A Look Back at Summer Festivals...

Our front door photo!

As Summer gives way (rather abruptly) to Autumn, and a time for “school photos in front of doors”, we are looking back at our festival summer.  We attended festivals at opposite ends of the spectrum!  From The Long Road (TLR) - established, celebrity endorsed which offered FIVE stages and a whole lot of music and activities attended by thousands and the home of the festival fashionista , all the way to Pure Country, a little smaller – hundreds of people and just the two stages, but still plenty of activities for the attendees, where we were honoured to be invited to once again act as Stage managers/stage hosts.

 

At Pure Country MDF

Are the two festivals very different?  Yes.  And no.  Sure, TLR is on a massive scale, but just like Pure it features great country music, it’s full of country music loving people who are friendly and inviting, providing the opportunity to meet old friends, new friends, drink, dance, eat, and even shop.  You won’t know all the artists, but that’s the best bit!  While Pure features the acoustic stage with slots available for anyone brave enough to ask, TLR  featured an open mic and the finals of the Homegrown Talent contest.

 

Open Mic at TLR

What did we learn from our two festivals this summer (while “working” at both!)?

 

• We learned to line dance – Alex Wise at Pure Country will make use of any gap in the music to get everyone up on the dancefloors, and it doesn’t matter how good you are.  If you do different steps, it’s just a “variation”.
• We learned that it’s not just US music that has line dances – up and down the country people are creating dances to UK songs that can be found on Copper Knob, a website set up just for this.  Learning a dance to an artist who is playing live is exciting for the dancers – and the artists!
• We learned that tassels are this year’s big fashion item – on tops, on jackets, on hats and especially on boots.  We learned that even Kurt Geiger is getting in on the tassel action!
• We also learned that Dogs are the new influencers,
• and Pickle backs are the new shots!

 

We love festivals, whether working or attending, and we are very grateful to the teams that make them happen and the artists who play.  For some it’s the pinnacle of their career, for others it’s the very first step.  This year we watched artists take their first nervous steps onto an open mic stage, seasoned artists play a bigger stage, a better slot, we even celebrated with a certain UK artist who has just signed a record deal! 

Home grown talent was all around us, at the Long Road we watched Jake O’Neill on the main stage, First Time Flyers on the Interstate, Kezia Gill on Buddy’s and the Round Up take to the Hitching Post Stage, all flying the flag for UK Country music.  At the Showground we watched Scarlett Whincup and Tom Hodges, both veterans of Pure Country MDF. 

 

Jake O'Neill on the Main Stage

With Tom Hodge and Scarlett Whincup

It's not just artists that grow, just like those children in the first day photos, festivals grow from small ideas and big ambitions.  Pure turned two this year, next year Buckle and Boots celebrates its tenth show and Country Calling was this year’s new kid on the block.  The British Country Music Festival shows each year that you can have a fully indoor festival and has become the anchor at the end of the summer so that we can see August out with a bang and a “yee haw”.

 

How does an artist get to the main stage (or record deal) and how does a festival grow?  Well, in both cases it involves hard work.  Hitting every opportunity, loading the van in the pouring rain, pouring your heart into every song.  Slogging round the club scene, playing every night, every hour you can.  Being your own roadie, promoter, manager, social media team.  For the festivals it means setting up in the rain, being your own stage crew, ticket seller, gate agent and everything else that pops up.

For both it takes a leap of faith, starting over again, and again, and again. Hoping someone will hear you, come to you and support you.  It can be as unnerving as that first day at school.  As you master one level, you have to move on to the next…

It’s not instant success, if nothing else the festivals show us - it’s a long road to success.

Silverball Country attended The Long Road as guests of Lime Tree Music 

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Single Review - Look What You've Done - Jade Helliwell

 

There’s some big things coming in Jade’s world (and one very special small thing!).  Although she released two albums in her younger, formative years, she is now working on what she will consider to be her debut album, the first one since the massive leap in her music career (thanks to a small thing, that became a big thing – that Youtube video!)

