Jimmie Allen releases excellent debut album 'Mercury Lane'

NASHVILLE, TN / LONDON, UK — “One of the most inspiring tales to come out of Music Row in the last decade,” (CMT) Jimmie Allen has announced the hotly-anticipated details surrounding his debut album,‘Mercury Lane’, available everywhere October 12th 2018 via Stoney Creek Records / BBR Music Group, just in time for his forthcoming first UK tour dates. After teasing the track listing and behind-the-scenes photos on his socials earlier this week, the "Best Shot" singer just revealed the artwork, name, meaning and additional details for his first full-length album along with a brand-new song.

As an homage to the origin of his story and how far he’s come, the soul-baring album takes its name from the street Allen grew up on and pays tribute to the influence home and family has had on his incredible journey. Fans will instantly receive six songs with a pre-order of ‘Mercury Lane’, including “Best Shot,” “Underdogs,” “21,” “Warrior,” “Back of Your Mind” and “Make Me Want To,” a brand-new track that highlights the singer’s hopeless romantic side.

“Mercury Lane is where my journey began. All of the fundamental life lessons that shaped my values and make me who I am today, I was taught on that street—it’s where I learned about love, family, life, how to believe in myself, the concept of never giving up, following your dreams and being a good person,” said Jimmie Allen. “This album touches on all of those ideals and truly feels like I’m sharing a piece of my heart with the world. I’ve been working toward this moment for so long; I can’t wait to share it with everyone.”

‘Mercury Lane’ comes nearly one year to the day after Allen quietly dropped his self-titled EP which earned him recognition on a slew of “Artist to Watch” titles. Now with his debut single, “Best Shot” rocketing up the charts (currently Top 20), with more than 38 million streams to date, Jimmie has become one of the most buzzed about Country newcomers and is slated to make his national US TV debut next month on NBC’s TODAY. Fans have gone rabid for Allen’s undeniable talent and incredible story of perseverance and positivity, as depicted in his docu-series “Jimmie Allen All In.”

For months Jimmie Allen fans had been teased with the promise of a full-length album; hoping to satiate the craving for new music, the critically-acclaimed rising star had been sharing one brand-new track each month as a collection of songs he calls the “Slower Lower Sessions.” The series, inspired by the ‘Slower Lower’ region of the state, held fans off temporarily but it is clear that after teasing ‘Mercury Lane’ details on his Instagram story earlier this week, people are excited for more Jimmie Allen.

TRACK LIST:
“American Heartbreaker” — (Jimmie Allen, Lance Miller, Chris Stevens, Ash Bowers)
“Make Me Want To” — (Jimmie Allen, Paul Sikes, Jennifer Denmark)
“Deserve to Be” — (Jimmie Allen, Danielle Blakey, Tripp Howell)
“How to Be Single” — (Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally, Jimmy Robbins)
“Wait for It” — (Ash Bowers, Thom McHugh, Steve Williams)
“High Life” — (Lance Miller, Brett Warren, Brad Warren, Chris Stevens)
“21” — (Brandon Hood, Josh Jenkins, Ash Bowers)
“Underdogs” — (Ash Bowers, Brandon Lay, Jonathan Singleton)
“Like You Do” — (Jimmie Allen, JP Williams, Josh London, Jason Mizell)
“Back of Your Mind” — (Jimmie Allen, Matthew McVaney, Devin Tolentino)
“Boy Gets a Truck” — (Ash Bowers, Aaron Scherz)
“County Lines” — (Brett Tyler, Ben Burgess, Matt Dragstrem)
“Best Shot” — (Jimmie Allen, Josh London, JP Williams)
“Warrior” — (Jimmie Allen, Casey Beathard, Ash Bowers)
“All Tractors Ain’t Green” — (Jimmie Allen, Brandon Hood, Tim Nichols)

'Mercury Lane', produced by Ash Bowers and Eric Torres is available for pre-order here: https://jimmieallen.lnk.to/mercurylane.

Hot off of a busy summer on the road, gaining new fans at festivals across the country, Jimmie will hit the road again in support of Scotty McCreery and Kane Brown’s tours as well as take his live show to the UK alongside labelmate, Chase Rice. For tour details and more information, visit www.JimmieAllenMusic.com.


