Counting Crows and Alison Krauss confirmed for BluesFest 2018

June 18, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alternative Rock, Americana, Bluegrass, Blues, Classic Rock, Country, News, Tour Dates

BluesFest 2018 at London's O2 was already looking like a pretty special few days and now looks even better. Counting Crows are to headline the Sunday night of the festival and they will be joined by Alison Krauss who will also play a full set with The White Buffalo in support. I think you'd have to agree that this is a very impressive line-up for the closing night of BluesFest 2018. Previous coverage of BluesFest can be found here. More about the artists and the festival follows including ticket details:

Sights and Sounds of Tennessee continues at London's Waterloo until June 17th

June 06, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Country, News, Roots, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

After a successful launch on June 4th with Yola Carter and Gill Landry performing shows the Sights and Sounds of Tennessee exhibit will continue at London's Waterloo station until June 17th. Over the next ten days or so some great artists will be performing 2-4pm on weekdays with a Jack Daniel's Happy Hour from 4-6pm to follow. Bennett Wilson Poole and Worry Dolls are among the top acts playing sets. More about the exhibit, including the chance to win a holiday to Tennessee, who's performing and the idea behind the exhibit follows:

Curse Of Lono to release 'As I Fell' August 17th 2018 + Live Dates

May 15, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Alternative Rock, New Single, News, Tour Dates, Video

Curse Of Lono will release their sophomore album 'As I Fell' on August 17th, 2018. The album is the eagerly anticipated follow up to their universally acclaimed 'Severed' release from 2017. The album was recorded in Hackney, London and at Rancho V in Joshua Tree National Park, California (surely the ideal location for the band to turn their cinematic songs into a reality). As a taster for the new album 'Valentine' (available now from your preferred digital platform) is an intoxicating mix of mid-tempo, almost, glam rock stomp, menacingly distorted bass and dirty guitar tones all underpinning the harmonies. This is really good stuff and bodes well for the upcoming record. Please read on to check out the single and learn more about Curse Of Lono's plans for 2018 which will include their first headline tour:

Tony Wright & Ryan Hamilton 'Grand Ole Otley' LP and UK Tour

May 11, 2018 by David Vousden in Alternative Rock, Americana, Country, News, Tour Dates

A very welcome surprise in the RGM inbox this morning is the debut single by Tony Wright & Ryan Hamilton with their take on 'Oh Lonesome Me' the Don Gibson classic. Many RGM readers might know Ryan Hamilton from his band The Traitors while Tony Wright is best known as the frontman for Alternative UK rock act Terrorvision. An unlikely transatlantic alliance but very effective if the single is anything to go by. A full album of country classics entitled 'Grand Ole Otley' is due June 8th and the duo will be playing UK shows to coincide. To check out the single, learn more about the duo and those all-important tour dates follow:

When electronica meets country: Kate Ellis 'I Believe' (David Gould Remix)

May 09, 2018 by David Vousden in Ambient, Country, Soundcloud, Electronica, Tour Dates

Time for something a little different at RGM. Many readers will be familiar with Kate Ellis and the track 'I Believe' from her 2017 album 'Carve Me Out'. Out today is a new take on the track as producer David Gould has put together an 'ambient country' remix which mixes electronica with Kate's country vocal. Please read on to listen to the track and leave more about the thinking behind it:

Ashley McBryde needs a bigger venue for October headline show

April 16, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates, Video

The Ashley McBryde train has well and truly left the station and there's no stopping the singer-songwriter. Fresh from huge acclaim for her performances at C2C this year, and the recent 'Girl Going Nowhere' record, it has been announced that Ashley's October headline show has been upgraded and moved to Islington Assembly Hall on October 10th. Original tickets are still valid with the additional tickets on sale from 9.00 AM on Friday 20th April. This show follows a run of UK dates with Luke Combs including back-to-back nights at Shepherds Bush Empire. Everything you need to know about Ashley McBryde follows:

Terry Reid announces London date @ Nell's Jazz & Blues April 26th

April 13, 2018 by David Vousden in Blues, News, Tour Dates

Acclaimed vocalist Terry Reid has announced a show in London on April 26th at Nell's Jazz & Blues. Reid first came to prominence in the late 60's and is still going strong as evidenced by his recent contributions to Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry's 'Sweetzerland Manifesto' release. Reid has enlisted guitarist Neil Hubbard (Joe Cocker, Kokomo, Roxy Music), bassist Jennifer Maidman (Penguin Cafe Orchestra) and drummer Ash Soan (Del Amitri / The Producers) to form a very impressive band to join him for the show. Opening the show will be a special guest singer-songwriter Jon Allen in advance of his upcoming 'Blue Flame' album release on May 18th. More about Terry Reid, ticket links etc follows: UPDATE: In very late news Jon Allen will no longer be able to perform on the night so Kaleb McKane will be filling the special guest spot.

