So, a little reflection... last night was the last full band show of the year at Camdens Barfly. This year has been incredible and we just wanted to acknowledge a few things that have happened. Some of you may know that we originally began this project as a way for me to write songs for publishing and licensing for other artists and that seemed like a great plan for a couple of years. We had some friends come and go in the lineup and took most of 2013 off to spend time doing other things. Dee searched for a function band, and Jim and I ventured back into something heavier for a bit. But it wasnt the same. There was no spark and nothing came close to how we felt playing in the same room together. So one fine Spring evening, I made a phone call that would essentially change my life. I called Jim first, said I missed the band loads and that Id love to play again. I had a ton of ideas that needed Dees incredible vocal so she was my next phone call. So we got together and rehearsed with our friend Will and played a show in Kettering. It was a lot of fun and the following morning I saw a tweet from Country 2 Country to apply for the pop up stages. Against all odds, this little band from near Northampton, who had only played one show - were accepted and the festival at the O2 Arena became our second gig. Well, that was a door opener. What an incredible year! We have a ton of people to thank, and please believe me when I tell you we are just getting started - more of that later. Jeannine Barry was the first to bring us to London after C2C for a show in May at The Garage London - and Gary Quinn zipped us all the way up to Lytham Arts Festival shortly afterwards and we thank you both sincerely for your faith. Since then we have played another 23 shows from the south coast with Smith and Rogers TV, to right up north at Fort San Antone for the country festival there and have played in front of close to 12,000 people along the way. In March this year we also released our mini-album Brighter Skies, which New Country UK placed at no.11 in its top Country albums of 2014 alongside Hunter Hayes, Miranda Lambert and some other incredible artists. That was a massive honour, and it is thanks to bloggers like Wayne, and Annette Think Country that we are in a position to do what we do. At the heart of the whole thing was the man I met at C2C Country to Country - right at the end, Mr Steve Riley from 4000 Miles to Nashville. His review of our album was hugely endearing and introduced us to a ton of people that might otherwise not have known we were there. He has become a dear friend of the band, and we owe him massively. As a little nod, we have decided that our new album, released on March 2nd, 2015 will be called Four Thousand Miles To Nashville. Thank you Steve. And thanks to all those pledgers who crowdfunded that album in less than two weeks - you are all amazing. So, if you are still with me by this point, thanks also due Jess Roberts and Laura Oakes, to Tim from McKay for his mentoring and advice and to everyone at 2Country.net, ukCOUNTRYmusic.net and Chris Country Radio for their continued support and airplay. There have been some notable highlights of the year and wed love to thank the awesome Ben and Crissie from The Shires and the delightful Catherine and Lizzy from Ward Thomas who allowed us to open their Homegrown Tour and big thanks to everyone at C2C and the O2 for inviting us to the C2C 2015 launch and for ticking something off my bucket list by inviting us to the Lady Antebellum show. Weve made a ton of friends along the way from Glasgow to Bournemouth to Ireland and over to Nashville and LA - you all know who you are. We cant wait to get up to Manchester to work with Luke & Mel and will be back next year at Midwinterfest with Alan West and Hannah Jane Lewis EP launch at The Borderline in January. I know Ive missed a lot out here, but you all know if youre part of the love that has touched our lives in 2014. We appreciate everything - every single person who has gone out of their way to listen to our songs, we appreciate everyone who has joined us in our social networks, the people that come to our shows and those at home that listen on the radio - this is all for you. Im a lucky guy. I get to play music with some of my closest buddies and have surrounded myself with musical soulmates who hear the sounds in my head and bring those notes to life. Best of all, I get to hear Dee sing - and it never gets old, it never gets dull, I have the absolute privilege for writing songs for one of the best live vocalists I have ever heard. Only last night, a few songs from the end of our set, I got lost in it all. I turned to Paul mid-song and said Im a bit in love with you all right now. Then I missed the next chord. Anyway, sentimental rant over. 2015 sees a new album for us, festivals and a tour. Watch out 2015, we are coming for you. Next year Deeanne, next year... Much love, Gareth and the Dexeter crew xxx
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 11:00:58 +0000
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