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Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Codie Prevost
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing the emerging singer/ songwriter Codie Prevost. His songs range from ballads to the more upbeat, with a little something for everyone.  The full interview can be found on the music page
Saturday, August 27, 2005
English Country Music?
Whilst I have been developing this web site, it has become painfully obvious that there are very few English country music artists.
Im sure that comment will cause a stir amongst some of my readership. Many of you will feel the urge to email me with you lists of English country music performers. I might have even heard of some of them. The problem is that although they can perform I would hardly define them as artist. Even a monkey can perform.
English country music seems to be stuck in the past, a remnant of the cold war. The heroes and dress sense of the fifties, sixties and seventies live on.
About this time last year I wrote an article about the success of cross over acts such as Kid Rock, Gretchen Wilson and Big and Rich and how current American country music wasn't just music 'your mum and dad listen too'.
However English country music seems to be actually performed by mum and dad! Middle aged men and women doing bad impressions of faded stars whilst their plump bodies do battle with the rhinestone buttons on their shirts.
The same middle aged men that were fed a diet of westerns whilst growing up. living cowboy fantasies to escape the grime of city living. Indeed most of the English country music performers are based in urban areas. They eek out a meagre existence plying their trade as pub singers or performing in working men's clubs. They call themselves cowboys but have they even seen a cow? How can they sing about living in the country when they grew up on a council estate in Manchester?
One 'well known' performer states on his web site that he grew up in Huddersfield "a small farming town way north of London" and how it's "About as far from Nashville as one can get" It's also about as far removed from being a small farming town as one can get!
The English country media has a lot to answer too. They perpetrate the myth that the only real country music is old country music and the only real country singers are old country singers. And there lies the problem. For English country music to be taken seriously it needs to move into the 21st century. It needs to move out of the old peoples home and captivate a more youthful market. It also needs to start telling the truth. As long as these rhinestone clad, urban cowboys sing about living in the wild west, nobody is going to take them seriously as artists. People will always look at them as 'wannabes'. They want to sing country music? So why not sing English country music.
The English countryside and country communities offer a rich and wondrous tapestry. You don't have to live in the states to live or work on a farm, to go hunting, to enjoy the country way of living. Its all here on our doorstep and we have been doing it for thousands of years!
The Australians and Canadians seem to have the right balance. Homegrown performers singing about living in their own countryside. Living the Australian or Canadian country way of life. They don't pretend to be American. And they are good at it too. I hear some of them have even won a few awards in America!
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
FAITH HILL - "MISSISSIPPI GIRL" TAKES #1 ON COUNTRY SINGLES CHARTS
Faith Returns To Top Of Both Billboard And R&R Country Singles Charts Faith Hill's first single in nearly two years, "Mississippi Girl," the infectious autobiographical track from her recently released #1 album Fireflies, is itself now #1. It has taken the top spot on both Billboard and Radio & Records' Country Singles Charts and adds to Faith's latest series of #1's. Upon its release two weeks ago, Fireflies debuted at #1 on both Billboard's Top 200 and Country Album Charts. It marked the third consecutive time that Faith held both spots simultaneously, and gave her the distinction of being the only female artist in history to accomplish that feat. "Mississippi Girl" was co-written by John Rich and Adam Shoenfeld, was produced by Dann Huff, Bryon Gallimore and Faith and was recorded on July 31st, 2004. "It's thrilling to have another #1," said Faith. "I cannot be more thankful for the support from country radio and am excited to get more music from Fireflies out there soon." "Mississippi Girl" is Faith's 9th #1 single on Billboard's Country Singles Chart and is her 6th #1 on Radio & Records. She's sold nearly 30 million albums over the course of her career and Fireflies marks her sixth studio recording. For more Faith Hill information and news go to www.faithhill.com.
Friday, August 19, 2005
McLeod's Daughters Series 4
Creator Posie Graeme-Evans originaly developed the concept for McLeod's Daughters for a successful and high-rating 1996 Nine Network telemovie. This was followed in August 2001 by its launch as a prime time television series. The four female leads carry the heart of each story throughout this outback-based Australian series. A Modern day western with an Australian twist, McLeod's Daughters is a favourite in the Kernow Cowboy household. Series 4 of McLeod's Daughters continues the saga of Tess McLeod, now facing the challenges of running Drover's Run without her sister Claire. The 7-disc DVD presentaion compiles every episode of the award winning fourth series, making it a must own collectible for any fan of this great Australian Television drama. Click here to Pre-order Mcleod's series 4.
Site Updates
Over the last two days I have added a good selection of country music artists from the US, Australia and Canada. It would be good to add a section for the UK, so if you can recommend a link drop me a line! Also added to the links pages are a selection of NASCAR teams and drivers. I'll be adding a section for UK stock car racing very shortly. To email the Kernow Cowboy click here
Monday, August 15, 2005
New Look
As regular visitors will have noticed, I have changed the look and feel of the website. I have also added a online store where you can purchase 'Kernow Cowboy' merchandise. Over the next few weeks I will be adding a number of country and motorsport related items to the inventory.
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