News & Publications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 29, 2005
CMA PRESENTS “NEW FROM NASHVILLE” IN LONDON, DUBLIN AND GLASGOW
Dierks Bentley and Jace Everett To Perform
NASHVILLE – The Country Music Association (CMA) is hosting two of Country Music’s best and brightest artists – 2005 CMA Horizon Award winner Dierks Bentley and Jace Everett – oversees in January 2006 for high-profile showcases in London, Dublin and Glasgow (the latter as part of Celtic Connections 2006, Scotland’s premier winter music festival.)
“CMA is very excited to present the second ‘New from Nashville’ program featuring two very talented artists,” said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson. “With the success of last year's tour and its warm reception in London and Glasgow, we're expanding this year to include a performance in Dublin where Country Music is already very popular.”
On Jan. 16, 2006 Bentley and Everett will be performing at Whelan’s in Dublin; on Jan. 17, 2006 they will perform in Glasgow as part of the Celtic Connection; and on Jan. 19, 2006 they will showcase at the Carling Academy in Islington, London. Paul Fenn of Asgard Promotions will produce the shows for the CMA. All shows will be open to the public on a limited basis.
Dierks Bentley
Bentley's reputation as a Country renegade, blending traditional Country with a newer edge, has garnered the attention of fans and critics alike. Consistently ranked at the top of the charts, his self-titled debut CD spawned the hit singles "What Was I Thinkin'." "How Am I Doin'?" and "My Last Name" and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His sophomore album, Modern Day Drifter, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Charts in 2005 and was recently certified Gold by the RIAA, taking him from talented newcomer to chart-topping Country mainstay.
The Phoenix native moved to Nashville at 19, paid his dues playing the famous honky tonks of Nashville's lower Broadway and from those early days while a researcher at cable network TNN he developed a deep admiration for the Opry and its members. He joined the ranks of some of his heroes recently when he was inducted in to the Grand Ole Opry as the youngest current member. Bentley's long and varied list of awards and accolades includes 2005 CMA Horizon Award, CMT's Breakthrough Video Award, Top New Artist of the Year by Billboard and R&R, Breakout Artist of the Year by Music Row magazine and one of the Top 10 Breakout Artists of the Year by “Access Hollywood.”
Jace Everett
Growing up in Grapevine, Texas, the sounds of Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, Waylon Jennings and other Texas legends were in heavy rotation in Everett’s house. The bass player/sideman’s career literally took him from his hometown church to Nashville and around the world. In addition to garnering material for a wealth of songs, his travels forced him to learn different languages.
“I speak English fairly well,” he said. “My French is good enough to get by and my Spanish is good enough to get an ass-kickin’ handed to me on the north side of Ft. Worth.”
By the time he made it back to Nashville he was the frontman – playing guitar, performing songs he had written. Eventually he secured a major deal with Sony Nashville’s Epic Records label. Produced by Mark Wright and Greg Droman, Everett’s self-titled debut album is a musical biography of hell-raising rockers and soul-baring ballads, including the current self-penned single "Bad Things."
“Last year’s NuNV [“New From Nashville”] tour featuring Jessi Alexander, Jamie O’Neal and Jon Randall, received critical acclaim from many media and industry executives within the United Kingdom,” said Jeff Walker, Chairman of CMA’s Global Markets Task Force. “We feel that we will capitalize on the momentum generated from last year’s event with a strong follow up with two of Country Music’s hot young artists. The NuNV tour is opening doors to a global audience for Country Music.”
For information about CMA and its initiatives visit ww.CMAworld.com.