Editor, Author at Maverick Country

New Interview- Keeper of the flame- Eric Bibb: the happiest man in the world?

Eric Bibb’s music is classy and consistent. His style uplifting, inspiring and there’s always a spiritual aspect. Almost gospel, but without the preaching! His new album, THE HAPPIEST MAN IN THE WORLD is all of this and more. Recorded in the Norfolk countryside with old friends, North Country Far and famed bassist Danny Thompson. 15 songs, 11 written or co-written by Eric and one traditional song arranged by him.Thrilled with the result, Eric believes it is an album that will be with us for a while. “People will come back to that record years from now.” Eric has toured with Danny Thompson in Australia and they have played radio sessions, but this is their first album together. Danny’s an original member of legendary folk group Pentangle and has played with John Martyn and Donovan. Recorded at Dave and Sue Williams’, The Grange Studios in Norfolk, where Eric cut his acclaimed album HOME TO ME in 2000. “There is an immediacy, an intimacy….it will appeal to anyone into the kind of roots acoustic music I am known for. This is where I made my mark in this kind of genre.Bluesy, countryish, rootsy stuff played on acoustic. It’ll always be that way, my heart drawing me back to this style even when I try other things. It’s my home zone.” “Even if I veer off into other directions, I try to keep that pretty central somehow. My style and sound was never consciously designed. I tend to gravitate towards certain music, a style of playing and sensibility over the years which has gelled into some of kind of brand.” Eric hits the milestone of 65-years old in August. He’s travelled the globe, performed just about everywhere, collaborated with many big names, released 36+ solo albums – his debut was AIN’T IT GRAND in 1972 – and many collaborations on record and on stage. So what about the “R” word? “Retirement is not really in my thoughts. Even if I won the lottery, I’d still do concerts, but probably not at the pace I am doing it. In 2017 I’d like to take a little bit more time off the road to gather my wits about me and figure out my priorities. I’ll do dates here and there, but not so much extended tours, to take a bit of a break.” Speaking to me in his dressing room at Birmingham Town Hall in the afternoon of a wonderful sold out show on his recent UK tour, he says it feels different doing what he does today, as it did when he first started. “I remember being more conscious of wanting to make a mark, wanting to get on the map, to be written about. That has happened on its own, and I am no longer chasing recognition. That’s the big difference.” “I am really gratified I have that place in people’s minds and hearts, somebody they really enjoy and follow. No longer striving in the way I was. Relaxed more about it. It’s not about making a name for myself, but more about satisfying myself and my fans’ expectation.” He starts recording a new album in August with Michael Jerome Brown, “a wonderful roots guitarist,” and Jean Jacques (JJ) Milteau on a stripped back acoustic album, without drums. “Sort of like Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee with an extra guitar player. Going back to that country blues that has been at the foundation of what I have been doing.” Aiming for a spring 2017 release. As one of the few artists to keep traditional blues, country blues and real American folk music alive, is it harder to reach new audiences, especially younger people? “There’s an increased interest in Americana, in blues, picking up with younger bands. A lot of younger players, in their 20s, are starting to discover who I am; a lot of that through YouTube. I have managed to stay current without changing direction.” Eric has championed the music of Lead Belly and Bukka White (aka Booker T. Washington and Booker White), among other blues and roots pioneers. He released Booker’s Guitar, in January 2010, playing the Delta master’s original guitar on the album. Last year he released ERIC BIBB & JJ MILTEAU: LEAD BELLY’S GOLD, and gave a show stopping performance at Lead Belly Fest at the Royal Albert Hall in London. “Both artists I was aware of early in my journey. Lead Belly was there from the very first. I heard covers of his songs before I heard him. He died two years before I was born. People who my family knew, had met Lead Belly, inc Pete Seeger who I met.” “Bukka White; someone in Newcastle in the UK inherited his guitar, as he was a friend of Bukka’s. In gratitude for the support he had given him through the years, before he died he shipped his guitar to UK as a gift. He has been guardian and caretaker of that wonderful Duolin guitar for years.It may end up in a museum. I still have access to it if I want to record with it. Holding the man’s guitar; it was an amazing gift to me, sealing my link to these other generational guys who I admire.” “I grew up in New York City, in the suburbs then Manhattan, in an upper middle class family who took me to Europe at 12. Mine was a whole different experience to Bukka White, but none the less that music hit me hard as a teenager.My link to that music has only got stronger through the years, which tells me it’s a kind of destiny thing and this is what I am supposed to be doing.” “I can imagine somehow the spirit of these ladies and gentlemen who I have admired from an earlier time, would be somehow aware I am gratifying the enduring popularity of their music and happy a guy like me chose to carry their flag. Not only by playing their songs, but by writing new material

