Friday 17 November 2017

Country Bites News snippets November 6, 2017 – November 12, 2017

UK & Irish News, UK Chart News, Album Releases, Canadian News, Country News (Awards, TV), Music News, Country Fashion, Gossip, Birthdays, Links to Articles, Reviews, Books, Magazines & Videos.

SOURCES / LINKS shown

For the latest Billboard Country Charts Blog Post go HERE


This year the Amazon.co.uk Black Friday Sale will run from 17th to 26th November – 10 days of incredible deals!
The Amazon.co.uk Black Friday Deals Store will be open from 00:00 on Friday the 17th November until 23:59 on Sunday the 26th. Amazon will have new ‘Deals of the Day' every day throughout the period, ranging from Amazon devices, electronics, and pet supplies to kitchen and home & garden items. There will also be thousands of ‘Lightning Deals' - products available at a discount, in limited quantities, for short periods of time - introduced throughout the sale, with new deals becoming available as often as every five minutes. Some of the most popular Black Friday deals from last year included Fire TV Stick, FIFA 17, and Amazon Echo Dot.
Deals available in this year's Black Friday Sale will be announced closer to the launch date. We recommend that you regularly check the Deals Store page for the latest offers.
£64.99 - £499.99 - 20% off Sony, Samsung, Motorola and Nokia Smartphones - View Deals
LG, Sony and Hisense TVs from £369 - View Deals


UK & IRISH News
For a full listing of 2017 UK Tour dates PLEASE check out our Tour Dates Page

(7 Nov 2017) UK Americana Awards to honour Robert Plant










The AMA-U.K. have announced their honorees and nominees ahead of the ceremony for the third annual U.K. Americana Awards on February 1 at Hackney Empire in London.
Among them are honorees Robert Plant (U.K. Americana Lifetime Achievement Award) and The Wandering Hearts (Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award).

Shortlisted artists include The War On Drugs, Courtney Marie Andrews and Imelda May.
It has also been announced that the Americana Music Association UK had chosen Robert Plant to receive the 2018 UK Americana Lifetime Achievement Award.
“The award is our highest honour and it couldn’t be going to a more deserving recipient,” said Stevie Freeman, CEO Americana Music Association UK. “Over the course of a legendary career, from his early love of blues and rock ’n’ roll, through the ’70s with rock pioneers Led Zeppelin, to a solo career that has never stood still, Robert Plant has introduced countless millions of music lovers to American roots music.
“In 2007 he released the iconic Raising Sand album with bluegrass star Alison Krauss, creating new fusions in the Americana world and garnering six Grammys along the way. His latest album, Carry Fire, continues to combine elements of American roots and blues with folk styles from the UK and beyond.”

The Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award will be given to up-and-coming London based four-piece The Wandering Hearts

Newly-established for 2018 and selected by the AMA-UK board members, The Grass Roots Award celebrates unsung heroes of the UK Americana scene. It is presented to people working in the industry who have made outstanding efforts to support Americana music from the grass roots up. The first winners are Come Down & Meet The Folks, Alan Tyler & Big Steve.
The awards launch was held at Gibson Studio in London and co-presented by US singer-songwriters The Secret Sisters with broadcaster Baylen Leonard. >> Watch the Facebook Video
The awards show will be hosted by Bob Harris, and will feature performances from nominees and award winners, including Robert Plant and The Wandering Hearts.
To celebrate the second anniversary of the Official Americana Albums Chart, the bestselling UK Americana album of 2017 will be recognized with a special award.

The full list of nominees is below:

UK Album of the Year
BRILLIANT LIGHT by Danny & The Champions of The World (produced by Chris Clarke)
I’LL MAKE THE MOST OF MY SINS by Robert Vincent (produced by Robert Vincent, Michael Gay and Etienne Girard)
PROUD DISTURBER OF THE PEACE by William The Conqueror (produced by Ruarri Joseph and Harry Harding)
SWEET KIND OF BLUE by Emily Barker (produced by Matt Ross-Spang)

International Album of the Year
A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING by The War On Drugs (produced by Adam Granduciel)
HONEST LIFE by Courtney Marie Andrews (produced by Courtney Marie Andrews)
SO YOU WANT TO BE AN OUTLAW by Steve Earle & The Dukes (produced by Richard Bennett)
THE NASHVILLE SOUND by Jason Isbell (produced by Dave Cobb)

UK Song of the Year
Devon Brigade by Police Dog Hogan (written by James Studholme)
Endless Road by Worry Dolls (written by Zoe Nicol, Rosie Jones and Jeff Cohen)
Home by Yola Carter (written by Yola Carter)
Moonshine by Foy Vance (written by Foy Vance)

International Song of the Year
Pa’lante by Hurray For The Riff Raff  (written by Alynda Segarra and Pedro Pietri)
Ready To Die by Aaron Lee Tasjan (written by Aaron Lee Tasjan)
Thirteen Silver Dollars by Colter Wall (written by Colter Wall)
Tenderheart by Sam Outlaw (written by Sam Outlaw)

UK Artist of the Year
Danni Nicholls, Danny & The Champions of The World, Emily Barker, Laura Marling

International Artist of the Year
Angaleena Presley, Courtney Marie Andrews, Imelda May, Rhiannon Giddens

UK Instrumentalist of the Year
Georgina Leach, Kit Hawes, Harry Harding, Thomas Collison

Nathan Carter will be returning to Ireland for his Christmas tour and dates are already released see below:-

