Saturday, October 31, 2015
The biggest endorsement for the Florida senator is a big bundler for the Republican Party. This bundler gave millions to Republicans like the perennial loser Mitt Romney.
Paul Singer a mega donor came out in favor of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL). Singer was a supporter of Jeb Bush. He flipped the script on Bush and cashed in on Rubio.
This is a big blow to the Bush campaign.
"He is accustomed to thinking about American foreign policy as a responsible policy maker," the hedge fund manager wrote. "He is ready to be an informed and assertive decision-maker." Rubio is the "best explainer of conservatism in public life today" and can "appeal to both the head and the heart," wrote Singer, describing the senator as the only candidate who can "navigate this complex primary process" and go on to defeat Hillary Clinton.
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| Money man gave Sen. Marco Rubio a $$$$$$$$$$ contract. |
Singer warned Republicans that if they continue to push the anti-gay agenda, he might pull back on them. Singer is a strong supporter of Israel. Singer has a son who is gay.
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| Deso Dogg gave up hip-hop to join foreign extremists. The U.S. served him a rocket. |
Denis Cuspert left the rap game for the jihad. The former German rapper who went by the name Deso Dogg was one of the militants killed in a U.S. airstrike in Syria.
He ended his rap career after converting to Islam and taking the name Abou Maleeq. He left Germany for Egypt and eventually Syria, where he fought with the jihadist anti-government forces in the Syrian Civil War, under the nom de guerre of Abu Talha Al-Almani (meaning The German Abu Talha).
He was injured during the fighting in the northern-Syrian town of Azaz in an air-strike conducted by the Syrian Army. In 2014 he gave his oath of allegiance to Islamist-Jihadi group the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
The United States Department of State added Cuspert to its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
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| This was Deso Dogg's posse. The Western nations want this posse eliminated. |
Cuspert was killed in a US airstrike near Al-Raqqah, Syria, according to a US Department of Defense spokesperson. According to German terrorism expert Florian Flande, a resident of Raqqa broke the news of Cuspert's death on October 17, 2015.
Be warned his lyrics are explicit and some of the language in German and English.
Friday, October 30, 2015
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| Republicans chairman Reince Priebus bans NBC from debates. |
I can imagine the concern trolls saying that the Democrats did it to that right wing network when then senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton boycotted the debate in Nevada.
I remember over at Steve Doocy's Playhouse, the agitators told their viewers about Obama attending a radical Islamic madrassah and it was being spread around by Clinton's operatives.
Obama blasted the network for misleading the notion that he's a Muslim. What made him boycott the event? Well it had to be the head hancho over at that network. Chief Roger made an inappropriate joke about Obama. That was the last straw for Obama.
He froze the network out for nearly a year. It took Rupert Murdoch to broker peace with the network.
To this day, President Barack Obama looks at that network as "the opposition". He believes that he won't be able to talk about issues on that network. He believe that network attacks him and his allies for ratings. He cites that annoying conservative agitator as one of the reasons to why that network isn't friendly to him or Democrats.
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| NBC News disappointed that Republicans bowed out. |
The network fired back at the Democrats by saying they've caved to the pressures of liberal activist groups such as MoveOn.org. They said that if you can't handle us, you can't be the president.
Now it seems like history is repeating itself.
The Republican National Committee is doing damage control after Republican candidates complained about the debate on CNBC. Some of the candidates were pissed they didn't get a lofty green room and the questions didn't focus on real matters.
Today it seems like the Republican leader caved to pressure from the candidates. Reince Priebus formally banned NBC from participating in debates. That includes Spanish network Telemundo.
I just sent this letter to NBC News suspending our partnership for the February Debate: https://t.co/MVke5m2EBm— Reince Priebus (@Reince) October 30, 2015Reince Priebus release a statement in regards to the CNBC debate. He said that he's no longer going to invest time in working with NBC.
Mr. Andrew Lack
Chairman, NBC News
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112
Dear Mr. Lack,
I write to inform you that pending further discussion between the Republican National Committee (RNC) and our presidential campaigns, we are suspending the partnership with NBC News for the Republican primary debate at the University of Houston on February 26, 2016. The RNC’s sole role in the primary debate process is to ensure that our candidates are given a full and fair opportunity to lay out their vision for America’s future. We simply cannot continue with NBC without full consultation with our campaigns.
The CNBC network is one of your media properties, and its handling of the debate was conducted in bad faith. We understand that NBC does not exercise full editorial control over CNBC’s journalistic approach. However, the network is an arm of your organization, and we need to ensure there is not a repeat performance.
CNBC billed the debate as one that would focus on “the key issues that matter to all voters—job growth, taxes, technology, retirement and the health of our national economy.” That was not the case. Before the debate, the candidates were promised an opening question on economic or financial matters. That was not the case. Candidates were promised that speaking time would be carefully monitored to ensure fairness. That was not the case. Questions were inaccurate or downright offensive. The first question directed to one of our candidates asked if he was running a comic book version of a presidential campaign, hardly in the spirit of how the debate was billed.
While debates are meant to include tough questions and contrast candidates’ visions and policies for the future of America, CNBC’s moderators engaged in a series of “gotcha” questions, petty and mean-spirited in tone, and designed to embarrass our candidates. What took place Wednesday night was not an attempt to give the American people a greater understanding of our candidates’ policies and ideas.
I have tremendous respect for the First Amendment and freedom of the press. However, I also expect the media to host a substantive debate on consequential issues important to Americans. CNBC did not.
While we are suspending our partnership with NBC News and its properties, we still fully intend to have a debate on that day, and will ensure that National Review remains part of it.
I will be working with our candidates to discuss how to move forward and will be in touch.
Sincerely,
Reince Priebus
Chairman, Republican National Committee
Quick poll.
What are your thoughts on the GOP banning NBC?
Like I've said in the previous posting. NBC and other networks should tell Republicans to "go fuck themselves". They should say to Priebus, "Fine, we'll no longer cover Republicans".
Good luck on winning votes.
Let the Republicans grant all their debates to that right wing network, Newsmax, The Blaze, Cumulus, Salem Radio and iHeart Media. Let them deal with all the Republican debates.
Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, George Pataki, John Kasich, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum, Jim Gilmore, Lindsey Graham and Jeb Bush needs the junk food media more than they need them.
I mean if you're that petty over a few questions, how can you deal with a real issue?
If you believe that the decision was a good idea or a bad idea, vote in our poll.
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| Jeb Bush got roll'd by Marco Rubio. |
The aftermath of the Republican debate. CNBC defends its moderators after a handful of Republican candidates went off on them. The Republican candidates claim that the moderators didn't treat them fairly.
Reince Priebus went on that annoying conservative agitator's program to bitch about how CNBC messed up. Now the Republican National Committee officially suspends NBC handling of debates.
I am sure NBC will fire back at the RNC.
They tossed out the media bias bone and now conservatives are extremely livid.
Many agitators in the junk food media (i.e. conservatives) claim that they've proven a point.
Instead of answering the questions, the candidates will deflect from the question to attack the moderator. They believe it's their key to winning the Republican primary. I hear that the Republican candidates want the national party leaders to vet the moderators.
If you can't answer a few goddamn questions, how can you be the President of the United States?
Anyway one candidate didn't speak about the debate. He managed to dodge questions about being on "dire condition". Former Florida governor Jeb Bush is facing harsh criticism. Many believe his debate performance was a disaster. Many believe the Bush was a shoe in for the nomination.
Bush had face self-inflicted wounds and a mighty insurgent Donald Trump. Post debate, I am assuring that Bush is running either ahead of Mike Huckabee or behind Carly Fiorina.
Bush wanted to knock Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) for being an inept lawmaker. Rubio went around and backhanded Bush. They were once friends in the Florida state house. It turns out that the bad blood was spilled on Wednesday night.
Most in the junk food media concludes that Rubio, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Donald Trump survived the cut.
There's going to be another debate on the networks. I can bet you money, they're going to be more attacks at the moderators and more diversion tactics.
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| Still charting the wrong course, Reince Priebus decides to put NBC on ice. Suspends partnership with Telemundo and NBC. |
The concern trolls want to boycott debates sponsored by CBS, ABC, CNN, Bloomberg, PBS, Telemundo and Univision. According to the concern trolls, the networks are liberal. NBC already got hit with a boycott.
If I was the presidents of these networks, I would tell them to "go fuck yourselves".
I would say, "Fine, we'll no longer cover Republicans". Good luck on winning votes. Let the Republicans grant all their debates to that right wing network, Newsmax, The Blaze, Cumulus, Salem Radio and iHeart Media. Let them deal with all the Republican debates.
The executives should ban all Republicans from appearing on their networks. Let them bitch about that. Tell them that you can't be President of the United States if you're constantly complaining about not getting your way.
President Barack Obama faces a barrage of attacks from the junk food media. He brushes it off. Sometimes when gets annoyed with the junk food media, he let's them have it. The junk food media covered Hilary Clinton in a negative light. Benghazi and email server stories were plaguing the campaign. It wasn't her fault that Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) blabbed out the objective.
Since the junk food media is invested in the entertainment concept such as that right wing network, they try to cave to Republicans petty and frankly childish demands.
Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, George Pataki, John Kasich, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum, Jim Gilmore, Lindsey Graham and Jeb Bush needs the junk food media more than they need them.
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| Mohamed Januzi was killed by a racist man. |
The folks over at Buzzfeed report that a man is being held in lockup on the charge of murder.
The 32-year old German man who has not being identified was arrested in the death of a Bosnian boy.
Mohamed Januzi a 4-year old boy from Bosina went missing earlier this month was found dead in a vehicle yesterday. Berlin police arrest the suspect after he confessed to murdering the boy.He told his mother and she told him to turn himself in. The suspect also confessed to killing another child. The first victim was named Elias who went missing in July in the town of Potsdam.
Mohamed was last seen leaving a refugee camp with an unidentified man. Surveillance footage being released by the law. Mohamed's mother lost sight of him after she saw him playing with other children.
Germany is the recipient of the larges number of asylum applicants. With immigrants coming at such a rapid rate, many conservatives in Germany believe that the threat of terrorism would follow.
German residents listen to American conservative agitators too. They seem to believe that people fleeing danger are the danger. German right wingers are trying to stop immigration at the door.
American conservative agitators (i.e. that network and old fart Limbaugh) have been on this kick about the United States taking 200,000 refugees this year. It turns out that's not the case.
The United States is taking about 14,000 refugees.