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New feature: KT Tunstall

Exclusives / Editor

It’s hard to believe, at least for me, that it’s been 12 years since KT Tunstall burst onto the scene with a positively received set on Later… with Jools Holland. She subsequently released an album every three years, but following 2013’s ‘INVISIBLE EMPIRE/ CRESCENT MOON ’, she chose to switch her focus from her solo career towards writing songs for films. It seems, however, that such plans weren’t set in stone, and she’s now anticipating the release of a new album, and has been touring across the United Kingdom. “It was a bit of a surprise to me, because I’d pretty much decided to take a massive hiatus,” admits KT, who despite being busy preparing for her evening gig at The Tabernacle near Notting Hill, seems lively and upbeat. “The last record was very down tempo, and after making that record and touring it, I mistakenly thought that I didn’t enjoy gigging any more.” The turnaround for KT took time to transpire, and it was a combination of factors that led to her return. On the one hand, she played a couple of retrospective gigs, and her creative flames were fuelled by the up-tempo performances of songs from her back catalogue. “I was jumping around like a mad Mexican bean again,” she says, perhaps coining a new phrase. “I realised that for me, there needs to be sweat; there needs to be an intense physical element for me to enjoy it. I was actually relieved to realise, ‘I do still want to play’.” KT’s inspiration also came from moving to Los Angeles, which she’d always wanted to do. The timing had seemed right too, as INVISIBLE EMPIRE/CRESCENT MOON had been released shortly after a divorce and the death of her father. “Basically, my life was turned upside down,”she admits. “I sold everything and moved to Venice Beach to live an enjoyable life.”If ever there was a time to focus on California dreaming, this was it.” “I was driving around the canyons a lot”says KT. “I’m a big fan of David Lynch, and obviously Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac; all these amazing Californian bands. You start to understand why that music came out of that landscape and that area at that time.” Before long, KT settled back into her groove. “I started writing these really big pop songs, out of nowhere” she says. “And then I decided to really dig in and work my arse off [as an aside, KT has a delicious knack of knowing exactly when to swear], to write the best record that I possibly could. I just feel like I’ve absolutely got my mojo back, in a way that I haven’t had for years.” As you’d have guessed from the positive tones, KT is in a very different to headspace to the one she occupied as she wrote her last album. “I feel like the last record was kind of like the soundtrack to my own funeral” she says, though she later adds that it would be a pretty good funeral. “This album is kind of the phoenix of a new phase in my life, and I think the liberation from feeling like I had to do it [record the album] was incredibly important.” This liberated feeling led to a speedy process, with KT starting to record the new album last summer, and the record being mastered at the end of May. This was aided by a rapid spate of writing over the Christmas period, with KT drawing inspiration from a trip to Mexico, and a stay in a cabin at the Joshua Tree. “[In Mexico] I chopped wood and sat by a fire in snow, and just wrote for six or seven hours a day” she says, detailing her awesome yet unconventional methods. I ask KT if it also helps that she’s an established presence. “Yes and no” she replies. “Over the last three or four albums I’ve put out, it became increasingly difficult. It got more and more introspective, and I got more and more uncomfortable about being vulnerable, and being honest and showing myself, because it’s fucking weird. It’s weird knowing that there’s millions of people, and there’s always that expectation.” There are positives too though, and KT says she’s become more comfortable about who she is as an artist. “I think this album is the first time I really feel like I’m completely in touch with what I do best, which is pop, really. I’m not self-conscious about being a pop songwriter anymore, whereas I have been.” Taking ownership of what she’s doing has meant more than just being comfortable with where she sits in terms of genre. It’s also been a case of upping her involvement at every stage of the process, and looking at the commercial aspect of her career. “I’m really excited about being the boss of it all, and before I was very apprehensive, to the point where I would self-sabotage a little bit,” she explains. “It was like shy-bride syndrome, where I didn’t want to be at the centre of attention. It felt uncomfortable, I just wanted to sing.” Things are different now, and KT has also been using a Pledge campaign in order to raise funds. This means she’s been able to sell pre-orders, and provide the chance to purchase access to behind-the-scenes footage and paraphernalia. “It’s an amazing way to include fans in the process of making a record,”she says. “It also gives us extra financial stability to put more into the music – the money goes towards the music rather than my holidays by the way!” Moving on to the new album, KT reiterates that it’s a departure from INVISIBLE EMPIRE/CRESCENT MOON. “The record is really about galvanising people and their friends, and finding their drive” she says. “It’s amazing as you get older, because once you go through some really big shit in your life, the reaction of the people in your life really informs you of who your friends

