After an investigation by the Nashville Police Department into allegations by former country music performer Austin Rick that he was sexually assaulted on numerous occasions by powerful country music publicist Kirt Webster, the investigators found sufficient evidence to believe Rick’s story.
Pop country star Michael Ray—known for songs such as “Think A Little Less” and “Real Men Love Jesus”—was arrested 3 a.m. Wednesday (12-20) morning in Eustis, Florida for DUI and drug possession after he rear ended another vehicle in the drive thru at a local McDonald’s.
Man do we have a few doozies to add to the Saving Country Music Top 25 Current Playlist, amplifying an already jam packed lineup that’s hard to know what to let go of just to add the best of what’s new. But somehow, someway, space must be made for a few stellar new song releases.
Richard Dobson never found the fame many of his more recognized songwriting contemporaries did, but he was cherished as an equal by them, and the fans who sought out his music, and followed his journey, inspired and intrigued by his free spirit, his capability with words, and his ability not just to tell great stories, but to live them.
Colter Wall is one of those artists you better damn well see while you have the opportunity to catch him in intimate settings. At only 22-years-old, you may have plenty of time to see him in the future, but with this level of talent and interest, it may not be in the mid-sized club, small theater level for much longer.
As we near the end of 2017, it’s time to start thinking about some of the records we expect to see in the coming year. And since it’s been some 2 1/2 years since Kacey Musgraves released a record of new original material, she would be one on the short list of who to anticipate will be showing up with new music.
When it comes to country music albums, it is Chris Stapleton, and everyone else. And it’s not even close. After the release of Stapleton’s latest record, ‘From A Room: Vol. 2,’ Chris Stapleton holds three of the top four spots on the country albums charts. ‘From A Room: Vol. 2’ easily comes in at #1 in country, as well as #2 all genre.
Sturgill Simpson, who has regularly criticized print media for coming to him with preconceived notions for interviews, has clarified his statement about Luke Bryan to the New York Times, and revealed via screenshots that his quote about Luke Bryan was cut off mid sentence, and never meant for public consumption.
One of the very last true links to the Golden Age of country music has retired to the great honky tonk in the sky. Leon Rhodes, one of the most famous and influential Texas Troubadours behind Ernest Tubb, as well as one of the mainstays of the Grand Ole Opry house band, and the backing band on the television show Hee-Haw.
Since 1974, the Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam concert has been a mainstay on the country music calendar, and a worthy fundraiser for veterans. Now in 2018, the event will hold special importance as it also acts as a tribute to Charlie Daniels himself, as he partners with tribute concert promoter Blackbird Presents for this year’s presentation.
The notorious front man of Th’ Legendary Shack Shaker, The Dirt Daubers, and conspirator on many other projects Col. JD Wilkes will release a true solo album for the first time in his career. Called Fire Dream, it will be released by Big Legal Mess through Fat Possum Records.
“King” George Strait can now add yet another accolade to his long list of accomplishments in his storied, Hall of Fame career. According to the Texas Legislative Conference, which is a non-partisan annual forum on Texas public policy, George Strait is the Texan of the Year for 2018. But it’s not for his music, and least not directly.
As we near the end of the year, it’s time to start thinking about the Song of the Year and Album of the Year candidates, and to start sifting back thought this year’s playlists and reviews to see what resonated the most, and what we might have missed. But there are still new songs and new albums being released as well.
The nominations for the 2018 Grammy Awards were announced Tuesday morning (11-28), and among the most nominated names are multiple traditional country and roots music favorites, including Chris Stapleton who comes in with three nominations, tied with award show favorites Little Big Town for the most nominations in country.
Texas music stalwart Wade Bowen will release his latest record called Solid Ground via Thirty Tigers. Produced by songwriter and guitar player Keith Gattis, it will be Bowen’s first proper full-blown release of original music since his 2014 self-titled record.
There’s yet another reason for players and fans of America’s Team to be disappointed on the direction of the current season. After finishing last year 13-3, and starting the 2017-2018 campaign as many people’s pick as a Super Bowl contender, the Dallas Cowboys have suffered another debilitating season setback.
If you’re looking for an authentic Austin, TX honky tonk band as opposed to . . . I don’t know . . . some rich Californians looking to exploit the mystique and romanticism of such a thing, then the first place to start looking might be Mike and the Moonpies.
Mel Tillis, beloved for #1 country hits such as “Southern Rains,” “Good Woman Blues,” “Heart Healer,” and more died Sunday morning (11-19) at the Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Florida. Tillis had been battling intestinal issues since early 2016 which resulted in his hospitalization, and he never fully recovered.
Taylor Swift is coming back to country, or at least to country radio. Officially announced on Thursday (11-16), her song “New Years Day,” which is the final track from her sixth studio album Reputation, is being serviced to country radio by her label Big Machine, hoping to rekindle Swift’s history and success with the format.
So Murray shows up to the concert, heads to the box office, buys every ticket remaining for the show, and hands them out to everyone who is standing in line. A long-standing staunch supporter of music, Bill Murray has been caught red handed going nuts at Chris Stapleton concerts and other live events.
Canadian country artist Colter Wall is once again receiving some worthy exposure via a critically-acclaimed film the promises to be an Oscar contender. ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ is a dark comedy. Colter Wall’s “Sleeping on the Blacktop” plays prominently at the beginning of the film’s racy and explosive trailer.
The Turnpike Troubadours will finally get their own appearance on Austin City Limits. The revered, longest-running music television program taped live at Austin’s Moody Theater has chosen the Oklahoma-based band for the final episode of ACL’s 43rd Season.
Well well, it’s starting to get a little chippy out there after reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Garth Brooks admitted mere moments after his CMA Awards performance Wednesday night (11-8) that he’d lip synced his song “Ask Me How I Know.”
What an embarrassing moment for the CMAs, country music, and Garth, since he was so very clearly lip syncing his performance Wednesday night (11-8). Social media exploded, especially after a moment where Garth was clearly facing away from the mic, but the lyrics kept rolling.