Saturday 29 April 2017

Lorrie Morgan celebrates 25 Year Anniversary of career defining album Watch Me

LORRIE MORGAN CELEBRATES 25 YEAR ANNIVERSARY 
OF CAREER DEFINING ALBUM WATCH ME

Announces 2017 Tour Dates with Pam Tillis, Joe Diffie, 
Mark Chesnutt & Jesse Keith Whitley
 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 28, 2017) 
Lorrie Morgan is one of the best-selling female artists in country music history, who began her career with a record-setting bang, releasing three consecutive platinum albums beginning with 1989’s Leave The Light On followed by Something In Red, then Watch Me, which celebrates its 25 anniversary this year.

Watch Me, released in 1992, peaked at #15 on the Billboard country albums chart, and includes the singles "Watch Me" (#2) "What Part of No" (#1), "I Guess You Had to Be There" (#14), and "Half Enough" (#8). Also included on this album is a cover of "It's a Heartache", a pop standard previously recorded by Bonnie Tyler and Juice Newton.




Lorrie Morgan became the first female in the history of country music to achieve three platinum albums in a row. In that short time, she became not just a country superstar but a household name, thanks to such blockbuster radio-friendly singles as “Five Minutes,” “Something In Red,” and “A Picture Of Me (Without You).”
Released: October 9, 1992
Recorded: January–March 1992
Label: BNA
Producer: Richard Landis

1. "Half Enough" (Wendy Waldman, Reed Nielsen)
2."I Guess You Had to Be There" (Jon Robbin, Barbara Cloyd)
3. "What Part of No" (Wayne Perry, Gerald Smith)
4. "You Leave Me Like This" (Skip Ewing)
5."Someone to Call Me Darling" (Dale Daniel, Naomi Martin)
6. "Watch Me" (Tom Shapiro, Gary Burr) – 3:37
7. "Behind His Last Goodbye" (Charles Harter, Smith)
8. "It's a Heartache" (Ronnie Scott, Steve Wolfe)
9."From Our House to Yours" (Angela Kaset)
10. "She's Takin' Him Back Again" (Richard Mainegra, Rick Yancey) 


Lorrie Morgan WATCH ME Back Inlay

In addition, Lorrie Morgan has announced a new round of tour dates on her Grits & Glamour Tour with Pam Tillis as well as select dates with Joe Diffie, Mark Chesnutt and her son Jesse Keith Whitley.
Shake the Sugar Tree 04.21.17
We had a great weekend in Texas! Here we are channeling a little Pam Tillis Official Music Page on Friday in The Woodlands! (📹: Sydney Long) Catch us on the road this week: Thursday 04/27 Dakota Dunes Casino in Whitecap, SK Saturday 04/29 The Gobbler Theater in Johnson Creek, WI Sunday 04/30 Surf Ballroom & Museum in Clear Lake, IA Check out lorrie.com for the latest! 😘
Posted by Lorrie Morgan on Monday, 24 April 2017

Lorrie Morgan On Tour 2017
April 27 - Dakota Dunes Casino - Whitecap, SK
April 29 - The Gobbler Theater - Johnson Creek, Wis. (w/ Jesse Keith Whitley)
April 30 - Surf Ballroom - Clear Lake, Iowa (w/ Jesse Keith Whitley)
May 05 - Limelight Eventplex - Peoria, Ill. (St. Jude Runs w/Joe Diffie)
May 06 - Renfro Valley Entertainment Center - Mt. Vernon, Ky. (Grits & Glamour w/Pam Tillis)
May 12 - Dakota Magic Casino - Hankinson, N.D. (Grits & Glamour w/Pam Tillis)
May 19 - Bridgetown Music Festival - Cincinnati, Ohio
May 20 - The Beacon Theatre - Hopewell, Va. (Part of the Old Dominion Barn Dance Concert Series)
May 27 - Cherokee Casino - Roland, Okla.
June 03 - Poke Sallet Festival - Harlan, Ky.
July 01 - Rich Hill's 4th of July - Rich Hill, Mo. (w/ Jesse Keith Whitley)
Aug. 04 - Garfield County Fair - Rifle, Colo. (Grits & Glamour w/Pam Tillis)
See all Live Events at lorrie.com

About Lorrie Morgan
Sultry country songstress Lorrie Morgan has sold over eight million records including fourteen top ten hits, twelve recorded albums and four Female Vocalist of the Year awards.
She was the first female artist to ever have three consecutive albums RIAA-Certified Platinum®. She made her mark with what have now become timeless country standards, “Five Minutes,” “Except For Monday,” “Something In Red,” “Watch Me” and “What Part Of No,” and established her place as a country star—a modern woman making country music history. Loretta Lynn Morgan was born to make music. At 13, she made her first and everlasting impression on the country music world when she played at The Grand Ole Opry, making her one of the youngest to have made her debut at the Mother Church of Country Music. Three short years later after her dad, country music star George Morgan’s passing, Lorrie launched her own career touring with her father’s band. She made history of her own when she became a lifetime member of the Grand Ole Opry at the age of 24 — one of the youngest to ever become a member.

