Showing posts with label The Voice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Voice. Show all posts
Friday, May 23, 2014
Cassadee Pope’s UK May Visit!
Learn more about her by reading about her background, UK Showcases and radio interviews
You have to be present to Win
The lovely 24-year old Cassadee Pope made a hop across the pond for a flying 4 day visit (May 12 -15th) to promote her country debut album FRAME BY FRAME(Decca) which is now getting a full UK release on 19th May 2014.
Learn more about her by reading about her background, UK Showcases and radio interviews
 |
| Cassadee Pope - UK Promotion Wallpaper CLICK to Enlarge |
The lovely 24-year old Cassadee Pope made a hop across the pond for a flying 4 day visit (May 12 -15th) to promote her country debut album FRAME BY FRAME(Decca) which is now getting a full UK release on 19th May 2014.
Amazon Rank: #15,834 in Music (dated 21 May) and Ranked #6,117 in MP3 Albums, #13 UK iTunes Top 1500 Country Albums advancing from a #591 rank.
The Republic Records artist , a label distributed by Big Machine Records in Nashville, is somewhat following in the footsteps of stable mates The Band Perry and Taylor Swift who realise the importance of an International dimension away from America to maximize declining album sales and build a fanbase for future tour dates. The Band Perry (Republic Records) spent four weeks in Europe and Scandinavia last year (20 dates; 14 in UK, supporting their PIONEER album) which was a major commitment by a group answering what many booking agents have asked country acts to do for years: hit foreign territories early in their careers, knowing that it will pay off in the back end. "They are a band that understands you have to be present to win," Big
Machine international director of marketing Brad Turcotte said. TBP have taken a slightly different tack, making a point to hit all the media centers—not just country festivals—to break down barriers. “We’re modelling a lot of what they’re doing after what Taylor [Swift] did because she was so successful at it,” William Morris Endeavor Nashville co-head Rob Beckham added. TBP started out playing free showcases for media on their first visits into foreign territories, then made return trips to play ticketed dates at clubs of with capacities of perhaps 300. The rooms grew to around 700 tickets on a third visit, which escalated to 2000-seat theaters. Eventually they wound up being playlisted by BBC Radio 2 up playing the Country To Country C2C2014 Festival at London’s iconic O2 arena in front of a 14,000+ audience (2 Day attendance 27,797) on Sunday March 16, 2014. (Read more in this Billboard article: The Band Perry Hitches Its Wagon To Europe )
So Cassadee (Pic: left at the CMA 2013 Awards = WOW!) is also doing it the grass-roots fashion taking her first steps as a country artist, getting the media interest with the possibility of future UK tour dates and a Festival appearance.
- Cassadee’s >> Special Message for UK Fans
- In just 1 year Cassadee has had a #1 debut album, RIAA certified Platinum single, multiple TV appearance, award show nominations >> Promo Video
About:
- Cassadee Blake Pope (born August 28, 1989) is a 24-year old country pop singer/songwriter and West Palm Beach, Florida native.
- She first fronted pop/punk band Hey Monday who released the studio album Hold on Tight and three EPs. Since Hey Monday’s hiatus, Cassadee embarked on a solo career in December 2011.
- In early 2012 she played her first acoustic solo tour before releasing her debut self titled EP on May 22, 2012, featuring four songs; "Original Love", "Secondhand", "I Guess We're Cool", and "Told You So" that charted for one week on the Billboard Heatseekers tally.
- In the summer of 2012, she auditioned for Season 3 of The Voice. On September 25, 2012, Cassadee performed for her blind audition on NBC's "The Voice," and she received four button pushes from the four judges (Watch her full Audition on The Voice at vimeo.com). She then competed on Blake Shelton's team (Team Blake). On the Voice’s Episodes 23-24: the Top 10 performances were aired on Nov 19th resulting in Cassadee Pope and Melanie Martinez receiving the iTunes bonus. Cassadee's version of "Over You" (Republic Label) sold between the night it was performed, Nov. 19 and Nov. 25 to debut at No. 3 on the overall Billboard Digital charts.
- She was crowned the Season 3 Winner of The Voice on December 18, 2012 becoming the shows first female winner.
Singles:
- Singles: "Over You" a cover of Miranda Lambert's 2012 single made #3 on Hot Country Songs on chart Dec 8, 2012. It sold 152,000 copies in its debut week to top the Billboard Digital Songs chart. "Stupid Boy" a cover Keith 2006 single (written by Dave Berg, Deanna Bryant and Sarah Buxton) peaked at #4 on Hot Country Songs on chart Dec 29, 2012. It debuted at No.1 on Billboard Digital Songs chart selling 117,000 copies.
- “Wasting All These Tears” (written by Caitlyn Smith and Rollie Gaalswyk) was released by Republic Nashville as Pope's debut solo single from her debut solo studio album Frame by Frame on May 31, 2013. It debuted at No.54 on the June 24, 2013 chart and for chart week Jan 21, 2014 it logged her first top 10 on Billboard Country Airplay , which drew 29.4 million impressions and stepped 11-10 in its 33rd chart week. Pope was the first solo female to achieve a first-ever top 10 since Kacey Musgraves’ “Merry Go ’Round” peaked at No.10 on the March 16, 2013, chart. “Wasting All These Tears” debuted at #2 Country Digital (125,011 copies sold in first week) and eventually peaked at #5 on Hot Country Songs. By October 30, 2013 it went GOLD having sold 511,000 copies and has gone on to receive PLATINUM certification and has sold over 1,013,000 copies in America. Around the three-minute mark of this first country single, she hit an impressive high note and drug it out for a solid nine seconds as a hypnotic instrumental figure repeated underneath, heightening the drama in a song about a woman recovering from a breakup. The performance clearly connected! Pope became the first country female whose debut single was certified platinum by the RIAA since Taylor Swift in 2006.
