{"title":"Ags Connolly","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAgs Connolly is a British country music singer and songwriter. With his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics, he has captivated audiences around the world. Born and raised in Oxfordshire, Ags developed a deep love for traditional country music at an early age. His songs are filled with raw emotion and authentic storytelling, drawing inspiration from his own life experiences. Whether performing on stage or recording in the studio, Ags' passion for country music shines through in every note. His unique blend of classic sounds and modern sensibilities make him a true standout in the genre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout his career, Ags has released several critically acclaimed albums that have garnered praise from both fans and critics alike. He has toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe, sharing his music with audiences far and wide. Known for his captivating live performances, Ags brings an energy to the stage that is unmatched.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs a respected figure in the country music community, Ags Connolly continues to push boundaries and redefine what it means to be a country artist today. With each new release, he showcases his growth as both a songwriter and performer, solidifying his place as one of the most exciting talents in British country music.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"siempre","title":"Siempre","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSiempre\u003c\/em\u003e is the fourth studio album from \u003cstrong\u003eAgs Connolly\u003c\/strong\u003e and marks a change in direction for the traditional country singer-songwriter - yet without leaving his trademark honky tonk sound behind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs with his previous record \u003cem\u003eWrong Again\u003c\/em\u003e (2019) - named UK Country Album Of The Year at the 2020 UK Country Music Awards - \u003cem\u003eSiempre\u003c\/em\u003e was produced by \u003cstrong\u003eAgs\u003c\/strong\u003e himself and recorded at Woodworm Studios in Oxfordshire with London-based players in guitarist Rob Updegraff, bass player Anna Robinson and drummer Chris 'CJ' Jones. Crucial contributions also came from San Antonio-based accordionist Michael Guerra (playing on his third \u003cstrong\u003eAgs\u003c\/strong\u003e record) and Nashville fiddle player Billy Contreras. In addition, legendary UK pedal steel guitarist BJ Cole added dobro to one track.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSiempre\u003c\/em\u003e takes the glimmers of Texas border sounds heard on \u003cstrong\u003eAgs\u003c\/strong\u003e' last two records and merges them with Tejano music and barroom waltzes while also accommodating his honky tonk and singer-songwriter roots. \"It's best described as a Texas music album\", \u003cstrong\u003eAgs\u003c\/strong\u003e explains. \"Texas-style country is my favourite, and it takes many forms. I wanted to celebrate them all.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor the Tex-Mex tracks, \u003cstrong\u003eAgs\u003c\/strong\u003e taught himself to play bajo quinto, a traditional Tejano instrument. \"I knew if I was gonna do it I had to do it right\", \u003cstrong\u003eAgs\u003c\/strong\u003e says. \"Wes McGhee (the legendary UK country artist who spent years playing in Austin) told me you need the bajo for an authentic sound - he should know as he was making records like this decades ago.\" \u003cstrong\u003eAgs\u003c\/strong\u003e pays tribute to McGhee on \u003cem\u003eSiempre\u003c\/em\u003e by covering his song 'Half Forgotten Tunes'. The number fits nicely in among the road odes and paths of uncertainty that traverse the album, drifting from loss to hope and back again.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Finstock","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50486861168971,"sku":"2022840","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50486860677451,"sku":"2022837","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_2abb846a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727616817"},{"product_id":"your-pal-slim-songs-of-james-hand","title":"Your Pal Slim: Songs of James Hand","description":"\u003cp\u003e In 2006, Ags Connolly saw James Hand - the relatively obscure Texan honky tonker, likened to a ghost from country music's past - perform in London - Then later in Fort Worth, then London once more - While he would meet and witness 'Slim' again in the future, those first encounters proved critical to the path Ags took in music.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJames Hand was born in Waco, TX in 1952. He released the first of six albums in 1997, in a career where Willie Nelson called him \"the real deal\" and Kris Kristofferson described his songs as \"soul music\". When Hand died in June 2020 at the age of 67, and the dust from the rolling of the hearse finally settled, Ags Connolly knew he wanted to pay tribute in earnest to his hero.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe English troubadour began by selecting the songs from Slim's back catalogue that spoke to him the most. Then he brought bass player Anna Robinson and drummer Robert Pokorny into Woodworm Studios in Oxfordshire, England to lay down a framework for the tracks. That allowed Ags to begin the process of recruiting key performers from James Hand's career to complete the instrumentation for what would become\u003ci\u003e Your Pal Slim: Songs of James Hand\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Finstock","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50875342127435,"sku":"2229308","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/0726436193559.jpg_ea4d2a7f_thumbnail_4096.webp?v=1732259047"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_e19afce4_thumbnail_4096_61ec9d65-12dd-4d0d-9b84-5915023868fb.jpg?v=1727616788","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/ags-connolly.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}