TOUR DATES:

October 23 —London, UK—Chase Rice Lambs & Lions UK Tour
October 24 — Manchester, UK— Chase Rice Lambs & Lions UK Tour
October 25 — Glasgow, UK— Chase Rice Lambs & Lions UK Tour
October 27 — Birmingham, UK— Chase Rice Lambs & Lions UK Tour
October 28 — London, UK— Chase Rice Lambs & Lions UK Tour

JIMMIE ALLEN - BEST SHOT

ABOUT JIMMIE ALLEN:
The epitome of the phrase “persistence pays off,” Jimmie Allen laid it all on the line to make his dreams a reality. Now signed to BBR Music Group’s Stoney Creek Records, with his debut single “Best Shot” in the Top 20 and climbing, Jimmie Allen is set to make his full-length album debut with Mercury Lane, featuring a cutting-edge mix of country, rock, R&B, and pop produced by Ash Bowers and Eric Torres.

The Southern Delaware native’s talent for songwriting is undeniable, having written a song that was featured in a Super Bowl commercial and appeared in a Diet Coke ad with megastar Taylor Swift. “Blue Jean Baby,” off his debut self-titled EP, immediately caught the attention of country music fans and critics alike with its soulful groove— rocketing it to the top of digital playlists, across all genres. Allen is currently introducing his music at festivals across the country before sharing the stage with Chase Rice, Kane Brown, and Scotty McCreery this fall. The hot newcomer has already been heralded as one of the top “artists to watch in 2018” by Rolling Stone, Billboard, Pandora, Sounds Like Nashville; and has earned spots in CMT’s “18 for 2018” Listen Up program, and Bobby Bones’ Class of 2018.

Twitter: @JimmieAllen
www.facebook.com/jimmieallenmusic
www.instagram.com/jimmieallen

The excellent The London Roots Festival grows bigger and better for 2018

The London Roots Festival 24th October - 18th November (formerly The London Folk & Roots Festival) is now in it’s fifth year. It’s grown from doing 6 shows in the first year to 32 in 2017 year across various size venues such as The Palladium, Bush Hall, Union Chapel, Shepherds Bush Empire, Oslo and many more.  Growing from strength to strength each year, 2018 promises to be bigger and better than ever.

This year's great line-up includes:-

• Tom Baxter
• Blind Boys Of Alabama
• Joshua Burnside
• Callaghan
• Bruce Cockburn
• Fisherman's Friends
• Finbar Furey
• Jake Morrell
• Lindisfarne
• Over The Rhine
• Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys
• John Smith
• Sound Of The Sirens
• Trampled By Turtles
• Robert Vincent

In 2014 David Messer having promoted roots music for a number of years through DMP UK, decided to start a festival to give a platform for new and up and coming artists to play with known and established artists and to bring the best in roots music to London under one banner. So he teamed up with his friends at National Promotion company Kilimanjaro Live and created the The London Folk & Roots Festival, a multi venue event over two weeks in Oct/Nov.

It’s grown from doing 6 shows in the first year to 32 last year across various size venues such as The Palladium, Bush Hall, Union Chapel, Shepherds Bush Empire, Oslo and many more.

They have changed the name this year as they feel that folk comes under roots and they have an eclectic mix of folk, country, Americana, blues, singer songwriters and world music. We are very pleased here at LCM that this festival, is becoming a great part of London’s musical calendar.

If you are interesting in playing at the festival please send your info to david@dmpuk.com.

https://www.seetickets.com/tour/the-london-roots-festival

The excellent Music Makers Festival in London on October 6th and 7th announces artist line-up

The excellent Music Makers weekend festival set for the 6th & 7th October in the wonderful Half Moon in Putney, has just announced it's artist line up and stage times. This is a super London festival, if you haven't already discovered it before. It's organised and curated by Albert Mann and Manoja Ullmann. The full review of last years event is included for you on our LCM website.

This years line-up includes long term LCM favourites Danni Nicholls, Two Ways Home, Michele Stodart and Albert Mann and his band. As well as Hope, Jack O'Rouke, Jacko Hooper, Treetop Flyers, Aka George, Lucy May Walker, Declan Greene, Mide, Howard Rose and Kim Hayden.

