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COUNTRY MUSIC EXPRESS Issue No 26 | April 2023 FEATURING CANDY CARPENTER & THE BAND WANTED ALSO FEATURING Reba McEntire Josh Ward Stars & Their Guitars Country Music Round-Up Did You Know? And So Much More... www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

Contents COUNTRY MUSIC EXPRESS Issue No 25 | April 2023 In This Edition 54 ON THE COVER 06 Country Round-up 56 Cataract Lake Lodge CANDY CARPENTER & Jane Shields Music Festival THE BAND WANTED 10 The Legendary.... 58 Bryan Martin www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk Reba McEntire Wolves Cry 18 Spotlight On 60 Blacktop Rodeo Josh Ward Country Artists 20 Country Music 62 Reflections By Paul Did You Know...? Gethsemaine Radio 22 Willos' Band 64 Locash Ghost Ship Goes Platinum 24 Lyn_Sey 66 BSM - Vanessa Bourne Southern To The Bone BSM - Gary Kennedy 26 Paul George 68 Elvie Shane Spirit Of Christmas 1940 Forgotten Man 27 Stars & Their Guitars 70 Bamil Paul George The Ballad Of Stan Mills 28 Kelly Williams 72 Sonny Morgan Carlow Counrty Radi0 She's Still Going Strong 30 Carlow Radio Artists 74 Mervin Newell 4 featured artists on Carlow Mervyn Newell 31 Sunday Morning Country 76 Sheb Wooley Biography Grand Ole Opry By Suzanne Gould 32 Ones To Watch 78 Track45 Write Away Advert Last Man In Tennessee 34 Candy Carpenter 80 Morgan Evans & The Band Wanted Life Upside Down 42 Sammy Saddler 82 Mark Taylor Read His Remarkable Story Dust Off That Dirt 44 2023 Love Tattoo Foundation 84 Rob Wolfe Benefits Concert How I Live My Life 46 BSM - Alice Benfer 86 Tenille Townes BSM - Steve Cheers Train Track Worktapes 48 Mark Rosner 88 Terry Lawrence Big Records & Rise Up TV Eternally 50 Justin Kaleb 90 BSM - Andrew Ryan Shaky Hand BSM - Joy Adams 52 Tim Kelley 92 Shapemedia Indie Country Radio EPK/Website Construction 54 Chase Rice I Hate Cowboys All Dogs Go To Hell | 02

Contents Locash Page 64 Sammy Track45 Saddler Page 78 Page 42 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk 03 |

Editors Notes Welcome to April's issue of then please do get in touch COUNTRY MUSIC EXPRESS Country Music Express. This with me by email : info@ Monthly Magazine month we feature Candy countrymusicexpress.co.uk Editors Carpenter & The Band Wanted. It's so much easier to work from Please do check them out, they email than searching through Paul George are awesome. Facebook messages for your Jane Shields Also in this issue we've featured information. the wonderul Reba McEntire, It's beginning to warm up a Regular Contributors a look into her musical life and little here in the UK, and we are also the spotlight this month all looking forwards to some Stephen Wade Crounse is on Josh Ward, an incredibly great country music festivals Jim Newcombe talented artist. this summer. Perhaps you have Clare Steffen Turn to page 74 and Mervyn one you'd like to promote? If so Shane O Fearghail Newell has sent out an open please do get in touch, it's free. invite to all country artists for Anyhow, enough from me, Radio Platform Supplied By: promotion opportunities. please enjoy all the articles in If you would like to appear this magazine, and click on the Tim Kelly in a future issue of Country links provided to take a listen to Music Express Magazine some amazing music. KIRC Indie Country Radio Jane x https://www.kicrindiecountryradio.com/ BB AA Contact CME: MM II Email: [email protected] LL Web: www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk Copyright © 2021 Country Music Express All rights reserved. This publication or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Produced by ShapeMag Media, UK. www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk SUBSCRIBE TODAY Get COUNTRY MUSIC EXPRESS delivered to your inbox every month completely free. CLICK HERE OR GO TO WWW.COUNTRYMUSICEXPRESS.CO.UK | 04 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

The Country Charts Official Country Charts 21st - 27th Apr 2023 The official Country Top 10 compiled by www.officialcharts.com during week of magazine production. 01 Gettin' Old 06 Denim & Rhinestones Luke Combs Carrie Underwood Youtube link Youtube link 02 07Nancy & Lee Again What You See Is Nancy & Lee What You Get Youtube link Luke Combs Youtube link 03 Fearless 08 One Thing At A Time Taylor Swift Morgan Allen Youtube link Youtube link 04 09Music in the Madness Traveller Ward Thomas Chris Stapleton Youtube link Youtube link 05 Growin’ Up 10 Star Crossed Luke Combs Kacey Musgraves Youtube link Youtube links www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk 05 |

country music ‘round-up’ Hayes goes introspective on two songs out of the past montharker looks to \"At The End Of The Dirt Road\" today Friday, March 17, 2023 – Walker Monday, March 20, 2023 – Warner Music Hayes has had highs and lows. He had a big hit with \"Fancy Like,\" while also losing his PNashville artist Drew Parker announced father and son. In the wake of that, Walker released \"if father time had a daughter,\" and 6 string today his major-label debut EP, \"At The End Of The american dream.\"... Dirt Road,\" a six-song release out June 2. Parker will release a new track off the EP, \"Middle Of Combs finds \"5 Leaf Clover\" Friday, March Nowhere Class,\" this Friday.... 17, 2023 – Luke Combs' new song, \"5 Leaf Clover,\" written by Combs, Jessi Alexander Combs plans to be twice as busy - parenting and Chase McGill, is out today. The song on his wise Monday, March 20, 2023 – Luke upcoming 18-song disc, \"Gettin' Old,\" out next Combs is going to have a busy year - new Friday.... album and new baby coming. Combs announced on Monday night on Instagram that he and his Swindell is \"Broken\" Friday, March 17, 2023 wife, Nicoe, were expecting their second chid in – Cole Swindell is out today with \"Broken.\" September.... \"Broken\" is the second release of three new songs included on his upcoming deluxe album Parton talks fashion in upcoming book \"Stereotype Broken,\" due April 28.... Wednesday, March 22, 2023 – Dolly Parton will share her lifelong passion for fashion Moroney plans fall headlining tour in \"Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones,\" a Monday, March 20, 2023 – Readying book that will be out Oct. 17.... to launch her first headline run with the Pistol Made of Roses Tour in April, Sony Nelson believes in \"Sicks and Stones\" Music Nashville/Columbia Records' singer Megan Wednesday, March 22, 2023 – Lukas Moroney will be on the road this fall with The Nelson will release his new album, \"Sticks Lucky Tourl The 22-city tour starts Sept. 20 in and Stones,\" on July 14 via 6ACE Records/Thirty New York and endsd Dec. 10 in Atlanta. Tickets + Tigers. The official music video for the first single, VIP packages will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at \"More Than Friends,\" featuring Lainey Wilson, meganmoroney.com.... debuted this morning.... Pardi, Mr. Saturday Night, returns to action Osborne becomes a father of twins Monday, March 20, 2023 – Jon Pardi today Wednesday, March 22, 2023 – John announced his first official headlining run Osborne, one-half of Brothers Osborne, across the globe, the 2023 Mr. Saturday Night and his wife, Lucie Silvas, became the parents of World Tour. Named after his latest album, \"Mr. twins early Tuesday morning. Arthur was born at Saturday Night,\" the tour kicks off in Belfast, 1:43 a.m., weighing in at 3 bs 13 oz and 15 � inches Northern Ireland on Aug. 25 followed by multiple long. Maybelle came one minute later, weighing 5 b dates across the United Kingdom plus stops in 1 oz and 18 inches.... Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Hamburg, Germany, Oslo, Norway and Stockholm, Sweden.... Fieri cooks at Stagecoach Thursday, March 23, 2023 – Chef Guy Fieri will once again bring his cooking to the Stagecoach Festival, slated for April 28-30 in Indio, Cal. Fieri will show off his skills in cooking demonstrations with Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Lainey Wilson, Bailey | 06 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

Country Music Round-Up Zimmerman and ZZ Top.... car crash on Monday in Atlanta at a Trans Am car Sony shuts down Arista; artists stay with label racing event. The label said in a statement, \"Big Thursday, March 23, 2023 – Sony Music Machine Label Group Chairman and CEO Scott Nashville shut down its Arista imprint, Borchetta was involved in an accident yesterday, Sunday, March 26 while racing in the Trans Am shifting the artist roster to the Columbia and RCA Series ... labels. Sony Chairman Randy Goodman told Clark returns with new album Tuesday, Billboard that the movie was a marketing decision. March 28, 2023 – Brandy Clark will return No artists were dropped as a result, which often this spring with a self-titled album on May tends to happen when a label imprint is closed 19 on Warner Records. Produced by Brandi Carlile, down.... Nelson receives LBJ Foundation honor the album contains 11 songs. The first single, Thursday, March 23, 2023 – The LBJ \"Buried,\" came out last week.... Foundation will present its most prestigious honor, the LBJ Liberty & Justice for All Big Loud signs Goodwin Wednesday, March Award, to Willie Nelson on May 12 at a gala dinner 29, 2023 – Born, raised and living in the at the LBJ Presidential Library.... foothills of Morgantown, West Va., Godwin's Twain rides with Babie on remixFriday, was influenced by Kris Kristofferson, John Prine, March 24, 2023 – Shania Twain released a Ryan Bingham, Willie Nelson and Chris Knight. collaboration with female producer Malibu He has released LPs, \"Seneca\" and \"How the Mighty Babie (Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj) with Fall\"and toured extensively with Zach Bryan.... a remix of the current single, \"Giddy Up!\" Babie is the first and only woman to debut at number Old Dominion's Ramsey breaks pelvis Wednesday, March 29, 2023 – Old Dominion lead singer Matthew Ramsey one on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs as a broke his pelvis over the weekend in an ATV producer this century.... accident, forcing the band to postpone at least three Munsick pays tribute to his \"Little Man\" shows. Ramsey disclosed his pelvis was \"fractured Friday, March 24, 2023 – Ian Munsick, in at least three places\" and will require recovery at who is out with \"White Buffalo\" on April home. \"The good news is it's gonna heal just fine. The bad news is I'm gonna have to stay home and 7, today released \"Little Man,\" an ode to his son. recover for a little while,\" the social media posting Munsick wrote the song with Adam James and Be from Ramsey reads.... Simonetti. \"The best songs are the ones inspired Brooks, Parton to cohost ACMs Wednesday, by life-changing events,\" Munsick said. \"First love, March 29, 2023 – Dolly Parton and Garth true love, heartbreak, death, birth. As a songwriter, Brooks will host the 58th Academy of these monumental experiences continue to bring Country Music Awards on May 11. This marks out the best music in me.... Keen receives Texas State House honor, the first time Brooks will take the stage to host announces nw album Monday, March 27, an awards show, coming ahead of his Las Vegas 2023 – Robert Earl Keen was honored by residency. Parton hosts for the second consecutive year.... the Texas House of Representatives last week for his 49 Winchester sets tour Wednesday, March contributions to country music. Keen, who penned 29, 2023 – 49 Winchester announced \"The Road Goes on Forever,\" announced last year summer tour dates in support of the group's that he would stop touring, although his recording career continues.... New West Records debut, \"Fortune Favors the Big Machine's Borchetta injured in crash Bold. \" Spanning June through September, the Monday, March 27, 2023 – Big Machine forthcoming tour leg includes appearances in Label Group head and founder Scott major cities such as Minneapolis and Chicago, as well as debut performances at Railbird Music Borchetta is in stable condition after being in a Festival (Lexington, Ky.), Under the Big Sky www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk 07 |

