The Apostols’ Family: The Billy Strings Moment in Lexington
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By now, the story of what William Apostol, better known as Billy Strings, was going through last Friday night (6-20) as he walked onto the stage in Lexington, Kentucky’s Rupp Arena is well-known.
Cody Jinks Covers Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”
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The prog rock stylings of Pink Floyd are probably not the first segment of classic rock you would pick for translating well into the country format, especially with so much old rock stuff now sounding more like country than the country music of today. But “Wish You Were Here” is an exception to that rule with its acoustic heart.
Live Nation Continues Bid for Monopoly After Merger with Metropolis Music
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One of the biggest concerns for the future of music that continues to fly curiously under the radar is concert promoter and ticketing giant Live Nation’s ongoing campaign to acquire majority stakes in smaller promotional companies all across the world until nearly all live music presented is done under the umbrella of the live music juggernaut.
The Difficult Task of Translating Americana’s Diversity From the Stage to the Crowd
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I remember saying it myself when the Carolina Chocolate Drops first came on the scene. Excellent band, and great to see some diversity represented in country and Americana music in a way that illustrates the role African American’s played in creating roots music. But there was something a bit off about watching a black band playing for a distinctly white audience.
Again Blake Shelton Leads List of Opry Deadbeats, So Why Are They Building Him a Restaurant?
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Once again in 2016, the current mainstream artist leading the pack of delinquent members is Blake Shelton who couldn’t find the time to make even one appearance in 2016 at the Grand Ole Opry, let alone the 10 or so appearances current members are expected to make. Country fans shouldn’t be surprised by this; it’s pretty much par for the course…
March 10th Can’t Get Here Quick Enough for Marty Stuart’s “Way Out West”
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Don’t expect this to be just another Marty Stuart release simply because it’s been two years or so since his last record. This could be his most expansive work since his concept record The Pilgrim. To record Way Out West, Marty Stuart employed Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers fame for the 15 tracks that include many originals…
Viceland Tackles Nashville and the Country Rap Culture in New Documentary
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Much of the attention of ‘Noisey: Nashville’ is expended when Zach Goldbaum embeds with country rapper Mikel Knight’s street team, which Saving Country Music has covered extensively in the past. Independent country artist Margo Price is also involved, and tells the story behind her song “Hands of Time.”
Sturgill Simpson Sees Big Sales Spike After Saturday Night Live Performance
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This is a pretty significant sales spike for A Sailor’s Guide, which has become a matter of great intrigue by the public after it shocked the world by getting nominated for the Grammy Awards’ Album of the Year. But what’s even more surprising is how the performance of Sturgill’s other records has been boosted by the SNL appearance.
The Rise and Fall of Toby Keith’s Major Label, Show Dog Nashville
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And though we’re a good half decade from when Toby Keith was still relevant in the country mainstream, and a healthy 15 years removed from when he was telling would-be terrorists where he rudely wanted to ensconce his manly footwear, Toby Keith still has a reserved seat at the very top of these “highest paid” lists, despite not showing a Top 5 single since 2011.
Pickathon Music Festival Announces Initial 2017 Lineup
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Not one, not two, but three nominees for Saving Country Music’s 2016 Album of the Year have made the cut for the lineup of the 2017 Pickathon Music Festival just outside of Portland, Oregon in August. And that’s just where the list of distinguished country-oriented artists for the 2017 season starts.
Sturgill Simpson’s “A Sailor’s Guide” Was Almost Deemed Not Country Enough by Grammy Awards
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The fact that the Grammy committee considered turning down ‘A Sailor’s Guide’ for Best Country Album shows how stringent the litmus test is for these country categories. This is important because of the controversy that erupted after it was revealed that Beyoncé’s song “Daddy Lessons” was turned down by the same committee for not being country enough.
Album Review – Natalie Hemby’s “Puxico”
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She didn’t choose the title Puxico for the way it popped for focus group audiences. It’s the name of her less than 1,000 population hometown in southeastern Missouri that sets the scene for an album that feels devoutly personal, humble in approach, and eager to express things a professional songwriter just can’t with total fulfillment through the voices of others.
Sturgill Simpson Absolutely Destroys the Saturday Night Live Stage
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In the music business, they call it a “moment.” Some artists go their entire careers without ever having one, even quite successful artists. A “moment” is what caused Chris Stapleton to rocket to the biggest artist in all of country music. A “moment” is what rockets the obscure to the profound. And a “moment” is what Sturgill Simpson experienced late Saturday night.