Don’t You Think This AI Bit’s Done Got Out of Hand?
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Please forgive me if this comes across as a little hyperbolic. But it certainly seems alarming that almost every expert analyzing the impending effects of AI immersion conclusively proclaims that it’s not “if” but “when.”
Midland’s Mark Wystrach Is Terrible At Talking Smack
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I feel like Al Pacino in The Godfather III. “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!” I’ve moved on from the whole questioning of Midland’s media narrative thing, and numerous times. Ultimately, it’s all about the music, and Midland’s music is better than most anything else in the mainstream.
Jerry Jeff Walker Recovers From Cancer to Release 1st Album in 10 Years “It’s About Time”
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Jerry Jeff Walker had a rough 2017, and almost didn’t make it out alive. The 76-year-old was diagnosed with throat Cancer, and then while going through chemotherapy and radiation treatment, developed both pneumonia and a blood infection that was said to be “an understatement to call a setback.”
Let’s Not Dixie Chick Shania Twain Over Her Trump Comments
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Why exactly was a UK-based publication asking a Canadian pop country star with permanent citizenship in Switzerland about the American President? It was in hopes she would be naive enough to answer in a way that would result in a scandalous uproar, and that’s exactly what has happened.
John Prine’s “The Tree of Forgiveness” Shatters Sales Expectations, Surges on the Charts
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Prine has completely shattered all sales expectations, and has put together the best debut sales week by an independent artist in the country space in the modern era. This is also by far the best chart performance for John Prine in his career. He just had his best sales week since Nielsen Music began tracking and verifying sales starting in 1991.
Album Review – “Port Saint Joe” by Brothers Osborne
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Heretofore, the greatest asset of the Brothers Osborne has been that they’re not Florida Georgia Line. This is how the singing and guitar playing brother duo hopscotched Beavis and Butthead to become the shoo-in duo for all of mainstream country’s industry awards, despite having not nearly the commercial prowess, or frankly, the influence.
CMA-Winning Veteran Country Journalist Chuck Dauphin Hospitalized
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Friends and family of veteran country music journalist Chuck Dauphin are asking for prayers as he works to recover from an injury after a fall, and remains hospitalized in critical care due to complications with diabetes. Dauphin fell and broke his arm just below his shoulder and was admitted to the Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia, TN.
Outlaw Country Cruise Announces 4th Annual Lineup
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Yarr there matees, it’s time once again to peruse over the lineup for the annual Outlaw Country Cruise, and ponder just exactly how “Outlaw” it is to board a luxury cruise ship bound for an exotic tropical destination, or if seawater will ruin your favorite black leather vest.
Album Review – Charley Crockett’s “Lonesome As A Shadow”
66 CommentsRarely, if ever before have we seen an artist who illustrates both the complexity of American roots music, yet ratifies their striking similarity as Charley Crockett. He possesses the ability to intuitively blend various roots forms together naturally because he holds by God authenticity in multiple cultures where specific strains of roots music originated.
Album Review – Joshua Hedley’s “Mr. Jukebox”
100 CommentsWhat Joshua Hedley has done on Mr. Jukebox is compose a haunting reenactment of country music from the 50’s, from the writing, to the phrasing, to the instrumentation and approach, marked by incredible detail, inferred by studious comprehension and tireless devotion to the effort…
AmericanaFest Announces Initial 2018 Festival Lineup
15 CommentsOnce again artists and fans will come from around the country and world to congregate in Nashville for AmericanaFest this September. Part industry conference, part fan festival, it combines scores of venues across Nashville for hundreds and performances and showcases. The 19th Annual festival will include some 250 performers.
Why Carrie Underwood’s Producer Credits for “Cry Pretty” Are Critically Important
72 CommentsCarrie Underwood co-produced her entire new record out in September. This takes Carrie Underwood—a top tier country performer—into virtually uncharted territory in the mainstream, at least in the near term. This move by Carrie Underwood is incredibly audacious for country, mainstream or otherwise, from a man or a woman.
$10 Million Donation to Local Radio Station KEXP Is Big Boon For Independent Artists
10 CommentsBeing an independent music artist is not easy. Adversity lurks everywhere, and the cards are stacked against you. But it’s nice to have auspicious enclaves of support to help you upon your journey. For many years, a small nonprofit radio station based in Seattle called KEXP has been that very thing for bands.