country music ‘round-up’ of the past monthFestival (Whitefish, Mont.) and Born & Raised Music Festival (Pryor, Okla.) before the group embarks on Wits first ever European tour as direct support for Luke Combs.... illiams tells \"Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart\" Tuesday, April 4, 2023 – Lucinda Williams will release her new album \"Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart\" on June 30 Allen is going to \"be alright\" Thursday, March (Highway 20 Records/Thirty Tigers). Williams, who 30, 2023 – Jimmie Allen will release \"be turned 70 in January, also will release her memoir, alright\" as his new single off his third album \"Don't Tell Anybody The Secrets I Told You\" (Crown, a division of Penguin Random House LLC) on April \"Tulip Drive.\" \"be alright (15 edition)\" – a special 25 .... version of the song – will impact country radio on Mfor The Last Resort Cruise, sailing April April 10 and be available digitally on April 15 via idland goes cruising Tuesday, April 4, 2023 Stoney Creek Records/BBR Music Group. – Midland is teaming up with Sixthman C\"The Chicago Sessions' on May 5 via New rowell flies with new video Thursday, March 1-5, 2024 from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas 30, 2023 – With Rodney Crowell set to release aboard Norwegian Pearl. ... EYou Is the Only Way to Fly' is something I wrote a West, he released the video for the song \"Loving You vans discovers \"Life Upside Down\" Wednesday, Is the Only Way to Fly\" today. Crowell said, \"'Loving April 5, 2023 – Morgan Evans announced a five-song release, \"Life Upside Down EP,\" will while back with Sarah Buxton and Jedd Hughes, both be out April 21 on Warner. Evans released the music of whom appear on the record. ... video for his latest single, \"On My Own Again,\" via Nearly two decades later, 4Runner returns; YouTube Premiere. Evans penned the song with Zach Baiman releases new disc Friday, March 31, Kale and Geoff Warburton. Chris DeStefano produced 2023 – 4Runner is back with new music, the set, which also includes the viral single, \"Over For You,\" about the end of his marriage. ... O Tmarking the band's return to the music scene after a ucker opts for a \"Sweet Western Sound\" near two-decade absence. 4Runner is out with \"Back Wednesday, April 5, 2023 – Tanya Tucker, who, Runnin'\" via BFD / Audium Nashville. ... earlier this week, became the newest inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, will release her 'Donovan rises with \"Phoenix\" Friday, new album, \"Sweet Western Sound,\" on June 2 on March 31, 2023 – Aoife O'Donovan released Fantasy Records. ... \"Phoenix\" today from the \"Age of Apathy Solo Sessions\" out May 12 on Yep Roc Records. The Something's Gotta Give for Shellhart Thursday, companion album features eight acoustic versions April 6, 2023 – Jordyn Shellhart will release the of songs from her multi-GRAMMY-nominated song \"When Something's Gotta Give\" this Friday. album \"Age of Apathy\" reimagined as intimate solo performances.... This is the third offering off her forthcoming label- TlLoveless and songwriter Bob McDill joint the debut album \"Primrose, \" out May 19.... WCountry Music Association, it was revealed today .... ucker, Loveless, McDill join Hall of Fame aldon goes live with deluxe set Thursday, Monday, April 3, 2023 – Tanya Tucker, Patty April 6, 2023 – Kelsey Waldon's \"No Regular Dog\" set the stage for a tour last fall after releasing the disc.... | 08 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

Marlowe achieves \"Record High\" Thursday, Country Music Round-Up April 6, 2023 – Dylan Marlowe debuted the music video for his song \"Record Lainey Wilson for their song \"wait in the truck.\"... High.\" Marlowe, who recently signed with Sony Nashville, will head out on HARDY's the Nominees express joy in nominations Thursday, April 13, 2023 – Country artists responded enthusiastically - no surprise mockingbird & THE CROW FALL TOUR this fall. - to receiving nominations from the Academy of Statesboro, Ga. native found his way to Nashville Country Music. In what may have been a surprise, just before the start of the pandemic. ... HARDY, a singer and songwriter, led the pack with Traditionalists Munsick, Worthington drop seven nominations. His label, Big Loud, scored 20 new discs, so does Fulks Friday, April nominations. \"I woke up in shock this morning. 7, 2023 – Three years after Ian Munsick I had no idea that I'd be nominated for so much. This truly feels like my year, and I'm just thankful debuted with \"Coyote Cry,\" the Wyoming native is that the industry would consider me as one of the back with \"White Buffalo.\" The 18-song collction is top songwriters and artists in this town. Thanks an ode to his homeland and serves as a depiction to the ACM, Big Loud, The Neal Agency, and of the American West. The release includes the my publisher, Relative Music Group for all of the duet \"Long Live Cowgirls\" with Cody Johnson. support. Thank you for all of it.\"... Vince Gill guests on \"Field of Dreams.\" Munsick, Kent debuts with \"Blacktop\" Saturday, April who helped write every song, occupies the more 15, 2023 – Oklahoma native/Texas based traditional side of country music. ... rising country singer/songwriter Corey Kent will put out third album \"Blacktop\" on June 2 Davis plans tour Tuesday, April 11, 2023 via RCA Nashville/Sony Music Nashville . Kent also – Jordan Davis will hit the road on his release a new track, \"Something's Gonna Kill Me,\" \"Damn Good Time Tour,\" which kicks off Aug. 31 in Atlanta. Davis also will play Nashville, on Friday.... Philadelphia, New York and Boston. The tour ends AMERICANAFEST announces first in Las Vegas before wrapping in Las Vegas on Oct. performers Monday, April 17, 2023 – The 21. ... Americana Music Association announced the first 50 of hundreds of acts slated to showcase Millsap teams with Welch on \"WIlderness at its annual AMERICANAFEST, which runs from Within You\" Wednesday, April 12, 2023 Sept, 19-23 in Nashville. Acts include Steep Canyon – Parker Millsap is out with \"Wilderness Within You,\" a rootsy duet with Gillian Welch Rangers, Amythyst Kiah and Parker Millsap.... and title track from his upcoming album out via Okrahoma Records on May 12.... mith goes deluxe Monday, April 17, 2023 – Nate Smith announced today that he will be Searce sets milestone at Opry Wednesday, releasing a deluxe version of his debut, self- titled album, \"Nate Smith (Deluxe),\" on April 28. April 12, 2023 – Carly Pearce reached a The new disc will include highly anticipated track Pmilestone Tuesday night by performing at the Grand Ole Opry for the 100th time. Pearce made \"World On Fire\" and five other new songs.... her debut in 2015. Her performance will air on Old Dominion looks at the one who got Opry Live on Circle Network Saturday, April 22 at away Monday, April 17, 2023 – Old 9 p.m. eastern. ... Dominion, today announced that \"I Should Have Married You,\" will be out on April 21 via HARDY leads ACMs with seven Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville. The nominations Thursday, April 13, 2023 track was written and produced by Old Dominion's – Singer and songwriter HARDY led the 58th Academy Of Country Music Awards Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers, nominations announced Thursday with seven. Geoff Sprung and Brad Tursi alongside award- HARDY was nominated for Song of the Year and winning songwriter Shane McAnally. The song is Artist-Songwriter of the Year. He shared three of presumably on the group's upcoming album.... his nominations with fellow artist and collaborator www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk 09 |

Country Music Legend REBA MCENT IRE Reba Nell McEntire (born March 28, 1955), or simply helped McEntire secure a country music recording contract with Reba, is an American country music singer and actress. PolyGram/Mercury Records in 1975; she relocated to Nashville, Dubbed \"the Queen of Country\", she has sold more Tennessee, with her mother that year. than 75 million records worldwide. Since the 1970s, McEntire Over the next several years, PolyGram/Mercury released a has placed over 100 singles on the Billboard Hot Country series of McEntire's albums and singles, which amounted to Songs chart, 25 of which reached the number one spot. She is little success. In the early 1980s, McEntire's music gained more an actress in films and television. She starred in the television momentum through several top ten country songs, including series Reba, which aired for six seasons. She also owns several \"(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven\", \"I'm Not That Lonely Yet\" and businesses, including a clothing line. her first number one \"Can't Even Get the Blues\". Yet McEntire One of four children, McEntire was born and raised in became increasingly unhappy with her career trajectory and Oklahoma. With her mother's help, she and her siblings signed with MCA Records in 1984. Her second MCA album formed the Singing McEntires, which played at local events titled My Kind of Country (1984) became her breakout release, and recorded for a small label. McEntire later enrolled at spawning two number one Billboard country singles and Southeastern Oklahoma State University and studied to become pointed towards a more traditional musical style. Through the a public school teacher. She also continued to occasionally 1980s, McEntire released seven more studio albums and had perform and was heard singing at a rodeo event by country ten more number one country hits. Her number one singles performer Red Steagall. Drawn to her singing voice, Steagall included \"One Promise Too Late\", \"The Last One to Know\" and | 10 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

