ALBUM REVIEW: 'Good Years' - The Shires

If there was ever just one word to describe The Shires then it would surely be dependable.

After three studio albums and many, many shows, I have always found the duo, comprised of Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes, to be consistent, reliably producing solid albums and putting on enjoyable performances. Good Years, their fourth release, does not break this trend.

The album opens with ‘Lightning Strikes’, a co-write with Cam. A foot-stomper, it’s memorable, fun, the sort of energy The Shires are known for. The lyrics will be painfully relatable for some as they delve into the question of if a love would’ve worked out in a different time.

Crissie shines in the following ‘On The Day I Die’, whilst Ben then takes the lead on ‘Good Years’. As always, the two strike a perfect balance of who sings what and, again, as always, their harmonies are always perfect, their chemistry as performers hitting new heights with each release. 

‘Independence Day’, which was released as a single prior to release, is a pleasant surprise. It’s much more ‘poppier’ than some of the other tracks on here but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s catchy with the roaring ‘ohs’ that you just know audiences will lap up on the duo’s upcoming, and future, tours. 

Prior to hearing the full album, ‘About Last Night’ was my favorite and I had even went as far to say it ranked up there as one of my favorite Shires tracks. However, ‘Only Always’ manages to eclipse it. It’s stripped back, their vocals shine and the lyrics are profound - it’s absolutely beautiful.

All in all? Another fantastic release from Ben and Crissie. Go get it.

Billboard Premieres HAYDEN HADDOCK'S Video For Single 'RED DIRT TEXAS'

Trailblazing Country artist Hayden Haddock releases the music video for his single, 'Red Dirt Texas', exclusively with Billboard.

Directed by The Playlist Films and set in Mason, TX, 'the video offers a vivid landscape of the state as it shows Haddock singing on a dirt road while local farmers go about their day (Billboard)' - WATCH HERE.

Currently celebrating Spotify editorial playlist placement and 75K streams with 'Red Dirt Texas,' the lead-off, title track from Haddock's sophomore record is in the Top 50 on Texas Country music charts and climbing. Haddock recently opened for Kevin Fowler, who happens to be one of the writers of 'Red Dirt Texas,' in Navasota, TX, and the two performed alongside each other during Fowler's hit song, 'Beer, Bait and Ammo.'

Produced by chart-topping songwriter and hit producer, Trent Willmon (Cody Johnson, Eric Church, Randy Houser), Haddock's Sophomore album Red Dirt Texas was released on January 31st and features 10 tracks packed full of co-writes with hit songwriters including David Lee Murphy, Terry McBride, Kevin Fowler, Tommy Karlas (Randy Travis, Blake Shelton, Montgomery Gentry), John Pierce (Zac Brown Band, Chris Young), Jim Collins (Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean) and more. The album hit the Top 40 on the iTunes Country Album Chart upon its release.

With more than 100 tour dates per year, Haddock’s diligent nature mixed with his traditional, authentic style of country music has quickly solidified his spot as a staple in the Texas Country scene. After releasing his debut album First Rodeo in late 2018, Haddock’s lead-off single 'She Don’t Know It Yet' quickly climbed the Texas country charts while his sophomore radio single 'Everywhere I Need To Be' peaked in the Top 35; an impressive feat for the young talent. Not only did the record perform well at country radio, but it has also amassed more than 800K streams on Spotify while being featured on more than 2.5K playlists. Having shared the stage with Whiskey Myers, Casey Donahew, Cory Morrow, Eli Young Band, Kevin Fowler, Roger Creager, Kyle Park and more, Haddock performs every weekend in Texas and surrounding states and recently announced an endorsement deal with Rebecca Creek Whiskey.

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For more information, visit haydenhaddock.com.

HALEY & MICHAELS Share 'DRINKING ABOUT YOU' Ahead of Debut UK Performances

Nashville-based duo Haley & Michaels (Shannon Haley and Ryan Michaels) have confirmed their first UK radio single as the fan favourite 'Drinking About You' from debut full-length album Hail Mary, released last year, and have just announced an additional C2C performance at the O2 Arena, an intimate acoustic set as part of the Country Hits Radio Sessions on Sunday 15th March.

Stream/download 'Drinking About You' on Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon.

Co-written by the duo with Jeff Cohen - known for his work with The Shires, Sugarland and more - and Zach Abend (Chris Lane, Filmore), the single has already been featured as a Country Champion by Baylen Leonard last month; and has gained over two million streams on Spotify, featured on major playlists such as New Music Friday, New Boots and Wild Country; with Rolling Stone pointing to the duo’s 'penchant for introspective lyrics and arena-rock-inspired production'.

In their own words, Haley & Michaels said: ''Drinking About You' really defines our sound and who we are as artists and songwriters. We really wanted to capture both perspectives in a relationship in a way that highlights the raw honesty of country songs and also incorporates all of our musical influences in Country, Pop and Rock N’ Roll. We’re really excited to have this song as our first release in the UK!'

