Texas Country Music Legend Tommy Alverson Has Died
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Tommy Alverson’s songs were of Texas, from Texas, and for Texas. Well before it became cliché for Texas artists to sing about Texas, Tommy Alverson was doing it. Down in Texas, he might as well be a patron saint.
“Me Oh My” From The Honeycutters Sees Songwriter Amanda Platt Step Into the Spotlight
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It’s not that The Honeycutters’ previous projects undercut Platt’s abilities by any stretch, but Me Oh My is the 14-song testament that you sense could be the centerpiece of her career when it’s all said and done. And though you might think of Amanda Platt as a songwriter first and then a singer, when she does give herself a chance to step out, she shows herself more than just capable.
7th Annual Reckless Kelly Celebrity Softball Jam Boasts Impressive Lineup
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‘Tis the season in Texas to get out and enjoy the outdoors before the swelter of summer starts in earnest, and to support many of the charitable events that mix music with sports. For seven years, Reckless Kelly has been throwing celebrity softball tournaments to help raise funds to support youth sports programs in Central Texas, and all told the Reckless Kelly Softball Jam has raised over $300,000 since its inception.
The Revival Celebrates Two Years of Bringing Real Songs to Music Row
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The brain child of songwriter Rob Snyder, The Revival is celebrating its two year anniversary next Tuesday, May 19th. A songwriter in-the-round setup with just acoustic guitars, The Revival is a place to not just be seen, but heard, and one of the few places you’ll find true songwriters still playing inspired songs mere steps from Music Row proper.
Tyler Farr Says You’re a Pansy If You’re Offended By His Drunk Driving References
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The Chapel Hill, TN product has just released a new record called Suffer In Peace through Columbia Nashville, and it includes a duet with Jason Aldean that’s sure to be tapped as a single. In the first verse of “Damn Good Friends,” Tyler Farr (or the songwriters Brent Anderson, Chris DuBois, and Neil Medley) seem to admit to a little bit of drunk driving.
The 2015 Americana Music Awards Nominees Announced
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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
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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.
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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”
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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”
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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
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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'”
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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”
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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…