Thurs 23rd Nov:  Silver Birch Conference Centre Omagh Co Tyrone
Fri 24th Nov: TLT Theatre Drogheda Co Louth
Sat 25th Nov: TLT theatre Drogheda Co Louth
Sun 26th Nov: Cork Opera House (sold out)
Wed 29th Nov: Elim Complex, Bangor Co Down
Thurs 30th Nov:  University Conference Hall Limerick
Fri 1st Dec: University Conference Hall Limerick (Sold Out)
Sat 2nd Dec: Slieve Russell Hotel Ballyconnell Co Cavan
Thurs 7th Dec: Lyrath Convention Centre Kilkenny
Fri 8th Dec: Mullingar Park Hotel Mullingar
Sat 9th Dec: Great Northern Hotel Bundoran Co Donegal
Thurs 14th Dec: Millennium Forum Derry
Fri 15th Dec: Nuremore Hotel Carrickmacross Co Monaghan
Sat 16th Dec National Opera House Wexford
Sun 17th Dec National Opera House Wexford
Fri 29th Dec: Elim Complex Coleraine Co Derry
Sat 30th Dec: TF Theatre Castlebar Co Mayo
Sun 31st Dec: INEC Killarney

2018 UK DATES

Thurs 25th January 2018 - Billingham Forum Theatre - Sun 18th March 2018 - Clacton sea West Cliff theatre
Check out full details on Tour Dates Page

Nathan's new DVD recorded at the 3 Arena was released (Amazon) on Oct 20th from Sharpe Music. Live at 3Arena was filmed live at Nathan's sold out gig in Dublin earlier this year! 20 Tracks live - Bonus songs and exclusive behind the scenes film of the gig.




UK CHART NEWS

Official UK Top 100 Singles Chart (Week Ending 16 November 2017)
10 November 2017 - 16 November 2017
With paid-for sales increasing for the 14th week in a row but streams down slightly, Camila Cabello's "Havana" topped the singles chart for the second straight week. With 50,997 sales (including 30,236 from sales equivalent streams + 20,761 download sales), and lengthened its lead over former incumbent, Rockstar – Post Malone's collaboration with 21 Savage – which held at No.2 (40,917 sales).
Taylor Swift's sixth album, REPUTATION, was released on Friday (10th), but not before another instant-grat track, "Call It What You Want", became the fourth cut from the album to chart, debuting at No.29 (12,515 sales) to become Swift's 29th chart entry.

Official UK Top 100 Albums Chart (Week Ending 16 November 2017)
10 November 2017 - 16 November 2017
Eight weeks after its introductory single Too Good At Goodbyes debuted atop the chart for Sam Smith, his second album, THE THRILL OF IT ALL, did likewise.
With a first frame of 97,328 sales (60,641 CD, 1,961 vinyl, 21,035 downloads and 13,691 from sales-equivalent streams), The Thrill Of It All has the fifth-biggest opening of 2017 for an artist album, trailing Ed Sheeran's ÷ (671,542 sales), Rag'N'Bone Man's HUMAN (117,101 sales), Take That's WONDERLAND (113,211 sales) and Liam Gallagher's AS YOU WERE (102,660 sales).

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra worked their magic on Roy Orbison, with their newly-recorded contributions to A Love So Beautiful (which features the Radio 2 "A" playlisted single Drove All Night (feat. Ward Thomas) propelling the set to a No.2 debut on sales of 31,762 copies. Helmed by producers Don Reedman and Nick Patrick – who were responsible for the same role on the Presley albums – and with additional instrumental flavourings from Orbison's sons, Wesley, Alex and Roy Jr. – A Love So Beautiful arrived in the Top 10 nearly 29 years after Orbison's death, and exactly a year to the week after his career-spanning compilation The Ultimate Collection peaked at No.10.

BBC Radio 2 gave country singer Kelsea Ballerini's latest single "Legends" great support with "B" playlisting. It helped the 24-year-old from Tennessee to make her album chart debut with her newly release second album, UNAPOLOGETICALLY (No.50, 2,161 sales).
In her sixth frame former No.1 Shania Twain with NOW fell 47-53 (2,000 estimated sales; 6-week total 35,700)
Margo Price with ALL AMERICAN MADE fell off the Top 100 after a debut at #86 the previous week.

Official UK Country Album Top 20 (Week Ending 16 November 2017)
10 November 2017 - 16 November 2017
Margo Price with ALL AMERICAN MADE climbed 3-1 (3 weeks; #1 peak)
Kelsea Ballerini with UNAPOLOGETICALLY made a debut at No.2 
Glen Campbell with ADIOS fell 1-3 (22 weeks; #1 peak)
Lucinda Williams with THIS SWEET OLD WORLD fell 2-4 (3 weeks; #2 peak)
White Buffalo with DARKEST DARKS LIGHTEST LIGHTS rose 6-5 (4 weeks; #2 peak)
Lady Antebellum with HEART BREAK held at #7 (22 weeks; #2 peak)
Lee Ann Womack with THE LONELY THE LONESOME & THE GONE rose 9-7 (2 weeks; #7 peak)
Darius Rucker with WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME fell 4-8 (3 weeks; #4 peak)
Wayward Sons with GHOSTS OF YET TO COME rose 11-9 (8 weeks; #2 peak)
Chris Young with LOSING SLEEP fell 5-10 (3 weeks; #5 peak)
Outside the Top 10
Dolly Parton with I BELIEVE IN YOU fell 10-11 (4 weeks; #4 peak)
Blake Shelton with TEXOMA SHORE made a debut at #12
Willie Nelson with WILLIE AND THE BOYS - WILLIE'S STASH - 2 fell 8-17 (3 weeks; #8 peak)
Kid Rock with SWEET SOUTHERN SUGAR made a debut at #18