 

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For more information, visit haleyandmichaels.com.

MARCUS KING Shares Video for 'WILDFLOWERS & WINE'

Marcus King has shared an acoustic video performance of his song 'Wildflowers & Wine' via Billboard. The song features on his hit debut solo album, El Dorado, which has topped multiple US charts since its release in January.

Produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, the record was released via Snakefarm Records / Fantasy in the UK to widespread critical acclaim.

The 'Wildflowers & Wine' video was recorded in Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Studio in Nashville, and features a performance of the song showcasing King’s soulful vocals, backed by Auerbach plus studio legends who played with artists from Aretha Franklin to Elvis.

Discussing the video with Billboard, King stated, 'It's not the exact set-up we used, but all the instrumentation on that track was played live together as a cohesive unit and not overdubbed. That's what gives it that taste, that live feel'. He added, 'It was a lot of organic steps that all came together in a kismet way for the record to work. Having those cats work with you was a tremendous opportunity in itself… It's still playing and singing, but in a different kind of environment, and to have these cats to look up to.'

El Dorado, a contemporary exploration of southern R&B, country-soul, classic rock and blues, has established the 23-year-old phenom as one of the most soulful voices of his generation. King’s arresting vocals feature as the lead instrument, taking centre-stage alongside a genre-bending blend of subtle acoustics, bright pedal steel, raucous electric guitars and blistering solos.

The album debuted at #1 on both UK & US charts; in the UK, it topped the Americana Chart, whilst in the US the Americana Folk, Top New Artist, Current Rock, Blues Albums, as well as #12 on the US Top Current Albums chart. King also recently made his debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and was featured on NPR’s Weekend Edition and Fresh Air, alongside support from Rolling Stone, The Sun, Mojo, Uncut, NPR Music, Classic Rock, Planet Rock and more.

King is set to perform at the Love Rocks charity event at the Beacon theatre in New York on March 12th, alongside a stellar line-up including The Black Crowes, Dave Matthews and Jackson Browne. King will also open for Chris Stapleton on his All-American Road Show with US dates including Madison Square Garden in New York.

He is currently on his solo world tour with his band, The Marcus King Band. See remaining dates below.

Tue 25th - London, UK - Electric Ballroom

Wed 26th - Manchester, UK - Academy 3

Thu 27th - Nottingham, UK - Rescue Rooms

Fri 28th - Bristol, UK - Thekla

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For more information, visit marcuskingband.com.

MITCHELL TENPENNY Releases Track 'DRUNK ME' Ahead of C2C!

Following the release of 'Telling All My Secrets' - the biggest US country debut release of 2018 - Nashville native Mitchell Tenpenny brings lead single 'Drunk Me' to the UK.

The track, which has amassed a staggering 350m+ streams since its release, was lauded by the New York Times as one of 'The 65 Best Songs of The Year', and was featured in multiple Amazon Music 'Most Played' and 'Best Of' year-end lists.

'Everything about it—the production, the hook, the performance—it felt like how I wanted to present myself,' says Mitchell. 'We dug into that song and made it real cinematic and unusual. On the first playback, it felt like something Whitney Houston might do, and I thought, 'This is what we need to be doing, this feels right,' and it became the foundation of the record.'

Tenpenny is bringing his unique brand of music to international fans in the UK for the first time as part of Country To Country (C2C) Festival at the O2 Arena in London, March 13th-15th. The singer-songwriter is confirmed to perform on the Spotlight Stage in London on Friday March 13th before superstar Eric Church’s headline set; and will close the evening at the C2C Official Aftershow party at Indigo at the O2.

ABOUT MITCHELL TENPENNY

Mitchell Tenpenny is an industry insider/outlier. Someone who has a local’s appreciation for the origins of Nashville and keen focus on what happens outside of Music City.

The rugged individualist operates with complete confidence and comfort in the space between contradictory themes. He is a creative thinker with a keen business sense.

He is fiercely competitive, but is equally vocal proponent for his industry colleagues. He finds inspiration in music as diverse as Michael Jackson and the Oak Ridge Boys.

And none of that seems the least bit unusual or out of whack to the Nashville native with an industry pedigree (his grandmother was industry legend Donna Hilley who shaped the musical landscape of country music as CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing). He lives his life and his budding musical career on both ends of the spectrum. It’s authentic thanks in large part to Tenpenny’s fearless skill as a songwriter, which includes a Top 5 hit for Granger Smith, 'If the Boot Fits', and time spent opening for a variety of influential artists including Smith, Jake Owen, Brett Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dustin Lynch, Gary Allan, Jon Langston, and others.