World News Today send our condolences to the family of Mohamed Januzi and the unknown boy.
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| Oklahoma City cop on ice after he was caught on camera smacking up a teen. |
Looks like even school resource officers are afraid to do their jobs! According to the FBI's James Comey, those in law enforcement are afraid to do their jobs. The so-called Ferguson effect has made cops jobs difficult says the agitators in the junk food media.
I call that bullshit for two reasons. If cops aren't doing their jobs, then they're the ones who end up being in trouble for misconduct. If there was better training for law enforcement, you wouldn't hear these stories in the junk food media.
#BlackLivesMatter activists want police reform. They're not a "murder group" or a "hate group".
It seems like there's got to be better training for school resource officers. The now infamous video of the disgraced Richland County sheriff's deputy Ben Fields dragging the victim on the floor has the nation talking.
Fields was fired out the cannon after this video was posted on social media.
Now an Oklahoma City lawman is in the freezer after he was caught on surveillance camera smacking up a teenager.
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| Thomas Jaha on ice after smacking teen. |
There was a few words exchanged and soon the teen was arrested for disorderly conduct. But after the school reviewed the video, the officer was charged with battery and lying on a report,
Jaha said that the teen got in his face and threatened assault on him. The video told a different story.
“He struck a student twice in the head after this student got in an aggressive stance and faced the master sergeant,” Capt. Paco Balderrama of the Oklahoma City Police Department said.
In the video, the student can be seen walking out of the bathroom with the officer, and while, on his way back to class, he stops at the water fountain for a drink. The water fountain was directly next to the bathroom that they were walking out of, and the teen did not have to go out of his way or waste any time to get a drink of water. The student’s choice to get a drink of water along the way was seen as a sign of disrespect by the officer, who then took it upon himself to assault the boy.
While the teenager did not hit the officer at any time, the officer claims that he hit him in self-defense because the boy allegedly took an aggressive stance and balled his fists, which is not depicted in the video.
“They have the right to defend themselves. They have the right to use physical force to protect themselves, protect the public. And in this particular case, the force was not appropriate to the incident,” Balderrama said.
Although Jaha has been charged with assault he is still on the police force and iced with pay. He may face a cannon firing after the video went viral.
Just in case I hear this concern troll nonsense about the victim and the lawman's race: The victim was White and the lawman was Black, okay!
News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |
Thursday, October 29, 2015
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| Will it get better? - Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) |
The former vice presidential nominee is now third in line in the power of succession. The House of Representatives voted today to place him at the gavel. He will now have the difficult task of trying to get the House in order.
The Republican lawmaker from Janesville was really reluctant to take the task, but for the sake of the party, he decided to jump into this.
Paul Davis Ryan, you got a big House. Mr. Ryan, the pressure is now on you to work with President Barack Obama and the members of Congress.
You will be the third Midwestern lawmaker to become the most powerful (and yes gullible) lawmaker in the country. You will be issued Secret Service detail and a cool perks being the House Speaker. You are going to make tough decisions that may help or hurt the country.
Many in the insurgency thought Ryan will be willing to compromise with the Democrats. Ryan also said that he will work with the president. He warned Republicans that he will not cave to pressure from either the president or a handful of insurgents.
The White House has called the new Speaker and wished him well.
His predecessor Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) said that he will get the budget and debt ceiling debacle completed before he steps down. Today the House had passed the legislation. The senate will take up the measure. Of course, I am guessing that Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) will find ways to derail the deal.
He was the chairman of House Ways and Means committee. He held that position for a couple of years now.
Picking him was a controversial move.
The 1st Congressional District has a Cook PVI rating of Republican +3. His district is a swing that leans Republican.
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| The biggest celebrity shocker to happen. Subway's Jared Fogle admits to harboring child porn and traveling across state lines to have sex with underage children. He will head to federal time out. |
The former Subway spokesman is heading off to federal time out. Before he heads off, his former friend Dr. Phil McGraw, the famed television psychologist, talks to the woman who brought him down.
Dr. Phil was granted access to the recordings that brought Fogle down.
Boy these recordings were disturbing. In a two part series, Dr. Phil talks to Rochelle Herman-Walrond, a former radio host who interviewed him and became suspicious when she overhead him say he found middle school girls attractive.
Rochelle would become an informant for the FBI. She wanted to gain Fogle's trust so he would tell his greatest fantasy. He wanted a threesome with her, a teenage girl and him.
Fogle would often brag about having feelings for boys and girls in some of these recordings.
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| Michael Phelps with disgraced pitchman Jared Fogle. |
"I felt like I was so dirty," she told Dr. Phil. "My soul was dirty."
Fogle even details the process of how he approaches the young victims.
"We just start sharing stories, and then, you know, we get a little closer, and a little closer, and a little closer, and before you know it...it just starts to happen," Fogle told Rochelle, saying it was not hard "at all."
"He talks about how to groom a family, he talks about how to groom the victim, he talks about all the things he does, the tricks of his trade," Dr. Phil said. "He just basically gives you the playbook of an evil monster."
Fogle became a household name as a pitchman for Subway, and used his fame to establish a foundation promoting healthy lifestyles among children.
In August, Fogle pleaded guilty to one count of distributing and receiving child pornography and one count of crossing state lines to engage in illicit sex with minors. He will be sentenced in November.
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| Dr. Phil talks to the FBI informant about Jared Fogle. |
After amassing five years-worth of recordings, Rochelle finally reached her breaking point when Fogle mentioned her two young children.
"What if we, what if we put a camera in your kids' room, would they be okay with that?," he asks her in the recording. "Would you rather have it in your son or your daughter's room? Which one do you think would be better?"
Dr. Phil said Rochelle had to distance herself from her kids and family for hours afterwards.
"And it took a lot of time from her family and changed who she was. That was a very painful thing for her," said Dr. Phil.
"Dr. Phil" -- which is distributed by CBS television -- is devoting two episodes to the audio recordings - one airing Thursday and another airing Friday.
Fogle is facing five to 12 and a half years in prison and up to a $500,000 fine. His attorney declined to comment.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
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| Who won the debate? Donald Trump, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. Who really won the night? Hillary Clinton. |
Debate night! The third Republican debate is happening tonight.
CNBC and the Colorado Republican Party host the debate at the University of Colorado in the lovely liberal city of Boulder.
I've heard Republican candidates got upset over the green room. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Chris Christie were pissed that they had smaller green rooms compared to Donald Trump and Ben Carson.
We had an opportunity to hear the four lower tiers have their debate. Unfortunately I didn't get an opportunity to hear them. I will talk about them in the later.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum and George Pataki have their opportunity to debate economic issues.
Jim Gilmore was barred from the debate because he's the "officially last candidate". That title normally would have went to Rick Santorum.
The debate begins with the candidates. CNBC moderators were John Harwood, Carl Quintanilla, and Becky Quick (additional questions will be asked by Rick Santelli, Sharon Epperson, and Jim Cramer).
The Republicans were really downright rude towards the moderators. Even if the questions were "biased", they should have sucked it up and answered them.
Greatest Weakness: The most toughest question for the candidates is what is their biggest weakness and how can they improve it. After all, they all believe they're not "weak!"
Ohio governor John Kasich's weakness "deflection". He didn't answer the question.
Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee's weakness "I tried to follow the rules".
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush's weakness "anger".
Florida senator Marco Rubio's weakness "deflection". He didn't answer the question.
| Bad blood between Bush and Rubio. Questions over Rubio's lack of voting record came into the debate. |
Former neurosurgeon and conservative agitator Benjamin Carson's weakness "not seeing myself ready for the job".
Former HP CEO and U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina's weakness "no personality".
Texas senator Ted Cruz's weakness "too agreeable to the status quo".
New Jersey governor Chris Christie's weakness "deflection". He didn't ask the question. Slipped Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders into the debate.
Kentucky senator Rand Paul's weakness "deflection". He didn't answer the question and threaten another filibuster on the debt ceiling.
This became a heated moment already in when the panel asked Trump about his tax plan. Kasich got a little testy with Trump and Carson earlier. Kasich decided to jump in and interrupt the moderators.
The question for Carson was about his economic policies. He struggled to answer that question.
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| The Paul campaign complains about the green room space. |
Cruz rolled out his tax policy. He wants the flat tax and a business flat tax for corporation and hedge funds.
Fiorina slams the candidates for taking about saying they can do something but end up breaking their promises. She said that the politicians and "cutting taxes" talk is getting old. She wants the tax code lowered to three pages instead of 70,000.
Rubio was asked the question of being inept. Rubio is not voting on the floor. He blames the media for calling him out on his dismal record. Rubio brings up Bob Graham, Barack Obama and John Kerry's record in the senate. Out of the three, Barack Obama became the president. Rubio wants to say that "everyone in the establishment" wants him gone. He said that the "gotcha" questions are the reasons for why Republicans distrust the junk food media. He said that Obama's policies aren't working.
Bush got into the mix by saying that Rubio is wasting tax payer dollars. Rubio said Bush is wasting his time on attacking him. Rubio went there. He said that Bush wants to be like "John McCain".
Bush slammed the four Republican senators for stalling government. Bush also had to answer why he was sinking in the polls.
Fiorina was asked about her cannon firing at HP. She said that she made difficult moves and told the story of buying Gateway and Compaq computers. She admits that disagreements between her bosses.
HP founder Tom Perkins believes that rich people should influence elections. Fiorina deflected from the question by saying that "she had disagreements" and she believe he's wrong on the statement.
Cruz was asked about the debt ceiling and fiscal budget deal. Cruz answered back saying that he is sick and tired "media's gotcha" moments. Cruz had his gotcha moment. Blaming the media and the Democratic debate on CNN for the lack of fireworks. Cruz went there. He said that the moderators would not vote for them. Cruz didn't answer the question on the budget deal. Cruz deflects the potential government shutdown question.
Paul was asked the same question. Paul said that the Congress failed the American people for picking Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) as the Weeper of the House. He also claimed that the Republicans are wasting their time on caving to the president and establishment.
Christie was asked about the retirement age. He deflects from the question. He said the government lied to you about the benefits. He also said that over 3/4th of the government spending goes to entitlements. He brings up Clinton and the claims that she wants to raise taxes on the middle class and the poor.
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| Christie dropped Clinton's name more than the rest of the candidates on stage. |
Cruz made a remark to the marijuana legalization and finally responds to the social security benefits. Still not responding back to the government shutdown threats.
