Vince Gill Signs Lifetime Record Deal, Readies New Music
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In an unprecedented move, country music legend Vince Gill has signed a lifetime recording deal with his current and long-time record label MCA. Gill is also prepping to release multiple EPs.
Pioneering Musician, Performer, & Label Owner Bonnie Guitar Has Died
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Legendary and pioneering guitar player, country music star, label owner and businesswoman Bonnie Guitar has passed away according to close friends and family. She died Sunday morning (1-13) in Washington State, where she was born, lived most of her life, and launched a record label that had major implications in music.
Legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd Ed King Guitar Now in Custody of Jason Isbell
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An iconic guitar owned by Ed King of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and that once was stolen from the “Sweet Home Alabama” co-writer at gunpoint, is now in the custody of the King of Americana, Jason Isbell. “Don’t think I’ve played a finer electric guitar than this one. It haunts me now,” Isbell said after playing it the first time.
“All My Ex’s” Songwriter Whitey Shafer Has Died
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A legend of country music songwriting, and one that put the painful experience of divorce into words and song like none other has gone to the great honky tonk in the sky. Sanger D. Shafer, known popularly as Whitey Shafer, passed away on Saturday, January 12th according to reports.
Tracy Byrd Is Back, and Is Hitting The Road Hard and Heavy
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With all the re-emphasis on 90’s country lately, what better time for 90’s country star Tracy Byrd to re-emerge with a big tour. Tracy Byrd continued to make live appearances here and there, but he re-emerged in 2016 when he released his first record in 10 years, the self-funded and self-promoted ‘All American Texan.’
Patty Griffin Announces New Self-Titled Album
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Like a lazy Sunday morning, a Patty Griffin song can frame life perfectly, and put everything into perspective. This gift is the reason artists such as Emmylou Harris, Miranda Lambert, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and the Dixie Chicks have selected her songs to record, and the Grammys have awarded and nominated her efforts.
Album Review – Randy Houser’s “Magnolia”
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Tag Randy Houser’s Magnolia as yet another entry into the evidence file that the era of Bro-Country continues to wane, and it’s slow but steady expiration has allowed the latitude of some established artists to return, giving them the ability to select and record the material of their choosing, and reuniting them with their more […]
UPDATED: ‘Highwomen’ Supergroup with Brandi Carlile & Amanda Shires On The Way
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A new country music supergroup is on the way that will combine the talents of Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, and Margo Price. Called the Highwomen, it will take inspiration from legendary country music supergroup The Highwaymen. Jim Lauderdale is also involved in the project as a co-writer.
Dillon Carmichael Lands Big Tour Opening Opportunities for 2019
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One of the biggest discoveries in 2018 was Dillon Carmichael and his debut, Dave Cobb-produced album Hell On An Angel. This hard country, heart-pounding honky tonk record was nominated for Saving Country Music’s Album of the Year, and put this young man with a country music pedigree on the radar of the real country crowd.
Meet King Calaway: Country Music’s Manufactured Boy Band
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Looking for yet another reason to be embarrassed as a country music fan? Well here comes King Calaway. Who or what is “King Calloway” you ask? Never heard of them? That’s okay, nobody has. Up until a couple of days ago, there was absolutely no information about this project entered into the public record whatsoever.
Steve Earle Announces New Guy Clark Tribute Album, “GUY”
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“No way I could get out of doing this record,” Steve Earle says. “When I get to the other side, I didn’t want to run into Guy having made the ‘TOWNES’ record and not one about him … Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark were like Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg to me.”
“Colorado Kool-Aid” Songwriter Phil Thomas Passes Away
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Beloved and influential country music songwriter Phil Thomas passed away Saturday, January 5th. With prominent songs recorded by artists such as Johnny Paycheck, George Strait, Randy Travis, Alabama, Barbara Mandrell, and more, his fingerprints are all over the sound and style of country from the late 70’s into the early 2000’s.
Chris Stapleton Gives Songwriter Kevin Welch Big Boost via “Millionaire”
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Starting on November 4th, Kevin Welch has been #1 on the Music Row Songwriter Chart, and will likely be at or near the top of the chart for a while as “Millionaire” continues to climb. And that’s not the only accolade for the tune. The song is up for Best Country Solo Performance at the Grammy Awards.