Red Dirt music chapters have cropped up across the United States that are turning people’s passion for the music into palpable and important support for musicians who may draw hundreds or thousands in Texas, but may only draw a smattering of fans in other locations.
For years, any time a country music artist lashed out about the direction of country music or the quality of its current stars, they received pretty loud applause for their bravery and leadership from the true country music community. That’s still the case, but things are changing as well.
I haven’t wanted to do this. Because ultimately, it should be the primary members and partners of the Turnpike Troubadours who should be allowed to control the narrative about any potential reunification, or the lack thereof for the band that went on indefinite hiatus two years ago.
Hopefully Tyler Childers is holding back, writing songs, perhaps recording them as well, and getting ready for some big announcements, not that he’s due for a new record or anything. Hopefully some big Tyler Childers news is coming soon. The calm before the storm.
Many true country fans were ecstatic at the news, but I fear some folks have visions of getting a slew of new songs from Gary along the lines of “Nothing On but the Radio” and “Smoke Rings in the Dark” when we already have multiple indications that’s unlikely the direction Gary Allan will be taking.
You know how this drill works. Make sure your tray tables are in their full upright position, make sure all electronic devices are set to airplane mode, and don’t believe a pop country star when they say they’re going back to their roots until you actually hear it.
They say home is where the heart is, and sometimes that is not a physical place, but a place in time. Very often many of us don’t feel at home in our own domiciles, or towns or cities, or even our era in time, especially these days, leaving one in an ever-present feeling of uneasiness.
The strategy and reasoning here are pretty obvious. Kacey Musgraves has been a critical darling in country music for years. But the country music industry and especially country radio has never known what to do with her.
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the 2021 ACM Awards LIVE blog, where for the next three hours (gulp), we will follow along in real time, razzing rich and famous people for the way their dressed, praising the few real country music personalities that they actually let on the show.
Now let’s not get too ahead of ourselves here. But if you know anything about Alan Jackson and awards shows, you know he’s the ultimate wild card. He’s got no truck or patience for your pedantics, and dog and pony awards show nonsense.
Over the last couple of weeks there’s been a big fight in Nashville over the fate of the iconic venue called the Exit/In. Opened in 1971, and named for the fact that the entrance was in the back, it’s one of those venues that’s housed so many memories and iconic moments.
To be country again, you had to have been country in the first place, at least at some point. And country is as country does. You want to be country? Then be country. Don’t tell us about being country. Chances are if you’re telling us how country you are, it’s because it’s not self-evident you’re country.
“I just want to play shows. Politics’ job is to divide — that’s how you win elections. Those things that unite us are music and sports. The times when, whether you’re a Democrat or Republican or whatever, you throw your arm around the person next to you. We become one. We need that.”
Along with diminutively characterizing Barnes as just “another young-ish white man,” ‘Pitchfork’ went after the biography and back story of Barnes, saying he reinforced “the mythology of a white, male, ‘real’ country music [performer] whose legitimacy relies wholly on exclusion.”
With Alan Jackson behind it, you know the album’s going to be country. For over 30 years, Jackson has been like a bulwark against the incursion of pop, he’s still doing what he can from his perch as a country music elder statesman to keep it on track.
After staring long in the mirror, meditating on the subject, counseling with mentors, and rewatching the introduction to The Muppet Movie from 1979, I have resolved in my heart that yes, this a hill I am willing to die on.
Uncle Lucius played their final show in March of 2018 to a packed room at Gruene Hall in Texas, but the legacy of the band has continued to resonate through their music even here into 2021. On January 21st, “Keep The Wolves Away” was Certified Gold by the RIAA.
In the latest sign of the Tyler Childers permeation in culture—and specifically with the younger audiences that some may be surprised find so much appeal in his music—this week not one, but two contestants on American Idol performed Tyler Childers songs.
With all of the concern over the swell of violence against Asian Americans lately, the question has come up in certain circles, “Are there any Asian Americans making country music?” Well I’m glad you asked, and hell yeah there are. In fact 2020 was actually a banner year for Asian Americans.
Getting into the Texas theme (or at least, a country one), Post Malone threw everyone for a curve ball by borrowing Dwight Yoakam’s band, and busting out a few country songs at Matthew McConaughey’s Texas benefit Sunday night.
Let’s make something patently clear: Kenny Wayne Shepherd is not a “motherf______ racist” as was accused by the daughter of Muddy Waters, Mercy Morganfield, which led to Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s nomination for a Blues Music Award to be rescinded.”
Sorry all you “Flattheads,” Rascal Flatts is done. Do not pass ‘Go.’ Do not collect $200. It’s finito. Curtains. Even their supposed “farewell tour” that they announced in January of 2020 to drive up tickets sales that was delayed due to COVID-19 won’t be happening at all now.
Broken Bow artist Jimmie Allen is continuing to be one of the few artists in mainstream country who is willing to speak out and stick up for Morgan Wallen in the aftermath of Wallen getting caught on camera saying the N-word on February 2nd.
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the 2021 edition of the Saving Country Music Grammy Awards LIVE blog! For the next three hours or so, we’ll be following along with the live broadcast, sharing completely unscripted and off-the-cuff quips, criticisms, praises, and observations.