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Martina McBride promotes Reckless in New York City

News / Editor

Country Superstar to Perform Latest Single, Just Around the Corner on “Live with Kelly” and “Fox & Friends”. Multiple Grammy® nominee Martina McBride has sold over 18 million albums to date, charting 20 Top 10 singles and six No. 1 hits. Her thirteenth studio album RECKLESS released earlier this year and marks her first on Nash Icon Records. Martina premiered her second single, Just Around the Corner on the CMT Music Awards earlier this summer. Martina will perform Just Around the Corner on LIVE WITH KELLY on Tuesday, September 6th. The singer will chat about her upcoming tour dates for the Sarah Cannon Band Against Cancer Tour as well as her Love Unleashed Tour. Martina will also stop by FOX & FRIENDS on Wednesday, September 7th to perform Just Around the Corner. Martina’s career boasts high-mark sales with 14 Gold records, Nine Platinum honors, three Double Platinum Records, and two Triple Platinum awards. Martina has earned more than 15 major music awards, including four wins from the Country Music Association and three titles from the Academy of Country Music for Female Vocalist of the Year.

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The new EP from multi-award winning Gary Quinn out tomorrow!

News / Editor

– 3 time British Country Award winner – 3 time British Country Award winner 2016 – Has performed with everyone from Kristian Bush to Clint Black – On tour in September with Luke & Mel Nashville Over Here today unveiled a first listen stream of acclaimed country singer-songwriter Gary Quinn’s EP, I REMEMBER , which is due for release on September 2.   Having received praise and an array of awards for his eponymous debut album, Gary teased the release of his new body of work with the single Shame. A mid-tempo, traditional-sounding track with a prominent drum beat, Shame sets the tone for the most personally insightful release from the multi-award winner. A native of Northern Ireland, Quinn cites U.S. country artists such as Brad Paisley, Hal Ketchum and more as influences, while he has shared the stage with acts such as Kristian Bush, Clint Black and songwriter Bob DiPiero. Having garnered support international praise for Shame, Gary is excited to finally unveil his long-awaited EP. Of the project he states, “I’ve gone for the EP title of I REMEMBER as I feel that it wraps up the feel of the EP pretty well. It’s a very personal project and the tracks cover different times in my own life though to now, so it’s almost a reflective piece of work. I REMEMBER also comes from a line in Each Night You Lie which features on the EP.” “It’s an EP that I’m really proud of, both to have had the experiences to write about and the quality that producer Thomm Jutz and my co-writers David C Banning and Nick Nichols have brought to the songs. One of my favourites on the EP is Body Language as it’s just a little bit fun but equally I love The Best Man Won, but folk will just have to listen to find out why.”  As heads out on the road next week with Luke & Mel, fans have a chance to hear the EP first hand and learn more about the story behind the songs. Upcoming Shows: 5 September – Cluny 2, Newcastle (with Luke & Mel and Outlander) 6 September – Broadcast, Glasgow  (with Luke & Mel, Lisa T and Sean C Kennedy) 7 September – Gullivers, Manchester  (with Luke & Mel, Thorne Hill and Robbie Cavanagh) 8 September – The Islington, London  (with Luke & Mel and The Southern Companion) 26 September – Butlin’s Country Music Festival, Skegness 12 November – Vaqueros Country Music Weekend, Filey