In the same week that she reached her kickstarter target, Jade releases her new single Look What You’ve Done. Written in conjunction with Laura Oakes, and produced by Alyssa Bonagura, this is certainly a blend of some real powerhouse women of Country Music, and we are here for that!  A tale of falling for someone despite trying your best not to.  It’s a summer pop song, the melody is sublime, the instrumentation as ever is superb and Jade’s vocal just floats over the top.  The theme is certainly something most people can relate to and it really shows off Jade’s vocal skills.  You can certainly hear the country roots in the song, although its not strictly in that genre – but Jade is all about the performance and blurring the edges, taking inspiration from different sources.

“Born to be on stage” is a over used cliché, but Jade was definitely “determined to be on stage” – in her latest (and hilarious) kickstarter video she tells her story, from school day singing to getting more serious and winning competitions, gaining awards and plaudits along the way.  She’s graced so many festival stages now, and performed alongside some huge names, but she’s not taking any of it for granted – and if you’ve met Jade in person, success has never gone to her head or changed her, she’s still that friendly and approachable lass from Batley.

It feels like the new album marks a new era, but really its another step.  Not even Jade is sure where those steps will take her, but right now she’s just having the time of her life!

With that new album promised, we can’t wait for its arrival and a chance to review it – and we’re looking forward to that other arrival too…do we review new babies?

Look What You’ve Done, the new single from Jade Helliwell is available to pre-save now, and download or stream from Friday 27 June

Find Jade on Facebook and Instagram, and follow her music on Spotify

 

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Single Review - I Am All I Need - Scarlett Whincup

 

The title of the new single from Scarlett Whincup - I Am All I Need – makes a clear statement of the theme of the track.  Taken from her new EP, this is a song about self-empowerment and inner strength

Scarlett explains, 

This song is a reminder that no matter what life throws at us, everything we need is already within us. It’s about choosing yourself — not because you have to, but because you’re worth it.

The song starts with a strong, powerful vocal, backed by subtle guitar which both showcases her voice and sets the tone for the rest of the track.  When the instrumental drops in, the tempo rises, making this a catchy number.  The backing has a traditional country feel but with a modern sound to it.  Having played the clubs around Yorkshire, this whole EP feels like Scarlett coming out to the wider UK Country scene.  As an introduction, it’s a great one!  Scarlett’s music perfectly bridges between trad country and modern, and also acknowledges US Country whilst still being unashamedly UK – and Yorkshire!  All that club experience clearly influences Scarlett’s writing, her songs are not just easy to listen to, but fast enough to dance to – and her love of Country is obvious!

The new single drops on Friday for you to stream or download, and Scarlett will be launching the full EP live at her Band Launch Party ‘Scarlett & her Rednecks’ on May 2nd at The Hop Monkey Music Bar, Dean Clough — as she puts it 

A celebration of resilience, self-belief, and new beginnings.

Scarlett will also be performing at this year’s Pure Country Music and Dance Festival in July which, in it turn, also makes the same connections as Scarlett’s music does, with a mix of music and dancing and this time features a visiting US duo amongst the home-grown talent

I Am All I Need, the new single from Scarlett Whincup is available from Friday 2 May

Find Scarlett on her socials - Facebook, Instagram and Spotify

For more information about Pure Country Music and Dance Festival check their Facebook page

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Gig Review - Country In The Afternoon November 2024 - Half Moon Putney

They say “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” but they never said that you can’t change it! 

Due to (In Gavin’s words) “The stars aligning” the latest instalment of this twice-yearly fixture in the country music calendar became a one day special – and how special it was! 

In addition, the format of the day also changed, instead of a build-up of artists which grow in experience and fan bases, we saw three of the best male artists on the scene each take to the stage following by a highly anticipated writer’s round,  combining  them for an afternoon of music and stories.

We even saw Gavin deviate from his normal strict timekeeping, this was cast aside in favour of an early set start to allow more time for a certain artist who we know likes to talk.

