Going Inside a Prison to Witness a Concert of Inmate Songwriters
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Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of the important role music plays in our lives. At other times, it’s patently inescapable. Going behind the walls of a maximum security prison to witness a concert of inmates singing songs they all wrote themselves.
Gary P. Nunn Celebrates 71st Birthday at Gruene Hall (A Photo Blog)
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It doesn’t get more Texan than Gruene Hall or Gary P. Nunn, unless you combine the two, which is what happened when the venerable songwriter stopped by one of his favorite Texas haunts on Saturday, December 3rd celebrate 71 years alive and breathing on this mortal coil.
Americana Heavyweights Coming Together for Chris Porter’s Final Record
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Well-known, and well-loved throughout the Austin music scene and beyond, the death of Chris Porter sent shockwaves throughout the independent roots music community, and now that same community is coming together to raise funds for the posthumous release of Chris Porter’s final record.
Granger Smith Hospitalized After Bad Fall from Stage
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Granger Smith, also known as Earl Dibbles Jr., suffered a tragic stage fall Friday evening (12-2) at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, N.J. while standing on a stage monitor during the mostly acoustic performance. Smith suffered two broken ribs and a collapsed lung in the incident, but miraculously got back up stage after the fall to finish the concert.
Album Review – Slim Cessna’s Auto Club’s “The Commandments According to…”
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Once again Slim Cessna’s Auto Club have turned in an effort that touches parts of the musical palette you never knew existed, challenges the listener with adroit lyricism and structure, and offers a musical experience so unusual that it’s hauntingly riveting and hypnotic.
Dolly Parton’s “Christmas of Many Colors” Movie Wins Ratings Battle
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Dolly Parton’s made for TV movies continue to be ratings hogs. Her latest installment, Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love won Wednesday night’s (11-30) ratings for NBC, beating out the vaunted FOX music series Empire by nearly 3 1/2 million viewers, and winning the night overall.
Why The Hell Was Luke Bryan Playing the Volunteer Jam Anyway?
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What in God’s creation makes one think that Charlie Daniels fans are going to want to watch a performance by Luke Bryan, or Travis Tritt fans are going to appreciate Kid Rock’s shtick? Or vice versa? Sure, the big names help put butts in seats, but it also helps turn others away. No self-respecting traditional country fan is going to stomach a Luke Bryan performance.
Dolly Parton’s “Christmas of Many Colors” Takes On Special Meaning After Wildfires
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It was the recent events on Dolly Parton’s doorstep in Sevier Country that brought the story of the fragility of life, and the importance of taking care of each other at the core of ‘Circle of Love’ to the forefront, and once again proved that Dolly Parton is nothing shy of a divine figure of the Southern American experience.
Luke Bryan Punches (or Slaps) Front Row Fan in the Face at Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam
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Unfortunately, the actions of Luke Bryan have sullied Charlie Daniels’ 2016 Volunteer Jam after numerous videos and eyewitness accounts of Luke Bryan stopping down one of his songs to accost a front row fan and punching him in the face have surfaced.
I’ll Be Damned. Baseball Pitcher Barry Zito Is Not Half Bad at the Music Thing
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Barry Zito has released an acoustic version of a song called “Secret to Life” that is supposedly going to be the first song released on an upcoming album of his. Not many know that when Barry Zito’s massive contract ended and his pitching production began to taper off again, he decided to re-up with the Oakland A’s and actually pitched for Nashville’s AAA club called the Sounds.
Travis Tritt Doubles Down on Criticism of Beyonce Performing at the CMA Awards
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“It has frustrated me for years … that for every pop performance or R&B performance or any other type of genre performance that you have on the CMA Awards, that takes time away from somebody who is a country music artist, doing country music songs, releasing country music singles to radio, selling country music under that moniker.”
Chris Knight Addresses Delay in New Music
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There is nothing like a Chris Knight album and a Chris Knight song. The consummate songwriter’s songwriter, Chris Knight is one of the most revered in the craft, and all you have to do is look at the list of artists who’ve covered his songs over the years, from Randy Travis to Lee Ann Womack.
Merle Haggard’s “Okie From Muskogee” Added to the Grammy Hall of Fame
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he Grammy Awards have selected 25 songs to be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in their latest class, and this year’s inductees are offered with a heavy heart since it includes selections from many notable artists who have passed away in 2016, including Prince’s “Sign ‘O’ The Times,” David Bowie’s “Changes,” and Merle Haggard’s “Okie From Muskogee.”