The new EP from multi-award winning Gary Quinn out tomorrow! Read More »

Michael Messer's Mitra / Terry Clarke

Top Picks / Editor

Michael Messer’s Mitra CALL OF THE BLUES **** Terry Clarke ATOMIC 10 AND OTHER SINATRA DREAMS **** Innovative pair take Americana in very different directions A couple of extraordinarily different (and beautiful) albums by Brits with Texas in their hearts. Messer’s the king of the National steel guitar and Clarke is a singer-songwriter with the air of an Americana Van Morrison. Together they teamed up with the Joe Ely Band’s breathtaking guitarist Jesse Taylor for one of the finest Americana albums of all time, 1993’s RHYTHM OIL, of which one Johnny Cash said in his sleevenotes “Here is the real thing – bare bones blues gut-bucket rural rock.” Messer, never one to tread an obvious path, here teams up with Indian slide guitar virtuoso Manish Pingle from Mumbai and London’s Gurdain Rayatt, master of the tabla, both renowned in Indian classical music. The result is hypnotic and stirring with Messer on slide, lap steel and vocals, JJ Cale and Mississippi Fred McDowell played as if they inhabited the world of TV hit Indian Summers, possibly slipping across into Bollywood. There’s a traditional raga number, Messer and Terry Clarke’s old rootsy favourite Lucky Charms and even Muddy Waters’ I Can’t Be Satisfied, which featured on RHYTHM OIL. Clarke’s is even curiouser. He’s always immersed himself in an imaginary world of rock ‘n’ roll and country and here creates a mean, moody string-laden Americana tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes. There’s the piano-accompanied crooner Hoboken, the fabulous Mexicana sound of Trini Lopez Said, the hot, dark Take Me To The Desert, the 50s rocker It’s All Life and the pomp of The Last Italian Vampire. An album that positively reeks of whiskey, casinos, pencil-thin ties – and the spine-tingling mix of triumph and terror that surrounded Sinatra and his entourage. NICK DALTON michaelmesser.co.uk; terryclarke.com

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Roadhouse – CITY OF DECAY

Top Picks / Editor

The roadhouse goes ever on… Roadhouse travel a mythical, mystical highway through the lands of Americana. The British band have been finding their own direction – a colourful mix of rock, country and blues – for 25 years. Their novel approach – two female singers alternately offering harmonies to leader Gary Boner and serving up their own lead vocals, sometimes in harmony, sometimes solo – has always made them different. That and their penchant for epic, crashing numbers with Boner’s jangling guitar at their heart. The seven-minute title track, an epitaph for Detroit, ebbs and flows with a potent energy. They revisit the 14-year album title track Blues Highway, turning it into a soulful 10-minute gem and the package ends with the impressive Turn Your Face Into The Wind, which starts off acoustically before turning into a power balled (in the best possible way, of course). Incredibly, Boner has been backed by the same rhythm section (bassist Bill Hobley and drummer Roger Hunt) while the lead guitar slot rotated for a long time, Danny Gwilym is now settled in the role, offering stylish licks. Even singer Mandie G now qualifies as a veteran. The result is something that’s never quite southern rock, nor heavy blues but which has elements of both. And at times the country jangle of the Byrds meets the twin guitar elegance of Wishbone Ash. Intriguing and powerful. Nick Dalton roadhousegb.co.uk

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'Larry's country diner' to feature guest stars Lorrie Morgan, John Berry, Bill Anderson 45 RPM, and Wilson Fairchild

