Country Bites News snippets October 15 - October 19, 2012
SOURCES / LINKS Shown in RED
UK & IRISH News
John Hogan, who is celebrating 25 years in the music business, is one of the stars of a country music weekend set to take place at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone, next month. John and special guest Johnny Mullen will perform on Friday, November 16.
Showing them how it's done! Taylor Swift dazzles with energetic performance on the UK’s X Factor's results show on Sunday Oct 14. The singer held a pink microphone and was surrounded by backing dancers as she energetically performed her number one single “We Are Nenver Ever Getting Back Together” .
Despite her enormous success, Taylor admitted to Dermot O'Leary she still gets a case of the stage frights every once in a while.
She told the X Factor host she was 'scared of everything', but added: 'I still get nervous but it helps that you have such a terrific audience – Full report and pictures at www.dailymail.co.uk
Taylor Swift performing "Never" "Live" (pre-recorded earlier this month (Oct 5th),she performed it during a special show.) on X-Factor >> YouTube
UK Charts News:
Offical UK Singles Chart: Taylor Swift - "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" was down from #10 - #12 , her new single "I Knew You Were Trouble' debut's at #23 and in its second week "Red" was down from #26 - #41.
Faith Hill - thanks to Carolynne Poole's performance on the UK's X Factor "There You'll Be" enters at #47
Lady Antebullum - "Need You Now" dropped 26 places, #69 from #43
Official UK Album Charts - Just 2 Country albums charted in the Top 100 a) Lady Antebellum NEED YOU NOW at #43 and b) John Denver TAKE ME HOME (Music Digital) at #83 up from #118
Offical UK Country Artist Album Chart - Lady Antebellum's OWN THE NIGHT remains at #1 with Iris Dement's SING THE DELTA at #2
Radio Alert! - Bob Harris Country BBC Radio 2 - In session with "Nashville's amazing Time Jumpers!" For the last few years, the Time Jumpers have been Nashville's best kept secret, but now the news is out, all over town - BBC SHOWPAGE
Radio Alert! - Bob Harris Country BBC Radio 2 - In session with "Nashville's amazing Time Jumpers!" For the last few years, the Time Jumpers have been Nashville's best kept secret, but now the news is out, all over town - BBC SHOWPAGE
(CMA World Press Oct 19, 2012) CMA Presents Northern Ireland’s Brian D’arcy with CMA International Broadcaster Award - During a recent visit to London, Brian D’Arcy was surprised with the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award by CMA Director of International Relations Bobbi Boyce. D’Arcy broadcasts a weekly show on BBC Radio Ulster and is a frequent contributor to RTE Radio. Until recently, D’Arcy, who is known throughout Ireland as a priest and humanitarian, also broadcast a weekly inspirational show on BBC Radio 2.
 |
| Brian D'Arcy |
He is a long-time supporter of Country Music and has covered the CMA Awards annually since his first trip to cover “Country Music’s Biggest Night™” in 1972. He is a regular contributor to the Chris Evans Show on BBC Radio 2 in “Pause for Thought,” and he has been writing professionally about Country Music since 1967. In that time, he has interviewed all of the greats in the industry.
D’Arcy is also an author (with 14 books to his name), a newspaper columnist, journalist, and chaplain to the entertainment industry. For nearly four decades, he has written a weekly column in Sunday World, which has the largest readership across Ireland and Northern Ireland with more than a million readers.
He said on receiving the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award, “I was not just surprised but truly shocked to receive this prestigious Award. It is the most rewarding recognition I’ve had or will have, as a broadcaster. I’ve devoted my broadcasting career to the promotion of good Country Music because I believe in Country Music and its people. The Award will have place of pride in my life. I’m sincerely grateful to all who brought this about.”
The CMA International Broadcaster Award recognizes outstanding achievement by radio broadcasters outside the United States who have made important contributions toward the development of Country Music in their country - Previous winners
UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES
(8 Oct 2012) Mindy Smith - The Essential (Welk)
(16 Oct 2012) James Hand - Mighty Lonesome Man (Hillgrass Bluebilly Records/ 12trks 34:23mins )
( 22 Oct 2012) Matraca Berg - Love's Truck Stop (Proper Records)
(22 Oct 2012) Kasey Chambers - Wreck & Ruin (Welk Music Group)
(22 Oct 2012) Billy Ray Cyrus - Change My Mind - Amazon UK CD Format
(29 Oct 2012) Tift Merritt - Traveling Alone [VINYL] [Double LP]
AUSSIE NEWS
The top three places on Country Tracks Top 30 singles chart remain unchanged with Harmony James' “Emmylou's Guitar” is at number one, Adam Brand's There Will Be Love at #2 while Roo Arcus' This Here Cowboy stands at three.
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson's Adam & Eve bounds up three places to number four, Tamara Stewart's “Sisterhood” (Of Feeling Good) is steady at five and The Bobkatz' “Underneath The Hat” is also up three places to number six
BLUEGRASS NEWS
Rural Rhythm Records proudly announced a new album release, CHRONOLOGY, VOLUME THREE by the award-winning LONESOME RIVER BAND. A commemorative 3 CD Collector’s Edition of the CHRONOLOGY VOLUMES ONE – THREE is now available exclusively at the band’s live shows and on their website. Rural Rhythm Press
Rural Rhythm Records announced a new self-titled album release by AMERICAN DRIVE. The band made their debut during their Official Showcase at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass last month in Nashville. Blurb: This performance highlighted the group’s brand of high octane bluegrass and earned them a well deserved standing ovation.
The band includes the top talents of: Rickey Wasson (Lead/Harmony Vocals, Guitar), Dwight McCall (Lead/Harmony Vocals, Mandolin), Matt Despain (Lead/Harmony Vocals, Resonator Guitar) and Kyle Perkins (Bass). (Rural Rhythm Press)
Lee Roy of the award-winning brother/sister duo THE ROYS was honoured Monday when he received a plaque from Power Source Magazine for his Number 1 Inspirational Country Single, "I Wonder What God's Thinking." The presentation took place during Day 2 of Inspirational Country Music Week (October 14-18) aboard the historic General Jackson Showboat. (press Release)
Carrie Hassler hit the #1 spot on the SiriusXM Radio Bluegrass Junction Most Played Tracks chart for October 2012 with her song “Luxury Liner.” The tune is the first single release from her current album, THE DISTANCE produced by Steve Gulley. The album appears on the October SiriusXM Bluegrass Junction Most Played Albums chart and debuted earlier this year at #10 on Billboard’sTop 10 Bluegrass Album Chart (retail sales). (Source - Rural Rhythm Records)
Ricky Skaggs will be headlining the 15th annual Concert For Cumberland Heights On Thurs, Dec 6th At Nashville, TN’s Ryman Auditorium. “A Skaggs Family Christmas”, which will also feature Country trio The Whites (which includes Skagg’s wife Sharon, sister-in-law Cheryl and father-in-law Buck White), will be a holiday-themed variety-style show.
NEWS
Taylor Swift played 'VH1 Storytellers' show for about 3,000 students from five Claremont colleges. Rather than hunkering down over their books, students piled into Pomona College's Bridges Auditorium and spent most of the evening with Taylor Swift, who used the opportunity to tape a new edition of “VH1 Storytellers” , which will air on Sunday, November 11. Swift held the equivalent of a master class in pop music stardom at the college, which won her national contest to host the singer-songwriter for a concert. Swift engaged easily with a handful of students selected to ask questions, bantered with those who brought handmade signs proclaiming their devotion to the evening’s star, and shared backstories on older songs as well as some from her soon-to-be-released fourth album, “Red,” due Oct. 22.
Wanna get a Pizza of Taylor? - Taylor Swift and Papa John’s this week announced that they are getting together with for the highly anticipated release of the six-time Grammy-winning superstar’s latest CD, RED.
Papa John’s is offering customers the opportunity to engage with the brand and Taylor’s new CD through a variety of channels, including the ability to purchase RED and a large one-topping pizza for $22 in-store or at www.papajohns.com beginning Oct. 22.
Promotional components of the partnership between the mega-star and the world’s third largest pizza company include a customized four-color large pizza box, in-store point-of-purchase elements and a Web page – all featuring Taylor’s image from the Red CD cover.
Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran's duet, “Everything Has Changed”, has leaked online (PA). Written in her back yard, Swift recently explained how the track came to be, explaining that it focuses on 'the feeling of when you first meet someone and all of a sudden the way that the world looks to you changes'.
The track is set to feature on Swift's upcoming album Red and the >> recording appears to be of a live, acoustic jam session between the pair.
'Everything looks different to you because of this one person, because one new person came into your life. It's really cool,' she added. Discussing how she managed to hook up with The A-Team singer, Swift said it was a mutually beneficial partnership.'I had management reach out and at the same time he was having his management reach out to me because we both wanted to work together at the same time,' she said.
 |
| Ed Sheeran |
Both 'Lego House' star Ed and country-pop star Taylor have been complimentary about each other over the past year, with Ed recently describing Taylor as a "really sound person" who was nice to everyone they met during his stay.
Taylor Swift's highly-anticipated fourth studio album, RED, arrives in stores on October 22nd, and Taylor will make several national TV appearances during release week to launch the Big Machine Records album.
Red is already making huge inroads at both radio and retail. Individual digital paid song download sales have already exceeded 3.8 million, and the album's lead single, ""We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" has been officially certified Double Platinum
Oct 22 - A select group of Taylor's Twitter followers and Facebook friends will join her in New York, where they will literally "follow" her during her release week events, providing live updates to millions of fans around the world via social media postings. Taylor currently has more than 19.7 million Twitter followers and 34.9 million Facebook likes.
- Oct 23 & 24th Taylor will be live in Times Square for ABC's "Good Morning America"
- Oct 23 - She will be the lead guest and perform on "The Late Show with David Letterman"
- Oct 24 - Taylor will be live on ABC's "The View" for a performance and chat
- Oct 25 - She will make a special concert appearance on the "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."
- Oct 26, she will guest on ABC's "Katie" with Katie Couric and that same evening she will be featured on ABC's "All Access Nashville with Katie Couric – A Special “Women Of Country” Edition of 20/20" primetime special (9:00 ET/PT).
- Also, the week of October 22nd will be "Taylor Swift Week" on "Entertainment Tonight," and Taylor will also be interviewed next week on "Access Hollywood," "E! News," and "Extra."
- In addition to her TV appearances that week, Taylor will sit down for a live Q&A session with an audience at the SiriusXM studios in New York.
- After the New York media events, Taylor will return to Nashville, where she'll take part in the Taylor Swift Worldwide Radio Remote presented by Papa John's.
 |
| Tay and Katie Couric |
With 72 stations broadcasting live from Music City on Friday, October 26th, the radio event will cover four formats--Country, CHR, Hot AC, AC--and five continents, with stations from as far away as South Africa and New Zealand. Read more
Country artist T.G. Sheppard was admitted to the hospital on Sunday (10/14) for a bladder infection that had spread into his bloodstream. According to his wife Kelly Lang, Sheppard is currently in the Critical Care Unit. Both of them had just performed at the R.O.P.E. Awards Banquet
VALORY CO. artist Thomas Rhett, married his longtime girlfriend, Lauren Gregory on Friday (10/12) just outside of Nashville.
The couple got engaged last December and is currently on their Honeymoon in HAWAII
Nominees “Eli Young Band, Brantley Gilbert, reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Lady Antebellum, and reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton join the performance lineup for The 46th Annual CMA Awards on Nov 1st on ABC TV
Darius Rucker was formally inducted into the Grand Ole Opry family on Tues Oct 16th this by Opry member Vince Gill.
Presenting Rucker with the Opry Member Award, Gill said, “I don’t think there’s a more beloved guy in our music than you. … Before you even open your mouth and sing a song you’ve written, everybody is really crazy about you. You will find this place right here to be one of the greatest homes you’ll ever have. … Thanks for wanting to be a country music singer!” Watch it >> YouTube
Some of the most powerful and emotionally moving voices in music come together to celebrate the holidays on “CMA Country Christmas,” which tapes in front of a live audience Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. The special, which features Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland as host for the third year, airs this holiday season on the ABC Television Network
Artists scheduled to perform and celebrate the season with songs and stories include:
Dierks Bentley, Colbie Caillat, Katherine Jenkins, Lady Antebellum, John Legend, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Nettles, The Band Perry, and Keith Urban.
For the first time, audience members are being encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the taping to help make the holidays brighter for Nashville area children. The Nashville-based, non-profit group Generosity, will have volunteers on site with specially marked bins to collect the toys, which will be distributed to families in need this holiday season. (CMA Press)
The 18th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards rolled out the red carpet at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony for Inspirational Country artists on Oct. 17, 2012 last night. Vince Gill was a big winner of the night, taking home two awards—Mainstream Inspirational Country Song and Mainstream Country Artist. Other winners included Chuck Day for Entertainer of the Year, Joyful Noise for Faith, Family and Country Movie and The Roys for Inspirational Bluegrass Artist.
Highlights of the evening included performances by Mac Powell, performing music from his new country album, as well as moving performances from Andy Griggs, John Berry, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver and Crawford Crossing.
The 18th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards Winners:
Entertainer Of The Year:Chuck Day
Male Vocalist:Chuck Hancock Female Vocalist:Laura Dodd
Vocal Duo / Vocal Duo Performance:Branded Vocal Group Or Band:Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Mainstream Inspirational Country Song:“Threaten Me With Heaven” Vince Gill
Mainstream Country Artist:Vince Gill Christian Country Song:“Jesus Is Enough” Russ Murphy
Songwriter:Chuck Hancock New Artist:Larissa
Video:“Loves Gotta Go Somewhere” Steve Richard Inspirational Bluegrass Artist:The Roys
Faith, Family, & Country Movie:Joyful Noise
Full Iist of winners at www.faithfamilycountry.com or graphic
Related Post - THE ROYS Take Home ICM Bluegrass Artist of the Year Award For Second Consecutive Year
THE ROYS have been named Inspirational Country Music's Bluegrass Artist of the Year for 2012, giving them back-to-back wins in this category. "We sing what is in our hearts and true to our Faith," comments Elaine Roy. "It was a very strong group of nominees - everyone deserved this award," notes her brother Lee. "Elaine and I are so honored to win this for the second year in a row."
The brother/sister duo kicked off the 20th Anniversary Faith, Family & Country™ Awards Show with a performance of the title track from their current EP, NEW DAY DAWNING (Read more - Rural Rhythm Press)
Garth Brooks heads for Country Hall of Fame, looks ahead....Garth Brooks will spend Sunday (Oct 21) looking back when he's inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, touching on some of the greatest moments of the most electric career in country history. "It's so exciting," Brooks said. "I'm trying to be somewhat professional or somewhat have manners or something, but I'm probably going to be Garth and fall apart." ..... George Strait said in an email interview that Brooks "transcends country music." His gifts were apparent immediately when he arrived in Nashville, and they retain their gravity even in his retirement.
"He opened a show for me somewhere, and I remember someone telling me he was sitting on the stage hanging his feet over singing to the crowd," Strait recalled. "I thought to myself, 'I'm not sure this is going to work out for the boy.' Hah, what do I know? Read the Full article at tennessean.com (AP)
SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS
Taylor Swift previewed her 5th track, from soon to be released album RED, with this weeks brand new single "State Of Grace" on >> Good Morning America on Monday (Oct 15) - "I wrote this song about when you first fall in love with someone, the possibilities," Swift revealed , continuing "And, you know, kind of thinking about the different ways it could go. It's a really big sound -- to me, it sounds like the feeling of falling in love in an epic way."
With its somewhat Coldplay-meets-'80s-U2-outtake vibe it should prove a winner at big stadium shows.
Billboard thought that Swift’s sonic reconfiguring aligned her more with contemporary arena rock acts: “Pounding drums, throbbing guitar lines and elongated syllables mark the country star’s boldest foray into the all-encompassing arena rock of Muse, The Temper Trap and even U2. ‘Love is a ruthless game, unless you’re playing good and right,’ Swift concludes midway through a song that has sweeping emotion squarely in its crosshairs.”
The Detroit News raved about the epic production: “’State of Grace’ — the opening track on Red — feels like something of a game-changer for Swift, a big-time, grown-up rock anthem that feels like it’s wrapping its arms around the top row of the cheap seats. It’s like U2′s ‘City of Blinding Lights,’ and utilizes many of Edge’s tech-y guitar tricks”
Taylor doesn’t appear to be aligning herself to any particular genre.She has always said that when she starts writing a song, she never thinks about what type of radio station would play it
It was promptly released: Oct 16, 2012 on US ITunes (Genres: Country, Music, 2012 Big Machine Records, LLC)
Hunter Hayes has released a five-track Live EP but you can only get it currently on US iTunes. It includes his No. 1 hit “Wanted” as well as his debut single “Storm Warning.” Hunter Hayes: Live track listing: 1. Storm Warning 2. Wanted 3. Somebody’s Heartbreak
4. More Than I Should 5. Love Makes Me
The ‘A Very Special Christmas’ holiday music series, benefitting Special Olympics, will celebrate its 25th anniversary this holiday season with the release of two new albums of holiday music advancing the Special Olympics movement and bringing joy and peace to athletes and their families around the world. The CD A Very Special Christmas BRINGING JOY TO THE WORLD has country offerings from Vince Gill “Breath Of Heaven (Mary’s Song),” Amy Grant “Tennessee Christmas,” Jewel “Angels We Have Heard On High,” Martina McBride“Please Come Home for Christmas,” and Rascal Flatts “Mary, Did You Know” more details at
Are you already wide-eyed, lookin’ for cookies and cards, boxes and bows and days when it snows? – If so then 2011 Dove Awards’ “Artist of the Year,” Francesca Battistelli, new Christmas release album, CHRISTMAS, may interest, out on Fervent Records.
Blurb: Produced by Dove Award winner Ian Eskelin, this 11-track album beautifully blends Christmas classics along with newly-penned tunes. Produced by Ian Eskelin, the traditional songs include: "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "Marshmallow World," "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," "The Christmas Song," "What Child Is This? (First Noel Prelude)," "Go Tell It On The Mountain," and "Joy To The World."
The new songs all co-written by Battistelli are: "Heaven Everywhere," "Christmas Is," "Christmas Dreams" and "You re Here."– Amazon.com CD Format - Amazon UK CD Format (Out 12 Nov 2012) - SPOTIFY
In addition, Battistelli is the only artist featured on both versions of A Very Special Christmas, Word Record’s A Very Special Christmas: Bringing Peace on Earth and A Very Special Christmas 25th Anniversary benefiting the Special Olympics, also in stores today.
Thompson Square gave fans a sneak peek of a new Single “If I Didn’t Have You” at www.thompsonsquare.com It’s out on October 30, 2012 the first song from a forthcoming new album. It has a very much Lady Antebellum feel to it and Keifer Thompson
spills: It’s a song that Shawna and I wrote with Jason Sellers and Paul Jenkins. These are the two guys that we wrote “I Got You” with. The song is a story about two people who rely on each other to get through the tough thing we call life. We all have someone who we can go to for encouragement and this is our story.
On November 13, The Civil Wars will release a seven song EP called UNPLUGGED: THE CIVIL WARS.
ARTICLES
USA Today - On the Verge with country duo Florida Georgia Line
The country duo gets ready for the big time with hit single 'Cruise' and an upcoming debut album.
Billboard 615 Spotlight - The Farm - Fresh Off Debut Hit, Take 'Grateful' Approach … It has been a whirlwind 2012 for The Farm. The trio of Damien Horne, Krista Marie, and Nick Hoffman have crossed several firsts off of their bucket list in 2012.
(music-mix.ew.com) How Mumford & Sons and Taylor Swift are causing a seismic shift in the music industry..
Extract from article: Over in Nashville, there’s a different makeover under way—most likely in response to the gigantic crossover success of Taylor Swift. The lovesick starlet has always blurred the line between poppy country and countrified pop, but when she unveiled her recent singles “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “I Knew You Were Trouble,” there was no denying it: This was a full-on pop album. “Country radio has been a little taken aback,” admits Swift’s label head, Scott Borchetta, President of Big Machine Records....
