On Taylor Swift’s Induction to the Songwriters Hall of Fame
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Taylor Swift? A Hall of Famer at the age of 36, and for songwriting no less? That’s what the Songwriters Hall of Fame has decreed, with Swift being inducted in the class for 2026.
Album Review – Brantley Gilbert’s “The Devil Don’t Sleep”
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Brantley Gilbert’s music may not be for you, but it’s hard to argue it’s not 100% him. He’s a roided-out, tatted-up, tribal Tap-Out truck-nutted horn-flashing Jesus-praising great American meat head who makes no apologies for himself and has built an entire army of fans that are just as hard headed and proud, and will follow Brantley over a bridge if asked.
“Lol Wut?” Happened to Willie Nelson’s Twitter Page?
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A few weeks ago Willie Nelson’s official Twitter account converted to an entirely new account called “lolwut?,” and started exclusively posting links to stories on viral content farms like Viralthread and Distractify—in other words, content from a bunch of aggregated clickbait funnels that have consumed the internet over the last few years.
Now Willie Nelson Shows in New Mexico & Arizona Canceled. 7 Shows Canceled in All
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Fans of Willie Nelson continue to be concerned as the country music icon cancels additional shows due to an undisclosed illness, while no official word has come from the Willie Nelson camp to the nature or severity of Willie’s condition. It was announced Wednesday morning (2-8) that Willie has canceled shows in Arizona and New Mexico.
MerleFest Adds More Talent to Stacked 30th Anniversary Lineup
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In 2017, MerleFest is celebrating 30 years of bringing top-notch, world-class traditional country, bluegrass, roots, string, rock, and Americana music to audiences that flock from all over North America and the World to experience one of roots music’s premier events. MerleFest has just added more performers to their already stacked lineup.
Don Williams Tribute Album to Feature All-Star Contributors
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An all-star cast will come together to celebrate the life and music of country music icon and Hall of Famer Don Williams in a new tribute album with the proceeds going to a good cause. ‘Gentle Giants: The Songs of Don Williams’ will be released on May 26th via Slate Creek Records.
Song Review – Luke Combs’ “Hurricane”
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You want to like Luke Combs. He one of us, not one of them. At least that’s what you think, or that’s what you thought, or that’s what you want to think. Let’s face it, he’s no matinee idol. He’s a big ol’ corn fed boy from North Carolina with a scruffy Amish beard and a cheap haircut tucked under a properly-aligned baseball cap.
Willie Nelson Cancels Even More Shows Due To Undisclosed Illness
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Willie Nelson had fans worried when he canceled shows at the Venetian Theater in Las Vegas on January 27th and 28th due to an undisclosed illness, and now he’s canceled three more. Ticket holders for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night shows (2-6 thru 2-8) at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, California.
Album Review – Dead Man Winter’s “Furnace”
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I don’t blame Dave Simonett for wanting to take some time away from what has been his main gig for 15 years as the frontman of the bluegrass-esque Trampled By Turtles. As stellar of a collective of musicians as Trampled By Turtles is, at some point the experience of a string band is going to feel limiting to someone who is a songwriter first.
Quit Trying To Politicize Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl Performance
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Dammit, can’t we do anything in American without someone wanting to inject their political vitriol into it and make a moment of unification into a vehicle for polarization? God blessed, we’re inundated with political acrimony 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and in every sector of American life. You can’t get away from it.
That’s Right, Hee-Haw Could Be Coming Back
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Hee-Haw—the Roy Clark and Buck Owens-hosted show that ran for 30 years could soon be coming back to the airwaves with a brand new cast and fresh episodes. But don’t get your hopes up too high because it isn’t a done deal just yet.
Song Review – Zac Brown Band’s “My Old Man”
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Zac Brown promised last September that the band would be bringing the music back to its roots, and he certainly delivers on that promise with Zac Brown Band’s latest single called “My Old Man.” But how we got here and why such a return to the roots is even possible or necessary is important context.
Joey Feek’s Shelved Major Label Debut Finally Gets a Release Date
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Right as Joey’s album was getting ready to be released, Sony went through a regime change, and along with the label reshuffling, Strong Enough to Cry was completely shelved. One of the potential reasons is that during the album-making process, Joey met Rory Feek—her eventual husband and duo partner.