This Is HUGE: Grammys Add Traditional Country Album Category
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It’s hard to overstate how big this is, both in the present tense, and for what it could mean for the future. The Recording Academy has just announced that for the upcoming season, there will be a Best Traditional Country Album.
Sturgill Simpson Came Up With “Turtles All The Way Down” in a Motel Shower
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“I remember we were doing our first tour, somewhere probably like a Red Roof Inn or Howard Johnson’s,” Sturgill explains. “I almost killed myself getting out of the shower to write it down. It was right before we were going to check out and leave. And I had to literally like jump out of the shower and I slipped.”
Bluegrass Legend Dr. Ralph Stanley Has Passed Away
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Ralph Stanley, one of the last living legends in both the country and bluegrass world, has passed away. This was the word Thursday evening (6-23) from his grandson and protege Nathan Stanley. “My heart is broken into pieces. My papaw, my dad, and the greatest man in the world, Dr. Ralph Stanley has went home to be with Jesus just a few minutes ago.”
The Worst Country Albums of 2016 So Far
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Usually such a list is only reserved for the worst songs at the halfway pole of a given year, but 2016 has been especially lush with heartbreakily bad efforts, including from some artists who tend to be on the right side of the good music/ bad music divide. So before we really take the gloves off, let’s reflect back on 2016 biggest disappointments in the album category.
Album Review – Luke Bell (Self-Titled)
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Luke Bell has a bright future in music … if he wants to. And that might be the biggest question remaining. This self-titled debut will be all brand new to most, and by the grace of some really amazing songs, his audience will continue to swell. Keeping his authenticity and voice will be the challenge.
Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” Certified Platinum
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Along with all the other accolades Chris Stapleton has received over the past year, you can add gold and platinum certifications for his version of the country music classic, “Tennessee Whiskey” to the pile. Written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove, first recorded by David Allan Coe in 1981, and then turned into a Top 5 hit song for George Jones.
Outlaw Country Jazz Singer Freddy Powers Has Passed Away
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One of the most creatively-rambunctious artists in the history of country music, a well-respected and prolific songwriter, and one of the best friends artists like Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard ever had, has passed away. Freddy Powers, known for so many contributions, but known best as an aficionado of country jazz passed away on Tuesday, June 21st.
Kelsey Waldon’s New Album “I’ve Got A Way” Coming in August
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If you’re rounding out a list of the current artists who are helping to save country music, you better damn well make sure Kelsey Waldon makes it on there or the whole enterprise is bunk. Her 2014 record The Goldmine was a badass collection of classic country tunes that had fans of traditional country singing her praise.
Live Review – Wheeler Walker Jr. in Austin, TX
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It says a lot about where country music is, and where Wheeler Walker Jr. is going, that his show at Austin’s new Grizzly Hall was one of the most highly-anticipated country shows in Austin in months. Bloggers, radio DJ’s, and even Texas country artist Sam Riggs turned out to see what all of the hype was about surrounding the country’s newest raunch artist.
2016 Farm Aid Concert Releases Impressive Lineup
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Willie Nelson, along with Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and Dave Matthews are the board members for the Farm Aid organization first launched in 1985, and all four will be performing at this year’s event being held in Bristow, Virginia at Jiffy Lube Live on September 17th. Along with the four headliners, this year’s Farm Aid features an impressive list of country music talent.
Julian Davis Proves He’s One to Watch with “Make Americana Great Again”
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There are now so many versions of standards from the American country, bluegrass, and old time songbook, it is an art and discipline in itself to find ways to squeeze new life out of old songs, and one so few have mastered. It’s fun for artists to play cover songs, but it’s rare that it results in anything exceptional or original for the audience these days.
Song Review – Brad Paisley’s “Without A Fight” feat. Demi Lovato
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Brad Paisley’s old enough to be Demi Lovato’s father, but let that be no object to them singing a song together about makeup sex. Demi Lovato has no business in country, and we know where this is all headed. Surprisingly though, “Without A Fight” is not as terrible as one would suspect.
NASCAR’s Mike Wallace Brutally Beaten At Rascal Flatts Concert
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NASCAR driver Mike Wallace, the brother of Rusty Wallace and Kenny Wallace, was brutally beaten at a Rascal Flatts concert Friday night (6-17) at Charlotte’s PNC Music Pavilion. The three men also assaulted Mike Wallace’s daughter, Lindsey Wallace Van Wingerden, as she tried to shield her father during the attack.