Carolina Chocolate Drops to Reunite for Inaugural Rhiannon Giddens Festival
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First formed in 2005, the Carolina Chocolate Drops launched the careers of Rhiannon Giddens and Dom Flemons, with Leyla McCalla, Hubby Jenkins, and others using the group as a proving ground early in their careers.
They’re Back: The Dixie Chicks Announce New European Tour
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Batten down the hatches, and brushen up on your freedom of expression barbs because the most controversial and successful female band in American music history is dusting off the cobwebs and getting ready for a European tour stint that could be the precursor to a re-invasion of the United States and a relauncing of their […]
In The Moment with Chris Stapleton – An Interview on “Traveller”
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It isn’t often that a musician achieves an illustrious 15-year career that includes five number one hits, Grammy Award nominations, feature film contributions, producer credits and the respect of his peers before he ever releases his first solo album. But Chris Stapleton isn’t your average musician. The near-universal critical acclaim that has been heaped upon his debut album “Traveller” has been nothing short of amazing.
Sturgill Simpson Announces “Living The Dream” Tour
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Fresh off of his sold-out theater tour this late winter and spring, and a host of festival appearances at Coachella, Stagecoach, Bonnaroo, and others, insurgent country artist Sturgill Simpson has just announced a slew of new tour dates as part of his “Living The Dream Tour.” Focusing on theater-sized venues, a few choice opening spots, some more summer festivals….
Jon Hensley Death Case Remains Open Pending Autopsy
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Artist manager Jon Hensley was unexpectedly found dead in his home in Bowling Green, KY on June 1st, and nearly two weeks later, questions still remain on how the 31-year-old manager for Wanda Jackson and Shooter Jennings passed away. The investigation into his death remains an open matter according to the Bowling Green Police detective assigned to the case, Jared Merriss.
The Deslondes: A New Way of Making Old Music
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The Deslondes is not a songwriters project per se. This is not a superpicking troupe or a project that’s all about exuding a bunch of punk energy through unplugged instruments. On paper, this band doesn’t work at all. It’s too busy, there’s no discernible frontman, and there’s nothing fashionable or cutting edge about their approach or style. But The Deslones have something that every band wants but few have…
Country FanJam Leaves Artists and Vendors in Lurch After Cancellation
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As Nashville filled up this week with music fans from around the country for the annual CMA Fest, the inaugural Country FanJam was planned for the Tennessee State Fairgrounds just south of downtown. Featuring two stages, food and craft vendors, and four days of entertainment beginning on Thursday, over 40 separate acts were booked on the two stages.
Why We All Owe the Smoke Machine Guy at the Luke Bryan Show a Beer
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Luke Bryan isn’t just the current king of the country music charts, he’s been the reigning MVP for epic stage fails over the last few years as well. Country music’s Gomer Pyle has taken not one, not two, but three major stage dives over the last couple of years during his arena concerts, but his latest stage fail might be the biggest “gas” yet.
Disney Is Getting Into the Country Radio Business
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In the continued bastardization and exploitation of the term “country music,” the second-largest media conglomerate in the world, The Disney Corporation, has announced they’re getting into the country radio business to brainwash your children and tweens into believing Kelsea Ballerini has anything remotely to do with “country.”
Don Henley of The Eagles to Release a New Country Album “Cass County” w/ Big List of Collaborators
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Don Henley, the singer and drummer for the Eagles, will be releasing a country album called Cass County via Capitol Record—his first solo album in 15 years. This was the news coming out of an exclusive listening party held at the Ruby event space as part of this week’s CMA Fan Fest in Nashville. And don’t expect this to be an aging rocker looking for a second wind in country by chasing the current trends.
Song Review – Kacey Musgraves’ “Family Is Family”
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Kacey Musgraves has found her niche, and she’s not wavering. When she released “Biscuits,” which was so eerily similar to “Follow Your Arrow” (partly because the two songs were dreamed up in the same writing session), we assured ourselves that it was just one song, and once we hear the full breath of Musgraves’ upcoming album Pageant Material it would exhibit much more variety.
Country Legend Jim Ed Brown Has Died of Cancer
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Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry member Jim Ed Brown has died. He passed away Thursday, June 11th at the Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, TN after a long battle with lung Cancer. Though Jim Ed’s Cancer originally diagnosed in September of 2014 had gone into remission earlier this year, the country star recently announced it had returned.
So How Are All of Those Trend Chasing Country Songs Doing Anyway?
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If you’re going to release a country music song that is likely to completely alienate the core of your fan base and cut against the grain of all of the long-standing principles of your career, it better be commercially successful. Otherwise you’ve angered the constituency that helped create your success in the first place, and you haven’t even added any new members to your fandom.