SCOTCOUNTRY MUSIC NEWS

PBS in America launch a documetary series this weekend exploring the history of a uniquely American art form: country music. From its deep and tangled roots in ballads, blues and hymns performed in small settings, to its worldwide popularity, learn how country music evolved over the course of the 20th century, as it eventually emerged to become America’s music. Country Music features never-before-seen footage and photographs, plus interviews with more than 80 country music artists. The eight-part 16-hour series is directed and produced by Ken Burns; written and produced by Dayton Duncan; and produced by Julie Dunfey.
Country Music explores questions –– such as “What is country music?” and “Where did it come from?“–– while focusing on the biographies of the fascinating characters who created and shaped it — from the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers and Bob Wills to Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks and many more — as well as the times in which they lived. Much like the music itself, the film tells unforgettable stories of hardships and joys shared by everyday people.
No one has told the story this way before.
Join celebrated musicians for Country Music: Live at the Ryman , A Concert Celebrating the Film by Ken Burns. Hosted by Burns and featuring performances and appearances by Dierks Bentley, Rosanne Cash, Rhiannon Giddens, Vince Gill, Kathy Mattea, Marty Stuart, Dwight Yoakam and more. The concert was screened last weekend across the USA, but WGBH, the PBS TV station in Boston has made the concert available on line here.
Most definitively worth watching.

Originally from Jedburgh, David Leask is a powerful performing songwriter, who has built an artistic bridge between the influences of his birthplace and the fresh possibilities of his adopted Canadian home to produce six critically-acclaimed CD's. A seasoned and commanding performer, having played over 2600 gigs in the last 25 years, David’s music draws from Celtic roots, Americana and country, topped up with a pop sensibility that brings to mind the talents of Van Morrison, John Mayer and Foy Vance.
A gifted songwriting teacher, David has conducted numerous songwriting workshops at folk festivals and on behalf of the Songwriters Association of Canada with students ranging in age from 7 to 70+ and has the experience, passion and people skills to motivate any individual to write a song.
His 2013 “Underneath” CD is a former Celtic Music Radio Album of The Week, whilst his latest EP release, “Six in 6/8” has received critical acclaim internationally.
David is coming home for the next month, for a string of dates across the UK, alongside Letitia VanSant, Nathan Bell and Lizanne Knot. 
Ahead of any gigs, David is coming into Celtic Music Radio on Sunday, September 15th, guesting on Celtic Country,12 Noon-2pm. Presenter Stewart Fenwick first saw David perform at a showcase in Calgary during Canadian Country Music Week, back in 2001.

TENILLE TOWNES was the big winner at last month’s Canadian Country Awards held in Calgary, Alberta, winning Female Vocalist as well as Single, Song & Video of The Year for “Somebody’s Daughter”.
Townes was raised in Grande Prairie, Alberta, and released her first single in 2009, "Home Now", a song she wrote from the perspective of a daughter whose father was deployed in Afghanistan.
She released her two albums, “Real” and “Light”, in 2011 and 2013 respectively, on R Harland Smith’s traditional Royalty Records label. She was nominated for her first CCMA as Female Vocalist, back in 20119won that year, by Terri Clark).
Columbia Records in Nashville picked up on her in 2018, and her award winning song hit No.1 on the Canadian Country charts earlier this year. She performed her song on the 2 hour TV awards show.
Tenille plays Glasgow’s Stereo venue on October 28th.
It was also a good night for DALLAS SMITH, who won the Entertainer Of The Year and Male Vocalist. He started out as lead singer with hard rock band Default, but has been wooing Country fans since his debut solo album, “Jumped Right In” was released back in 2012.
On the night, the singer also shared the presenter duties with Billy Ray Cyrus.
BC based THE WASHBOARD UNION were also double winners, being named group of the year, as well as tying for the Roots Album Award.
Albertan BRETT KISSEL was the Fans Choice Winner for the 2nd time in 3 Years. Brett has been recording since 2003, and currently has 7 albums to his credit, with his 8th album, “Now Or Never” slated for release in the new year.
CHARLIE MAJOR was inducted to the Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame in the Entertainer category, whilst English born publicist ANYA WILSON was inducted in the Industry category. Charlie, from Quebec, has been a part of the Canadian Country scene, since release of his album, “The Other Side” in 1993. Whilst recognized for hits like “I’m Gonna Drive You out Of My Mind” and “(I Do It)or The Money”, he is probably best known internationally for writing the Ricky Van Shelton hit, “Backroads”. 

The major winners were : 
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR    Dallas Smith 
APPLE MUSIC FANS' CHOICE         Brett Kissel 
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR         Dallas Smith 
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Tenille Townes 
GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR The Washboard Union 
RISING STAR                 Jade Eagleson 
SINGLE OF THE YEAR          Somebody's Daughter - Tenille Townes 
SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
Barry Dean, Luke Laird, Tenille Townes - Somebody’s Daughter (Tenille Townes)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR         Feels Like That - The Reklaws 
ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR         Both Ways - Donovan Woods   / 
                                                                What We're Made Of - The Washboard Union 
VIDEO OF THE YEAR                  Somebody’s Daughter - Tenille Townes 

Kansas based RUSTY RIERSON, such a hit at the Northern Nashville Caithness Festival in 2014, returns to Scotland this month, for an appearance at the Ayr International Country Music Festival and a few dates in Tayside. He plays The Couper Angus CMC on Friday, Sept 13th, Muthil Parish Church on Sunday 15th and The Maddox Centre in St Madoes on Monday 16th.
To tie in with his visit, Rusty has a new single at UK Radio called "Bumper Stickers on A Bentley".