Reba McEntire the Grammy Award-winning \"Whoever's in New England\". Once finishing high school, McEntire enrolled in college at In 1991, McEntire lost eight of her band members in a plane Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She majored in crash in San Diego, California. The experience led to McEntire's elementary education with a minor in music. She completed critically acclaimed album For My Broken Heart, which is student teaching and later graduated with a Bachelor's degree. her highest-selling album to date. She followed it with several She also continued to help out on her family's ranch during her commercially successful albums during the 1990s, including college years. In 1974, McEntire's father encouraged her to take Read My Mind (1994), What If It's You (1996) and If You See a job opportunity singing \"The Star-Spangled Banner\" at the Him (1998). These albums featured the number one country National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. She contacted family singles \"The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter\", \"How Was I to Know\" friend and rodeo announcer Clem McSpadden, who helped and a duet with Brooks and Dunn called \"If You See Him/If You her get hired for the gig. Following one of her performances, See Her\". McEntire's acting career began in January 1990 when McEntire was heard by country artist Red Steagall who was she made her film debut in Tremors. In 2001, she played the role impressed by her singing. Reba, her siblings and her mother of Annie Oakley in the Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun. later joined him at a hotel party the same week. At the hotel, The same year, The WB launched the TV series Reba, which Reba performed an a cappella version of Dolly Parton's \"Joshua\". starred McEntire as a fictionalized version of herself. Jacqueline McEntire asked Steagall if he was able to help get McEntire was born in McAlester, Oklahoma, in 1955 but was all her children a recording contract. After going back to raised on a ranch in Chockie, Oklahoma. She was the third Nashville, Steagall contacted her in early 1975 and said, \"I can't of four children born to Clark (1927-2014) and Jacqueline take all three. But I could take Reba. She's got something a little McEntire (1926-2020). Her grandfather, John Wesley McEntire, different.\" was a world-champion steer roper in 1934, while her father held In March 1975 and accompanied by her mother, McEntire the same title three times (1957, 1958 and 1961). Jacqueline embarked on a trip to Nashville, Tennessee, to record a McEntire had aspirations of becoming a country singer, but demonstration tape that Steagall hoped to pass along to record instead became a public school teacher, librarian and secretary.[ labels. At the start of the trip, she was unsure about pursuing While her mother was tender and loving, her father had trouble a professional country music career. McEntire recalled in her showing affection. \"When we were growing up I used to regret autobiography continually making excuses for her mother to that Daddy never told us that he loved us,\" she recalled in her stop the car instead of traveling to Nashville. After noticing her autobiography. The McEntire family owned a cattle ranch in daughter's fear, Jacqueline McEntire told her, \"Now Reba, let Chockie. Each family member contributed to running the cattle me tell you something. If you don't want to go to Nashville, we operation. The McEntire children helped with ranch chores don't have to do this. But I'm living all my dreams through you.\" before and after school. This included castrating bulls and giving The conversation changed her mind and they continued on to them worm medicine. Nashville. The McEntire siblings also developed an interest in singing, After recording a demo, McEntire's tape was heard by Glenn which was encouraged by their mother. On car trips to their Keener of PolyGram/Mercury Records, who was interested in father's rodeo dates, Jacqueline McEntire taught her children signing her to a Nashville contract. Keener brought McEntire's to sing in harmony with one another. Young Reba then started tape and another female's tape to PolyGram's Chicago performing at school, beginning in first grade when she sang headquarters. The label informed Kenner that he could only \"Away in a Manger\" at an elementary school Christmas pageant. sign one female performer. \"He looked at the two tapes in his In fifth grade, she joined the 4-H club and won first place in hand and handed ’em mine,\" McEntire told Entertainment the Junior Act Division for singing \"My Sweet Little Alice Blue Weekly. Gown\". She also played basketball and ran track. For several In November 1975, McEntire signed a country music recording summers, she attended a basketball camp. She also learned contract with PolyGram/Mercury Records. She made her first piano and guitar. She also developed an interest in the rodeo recordings for the label in January 1976. She was produced by and trained to become a barrel racer. Glenn Keener and was backed by a Countrypolitan arrangement By high school the McEntire siblings had been frequently that included a string section. McEntire's debut single was performing. Together, they formed a trio which they called The released in 1976 titled \"I Don't Want to Be a One Night Stand\". Singing McEntires. In 1971, the trio released a single about their The track failed to become a major hit, only peaking at number famous grandfather called \"The Ballad of John McEntire\". It 88 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart that May. It was pressed as a single by a local label and was issued in small was followed by the low-charting Billboard country singles numbers regionally. The trio eventually included a backing \"(There's Nothing Like the Love) Between a Woman and Man\" band which performed at local functions. The group was later and \"Glad I Waited Just for You\". Mercury issued her self-titled named The Kiowa High School Cowboy Band. They also had debut album in 1977. In his album review, Greg Adams of paying gigs at bars at dance halls in nearby Oklahoma City. AllMusic compared it to the country crossover style of Barbara \"We were a bunch of kids barely in puberty who didn't get to Mandrell and Tammy Wynette. McEntire also began touring bed until almost daylight after some of our shows,\" McEntire and performing more frequently. Without a band of her own, remembered. The band parted ways once Reba's brother she often relied on house bands to accompany her. In some graduated high school. In 1973, McEntire graduated from instances, the backing bands did not know country music and Kiowa High School. McEntire would have to fill her time onstage with jokes. McEntire's career gained more momentum by 1978. That www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk 11 |

Country Music Legend REBA MCENT IRE year she collaborated on two singles with country artist Jacky reaching number five. In 1983, McEntire's bus had broken down Ward. The duo's double-sided release of \"I'd Really Love to See when she was informed that her latest single \"Can't Even Get the You Tonight\"/\"Three Sheets in the Wind\" became her first top Blues\" reached the number one spot on the Billboard country 20 hit on the country chart.[8] When Glenn Keener left the chart. It was followed by her second number one song \"You're PolyGram/Mercury roster, McEntire inherited producer Jerry the First Time I Thought About Leaving\". The track also became Kennedy. Kennedy produced her second studio album titled her second to reach the top ten of Canada's RPM country songs Out of a Dream (1979). The album's cover of Patsy Cline's chart. Both singles appeared on her 1983 album Unlimited. \"Sweet Dreams\" became her first top 20 hit as a solo artist. The following year, the single \"Why Do We Want (What We Four additional top 40 country singles were spawned from the Know We Can't Have)\" reached the top ten. With increased album as well. By 1980, McEntire had formed her own band success in the country music industry, she was able to arrange which included sister Susie and brother Pake McEntire. She an early release from PolyGram/Mercury in 1983. \"Let met put also hired a new manager. McEntire and her band toured to it this way, I've sorta taken my career into control myself,\" she dates in a three-car caravan, which included a horse trailer explained of the decision. for transporting instruments. She later upgraded to a bus McEntire signed with MCA Records in 1984 and released her nicknamed \"Silver Eagle\", which routinely broke down. Also in seventh studio album Just a Little Love. Harold Shedd was 1980, \"(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven\" became her first top ten hit originally intended to produce the disc, however, McEntire on the country songs chart. It was included on her third studio rejected his desire for a country pop arrangement. Instead, album, Feel the Fire, which was released in October. Norro Wilson produced the project. Despite spawning a top ten By this point, McEntire's label pushed her to record music in hit, McEntire was still dissatisfied with the record's production a soft country pop style that she often disagreed with. Future and the lack of control over material. Instead, she turned to material (which included her next album) was recorded in this MCA president Jimmy Bowen who suggested that she find format. Her fourth album, Heart to Heart was issued in 1981 her own songs to record. Accompanied by Don \"Dirt\" Lanier, and became her first disc to chart the Billboard Country Albums McEntire spent several days listening to various songs from list. It received only a 2.5 star review from AllMusic's William publishing companies. Eventually she found a song written by Ruhlmann, who described McEntire as being \"a promising, but Harlan Howard titled \"Somebody Should Leave\" and a song by not yet accomplished country artist.\" Yet its lead single, \"Today Jon Moffat titled \"How Blue\". Released as singles, they reached All Over Again\", became her highest charting country single yet, the number one spot on the country songs chart and later appeared on 1984's My Kind of Country. The collection also included several covers of classic country songs by Ray Price, Charley Pride and Connie Smith. AllMusic's William Ruhlmann gave the disc 4.5 stars. Billboard magazine described McEntire on the album as being \"the finest woman country singer since Kitty Wells.\" The album became her breakthrough recording, leading McEntire to winning 1984's Female Vocalist of the Year accolade from the Country Music Association. Along with music by George Strait and Randy Travis, the album also brought forth a stylistic change in country towards traditional arrangements and sounds. Her next MCA album was 1985's Have I Got a Deal for You. The project followed the same traditional country format of its predecessor. It was produced by Jimmy Bowen, along with co-production credits from McEntire herself. The album 's title track reached the Billboard country top ten along with \"Only in My Mind\", a song composed by McEntire herself. In February 1986, her ninth studio album was released named Whoever's in New England. On the record, McEntire and co-producer Jimmy Bowen mixed a traditional country style with a modern, contemporary sound. Author Kurt Wolff described the title track's production, as being \"bigger and sentimentalism more obvious, even manipulative\". Issued as the lead single, the title track peaked at number one on the Billboard country chart and | 12 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

