Album Review – Jack Blocker’s “The Land On Most High”
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Texas native Jack Blocker demands your attention with his debut album ‘The Land On Most High.’ Little patience or persuasion is necessary to find yourself on the agreeable side of what’s going on here.
New Johnny Cash Statue Unveiled in Memphis
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Johnny Cash and his imposing figure will now forever be standing at the foot of 999 S. Cooper Street in his second hometown of Memphis, Tennessee after a new bronze statue in black patina was just unveiled at the location. Based off a 1962 portrait of Cash by photographer Leigh Wiener, the statue honor’s Johnny’s first public performance.
Album Review – Lukas Nelson’s “Turn Off The News (Build A Garden)”
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It’s the common bane of most second and third generation music performers that they are expected to carry on the legacy of their parents in form and fashion, and perform up to a standard dictated by their pedigree that is often difficult to impossible to attain. But with the natural gifts for music making that […]
Brooks & Dunn Is Leery About Recording New Music
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Brooks & Dunn is going through one of those late career resurgences that artists whose music withstands the test of time tend to enjoy about 25 to 30 years after they first came to prominence. But those hoping this might be the precursor to new music from Brooks & Dunn may want to temper their enthusiasm just a little bit.
Bruce Springsteen’s Desert Drift on New Album “Western Stars”
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The intimacy of Bruce Springsteen’s earlier “West” records is replaced by a truly cinematic scope, because things are still possible here. Pedal steel and throaty, tremolo guitars paint pastoral soundscapes interwoven with sweeping strings and orchestral horns; more Countrypolitan than country. Glen Campbell, not Gram Parsons.
Whiskey Myers Announces New Self-Titled Album
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Travis Tritt once wondered aloud where the hell the drive in country had gone. Well it comes flying right in your face whenever Whiskey Myers takes the stage or gets cued up on the stereophonic speakers, so much so it’s more apt to label them Southern rock, if not rock n’ roll entirely in some selections.
Sturgill Simpson Releases New Country Song “The Dead Don’t Die”
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For those Sturgill Simpson fans who’ve been hoping and praying for more of that hard country sound like you heard on his debut record ‘High Top Mountain’ or in large portions of his magum opus ‘Metamodern Sounds in Country Music,’ you get what you wish for and then some on the just released song called “The Dead Don’t Die.”
On The Wu-Tang Clan Playing The Ryman Auditorium
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On Sunday night (6-9), legendary hip-hop outfit The Wu-Tang Clan made a stop at the Ryman Auditorium as part of their 25th Anniversary tour for a sold-out performance. Known affectionately as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” the booking of Wu-Tang at the Ryman might have seemed a little weird to some.
The Story of Tompall & The Glaser Brothers Writes Its Final Chapter
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Of course Tompall is where the attention usually dwells when bringing up the three siblings from Spalding, Nebraska. But youngest brother Jim, who died of a heart attack on April 6th at the age of 81, and Chuck Glaser, who died Monday, June 10th at the age of 83, also contributed heavily to country music as songwriters and performers.
Luke Combs Invited to Be Next Member of the Grand Ole Opry
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Surging up-and-coming country music artist Luke Combs will be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry. The 29-year-old was surprised during the Tuesday night (6-11) Opry presentation by traditionalist Craig Morgan, country legend John Conlee, and recent Grand Ole Opry member Chris Janson with the invitation.
Five Bands Who Could Fill In During Turnpike Troubadours Hiatus
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Fans of country and Red Dirt’s Turnpike Troubadours were left forlorn late last month when it was announced that the band would be going on an indefinite hiatus amid a rash of cancelled shows and concerns for frontman Evan Felker, which begs the question of who might be able to step up to fill this important void.
Album Review – Damn Tall Buildings “Don’t Look Down”
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If you like your bluegrass served with a little punch, attitude, grit and gravy, with that busking spirit that was so present and palpable in the early incarnations of Old Crow Medicine Show, then the Damn Tall Buildings will slide in nice as a welcome edition to your listening rotation.
David Adam Byrnes Awarded Judgement Against Silverado Records
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Traditional Texas country artist David Adam Byrnes has been awarded a $24,000 settlement against independent label Silverado Records after he says the label refused to meet their obligations, and are refusing to release his music. His recent single “Beer Bucket List” went #1 on the Texas Regional Radio charts in March.