- "I Wish I Could Break Your Heart" >> [Listen] The second single (written by Gordie Sampson Ashley Monroe Jon Green) from Frame By Frame was released on March 17, 2014. It has so far peaked at #38 on Billboard Country Airplay and #45 Hot Country Songs and wasn't on the Top 50 Country Digital Songs chart for May 24, 2014. She did achieve her highest debut to snag “Hot Shot Debut” honours on Country Airplay with her second official radio single, which bowed at No.49. On this sophomore single Pope similarly hits a big note just after the two-minute mark, potentially setting up a signature sound for The Voice champ - “I really just love belting,” says Pope. “I look up to artists like Martina McBride and Kelly Clarkson. They leave it all out there on their recordings and onstage. I don’t know if it’s a signature thing, but I really like to do it a lot.” The note is a particularly telling moment in Pope’s development as an artist, because her big-voiced performance was not necessarily part of the road map in the demo she originally heard. Singer-songwriter Jon Green provided the voice on the demo, delivering “Break Your Heart” with more of a masculine Keith Urban/Chris Martin graininess. “I didn’t even think of a girl doing it,” says Ashley Monroe (“Heart Like Mine,” “The Truth”), who co-wrote it with Green and Gordie Sampson (“Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “Song About a Girl”). “It’s so cool to hear Cassadee wail it. It’s cooler to me from a girl’s point of view.”
Albums:
- Although not included or counted as a country release the pop-country-crossover and Cassadee saw her COMPLETE SEASON 3 COLLECTION (Republic Records; released December 18, 2012) in its second week it sat at No.111 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. It sold 7,812 copies (down 30%) with a 2-week tally of 18,990 sold .
- Her debut solo country album, FRAME BY FRAME, was released in America on Oct 8, 2013 selling 43,196 copies for the chart week October 26, 2013.. The album debuted at #9 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart and #1 on the Top Billboard Country Albums charts, moving aside and crashing Mr. Luke Bryan's CRASH MY PARTY. This was preceded by Top 10 country single, "Wasting All These Tears". Of the 11 tracks, five were co-written by Pope. Fans had been able to preview individual album tracks on iTunes since mid-August 2013. By the chart week of February 8, 2014; in its 17th week, Frame By Frame was at #28 on the Country Album Chart. By the chart week April 12, 2014 (25th week) it had slipped to #49 selling around 1,000 copies. For the week May 10, 2014 sales had declined to 700 copies sold with a Mother’s Day retail rebound to 900 copies to bring total sales to 171,800 copies scanned (week of May 24, 2014)
Musical Influences: Cassadee has admitted, “I’m all over the place. I tend to go backwards a little bit and listen to old Shania (Twain), Michelle Branch, Avril (Lavigne), Blink 182…I’m kind of all over the board. And then more recently I’m into the new Blake Shelton album, not gonna lie. Hunter Hayes, Taylor Swift”.
UK Promotion
- On May 13th Cassadee hung out with Spotify Music UK at a Decca Records event.
- On May 14th Cassadee was the special guest performing at a special show with UK Radio 2 playlisted country duo The Shires (Decca) in London at the Gibson Guitar Studio (Rathbone Street, W1, W1T 1). Fans could enter a competition with the chance to win a pair of tickets to see her with a meet and greet before the show! Accompanying Cassadee on stage were Jim McGorman a native of Philadelphia (Formerly with band New Radicals and a musical director for Avril Lavigne) and Steve Fekete (from Avril Lavigne's band) who played guitars and sang backing vocals. This was a Sounds Like Nashville event who are part of Universal Music and covers their country music acts in the UK.....Read more and scroll down for pictures thinkcountry.co.uk
Listening To Country – Check out this great fan Blog Post by Chantelle H (published Saturday, 17 May 2014) SoundsLike Nashville showcase with Cassadee Pope and The Shires
Review 2country.net ...Cassadee Pope was next on stage and it’s clear that the fans of country music that turned up for the event were mega-excited about seeing the winner of The Voice perform in such an intimate venue. Cassadee Pope is, amongst many other things, power in a small package. She had the whole room bouncing and mesmerised at the same time as she told stories about her songs and delivered them beautifully which showed why her career is blossoming. Seeing the big performances is always great, but there’s something really special when the artists strip back all the bling and perform almost vulnerably in smaller venues. ....
Setlist included: “Champagne", “I Wish I Could Break Your Heart”, “11”, “Wasting All These Tears”
For The Country Record Interview by Vickye Fisher: Cassadee Pope On Touring With Tim McGraw, Mixing Country And Pop & Women On Country Radio
Extract: Vickye: First of all, you’re releasing your album ‘Frame By Frame’ in the UK this month and you’re doing press all of this week. Why now? Cassadee: Oh! Just thought that it would be good timing, especially surrounding my tour back in the States with Tim McGraw. I’m just really excited that you guys finally get to hear it, it came out in October in the States so I thought it was about time. I finally had a good amount of time to come here and do some promo around it, so it’s good timing!......
