2025 Country Music Hall of Fame Picks & Predictions
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It’s that time of year again to consider who might be considered as the newest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. A secret committee commissioned by the CMA (Country Music Association) is going over their final ballots.
Song Review – Kellie Pickler’s “If It Wasn’t For a Woman”
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Kellie Pickler is at her best when she writes her own material, and when she makes it personal. That was at the heart of 100 Proof’s critical success. Pickler’s shattered upbringing have made for some excellent country music over the years, and her personal history is what inspires her latest song “If It Wasn’t For a Woman.”
Jason Isbell Announces New Dates for Winter Tour
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Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit just started an incredible six-night sold out stint at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Monday (10-9), and after a tour in Europe this fall, Isbell & Co. will be hitting the road yet again as part of an extended winter tour stretching into 2018, with brand new dates just added.
Rock & Roll Review – JD McPherson’s “UNDIVIDED HEART & SOUL”
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This is a record you use to get lost in the sonic beauty, with groove and soul setting the foundation. As Sturgill Simpson says, all good music is soul music. And since it’s still cast in those sepia hues of classic songs, even a country audience in favor of neotraditional styles will be able to relate. Bravo, Mr. McPherson. Bravo.
A New Generation of Southern Rock Bands On The Rise
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The Southern rock side of the country music space is blessed with some serious stalwart bands that have been around for years. At the same time, just like with every genre of music, the flux of bands breaking up and legends passing means there’s always room for fresh faces and new perspectives on the music to help keep it vital.
UFC’s Dana White Rails Against Jason Aldean for Turning Down Anthem Performance for Survivors
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The President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC, is furious with the Jason Aldean camp for allegedly turning down the UFC’s offer to sing the National Anthem before UFC 2016 Saturday night in Las Vegas, citing that he was still to shaken up to perform, and may never to perform again, only to show up to unexpectedly on SNL.
Rapper Nelly Arrested For Rape on Florida Georgia Line Tour
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Rapper and hip-hop artist Nelly was arrested Saturday morning (10-7) in Auburn, Washington after he was accused of sexual assault by a local woman while on tour with country duo Florida Georgia Line. Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., was arrested on his tour bus in a Wal-Mart parking lot where the alleged rape occurred.
Whitney Rose Brings Both Style AND Substance to “Rule 62”
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Whitney Rose’s “Rule 62″ (which by the way is “Don’t Take Yourself Too Damn Seriously”), is fun and fashionable in that throwback sort of way that’s the rage of independent roots circles at the moment, while also being bolstered by quality songwriting framed within a vintage era that still appeals to the modern perspective.
On Eric Church’s Post-Vegas Opry Moment, & New Song “Why Not Me”
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Music is the way we get through these moments. And though others have tried valiantly, Eric Church is the one so far, verified by the viral reaction, that has stepped out of the shadows of grief to deliver the light and the message we’ve all been waiting to hear, and put words to the emotions we all feel.
Why Mainstream Country Stars Won’t Come Out Against The NRA
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I understand. For those of you who are for strong new gun regulations that could potentially help prevent the massacre like we saw in Las Vegas, the idea of mainstream country music’s top artists coming out against the NRA is a salivating, sumptuous idea. But it’s never going to happen.
Album Review – The Lost Bayou Ramblers in “Kalenda”
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The Lost Bayou Ramblers—a very traditional Cajun-style band from Louisiana—has been both helping to keep the Cajun traditions alive in the ears of modern audiences, and trying to find new sonic frontiers for an almost ancient art form for going on some 15 years now.
Texas Music Artists & Venues Band Together For Benefits Statewide & Beyond
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In the days after the Hurricane Harvey disaster, Bucky Bachmeyer of Big Red Drum Entertainment, with help from the Texas Music Office, began planning a way for the Texas music community to do their part to help their friends, family, and neighbors. Instead of focusing on one big show, the idea was to have many shows all across Texas.
Shania Twain’s “Now” Might Be The Most Poorly-Produced Album Ever
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Sorry to disrupt any Shania Twain fans out there enjoying their Tim Horton’s Canadian bacon breakfast, but this new album is complete junk. Yet the least worthy of blame might be the one whose name and visage grace the cover, trying uselessly to revitalize the 90’s relevancy of leopard print.