That Nashville Sound Thursday Newsbytes: Merle Haggard, Maggie Rose, Red Marlow & More

There's some news and a couple of new music videos that are all yours in one big post this Thursday morning. Happy reading...

* Rachel Lee Rubin, Professor of American Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston, USA, and Director of the Center for the Study of Humanities, Culture, and Society, has written a book about Merle Haggard's iconic song in her upcoming book, Merle Haggard's Okie from Muskogee. The book is released today. From the press release:

"Every now and then, a song inspires a cultural conversation that ends up looking like a brawl. Merle Haggard's Okie from Muskogee, released in 1969, is a prime example of that important role of popular music. Okie immediately helped to frame an ongoing discussion about region and class, pride and politics, culture and counterculture. But the conversation around the song, useful as it was, drowned out the song itself, not to mention the other songs on the live album-named for Okie and performed in Muskogee-that Haggard has carefully chosen to frame what has turned out to be his most famous song. What are the internal clues for gleaning the intended meaning of Okie? What is the pay-off of the anti-fandom that Okie sparked (and continues to spark) in some quarters? How has the song come to be a shorthand for expressing all manner of anti-working class attitudes? What was Haggard's artistic path to that stage in Oklahoma, and how did he come to shape the industry so profoundly at the moment when urban country singers were playing a major role on the American social and political landscape?"

* The Voice star Red Marlow will be releasing his album Country as Cornbread on April 6- here's the official announcement and album cover.

* Maggie Rose has a new 2-song mini EP coming out tomorrow with tracks "It's You" and "Smooth."  Here's the source if you're interested in adding it to your music collection.

* John Mellencamp released a new performance video filmed at the landmark Chicago Theatre of him performing his iconic hit, "Small Town." 

* Kelly Clarkson released a powerful new music video considering all going on with the #metoo movement for her song "I Don't Think About You."

* British Nashville-transplants The Shires have a new album forthcoming on April 20 called Accidentally on Purpose on Decca Records.

Up & Coming New Nashville- The Shires Prep New Album, My Universe

Artist: The Shires
Album: My Universe
Label: Decca
Release date: Oct. 7, 2016

Their name might not be readily recognized here in the US or Canada, but the work that The Shires have exercised here in Nashville certainly has paid big dividends in their native UK. The duo will release their hotly anticipated second album My Universe, out on 10/7.

The debut track, entitled "Beats To Your Rhythm," is a heartfelt but infectious summer smash which will have fans across the UK singing along in seconds with its handclaps, catchy chorus, stomping drums and rousing backing vocal hook. The tune and album alike showcase The Shires trademark beautiful harmonies, which come naturally to Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes who share lead vocals.

With the release of their debut album Brave in 2015, The Shires became the biggest-selling country act in the UK last year (including US artists), and one of the biggest-selling breakthrough UK acts of any genre along with James Bay, Years and Years and Jess Glynn.

Ben and Crissie continued to build a huge following, in fans and critics alike, landing 5 A list singles at BBC Radio 2 and appearing on a string of high profile TV shows including Graham Norton, BBC Music Awards, Children in Need Rocks and many more. The band were then given their first headline slot at Glastonbury this summer, topping the bill on the Acoustic Stage on Saturday night.

The new album will appeal to both pop and country fans, with high profile co-writes involving top country music writers, including Kip Moore, and with the album recorded at Sound Stage Studios (one of the most prestigious recording studios in Nashville, which has cut records for other country superstars such as Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum).
 

New Music Video From The Shires- "State Lines"