Biography: Red Sky July

Red Sky July Set to Shine at the British Country Music Festival 2025

 Red Sky July blends stunning vocal harmonies with a signature mix of Alt-Folk, Country, and Americana to create a timeless sound that continues to evolve with their latest album, “Misty Morning.”

The Story Behind Red Sky July

Red Sky July began as a musical side-project. The band was formed in 2009 as a creative outlet without boundaries or expectations. Originally, it featured husband-and-wife duo Ally McErlaine (guitarist from 15 million-selling band Texas) and Shelly Poole (previously one-half of million-selling duo Alisha’s Attic). High-profile vocalist and performer Haley Glennie-Smith joined, replacing Charity Hair from the original lineup.

The band members share songwriting, both collaborating and solo written songs feature in their recent album creating timeless Americana, and collaborating individually. Shelly also acts as a producer.  

Ally McErlaine

Ally McErlaine is a celebrated Scottish guitarist and composer, best known as the founding member and lead guitarist of the multi-million-selling band Texas. Born in Glasgow, Ally gained recognition as a prodigious talent in the 1980s, forming Texas at just 17 alongside Sharleen Spiteri and Johnny McElhone. His bluesy, atmospheric slide guitar on their debut album Southside helped define a genre of Americana-inspired music in the UK, earning him praise as “the nation’s classiest guitarist” by Guitarist Magazine.

Ally contributed to Texas’s chart-topping success, including UK No. 1 albums like White on Blonde and iconic singles such as “Say What You Want” and “Black Eyed Boy.“

 Beyond Texas, Ally has collaborated with an eclectic roster of artists, including Rufus Wainwright, Sheryl Crow, Mick Jagger, Steve Earle, and Tom Jones.

 Recently, he has ventured into ambient music composition, releasing the critically acclaimed guitar collection Callisto, inspired by layered swells and textures. Ally has also composed scores for film projects like Luc Besson dramas and the feature film My Old School. His innovative approach to music continues to solidify his reputation as one of the UK’s most versatile and accomplished guitarists.

Shelly Poole

Shelly Poole is a versatile and accomplished music creator, producer, and strategist with over two decades of experience in the music industry. Born into a musical family as the daughter of Brian Poole from the 1960s group The Tremeloes, Shelly’s career began with chart-topping success in the late 1990s as part of Alisha’s Attic, a band she formed with her sister Karen. Together, they achieved 11 hit singles, four gold and platinum albums, and an Ivor Novello nomination for songwriting.

Her solo album Hard Time For The Dreamer debuted at number one on iTunes UK and France in 2005, earning critical acclaim.

Beyond performing, Shelly has written hits for artists like Janet Jackson and Massive Attack, composed scores for films such as Sundance winner My Old School, and co-founded Bells and Whistles, a creative sync company delivering bespoke music for brands like Bentley and Netflix.

Haley Glennie-Smith

Haley Glennie-Smith is a versatile vocalist and performer who has contributed to numerous high-profile music projects across film, television, and live performances. Her work includes recording two Robert Johnson blues classics for the soundtrack of Stephen Woolley’s film Stoned, coaching Cate Blanchett for Todd Haynes’ Bob Dylan-inspired I’m Not There, and performing the end title song for the British film Sugarhouse. She also lent her vocals to Steven Price’s Oscar-winning score for Gravity and collaborated with George Fenton on the BBC’s Life series.

As the solo vocalist for Planet Earth in Concert, Haley has toured globally since 2010, performing with renowned orchestras such as the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl and the Metropolitan Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House.

In addition to her session work, she writes and performs her solo material across the UK.

A Modern Country Masterpiece

The band’s sound has garnered significant critical acclaim. Q Magazine described their debut as:

“a timeless blend of vocals & intricate twang… as atmospheric as it is emotional”

Red Sky July’s second album, Shadowbirds, was released in September 2014. It entered the UK country album chart at number 3 and featured a collaboration with Jack Savoretti. Following this success, they toured extensively and supported major artists like Sheryl Crow and 10cc.

In recognition of their artistic achievements, Red Sky July received a prestigious Tartan Clef award at the Scottish Music Awards. This honour, presented by Nordoff-Robbins music therapy, acknowledged their contribution to music.

Their third album, “The Truth and The Lie,” arrived in March 2016. It reached number 3 on the official UK country chart. This album featured notable guest musicians, including songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman, who appeared on the track Strathconon.

The Guardian called their third album:

“a modern country masterpiece”.

Latest Release: Misty Morning

February 2025 marked the arrival of Red Sky July’s latest album, “Misty Morning”. The new release showcases their trademark vocal harmonies and stunning instrumentation. Recent singles include “Stones And Brambles” and the title track.

Their recent Manchester Folk Festival performance offered a glimpse of their evolving sound. The album represents a marked progression, featuring fresh sonic ideas. It redefines their blend of folk and Americana while retaining their essence.

The album evokes natural landscapes with an almost hypnotic quality. Yet, it maintains the band’s characteristic Fender country twang.

 The Scotsman awarded “Misty Morning” three stars in their February 2025 review.

Festival Appearances and Live Performances

Red Sky July has performed at prestigious venues and festivals throughout their career. Festival appearances include Glastonbury, Isle of Wight, T in the Park, and C2C: Country to Country. Moreover, they’ve toured extensively as headliners and as special guests.

They’ve shared stages with impressive names in the music industry, including Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, 10CC, Tom Jones, and Jools Holland. Their live performances showcase their musical talent and engaging stage presence.

Coming to The British Country Music Festival 2025

Red Sky July will perform at The Empress Ballroom on Sunday during the British Country Music Festival 2025. The festival celebrates its sixth edition this year. It runs from Friday, 29th August, to Sunday, 31st August.

The British Country Music Festival takes place at The Winter Gardens in Blackpool. It features over 100 artists across four indoor stages. The main stage in the iconic Empress Ballroom provides the perfect setting for Red Sky July’s performance.

This festival explicitly highlights UK singer-songwriters. It focuses on artists who push the boundaries of Americana and country music. Red Sky July fits perfectly with the festival’s ethos and musical direction.

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience Red Sky July live at The British Country Music Festival 2025. Their blend of harmonies, thoughtful lyrics, and skilled instrumentation promises an unforgettable performance.