Limited 'Early bird' full weekend passes are very reasonably priced at £20. All available tickets options including day tickets are included in the link below for you.

http://www.musicmakersfestival.com/tickets/

Future Juke: A Festival Of 21st Century Blues - London May 29th – June 5th

A excellent London blues festival is taking place in London from May 29th to June in various location around town. Organised by DMP UK and our friend Joe Cushley from Balling The Jack this is a celebration of live blues music not to be missed.

John Lennon once said “The blues is a chair, not the design for a chair, or a better chair… It is the first chair.” Hip-hop guru Chuck D agreed – “Rap is the furniture, blues is the damn house…” Elvis once commented – “If you haven’t got a partner, use a wooden chair…

Future Juke Festival intends to present some of the finest chairs.

June 1st, Dingwalls – Tickets: https://bit.ly/2qMcv5U

Fantastic Negrito won the 2017 Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album. He is one of the most electrifying performers you will ever encounter. He is Bernie Sanders’ favourite bluesman. Chris Cornell personally asked him to be opening act on his final tours. The Daily Mirror wrote of ‘The Last Days Of Oakland’ – “The first great album of the post-Ali, post-Prince world.” The forthcoming, ‘Please Don’t Be Dead is even better. He will be supported by Miraculous Mule, a power trio who have revitalised British alt.blues-rock. Check out their recent 'Two Tonne Testimony' album. “Lashing voodoo grooves to a Delta moan, sounds like it was concocted by a post-modern chain gang” (Classic Rock)

June 5th, Bush Hall – Tickets: https://bit.ly/2HJoYPC

Jerron Paxton is still only in 20s, but delves into the deep history of African-American musical traditions and breathes new life into them. He's a multi-instrumentalist: guitar, banjo, piano, violin, harmonica and percussion, who has thrilled audiences globally. An evening with Jerron is a profound education and a joyous entertainment. He was a highlight of the BBC’s recent American Epic series and is a legend in the making. Nia Wyn is a young woman with an extraordinary talent – blessed with a keening country/blues voice and mean guitar-picking skills, she developed her love of roots and soul music sifting through second-hand shops in her native Llandudno. She describes herself as a hip-hop soul in a blues body. Her star is on the rise.

May 29th, Paper Dress Vintage – Tickets: https://bit.ly/2H9NQmF

Legendary actor/director Steve Buscemi says of Jake La Botz – “He is a true American classic, and a musical resource that is a joy to be discovered time and time again.” Need we say more? The Chicago-born bluesman is a deeply compelling performer who learned at the feet of blues pioneers David ‘Honeyboy’ Edwards and ‘Homesick’ James. His latest album, 'Sunnyside' is a masterclass in rootsy, grooving songcraft. Sister Cookie is an in demand DJ and an amazing soul-blues voice with the stage presence to fill a stadium. She's performed at festivals all over the world, belting out a mixture of originals and covers from the classic eras of swing and R&B with ebullience, class and pizzazz. Chanteuse extraordinaire, Annie Bea helps head up The Rotten Hill Gang and Fjokra (whose fleet-fingered accompaniment also graces Annie's solo performances). Annie is equally at home with punk, funk, prog and jazz – but blues is the natural home for her enthralling, evocative, smokey tones.

June 4th, 100 Club – Tickets: https://bit.ly/2qMdseu

Young, Eli Paperboy Reed is latter-day soul-blues don. He honed his skills in Mississippi jukes and Chicago gospel choirs. He has the voice of a classic 1960s R&B belter and superb guitar and harmonica skills to boot. He is joined on this occasion by the wonderful, 10-piece High & Mighty Brass Band to make a frankly heavenly racket. Blues-rocker Marcus Bonfanti is one of Britain's very best – a young gun guitarist who will make for fine support.

May 31st, The Islington – Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/yd6eu2ek

Aidan Connell, Husky Tones and Mudlow represent different strands of the vibrant British alt.blues-rock scene. Connell’s guitar pyrotechnics and scintillating brand of garage-psych has graced stages with Gary Clark Jr and Iggy Pop. His debut album Grio, is a sonic stunner. The frenetic, enthralling Husky Tones are launching their sonic rollercoaster of an EP, I Don't Give A Damn Anymore at this gig. A stand-up drummer and a swaggering, swirling guitarist – boy/girl alchemical punk-rock-blues at its finest. Brighton-based Mudlow’s dusty, gritty Americana is evocative and enthralling. Their new retrospective, Waiting For The Tide To Rise is proof that they are stars in a parallel universe.

