Sea Gayle Records/Arista Nashville hitmaker Jerrod Niemann has unveiled his new nonprofit charity, Free The Music USA (FTMUSA). The charity will be dedicated to collecting used instruments and giving them to children in need. Born out of Niemann’s deeply rooted belief that every child deserves the opportunity to explore music within themselves, Niemann set out to help place instruments in the hands of children who could not otherwise afford them. FTMUSA will also make spontaneous and varied donations to music based charities throughout the year. FTMUSA is partnering with Songs for Sound, a Nashville-based charity dedicated to assisting the profoundly deaf through awareness and providing resources for cochlear implants and rehabilitation. Songs for Sound and FTMUSA have partnered with the Academy of Country Music to give three recent recipients of cochlear implants a trip to the 2014 ACM Awards in Las Vegas to meet Niemann and hear him perform at the 2nd Annual ACM Party for a Cause Festival on April 5 at The LINQ. Newly appointed FTMUSA board member Shannon Shryne has said: “Jerrod’s passion for helping people is just as strong as his passion for creating great music. Free the Music USA will harness that philanthropic energy and truly make a difference in so many ways. The possibilities are extraordinary and we’re excited to get started!”

Ray Lamontagne has announced details of the release of a new album. SUPERNOVA, his 5th studio album, is released on RCA Records on Monday May 6, 2014. It follows his 2010 Grammy Award winning album, GOD WILLIN’ AND THE CREEK DON’T RISE. Commenting on the song writing process for Supernova, Lamontagne said: “For the longest time these songs were eluding me. I felt like a kid trying to collect lightning bugs. I’d catch a glimpse out the side of my eye and run for I, but the light would go out just as I thought I’d gotten hold of one. But eventually I caught onto their game. I stopped chasing them altogether. Instead I just sat there as if I were completely disinterested in them. And wouldn’t you know it, one by one they came to me! Flew right into my jar.” SUPERNOVA was recorded in Nashville, TN with producer Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys.

Live Nation have announced that BluesFest will return to the Royal Albert Hall this autumn for an extended six-day event, which will once again feature a wonderful array of international stars from the worlds of blues, soul, jazz and beyond. Now in its fourth year, and widely regarded as one of the highlights of the live music calendar, BluesFest made history in 2013 when it relocated to the Royal Albert Hall and became the iconic building’s first ever full-scale music festival. The four day event was a resounding success, with over 40,000 music fans enjoying an incredible run of shows from the likes of Robert Plant, Ronnie Wood, Bobby Womack, Van Morrison, Gregory Porter, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Mavis Staples, Chris Rea and many more. This year’s festival will feature a similarly world class line-up as evidenced by the first batch of headliners which includes the return of one of the most indelible artists of the 20th century, the legendary Van Morrison (Oct 28th), song-writing icon Elvis Costello (Oct 29th), the inimitable Georgie Fame (who opens for Costello on Oct 29th), multi-Grammy-winning Sheryl Crow (Oct 31st) and chart-topping jazz funk outfit Level 42 (Oct 26th). Although all these artists are now celebrated for their own distinctive sounds and styles, they all credit the blues as the start of their musical journeys. Leo Green – Festival Director: “Following on from last year with some fantastic shows from Van Morrison, Robert Plant, Ronnie Wood, Bobby Womack and Tedeschi Trucks Band, we’re delighted Bluesfest will be returning to the Royal Albert Hall in 2014. Last year’s daytime stroller tickets, which are free for kids, proved very popular and it was great to see a family audience enjoy the likes of James Hunter, Dr Feelgood, Huey Morgan and Jo Harman – we’re now looking forward to Bluesfest 2014 and are delighted to announce the first of our headliners and look forward to what will be six very memorable days and nights.” This year’s festival runs from Sunday October 26 – Friday 31 October. Tickets go on-sale 9am on Friday April 4 priced from £20 upwards (subject to per-ticket charge plus order processing fee).

Johnny Cash’s great niece has been found stabbed to death and stuffed into a box in her home in Tennessee after a fight with a family friend. Courtney Cash, 23, was discovered on Wednesday morning (March 19) in her house near Cookeville, about 70 miles east of Nashville. Putnam County Sheriff David Andrews has commented, saying that her body was discovered in a chest just inside the front door. A man identified as William Austin Johnson, Courtney Cash’s boyfriend, was being treated for stab wounds at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre in Nashville. Johnson and Cash lived together in the house with their young child. Andrews confirmed that the pair had gone out with a friend before an altercation took place. Johnson escaped the attack and took the child with him before driving to the hospital, Andrews said. The friend, identified as Wayne Gary Masciarella, has been charged with first-degree murder. Andrews said that the suspect may have been trying to hide Cash’s body. He also indicated that the stabbings were likely connected to drugs. “This is a senseless, tragic death of a young lady whose life was probably taken as a direct or indirect result of drugs,” he said. In a statement about the loss of his granddaughter, Johnny Cash’s brother, Tommy Cash said: “We are completely heartbroken.” Masciarella is currently being held without bond. He has a court date scheduled for April 21st.

