Tuesday 16 September 2014

Country Bites News snippets September 1 – September 7, 2014

Country Bites News snippets September 1 – September 7, 2014

SOURCES / LINKS shown in RED

UK & IRISH News

Security Casualty: Singer songwriters Amy Wadge and Pete Riley were gutted to announce they had to cancel the gig at Norwegian Church in Cardiff on Friday Sept 5th. They were advised to do so due to all of the security measures that had to be put in place in Cardiff for the NATO summit. The church was behind a barricade and access is extremely difficult without clearance. 

For the week commencing 6th September 2014 The Shires radio single “Tonight” has been dropped, after 4 weeks, from the BBC Radio 2 “B” Playlist, it was first added the week of 9th August 2014

Jacqui Sharkey the Scotland born and Irish Republic native has released her second album with 12 track album LOVE AND OTHER THINGS which offers a blend of Mid-Road & Americana Country Music with a Celtic twist.
It is produced by Capercaillie's Manus Lunny and original songs include 'Immigrant' (written by Ian Smith), 'My Perfect Storm'  (written by Jacqui Sharkey & Ian Smith) 'The Longest Time (written by Ron Walton, Bo Walton & Chris Harris) and 'Our Song' (written by Jacqui Sharkey) along with some well known covers with the trad. Folk tune ‘Water Is Wide’ (recorded by Eva Cassidy), ‘You've Got a Friend’ (Carole King), 'Outbound Plane' (written by Nanci Griffith & Thomas G. Russell) and 'Dimming Of The Day' (Richard Thompson). 

Jacqui, popular on the Phil Mack Show circuit, has a voice to compare with and rival the silky smooth Canadian songbird Anne Murray. She has also added her terrific previous single ‘Pretty Words’.   
The album is available to purchase on Amazon UKCD Baby (5391502517734) and UK iTunes


Irish Country Singer Derek Ryan has landed his biggest career achievement to-date with news on Sept 5th that his album THE SIMPLE THINGS had gone straight to the top of the Irish album chart after one week on release, holding off international stars such as Ed Sheeran, Paolo Nutini and Kate Bush from the coveted number one slot.
Earlier in the week he had already become #1 on the Irish download chart and #1 in the UK country chart as well as reaching the Top 40 in the general UK download chart.‘The Simple Things’, released Friday 29th August, is his fifth studio album which includes five of his own original songs (including ‘Hold on to Your Hat’ ‘Flowers in your hair’ and ‘The House that Jack Built’) and includes his biggest hit single ‘Hold On To Your’ featuring Sharon Shannon. 
Speaking of the news from his County Carlow home, Derek said he is elated and wished to thank the thousands of fans who have supported his career over this past three years.
Derek busy with touring commitments insisted that  when he lands in Australia on a two week tour he will toast the success. Raymond Stewart from Sharpe Music congratulated Derek on his achievement and said it was only a matter of time before he became No.1.  Raymond also confirmed that the album was one of the fastest selling CDs his label has released and believes it will be a huge seller at Christmas.

The Phil Mack International Country team will have a lot of interesting footage in coming weeks on Showcase TV after an exciting week or so on their Tennessee trip (sponsored by Tour America,Tennessee Tourism,United Airlines & Sweet Magnolia Tours) Accompanying presenters Phil Mack & Lisa Stanley were Irish artist Shunie Crampsey & Seamus O'Donnell of Videotek Ireland (who arrived in Knoxville after 14 hours since leaving Ireland)
After filming in the UK studios on Weds 3rd September Lisa & Phil flew out to Washington USA only 39 on board out of a capacity of around 260 people on the United Airlines flight from London Heathrow.
Phil Mack International - Tennessee Visit
CLICK to ENLARGE

On Thurs 4th September they visited Clintwood to meet Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley and film at his museum and then visit Hiltons & The Carter Cash Ranch. They got some great footage speaking on camera with Rita Forrester of the Carter family who relives the history of the Carter and Cash clans.
During the trip they were guided and chauffeured by Jay Kirkpatrick of Sweet Magnolia.
Lisa Stanley grabbed an >> interview with T Jae Christian in Nashville Tennessee. On Friday 5th September after leaving The Hilton Doubletree Hotel, Johnson City they drove to Sevierville to tour & film at Pigeon Forge the home of the superstar Dolly Parton followed by >> filming at Dollywood the next day. The award room at Dollywood, holds the numerous awards. Lisa interviewed Wes Ramsey who was permitted to allow them free reign in what has been voted the world's best amusement resort for the past SIX years.

The Phil Mack show were invited to Tennessee Tower on Monday to meet and interview the top tourism Commissioner in the USA, Susan Whitaker, head of tourism for Tennessee, which covers the Country Music capital of the world. Tourism is one of Tennessee's biggest industries, bringing in over $15 billion a year into the local economy. Phil Mack said “This is the proudest moment for Lisa and myself since we started our Country shows”.
Sunday 7th & Monday 8th September saw the team head to Music City for filming at The Ryman Auditorium , The Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Jay Kirkpatrick their constant guide was so welcome and providing seats for the brilliant show and backstage access!
They grabbed an interview at The Willie Nelson Museum in Nashville with Country star David Frizzell who with Merle Haggard and others has just released a tribute CD & DVD to Buddy Holly.
In Studio B Nashville Tennessee the team had tears in their eyes stood on the spot where legends such as Elvis, Jim Reeves, The Everly Brothers. Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton and dozens more recorded their many hits.