Reba McEntire won McEntire the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Following the successful takeoff of both planes, one plane's wing Vocal Performance. The album itself became her first to top the hit the side of Otay Mountain in San Diego, killing everyone on Billboard Country Albums survey. and later certified platinum board. by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of In total, eight members of her band were killed: Chris Austin, one million copies. Kirk Cappello, Joey Cigainero, Paula Kaye Evans, Jim Hammon, By this point McEntire had reached the height of her Terry Jackson, Anthony Saputo, and Michael Thomas. In commercial stardom.[8] Following this, McEntire made changes addition, pilot Donald Holmes and co-pilot Chris Hollinger to her stage show. She began implementing choreography and were also killed. The first plane was a Hawker Siddeley DH- experimented with stage lighting. Also in 1986, McEntire's 125-1A/522 charter jet that took off at 1:40 AM from the Brown twelfth studio album appeared titled What Am I Gonna Do Field Municipal Airport, located near the US/Mexico border. About You. AllMusic found that it lacked the features that had After reaching an altitude of 3,400 feet (1,040 m) above sea level, made Whoever's in New England unique. The title track was the aircraft crashed on the side of Otay Mountain, located 10 the lead single from the release. It became her next number one miles (16 km) east of the airport. The National Transportation song on the Billboard country chart and her first number one Safety Board (NTSB) determined the probable cause of the on the RPM Canadian country chart. Its second single \"One accident was related to \"improper pilot planning\". Promise Too Late\" also topped the country chart. Her thirteenth Meanwhile, the second plane carrying the rest of her band made studio project, The Last One to Know, was released in 1987 and it successfully to an airport in Nashville. McEntire, her husband reached number three on the Billboard country albums chart. and hair stylist returned on their own plane following the Reviewer Tom Roland noted that McEntire chose material that accident. \"By the time that long, terrible weekend was over, we reflected her recent divorce from first husband Charlie Battles. were emotionally and physically exhausted,\" McEntire stated in Both the title track and \"Love Will Find Its Way to You\" topped her autobiography. The news was reported nearly immediately the Billboard country songs chart. In late 1987, McEntire to McEntire and her husband, who were sleeping at a nearby released her first Christmas collection called Merry Christmas hotel. A spokeswoman for McEntire made a statement to The to You. Also in 1987, she played Carnegie Hall in New York City Los Angeles Times on behalf of her: \"She was very close to all of for the first time. them. Some of them had been with her for years. Reba is totally In the late 1980s, McEntire took more control of her career. She devastated by this. It's like losing part of your family. Right now fired her manager and formed her own entertainment company she just wants to get back to Nashville.\" Two days after the crash, that helped further promote her material. Other new changes McEntire conducted an interview with People magazine and included her 1988 pop-inspired release Reba. Her fifteenth scheduled a memorial service for the families of the victims. studio disc included covers of the former pop hits \"Respect\" and Nine days following the accident, McEntire performed at the \"A Sunday Kind of Love\". It produced the number one Billboard 63rd Academy Awards ceremony, singing the Best Original country singles \"New Fool at an Old Game\" and \"I Know How Song nominee \"I'm Checkin' Out\" from the film Postcards from He Feels\". It was followed by 1989's Sweet Sixteen, which was the Edge. In addition, Vince Gill and Dolly Parton offered their noted to be a more of a \"return to the neo-traditionalist fold\", help in reorganizing her touring band. according to reviewer William Ruhlmann.The album featured McEntire dedicated her sixteenth album, For My Broken the country hits \"'Til Love Comes Again\", \"Little Girl\", \"Walk Heart, to the deceased members of her road band. Released On\" and a cover of \"Cathy's Clown\". Her first live project titled in October 1991, it contained songs of sorrow and lost love Reba Live was also released in 1989. about \"all measure of suffering\", according to Alanna Nash of Rumor Has It (1990) was another pop-oriented album release Entertainment Weekly. Nash reported that McEntire \"still hits featuring a mix of ballads and uptempo numbers. It was the first her stride with the more traditional songs of emotional turmoil, disc in McEntire's career to reach the top 40 of the Billboard 200 above all combining a spectacular vocal performance with albums chart. The disc would become McEntire's highest-selling a terrific song on 'Buying Her Roses', a wife's head-spinning album, certifying three-times platinum from the RIAA. Four discovery of her husband's other woman.\" The disc peaked at hit country singles came from the release, including \"You Lie\" number three on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. It and her cover of Bobby Gentrys' 1969 single \"Fancy\". The latter also became her highest-charting release on the Billboard 200 single eventually became one of McEntire's signature songs. yet, peaking at number 13. It later sold over four million copies In the late 1980s, McEntire's touring schedule became in the United States, becoming her best-selling album to date. increasingly busy. To avoid long bus trips, she and her band Its title track and \"Is There Life Out There\" both became number began traveling by private planes to concerts. McEntire and one Billboard country singles. In addition, \"The Greatest Man her touring band started the 1991 leg of their tour with dates I Never Knew\" and McEntire's cover of \"The Night the Lights in Alaska, Saginaw, Michigan, Fort Wayne, Indiana and a Went Out in Georgia\" both became major country hits. private gig for IBM in San Diego, California. Two planes were In December 1992, McEntire's seventeenth album It's Your Call scheduled to leave San Diego which would carry McEntire's was released. A sign of her increased mainstream success, the band. McEntire, her husband and her stylist would take a album was her first to reach the top ten of the Billboard 200 It different aircraft the next day. In the early hours of March spawned the country hits \"Take It Back\", the title track and a 16, 1991, McEntire was awoken by a phone call from Roger number one duet with Vince Gill called \"The Heart Won't Lie\". Woolsey, pilot of the second plane. McEntire's husband took Critic Brian Mansfield compared the disc to For My Broken the call and discovered that one of the planes had crashed. Heart, concluding that \"only casual or partial listeners will be www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk 13 |

Country Music Legend REBA MCENT IRE moved as much.\" Christopher John Farley of Time wrote that endeavors over the years, including a joint Las Vegas residency. the album ranged from being \"relaxing\" to \"cathartic\", and The duet was included on McEntire's If You See Him album and \"these vocals from one of the best country singers linger in the Brooks & Dunn's If You See Her album, both of which were mind\". For her next release, McEntire collaborated with up-and- released in June 1998. Thom Owens found that both album titles coming artist Linda Davis on the single \"Does He Love You\". were named nearly the same as \"a way to draw attention for both MCA Records encouraged McEntire to record the track with parties, since they were no longer new guns—they were veterans more established acts like Wynonna Judd or Trisha Yearwood, in danger of losing ground to younger musicians\". If You See but ultimately finalized the track with Davis. It became her Him produced three more top ten country hits including eighteenth number one hit on the Country Songs chart and her \"Forever Love\" and \"One Honest Heart\". sixteenth number one hit on the Canadian country chart. It was In 1999, McEntire released two albums. In September she later included on her 1993 compilation Greatest Hits Volume issued her second Christmas album, The Secret of Giving: A Two. Later that year, Davis and McEntire performed the duet at Christmas Collection. In November, her twenty-second studio the CMA Awards. For her performance, McEntire wore a red album, So Good Together was released. Entertainment Weekly dress with a plunging neckline that created controversy among commented that most of the album's material was \"an odd the Nashville community. set—mostly ballads, including an English/Portuguese duet Her eighteenth studio release was 1994's Read My Mind. The with Jose e Durval on Boz Scaggs' 'We're All Alone'\". It featured disc reached number two on both the Billboard 200 and the the top five country songs \"What Do You Say\" and \"I'll Be\". Top Country Albums chart. The disc later reached sales of three McEntire focused on an acting career in the early 2000s and million copies in the United States and certified three times took a temporary musical hiatus. One exception was 2001's \"I'm platinum from the RIAA. Five major hits came from the release, a Survivor\". The single became a top five country hit and the including \"The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter\", \"Till You Love Me\" theme song to McEntire's 2001 television series. and a song about a woman contracting AIDS called \"She Thinks McEntire returned to her recording career in August 2003 with His Name Was John\". The latter recording only reached a top the release of the MCA single \"I'm Gonna Take That Mountain\". 20 charting position due to its controversial lyrics. McEntire's [106] The song was included on her first studio album in four nineteenth studio album, Starting Over (1995) is a collection years titled Room to Breathe (November 2003). \"The reason I of her favorite songs originally recorded by others. The album named the album Room to Breathe is because I needed a little was made to commemorate McEntire's twenty years in the room to breathe,\" McEntire told Billboard. The 12-track disc music industry. The album received a less favorable response was produced by Buddy Cannon and Norro Wilson. It also from critics than that of her previous releases. While the project featured a guest appearance from Vince Gill. Room to Breathe spawned three charting singles, only McEntire's cover of \"Ring debuted at number four on the Billboard country chart and later on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands\" became a top ten country certified platinum in the United States. It spawned McEntire's song. Starting Over was certified platinum by the RIAA within first number one song in six years titled \"Somebody\". Also the first two months of its release. featured was the top ten single \"He Gets That from Me\". In 2004, McEntire's next album release What If It's You was issued she embarked on her first tour in several years also titled \"Room by MCA in November 1996. The record was a return to a to Breathe\", which included 36 cities in the United States. In contemporary country sound. It debuted at number 15 on the 2005, MCA released the double-disc compilation titled Reba Billboard 200[95] and eventually topped the Billboard country #1's while she was in between albums. albums list. It received a more favorable response from radio In September 2007, McEntire's next studio disc was released programmers than that of her 1995 album and received greater titled Reba: Duets. The album was a collection of duets with promotion. Critic Thom Owens noted that the project \"didn't various music artists, including Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, offer any new tricks from Reba McEntire, but it is nevertheless Trisha Yearwood, Carole King, and Justin Timberlake. Reba: an excellent reminder of her deep talents as a vocalist.\" Its first Duets topped the Billboard country chart and the Billboard single, \"The Fear of Being Alone\" became a top five hit, while 200, becoming her first album in her career to reach the top of \"How Was I to Know\" reached the number one spot on the both lists. Reba: Duets was later certified platinum by the RIAA. Billboard country songs survey. The album was given high critical praise from magazines such McEntire began touring with country duo Brooks & Dunn as PopMatters, which compared McEntire to artists like Janis during the mid 1990s. Their touring collaborating led to Joplin and Tina Turner. AllMusic's Thom Jurek gave it 3.5 stars, the recording of a duet titled \"If You See Him/If You See commenting that \"it's full of good to great songs delivered in Her\" in 1998. The track topped both the Billboard country mostly interesting ways.\" The first single was a duet version songs chart and the Canadian RPM country chart. Their of Kelly Clarkson's \"Because of You\", which reached number initial collaborations would lead to several more professional two on the American country chart and topped the Canadian | 14 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