Official Americana Albums Chart Top 40 (Week Ending 16 November 2017)
10 November 2017 - 16 November 2017

This Week/ Last Week/ Title/ Artist
1 1 Carry Fire Robert Plant #9 Official Album Chart #34 Official Album Chart
2 NEW Bridges Not Walls Billy Bragg [Tagged Singer/Songwriter]
3 4 Life Love Flesh Blood Imelda May [Tagged Singer/Songwriter]
4 3 Roll With The Punches Van Morrison [Tagged Blues]
5 5 Lotta Sea Lice Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile [Tagged Alternative]
6 8 A Deeper Understanding War On Drugs [Tagged Alt]
7 NEW Songs From Different Times Jack Savoretti [Tagged  Pop]
8 6 Adios Glen Campbell [Tagged Country]
9 NEW Live At Rockpalast Richard Thompson Band
10 2 All American Made Margo Price [Tagged Country]
Outside The Top 10
11 NEW Truth Is A Wolf Mollie Marriott [Tagged Rock]
12 10 A/B Kaleo [Tagged Alt]
14 7 Turn Out The Lights Julien Baker [Tagged Singer/Songwriter]
16 9 This Sweet Old World Lucinda Williams [Tagged Singer/Songwriter Alt/Folk]
36 NEW Fifteen Wailin' Jennys [Tagged Singer/Songwriter]

UK Country iTunes Chart November 12, 2017
Songs
1. Keith Urban - The Fighter (#386 overall UK Singles chart)
2. Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers - Islands In The Stream (#415 overall UK Singles chart)
3. Mark Wills - Like There's No Yesterday (#455 overall UK Singles chart)
4. Dolly Parton - 9 To 5 (#541 overall UK Singles chart)
5. Taylor Swift - I Knew You Were Trouble  (#606 overall UK Singles chart)
6. John Denver - Take Me Home, Country Roads (#663 overall UK Singles chart)
7. Dolly Parton - Jolene (#701 overall UK Singles chart)
8. Luke Combs - When It Rains it Pours (#726 overall UK Singles chart)
9. Keith Urban - Female (#730 overall UK Singles chart)
10. Johnny Cash - Hurt (#756 overall UK Singles chart)

UK Country iTunes Chart November 12, 2017
Albums
1. Various Artists - The Country Album (#104 overall UK Albums chart)
2. Old Dominion - Happy Endings (#133 overall UK Albums chart)
3. Kelsea Ballerini - Unapologetically (#188 overall UK Albums chart)
4. Luke Combs - This One's For You (#211 overall UK Albums chart)
5. Chris Stapleton - Traveller (#238 overall UK Albums chart)
6. Shania Twain - Greatest Hits (#245 overall UK Albums chart)
7. Blake Shelton - Texoma Shore (#271 overall UK Albums chart)
8. Thomas Rhett - Life Changes (#349 overall UK Albums chart)
9. Lady Antebellum - Need You Now (#399 overall UK Albums chart)
10. Old Dominion - Meat and Candy (#310 overall UK Albums chart)
Outside the Top 10
14. Shania Twain - Now (Deluxe) (#589 overall UK Albums chart)

UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES
(6 Nov 2017) Wes Nickson - Good and Ready (bFLAT Records)
7 Tracks UK iTunes
Debut Fri 10 Nov: #158 US Country iTunes

(9 Nov 2017) Beth Thornton - Something You Don't Know (Single) UK
Time: 2:48 Country/ Pop Amazon UK - UK iTunes

(10 Nov 2017) Shane Richie - A Country Soul (East West Records) UK
13 Tracks/ Time: 48:12 Amazon UK - UK iTunes
Debut Fri 10 Nov: #28 overall UK Albums chart
Best known for his portrayal as Alfie Moon in EastEnders and its spin-off drama Redwater, Shane Richie is a familiar face to many.
Shane Richie talked about his debut country on The One Show on Weds Nov 8, 2017 (BBC Page)
The beloved actor, singer and all-round entertainer Shane Richie fulfils a lifelong ambition releasing his contemporary country music album ‘A Country Soul’ >> YouTube

Entertainment-focus.com  (Rating: 4/5 STARS): Let’s talk about the elephant in the room before I get stuck into this review. Shane Richie has been in EastEnders. There we go, I’ve said it so you don’t have to. In some corners that seems to have given people the idea that because Richie is known for one thing, he shouldn’t be trying to do anything else. Despite having been an all-round entertainer since the mid-80s, when Richie announced he was releasing not just a new album, but a Country music album, people seemed to be surprised. Without hearing any of the music, people were quick to criticize Richie but the last laugh is on them because he’s about to prove everybody wrong with A Country Soul......