For additional information
CONNECT with Lorrie Morgan:
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Thursday 27 April 2017

British Folk-Americana Band The Wandering Hearts sign major deal with Decca Records

BRITISH FOLK-AMERICANA BAND
THE WANDERING HEARTS
SIGN MAJOR DEAL WITH DECCA RECORDS
AND RELEASE THEIR NEW SINGLE ‘WISH I COULD’


‘WISH I COULD’ – SINGLE RELEASE DATE: 5TH MAY

Photo Credit: Jon Bergman

Folk-Americana group The Wandering Hearts are bursting on to the music scene in style – signing a major new deal with Decca Records and releasing their debut single ‘Wish I Could’ on 5th May, which showcases the band’s knack for writing heartfelt lyrics.
The Wandering Hearts were discovered within half an hour of uploading their first demo online and shortly after, were signed to the legendary recording label, Decca Records.
A fresh take on the folk genre, The Wandering Hearts are reminiscent of First Aid Kit, Of Monsters and Men and Chris Stapleton, whilst keeping their British roots at the very heart of their music. Their seamless vocal harmonies and pop sensibility add a twist of Fleetwood Mac.

Band members AJ, Chess, Tim and Tara are all grafters – working hard to hone their skills as musicians, and the standard is there to be seen. The band’s magic is in their live performances. Hearing how naturally their voices blend together, it’s incredible they met almost by chance 18 months ago.

Their love of Americana-folk music, vocal harmonies and gin drew them together for their first rehearsal in an empty bar room of the Earl Haig Hall in Crouch End, and so The Wandering Hearts were born.

The Wandering Hearts say: “Tara and Tim met at a gig and were introduced soon after to AJ and Chess through mutual friends. Something between us all just clicked – we felt we had stumbled onto something special. We started writing together as a band and quickly developed The Wandering Hearts sound: a truthful lyric and lots of harmonies.”

Now with the backing of a major label, The Wandering Hearts are embarking on a new chapter in their career – performing around the UK, thrilling audiences and garnering new fans. This year, the band has already performed at C2C Festival and to a sold-out crowd supporting Brothers Osborne, and are planning a trip to Nashville later this year.

Music-lovers caught them at a sold out gig at St Pancras Old Church in London on 26th April and their next show is at Live at Leeds on Saturday 29th April, plus a string of summer festivals to be announced.

Michael Ball BBC Radio 2: “I think this is fab and they’re going to be big stars and they are on next week…good hey”
The Wandering Hearts are currently working on their album with producer Pete Hammerton, which promises to be a thrilling debut from this exciting new band.
The Wandering Hearts – Tour Dates:

26th April – St Pancras Old Church *SOLD OUT*
29th April – Live at Leeds, Various Venues - Leeds
18th May – The Great Escape, Various Venues - Brighton
2nd June – Red Rooster, Euston Hall, Suffolk
10th June – Bushstock, Various Venues - Shepherd's Bush
8th July – Cornbury, The Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire,
30 July – Standon Calling

CONNECT with The Wandering Hearts:
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Catherine McGrath releases new single & video ‘Just In Case’



WATCH IT ON FACEBOOK HERE

As part of a wave of new releases from her forthcoming EP, she has just revealed a fun-filled mini video for brand new single ‘Just In Case’

This one-minute clip creatively utilises the world’s most popular social media platform giving the illusion of Catherine performing within Facebook and emerging from the screen as her lyrics appear as comments below.
It is the perfect accompaniment to this colourful, feel-good pop anthem and is the third of four videos accompanying the songs on her brand new EP Starting From Now, which is out June 9th via Warner Music.
Catherine explains, 'Just In Case' is about meeting someone new and how it first starts out, the chances are it's not going to last forever, you won't live happily ever after and that person won't be the love of your life, but they could be…”.
The previous tracks, ‘Starting From Now’ and ‘When I’m Older’, came with special mini videos which capture the worlds of Instagram and YouTube and upon their release both tracks were added straight to Spotify’s New Music Friday Playlist and Apple Music’s Best Of The Week. In fact, Catherine has now had six consecutive tracks on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlists.

Since moving to London from her hometown in Northern Ireland last year, Catherine has signed with Warner Music and released her debut EP One, which has had almost 1.5million streams on Spotify. She has also performed a string of live shows and has recently been announced to play at this year’s British Summer Time in Hyde Park on July 9th with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Stevie Nicks. She will also be supporting Kelsea Ballerini, Una Healy and Picture This over the coming months and appearing at The Great Escape Festival in Brighton.


BLOG Live Review: The Shires & Catherine McGrath - Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre (Live Review) 

Hillary Scott's Fashion Line instantly sells out with HSN

HILLARY SCOTT EXCLUSIVELY DEBUTS NEW ‘LaBellum’ FASHION LINE ON HSN WITH EIGHT INSTANT SELL-OUTS

Multi-PLATINUM Singer Debuts First Collection As Part Of Music City: Nashville Event























NASHVILLE, TN - Apr. 25, 2017 - Hillary Scott, one-third of the multi-Platinum selling and GRAMMY winning trio Lady Antebellum, wowed fans with a multi-sellout debut of her exclusive fashion collectio n, “LaBellum,” for entertainment and lifestyle retailer HSN. Within her two-hour visit last Thursday (4/20), Scott manifested six sell outs during the primetime hours on The List with Colleen Lopez. As Scott returned on Friday (April 21), she instantly sold-out the Lace Up Blouse and Faux Suede Vest, causing her two hour visit to end over twenty minutes early. Launched as part of the retailer’s Music City: Nashville event, other top performing items of the “LaBellum” fashion line, include the Lace Duster with Tassel Trim, Crossbody Beaded Bag, Allover Hand Beaded Tunic, Beaded Canvas Jacket, Layered Lace Tunic Tank and Boho Peasant Blouse.