News / Editor

Hit television series, “Larry’s Country Diner,” will continue to entertain audiences nationwide on RFD-TV with all NEW episodes! In September, the series will feature guest stars Lorrie Morgan, John Berry, Bill Anderson, 45 RPM, and Wilson Fairchild. With a stellar lineup of some of country music’s greatest artists and entertainers, along with stories and family-friendly entertainment, it will be an exciting month on “Larry’s Country Diner” that fans won’t want to miss. Tune in on Thursdays at 8 pm / 7 pm CST and Saturdays at 11 pm / 10 pm CST to RFD-TV. Upcoming Episodes of “Larry’s Country Diner”: *All episodes repeat on Saturdays at 11 pm / 10 pm CST Thursday, September 1 – Lorrie Morgan (Re-Airing) Thursday, September 8 – John Berry Thursday, September 15 – Bill Anderson Thursday, September 22 – 45 RPM Thursday, September 29 – Wilson Fairchild To inquire about how to attend an upcoming taping, where you can have a front row seat at “Larry’s Country Diner” and be part of the on-camera studio audience, please call Gabriel Communications at 800-820-5405. Fans can also participate in Renae The Waitress’s weekly Diner Chat via phone where she shares behind-the-scenes secrets of the show, answers viewers’ personal questions and features exclusive interviews with celebrity guest stars on Thursdays at 2 p.m. CST.

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Announcing the release of Phil Doublet’s first single from his new album ENDLESS HIGHWAY

News / Editor

Capturing the energy and positivity of new love…. Keep You Hanging’ Round is a catchy country anthem setting the scene for a summer to remember. This rocky, toe-tapping tune has commercial value and a catchy chorus hook that will have you singing ‘Boom’. Phil interprets the euphoria of discovering new love and being hooked in every way. With catchy guitar work Phil’s new feel-good song will certainly be beside you while driving down the highway of life…After the 2013 release of his first album STONE & WOOD which earned him the 2014 NZCMA male artist of the year title, Christchurch singer/songwriter Phil Doublet is set to excite listeners with his second full-length release, ENDLESS HIGHWAY. This album encompasses a broad spectrum of genres, from folk to rock, demonstrating that versatility comes easy to this accomplished artist. Each track is carefully crafted, telling stories based on real subjects, true stories and events that are easily relatable to the audience. If Phil looks familiar that’s because he is a very accomplished backing musician. One of New Zealand and Australia’s most respected instrumentalists. Well known in Australia as a member of Luke O’Shea’s Medicine Wheel, he has performed for many year’s with Luke including at the Gold Guitars in 2014 in the winning performance of the Drovers Wife. Phil is also a member of the Ranchsliders a much loved Christchurch band. Above all he is also an amazing writer and outstanding artist in his own right and the quality of both his album STONE & WOOD and now his sophomore album ENDLESS HIGHWAY shows what this greatly talented artist can present in a stunning body of work.

Announcing the release of Phil Doublet’s first single from his new album ENDLESS HIGHWAY Read More »

James House is back performing in the UK with new tour dates!

Live Events, News / Editor

James House is back in the UK with his stellar band for three shows only September 29th October 1st and 2nd. Performing his own hits plus the #1 hits he’s written for The Mavericks, Dwight Yoakum, Martina McBride, Sara Evans and more. Since it’s release here 2 years ago his Epic Records Release “This Is Me Missing You” continues to be the #1 UK country dance track. “I love playing the UK, the fans are the best” says James on his return to the UK.

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Eric Church, Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton lead the list of finalists for the 'The 50th annual CMA awards' with five nominations each