UK Radio Interviews:
>> Listen to Lee Williams CEO of CMR NASHVILLE "Europe's #1 Country Music Radio Station" speaking with Cassadee in a hotel room in London! They discuss her background, album and being given a second career chance thanks to The Voice.
UKCountryRadio.com have made Frame By Frame their Album of the Week and after 6pm each night CEO station presenter Allan Watkiss chats to Cassadee on his show playing a track with recorded interview segments. UKCountryRadio.com presenter Simon Large also said “That is such a good album”
2Country.net's reporter Kerry Edees talked to Cassadee Pope in a London Interview. You can read the full Transcript online at - 2country.net
>> Listen out for a question to win a signed Advanced copy of Cassadee’s Frame By Frame album and send your answer win@2country.net Entries close on Saturday 24th May and the winner will be revealed on Sunday.
Traddies Yelping “That’s Not Country”
It is highly unlikely that the traditionally minded veteran DJ’s across Europe and beyond will take to Cassadee where charts tend to dominated by long established names and show little interest in upcoming and emerging artists. A recently published International Mainstream Top 200 chart has Johnny Cash, T J Christian and Merle Haggard in the Top 5. Another instance was the Hotdisc charts where Katie Armiger’s new radio single “Safe” only scraped in with a No.40 debut and a 5-week climb to No.25. Contrasting to No1s “Just Another Day In Paradise” from Bertie Higgins, a cover of the old Juice Newton song “The Sweetest Thing” by Jamie O’Neal and most recently David Frizzell & Shelly West with “You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma” debuting at No1!
Stewart Fenwick on his Celtic Music Radio show ‘Country Show’ (Glasgow , Scotland
>> Listen to what he had to say:
“I’m really impressed with it...she’s got a great future in country music” - Brian Clough (2009 CMA International Country Broadcaster Award) The American Country Music Radio Show on May 17, 2014
On her May 16 return to America Cassadee tweeted Back in US and ready to jump back on the #SundownHeavenTown tour w @KipMooreMusic & @TheTimMcGraw! Phoenix.... We're comin for ya tonight.
Cassadee Pope Career Timeline: See the original Layout in Country Aircheck Weekly Issue 396 - May 12, 2014 [PDF File]
 |
| Click To Enlarge Followed by:  |
My album #FrameByFrame is available today in the UK! Get it now on @iTunesMusic http://t.co/qyCmrMcD5s
— Cassadee Pope (@CassadeePope) May 19, 2014 So how well will Frame By Frame sell in the UK?
Of Note: Taylor Swift’sfirst album (2006) sold only 38 copies in the UK for its first week at retail. It peaked 94 weeks later at #81(12/09/2009) and has spent 3 weeks on the Official UK Album Chart.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
It was short. It was sweet. And she certainly tried!
The X Factor has a bootcamp, The Voice has the Battle Rounds and this is where the 48 hopefuls are whittled down to 24 as each coach puts their acts against each other.
As Sir Tom Jones explained: "two people, one song" is the aim of the game and the act who the coach deems better is the one that goes through to the next round.
So it was a Country versus Folk battle ground as up stepped TEAM TOM’s Talia Smith and Sally Barker on the Saturday March 1st show on BBC 1.
Speaking ahead of the showdown, Talia, the 31-year-old mother-of-three who lives on the Hartlands travellers site in Church Road, Cranford and works at Boots as a make-up consultant in Hounslow High Street said working with the Welsh crooner had been 'like a dream'. "Being able to talk to Tom and get his opinions has been amazing," added the singer/songwriter.
"As a country singer I was really concerned about saleability in the UK and I've been trying to change my style to fit in but he convinced me to stay true to myself."
Smith nearly didn't go through with her audition after her Travellin Rose country singing pal Kelly Lee, pulled out at the last minute. It was later she learned that Kelly was pregnant and had to withdrawn halfway through filming from the Reality contest. Well Kelly has just had her baby boy, adding to Talia's growing legion of fans.
Smith says the experience has been invaluable giving her renewed confidence to pursue a solo career and will inspire other Hounslow residents to fulfil their dreams.
“The song that I picked is by Olly Murs and it’s called “Dear Darling” coach Tom Jones told the pair
“I don’t really know the song so I rang my kids” said Sally the 54-year old Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire native.
Speaking on the phone and asking for help - “It’s called Dear Darling by someone called Olly Murs?” questioned the “Another Train” / “The Honeymoon Is Over” Folk singer = Love It !
“It’s still pretty much a mystery to me so I’ll just have to wait and see” said a hopeful Sally.
“It took me outside of my comfort zone because I hadn’t heard the song before,” Sally told the Leicester Mercury.
The Minogue Connection
So it seems that Sally has better things to do with her time at weekends than watch The X Factor over the years and that Olly Murrs is not a household name just yet!
Yes, the affable Witham, Essex native Olly initially gained notoriety on 2009 series of The X Factor and went on to appear on TV games shows, TV documentaries, co-presented the spin-off show The Xtra Factor with Caroline Flack and joined Gary Barlow at Judges Houses in the last X Factor series.
The Pop, breakbeat single "Dear Darlin'” (available on iTunes) written by Olly Murs with Ed Drewett, Jim Eliot was released on 26th May 2013 by Epic as the third single from the album RIGHT PLACE RIGHT TIME. "Darlin’ reached No.5 on the Official UK Singles Chart and was Nominated for British Single of the Year at the 2014 BRIT Awards.
