On Taylor Swift’s Induction to the Songwriters Hall of Fame
70 Comments
Taylor Swift? A Hall of Famer at the age of 36, and for songwriting no less? That’s what the Songwriters Hall of Fame has decreed, with Swift being inducted in the class for 2026.
Album Review – Tracy Lawrence’s “Made in America”
40 Comments
Tracy Lawrence may not have a shot at radio anymore, but he’s certainly been a beneficiary of the resurgence of interest in 90’s country lately, of which he played a pretty major role. Tracy Lawrence promised back in April that ‘Made in America’ would be “very country,” and he doesn’t disappoint in the 12 tracks of the new record.
Sturgill Simpson’s Premier of New Song “Sing Along” – UPDATED
164 Comments
Sturgill Simpson will release a new song and video called “Sing Along” on Tuesday, August 20th at noon as indicated by a premier event that populated on YouTube via Sturgill Simpson’s official account on Monday (see below). It’s the first taste of a new album coming this fall called Sound & Fury that will be accompanied by an anime film.
Tyler Childers Announces New Tour Dates – Ryman Residency
13 Comments
Riding the momentum of his recent #1 album ‘Country Squire,’ Tyler Childers has added to his 2019 tour dates, and added even more dates stretching into 2020, including another big stint in Europe, an important benefit show, and a four-night residency at the Country Music Mother Church, the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
KOKE-FM & KOKEFEST Prove Not All Country Radio is The Same
16 Comments
The commonality of criticizing country radio within the ranks of country music’s classic and independent fans is pretty severe, and for good reason. Generally speaking, country radio is a blob of nationalized playlists and unimaginative music, and no curation by the DJs on the ground in local markets. But this doesn’t mean all radio is bad.
Miranda Lambert Cites Dolly Parton As Her Country Music Icon
39 Comments
PBS is gearing up for the release of the extensive 8 part, 16-hour Country Music Documentary starting September 15th directed by Ken Burns. And ahead of the release, PBS is trying to engage the country music public by asking people to share who their favorite country music icon is. They started by asking Miranda Lambert, Vince Gill, & Ray Benson.
Willie Nelson “Doing Great” After Health Problems – Resuming Tour
25 Comments
Willie Nelson had a lot of folks worried when late on August 7th, he released a statement saying, “To my fans, I’m sorry to cancel my tour, but I have a breathing problem that I need to have my doctor check out. I’ll be back Love, Willie.” The statement came after Willie had been performing at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.
Blake Shelton’s New Song “Hell Right” (A Rant)
246 Comments
The entirety of Blake Shelton’s career just devolved quicker than a political discussion with your drunk and racist uncle at Thanksgiving dinner. All the headway country music has made over the last couple of years, and now we have to figure out how to maneuver around this “Hell Right” bullshit.
New Randy Travis Song Surfaces, “Lead Me Home”
21 Comments
Just like in May when a new song from Randy Travis surfaced called “One in a Row” unexpectedly, we have yet another new song from the Country Music Hall of Famer called “Lead Me Home” that has just been made available to the public via streaming services. The bluegrass-inspired “Lead Me Home” was originally an iTunes exclusive.
Tracklist & Songwriters for Miranda Lambert’s New Album “Wildcard”
58 Comments
Miranda Lambert’s latest album will be called “Wildcard.” Along with the album release date and artwork, we also get to see track list and songwriting collaborators Miranda Lambert worked with on the album. A regular champion of quality songwriters, ‘Wildcard’ will be no different, even if the sound and approach is.
Ryman Auditorium Becoming the Hot Venue for Live Records
17 Comments
It’s kind of curious that the Country Music Mother Church hasn’t become a conveyor belt for live records like some other important venues in country music have. Now after Jason Isbell released a Live from the Ryman album in 2018, others are getting in on the action, including Old Crow Medicine Show and Brothers Osborne.
Joe Rogan Gives Ringing Endorsement to Tyler Childers
30 Comments
If you tracked the rapid and uncanny ascent of Tyler Childers producer Sturgill Simpson, then you know that podcaster, comedian, and public personality Joe Rogan played a critical role in the explosion of interest in Sturgill’s album ‘Metamodern Sounds in Country Music,’ and ultimately in his Grammy-winning career.
Riley Green Creates Buzz with “I Wish Grandpas Never Died”
56 Comments
It’s a new era in mainstream country music. Artists like Riley Green, and songs like “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” featuring ample steel guitar and twang aren’t being shied away from. They’re being favored as the hot commodity of the moment amid the dying embers of Bro Country. You can thank performers like Chris Stapleton, Jon Pardi, and Luke Combs for opening up this opportunity.