The Ballad of Todd Snider
Singer, songwriter, and storyteller Todd Snider is the great American anti-star. That’s how he started his career, that’s how he rose to prominence, and that’s how he falls from grace.
Random Notes
Joshua Slone, and the Emerging World of Contemporary Folk Pop
Slone’s career was given a jump start when he appeared in a handful of collaborative videos with Zach Bryan in April. This subsequently blew Slone up on TikTok and Instagram where he’s been posting videos.
On Flatland Cavalry Joining the Morgan Wallen Tour
o should we be happy for Flatland Cavalry receiving this opportunity to open a massive show in a stadium for Morgan Wallen? Or should we be disappointed they accepted it?
“The Truth” About Live Nation’s New Nashville Venue
Few if anyone is pointing out one of the most obvious things about it: This new venue called “The Truth” is Live Nation’s rival to the Mother Church of Country Music, The Ryman Auditorium.
On The Petition for George Strait to Play the Super Bowl
Country music is constantly slotted as second-class when it comes to the greater American culture, even when it’s more popular than ever like it is now, and more popular than any other genre.
Media and Public Beclown Themselves Over Unreleased Zach Bryan Song
What do I think of the new Zach Bryan song? I have no idea what I think about it, because I’ve never heard it. You may think you have all kinds of opinions about it. But you’ve never heard the song either.
AEG / Live Nation Now Coming for Music’s Mid-Sized Independent Venues
The catalysts for the catastrophic implosion in mid-sized independent venue ownership in the United States is about to make matters much worse with Live Nation and AEG investing heavily in the space.
Country Music Continues to Set Records … and Be Ignored by Super Bowl
On Saturday, September 27th, Zach Bryan played the largest ticketed event in American history. 112,408 people packed into Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor to witness Zach Bryan perform at the “Big House.”
As Zach Top Cools Off, Gavin Adcock Heats Up
Don’t look now, but there has been a dramatic shift in the trajectory of two of country music’s hottest up-and-coming stars, and it doesn’t bode well if you’re advocating for the continuance of country music’s resurgence
On Zach Bryan Trying to Fight Gavin Adcock
Zach Bryan got drunk, and decided he was going to be a tough guy. It probably was not the smartest of decisions. Gavin Adcock is a troll, and the first rule of how to deal with a troll is to not feed them.
On the Hall of Fame Choosing Muscle Shoals for the Next Major Exhibit
The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville has announced the theme for their next major exhibit. About every couple of years, the Hall of Fame features a big exhibit that delves into some era or influence.
Charlie Kirk, Jesse Welles, and the Freedom of Speech
But whether your Freedom of Speech hero is Charlie Kirk or Jesse Welles, it should be for all of us to protect our neighbor’s right to “say exactly what [they] mean all the time.”
The 2025 CMA Awards Set Up Pretty for Zach Top
It’s a very real possibility that Zach Top doesn’t win a single trophy at the 2025 CMA Awards. But in some respects, it doesn’t matter if he does. He’s already won as a traditionalist on an independent label.
Quit With All This “Gatekeeping” Talk in Country
Accusing someone of “gatekeeping” is just an intellectually lazy, thought and discussion-ending enterprise designed to win arguments online as opposed to addressing the very real and systemic issues.
Paying a Visit to the New Keith Whitley Memorial
In 2022, an effort was undertaken to erect a memorial that would incorporate the “weeping angel” design at Keith Whitley’s final resting place. It has finally been completed.
On Paul Cauthen Calling Out Charley Crockett
the bigger you get, the brighter the spotlight shines, and the greater the scrutiny comes down, especially when you’re scrutinizing others. Charley Crockett is starting to feel those effects.
On Chapel Hart Announcing a Hiatus
They’re always showing up to functions and award shows, making big impressions at places like the Grand Ole Opry, yet they’ve always been on the outside looking in when it comes to breaking out into country stardom.
Braxton Keith is Right To Take a Stand Against Beer Throwing at Shows
No seriously folks, throwing stuff at the stage at country music concerts is not cool. It’s dangerous, it’s disruptive, and it’s getting out of hand. And no, this is not a mainstream country issue.
No, Aaron Lewis, “California” is Not The Problem with Country Music
“It’s been infiltrated by California, just like everything else.” This answer is simply a stock, reactionary, culture war-inspired, flinging of red meat to a right wing constituency that is not rooted in truth whatsoever.
On Morgan Wallen Bowing Out of Grammy Consideration
One artist that we know won’t be submitting their work to the Recording Academy happens to also be the biggest artist in all of “country” music. Morgan Wallen has let it be known that he won’t be submitting.
Billboards Playing a Role in the Country Music Revolution
Over the last few months and years, something has been coming to the rescue of this relic of mass advertisement: independent country music. Charley Crockett, the Turnpike Troubadours and others have used billboards.
On Charley Crockett’s Statement About Morgan Wallen, Beyoncé, and Gavin Adcock
Charley Crockett has been making more and more public pronouncements that make you want to pump your fists, ranting about the music business, and making David Goggins-like motivational points
George Strait Deserves the Kennedy Center Honors, Not Political Rancor
George Strait is more than deserving of the honor, and it feels like it’s coming at the perfect time in his career. But as to be expected, in this politically acrimonious time we live in, it’s been polarized by some.
Exploring the Legacy of the Clement House Recording Studio
This unassuming building, formerly known as the Cowboy Arms Hotel and Recording Spa, was once the home and creative nucleus of legendary producer and songwriter Cowboy Jack Clement.