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Singer songwriter Thea Gilmore has won the popular vote in Get Ready to ROCK!’s end of year poll. Thea’s album ‘The Counterweight’ was voted ‘Best of 2017′ by readers and listeners.
Alan Jones from Get Ready to ROCK! has been a long time fan and in selecting the album in his own personal “best of” noted “Gilmore’s fabulous voice and her sheer brilliance as a songwriter.”
Close contenders were pop rockers Cats In Space with their second album ‘Scarecrow’. The band also featured in the Top Live Act and Breakthrough Act categories rounding off a great year which saw them support Status Quo and Deep Purple on tour.
Also named in the Top 5 albums of the year were King King, Black Country Communion and Judie Tzuke who also received the nomination for singer songwriter album of the year.
Top Live Act of 2017 is Marillion. Amongst the highlights for the band this year was an appearance at the Royal Albert Hall, London in October. GRTR! Managing Editor David Randall selected the band in his own ‘best of’ and commented that in 2017 they were “reinforcing their place in the forefront of modern rock.”
Also listed in the Top 5 Live Acts are Fairport Convention, Panic Room, Alice Cooper and Black Sabbath who in 2017 concluded their final “The End” tour.
Cambridgeshire-based rockers Austin Gold have been voted Top Breakthrough Act. Get Ready to ROCK! blues and features editor Pete Feenstra has been an early advocate and reviewing their debut album noted: “Austin Gold are holding all the right cards, they’re just a good shuffle away from achieving something very special.”
Also receiving votes in this section were Cats In Space and Scottish newcomers Mason Hill whose debut album is scheduled for 2018 release.
Since 2003 the popular rock website has published a selection of ‘Best of’ the year, as chosen by their reviewers.
Reviews Editor Jason Ritchie commented: “The popular vote is always a good barometer of how far readers and listeners agree with the reviewer selections and can also reflect the proactive nature of an artist’s fanbase. It’s a bit of fun before Christmas and all the nominations are fully deserving of their listing.”
The Best of 2017 is featured in a special show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, repeated on Monday 18 December and Friday 22 December at 22:00 GMT
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 2 March 2025.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 4 March 2025
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More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 7 April 2025
SEVEN BLOOD To The Unknown (indie)
FROM FALL TO SPRING Incomplete (Arising Empire)
POP EVIL Side Effects (MNRK Heavy)
ERJA LYYTINEN Abyss (Tuohi Records)
SKY VALLEY MISTRESS Too Many Ghosts (New Heavy Sounds)
Featured Albums w/c 7 April 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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