Despite the good intentions, the release of “Beer Run” caused quite a stir, and for a couple of reasons. The first and most well-known was not with George Jones, but with alt-country East Nashville songwriter Todd Snider.
The reason for Anderson’s revered status among core country fans was not just his one-in-a-million voice that was like caramel being run through a volume pedal. John Anderson had an ear for songs like few others.
When Ricky Van Shelton stepped into the studio to record “Life Turned Her That Way” 40 years ago today (October 14th, 1986), the song had already been covered by scores of performers previously. But Ricky made it a #1.
The incident occurred at about 1:35 in the afternoon when Jerry Lee’s bass player at the time, Norman “Butch” Owens, came by the Lewis compound in Collierville to deliver a copy of Jerry Lee’s latest album.
Merle Haggard deserves credit for a lot. But who knew that late in his career when an aging Merle Haggard was in his swan song, he also played a pivotal role in the legacy of another Country Music Hall of Fame act: Brooks & Dunn.
Johnny PayCheck ended up in the pokey after an altercation. Who showed up with $50,000 to bail him out of the Hillsboro Jail on May 22nd, 1986? George Jones and Merle Haggard.
Walter Hyatt of Uncle Walt’s Band might not be as well-recognized of a name as Patsy Cline, Buddy Holly, Montgomery Gentry, or Reba McEntire. But his death was just as tragic, and the fight he died on was tragic.
About the only thing that could possibly ever top the beauty and majesty of the voices of Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris, is all three of them together. It all began 50 years ago today.
One country music relationship of Gram Parsons that has rarely been explored or publicly broadcast is his interactions with country legend and California native Merle Haggard. On the surface the two came from different worlds.
If you want something done in country music, give it to Lorrie Morgan to do. Things that on paper might have seemed impossible, Lorrie Morgan has pulled off, and multiple times now.
It seems like every time the topic of “King” George Strait comes up in conversation, someone feels the need to pipe up how he’s a fraud of a country star because he never wrote any of his own songs.
Alright, it wasn’t officially Kris Kristofferson. It was his character John Norman Howard from the 1976 version of the music film A Star Is Born. But it still has gone down in history as a legendary moment.
The band had no idea who they were opening for. When they arrived at the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City and saw the marquee lit up with KISS, they thought it might be a mistake.
It’s fair to ask if The Eagles’ ‘Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)’ released 50 years ago today should it be considered a country album, or at least, mostly or partly country, or country-inspired.
It’s one of the most difficult and scrutinized performances any singer can commit to. But if you turn in a memorable rendition, it could be a defining moment in your career. It’s the National Anthem.
Waylon never followed, or imitated. He led. Even if he was going to fail, he would rather do it his way. That’s why it isn’t just the music, but Waylon’s attitude that was so influential, and inspirational.
The final hit from a country legend is always a fascinating topic. The sad reality is that whenever a superstar reaches the end of their shelf life according to the cold and soulless assessment of country music.
New Years Eve is a joyous time for many, but it always comes with a pinch of sorrow for those proud to call themselves country music fans who know of the tragedy this time of year has wrought on the music.
Along with Guy Clark and his wife Susanna, Rodney Crowell, Steve Young, Richard Dobson, dobro player Jim McGuire, Billy Callery, and a very young but hungry Steve Earle all sat around the table.
Many country music artists have claimed to be “Outlaws” over the years. Only two have produced .22 pistols and shot at people’s heads to prove it: Billy Joe Shaver, and Johnny PayCheck.
Rob Reiner’s role in a Reba McEntire video was probably the least of his accomplishments in his storied career. But it illustrates just how much he’d become an unlikely cultural icon both in front and behind the camera.
In fact, the impact and reception for the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack was so significant, it’s very fair to characterize it as one of the most important albums in country music history.
Kris Kristofferson had been named a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. He’d also been an officer in the US Army. But he wanted to be a songwriter, so he had to start somewhere.
As the eventual title track to George’s February 1976 album, “The Battle” came out in the aftermath of George’s divorce from Tammy Wynette, and at a time when his career was in a commercial slide.