Gail is one of country music’s true greats

ONE of Nashville’s finest singersongwriters and record producers will play Widnes on what organisers say could be her final UK tour.

Gail Davies will be appearing at the United Service Club on Tuesday, October 4, with special guest John Aston.

She was the first woman in country music to produce her own recordings and has been cited as a major influence by such diverse acts as Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Kathy Mattea, Suzy Boggus, Pam Tillis, Lucinda Williams, Gretchen Peters, Rhonda Vincent, Highway 101, Sweethearts Of The Rodeo and the Judds.

A gifted musician with country, bluegrass and blues leanings, Gail’s first hit was a revival of Webb Pierce’s No Love Have I in 1978.

She went on to produce a string of country hits including I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me), It’s A Lovely, Lovely World, Someone Is Looking For Someone Like You, Grandma’s Song and Jagged Edge Of A Broken Heart.

She has made several acclaimed albums including Eclectic, Love Ain’t Easy, Live & Unplugged At The Station Inn and Caught In The Webb, the all-star tribute to her idol Webb Pierce.

In 2005 she released The Songwriter Sessions, a double CD, featuring 45 self-penned songs.

More recently she produced Unsung Hero: A Tribute To The Music Of Ron Davies, an all-star double CD.

Her latest album, Beyond The Realm Of Words, is a collection of songs that she has penned along with a few from her brother Ron and an excellent interpretation of Bob Dylan’s You Go Your Way.

A show spokesman said: “A genuine country music trailblazer, Gail Davies was a member of the first wave of intelligent female country-rock singer-songwriters of the 1970s.

“With a reputation as a country music maverick and a distinctive stylist, she remains well-respected by numerous singers and musicians in Nashville, who are more interested in soul than reputation.”

The show begins at 7.30pm and tickets cost £7.50.

To book, call 0151 424 4978 or visit www.uscwidnes.webs.com