Willie Nelson Wants You To Know About This Revered Songwriter
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We’re used to younger and up-and-coming artists paying tribute to Willie Nelson, or perhaps Willie toasting the legends who came before him like Frank Sinatra and Gershwin.
Cowboy From Hell: How Vinnie Paul Helped Craft the Country Music Underground
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When you’re looking for the names of people who were imperative to the rise and eventual success of independent country music that we enjoy today, the drummer for the metal band Pantera may not be your first choice to finger. But Vinnie Paul, who passed away on Friday, played a seminal role in the formation of the country music underground.
UPDATED: Cody Jinks Taken To Hospital, Cuts Performance Short in Omaha
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Cody Jinks has been taken to the hospital after attempting to play a show on Friday night (6-22) at the SumTur Amphitheater in Papillion, Nebraska near Omaha, and was unable to perform after complaining of dizziness. He was taken away from the venue in an ambulance according to concertgoers.
Album Review – Jay Bragg’s “Honky Tonk Dream”
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Not exactly sure what has gotten into 2018, but all of a sudden we’re finding ourselves in the midst of one hell of a twangy, honky-tonkin’, 90’s-style resurgence in country music. Add Jay Bragg and his new album Honky Tonk Dream to the list of names and projects you need to check out.
Newest Additions to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#23)
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Downright giddiness accompanies getting to add new songs to the Saving Country Music Top 25 Playlist this round due to the quality of the new selections. Of course the new single from Cody Jinks called “Must Be The Whiskey” was going to make the list, but it’s the new discoveries from under-the-radar artists that are the most exciting.
AmericanaFest Adds to Already-Stacked 2018 Lineup
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The Americana Music Association has just announced an additional 99 artists to go with the previously-announced 74 artists that have been selected to perform at the 2018 AmericanaFest. This brings the total of announced performers to 173 of what will eventually swell to some 250.
Sturgill Simpson, Brandi Carlile & Others Part of New Elektra Records Label
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Whether there’s any need for panic among fans and artists who are part of the new reshuffle remains to be seen, but it is certainly something to keep an eye on. Often these label reshuffles are enacted with the best of intentions, and the devil is ultimately is in the details.
Luke Bryan Serenades Summer & Skin Cancer in “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset”
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Apparently there is a hard and fast proviso in the mainstream country music bylaws stating that artists signed to major labels must release a torpid, moronic ode to coincide with the official observance of summer each calendar year. Over the years Luke Bryan has been one of the most steadfast observers of this natural summer phenomenon.
“King of the Road” Roger Miller Tribute Album On The Way
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Announced on Wednesday (6-20), a massive tribute album dedicated to the King of the Road will be making its way to music lovers. And though tribute records come down the pike all the time and make you wonder if your time and money is worth heaping onto songs you already know, this one has a little something special in the recipe.
Volunteering Can Be One of the Best Ways to Experience a Music Festival
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Attending a festival is not just about the music. It’s about the overall experience. For some, they couldn’t imagine participating in a grassroots event without also participating in the production of it in some capacity. The time they donate to their music community is just as fulfilling as the music itself, if not not more.
Backstreet Boy AJ McLean’s “Country” Song Gets Trounced By Critics
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It can’t be expressed vehemently enough how rare to downright non-existent actual criticism of music from country music “critics” and journalists is in the marketplace at the moment. But AJ McLean and “Back Porch Bottle Service” has inexplicably brought out a surprisingly critical consensus among country music “critics.”
Cody Johnson Signs Partnership with Warner Music Nashville
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Texas country artist Cody Johnson is now a major label artist. Announced on Monday (6-19), Warner Music Nashville has signed a deal with Cody to form CoJo Music/Warner Music Nashville. The deal means Cody Johnson is now part of one of the biggest label groups in country music, but still retains a certain level of control.
American Aquarium Celebrate Chart Success for “Things Change” On The Road
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BJ Barham and American Aquarium have pulled off quite a feat with their latest album ‘Things Change.’ Not only did they write and record what has been the band’s most well-received and critically-acclaimed album to date. Now the initial sales numbers have been tabulated, and it has sold through better than any of the band’s records previously.