Requires Spotify application to be already open:There is actually a Voice connection with X Factor. Murs would have disappeared into the X Factor ozone if it hadn’t of been for
Kylie Minogue’s sister Danni. In week 7 of the 2009 series, after a performance of "Fastlove", he found himself in the bottom two with John & Edward (John and Edward Grimes). Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole decided to send John & Edward home, but their mentor Louis Walsh voted against Murs. Dannii Minogue then decided against taking the judges' vote to deadlock and sent home John & Edward. When the voting statistics were later released on itv.com, they revealed that if Minogue had voted to save John & Edward and taken it to deadlock, Murs would have been sent home on popular vote, as John & Edward gained 10.7% of the popular vote against just 9.8% to Murs. Such are the fine margins and whims of the judges as to whether a TV contestant will eventually have a music career or just completely vanish from public attention.
Danni actually judged it as a singing competition after Cowell had done the dirty two weeks previously ousting one of Danni’s acts the now 21-year-old Welsh singer Lucy “I Love Lucy” Jones. She was controversially eliminated in week five over Jedward when Cowell (more interested in TV ratings) took the judges' vote to deadlock. Lucy who hasn’t since released, to my knowledge, any music last modelled the 'Loved By' range from British lingerie company Hannah Dulcie and has previously modelled for a Wonderbra campaign.
Voice Battle Stations but not a cat fight in sight
“How do you both feel like being paired against each other” asked British rapper and Team Tom Voice coach Tiny Tempah
“We’re sorry” said Sally, adding “We Don’t won’t to loose each other”
“You’ve become friends” observed Sir Tom
It must be nerve-racking to be handed a song that you don’t know but she [Sally] just seems to open her mouth and it comes out beautifully” noted Tempah.
“What’s driving you now”? asked Tiny Tempah
“My two kids are driving me crazy, they told me to go on The Voice and so they said mum you should be on this, so I thought what could I lose”
During rehearsals, Tiny aiding Tom Jones with his team - said to Sally: “You’re singing it so well for someone who hasn’t heard it before.”
Tom soon after added: “I’m glad you’re on the show - I’m glad you’re on my team.”
Wearing a fetching rose print cropped short sleeved jacket, revealing low cut top, black pants, booties and long cascading red locks the attractive Talia shared in the slow-mo Voice red carpet walk - “Me and Sally have got really close and I think its going to be hard because one of us is going to go, its going to be heartbreaking”
Walking beside her, Sally looking glam in a knee length sequined dress said “I will do the best I can, I know Talia will do the same, it’s not going to be a cat fight”
As Sally with her velvety and comforting vocal sang the line “And if my words break through the wall” it brought forth a “Yeah” and “Beautiful” reaction from Aussie princess of pop superstar Kylie Minogue whilst TEAM TOM coach Tom Jones was all smiles.
Now it was time for Talia as she stepped up to pick up the song baton after Sally’s opening. In contrast Sir Tom looking a little pensive and concerned for her after a tad off-key start with her first few notes.
Talia then quickly found her stride and the lack of her country twang on this occasion was beneficial to the performance and the audience soon warmed to her.
Seizing the moment the Heathrow songstress really attacked the song singing “Dear darlin’, please excuse my writing” as the Voice audience, cheering, rose to its feet and clapped along.
At the end of their “pitch” battle Tom Jones showed his approval with a standing ovation.
To my ears it eclipsed the Olly Murs original and brought a fresh quality and a more sensitive, melodic deeper feeling to the number.
The Verdict
The ex JLS boy band vocalist/ presenter Marvin Humes picking up on the excitement barked “Give it up for Sally and Taylor (ugh ?) “
He then quickly corrected himself asking: “Talia, How was it for you” to which she replied “I’m still shaking now”
“Tom they did you proud” he said looking in the direction of Tal and Sal’s coach.
“Definitely, Beautiful, Lovely, they are back” said Sir Tom wiping back an imaginary tear.
Moving on to Kylie Minogue she noted: “I don’t envy you Tom because it looks like there is some love between the ladies here. You were so respectable of each other in that performance. I would lean towards Sally. There is such clarity in your voice and you are transcend it.”
Coach Will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas fame agreed and said: “Talia I think because of the way you walked before you sang was so spot on. Toward the first couple of notes were off, but then you found it and the rest of the performance was, amazing. Sally not that age means anything, but I don’t know what you sounded like when you were 20, but you sound amazing at 54!”
Turning round in his Voice chair to Sally’s two sons (including eldest son, Dylan) who were watching in the audience, he said: “Your mum is like, the coolest lady in the world.”
So it was all eyes on Tom, as Sally and Talia awaited his Battle verdict.
The "Green, Green Grass of Home" and "Sex Bomb" hit maker explained: “I must congratulate both of you because you made a great duet there. Talia has a great country voice but when Sally sung, she hit me so hard with emotion, so..” he said filling up .
“Well, the winner of this battle is, Sally.”
Respect
“I’m a bit chocked” admitted Sally
As the Country and Folk singers embraced each other Talia was heard to say - “Well done you deserve it, you deserve it so much”. Sally replied “I’m so sorry” drawing an instant heartfelt “Don’t be so silly” from a gracious loser.
So Talia was no longer on Team Tom and it might not of been the end of the road as she was still available for a “steal” but alas the other judges didn’t take up the offer.