COVERS marks a sea change for Kimmie Rhodes. For the first time, the songwriters’ songwriter, puts down her pen to devote an entire album to the songs of other writers, whose music has provided key milestones during Kimmie’s acclaimed performing and recording career, and her personal life. Rhodes’ first studio adventure since the passing of long-time partner and collaborator Joe Gracey in 2011, Kimmie draws deep from a wide range of catalogues – Thiele and Weiss, Lennon-McCartney, Jagger/Richards, Jimmy Reed, Mark Knopfler, Dylan, Bono, Tom Petty, Leon Russell, Neil Young and Tom Waits, and channels close friends Townes Van Zandt and Rodney Crowell; telling each story in that clear, soaring songbird voice that takes ownership of every composition. Embellishing the voice is a dream team of pickers including son/collaborator Gabriel Rhodes, multiple Handy Award winner Marcia Ball, singer-songwriter-author Rodney Crowell, songwriter and performer Bill Carter, Delbert McClinton, daughter Jolie Goodnight, guitar hotshot David Holt (Joe Ely), singer-songwriter/producer Gary Nicholson, pedal steel ninja Tommy Spurlock, fiddler Richard Bowden (Joe Ely), Glenn Fukunaga (Joe Ely), Mike Thompson (The Eagles) and Brian Standefer (Alejandro Escovedo). The chemistry is explosive, and the music, perfect for all tastes. What’s your pleasure? Vintage pop from the Great American Songbook? ‘What a Wonderful World’. Beatles? ‘Yesterday’, ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’. Stones? ‘Moonlight Mile’, like you’ve never heard it before. Album rock? Neil Young’s ‘Birds’ or Kimmie’s duet with Marcia Ball on Mark Knopfler’s ‘Cannibals’. Low down blues? ‘Shame, Shame, Shame’, sung with the Delbert McClinton. Texas high lonesome singer-songwriter? ‘White Freight Liner’. Americana classic? Rodney Crowell’s poignant, ‘Adam’s Song’, with Rodney helping out on the vocals.

With the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards quickly approaching, more and more performers are being added to the all-star lineup. Eric Church, Toby Keith and Lady Antebellum with Stevie Nicks are the latest acts to be named as performers on the show, which takes place at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line and The Band Perry. The ACM is expected to announce additional acts and presenters within the next few weeks leading up to the awards. The 2014 ACM Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, will air live at 8 p.m. ET/delayed PT on CBS on Sunday, April 6. In addition to country music invading Las Vegas for the ACMs, numerous superstars will partake in the 2nd Annual ACM Party for a Cause Festival, taking place in Las Vegas before the awards on Friday and Saturday, April 4 and 5. Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban will headline the two-day event at The LINQ. Others scheduled to perform during the event will include Brett Eldredge, Lee Brice, Justin Moore, Kip Moore, Tyler Farr, Danielle Bradbery, Cassadee Pope, Love and Theft, Florida Georgia Line, Parmalee, The Cadillac Three, Thomas Rhett, Chase Rice, Charlie Worsham, Will Hoge, Joe Nichols, Jerrod Niemann, Chris Young, Joel Crouse, Jon Pardi, Dan + Shay, Leah Turner and Austin Webb.

The final recording sessions of the late Ray Price are being made available for the first time on April 15. BEAUTY IS … will be released on AmeriMonte Records and feature duets with country superstars Vince Gill and Martina McBride. It will be available at Wal-Mart, Cracker Barrel stores and online retailers. At the helm of the project was legendary record producer Fred Foster. “[Ray] called me in 2012 and said, ‘I think I have one album left in me; I’m not well, you know,’” Foster recalls. “He said, ‘I want to do one last one, and I want you to do it with me.’ The whole time we were working together, his state of mind was always really good. You would never know how sick he was to talk to him. What a classy guy.” In advance of the full-length album, which will be available for pre-order March 18, a three-song EP will be available digitally on March 16, featuring ‘Beauty Lies in the Eyes of the Beholder’ (with Vince Gill), “This Thing of Ours” and ‘I Wish I Was 18 Again.’ Foster brought the album’s new songs to the iconic singer and suggested the inspirational ‘I Believe’ while Price selected songs from two fellow Texans and Country Music Hall of Fame members Cindy Walker (‘Until Then’) and Willie Nelson (‘It Will Always Be’). His wife, Janie, chose the 1957 Vic Damone pop hit and movie theme tune ‘An Affair to Remember’. “Offstage, he was just the guy I love,” says Janie Price. “When that red light went on in the studio, or when he stepped onto the stage and they handed him that microphone, something happened. It was a higher power. This transformation took place in him. He turned into RAY PRICE.” The country legend died of complications from pancreatic cancer at his Mount Pleasant, Texas, home on December 16, 2013. He was 87. BEAUTY IS … track listing: Beauty Lies in the Eyes of the Beholder (with Vince Gill) This Thing of Ours I Can See You It Will Always Be No More Songs to Sing An Affair to Remember (with Martina McBride) Senses Until Then (with Vince Gill) Beautiful Dreamer I Wish I Was 18 Again Among My Souvenirs I Believe

