IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
Basingstoke, Hampshire UK
4th February 2007
US country music recording star on stage in Basingstoke
Country music star Hal Ketchum’s show, live on stage at The Academy Basingstoke on Wednesday 14th March, is looking like a complete sell-out show.
The event, in association with the new country music radio station across Europe, CMR Nashville Radio at http://www.cmrnashville.net/, features Hal Ketchum and his American Band supported by leading Irish band, Brendan Quinn and his band.
Hal Ketchum... poet... songwriter... painter... carpenter... singer... actor... author... a true modern day artisan. Born in New York, Hal was introduced to music as a child by his musical parents. He was the sought-after drummer in high school band circles. He made his way to Texas in the early eighties where he made his mark with future pals Lyle Lovett, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Willie Nelson, and Asleep at the Wheel, among others. It was a hot bed for these young talents and they were making history.
Hal landed his record deal with Curb Records in Los Angeles in the early 90's and his first single off his first record went straight to number one scoring Hal his first Gold record. The song of course is his now famous, "Small Town Saturday Night."
Since then, Ketchum has had 15 top ten hits, countless songwriting awards, and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. Hal's release, Lucky Man, scored the top 40 hit, “She Is”, written for his muse, Gina. Hal and Gina were married on Valentines Day 1998 and have three children, Fani, Ruby and Sophie. The couple have finished their children's picture book and have signed on with a literary agent in New York.
"The King Of Love" was released in the UK to an overwhelming positive response. On this project Hal has produced his own music for the first time. "It's an exciting time for me," says Ketchum. "I'm enjoying my life, my work and my art more than ever."
John Hicks, General Manager of The Academy said: “Securing the opportunity for Basingstoke to host this show was an amazing coup. We released the tickets on the on-line shop on our website on the Sunday lunchtime and a substantial number had been purchased by that evening. People are amazed that we only charged £21.50 when venues normally command £30 or more but my intention is to widen access to as many people in the region as I can.”
“We have the internationally acclaimed Red Sox band booked for April but that is already a sell-out performance and no tickets are now available. My best guess is that Hal’s only date in the south of England this year, here at The Academy, will all be sold out soon” added John.
The Academy in Worting Road already hosts a weekly Country Music Night every Friday evening. The DJ is country radio & TV presenter Lee Williams who established the original CMR Nashville radio station in the US with leading country personality Ted Randall.
CMR Nashville is broadcasting online from its various studios in Nashville, London, Greece, Ireland and Australia. Now, a new studio is being constructed at The Academy in the style of a coffee lounge so that guests on the show can be interviewed in the relaxed atmosphere of Basingstoke’s premier family entertainment venue. Shows will be recorded in this new studio and customers of The Academy will be able to see what is going on. Their new lunchtime show will go out live from The Academy on weekdays and record labels will be encouraged to bring new artists down to the venue to be broadcast live on air.
Basingstoke, Hampshire UK
4th February 2007
US country music recording star on stage in Basingstoke
Country music star Hal Ketchum’s show, live on stage at The Academy Basingstoke on Wednesday 14th March, is looking like a complete sell-out show.
The event, in association with the new country music radio station across Europe, CMR Nashville Radio at http://www.cmrnashville.net/, features Hal Ketchum and his American Band supported by leading Irish band, Brendan Quinn and his band.
Hal Ketchum... poet... songwriter... painter... carpenter... singer... actor... author... a true modern day artisan. Born in New York, Hal was introduced to music as a child by his musical parents. He was the sought-after drummer in high school band circles. He made his way to Texas in the early eighties where he made his mark with future pals Lyle Lovett, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Willie Nelson, and Asleep at the Wheel, among others. It was a hot bed for these young talents and they were making history.
Hal landed his record deal with Curb Records in Los Angeles in the early 90's and his first single off his first record went straight to number one scoring Hal his first Gold record. The song of course is his now famous, "Small Town Saturday Night."
Since then, Ketchum has had 15 top ten hits, countless songwriting awards, and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. Hal's release, Lucky Man, scored the top 40 hit, “She Is”, written for his muse, Gina. Hal and Gina were married on Valentines Day 1998 and have three children, Fani, Ruby and Sophie. The couple have finished their children's picture book and have signed on with a literary agent in New York.
"The King Of Love" was released in the UK to an overwhelming positive response. On this project Hal has produced his own music for the first time. "It's an exciting time for me," says Ketchum. "I'm enjoying my life, my work and my art more than ever."
John Hicks, General Manager of The Academy said: “Securing the opportunity for Basingstoke to host this show was an amazing coup. We released the tickets on the on-line shop on our website on the Sunday lunchtime and a substantial number had been purchased by that evening. People are amazed that we only charged £21.50 when venues normally command £30 or more but my intention is to widen access to as many people in the region as I can.”
“We have the internationally acclaimed Red Sox band booked for April but that is already a sell-out performance and no tickets are now available. My best guess is that Hal’s only date in the south of England this year, here at The Academy, will all be sold out soon” added John.
The Academy in Worting Road already hosts a weekly Country Music Night every Friday evening. The DJ is country radio & TV presenter Lee Williams who established the original CMR Nashville radio station in the US with leading country personality Ted Randall.
CMR Nashville is broadcasting online from its various studios in Nashville, London, Greece, Ireland and Australia. Now, a new studio is being constructed at The Academy in the style of a coffee lounge so that guests on the show can be interviewed in the relaxed atmosphere of Basingstoke’s premier family entertainment venue. Shows will be recorded in this new studio and customers of The Academy will be able to see what is going on. Their new lunchtime show will go out live from The Academy on weekdays and record labels will be encouraged to bring new artists down to the venue to be broadcast live on air.
Why Basingstoke Academy? As Lee Williams explained: “The venue’s claim to be the regional home of country music has some credibility. With acts like Henry Smith’s Country Dreams and The Man In Black tribute to the late great, Johnny Cash. I am particularly delighted that The Academy has signed the legendary George Hamilton IV appearing in September, I do not know of any venue like it. CMR Nashville are proud to be associated with The Academy and will do all it can to support them. This will be an exciting year for country music in the south of England and The Academy will be at the very heart of it especially as they now host monthly singer/songwriter workshops with the very best of the UK and US country music talent.”
Full details of forthcoming events, and on-line ticket sales, are available on The Academy website (http://www.academyclubs.com/) or by telephoning John Hicks, General Manager of the venue on 01256 327273.
ENDS
Note to Editors
There are three Academy's currently in the South - Basingstoke, Boscombe and Eastleigh. All operate 24 hours, 7 days a week, and offer extensive Snooker, Pool and Nine Ball. Uniquely to The Academy venues, they now show live premiership football on Saturday & Sunday afternoons. In addition to this, professional Darts are available as well as huge satellite screens with surround sound showing live sporting events. Discreet but loaded fruit machines offer maximum payouts and that all-important thrill! The Fun Bars with their light refreshing décor offer a variety of entertainment for all ages, definitely not to be missed! The Basingstoke venue also boasts a function room and superb Chinese Restaurant.
(http://www.academyclubs.com/).
Further details of CMR Nashville Radio can be found at http://www.cmrnashville.net/ or contact Lee Williams 07956 888587 lee@cmrnashville.net
Media enquiries to:John Hicks M.IDM
Headline Promotions, Press & PR
Mobile: 07771 575 654
Fax: 0707 520 9717
john@headlinepromotions.co.uk
http://www.headlinepromotions.blogspot.com/