Afterwards Kaiser Chiefs lead singer and Voice coach Ricky Wilson likened Sally to “giving off a mist that makes me feel happy”. Kylie agreed “A comfy mist”
Tom Jones concurred with his fellow judges saying “That’s what makes the difference between a good singer and a great singer and that’s what Sally’s got. She hits me in the heart”
So Talia leaves the show having been an absolute credit to the “Country genre” which displayed the friendly camaraderie that is an inherent part of the world of country and folk and is what draws us to the music.
This has been a great experience and a worthy addition to her country CV.
 |
| Talia Smith gives it her best shot |
We love you Talia! All good things for the future.
Hopefully Talia and Sally will rekindle their Voice friendship with a collaboration on a future song project or End Of The Road festival gig.
It was short. It was sweet. And she certainly tried! Well done Talia - All I can say is “Girl, I mean them all.”
WatchTalia and Sally sing 'Dear Darlin' in their vocal battle on >> YouTube or The Voice UK BBC Page
BUY:
Wishing Sally well in the rest of the competition.
Proud to own music from both the artistes.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Ain’t she done good, The Girl From The Backwards!
It’s a BIG FAT nod of approval for Heathrow country singer Talia Smith as she lifts off on the way to jet set rhinestone fame ...(hopefully)
 |
| Talia Smith (courtesy of The Sun Newspaper ) |
The Voice UK 2014 saw the return of country music to the show on Saturday February 15 , 2014 in the form of John Rafferty and Talia Smith.
Described as two "Wannabe" country singers in the BBC telecast segment they both performed on Episode 6 in the Blind Auditions. First up was John Rafferty a 35-year old Belfast singer, who once, in his slimmer and youthful days was a Garth Brooks impersonator.
He sang John Denver's signature US #2 hit "Take Me Home, Country Roads" but none of the coaches reacted to his audition.
will.i.am remarked that John didn't impart the storyline with his performance - "It sounded like you were reading it". Tom Jones thought it "could of been more grittier" .
The public loved it and further evidence of the UK’s love for familiarity has pushed the song to #1 on UK iTunes Country Songs chart (Sunday 16 Feb).
The public loved it and further evidence of the UK’s love for familiarity has pushed the song to #1 on UK iTunes Country Songs chart (Sunday 16 Feb).
For the second time this week The Sun Newspaper ran another exclusive feature (Page 33), on Talia Smith this time with a headline MY BIG FAT GYPSY DREAM....Voice Star Talia longs for the US.
 |
| The Sun Article Click to ENLARGE |
After another stormy affair, when nature, yet again, threw everything it had battering the South Coast of England on Valentine’s Night this was a welcome respite bringing a ray of sunshine to its readership!
Ahead of her Voice debut performance Smith spoke of her passion for country music, a wish to move to Music City USA whist remaining loyal to her roots –“You can take the girl out of the trailer but you can’t take the trailer out of the girl!”
So up next on the "Country & Western" Round 2 saw 31-year Romany wife and mum of three Talia to take to The Voice stage.
In the telecast she cautioned:
"Not everyone's gonna like country music, you can't please everybody so as long as I can do the best I can, I'm OK with that"
 |
You Can Call Me Tal: Voice Contestant Talia gives it her best shot singin’ Hell On Heels and She’s A Keeper! |
Looking vibrant, vivacious and posed she launched into her take of the Pistol Annie's "Hell On Heels" which was the title cut single and ACM Superstar Women of Country >> taping in Vegas back on April 6, 2011 which introduced the female trio group, that comprises 4 time CMA Female Vocalist Miranda Lambert along with Ashley Monroe, and Angaleena Presley.
The Voice audience reacted positively and immediately warmed to Talia, backed by a great sounding house band.
Sensing his interest in Talia it drew a "I love that" remark from Sir Tom Jones who was being encouraged by coaches will.i.am, Ricky Wilson and pop princess Kylie Minogue (who was not going to be "Spinning Around"), to lasso in the lovely curvaceous Heathrow based country singer during her fab well-rounded audition.
As she progressed Talia's mum Debbie, immediate family and Talia's country duo partner Kelly Lee (Travellin Rose) looked on anxiously backstage waiting to see if one of the coaches would Turn, turn , turn with Voice co-presenter Emma Willis reassuring them that there was still time left.
 |
Kelly Lee (Travellin Rose) (L), Talia's mum Debbie (second from right) and family look on nervously as Emma Willis (R) reassures |
Just as Smith was finishing her blind auction Sir Tom was convinced, she had for him, pressed all the right buttons and rotated his chair to signify he was glad to be working with the singer/songwriter who was clearly thrilled by his belief.
 |
Made Up My Mind: "There's Only One Tom Jones" - I Want You. Talia hits all the right notes as Tom hits the button. |
"What's your name luv" he asked.
"My name is Talia Smith" she replied.
Tom, who already had "a lot of girls" joining Team-Tom backed up his decision saying: "I loved that, I love country music and I love it when someone puts some drive into it and YOU did! So I couldn't help myself, I don't have anyone like you and I love what you did with that song"
Kylie Minoguemaking fun of his welcome predicament said: "You've got 99 problems, but a girl ain't one"
Kaiser Chiefs lead singer and Voice coach Ricky Wilson - first referring to Tom said "He's got 99 problems but his pitch ain't one so he doesn't have to do one". Then offering some astute critique as to why he didn't turn around shared "Unfortunately for me it was YOU are British, but you were singing in an American accent, it was perfect, but for me that's not being true to yourself. I'm not saying to go and sing in a Yorkshire accent or ow't.
