AWARD WINNER LUCIE DIAMOND SET TO SPARKLE AT SUBSCRIPTION ROOMS
(For immediate release) 30.7.08
Award-winning International singer/songwriter Lucie Diamond makes her Gloucestershire debut on 3rd October at the Subscription Rooms, Stroud with her star-studded band, after major festival appearances in Europe and the USA.
Lucie's performance will be one of the first events organised by new local promotions company JS Entertainment Promotions, who have vowed to bring regular quality UK and International artists to Stroud and Cheltenham - while also not forgetting local talent. The show on 3rd October sees Cheltenham artist Vince Freeman open the proceedings as Lucie's special guest.
Vince won the prestigious Male Artist of the Year in the Indie Awards in London earlier this year and is tipped for great success. This show will be the first date of his proposed October UK tour.
The Sun newspaper described Lucie as "a cross between LeAnn Rimes and Joss Stone," in reference to the country-soul label stuck on her by Nashville music industry VIPs and media. Her music mixes country, blues, funk and rock, with Lucie's soul-drenched vocals on top. Appealing to fans of all genres of musical styles, not just country. A prolific songwriter, she will be airing brand new songs at Stroud for the first time, due to be on her next album to be released in January.
Lucie Diamond certainly is hot property - In August this year she will headline a major music festival in a huge stadium in Lithuania with her UK band to 50,000 people, and on TV to 3 or 4 million, with the President of Lithuania there to greet her after the show Then on to headline at a new French festival in September. Last summer she topped the bill at the prestigious Mirande Festival in France to 45,000 people, introduced on stage by the cast of cult TV show "Dallas," including Larry "JR Ewing" Hagman.
So in comparison, her fairly intimate show at the Subscription Rooms to a capacity of 300 is a rare treat for live music fans. The promoters have arranged a relaxed "cabaret" format layout, so people can sit at tables with their drinks, or on the balcony. The evening is being recorded for possible inclusion on Lucie's next album, as a bonus live track. National press will also be present to review her show.
Lucie and her management were smitten by the look of the Stroud venue when JS Entertainment's Deb Jones approached them to ask for Lucie to appear - calling it "stunning" - and immediately added an extra date to her current tour as the final show this year with her band. Then she goes into the recording studio. Next year she will tour New Zealand and appear at the South By South West Festival in Texas, plus European festivals and even a return to Africa. Lucie is an Ambassador for the Mineseeker Foundation and the Sole of Africa, alongside Nelson Mandela, Queen Noor of Jordan, Sir Richard Branson and Brad Pitt, and went to Mozambique and South Africa late last year to be filmed for TV documentaries.
Lucie won 2 major awards at the UK Country radio awards in February for her acclaimed CD "I Wanna Be Rich" and she was also nominated for SIX awards in the annual European CMA country music awards this year. She was previously crowned European Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year - ahead of Faith Hill, Dolly Parton and Gretchen Wilson - at the last European CMA Awards. This time she scooped the brand new "Media Award" for the impact her music has had on a global basis.
Her records are played on radio in up to 60 countries, she has had 7 hit singles, including 2 consecutive number ones in the European charts. Her current single reached number 2 in the European chart.
She recently returned from her 4th trip to USA in the last 2 years, where she has a major profile. She has superstar Delbert McClinton dueting on her hit CD and guitar great Albert Lee also makes an appearance.
Her band features blues star Eddie Tatton on lead guitar, an Internationally acclaimed blues guitarist who has toured with many big names, shared massive festival stages with the likes of Oasis and played guitar on remixes by U2 and Sting. Bassist Jeremy Meek played with Joan Armatrading for 16 years, is on countless major albums including Delta Goodrem and Take That, now with Paul Carrack and Lucie's band. Her second guitarist Nobby Cree spent 15 years with country star Sarah Jory, now with Van Morrison. Drummer Steve Simmonds and keyboard supremo Rob Law - both major league session men - have played with many big names, and make up the top notch band behind Lucie.
The show on 3rd October is definitely not just for country fans. Lucie is in demand for non-country festivals and music events worldwide, along with the country shows, and has topped the bill at blues and rock festivals. In June she headlined the Crawley Folk Festival to great acclaim.
Tickets on sale at the venue box office from 1st August. £14 advance and £15 on the door, if there are any left on the night. Lucie's fans are well known for travelling long distances to see her, even from Europe, so it is advisable to book early. Her UK shows in May all sold out.
Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE
Tel: 01453 760900
Doors open 7pm. Show starts at 8pm. Bar until 11pm.