The Bacon Brothers unveil 'She-Zee-Zee (Easy On My Eyes)' single

April 06, 2020 by David Vousden in Americana, New Single, News, Pop, Video

Guaranteed to brighten your day in these tough times The Bacon Brothers are back with a new single. The recording of music via file sharing is the norm and has been for quite a few years now but who thought it’d become our main avenue for musical expression? The video for ‘She-Zee-Zee (Easy On My Eyes)’ should strike a chord for many folks and raise a smile if you’re stuck in the house. Loads more about The Bacon Brothers including a link to the video follows:

Silas J. Dirge makes Faustian pact with the Devil on new single

February 28, 2020 by David Vousden in Alt-Country, Americana, Country, Folk, New Single, News, singer-songwriter

Today, February 28th sees the release of the latest single ‘Devil’s In Town’ from the wonderfully monikered Silas J. Dirge. The single is the second release from his upcoming sophomore album and follows the rather wonderful murder ballad ‘Flowers On Her Grave’ a tale of death, vengeance and homicidal cows… Mr Dirge aka Jan Kooiker might be familiar to some readers from his time in alt-country act The Information. More about Silas J. Dirge follows:

The RGM Inbox February 2020

February 14, 2020 by David Vousden in Americana, Folk, New Single, News, Pop, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates, Video

It’s time once again to delve into the murky depths of the RGM inbox. The first edition of this new feature was surprisingly well received so we’re back with part two. Please join us as we share a quartet of impressive releases that reinforce the theory that there’s plenty of great music if you know where to look.

Alice Wallace to release Ronstadt classic 'Long, Long Time' on vinyl

February 10, 2020 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, New Single, News, singer-songwriter

Alice Wallace caught the attention of RGM with her 2019 album release ‘Into The Blue’ which showcased her lovely voice over a selection of material that was eclectic but hung together beautifully. Basically Alice Wallace can sing anything and it’ll sound great. Wallace might be based in Nashville these days but ‘Into The Blue’ was heavily influenced by the sounds of her native California. Hardly surprising then that her latest release is a version of ‘Long, Long Time’ via Need To Know Music on February 14th 2020. The Gary White penned song was a top thirty hit for Linda Ronstadt in 1970 and appeared on her ‘Silk Purse’ album

Maverick Festival July 3rd - July 5th 2020

January 08, 2020 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Country Rock, Festivals, Folk, News, Roots, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

The Maverick Festival will return over the weekend of July 3rd - July 5th 2020 which, as I’m sure you all already know, is 4th of July weekend. This seems to be particularly fitting as Paul Spencer and the Maverick team have been bringing the very best in Americana to the leafy surrounds of Easton Farm Park, Suffolk for many years. The first names for 2020 have been announced with a nice mix of returning favorites and new names including Grammy winning singer-songwriter Steve Forbert and Canadian force-of-nature Terra Lightfoot. More info about the Maverick Festival including ticket prices follows:

Trailblazers - Women In Country Music Podcast

January 02, 2020 by David Vousden in Alt-Country, Americana, Country, News, singer-songwriter, Podcast

The California Country Show is a syndicated radio show and podcast hosted by “Just Dave” Bernal which is a pretty cool way to check out a host of great music by Independent and major label acts. Dave recently launched a new series of interview podcasts to shine a light on new female artists entitled: Trailblazers - Women In Country Music. The shows feature Dixie Jade, Julia Hatfield, Honey County, Darci Carlson and Sheyna Gee who recount their personal musical journeys. The show is available via all the usual platforms including Apple and Spotify and is well worth checking out. More about California Country and Trailblazers follows:

RGM presents The Maple Leaf Roundup #11

November 13, 2019 by Rich Barnard in Acoustic, Folk, Pop, singer-songwriter, Video, Soundcloud, Alternative Rock, Americana

If you’re feeling the November chill, there are few better ways to warm your winter-wary bones than to cosy up with a hot cup of Canadiana. The best new bands and balladeers of Canada continue to throw out little sonic gems and, once more, we find ourselves spoilt for choice as we bring you the latest cluster of musical magic that is the Maple Leaf Roundup.