“This format always does the best,” says Borchetta, “when it serves the most sounds sonically.” That’s why country music is, increasingly, host to the drum machine beats and electric guitars that sound suddenly out of place on pop (and mostly defunct rock) radio. While purists may balk at the rising technological flourishes within the format, Borchetta sees it as inevitable. “You hate to think that that part of the art might be dying, but the reality is, anyone with a Mac can sit down and create a finished song"
CMT OFFSTAGE: Joe Diffie Reacts to Jason Aldean Song..who has a song on his new album about an old era of country music -- the '90s. Or more specifically, "1994."
Rolling Stone - J.D. Souther Stumbles Into His Role in 'Nashville' ...Extract: It's not every actor who receives a "good job" email from Don Henley after his TV series premieres, but J.D. Souther isn't your typical thespian. Sharp-eyed music fans may have done a double take when they saw Souther in the role of fictional country music legend Watty White in ABC's addictive new nighttime soap Nashville.
Chet Flippo on CMT’s NASHVILLE SKYLINE: Jamey Johnson's Big Risk ..His Hank Cochran Tribute Album Is a Landmark
Extract: Chet Flippo on Jamey Johnson’s new album: Johnson has just released a landmark tribute album to Cochran, and I can’t think of a riskier commercial venture in today’s country climate of demanding hits now! Hits now! And youth! Youth! Think young! Think young! Good luck to all the one-hit wonders who are going through this cycle of survival of the fittest. Just imagine the number of would-be and wanna-be Taylor Swift replacements who have been chewed up and then discarded by the Nashville hit machinery over the past few years. Jamey is in no danger of being considered a teen idol, but the notion of a major record label putting out a tribute album to a songwriter who is largely unknown to the entire music-buying public — especially the young music-buying public — is crazy
Reba McEntire Teases 'Malibu Country' Music & Guest Stars ….. Reba McEntire is back at it again on the new sitcom Malibu Country, playing a country music sensation, she teased plenty of music coming from her on the show….Unlike her real-life music career, which has included nine of her 26 studio albums peaking at No. 1 on the country charts, McEntire's character is attempting to revive her music career after moving from Nashville to Malibu. As she reveals, that presents the opportunity for her to make music on the show.
"We hope a lot," she responded when asked how often she will be making music, "because that's what the fans are really asking for. They're really excited about me playing a country singer...I do write a lot of the songs in the show...We've already got two songs in the pilot and the first episode, so we're ready to go with the music."
Viewers can not only expect performances from the legendary country music artist, but potentially from some of McEntire's famous music industry friends, who she has already talked to about making guest appearances on the show...."I've already talked to Blake (Shelton) and Kelly (Clarkson) and they said...that they would appear, so we just got to get the script right when we need 'em in here," she said. "It's got to be honest. Everything about this show's got to be honest." Watch the video
Taylor Swift The Guardian - "I Want To Believe in Pretty Lies"
.. I spend a lot of time balancing between faith and disbelief...Swift Her country-tinged pop narratives of love and romance have made her a superstar. She talks about her new album Red, the importance of fairytales – and her fear that the magic won't last.....Extract: On her current single “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” she offers a sarcastic dismissal: "Hide away and find your peace of mind / With some indie record that's much cooler than mine." "That was the most important line of the song," Swift says. "It was a relationship where I felt very critiqued and subpar. He'd listen to this music that nobody had heard of … but as soon as anyone else liked these bands, he'd drop them. I felt that was a strange way to be a music fan. And I couldn't understand why he would never say anything nice about the songs I wrote or the music I made Photo’s and read more
AOL’s The Boot - The Wanda Jackson Gets Down to 'Unfinished Business'
REVIEWS
Redemption songs go down a storm (Published on Wednesday 17 October 2012 )
Jamey Johnson Leaves Fans Wanting at All-Star Hank Cochran Tribute - Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris and more sing at sweet, but short, Nashville show (Rolling Stone)
Concert Review: Pam Tillis & Lorrie Morgan Grits & Glamour Tour (Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center)
Extract: Both ladies shared a common experience of growing up with the musical heritage of a famous parent – an experience they recollected with fond enthusiasm - being the daughters of singer-songwriter legend Mel Tillis, and of late Opry star George Morgan, respectively.....Then came one of the biggest highlights of the evening as the two closed out the show by tearing into the rousing up-tempo number “I Know What You Did Last Night” – a new song which is to appear on Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan’s forthcoming Grits & Glamour duets record
INTERVIEWS
By the time 35-year-old Georgia native's Jason Aldean wraps his MY KINDA PARTY tour next week in Dallas, he'll have played in front of 2 million ticket buyers. That tour, which began in January 2011, saw Aldean climb from the status of consistent hitmaker to one of country music's biggest stars. He talked to USA Today about his new album NIGHT TRAIN (released Oct 16), his hopes for snagging CMA Entertainer of the Year and celebrity >> Audio
 |
| Jason Aldean Vidcap |
On the album USA Today writes: Aldean is considered progressive by contemporary country standards for embracing rap elements (1994 and The Only Way I Know, with Eric Church and Luke Bryan), amping up the wailing rock guitars and exploring the occasional edgy theme (Black Tears, a sad, dark tale referencing a stripper and drugs).