Kicking off the show was Matt Hodges, followed by Gary Quinn, who invited on stage, to sing a duet, his special guest Mikki Evans.  Jeremy McComb followed the trend and also invited guests to the stage, including Robyn Red (on her way to another show) for a solo performance as they can’t find a song they both know; followed by his touring guitarist Yannick Van Riet to rock out  together.  The afternoon was rounded off by that quite special writers round, and yes, it ran over time!

With Jeremy centre stage you know you were in for fits of laughter, even when the sentiment of the story is supposed to be a sad one. Matt warned we might end up in tears, based on an previous telling out in Nashville but the laughter had already taken hold. Often, we can’t believe some of these events actually happened, but we all knew where the story was going from the minute Jeremy mentioned the hot water pull cord in the Quinn’s bathroom – yes, he pulled the disability alarm cord during the show in South Wales the previous night. Whilst we are used to artists playing along during a round, these three bounced off each other adding the raucousness of the event – it certainly wasn’t PG! “Whoop whoop” could be Mr McComb’s and the event’s title – a warning of an afternoon of fantastic music and stories. Yet again CITA didn’t disappoint.

Despite the fun, throughout the day, there was a repeated sentiment of gratitude, to the hosts but also to the audience. An appreciative audience, that enables artists to deliver their craft.

We at Silverball Country echo the gratitude, as its you, the fans that enable Country Music in the UK to survive and grow. Keep buying the music, the tickets and the merchandise and we’ll see you at an event soon!

 Silverball Country attended Country In The Afternoon as guests of Cumbrae Promotions

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Festival Round Up - The Long Road 2024

With 2024 being our second year at the Long Road Festival, the iconic sign saying “welcome back old friend” seemed extra poignant – and the “friend” part really does sum up the vibe of the festival.  With around 8000 attendees you could expect to feel crowded and just one person in a sea of humanity, but that’s not how it feels at all – instead you wander around a well-spaced out event, either to a plan based on the very useful app or just drawn by the sound of music coming from one of the five stages – six, if you include the new, intimate stage in the VIP area.  If you’re a regular at TLR or on the UK country scene you will no doubt be bumping into friends along the way – but if you’re not, you’ll quickly make friends in the shared spaces around the stages, or squeezing onto a table to eat some of the great food on offer around the site.  “Can I sit there” is always answered with a smile and a “yes”.  For those attending solo, the Facebook group for attendees had a wonderful idea of badges so that people could meet in real life those they had met online!

This feeling of being one big family extends to the artists too.  We’ve long held that the UK country scene is a supportive family, and as we watched acts on stage it was heartwarming to see other artists stopping to watch a set – Chrissy and Ben from the Shires caught the First Time Flyers on Sunday, Alan Finlan and his band watched Oscar Corney from the side of the Front Porch stage before their own set and we bumped into Dan Smalley from Nashville catch some early morning folk from Clara Mann

The UK scene was well represented, although many of the sets were on Friday afternoon.  Kezia Gill popped in to watch Jade Helliwell and joined her on stage for a duet on her second set, and the VIP stage saw a range of UK artists gather quite a crowd, including bands heading back from the Main Stage – Colour Me Country All Stars and Morganway certainly enjoyed some shows.

 

What of the rest of the festival?  Tickets for most big events are sold on the headliners – this year we had the legendary Don McLean and on Sunday Russell Dickerson – but The Long Road is more than that.  Many people attending are wondering who will be the “new find” of the weekend (and that’s a very personal find, someone you haven’t heard before even if others have).  For us Flatland Cavalry on the Interstate stage delivered a superb set with great audience participation.  Also on Interstate was Kaitlin Butts whose set was loud and full of energy – in contrast to her later, acoustic set on Buddy’s – but both were absolutely unmissable.   For sheer crowd numbers Dasha deserves a mention – her audience stretched a long way outside the tent and her start was even delayed due to safety concerns.

