Masterclass Songwriter James McMurtry Prepares 1st Album in 4 Years
21 Comments
“James McMurtry” is all that really should need to be said for any music fan worth their salt to immediately pay rapt attention, and await further information.
Eric Weissberg of Dueling Banjos Fame Has Died
4 Comments
Whether you’re a fan of the banjo, or bluegrass and folk in general, or even if you’re not, nearly everyone recognizes the opening riff of the iconic instrumental “Dueling Banjos” made famous in the 1972 film Deliverance. And now guy who actually played the banjo on the song has passed away.
New Albums Need to Remain a Focus Through COVID-19 Outbreak
49 Comments
It’s hard enough to get the world to pay attention to your record when so many of them are being released every week. Now artists are having to compete with Coronavirus news for the world’s attention, along with the nightly parade of live streaming concerts many artists are offering to help supplement income due to touring losses.
Courtney Marie Andrews Readies New Album “Old Flowers”
15 Comments
Courtney Marie will be returning with her latest record called “Old Flowers” via Fat Possum Records, and though Andrews has been by playing more electric guitar and exploring the soul side of her influences on recent tours, this record promises to go in a significantly different direction.
Chris Stapleton, Willie Nelson, Jamey Johnson Show Rescheduled
3 Comments
One of the greatest individual country music tickets that you could find in 2020 was Chris Stapleton, Willie Nelson and Family, Jamey Johnson, and British country soul sensation Yola all playing on the same bill. The occasion was the grand opening of the new Globe Life Park.
The Essence of Kenny Rogers Captured Best in “Six Pack” Movie
10 Comments
You won’t find the 1982 film ‘Six Pack’ archived in the Smithsonian or in the short list of Oscar-awarded efforts. But for thousands, maybe millions of Americans who grew up in the 80’s, ‘Six Pack’ looms quite large in their little cultural ethos. It’s where they learned to cuss. It’s where they learned about love.
Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart to Appear on Grand Ole Opry
43 Comments
The world has been shuttered and turned upside down by the Coronavirus. But the Opry will continue on, refusing to break its storied tradition with its 4,916th consecutive Saturday night broadcast. There will be no backup band and no audience obviously. But the Opry will bring out the stars.
Kenny Rogers Is Gone. And So is a Little Part of All of Us
44 Comments
With passing of Kenny Rogers, there’s the passing of a little part of all us—a little part of our childhood where he loomed so large, a little part of our silly little slivers of life in this world where he reigned so ironically, a little part of ourselves where we separate certain eras in our own histories to the contributions of this bearded singer and actor.
On Zac Brown Laying Off 90% of His Employees
92 Comments
In a teary-eyed address on Instagram Wednesday night (3-18), Zac Brown explained that after 15 years of touring, he was having to let go of 90% of his full time employees as part of his road crew due and support staff due to the Coronavirus cancellations. Though there is no doubt this was a tough decision for Zac Brown, some are questioning if it was necessary.
John Prine’s Wife Fiona Has the Coronavirus
17 Comments
Songwriting legend John Prine’s wife, Fiona Whelan Prine, has tested positive for the Coronavirus. Diagnosed late last week, she hasn’t been running a fever, but has been suffering from a cough and some breathlessness, and general fatigue. “I just don’t feel great at all, to put it mildly.”
Album Review – Tyller Gummersall’s “Heartbreak College”
18 Comments
Traditional country to the core and produced by the legendary Lloyd Maines, this collection of twelve songs penned mostly by Gummersall himself, but with a few assists from Devon O’Day and the great Jim Lauderdale, is bound to slide under-the-radar due to the straightforward nature of the approach, but is determined to be heard.
Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion to Broadcast Virtual Fest
26 Comments
This year the Luck Reunion had an incredible lineup. But like everything else, it has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus. Nonetheless, they will be celebrating Thursday (3-19) with a live streaming event showcasing many of the artists originally scheduled to perform, and a few surprises.
Coronavirus Will Create Overcrowded Fall Season for Live Music
72 Comments
This is bound to create a problem in the already-crowded festival and touring space. Even before Coronavirus, we saw many festivals cancelling or postponing 2020 plans due to the inability to secure talent or due to competing festivals moving into their markets. Now you will have spring festivals competing with fall ones.