“I could not have asked for a warmer welcome to the whole experience with HSN and their audience after making the debut of ‘LaBellum,’” said Hillary Scott. “I was so excited that we sold out one piece, but to keep hearing that piece after piece was sold out just completely blew me away!"

“We are so proud of Hillary’s debut success across all platforms at HSN," said Carmen Bauza, Chief Merchandising Officer for HSN. “Her beautiful and effortless Nashville-inspired designs truly resonated with our customers. We look forward to sharing her new collection in July.”

LaBellum launched exclusively on HSN.com earlier this month, as part of the retailer’s month-long Music City: Nashville event; a celebration of Nashville and the artists and designers that define the city’s unique culture and vibrant spirit. Having touched fans across the globe with her music, Scott’s bohemian chic collection was inspired by women of every walk of life and is intended to make all women feel confident with their everyday wardrobe. The 22-piece collection is composed of fringe wraps, peasant tops, denim, studded moto jackets, faux suede vests, lace tops, and accessories, including a belt and cross body. Scott will return to HSN in July with a new collection. For more information, visit www.HSN.com

About Hillary Scott:
Nine-time time GRAMMY award-winner and one-third of superstar group Lady Antebellum, Hillary Scott has more than 18 million unit sales worldwide while earning ten No. One
hits, countless awards including Billboard Music Awards, People’s Choice Awards and Teen Choice Awards, while also taking home ACM and CMA "Vocal Group of the Year” trophies three years in a row.

Honing in on the melodious foundation that first brought the multi-PLATINUM trio together, Lady Antebellum continues to climb the Country radio charts with "You Look Good,” as it serves as the debut single off their sixth studio album HEART BREAK (Capitol Nashville), to be released June 9th. 

In addition to co-writing chart-topping Lady A hits, including the 6x PLATINUM hit “Need You Now," Scott has also written for artists such as Blake Shelton and Sara Evan's No.1 hit, "A Little Bit Stronger." Her spirited release from Hillary Scott & The Scott Family claimed the top spot atop the Billboard Christian Albums chart with their debut album LOVE REMAINS, which garnered a GRAMMY-winning "Best Contemporary Christian Music Album” and an award for its chart-topping single “Thy Will” for “Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.” Lady Antebellum recently announced plans for more than 65 shows in six countries on their YOU LOOK GOOD WORLD TOUR, presented by NABISCO launching May 26 in Bakersfield, CA. For more information about new music and upcoming tour dates, visit 

About HSN: 
HSN is a leading interactive entertainment and lifestyle retailer, offering a curated assortment of exclusive products and top brand names to its customers. HSN incorporates entertainment, inspiration, personalities and industry experts to provide an entirely unique shopping experience. At HSN, customers find exceptional selections in Health & Beauty, Jewelry, Home/Lifestyle, fashion/Accessories, and Electronics. HSN broadcasts live to approximately 91 million households in the US in HD 24/7 and its website - hsn.com features more than 50,000 product videos. Mobile applications include HSN apps for iPad, iPhone and Android. HSN, founded 37 years ago as the first shopping network, is an operating segment of HSN, Inc. 
For more information, please visit HSN.com, or follow @HSN on Facebook and Twitter.

Country Bites News snippets April 17, 2017 – April 23, 2017

SOURCES / LINKS shown

For the latest Billboard Country Charts Blog Post go HERE

UK & IRISH News

For a full listing of 2017 and beyond UK Tour dates PLEASE check out our Tour Dates Page

On the BBC Radio 2 Playlist for the week commencing Saturday 15th April 2017
Imelda May with “Should've Been You” was on the “B” Playlist:
Sheryl Crow with “Halfway There” was on the “B” Playlist:

CCNAM Awards
The Club acts and Festival scene is now recognized by the CCNAM awards and not the British Country Music Association.
The award ceremony was held in a club at Drax, Selby on Sunday April 16, 2017
Winners were voted for by club members in conjunction with and presented by Cross Country Magazine & NAM Agency (Malc Allan & Rob Davis)

The winners of CCNAM Awards for this year are:
Entertainer of the Year: Alan Gregory
Solo Act of the Year: Bob Keeley
Duo of the Year: Texas Tornados
Band of the Year: Gary Perkins & The Breeze
Male Vocalist of the Year: Darren Busby
Female Vocalist of the Year: Lynnette Marie
Dance Act of the Year: Richard Palmer
Musician of the Year: Derek Thurlby
Newcomer Act of the Year: John Doherty
Country Festival of the Year: Quickdraw
Country Club of the Year: Pentney, Norfolk
Country DJ of the Year: Ryan King (Nottinghamshire)
Linedance Instructor of the Year: Judy Baily
UK Services to Industry: Dave Anderson, Marilyn Davis

2017 CMA Awards Flyaway to Nashville” Prize Draw Winner
Midlands country singer-songwriter Dee D. James (Instagram Photo pictured on right), who will be playing the Wolvestock Festival once again, was one of many C2C fans who visited the CMA Stall at the Town Square in the O2 complex and filled in a form to enter a competition. To her surprise, she received a phone call from the Tennessee Tourist Board CMA asking her if she available to attend the 51st Annual CMA Awards in November! She and her bass playing husband Keith Biggs are going to the CMAs courtesy of the Tennessee Tourist Board winning VIP passes, tickets to CMA After Shows and everything. What a prize! (Source Jim Duncan 101.8 WCR FM) 
The Grand Prize (valued at $4,800) consists of the following:
Two roundtrip airfare tickets (Winner and one (1) guest) from London, England on a published, regularly scheduled service to Nashville, Tennessee.
Two tickets to the 2017 CMA Awards show at the Bridgestone Arena, Nashville Tennessee.
Five-night hotel accommodations at the Union Station Hotel.
One day-trip for two to the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee.
One Music City Backstage Attraction Pass – Good for two people to over thirty attractions and venues throughout Nashville.
One Music City Gift Bag.























