Editor, Author at Maverick Country

Jessica Risker produces "haunting" experimental folk

Jessica Risker I SEE YOU AMONG THE STARS Western Vinyl *** Sleep inducing folk from Chicago’s lo-fi experimentalist Also performing under the name DEADBEAT, Jessica Risker’s output veers from electro-psychedelic towards psych-folk. Recently she’s experimented with an electro-psych album BIG FOREVER and SOFT MOONS: TWENTY LULLABIES, a collection of original music box lullabies. For I SEE YOU AMONG THE STARS, Jessica has stripped things down to just her sleepy, rather twee vocals and acoustic guitar with psychedelic sound effects overlaid in the background. The result is a pleasant enough folk album of just eight numbers spanning a meagre 30 minutes. The song writing is clever enough but if the listener can stay awake long enough, every haunting track sounds much the same as the last. When not performing solo, Jessica performs with Joshua Wentz (keyboards/synths, drum machines, electronix), Jarrett Hothan (bass) and Adam Wiebe (drums) who are presumably, responsible for the psychedelic tinged backing. Songs like ‘Anyway When I Look Into Your Eyes’ and ‘Zero Summer Mind’ display a mature songwriting style but after repeated listenings, I continually found it difficult to make it through to the final track before descending into a deep coma. John Roffey

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The Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers is "contemporary old-time country with a sense of humour…"

News / Editor

The Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers DON’T THINK ABOUT TOMORROW TONIGHT Self release **** Contemporary old-time country with a sense of humour If you’re a fan of old-time country music then the new album from The Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers is going to float your boat so high it will end up ten miles inland. Lovelorn and lost but still able to at least see the sunny side of the street, the titles here tell their own tale: the punning ‘Fools Were Made To be Broken’, ‘Come On Back, Break My Heart’, ‘It’s Lonely At The Bottom’: this is classic heartbreak set to a jaunty melody driven along by fiddle and steel guitar. Effectively a duo (Nikki Grossman & Joe Hart) augmented for the studio, they have a sense of humour too so this is no po-faced homage. The wry post-relationship song ‘If You Don’t Exist’ and particularly ‘This Song’ – we have no idea if we know the words or indeed the tune – which in other hands would be cynical here is just fun It’s not easy pastiche either. The dozen songs all stand up in their own right, the sound is contemporary as is the production – no valve amplifiers or recordings in a backwoods cabin here fortunately. Hank would be proud: no higher praise is possible. Jeremy Searle https://www.sapsuckersmusic.com

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Mary Chapin Carpenter & Emily Barker to perform in London on May 15!

News / Editor

Mary Chapin Carpenter is gearing up for another outstanding performance together with Emily Barker this Spring. Five-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Mary Chapin Carpenter will perform songs from new album SOMETIMES JUST THE SKY on May 15 at the Barbican in London – a record celebrating the singer’s 30 year career and the new title track. Opening the show is award-winning Australian singer-songwriter Emily Barker who blends country and English folk with 60s pop, rich string arrangements and multi-part vocal harmonies spearheaded by Emily’s clear, expressive voice and her charismatic stage presence. Her music has featured as the themes to BBC dramas Wallander and The Shadow Line and her latest album, Sweet Kind of Blue, was released to critical acclaim in 2017 SOMETIMES JUST THE SKY, out in 30 March on Thirty Tigers, which was recorded at Real World Studios with her long-time collaborator guitarist Duke Levine alongside handpicked musicians and was produced by Ethan Johns (Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon, Laura Marling). To find out more, visit serious.org.uk/marychapin

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Johnny Cash Museum unveils rare artefact commemorating first #1 'I Walk the Line'

