music is easy to share online an it’s easy to transport on small devices. However, whilst the digital download format is growing, there’s also proof that streaming is beginning to blow a hole in the potential market growth and download revenue of iTunes and other retailers, with download sales falling last year[iv]. This is of course affecting the revenue that both signed and independent artists who choose to digitally distribute receive. They are not only losing some amount of downloads to those who choose to stream their music, but the streaming revenue itself also provides a very small amount of money per play. That’s not even accounting for the losses that artists are already making thanks to illegal downloading too….

SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS
Jason Derulo has remixed Florida Georgia Line's "This Is How We Roll" single, it was released Digitally on US iTunes June 4, 2014.

21-year old Pop/Country twins Megan & Liz [Mace] (Born Nov 21, 1992) from Edwardsburg, Michigan (who now reside in Nashville), released their Simple Life EP on June 3, 2014. It made a debut at #10 on UK iTunes Top Country Albums. Listen to lead off track "Simple Life" and track 4 called >> "New at This" - UK iTunes - Amazon.com

Lee Brice will release his new album, I DON'T DANCE, on September 9. The project features the hit title track, which Lee wrote for his wedding dance with wife, Sara. Making the album was a real labor of love for Lee.  He says, "I wanted to have control over every drumbeat, every lick. It was a lot of really sitting down and thinking about every little piece that goes into a song."
Lee even played every instrument on the song "Girls in Bikinis," and played banjo for the first time on an album on the track, "Sirens." I Don't Dance is the follow-up to Lee's gold-selling album, HARD 2 LOVE.

Brad Paisley branched out to include a rapper, a rocker and several other unexpected elements on his last album, Wheelhouse. Now that he's tried all that, Brad is back to just making the best album he can make with his upcoming release, MOONSHINE IN THE TRUNK. Brad tells Rolling Stone Country, "I hope [Moonshine in the Trunk] is something that you can put in your car and you'll remember a lot of things about it right first listen, and it'll also go down fairly smooth. But at the same time, I think you'll see the creativity, too. There's not phoning anything in on this record."

Little Big Town released a new single >> "Day Drinking" (Writers: Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Jimi Westbrook, Barry Dean & Troy Verges) Jun 03, 2014 on US iTunes

PRESS RELEASES
  • Craig Morgan was presented with a plaque by F3 Entertainment commemorating the country star’s milestone reach of 1 million Facebook likes 
  • Lorrie Morgan celebrated 30th Anniversary as Grand Ole Opry Member during CMA Music Festival. Born in 1959, Lorrie made her Opry stage debut early, introduced at the Ryman Auditorium by her proud father. “My little 13-year-old knees were absolutely knocking,” she recalls. “But Dad was standing there right beside me with big tears in his eyes, and those people gave me a standing ovation. I thought, ‘This is what I’m doing the rest of my life.’”
  • Chris Young cancelled his Friday’s planned CMA Music Festival signing following injury to left hand
  • George Strait shattered Indoor Concert Attendance Records for North America (breaking a record initially set by The Rolling Stones in 1981) With 104,793 in attendance at the AT&T Stadium in ARLINGTON, TX on June 7th and the top names in country music joining him for the final ride of Quicken Loans Presents: The Cowboy Rides Away Tour. Three-Hour Concert Showcased an Impressive 40-Song Set List including 20 of Strait’s Amassed 60 No. 1 Singles. See Setlist + Photo
  • MOONPIE, one of America’s best-loved brands, has enlisted Craig Morgan, to help send free MoonPies to our U.S. troops!
  • Singer-Songwriting icon Chris Smither revisits, Reimagines 24 Favorites on new Two-CD Retrospective, Still On The Levee, out July 22 on Signature Sounds.
  • Josh Turner appeared on the fourth hour of "Today" on Tuesday, June 10 to discuss his First Book, Man Stuff: Thoughts On Faith, Family, And Fatherhood.
  • On Tuesday, June 10, the award-winning bluegrass duo, The Roys, released the first single, "No More Lonely," from their highly-anticipated album The View, set to be released in September. The song celebrates a fresh, optimistic look at life and the dismissal of former anguish with the discovery of one's "true love."
  • Jerrod Niemann to headline Historical Ryman Auditorium
  • Red River Entertainment releases The Truckin’ Sessions Trilogy: Dale Watson adds 3rd to Truckin’ Sessions Collection
  • Kelley Mickwee of The Trishas steps out on her own with YOU USED TO LIVE HERE. Austin singer-songwriter embraces her soulful Memphis roots on solo debut, due July 22. Listen to Track 2 on soundcloud
ARTICLES
Alan Cackett : Ward Thomas Feature.They are the kind of act whose future literally seems unlimited.
Daily Mail: Miranda Lambert's private jet forced to make emergency landing in West Virginia after losing pressure
Taste Of Country - George Strait’s Final Concert Breaks National Attendance Record [Pictures]


REVIEWS
For The Country Record Jamie Lynn Spears ‘The Journey’ – EP Review


INTERVIEWS
Brandy Clark Talks Songwriting, Honesty in Music, and More — A CMM Interview  Extract: Do you have any new music in the works?..I am writing and just getting started on a new record. When I say getting started I mostly mean trying to create a concept and decide what songs are going to fit on it. For me when I think of a record I like to start with a concept. I did that with “12 Stories” and I will do that again with the next one because it worked. With “12 Stories” I started with talking to my producer and telling him I wanted to do something that is was either like the day in the life of one woman, or the length of relationship. We ended up not doing either of those things exactly, but I felt like by just having that in our heads it helped us focus in and pick songs. There were some songs that were better songs that ended up not being on “12 Stories” just because they didn’t fit….