Huckabee believes that the government "mugged" those on social security.
Trump was asked about bankruptcy and Atlantic City. He also went on to slam New Jersey (i.e. Chris Christie). He said that Atlantic City is falling apart. Trump said that he never filed for bankruptcy.
He said that it's disgraceful for the city to be in an economic crisis. Given the Hurricane Sandy destruction, the city has suffered from years of casino
Carson was asked about the douchebag who tried to rise up HIV/AIDS treatment. Carson said that the government shouldn't often get involved in the price.
Christie was asked about the bank bailouts and the corporations rolling out dangerous products. As usual, Christie claimed that the government is selective on who's they charge for criminal misconduct. He claims that David Patereus was driven down because of the government. He said that he would throw any corporate individual responsible for the death,
Bush was asked about the "DAY ONE" question. Bush said the infamous "Put me in". Bush used the Obama bipartisan deals for his answer. Bush said that he cut taxes and will not allow Clinton to become a "third term of Obama".
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| Kasich dropped the nice guy act. |
Rubio was asked about ethics and fiscal responsibility. He said that he's not going to answer these "bogus" questions. He said that he was more focused on dealing with issues for the middle class. Rubio also said that he's not worried about his problems. He wants to deal with the economy. The moderator asked the question about why he chose to do this stuff once he gotten elected. She even brought up the fact he made a lot off a book deal. Rubio went there. He said that he appreciates the book plug. He said that she should read it sometime which got an applause line.
Kasich was asked the question on the import/export bank. Kasich said that we should apply fair wages to everyone. He brags about how he turned Ohio around. He deflects from answering the question. He said that he has a tax reform plan that will cut entitlements and vows to grow the economy.
Cruz was asked on working women. Cruz said that the economy must be turnaround. He blames the Democrats for tort lawyers. He tells a personal story about his siblings and family members being single parents. He said that single mothers deserve respect. He said that the Obama economy is hurting the single mothers. He slams the rich and the well off. He said that he is willing to fight for those left behind.
Fiorina said that Clinton is divisive on women's issues. Fiorina blames Obama for the first year of his presidency when the recession hit. He inherited an economy in shambles.
Carson on Costco and domestic partner benefits. Carson said that he has no problem with the LGBT community. He said that he defines marriage between man and woman. He said that the media mistaken his comments about gay marriage. He said that the Left divides Americans with political correctness. Of course, deflecting the question on Costco's worker friendly policies.
Carson was called out on his pharmaceutical ties. The crowd booed the moderator when he question his judgement (or vetting). Carson slammed the moderator by saying that he didn't approve of his likeness in any advertising.
Rubio on technology and immigration reform. Moderator slipped on calling Huckabee. Rubio was asked about hiring immigrants. Rubio wants to get vocational training for American students. Rubio also said that Canada and other countries are taking away good paying jobs.
Trump on immigration reform and questioned about Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg comments. Trump slammed the moderator on the question. Trump said that he's not asking for donations. He self funding his campaign. He slams Rubio, Bush and Carson for taking superpac money. He deflect from the question.
Rubio said that the Democrats had the ultimate "superpac" the junk food media.
Cruz on the Federal Reserve. Cruz wants to "Audit the Fed". Stealing a line from Ron Paul. He also stole the thunder from Rand Paul. Cruz said that feds should stop juicing the economy. He will not support any raise to the interest rate and debt ceiling.
Paul also thanked Cruz. Paul said that Ben Bernake is wrong on calling them Know-Nothings. Paul also said that he appreciates that Cruz will endorse Paul's proposal to filibuster the debt dela.
Carson on government subsidies. Carson said that he was wrong on taking subsidies. He said that wants to rid the country of "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" policies. Took a dig at Bernie Sanders.
Huckabee railed against income inequality. Question on how to deal fairly. Brought up the military defense blimp slipping away today. He said that government is willing to take more and give out less.
Huckabee got testy about not getting talk time.
Bush on tax reform. Asked about the capital gains tax. Why would he tax labor more than investors?
Bush responds to the question.
Rubio on tax reform. He believes that a story from the Tax Foundation is a farce. He said that his tax plan is pro-growth.
Paul got testy about getting response time. Paul talks about his tax proposal.
Cruz also got his turn to plug his tax proposal. Cruz believes he can eliminate the IRS and have taxes done on a postcard.
Kasich on Issue 2 and 3. The state is proposing legalizing marijuana. If passed, only in ten Ohio counties, marijuana will be legally distributed. It will be greatly regulated by the state. He talks about heroin and income inequality. He wants to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. He wants to cut welfare and Medicaid.
Trump on immigration reform. The moderator brings up Trumps slam on Zuckerberg and Rubio. He strongly believes that immigrants are fine to come in, as long as they're legally. Moderator brought up Trump's own website for the question and jab at Rubio.
Rubio said that permanent resident rules should be changed.
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| Did anyone watch them? |
Huckabee on morals. He claims that New York and Los Angeles values aren't American. Huckabee was asked about Trump. Huckabee said that he won't answer questions about Trump. He said he rather allow Trump be president over Hillary Clinton. Huckabee said he's the "only guy" that fights the Clinton machine and the junk food media. Huckabee wore a tie from the Donald Trump Collection. The question asked to Huckabee netted boos.
Christie interrupted the question on control. He brings up the James Comey and Black Lives Matter comments. He claims that crime is going up because of the alleged "Ferguson Effect". Christie claims that the president doesn't support those in law enforcement.
Fiorina on 401K and retirement benefits. Fiorina believes that Clinton policies will destroy the 401K system. She believes the government is too big and will destroy families lives.
Kasich on student loans and debt. Kasich said that he will change the system. He brags about proposals the state has on college tuition and college tenure.
Bush respond back. He said that Kasich's policies are great. He believes the states should have the power to control colleges.
Bush on fantasy sports being considered gambling. Bush said that it's gambling. He believes that fantasy sports betting should be regulated.
Christie respond back quickly. He said that it's ridiculous for us to talk about it. He said that we should worry about the Islamic State, closing the borders and focusing on fixing the economy.
Christie went there. He got smart with the moderator. He told the moderator to stop interrupting him.
Christie is talking about climate change. He believes that we can change the direction of oil. He said that he's open to coal, solar and wind.
Paul on Medicare. Paul believes that the private sector handles health care better than the government. He believes that the government is taking advantage of the system. He would gladly change the Medicare system.
Huckabee and Bush responds back to question given to Paul on Medicare.
Bush on economy and Trump's proposals. Trump answered that we need to bring jobs back to America. He talked about Nabisco shipping down to Mexico. Bush said that the wealthy should be banned from taking the same benefits that the middle class earned.
Kasich interjected in the Medicare question. He agrees with Trump and Bush on most of what they've said.
Paul thinks that the policies proposed by Trump, Bush and Kasich are wrong. He believes that we should raise the retirement age. Christie wanted to interrupt but was cut off quickly.
Carson was asked about Medicare. Carson would love to replace Medicare with health savings accounts. Christie was asked about the Medicare question as well. He believes that the retirement age should be raised. Christie also slams the moderators on CNN. He said that the Democrats are devoted to giving away the farm. Rubio also agreed with the notion that media is devoted to not electing Republicans. Fiorina said the candidates need to stop grandstanding on promises and actually do something.
Paul gets closing statements. He wants small government. He said that he will vow to stop the bipartisan deal by Boehner and McConnell.
Christie gets closing statements. He said that we should be pissed at Washington. He said that he will take on the problems hands down.
Cruz gets closing statements. He said that he is proud standing up to Obama and Republican lawmakers. He said that he will continue his crusade against Obamacare, Planned Parenthood and executive orders.
Fiorina gets closing statements. She said that politicians are all talk and no action. She said that she would love to take on Clinton. She will cut the government to the bare bone.
Carson gets closing statements. He thanks the candidates for not going after him. He also thanks the audience and candidates for slamming the moderators and their questions. He said that political correctness is ruining our country.
Trump gets closing statements. He said that our country is losing. He said that we need to eliminate the debate times. He said that we need to keep the debates short. He said that we have to keep our conversations short and simple.
Rubio gets closing statements. He said that he's blessed to be a decent of immigrants. He said that the government should listen to the needs of the American people.
Bush gets closing statements. He said that he will change the gridlock in Washington. He said that Obama is a cynical divider and chief. He believes that he can bring Tallahassee to Washington.
Huckabee gets closing statements. He said that this is not a game. He believes that the American people will not tolerate the media making Republicans fight. He said that he make this country great for his grandchildren.
Kasich gets closing statements. He said that he's not a miracle worker. He believes that if he gets elected he can get things done. He said that if we start from the bottom up we can accomplish the goals. Kasich ends on "GOD BLESS AMERICA".
The debate was a train wreck. The Republicans were hostile towards the moderators.
The debate was a giveaway for Hillary Clinton. They all showed they can't handle pressure.
Temperament was a major factor to this. I felt that they have no patience when it comes to the handling the nation's problems.
Who won the debate?
Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio.
Who had a bad night?
John Kasich, Jeb Bush and Rand Paul.
Who had the least amount of time?
Mike Huckabee.
Who actually won the debate?
Hillary Clinton.
What Was The MOST Mentioned Thing At The Debate?
Brit Country Music’s BIGGEST Night!
The Ascot Lawyers British Country Music Awards were back for 2015, with a fresh brand new look and feel.
Thank You:
The Awards were organised by a hard working committee led by Lee Williams, CEO CMR Nashville, CEO of Django Promotions and President of the BCMAwards and British Country Music Hall of Fame
The organisers and sponsors/ partners who helped to make it possible:
Ascot Lawyers, CEI Events,
Chris Country Radio, CMA, CM&T,
CMDS Magazine, Copper Kettle Festival, Digital Rodeo TV, Hotdisc,
JRoom3 Productions,
JSH Vintage Guitars,
KEMC (Global Music Marketing),
Quick Draw Festival, M.T.Allan Audio,
NAM (National Artist Management),
Next Big Thing Entertainments (Nashville), Puddleduck Publishing Ltd,
Tennessee Tourism, Think Country, Travelling Time and W21 Music.
Please follow the links to the sponsors at bcmawards.co.uk
This year marked the first time viewers had live access to the event. Digital Rodeo TV and WhereverTV's Over the Top platform in conjunction with Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKAM), the global leading Content Delivery Network services, made the broadcast possible to watch on any device connected to the internet anywhere in the world. Scroll down for more information on them.