News / Editor

The Johnny Cash Museum premiered an artifact today that has never previously been on public display despite being presented to Johnny Cash more than six decades ago. The unveiling of this rare artifact – Johnny Cash’s very first gold record – was released today to commemorate Cash’s first #1 I Walk the Line on what is the anniversary of the song’s release on Sun Records on May 1, 1956. Johnny’s siblings Tommy Cash and Joanne Cash-Yates joined Sam Phillips’ son Jerry Phillips on site today as the award finally found a permanent home on exhibition at the museum, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. In a ceremony hosted by WSM’s Bill Cody, Johnny Cash’s first ever gold record, originally presented to Johnny Cash by Sam Phillips in 1956, was reunited with the Cash family for the first time in over a decade. The cherished award remained in Cash’s possession until his death in 2003, at which time it was auctioned off to several different private owners over the years. Recently, museum founder Bill Miller learned that the record was in Germany in the hands of a private collector. Says Miller, “This is a piece we had to acquire—-at any price—-and return to its proper place, which is the Johnny Cash Museum. I held this award in my hands during my last visit with Johnny in early September in 2003. I feel good that it’s in my hands again, this time for all the world to see and enjoy.” I Walk the Line remained on the Billboard charts for 43 weeks. Cash was inspired to write the melody of the song after hearing a reel-to-reel tape record during his Air Force days in Germany with what he thought were interesting chord changes. It turned out the reel had gotten turned around and all the chords were being played backwards. The strange, haunting sound inspired the melody to “I Walk the Line” which Cash wrote several years later, backstage before a show in Texas in 1956. The song would become an American music standard and be credited with numerous accolades: Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts selected it among the 365 titles chosen as“Songs of the Century.” In 2000, NPR ranked it among the 100 most important American musical works of the 20th Century. CMT included the recording in its list of the “100 Greatest Songs of Country Music. In 2014, Rolling Stone ranks it as #1 on its list of the “100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time” RIAA Double Platinum selling single with more than 2 million copies sold Fans can view the article on display at the museum which is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM CT.

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Green Rock River Band – 'Edgelands' Review

Top Picks / Editor

Green Rock River Band Edgelands Self-released ✭✭✭✭⭐︎ Following up on their debut album in style Green Rock River Band were very much in demand after the release of their debut album in 2014, ‘Rhinceros’, and there has been a great deal of anticipation ahead of this release. While the album is only eight tracks in length, this album is very much a case of quality over quantity, as every song that lies on this album packs a punch. The band is far from your ordinary country band, and the group revel in this – and indeed, demonstrate that musically. The band utilise guitar, banjo, washboard, trombone, trumpet, fiddle, bass and drums for ‘Edgelands’, complete with some exceptional vocal harmonies. ‘King of the Edgelands’ is perhaps the standout track on this well-produced album, which is a track that will resonate perfectly with country music fans of a certain age, and really is a lovely track that is certain to stand the test of time. Rob Ramsey www.greenrockriverband.com

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EP by Lisa Wright soon to be released!

Beyond Nashville, News / Editor

One of the most exciting voices in the UK’s homegrown country/Americana scene, Lisa Wright, has announced the May 25th 2018 release of her brand new EP ‘Mind of Mine’. Produced by Matt Greaves (Ward Thomas, The Girls Musical), ‘Mind of Mine’ contains four brand new songs, and is Lisa’s most personal work to date. Lead single, ‘Tennessee’, co-written by Wright with Kaity Rae and currently gaining airplay on country shows & stations across the UK, was inspired by her trip to the US in late 2017, reflecting the notorious ups and downs of the music industry and the search for purpose in life. Nominated for ‘Best Country/Folk Act’ by the Unsigned Music Awards and described as ‘Kacey Musgraves meets Patty Griffin meets John Mayer’, it’s clear from your first listen that, to Lisa Wright, lyrics mean everything. Inside Nashville called Wright’s songwriting: “intelligent, elegant and beyond her years”. With great support from BBC Introducing, the young singer-songwriter was announced as one of their emerging ‘Sound of 2017’ artists and subsequently was handpicked by BBC Radio 6Music to perform at Latitude Festival. With over 70,000 streams on Spotify to date; previous singles playlisted on radio including Chris Country & Amazing Radio; and supporting artists such as; Cam, Ward Thomas, Phil Vassar and Emily Barker, it’s clear to see why Lisa has often been described as “the UK’s best kept secret”. Two of the tracks were solely written by Lisa, with ‘Giving Up The Ghost’ penned in collaboration with Jake Etheridge, known for his starring role as Sean McPherson on CMT’s Nashville TV show, and having also lent his songwriting talents to the show’s soundtrack. Combining Wright’s staple of honest and emotive lyrics with a new exploration of sound and style, it’s obvious that ‘Mind of Mine’ will showcase this young artist’s ability to continually re-create herself, while staying true to her roots. Having opened for US country star Cam earlier this month, and with support dates with the likes of Ward Thomas & Phil Vassar under her belt, it’s easy to see why the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI) have declared Lisa Wright “one to watch”. ‘Mind of Mine’ is out on May 25th 2018, and available to pre-order now, with an EP launch at 229 in London on May 23rd. Forthcoming live dates include: 18th May – Escape The Great Escape Festival, Brighton 23rd May – 229, London (EP Launch) Get tickets & info from lisawrightmusic.com

