Page 251 – Maverick Country

Garth Brooks surprises 2016 CMA broadcast awards winners

Garth Brooks wasn’t calling Baton Rouge, but he was dialing Houston, Cincinnati, Chattanooga, and Springfield today to alert winners of the CMA Broadcast Awards. Brooks, who is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has received 32 career CMA Awards nominations including Entertainer of the Year in 2016. He has won 11 CMA Awards beginning with the Horizon Award in 1990 (now New Artist of the Year) and Entertainer of the Year four times (1991, 1992, 1997, 1998). “Radio plays an integral role in our format,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “These winners are advocates for Country Music in their markets and we are honored to be able to recognize their accomplishments and valued contributions to our industry.” The winners of the 2016 CMA Broadcast Awards are: 2016 CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Winners National – “Country Countdown USA” (Lon Helton) – Westwood One Major Market – “Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Jeff “Maverick” Bolen, and Kia Becht) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. Large Market – “The Big Dave Show” (David Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, and Jason Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio Medium Market – “The Gator & StyckMan Program” (Gator Harrison, Greg “StyckMan” Owens, and “Cowboy” Kyle Croft) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn. Small Market – “The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green) – WKSF, Asheville, N.C. 2016 CMA Radio Station of the Year Winners Major Market – KKBQ – Houston-Galveston, Texas Large Market – WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio Medium Market – WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn. Small Market – KTTS – Springfield, Mo. The categories are established by market size based on population as ranked by Arbitron. Entries for Broadcast Personality of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings, community involvement, and biographical information. Candidates for Station of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings, community involvement, and format leadership. CMA members who are full-time, on-air personalities and CMA member radio stations in the United States and Canada were eligible. The entries are judged by a panel of distinguished broadcast professionals, representing all market sizes and regions. CMA Broadcast Award winners are not eligible to enter in consecutive years; therefore, those who received trophies in 2015 were not eligible in 2016. The professional services organization Deloitte & Touche LLP tabulates scoring by the judges. Winners will be recognized at “The 50th Annual CMA Awards” to be held Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) and broadcast live on the ABC Television Network from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return to host Country Music’s Biggest Night™.

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George Monbiot and Ewan McLennan’s announce album launch tour

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‘An epidemic is sweeping the world: an epidemic of loneliness. Never before have we, the supremely social mammal, been so isolated. The results are devastating: a collapse of common purpose, the replacement of civic life with a fug of consumerism, insecurity and alienation. We cannot carry on like this.’ – George Monbiot So how do we respond to this trend towards social breakdown? BREAKING THE SPELL OF LONELINESS is a remarkable collaboration between writer George Monbiot and musician Ewan McLennan. They launched their project because they believe that nothing has greater potential to unite and delight than music. They seek to use the music to open up the issue of loneliness, and their performances to help address it. The project began with an article that the journalist George Monbiot wrote in the Guardian, about the age of loneliness. The article went viral, and several publishers asked him to write books about it. But George had a different idea. He approached Ewan McLennan – a musician whose work he greatly admired – and proposed a collaboration. Together they would write an album, a mixture of ballads and anthems, some sad, some stirring, whose aim was to try to break the spell that appears to have been cast upon us; the spell of separation. It would touch upon issues as varied as our relationship with nature, our capacity for altruism and co-operation, the politics that lie behind loneliness, and the ways people are together overcoming this social scourge. Around the time of the album’s release George and Ewan will perform a small number of special concerts. George will narrate the show, describe the ideas behind the songs, and encourage members of the audience to engage with each other, both then and beyond the concert. Ewan will sing the songs and perform the music that has emerged from this innovative collaboration.