News / Editor

Hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, the 2016 CMA Awards Airs Live From the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 2 on the ABC Television Network. Eric Church, Maren Morris, and Chris Stapleton top the list of final nominees for “The 50th Annual CMA Awards” with five nominations each. This year’s finalists represent the depth and range of Country Music over the past five decades from soulful traditionalists to contemporary groundbreakers. “I am very excited about this year’s list of nominees,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We have artists who received their first CMA Awards nominations decades ago alongside first-timers; we have critically-acclaimed songwriters and artists who have reset the bar for Country Music. This is going to be an exciting year in addition to celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards.” Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban received four nominations and Tim McGraw received three nominations for trophies that will be handed out on Country Music’s Biggest Night™. “The 50th Annual CMA Awards” will be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood and broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. For the first time on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” the announcement of the final nominees in six of the 12 CMA Awards categories was made live from the historic stage of the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, which was home to the annual CMA Awards broadcast from 1974 to 2004. The announcement was made by Bentley, Cam, and Urban. Following “Good Morning America” the six remaining categories were announced by the nominated trio of artists on GoodMorningAmerica.com on Yahoo! as well as the “Good Morning America” Facebook page through Facebook Live – making the announcements a complete ABC takeover for the second year. Church’s nominations include Male Vocalist; Album of the Year for MR.MISUNDERSTOOD, which was produced by Jay Joyce and Arturo Buenahora, Jr.; Single of the Year for Record Year, which was produced by Joyce and mix engineered by Joyce and Jason Hall; Song of the Year for Record Year, which was written by Church and Jeff Hyde; and Music Video of the Year for Record Year, which was directed by Reid Long and John Peets. Church is a top nominee for the second year in a row, matching the five nominations he received in 2015. He now has a total of 22 nominations since his first in 2011 for New Artist of the Year. Morris didn’t just score her first nomination this year; she scored five, which ties her with Deana Carter (1997), K.T. Oslin (1988), and Gretchen Wilson (2004) for five nods in a debut year by a female artist. Only Kacey Musgraves has more, having received six nominations in 2013. Morris received nominations for Female Vocalist; Album of the Year for HERO, which was produced by busbee, Brad Hill, and Morris; Single of the Year for My Church, which was produced by busbee and Morris and mix engineered by busbee and Dave Clauss; Song of the Year for My Church, which was written by Morris and busbee; and New Artist of the Year. Morris only receives one nomination each for Album and Single of the Year, but can receive additional trophies as producer. After Stapleton’s breakout year in 2015 when he had three nominations and went home with four trophies for Album (including producer), Male Vocalist, and New Artist of the Year, he is back in 2016 with five nominations, including his first for Entertainer of the Year. His list of nods this year also includes Male Vocalist; Single of the Year for Nobody To Blame, which was produced by Stapleton and Dave Cobb and mix engineered by Vance Powell; Music Video of the Year for Fire Away, which was directed by Tim Mattia; and Musical Event of the Year with life and stage partner Morgane Stapleton (her first nomination) for You Are My Sunshine. Stapleton only receives one nomination for Single of the Year, but can receive an additional trophy as producer. Bentley, a 20-time nominee and two-time winner including the Horizon Award in 2005 (now New Artist of the Year) and Music Video of the Year in 2014 for Drunk On A Plane, will vie for Male Vocalist; Album for BLACK, which was produced by Ross Copperman and Buenahora; Music Video for Somewhere On A Beach, which was directed by Wes Edwards; and Musical Event of the Year for Different for Girls with Elle King (her first CMA Awards nomination). Underwood is a first-time nominee in the Entertainer of the Year category. She also received nominations in Album of the Year for STORYTELLER, which was produced by Joyce, Mark Bright, and Zach Crowell; and Musical Event of the Year for The Fighter with Urban. She is also nominated for Female Vocalist, which she has won three times (2006-2008). Urban, who has been a nominee every year since 2004, received four CMA Awards nominations in 2016 including Entertainer of the Year, which he won in 2005. Urban’s other nominations include Male Vocalist; Album of the Year for RIPCORD, which was produced by Urban, Dann Huff,Jeff Bhasker, Tyler Johnson, Greg Wills, Nile Rodgers, busbee, K-Kov, Nathan Chapman, and Jonny Price; and Musical Event of the Year for The Fighter, featuring Underwood. Urban only receives one nomination for Album of the Year, but can receive an additional trophy as producer. Urban has won the Musical Event category four times including Start A Band with Paisley (2009); Highway Don’t Care with McGraw and Taylor Swift (2013); We Were Us with Miranda Lambert (2014); and Raise ‘Em Up, featuring Church (2015). McGraw, a 38-time CMA Awards nominee, received three nominations including Male Vocalist (his last nomination in the category was 2003); Single of the Year for Humble and Kind, which was produced by McGraw and Byron Gallimore (Gallimore also mix engineered the song); and Music Video of the Year for Humble and Kind, which was directed by Edwards. He last won the Music Video category in 2013 for Highway Don’t Care with Swift and Urban. McGraw only receives one nomination for Single of the Year, but can receive an additional trophy as producer. Artists receiving two nominations include Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Cam, Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, and Thomas Rhett. Ballerini, who received her

Eric Church, Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton lead the list of finalists for the 'The 50th annual CMA awards' with five nominations each Read More »