Why Jesse Welles Just Released a 63-Song Album
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If you need any further illustration of the creative explosion that Jesse Welles has been the catalyst and accelerant for over the last year or so, appreciate that he just released a 63-song album.
Album Review – Jason Hawk Harris’s “Love & the Dark”
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If you’re married fast to the notion that country music can’t evolve while remaining tethered to it’s roots, then you better not go near Jason Hawk Harris’s Bloodshot Records debut Love & the Dark and risk having your little theory thrown back in your face. Fueled by the challenge, and armed with his classical training as a musician…
“Country Music: An Illustrated History” Is Perfect Guide to Ken Burns PBS Doc
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Beyond being a valuable film companion, through the work the Ken Burns team did putting together this film, they were also able to assemble all the most important information on country music, present it in story form, align it with an incredible amount of archival pictures, and put together what very well may be the definitive country music history book.
The Garth Brooks “Dive Bar” Tour Offers Deeper Importance
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The name of the tour is definitely a little dubious for the venues Garth has selected to play so far. But those complaining about Garth’s efforts here are missing the bigger picture. “I think he recognizes the significant role that smaller venues play in keeping country music going.”
Meet Zach Bryan, The Man Behind The Viral Album “DeAnn”
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Tulsa, Oklahoma native Zach Bryan took many fans of Texas, Red Dirt, and independent country music by surprise recently when he released an album of solo acoustic recordings on August 23rd under the title “DeAnn.” But the biggest question many have is, who is Zach Bryan?
Taylor Swift Goes (Kind Of) Country (Again) w/ “Soon You’ll Get Better”
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“What is this?!? Taylor Swift ain’t country, and the Dixie Chicks are commies!” Yeah yeah. Roll off it. We can be adults here and discuss a Taylor Swift song if it’s deemed interesting or necessary. And in the case of “Soon You’ll Get Better,” there are a few interesting country music tie-in’s worth discussing.
Don’t Even Mention Retirement Around Dolly Parton
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Though it’s Dolly Parton’s music that has made her who she is today, it’s her work ethic and dedication that has also inspired millions of people to persevere through life’s struggles. Raised in a small cabin as one of 12 siblings and now 73-years-old who who knows how much cash in the bank, Parton isn’t planning to slow down anytime soon.
Album Review – Croy and the Boys’ “Howdy High-Rise”
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Croy and the Boys are the true sound of Austin, TX paid forward over the decades, with the permanent stench of the honky tonks soiling their pearl snap shirts, and the 10,000 hours spent twirling the shit kickers of central Texas around dance floors logged and certified, thank you very much.
Personal Tragedy Inspires Craig Morgan’s New Song
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It’s been just over three years since Craig Morgan released any new music, and just over three years since his son, 19-year-old Jerry Greer, went missing on Kentucky Lake near the Kentucky and Tennessee border on a Sunday afternoon. The teen had been tubing on the lake with friends, and after hitting a big wave, failed to surface.
Zach Bryan, and the Magical Rise of “DeAnn”
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Drawing from both the bleeding edge of authenticity that has made the performers of Kentucky like Tyler Childers and others define the current country music insurgency, and the spellbinding songwriting magic of Oklahoma’s preeminent writers like Evan Felker, John Moreland, & John Fullbright, Zach Bryan stuns in one song after another in ‘DeAnn.’
Ashley McBryde Delivers with New Song “One Night Standards”
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The first single from Ashley’s upcoming second major label release is everything you want from an Ashley McBryde song. It’s edgy and gritty, but still country in the way the words and melody tell a true story we all can relate to, and deftly employ the double entendre to give it that classic country feel.
Kane Brown Gets Angry Over CMA Snub – Deletes Twitter Account
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Kane Brown is not happy about getting snubbed by the CMAs, again. And as he’s did last year, he took to Twitter on Wednesday (8-28) after the CMA nominations were revealed to show his disdain, posting a GIF of Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry shaking his head in disappointment. Now he’s deleted his Twitter account.
These Should Have Been The 2019 CMA Album of the Year Nominees
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In many respects, the CMAs did that this year with their 2019 nominations, or at least better than many years. But the Album of the Year nominations were especially easy to pick apart in 2019. The biggest reason to second guess these nominations is that this current awards shows cycle has been exceptional for excellent mainstream albums.