SCOTCOUNTRY MUSIC NEWS

This Country boy band are huge in the USA, and, indeed, were the top selling American act of 2006 - across all genres of music.
Now they are focussing attention on the UK market. Their self titled album is released here on Monday, featuring their new single "What Hurts The Most" and "Life Is A Highway" from the "Cars" movie.

The San Quentin kick off the month on Friday 1st, with a visit from local favourites Carson City. The same night, No Angels bring Stateline to Boness Town Hall. The Prairie Star's gig this month is on saturday 8th, when Frank Welshman strolls into town.

The boys from Evangeline are back - John, Billy, George and Andy return with their new band OneDay40 in an album launch for the Children's Hospice Association in Scotland. Joining them will be Davie Holland - steel guitarist - so expect a few Evangeline moments in a night that will see an 8-piece band at the Opry !The fantastic Brian Hughes will perform support duties - with an acoustic set, and the evening will be MC'd by Tom Urie.
It all happens on Thursday, February 28, 7:00pm - 11:00pm @ Glasgow's Grand Ole Opry
Email oneday40@btinternet.com for details, or check out www.oneday40.com.

A benefit concert dedicated to the memory of John Wesley, who died back in September, has been arranged at Glasgow's Grand Ole Opryon Sunday 24th February 2008 6.00pm til midnight many bands who have been associated with John will be appearing. Tickets £5.00
Contact Cathie or Peter 01505 614131

Brothers Don and Harold Reid, founding members of the Statler Brothers, will release a book, Random Memories, on Feb. 19. The group achieved its initial success in 1965 with "Flowers on the Wall" and toured extensively with Johnny Cash before becoming one of the most popular vocal groups in country music history. Random Memories, to be issued by Yell Publishers, centers around the Reids' recollections of the Statler Brothers' best-known songs and the many celebrities they encountered during their lengthy career.

Singer-songwriter John Stewart, whose song credits include "Daydream Believer," died Saturday (Jan. 19) at a San Diego hospital after apparently suffering a massive stroke or brain aneurysm. He was 68. He was a member of the Kingston Trio folk group before going solo with the 1969 album, California Bloodlines, recorded in Nashville with a cast of studio musicians that included drummer Kenny Buttrey, pianist Hargus "Pig" Robbins and multi-instrumentalist Charlie McCoy. Anne Murray's remake of "Daydream Believer," a No. 1 pop hit for the Monkees in 1967, reached No. 3 on the country chart in 1980. As a solo artist, Stewart scored a major pop hit in 1979 with "Gold," a single that featured background vocals by Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks.
He regularly played Perth for Goldrush promotions.

Moe Bandy has joined Danni Leigh & Ronnie McDowell on the bill for Easter's Northern Nashville Country Music Festival. The weekend event in Halkirk also features acts from Ireland, England, Holland, Shetland and Scotland.
Full details at www.nncmc.co.uk

Celtic Music Radio formarly launches at 1530 GMT on Wednesday January 16th on 1530 kHz AM across Glasgow, and around the world on line at www.celticmusicradio.net. Listen out for "Celtic Country" on Sunday afternoon's 2-5pm, presented by Stewart Fenwick.

Glasgow's Celtic Connections Festival kicks off on Wednesday, and, in addition to the vast array of Country music attractions already scheduled, a few more have just been announced:
A second performance by Mindy Smith has been added, after her first gig at Òran Mór on 26th January sold out. The second gig will take place at Òran Mór on 31st January at 7:30pm, with tickets priced at £12.50.
Fats Kaplin, Keiren Kane and Kevin Welch have joined the all-star line-up for Celtic Connections’ Opening Concert Common Ground.
Suzy Bogguss’ concert at ABC on Jan 29th now has has the addition of support act Elizabeth Cook, the new Nashville rising star, who had a hit with "Sometimes It Takes Balls To Be A Woman".

Humphead Records who are distributing Universal Music Country product in the UK are releasing Terri Clark's Ultimate Collection, a 21 track CD which includes all her hits like "Better Things To Do", "Emotional Girl" and "Girls Lie Too". The label have also issued double CD packs from Vince Gill (Next Big Thing/Lets Make Sure We Kiss) and Billy Currington (Doin' Something Right/ Billy Currington).
Finally for release on February 4th from the label is Merle Haggard's "From The King To The Barrooms". It's an interesting collection from Merle's short time with MCA in the late 70's. It features many of The Hag's own hits alongside his version of Elvis classics.

2 Dallas police officers are on administrative leave after allegedly holding Curb recording artist, Steve Holy (best known for his hit "Good Morning Beautiful")and a friend at gunpoint at the singer's home in Dallas during the early hours of Dec. 27. Holy said he and a friend were at a bar when he began talking to an off-duty police officer he was acquainted with, who introduced him to another 2 officers, who were also off duty at the time. After the bars closed, the five returned to Holy's house to play foosball. When the officer Holy knew left the house, the other two officers began questioning whether he was a country singer and became belligerent even after he showed them a CD cover. At one point, the two men allegedly held a gun to the back of Holy's head while he was face down on the kitchen floor. They eventually allowed Holy to go upstairs to get his identification, and he told his wife to call 911.

New York raised, but Austin Texas inspired Diana Jones can be seen at Comrie Community Centre, Perthshire on Friday 18th Jan. Tickets by emailingcolinroxstar@tiscali.co.uk or phone 01764-670499.

She is also appearing with Paul Burch the following night as part of Celtic Connections in Glasgow, and Glenfarg's Bein Inn on the 20th.