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.
Alan Jackson Emerges w/ Caylee Hammack to Toast Don Williams
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Alan Jackson fans have been hankering for some new music for a while now since it’s been a good five years since he released his last album. Well he surprised us all this week by releasing a new version of an old Don Williams song with up-and-coming Capitol Records Nashville signee Caylee Hammack.
Brothers Osborne: Expect Even More Real on New Album ‘Skeletons’
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“If ‘Pawn Shop’ was our introduction, and ‘Port Saint Joe’ was like the first conversation we had with someone over a beer, then ‘Skeletons’ is the moment where you start getting down to the real stuff and showing who you really are,” says John Osborne. “If you really want to get to know us, this is the record to do it.”
Midland Apologizes For Doctored Photo, Pays Business Owner
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To some it was much ado about nothing. But to many in Austin, TX, the Midland trio conducted a grave offense when a photo featuring the band ended up in a recent Washington Post feature with the sign of the legendary Sam’s BBQ in east Austin changed to the name of one of their songs.
Album Review – Courtney Marie Andrews – “Old Flowers”
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We knew Courtney Marie Andrews and producer Andrew Sarlo’s vision was to take a sedate and simple approach to this record, only utilizing two other musicians. But what we didn’t know is that ‘Old Flowers’ would present itself as such a devastating breakup record.
Bloodshot Records Co-Owner Nan Warshaw Responds to Accusations
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The employees of insurgent country and roots label Bloodshot Records got the attention of many earlier this week when they sent a memo to their artists explaining how the label was up for sale, and were accusing embattled co-owner Nan Warshaw of accounting irregularities. She has now responded to the accusations.
Music Is Being Left on the Sidelines of the Podcast Revolution
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Everybody wants artists and songwriters to be credited and compensated. But by attempting to protect their creators and copyrights, labels and rights owners are leaving themselves and their artists on the sidelines of one of the most revolutionary moments in audio entertainment since the phonograph and the radio.
Eddie Stubbs WSM Retirement Leaves Big Hole in The Circle
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A titan of the airwaves and our generation’s voice of country music, Eddie Stubbs, has announced that after 25 years of service at The Legend WSM-AM in Nashville as a DJ and announcer at the Grand Ole Opry, he is retiring. Stubbs announced the retirement on Tuesday night (7-22) during his regular weeknight radio show.
I’ll Be Damned: Luke Bryan’s “Build Me a Daddy” Ain’t Half Bad
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There is plenty that could render “Build Me A Daddy” much more cheesy than meaningful—the heartstring pulling story of a son losing his father, and oh, let’s make the father a soldier, so we weasel that flag-waving element in there too. But making a highly sentimental subject work is the mark of good songwriters.
Bloodshot Records Artists Warned of Sale & Accounting Issues
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On Monday, July 20th, all artists currently signed to independent music label Bloodshot Records received a letter written by the principal employees of the 25-year-old Chicago-based record label explaining in detail how the label is currently up for sale, and how they likely have been unfairly compensated by one of the owners.
Midland & ‘Washington Post’ Criticized For Editing Iconic Sign
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The picture at the top of the Washington Post article shows Midland’s Mark Wystrach, Jess Carson, and Cameron Duddy hanging outside of a BBQ shack around a Cadillac with steer horns on the front. Many from Austin and beyond immediately noticed the storefront as that of the legendary Sam’s BBQ on on E 12th Street in Austin.
Billy Strings to Make Network Television Debut
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You were warned around here many moons ago to keep a close eye on Billy Strings to potentially become one of the next big breakout artist from the independent music scene similar to what we’ve seen from Tyler Childers, Cody Jinks, Sturgill Simpson, and others.
Album Review – The (Dixie) Chicks – “Gaslighter”
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here is so much to distill when simply broaching the subject of the trio formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, it really dissuades one from wanting to start the conversation at all, like speaking politics in mixed company. Even mentioning the name stimulates either jeers and moans, or blind approval and allyship.