Kevin Montgomery makes his return to the Maze as a part of his UK tour, promoting the new album “Some Comfort”. Kevin’s band, The Endangered Livers, will include renowned guitarist Mike McAdam who spent three and a half years as a part of Steve Earle & The Dukes, and has also worked with Jeff Beck, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Radney Foster.

Kevin splits his time between Nashville and London these days, conducts a 50 States in 50 days annual tour promoting children/youth charities, and is the son of Buddy Holly’s boyhood friend Bob Montgomery. Bob wrote ‘Heartbeat’, ‘Wishing’ and ‘Back In Baby’s Arms’ – all worldwide hits. By the time Kevin was born, his dad was producing records by Bobby Goldsboro and writing songs like the often-covered ‘Misty Blue’ and ‘Back in Baby’s Arms’, made famous by Patsy Cline.

While the contemporary yet timeless feel of Kevin’s own music is strongly influenced by the ‘California Country-Rock’ of artists like Gram Parsons, The Eagles, and Roger McGuinn, his deeply resonant songwriting recalls Americana-flavored storytelling themes.

As well as writing, recording and releasing several albums, Kevin has himself written songs covered by others, including “I Won’t Close My Eyes” on Martina McBride’s 3 million selling ‘Evolution’ album. Later, Juice Newton covered Kevin’s song ‘Red Blooded American Boy’ (changing the gender reference to ‘girl’) for her American Girl release. Kevin also sang backing vocals on Lee Ann Womack’s ‘I Know Why The River Runs’ for her platinum selling album, I Hope You Dance.

Expect songs old and new, engaging stories and a few surprises.

ANGE BOXALL Tasmanian born songstress Ange Boxall landed on the shores of England some ten years ago, with little more than a backpack and her Maton guitar, Pearl. Planning to stay no longer than a year, the rich mix of European destinations, wonderful people and a diverse music scene have fueled the fire and nurtured a successful career. However, not fully content, the draw from across the pond has been strong. Trips to the USA have been frequent and a blossoming love affair with Nashville's 'Music City' has seen collaborations with successful artists such as JD Souther, Jim Lauderdale and The Wrights, as heard on her new album, Writing Letters.

http://www.kevinmontgomery.com/
www.angeboxall.com/

An extra special tribute to Johnny Cash on what would have been his 80th Birthday

Keep it CASH have always been about a true love of the music, they are the original and credited by the music business, promoters and critics, as simply the best sounding Johnny Cash tribute band in the business.

The band celebrate the life and music of one of America's greatest music icons with a professionally arranged and stunning multi-instrumental stage show, reproducing all the classic hits including narrative and factual infomation about the man and the music.. Performing a two hour set of Man in Black's greatest hits. Expect to hear all the classics as Ring of Fire, Walk the Line, Man in Black, Folsom Prison Blues, Hurt and many more.

Taking you through from the humble gospel beginnings of the Tennessee two, right to the emotional and final American Recordings, this is the Johnny Cash tribute show. Keep It CASH fully capture the energy and spirit of the music, in a professionally arranged multi-instrumental stage show with lighting and narrative. During the show you will hear the echo’s of blues, black gospel and the spiritual music, that influenced Johnny Cash as a musician and ultimately immortalized him as a cult figure.

The band is a genuine labour of love, seeing them live, you will witness a life time of listening, practice and dedication. Keep It Cash, Johnny Cash tribute band formed in 2001, starting performing for fun, in small pubs and back rooms, the reputation of the band as performers soon grew and in the first year the band performed some seventy gigs. Since those humble beginnings, the band has developed into the most prestigious of all the current Johnny Cash tribute shows.

"The most accurate and faithful tribute to Johnny Cash" Steve Massam BBC Radio

www.keepitcash.net/

Unfortunately this show has been cancelled. Details can be found at Neal Casual’s website.

We are expecting the show to be rescheduled in May this year and the billing will be exactly the same as listed here. We apologise for any inconvenience cause and hope you will be able to make the show in May, details on the new date will be published ASAP.

www.nealcasal.com/
peterbruntnell.net/

Cam is making quite a name for himself, having now toured three times to the UK with his exceptionally gifted sidekick, Jon Wood. His music is rootsy, soulful and has an immediate impact.

