The CMAs. The ACMs. The CMTs. The PCCAs. None of them come even close to truly recognizing the “best” that country music has to offer in a given year. It’s questionable if any of them truly deserve your undivided attention at all.
Sturgill Simpson is releasing a 10th Anniversary edition of his landmark and iconic breakout album “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music.” The album is given credit for turning the tide in country music.
There is perhaps no better sign of the country resurgence than the surging popularity of 25-year-old Zach Top. His music has caught fire like he’s the next new thing, even though his sound is older than he is.
This Rolling Stone list of the 25 Best Country Soul Albums has so many holes you could strain your spaghetti with it, while simultaneously including some titles that have no business being there.
Jesse Daniel is one bad country music-making hombre. He’s not looking for any handouts or to cut in any lines. Everything he earns he wants to be from the callouses on his hands and the sweat from his brow.
“She clearly was not trying to showcase the talents of black country artists in a real way, which I’m sure is extremely disappointing to the black country folks busting their asses to make it.”
Imagine a Texas music scene without Gruene Hall. It’s difficult to impossible to do. And if it wasn’t for Pat Molak discovering the ruins of an old town just north of New Braunfels, and making it his life’s purpose to preserve it.
The Red Clay Stray are now major label artists. Announced on Saturday, March 30th, the throwback Sun Records-inspired outfit from Alabama has officially signed to RCA Records, which is a division of Sony.
You better make room on your record shelf or playlist because ‘Sweethearts Only’ is coming in hot, and will be demanding your attention like a hyperactive dachshund with detachment anxiety for months to come.
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter is not a country album. It was never meant to be considered a country album. When the first songs were released, they were not labeled as country songs, and were not sent to country radio.
Yes. The “Rich Men North of Richmond” guy. No, he wasn’t exposed as the “Astroturfed” industry shill that many accused him of being. And no, he didn’t disappear off the face of the earth after his all-genre #1 song.
You may not recognize the name Stephanie Hudacek as an independent country music fan. But you certainly will recognize many of the names she’s worked with, and the artists who have benefited from her work.
Few of the other artists we’ve experienced in the modern era stun with their reinterpretation and revitalization of the classic sounds of music from the early sixties like Kimmi Bitter, in the country genre and beyond.
On Wednesday, March 27th, massive Texas music superstar Koe Wetzel took to X/Twitter to announce a surprise show at the tiny Sam’s Town Point in Austin. But it ultimately didn’t happen.
Kellie Pickler is making her return to the stage as part of a Patsy Cline tribute. Ever since Kellie Pickler’s husband Kyle Jacobs committed suicide on February 17th, 2023, she has remained out of the public eye.
Southern rock fans, and fans of The Steel Woods specifically woke up to the sad news on Thursday (3-28) that the band, and namely the lead singer, guitar player, and primary songwriter, Wes Bayliss, had decided to cease touring.
With a gas can with a hole cut in the top for a tip jar, Pat Reedy has traveled around and kept it up close and personal with his fans, and with life in forgotten America. That’s reflected in “Make It Back Home.”
There are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to see massive artists playing small venues. Then there is whatever you want to characterize this as, which takes it to an entirely new level for Billy Strings.
2024 is shaping up to be a bumper crop year for incredible country songs, and ones coming from a wide array of performers in a myriad of different approaches to the country genre. Keeping your ear to the ground…
Just like many of the other details in the reporting on Beyoncé and country music, the proclamations that country radio initially rejected Beyoncé’s singles are verifiably false. On the contrary, country radio embraced “Texas Hold “Em.”
Allowing an easy way for podcasts to promote tracks, albums, and performers while fairly compensating them for their art seems completely intuitive and well past due. Yet here in 2024, we’re still waiting.
Cody Jinks succeeded at changing the game. But it’s those that continue to change, continue to challenge themselves and refine who they are that will squeeze the most out of this life.
Earlier this week, the loss of not just one, but two of Strait’s most loyal and long-serving compadres on the same day created a double dose of tragedy no music community should ever have to endure.
To add the mother of all insults to injury, for the video for his new song, Sam Hunt casts himself in the role of Johnny Cash from the iconic San Quentin prison performance from 1969. What hubris.
