The Grand Ole Opry Punts on Reinstating Hank Williams. Again
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January 10th would have been the perfect time to put to bed a long-running controversy with the Grand Ole Opry about how Hank Williams was kicked out for drunkenness and missing rehearsals in 1952.
Album Review – Swamptooth’s “B-Flat Earth”
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Anchored by blazing instrumentals that are solidly grounded in bluegrass traditions, yet bolstered with enough improvisation to be original, and ample “hooks” to make them accessible, it’s bluegrass that both aficionados will get a kick out of, and amateur listeners will find enjoyable.
The Waylon Jennings Estate Is About to Get a Big Boost
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Announced on Monday, October 26th, The Waylon Jennings estate has partnered with talent agency WME to manage Waylon’s posthumous career moving forward as part of the company’s Legacy Division. The company will manage Waylon’s name, image, likeness, and other assets.
“Mrs. Country Music,” The Pioneering Rose Lee Maphis Has Died
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The final half of the country music couple that was so revered and influential in the business they went by “Mr. and Mrs. Country Music” has passed on. Rose Lee Maphis, who along with her husband Joe Maphis, helped establish the Bakersfield Sound, died on Tuesday, October 26th.
2021 Old Settler’s Fest Features the Present & Future in Country Roots
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pound for pound, the 2021 Old Settler’s Fest lineup conveyed as much entertainment value as any other event you’d find out there, with smart and studious curation that resulted in a stellar lineup and experience for 2021 Old Settler’s goers.
Rolling Stone Editor’s ‘Faster, Louder, Harder’ Promise is a Problem
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Like so many media outlets native to the print realm, Rolling Stone has experienced hard times over the last decade-plus while transitioning to the digital world, and also trying to evolve beyond their original baby boomer readership. Rolling Stone is still one of the most recognized media brands in music and culture, but what it’s […]
70 Years Ago, Hank Williams Records ‘Tear In My Beer’ & it Disappears
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On this night in 1951 when Hank found the time to record the demo for “Tear In My Beer,” and 40 years later when it became a big hit in country, it proved that a good song with a simple sentiment can often withstand the ultimate test of time, and be entered into eternal cultural relevance.
Evan Felker to Play Virtual Show with Rhett Miller of Old 97’s
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All you Turnpike Troubadours fans out there chomping at the bit for anything and everything related to the band, carve out some time on Thursday, October 28th because frontman Evan Felker will be making a very rare live appearance with his old buddy Rhett Miller.
‘Rocky Top’ Banjoist Sonny Osborne of the Osborne Brothers Has Died
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When it comes to the banjo in bluegrass or anywhere else, aside from maybe Earl Scruggs, nobody else has been heard and enjoyed more than Sonny Osborne of The Osborne Brothers. Both prolific and influential, the Osborne Brothers rendition of the iconic song “Rocky Top.”
Joshua Ray Walker Gets National TV Opp Singing National Anthem
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Sunday, October 24th was the running of North America’s only stop on the Formula 1 racing series at the Circuit of the Americas just outside of Austin, TX, and Dallas native and reigning Saving Country Music Song of the Year winner Joshua Ray Walker sang the National Anthem.
On New York City Losing Its Only Country Radio Station
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I know what you’re going to say. “NeW yOrK CiTY!” like that guy in the old Pace Picante Sauce commercial. Or if you pride yourself in having any sort of semblance of taste, maybe you’re wondering why anyone in 2021 would still be listening to mainstream country radio at all.
Sarah Shook Opens, Jade Bird Headlines 1st Day of Old Settler’s Fest
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After numerous false starts and postponements due to the pandemic, the 34th Annual Old Settler’s Festival finally got underway on Thursday, October 21st for early revelers in the campground, and on the main stages on Friday the 22nd, with Sarah Shook opening, and Jade Bird headlining.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Shouts Out Gethen Jenkins, Mickey Lamantia
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In a recent interview, The Rock went deep with his independent country music knowledge, name dropping two guys you might have heard about around here, but certainly not in the mainstream, while also hinting he might be getting into the country music game himself.