(10 Nov 2017) Jim White - Waffles, Triangles & Jesus (Loose Music)
11 Tracks/ Time: 53:40 Americana/ Rock Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 10 Nov: #20 UK Country iTunes

(10 Nov 2017) Parker McCollum - Probably Wrong (2017 Parker McCollum)
10 Tracks/ Time: 39:14 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 10 Nov: #16 US Country iTunes


(10 Nov 2017) Jeff Bates - Troublemaker (SKYDANCER ENTERTAINMENT)
7 Tracks/ Time: 24:55 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com

(10 Nov 2017) Billy Ray Cyrus - Set The Record Straight (2017 Flatwoods Records)
16 Tracks/ Time: 1:03:15 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Cyrus’ latest release features collaborations with Joe Perry, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Bryan Adams and Miley Cyrus. The 15-song offering also includes updated versions of his signature “Achy Breaky
Heart,” with Ronnie Milsap playing piano on a Muscle Shoals mix, and Jencarlos Canela featured on the “Spanglish” version.
Billy Ray performed on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Thurs 5 Oct with his daughter Miley as the country icon geared up for the release. 

(10 Nov 2017) Various - Mud Digger Field Party Vol. 1 (Average Joes)
12 Tracks/ Time: 46:56 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
The 12-song compilation includes Cypress Spring’s “Way of Life” featuring The Lacs and Danny Boone, The Lacs’ “Field Party” and Colt Ford’s “Reload” featuring Taylor Ray Holbrook.

(10 Nov 2017) Tracy Lawrence - Good Ole Days (Lawrence Music Group)  
11 Tracks/ Time: 35:36 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 10 Nov: #2 UK Country iTunes (#220 overall UK Albums chart)
The 11-track duets album features two new songs and nine of Lawrence’s hits, including “Time Marches On,” “Paint Me a Birmingham” and “If the World Had a Front Porch.” Lawrence’s guests include Jason Aldean (“Can't Break It To My Heart”), Tim McGraw (“Time Marches On”), Luke Bryan (“Sticks & Stones”), Justin Moore (“Alibis”) and Kellie Pickler (“Stars Over Texas”).
Craig Morgan lends his vocals and heartfelt raw emotion on “Finally Home,” one of the two new tracks and an ode to U.S. military members. Tracy and Craig debuted the song together in a performance on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry®  in August. 
A portion of the proceeds from “Finally Home” will be donated to Operation FINALLY HOME, a national, non-profit organization providing mortgage-free, custom-built homes to wounded, ill and injured veterans or widows of the fallen, thanks to their unique network of experienced builders, suppliers, and supporters dedicated to honoring heroes with homes

(10 Nov 2017) Lorrie Morgan & Pam Tillis - Come See Me and Come Lonely (Goldenlane Records)
12 Tracks/ Time: 42:19 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 10 Nov: #21 UK Country iTunes (#771 overall UK Albums chart)

Two female legends of contemporary country music have combined forces on a new album, combining voices, vision and talents again after their critically-acclaimed 2013 project Dos Divas. Altogether, these two artists have sold well over 10 million albums worldwide, not to mention they both come from country royalty - Pam is the daughter of icon Mel Tillis and Lorrie, the daughter of hitmaker George Morgan. The two of have chosen some of their favorite country songs including those originally made famous by Dottie West, Billie Jo Spears' "Blanket On The Ground," and Dwight Yoakam's "Guitars, Cadillacs" plus early rock favorites such as Roy Orbison's "It's Over" and The Everly Brothers' "Walk Right Back." The project includes special guest appearances by Joe Diffie & Darryl Worley as well.

(10 Nov 2017) Assembly Lane - Northbound UK
10 Tracks (CMP Oct 2017 4 STARS) Bandcamp - Review
Assembly Lane (WEBSITE - FACEBOOK)   brings together four young Newcastle-based musicians immersed in the shared musical traditions of The British Isles and North America. Their dynamic arrangements of traditional and contemporary material from both sides of the Atlantic effortlessly blend ancient ballads and progressive bluegrass with rich vocal harmonies and instrumental flair. They’re definitely one to watch for. Assembly Lane are Matthew Ord (guitar, vocals), Tom Kimber (mandolin), Niles Krieger (fiddle, vocals) and Bevan Morris (double bass)....read more at www.folkradio.co.uk

(10 Nov 2017) Faren Rachels - Faren Rachels (River House Artists)
5 Tracks/ Time: 18:52 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Single “Free Drinks” garners over 105K streams
Faren Rachels has a full calendar week as she released her self-titled debut EP today and joins Luke Combs for the second half of his “Don’t Tempt Me With A Good Time” Tour. Recently named one of Rolling Stone’s 10 New Artists You Need To Know , Rachels is excited to share her new music with fans as she opens a string of 14 sold out dates, hitting markets like Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Charlotte before wrapping December 16th in Luke’s hometown of Asheville, NC at the US Cellular Center Arena. The Georgia native also had the honor of opening for Dwight Yoakam several times this year, including stops in North Carolina last week.  The self-titled EP features her first two singles “Free Drinks” and “If It Ain’t Fixed,” which were released simultaneously last month. Within a couple weeks, “Free Drinks” reached over 105k streams and was featured on Taste of Country, which praised the tune as “an anthem for every woman.” Having penned 4 of the 5 songs, Rachels is proud to share her long-awaited debut project, produced by Aaron Goodvin and Sammy Mitchell.