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Sean McConnell confirms London album launch in December

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Following the announcement of The Texas Music Takeover; a seven-date UK showcase of Texas music artists throughout November and December, country/Americana singer-songwriter Sean McConnell has confirmed his album launch show. McConnell will showcase his new album at The Garage (upstairs) in London on 2nd December 2016. The songwriter, known for his work with artists including Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Brothers Osborne and David Nail, will showcase his catalogue of new solo material. The self-titled album, his debut for Rounder Records, marks a personal and professional breakthrough – a career-defining record, with McConnell ready for prime time, yet still blessed with all the soulfulness and reflective storytelling for which he is already respected and admired. The album was released on 30th September and demonstrates exactly why this singer-songwriter has already won such a devoted audience. The single Holy Days and accompanying video are now streaming online and the album is available on CD and download. “From a very young age, I just knew that I was gonna spend my life making music,” Sean McConnell states. “I never really questioned it, so I just forged ahead and didn’t let anything stop me.” Although his self-titled new Rounder album will serve as his introduction to many listeners, the personable young artist is actually a seasoned, distinctive songwriter and an experienced performer with a quartet of D.I.Y. indie releases to his credit. Having built a substantial grass-roots fan base through tireless touring and old-fashioned hard work, McConnell is primed for a mainstream breakthrough. McConnell, a Massachusetts native, comes by music naturally; his musician parents were part of Boston’s vibrant folk music community. He began writing songs at age 12, after his family relocated to Georgia, and he never looked back. In addition to accolades for his songwriting, he has earned a well-deserved reputation as a dynamic live performer, whose shows offer his fans everything from intimate acoustic ballads to foot-stomping rock and roll. Having spent much of his life honing his craft and paying his dues, Sean McConnell is eager to launch the next chapter of his career: “I kind of feel like I’ve been in a really long boot camp,” he concludes. “I’m really grateful for that, because I feel like I’ve gained enough experience to know the deal and be prepared for anything. I’m excited to see where the next part of the journey takes me.”

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Nashville songwriters hall of fame inducts Townes Van Zandt, Aaron Barker,Beth Nielsen Chapman and Bob Morrison

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Townes Van Zandt, Aaron Barker, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Bob Morrison were officially inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame last night. The four took their bows in front of a sold-out industry crowd of more than 1,000 at NaSHOF’s 46th Anniversary Hall of Fame Gala held at the Music City Center. The event celebrated the musical contributions of the newest inductees through star-studded performances of some of their biggest hits. “Every year our organization has the distinct pleasure of honoring four of the best of the best songwriters in our community with induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame,” said Pat Alger, Board Chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation and himself a Hall of Fame member. “Once again the current group of inductees exemplifies the high standards that have helped make Nashville the songwriting capital of the world. We are pleased to welcome the class of 2016: Beth Nielsen Chapman and Aaron Barker in the Songwriter category, Townes Van Zandt in the Songwriter/Artist category and Bob Morrison in the Veteran Songwriter category.” Following welcoming remarks by Alger, the evening kicked off with inductions and performances. Bob Morrison was inducted by Hall of Fame songwriter Layng Martine, Jr. William Michael Morgan performed Looking For Love and Phil Vassar sang You Decorated My Life. Aaron Barker was inducted by Phyllis Williams, widow of late Hall of Fame songwriter/Barker co-writer Kim Williams. Curb artist Mo Pitney performed Baby Blue. The legendary Mac Davis performed Love Without End, Amen. Beth Nielsen Chapman was inducted by longtime friend/hit songwriter Annie Roboff. Kim Carnes, EmilySaliers (of The Indigo Girls) and Pam Tillis joined Bill Lloyd to perform This Kiss. Pop superstar Olivia Newton-John joined Lloyd, singer/songwriter Amy Sky and Chapman’s son, Ernest Chapman, to perform Sand And Water. Townes Van Zandt was inducted by producer Jim Rooney. Townes himself performed Pancho and Lefty via a video clip from the 1976 film Heartworn Highways. Darrell Scott performed White Freightliner Blues. Ricky Skaggs & Sharon White performed If I Needed You. Van Zandt’s award was accepted by his children Katie Belle Van Zandt and Will Van Zandt. In a special tribute alongside the hall of fame inductions, Hall of Fame songwriters Alger, Mac Davis and Ray Stevens presented the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award to the late Atlanta music icon Bill Lowery. Butch Lowery accepted on behalf of his father. The evening also featured a special presentation to Robert K. Oermann, industry journalist and NaSHOF board historian, who was presented with the organization’s Keystone Award in appreciation for his long-term commitment to the Nashville songwriting community and the Foundation’s Hall of Fame nominating process.