On returning to the UK the lovely Lisa Stanley will hook up with Nathan Carter on his tour in Scotland. Then on 26th - 29th September they all meet up with some great artists for their Phil Mack International Country weekend at the Gleneagles Hotel Killarney. >> See promo video
The Phil Mack Show shared a very precious moment from Sunday, when the film crew were invited into the Mausoleum at Woodlawn cemetery Nashville Tennessee:
** MUST SEE ** wonderful footage captured  >> Video  >> Video
The Phil Mack team kindly confirmed with us they are only involved in The Phil Mack International Country Show & Keep It Country Music and are not associated with the new Showcase TV CM&T country show (http://www.cmandt.tv/   Check out last Weds repeat Show  https://vimeo.com/105155511 ) although they did keep the seat warm for the Lee Williams produced show slot which broadcasts Weds (9-10pm). 
The Phil Mack Tennessee tour for 2015 is organised with Tour America.

Listen to Award-Winning Country/ Singer/Songwriter Colin Clyne (11 tracks, total time: 35:50) on soundcloud
According to SRWells Music Promotions Colin has a lot of support in Scotland from Jim Gellatly (voice of new music in Scotland), BBC Scotland and STV ('...a rising star in Scottish music...') for his last album 'Doricana' which was released in 2010 and was produced by Grammy Award Winning Engineer Alan Sanderson. Colin’s newly released album 'The Never Ending Pageant' has been described by STV Aberdeen City as a “truly stunning collection of songs” and charted for a time at No.6 in the UK iTunes Country album chart.

Roots/Bluegrass/Boogie Woogie/Honky-Tonk and Glasgow based artist Daniel Meade has new singles "Long Gone Wrong" & "Help Me Tonight" (featuring Singer/Songwriter Diana Jones) available for digital download from Sept 8, 2014 - Amazon UK UK iTunes . They were recorded in Hendersonville, Tennessee and produced by Morgan Jahnig (photo Left) . Test drive the singles from his new Long Gone Wrong EP at soundcloud
Making music with "Something for those who have lived a little" Meade who has appeared live in session on Ricky Ross' Aonther Country on BBC Radio Scotland, is seemingly on a one man mission to keep the traditions of boogie-woogie and blues alive (with a little bit of help from Jools Holland) and his ten track As Good As Bad Can Be was released back on Sept 25, 2013 which you sample in full on his Bandcamp Page  Daniel Meade and The Flying Mules will open for 
Sturgill Simpson:
Dingwalls, London (Sept 29th),  The Maze at The Forest Tavern, Nottingham (Sept 30th), St. The Tunnels, Bristol (Oct 1st),
Leaf, Liverpool (Oct 2nd ), Whelans, Dublin (Oct 4th ), Oran Mor, Glasgow (Oct 5th) and The Sage, Gateshead (Oct 6th)

1st September 2014 marked the seventh birthday of UKCountryRadio.com, which began broadcasting at 10am on Saturday 1st September 2007. The 6-piece country rock band Grand Prairie accepted their invitation to perform at their 7th Listeners Club Finalist Party (Sept 13), as did Elbow Jake Acoustic Band who were to perform a set in the bar from 6pm ahead of the main show . It brought to eleven the total number of artists performing on the night. Grand Prairie and Elbow Jake join Raintown, Gary Quinn, Thorne Hill with Arizona Storm and Paul Martin's new trio, together with the five Listeners' Club Song Award Finalists Interactive Murcia, Kelly Michelle, Lucy Zirins, Suzanna Shore and Wayne Jacobs.
These are the  UKCountryRadio.com spotlight artists they will be featuring each weekend during September.
Sep 5-7: The Rising; Sep 12-14: The McGlones; Sep 19-21: The Dunwells; Sep 26-28: Lucy May
Read more in their September Newsletter

US countrt artist Katie Armiger has announcedU.S. Girls With Guitars,” her first-ever European headlining tour, set to kick off November 16th in Glasgow. The tour features special guest Holly May.
“I’m so excited about taking my music overseas,” said Armiger. “It’s been a dream of mine for years!”
Armiger is touring in support of her latest album, FALL INTO ME, which was produced by Grammy winner Chad Carlson (Taylor Swift) and features Armiger’s collaborations with some of Nashville’s most sought-after songwriters, including Blair Daly (Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw), Joe West (Toby Keith) and Bruce Wallace (Dierks Bentley, Trace Adkins, Montgomery Gentry), among others.

Fueled by breakout single “Safe,” which shot to No. 1 on the Top 20 Country Countdown Chart, while its stunning video–a tribute to first responders–amassed more than two million YouTube views, FALL INTO ME debuted on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart at No. 6 and on the Billboard Country Albums Chart at No.7 selling 11,666 copies.