(10 Nov 2017) Summer Brooke and The Mountain Faith Band - The Sounds of Christmas (Mountain Fever Records) CHRIS
16 Tracks/ Time: 44:54 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com - DVD 

(10 Nov 2017) Twin Kennedy - Twin Kennedy Christmas (Twin Kennedy Entertainment) CAN CHRIS
9 Tracks/ Time: 24:48 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com

(10 Nov 2017) Fifth Floor - Heartbreak Talks (2017 Fifth Floor) SWE

8 Tracks/ Time: 29:00 Amazon UK - UK iTunes

CANADIAN NEWS
(6 Nov 2017) Danielle Marie "As Long As I'm Awake"

Alberta-raised and Vancouver-based Country artist Danielle Marie is ready to step to the next level with this outstanding new release.  Danielle was the 2015 'Horizon Award' winner at the BCCMA Awards Show.... and this year was nominated for 'Female Artist of the Year'. This new single, was produced by industry heavyweight Scott Cooke (Scotty Chops) - who is best known for his work with Florida Georgia Line, Dallas Smith, Cold Creek County and many others.

(7 Nov 2017) 2017 continues to be a banner year for Ontario country music artist Tianna Woods. Following the release of her latest single "20 Bucks and a Tank of Gas" earlier this year, she is turning heads and grabbing international attention in country music circles.

In September of 2017, Tianna Woods attended the Josie Music Awards at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. The Josie Awards are the largest Independent artist awards recognition globally and her single "20 Bucks and a Tank of Gas" still remains at #4 on the Josie Charts. Tianna was nominated in no less than five categories for Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Female Vocalist Of The Year (International), Song of the Year (20 Bucks and a Tank of Gas), and album of the Year. Tianna was awarded the highly coveted award for Female Vocalist of the Year and was one of the most nominated of the evening.
Tianna Woods has received multiple awards & nominations in her career from industry giants like the CMAO, CCMAs and the Toronto Independent Music Awards. In 2017 Tianna was again nominated by the Toronto Independent Music Awards in the "Best Country" category, an award she won in 2016.

(8 Nov 2017) New This Week! Kelley Mooney Christmas In The Country
Writer: Kelley Mooney
4 Parts Cancon
 “Christmas In The Country” is from Kelley’s first Christmas album, Caroling which is scheduled for release in November 2017.  Caroling is a collection of Christmas carols together with a few of Kelley’s new favourites.  Kelley also penned 2 songs on this record that paint a picture of Christmas past and present in the Mooney home.
Kelley has chosen the Food Bank in Charlottetown, PEI as her charity of choice for this Christmas campaign.  She will be donating a portion of all Christmas album sales.
On Sunday, November 5th, close to 800 people came out to support the food bank and celebrate the release of Kelley’s new Christmas record, Caroling at the Trinity United Church in Charlottetown, PEI!  They raised almost 1,300 pounds of food and over $1,600 in cash donations! It was a great success!
Kelley Mooney is a singer/songwriter from Iona Prince Edward Island where the acoustics were great in the hollow, but they were best in the kitchen where her Dad would pay a quarter a song whenever anyone stopped by.
 She’s definitely got country leanings, but she also shows influences from music she grew up listening to. From Swan Lake to Foreigner Four; John Prine to ABBA; and of course, the Judds, Martina McBride and Reba McIntyre which results in a style all her own. Clear, soaring highs and soulful lows full of depth are her signature.  With these vocal qualities and the emotion she clearly feels when she’s singing, she’s been compared to Joan Baez, Eva Cassidy, Sarah MacLauchlan and Martina McBride.

NEWS
(6 Nov 2017) Jake To Big Loud: After five albums with RCA, Jake Owen has signed with Big Loud Records. The move immediately made him the label's most accomplished artist and reunited him with Big Loud partner and producer Joey Moi, who produced Owen's Barefoot Blue Jean Night album. That collection generated four No. singles.
"The passion for success that everyone has in the building is contagious," Owen said. "Combining what I already do with Big Loud’s expertise is exciting, and I am eager to get to work with Joey Moi again."
"This is an unbelievable moment for all of us as true fans of Jake Owen," says Big Loud President Clay Hunnicutt. "When we created Big Loud over two years ago, this is exactly the type of ‘home’ we wanted to create for someone like Jake, who is a unique and unparalleled entertainer and person, and who has a clear vision of who he is as an artist." The Big Loud roster also includes Chris Lane, Morgan Wallen and Jillian Jacqueline.

(7 Nov 2017) Compass Records Group Acquires Red House Records
Compass Records Group has announced the addition of Red House Records to its label family. The 34-year-old ST PAUL, MN-based imprint is an iconic brand in Americana and folk music.  Its roster has included The Wailin’ Jennys, John Gorka, The Cactus Blossoms, Larry Campbell And Teresa Williams, Eliza Gilkyson, Lucy Kaplansky, Robin And Linda Williams and Greg Brown.
Officially established in 1983 by Bob Feldman after meeting singer/songwriter Brown, Red House went on to become one of the most iconic labels on the folk and Americana scene. Feldman, up to his death in 2006, became widely recognized as a leading advocate for roots music and a leader in the independent label community.

(7 Nov 2017) Warner Music Nashville recording artist Tegan Marie visited her label home Monday (Nov 6) to preview her new music. Surrounded by WMN Chairman and CEO John Esposito, EVP A&R Scott Hendricks, her WMN family and Sweety High management team Frank Simonetti and Veronica Zelle, she shared her can’t-stop-singing melodies and beyond-her-years lyrics. Recently celebrating a birthday, Tegan Marie’s label home surprised the rising singer with a 14th Birthday cake and spirited rendition of "Happy Birthday." Tegan Marie (born in Detroit, Michigan in 2003) is expected to release new music in the New Year.