CMR Nashville reported that:
The Ascot Lawyers BCMAwards were a huge success in London on Sunday to a sold out audience, also live from Digital Rodeo TV. We are waiting for the official viewing figures, but first indication show they are very high!
Firstly Many Congratulations to all the winners!
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| Ascot Lawyers BCMAwards 2015 WINNERS Montage CLICK to ENLARGE |
The WINNERS of The Ascot Lawyers British Country Music Awards for 2015:
Entertainer of the Year: The Shires
Group of the Year: Raintown
Male Vocalist of the Year: Ben Earle (The Shires)
Female Vocalist of the Year: Laura Oakes
Duo of the Year: Ward Thomas
Musician of the Year: Iain Bradshaw
Horizon Act of the Year: Outlander
UK Song of the Year: Luke & Mel (“Something About A Woman”)
UK Album of the Year: The Shires (BRAVE)
Hotdisc Award (Awarded to the Single of the Year, a song which has performed better than any other on the Hotdisc British & Irish Chart over the past 12 months):
Frank Jennings- Rose Of El Paso
Frank Jennings- Rose Of El Paso
CM&T Award (Most voted International Video on CM&T): Jess and The Bandits (“My Name Is Trouble”)
The Club Awards
People’s Choice: Solo Act: Donna Wylde
People’s Choice: Dance Act: Richard Palmer
People’s Choice: Act of the Year: Texas Tornados
People’s Choice: Festival of the Year: Quickdraw Festival
Hall of Fame Inductees: Lloyd Coles, Jackie Storrar, Stu Page
Services to Industry
UK Services to Industry - Les Evans
International services to Industry- Bobbi Boyce (CMA)
International Awards
International Song of the Year: Brandy Clark (“Stripes”)
International Album of the Year: Darius Rucker (SOUTHERN STYLE)
International Act of the Year: Striking Matches
** Scroll for full details listing on all the 2015 BCMAward nominees and sponsors for each award.
2015 BRITISH COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
The 10th British Country Music Awards(BCMAwards 2015) show was rebranded in 2015 as the Ascot Lawyers British Country Music Awards.
Ascot Lawyers (Website | Facebook) has its office in Ascot, Berkshire (Ascentia House, Lyndhurst Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 9ED), and handles legal matters throughout the UK. Over the past years they have been a strong supporter of the BCMAwards and sponsor the Lee Williams show of CMR Nashville on "Europe's #1 Country Music Radio Station". At various times throughout 2015 Lee conducted Q & A interviews with Ascot Lawyers representatives offering useful advice on such matters as bicycle accident claims, probate and wills.
On Facebook Ascot lawyers posted: Thank you to everyone at the BCMAwards for making last night's British Country Music Awards such a success. Congratulations to all of the artists who received their awards and thanks to Neil Somervilleand Derek Harte for presenting two of the awards[Which were Entertainer of the Year and People’s Choice/ Act of the Year respectively]
They added special congratulations to Charlie Green [Quickdraw Festival], winner of Ascot Lawyers vintage guitar which was signed by many of the winners.
REPORT
The awards took place on Sunday October 25th 2015 (7 PM GMT, or 2 PM Eastern Time) and were held once again at the Concorde Suite, London (Crane Lodge Road, Heathrow, TW5 9PQ) where the winners were presented with a trophy.
18 awards were presented and over 45 bands and artists were honoured. There were two Services to Industry Awards presented, one for the United Kingdom and one for International.
The nominees for awards were originally announced on Tues 11th August 2015 with the Decca Nashville and UK’s Hottest Country act The Shires(Ben Earle & Crissie Rhodes) leading the way with six nominations (Entertainer, Duo, Male & Female Vocalist, Album and Song of the Year). The 2014 BCMAward Entertainer of the Year winners, husband & wife Glasgow act Raintownreceived four nominations (Entertainer, Duo, Group and Female Vocalist categories) the latter being won in 2014 by Claire McArthur-Bain (Raintown).
Headlining the show:
All the way from Nashville, the ceremony welcomed Branch & Dean joined by US acts Beau Fuller and Kayla Adams.
Performances:
Live Performances, in order of appearance included BCMAwards hosts Steve Cherelle, Caddy Cooper followed by Laura Oakes, Luke & Mel, Raintown (Scotland; played new songs “Writing On The Wall” and “Nineteen Again”), Carolynne Poole (“Standing On Top Of The World”), Beau Fuller (USA; set included “Dang Girl”), Richard Palmer (performed covers 'Goodbye Time' by Blake Shelton and Eagles’ “Take It Easy”), Honey Ryder (set included new single “What if We've Only Got Tonight”) , Kayla Adams (USA) and Branch and Dean (USA) finished off the night with “Glad She's Not an Angel' and a cover of Brooks and Dunn’s “Brand New Man”
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| BCMAwards 2015 Montage Performances CLICK to ENLARGE |
A house band were present to back all the acts. Wayne Lee was playing keyboards. Lee who is the son of Albert Lee is a former member of the Hayley Oliver Band and plays keys for Liv Austin’s band playing at The Brooklyn Bowl for the 2015 C2C Festival. On drums was American producer Justin Johnstone (now a UK resident) who replaced Lee Guyler who was unable to attend. Justin works and producers records at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool. He produced Raintown’s new album and was recently part of their band in a short 5 date UK October tour.
Hosting
The show was hosted by Chelmsford native for BBC Radio Essex (Eastern Counties) Country Radio Presenter and Singer/Songwriter Steve Cherelle and leading Perth, Western Australia acoustic/ folk singer-songwriter and host of Caddy's Country Kitchen, Caddy Cooper (Caddy Claire Hopper).
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| Steve Cherelle (L) Caddy Cooper (M) Lee Williams (R) |
To give both Steve and Caddy a much need break recorded TV interviews with Lee Williams and Edward D.Ciofani (CEO of WhereverTV) were broadcast.
For the BCMAwards Hall of Fame (website) and Industry award presentations Jim Duncan took over the hosting. Jim is a CMA member (of America), a BCMAward panellist and well-known to UK country fans as the Wolvestock Festival promoter/ organizer and Country radio presenter on WCR FM 101.8 (Wolverhampton Community Radio). He was previously on the board of the defunct British Country Music Association which was disbanded many years ago.
For the BCMAwards Hall of Fame (website) and Industry award presentations Jim Duncan took over the hosting. Jim is a CMA member (of America), a BCMAward panellist and well-known to UK country fans as the Wolvestock Festival promoter/ organizer and Country radio presenter on WCR FM 101.8 (Wolverhampton Community Radio). He was previously on the board of the defunct British Country Music Association which was disbanded many years ago.
The BCMAwards are NOT the BCMA awards: This confusion still it seems exists with disagreement and confusion regarding its title reported back in Country Music People May 2011 (reported by David Allan)
PEERS: The British Country Music Awards is a self-appointed committee of directors whose names are not widely public knowledge on the British scene with secrecy as to how acts are nominated, how the votes are gathered and just how many votes are actually cast. This question has been continually asked with no replies. It was noted that some of the nominees have a connection to someone on the panel.
As far as the winners go the committee panel got the balance about right.
As far as we can tell the panel is Lee Williams (President of BCMA), Malc T. Allan (chairman of British Country Music Hall of Fame), Rob Davis (Publisher & Editor; Up Country and Cross Country magazines), Roger Wild (Secretary of the BCMA/ Broke Spoke Festival/ Copper Kettle Promotions), Les Evans (NAM agency) and Jim Duncan. It is unknown just how many people actually determine who the winners are. See more The Road to the BCMAwards 2015 (Blog Post):
AWARD WINNERS
ENTERTAINER, BEST ALBUM, MALE VOCALIST
Chart dominating UK Country duo The Shires won big at British Country Music Awards after delivering a triumphant sell out show at Shepherd’s Bush Empire the night before. This was further confirmation of their whirlwind success this year, which also saw them become one of the biggest break through acts of 2015.
Theshiresuk THAT'S A WRAP!!! What an amazing tour. Thank you to each and everyone of you that came out to see us. Every gig was so special for us and to end up at Shepherd's Bush was just a dream. We have the best fans in the world. Thank you. B&Cx - Instagram - Sold out crowd Photo: Twitter
See Live Review: The Shires (O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, London)
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| The Shires at Shepherd's Bush Empire |
Last year they were nominated for UK Song of the Year (“Nashville Grey Skies”) and nominated and won the BCMAward 2014 Horizon Act of the Year. This year they bagged 3 awards out of 6 nominations. The Shires (Crissie Rhodes and Ben Earle) celebrated a hat trick winning Entertainer of the Year, Best Album (BRAVE) and Best Male Vocalist of the Year.
Their headline sold out Shepherd’s Bush Empire show was less than a year after supporting Little Big Town at the same venue.
The band stated: “Thank you so much to everyone. Over the moon! What a great end to the tour.”
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| BCMAwards 2015-Ben Earle (L) with Jess Clemmons (R) |
Ben Earle stated: “We can’t believe how quickly things have progressed. When we started the band, we always hoped things would develop fast, but we never anticipated we would be headlining Shepherd’s Bush Empire so quickly. It just goes to show how loyal the UK country scene is. They are some of the most loyal and dedicated fans in music, and we owe everything to their support and encouragement.”
The Shepherd’s Bush Empire triumph, recent chart dominance and monumental performances at C2C Festival at the 02 earlier this year are further examples of how country music continues to assimilate into British culture and become a stronger focus for the UK music industry. As Billboard declared earlier this year, “The Shires sing, "We can build our own Nashville underneath these grey skies." The lyric may prove prophetic as the United Kingdom develops its own vibrant country music scene”.
Released on 2nd March 2015 BRAVE opened at No.10 on the Official UK Top 100 Album Chart (Week Ending March 14, 2015) with first week/ pre-order sales of 9,516 copies.
The Shires 9,516 sales BRAVE debut bettered most the US country “superstars“ by quite some margin who charted during 2014. On the chart Week Ending Oct 29, 2015 BRAVE (Decca Nashville) fell 25-41 in their 31st Top 100 chart frame with sales estimated at 2,300 and a 34 week tally of 80,400 copies.
The Shires 9,516 sales BRAVE debut bettered most the US country “superstars“ by quite some margin who charted during 2014. On the chart Week Ending Oct 29, 2015 BRAVE (Decca Nashville) fell 25-41 in their 31st Top 100 chart frame with sales estimated at 2,300 and a 34 week tally of 80,400 copies.