Sadly “Safe” after a No.40 debut only reached No.25 in its fifth and last week on the Hotdisc Top 40 chart promoted on April 2014’s Hotdisc #184 disc.
17 year old newbie country/pop “starlet” Holly May who hails from Charlemont, MA released her July 2014 European single "Go Big Or Go Home" (written by Una & Enoch Jensen; >> watch the Vevo video) which made a debut at No.39 on Hotdisc To 40 and climbed to a No.25 peak (chart Aug 3, 2014)
Katie’s UK dates include: 16th Nov (Oran Mor, Glasgow), 17th Nov (Islington Assembly Hall, London), 18th Nov (Birmingham, Glee Club), 19th Nov (Cluny 2, Newcastle), 20th Nov (Cambridge Junction, Cambridge) , Nov 23rd (British Country Music Awards bcmawards Concorde Suite, Crane Lodge Road, Heathrow, TW5 9PQ) and Nov 24th (Loft Arts Centre, Liverpool)

Tickets are now available for the 2014 British Country Music Awards (BCMAwards)  which will be held on Sunday 23rd November 2014 (Concorde Suite, Crane Lodge Road, Heathrow, TW5 9PQ - Doors open 6.30pm)
For information and tickets visit www.bcmawards.co.uk

Nominees have been announced in seven categories so far. The awards panel writes: “Although there are the usual names in a lot of cases, there are one or two new ones joining the mix. The ultimate decision rests on industry people who will get the chance to vote on the nominees in many of the categories”.
Other BCMAwards categories are still to be announced for:
International Act of the Year, International Album of the Year, UK Song of the Year, International Song of the Year, Irish Act of the Year, Band of the Year, Radio Act of the Year, Musician of the Year, European Act of the Year, UK Services to Industry, International Services to Industry, Peoples’ Choice (Voting closed on August 31st 2014).

Where are they?: For some unknown reason there is as yet no place for duo Ward Thomas the most successful UK country act in 2014 to date who had a No.1 UK iTunes single, 5 weeks on the Official UK Top 100 albums (outselling and out charting many of America’s biggest names), 5 weeks at No.1 on the Official UK Top Country Albums chart along with many national UK radio and TV appearances and 8 weeks playlisted by BBC Radio 2. The duos notable ongoing achievements first began in June 2013 when they represented the UK in Nashville at the Aristo Global Artist Showcase. For them NOT to receive a nomination in The Horizon & Duo cateogary is a remarkable ommision!  

Entertainer of the Year:
Henry Smith Band, Next Of Kin, Raintown, Texas Tornados, Nathan Carter

Female Vocalist of the Year:
Nancy Ann Lee, Donna Wylde, Hayley Oliver, Claire Bain (Raintown), Michelle Hughes (Next Of Kin)
Line Dance Act of the Year:
Alan Gregory, Paul Bailey, Texas Tornados, Richard Palmer, Glenn Rogers

Horizon Act of the Year:
The Shires, Sam Hollyman, Sara Crockett, Trey Jackson, Hicksville Band

Duo of the Year:
Raintown, Jonny & Lynnette, Luke & Mel, Thrillbillies, West & Black

Solo Act of the Year:
Nancy Ann Lee, Bob Keeley, Darren Busby, Chris Raddings, Billy Curtis

Male Vocalist of the Year:
Gary Perkins, Richard Palmer, John Taylor, Gary Quinn, Steve Cherelle

UK CHART NEWS

Official UK Top 100 Singles Chart (Week Ending September 13, 2014)
Taylor Swift fell 4-6 with her Pop single “Shake It Off” selling another 38,325 copies (sales down 6%) for a 3-week total of 116,509.

Official UK Top 100 Album Chart (Week Ending September 13, 2014)
Although sales of the number one album [Sam Smith] are above 30,000 for the third week in a row, overall album sales last week plummeted to a 19 year low.
Dolly Parton with BLUE SMOKE/THE BEST OF (Masterworks) ended its initial 12 week engagement in the Top 10, dipping 10-11 (6,062 sales; down 22% on previous week 7,738; 12-week total 189,961).
Brad Paisley with MOONSHINE IN THE TRUNK (Arista Nashville) who made a debut at No.34 selling 2,387 copies last week fell off the Top 100 once again like previous set "WHEELHOUSE" only able to a solitary chart week.

Official UK Country Album Chart (Week Ending September 13, 2014)
Brad Paisley with MOONSHINE IN THE TRUNK held at No.1 for a second week.
The UK’s Ward Thomas with FROM WHERE WE STAND (WTW Music) held at No.2 in their a seventh week.
Popular Irish artist Derek Ryan made a debut at No.3 with THE SIMPLE THINGS (Sharpe Music)

UK iTunes Top 1500 Country Albums  (Last updated Sept 8, 2014)
Dolly Parton’s album BLUE SMOKE/ THE BEST OF held at No.1 as Brad Paisley’s new album MOONSHINE IN THE TRUNK.
slipped 2-5 and Irish artist Derek Ryan fell 12 slots 3-15 with his new Aug 29th set THE SIMPLE THINGS.
Ward Thomas with their 7 week old debut album FROM WHERE WE STAND maintained thier place at No.9