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For more information about Mitchell, visit mitchell10penny.com

THE SHIRES Release New Track 'LIGHTNING STRIKES'

Their first musical offering of the decade, UK’s best-selling country act The Shires release the infectiously upbeat track 'Lightning Strikes', taken from their forthcoming album Good Years, released on BMG - LISTEN HERE.

Alongside the new single, the duo have been celebrating Ben’s recent 'International Country Broadcaster' award nomination at the 2020 CMA international Awards.

As well as their eagerly anticipated headline tour in May, The Shires are currently on the road performing alongside Young Voices, the largest children’s choir concerts in the world. The tour includes shows in Sheffield, Birmingham, Manchester and London before finishing off at London’s iconic Wembley Arena on February 7th.

Boasting a songscape of finely tuned harmonies and infectious melodies, the stadium-ready track follows themes of optimism and retrospect, asking themselves 'what if ?'. The release of 'Lightning Strikes' cements a stellar decade for the duo, who have helped solidify the rise and resurgence of Country music, both in the UK and across the pond.

Speaking of their latest musical offering, Crissie and Ben said 'We can’t wait to put Lightning Strikes into our live set, the opening line 'Standing outside, raining in the Summer', is going to be perfect for the festival season. Also, vocally the song is so much fun for us with all the crazy harmonies.'

The title of the group’s newest record couldn’t ring truer for Ben and Crissie as the release follows two gold-certified albums and three Top 10 singles firmly cementing their status as two of country music’s most prominent voices. The duo formed in 2013 and released their debut album Brave in 2015, becoming the first UK country act to chart in the Top 10 of the UK Albums Chart. The group's second album, My Universe, became the fastest-selling UK country album in history when it was released in October 2016. Good Years will be available as a limited edition red vinyl as well as on CD and streaming platforms.

Recorded as with all their previous albums in the home of Country Music - Nashville, Good Years is a poignant project for Crissie and Ben now having made huge waves both on home soil and across the pond as the first UK artists to win 'Best International Act' at the prestigious CMAs.

2020 will see the pair embark on a 21-date nationwide tour. Kicking off in May, the duo are set to visit some of the UK’s most iconic venues, including the London Palladium, Bristol Academy, Birmingham’s Symphony Hall and Brighton’s Dome.

Full tour dates are, as follows:

May 4th: Birmingham Symphony Hall

May 5th: Aberyswyth Arts Centre

May 6th: Guildford G Live

May 8th: Bristol Academy

May 9th: Cambridge Corn Exchange

May 10th: Nottingham Royal Centre

May 12th: Carlisle Sands Centre

May 13th: Aberdeen Beach Ballroom

May 14th: Edinburgh Liquid Room

May 15th: Gateshead  The Sage

May 17th: Ipswich Regent Theatre

May 19th: Manchester Bridgewater Hall

May 20th: York Barbican

May 22nd: Oxford New Theatre

May 23rd: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

May 24th: Cardiff St. David’s Hall

May 26th: Basingstoke The Anvil

May 27th: London Palladium

June 2nd: Brighton The Dome

June 3rd: Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall

June 4th: Bedford Corn Exchange

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For more information about The Shires, including their upcoming tour, visit theshiresmusic.com.

ALBUM REVIEW: 'Wildwood Kin' - Wildwood Kin

Out this Friday is Devon trio Wildwood Kin’s second album, Wildwood Kin.

I first discovered Wildwood Kin (comprised of sisters Beth and Emillie Key, and their cousin Meghann Loney) in early 2017, as they opened for Ward Thomas on their Cartwheels tour. I was blown away by the smooth harmonies, beautiful lyrics and pounding beats. I left that show not only with a copy of their EP but as a new fan, eager for more.

Turning Tides, the album they put out shortly afterwards, was one of my favorite releases that year. I saw them on their headline tour in 2018 and that was, also, a year highlight.

Needless to say I was very excited to listen to their second album, Wildwood Kin.

And, again, I was not disappointed.

What has made me such a fan of their music is that it always feels like an experience, as opposed to mere entertainment. Their songs have purpose. They make you think, they uplift you and they’re also really fun to sing along to. For those that believe in the adage that music is medicine for the soul then this album is the best antidote.

Take the track ‘Beauty in Your Brokenness’. It’s a song about self-acceptance, to grow to love and embrace your flaws. ‘Never Alone’ is another track of encouragement, reassuring the listener that, even if they’re struggling, help is always there and happier times are possible.

‘Breathe’ stresses the importance of taking a moment to stop, to take the time to breathe even during the craziness of life. ‘The Crown’ talks about how fame/success is fickle and should not be relied on for happiness. And ‘Time Has Come’, their latest single, is all about empowerment, about how we can all be heroes simply by using our voice to stand up for what we believe in.

Musically, Wildwood Kin  is a stellar album with stunning vocals and arrangements. More generally speaking, this album is a ray of positivity in an often bleak world.

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Wildwood Kin is out this Friday.