Newark Star Ledger raved that it is “a country album that leads with its intelligence and muscle. There is no better persuader in Nashville — no artist better suited to convincing the uncommitted pop listener who’d like to give country music a try, but doesn’t know where to start.”
Taylor Swift - Brian Mansfield, Special for USA TODAY..The country/pop superstar branches out musically on new album RED
Taylor Swift's Kennedy Inspiration - Wall Street Journal's Christopher John Farley interviews Miss Taylor Swift about her new album. Extract: You released country and pop versions of your single "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together." Have you gotten any blowback from country radio to your increasing success in the pop world? ....Country radio has been incredibly supportive because we have such a strong relationship. I went on a radio tour when I was 16. They know that I like to explore the edges. And they also know that when I'm going to Japan and say I'm a country artist, that spreads awareness of what country music is. And so it's been amazing to make different kinds of music and still be in the genre that feels like home to me.
Garth Brooks: Honor for the 'Average Guy' - Barry Mazor interviewed Garth Brooks in this Wall Street Journal article.
An excerpt from the interview: With 19 No. 1 singles and dozens more Top 10 hits to his credit, Mr. Brooks has nevertheless focused on the variety, tone and expansiveness of his album releases—still seeing the album as an important link to audiences in this era of digitally downloaded singles. He clearly has that very much in mind as he looks at his own recording future and contemplates making his music available digitally, which he's yet to do. "Because we decided to let technologists run the business instead of music running it, and it worked better for technology to sell singles, I'm not sure today's artists are as iconic as they might have been. So we owe an apology to Taylor Swift. We're losing the passion for the artist as an iconic figure when we're losing the album," he says. "Take an album of mine like 'No Fences'; there's fun stuff on it—'Thunder Rolls,' 'Friends in Low Places'—but what might change your life is 'Wolves' from Stephanie Davis. Or on 'The Chase,' there's 'Face to Face' from Tony Arata, which would never be commercial enough to be a single. . . . It's with album cuts where people become involved fans”
After spending the bulk of his career with Curb/Universal Music Group, he’s now parted ways with the label. No hard feelings, said Lovett, just time to move on. Extract : “My deal has been with the two companies for my career,” said Lovett. “It does feel like the end of an era in my life. A lot of things have changed in the record business since 1986, and I’m eager to be in the new world. I don’t know how it will work yet, but I know I will be able to make records. I’m just glad to have some options.”.....The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) just announced that it will present Lovett with the ASCAP Creative Voice Award during the 50th Annual Country Music Awards on October 29 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville
Good Housekeeping - An Interview with Miranda Lambert -
As outspoken as she is talented, country music star Miranda Lambert opens up about her tough childhood, the bumpy path to becoming Mrs. Blake Shelton, and her favorite Thanksgiving tradition
LISTEN
Billy Ray Cyrus is offering a sneak peak in anticipation of his 13th studio album, CHANGE MY MIND, available on October 23. You can stream the FULL album at AOL Music
Blurb: The album’s title track and lead single, “Change My Mind,” is the perfect introduction to this stellar 10-song collection which harkens back to his roots in bluegrass, Southern rock, gospel, and country music. Produced by GRAMMY nominated, multi award-winning producer Brandon Friesen, Cyrus wrote or co-wrote every song on the upcoming release.
