Rubicon Crossed: Kenny Chesney is Now a Country Hall of Famer
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Kenny Chesney is now a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Announced Tuesday morning (3-25) from the Hall of Fame rotunda in Nashville, he is the 2025 inductee in the Modern Era category.
Album Review – Hayes Carll’s “What It Is”
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The best don’t sing and write songs because they want to. They do it because they have to. They hate music, and love it all the same. They feel the need to pursue fame, but hate all the attention. They want their music to be heard by as many as possible, but revile having to make money from it.
Turnpike Troubadours Draw 66,715 for Rodeo Houston Performance
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The boys from Tahlequah, Oklahoma known as the Turnpike Troubadours traveled down to Houston on Saturday (3-2) to take advantage of their first ever berth on the biggest stage in Texas—the star-shaped one in the center of the NRG Stadium as part of the annual Rodeo Houston production.
Cody Jinks Shaves Off His Iconic Beard
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For years Cody’s huge beard has been a signature feature of the Ft. Worth-based singer and traditional country artist. It was just one of many bushy faces sported by a fraternity of performers that have all become close friends over the years, including Jamey Johnson, as well as regular tour mates Whitey Morgan, Ward Davis, and others.
Dolly Parton Refuses to Be Politically Pigeonholed
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In this politically contentious time we live in, many members of the partisan media attempt to portray popular music artists in a political light even when it’s not pertinent to the situation, or even when the artist doesn’t want to be. But Dolly Parton continues to refuse to be played.
Jerry Lee Lewis Suffers Stroke
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Country music legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Lee Lewis has suffered a minor stroke. The 83-year-old suffered the episode on Thursday night (2-28), but is expected to make a full recovery. Lewis is not expected to miss any touring commitments due to the health ailment, but doesn’t have a public appearance scheduled until April.
Kane Brown Has No Business Playing the Austin City Limits Stage
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‘Austin City Limits’ has brought in popular country acts in the past such as Garth Brooks and Eric Church who don’t need the exposure whatsoever, but still have ties to the American roots scene in some capacity. But Kane Brown is uniquely unqualified and undeserving of this slot, and unhelpful to the mission of ‘Austin City Limits.’
Be On The Lookout for Molly Tuttle and “When You’re Ready”
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If you’re wondering where bluegrass is headed in 2019, and where it could go in a world where music is constantly being tasked to evolve and engage to stay relevant to a younger audience, following the career track of Molly Tuttle is a good place to start.
Jon Pardi Goes Platinum with “California Sunrise”
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Jon Pardi continues to prove that more traditionally-styled country music can be wildly successful in the mainstream when give a chance, and now he’s got more Platinum hardware to prove it. Jon Pardi’s album California Sunrise has now been Certified Platinum by the RIAA.
Wild Hare Country Fest Helps Texas/ Red Dirt Expansion for 2nd Year
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Texas and Red Dirt music isn’t just for folks in Texas and Oklahoma. The title of the music may imply that it’s a regional thing, but the appeal is international, and the talent is world-class. No matter where you are, Texas/Red Dirt is a much more healthy alternative to the mainstream.
Album Review – Florida Georgia Line’s “Can’t Say I Ain’t Country”
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When it comes to popular music, every generation has its goat. And no, we’re not talking about the hip social media acronym for the “Greatest of All Time.” We’re talking about the sacrificial kind—the one synonymous with an ornery horned land animal that eats your garden and shits everywhere.
Don’t Expect Zac Brown Band’s New Record to be Country
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Can we go back to the time when the biggest worry we had with The Zac Brown Band was that his song “Chicken Fried” was a precursor to Bro-Country? Remember that moment in 2009 when he took the stage at the CMA Awards and ripped into a badass version of “Devil Went Down to Georgia” and had us all pumping our fists?
How Do We Regard Bloodshot Records After Lydia Loveless Revelations?
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Bloodshot Records was a stepping stone, and a repository for artists who were too ornery to be signed elsewhere. And that was what was cool about them. It was a punk attitude imprinted on country, and their verbiage about leading an insurgency inspired others to pick up the charge to take country music back, including this very website.