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  • Writer's pictureMary Ann

THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION PRESENTS FIRST-EVER SHOWCASE AT THE GREAT ESCAPE FESTIVAL IN THE U.K.


The Sisterhood Band Photo Credit: Matthew Berinato

The Country Music Association will present a new music showcase of Nashville’s rising artists—for the first time in the U.K. at The Great Escape, Europe’s leading new-music festival. Partnering with Live Nation U.K., the showcase, Next From Nashville, will take place on Thursday, May 14 with a lineup of emerging Nashville talent including Danielle Bradbery, Blanco Brown and The Sisterhood Band. With the continuing increase of Country artists touring abroad, CMA is excited to play a role in bringing some of Country’s hottest up-and-coming talent to new audiences at this multi-genre music festival, which features a diverse lineup of artists from around the world. “We are excited about the growth and development of the Country market we’ve seen in the U.K. over the past few years,” says Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations & Development. “With the ongoing support of the BBC, an increased Country radio presence in the U.K. and a solid touring and festival market, it‘s a great time for us to showcase the genre at The Great Escape and engage with fans and industry who have not yet discovered Country Music.” “The Great Escape is the perfect platform for Next From Nashville to present the most exciting acts emerging from the city’s scene,” says Anna-Sophie Mertens, Live Nation Concerts U.K. Vice President, Touring. “Nashville has been responsible for an array of prolific artists, songwriters and musicians. We look forward to showcasing some of this talent at The Great Escape and on its nationwide tour for the first-ever U.K. edition of Next From Nashville.” Danielle Bradbery Multi-faceted artist Bradbery was recently featured on the “Charlie’s Angels” soundtrack alongside Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Normani, Kim Petras and more. She re-introduced herself two years ago with sophomore album ​I Don’t Believe We’ve Met​, having taken some time to hone her songwriting craft and establish a blend of her R&B, soul and Country influences. Bradbery has been fine-tuning her unique sound since getting her start winning Season 4 of NBC’s “The Voice” and achieved multiple ACM nominations as well as CMT ​Breakthrough Video of the Year ​and CMT ​Performance of the Year​. Read more at DanielleBradbery.com. Blanco Brown Blurring the lines between Country and hip-hop music, ​Brown makes a southern sound that he proudly calls "TrailerTrap.” It's a boundary-breaking, genre of his very own, which draws upon the rawness and storytelling abilities of his two biggest musical influences, Johnny Cash and Outkast. ​Influenced equally by rap and Country Music, his ​ability to combine the two brought him immediate success in his debut Country-trap viral hit “The Git Up​,” released last summer. The song is also served with an interactive choreographed dance clip, which averaged nearly one million views in its initial three days of posting. Read more at BlancoBrown.com. The Sisterhood Band The Sisterhood Band is an organic blend of the open melodies of classic West Coast folk and the magnetic swagger of timeless rock 'n' roll, powered by Alyssa Bonagura and Ruby Stewart's soaring richly textured harmonies and effortless chemistry. Both artists have strong musical DNA: Alyssa is the daughter of Kathie Baillie and Michael Bonagura (the core of Country band Baillie & The Boys) and Ruby’s father is rock icon Rod Stewart. Having met while both working on solo careers, they bonded over a mutual love of Joni Mitchell and established a sound and style of their own. With a debut album due this year, 2020 looks bright for ​The Sisterhood Band​. Read more at TheSisterhoodBand.com. About the Country Music Association  Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. In 1961, CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. More than 7,700 music industry professionals and companies from around the globe are members of CMA. The organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a television special, “CMA Fest”; and “CMA Country Christmas.” CMA’s television properties are screened internationally in Australia, Canada, Germany, Latin America, Scandinavia and the U.K. Each year CMA brings music worldwide, presenting live performances featuring artists and songwriters through its touring series Introducing Nashville and CMA Songwriters Series. The organization is represented in Australia, Canada, Germany, Scandinavia and the U.K. through its task force groups comprised of industry leaders working to further Country Music in these territories. As a trade association, CMA presents five annual international industry awards to acknowledge the effort of individuals working to develop Country Music in markets across the world.

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