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Band on stage playing country music - Maverick Country

Man, I feel like a winner! Shania Twain launches country music competition

Beyond Nashville, News / Editor

Reports have surfaced that Shania Twain will host a TV show dedicated to finding the latest singing talent. The show, ‘Real Country’, will be hosted by the well-loved country star, together with Jake Owen. Shot in Nashville it will trace the journeys of those looking to succeed in the industry, all in an eight-part series. Within the show will be emerging solo artists, duos and groups who will showcase the rich traditions, songs and themes of various country genres. The best artists to perform will display their talent in a grand finale for the chance to be named one of country music’s next breakout acts, which will be aired in the Fall. Twain said, “It’s beyond thrilling to be leading the charge with REAL COUNTRY, and I’m on a mission to find artists who will keep country music diverse and dynamic. The kind of diversity that inspired all of us.” The Canadian singer recently spoke of an “awkward” remark made in a Guardian newspaper interview, in which star said she would have voted for President Donald Trump if she could have.

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Close up of people dancing in a crowd at a country music concert - Maverick Country

Stagecoach Country Music Festival to kick off today (27th April)

News / Editor

The key country music event of the year is set to kick off today, as the Stagecoach Country Music Festival in California is ready to begin. Described by some as the Coachella of country music, once again the SCMF has a gigantic line-up, which will see Florida George Line headline the Friday, Keith Urban the Saturday, and Garth Brooks with Trisha Yearwood closing the weekend. There will also be sets from Kelsea Ballerini, Brothers Osbourne, Lacey Musgraves, Lindsay Ell, Jake Owen, Brett Young and Kane Brown throughout the weekend, along with a host of other country stars. For those unable to make the event, Sirius XM will be broadcasting select sets, while Yahoo will do the same, but with video. Their stream will start at 5pm on Friday PDT.

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Close up of people dancing in a crowd - Maverick Country

Country stars come out in force for Shine for Susie

News / Editor

Michael Ray, Lauren Alania, Love and Theft, Trent Tomlinson and Charles Esten will all perform at the Shine for Susie ALS Charity Fund event, which takes place at Clarksville’s Wilma Rudolph Event Center on the 16th July. The event was formed by. the Burchett and Liles family in order to raise funds is the battle to combat ALS after Susie Burchett – a wife, mother, and grandmother in the family – unfortunately was diagnosed in March 2017 with ALS. The night will be hosted by Love and Theft member Stephen Baker Liles, who is the son of Susie. “I’ve had the privilege of helping with many charities through the years, but when the cause touches your life, it changes everything,” Liles said. “When my mother was diagnosed with ALS, March of last year, I was devastated. But I also felt called to make a difference to help her and others through my musical platform. I’m incredibly grateful for some of my dear friends who are joining me to shine light through our music and bring hope to millions.” Tickets for the concert go on sale Friday, May 4, at 9 a.m. via concert website, shineforsusie.org. Tickets are $150, $75 and $50.

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Close up of the band on stage playing country music - Maverick Country

Spotify recruits Keith Urban and Kacey Musgraves to bolster Hot Country playlist

News / Editor

Streaming giants Spotify have taken the decision to expand their immensely popular Hot Country playlist by adding original video content to it, which will go live on the 27th April. The first people who will be involved in video content are Keith Urban and Kacey Musgraves, while there will also be a special performance from Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton. Spotify’s decision to boost the Hot Country playlist puts it in the same bracket as Rap Caviar and ¡Viva Latino! for having original video content, and it also suggests that Spotify are still taking their commitment to both country music and Nashville very seriously. Aside from the video content, what makes the enhanced playlists special is that they combine both music and video into a single view, which means that users can listen to their favourite tracks, and also watch interviews and music videos from a host of other artists, should they choose to. The playlists are constantly refreshed throughout the week, while every Friday there will be new and original country video interviews to get stuck into.

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