UK iTunes Country Albums
1 Dolly Parton - Blue Smoke/ The Best Of (#77 overall Album chart)
2 Taylor Swift - Red (#294 overall Album chart)
3 Lady Antebellum - Need You Now (#297 overall Album chart)
4 Dolly Parton - The Very Best of Dolly Parton
5 Brad Paisley - Moonshine in the Trunk (#346 overall Album chart)
6 Various Artists - The No.1 Country Hits Collection – 100 Greatest Country Hits
7 Lady Antebellum - 747 (#416 overall Album chart)
8 Johnny Cash - The Man Comes Around
9 Ward Thomas - From Where We Stand (#491 overall Album chart)
10 Various Artists - American Heartland: Legends of Country
11 Various Artists - The Music of Nashville: Original Soundtrack Season 2, Vol. 2 (Deluxe)
15 Derek Ryan - The Simple Things (#687 overall Album chart)

UK iTunes Top 1500 Country Singles  (Last updated August 26, 2014)

Taylor Swift with her official POP single “Shake It Off” held at No1 with the single purchased from the Deluxe album climbed 3-2 and posts a further 6 songs in the top 20.
Lady Antebellum’s juggarnaut single “Need You Now” moved up 11-3
English duo The Shires with their second Radio 2 playlisted single “Tonight” fell 7-19. 
Ward Thomas who their former BBC Radio 2  “A” playlist with “Push For the Stride” fell one place 18-19.

Of NOTE: Mike Ward (the cousin of British The X Factor series 2 winner Shayne Ward) and former finalist on Season 2 of The Voice UK holds the No.7 slot with his new single and No1 British Hotdisc track “Welcome Home”. Over the course of the weekend the single made big strides from a lowly No.19 on Friday to No.3 by Sunday evening as his fans really got behind
Click Graphic to view FULL SIZE
him. Due to the fact Taylor Swift >> officially announced that her new single and forthcoming October album is her first documented POP album then few can argue that Mike held the No.1 “Country” place. In America her new song is no longer included on country charts apart from Billboard Country airplay at No.59 recently which were just radio programmers being curious spinning the track. “Welcome Home” has so far peaked at #392 on the overall iTunes singles chart which was a long way short of Miss Swifts rankings at #4 & #162 with the two “Shake It Off” versions.
Listen to Mike’s “Welcome Home” (released Aug 29, 2014) on SPOTIFY which is available to purchase on Amazon UK and UK iTunes

1 Taylor Swift - Shake It Off (#37 overall Singles chart)
2 Taylor Swift - Shake It Off (#191 overall Singles chart)
3 Lady Antebellum - Need You Now (#360 overall Singles chart)
4 Taylor Swift - I Knew You Were Trouble. (#394 overall Singles chart)
5 Taylor Swift - Love Story (#411 overall Singles chart)
6 Dolly Parton - Jolene (#442 overall Singles chart)
7 Mike Ward - Welcome Home (#466 overall Singles chart)  #392 - #466
8 Kenny Chesney - The Big Revival (#548 overall Singles chart)
9 Dolly Parton - 9 To 5 (#595 overall Singles chart)
10 Lady Antebellum - Bartender (#652 overall Singles chart)
11 Dolly Parton - Lay Your Hands on Me (#654 overall Singles chart)
12 Taylor Swift - 22
17 Ward Thomas - Push For the Stride (#1234 overall Singles chart)
19 The Shires - Tonight (#1306 overall Singles chart)

On the Hotdisc Chart (September 7, 2014 Chart)

Tony Stampley retains the number 1 position with his first single, "It Ain't All Good But It Ain't Half Bad" with David Frizzell's old chestnut "Maybe There's Love After You After All" staying in the runner-up position for another week.
In the British & Irish Top 10, it's a second week of chart topping for Mike Ward, the runner up from a previous series of the BBCTV programme, "The Voice."

Tony Stampley remained atop the Hotdisc Top 40 for a second week with "It Ain't All Good But It Ain't Half Bad" in his fifth chart frame.
David Frizzell with "Maybe There's Love After You After All" held at in the runner’s up slot at No.2 and the former three week No.1 Jim Reeves’ duet with Barbi Franklin re-make of "How's The World Treating You" was a non-mover at No.3 as was David Wood with Who Left The Door To Heaven Open” at #4.
Owen Howell with "Let's Start A Party" has now logged his highest ranking to date 7-6.
David Shelby with “Southern Drawl” reached new heights with a 11-8 shift.
Sonia Leigh with “Put It In Your Pocket” also advanced to the top tier with a 13-10 hop.

Outside the Top 10:
US act M Callaghan with “Wrecking My World” climbed four 18-14 and Kaylee Rutland’s “Good Day To Get Gone” reached a new highest rank at #18 (19-18)

Mike Ward with "Welcome Home" slipped back 12-15 on the Top 40 but safely held his second week at No.1 on the British & Irish Hotdisc chart with former british #1 Charlie Boston heading south 16-19 with “How I Only Wish I Could Fly” .

The coming week will see tracks from the latest September 2014 Hotdisc #189 promo disc impact the chart as the new set hits the doormats and email in boxes of the DJs and industry folks.
Acts slated to appear: SaraBeth, Luanne Hunt, Beau + Luci, Mandy Strobel, David Hilgenfeldt Project, Nu-Blu, Dave Sheriff, Cameron Troy, Doug Adkins, Philip Claypool, Mim Grey, Jeremy Starkel, Native Run, Ray Scott, Bruce Larson, Tony Clarke, Ace Diamond, Ashliegh Lisset, Sammy Hakim, Pete Dymond, Pawn Shop Kings and The Diablos.