Reba McEntire country songs chart. Grammy Award win in more than twenty years, since 1994. She In 2008, McEntire announced that she would be departing her also headlined the C2C: Country to Country festival in the UK label of 25 years and signing with the Valory Music Group, an alongside Brad Paisley and Zac Brown Band in March. Because imprint of Big Machine Records. The switch to Valory reunited of its limited release in 2016, on October 13, 2017 My Kind McEntire with the label's president, Scott Borchetta, whom she of Christmas was re-released - this time including songs with had worked with previously. Her first Valory single was 2009's Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Darius Rucker and Lauren Daigle - on \"Strange\". The song debuted at number 39 Billboard country her website and through iTunes. In July 2018, it was announced songs chart, giving McEntire the highest single debut of her that McEntire would be one of four honorees for the 41st annual career and peaked at number eleven. Her twenty-sixth studio Kennedy Center Honors, along with Cher, Philip Glass, and album, Keep On Loving You was released in August 2009 and Wayne Shorter. The ceremony was held December 2, 2018, and also topped both the Billboard Country and 200 charts. In broadcast on CBS December 26, 2018. 2009, \"Consider Me Gone\" (spawned as the record's second McEntire released her twenty-ninth studio album Stronger Than single) became her 24th number-one on the Billboard chart in the Truth on April 5, 2019. McEntire also returned to host the December.At age 54, McEntire became one of the oldest women 54th Academy of Country Music Awards on April 8, 2019. to have a number one single on the country songs chart. On February 20, 2020, during a surprise appearance at the McEntire's twenty-ninth studio album All the Women I Am was Country Radio Seminar, McEntire announced she had signed a released in November 2010. Steve Morse of The Boston Globe new record deal with MCA Nashville, returning to the label after called the project \"one of her best efforts\", while Thom Jurek leaving in November 2008. McEntire hosted the 54th Annual at AllMusic only gave it a 2.5 star rating, calling it \"awkward\" Country Music Association Awards alongside Darius Rucker and lacking a \"center\". \"Turn On the Radio\" was issued as the in November 2020. McEntire previously hosted in 2019 with lead single prior to the album, eventually becoming her twenty- Carrie Underwood and Dolly Parton, 1992 with Vince Gill, fourth number one on the Billboard country survey. Three 1991 by herself (the second solo female host) and 1990 with additional charting singles were spawned from All the Women Randy Travis. On October 3, 2022, Reba revealed that she would I Am that peaked outside the top 20. Her All the Women I Am continue her Reba: Live in Concert tour going through 2023 and Tour followed shortly after featuring country acts the Band play New York City's Madison Square Garden for the very first Perry, Steel Magnolia, and Edens Edge. time. In 2014, McEntire moved to Big Machine's new imprint for veteran artists titled Nash Icon Music. Her first Nash Icon single was 2015's \"Going Out Like That\", which reached the top 25 of the Billboard country songs chart. It was included on her 2015 Nash Icon album Love Somebody. The album topped the country albums chart and charted the top five of the Billboard 200. In 2016, McEntire released a third Christmas- themed studio album called My Kind of Christmas. The album was exclusively sold at Cracker Barrel and online. She also announced she would soon be selling her own line of clothing, home decor, jewelry and other things under the \"Rockin' R by Reba\" line also at Cracker Barrel. After her split from ex-husband Narvel Blackstock, McEntire took control of her career as her own manager. She recruited Justin McIntosh of Starstruck Entertainment, Leslie Matthews serving as Brand Manager, and Carolyn Snell who has been with McEntire for nine years. They formed Reba's Business Inc. (RBI). She moved out of the building she and Blackstock had worked in, and moved her company to Green Hills, Nashville. On December 15, 2016, McEntire announced that she was releasing her first gospel album titled Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope. It was released by Nash Icon/Rockin' R Records on February 3, 2017, and consists of two discs. Disc one contains traditional hymns while disc two contains original tracks. \"Softly and Tenderly\", featuring Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood, was the first track off the album released. Another track on the album, \"In the Garden/Wonderful Peace\", features the Isaacs. Jay DeMarcus of the Rascal Flatts produced the album. The first single off the album is \"Back to God\". In January 2018, McEntire won the Grammy Award for Best Roots Gospel Album, her first nomination since 2007, and her first www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk 15 |

SPOTLIGHT ON JOSH WARD | 18 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

All grit and no quit. These are the deeply rooted words Josh Ward that Josh Ward lives by to an absolute fault. An anchored mindset that has led this Texas country music family. To his loyal fans he feels he owes everything. “Words rising star from a drifter’s adolescence to the jeopardous can’t describe the emotion that gets put into these runs game of the rodeo circuit to the punishing toil of the and the work that we do. And these people pay their hard Texas oil fields, and on into the fickle arms of the music earned money to see it every night. Thank you. Every time business. Some might argue whether it is having nine I step on stage, you guys remind me that I have more than consecutive #1 hit singles in Texas under his belt that has I deserve.” And so his brand new album, so aptly named, is garnered him staying power, or that he is killing it in the Ward’s dedication to his growing family. social media world with over 2 million views on YouTube “More Than I Deserve” marks Ward’s fourth full length and over 3 million streams globally on Spotify. Maybe album release and it greeted the fans on May 4, 2018. With it’s his 3 venerated album releases, or maybe because he the philosophy of “don’t fix what isn’t broken,” Ward went can not only bat a full house on a 200 plus dates a year right back into the Rosewood studios where he recorded touring average, but also rope in crowds on a first time all his previous releases and joined producer Greg Hunt performance in an unfamiliar town. While impressive, all once again behind the board to create the next dimension those distinctions can come and go in the world of music. of Josh Ward country music. The new album is 11 tracks The reason for his staying power turns out to be quite a strong featuring the signature instrumentation from guys simple one. And that is because Josh Ward is country music like John Carroll (Cory Morrow) on guitar, Nate Coon blood to bone, and both Josh Ward and country music are (Aaron Watson) on drums, Milo Deering (The Eagles) on simply not going to go away. acoustic guitar, steel, dobro, fiddle, viola and mandolin, and Josh spent 2017 heavily touring off the strength of his Terry McBride (McBride and The Ride) on backing vocals previous album “Holding Me Together.” All six radio and also writer of three of the tracks. The album is classic singles hit the #1 spot on the Texas Regional Radio Chart Josh Ward style on every front with just a little more gusto and Ward quickly found himself going from opening act and a little more miles on it. Full bodied and emotionally to the headlining spot in a matter of months. But in the fragrant, every song jumps out kicking up the kind of midst of his growing popularity, he gladly bent the knee country music nostalgia Ward is revered for. to fellow country music artist and comrade Cody Johnson The first single “All About Lovin’” (written by Brice Long, who introduced Ward to his West Coast audiences. Getting Terry McBride and Chris Stapleton) tells you everything the chance to be endorsed by Cody Johnson and perform you need to know about this album, a sexy tonkafied driver at sold out shows in brand new markets is the kind of of a song that guarantees you’ll be lacing up your dancing opportunity music artists chomp at the bit to have. When shoes by the time you hit the chorus. “Home Away From Ward and his band returned to those areas a few months Home” is country piled on top of more country, and is, as later all by their lonesome, he simply could not have the song says, “a two steppin’ juke box heaven.” While Ward guessed at the reception he would encounter. “When we has never been afraid to sing other people’s songs due to went back to the West Coast by ourselves, it was sold out his belief that a good song simply needs to be heard, his shows. I was literally blown away.” It was at that very point own savvy for the art just so happens to be represented on while far away from his familiar stomping grounds in Texas three of the most powerful tracks. “A Cowboy Can” is the with new fans slapping him on the back that Ward knew true grit of this album and is what Ward says best describes beyond a shadow of a doubt that his music was catching on himself. “One More Shot Of Whiskey” is a sobering tale in a big way. told with 90 proof conviction, and then there is “More Than The culmination of his radio success and his victories I Deserved” ringing out with its vulnerable steel and head out on the road can easily be attributed to the actual man hanging resolve. “More Than I Deserve” is country music behind the music. In life, sometimes a person gets dealt addiction in its purest form. Josh Ward did not reinvent a lean hand and has to choose his family from strangers the wheel here, but damn, it’s polished surface sure rides along the way, people who make a conscious choice to take smooth. you under their wing and help guide you through life. Ward Josh and his band will be seeing a lot more of the country considers himself a very lucky man despite some rough this year hitting a lot of new places on his never ending teenage years. The love and support of his extended family tour. It’s still hard for him to believe he has come this far and his chosen family was the concrete foundation he built and he doesn’t take one mile of it for granted. “I never his life on, and his fans are a big part of that. It’s why they thought I would be rolling down the road with one of the are drawn to him through the speakers, because he is what hottest bands in Texas playing shows across the United he sings. It’s why they are drawn to him from the stage, States. I’m happy to be here.” because he’s an old friend who’s come back to visit. He’s the The Josh Ward band is Josh Ward (lead vocals, rhythm animated truth of all he stands for, a self-made family man guitar), Steve Cargill (bass), Justin Cogneato (drums), who always has a welcome smile and an open spot in the Woody Woodruff (lead guitar) and Glen Shankle (steel guitar). www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk 19 |

SPOTLIGHT ON JOSH WARD | 18 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

Josh Ward ALBUMS / TOUR DATES 2023 More Than I Deserve 2018 Holding Me Together 2015 Promises 2012 Hard Whiskey 2007 Live At Billy Bob's Texas 2005 March 30th Slowdown Omaha, NE April 28th 11th Street Cowboy Bar, Bandera March 31st RC McGraws Bar & Grill, TX Manhatten KS April 29th 3rd Annual Peel For a Purpose April 1st The Majestic, Fort Smith AR Stagecoach April 12th Betty Roses Little Brisket, Abeline May 5th Grizzly Rose Denver CO TX May 20th Stone Valley Texas Johnson City April 14 Cowboys, Tyler TX TX April 15th Galveston County Fair, Hitchcock June 17th Whitewater Amphitheatre New TX Braunfels TX April 21st Sacred Heart School, Floresville June 23rd Shreveport Opry Shreveport LA TX October 8th-15th Texas Music Cruise '23 April 22nd The Ranchers Ride, Industry TX Galveston TX April 27th Hunt County Fair, Greenville TX For ticket information and to keep up to date with Josh Ward please check out his website www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk 19 |

COUNTRY MUSIC Did YouKnow...? • Rodney Crowell's 1988 album Diamonds & Dirt • Acclaimed film director Robert Altman (\"MASH\", yielded a whopping five number one singles, a record \"Nashville\") actually co-wrote \"Black Sheep,\" one of for a country album (Brad Paisley tied it in 2008). John Anderson's signature songs. Crowell has not had a #1 record before or since. • Kris Kristofferson was a Rhodes Scholar and • Vern Gosdin did not reach his commercial stride attended Oxford University.. until he was well into his fifties, a rarity in popular music. • \"Old Red\" was originally recorded by George Jones • No George Strait album has ever yielded fewer and covered by Kenny Rogers before Blake Shelton than two top-ten hits or failed to achieve at least gold released it as a hit single in 2001. certification. • The 1976 compilation album Wanted! The Outlaws was the first country album to sell a million copies. • Towards the end of Garth Brooks' \"Friends in Low • Garth Brooks has said that the last track on each Places\" (around 3:42), Garth yells out something of his albums is his favorite song on the album. unintelligible to most listeners. Legend has it that one of the backup singers in the studio was a several- months-pregnant woman named Marie who was due to give birth any time, and Garth yelled out \"Push, Marie!\" as a joke. It was kept in the final recording. • Jo Dee Messina's \"Bring on the Rain\" contains the line \"Tomorrow's another day / And I'm thirsty anyway / So bring on the rain.\" What day was it released as a single? September 10, 2001. • Country music parodist Cledus T. Judd's 1996 record I Stoled This Record was certified gold for | 20 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

sales of 500,000 copies despite never charting a Did You Know...? single. • Keith Whitley and Ricky Skaggs were originally members of Earl Scruggs' Foggy Mountain Boys before launching solo careers. • Trace Adkins originally recorded \"In Color\" • Kenny Chesney has more CMA Entertainer of the and was slated to release it on his album X until Year awards than Randy Travis, Waylon Jennings, Jamey Johnson asked permission to record the song Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash himself. Adkins' version is available as bonus track combined. for X if downloaded on iTunes. • When Toby Keith's 2010 album Bullets in the • None of the three men known as Hank Williams Gun debuted at #1 on the country albums chart after are actually named Hank Williams (their first names selling 71,000 albums in the first week of release, it are Hiram, Randall, and Shelton, respectively. \"Hank\" became the lowest-selling #1 country album since is a nickname for the former, and a middle name for Nielsen SoundScan began tracking the chart in May the latter two) 1991. • George Jones' \"He Stopped Loving Her Today\" won the CMA's \"Song of the Year\" in both 1980 and 1981. • Marty Stuart's \"Hangman\" was co-written with Johnny Cash four days before his death. www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk 21 |