Responding Talia qualified with "I've grown up listening to country, my influences were Loretta Lynn so that's where the twang comes from"
Ricky: It was fantastic anyway"
Kylie Minogue: "I'm really happy Tom turned" then "turning" herself to Tom asked "You had a country singer last season didn't you not?
Tom responded "Yes, Mike Ward"
Kylie: So you're in good hands" to which an excited Talia reacted "Yeah, I know!, Thank you!"Be upstanding for all tonight’s awesome chair-turners. #thevoiceuk… pic.twitter.com/1RsdFpErqw
— BBCTheVoiceUK (@BBCTheVoiceUK) February 15, 2014Brit Women Of Country unite: The gorgeous Emma Jade (Garbutt) the Doncaster based #C2C2014 Pop Up stage country performer and Voice 2013 Team Tom contestant lends her support to the gorgeous Voice 2014 counterpart.Good luck @TaliaSmithMusic !!! #teamcountry
— Emma Jade (@EmmaJadeMusic) February 15, 2014Talia now proceeds to the Battle rounds, where Sir Tom will select two of his own team members to sing the same song together in front of the BBC studio audience.
Good luck Talia - Go Tal It To The Mountains!
Good luck Talia - Go Tal It To The Mountains!
Those of a certain age will remember the early days of colour TV and American Western series Alias Smith and Jones which originally aired on ABC from 1971 to 1973 and was shown on BBC2. Well it seems that Smith and Jones is back on the BBC!
>> Watch Talia Smith singing 'Hell On Heels' by Pistol Annies in her Blind Audition. BBC A Review of Episode-6
Follow Talia on Twitter
Download the BBC’s brand new The Voice UK app for 2014 from iTunes! Play the ‘HomeCoach’ game, put yourself in the coach’s chair and decide whether or not YOU would turn for Talia. Plus re-watch ALL the performances from the show.
Music: The Pistol Anniestrack “Hell on Heels” is available on Amazon UK - Amazon.com - UK iTunes
Tom Jones was also swept off his feet by Mum-of-two Sally Barker who wowed the veteran, and on this occasion watery-filled eyed, singing star on 11th January 2014 (Episode 1, Blind Auditions).
Fans of Folk music will likely remember the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire native and singer-songwriter known for her solo work and as a founding member of the Cajun, folk, blues and all-woman country outfit The Poozies.
As a Voice contestant she too has joined Team Tom following her delightful and tasteful blind audition singing a cover of Nina Simone’s 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood'.
In the past Sally has toured with and supported acts such as Fairport Convention.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Talia Smith, one halve of the award winning hot female UK country duo Travellin Rose is set to appear on Episode 6; Series 3 (Blind Auditions 6) onthe BBC 1 show The Voice UK this Saturday Feb 15, 2014 which starts at 19:10 (BBC Programme Page)
 |
| Talia Smith / Travellin Rose Photo Montage CLICK to ENLARGE |
Emma Willis and Marvin Humes (who replaced Holly Willoughby and Reggie Yates) will host the penultimate round of blind auditions as the search for the UK's next big vocal talent continues.
 |
| Talia Smith The Voice Blind Audition |
Places on each of the coaches' teams are increasingly limited, and the fight for a coveted spot on either Team Will, Team Ricky, Team Kylie or Team Tom is fiercer than ever.
The third series began airing on 11 January 2014 on BBC One, as opposed to the usual start in March. will.i.am and Tom Jones returned as coaches. Kylie Minogue and Ricky Wilson joined the show as replacements for former coaches, Jessie J and Danny O'Donoghue. Emma Willis and Marvin Humes co-presented the show for the first time, replacing.
The Voice UK has been the most-watched Saturday night show on British TV in its first four weeks on air and peaked at over 10 million viewers on the Feb 1, 2014 show.
On 9 February 2014, it was announced that 'The Voice' has landed its own half-hour spin-off show on BBC Two, which will be presented by Zoe Ball (6:30pm on weekdays from the time the live shows kick off until the final)
On 9 February 2014, it was announced that 'The Voice' has landed its own half-hour spin-off show on BBC Two, which will be presented by Zoe Ball (6:30pm on weekdays from the time the live shows kick off until the final)
On Monday Feb 10th The Sun Newspaper ran a feature on Talia (but not on Page 3) titled “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding singer Traveller Talia on The Voice”.
Talia posted on Facebook: I'm in #TheSun Newspaper!! (Page 27)
The Sun wrote: THE VOICE charts new territory this weekend with a singing GYPSY….Country singer Talia Smith lives in a caravan near Heathrow and on Saturday she will be the show’s first-ever traveler bidding for a slice of the pop pie.
Talia posted on Facebook: I'm in #TheSun Newspaper!! (Page 27)
Wow!!! I'm in the @TheSunNewspaper today!! Eeeekkkk exciting times...so who's gonna wish me luck!! #Arrows pic.twitter.com/ANuGb5ZwvV
— Talia Smith (@TaliaSmithMusic) February 10, 2014The Sun wrote: THE VOICE charts new territory this weekend with a singing GYPSY….Country singer Talia Smith lives in a caravan near Heathrow and on Saturday she will be the show’s first-ever traveler bidding for a slice of the pop pie.
 |
| The Sun feature CLICK to read |
The lovely professional singer Talia Smith has become the first gypsy/ traveller to audition for 'The Voice hoping to impress judges Sir Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue, Ricky Wilson and will.i.am with her country-infused vocals.