In a complicated world, Cam Penner finds beauty in simplicity, with an honest, spare approach to folk music that is refreshing in an age filled with so much insincerity and irony. Singing uncompromising songs about redemption and truth, he is a voice for the disenfranchised, a storyteller for those who never reach their destination. Cam’s personal lyrics are complemented by a gentle acoustic guitar style, and the defiant heroes of his songs are weary, but they are never defeated.

His latest album ‘Gypsy Summer’ is Cam’s most self assured outing to date, a richer contrast to the defiant stripped down sensibilities of Trouble & Mercy. The new album is a more personal affair - where his previous outings often featured stories of characters he had encountered, this album really feels like a confessional. With Gypsy Summer, Cam continues to successfully roam from his comfort zone into new territory.

“The sheer simplicity of the music on this album is breathtaking. The stories that he tells and the understated manner that he tells them in adds to it all and creates a close and personal work that reminds me of the material that Steve Earle made at his peak and that Arlo Guthrie wished he could have written. He has played alongside the greats like Glen Campbell and Lyle Lovatt and deserves to be mentioned in the same breath – if he had only played the music business games he could be an Americana superstar.”

campenner.com/biography.asp

Gretchen Peters arrived in Nashville in the late ‘80s, a singing, songwriting product of New York, Boulder, Colorado and politically active parents. Perplexed by the artificial division of labor in the commercial country music industry, she concluded it would be best to seek a publishing deal first.

And so began a season of striking commercial success. Peters got a publishing deal, and her closely observed story-songs hit a sweet spot with some of mainstream country’s finest voices of the ‘90s; “On a Bus to St. Cloud” with Trisha Yearwood, “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am” with Patty Loveless, “Chill of an Early Fall” with George Strait, “Let That Pony Run” with Pam Tillis and—most famously—“Independence Day” with Martina McBride. Culturally and critically the impact of “Independence Day”—an arresting song about an abused woman fighting back—still reverberates. It earned Peters a GRAMMY nomination and CMA Song of the Year honors.

A turning point came in the mid-‘90s, when Peters got a record deal and the chance to record her own songs exactly as she felt they ought to be done. In 1996 (The Secret of Life) and every few years after (Gretchen Peters in 2001 and Halcyon in 2004) she offered a set of sophisticated folk-pop songs, sung in a fetching soprano that’s as sultry as it is girlish, and rendered with the sensitivity and patience to tease out the nuance in every corner of a story. Veteran folk singer-songwriter Tom Russell declared himself a fan, inviting her to sing on his recordings—and, eventually, to do an album of cowboy and Western covers together (2009’s One to the Heart,

Now with her ninth disc, Gretchen calls the new Hello Cruel World her “most close-to-the-bone work, written at a time when I felt absolutely fearless about telling the truth.”

LISBEE STAINTON

The London-based 23 year-old singer-songwriter known as, ‘The English Rose With The 8-String Guitar', has been writing songs for almost 14 years. Her single, 'Just Like Me' was the Record of the Week on the Radcliffe and Maconie show on BBC Radio 2. From March to July 2010 Lisbee completed a four month support slot around the UK and Europe for Joan Armatrading as part of her world tour.

"Lisbee's appeal is clear: slowly revolving rhythms, wistful English melancholy with a soul undertow, and a sweet folk-pop voice." – MOJO

www.gretchenpeters.com/

BEER, BLOKES & BALLADS

When Geordie singer/songwriter Simon Todd travelled on vacation to Fredericksburg, Texas and heard David Fenley sing and play, the idea of a UK tour based around Beer, Blokes & Ballads started to form in his mind. David was most definitely up for the adventure and so a 10 date tour is set for April 2012 with guest artists appearing at individual shows. A Nashville Bluebird Cafe style 'in the round guitar pull' kind of show - with stories and songs being traded between beers!

David Fenley would describe his music as "Texas Soul" and soulful it is with his deep, rich voice often compared to Joe Cocker and Otis Redding, and his heartfelt lyrics. Born in Lufkin, Texas David first began singing at the age of two when his mother would coax him to sing Honky Tonk Man for the family. He began performing and writing his own songs with a band he formed in High School. Even at the age of 16 his songs had a pure honesty. He has been voted 'best male voice in Texas' 2 years running and plays shows all across the US though this will be his first trip to the UK.