Introducing TheWillos' Band Website | Facebook | Youtube GHOST SHIP Our new single Ghost Ship is inspired by the numerous sightings of a phantom ship in flames sailing on the Northumberland Strait on the east coast of Canada. While the truth is unknown, many believe the doomed ship was carrying Irish immigrants to the maritime provinces when it caught fire and sank. This story was our chance to connect the Irish and Canadian ties that exist also within the band, and personally it was an opportunity to represent a part of Prince Edward Island, known for its vast sandy red beaches, lighthouses and lobster suppers and where I spent every summer growing up. Islanders are quiet, welcoming people and great friends were made there, one of whom we would like to dedicate this new song to; a woman who adopted my sister and myself as her own, who shared recipes, laughs and stories and proudly displayed our photos and celebrated our achievements: Wanda Adams, always ready to welcome us \"home\" in Knutsford and O'Leary with a lemon merengue pie and a game of cribbage. An integral part of our Island memories, she will be missed but never forgotten. | 22 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

Willos' Band The original band’s name was Will o’ the Wisp. Irish folklore vocalist in a heavy metal band. For a few years he was the pianist says those were lights used to guide mortals to the places of the blues band Boris & the Spiders, while attending improvi- where the fairies dance. Willos’ are: sation lessons at Siena Jazz. In the winter of 2005 he attended the Stephanie Martin – fiddle – Belfast (IRL) \"Frankie Kennedy Winter school\" in Donegal, where he deepened Alice Reynols – voice & keyboards - Georgia (USA) his knowledge of bouzouki with Paul Doyle, renowned instru- Lorenzo Del Grande – flutes – (ITA) ment-maker and member of the band \"Providence\". At the same Luca Mercurio – folk guitar & bouzouki – (ITA) time he met accordion player Martin Tourish, with whom he Giulio Putti – percussions – (ITA) developed an interesting collaboration. He was a pupil of Klauss Massimo Giuntini – uillean pipes, irish bouzouki, flutes – (ITA) Lessmann, and this experience inspired many of the arrangements in Working Men. WilloS' was born in 2001. GIULIO PUTTI Bodhràn, Djenbè, Cajon, Darbouka, Percussions Now the project is a musical journey from the Mediterranean to Coming home from a journey in Ireland, Giulio found himself Ireland and the States.An alchemical formula mixing traditional besotted with Ireland and its traditions. He began studying the Irish and American styles, mediterranean sounds, original ideas bodhràn and, thanks to previous experiences as a drummer and and jazz. his studies at Siena Jazz, he soon became a very good player. In A music that is difficult to label, always different and full of supris- 2003, on a winter evening, Ray Gallen, a well known musician es, but perfect for any audience . from Belfast, said to him: \"If anybody asked me who' s the best STEPHANIE MARTIN Fiddle bodhràn player in Ireland, I' d say ....\"it' s me\"..... but your style' s Stephanie comes from Belfast, the Irish culture and Traditional so close to mine...!!\" Among his teachers Vittorio Schiboni, who music for her is her home and heart. She' s been living in Italy played in the soundtrack for the Scorsese' s movie Gangs of New for six years. She' s originally a classically trained violin player York. Nowadays Giulio is studying various ethnic instruments having studied at the City of Belfast School of Music. Nowadays, with Ettore Bonafè ( Riccardo Tesi' s percussionist) of whom he she' s trying to find her own unique interpretation of folk music, has been a student for the last few years. through Jazz and also with the influence and support of her fiddle Willos’ started in Siena (Italy) in January 2001 with a repertoire of teacher Athena Tergis, a master of celtic fiddle styles, to help find irish and scottish folk music . a personal style that could bring new edge to the band' s future Over the years and nearly 600 gigs in Ireland, Italy, France and projects. Switzerland the band has continued to produce their own style ALICE REYNOLDS Lead Voice and today it is interpreting, composing and producing their own Originally from Georgia (USA), Alice Reynolds, a vocalist and fresh unique sound. actress, received her BFA in acting from Florida State Univer- In 2020, before all live music events were cancelled, the band was sity in 1986 where she studied voice with John Franceschina , booked to tour for the first time in the Netherlands, Germany, as well as, having the opportunity to study with Joseph Papp Austria and Poland. (New York Shakespeare Festival), Raul Julia, Roger Rees (Royal However, by the end of 2021 the band was able to perform more Shakespeare Company), and Nigel Rideout (London Academy of than 30 in person gigs all over Italy and started some great rela- Music and Dramatic Art). For the past 10 years she has devoted tionships with pipers Massimo Giuntini and Martino Vacca from herself almost exclusively to singing and her musical experience the band FULL SET. encompasses a variety of styles including jazz, blues, gospel, and In September 2021 the band started working on a new full album American and European folk music. She continues to perform in “From Now On” that was released in May 2022 with great interna- many clubs and festivals in Italy and Europe and the US. Alice has tional feedback. been a teacher in the course for singers at the Siena Jazz Founda- tion since 2004. LORENZO DEL GRANDE Bass flute, Flutes Today the 6 piece band is no longer only reproducing traditional A classical flute player, Lorenzo works mainly with chamber music music but is now interpreting, composing and producing its own groups, with a repertoire based on contemporary music. During ‘fresh’ sound and unique style, experimenting original compo- his studies he met Thomas Doorley, a flute player from the dub- sitions mixed with trad and folk. The approach, however, is the lin-based band Danú, who took him on the path to irish tradition- same, performing and involving the public by creating a dance al music buying him his first wooden flute. Later he learnt from atmosphere with ‘memorable’ rhythms and ‘catchy’ themes that the support of great traditional flute players like Desy McGuire, can be performed informally, in any venue. Sam Murray and Muireann Nic Amhloaibh. In 1996 he joined Prior to “From Now On”, Willos’ released three albums, also work- a band named Banda Gioli along with five other musicians and ing with international artists such as violinists Liz Carroll and in the summer of 2003 he joined Will o' the Wisp. From 2001 he Athena Tergis and guitarist John Doyle. teaches flute at the Musical Lyceum \"A. Passacaglia\" in Lucca Album Titles LUCA MERCURIO Folk guitar, Bouzouki 2003 Cionn Caslach Without a doubt, Luca is the most eclectic member of the group. 2010 Dirt Tracks He began playing piano at 10, then he became a guitar player and 2019 Willows' 4th 2022 From Now On www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk 23 |

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THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS 1940 BY PAUL GEORGE The Story of love, tragedy and mystery in a London Train Station during one of the most testing times in British history, the Blitz. Rose, a local flow- erseller on a typical London Train Station, is torn between her childhood sweetheart, Jimmy and a strange soldier who turns up out of the blue with a mysterious agenda. A story of love and determination against all odds. Available Now On Amazon & Kindle in Paperback or Ebook | 26 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

Stars & Their Guitars STARS & THEIR GUITARS When you look at influential guitarists of the modern age, names like Hendrix and Clapton come to mind but even these guys were influenced by somebody. Their icon were mostly found in Rock 'n' Roll music and more often than not, that of Charles Hardin Holley, to us mere mortals, we knew him simply as Buddy Holly. A fitting candidate for this month's 'Stars and their Guitars'. were played in three chords around A, D and E such as Peggy Sue, Oh Boy, It's So Easy and That'll Be The Day. The latter, although played in the key of A, was played with a Capo on the 5th fret. I can only surmise that this was for simplicity on the opening riff and lead break. It's worth checking out the original video of this on youtube. There have been few moments in music I could literally write on for pages and As we know, Buddy died tragically in history which have been more impacting pages without so much as a reference due a plane crash after playing the Surf than 'the day the music died' where three to my obsession with this legend. But Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa during Rock 'n' Roll superstars lost their lives in that story is maybe for another day for a disastrous tour when the musicians a tragedy airplane crash on 3rd February me to write. For now, I just want to focus and other members of the tour 1959 in Clear Lake, Iowa. Of course, I'm on his music and equipment. were suffering from illnesses due to referring to Buddy Holly, Richie Valens When I look at the brilliance of Holly, inadequate transport during one of the and The Big Bopper. in particular his unique and cherished worse winters on record. The buses were In this month's issue of CME, I would sound which we still all love over six constantly breaking down, heating wasn't like to focus on Buddy Holly. In decades later, a question working and they were all tired, cold and particular his music and of course, his comes to mind. How the exhausted from the constant problems guitars, in particular again, his Strat that hell did he produce such a of travel, prompting Holly to charter a we are all so familiar with. good sound with so little plane to his next destination simply so Charles Hardin Holley was born on 7th gear. Seriously, he played he could wash his clothes and sleep in a September 1936 in Lubbock, Texas to a a 1954 sunburst Fender warm bed. The rest of the night has been musical family. Originally, Buddy played Stratocaster played out of written in history and we were all robbed Country and Western music but after a 50 Watt Fender Bassman of one of the greatest musical talents of opening for an up and coming rock 'n' amplifier and that was his set modern times. Interestingly, there are roll star named Elvis Presley, quickly up. How? rumours that Buddy's Strat, which went turned his music style to the younger, To get the answer you only missing after the crash, turned up in explosive genre. His professional music have to look at his clean, Australia a few years ago. A claim which career lasted only a few short years before fast rhythm style and the is still to be substantiated. the ill-fated Winter Dance Party tour of simplicity of his chord 1959. His death has been recorded in so structures. Buddy mainly many publications, movies, theatre plays used open chords and seldom and of course, songs and if this article complicated his patterns. was named 'The Day The Music Died' Indeed many of his songs www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk 27

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THE LYRIC WRITERS MAGAZINE The No: 1 Magazine for Lyric Writers Worldwide Featuring Hints & Tips + The Very Best In Up And Coming Talent Around The Globe Every Month Issue No 52 OUT NOW! www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk Web: www.writeawaymag.co.uk Email: info@countrymusicexpress. co.uk Title your email WRITE AWAY MAGAZINE FREE ONLINE 31 |