(8 Nov 2017) Amazon Music Reveals Alexa's Most-Requested Country Lyrics, Announces New Chart & Playlist
One of the basic tenets of country music is storybook lyricism and on Wednesday, Amazon Music released its Top 25 Country Lyrics Chart to show the genre’s most requested lyrics of 2017 via Alexa. Luke Combs nabbed the top spot with his hit single “Hurricane.” - Billboard.com

(8 Nov 2017) The self-titled track of Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real moved into the #1 spot on the Americana Airplay Chart this week (Monday, Nov 6, 2017), see full chart here.

AWARDS
(7 Nov 2017) That's the Way Love Goes: CMA posthumously honored Country Music Hall of Famer Merle Haggard with the 2016 Joe Talbot Award, presenting it to Haggard’s widow, Theresa Haggard. The award recognizes outstanding leadership and contributions to the preservation and advancement of Country Music's values and traditions.

(8 Nov 2017) The Ameripolitan Awards announced the nominees for their 2018 distinctions, and once again they have clearly honored their founding commitment to shining a light on artists with a strong roots influence that otherwise get overlooked by the rest of the industry. Read more at Saving Country Music

TV
(7 Nov 2017) Luke Bryan, Alan Jackson, More To Perform At 'CMA Country Christmas'
Luke Bryan, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Chris Young, Brett Eldredge, Kelsea Ballerini, Dustin Lynch, Dan + Shay, Trisha Yearwood, and more have been announced as performers for this year's "CMA Country Christmas." The sold-out event will be held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on Tuesday, November 14th and will be filmed for television.
ABC-TV will air "CMA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS" on Monday, November 27th at 8p (ET). The show will be hosted by Reba McEntire.

(13 Nov 2017) Arista's Faith Hill and Tim McGraw appeared on CBS-TV's Sunday Morning (Nov 12). Watch the interview here.

MUSIC NEWS
(10 Nov 2017) Taylor Swift releases her new album "reputation"
Taylor Swift - she attracts everyone's attention! After the single "Look What You Made Made Me Do" and the songs " Ready For It" and " G eorgous " the long awaited new album " reputation " released Friday Nov 10! Three years after her last work " 1989" (# 1 on the iTunes charts in 96 countries, over 10.1 million units), Taylor Swift's " reputation " is the next chapter in her incredible career.
" reputation" shows the singer, songwriter, producer and musician in her best form and as multi-faceted as ever, and also includes colleague Ed Sheeran, who is to be heard together with Taylor and rapper Future on the album song" End Game . "As a co-producer she invited Jack Antonoff, Max Martin and Shellback into the studio. Taylor previewed the album for selected fans - you can watch it >> here

(10 Nov 2017) As Ticket Bundles Become a Go-To Chart Boost, Not Everyone Is Celebrating
Billboard wrote: Packaging albums with concert seats can bump artists' chart positions, but promoters sweat higher ticket prices and premature tour sales.
This week, Kenny Chesney's new concert album, LIVE IN NO SHOES NATION, became the first live album to top the Billboard 200 in seven years and the biggest-selling live album since Paul McCartney's Back in the U.S.: Live 2002.
The reason: The country star bundled it into the price of tickets for his upcoming tour, a decade-old tactic that artists are now using with increasing success as the concert business booms and labels become savvier about getting fans to redeem their offers for CDs and digital albums. The album's cost, which is baked into the ticket price, isn't visible to fans.......
In October, P!nk's new album, BEAUTIFUL TRAUMA, debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200, with two-thirds of her 384,000 albums sold tied to ticket sales, while about 80,000 of the 134,000 copies of Shania Twain's NOW album sold in its first week came from ticket bundling, according to Nielsen Music. Katy Perry, Arcade Fire and The Chainsmokers all topped the chart with bundles, too. "Every couple days, I get a new request," says One Live Media's Andy Martel, who helps artists create ticket bundles.
For a bundled album to be eligible for the Billboard 200, the ticket purchaser has to download or redeem it. Kevin Leflar with Official Community, which helps artists bundle, says he recommends artists bundle one album with every pair of tickets, because trying to deliver an album for every single ticket sold can be cost prohibitive and a logistical nightmare. About 20 percent to 30 percent of fans tend to redeem their album offers, with most favoring CDs or vinyl over downloads, though nudges on email and social media can drive better results.
"It's just a flat-out scam," says indie concert promoter Seth Hurwitz, who owns and operates Washington, D.C.'s Anthem venue. Hurwitz says bundling forces people to buy music so acts "can jack up first-week album sales," but in doing so "people are putting tours on sale way before they ought to."
"The tour onsales are suffering greatly, and then those shows' momentum is gone forever. It becomes a house that's on the market too long," said Hurwitz. Meanwhile, "it adds to the ticket price without adding anything to the gross," says Emporium Presents promoter Dan Steinberg.
Taylor Swift flipped the script this fall, telling fans to buy her merch and pre-order her new album to improve their chances of scoring her concert tickets after the album released Nov. 10.

(10 Nov 2017) Billboard: Taylor Swift is, as her new single, “…Ready for It?,” rocketed back onto Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart dated Nov. 18 at No. 19, earning 16.2 million streams in the tracking week ending Nov. 2, according to Nielsen Music. The 106% streaming gain is due in large part to the release of the song’s >> music video, which premiered Oct. 26. Sixty-five percent of the track’s views for the week came via YouTube (though it saw gains in most other streaming metrics, too).

SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS
(10 Nov 2017) A.C. Jones Debut Single “Buses and Trains” Goes to Country Radio
Listen to the single now at country radio on Soundcloud
A.C. Jones is finding a great deal of success by expressing a genuine love and concern for her fans.  Whether she is performing solo in Nashville, at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, or is with her band on stage opening for acts such as Molly Hatchet or The Kentucky Headhunters, she has always maintained that she is in a special position to use music to touch lives.
"I’ve always looked at the music as a way to serve our fans and not be served by them," explains A.C.  "I’ve always wanted to develop a sense of family that goes beyond music and the stage by serving our communities and the people in it." 
On Thursday May 11, 2017, it was announced that Jones was signed to independent country label, SSM Nashville Records. The Music Row company boasts an artist roster that includes talent with over 40-years’ experience and millions of records sold. Jones will join other SSM Nashville artists which include Andy Griggs, Branch and Dean, Alexandra Demetree, Redhead Express and Wes Hayden.
Jones and her Family Band have been performing for years from Ohio to Nashville. They have played the fairs, festivals and a long list of music venues along the way, and last week made her way to Scotland to perform at the Vamos Festival in Edinburgh. The three-day event celebrated American music of many genres, and Jones brought her Country music to their stage for performances on both Saturday and Sunday.
Jones released her debut CD in December of 2015 (under the name Amanda Jones). The CD titled THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED (released Jan 9, 2016; Amazon UK | iTunes | Spotify) was a glimpse at the recording power of her vocals on music that explored themes of people having to make life-changing decisions, love, and more. -  facebook/ACJonesMusic/

ARTICLES
(7 Nov 2017) Rosanne Cash stopped by Garden & Gun's Whole Hog podcast to talk about the art of storytelling, the influence of her iconic father, finding her political voice and more. Listen here

INTERVIEWS
(6 Nov 2017) Building Our Own Nashville Interview: Talking to Shane Richie about his album A COUNTRY SOUL, his favourite country artists and more

(12 Nov 2017) 10 Questions with ... Tracy Lawrence

BOOKS
(7 Nov 2017) Snuggle up with "Cowboy, It's Cold Outside"
A Twilight, Texas Novel by Lori Wilde | Price: $7.99
Release date: Oct 31, 2017
Kindle, Paperback, Hard Copy:

Everyone in town knows that Christmas in Twilight has a way of bringing lovers together . . . but will its magic bring this pair from “I won’t” to “I do”?
Wearing a too-tight “Santa Baby” costume held in by a double pair of Spanx, Paige MacGregor runs headlong into a gorgeous, grey-eyed hunk of a long, tall cowboy. And not just any cowboy, but country-western star Cash Colton, visiting Twilight to perform in a charity concert. Most women would melt at his feet, but Paige knows all too much about self-assured men with cocky attitudes, so she tells him to get lost.
Cash is in town, nursing his own broken heart, but Paige has knocked him off his feet. He’s convinced she’s perfect—someone to inspire his music and share his now-empty bed. True, he’s not marriage material, but he’s determined to convince her that they’re perfect together—at least for a while. But what he doesn’t count on is falling in love with the one woman who isn’t about to give him the time of day! Source: www.avonromance.com

MAGAZINES
(8 Nov 2017) The latest issue (Issue 07 Dec/Jan; Margo Price Front Cover) of Country Music is now available to read at Pocketmags! If you are a subscriber your issue will be
ready for download in My Magazines at www.pocketmags.com and in your library in-app. A single issue is £4.99 with a FREE Sample issue of Country Music!
Christmas gift offer: Annual Direct Debit (£26.95) and a FREE M30X Headphones worth £77! – https://shop.anthem-publishing

Cover star Margo Price is a relatively young 34, yet her music is sure to appeal to seasoned listeners who grew up listening to Loretta Lynn. Likewise Midland, a throwback to the 70s country rock of The Eagles and classic George Strait, are suddenly the hippest thing in town. Who’d have thought that?
The magazine also have the established queens of kings of country. They speak to the living legend that is Dolly Parton and they look back at the remarkable formation of The Highwaymen, the “Mount Rushmore Of Country Music” that was Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.
Elsewhere, there are features on Kip Moore and Thomas Rhett, the remarkable White Buffalo, the fast-rising Courtney Marie Andrews and a full report from October’s Country Music Week in London. If that’s not enough, they journey to the edge of sanity and talk to TV “geezer” Shane Richie about his new country album. As well as the regular in-depth reviews section, they have Country Music magazine’s choice of the 30 Best Albums Of 2017.

WATCH
(7 Nov 2017) Danielle Bradbery - Sway published on Oct 15, 2017 (803K YouTube views) >> YouTube

(8 Nov 2017) Ryan Hurd reveals personal side in new music video for “Love In A Bar” >> YouTube
Black-and-white video shot at Hurd’s family lake house in Michigan offers an intimate glimpse at life off-the-road with fiancé Maren Morris.
Emerging singer/songwriter Ryan Hurd partnered with VEVO and Rolling Stone for the premiere of his new music video for “Love In Bar” featuring his fiancé, Maren Morris. Filmed at Hurd’s family lake house in west Michigan where the GRAMMY & CMA-nominated songwriter spent summers growing up, the video offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes glimpse at life off the road for the two country stars who met and fell in love as songwriters in Nashville, Tennessee. Earlier this year on a trip to the lake house, Hurd popped the question to Morris while on a trip out on the canoe boat featured in the music video.
This video means so much to me because this song is the story of how Maren and I met and fell in love. Returning back to my family’s lake house where Maren and I got engaged was really special. It’s cool to have such a special place, special person and special song all come together in one spot,” shares Hurd. “While the song is our story about falling in love in a bar, I love that we got to make a music video about what happened after that and hope that people can see their own love stories in these moments.”