Tipped by Bob Harris (OBE) to become the “next The Shires” Leicestershire band Dexeter have been "nice and busy" with Manchester (Sun April 9, 2017 - The Castle Hotel) and Glasgow (Sat April 8, 2017 - The 13th Note) sold out and just 4 tickets were left for Leicester (Fri April 14, 2017 - Firebug). They rounded out their 8 date April Tour in London: Sat April 15, 2017 - The Good Ship, London (289 Kilburn High Rd, London NW6 7JR)

(22 April 2017) Baylen Leonard announced on Chris Country Radio that Sam Outlaw is on the 2017 Nashville Meets London Music Festival (July 22-23) line up.

(22 April 2017) North East based singer-songwriter Chloë Chadwick shall be playing at the ever popular Gateshead Beer Festival on 29th April, tickets were selling like hotcakes! Her new single is set for release on May 26th, all subscribers will of course get the single for FREE on download! BLOG: Chloe Chadwick - 'Love Will Find A Way'

UK CHART NEWS

Official UK Top 100 Singles Chart (Week Ending 27 April 2017)
21 April 2017 - 27 April 2017
One Direction star Harry Styles introductory solo single “Sign Of The Times”, which opened atop the list last week, slipped to No.4 with sales off 45.17% week-on-week at 34,485, making it the fastest fading song in the entire Top 200. Although it may rebound next week, and will certainly slow its descent after Styles performed it on The Graham Norton Show (Friday 21st), it is the first chart-topper to be disposed off this quickly since Styles' former bandmate Zayn Malik's first solo single Pillow Talk slipped 1-2 in February 2016. However, Sign Of The Times remained top of the paid-for sales list - but its tally of just 16,686 such sales is the lowest for a No.1 on this list since such data was first collected by chart compilers BMRB in 1969. It replaced the previous low of 17,694 sales recorded by Orson's No Tomorrow when it climbed 2-1 on the chart dated 26 March 2006. By the way, when I mentioned last week that One Direction were the second band, after The Beatles, to have four or more members with Top 10 solo hits I left out the vital word male. All five Spice Girls, of course, made the Top 10 after launching solo careers.
Replacing Styles was Ed Sheeran, whose “Shape Of You” rebounded 2-1 (48,770 sales, including 38,256 from streams + 10,514 in download sales) to secure its 14th week at No.1.

Official UK Top 100 Albums Chart (Week Ending 27 April 2017)
21 April 2017 - 27 April 2017
Divide racked up its seventh straight week atop the album chart for Ed Sheeran. Sales of Divide last week, at 62,108 (including 19,941 from streams), were still beyond the reach of challengers, of which the latest was DAMN, the fourth studio album from 29-year-old Californian rapper Kendrick Lamar. Released thus far only digitally, Damn debuted at No.2 while setting a new personal best sale (31,543) for Lamar, with 10,318 of its sales coming from paid-for downloads, the remainder (21,225) from streaming, on which metric it becomes the first album to topple Divide.

American singer/songwriter John Mayer was back from his sabbatical but in lower orbit with seventh album, The Search For Everything made a debut at No.16 (4,360 sales) and topped the Official UK Americana Albums list

The Shires with MY UNIVERSE fell 81-96 with estimated sales of 800 copies in their 29th frame and a total estimated at116,800 
Chart Run: 3-7-14-27-36-45-43-45-43-48-59-52-54-30-26-25-20-24-26-17-29-33-53-62-26-51-54-81-96

Saturday April 22nd marked Record Store Day (PDF). Last year vinyl sales (94,111) accounted for 9.49% of the paid-for albums market, a 21st century record.
Why Record Store Day has become an important ally for the UK’s small record stores…Read More:
10 Country Music Record Store Day Releases You’ve Got to Get - Taste Of Country

Official UK Country Album Top 20 (Week Ending 27 April 2017)
21 April 2017 - 27 April 2017

Alison Krauss with WINDY CITY held at #1 (7 weeks; #1 peak)
Chris Stapleton with TRAVELLER climbed 3-2 (49 weeks; #1 peak)
Sam Outlaw with TENDERHEART made a debut at #3
Andrew Combs with CANYONS OF MY MIND rose 7-4 (2 weeks; #4 peak)
Hayseed Dixie with FREE YOUR MIND AND YOUR GRASS WILL made a but at #5
Rodney Crowell with CLOSE TIES fell 2-6 (3 weeks; #2 peak)
The Mavericks with BRAND NEW DAY fell 4-7 (4 weeks; #2 peak)
Lady Antebellum with NEED YOU NOW fell 5-8 (194 weeks; #1 peak)
Little Big Town with THE BREAKER fell 6-9 (8 weeks; #1 peak)
Dierks Bentley with BLACK fell 8-10 (22 weeks; #1 peak)
Outside the top 10
Lady Antebellum with 747 slipped 10-11 (107 weeks; #1 peak)
Miranda Lambert with THE WEIGHT OF THESE WINGS fell 9-12 (22 weeks; #3 peak)
Brothers Osborne with PAWN SHOP fell 12-13 (6 weeks; #5 peak)
Cory Branan with ADIOS made a debut at #17

Official Americana Albums Chart Top 40 (Week Ending 27 April 2017)
21 April 2017 - 27 April 2017

This Week/ Last Week/ Title/ Artist
1 NEW The Search For Everything John Mayer [Tagged Rock] No.16 debut Official Top 100 Albums (4,360 sales).
2 1 Pure Comedy Father John Misty [Tagged Alt] #36 Official Top 100 Albums (1,890 sales)
3 NEW The Meetings Of The Waters Fionn Regan [Tagged Singer/Songwriter]
4 2 Windy City Alison Krauss [Tagged Country]
5 3 Semper Femina Laura Marling [Tagged Singer/Songwriter]
6 4 Prisoner Ryan Adams [Tagged Rock]
7 NEW Tenderheart Sam Outlaw [Tagged Country]
8 5 Cleopatra Lumineers [Tagged Alt]
9 12 Honest Life Courtney Marie Andrews [Tagged Singer/Songwriter]
10 9 A/B Kaleo [Tagged Alt]
Outside The Top 10
11 8 Double Roses Karen Elson [Tagged Alternative]
12 7 Mental Illness Aimee Mann [Tagged Alternative]
13 10 7 Red Earth & Pouring Rain Bear's Den [Tagged Alternative]
21 NEW The Song Of Day And Night Edgar Jones [Tagged Alternative]
23 16 Close Ties Rodney Crowell [Tagged Country]
27 21 Brand New Day The Mavericks [Tagged Country]
29 6 Hopeless Romantic Michelle Branch

UK Country iTunes Chart Sun April 23, 2017 13:00
Songs
1. Johnny Cash - Hurt (#275 overall UK Singles chart)
2. Sam Hunt - Body Like A Back Road (#394 overall UK Singles chart)
3. Lady Antebellum - Need You Now (#414 overall UK Singles chart)
4. Maren Morris - My Church (#448 overall UK Singles chart) 
5. Chris Stapleton - Broken Halos (#709 overall UK Singles chart)
6. Dolly Parton - Jolene (#728 overall UK Singles chart)
7. Chris Stapleton - Tennessee Whiskey (#748 overall UK Singles chart)
8. Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers - Islands in the Stream (#785 overall UK Singles chart)
9. John Denver - Leaving On a Jet Plane (# overall UK Singles chart)
10. Dolly Parton - 9 To 5 (#977 overall UK Singles chart)
Of Note:
12. David Nail - Champagne Promise (feat. Logan Brill) (#1046 overall UK Singles chart)
14. Brothers Osborne - It Ain't My Fault (#1183 overall UK Singles chart)
166. Dexeter - I Hope It Hurts (feat. Holly Rose Webber) Debut April 7: #7 (#497 overall UK iTunes Singles)

UK Country iTunes Chart Sun April 23, 2017 13:00
Albums
1. Brad Paisley - Love and War (#33 overall UK Albums chart) | Debut #1 (#12 overall UK Albums chart) | Sat 22 April #1 (#23)
2. Ward Thomas - Cartwheels (#89 overall UK Album chart)
3. The Shires - My Universe (#121 overall UK Albums chart)
4. Various Artists - Country 101 All Time Greats (#175 overall UK Albums chart)
5. Shania Twain - Greatest Hits (#260 overall UK Albums chart)
6. Chris Stapleton - Traveller (#290 overall UK Album chart)
7. Various Artists - The Country Album (#331  overall UK Albums chart)
8. Angaleena Presley - Wrangled (#355 overall UK Albums chart) | Debut #3 (#103 overall UK Albums chart)
9. Nancy and Beth - Nancy and Beth (#357 overall UK Albums chart)
10. Ward Thomas - From Where We Stand (#389 overall UK Albums chart)
 Of Note:
16. Charlie Worsham - Beginning of Things (#548 overall UK Albums chart) | Debut: #2 (#56 overall UK Albums chart) | Sat 22 April #4
18. Ward Thomas - A Shorter Story (#743 overall UK Album chart)
19. Lisa Wright - Wednesday's Child (EP) (#769 overall UK Albums chart) | Debut #6 (#194 overall UK Albums chart)

UK COUNTRY ALBUM/ SINGLE RELEASES

(17 April 2017) Jack + Ella - Ready (EP) (GS Records) UK
4 Tracks/ Time: 13:15 Country Pop Rock Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut UK Country iTunes #7 (#255 overall UK Albums chart)

ABOUT
Jack + Ella (Jack Galloway + Ella Stephen) are a country duo based in London, UK.  Their music is rooted in country, with infectious and catchy pop-rock hooks. Their influences include artists like Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, John Mayer, Lady Antebellum, Sam Palladio + Clare Bowen, Florida Georgia Line and Taylor Swift.
JACK + ELLA met when they were 16 at an open mic competition that their dads had taken them to. Years later, in May 2016, they re-connected after recognizing their musical and personality similarities via the magical world of social media!  They realized very quickly that their writing and playing styles complimented each other too well for them to keep pursuing their music as solo artists - and so their official partnership was formed!
The duo's first single Hometown (>> Video) dropped 3rd April, with the EP Ready following on 17th April. Musicians wise, they have a band, all guitars are the two of them. Ella's father offers some BVs on "Hometown".
Their sound would appeal to fans of young US acts like Temecula Road and Bailey Bryan who played the C2C 2017 Festival. A 12-30s audience.

