The UK Americana Awards January 2021 - Details Here...

The UK Americana Awards ceremony on January 28 will include unique performances from: American
Aquarium, Emily Barker, Elvis Costello, Steve Earle, Mary Gauthier, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, and a host of this year's nominees (see below for full list of nominees). Once again presented by Bob Harris OBE, the show will also feature appearances from award-winning actor Colin Firth CBE, BBC Radio 2's Johnnie Walker, BBC Radio 6's Steve Lamacq, Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie, as well as an unmissable 'In Conversation' with the legendary Mavis Staples and former AMA-UK award winner, Brandi Carlile.

A very special John Prine Tribute Show will air directly before the Awards on January 28 with performances from Billy Bragg, Ferris & Sylvester, Ida Mae and many more. The late John Prine has been honoured with the specially created Songwriter Legacy Award 2021, in celebration of the legendary US singer-songwriter's life and work.

The Showcase Festival will run across two stages on both of the evenings of January 26 and 27, delivering an amazing 14 hours of music across two days. Some of the many highlights will be sets from Courtney Marie Andrews, Joshua Burnside, Darlingside, Jason Isbell (and the 400 Unit), Larkin Poe, Jim Lauderdale, Mipso, Katie Pruitt, The Mavericks, The War and Treaty. The AMA-UK is proud to present a gender balanced programme for the 4th year running; something it champions in all its activities.

Get your wristbands now www.bitly.com/AMAUK21

RIP Charley Pride

African-American country singer Charley Pride, whose No. 1 country hits included “All I Have to
Offer You (Is Me)” and “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin,'” died on Saturday at age 86 of complications from COVID-19, according to his website.

Pride, who died in Dallas, was not the first Black artist to make important contributions to country music, but he was a trailblazer who emerged during a time of division and rancor. Between 1967 and 1987, Pride delivered 52 Top 10 country hits, won Grammy awards and became RCA Records’ top-selling country artist, according to the website. “We’re not color blind yet, but we’ve advanced a few paces along the path and I like to think I’ve contributed something to that process,” Pride wrote in his memoir.

The Mississippi native picked cotton, served in the U.S. Army and played baseball in the Negro league before moving to Nashville, becoming the first Black country star. He joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000, Rolling Stone magazine said.

https://charleypride.com

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Bill Bailey Dances to Metallica on UK Strictly Come Dancing

Watch Bill Bailey dance to Metallica on Strictly Come Dancing

Comedy legend Bill Bailey and his professional dance partner Oti Mabuse performed their hugely anticipated dance to Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’ on the UK Strictly Come Dancing semi-final on 12th December, 2020.

With The Strictly Come Dancing Band led by David Arch charged with playing ‘Enter Sandman’, Bill and Oti entered in black attire with a massive computerised image of an electric guitar on stage.

Flanked by lightning blasts and pyrotechnics, Bill immediately threw the Sign of the Horns before launching into the high-octane Tango dance, which included him playing air guitar at one point.

Watch it here...

Now watch Metallica official video...

 

Dave Grohl Cover of Beastie Boys' 'Sabotage'

The Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and producer Greg Kurstin have released a blistering cover of
Beastie Boys’ 1994 anthem ‘Sabotage’.

The pulsating three-minute cover sees Greg Kurstin play the keyboard with Dave on drums and very Beastie Boys-esque vocals.

Foo Fighters

Join Pons Aelius On Line Friday 11 December 8pm GMT

Join Newcastle-based instrumental powerhouse Pons Aelius in their home city, as they perform
live from The Globe. Drawing together influences from far and wide, this talented group of multi-instrumentalists is a force to be reckoned with.

On Line Friday 11 December 8pm GMT

Livestream tickets £7.50, with the option to pay more to support the artists and venue.

Find out more

Pons Aelius (bandcamp.com)

John Legend Awarded United Nations Human Rights Prize for Social Justice Work

John Legend awarded United Nations human rights prize for social justice work. He has been
awarded a human rights prize by the United Nations’ human rights arm in recognition of his social justice advocacy work.