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Review: Brenda Lee SINGS COUNTRY, ULTIMATE COUNTRY COLLECTION

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Brenda Lee SINGS COUNTRY, ULTIMATE COUNTRY COLLECTION Humphead Hump 2 stars Who knew? This is indeed the very same Brenda Lee, the saccharine rock’n’roller of Let’s jump the broomstick and Rockin’ around the Christmas tree fame, and the tale of what she did next. If you are like me you thought that once she stopped being famous she just went home and lived on the royalties that accrued each Christmas, how wrong could I be. This double album of fifty songs is the proof of what Brenda did next and, probably, sounds the way you imagine mainstream Nashville to sound between the years of 1961 and 1985, the span covered by these albums. I’m also sure that the astute among you are beginning to get the feeling that I am not excited by this at all, and you would be right. Despite songs by such luminaries as Shel Silverstein, Kris Kristofferson, Mickey Newbury, and Willie Nelson nothing comes close to catching fire, and the impression given is that their best songs went to other people. But throughout Brenda’s voice holds up well yet, on occasion, cannot lift the second rate songs above the grasp of the ubiquitous Nashville sound, whose strings don’t come anywhere near close to the sincerity of banjo and mandolin. This really isn’t what I started listening to country music for, and my apologies to all concerned. Ian Ambrose humpheadcountry.com

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Review: Brooke Sharkey WANDERING HEART

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Brooke Sharkey WANDERING HEART Self released 3.5 stars Atmospheric and haunting; but brush up on your French! Brooke Sharkey was brought up in both France and England and spent her formative years busking around Europe. Now settled in London, her unique song writing style and incredibly controlled vocals have brought her to the attention of the likes of BBC 6s Mary Ann Hobbs. Much of WANDERING HEART, her second full length album, is delivered in French but the narratives tell of personal encounters and emotional connections, reflecting the last two years of her life. Influenced by old time French music, folk and contemporary pop/rock, the album was inspired by life living in London and travelling along the coasts of France and Italy with long time collaborator Adam Beattie who plays guitar and double bass on the album. Jez Houghton (French horn) and Sam Pert (drums) complete the line up. Brooke is comfortable with beautiful, haunting ballads but with a clever change of pace, can easily switch from a near operatic sound to the likes of the throbbing bluesy Come to Me or Bottletop Blues. With so much of the album delivered in French, it may not fire the imagination of British audiences but a forthcoming European tour ought to find her talents fully appreciated. I enjoyed the album but a lyrics insert with translations would have been helpful. John Roffey www.brookesharkey.co.uk

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Review: Shantell Ogden THE ROAD THAT DRIVES ME

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Shantell Ogden THE ROAD THAT DRIVES ME Hip Farm Chic Records **** A compelling Americana album that mostly encourages listeners to keep coming back for more September 13 will mark the release of Shantell Ogden’s new album THE ROAD THAT DRIVES ME. Not an album for fans of rockier country, nonetheless THE ROAD THAT DRIVES ME is still very strong and showcases Shantell well. Improving in quality as listeners journey through the album, THE ROAD THAT DRIVES ME is anchored by Truth About Trains and Feels Good To Get It Right. Intriguingly, Feels Good To Get It Right plays with a slight reggae feel that works surprisingly well and the track as a whole is smoothly added to with the harmonica hook that leads the rest of the instrumentalisation. In contrast, Truth About Trains feels a little pedestrian, which is a little unfortunate considering it’s position within the album. This pedestrian feeling crops up a few other times in the album which stops it from being really outstanding. Different Sides Of The Mississippi and Love Again are the softest tracks on the album but are arguably the two strongest. With nowhere to hide in either track, the focus is really on Shantell’s vocal and she doesn’t disappoint. Different Sides Of The Mississippi has a soothing blues rhythm that works well with the lyrics behind a track that also sees the harmonica used very effectively. The main production lead in Love Again comes from a delicate acoustic guitar line that manages to both feel open and unrestrained whilst still creating a strong beat to support Shantell’s vocal. The delicate vocal delivery contrasts smoothly with the following track as well as standing on it’s own well. Very strong album, it would have been interesting to see what a few further tweaks would have produced. Kasey Stone, www.shantellogden.com