The Shires "Brave" Official UK Top 100 Album Chart 31-week run (beginning week March 14, 2015):
10-23-48-78-95-158-136-88-30-37-37-17-25-32-45-48-60-74-78-99-90-72-24-13-17-28-51-66-48-77-101-16-25
Additionally on the Official UK Country Album Chart (Week Ending Oct 29, 2015) BRAVE held at No.1 in their 34rd week including 27 weeks at #1!
Purchase Brave (Decca) CD - MP3 - UK iTunes
Crissie Rhodes was not at the awards ceremony as she was away attending a wedding. Ben Earle was there to accept the three awards. He seemed humbled by their progress having only formed 2 years ago. He said it was an honour to be recognized by his industry peers and thanked the Association (even though there isn’t one) for their support.
Crissie Rhodes was not at the awards ceremony as she was away attending a wedding. Ben Earle was there to accept the three awards. He seemed humbled by their progress having only formed 2 years ago. He said it was an honour to be recognized by his industry peers and thanked the Association (even though there isn’t one) for their support.
Raintown’s Paul Bain kindly stood in for Bobbi Boyce (from the CMA) to announce the winner for Male Vocalist.
Host Steve Cherelle questioned Paul if he won this award before and he said he hadn’t been lucky enough. In fact Paul is yet to be nominated in the category.
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| Paul Bain (R) announces the Male Vocalist Winner |
Ascot Lawyers very own Neil Somerville (Member, APIL Managing Director Entertainer Profile) was on hand to present the most prestigious prize of the evening the Entertainer of the Year to Ben Earle. When asked by Cherelle why Ascot Lawyers choose to sponsor the awards an enthusiastic Neil said he had witnessed the growth in country music in the UK and that the quality of the performances and the awards show itself has continued to improve with every year.
Theshiresuk on Instagram posted WE WON 3 @BCMAwards. Celebrating with @w21music - Can't believe it. 'Entertainer of the Year', 'Best Album', and 'Best Male vocalist of the year'. Thank you so much to everyone. Over the moon! What a great end to the tour.
GROUP OF THE YEAR
Raintown have just about all the country awards there is to win. At the 2013 British Country Music Awards they won Duo of the Year and last year McArthur-Bain won Female Vocalist and the duo were crowned Entertainer of the Year.
Nominated for 3 awards this time they took home the Group of the Year to add to their BCMA collection. This will have lifted their spirits having returned home a day early from another fantastic holiday (Rome, Sorrento, Capri and Amalfi Coast line) to find the front 2 tyres on their car were flat and had to get them repaired very early Sunday morning before travelling down to London.
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| Raintown win Group of the Year |
Unlike the awards in America there seems to be no clear guidelines regarding both the Duo and Group/Band BCMAs.
Quite rightly Raintown were nominated for Duo.
But....A group should be defined as an act, composed of three (3) or more people, all of whom normally perform together and none of whom is known primarily as an individual performing artist. This Award is based on the musical performance of the group as a unit on an album.
Raintown are still officially a duo with 2 named members with a variety of musicians who step in as a trio or band format.
Quite rightly Raintown were nominated for Duo.
But....A group should be defined as an act, composed of three (3) or more people, all of whom normally perform together and none of whom is known primarily as an individual performing artist. This Award is based on the musical performance of the group as a unit on an album.
Raintown are still officially a duo with 2 named members with a variety of musicians who step in as a trio or band format.
Although it's myself and Paul that pick this award up tonight for "Group of the Year" we want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved who help make it all work. You guys ROCK! Posted Claire on Facebook
Their brand new album WRITING ON THE WALL, crowd-funded by fans using the Pledge Music platform was only released on Oct 9th which was many weeks after the nominations were announced. It has received widespread acclaim from radio presenters, websites, magazines and by two major players who sit on the BCMA panel. It's already a BCMAward contender for Album of the Year 2016.
Available for purchase: CD - UK iTunes >> Test Drive on SPOTIFY
Apart from the Official Scottish Album chart (one week at No.36 before falling off the top 100) it hasn’t charted as yet on the Official UK Charts and only very briefly peaked at #11 on the UK Country iTunes chart. Outside of their 400 Pledgers there has it seems been small sales for the album despite their 18,000 followers on FACEBOOK, BBC and Internet country radio exposure. With the album now getting distribution nationally in HMV stores and the live worldwide BCMA stream maybe things are about to change?
UKCountryRadio.com (presenters/subscribers) who previously named Raintown their first UK Artist of the Year in 2014 and Duo of the Year in September have made "Writing On The Wall" their Album Of The Week.
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Laura Oakes nominated for the first time at the BCMAwards took home the title getting the nod ahead of Claire McArthur-Bain (Raintown); Sasha McVeigh; Crissie Rhodes (The Shires) and Carolynne Poole, quiet an achievement!
Laura who is a talented British Country Music singer from Liverpool comes from a huge Liverpudlian family, where everyone sings or play an instrument. So it was only a matter of time before Laura caught the music bug.
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| Laura Oakes (R) accepts the Female Vocalist Award |
She learned how to play the guitar, started to write songs and after discovering Carrie Underwood and the Dixie Chicks at age 14, it was Country Music that had her heart. Laura graduated from Leeds College of Music in 2012 with a first degree in Popular Music.
After graduating, she began recording her first single ‘Don’t Let It Hit Ya’, which was released in September 2013 and landed in the Top 20 on the iTunes Country Chart. Her second single ‘Snakes & Ladders’ followed in 2014 with similar success.
On June 25, 2015, Laura released her first 4 track EP (MP3 - UK iTunes | SPOTIFY), including brand new songs along with her two previous singles.
Watch >> “Snakes & Ladders” first published on Nov 3, 2014 (4,100+ views on YouTube) This young UK country artist appeared at the C2C 2015 Country To Country Festival. Find her on Facebook
On Facebook Laura posted: Thank you so much to everybody who voted for me in the Female Vocalist of the Year category at the British Country Music Awards last night! I am so happy to be a part of the British Country Music family! To everybody who has sent congrats messages today - Thank You, I'm overwhelmed!! #ukcountrymusic #britishcountry #lauraoakes #Dreamin
DUO OF THE YEAR
Last year Ward Thomas (Catherine and Lizzie Ward-Thomas) received just one nomination winning the UK Album of the Year: for FROM WHERE WE STAND.
On the Official UK Country Album Chart (Week Ending Oct 29, 2015) it was placed at #16 in their 66th chart week and 60 of those weeks were in the Top 10. This year they played some major festivals including BBC Radio 2’s Hyde Park event.
On the Official UK Country Album Chart (Week Ending Oct 29, 2015) it was placed at #16 in their 66th chart week and 60 of those weeks were in the Top 10. This year they played some major festivals including BBC Radio 2’s Hyde Park event.
Nominated this year for Entertainer of the Year, Duo and CM&T Award (video “Town Called Ugley”) they were the winners of the Duo of the Year category. Neither of the twin sisters were there but in one of the more humorous parts of the evening Lizzie sent a thank you videocast from Zambia! Ape named “DeDe” (aka Catherine) who had been singing with her all week she referred to as her African Catherine. “Thank you so much to the BCMA Awards for awarding is The Duo Of The Year!!! So sad we couldn't be there! Thank youuuuuu Catherine was overwhelmed and couldn't talk getting chocolate even though she's allergic” -
Thank you so much to the BCMA Awards for awarding is The Duo Of The Year!!! So sad we couldn't be there! Thank you!! pic.twitter.com/fKyiOdkqZ4— Ward Thomas (@wardthomasmusic) October 26, 2015 MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR / HORIZON ACT OF THE YEAR
Musician of the Year was awarded to Iain Bradshaw (who plays in Gary Quinns band) last year he lost out to Lee Guyer.
Gary Quinn tweeted@GaryQuinnMusic Huge congrats to my main man and my keys player Iain Bradshaw on picking up @BCMAwards Musician of the Year!!!
Nominated for the first time the Horizon Act of the Year went toOutlander who won over other young acts Katy Hurt and Toria Lynn (CEI Events), Wolverhampton’s very own Emma Swindells and Belfast based Pop/Country/Rock/Acoustic outfit The Rising who have recently supported Jess and the Bandits on tour.
Outlander are a 5 piece Country-Rock comprising Ali Garner (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Alex Young (Lead Guitars, Backing Vocals, Keys), Brian Boyd (Mandolin, Banjo, Guitars, Vocals), David Roughton (Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals) and Phil Tyrrell (Drums & Percussion). They hail from the North East of England (Gateshead) and are probably best-known for their cover of Hunter Hayes of >> “I Want Crazy”.
Blurb:
Formed from former members of Lee Paul Band, Outlander are at a new beginning with their sound, harnessing more energy than ever before.
They apparently went down well at The Wolvestock Festival in Wolverhampton in July impressing BCMA panellist and festival promoter Jim Duncan.
The winner was announced by award sponsor W21 Music (Website) and the band gave a shout out to “social media guru” Ken Meakin for getting them radio airplay around the UK.
Facebook Post: We won! Outlander posted are now officially The British Country Music Horizon Act of the year. Thanks to everyone for all the support!
Outlander tweeted @OutlanderBandUK Thank you so much @Country_Box and to everyone who voted for us! Feeling good at #BCMAs
(CountryBox Team: Bringing all the latest in today's Country Music. From UK tours, to UK releases and upcoming releases to all the latest news).
UK SONG OF THE YEAR:
Luke & Mel (Luke Thomas & Melanie Greggain) took home the award for Song of the Year for “Something About A Woman” written by Ann “Thunderlungs” Bailey and Matt Greaves.
Quickly recognised by the British Country Music Awards Luke & Mel won the Horizon Act of the Year (Sponsors. Digital Rodeo) and in 2014 they snagged the Duo of the Year.
At last year’s BCMAwards one of the standout performances was certainly “Somethin' about a Woman” >> YouTube
They also got to perform at the 2014 ceremony alongside multi Grammy award winner and Grand Ole Opry star, Steve Wariner.
Luke & Mel are a multi-award winning singer-songwriter duo and have been hailed as one of the hottest bands to hit UK Country Music in recent years. Formed in 2012, having met through performing in the UK's top touring theatre show, Country Legends, the pair combine haunting harmonies and fine musicianship creating a sound that is both unique and authentic.
Charlotte Elizabeth Board from CEI Events (Facebook, Charlotte Elizabeth International; event planner and Management service for bands and musicians) who sponsored the Song award was there to announce the winner and presented the trophy.