Candy Carpenter & The Band Wanted LMLMIuIuVVssEEiicc!! www.bandwanted.us | 384 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk Candy Carpenter & The Band Wanted JOSHUA CARPENTER Joshua was born in Bemiji, MN. He grew up all over the state of Minnisota. As one of the first homeschooled students in the state. Joshua began playing piano at the age of 11 years old as a form of childhood entertainment. His love for playing the piano grew as he became a teenager, and it would became an important outlet for his teenage angst. At the age of 15 years old, he and his family came together as the Carpenter Family Singers, a well known gospel group in the mid-western US. He traveled with his gospel-singing family until the age of 27 years old. At which time, he decided he wanted more out of life than just performing with the family band. He soon got married to his first wife, became an electrician and moved to the state of Colorado where he would meet Candy for the first time. You're Not One Of Us link Instagram BOB BAXTER Bob was born in Covington, KY. He recieved his first steel guitar, a 6 string lap steel, in 1963. At the age of 14 years old, September 1966, he entered the WZIP/Kroger Talent Roundup talent show. These talent shows were broadcast live from the Swifton Shopping Center. Of the 240 contestants from Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, Bob won 2nd prize. From that moment, Bob played live radio shows every week on WZIP from the Vernon Manor Hotel in Cincinatti. In 1969, at the age of 17, he enlisted into the US Coast Guard. After he served in the Coast Guard, he and his young family moved west. He was hired to play steel guitar full time with a Polynesian Review in Phoenix, AZ. In 1975, Bob would return to his country music roots playing 6 nights a week throughout Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Wyoming. A highlight of his career was when he was on a television show in Las Vegas with Bob Luman and Eddie Raven. Bob would return east for a short time; but, realizing that the American West was calling, he returned to Arizona in 1980. Playing full time for several groups in Arizona, he put himself through college at Northern Arizona University. Now retired, he and his wife Michele live in Tombstone, AR, where he is still playing today! Facebook link 35 |

Candy Carpenter & The Band Wanted CANDY CARPENTER Candy was born in Grand Junction, CO. She traveled with her family from Colorado around the west and into the Northwest, chasing work in the oil and construction industries. She has al- ways dreamed of singing, joining church or school choirs whenever the opportunity would arise. At the age of 14 years old, she quit school and ran away from home. While she was attending beau- ty school at 16 years old, she discovered she was pregnant. Eventually marrying the father of her children. She would have three children by the time she was 20 years old. At the age of 21, she began building her career in the construction field as an administrative assistant. She also spent time moonlighting in cocktail waitressing and bartend- ing to help make ends meet. Becoming a single parent by the age of 28 years old. At this time, she would be working as a dispatcher and controller for a local electrical contracting business where she and Joshua would meet and become friends. Link to Facebook Link to instagram Link to website THE BAND WANTED Joshua and Candy Carpenter are the hearts behind The Band Wanted. The Band Wanted plays Classic Coun- try Music, current Country hits, Classic Rock favorites and some award winning originals of their own. Like, “You Are My Kinda Crazy” and their most recent release, “She Knows”. Additionally, Candy and Joshua are loved for their smiles and their beautiful harmony, both on and off the stage. Joshua's unique style of piano playing is remarkably mesmerizing and will leave you wanting more. Candy’s angelic voice and vibrant smile will fill your heart with pure joy. Their dream of singing and traveling together was born in Colorado in 2015. There, they began their musical journey together as a full time band in 2016, traveling the country on “The Band Wanted” tour bus. Currently, located in Arizona, they continue to write original music and hope to get back out on the road again soon! Recently, they teamed up with Tombstone local resident and Professional Pedal Steel Guitar player Bob Baxter. Mr. Bob Baxter is a very talented Steel Guitar player, his professionalism and experience shines through every live performance. He brings with him, that oh so familiar classic sound and feel of the pedal steel and has become a very welcomed addition to The Band Wanted. | 36 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

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Candy Carpenter & The Band Wanted NEW MUSIC BY THE BAND WANTED Single 'SHE KNOWS' 2198393 Records DK Released on: 2023-02-10 | 38 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

Candy Carpenter & The Band Wanted Chrisstmas Just Us With The 2020 Band Wanted Album 2022 Single Silent Night Still Alive 2022 2022 Single Single Just A Little 8 Seconds More 2021 2021 Single Single Flow With It Rainbow In 2016 The Dark Single 2020 39 | Single www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

Candy Carpenter & The Band Wanted UPCOMING EVENTS BIG NOSE KATE'S SALOON TOMBSTONE BREWING Fri, Mar 31 @ 7:00PM — 11:00PM COMPANY (MST, UTC-07) Sun, Apr 2 @ 3:00PM — 6:00PM Big Nose Kate's Saloon, 417 E (MST, UTC-07) Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ Tombstone Brewing Company, RODEO MONDAY 107 E Toughnut, Tombstone, AZ (VIRTUAL EVENT) Mon, Apr 3 @ 7:00PM (MST, TOMBSTONE BREWING COMPANY UTC-07) RODEO MONDAY Sun, Apr 9 @ 3:00PM — 6:00PM (VIRTUAL EVENT) (MST, UTC-07) Mon, Apr 10 @ 7:00PM (MST, Tombstone Brewing Company, UTC-07) 107 E Toughnut, Tombstone, AZ BIG NOSE KATE'S SALOON Fri, Apr 14 @ 7:00PM — 11:00PM (MST, UTC-07) Big Nose Kate's Saloon, 417 E Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ BIG NOSE KATE'S SALOON TOMBSTONE BREWING Sat, Apr 15 @ 7:00PM — 11:00PM COMPANY (MST, UTC-07) Sun, Apr 16 @ 3:00PM — 6:00PM Big Nose Kate's Saloon, 417 E (MST, UTC-07) Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ Tombstone Brewing Company, RODEO MONDAY 107 E Toughnut, Tombstone, AZ (VIRTUAL EVENT) Mon, Apr 17 @ 7:00PM (MST, BLESSING OF THE VINES Sat, Apr 22 @ 10:00AM — 5:00PM UTC-07) TOMBSTONE BREWING (MST, UTC-07) Sonoita Vineyards, 290 Elgin COMPANY Sun, Apr 23 @ 3:00PM — 6:00PM Canelo Road, Elgin, AZ RODEO MONDAY (MST, UTC-07) (VIRTUAL EVENT) Tombstone Brewing Company, 107 E Toughnut, Tombstone, AZ Mon, Apr 24 @ 7:00PM (MST, UTC-07) SINGER-SONGWRITER OPEN MIC NIGHT TWISTED UNION COMMUNION Tue, Apr 25 @ 5:00PM — 6:00PM WINE FESTIVAL (MST, UTC-07) Sat, Apr 29 @ 2:00PM — 5:00PM Tombstone Brewing Company, (MST, UTC-07) 107 E Toughnut, Tombstone, AZ 40 Twisted Union Wine Company, 370 Elgin Road, Elgin, Arizona www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

Candy Carpenter & The Band Wanted BIG NOSE KATE'S SALOON - Enjoy a \"Big Ass Beer\" yummy food and hang with us! Let's show Big Nose Kate's some love! Love country music? Then this is the event for you. We will be bringing a variety of classic country, current country, a bit of classic rock and some of our very own originals too! RODEO MONDAY - is an exclusive virtual show reserved specifically for TBW Outlaws! It is a song request show created by the Outlaws, full of laughter and connection through the virtual live chat! Have a favorite song you want to hear us perform from our tour bus studio? Become an Outlaw too! Follow the link TBW Outlaws to sign up and for MORE fun stuff!!! Enjoy a nice cold brew on the newly remodeled patio with us! Love country music? Then this is the event for you. We will be bringing a variety of classic country, current country, a bit of classic rock and some of our very own originals too! Back by popular demand, Tombstone Brewing Company along with the International Singer Songwriters Association (ISSA) are hosting another SINGER - SONGWRITER OPEN MIC NIGHT together! Everyone is welcome to attend and to encourage new up and coming singer-songwriters. Participant spaces are limited! If you are a songwriter and you want to participate, follow the steps below: - Sign Up: Contact ISSA Arizona Representive Candy by email at [email protected] or by text at (970) 208-6609 anytime before 1pm 04/25/2023. - Maximum of (2) Songs Per Sign Up (Preferrably Original) - Bring Your Own Instrument/ Music/Stand (Instrument MUST have a pickup) - Most Important....Let's Have FUN Supporting Each Other! Contact Candy for more information/questions at (970) 208-6609 or email at [email protected] Twisted Union Wine Co. is excited to once again host our festival promoting Arizona’s fabulous wine regions, diverse varietals and winemaking styles, and world class wines. Revel in more than a dozen Arizona wineries and distilleries along with local vendors, food trucks and live music! Friendly, well-behaved dogs are welcome, and parking is free! Festival Details: • Twisted Union Wine Company • Saturday, April 29, 2023 • VIP admission 10AM-5PM • General admission 11AM-5PM • Live music & food trucks More information https://twistedunionwinecompany.com Contact Twisted Union Wine Company for details Join Sonoita Vineyards, Father Greg Adolf from St Andrews and all our friends and help us Bless the Vines for the current growing year. $25 pre purchase or $30 at the door: -Souvenir Glass - 6 drink tickets (pre purchases get extra drink tickets) In Attendance: - The Elgin Distillery - Thunder Canyon Brewery-Sonoita Vineyards $15 food and wine pair ticket for 2 tapas style paired perfectly with wine (optional ticket but will not be available day of) $10 non drinker ticket pre purchase or day of Live Music by The Band Wanted and Liz and Pete, Food by Tita! Tita! and Curbside Kitchen, Fine Art and Craft Vendors onsite all day support these amazing artists GRT TICKETS HERE: www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk 41 |