(17 April 2017) Dexeter - I Hope It Hurts (feat. Holly Rose Webber) (Single; 2017 Dexeter) UK
Chart Run: Debut UK Country iTunes Singles #7 (#497 overall UK iTunes Singles) rising to #4 (#479 overall), #2 (#271 overall) reaching #1 (#246 overall) climbing past Johnny Cash’s 12-year old “Hurt” at #254 Instagram  peaking at #234
Tues April 18: #2 (#274 overall), then #3 (#353) then #7 (#596)
Weds April 19: #12 (#744), then #24 (off top 1500 overall UK iTunes Singles)
Thurs April 20: #77, then #83, then #73 played on Bob Harris Country BBC Playlist "One of this country’s great live bands, Dexeter following The Shires & Ward Thomas I'm hoping the next breakthrough will be that of Dexeter, their new single is fabulous" Twitter - Bob Harris Country
Fri April 21: #64, #61 | Sun April 23: #166, Mon April 24: fell off the top 200 UK Country iTunes Singles












Warehouse Recording Co. shared: Dexeter's single 'I Hope It Hurts' has just reached number 1 in the U.K. Country Charts, knocking off Johnny Cash. This was the first time Dexeter have worked with Dan at Warehouse Rec Co and they seemed to have created something special here. We feel proud to be a part of it. Well done to everyone involved Deeanne Dexeter, Gareth Thomas, Tobi Ripley, Paul Matthews, Did Coles, Holly Rose Webber (BVS) Frank Mizen (Slide Guitar) George Farrar (Studio Assistant) Lucy Mizen Roy Webber.
Dexeter have 4,449 Facebook likes and 7,616 Twitter Followers


BBC Radio 2's Bob Harris (OBE) in a recent interview said “I love Dexeter” and asked who he thought the next Shires / Ward Thomas would be, responded "I hope Dexeter, they rock out"

Published on Dec 9, 2016 Dexeter perform a live studio version of their new song >> 'I Hope It Hurts' for Under The Apple Tree sessions live at Warehouse.



(21 April 2017) Charlie Worsham - Beginning of Things (Warner Music Nashville/ WEA)
Pre-orders received five tracks on Friday, January 27th: "Southern By The Grace Of God," "Call You Up," "Old Time's Sake," "Cut Your Groove," and the beautiful "The Beginning Of Things."

(21 April 2017) Angaleena Presley - Wrangled (Mining Light Music/Thirty Tigers)
12 Tracks/ Time: 47:11 (CMP April 2017; 3 STARS)
Playing "Bless My Heart" "It's VERY VERY Good indeed...an album with attitude" - Bob Harris BBC Playlist
Two years after releasing her debut solo album American Middle Class, Angaleena Presley is gearing up to release her second album, WRANGLED. Dropping via Mining Light Music/Thirty Tigers, the full-length project features 12 songs co-written by the former Pistol Annies member. Among the tracks is a song called “Cheer Up Little Darling,” a song Presley wrote with acclaimed singer/songwriter Guy Clark (Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney). The track was the last song Clark completed before his passing in the spring of last year. Angaleena has teased the project over social media throughout the past year, having finished recorded in June 2016.

(21 April 2017) Brad Paisley - Love and War (Sony Music Cmg)
16 Tracks/ Time: 58:41 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Love and War‘s album cover features a full-body shot of Paisley, signature white cowboy hat flying off his head, playing his guitar. The album’s title appears next to him, spray-painted in white block lettering. Paisley and Luke Wooten produced it.

(21 April 2017) Lisa Wright - Wednesday's Child (EP) UK
4 Tracks/ Time: 13:13 Amazon UK - UK iTunes 
Chart Run: Debut #6 (#194 overall UK Albums chart), then #4 (#90 overall) #5 (#111), #4 (#94)
Sat 22 April #8 (#251 overall), #10 (#403 overall), then #17 | Mon 24 April fell off Top 200

(21 April 2017) Taylor Ray Holbrook - Backroads (EP)
5 Tracks UK iTunes Debut #27 UK Country iTunes Singles
Home Town: SouthWest Virginia born and raised
In 2014, With the confidence & support from over 100,000 newly acquired fans, he quit his job as a Lumberjack to pursue a career in music. Immediately after moving to Nashville, he wrote "Tie ME Down" which peaked at #22 on the Billboard's Country Digital Singles Chart & #2 on Google's Country Charts! - Facebook

(21 April 2017) Imelda May - Life Love Flesh Blood (Decca (UMO) UK
11 Tracks/ Time: 44:05 Genres: Alternative Rock
Amazon UK - Standard | Amazon UK Deluxe - UK iTunes - Standard | UK iTunes Deluxe - Amazon.com
Debut #28 UK iTunes Overall Singles

(21 Apr 2017) Sheryl Crow - Be Myself (Wylie Songs/Warner Bros.)
11 Tracks/ Time Rock Amazon UK - UK iTunes
Every day is a winding road, and no one knows that better than Sheryl Crow. After a few diversions into Memphis soul and modified country, along with personal upheavals both good (adopting two sons, beating cancer) and otherwise (what seems to be a recent nasty breakup), Crow is back to what she does best; cranking out melodic and emotionally vivid folk/pop/rock - American Songwriter. (Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars)

BE MYSELF, is Sheryl Crow's ninth studio album. For this album, Crow worked again with producer, musician, and songwriter Jeff Trott, a long-time collaborator throughout her career. Trott co-wrote many of Crow's classic hits including "If It Makes You Happy" and "My Favorite Mistake." Crow says her main goal was "to investigate what made my early songs strike people as being authentic and original. So for the first time in my life, I made it a point to sit down and really listen to my old records. I'd drive my kids to school and play the old stuff as I came back home. That helped me remember what it felt like when I was just beginning as an artist. But it wasn't about repeating myself. It was about revisiting where I came from and seeing where that would take me now."