The gorgeous mum-of-three, who juggles singing with looking after her three kids, lives in caravan near Heathrow with her partner Billy and was due to audition with her friend Kelly Leeas part of singing duo Travellin Rose, before her pal pulled out at the last minute. Kelly, formerly from Hatfield now based in Swindon is due to have her third child in February.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Talia is a bona fide traveller. She loves the life and doesn't care what anyone thinks about gypsies. She's been a professional singer for a few years and has a great voice. It's no surprise coach Tom Jones takes a bit of a fancy to her. "She's genuine proof that the show is about including people from all walks of life. People focus on the former pop stars and the confident stage school types but there are so many different people on the show."
Travellin Rose have enjoyed #1 Chart success and represented the UK travelling to America to win over fans in Nashville.
 |
| Talia Smith (L) and Kelly Lee (R) Travellin Rose Duo |
According to The Sun newspaper Sir Tom Jones is particularly taken by the performer. Talia herself revealed that she only started singing after having her third baby but had plenty of encouragement from friends and family. “I’ve a lot to thank the gypsy community for as I pretty much lost all my friends when I moved in with Billy when I was just 16,” Talia said. “They made me welcome and have encouraged me to sing.”
Some “fans" of the BBC show are branding Talia “the shows’ Cher Lloyd” who shot to fame on The X Factor in 2010, after revealing her romany background and like Talia, the talented young star was always proud of her heritage and certainly made no apologies for it. Lloyd was raised in Malvern, Worcester with her parents and three younger siblings. Her family is of Gypsy origin and the ‘Swagger Jagger’ hit-maker spent the first year of her life travelling around Wales with her parents in a caravan.
I’m sure Talia will gladly wish some of Cher’s gypsy luck will rub off on her too and she too might even get to perform with Pop/Country superstar princess Taylor Swift who brought out the With Ur Love singer, cher-ing the stage, to perform with her at The Staples Center in LA >> Video
Turn, Turn, Turn for Talia:
She may not have the “X” Factor but the Travellin Rose Country fans most certainly know the attractive Talia has the “C” Factor!
She may not have the “X” Factor but the Travellin Rose Country fans most certainly know the attractive Talia has the “C” Factor!
Recently Talia Smith performed her first solo gigat The River Side Club with her beloved mandolin in Alt Country/Americana/ Bluegrass trio format accompanied by Dobro and Double bass! She showcased a new original song titled "Phoenix".
>> Watch the video (credit Chris Burland) and kindly critique on Facebook at #bluegrassstaines
Career Highlights:
As part of the vibrant Travellin Rose here are Talia Smiths “best bits” to date:
- Recorded a 12 track album titled CINDERELLA DREAMING in Nashville with all the tracks written entirely by Travellin Rose.
- Their first single “Made Up My Mind,” debuted on the Hotdisc Top 40 chart on Dec 11, 2011 at # 2 and on Dec 18th they topped the Hotdisc British and Irish chart . In so doing they gave Forbes # 1 listed artist Toby Keith and his viral sensation hit Red Solo Cup a run for its money.
- In early November 2011 Talia and Kelly Lee were invited to join an International Country Music party of country acts and performed at a high profile pre CMA Award show event at The Cadillac Ranch >> see video Then they got the chance to glam-up to attend the Country music’s biggest night at the 2011 CMA’s.
- Travellin Rose were the cover feature in Country Routes Magazine (January 2012 issue)
- In the week Jan 14, 2012 their single “Made Up My Mind” was #13 on the International Country Music Chart
- In early June 2012 Travellin Rose represented the UK during the CMA Festival at the “CMA Presents The Aristo Global Show” at the Second Fiddle in Nashville – Arista Press Link . They were interviewed for a Billboard Story for a CMA Festival Week story! - See photo (Travellin Rose (left) strapless bustiers
- On July 29, 2012 Travellin Rose appeared in the UK National newspaper The Daily Star - www.dailystar.co.uk
- In August/Sept 2012 their third single “Girl From The Backwood’s” has spent 3 weeks at #3 on The Hotdisc Top 40 and got to #1 on The British & Irish Chart
- At the Sept 2, 2012 British Country Music Awards (BCMAwards) Travellin Rose won Horizon Act of the Year UK (Up and coming act, sponsored by The CMA, Nashville TN) and were nominated for Duo of the Year and Album of the Year.
Talia's Vital Statistics:
She writes: I am a singer/songwriter who is starting out in the music industry and needs as much help as possible...I enjoy singing country music, but I can sing from almost every genre, I would love to collaborate with other artists and musicians to learn as much as possible and expand my experience x
Height 160 cm / 5ft 3in Shoe size 4.0 UK / 5.5 US / 37.0 Euro Weight54 kg / 118 lbs
Hair Colour: Brown Hair length: Long Hair type: Wavy Eye Colour: Brown Dress Size: 10
Singing styles: Pop Favourite genres: Country
Influences: Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Loretta Lynn
Websites:
Travellin Rose: FACEBOOK
Related Blog Posts: Interview Artist Spotlight - New To You....Travellin Rose
>> Listento some of Travellin Rose songs and interviewon soundcloud.com (27 April 2012)
Music: The album Cinderella Dreaming (UPC 5024545656121; (released Feb 4, 2013) is available to purchase on:
Other Country artists have previously appeared on the Reality TV shows before:
Sam Hollyman, the talented up and coming British singer/songwriter who recently had a 3-week #1 on the Hotdisc British & Irish Chartwith his single “Where I Wanna Be”, failed to win over the judges on The Voice in April 2013. The then 17-year old “Stafford singing sensation” fell at the first hurdle in the TV talent show when judges Jessie J, Will.i.am, Sir Tom Jones and Danny O’Donoghue didn’t warm to his rendition of Elton John’s ‘Your Song’.