RGM presents The Maple Leaf #10

October 04, 2019 by Rich Barnard in Alternative Rock, Pop, Acoustic, Folk, singer-songwriter, Americana, Country

The summer may have been hot and hazy, long and lazy but that hasn’t stopped the songsmiths of Canada. They’ve been beavering away over there, cooking up more musical missives and sending them eastward. At usual here at RGM, we’ve gathered them all up and sifted through hours of tunes to bring you the very best of the bunch. So, to ease you into the autumn months we humbly offer to you the tenth instalment of the Maple Leaf Roundup.

Morganway release video for 'I Want No Other Love' single + tour dates

July 12, 2019 by David Vousden in Americana, Classic Rock, Festivals, New Single, News, Tour Dates

‘I Want No Other Love’ is the latest single from the eagerly anticipated debut album by Morganway set for release August 2nd 2019. The video for the single features footage from many of their recent shows including Black Deer Festival. C2C, Wood Festival, Folk In A Field and loads more. The band will continue to tour this year with headline shows and a string of dates supporting CC Smugglers. More about the single, the album and upcoming tour dates follows:

Nashville Meets London Presents American Young at Bush Hall August 29th 2019

July 12, 2019 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, News, Tour Dates

Country duo Kristy Osmunson and Jon Stone collectively known as American Young will headline Bush Hall in London on August 29th. The show comes under the Nashville Meets London Presents banner which will be familiar to UK country music fans as the brand continues to promote country and Americana music in the UK. The date is in support of a new American Young EP ‘Soundtrack of Your Life’ set for release August 23rd with the title track set for single release on August 2nd. UK singer, and two-time Best Female Vocalist at the British Country Music Awards, Laura Oakes will be supporting American Young. Much more about Nashville Meets London Presents, American Young and Laura Oakes follows:

The Blue Highways debut EP due August 23rd

July 11, 2019 by David Vousden in Americana, Alt-Country, Classic Rock, News

Hot on the heels of their recent ‘Play, Johnny Play’ single The Blue Highways will release their debut EP on August 23rd. The 4 track EP features a string of fine songs that run the gamut from the Jersey Shore/Asbury Dukes influenced opener ‘He Worked’ to the old-school pedal steel twang of closer ‘Have You Seen My Baby’. 'He Worked' will be released as a single on August 9th. More about The Blue Highways including details of London shows later this year follows:

Maverick Festival tickets and CD bundles to be won

June 20, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Country Rock, Festivals, Folk, News, Roots, Competitions

Hello and welcome to the very first Red Guitar Music competition. For our first run at a giveaway, we wanted to start with a bang so we’ve got together with the good folk at Maverick Festival and some of the acts performing at the 2019 event to offer up a pair of weekend tickets plus two sets of CDs with a Maverick Festival 2019 connection. A prize guaranteed to leave even the relative Americana newbie able to hold their own over a pint in the pub. Please read on for full details of the prize and the various ways to enter the competition:

Rod Picott will 'Tell The Truth and Shame The Devil' September 6th 2019

June 19, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, News, singer-songwriter

Nashville based singer-songwriter Rod Picott will release his latest album ‘Tell The Truth & Shame The Devil’ via Welding Rod Records on September 6th 2019. After a health scare this past winter Rod Picott took stock of his situation, sat down and thought hard about the type of album he wanted to make next. The result is a stripped back acoustic record that would prove to be his most personal release to date. Rod Picott will be bringing the songs from ‘Tell The Truth & Shame The Devil’ to the UK in October 2019 for a run of live shows. More about Rod Picott, those tour dates, and ‘Mama’s Boy’ a track from the album follows:

Paul Cauthen returns with 'Room 41' album due September 6th 2019

June 14, 2019 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, Country Rock, News, singer-songwriter, Soul

Paul Cauthen returns with a new album ‘Room 41’ via Lightning Rod Records on Sept 6th. A single/video from the album ‘Cocaine Country Dancing’ is out today (June 14th). Cauthen is blessed with a fantastic baritone voice and his music is an eclectic mix of country, southern soul and gospel influences. ‘Room 41’ is his third solo release following ‘My Gospel’ from 2016 and the more recent ‘Have Mercy’ EP. In advance of the album release Cauthen is in Europe with a run of dates that include The Slaughtered Lamb in London and the Black Deer Festival. More about Paul Cauthen including the tour dates and the video for ‘Cocaine Country Dancing’ follow:

Guitars, guitars and more guitars on The Blue Highways new single

May 31, 2019 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, Country Rock, New Single, News, Video

The Blue Highways were looking to try something a little different for their second single release. The band wanted to celebrate guitar music and bring back the days when the guitar ruled the airwaves. The band had met plenty of great players on their travels so calls were placed and the result is ‘Play Johnny, Play’ a track that features seven of the best guitar players on the UK Americana scene. Jack Lury of The Blue Highways is joined by CJ Hillman, Henry Senior, Joe Hazell (Curse Of Lono), Lewis Fowler (Two Ways Home), Paul Lush and 12-string wiz Tony Poole. The single is out today (May 31st 2019) and streaming/purchase links follow along with a cool video and loads more about The Blue Highways:

An RGM Song Premiere: The Iveys present 'King and Marie'.

May 29, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Roots

The Iveys from El Paso in Texas are gearing up for the release of ‘Colors of Honey’ on June 7th. The band initially featured Arlen Ivey and his sister Jessica Ivey Carr and has evolved over the years with the addition of sister Jenna Ivey, brother Galen Ivey and Jessica’s husband Sammy Carr. The quintet call on a range of influences but all agree on a love of The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Lumineers and First Aid Kit. For me, the real strength of The Iveys is in their songwriting and those sublime harmonies, the sort of harmonies that seem to come so naturally to family acts. We are very pleased to be able to premiere ‘King and Marie’ a track from their upcoming record. Please read on as Arlen Ivey explains the significance of the track and just how important it is to The Ivey family.

The Shires, Alabama 3 and The Magic Numbers among additions to Black Deer Festival 2019

May 09, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Country Rock, Festivals, News, Roots, Tour Dates

The latest list of additions to the 2019 Black Deer Festival include UK country duo The Shires returning to the UK for a Sunday night show at the festival. Other names added today (May 9th) include Alabama 3 performing an acoustic set, The Magic Numbers, Stephen Spender and The Breretons. They will join an already impressive list that includes The Mavericks, John Butler Trio, Band of Horses and Billy Bragg. The festival will also host a panel celebrating the history of AMA-UK with Stevie Freeman, Bob Harris OBE and Emily Barker among those set to participate. Much more about the festival, which takes place at Eridge Park, Kent on 21st-23rd June 2019, follows:

The RGM week in review #1 03/05/2019

May 03, 2019 by David Vousden in Americana, Classic Rock, Alt-Country, Country, News, singer-songwriter, Folk

The RGM inbox has been very busy of late so we thought we’d corral a selection of recent news items all in one place. We listen to a wide range of stuff here at RGM from the biggest names to newer artists just starting out so you never know what you might find. Discovering new music is always exciting so we urge you to take a moment and check out the selection of recent news. Your next favourite artist might be just one click away.

An RGM Song Premiere: Chain Station present 'Midwest Girl'.

April 12, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Bluegrass, News, Premiere

Chain Station hail from Denver, Colorado and the string band will release their third album ‘Backroads’ on May 3rd. Denver sits on the western edge of the High Plains, just east of the Rocky Mountains, so it's hardly surprising that living in such a stunning part of the world has heavily influenced the band and their music. ‘Backroads’ will please traditional bluegrass devotees but the guys are ready and able to add a few modern twists to the genre. Today RGM is very pleased to premiere ‘Midwest Girl’ a track from the upcoming record that displays a lovely relaxed vibe, cool harmonies and terrific playing. So please read on for much more about Chain Station, the inspiration for ‘Midwest Girl’ and even more importantly the song:

Black Deer Festival 21st - 23rd June 2019

April 09, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues, Country, Country Rock, Festivals, Folk, News, Roots, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

The Black Deer Festival will return to the leafy confines of Eridge Park in Kent on June 21st - 23rd 2019. The festival recently won Best New UK Festival at the AIF Independent Festival Awards 2018 and is looking to build on that momentum in 2019. The lineup looks strong with Band of Horses, John Butler Trio, The Staves, The Mavericks and legendary singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson already announced. Recent additions to the bill include Billy Bragg, Ethan Johns (solo), Yola, Treetop Flyers and Sam Morrow while a few of RGM’s personal favourites are also set to appear including The Sheepdogs, Ferris & Sylvester and Worry Dolls. Much more about the festival including ticket details follows: