Single Review - Falling Through The Cracks - Donna Marie Songs

 

A press release hit our inbox recently from an artist we know quite well – or at least we thought we did!  The release included all sorts of facts about Donna Marie:

• She has been performing professionally since she was 13
• She has competed several marathons and Ironman triathlons and is a triathlon & running endurance coach.
• She released Electronic Dance Music whilst at University
• She can’t read music

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Possibly the most surprising fact about Donna though, is something she told us when we met up after a performance of A Country Night In Nashville – “I’m very shy” she told us.  This is despite her taking centre stage for a few songs as part of the show, as well as appearing on the Paddock Stage at Buckle and Boots this year as part of the songs and Stories Collective.

What we did already know about Donna is that she is an accomplished singer/songwriter with a fabulous voice, something she has proven time and again not just by being on stage but in her previous releases which we have always been thrilled to receive.

If you haven’t come across Donna before, she is probably best known for her part in A Country Night In Nashville playing keyboard and guitar, providing backing vocals and performing solos as part of the show’s band Dominic Halpin and the Hurricanes.  She also became part of the Songs and Stories collective during lockdown, doing a weekly livestream with Sarah Yeo and Tennesse Twin, which is partly where her new single Falling Through The Cracks was polished (having been written in 2017)

With one of the weekly themes being “Time” Donna decided to finish this early song that had never been recorded – and then decided to record it!  Being used to remote recording, Donna was able to do most of the work in her bedroom studio, importing the drums from Germany and the pedal steel from Sweden!

The song itself is about the passage of time – how life goes by when you’re caring about other people, but remembering that you still have hopes and dreams of your own.  Carried by Donna’s clear, pure voice it shows fabulous writing skills as it tells us the story of two lives – suggesting some the style of the greatest songs of the sixties but with a modern country feel, cemented by the instrumentation, especially the drum line and the pedal steel!

Triathlons, EDM and shyness aside, you can easily see why Donna has been a professional musician since she was young, and will continue to be so – whether on a theatre stage, a festival stage or in a recording (bedroom) studio!

Falling Through The Cracks - the new single from Donna Marie Songs - is available to download and stream from Friday 21 July

You can catch Donna at the West Country Music Festival in August and on her EP “Time” later this year.  

You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and on her website.  You can check out our review of A Country Night In Nashville here.

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Gig Review - Jessica Lynn - Hare and Hounds Birmingham July 2023

In a week when The Chicks played arena shows and Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel both filled London’s Hyde Park, we went back to a roots music venue in Birmingham to catch up with a band who have become friends over the years.

Although the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath is a relatively modest sized venue, it is filled with history having played host to many up-and-coming artists – Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, Basement Jaxx as well as being the venue for the first ever gig by legendary Birmingham Band UB40.

Despite the main room not being concert hall sized, that doesn’t mean that the shows are small.  This was certainly the case on Thursday evening when the stage was filled by Jessica Lynn and her band, plus her two support acts – Georgia Jones and Gasoline and Matches.

Gabriella Jones opened the night with a blues infused set punctuated by her fabulous chat and banter.  Tasked with warming up the crowd, Georgia made sure that she had fulfilled her task, encouraging sing-alongs and asking us all to be loud enough to be heard in the dressing rooms.  With her easy rapport with the audience it was easy to see why she is running a new open mic night in Sutton Coldfield.

 

Gasoline and Matches were up next, recreating their headline show from Buckle and Boots.  With the addition of a saxophonist and an opening spoken introduction, Sally, Steve and the band are going from strength to strength.  With Gasoline and Matches you know you are going to see a polished, high energy, professional show.  As close friends of Jessica, they are the obvious choice for support, especially in Birmingham and they didn’t disappoint.

On the subject of support acts – Jessica selected a different opener for each of the shows in the UK, giving a platform to local artists which is great to see, and absolutely fits the friends and family feel

Jessica Lynn and her band haven’t made the trip from their New York State home to the UK since 2019, with their previous tours being cancelled because of – well, you know why!  If you haven’t seen the band in action, they are certainly a band with a difference.  As New Yorkers playing Country Music they are already outside the mainstream – something that Jess feels she shares with UK Country fans! – but they are also a family. With husband Steve on lead guitar, dad Pete on Bass, mum Victoria n keys/backing vocals and even Matthew Bauer on drums is such a long time friend (15 years!) he is considered a brother!  This close relationship is evident in how effortlessly all 5 interact, play, dance and even punch the air in absolute unity.  The enforced sabbatical wasn’t wasted time – Jessica used the time to fulfil a dream and release an album, which had great success.  Most of the show was songs from that album, all well received. 

After that enforced break, Jessica and the band have been playing shows and festivals in a range of countries across Europe.  What is evident from their social media posts is that they are seeing and making friends wherever they go – and they have played to some big crowds!

If its your first time seeing Jessica play you can expect country with a rock edge, all performed with high energy and big smiles! Jessica took a moment to reset her Fitbit to count calories, apparently the challenge was to beat the calories burned in Switzerland fuelled by the energy from the stage and the crowd There is no doubt that the whole band are having a great time – and that transfers to the audience too. The standout exception to this was Jessica taking to the stage alone, while the band joined the audience, for a haunting rendition of Stevie Nicks’ Landslide.  For the whole song there was appreciative silence from the crowd. 

It wouldn’t be a Jessica Lynn show without her hit single Roadhouse, with its signature dance – and Steve from Gasoline and Matches showing us all up with his own dance floor moves - and a very different rendition of Johnny B Goode.  This used to heavily feature “Uncle Bob” who has stepped back from touring, but the new version would have done him proud and allowed the whole band to share the spotlight, with Jessica transferring to the drums without a beat being dropped, pushing Matthew to take centre stage on maracas and Victoria showing us her own stunning vocals.

 

“One More” demanded the crowd, and one more we had – with Jessica joined on stage for an unrehearsed “Man, I feel Like a Woman” by Sally and Gabriella.  The sheer energy and fun in that song reflected the whole night, both on stage and off as we were shown that the size of a venue doesn’t affect the size of the show!

 

Come back soon Jessica!

Silverball Country attended The Hare and Hounds as guests of Jessica Lynn

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Gig Review - A Country Night In Nashville - Alexandra Theatre Birmingham

 

A theatre trip for us on Saturday, rather than a “normal” gig venue.  We walked into a theatre in Birmingham but took our seats in a Nashville Honky Tonk – “Crazy Joe’s Live Lounge”.  As the rest of the audience took their seats a few were caught out as the lights began to flash across the stage, building anticipation. In the background 'The Devil went down to Georgia' could be heard, on walked the band (Drums, Keys, Guitar and Bass) to play along. 

Wait who is this under the single spotlight, a glittery gold sensation singing a haunting, acoustic version of Jolene? 

The show has only just begun and the audience are already singing along. A short chorus later, the song shifts to 'Ring of Fire' and Dominic Halpin enters the stage looking every bit a Country singer, there is something Johnny Cash about the all black outfit but somehow there’s something more.   

Dominic introduces himself and Matt the guitarist. Dominic checked how many of the audience have been to Nashville, but not to worry – if you haven’t, let yourself be transported to The Crazy Joe's Live Lounge. The cheap gags (fitting for the scene) start straight away with asking Matt about line dancing and him being a Morris dancer, complete with waving around his bandana, smoothly leading in to a Dwight Yoakam hit.

A Country Night In Nashville, although comprising (of course) covers, is far more than a covers show.  It is a tribute to the music of Nashville, and with its themed backdrops, lighting show and sheer energy it is a full-on theatrical experience.  The links between songs, the stories of stars of country music, the anecdotes about songs and the jokes with the band and the audience all add up to make the show what it is.  More than all of that though is the band, each member an accomplished performer in their own right, most of them songwriters too.

 

Fronting the band is Dominic Halpin, who is also the creator of the show.  Dominic, in his own words, lives and breathes music and was raised on some of the greats, which gives some of the history to the night, with songs spanning many decades.  Dominic is a born performer, an entertainer from the old school.  His passion shows with every song and his voice is just perfect for the range of music performed, easily singing the Country Standards, 50s Rock n Roll and even a short burst of Frank Sinatra.  Despite it being his name on the drum kit, when one of the others is taking centre stage, Dominic happily takes a step back to be “just” one of the musicians.

 

The lead, and the limelight, is shared – principally with vocalist Shelly Quarmby.  An accomplished singer in her own right, with albums under her own name, Shelly has a stunning voice that wouldn’t be out of place in the West End.  Whether taking the lead, effortlessly harmonising or joining Dominic for a duet Shelly keeps up with high energy dancing around, very much in the style of June Carter Cash. This comparison was very much cemented in the second half when she sang the role of June in a Cash medley.

 

The band is split four men and two ladies, and after a big start to the evening with Dwight Yoakam, Alan Jackson, Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson, the gents leave the stage to make way for Shelley and Donna Marie to have a few songs to themselves. 

 

Donna Marie is a familiar face to us, having most recently appeared on the Paddock Stage at Buckle and Boots as part of the Songs and Stories Collective, as well as being featured on our review pages with her singles.  In addition to playing her trademark big acoustic guitar she provides keys to this show as well as incredible backing vocals and a couple of solo numbers.  Shelly and Donna combined beautifully, ending with a rendition of The Chicks’ Travelling soldier accompanied by drummer Jono Price on side drum which added extra emotion to the performance, emotion which is reflected in Shelly's face

 

Jono sits at the back on his drum kit (apart from his cameo with the girls) and not only keeps time for the band, but plays in the traditional Country style and joins in with the skits and gags throughout the show.

 

Joining Jono in keeping the bassline thumping is  Ben Wiltshire, alternating between electric bass and stand-up bass – plus backing vocals!

 

There is an easy camaraderie between Dominic and the band – the boys also play together as Dominic Halpin and the Honeybees – and this is easy to see in the joking around, especially with lead guitarist Matt Wells who is the butt of many jokes, including being called the “creepy old uncle” when touchingly referring to the band as being “like family”.  Matt doesn’t just provide some incredible guitar playing – he also plays haunting lap steel, slide guitar using a beer bottle that is then thrown off stage and even broke out a banjo – which resulted in duelling banjos between him and Dominic (on guitar) to round off the first half.

 

The second half opens with Johnny Cash and everyone swinging their instruments – even Ben with his double bass! Dominic explains the notes he played could fit into any tune and we are treated to a little ditty from Dominic, who is looking for a woman with big hands.  He explains they are all songwriters and we get a rendition of his own song Fire & Smoke. 

 

The extra comedy, skits and instrumental breaks elevate this show – rather than just exiting stage to allow for a solo Dominic challenges the band to keep up with his random choices of songs, resulting in a walk out rather than take on Justin Beiber!  The solo was Dominic playing a tribute to Buddy Holly – and it was spot on! A different transition as Dominic exited stage left while Shelly walked on stage right, sat down at the keyboard and sang a fantastic solo “Girl Crush”.  Is there no end to her talents?

 

As the band come back on, we are clearly in party mode, with more modern songs dropping in, banter with the audience and Donna Marie offering herself for selection as a “redneck” to song an energetic “Red Neck Woman” showing her own performance skills, despite her telling us later that she is very shy!  Coming out from behind the keyboard means she can show off her tassled red boots, rivalling Shelly's sparkles!

 

A Kacey Musgraves number gets the crowd singing and clapping, and then a full party set takes us all the way through with the whole audience on their feet and dancing in the aisles – 9 to 5, Jolene, Dance the Night Away, Wagon Wheel all going down well and accompanied by a thousand voices.

Make no mistake, this isn’t “just another covers show” – it’s a tribute show featuring a band of highly talented musicians who would be at home on any stage performing a very well written show centred around a carefully chosen mix of music.

image courtesy of Handshake Ltd

 A Country Night In Nashville is rightly filling theatres up and down the country, playing to thousands of music fans every week.  Hearing the comments at the meet and greet afterwards proves that this show will run and run, a stand-out among the tribute shows – in fact a stand-out among all shows

Silverball Country attended A Country Night In Nashville as guests of Handshake Limited

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Gig Review - Country In The Afternoon - Half Moon Putney

 

Take an iconic venue, add in some touring artists, mix with the Chittick’s unerring ability to curate a line up and the result is another stunning Country In The Afternoon.

 

If you haven’t yet sampled a CITA, its basically a mini festival over two days.  Taking place at the Half Moon Pub in Putney, which has played host to a long list of legends over the years, you get to see four acts per day, starting at 1 and finishing at 5, in time to sample the fabulous food that the pub has to offer.  Each day has a great line up, so you can do either day or both and still have a great time.  Although the weekend attracts in excess of 300 people over the two days in comfort, it still feels like an intimate gig, with many of the artists opting to play an acoustic or stripped-down set.

Following on so closely after Buckle and Boots Festival, there was a chance to see some of the touring artists who played in Manchester, and this weekend saw a Saturday line up of Matt Wynn, Jessie G, and Australia’s Josh Setterfield (who all played the main stage), headlined by Alyssa Bonagura while on Sunday headliner Aaron Goodvin from Canada was joined by Eleri Angharad (who played the Paddock stage) plus Simon James and James Riley.  We attended on Sunday, fighting our way through tube closures to make it to a sunny corner of South West London.

 

The theme of Sunday was very much about telling stories – it was as much about the stories as the music.  Eleri Angharad was up first and set the tone.  Her style of gently strumming her guitar while she talks is very soothing and keeps a link between words and songs.  She played her fabulous new single Good For A Girl, and ended with a great rendition of These Boots Were Made For Walking which really got the crowd singing along and pumped for the rest of the day.  She was also wearing good boots!

Simon James hasn’t been around much recently, but he’s back and with the promise of a new album.  If anything, his voice has matured, and it’s a voice that we have really missed.  When Simon sings he transports the audience and himself to a different place.  You can see this in Simon because either his eyes are closed or he’s staring out into the distance.  Speaking to Simon after the show he confirmed he is often not on that stage.  Simon loves to talk between songs and even shifted his set list around to accommodate the time he had taken!

James Riley was not familiar to us but is an artist that as soon as Gavin and Christine heard him play at a showcase event, they knew they wanted to bring him to Country In The Afternoon.  Playing acoustic guitar and accompanied by a stand-up bass and a fiddle player, James is on the folk side of country but very much in the story telling tradition.  He spent lockdown playing roof top concerts in his own neighbourhood earning him a slot on local tv news, and took himself off to a remote part of the Kent coast to write his newest songs, all influenced by his view out across the sea.  The attention he received for his rooftop series means that James will be spending part of his summer playing at Glastonbury.

Sunday’s headliner Aaron Goodvin has been on a mini tour of the UK having flown over for Buckle and Boots.  As he demonstrated in a songwriters round on the Paddock Stage, Aaron is a natural storyteller, even stopping mid song to tell a story.  It’s a clever technique that grabs your attention and keeps you laughing!  His start in the music industry came when his mother bought a Karaoke machine for the family and then entered Aaron in a contest at the local mall where he came second, winning $200 dollars which he instantly spent on golf clubs.  This was clearly the dream life for him – singing and earning – and the rest is history!  Supported and heckled in equal parts by Matt Wynn and Jessie G, the pair then joined Aaron on stage for an impromptu rendition of Tennessee Whisky which they had previously performed to support Electric Umbrella – a children’s charity in Hertfordshire.  

This collab was completely unexpected and one of the best we have ever seen. Already a big star in Canada, Aaron would like to cultivate a “sexy image” in the UK, rather than the Kermit comparisons from a comment on the tour.  There followed a few passable Kermit impressions which added to the general light-hearted approach Aaron took to his set, delivering a personal, intimate, powerful and hugely entertaining show before joining us all outside in the sunshine.

 

We have worked with Gavin and Christine Chittick at a number of festivals, so we know how hard working they are and how very welcoming too.  They have a real talent for finding artists who will work well in the Country In The Afternoon format as well as the Millport Festivals that they put on, and while Millport is taking a break we know that they will continue to promote great music and introduce us to new artists.  Country In The Afternoon allows for music, meeting up with friends and the chance for us to really appreciate the artists we may have missed while working at festivals, all in relaxed surroundings.

 

See you in November!

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

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Single Review - Afraid To Fall - Gasoline and Matches

 

Gasoline and Matches are always busy performing, running their writer’s round in Birmingham, playing for festivals, squeezing in their day jobs in music but fortunately for all of us they have managed to find some studio time.

The result is Afraid To Fall, which is easily their most polished and professional track to date.  Gasoline and Matches are going from strength to strength – this year already they played a blazing headline set at Buckle and Boots and have just been announced as playing at The Long Road Festival.

Sally and Steve have really dived into this track telling a familiar story – in their own words:

Afraid To Fall is the anthem for anyone stuck in the friend zone

A strong musical opening which grabs your attention from the outset, the guitar giving Western vibes.  The vocal comes in with perfect harmonies from the first line, with a breathy feel as the line fades.

The chorus is catchy and will make you want to join in, and perhaps reflect.

Have you ever thought about me

Have you ever talked about me

I really need to know

Its nice to hear more of Steve’s voice in this track, but without compromising on the guitar riffs that we have all come to expect and love from the duo

We can all recognise the feeling in the song, but Gasoline and Matches hope that it will empower you to take the leap, and not be afraid to fall.

Afraid to Fall, the new single from Gasoline and Matches is available to download and stream from Friday 2 June.  Take the leap and support independent artists.

Find and follow the duo on Facebook, Instagram and on Spotify

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Festival Reflections - Buckle and Boots 2023

 

Let’s start by looking at the crowd, we talk a lot about the “Country Family” and I need to start by thanking both those new and returning to the festival; it is your presence, enthusiasm and support of one another that plays a central role. Whether you used the attendees page to ask about clothing, the temperature, money, parking, taxis, or anything else there is always someone prepared to help you out and it’s the same on site. People may arrive on site alone, but they always leave with new friends. About 80% of the attendance is returning and most of those newbies can’t wait to come back and stay for longer next time.

Why are the people so important? You help create an atmosphere where the artists don’t want to sit in a green room but are happy to mingle among you, which adds to the whole intimacy of the festival.  How many country artists did you spot that were not on the line-up but came anyway to be a part of the festival?  From those trying to break into county music (Leanne Brumfitt), those on their way (Alan Finlan) and some of the best we have (Kezia Gill)!

It is probably the one festival where Laura Hancock does not have to worry about getting volunteers. Yes, you read that right, every one of the crazy people behind the bar does it as a volunteer. There are even those who buy a ticket and want to be the other side!

Most people turn up regardless of the line-up -just look at ticket sales, people booking the moment they get home, whilst some of us need a few days to recover.  It is lovely to read messages where people say “I don’t care about the line up as its always amazing”. Rest assured that the Hancocks and Gary Quinn will always look to promote UK country music and secure you international artists. In fact, every year the festival grows and gets a little bit better.

This year had the added bonuses of:

·       The Nashville Sounds in the Round Take-over on Thursday afternoon

·       The Old Time Sailors

·       The Country Orchestra

·       Purple Rabbit Pilates and a beach

I’m not sure that they can take credit for the weather, but it was fantastic and certainly better than when it rains.

Everyone will have their standout artist, but this year we think the UK artists stole the show. Why?

Robyn Red – at just 18, this young lady is making waves. With a phenomenal voice, she is growing in confidence with every performance and just wowing her audiences.

Gasoline & Matches – not only did they bring their Birmingham based show ‘Nashville Sounds in the Round’ to the Paddock stage giving you a reason to arrive early, but then they went on to set the stage alight with the full band which included a saxophonist, to close out the Paddock stage on Friday night.  They are a polished act who just keep getting better. We were very impressed with the intro track and stage presence.

Backwoods Creek – despite working hard as the house band, it was nice to see them take to the stage under their own name to headline the Paddock stage on Saturday night. They bought their usual raw energy which got the crowd to their feet and kept them there, blowing the roof off the tent. The addition of Jeremy McComb for their cover of Walking In Memphis showed how versatile and spontaneous they are as a band.

Emilia Quinn – moving up to the main stage, she absolutely smashed it, looking very natural up there with enormous amounts of energy.  Appreciated by the other artists who brought her on stage, we’re all so glad she announced her headline tour.

 

Finally lets not forget the food vendors, who work long hours to keep many of us going but with some amazing tasting food.  The stall holders who help us look our best and help keep it country.

Holding tight to my Buckle and Boots cup by the handle but sadly only containing coffee, I’m shattered and my body hurts, voice is non-existent and like many of you I need sleep and vegetables, but you know what - I’ll see you next year!

In the meantime, please go and support local acts.

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Gig Review - Nashville Sounds In The Round take-over at Buckle and Boots Country Festival

You asked, they delivered!

Birmingham's premier country songwriter night 'Nashville Sounds In The Round' hosted by the British country music duo Gasoline & Matches (aka Sally and Steve) was transported from its usual home at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall to the Paddock Stage to launch the festival.

Like all writer’s rounds, this is an opportunity to hear about the stories behind the songs and often an opportunity to showcase new artists.  On Thursday afternoon, 12:30pm to 2:00pm to be precise, Gasoline & Matches were joined on stage by their guests: Namywa, Kylie Price and James Berryman.

Namywa, a fellow Brummie is an international recording artist but this was her debut country festival performance. Supported by her dad in the audience, she showed off a powerful voice and some great earrings.  If she was nervous in this new setting, it never showed. Her soulful voice absolutely filled the Paddock Stage

Kelly Price is from New Zealand and loved the setting of Whitebottom Farm/Etherow County Park but nothing gave her roots away more than when she referred to “Stevo”.  Loved her stories that she was crazy but still got her man, and actually she is still crazy – that’s very country. Check her out at Kylie Price website .  Whilst she will freely (and frequently) admit that her songs are a little downbeat, her storytelling is fantastic in both her songwriting and conversation, and her personality shines.

James Berryman isn’t new to the round having played back in September and spotted as a one to watch. Believe it or not he has 17 years of experience.  A writer’s round leaves the artists with nowhere to hide – but with James he is not only a talented singer songwriter, but he could probably double as a comedian! Maybe next time we just have an impressions show with James and Steve!

A very large crowd, which actually felt like it was everyone who had arrived on site, was attracted to the Paddock stage, why wouldn’t anyone want to sit in the sun (or shade) and listen to great music?  Sat in front of the stage or stood at the back by the bar, sound quality was amazing.

The high energy that Gasoline & Matches put into any performance is difficult to contain and so they are often spotted adding harmonies and playing along with their guests.  This is only a taste of their ability and I hope everyone stuck around to see their headline performance with their full band.

What a takeover, setting everyone up for a festival that you need to buckle into but hopefully it may have convinced a few of you to make the journey down to see their next ‘In the Round’ on Thursday 1^st June with a truly international line up.

B:Music website

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