The Kismet Between Johnny Cash and Ozzy Osbourne (RIP)
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It wasn’t just the music that intrigued us about these two men. It was the men themselves, and how they walked through the darkness of life, and turned it into light through music.
Illegal Music Downloads an Issue Again Thanks to Streaming Exclusives
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The hip thing in 2016 for many big-named artists is to only make their music available on one specific streaming or download service, usually in a deal struck between the artist’s label or management and the streaming service in hopes of drawing more subscribers towards one service, or in many cases, away from another—specifically Spotify.
Chris Stapleton Leads Nominees for the 2016 CMA Awards (+ Predictions)
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The nominees for the 50th Annual CMA Awards have been announced, and Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, and newcomer Maren Morris lead the field each with five nominations. Stapleton continues to be the big surprise, picking up a nomination for the evening’s biggest prize, Entertainer of the Year, and four other nominations.
So-Called ‘Maturity’ Makes Florida Georgia Line Even Worse on “Dig Your Roots”
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I think I liked Florida Georgia Line more when their music was worse. Now they’re writing songs about getting married and hanging out with their parents, yet still with much of the same manic, douchebag production and stupid rapping vocals of before, and the entire enterprise just comes off like a sad whimper.
Grand Ole Opry Legend and Time Jumper Hoot Hester Passes Away
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One of the most revered and longtime members of the Grand Ole Opry house band, founding member of the supergroup the Time Jumpers, and fiddler for dozens of important country music stars including Bill Monroe, Hank Williams Jr., and Randy Travis just to name a few, and a favorite of bluegrass fans, has passed away.
Dolly Parton’s “Pure & Simple” Is Her First #1 Album in 25 Years
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Once again when a country legend releases an album, fans rise to the occasion and support the artist to a greater degree than their contemporary counterparts. And for Dolly Parton, those additional sales earn her a distinction she hasn’t seen in a quarter of a century. The Pure & Simple album coincides with Dolly Parton’s current Pure & Simple tour.
Chris Stapleton: Garden & Gun Showed Bad Manners by Putting Him on Cover Over Haggard
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The Garden & Gun ‘New Outlaws’ issue seemed to illustrate the problem with many of today’s music periodicals that see the expanding interest in independent country music, but rely mostly on journalists and editors who only know country music from the outside looking in.
Karen Jonas Captures the True Meaning of Country in New Single “Country Songs”
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“Country Songs” speaks right to the heart of what true country music is all about. It’s there to mend the wounds and help us all commiserate over the misery life invariably throws our way. There’s nothing wrong with happy songs either, but country music has always been the best remedy for a sad state of affairs.
Sturgill Simpson Slams ACM’s, Garden & Gun for Disrespecting Merle Haggard
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Well, this is a side of Sturgill Simpson we haven’t seen for a while. Last week, the ACM created a new award called the ‘Merle Haggard Spirit Award’ that was said to honor the contributions of Haggard by acknowledging artists who exemplify his uncompromising integrity and “singular vision in carving an indelible path in country music.”
Tarnished Songwriter Kasey Anderson Is Back, & Making No Excuses for Himself
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There was no bigger enemy in music in July of 2014 than Kasey Anderson. The songwriter and performer plead guilty to wire fraud and was accused of bilking dozens of investors out of nearly $600,000 for fraudulent music projects, including a benefit album and tour for the West Memphis Three.
NASCAR’s Kyle Larson Pays Tribute to Marty Robbins with Retro Paint Job
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When Kyle Larson takes the honorary Chip Ganassi #42 Marty Robbins car on the the Darlington race track on Saturday, he won’t just be paying tribute to a country music legend, but a legend of the racing world that once put his own life in peril to save another.
Report: Garth Brooks to Finally Stream Music in Deal with Apple
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The best-selling country artist of all time and the last major holdout in all of music to make his songs and albums available for streaming may be finally acquiescing to reality. According to a report, Garth has reached a deal with Apple for $30 million, and his turning over his catalog to the company to service his music.
Jack Ingram Doesn’t Give A Damn on ‘Midnight Motel’ & It’s Pretty Brilliant
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Midnight Motel is not just an album, it is an experience. Many artists try this, but Jack Ingram, producer Jon Randall, and his Beat Up Ford Band pull it off. Jack Ingram wanted to let everyone know as soon as they turn this record on that he doesn’t give a damn anymore about “making” it in music, or making tons of money from it.