Nashville Meets London presents

James Dupré & Laura Oakes

Compered by Baylen Leonard

Event Has Passed

Last Show: Wednesday 25 th April 2018

PizzaExpress Live (Holborn)

Following the sold out inaugural NML show in March, we are delighted to present a double-bill: from the USA James Dupré "one of Rolling Stone’s '10 New Country Artists You Need To Know' ”and award-winning vocalist Laura Oakes (UK).  

James Dupré was born and raised in Bayou Chicot, Louisiana, U.S.  The one-time aspiring meteorologist turned paramedic became a YouTube sensation in 2007 upon posting cover videos of Country songs. He received an invitation to perform on "Ellen" and, shortly after, released his debut album It’s All Happening in 2010, which charted on Billboard. After signing a record deal with Warner Music Nashville in 2011, Dupré began performing and touring full-time through 2014. It was shortly thereafter Dupre’ appeared on NBC's "The Voice" Season 9, where all four coaches turned their chairs around, and ultimately landed his rich, baritone voice a spot-on Adam Levine’s team. The father of four recently made his acting debut in the film, The Price, playing the son of a country singer portrayed by Randy Travis.  In 2016, Dupre’ was also named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 New Country Artists You Need To Know” and has over 10 million views to his credit on YouTube. James Dupré has released “Hurt Good” to Country radio.  For more information, visit www.jamesdupre.com or follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.


When it’s normal for mealtime conversations to be conducted in three-part harmony, it was only natural for Laura Oakes to go through life singing. Her love for Dolly Parton, David Gates and the Dixie Chicks may seem an unusual music taste for a teenager from Liverpool, North West England but in her teenage years Laura really started to embrace her influences performing anywhere and everywhere.
A visit to Grand Ole Opry in Nashville at the age of 18 proved to be an overwhelming and life-defining experience, driving her to realise her dream of writing and singing country music.
She recorded and self-released her first single 'Don't Let It Hit Ya' in September 2013 which featured in the top 20 iTunes Country Chart. Her second single 'Snakes and Ladders' followed in 2014 with similar success. Laura released her debut Self-Titled EP to iTunes in the summer of 2015 receiving great support from BBC radio across the UK, and similarly from Digital Radio (Chris Country and Amazing Radio). Bob Harris included it in his Best of 2015 retrospective on BBC Radio 2. As the year came to an end, Laura was also awarded the prize of The British Country MusicAssociation͛s Female Vocalist of the Year and followed up again in 2016 winning the prize for a second year running. Laura currently stands with three nominations for the upcoming BCMAs in October with two songs (Dreamin͛ and Better In Blue Jeans) up for ͚Best Song of the Year͛ as well as a nomination for ͚Best Female Vocalist͛. The UK country scene is one that is growing at a rapid pace and Laura has been at the forefront of it. Laura has enjoyed live dates at some of the UK͛s most prestigious festivals and stages including C2C Country 2Country at the 02 Arena – London, Cornbury Music Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Camp Bestival and Time Out Presents: Rising Stars of Country at The Jazz Café. As well as support slots for some of the most notable talent coming out of the UK and US, including Andrew Combs, The Shires, Colm Mac Com Iomaire (The Frames), Jess and The Bandits and Ward Thomas. Her new acoustic EP “Nashville Stole Your Girl”was released end of September 2017 and achieved number 5 in the iTunes UK Country Music Chart and received critical acclaim, securing a session on Bob Harris’BBC Radio 2 show. Laura is looking forward to a busy 2018 including a writing trip to Nashville, plenty of live dates, fresh new music and festivals in the pipeline.