Billy Bragg Inspires New Generation Of British Musicians Including Kt Tunstall, Kate Nash, Jamie T, And The Enemy

NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ Anti-Records) - On April 22, Anti- Records will release 'Mr. Love Justice,' Billy Bragg's first new record in 6 years. In the years since he last recorded, Billy has had a major influence on a new generation of British musicians. Among them is Kate Nash, whose debut album recently topped the UK national charts. She and Billy recently shared a stage at the Big Day Out festival in Australia and will perform together at the NME Awards later this month. The two first met during London's Camden Crawl last year and she recalled the event in the NME: "When I watched him it was the best thing ever, to see him, one guy, one guitar and for him to have such an effect on such a huge amount of people. Everyone was smiling and singing along. It's about connecting with people."

KT Tunstall is another young songstress who cites Bragg as an inspiration. Last year Tunstall presented Bragg with the prestigious "Classic Songwriter" award at Q Magazine's Q Awards. Of Bragg Tunstall said, "I wish he was my history teacher, I wish he was my big brother and I wish I could vote for him." Last week the two performed together at London's HMV on Oxford St. and later this month they are set to record a podcast to be available for download on iTunes.

Other new generation Bragg fans include The Mercury Prize-nominated artists Hard-Fi and Jamie T, who both recorded Bragg's songs recently. And groups like The Enemy and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly have spoken in support of Bragg's Jail Guitar Doors, a charity that donates guitars to prisons.