Legend has been announced as the 2020 recipient of the High Note Global Prize, of which the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN’s leading human rights organisation, is the global partner.

The distinction aims to “celebrate an iconic artist who has promoted social justice for over a decade”.

Legend shared a short video with an acceptance speech, saying, “I believe in the power of music to inspire us, to connect our hearts, to give voice to feelings for which words alone won’t suffice, to wake us up out of complacency, to galvanize and fuel social movements. Artists have a rich tradition of activism. We have a unique opportunity to reach people where they are, beyond political divisions, borders, and silos. And it’s been my privilege to use my voice and my platform to advance the cause of equity and justice.”

Legend has long been an advocate for social justice. One of his most recent initiatives, the FREEAMERICA campaign, focuses on ending mass incarceration and promoting criminal justice reform.

In 2007, Legend launched the Show Me campaign focusing on education. The campaign now also has an arm dedicated to reducing mass incarceration, created in 2015.

Legend is also an adviser on the Bail Project, which helps free people who are held on bail in the US.

John Legend

New Podcast - Wilko Johnson Talks To...

 Wilko Johnson has been using his time in self-isolation very productively, and he can now reveal...

the debut episode of his new podcast series 'Wilko Johnson Talks To...' !

First guest? None other than WJ's long-time rock 'n' roll sparring partner Norman Watt-Roy.

Dig in here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Hq3EnkEdqdMwcnntgU6E5

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Working River A Joint Project the General Federation of Trade Unions Educational Trust a\7 Folktree Recordings

Working River is an open-ended joint project between the General Federation of Trade Unions Educational Trust and Folktree Recordings designed to collect and popularise music and verse, recording the lives and deeds of those who live and work around the Thames, one of the most famous rivers in the world.

Further information and 21 track list at : https://gftu.org.uk/working-river/

 The CD (£12.99 inc P & P)  can be purchased here: https://gftu.org.uk/shop/

Check Out the Bluecrow Music Website

 Check out the Bluecrow Music Website... 

www.bluecrowmusic.co.uk 

Keep Music Live

Imagining Ireland: Martin Hayes - National Concert Hall Dublin - Tuesday 8 December 8pm GMT

Imagining Ireland: Martin Hayes - National Concert Hall Dublin - Tuesday 8 December 8pm 

The evolving soundtrack of Ireland, Imagining Ireland showcases the most exciting creative
artists at work today .For this one-off worldwide exclusive stream, arguably our leading traditional musician Martin Hayes leads an evening of authentic Irish music and virtuoso interplay. Performing live from NCH, Hayes is joined by jazz pianist Cormac McCarthy and Brian Donnellan on bouzouki, harmonium  and concertina.'

The sound of a fiddle is is more that just the instrument itself, it is the instrument in relationship to the space in which it is being played; the room is also your instrument. I love playing the National Concert Hall. It inspires me and draws music out of me in a way that allows me to explore the subtle and powerful beauty of the melodies with real freedom. I will be accompanied by two wonderful musicians: Pianist, Cormac McCarthy and Concertina/Harmonium and Bouzuki player, Brian Donnellan. I look forward to exploring these melodies and sharing with you the background, history and stories of the tunes and the people behind them."  Martin Hayes

Rooted in the classical, folk and contemporary worlds, Martin Hayes  founded the seminal Irish-American supergroup The Gloaming, whose self-titled debut album won the Meteor Choice Music Prize for Best Irish Album. Their global touring has included more than a dozen shows at Dublin’s National Concert Hall as well as performances at London’s Royal Festival Hall and Barbican. Hayes has collaborated with everyone from Bill Frisell and Yo-Yo Ma to Sting and Paul Simon. Hayes' long-term creative partnership with Dennis Cahill also saw the duo perform for President Obama at the White House.

The concert will be available to tickets holders for 48 hours following the performance

Supported by Davy as Innovation Partner. Imagining Ireland is a partnership collaboration between NCH and Culture Ireland. Supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media 

TICKETS FOR THE STREAM ARE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY VIA DICE.FM

INSTRUCTIONS FOR BOOKING YOUR LIVESTREAM TICKETS VIA DICE.FM ARE HERE