Jessie Murph Doesn’t Consider Herself Country. So Why Does Country?
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It’s even worse when country music’s institutions recognize artists for being country when these artists don’t even recognize being country themselves, and don’t even care for the recognition.
Album Review – Dillon Massengale’s “Buckleshines”
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In many respects it feels like a victory and cause for celebration any time a truly traditional country record is released. Making country music the right way requires such an uphill battle in today’s country landscape. When it comes to Dillon Massengale though, that’s just where the victories begin.
49 Winchester Adds to Anticipated 2023 Tour
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Few artists or bands in independent country are getting the same opportunities as 49 Winchester at the moment. Not only is reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs walking around in one of their T-shirts, he’s booked them to open a bunch of his shows in Europe later this year.
Apple’s “My Kind of Country” Gets It All Wrong
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In the current country music landscape, it is not country radio, it’s not the major labels on Music Row, it’s not even the media, or pop or hip-hop artists trying to break into the country mainstream that are blurring the lines of what country music is more than ever before. It is Apple Music above all entities.
New Surreal Film Chronicles Garth Brooks Meeting George Jones
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Well now, this is certainly something we were not expecting to see in 2023 or any other year, but here we go. There is a new film being released that chronicles Garth Brooks meeting George Jones before George is scheduled to be cryogenically frozen in 1994. Called Country Gold, the film stars actor Ben Hall.
Album Review – Luke Combs – “Growin’ Old”
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Luke Combs may be the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, but you get the distinct impression that he’s barely aware of it. There’s no cocksure attitude as he stands up there on stage in his Bass Pro fishing shirt with the flap across the back. He’s just a grown up pudgy choir kid from North Carolina.
Charles Wesley Godwin Signs with Big Loud Records
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One of the hottest up-and-coming artists in all of country music is now signed to the roster of one of the hottest labels in all of country music. Announced Wednesday afternoon (3-29), West Virginia native Charles Wesley Godwin has signed to Big Loud Records, which is the home of Morgan Wallen.
Ed Sheeran Couldn’t Be More Wrong About Music Critics
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With every single piece of recorded music now right at your fingertips, spending time reading professional reviews may seem silly. But the problem is that you have every single piece of recorded music right at your fingertips, which means we’ve gone from not enough options, to way too many.
The Slow & Plodding Death of The Band Perry is Finally Over
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There may not be a greater cautionary tale in the history of country music for what can happen when you chase trends and try to forage in the greener pastures of pop than what happened to The Band Perry. The sibling trio of Kimberly, Reid, and Neil Perry was one of country music’s most promising bands.
Country Rock Guitarist & Tom Petty Bandmate Tom Leadon Dies
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In the founding era of country rock, guitarist Tom Leadon was right there witnessing and participating in some of the most important moments and projects. He just happened to be overshadowed in many respects by the bigger names that country rock would launch.
Born & Raised Fest Announces Loaded 2023 Lineup
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Over the last few years, Born & Raised Fest in Pryor, Oklahoma has distinguished itself as one of the leading festivals in the independent country music space with an emphasis on the Texas and Red Dirt artists that were born and raised in the region. The 2023 installment will be no different.
Lower Broadway vs. 6th Street, Comedy vs. Music, & Joe Rogan
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There is nothing more hip than complaining about what Lower Broadway has turned into over the last half decade or so. But the situation could be so much incredibly worse. It could be 6th Street in Austin, which is supposed to be the entertainment epicenter of the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
Album Review – Chancey Williams – “One of These Days”
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If we could wave a magic wand and instantly remake mainstream country music into something much better than what it is today, Chancey Williams and “One of These Days” would not be a bad wish at all. It’s country with steel guitar and fiddle. It’s cool. It’s catchy and hooky, but the songs still say something.