Airrace preview 'Untold Stories' with a little 'Summer Rain'

April 10, 2018 by David Vousden in AOR, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, New Single, News, Tour Dates, Video

UK AOR/Melodic rock act Airrace are back with a new single 'Summer Rain' which is a pleasing antidote to the British weather as I type. The new single is a slight change of direction for the band as it exhibits a soulful charm that was unexpected but welcome. The band have a new album 'Untold Stories' in the can for an August release (10.08.18) with tour dates set for September. Please read on to check out 'Summer Rain' and learn a little more about the upcoming album and tour:

Megan O'Neill to release new album June 8th

April 06, 2018 by David Vousden in Country, New Single, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

Megan O'Neill has confirmed June 8th as the release date for her new 'Ghost Of You' album. To coincide with this announcement 'Without' is now available as a single and continues the high standard of Megan's previous two singles 'Ghost Of You' and 'Why I Need You'. Megan has plenty of touring planned for 2018 including an album launch show at 229 in London on April 26th. More about the album, the single and tour news follows:

Jesse Terry is letting things come naturally on new album

March 27, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Country, Folk, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

When Jesse Terry entered the studio to record his new album 'Naturally' he decided to take a more organic and stripped back approach to the recording and enlisted a few friends and artists he admired to help out. The resulting album features contributions from a host of superb female singers including Sarah Darling, Dar Williams, Erin Rae and Cary Ann Hearst of Shovels & Rope. This approach seems a perfect fit for Terry's songs and the blend of voices is really quite lovely. Longtime fans will find much to enjoy as they'll recognise some of the songs here but not the performances. Terry also managed to slip in a wonderful take on 'Mr. Blue Sky' with Liz Longley which paints the ELO classic in a whole new light. 'Naturally' is released March 30th on Jackson Beach Records. Please read on to hear that Jeff Lynne classic, learn more about the recording and check out upcoming UK and USA tour dates:

Frances Luke Accord release new single and announce US tour dates

March 16, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Folk, New Single, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

A very pleasant surprise in the RGM inbox recently was news of a new single 'Maria' by Frances Luke Accord. The Chicago based duo are working on a new album for next year as a follow up to their acclaimed debut release 'Fluke' of which RGM favourites Darlingside said "We couldn't recommend their debut LP, Fluke, highly enough." which is good enough for the team at RGM. One listen to 'Maria' and you can see where the Darlingside guys are coming from. Please read on for more about Frances Luke Accord, the single and upcoming tour dates in the USA:

Southern Avenue and Bonnie Bishop among latest Maverick Festival additions

March 10, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Festivals, News, Tour Dates

The Maverick Festival has announced the latest additions to the 2018 bill for the eleventh staging of the acclaimed Americana festival. Those names include Memphis band Southern Avenue and Texas-raised singer Bonnie Bishop. Australia will also be represented at the festival by Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes, making a welcome return in 2018, with rising Aussie star Imogen Clark along for the ride. Closer to home The Mountain Firework Company and longtime friends of Maverick Hank Wangford and BJ Cole will also perform. Please read on for more about the latest Maverick additions:

Philippa Hanna is 'Getting On With Life' on new single/video.