International Mainstream Country Music Chart (8-14 JULY 2014)
#1 Radio Playlist Board
1.Johnny Cash  2. Willie Nelson 3. George Strait 4. Jim Reeves 5. George Longard
6. Dennis Ledbetter 7. Jeff Chance 8. Peter Trenholm 9. Miranda Lambert 10. Allen Karl
11. Boxcar Willie 12. Clelia Adams 13. Scott Sharp 14. Vince Gill 15. Hank Snow

International Mainstream Top 40 Singles Country Music Chart (8-14 JULY 2014)
1. Jannet Bodewes - Hank / 2. Jeff Chance/Hermann L Meyer - Toolin’up my Harley
3. The Wilburn Brothers - Treat The Dog Like A Dog / 4. Jack Webb - Since You Made A Wreck Out of Me
5. Dennis Ledbetter - Three Acres Of Fillies At Billy’s / 6. Blake Shelton - My Eyes
7. Ray William Roldan - I Remember / 8. Peter Trenholm/George Longard - Truck Drivin'Man
9. Jim Reeves - I’ll fly away / 10. Tjae Christian - This Song Wrote It self / 11. Graeme Clarke - Darlin On Your Way Out Close The Door

UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES

(2 Sept 2014) Frank Foster - Rhythm and Whiskey (Lone Chief Records)
11 tracks/ Time: 41:32 CD - MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com

(9 Sept 2014) Lee Brice - I Don't Dance (Curb Records)
13 Tracks/ Time: 48:27MP3 - UK iTunes - Smart Choice Music - Amazon.com

(9 Sept 2014) Rose's Pawn Shop - Gravity Well
12 Tracks/ Time: 46:38 MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com

(9 Sept 2014) Terri Clark - Some Songs (BareTrack Records)
10 Tracks/ Time: 32:30 CD - Amazon.com 

AUSSIE NEWS
Australia’s most prestigious country music talent competition – Toyota Star Maker - will celebrate its 36th anniversary.
In addition to this, a 20-year milestone has been reached by the Toyota Motor Corporation as the major sponsor of the competition. Tony Cramb, Sales & Marketing Executive Director from Toyota Australia, said, “The Toyota Star Maker competition is Australia’s oldest and most successful country music talent search. We are very proud of our association with such a prestigious initiative and we’re looking forward to making our 20th year involved the biggest yet.”
The Toyota Star Maker Top 10 Final is on the first weekend of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
The iconic festival, sponsored again by Toyota, will be held from Friday, January 16, 2015 to Sunday, January 25, 2015 with the Toyota Star Maker Top 10 Final on Sunday, January 18, 2015.
In 2014, Star Maker returned to the historic Tamworth Town Hall, a much-loved venue steeped in country music history comparable to Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry.
In the first week of December 10 artists will be announced as finalists after being judged by an industry panel.   Three finalists will be chosen to compete in the Toyota Star Maker Grand Final on Friday, January 23rd, 2015 at the Toyota Concert In The Park.
They will compete for the title ‘2015 Toyota Star Maker Winner’ and to be added to an honour roll that includes Lee Kernaghan, James Blundell, Keith Urban, Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys, Kylie Sackley, Lyn Bowtell and many more.

The Sunny Cowgirls have delivered their seventh album with a collection of carefully selected covers paying tribute to paternal figures across the country. Their new release ‘My Old Man’ was unveiled nationally on Friday 29th August 2014.
‘My Old Man’ was launched at the 2014 Gympie Muster, as the girls took to the Muster main stage for a huge show, followed by a late night performance at the Crow Bar.

Universal Music Australia is proud to announce the release of Great Women Of Country and the songs that made them, a collaboration by two of Australia’s finest country stars, Melinda Schneider and Beccy Cole. The album will be released on November 7 2014. Containing 22 classic country tunes, Great Women Of Country is Melinda and Beccy’s heartfelt homage to the songs, the songwriters and the singers who have shaped them, and focused their determination to pursue the career of singer-songwriters which they have so successfully achieved.

CANADIAN NEWS
How country music is sidelining female artists. From award lists to the charts, women are getting squeezed out by Nick Patch, The Canadian Press

September 7, 2014 (Edmonton, AB) The Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) continued to reveal winners of 2014 CCMA Awards at the CCMA Gala Dinner & Awards and the CCMA All Star Band Awards. These were the second and third of four awards ceremonies which took place over the weekend as part of Country Music Week 2014.
  • Johnny Reid took home the hardware for Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year
  • Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington and Deric Ruttan won the CCMA Award for Songwriter(s) of the Year, for their hit song, “Mine Would Be You”.
  • Lindi Ortega and Brett Kissel both won their very first CCMA Awards tonight; Kissel for Interactive Artist, and Ortega for Roots Artist or Group of the Year.
  • Poignant awards presentations were made for Slaight Music Humanitarian Award recipient, Beverley Mahood and Hank Smith Award of Excellence recipient, Deane Cameron.
  • Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, Artist inductee, Wendell Ferguson and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Stan Klees Builder Award, Builder inductee, Ron Sakamoto, were both honoured for their lifelong commitment to furthering country music in Canada.
  • Gord Bamford received the Global Country Artist Award from the Country Music Association (CMA)
Read the Full Press Release at ccma.org
Watch One-minute >> video recap of all the highlights from Day Three, at Country Music Week 2014

NEWS

Country Aircheck's Insider Artist News
September 5, 2014: Garth Brooks (Goes Digital), Nominees for the 48th Annual CMA Awards (Nom Squad), Hunter Hayes (Guitar Man), Kenny Chesney (Roadhouse Rum)

September 9, 2014: Miranda Lambert ("Shabby Chic meets Rock & Roll"), Lady A/ Baby A (Cash On Arrival), Josh Turner (Boy Oh Boy), Glen Campbell  (He'll Be Him), Trisha Yearwood and Kelly Clarkson (Knockouts),

AWARDS

Little Big Town and Darius Rucker revealed the 2014 CMA Awards nominees in a special press conference Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014 from New York City's Best Buy Theater in Times Square.

They took to the streets to announce the final nominees for “The 48th Annual CMA Awards.” 

The first announcements happened live on “Good Morning America” where final nominees for Album, Vocal Group, Male Vocalist, Female Vocalist, and
Entertainer of the Year were revealed.


Following “Good Morning America,” Little Big Town and Rucker made their way to the Best Buy Theater where they announced final nominees in the remaining seven categories, and helped the CMA Foundation announce a $125,000 donation to New York-based Education Through Music.

Miranda Lambert tops the list of final nominees with nine nominations, matching the record she set in 2010 – the most for
any female artist in the history of the CMA Awards. Alan Jackson received 10 nominations in 2002. Prior to that, Merle Haggard held the record with nine in 1970.
Dierks Bentley received five nominations.
Eric Church and Keith Urban collected four nominations each, and Luke Bryan, Kacey Musgraves, Blake Shelton, and Carrie Underwood each received three nominations for trophies that will be handed out on “Country Music’s Biggest Night.
Awards criteria, rules of election and balloting procedures are established by CMA’s Board of Directors. Singles, albums, music videos and qualified music products for the annual show must have been first released during the eligibility period, which for the 2014 show is July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014. (Via CMA World Press Release)

Differences to the the list of  nominees compared to 2013 are:
Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban (Entertainer),  Martina McBride (Female Vocalist), Dierks Bentley (Male Vocalist), Dan + Shay The Swon Brothers (Vocal Duo), Jerry Douglas (Musician Of The Year) and Brandy Clark, Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell (New Artist Of The Year) the rest of the names in the categories remained exactly the same!

  • CMA announced the 2014 CMA Broadcast Awards finalists for Radio Personality and Station of the Year - CMA World
  • CMA Awards Nominees react to the Good News
BABY NEWS
Sept 5 Congratulations to Josh Turner and his wife, Jennifer, on the arrival of their fourth child Thursday. Samuel Hawke Turner was born weighing eight pounds, six ounces and measuring 20.5 inches. He joins older brothers Hampton 8, Colby 5 and Marion 3. Josh says, "God has truly blessed Jennifer and me with this healthy little boy. We are so thankful and excited to see our family grow yet again." On the music front, Josh's new single, "Lay Low," was just released to country radio.

MUSIC NEWS
On Sept 8th Spotify revealed that Calvin Harris has made history by smashing the milestone of one billion streams, becoming the first British solo artist in history to do so. Mark Terry, Co-President of Columbia Records UK commented: “This is a landmark achievement for Calvin and deserved recognition that he is in the elite tier of global artists. His recent level of success has been extraordinary and something that all of us here at Columbia are very proud to be part of.” Steve Savoca, Spotify’s VP Content and Distribution, commented: “We would like to congratulate Calvin Harris on reaching the huge milestone of a billion streams on Spotify, conclusive proof if any were needed that he is one of the most popular artists on Spotify.

Neil Young filed for divorce from Pegi Young, his wife of 36 years and frequent musical collaborator, reported Rolling Stone.
The magazine obtained the divorce petition Neil Young filed in San Mateo, Calif., where they live, on July 29. A hearing is set for December. RS says the Youngs met at a diner near his California ranch, where she worked as a waitress.  She was the inspiration for several of his love songs, including Unknown Legend, and served as a backup singer on multiple tours for years. Eventually she achieved a solo career,  released three albums and toured on her own.

SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS

Hal Ketchum's first release with Music Road Records and first album in six years sees the follow-up to 2008s Father Time, I'M THE TROUBADOUR will be out Oct 7, 2014. Described as a genre-defying collection of 15 songs (Americana/ AAA / Acoustic Country) that pulls from Ketchum's diverse influences, including blues, rock and soul and it includes a couple of reworks of Ketchum favorites "I know Where Love Lives" and "Stay Forever".
''I like to say that I've been successfully misunderstood for 30 years. I mean, I was a cabinetmaker from Gruene, Texas. I got a record deal and I had a number one record out of the box, and suddenly I was a country singer,'' Ketchum explained in a press release. ''The genre served me very well, and I m really grateful for the opportunities that the country music world brought to me. But creatively, this record was a really beautiful departure for me. It s really opened me up again.''
"I had pretty much thrown in the towel. I wasn't interested in putting out another big country album. I've done that. I've been there, man," says chart topping legend and Grand Ole Opry member Hal Ketchum, describing his recent five-year respite from the music industry.
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis fifteen years ago, the symptoms were starting to catch up with Ketchum, who is now 61 years old. "I went through some really serious bouts of paralysis, blindness and the fear that goes with all of that. I was in kind of a dark place," he says. "I didn't write, didn’t perform. I was just laying low, living in a cabin out in Wimberley, TX."
After focusing on his health for several years, his strength began to return, but Ketchum soon realized he would never really be himself without returning to his lifelong art form. "I came to the realization that I had gotten to this deep level of depression, and I finally said to myself, 'I can still do this. I can still write.
But when Jimmy LaFave and Kelcy Warren of the small Austin, TX label Music Road Records heard his songs, they knew they had to convince Ketchum to write another album.
Billboard have an exclusive premiere of the first single from (and title track) …Ketchum tells Billboard that I'm The Troubadour is also one of the most eclectic discs he's made during his career. "It's reminiscent of a record I made with Stephen Bruton years ago called Awaiting Redemption.
Pre-order at Amazon UK - Amazon.com

Angaleena Presley reveals “American Middle Class” Album Cover….Since (Sept. 1) was Angaleena Presley’s birthday, check out this exclusive look at the cover art for her forthcoming solo project, American Middle Class, due in stores on Oct. 14. The album was co-produced by Angaleena with her husband, Jordan Powell, and Angaleena wrote or co-wrote all 12 of the
autobiographical tracks.

Alabama's star-studded concert at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium is coming to life with the new DVD/CD/LP release, ALABAMA & FRIENDS AT THE RYMAN. The live project is due out September 30 featuring Alabama singing their biggest hits with special guests Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Trisha Yearwood, Eli Young Band, and Jamey Johnson.

Ronnie Milsap will be formally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville next month, and a new Milsap box set is coming out November 4 to celebrate the milestone. The RCA Albums Collection features remastered versions of all of Ronnie's albums, from 1973's Where My Heart Is to his 1991 album, Back to the Grindstone. His 2006 release, My Life, is also included in the 21-CD set.

You can get the brand new Garth Brooks single "People Loving People" instantly when you pre-order his upcoming album digitally. Also, available digitally for the first time, a super bundle including Garth's catalog with ALL 8 studio albums PLUS the new Double Live 25th Anniversary Edition, his new Fall 2014 album and another new album in Fall 2015. That's 10 studio albums plus the new Double Live for the crazy low price of $29.99!

Kenny Chesney’s added a 64-page magazine for The Big Revival ZinePak, featuring the new studio album from Kenny Chesney, includes 11 new songs the full-color magazine with exclusive interviews and photos, plus four postcards. It drops on Sept. 23 but that special edition will only be at Walmart

PRESS RELEASES
  • Larry's Country Diner serves up Faith, Family & Fun at America's favorite Country Music Eatery! (September schedule on RFD-TV)
  • Buddy Lee Attractions (BLA), Donna Lee (Owner/CEO) is pleased to announce another new addition to its award-winning roster; the versatile television and music entertainer, Brooke Hogan has signed on to join Gwen Sebastian, Jason Michael Carrol, The Lacs, Bucky Covington and, most recently, The Roys and Outshyne upping the well-rounded BLA class of decorated, sought-after performers.
ARTICLES
American Songwriter Lyric Of The Week: Marty Stuart, “Observations Of A Crow”

Billboard Taylor Swift Makes Album Promotion an Art in Her Debut 'Shake It Off' Week….What does it take to push an album or song to the top of the charts? Ask Taylor Swift, who spent the last month tirelessly promoting her debut POP album, 1989, and pushing it's lead single "Shake It Off" into the national pop-culture conversation.

Billboard Why Garth Brooks Should Have Gone With iTunes (by Glenn Peoples)…Last week, Garth Brooks debuted GhostTunes, a new music download store seemingly created to be the exclusive source of Brooks' digital catalog. Although the
store has a wide range of other artists and genres, the focal point is a $29.99 bundle that includes Brooks' new album to be released this fall, another new album to be released next year and nine of his previously released albums.
Fan-friendly it is not. Only albums, not individual tracks, can be purchased. To buy Brooks' music in a digital format, fans have to purchase at a new, unfamiliar store rather than their preferred music retailers. Basically, Brooks has built a system geared toward maximizing album sales rather than maximizing revenue and access to his music -- and that's if his plan works. There's ample reason to believe Brooks will have a difficult time getting people to shop at GhostTunes.......

REVIEWS
Philly Stock Music.com YeeHaw Festival (UK), Saturday 6th September 2014

The Tennessean (live Review) Garth Brooks connects live with old hits, new favorites ….CHICAGO – About 18,000 Garth Brooks fans pumped their arms in the air and jumped up and down, screaming the words to the singer's hit "Rodeo." He worked the stage in his black cowboy hat and gray plaid pearl-snap shirt just like it was 1998, when he last toured.But it's not. It's been 16 years since Brooks last took his show on the road — 14 years since he announced his retirement — and fans wasted no time Thursday assuring him with their frenzied screams that they've been pining for him since he left....Here's Garth's Chicago set list

For The Country Record Garth Brooks ‘People Loving People’ (Single Review)…But the new song sounds like a leaked demo, and I’m not the only one who thinks so. Friends at radio have reported an overwhelming response from fans who dislike it, and the majority of bloggers and critics I’ve seen are not exactly sold either. If this were a new artist I’d never heard of, I’d almost
instantly brush it aside, because it just doesn’t stand out and it isn’t even mixed properly. ....Telling us that we should love one another is hardly a new or mind-blowing concept, but rather something we all have a stab at from the time we understand such a notion. Sweet, but all-too-simplistic, and actually quite patronising when we consider the complexities of conflicting ideologies that are currently raging in the Middle East. If it were that simple, Garth, wouldn’t we have solved it all a long time ago?

MAGAZINES
Taylor Swift is on the cover of Rollingstone (Sept 25, 2014 issue) Cover Pic - Inside shot
"The Reinvention of Taylor Swift" is their cover story….She’s left country behind, sworn off dating and built a fortress around her heart. Read more: Rollingstone

LISTEN


There is something urgent that drives GRAVITY WELL, the new record from highly charged band Rose's Pawn Shop (out Sept 9th). It could be the anxious banjo plucking through intro track "What Were You Waiting For," or the sliding twee bass lines of "Go Get Gone." Stream it in its entirety for a limited time at The Bluegrass Situation
2013 was a year of great shows and adventures for the band including their first tour in the UK and Ireland with 10 out of their 19 shows sold. Gravity Well is a successful Kickstarter crowd funded project where 237 backers pledged $16,210 of a $15,000 goal
Well.
Download from UK iTunesAmazon UK / Amazon.com or order a CD direct from band from their shop.


Country JUKEBOX JURY September 2014: Test drive in FULL these latest singles now or due to impact at country radio, 
Listen and cast your VOTE here

Blake Shelton "Neon Light" (Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville)
Clare Dunn "Get Out" (Independent)
Easton Corbin "Baby Be My Love Song" (Mercury Nashville)
Garth Brooks "People Loving People" (Pearl Records/RCA Nashville) # Most Added song at Country radio o chart published Sept 8th
Katie Armiger  "One Night Between Friends" (Cold River Records) impact date September 22, 2014
Lee Brice "Drinking Class" (Curb)
Trisha Yearwood "PrizeFighter" feat. Kelly Clarkson (Gwendolyn Records/RCA Nashville)
Will Hoge "Middle Of America" (Cumberland Recordings)

WATCH

  • She topped Fender's list of "Ten Guitar Goddesses" for a reason. Vancouver's Hayley McLean has serious chops. She's played with some of Canada's best country acts, including spending time in Chad Brownlee's band . Watch the "Sounds Like A Love Song"  Lyric Video to
  • Canadian newbie duo The Lovelocks "Dance" fan video
COUNTRY FASHION

Connie Britton attended the premiere of the film ‘This is Where I Leave You’ at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival on September 7 in Toronto, Canada.
The lovely Nashville drama TV actress (aka Rayna James) wore a strapless black and floral print gown with red sash detailing from the Noir Sachin & Babi Spring 2015 collection. Her hair shows why she’s known by many for having the best hair in Hollywood, and a slate gray manicure, radiant skin and soft coral lips complimented the gown. She also upped her jewelry game with a unique knuckle ring, black diamond bangle and long pearl earrings - Fashion Awards

PHOTO
  • Facebook Gallery Photos Frography (by Flex) The Shires (Ben Earle and Crissie Rhode) perform at YeehawUK Festival at Rockingham Castle in Northamptonshire on Saturday 6th September 2014
  • Facebook Gallery Photos Frography (by Flex)  Highlights of Day 2 at YeehawUK at Rockingham Castle in Northamptonshire featuring The Shires, Ward Thomas, Raintown, Gary Quinn, Chase Allan, Fitzwallace, Raihanna Estrada, Jeannine Barry and Dexeter
  • The gorgeous Taci Shaffer Miss Rodeo Arizona 2014 (Necklace & earrings by Olav Jules Designs By Cat Sandstrom) Image - Image - Image (Laura McClure Photography - Facebook)
BIRTHDAYS

Sept 8: the late Harlan Howard (1929; died March 3, 2002 (aged 74)), the late Jimmie Rodgers  (1897; died May 26, 1933 (aged 35))), the late Patsy Cline (1932; died March 5, 1963 (aged 30)), Jake Owen (1981)
Sept 10: Tommy Overstreet (1937), Rosie Flores (1950), Ashley Monroe (1986)
Sept 12: the late George Jones (1931; died April 26, 2013 (aged 81))
Sept 13: Bobbie Cryner (1961), the late Bill Monroe (1911; died: September 9, 1996), Joe Don Rooney (Rascal Flatts) (1975) 
Sept 14: Beth Nielsen Chapman (1958), John Berry (1959) 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.