Luke & Mel invited the attractive Ann Bailey, who hails from Gladwin, Michigan now London based to the stage and for the press photo.
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| Luke (L) with lovely Ann Bailey (C) & Melanie (R) |
Ann Bailey and Matt Greaves are the duo that also crafted the songs on the 2014 BCMA award-winning album FROM WHERE WE STAND by Ward Thomas which proved a hit on Sir Terry Wogan’s Weekend Wogan BBC Radio 2 show. He also supported a song titled “Trouble” by German-born 19 year-old Charly on his Sunday 26th July 2015 programme co-written by Charly alongside Ann and Matt.
Ward Thomas’ “'The Good And The Right” and “Push For The Stride”, peaked at #1 on the UK Country Album Chart and Country Singles Chart.
Session Singer/Songwriter/Vocal Arranger “Ann Bailey is an accomplished and first rate vocalist, songwriter, arranger and producer - an absolute joy on stage or in the studio” wrote Chris Rodriguez (photo) the producer of the Ward Thomas’ album and recording artist, guitarist (Kenny Loggins, Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, Shania Twain)
Session Singer/Songwriter/Vocal Arranger “Ann Bailey is an accomplished and first rate vocalist, songwriter, arranger and producer - an absolute joy on stage or in the studio” wrote Chris Rodriguez (photo) the producer of the Ward Thomas’ album and recording artist, guitarist (Kenny Loggins, Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, Shania Twain)
For more information on Ann Bailey visit: Thunderlungs.com | Facebook
On Facebook Luke & Mel posted: We are SO PROUD to have won the BCMAwards Song of the Year!! Thanks to Ann Bailey and Matt Greaves for Co-writing this with us! We were honoured to be in the same category as The Shiress, Laura Oakes, Honey Ryderr and Carolynne Poole - all such amazing songwriters! Congrats to everyone involved! L&M x
They also added: It was a great night at the BCMAwards Songwriter Show. Thanks to Gary Quinn, Katy Hurt - KT, Alan West, Steve Black, Acoustic Journey, Kayla Adams, Branch and Dean and Beau Fuller for sharing your awesome songs. Also thanks to W21Music for all your work and Vintage Guitars for sending us another V52 to give away tonight.
W21Music commented: We are so proud of Luke & Mel, Congratulations on winning another BCMAward, well deserved, we love you x
CLUB AWARDS
The BCMAwards stated (Up Country Magazine Press Release) that the general consensus amongst the committee was that the award categories should be shared between the club acts and the aspiring young hopefuls who ply their trade in theatres and honky-tonk style venues around the UK as well as on the international stage.
The 2015 BCMAwards included "part fan and part industry voting for the very first time. The 2015 nominees were chosen by popular votes via the British Country Music Awards website (?) and via the Country music press."
* Note: We found no evidence of voting via the website clarified by W21 Music who designed it. The public voting appears to have come from readers of Cross Country Ltd/ Up Country Magazine and CMDS Magazine Country Music & Dance in Scotland.
The awards evening provided the opportunity where the “two camps” met. In recent years there seems to have been a split with acts playing the singer-songwriter listening club gigs and those that play the CMC (Country Music Club) scene and C&W Festivals to a dance/ line dance crowd. A few acts play both circuits and very few club acts have to date played the C2C Pop Up stages.
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| BCMAwards 2015 Montage People's Choice Club Awards CLICK to ENLARGE |
Popular for many years at the club and festival events Donna Wylde who last year was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year this year picked up the People’s Choice Solo Act award much to her surprise winning over Jim Worton; Darren Busby; Chris Mezza and Bob Keeley.
Donna tweeted @DonnaWylde1 @BCMAwards thanks to everyone who voted always means a lot when the fans and peers have that faith in you
Richard Palmer who last year won the Line Dance Act of the Year picked up People’s Choice Dance Act beating out Glenn Rogers; Paul Bailey; Alan Gregory and Natalie Thurlow.
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| Kayla Adams (lady in red) & Richard Palmer (L) |
The People’s Choice/ Act of the Year went to Texas Tornados winning over Henry Smith Band; The Thrillbillies; Gary Perkins & The Breeze and John Permenter Band.
The London based band consists Peter Stothard (Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar), Stuart Payne (Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals & Harmonies) and Roger McKew (Lead Guitar). Find them Website | Facebook
Formed late in 2004 out of a long-standing dream of Pete Stothard the Texas Tornados suddenly hit the country music scene like a ..... well, like a 'tornado' really! Within less than two months the circuit was buzzing with reports and recommendations about the exciting new outfit that already had its own fan-base growing larger as each week passed. By the summer of 2009 not only had they rocketed up the ladder to one of THE most sought-after bands in the UK but they found themselves as nominees for the BCMA "Band Of The Year" awards in September 2014 (won by John Taylor Band). This year they went one better!
They posted: Wow... Thank you every one! We've just won people choice act at the BCMA's.
Finally Festival of the Year went to the Quickdraw Festival (Website) winning over Kelso Festival; Rock Ridge Festival; Northern Nashville Festival and Broken Spoke Festival. As a further bonus Charlie Green from Quickdraw Festival was the winner of Ascot Lawyers vintage guitar in the prize draw!
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
All three winners sent a recoded video cast message thanking the BCMAwards
Despite the fact that Brandy Clark’s “Stripes” dates back to April 2013 (a track which helped to discover her) she won the 2015 International Song of the Year overhauling nominated Toby Keith (35 Mph), Little Big Town’s 2015 smash hit (Girl Crush), Miranda Lambert (Little Red Wagon) and Darius Rucker (Homegrown Honey)
Brandy’s writing talents have been heard on respectable cuts such as Miranda Lambert’s “Mama’s Broken Heart” and The Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two,” while her name appears all over the co-writer credits on Kacey Musgraves’ excellent Mercury Records debut Same Trailer Different Park and her album Pageant Material. “Stripes” a brash up-tempo number wouldn’t sound out-of-place on a Miranda Lambert album and has been covered by trio Lucy Angel.
An exceptionally talented singer-songwriter, “Stripes” does not disappoint. It was an ambitious, energetic debut and the >> video published on Jul 8, 2013 has received 1.45 million views. Brandy played the Indigo O2 and O2 Arena for the 2015 Country To Country Festival in March 2015.
Darius Rucker with SOUTHERN STYLE (Universal Nashville) won International Album of the Year winning over Striking Matches (Nothing But The Silence), Lee Ann Womack (The Way I'm Livin'), Reba McEntire (Love Someone) and Brandy Clark (12 Stories). The only album of those nominated to chart on UK Official Top 100 Albums at No.96 (chart week April 4, 2015) was Striking Matches with NOTHING BUT THE SILENCE.
For the chart dated April 18, 2015 SOUTHERN STYLE was #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums opening with 51,580 copies. In the UK it was released by Humphead Records and failed to sell enough copies to make the Official Top 100 and made a debut at No.2 on Official UK Country Album Chart (Week Ending April 11, 2015)
Released on March 31, 2015 (13 Tracks CD - Smart Choice Music - Amazon.com ) it was produced by Frank Rogers and Keith Stegall named after one of the songs. Darius said it was reflective of his approach to this project, which was to have a little more fun than he had on previous albums, which have leaned heavily on love songs.
International Act of the Year went to Striking Matches beating out Luke Bryan, Brandy Clark; Lee Ann Womack and Darius Rucker.
The music of Striking Matches (Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis) occupies that sweet spot at the intersection of country, rock and blues, where all of the elements blend to form an authentically raw and rootsy sound that has a timeless and international appeal.
They posted: Dear UK Friends, Our appreciation for the love and support we've received from you cannot be overstated. We are beyond THRILLED to receive the British Country Music Award for International Act of the Year!!
Thank you all from the bottoms of our hearts!! We can't wait to celebrate with you all in a few weeks!!
HOTDISC AWARD
This was awarded to the Single of the Year, a promoted song which performed better than any other on the Hotdisc British & Irish Chart over the past 12 months.
Taking the 2015 BCMA Hotdisc Award honour was veteran Frank Jennings with “Rose Of El Paso” which led for 7 weeks atop the chart.
Taking the 2015 BCMA Hotdisc Award honour was veteran Frank Jennings with “Rose Of El Paso” which led for 7 weeks atop the chart.
On the July 5, 2015 Chart) it marked debuts from a sprinkling of the 19 newly promoted singles on the July 2015 Hotdisc #199 (Rush Released) promotional disc. Taking home Hotdisc Hot Shot debut honours blasting in with a new entry on the Hotdisc Top 40 at No.2 was Jennings with his re-issued 20-year old favourite “Rose Of El Paso”. In so doing the former Opportunity Knocks “star”, who was slated to return to America to record a final album, bagged the No.1 on the Hotdisc British and Irish chart.
The song was written by American singer/songwriter, bassist, guitarist, mandolin player Sam Weedman and was released by Mel Tillis as 7" single (RCA PB-14175 >> Video) appearing as the lead off track on his album California Road (RCA Victor AHL1-5483) back in 1985.
Frank Jennings first released “Rose Of El Paso” on the album of the same name as a Vinyl, LP (Grasmere – GRALP 11) in 1988 and it was mastered at Abbey Road Studios and recorded at Woodcray Studios.
From the Hotdisc charts dated July 12, 2015 Jennings led the Top 40 for 5 weeks and the British & Irish chart for 7 weeks. He even held onto the top spot on the charts dated August 9, 2015 securing a fifth successive Top 40 week. This chart frame witnessed new entries impacting the chart from the historic Hotdisc 200 August 2015 promo disc. This special anniversary triple CD (Hotdisc #200, HD200A and HD200B) marked Hotdisc's 200th edition and no less than 49 newly promoted releases were unable to remove Jennings from the top spot.
At the presentation ceremony Ian Highland (Photo) picked up award on Frank Jennings behalf who was unfortunately ill.
CM&T AWARD
Texan Jess Clemmons the lead singer of Anglo/ US band Jess and the Bandits got straight off a plane from Ireland to represent her Brit Bandits!
Jess and The Bandits with “My Name Is Trouble” won the CM&T Award for most voted International Video on CM&T (Website)
The video published on Youtube on Aug 21, 2014 has to date received over 35,000 views:
Jess and the Bandits tweeted @JesstheBandit Always great to see our friend @ChrisCountry! Having a great time so far at the @BCMAwards! #BCMAs #BCMAwards
On Facebook she posted: Wow! Video of the Year for 'My Name Is Trouble'!! Totally unexpected! On behalf of myself and the Bandits, Thank you to the BCMAwards, CM&T and all of the fans for this! Come see us perform it on the last week of our tour starting in Bristol on Tuesday!