March 02, 2018 by David Vousden in Country, Gospel, New Single, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates, Video

Philippa Hanna is 'Getting On With Life' via the new single from her recent album 'Come Back Fighting'. The album has achieved real crossover success reaching No.1 on both the UK iTunes Country Chart and the OCC Christian and Gospel Album Chart.'Getting On With Life' is an excellent track with a very relatable theme, backed by an impressive video definitely worthy of your time. Philippa will be on the road in April playing shows in Birmingham, Manchester, London and Sheffield. A little more about Philippa, her new video and those tour dates follow:

Soulful Country with an Outlaw Mentality from Andrew Sheppard on 'Steady Your Aim' March 23rd

February 27, 2018 by David Vousden in Alt-Country, Americana, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates, Video

Andrew Sheppard ex Gypsy River Haunts frontman will release his second solo album 'Steady Your Aim' March 23rd on which he melds soulful country and rock n' roll with an outlaw mentality. Andrew Sheppard has shared stages with Shooter Jennings, Jason Isbell and Josh Ritter which should give you a vague idea of where he's coming from musically. Boise resident Sheppard recorded 'Steady Your Aim' at Ivy Hall Studio in Nashville co-producing the record with guitarist Eric Loomis and Wes Walsworth. More about Andrew Sheppard and a video of an acoustic version of the title track from the album follows:

Frontiers Music presents The New Breed

February 20, 2018 by David Vousden in Blues, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, News, Tour Dates

The roots of the Italian Frontiers label can be traced back to 1996 and over the years they've expanded to become a major player in classic rock / hard rock / melodic rock / AOR circles. Previous label releases include some of the biggest names in the genre including Whitesnake, Yes, Def Leppard, Rick Springfield, Journey etc. The label recently opened offices in London and announced the first edition of 'Frontiers - New Breed Night' which will showcase three British acts recently signed to the label. The event takes place at The Black Heart in London's Camden on April 26th with Doomsday Outlaw, Dirty Thrills and The Brink turning up the volume. Much more about Frontiers and The New Breed follows:

Maverick Festival announces first names for 2018

February 14, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Festivals, Folk, News, Tour Dates

The Maverick Festival has announced the first names for the 2018 event set for Friday 6th - 8th July. Now in its eleventh year, the Maverick Festival has become an integral part of the Americana scene in the UK and always hosts an impressive range of artists. This year will be no different with a mix of returning favourites and many performers new to Maverick including Jonathan Byrd, Terra Lightfoot, The Danberrys, Leeroy Stagger and Arkansas Dave. More details about the event and the acts scheduled to appear follows:

Mary Chapin Carpenter announces new album and UK tour dates

February 12, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Americana, Country, Festivals, News, singer-songwriter, Tour Dates

Mary Chapin Carpenter will release her new album via Thirty Tigers on March 30th. Produced by Ethan Johns the record finds the acclaimed singer-songwriter reinterpreting a track from each of her previous twelve albums. The album 'Sometimes Just The Sky' is titled after the one newly written song on the record. To support the release Carpenter will embark on a UK tour in May with special guest Emily Barker on the majority of the dates. Full details about the album and those tour dates follow:

Lindsay Ell's The Project to get UK Physical Release 9th March

February 09, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, News, Tour Dates, Video

Lindsay Ell will be returning to the UK in March at the C2C Festival at London's O2 and as a part of the C2C Roadshow. To coincide with the dates her critically acclaimed debut album 'The Project' will receive a very welcome UK physical release on March 9th via BMG/BBR. If you were lucky enough to see Lindsay on her UK visit back in October (review) then you won't need me to tell you she's pretty great live. If you're new to Lindsay Ell then more about the lady, the project and those dates follow:

Brothers Osborne to release 'Port Saint Joe' April 20th before UK dates

February 02, 2018 by David Vousden in Americana, Country, News, Tour Dates, Video

Brothers Osborne will release their eagerly anticipated new album 'Port Saint Joe' on April 20th via Snakefarm Records. The record is expected to build on the success of their 'Pawn Shop' debut album which has now been certified as a Gold record in the USA. The new album is again produced by Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Little Big Town) and includes their latest 'Shoot Me Straight' single. Following the album release the duo will return to the UK / ROI for a run of dates including an already Sold Out London show at KOKO. Those tour dates, more about Brothers Osborne and the video for 'Shoot Me Straight' follows:

Holloway Road Ticketmaster Session + Live Dates inc C2C shows

January 31, 2018 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Country, Festivals, News, Pop, Tour Dates, Video

UK country duo Holloway Road continue to go from strength to strength on the back of successful UK touring and recent singles 'If She Falls' and 'Under Cover.' The guys will continue their touring schedule with a run of stripped back acoustic dates to showcase another side of their music including shows at the C2C festival for the fourth year running. To give fans an idea of what to expect on the dates the boys recently visited Ticketmaster HQ to play a live acoustic session. Those all important dates and the Ticketmaster session follow: