Album Review – Brit Taylor’s “Land Of The Forgotten”
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It seems like everyone wants to be country these days. But none of them can be Brit Taylor. She’s got the songs, the sound, and the voice that’s country through and through. She couldn’t not be country even if she tried.
Fmr. Oak Ridge Boys Member Gary McSpadden Has Died
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A baritone who performed in numerous Gospel groups throughout his career, including The Statesmen, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Imperials, The Bill Gaither Trio, and The Gaither Vocal Band, Gary McSpadden was also a solo singer and songwriter, television host, and pastor throughout his nearly 60 year career.
John Prine Songs & Albums Spike on the Charts
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John Prine is back in the charts, but this time for a much more somber reason. As fans and fellow artists took to remember John Prine through his music, songs and albums of the musical legend who passed away on April 7th at 73-years-old spiked on a number of charts in both Rock and Country.
Album Review – Western Centuries – “Call The Captain”
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Representing the small but mighty country music scene of the Seattle region and the Pacific Northwest, Western Centuries is one of the most well-beloved and well-regarded bands of the region, with a listenership that extends well beyond the rainy West Coast from their reputation for releasing excellent country music songs and albums.
Turnpike Troubadours, Jason Boland File Suit Against Management
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The Turnpike Troubadours, Jason Boland, and the Medicine Stone Festival held annually in Oklahoma have all filed suit against their former management, Cory McDaniels Enterprises LLC, for what they claim are irregularities in accounting and the handling of financial affairs, and to be released from their management contracts.
John Prine’s Prospects for the Country Music Hall of Fame
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With the recent death of John Prine at the hands of COVID-19, the question has been posed by many about the legendary songwriter’s prospects of ever being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. It’s an interesting discussion point for sure, and one with a few important qualifiers.
Album Review – John Anderson’s “Years”
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What a great little late career record this is. With all the death and sadness country music has been suffering from lately, it feels so good to get something special from a guy you remember fondly from the past, who proves he still has plenty to offer in the present. You don’t need to rely on weepy-eyed reflection or nostalgia to get into this record.
Willie Nelson Paid Proper Tribute in A&E’s ‘American Outlaw’ (review)
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Organized by Blackbird Presents who’ve put together a host of these tribute shows over the years, usually if you can’t swing a ticket, you miss your opportunity to see so much country music star power assembled in one place. But for this particular event, footage from the tribute was compiled, and is premiering on A&E Easter Sunday.
Sturgill Simpson Tests Positive for the Coronavirus
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Sturgill Simpson is the latest artist from the country/roots realm to test positive for COVID-19. The songwriter, performer, and producer said in a statement on Saturday (4/11) that he had been suffering from chest pains, fever, and pre-stroke blood pressure levels when his wife took him to a local hospital ER.
T. Graham Brown, Trace Adkins, Jason Crabb on The Grand Ole Opry
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Celebrating Easter early, and once again offering one of the few live entertainment options amid the Coronavirus shutdown, traditional country artist T. Graham Brown, Grand Ole Opry member Trace Adkins, and Southern Gospel singer Jason Crabb will all hold forth from the Grand Ole Opry house.
Album Review – Sam Hunt’s “Southside”
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If true country music is dead, then Sam Hunt’s DNA is all over the crime scene. As the man who single-handedly eroded more barriers between popular music genres than anyone else in the modern era, it is he who you can point the ugly finger of blame towards for the fact that most all modern music sounds the same.
Joe Diffie Sees Career Best Chart Performance After Passing
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Country music seems to have been hit disproportionately hard when it comes to deaths and illnesses due to COVID-19, with the passing of Joe Diffie being one of the first big losses in music entertainment early in the pandemic. But if there was any silver lining, it’s that fans are purchasing, downloading, and streaming their music.
Tyler Childers Full Band Concert from Pickathon Set to Stream
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The Tyler Childers set was captured on Pickathon’s legendary Woods Stage in the tall Douglas Fir forest that surrounds the festival grounds the weekend he released his latest album ‘Country Squire.’ Yours truly was standing stage side for the set, and can attest to its quality. Admission is free, but the concert is a MusiCares fundraiser.