Taylor Guitars has unveiled its 2014 Spring Limited Editions, offering players a fresh acoustic voice and premium appointments. This year’s collection features a sumptuous baritone Dreadnought, the 320e-Baritone SLTD, and a suite of upgraded, full-gloss 400 Series models. On the baritone Dreadnought, the rich pairing of sapele back and sides with a mahogany top makes a striking impression. The combination of the baritone’s 27-inch scale length, tonewood selection, and Dreadnought body yields low-end richness with touches of warmth in a booming voice. It’s a tone profile that Taylor Master Builder Andy Powers describes as filled with “loads of growl and midrange gnarliness.” The hardwood mahogany top adds a bit of natural compression, creating a leveling effect across the tonal spectrum. “That husky, woody warmth on the low end gets spread out more evenly as a result,” Powers explains. The guitar promises to provide a great low-end complement in a variety of playing styles and in duo or group configurations. Aesthetically, the 320e-Baritone SLTD features mother-of-pearl dot fretboard inlays, a three-ring rosette, all-satin finish and a black pickguard. The guitar is also equipped with the Expression System 2, Taylor’s new pickup, which captures the baritone’s natural tonal depth and delivers plug-and-play simplicity. In the 400 Series, players are treated to ovangkol, a wood praised by gigging musicians and hobbyists alike for its full midrange and tonal versatility, making it a match for variety of playing styles. Paired with a Sitka spruce top, these guitars are offered in five models: the 410ce-SLTD, 412ce-SLTD, 414ce-SLTD, 416ce-SLTD, and 12-string 456ce-SLTD. Premium appointments include an all-gloss body, abalone dot fretboard inlays, abalone bridge pins, Taylor Gold tuners, and the Expression System 2 pickup. The 320e-Baritone and 400 Series Spring Limiteds both ship with a deluxe hardshell case and are available at authorised Taylor dealers.

A car crashed into a crowd of people early on Thursday near the South by Southwest festival, resulting in multiple fatalities, according to the Austin Police Department. Details are scarce at this time, but Twitter reports from the scene indicated that a car drove into a crowd of people outside the Mohawk bar at East 10th Street and Red River Street around 12:30 a.m. local time, killing two and injuring as many as 23. Five the injured were in critical condition, Austin Police reported on Twitter. Images and video captured of the scene after the crash and posted to social media show victims of the crash strewn along on the street with bystanders leaning over them administering first aid. The driver of the vehicle, who was taken into custody not long after the crash, is suspected of driving under the influence, authorities said at a press conference early Thursday. More details are expected later today. Police also said the identities of the deceased would be withheld pending notification of next of kin.

As the first signs of spring make a welcome showing, the weather expects are making strong predictions for a perfect summer of sunshine and blue skies in time for the extra special Diamond Anniversary celebrations of Sidmouth FolkWeek August 1st – 8th. Organisers aim to celebrate the big event with a wealth of special events across all areas of the festival – from major concert events with headliners Ralph McTell, Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham, Oysterband, Cara Dillon, Steve Knightley, Martin Carthy & Eliza Carthy, Kathryn Tickell & The Side, Chris Wood & Andy Cutting, Yves Lambert Trio, Martin Simpson, Andy Cutting and Nancy and more, to a series of extra special commemorative activities. The festival at Sidmouth began in 1955 as an event for social dancers, and 60 years on the Connaught Gardens will once again be filled with dancers, recalling those early days, as well as a special The Way We Were dance with first festival survivor Les Barclay. A breakdown of other 60th Anniversary Celebrations across the festival includes: – An Anniversary Concert in the Ham Marquee with The Copper Family and special guests. – Ralph McTell headliner at the 50th festival returns with a Pre Festival Concert. – A special Bulverton Ceilidh with festival favourites Oysterband with former members, an appropriate dress theme and some very special guest spots. – A Grand Anniversary Ceilidh with The Old Swan Band in Blackmore Gardens on Tuesday 5th, with plenty of surprises in store. – Festival Patron and local hero Steve Knightley and Friends in Concert. – Festival Patron (and Folk Awards Lifetime Achievement Award Winner) Martin Carthy hosts a night of Traditional Music and song. – The Children’s Festival hosts its own Family Ceilidh Party as well as special events in Blackmore Gardens. – EFDSS Presents Folk Rising Plus: The founders of the festival celebrate the future with some great young acts. – An eye on the future… looking forward to the next generation of festival guests, organisers welcome Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin (BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Duo winners), The Young Coppers, Salt House, The Furrow Collective Barrule, Josienne Clark and Ben Walker, The Carrivick Sisters, Will Pound, Lisa Knapp, The Willows, Gren Bartley, The Long Hill Ramblers…