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Review: Kim Edgar STORIES UNTOLD

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Kim Edgar STORIES UNTOLD Quietly fantastic music 4 stars Imaginative story-telling from the Edinburgh songstress Launched to coincide with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this latest offering finds Scottish singer/songwriter and pianist Kim Edgar delving into her innermost thoughts with a 12 strong collection that explores such diverse subjects as the impact of crime and punishment, child soldiers as well as the folk staples of loss and love. Inspired by amongst other things, graffiti in a Glasgow toilet urging us to ‘write about love’, Kim certainly took up the challenge with finely crafted numbers like Withheld where she is confused by conflicting feelings but scared to show them. Kim of course, also features in Irish folk band Cara and is joined on the album by fellow vocalist Gudrun Walther on violin and viola. Kevin McGuire (bass), Mattie Foulds (drums), Su-a Lee (cello), Fergus Kerr (French horn), Michael Owers (trombone, sousaphone) and Inge Thompson (backing vocals) also offer support. The album jogs along at a consistently gentle pace throughout but that takes nothing away from the overall quality of the music or Kim’s exquisite vocals. She embarks on a 20 date autumn tour of Scotland to promote the album as well as heading off to Germany with Cara. Her previous work has been critically acclaimed and this one should receive no less favourable treatment. John Roffey www.kimedgar.com

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Review: Birte Paulsen BORROWED TIME

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Birte Paulsen BORROWED TIME Self released 3 stars Indie folk noir with a sigh of Nordic melancholy from Brighton’s German expat Well known in the Brighton area, Birte Paulsen has been writing and performing for years but this is her full length debut where she pays homage to her Northern European roots. She finds a certain beauty in sadness and this is reflected in the dark nature of the fare on offer. Familiar themes of lost love, broken relationships and vulnerability but all exploring the darker side of life make this a listenable collection but not one for the depressed. Birte is joined by some of Brighton’s best; Brothers Alfie (bass, ukulele, percussion) and Ben Weedon (violin) and the self styled ‘queen of indie noir’ Mishkin Fitzgerald on piano and accordian. Birte returns to her roots with Berlin and Fresenhof (no translation provided) but I enjoyed Blue Winter Skies, a catchy number with a great percussive accompaniment as the artist dreams of locking her lover in and throwing away the key; happy melody but with the inevitable dark lyrics. Pleasant voice, mature song writing but avoid if you need cheering up. John Roffey www.birtepaulsen.com

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Review: Mike Smith ALWAYS YOU AND ME

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Mike Smith ALWAYS YOU AND ME EMS Records 4 stars Highly sought after songwriter/musician tries his hand at rockin’ country Well known in music circles as a premier league song writer and musician, Mike Smith has worked with many of the great names, particularly in the world of hip-hop. Now firmly part of the Nashville scene, Mike has decided to utilise the hip-model to introduce his music into the country music sector and has come up with a ten strong collection of self-penned numbers which veer from what is almost heavy rock to gentle country ballads. Production credits are shared between the likes of Gilby Clarke of Guns N’ Roses fame, the award winning Avila Bothers and top Nashville musician Nioshi Jackson who also contributes some pretty heavy percussion work. Smith is surrounded by a host of first class sides men, including the amazing Dan Dugmore on mandolin, pedal and lap steel; was it really 40 years ago when I saw him in Linda Ronstadt’s band? The album encapsulates the ups and downs of life but often returns to his primary focus, wife Erika. The single Green Eyed Girl has already made an impact on the charts and there’s little doubt the album will follow. Screaming guitar work and throbbing percussion abound on much of the album although I found his gentler work much more listenable. The Simon & Garfunkel influenced All Your Love and the soulful Keep it All to Myself were highlights for me. John Roffey www.mikesmith.net

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