Katie Nicholas the Liverpool singer-songwriter talks to rhythmcircus.co.uk Extract: Thanks for taking some time out of the studio to chat with Rhythm circus. What are you currently working on? Thanks for having me. I’m currently working on my first EP/Album… and it’s about time! I’ve been releasing my music for a while now, and a lot of people seem shocked that I haven’t got a collective album to show for it – so now I’m working on finishing touches and will be releasing it by the end of Summer 2014. It’s an amazing feeling to know your ideas are actually coming together and working

BOOKS
Taylor Swift loves to read, and now she's encouraging others to do the same. She appears on a new poster for the American Library Association's Celebrity READ project, sporting a red dress, red lips and holding a copy of Lois Lowry's classic young adult book The Giver. 
That's no accident, of course, since Taylor appears in the movie version of The Giver, which opens August 15. Details at alastore.ala.org






MAGAZINES
Miranda Lambert Womens Health (USA June 2014 Issue; Cover + Pages 56 - 59)




Miranda Lambert had already placed her hubby Blake Shelton on a diet, but it’s also good to know that she definitely practices what she preaches. Miranda is on the cover of Us Weekly’s latest issue and she looks great after losing a reported 45 pounds.
Whatever she’s doing — it’s totally working!! She talks Carrie Underwood Duet, Song About Weight Struggles, New Album and More: usmagazine.com Read her latest news usmagazine.com/miranda-lambert
Read more: How She Shed 45 Pounds — Easy Food Swaps at Hollywood Life.com
She told Us Weekly that she decided to lose weight after a few unflattering photos of her were picked up by tabloids. (You know how you feel when a friend tags a bad photo of you on Facebook? Imagine that, only way, way worse!) So she tried Nutrisystem to jumpstart her diet but eventually decided that following a balanced diet and increasing her exercise routine were ultimately the right options for her. Specifically, she’s eating more high fiber foods, like fruits and vegetables, grilled chicken and nuts and limiting high-calorie less healthy favorites like cheetos and fried chicken. She’s also paying attention to portion size, basically cutting her old meals in half. But it’s her workout routine that’s our favorite part of the story: According to Us Weekly, Miranda is putting herself through the paces without a trainer, doing her own workout of running, walking, stairs, and more. (Like the rest of us, she knows what to do—it’s just a matter of doing it!) Plus, she does this all while jamming out to Britney Spears!
Read more at dietsinreview.com
Miranda is on the front cover of Rolling Stone Country Magazine (Issue 1211 June 19, 2014)

LISTEN
J T Hodges new single "Already High" at media.netwurk.com

WATCH

  • Native Run "Good On You" (Vevo Lyric Video)
  • A lyric video for "Lost" from UK native Callaghan's upcoming new album recorded at House of Blues studio, Nashville TN
  • Marie Miller "Make The Most of Me" (Curb Records Amazon.com first published Dec 2011) and "6'2" from her You're Not Alone EP available on UK iTunes
COUNTRY FASHION
ICYMI: 2014 CMT Music Awards - A review of the Winners, performances and full coverage of all the CMT Red Carpet fashion.

COUNTRY GOSSIP
Jason Aldean brought his new girlfriend Brittany Kerr to walk the red carpet with him before the 2014 CMT Music Awards on Wednesday night (June 4). It was their first public appearance together, and he's apparently moving on with his life, as they say.
Kerr is an aspiring model and singer who was a contestant on American Idol in 2012. She is a former NBA dancer for the Charlotte Bobcats, and when she auditioned for Idol, she sang the hell out of Joss Stone's "Spoiled." Once Idol was over, Kerr and Aldean met and later found themselves the subject of tabloid gossip when she was seen kissing Aldean while he was still married to Jessica Ussery, his wife of 12 years. On the red carpet, Aldean wore his signature jeans, boots and cowboy hat, while Kerr wore a seriously gorgeous white body-con halter dress. Aldean filed for divorce in April 2013.



PHOTO
Jana Kramer & Brantley Gilbert attend the 2014 CMT Music Awards -  Image

George Strait's Texas-Sized Farewell: Photos From His Final Tour Stop at AT&T Stadium on June 7, 2014 in Arlington, Texas:
The King of Country is joined by Sheryl Crow, Eric Church and more as he performs the last show of his touring career - Rollingstone.com
Miranda Lambert performs "How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls" and "Run" onstage with George Strait - Image * -  Image
Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert and Kenny Chesney backstage Image - Image
Miranda Lambert and Randy Travis - Image

BIRTHDAYS
June 11: The late Wilma Burgess (1939; died August 26, 2003; aged 64), Cindy Church
June 12: Chris Young (1985)
June 13: The late Slim Dusty  (1927;  David Gordon Kirkpatrick; died Sept 19, 2003; aged 76)
June 15: Terri Gibbs (1954), Michael Britt (Lonestar) (1966), the late Waylon Jennings (1937; died Feb 13, 2002; aged 64)

R.I.P
Steel Guitar Hall of Famer Weldon Myrick, an instrumental force in country music for half a century, died Monday (June 2nd, 2014) at Saint Thomas Hospital, after suffering a stroke. He was 76. Mr. Myrick's first indelible contribution to country music came on July 16, 1964, when he played steel guitar on "Once a Day," the Bill Anderson-penned song that became an eight-week No. 1 country hit and provided an entrance into the mainstream for Connie Smith. Mr. Myrick's steel graces Bill Anderson's "Bright Lights and Country Music," Jerry Jeff Walker's "Mr. Bojangles," Donna Fargo's "Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A.," Delbert McClinton's "Victim of Life's Circumstances," Linda Ronstadt's "Long Long Time," Alan Jackson's "Chattahoochee," George Strait's "Let's Fall to Pieces Together," Ronnie Milsap's "Houston Solution" and many more. 

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