After 10 Years, Kristina Murray Finally Gets Her Due
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They call Nashville a 10 year town. You get 10 years to make it, and after that you might as well turn tail or give up. Over the last 10 years, perhaps nobody has has paid more dues while being passed over for deserved recognition.
Texas Troubadour and Legendary Guitar Player Leon Rhodes Has Died
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One of the very last true links to the Golden Age of country music has retired to the great honky tonk in the sky. Leon Rhodes, one of the most famous and influential Texas Troubadours behind Ernest Tubb, as well as one of the mainstays of the Grand Ole Opry house band, and the backing band on the television show Hee-Haw.
On Chris Janson’s Song “Drunk Girl”
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The issue with Chris Janson has never been that he can’t write a song, or even sing one. The problem is Chris can’t resist the temptation to write and record the trashy super hit as well, and this is what has gone on to define his career. “Drunk Girl” is one of the good ones.
Justin Timberlake’s New Record is Done. But Is It “Country”?
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There was a time in 2015 when it wasn’t a question of “if,” but “when” Justin Timberlake would release a country or country-influenced record, and this information was all but confirmed by none other than Timberlake’s long-time producer Timbaland. Now we have a little bit clearer picture of why there may have been a delay.
2018 Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam Will Also be a Tribute to Charlie Himself
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Since 1974, the Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam concert has been a mainstay on the country music calendar, and a worthy fundraiser for veterans. Now in 2018, the event will hold special importance as it also acts as a tribute to Charlie Daniels himself, as he partners with tribute concert promoter Blackbird Presents for this year’s presentation.
Hilarious Luke Bryan Revelations From Recent “New York Times” Feature
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Bro-Country godfather Luke Bryan is getting ready to give birth to his latest recorded monstrosity called What Makes You Country in a day or two, and in a recent feature in New York Times Magazine aiming to prove to us all what a good ol’ average Joe country boy he is, some pretty mirthful revelations emerged.
Price Points & Playlist Manipulations: How Babe Rexha Gamed The System to Go #1 in Country
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This week the country music world was shocked when a pop star named Bebe Rexha and her song “Meant To Be” featuring Florida Georgia Line debuted at the very top spot of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. But looking deeper into the numbers, something didn’t seem to add up.
Nominees for the Saving Country Music 2017 Song of the Year
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When we broach the exercise of whittling down the field of songs of a given year to a list of a chosen few to be considered Song of the Year, we’re not looking for booty shakers or boot scooters. We’re looking for those songs that through the power of words and music, hit you so deeply, you’re a different person after you’re done listening.
JD Wilkes to Release First Solo Album “Fire Dream”
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The notorious front man of Th’ Legendary Shack Shaker, The Dirt Daubers, and conspirator on many other projects Col. JD Wilkes will release a true solo album for the first time in his career. Called Fire Dream, it will be released by Big Legal Mess through Fat Possum Records.
Who the Hell is “Bebe Rexha”? And What The Hell Is She Doing Debuting at #1 in Country?
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That’s right. Think about the scores of female country music performers who have dedicated their entire lives to the craft, including many mainstream country pop performers, who have never enjoyed a debut at #1, or a #1 at all. And then a pop star you’ve probably have never heard of shows up and is cresting country music’s top metric for songs.
The Media Should Not Publish The Randy Travis Arrest Tape, But They Should Have Every Right To
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After five years of legal wrangling, the video of Randy Travis being arrested for DWI after crashing his Trans Am and being found naked in the middle of the road by sheriff’s deputies near Tioga, TX has finally been released. The Randy Travis arrest tape case cuts at very critical matters facing Freedom of the Press, privacy laws, and criminal justice.
George Strait Named 2018 Texan of the Year – Only 2nd Musician in Over 40 Years
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“King” George Strait can now add yet another accolade to his long list of accomplishments in his storied, Hall of Fame career. According to the Texas Legislative Conference, which is a non-partisan annual forum on Texas public policy, George Strait is the Texan of the Year for 2018. But it’s not for his music, and least not directly.
Nominees for the 2017 Saving Country Music Album of the Year
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The last few years have been a somewhat down era for excellent, legacy-caliber releases in country music and independent roots,. But 2017 was a different story, especially the first half, leaving us with difficult choices of what to consider to be the best of the year. As always, your feedback is requested, and will be included in the final calculus.