Charley Crockett Takes “Mr. Nashville” To Task in New Song
30 Comments
Crockett has let his opinions be known about the music business and Nashville before. See the title track to his 2021 album ‘Music City USA.’ But on his new song “Mr. Nashville,” he lives little to the imagination and spells it out.
The 2015 Americana Music Awards Nominees Announced
35 Comments
On Thursday afternoon via The Ford Theatre at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Americana Music Association announced the nominees for the 2015 Americana Music Awards. Stugill Simpson, Shakey Graves, and Lucinda Williams lead the nominees, with all three receiving nods for Album, Song, and Artist recognition. Sturgill’s guitar player Laur Joamets also gets into the action with an Instrumentalist of the Year nomination.
Major George Jones Biopic Movie “No Show Jones” Coming
37 Comments
Just like his predecessors Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, George Jones is getting a major biopic movie made about his life. Entitled No Show Jones and authorized by the George Jones estate, the big budget biopic will cover his rise to fame in the 1950’s, his struggles with alcohol and drugs throughout the 70’s, his tumultuous seven-year marriage to Tammy Wynette, and his final marriage to Nancy Jones.
Sam Hunt? Yep, He’s A Sturgill Simpson Fan.
70 Comments
Sam Hunt is a Sturgill Simpson fan now, so says Sam Hunt in a tweet he fired off on Wednesday (5-13). Apparently the rising “country” music superstar was vacationing at Weiss Lake in northeastern Alabama this week, and Sturgill Simpson was a significant part of his soundtrack. “Sun burnt, dehydrated, ready for summer, and a Sturgill Simpson fan. Successful lake trip…”
Song Review – Steven Tyler’s “Love Is Your Name”
68 Comments
No matter how many banjos, fiddles, and mandolins you infuse in the music, a song from Steven Tyler is not going to be country, because Steven Tyler is not country. Just like it doesn’t matter that Willie Nelson never uses fiddles, banjos, or mandolins in his music. He couldn’t stop from making a country song even if he tried. But unfortunately we can’t stop Steven Tyler from trying to make country music.
Why It’s Unfair for Meghan Linsey to Win “The Voice”
75 Comments
The reason why these reality TV singing competitions, dancing competitions, and talent shows have worked so well over the last 15 years is because they tap into the innate desire of every human to be plucked out of the morass of obscurity and get the chance to become a superstar. The children of America and beyond are ingrained with a rock & roll fantasy that some day they can become famous.
Florida Georgia Line Answer Their Critics (or try to, at least) with Dan Rather
75 Comments
Well well well. So Florida Georgia Line has decided to go on the offensive when it comes to the significant criticism the duo is fielding as the face and premier franchise of Bro-Country. The faltering of the trend has put the Big Machine cash cow on unsure footing it seems, and they’re out to do something about it. In an interview with Dan Rather that will air Tuesday evening (5-12) on AXS TV….
Daniel Romano Announces New Album “If I’ve Only One Time Askin'”
22 Comments
Country throwback and old soul Daniel Romano has just announced he’s got a brand new album on the way. Self-produced, and recorded in his hometown of Welland, Ontario, the album is said to include strings, horns, piano, pedal steel, accordion, and be much more than your average neo-traditional release from its countrypolitan feel and exploration of nostalgia. Romano himself calls it “Mosey” music.
Song Review – Toby Keith’s “35 MPH Town”
103 Comments
Written by Keith with Bobby Pinson, the song tries to do something similar to “Drunk Americans,” which is make a statement about the current climate of society. Cutting completely against the grain of current country trends, as opposed to glorifying small town life as this idyllic full-time party of constant bonfire soirees beside bodies of water down dirt roads for bored suburbanites to live vicariously through…
Yelawolf on Mixing Hip-Hop with Mainstream Country: “It’s Bad Man.”
28 Comments
His first album in nearly four years, the Nashville resident is looking to make a statement with Love Story, and just like Saving Country Music hypothesized in the review of the album, Yelawolf wants to do battle with the terrible rap-infused country that has made it to the very top levels of the mainstream. Or at least offer a better alternative.
Them Duqaines Help Keep Austin’s Honky Tonk Spirit Alive with “Star Spangled Rodeo”
9 Comments
Traditional Texas country with a little bit of a Bakersfield spark is what Them Duqaines are all about. Rich with excellent guitar work, great singing, and those little elements of spice that make Texas country unique like accordion, backing chorus singers, and even saxophone, Them Duqaines capture an authentic country spirit that makes you go, “Yes, this is what I’ve been looking for!”
Legendary Texas Fiddle Player Johnny Gimble Has Passed Away
32 Comments
Texas Playboy, Million Dollar Band member, and legendary country and Western Swing fiddle player Johnny Gimble has passed away. Known best as one of the primary fiddle players in Bob Wills’ Western Swing band the Texas Playboys, Gimble spent his life charming audiences and being revered as one of the Godfathers of Texas fiddle music. “My hero passed away today. Godspeed Johnny Gimble. We love you,” said current Western Swing fiddle maestro Jason Roberts
Album Review – Mumford & Sons’ “Wilder Mind”
22 Comments
The truth is Mumford & Sons were in an impossible situation. And it wasn’t completely their fault. As the poster boys for the over-saturation of string bands in the early part of this decade, it was their destiny to have their ox gored by the popular consciousness. As soon as the humor in these bands with their little mandolins and banjos, suspenders and paperboy hats reached apex proportions in the zeitgeist, it was over.