Album Review – Wednesday’s “Bleeds”
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Congratulations to Wednesday and all their success. It’s cool they hold a love for country music in their hearts, and are willing to express it. But let’s keep the assessment open and honest: Bleeds is an alt rock album.
Billy Strings Turns in Career Chart Numbers for “Me / And / Dad”
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How much does the listening public care about a batch of ol’ stuffy bluegrass cover songs? Apparently quite a bit when they’re coming from Billy Strings. His recent collaboration with his dad Terry Barber has brought in career-record numbers for the bluegrass phenom, and put him at or near the top of charts.
Steel Guitar Arts Council Forms, Holds Kickoff Party
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If there is one instrument that is immediately identifiable with country music, it’s the pedal steel guitar. And just like an endangered species ripe for protection, preserving the pedal steel should be an imperative of society with the way its dialect of wails and moans mimic the tug and pull of human emotion.
“Larry’s Country Diner” Ceases Production of New Episodes
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Beloved RFD-TV country music television show Larry’s Country Diner is not going off the air. But it will not longer be producing new episodes, or at least that appears to be the case for the moment. After 14 seasons and 363 episodes, the latest season ended by airing two special tributes to the show.
Under The Big Sky Fest Reveals STACKED 2023 Lineup
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Once again, Under The Big Sky Festival outside of Whitefish, Montana has wowed us all with their lineup announcement, and it underscores once again why this is arguably the premier event in independent country and Americana. With two stages, some 20,000 fans, and a curiously excellent curation of headliners…
What’s Different About Turnpike Troubadours 2.0
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Just like Billy Strings, the Turnpike Troubadours have weaseled their way into becoming an arena artist, at least in select markets. This week they announced they’ll be playing the immense American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX on February 25th, 2023, along with The Avett Brothers and The Wood Brothers.
Red Dirt Artist Jake Flint Dies on His Wedding Day
What was supposed to be the most joyous day of his life ended up being his final one, as tears of happiness turned to tears of sorrow for his friends and loved ones. 37-year-old Oklahoma-based Red Dirt artist and songwriter Jake Flint passed away on Saturday, November 26th, only hours after getting married.
50 Years Ago: Charlie Rich Records Iconic “Behind Closed Doors”
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There are many iconic songs in the history of country music. But there are only a small handful that have gone on to define what it means when someone says “country music” to millions of people. The song “Behind Closed Doors” written by Kenny O’Dell, and performed by Charlie Rich is one of those songs.
Album Review – Nikki Lane’s “Denim & Diamonds”
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Entrepreneur and small business owner, fashionista and self-made woman, singer and songwriter, Nikki Lane has staked her claim on being a woman in a man’s world, and on her latest album Denim & Diamonds, she doubles down. Full of affirmations on the importance of autonomy, self-reliance…
The Continuing Mystery of Cory Barron’s Death at a Country Concert
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As the concert ended, the friends of Cory Barron couldn’t find him. They searched the entire ballpark, hung around to see if he would show up, called friends to confirm he didn’t leave with someone else, with no clue of where he’d disappeared to. By Saturday morning, a missing persons report was filed.
Handwritten Lyrics to House Concerts: Supporting Your Favorite Small Business Musician
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It may not be as obvious of an example as the little shop down the street in a strip mall selling handmade scented candles and hippie soap, but your favorite independent music artists are all most certainly small businesses as well. So are many of your favorite locally-owned music venues, local festivals…
Marty Stuart Details Plans for Potential New TV Show
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The original impetus for Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music was to give a permanent home to the some 20,000 country music artifacts Marty Stuart has assembled over his career. If the show comes into full production, it will dovetail into what Marty Stuart is doing in his hometown.
Football Fans Pan FGL’s Tyler Hubbard as Thanksgiving Performer
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It’s a tradition as tried and true as grandma’s pumpkin pie. Every year on Thanksgiving Day, a football team has to make the worst possible pick for a halftime performer from the dregs of pop country, and embarrass country music on a national stage like your drunk uncle going on a racist tirade in front of your fiance.