Johnny Blue Skies (Sturgill Simpson) Reveals New “Disco-Hedonism” Album
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The upshot is that the album was recorded with his touring band, self-produced and written on the spot, and that he considers it a, “a dance record,” a “protest,” and “pure, unfiltered, unapologetic, relentless disco-hedonism.”
Album Review- Zachariah Malachi’s “Local Bar Opry Star”
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Full of original classic country songs that sound like they’re recorded 60 years too late (in the best of ways), it is a breath of fresh air compared to many of today’s modern country monstrosities, and a worthy introduction to an artist we hope to hear much more from in years to come.
Zach Bryan Makes Big Appearance Performing on “Yellowstone”
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Zach Bryan and the Paramount TV show Yellowstone rekindled their affinity for each other and in a big way on Sunday night, December 18th. The 7th episode of Season 5 included not one, not two, but three Zach Bryan songs via the official soundtrack, and not through a superimposed backing track.
The WORST “Country” Songs of 2022
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If we’re being honest, country music continues to improve across the board, including in the mainstream as we continue to get farther and farther away from the Bro-Country era. But there are still some stragglers and terrible songs out there that are worth exposing to the sunlight and watching them whither.
Blackberry Smoke’s Brit Turner Battles Through Brain Cancer
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On Friday night, December 16th at The Vic Theatre in Chicago, Blackberry Smoke had to stop the show in the middle of the set after Brit Turner experienced an episode and was helped off stage. According to the band, he is currently under medical care and is in stable condition.
“Yellowstone” Actor Luke Grimes Launches Country Career, New Song
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We’ve seen the hit TV show series Yellowstone help wing a dozen or so worthy independent country artists into the stratosphere through the show’s soundtrack. Now we’re seeing a reversal of roles as one of the primary cast members of Yellowstone has just signed a major label record deal.
Album Review – Rattlesnake Milk’s “Chicken Fried Snake”
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Everything that all other bands frustratingly whiff on, Rattlesnake Milk hits dead center. With a simplified four-piece lineup, and no desire to elicit help from guest performers or overdubs, Rattlesnake Milk accomplishes with so little what so many other bands fail to accomplish with so much more.
Mike and the Moonpies are Hitting the East Coast / Europe
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Mike and the Moonpies have just released a slew of new tour dates, and in areas that have been salivating for these dudes to tour through. Like a bunch of stickup bandits on a meth binge, they’ll be flying up and down the east coast in January and February like crazy, playing some markets they rarely or ever hit.
The Best Mainstream Country Albums of 2022
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Every year to make sure the best titles in mainstream country don’t get overlooked, and to encourage the quality in the mainstream to rise to the top, we run down the best mainstream country albums to compliment the Album of the Year nominees. Some years there is overlap.
Don’t Sleep on These Spring 2023 Tour Dates for 49 Winchester
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This warning has been issued for these performers in years past, and it’s going out for 49 Winchester now: Go see these dudes in intimate venues for pocket change while you still can, because that won’t be the case for very long. These boys from Virginia have been topping end-of-year lists.
Album Review – Adeem The Artist’s “White Trash Revelry”
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There was most certainly a time in country music—and even in it’s more open-minded and less commercially-concerned cousin of Americana—where not fitting neatly within the gender binary would be a significant burden on the attention you would receive for your music. 2022 is not that time though.
Happy 50th Birthday Hank Williams III, Wherever You Are
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50 years ago today on December 12th, 1972, Randall Hank Williams Jr. and his wife Gwyn Yeargain welcomed their first and only child into the world. Keeping with the family tradition, they gave him the middle name of Hank, with his full christening taking shape as Shelton Hank Williams III.
Saving Country Music’s 2022 Single of the Year Nominees
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Alright, so we’ve already run down the most sad, sappy, and poetic songs of 2022 in the Song of the Year nominees. Now it’s time to crank it up a notch and to showcase the songs that are just so damn enjoyable to listen to, we can’t stop. These are the songs that burrow deep in your ears and won’t come out.