Gifted with a powerful voice and a considerable range, Simon Todd has, over the years, honed his songwriting into a craft, placing equal importance on lyrics, melody and chord structure. Simon has also been involved with songwriting workshops organised by Squeeze’s Chris Difford and has performed on both sides of the Atlantic as well as now being a regular at the annual “Heroes & Scarecrows”, Alan Hull (Lindisfarne) celebration night. Simon’s songs are guaranteed to get your foot tapping, your mind thinking, or your ears wondering why they haven’t heard him before and how soon they can do so again.

Nottingham's favourite Owen James Harvey will be joining the show to promote his brand new EP which was written and recorded earlier this year in Nashville with some of the best 'Music City' songwriters and players. Fans will remember his excellent debut album Disappearing Strangers and he has featured on BBC Radio shows.

www.reverbnation.com/davidfenley
www.owenjamesharvey.com/

“Shires sounds like the weird young niece of Dolly Parton.”

Amanda Shires was born and raised in Lubbock and Mineral Wells, TX. At the age of ten, smitten by the sight of a green and orange pawn shop fiddle, Amanda quickly became obsessed with the instrument and the sounds of western swing and country fiddle. At sixteen Shires began performing with Tommy Allsup and the legendary Texas Playboys. At South Plains she became a founding member of the Thrift Store Cowboys, an alt-country band with an energetic and youthful edge.

Her sophomore solo release, “West Cross Timbers” released in late 2008 was recorded in Nashville and co-produced with Rod Picott and David Henry. The eleven song collection featured eight Shires’ penned originals was met with enthusiastic reviews with No Depression calling West Cross Timbers one of the 50 best releases of the year. ‘Carrying Lightning’ is Amanda’s follow up release and once again co-produced with Rod and David.

TWILIGHT HOTEL

Hailing from the fertile music scene of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Zdan & Quanbury met in 2002 at a folk festival and realized the power of combining their talents. They have recently re-located to the music hot-spot of Austin, Texas but remain true to their Canadian roots. Together they possess an elusive chemistry and musical style that is dark, moody and rooted in some kind of nostalgic passion for scratchy records and vintage guitar tones. They combine a rock n roll sensibility, compelling songwriting, and haunting arrangements while standing comfortably outside your predictable genre box.

In 2010 Twilight Hotel released their 3rd album, ‘When the Wolves Go Blind’, which they recorded in Los Angeles, California with John Whynot and a stellar rhythm section. The album has received outstanding reviews on both sides of the Atlantic and further defines Twilight Hotel’s sound. From the hypnotic ride of the title track to the cinematic landscape of ‘The Darkness,’ the album is infused with a sense of travel and reflection.

“The dark moods invite comparisons to Nick Cave but the couple have become rulers of their own genre” Neil Spencer, Uncut ****

amandashires.net?/
twilighthotel.ca/

Title track from Chuck Prophet's upcoming album Temple Beautiful, out early 2012. Featured on Little Steven's Underground Garage radio show as one of its featured "Coolest Song in the World."

Californian alt-rock hero of ours, Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express makes a most welcome return to the Maze with a brand new record,’Temple Beautiful’ due out this March. A longstanding San Franciscan, in Temple Beautiful Chuck has penned an unflinchingly visceral love letter to his adopted hometown of over three decades. Named after the city’s now defunct notorious punk rock club (located within the ill-fated Jim Jones People’s Temple) where a young Prophet himself cut his teeth watching the likes of the Flamin’ Groovies supported by Black Flag, both the title track and album resonate with tales from America’s most vibrant outpost city. Across the album, Prophet animates his city’s most notorious moments with his characteristic candour and guitar intricacies.

Chuck Prophet's genius lies in assimilating a wide variety of genres into his essentially Stonesy architecture ahead of the standard curve. From the seminal '80s alt-country shimmer of Green on Red to his incredibly diverse solo sonic quilt - early Americana rocker/mid-period electronic folkie/latter-day style hybridist - Prophet has engagingly exemplified his surname. Originality is not easy in the derivative rock world but Chuck Prophet has blazed genre trails for over two decades with no signs of running out of inspiration or desire.