SAMMY SADDLER Texas Country Artist, Author, and Sole Survivor of the infamous \"Murder on Music Row\" In 1989, a critically-acclaimed newcomer to the Record promoter Chuck Dixon, who was country music fold, Sammy Sadler, had already suspected of ordering the hit against Hughes, was charted several successful singles and was reported to have died mysteriously in 2013, and ready to release his first album on Evergreen triggerman Richard D’Antonio would die in prison Records when he was caught up in the in 2014. The passing of both provided a newly assassination of then Cash Box chart-manager, found confidence to Sadler, who had spent years Kevin Hughes, and a payola scandal that would looking over his shoulder as a result of PTSD. bring down the magazine and rock the music In 2021 Sammy released his highly acclaimed industry, known around the world as \"The Murder album 1989 produced by Buddy Hyatt, which on Music Row\". featured duets with country hitmakers T. Graham Despite suffering a near-fatal gunshot wound that Brown, Marty Rabon and Larry Stewart. would require multiple surgeries to repair, Sadler Sammy’s reemergence was featured in exclusives remained under suspicion until the murder was with People Magazine and Newsmax. Sadler solved thirteen long years later – by then, his was also featured and shared his new music and career was dead, as well. story of personal triumph with WSMV’s Today In On March 9, 2004, Sadler attempted to reboot his Nashville, Fox 17’s “Rock n’ Review” and The Dr. career, releasing Hard On A Heart on the Tri label. Ward Bond Show. The title track placed in the top-10 on the Texas Sadler has recorded three No. 1 independent Music Chart and went No. 1 in Europe for seven singles, had four \"Top 15\" records on the Texas weeks, but produced lackluster results in the states. ​Music Chart, and logged three Billboard country In 2009, Sadler released another album, Heart singles with John Anderson and Steve Wariner. Shaped Like Texas on Audium Records, which Sammy's last release,, “Louisiana Rain” , was transitioned to Koch Records and eventually sold extremely well received by country radio around to E1 Music. the world. Despite rave reviews for singles “I’ll Always With the current release of \"Everything's Gonna Have Denver,” and “No Place to Land,” E1 Music Be Alright\" fans will clearly see Sammy’s story is ultimately closed and Sadler’s recording career far from over, in fact, it’s still being written.... ended. You can stay in touch with Sammy by looking him Since that time, Sammy continued to play to fans up and following him on the following links: with two successful tours – one with Doug Stone Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | in 2012, and the other lasting from 2015 - 2016 Linkedin | TikTok | Youtube with Ken Mellons and Jeff Carson called the “Taking the Country Back Tour.” * Article Supplied By Twang Thang Music | 42 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

2023 Single Sammy Sadler EVEYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT 43 | 2021 Single DARLENE Featuring T Graham Brown 2022 Single Louisiana Rain 2021 '1989' 1. Tell It Like It Is 2. The Church On Cumberland Road 3. Bluest Eyes In Texas 4. I Can't Get Close Enough 5. Darlene 6. I Should Be With You 7. She's Crazy For Leaving 8. I Know A Place 2009 'HEART SHAPED LIKE TEXAS' 1. I Wanna Be Loved By You 2. I'll Always Have Denver 3. Heart Shaped Like Texas 4. I Know A Place 5. John 3:16 6. Tryin' To Get The Girl 7. Thinking About Mexico 8. No Place To Land 9. If This Ain't Heaven 10.That Ole Gravel Road 11.Thank God 2004 'HARD ON A HEART' 1. I Know A Place 2. Any Four Walls 3. Freedom Feels Like Loneliness Today 4. That Ole Gravel Road 5. Nobody Knows 6. Hard On A Heart 7. Wild Thin In Me 8. No Place To Land 9. Sweet Distraction 10.It's Killing Me To Watch Love Die www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

2023 Love Tattoo Foundation Country music singer-songwriter Richard Benefits Concert Lynch is proud to announce the lineup for the 2023 benefit concert series for his Love Lang Scott & Bill Whyte (September 9th); Bobby Tattoo Foundation. Lynch announced the schedule Tomberlin/Tess Frizzell (October 14th); Richard during a facebook livestream event on Wednesday. Lynch and Friends (November 11th). All shows The shows will be held at Lynch’s Keepin’ It will be hosted by the Richard Lynch Band. Country Farm in Waynesville, Ohio. Season passes “I’m so excited to be able to bring together some and individual show tickets are available on the of the biggest names in traditional country music non-profit’s website at www.lovetattoofoundation. for this benefit concert series,” said Lynch. “I’m org. looking forward to bringing a little bit of Nashville The benefit concerts will feature a star-studded to Ohio, while raising money and awareness for the lineup including an Academy of Country Music Love Tattoo Foundation and the important work Awards nominee, a #1 Billboard Country chart we do.” artist, a Country Music Association Awards The Love Tattoo Foundation is a non-profit nominee, a Grammy nominee, and a musician who organization that honors and assists the American has performed on the Grand Ol’ Opry stage more Veterans who carry mental or physical scars, from than 8500 times in his career. serving our country. Its mission is to raise money The benefit concert series lineup: Wade Hayes and awareness to help give these Veterans the (May 27th); Dion Pride (June 17th); The Kody opportunities they sacrificed, so we could have Norris Show (July 8th); Tony Booth/Dottsy (July ours. Named for a duet recorded by Richard lynch 30th); Tim Atwood (August 12th); Linda Davis, and Ronnie McDowell, the Love Tattoo Foundation has raised more than $150,000 since its inception. For more information about the Love Tattoo Foundation and the benefit concert series, please visit www.lovetattoofoundation.org. ABOUT RICHARD LYNCH: Over the past 4 decades, Richard Lynch has compiled a long list of country hits and chart- toppers on both domestic and international sales and radio airplay charts. Richard has been in Billboard Magazine, Taste Of Country, The Boot, CCM Magazine, Country Music People, Maverick, and countless others. He has also appeared on WSM Radio Nashville, RFD TV, Fox TV and more. He has recorded popular duets with legendary artists like Ronnie McDowell and Leona Williams, as well as Grammy Winner, Rhonda Vincent. Lynch is the owner of Keepin’ It Country Farm in Waynesville, OH and co-founder of Love Tattoo Foundation that assists veterans. http://www.richardlynchband.com | 42 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

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Mark Rosner was born in 1967 in the town of MARK ROSNER New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. His interest in music began at 13 when he Founder Of Big Records learned how to play the bass guitar then later expanded & Rise UP TV to be multi-instrumental with a core of guitar and piano. Eventually, as a lot of musicians do, he started in the world and offers all the services and connections to play in bands and it grew into song-writing and an artist could ever want. Mark is also creator and recording. This was Mark’s life, full time throughout executive producer of his own reality TV show, coming his twenties and thirties. As Mark hit the age of 40, he to television networks around the world called “RiseUP experienced a change in focus, growing as musicians TV” it tells the road stories of musicians and behind often do into the business side of music production the scenes footage of life on the road in many places and marketing. Almost simultaneously, the music around the world. Going forward, our mission is to business he grew up with was experiencing upheavals provide affordable and quality services and relationships as Records, Cassettes and CDs moved to online file for artists regionally, nationally and internationally. The formats and streaming due to the introduction and internet can be a lonely place, but with Big Records, growth of the world wide web. The revenue generation artists will find a family of people to help them grow models he learned throughout his career where you their careers in any way they want and give the best worked hard, found a label and they marketed you were service possible no longer relevant. In 2011 Mark began to entertain the idea of managing artists. He had a particular interest RiseUP TV in being “part of the solution” and there was no doubt RiseUP TV is a real world look at what it takes to be at that time, the entire business was changing and no a music artist touring on the road. We will give you one really knew what old ways would die off and new an intimate look into the real trials, tribulations and opportunities rise. ultimate successes of established artists from all sorts The Birth of Big Records of genres from Country, Americana, Canadiana, Indie, An idea began to form in Mark’s mind to start a Heavy Metal, Rock n Roll and more! management company that acted as a service, rather Tour the world with us as our musicians pack into tour than the old model of “control based” Record Label that buses, planes and cars to do whatever it takes to get were not artist friendly. This journey of building services to the venues on time. RiseUP TV and Big Records and a team of professionals worldwide that could recording artists work through the stresses of living serve artists with big label services but set up to allow in close quarters, travelling with little or no sleep and artists to remain fully independent, was not without its wowing the audiences with their special brand of music. challenges. Jumping forward to 2023, Mark has since The Black bus is the newest Project for United States built this concept to a team of 20 professionals and world Touring for Rise up tv.. countless agreements and partnerships throughout the world and called it “Big Records”. Our team is the best | 48 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk

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JUSTIN KALEB Shaky Hand Alt-Americana Country Artist Justin Kaleb Takes a Look Into His Vices With New Single SHAKEY HAND Nashville based Alt-Americana country artist Justin Kaleb is venturing out into and follow along with him on Facebook, Instagram, a “no fences” approach and showing off and Twitter. his laidback, carefree style in his new single Shaky About Justin Kaleb: Hand. This song is available on all digital streaming In the same vein as artists like the Turnpike platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and more. Troubadours, Tyler Childers, and Jason Isbell, Alt- Justin takes a captivating approach to a universal Americana country artist Justin Kaleb brings an experience in Shaky Hand. His latest single tells the element of truth-telling, blue-collar music that music story of someone carelessly living out their life, freely fans can surely get behind. indulging in all of their vices. When they start to Growing up in the foothills of the Arkansas Ozarks struggle with the fear of responsibility and growing and now living in Nashville, his upbringing has older, they begin to take a look at their life and start truly influenced his music as he incorporates the to question their choices. This is a song about taking story-telling aspect of Southern mountain regions a look at yourself and your life and asking tough and hill country. He’s been immerged in music questions about the decisions you are making and his entire life as his immediate family, who are all why. “We all have our vices, and some are more musically inclined as well, encouraged him to begin harmful than others,” Justin says. “For me, this song experimenting with music, and since the age of 12, is a friendly reminder to keep mine in check and he has been playing shows. make sure I am staying on the right path for myself.” His first record Homesick Blues, which surmounted Written by Justin and Nashville producer Darren over 50K streams on Spotify alone, was recorded King, Shaky Hand delves into an alt-Americana, down in the infamous Muscle Shoals, Alabama folk-country sound. This boot tappin’ country single with the great Jimmy Nutt (Jimmy Buffett, Jason is full of moxie with a sense of self-reflection that Isbell, American Aquarium) and Gary Nichols the artist was excited to explore. “I think everyone (The Steeldrivers). Since then, he signed his first can relate to having to take a step back and look at publishing deal, played sold out venues with bands your life from a new perspective. Everyone has to like The Steeldrivers, David Allen Coe, among ask themselves tough questions to be able to grow others. He is an accomplished musician with releases and mature as a person, and I think that is the already under his belt and has appeared on late essence of Shaky Hand. When he was in the studio night local show “Later With Jason Suel,” morning recording, he wanted the feel and progression of the entertainment local show “Good Morning NWA,” song to “represent the character’s descent into that and was most recently featured on “The Kelleigh mindset, and then ending the song with an acapella Bannen Show” on Apple Music Country. With a 3-part blood harmony.” With an acoustic folk guitar sultry voice that radiates intensity, passion, soul and element blending with Justin’s soulful, raspy vocals, authenticity, this unconventional artist incorporates this single sets the tone for his upcoming project, a mix of classic folk, Americana and outlaw country slated to be released later this year. with an edge that is rivaled by several artists. He To stay up-to-date on his latest releases and turns his struggles and triumphs in his life into his upcoming events, visit Justin Kaleb at his website music and is gearing up for a breakthrough year. | 50 www.countrymusicexpress.co.uk