Sonnet Music tweeted well deserved video of the year @BCMAwards winner @JesstheBandits
CM&T (Country Music and Travel) produced by Lee Williams is brought to you by Travelling Time, CMR Nashville and Deep South USA. Described as a fast moving Country Music Show it features a blend of the best Music Videos, News and Travel from the USA. Fans can vote online for their favourite videos to compile a top 5 monthly chart
The show goes out on Sky 192, Freesat 402 and online www.cmandt.tv. There are no presenters just country videos and associated advertising from sponsors.
BRITISH COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS
The music awards, affiliated with the Country Music Awards in America, recognise the contribution of professionals within the country music genre.
Before the inductions Jim Duncan spoke about the recent death of Kenny Johnsonthe former BBC Radio Merseyside presenter and country singer who died in Spain aged 75, on Tuesday night Oct 13, 2015. This apparently was at the end of a country music week that the group West Virginia put on. Jim said it was part of a Cloud 9 Entertainers event (website) and that Kenny collapsed whilst performing and required an emergency operation.
LLOYD COLES
Lloyd Coles has been a presenter of the country show “Countrified “(Mondays 7 – 10pm) on Swansea Sound (Website; Swansea Sound, 29, North Street, Pembroke Dock, Wales) since 1975 and is regarded as one of the top Country music presenters in the UK. One of his dreams was to bring a commercial radio station to his native Pembrokeshire.
As of Feb 2006 the popular Monday evening Countryfied became available on the internet after he celebrated 30 years of broadcasting country music offering listeners a mixture of music ranging from the latest Nashville releases and Independent record companies, hits from the past, a taste of bluegrass, local club news and tour dates.
At the induction ceremony it was said that back in the early 90s that Lloyd covered the major American CMA Awards before BBC Radio 2 ever broadcast it.
In order to present his show each week it involved a round trip of 112 miles and Lloyd worked out that he had travelled 3 million miles to present on Swansea Sound over a 40-year span.
Lloyd was in hospital and unable to attend.
The award was accepted on his behalf by Tony Byworth who has been involved in country music for over 35 years, working initially as a country music journalist with columns in various publications and editing the consumer publication Country Music People.
Working within the industry, he was Creative Manager for Acuff-Rose Music (1974–76), and in 1983, founded Byworth-Wootton International. A founding member of the BCMA (British Country Music Association) consumer organisation in 1969, Tony Byworth was twice elected Chairman of the trade CMA (Great Britain) in 1975 and '76.
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| Jim Duncan (L) with Tony Byworth (R) Fame Induction - Lloyd Cole 25 Oct 2015 |
The award was accepted on his behalf by Tony Byworth who has been involved in country music for over 35 years, working initially as a country music journalist with columns in various publications and editing the consumer publication Country Music People.
Working within the industry, he was Creative Manager for Acuff-Rose Music (1974–76), and in 1983, founded Byworth-Wootton International. A founding member of the BCMA (British Country Music Association) consumer organisation in 1969, Tony Byworth was twice elected Chairman of the trade CMA (Great Britain) in 1975 and '76.
JACKIE STORRAR:
Kirkcaldy’s own dame of country has been honoured for her lifetime’s work by the British Country Music Awards.
Brought up in Kirkcaldy, Jackie Storrar she has seen her career as a singer/songwriter take her to over 80 countries including stints as a radio presenter.
She hung up her headphones to concentrate on her singing career but returned to the airwaves in Spring 2007 when she was asked to join the original team to launch Smooth Radio Scotland.
Following on from the success of that, Jackie took up the opportunity of hosting the popular "The Country Cafe" on CMR Nashville (Europe's No1 24/7 Country Music Station) from 2009-2011 a show I regularly listened too and loved.
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| The lovely Jackie Storrar with her Hall Of Fame Award |
Jackie’s radio experience is considerable and goes back many years.
Her first words behind the microphone were in Hospital Radio: Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Radio Network.
Her first words behind the microphone were in Hospital Radio: Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Radio Network.
After reaching the finals of the local “Voice of 85” competition, Jackie was offered her own Country Show on Radio Tay (in Dundee, Scotland).
She became the station’s first female country presenter, hosting a show aptly named “Country Girl”.
She became the station’s first female country presenter, hosting a show aptly named “Country Girl”.
It was during the rise of the popular Irish record label “Ritz” and Jackie found herself championing artists such as Daniel O’Donnell, Mary Duff and Charlie Landsborough. Without a doubt, she helped turn them into household names all over Tayside & Fife.
Due to the success of that, she was asked to present another show called “Feelings”, where she became one of the stations’ most popular broadcasters. ”I didn’t realise just how much this show meant to people until one day I received a BBC “Hearts of Gold Award” from Esther Rantzen. I had been nominated by one of my listeners. My show had become a lifeline for him and so many other broken and lonely hearts.”
In 1994 Jackie packed her bags, leaving her native Scotland, to take up a job with Radio Calypso in Malta
It was whilst working on one of these ships that she met the man who would prove to be the most influential person in my life. He was a musician called Steve Thiebault. Having just returned from working in Branson (USA), he understood her love of country music. They decided to form their own duo act called “Foreign Affair”. After Steve’s meeting with Jackie singing on cruise ships, the couple’s work turned into romance and they married in June 2003.
Jackie was delighted to be awarded the British Country Music Hall Of Fame distinction:
“It is the biggest honour. I have spent 30 years of my life devoting it to country music. “The nicest thing is the recognition that the award brings for all the years of working hard and giving my all.” “It’s been a great honour to work with my husband for the last 15 years - it’s been an absolute joy,” said Jackie. “He’s been a big influence on my life and a complete rock.”
“It is the biggest honour. I have spent 30 years of my life devoting it to country music. “The nicest thing is the recognition that the award brings for all the years of working hard and giving my all.” “It’s been a great honour to work with my husband for the last 15 years - it’s been an absolute joy,” said Jackie. “He’s been a big influence on my life and a complete rock.”
Sadly a serious health diagnosis forced Jackie to take a step back from the limelight and she now counts her current battle with cancer as a full time job.
She said: “Every day is a fight to stay alive but that doesn’t mean I don’t have dreams and plans for the future, they are just on the back burner and the most important thing is to keep living.”
Jackie was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2010, when aged 44, and in an exclusive interview (Oct 10, 2010) with the Fife Today Press, she said it was the worst moment of her life."My GP referred me to Queen Margaret Hospital where they did a mammogram, ultra sound and a biopsy on the same day. When the results came back, they confirmed it was breast cancer.
Jackie released a single 'My Angel' which she first wrote with her husband six years previous as a tribute to popular television presenter Caron Keating.
Jackie admitted that on the list is completing a new album. “That has always been on my mental bucket list, I want to be well enough to record another album and be back out on the stage singing. “I’m a performer, an entertainer and that’s what I love to do.”
“This is an acknowledgement of what she’s done and Jackie is a very welcome addition to the Hall of Fame,” said Jim Duncan, in late August 2015, curator of the British Country Music Hall of Fame.
“She has a wonderful, clear voice, has contributed significantly to country music in the media - she literally ticks all the boxes!”
At the award ceremony she gave thanks to her husband Steve for his devoted support. She spoke about the toughness of the music industry and urged the audience and fellow musicians to support one another. She gave a shout-out to a friend at Irish radio and spoke about the joys of once having dinner with Vince Gill!
STU PAGE
The late British guitarist and songwriter who died aged 58 was honoured
Stu Page (born 12 May 1954 Leeds, West Yorkshire; died 28 April 2013) was one of Britain’s finest guitarists and singer/songwriters on the country music circuit.
After slipping on ice in December 2012 it resulted in a fractured vertebrae. Complications following his accident led to surgery and it was discovered he had lung cancer and had to go through intensive chemotherapy.
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| Stu Page's widow (C) |
At 2011 the 4 piece rock n roll / country Stu Page Band consisted of Stu Page (Lead Vocals & Guitar), Roy Wike (Drums), Tom Page (Acoustic Guitar & Backing Vocals) and Ian Hawkins (Bass).
Stu’s influences included Merle Haggard, Gram Parsons & The Byrds, Alan Jackson, Hal Ketchum, Albert Lee, Nanci Griffith, Elvis, Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs.
Associated acts included the band Whistler, Leeds based six piece band Midnight Flyer, he formed his own band Remuda, which was an early incarnation of The Stu Page. In 1995 with the aid of fellow guitar player and band member Andy Whelan (Link), Stu put together an Eagles tribute band The B'Eagles.
Read More: Stu Page, British guitarist & songwriter dies aged 58 (BLOG Tribute)
Stu’s widow Janet Page (married Stu 11 February 1976) was present at the induction ceremony and she shared that she fell in love with his guitar playing before she fell in love with him.
The BCMAward 2015 Nominees and Winners (shown in BLUE) are:
Entertainer of the Year: (Sponsor: Ascot Lawyers)
Winner: The Shires
The Shires; Ward Thomas; Nathan Carter; Raymond Froggatt; Raintown.
Group of the Year: (Sponsor: JSH Vintage Guitars Website; presenter Jean Jordan)
Winner: Raintown
Dexeter; Raintown; Honey Ryder; Henry Smith Band; Gary Quinn Band.
Male Vocalist of the Year: (Presented by Paul Bain in Bobbi Boyce absence CMA International Director)
Winner: Ben Earle (The Shires)
Richard Palmer; Gary Perkins; Ben Earle (The Shires); Nathan Carter; Alan West.
Female Vocalist of the Year:
(Sponsor: Puddleduck Publishing Ltd (Cross Country Ltd/Up Country Magazine); presenter Rob Davis)
Winner: Laura Oakes
Laura Oakes; Claire McArthur-Bain (Raintown); Sasha McVeigh; Crissy Rhodes (The Shires); Carolynne Poole.
Duo of the Year:
(Sponsor: Think Country Website; presenter Leslie Hastings proud member of the Think Country review team)
Winner: Ward Thomas
Ward Thomas; The Shires; Luke & Mel; West & Black; Raintown.
Musician of the Year:
Winner: Iain Bradshaw (keyboards)
Lee Guyler; Justin Johnson; John Permenter; Iain Bradshaw; Andy Kingston.