“ In an industry filled with heroin-shaped prima donnas and blood-leeching businessmen, Chuck Prophet is a thorn tree. He's a thorn tree in the gardens of a game that he's played and that's played him; ultimately refusing to give up on what makes him breathe: rock and roll”

chuckprophet.com/

"Dylan and Leonard Cohen are brought to mind, such is the depth of emotion wrought by Felice's careful approach... Shows the power of music to lift your spirits and make your heart full – absolutely fantastic." BBC

SIMONE FELICE makes a triumphant return with the release of his debut album on April 2nd (for Reveal Records), and is charted to travel the length and breadth of the United Kingdom and Ireland with his band of remarkable players, who together make up the rootsy and hauntingly harmonious SIMONE FELICE GROUP ( 5 Piece band inc Simi Stone of Duke & The King). As well as debuting material from his outstanding new release, the acclaimed wordsmith will be performing many of the classics his devoted followers hold dear from his time with The Felice Brothers and The Duke & The King. Radio hit "You & I Belong" (with friends from Mumford & Sons) finds Simone at his melodic best, his star now burning brighter than ever. Simone Felice is a record certain to cement Felice's place as one of the great songwriter-poets of his generation. Come one, come all.

'Each song somehow sounding like a classic, each live performance suggesting we are in the presence of a rare, fiery brilliance.’ (The Guardian)

www.simonefelice.com

“Bittersweet tales of loss and longing: haunting melodies and sharpe lyrics. How is it that a band as good as JT and The Clouds, with four brilliant albums, is hardly known in Britain?” JT and the Clouds will suit fans of The Band, ‘The Basement Tapes,’ Memphis Soul and Willie Nelson.” Word Magazine – UK

Now a firm favourite of the Maze and Cosmic American we are pleased to have JT back once more and this time with his amazing band The Clouds. Many of you know JT through his relationship with Po’Girl and the Be Good Tanyas, both of whom he’s written songs for and toured with. Now he and a 3 piece version of his band, the Clouds, are touring here in their own right and no-one deserves the spotlight more. JT has been described as having the best white soul voice to come out of America in a generation and now he’s here to ‘absolutely explode your mind and spirit and then rebuild them with love and gentle care.’

JT and the Clouds come from Chicago; their music is Chicago music - rough edged, sad, hopeful, and shot through with soul. The music is alive to the ever-shifting tides of modern indie music, but remains steeped in the city's fine traditions of soul, rhythm and blues. They resist the urge to pigeonhole themselves in a genre, or be easily pigeonholed. Most of the people that inspire them are similarly hard to pin down. It's these ghosts of the past and future, awake in their music and words, that have pushed critics so far a field in reaching for name-checks to compare them to -- Sam Cooke, the Band, the Velvet Underground, Prince, Curtis Mayfield... and more recently, Bon Iver, M. Ward, Jeff Buckley ....

The Clouds, led by Jeremy "JT" Lindsay, have been putting out records and touring since 2004. Until recently, they got a bit more notoriety in far-off ports then their own backyard. Having received glowing reviews and several ‘best of 2011’ top ten listings, JT & The Clouds most recent record Caledonia genuinely deserves every word of praise. Caledonia grooves, and rocks a bit harder than previous outings but finally captures how it should be when he is out grooving with the Clouds. JT's words may still ask you to sort through the same minefield of heartbreak and lonely hunger, but the Clouds have determined that you should at least be able to dance while you’re doing it, actually it’s also brilliant.

jtandtheclouds.com/

The group name may be new, but those of the two principals in are very familiar. Individually, Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland are two of Canada's most acclaimed roots-oriented singer-songwriters. They are now putting their individual recording careers on hold and reinventing themselves as Whitehorse, marrying their talent and chemistry on stage as a smouldering duo. Gutsy and resolute in their pursuits of sound and substance, Luke and Melissa's fusion of the personal and professional brings to mind the road-tested romance of Johnny and June.

Individually, Luke and Melissa have been recognized with awards and nominations from the Juno Awards, the Canadian Folk Music Awards, the Hamilton Music Awards, the Independent Music Awards and Polaris. Together, Luke and Melissa create music that cascades forth, rushing like currents fluid and electric. More than the sum of considerable talents, Whitehorse showcases the rarity of true give and take in partnership, uniting falcon with songbird to dramatic effort.

"There is not a lot of rock'n'roll in Whitehorse at this point. Not a lot of vintage retro country ballads. That is not the thing we share the most. There is the common ground we share and I think that will define what Whitehorse is. Whitehorse has more of a sound than either of our solo careers ever have." Luke Doucet

whitehorsemusic.ca/