(21 April 2017) Jimmy Fortune - Sings The Classics (Gaither)
14 Tracks/ Time: 48:15 Amazon UKAmazon.com
A member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Gospel Music Hall of Fame, CMA Award winner Jimmy Fortune is singing the classics with these all-new renditions of some of the most popular songs of our time. Joined by longtime friends Ricky Skaggs, The Isaacs, and the Voices of Lee, Fortune, known for his 21-year career with the legendary Statler Brothers, showcases the unmistakable tenor voice that has made him a household name among music lovers.

(21 April 2017) Josh Thompson - Change: The Lost Record (2017 ole)
12 Tracks/ Time: 39:43 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com

(21 April 2017) Morganway - The Hurricane (EP; Independent) UK
4 Tracks/ Time: 15:45 Genres: Country, Alt Amazon UK - UK iTunes

CANADIAN NEWS
(17 April 2017) Canadian Country Duo Petric Announce New Single “Play It Safe”, Available Everywhere Now


Award winning Manitoba country duo Petric announced the release of their brand new single “Play It Safe”, available digitally everywhere via SteelHead Music (UK iTunes). Playing it anything but safe, the single is more sonically evolved and mature than anything they’ve released thus far, leading with banjo riffs reminiscent of the one and only Keith Urban and showcasing the raw natural vocal talent that drew JUNO Award winning and platinum selling country star Dallas Smith to sign the band to Steelhead Music in the first place.

(17 April 2017) NEW MUSIC Dan Washburn - "We Were Almost Love"

Dan paid his dues with weekend bands starting when he was 13. He started doing session work in his 20's as a bassist and back-up singer. His credits include over 200 albums as a singer/song writer, producer and bassist. Dan was band leader for the late Colleen Peterson for several years. He has toured with George Fox, Terry Sheridan, Colleen Peterson and South Mountain. Dan has shared the stage on shows with Emmy-Lou Harris, Pirates of the Mississippi, Waylon Jennings, Toby Keith, Marty Stuart and Martina McBride to name a few.

He had success at radio with his first 5 releases to Canada and Europe before signing on with award winning band "South Mountain". Dan became their lead singer/bassist and spokesperson in the 90's. They soon after signed to Stony Plain Records; distributed world-wide by Warner Brothers. The band toured Canada and Europe extensively and were in high demand. They had a successful album "Where There's A Will" offering four chart successes. Dan has hosted two television shows for Cogeco Canada; most recently on 2015's special highlighting Canadian up & coming talent. He is a much sought after co-writer and producer. 2016 saw Dan make a CD (A Million Miles or So) of originals, with a 2nd album well under way. This new CD includes co-writing with some of Nashville's greats! Three songs were recorded in Nashville with some "A" session players @ Hilltop Studios with the first release to radio in August 2016 called "Miles On a Rockin' Chair". "We Were Almost Love" is the 2nd release from this session.
We Were Almost Love: Dan Washburn's soulful voice captures the raw emotion of a difficult life decision - a break up where no one is to blame, where decisions and directions have just pulled you apart and you sometimes wonder "what if." The heartache comes through loud and clear in this song co-written with award winning writer Kim Tribble (Shania Twain, Collin Raye, David Lee Murphy, Jason Aldean, etc..). Add the poignant backup vocals of Templeton Thompson and the heart-rending guitar solo of session leader Chris Luezinger (Garth Brooks) combined with an all-star cast of Nashville session musician s and you have a powerful track.

NEWS
(17 April 2017) Loretta Lynn Honored With 'Million-Air' Award
Country legend Loretta Lynn celebrated her 85th birthday with two sold-out shows at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. During her Saturday April 15th show, Lynn was presented with BMI's "MILLION-AIR" award in recognition of her hit, "Coal Miner's Daughter" hitting two million radio spins. BMI's Jody Williams presented LYNN with the honor.

(17 April 2017) Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini Pay Tribute To The Bee Gees
Capitol Nashville artist Keith Urban, label mates Little Big Town, VALORY MUSIC CO. artist Thomas Rhett, and Black River Entertainment artist Kelsea Ballerini were among the artists to salute music icons the BEE GEES during Sunday nights April 16th CBS-TV "Stayin' Alive: A GRAMMY Salute To The Music Of The BEE GEES." 
Little Big Town made an appearance during the opening medley alongside Pop artists Demi Lovato, Tori Kelly, and Andra Day before returning later in the special to perform "How Deep Is Your Love." Urban gave a salute to the Brothers GIBB, who he shared lived a mere 100 miles from his home in Australia at one point, with his take on "To Love Somebody." Rhett and Ballerini combined their efforts for the GIBB-penned "Islands In The Stream," as made famous by the Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers collaboration

(18 April 2017) Jerrod Niemann’s new song “God Made a Woman” has turned him into a wedding crasher.
When he was in Las Vegas recently, Jerrod took advantage of the numerous chapels in town by spontaneously serenading six brides and grooms with his romantic new ballad. The locales ranged from high above Sin City on the world’s tallest observation wheel, to The Mob Museum, to a local branch of Denny’s. Jerrod himself got so carried away with the romance that he and his wife of two years, Morgan, even renewed their vows -- with a little help from Jesse Garon, the official Elvis of Las Vegas.

