NASHVILLE, TN. & LONDON, UK (CMA announcement) - The Country
Music Association is bringing three up-and-coming new artists - Jessi Alexander,
Jamie O'Neal and Jon Randall - to the United Kingdom in January for high-profile showcases in London and Glasgow (the latter as part of Celtic Connections 2005, Scotland's premier winter music festival).
"CMA is very excited about the 'New From Nashville' program, which will showcase three very talented artists," said CMA Executive
Director Ed Benson. "The United Kingdom is a supportive and growing market for Country
Music and we hope that this is the first of several initiatives planned for the region. Jamie, Jessi and Jon are perfect ambassadors for our format and we value their participation in the project."
Two shows, which will be open to the public, will be held Wednesday, Jan. 19 at London Borderline (box office 020 7734 5547); and Thursday, Jan. 20 at Glasgow Tron Theater as part of Celtic Connections (box office 0141 353 8000). Artists include:
Jessi Alexander - a talented young singer-songwriter from Jackson, Tenn., who is named after Waylon Jennings' wife Jessi. Her debut CD Honeysuckle Sweet is released by Columbia in January. She's been hailed as "a first-rate, singer and writer, singularly direct, skillful, honest and profound." Alexander has already made her United Kingdom debut, opening for Rodney Crowell at London's Lock 17 earlier this year.
Jamie O'Neal - The Australian singer made her UK debut ten years ago as one of Kylie Minogue's backing singers. Based in Nashville, she initially enjoyed success as a writer but is now established as a popular singer. She was featured on the first Bridget Jones soundtrack and won three Grammy nominations for her debut CD Shiver. Newly-signed to Capitol Nashville, O'Neal's latest album, Brave, will be released in February and includes her current U.S. hit "Trying To Find Atlantis."
Jon Randall - is a multi-talented singer-writer-guitarist. He was born in Dallas, Texas, but relocated to Nashville as a teenager. By the age of 20, he was supporting Emmylou Harris as a member of her Nash Ramblers. His rootsy, bluegrass-flavored solo album, Willin' was a critical success, but a label closure kept him from achieving the widespread fame predicted by Nashville insiders.
He is back with a new CD on Epic Records due early next year. Randall also co-wrote the song "Whiskey Lullaby," which was recorded by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss and won two 2004 CMA Awards