The fresh faced Jess was chosen to represent Canada and perform at this summer’s Country Music Association (CMA) Global Artist Party at The Stage to help kick off CMA Fest 2012
You can also stream Aussie duo O’Shea’s album MR. AND MRS, an 11-track album released 01 July 2011. They were a recent recipient of the 2012 CMAA New Talent of The Year Award - bandcamp.com
SPOTIFY COUNTRY
For users of this online music streaming service here are some of the more recent October additions
Female Artists
Male Artists
Aussie Country
WATCH
Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson new video 'The Quiet Life' , the 2nd single from 'WRECK & RUIN' >> YouTube
Jamey Johnson & Alison Krauss “Make The World Go Away” Live on David Letterman Oct 12, 2012 >> YouTube
Are you lookin' for a good time? Lady Antebellum premieres ‘OWN THE NIGHT’ concert film in Nashville, includes snippets of UK and Europe footage >> YouTube
An interview with The Time Jumpers... Vince Gill, Dawn Sears, "Ranger Doug" Green, Kenny Sears and Dennis Crouch talk about the bands history and the making of the new record >> YouTube Undoubtedly the best album in its idiom you'll hear this year." [5 stars] Country Music People
FREE DOWNLOADS
James Hand new song "Now Not Later", Track 7 from his Oct 16th album release MIGHTY LONESOME MAN download at soundcloud.com
COUNTRY FASHION
Taylor Swift went for the “French Connection” look whilst out & about in London, Get The Look!:
Gina geelong Peter jumper and AG Adriano Goldschmied ankle leggings - French Connection UK £67 & Revolve Clothing.com $178
Credit: Bauer Griffin
Taylor Swift recently was on the cover of the UK’s Marie Claire magazine, Get The Look!:
A spectrum of colors shift in and out of focus, creating a unique print on the silk-chiffon Theyskens' Theory dress.
House of Harlow 1960 Antiqued Arrow Ring in Gold at www.singer22.com - Gianvito Rossi KneeHigh Tassel Boots at www.barneys.com
COUNTRY GOSSIP
ARISTA NASHVILLE artist Brad Paisley is known for his practical jokes and sense of humour. However, a wager that began five years ago with CBS RADIO Country Wycd/ Detroit morning show co-host Steve Grunwald, has now affected an entire tribe in Kenya, Africa , in a positive way. Brad sent Gunwald on a mission. His goal was to purchase and deliver a cow to an African tribal chief in Kenya. Grunwald made the trip and accomplished the task by presenting a young female calf, “Paisley,” to the Chief of the Masai tribe on behalf of Paisley. The traveling saga began in 2007 when Paisley bet Grunwald that he could not travel to 10 countries in 10 days – Grunwald accepted the wager and took along a life-size Paisley cut out to document his travels with photos.
Martina McBride is currently working on a book about cooking, entertaining and tips for the home according to Country Weekly.
“I love to entertain and throw dinner parties. If I wasn't doing this (Country singer), I'd probably be a party planner or something," said Martina. In addition to book writing, she says that she also wants to spend more time on songwriting as well
Word on the street is that Keith Urban is getting so fed up with Mariah Carrey and Niki Minaj fighting on American Idol,’ he told producers he doesn’t want to be a peacemaker all season and he hopes they’ll replace him.
TWEETS
Carrie Underwood @carrieunderwood Song I'm loving right now... "Home to Me" by Sarah Darling. It's so sweet and makes me miss my hubby!
Sarah Darling @_SarahDarling This is one of the most amazing things ever!! Just made my day!! http://instagr.am/p/Q2-KFyE-d5/
Keith Urban – KeithUrban: Such an honor to work with Don Williams today…can’t explain how much it means to me
PHOTO
 |
| Sugarland |
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and his wife were also in attendance for the 34th annual awards show.
Music News Nashville was on hand to capture the red carpet in photos - Gallery
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.