H'IlHiH Country LPs buck the growlh irend MVERICKS UCountryK market Music analysis Association commissioned (CMA) byfrom the revealedthe Chart that theInformation sector significantly Network (CIN) has )8 is rapidly provlng its TrampolineSnodgrass believessales graph 1 atthe i outperformed the overall UK album market usic achieves its long likely to follow a similar The CMA research reveals werethat total thepattern. first UK"We're single, releasing Dance country album sales - which LeAnn Rimes and Shania Twai Theenhanced Night Away,CD on as April an 20, total£18 4mUK -albums not only market, accounted but grew for 2^ by ot11% tne 40may albums, have set but the Rorida's The featuring the same clip plus year-on-year compared with the 6% growth Mavericks an trackthe previously-unreleased Panatella," he says. Thelr fourth up"It willsecond be part phase of aof ramped- the Just 332 In 1996. CD fo wasdebuted released at number on March 17 in6, the CIN campaign which centres on was up (72% of units so.u charts and has already sold well the Mavericks' eight-date remain1996), strongerbut cassette (28%) sales than to in country the market buyers Meanwhile,in excess of country 30,000 music copies. as a whole (19%). insiders believe that figure could whenDance TOTP The Night2 screened Away video the thebe multipliedend of the three year orif thefourfold plans by on February 28, and " ' ' eting the band independent piugger Jeffrey démographieIreland director in David Bower. "And, IAtaken UK/ in Thele UKMavericks' re h fruitio appearedStothers reports on 20 playliststhat it as tandem with the outstanding first quarter of based firmly on their ioTwo the1998 future figures looks for brightcountry for music the sector." in Britain, whichmixture offer of Music audiences Row melody,a mould-breaking roots WhatOccasions, A Crying chalked Shame up and aggregate Music ForUK Ailsales spécialconcert onon MarchMarch 2815 helped to push Other highlights of the research rockabilly, Tex Mex and western swing of more than 80,000 units. the message but the real ground will ue confirmedpatterns, with the theregionality rural areas of UK of buying the South styles.As early as 1993 The Mavericks' touringAlthough circuit coming is usually off the seen lucrative as a gamble, US onbroken BBCl's on AprilLottery 11 whenLive. the band appear West, northern England, Scotland and manager Frank Callari Asgard booker Paul Fennraight rates lir the c lan Nicolson However,Ireland outperforming the London areaurban still centres. accounted Mary Chapin Carpenter an progression - one night at the Shepherd': Act: The Mavericks Title: Trampoline Label: forCompilations, 27% of ail country driven artist by the album line-dancing sales. buildtouring a fanbase.extensively As in a 'resuit of the gl secondBush Empire and l'm on confidentthe first tour, two nightsout three ' MCABlackwood Nashville Producers: UMD 80456 Raul Publisher:Malo and DonEMI boom, showed most growth in 1997 with followed,reviews and The word-of-mouth Maverick's first acclaim two alb w Studios: Océan Way, Nashville thereleases CMA onup 017147%. For734 more 3221. détails contactIN fromUniversal New willCountry's be hoping bass that baritone this superb set H A L COUNTRY trailblazerShania Twain. could yet prove him to be a maie THE(Gemini CHEAP Records SEATS GR04). Not That April Différent 20. This third ketchum votedalbum Risingby the StarDrmskirk, at last Lancashire year's UK Countryduo - sed to take the UK by storm. With RollingMusic Awards Stones -and includes Spice VanGirls Morrison, covers. Past«iiaoks The fromPoint his Of firstRescue two andCurb albums (SugarDARRELL Hill SCOTT /Direct Aloha SHCD From 3864). Nashville April 20. significantEvery Little exposure Word gaining mixesGuy Clark's generous mandolin helpings and of guitar swing, picker bluegrass,and Texas togetherfolk, roadhouse, to superb country effect. blues UMDGEORGE 80486), STRAIT April One 20. Step Country At A Timesuperstar's (MCA TO FOLLOW. withoutlatest will breaking satisfy anyhis substantialnew ground. fanbase JOE ELY Twlstin' In The Wind (MCA UMD (MCAN1TTY UMDGRITTY 80507). DIRT BANDApril 20.Bang This Bang latest Bang 80488).Ely's distinctive April 6. reedy Back tonein gunslinger and widescreen mode, Seventies cr ibility makes wry rocking May 13-22 songsrowdy rocksuccessfully rhythms. mlx country roots with VAR10US Independence Day - The Best featuring Ketchurr GRCDNADINE 418). Back April To My6. EngagingSenses (Glltterhouse guitars and New555692). Women April Of 27.Country A refreshingly Music (RCA UK- corneramshackle from thisharmonies lo-fi country suggest rock more to focused compilation' e new of wave songs of countryby the bes div breakthrough The Light will 'll's been n long wnil bm wb ma Curb bundled „ , Vfç 1.11» m yp inR ne a ueen awa Escovedo BiSSesaniButltl il ail bnckUK innf-ihRr too long," says Hobday. versions of Stooges and Lou Reed classii , oagin'-PhilQokell to. ..iplaylisting really looking the new forward ThanGEORGE This JONES (MCA ItUMD Don't 80485). Get Any April Better 13. vocalistcharged whomaterial. v putpick it up ail the back pièces together and again," says Phil material." IN traditionaiThis marks Jones a welcome Sound return after lastto the year's tba).VARIOUS June ARTISTS 8. Robert The Duvall's Apostle Southern-fried OST (MCA Cokeil, managing director of Curb/The Hi Artist: Hal Ketchum Title: 1 Saw The llght experiments with beats, tempos and movie soundtrack features a fine sélection Cokell adds, "We've got an Invalua Publisher:Label: Curb/The Hal Ketchum Hit Label Music CUBC Producers; 33 synthesizers.RANDY TRAVIS You And You Alone Soundsof country Of gospelBlackness, from Wynonna,Johnny Cash, Emmyiou, weekbefore of the grâce US forrelease a UK date tour andand wepubli le Chuck Howard/Steve Bruton Studios: Hit (Dreamworks DRD 50034). April 20. Lyle Le for the rest of the year, We plan to m Released;Shack, Austln; May Curb il Studios, Nashville 10 MUSIC WEEK 11 APRIL 1998