Release Radar & Most Anticipated Albums for 2nd Half of 2025
83 Comments
No rest for independent country music fans in the second half of 2025. Some excellent country music projects will be coming at you, and this is your updating guide too get you through it all.
Song Review – Eric Church’s “Stick That In Your Country Song”
103 Comments
With “Stick That In Your Country Song,” Eric Church has once again proven himself to be one of the most bold and ballsy members of the mainstream country class, emboldened by the artistic freedom he’s earned, and willing to do something with it as a platform, and a podium.
Colter Wall Joins Vincent Neil Emerson for “Road Runner”
10 Comments
Amid all the excitement last week of Cowboy & Western artist Colter Wall announcing he has a new album called ‘Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs’ coming out in August, it was glossed over that Colter was also part of a new song with tour partner and Texas country songwriter Vincent Neil Emerson.
Album Review – Bryan James “Politics or Religion”
43 Comments
The Southern accent is thick, many of the songs are gruff, attitudinal, and unapologetic, and the music is stone cold country. But if all the bluster from these modern day country music Outlaws really isn’t your thing, you might be surprised at just how much quality songwriting is showcased on this record.
The Future of Country Music Is Safe with Triston Marez
47 Comments
If you’re worried about the future of country music, just take a spin through the gaggle of singles and EPs the stunning 22-year-old Triston Marez has assembled, and be assured the genre is in good hands moving forward. It’s the kind of shot of youth traditional country needs, while for once, not compromising on the country side of the equation.
Yellowstone Season 3 Renews Commitment to Cool Music
9 Comments
For the last two summers, The Paramount Network’s Western series Yellowstone starring Kevin Costner has become the hottest show on television, pulling in huge ratings, and finding favor with critics. It’s also become a big bonanza for many independent country and roots artists.
Daniel Donato Readies Anticipated “A Young Man’s Country”
33 Comments
Already a much-deserved nominee for the Americana Music Association’s Instrumentalist of the Year in 2018 (the kid can downright blaze Tele licks), and having played some 2,000 shows, don’t let the fresh face fool you. Daniel Donato’s more seasoned than some 40-year-olds.
Clint Black is Fine with the Same on “Out of Sane”
24 Comments
In many respects, it’s never been a better time to be an aging mainstream artist in country music. Where before once your career lost radio relevance, you were relegated to the pasture pretty quickly, perhaps performing at theaters in Branson, or on the county fair circuit if you could, now Americana has become a second home.
Willie Nelson & Snoop Dogg Collaborating on New Song
66 Comments
Willie Nelson and Snoop Dogg will have a new collaboration coming out in a couple of weeks, and this time it may not just be about the favorite pastime of the two superstars of puffing on pipes, but about something deeper. “Man we got a song coming out in a couple of weeks, how ’bout it? How ’bout it!” Snoop says.
End of an Era as Don Kelley Exits Robert’s Western World
31 Comments
Robert’s Western World has been home to the Don Kelley Band for a quarter century. Though not as flashy or well-known as some of the other bands that blew up from the Robert’s stage, those who know Robert’s and The Don Kelley band know just how important the band has been to keeping true country alive on Lower Broadway.
Garth Brooks Saves The World in “We Belong To Each Other”
85 Comments
“We Belong To Each Other” is Garth making a pathetic attempt to interpret Doo-Wop for no other apparent reason than it gives him a good excuse to put a chorus of black backup singers behind him in the mix so he can claim claim diversity and inclusion, and then double damns the song by setting it in some weird island time vibe.
Album Review – Lilly Hiatt’s “Walking Proof”
16 Comments
Lilly Hiatt is the sage of the apartment dwellers, the bad planners, the people with big hearts, bigger dreams, but bad execution. She’s the siren for those who eat candy for lunch in their early 30’s. But hey, don’t judge. She’s doing the best she can. And behind this sweet little mess is a strong perseverance.
Arlo McKinley Gets John Prine’s Approval Ahead of New Album
20 Comments
Now 40-years-old, Arlo MicKinley kind of gave up on music for a while, and almost missed a big opportunity. Tyler Childers happens to be a fan as well, and wanted to have Arlo open some shows for him. But they couldn’t get Arlo on the line because he refused to answer an unknown phone number. Finally, he picked up.