Album Review – Tyler-James Kelly’s “Dream River”
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With a hearthy and woody baritone voice that envelops you like the sense of home, Tyler-James Kelly forwards a debut album full of moments of reflection and tribulation, balanced by sincere expressions of gratitude.
Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Cheap Trick Sign to Big Machine Records
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Timed to coincide with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announcement was the Cheap Trick news that they have a new album on the way called Bang Zoom Crazy…Hello. It will be the band’s 17th total album, and their first album in over five years. And it will be released on country music’s fastest-growing major label—Big Machine Records.
Merle Haggard Says He Was “Nearly Dead” in Pneumonia Scare
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Merle called into Willie’s Roadhouse on SiriusXM Thursday (12-17) to let fans know he was doing better, and to thank them for their prayers and support. The 78-year-old first was admitted to the hospital on December 2nd, unable to perform due to the illness. He eventually was forced to cancel the rest of his tour dates throughout December.
Shelli Coe Channels Personal Experience with Famous Father Into Universal Message in New Song
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The holidays are a joyous time for many, and for others it’s the time of year when familial strains are brought most to the forefront. David Allan Coe may be about the last person you would think of as a family man, but the history with his family is a lot more complex than one might imagine, and it’s something he’s addressed intimately in his music over the years to the tune of inspiring some of his best work.
Han Solo is Apparently a Huge Traditional Country Fan
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Who hadn’t thought that when Han Solo was outrunning Imperial starships in the Millennium Falcon—not the local bulk-cruisers mind you, I’m talking about the big Corellian ships now—that he wasn’t booming a little Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Billy Joe Shaver? Remember, Han was a smuggler, so it’s only fitting he’d find a hankering for music that many a moonshine runner would blare.
Dave Cobb’s Upcoming “The Southern Family” Concept Album Includes Incredible List of Talent
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There’s something much interesting brewing that’s bigger than any one artist at the moment—an expansive concept record dealing with artists’ experiences growing up in the South. The project was first hinted at in April when the new Elektra deal was signed, and since then there’s been murmurings about Cobb’s concept record here and there, but now we’re finally beginning to piece together the details.
EXCLUSIVE: Blake Shelton’s Reason(s) For Not Hosting the ACM’s Revealed
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On Tuesday (12-15) it was officially revealed that Blake Shelton would no longer be co-hosting the ACM Awards with Luke Bryan. The ACM’s are scheduled to occur again next in April of 2016. It’s a position Shelton has held for many years. Blake will be replaced by the pilot of the drunken skies, Dierks Bentley. But the decision has left many wondering why Blake would pull out of such a prominent position.
Chris Stapleton’s “Traveller” Goes Gold, Continues #1 Streak
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Chris Stapleton’s Traveller is now a gold record, or it will be shortly, as soon as the RIAA gets off its duff and officially declares it so. Thanks to a sales bump after being awarded four Grammy nominations, including for Album of the Year, Traveller sold an additional 43,700 copies last week—good enough for #1 in all of country yet again, and putting Stapleton over the 500,000 mark.
Americana Music Association Releases the Top 100 Albums of 2015
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The Americana Music Association has compiled their year-end list of the Top 100 albums of 2015. Unlike many of the other lists you’re bludgeoned with this time of year, this one isn’t based off on anyone’s opinion. It’s based on the reporting to the Americana Airplay Chart during the period of December 2, 2014 through November 30, 2015. The list also a good tool to see what you may have missed in 2015.
Album Review – Cam’s “Untamed”
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I see Cam, and I see a blank page. There’s nothing here. What’s her sound? What’s her style? What is she trying to say? What role is she fulfilling in country music? Is she a one-of-a-kind singer? Is she a critically-acclaimed songwriter? What is her contributions to the music at large? She’s got frizzy blonde hair, and likes the color yellow. And that’s about all the character information I’ve been able squeeze out of her.
Song Review – Cole Swindell’s “You Should Be Here”
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As we transition into 2016, you can anticipate the masters of Bro-Country filing into line to prove they have gravitas in the face of dwindling support for their party hardy dreck falling so quickly out of favor from the sheer frequency such narrow themes have cast over the last couple of years. Prove you can be an artist of substance, or you may not be long for this world.
American Masters to Air “The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End” Special
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Friends Till the End will tell the story of The Highwaymen through vintage performances and new interviews about life on the road and in the studio with the supergroup consisting of Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson. Originally formed in 1985, The Highwaymen released three albums over a decade span, including their Platinum-selling debut.
Saving Country Music’s 50 Essential Albums for 2015
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In no particular order, aside from the first dozen or so records being considered the “Most Essential,” here are the 50 albums Saving Country Music deems it necessary you at least give a sniff if you want to get the full musical experience in 2015. That doesn’t mean these are the only worthy country music albums. They are presented in the spirit of filling in the holes between what you may already know about.