Kelsea Ballerini, Austin City Limits, and the Public Funding of Media
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It’s difficult to impossible to figure out why Ballerini’s appearance would have any benefit for either party. Austin music fans, and Austin City Limits faithful would find little to no appeal in a Nashville pop star.
Bloodshot Records In Limbo As Co-Owner Rob Miller Leaves Label
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None of this might be happening right now if it wasn’t for Bloodshot Records. And when I say “this,” I mean this website, you reading it, many of the artists featured here, a.k.a. the independent country music movement that has given rise to so many of your favorite artists.
Album Review – Zac Brown Band’s “The Comeback”
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So here Zac Brown goes again, making ‘The Comeback’ to his roots. You know, just like he did on ‘Welcome Home.’ At this point, you have every right to be sporting a neck brace and calling up a shady ambulance-chasing lawyer from the whiplash Zac Brown has given you.
Are Grammys Excluding Women & Kacey Musgraves? The Numbers:
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The latest album from Kacey Musgraves called ‘Star-Crossed’ is more pop than country. Nonetheless, in the polarizing time we live in, the recent decision by the Grammy Awards to move Star-Crossed from consideration in the country category has set off a firestorm.
Album Review – The Royal Hounds – “A Whole Lot of Nothin'”
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The Royal Hounds are one of the bands who still embody that original Lower Broadway revivalist attitude. Playing standing residencies at Layla’s every Sunday night, and Robert’s Western World on Tuesdays, they’re rockabilly, they’re country, they’re wild and funny.
George Strait, Willie Nelson to Help Open New Arena in Texas
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No name in entertainment is bigger in Texas than George Strait, and nobody more legendary than Willie Nelson, and both men are pairing up to help give the venue a proper Grand Opening, along with The Randy Rogers Band opening the show.
Sen. Rand Paul Endorses Keith Whitley for Country Hall of Fame
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Senator Rand Paul is throwing his weight behind the effort to induct fellow Kentuckian Keith Whitley into the Country Music Hall of Fame. It adds even more name recognition behind the push by many to get the country legend whose career was tragically cut short.
Hank Williams & Grand Ole Opry Steel Guitarist Billy Robinson Dies
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Imagine having backed Hank Williams on his legendary Grand Ole Opry debut in 1949, or playing behind any of the other country music legends who performed on that hallowed stage during the Opry’s golden era. This was the fortune of steel guitarist Billy Robinson.
Song Review – Miranda Lambert’s “If I Was a Cowboy”
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Any time Miranda Lambert releases the lead single to what is (presumably) an upcoming album, it’s worth stopping down and discussing, because it’s commonly a leading indicator as to what direction this modern queen of country music will point the brim of her Stetson.
Album Review – Noel McKay – “Blue Blue Blue”
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The songs of Noel McKay, they’re like those one of a kind items, carefully crafted with their dovetailed joints and beveled edges, and proudly engraved with a maker’s mark. They’re well-loved, and presented to the world without commercial concern, and more for the memories they hold.
Guitarist Joe Don Rooney Apparently Quit Rascal Flatts
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It appears the underlying issue for the band is guitarist Joe Don Rooney. In a recent interview, lead singer Gary LeVox revealed that the issue with fulfilling the planned farewell tour or any future plans is in fact Rooney. “I’ve never been OK with the way that it ended.”
Album Review – Cody Johnson’s “Human: The Double Album”
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Cody Johnson is what mainstream country music in 2021 should be: country, but widely appealing and pragmatic, while being unafraid to make you think and feel a little too. Perhaps more than any other Cody Johnson record, Human: The Double Album feels organic.
Brandi Carlile Goes #1 with New Album “In These Silent Days”
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Brandi Carlie just turned in some monster numbers for her new album In These Silent Days released on October 1st. And even though she’s not included on the Billboard Country Albums Chart, her showing is good enough to hit #1 on a host of important lists.