Sam Hollyman, the talented up and coming British singer/songwriter who recently had a 3-week #1 on the Hotdisc British & Irish Chartwith his single “Where I Wanna Be”, failed to win over the judges on The Voice in April 2013. The then 17-year old “Stafford singing sensation” fell at the first hurdle in the TV talent show when judges Jessie J, Will.i.am, Sir Tom Jones and Danny O’Donoghue didn’t warm to his rendition of Elton John’s ‘Your Song’.
Emma Jade (Garbutt) an unsigned 19 year old country/pop artist from Doncaster appeared as a contestant on 'BBC The Voice UK' after being chosen to join Sir Tom Jones' 2013 team (Image) after performing a cover of Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child o' Mine" on Episode 2 broadcast on 6 April 2013. Unfortunately Emma Jade left the competition at the third battle round stages episode aired on 25 May,2013 pitched against Mike Ward (cousin of British The X Factor series 2 winner Shayne Ward) performing Stevie Nicks' song "Landslide" (also cut by The Dixie Chicks) - BBC Profile
 |
| Emma Jade & Mike Ward (L) on The Voice & Carolynne Poole (X Factor 2012) |
Unemployed joiner Mike Ward (see BBC Profile), who has Irish Traveller roots on his father's side, nailed it, wowing the coaches on the BBC1 show when he aauditioned, who we’re surprised he actually sung country music. Coach Jessie J said "He's not what you expect" >> Video
The streetwise Salford 23 year old country singer (born 14th Dec 1990) was part of Tom Jones' team singing mostly country and western music and progressed as a finalist in the last Final 4. He auditioned with the song "Don't Close Your Eyes" from Keith Whitley, with three of the four judges, Jessie J, Danny O'Donoghue and Sir Tom Jones turning their chairs. In the competition he sung "Suspicious Minds" solo and "Green Green Grass of Home" with Jones and was eventually eliminated at the final.
Battling his shyness some were tipping him to be UK’s first big country artist. He wanted to get country music noticed in the UK and bring it into the 21st century. Could Mike be the man to make country music cool?
Country Music People's David Allan(the former BBC Radio 2 Country Club presenter) really praised his performances on The Voice in the magazine making comparisons to George Jones and Keith Whitley. He spoke of his raw emotion and his connected with people putting over the lyrics with his vocal delivery.
So what has happened post The Voice? Well Mike released "When I Was Your Man" (Bruno Mars cover) on 22 June 2013 which briefly appeared at #60 and “Picking Up the Pieces" (Paloma Faith ) on 29 June 2013 which reached #72 on the Official UK chart
No album has appeared and he done some local pub gigs and shared a few low budget videos with fans.
In the January 2014 issue of Country Music People (below) David Allan shares his disappointment on his page as to why the media have seemingly ignored Ward.
Emma Jadealso faded away and didn’t have the money to produce some high tech videos or record any music. She is however going to be one of 27 names to appear on the Pop-Up Stages at C2C Country to Country at The O2 in March – See Blog Post.
Carolynne Poole the "A little bit Country..A little bit Rock n Roll" Leeds based singer-songwriter was another country artist who strived for success via a TV Talent show. She finished in third place in the second series of Fame Academy and on the weekend Oct 6th to 7th, 2012 we witnessed the first time on X Factor UK that a contestant describing themselves as a “country” artist had made it through to the live TV stages of the ITV competition. She fell just short the previous year leaving X Factor at the Judges Houses round. Sadly it wasn’t to last as she was the first 2012 finalist of 13 who had to leave after a controversial and tension-fuelled sing-off elimination.
It is clear that the very attractive Carolynne has talent and a voice to match with this OntSofa cover of “Telescope” (Hayden Panettiere Cover) last year >> YouTube
Ironically, under the name Carolynne Good she played the part of a character called Talia (Justin's fiancée) in an episode of ITV’s Emmerdale on in June 2012.
Whether these Talent show artists are restricted by and locked in contracts which prevents them from releasing music and promoting themselves for a specific time period after their TV exits, who knows?
By the time they do they will be sadly forgotten by the public at large who nowadays treat such shows as entertainment fodder and don’t follow through by purchasing the music and are merely passive fans rather than super keen proactive ones.
Wishing Talia Smith well for the Voice on Saturday hoping she will reach The Battle Stages and beyond. Watch this space!
Check out some fabulous new pictures (copyright Steve Finn) and slideshow at the Daily MAIL !
>> Enjoy a SPOTIFY Gypsy Playlist using this ONLINE Web Player Link - Gypsy Theme
Check out some fabulous new pictures (copyright Steve Finn) and slideshow at the Daily MAIL !
>> Enjoy a SPOTIFY Gypsy Playlist using this ONLINE Web Player Link - Gypsy Theme
Note: The Playlist below requires you to already have your SPOTIFY application
installed, and OPEN, and is ONLY for users of the online music streaming service
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