(19 April 2017) Country's Most Beautiful? "People" picks Carrie Underwood: If you’re judging by the latest issue of People magazine, Carrie Underwood may very well be the most beautiful woman in country music.
While Julia Roberts claims the overall Most Beautiful title for the fifth time, Carrie shows up as one of the magazine’s Fabulous Faces of 2017, alongside the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Alicia Keys and Selena Gomez. People editor Jess Cagle says Carrie was an easy pick. “She looks great, she's incredibly popular…” he told ABC Radio. “She just seems so nice and so down-to-earth.

(20 April 2017) Kelsea Ballerini and Thomas Rhett to Host CMA Fest 2017 TV Special:  Ten years ago, Kelsea Ballerini was just one more country-loving teen edging her way into meet and greet lines at CMA Fest, Nashville’s annual country music fan party. “Me and my mom and a couple of friends would save up and plan for CMA Fest all year. We had schedules — we had fanny packs! We were very serious,” the singer told PEOPLE. “My first time was when I was 13, and I have pictures of me buddying up next to Lady A, sweating because I was so nervous to meet them.”...CMA Fest 2017, a three-hour television special featuring highlights from the four-day Music City festival which takes place June 8-11, will air later this summer on ABC.

MUSIC NEWS
(21 April 2017) Neil Young Announces Streaming Service Xstream
Three years ago, Neil Young started the long journey to launch Pono Music, his proprietary audio player and online storefront for high fidelity recordings. It soon became clear that the endeavor was mostly bullshit, and it seems like anyone that bought into it has been slowly coming to that realization themselves.
The Pono store has been offline since last July, and a cursory look at the company’s Facebook page reveals a lot of disgruntled customers. But it looks like Young is attempting to start over by branching out into his own hi-fi streaming service called Xstream…Read More at Billboard.com

PRESS RELEASES
(April 20, 2017) – Ty Herndon’s 2017 Concert for Love & Acceptance, hosted by Cody Alan, announced its initial artist lineup, with more to be announced in the coming weeks

Tax deadlines are no match for The Railers’ new single “11:59 (Central Standard Time)”
BRITISH country singer Beth Thornton supports BON JOVI on tour
Marie Danielle releases new single ‘Soldier’ on 18th April
Hayley McKay new singleBottom of My Heart' out May 5th
Jake Worthington confirms release of new HELL OF A HIGHWAY EP on May 19th
L.A band The Americans sign to Loose Music & share new single "The Right Stuff"
Luke Caccetta releases new single "Cue The Rain", out now
Jason Aldean takes a seat at the Top Of The Radio Charts earning 19th Career No1 with "Any Ol Barstool” 

REVIEWS
(20 April 2017) Imelda May - Life. Love. Flesh. Blood (Decca (label) 5 STARS Kevin Quinn Music News.com
Produced by T Bone Burnett Life. Love. Flesh. Blood. features Jeff Beck, Jools Holland and Tom Waits’s go-to-guitarist Marc Ribot as erstwhile foot soldier-shoulders to cry on…..On this showing Imelda’s not a ‘rockabilly no mates’ anymore. Her loss is also her gain.

INTERVIEWS
(20 April 2017) Shoplifting with Angaleena Presley
US Country star, Angaleena Presley joined Jof in their Podcast room at Rough Trade East to play some of her favourite tracks and talk about her new album, WRANGLED.



BOOKS
(20 April 2017) – Country legend Johnny Lee, known for his dynamic stage presence and smash No. 1 crossover hit “Lookin’ for Love,” released his first autobiography, “Still Lookin’ for Love.” Available here

WATCH
(18 April 2017) Brenda Burch - Take Me Back (Official Music Video).
The song is available on her EP, SPARKS WILL FLY EP (BB Music Group), dropped on March 25, 2016 (Amazon UK | UK iTunes | Amazon.com | CD Baby). 

She shares: I wrote "Take Me Back" about having the courage to get out of an unhealthy relationship, take back your life and begin again with a fresh new start. We shot the video in several locations throughout the majestic red rock mountains of Southern Utah near Zion National Park and Snow Canyon. My home state of Utah is full of stunning terrain, and I found myself descending into deep valleys and climbing up steep inclines to capture the vibrant contrast of red rock against the blue sky. We moved from location to location admiring the beautiful scenery and had a great time shooting the footage.

(22 April 2017) Brad Paisley, John Fogerty Raise Awareness for Veterans in ‘Love and War’ Video

COUNTRY FASHION
(20 April 2017) Lucy Hale was a guest appearing on the "Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
The actress is best known for her starring role on PRETTY LITTLE LIARS and the "You Sound Good to Me" Country/ Pop singer released her debut album, ROAD BETWEEN, in 2014. It reached No. 14 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. The second half of Pretty Little Liars' seventh and final season premieres April 18.


























Lucy was wearing a coral SCANLAN THEODORE Stretch Leather Turban Twist Dress available in Ocean through boutiques and online
The Stretch Leather Turban Twist Dress is a slim fit knee length dress featuring knot detailing at the neck, a cut out at the front, and v-backline.

BIRTHDAYS
April 20: Sally Barris (1962)
April 22: Glen Campbell (1936)
Forthcoming:
April 24: Rebecca Lynn Howard (1979), Hayley Oliver (1976) 
April 26: Jay DeMarcus (Rascal Flatts) (1971)
April 27: Donna Ulisse, Clare Dunn
April 29: Stephanie Bentley (1963)