Songwriting Legend, Writer of “The Gambler” Don Schlitz Has Died
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They gave Don Schlitz all the accolades they could, because Don Schlitz gave us so many of the songs that contributed so much to our lives. Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler,” might have been where it started.
Gabe Lee Gets Loud on New Song “Honky Tonk Hell”
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There’s no pulling of punches or production elements here. Co-written with Marcus King about the wild circus that is lower Broadway in Nashville, and employing a Southern rock band behind him in the studio, “Honky Tonk Hell” opens up and entirely new audience for Gabe. But the new record isn’t all fire and brimstone.
New Grand Ole Opry Chief Says Hank Williams Won’t Be Reinstated
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The new vice president and executive producer of the Grand Ole Opry said this week in an interview that Hank Williams will not be reinstated to the institution he helped popularize. But while casting aside the idea of Reinstating Hank, he inadvertently mentioned the reason why the case for Hank’s reinstatement is warranted.
Album Review – Tami Neilson’s “CHICKABOOM!”
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If word comes down that Tami Neilson is making her way to your town, pitch the tent, prop up the podium, assemble the pews, pass out handbills and burn up the telephones lines to put everyone on alert that the new queen of rockabilly herself is coming to testify and save souls with her earth-shattering shouts and dulcet coos.
Corb Lund’s New Song Is About A Hunting Trip with Evan Felker
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Canadian country and Western singer Corb Lund recently announced he will be releasing a new album called ‘Agricultural Tragic,’ and ahead of the record, he’s released a new song called “90 Seconds of Your Time.” Corb alluded with the release of the song that it was based on a true story, and now we know just how true that story is.
On Tim McGraw Leaving Sony Nashville
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Ever since Tim McGraw’s move to Sony, it’s seemed like a series of missteps. Now Tim McGraw is a man without a label. We’ll likely hear about McGraw signing to a new label in a matter of days. Maybe it will even be Big Machine. Don’t count on it being Curb. But again the question is, why all the label musical chairs in the first place?
Logan Ledger to Release Highly-Anticipated Self-Titled Debut
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It’s not just the fact that Logan Ledger’s voice sounds like a striking combination of George Jones and Dwight Yoakam, and that he could write songs to compliment it, it was about the team that had assembled around his talent, namely highly-decorated producer T Bone Burnett, and Rounder Records.
Longtime Willie Nelson Drummer, Manager Paul English Has Died
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Paul English, the long time drummer, manager, and right hand man for Willie Nelson, has died, Saving Country Music can confirm. A member of Willie’s band from his start in shady bars in Fort Worth, Texas, all the way up to Willie’s most recent shows, he was the seminal member of Willie Nelson’s Family Band. He also acted as Willie’s manager.
Mobster Behind Rascal Flatts & Toby Keith Restaurants Indicted
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A third-generation mobster who turned state’s witness in 1999 and entered the Federal Witness Protection Program, only to become the mastermind behind two fraudulent restaurant chains attributed to two prominent country music personalities in Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts, has finally been indicted.
Whitney Rose Announces New Album “We Still Go To Rodeos”
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When looking to assemble a draft class of strong and talented country music women to return some balance to the genre, you better not let your gaze shoot over the head of Canadian-born, and Austin-forged singer/songwriter Whitney Rose. They don’t just hand out residencies at Austin’s legendary Continental Club to anyone.
Bobby Bones is Terrible Pick to Host New Televised Opry Show
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Fans of the Grand Ole Opry were super excited to learn in late October of last year that the venerable country music institution would finally be returning to television through the newly-launched Circle Network. But this is a shortsighted move by the Circle Network. The demographic for the Grand Ole Opry episodes is going to be much older.
Song Review – Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit “Be Afraid”
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Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit have announced their sixth studio album to be released on May 15th called ‘Reunions.’ Ahead of the new album, Jason Isbell has released the blistering and politically-charged anthem “Be Afraid.” Far from roots or even notions of Americana, it’s only fair to label it rock with a highly-charged political message.
Album Review – John Moreland – “LP5”
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Place whatever qualifiers you wish on the estimation of John Moreland as the overlord of all modern songwriters, like his stuff isn’t very commercial, or that sometimes he strains to find a proper melody. But on paper, his lines are pure poetry, putting words to the fears and anxieties that wash over us on a daily basis.