Horizon Act of the Year: (Sponsor: W21 Music Website)
Winner: Outlander
Katy Hurt; Toria Lynn; Emma Swindells; The Rising; Outlander
UK Song of the Year: (Sponsor: CEI Events Facebook)
Winner: Luke & Mel (Something About A Woman);
Luke & Mel (Something About A Woman); The Shires (Made In England); Honey Ryder (Born In A Bottle);
Laura Oakes (Snakes And Ladders); Carolynne Poole (I Love You But Shut Up).
UK Album of the Year:
Winner: The Shires (BRAVE);
The Shires (Brave); Chris Raddings (Coming Out Of The Shadows); Honey Ryder (Born In A Bottle);
Sasha McVeigh (I Stand Alone); Alan West (All Things For A Reason).
Hotdisc Award (Awarded to the Single of the Year, a song which has performed better than any other on the Hotdisc British & Irish Chart over the past 12 months)
Winner: Frank Jennings (“Rose Of El Paso”)
Tony Clarke (Tomorrow Never Comes); Frank Jennings (Rose of El Paso); Megan Adams (Travellin' Soldier)
Charlotte Black (Politicians); Ian Highland & Frank Jennings (Pride)
CM&T Award (Most voted International Video on CM&T Website)
Winner: Jess and The Bandits (“My Name Is Trouble”) >> Video
SaraBeth (“Nowhere With You”), Ward Thomas (“Town Called Ugley”); Jess and The Bandits (“My Name Is Trouble”); Josh Goodlett (“Why You Gotta Be That Way”);
Sonia Leigh (“When We Are Alone”)
Sonia Leigh (“When We Are Alone”)
Hall of Fame Inductees: Lloyd Coles, Jackie Storrar, Stu Page
The Club Awards:
People’s Choice Solo Act: (Sponsor: Next Big Thing Entertainments Nashville [Beau Fuller])
Winner: Donna Wylde
Jim Worton; Donna Wylde; Darren Busby; Chris Mezza; Bob Keeley.
People’s Choice Dance Act:
(Sponsor: CMDS Magazine Country Music & Dance in Scotland Facebook)
Winner: Richard Palmer
Glenn Rogers; Paul Bailey; Alan Gregory; Natalie Thurlow; Richard Palmer
People’s Choice/ Act of the Year:
(Presented by Derek Harte from Ascot Lawyers)
Winner: Texas Tornados
Henry Smith Band; The Thrillbillies; Gary Perkins & The Breeze; John Permenter Band; Texas Tornados.
People’s Choice Festival of the Year:
Winner: Quickdraw Festival
Kelso Festival; Rock Ridge Festival; Northern Nashville Festival; Quickdraw Festival; Broken Spoke Festival.
International Awards
International Song of the Year: (Sponsor: Quick Draw Festival Website)
Winner: Brandy Clark (Stripes);
Toby Keith (35 Mph); Brandy Clark (Stripes); Little Big Town (Girl Crush);
Miranda Lambert (Little Red Wagon); Darius Rucker (Homegrown Honey)
International Album of the Year:
(Sponsor: Chris Country Radio [Chris Stephens])
Winner: Darius Rucker (SOUTHERN STYLE).
Striking Matches (Nothing But The Silence); Lee Ann Womack (The Way I'm Livin');
Reba McEntire (Love Someone); Brandy Clark (12 Stories); Darius Rucker (Southern Style)
International Act of the Year:
(Sponsor: Tennessee Tourism; presenters Branch & Dean)
Winner: Striking Matches
Luke Bryan; Striking Matches; Brandy Clark; Lee Ann Womack; Darius Rucker.
W21MUSIC
w21Music is described as “The Hub for UK Country Music, supporting UK & International Country Artists and sharing their music with the World”
The team recovered from what they described as “an epic weekend”. They celebrated their 1st Birthday on the awards night and couldn't be prouder with all the things they have achieved in such a small amount of time.
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| w21Music's Pete Woodhouse starts the 1st Birthday Bash as Acoustic Journey, Emma Swindells and Katy Hurt look on |
“We would just like to say a massive thank you to the BCMAwards, it has been an honour to be part of it all and can't wait to do it again next year” they shared on Facebook. See all the photos
They have a new w21STORE where you find Accessories, Clothing, Music from their favourite UK and International artists.
Connect with w21Music: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAMLIVE BROADCAST
This year marked the first time viewers had FREE live access to the event using this link wherever.tv
It is believed 5 cameras were employed to give a variety of views of the mainstage live performances and two for the award presentation stage in the rear of the venue.
Lee Williams, the President of BCMA and CEO of CMR Nashville ("Europe's #1 Country Music Radio Station") said, "The audience for country music is now global. And Europeans have enjoyed country artists for years. This is our 10th year honouring artists with the British Country Music Awards in London and it will be the first time it airs live. We are proud that Digital Rodeo TV has become our long term Live Broadcasting Partner for The Ascot Lawyers British Country Music Awards (BCMAs). Broadcasting the Awards Show ‘Live' to the world will continue to raise the awareness of the popularity of Country Music in Great Britain and around the world, and showcase some of the great talent we have to offer."
WhereverTV Broadcasting Corp (OTC:TVTV), an emerging leader in delivering Over the Top live-streaming music events and subscription television services to internet connected devices announced (Oct 20) that it had agreed to sign an exclusive agreement to be the only long term live broadcaster of the British Country Music Awards (BCMAs) sponsored by The Ascot Lawyers.
The initial term of the agreement is for 5 years, including this year's 10th anniversary British Country Music Awards ceremony.
Digital Rodeo TV and WhereverTV's Over the Top platform in conjunction with Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKAM), the global leading Content Delivery Network services, made the broadcast possible to watch on any device connected to the internet anywhere in the world!
Viewers could watch it directly on their PC or on smartphones and TabletPCs by accessing a download of the WhereverTV app in the Google Play Storeor the Apple Store. Read More: Press Release (Oct 20, 2015)
Description: Digital Rodeo TV brings you Country Music's Favorite Legacy & Hottest Up and Coming Artists.
Aim: To deliver a content rich mixture of music and videos from independent country artists, current artists and legacy artists. Digital Rodeo TV intends to broadcast interviews, videos and live streaming and recorded concert events. The agreement is expected to be finalized within the next several weeks. Digital Rodeo TV is a joint venture between Fox Hill Records, Inc. and key people from Digital Rodeo, LLC. Find Digital Rodeo: Website | Twitter
Edward D. Ciofani, CEO of WhereverTV stated, "As country music continues to grow in popularity the ability to access content across any platform and on any device has become the wave of the future.
WhereverTV's Global OTT Television platform will merge country music and Internet TV to create a venue worthy of country music's artists and fans everywhere. I am excited about this relationship with Digital Rodeo TV and its desire to give striving and thriving country music artists increased visibility and an opportunity to be heard internationally by their fans. This is just the beginning for all facets of music and entertainers”.
Mr. Ciofani brings 28 years of public company and public market experience including 18 years of experience in Financial Markets with an emphasis on Investment Banking, Mergers & Acquisitions, and the trading of stocks.
Read More: Press Release (April 27, 2015) | Digital Rodeo - Press
Issues Watching the Live Broadcast
You were able to join the live stream at 19:00 in the UK to catch the ending of host Caddy Copper’s set on playing the mainstage.
The running of the show seemed a little disjointed at times and didn’t seem to flow.
Perhaps too many awards were presented on the night? It seemed to jump around from a batch of two or three presentations to a 3 song mainstage performance.
On a 2MB broadband connection there were issues of the connection being lost and having to frequently refresh the website and reboot the PC.
This seemed to be the case for others on a BCMAwards Chat Facebook Group
This seemed to be the case for others on a BCMAwards Chat Facebook Group
In CMA tradition videos were used with commentary from Lee Williams to announce the nominees for each awards. This was quite slick and professional but the sound levels were much louder than the microphone levels in the Concorde Suite.
Edward D. Ciofani, CEO of WhereverTV has said that a repeat show will be available for broadcast in the weeks and months ahead as it will require a considerable amount of editing. Whether this will require a subscription remains to be seen.
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| Caddy Cooper |
Steve Cherelle appeared to dominate the proceedings. Caddy seemed to be on hand to stand beside Cherelle holding the award envelopes and was more eye-candy for the audience and indeed some of the winners who commented on her beauty!
Read more about Caddy Cooper and her music: The Road to the BCMAwards 2015: Spotlight on host Caddy Cooper -
There were teething problems with the live broadcast and lessons will be learned. The new live broadcast was a big leap with a potential massive online audience adding to the pressure. The BCMAwards, sponsors and hosts are to be congratulated for their time, effort and determination in moving the event forward and greatly raising its awareness.
At times I think the hosts forget it was a live broadcast. There was a few minutes delay/ confusion over the Album and Male Vocalist awards. Steve Cherelle towards the end of the show got Bl**dy excited swearing on stage. He messed around with a mobile phone having fun with Raintown’s Claire Bain. Was he trying to do the “Periscope thang”?
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| Live TV: What was Cherelle up to? |
Earlier in the year it was known that Steve Cherelle has been in conversation had meetings with BBC Radio 2 as he has a desire to present a country show on National radio. He used the live BCMAward platform to let this be known saying the British Broadcasting Corporation should be championing British country acts. He said he had “enough material to do a 1 hour show for 10-years”.
The fact is that BBC Radio 2 and Bob Harris have been doing just that. It was they that approached Decca to get them to sign The Shires. They have playlisted The Shires (5 times), Ward Thomas (4 times) Honey Ryder (Playlisted + Live session), Callaghan (twice), Jess and the Bandits, Carolynne Poole, Lucy May and Millers Daughter. BBC Radio 2 have strongly supported the C2C Festival, invited The Shires and Ward Thomas to play the last 2 years at the Hyde Park Concerts and recorded sessions for Bob Harris Country. The format of the existing Big Country show by Steve Cherelle on BBC Essex simply wouldn’t work as it is more “listener request” biased with Steve saying its “your show” and as a result along with the Pop Goes to Country and Country connection segments there is very little in the way of brand new tracks and new artist worldwide introductions. Indeed the show is popular with regular listeners but it simply is not a show to tune into in order to discover new music. Too much presenter chat and not enough music, too much conversation led.
LINKS:
Website: http://www.bcmawards.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bcmawards
CMR Nashville: http://www.cmrnashville.com
Related BLOG posts:
The Road to the BCMAwards 2015: Spotlight on host Caddy Cooper
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