Future Juke intends to present the most vital aspects of the genre. Our line-up will celebrate cross-pollinations between the blues and other musical forms, we'll champion variety and diversity, and honour the past while shimmying towards the future. “When I get the blues, I get me a rocking chair…” Big Joe Turner

The City Roots 2018 Festival, Cambridge (22/02-06/03)

Cambridge Folk Festival have announced the line-up for their second city-wide winter folk and roots festival

THE spirit of the world-famous Cambridge Folk Festival will inject the city with winter cheer in February and March, when Cambridge’s second city-wide winter folk and roots festival opens for two weeks of exceptional music and events.  

This great line-up includes McGoldrick, McCusker & Doyle, Wilko Johnson, Tom Robinson, Knight & Spiers, Megson, Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys, Ward Thomas, Wildwood Kin. Rich Hall and many more.

An all-encompassing Corn Exchange line-up includes: the soaring, Gambian sun-drenched chords of stunning Kora virtuoso and opening Festival headliner, Sona Jobarteh performing alongside Cameroon’s blues and jazz artist Muntu Valdo; the Americana-tinged sound of Wildwood Kin – crowned this year as legendary broadcaster Bob Harris’s ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’ -supporting Cambridge Folk Festival summer headliner, Ward Thomas; award-winning comic Rich Hall performing Hoedown– a withering dissection of Trump’s America which finishes as a celebration of Americana with stand-up, improvised ballads, and amazing musicianship...’Blissfully funny’ (The Guardian) and Cambridge born Tom Robinson with the 2-4-6-8 Motorway 40th Anniversary show. Tom is one of the founding team for BBC Radio 6, where he hosts three shows a week and has become known as a champion of new emerging artists via BBC Introducing.

At Cambridge Junction, an array of City Roots music is on offer: Chouk Bwa Libète bring drums, poetry and trance from Haiti’s vodou heartland; BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards winners Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys rediscover and renew the music of Sam’s gaelic heritage, transcending boundaries of trad and popular music; Cambridge Folk Festival favourites and three of the world’s finest folk musicians, Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker and John Doyle set the stage alight playing material from their latest album, The Wishing Tree and legendary ex-Steeleye Span fiddle player, Peter Knight joins forces with John Spiers, one of the leading melodeon players of his generation for an unmissable gig. Cambridge Junction also presents a very special evening at St Barnabas Church featuring BBC 2 Radio 2 Folk Award nominees Megson.

Appearing at renowned city music venue, The Portland Arms will be folk festival Club Tent sensation, Darren Eedens & The Slim Pickin’s - whether they’re held spellbound by a poignant ballad or jumping up and down as one to a stomping groove, Darren’s command of an audience is absolute!

Following the success of last year’s Creative Roots, the festival’s valuable professional development day will be held at The Portland Arms. Music industry professionals will once again gather to offer a career development day of workshops, talks and sessions, offering gems of advice and a wealth of experience.

Drop-in music sessions around the city; a special City Roots Family Day with free attractions including craft workshops, face-painting, storytelling, ‘Come and Try’ ukulele workshop and fun walkabout characters; plus what promises to be a sell-out City Roots highlight - a fascinating live interview, in association with the Cambridge Union Society, with charismatic Canvey Island rocker Wilko Johnson - and it’s safe to say City Roots will be one of the most anticipated events in Cambridge in 2018! 

Website: https://www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk/folk-festival/city-roots

Buckle & Boots Festival, Stockport 23-25 June 2017 : Stage Timings

One of our favourite festivals last year was the excellent Buckle & Boots Country Festival nr Marple in Stockport. Held at stunning Whitebottom Farm nestling between the Pennines and a wonderful local park, this festival boasts a great line-up of Country and Americana music.. After its critically acclaimed debut last year, Buckle & Boots will be held this year on Friday 23th -Sunday 25th June (more details in the link below). Weekend tickets from £55 (Bargain!)

