Kelsea Ballerini, Austin City Limits, and the Public Funding of Media
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It’s difficult to impossible to figure out why Ballerini’s appearance would have any benefit for either party. Austin music fans, and Austin City Limits faithful would find little to no appeal in a Nashville pop star.
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.”
UPDATED: Dollywood Under Threat in Smoky Mountain Wildfires
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Over 100 structures have been destroyed, and over 1,400 residents have been evacuated from downtown Gattlinburg and surrounding areas in eastern Tennessee as massive wildfires threaten the area, including Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain resort Dollywood in nearby Pigeon Forge. A small fire started on Chimney Top Mountain quickly grew…
Nikki Lane, Brent Cobb & Robert Ellis Team Up for Stagecoach Tour
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Recycled clothing fashionista and country music neotraditionalist Nikki Lane has a new record coming out February 17th, 2017 called ‘Highway Queen,’ and when it hits the streets she will be heading out on tour with some other cool names on her way to a performance at Southern California’s Stagecoach Festival.
I Reviewed a Christmas Album. It’s Kacey Musgraves’ “A Very Kacey Christmas”
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In the country music department, the amount of emphasis on Christmas releases in 2016 has been nothing short of astounding, and maybe even historic. And I’m not just talking about “Rascal Flatts Sing The Chipmunks” or whatever crap that’s out there. Even independent artists and country legends have showered the country music listening public…
Curtis Grimes Delivers on the Promise of “Undeniably Country”
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It’s always worth a chuckle when you hear someone say that country music must “evolve” to stay relevant, or hear an artist bellyache about how constricting country music is to their creativity. And then you put on a record like this and hear just how much a true artist can do with a simple message and melody, and three chords and the truth.
Dori Freeman, Jack Grelle Receive Independent Music Awards
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Not all music awards have to go to the worst artists of an industry like we’re used to, or be ushered in with “high school pageantry” (to quote Sturgill Simpson). For 15 years now, the Independent Music Awards have labored to highlight the artists that slip through the cracks in all the major genres of music.
George Jones Museum, Naming, & Likeness Rights Sold to Branding Company
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Folks were left wondering what the fate of the 46,000 square foot, multi-story facility would be after the manager of the museum and a close financial partner to George Jones’ widow Nancy Jones plead guilty to fraud charges in October. On Wednesday, November 23rd, it was announced that the George Jones Museum has been sold to a Nashville-based investment group.