 

With the music, the car show, the shopping, the food, the BBQ demonstrations, boot branding, Yeti’s roping, O’Donnells Cornhole or just the chance to meet up with friends, there is something for everybody, no matter how big a Country fan you are.  Don’t forget the little possums – the event welcomes children with their own play area, and especially welcomes dogs!

The Long Road is a family.  A very very big one!

See you next year old friend

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Single Review - Best Things - Wood Burnt Red

 

Wood Burnt Red are one of the bands that we will be looking forward to seeing at this weeks The Long Road Festival as they make their TLR debut on Friday night – on The Front Porch for the Ariat take over hosted by Two Ways Home

To make the weekend even more special they are releasing their new single – Best Things – on Friday too. 

As we have come to expect from Wood Burnt Red, the song is about real life – in this case the struggle to have it all, and the expense that goes with that!  Many of us can probably relate to the lyrics

I got a nice home, that I don’t own, 

And a car on the drive that’s not paid for.

It’s Wood Burnt Red, so it’s got a heavy sound, its got gruff vocal delivery but this time they have broken away a little from their Malvern roots and gone quite American with the sound, especially in the intro and opening verse.  As they hit the chorus they sound more like themselves and a little more comfortable, and there’s a lovely instrumental break where they sound like they are just having some fun with guitars and keys!

Unashamedly starting out as a “Dad Band”, each release and each stage performance sees the boys getting more polished with their playing and songwriting – but the songwriting hasn’t lost any of its realism or integrity, as they are not afraid to tackle real topics head on – which has included personal appearance in the past, and the difficulties of the modern, materialistic world that we all live in.

The Long Road isn’t the only festival this summer for Wood Burnt Red, having played main stage at Buckle and Boots, Black Deer with the BCMF in Blackpool to come

Best Things, the new single from Wood Burnt Red, is available to download and stream from Friday 23 August.  

Catch the band at The Long Road Festival, The British Country Music Festival and on their socials Facebook and Instagram.  If you stream music, give them a follow them on Spotify

 

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Festival Round Up - Pure Country Music and Dance Festival - Squires Cafe Yorkshire

 

“Its not my first rodeo” is an expression often used by people, but for the Pure Country MDF it sort of was.  Only “sort of” because although the team behind it are very experienced, this was their first time coming together to organise and run a weekend festival.  The team consisted of Kriss and Steve of Country 2 Western and Nashville Sessions, who are not only regular faces at many festivals, but also radio presenters and local promoters, and Alex Wise, a Leeds based line dance teacher and DJ.  We at Silverball Country were thrilled to be asked to join them – and the rest of the “ranch hands” (as the team were known) to bring our own events experience and to host the main stage across the weekend.

 

There are different styles within Country Music – traditional country, old Country, 90s/Bro country and modern country, to name but a few – and even in the UK scene there are some differences with the line dancers, the traditionalists and the modern.  Pure Country aimed to bring all of these together in one place – and they did so very well!  With a variety of acts across the four days there really was something for everyone.

Live music was punctuated by line dance teaching, the dance floors were full most of the time, and outside there was even a chance to try out horseshoe tossing and quick draw.

 

As well as the music there were traders in the Ranch Village, and each day saw a raffle to raise money for two very worthwhile charities – BrainKind and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

 

Kicking off on Thursday night with a nod to American Independence Day, Sam Marshall took the stage interspersed with Country Karaoke – or “Countryoke” as we renamed it.  With the room decked out with flags, props and the Dutton men plus Rip and Forrie from TV’s Yellowstone and the attendees decked out in Red White and Blue, it showed what was to come for the rest of the festival.

Friday morning saw the main part of the festival begin, with one of our finds of the festival – The Arkut Brothers.  New to the Country Scene they sang and played as though they had been country forever, with voices to match!  They play together and harmonise perfectly – perhaps it’s a brother thing!  Ellen Roy, Georgia Barker and Martin Boyd played through the afternoon, with Georgia and Martin also appearing on the acoustic stage outside, before the break to set up for the evening.  A familiar face around the Yorkshire circuit and a festival organiser herself Zenne played two sets before headliners Badlands took to the stage.  A band formed around a dad and his two daughters (one on lead guitar, one on sound) Badlands absolutely rocked out with a mix of songs taken from across the decades.  An encore was inevitable, it started with a Mona Conga – and the first conga we’ve seen with a guitarist taking part while still playing!

 

Saturday started early – for those already up and about there was line dancing in the main room before the live acts for the day.  Favourites from the club circuit Tanya Turner and Darren Knight kept everyone dancing while new band Po Po and the Fogies split their time between the main stage and the acoustic.  Also on the acoustic stage was our second find of the festival – Wirral based singer Tom Hodge who made the most of the sunshine, impressing everyone who heard him – definitely a name to remember and deep, southern vocals to remember too!

The Dolby Gang were the last act before the afternoon break allowed some to take in a football match while the stage was re-set for the evening.  After sound checking our headliner, Chris Raddings warmed everybody up with a very well received split set.  A short break for the raffle – which was generously supported all weekend – and a prize draw for tickets to next year’s festival and it was time for Stevie O’Connor and his band.  An absolute force of nature, Stevie suggested that nobody would need seats for his set – and he was right.  Absolutely exploding with energy, the Silverball Country Entertainer of the Year winner had the dancefloor full for the whole time he played.

Two full days, two big headline shows – and it still wasn’t over!

Sunday morning saw the whole festival move outside to the acoustic stage, this time with rows of seating!  Sam Marshall once again started us off with Alex Wise keeping us going until the arrival of Luke Flear, who only had a short drive from a neighbouring village!  Appearing at festivals all summer, Luke played a perfectly pitched set for a Sunday morning, showing his range of skills – guitar, keyboards, crowd interaction and winning personality.  The set really was the ideal way to round off this inaugural festival.

There is a need for the big festivals – but big festivals start from small ones, and we love to see them grow.  Even a mostly local event (for artists as well as “ranchers”) can attract people and acts from all over the scene and show that country music is for everyone – whether you’re a line dancer or not!  The Pure Country Music and Dance festival is pure in its approach – inclusivity and country music values

 

It may have been the first Pure Country Festival but we know it will not be the last – next year’s is already being planned.

 

With the strong start and excellent support, why not join us next year?  The dates are 3 – 6 July, and you can book via the Facebook page or by emailing purecountry.mdf@gmail.com.  

More details on the website

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Single Review - Boy On The Train - Morganway

 

Described by the band as having Primal Scream and Rolling Stones vibes, Boy On The Train, the new single from Morganway, does indeed have those influences – at first at least!  Once the violin kicks in you know its Morganway - but with a difference.  It’s Morganway because of the energy in every line, the difference is in the vocal with Callum opening and  SJ sharing the lead this time.

It has always been hard to pin the band down to any one genre – we coined the expression “Rowdy folk” for them previously – but it is safe to say that by blending Country, Americana, Rock, and Folk they have developed their own sound, best described as “Morganway”.

The song starts with guitar, which is joined by violin, then drums – then just an explosion of energy as, well, everything joins in!

The song originated from Callum strumming a guitar at night on tour and developed into the finished article – fittingly a story of family and the separation and connection caused by touring, the inspiration being Callum’s family on their way to join the band on tour.  It’s a perfect time to release the song too, as the band have just come off a tour with Belle and Sebastian and will be playing across festivals this summer including the main stage at The Long Road Festival in August.

Boy On The Train is destined to be a crowd pleaser, and you can already hear the sing-along that will be happening as the audience join in with the incredibly catchy chorus.

Get yourself ready for the Morganway performances at this year’s festivals…

She’s got the ticket, and the Boy On The Train

Boy On The Train, the new single from Morganway is available to download and stream from Friday 28 June.

You can find Morganway on Facebook and Instagram and follow them on Spotify

Morganway are represented by Zimagined Artist Management

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