The main and paddock stages will once again host some of the brightest talents in country music from around the world. Friday evening sees the very welcome return of US singer-songwriter Sonia Leigh. Joining her on the line-up is the very talented Jenn Bostic fresh from her sold old UK 'A Night In Nashville' tour. The headliners will be The Southern Companion who won ‘Horizon Act Of The Year’ and ‘Album Of The Year’.at the recent BCMA awards

Saturday night sees the UK debut of 2016 CMA Global Artist Of The Year, Morgan Evans (Australia). Morgan has won 5 fan-voted Country Music Channel Awards, including Male Artist of The Year, and has hosted the CMC Music Awards from 2015 to 2017.  Jess And The Bandits also return for this year’s festival having firmly established themselves as one of the leading acts on the British country scene.. Seattle native Dylan Jakobsen headlines, sure to provide a high-energy show which has earned him praise all over the US. Saturday's main stage also sees the headline quality of Thorne Hill, Elles Bailey, Fred's House and Katy Hurt. The Paddock stage hosts LCM favourites including Journey Home, Dahlia, Beth Thornton, Lisa Redford and Devon Mayson.

The festival will draw to a close on Sunday night with another great line-up, including one of Nashville’s most sought-after musicians, Tucker, who has played and toured with a host of established country artists including Jason Aldean, Jimmy Wayne and James Otto. UK country stars and multi-BCMA award winners Laura Oakes and Gary Quinn will provide some terrific home-grown talent, bringing a wealth of festival experience and a stellar collection of fan favourites to the table. LCM favourite Sarah Darling is set to headline the Sunday night with wonderful material from her new ‘Dream Country’ album. One of the purest, most angelic voices in the business; you won’t want to miss her. The paddock stage on Sunday hosts another strong line-up: Backwoods Creek, Liv Austen, Kevin McGuire, Steve Young, Amy Westney and Orfila are stand-outs.

The Paddock Stage over the weekend will host a huge selection the UK’s best talent starting at 11am until evening. Fans will also have the opportunity to see an ‘In The Round’ show on each day after the phenomenal response to last year’s rounds. On Saturday, Sarah Darling teams up with Gary Quinn and Jenn Bostic, and Sunday sees Sonia Leigh taking the stage with Dylan Jakobsen and Jade Helliwell.

MAIN STAGE – FRIDAY:

11:00pm-11:55pm – The Southern Companion
10:00pm-10:40pm – Sonia Leigh
9:00pm-9:40pm – Jenn Bostic
8:00pm-8:40pm – Outlander
7:00-7:40pm – Kris Barras

MAIN STAGE – SATURDAY:

10:00pm-11:00pm – Dylan Jakobsen
9:00pm-9:40pm – Jess And The Bandits
8:00pm-8:40pm – Morgan Evans
7:00pm-7:40pm – Thorne Hill
6:00pm-6:40pm – Elles Bailey
5:00pm-5:40pm – Fred’s House
4:00pm-4:40pm – Katy Hurt
3:00pm-3:40pm – Kira Mac

MAIN STAGE – SUNDAY:

7:00pm-8:00pm – Sarah Darling
6:00pm-6:40pm – Gary Quinn
5:00pm-5:40pm – Laura Oakes
4:00pm-4:40pm – Tucker
3:00pm-3:40pm – American Young
2:15pm-2:45pm – Morganway

PADDOCK STAGE – SATURDAY:

7:30pm – Journey Home
6:45pm – Dahlia
6:00pm – Beth Thornton
5:15pm – Stew Mac
4:30pm – Melanie
3:45pm – Lisa Redford
3:00pm – Tucker
2:00pm – ‘In The Round’ (Sarah Darling, Gary Quinn, Jenn Bostic)
1:15pm – Devon Mayson
12:30pm – Vic Allen
11:45am – Roni
11:00am – TC Country

PADDOCK STAGE – SUNDAY:

6:45pm – Backwoods Creek
6:00pm – Ashton Lane
5:15pm – Liv Austen
4:30pm – Kevin McGuire
3:45pm – Steve Young
3:00pm – Amy Westney
2:00pm – ‘In The Round’ (Sonia Leigh, Dylan Jakobsen, Jade Helliwell)
1:15pm – Demi Marriner
12:30pm – Orfila
11:45am – Ceri-Rose
11:00am – Rebecca Walton