COUNTRY FASHION

(7 Nov 2017) A Dreamy Cowgirl Wedding in Durango Boots
This couple tied the knot in their favorite Durango Boots and the photos (at Cowgirl Magazine) and video are to die for!



(8 Nov 2017) Urban Cowgirl: Western & Co.'s new leather pieces are the perfect juxtaposition of everything Americana, 70’s vintage, honky tonk, 90’s country, and the old desert west...Cowgirl Magazine

(8 Nov 2017) Sassy Custom caps at Cowgirl Magazine

COUNTRY GOSSIP
(7 Nov 2017) Chely Wright turned to Twitter to vent her anger and frustration after the mass shooting at a Texas church on Sunday (Nov. 5), writing that she's "ashamed of my country" over its inability to pass tighter gun laws. 26 people died on Sunday morning (Nov 5) when 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley carried out a methodical shooting spree at First Baptist Church in the tiny town of Sutherland Springs, Texas. The victims ranged in age from 17 months to 77 years old, and at least 12 of them were children.

(9 Nov 2017) Garth Brooks has admitted he lip synced his performance at the CMA (Country Music Association) Awards on Wednesday night (Nov 8, 2017).
The 55-year-old singer was just one of the winners at the ceremony, which was also televised, taking home the top award for Entertainer of the Year. However, Garth attracted criticism from fans when he performed his track Ask Me How I Know, with many slamming him for clearly not performing live.

"Really, @garthbrooks.... REALLY?? Everyone's up there shouting u out for being a 'legend' and you're gonna freaking lip sync overdramatically like a fool to your own song?? #Over. #CMAS #CMAawards #GarthBrooks #Garth #Nashville," one wrote.
Another tweeted, "Garth Brooks is REALLY bad at lip syncing", while a third posted, "Worst lip syncing I’ve ever seen. #GarthBrooks #CMAawards."
Speaking to journalists backstage after his performance, Garth admitted he had used a pre-recorded live track to lip sync to, citing sickness and his 12 show run in just 10 days as the reason he made the compromise.
Anderson East is offended that Garth Brooks lip-synced at the 2017 CMA Awards. Miranda Lambert says if you can't sing, then don't.
This truly offends me," East said on Instagram. "I was told country music is three chords and the truth."
In his comments section Lambert congratulates her boyfriend of two years for taking a stand, adding her take: "If you can’t sing then don’t. It’s better to be honest than to pretend. I think it’s bull s—t. My favorite performances in the show were live live. The truth."

(10 Nov 2017) Keith Urban was unaware of song's Weinstein inspiration before recording it
Singer Keith Urban had no idea the writers behind his new track Female had drawn inspiration for the song from the sex scandal surrounding disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
The country singer debuted the tune onstage at Wednesday's (8 Nov 2017) Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, but when he first recorded it, he was unaware of the real motivation which drove Shane McAnally, Nicolle Galyon, and Ross Copperman to pen the track.
Instead, he just thought Female was a beautiful, empowering piece of music - and that's how he prefers to view it.
"When I heard the song I knew nothing about its back story, and I don't think that is needed for the song," Keith explained to U.S. breakfast show Good Morning America. "The song for me was far more celebratory than anything else, so that's what really moved me."
Lyrics from the song include the lines: "When somebody laughs and implies that she asked for it/Just cause she was wearing a skirt/Oh is that how that works?"
Revealing the track's inspiration at the BMI Country Awards on Tuesday, songwriter Ross explained he and his collaborators came up with the idea for Female after reading about the sexual harassment and assault accusations made against Hollywood producer Weinstein in a New York Times expose last month.
"It's from the Weinstein announcement," he said on the red carpet. "We're in a room and we're like, 'What can we do about this?' And that's the one thing we can do, is write songs."

PHOTO
(9 Nov 2017) 


About Last Night
RCA's Miranda Lambert and P!nk at the Sony Music Nashville CMA Awards after party Weds night (Nov 8). Pictured (l-r) are Sony Music Entertainment CEO Rob Stringer, P!nk, Lambert and Sony/Nashville's Randy Goodman.


Capitol Gains
Capitol's Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban at UMGN's CMA Awards after party last night (11/8) at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum. Pictured (l-r) are Cindy Mabe, Rucker, Mike Dungan, Underwood, Urban and Boyd Muir.


BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays in the week ahead
November 13: Ray Wylie Hubbard (1946), Raymond Froggatt (1941
November 14: Gretchen Peters (1957), Judith Edelman (1964)
November 15: C W McCall (1929), Hank Wangford (1940), Jack Ingram (1970), Sara Johns (1970) 
November 16: Troy Seals (1938)
November 17: Gordon Lightfoot (1938),
November 18: Laura Lynch (ex Dixie Chicks; original member) (1958), Jessi Alexander (1972) 
November 19: Katy Moffatt (1950), Billy Currington (1973)  

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