Showing Some Love to Ronnie McDowell Amid Health Scare
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With the way country music so summarily casts many of its legends to the side, it can be easy to forget about the legacy of someone like Ronnie McDowell, even if you’d never forget his hit songs.
Hey Tom Petty, So How About That Chris Stapleton Collaboration?
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Heading into the final couple of months of 2015, there may not be a hotter name in country music among critics and distinguished listeners than Chris Stapleton. The long wait for his often-rumored and much-delayed debut album was finally rewarded on May 5th with the release of the Dave Cobb-produced “Traveller,” and fans were not let down.
Dallas Cowboys Face Another “Devastating” Season Setback After Luke Bryan Named Halftime Performer
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In a season that started out so promising for America’s Team, including a 2-0 record with key wins against division opponents and a roster that some believed was good enough to make another run at the Super Bowl, adversity has struck once again. The Dallas Cowboys have received the devastating news that that Bro-Country star Luke Bryan will be performing the halftime show of the team’s annual Thanksgiving game.
Hank Williams Jr. to Release New Album “It’s About Time”
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In peep show fashion over the last few days, Hank Williams Jr. has revealed he’ll be releasing his latest album called “It’s About Time.” It will be Hank Jr.’s first album on Big Machine Records’ NASH Icon imprint. He signed to the label meant to give new life to older artists in late April.
Seriously, Is This Kyle Park “The Blue Roof Sessions” A Practical Joke or Something?
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I am absolutely shocked, and this is from someone who had sniffed out Kyle Park as a phony many moons ago. This album doesn’t just make me scared for the future of country music, it makes me just plain scared for the future. I never want to leave my house again.
Album Review – Willy “Tea” Taylor’s “Kunckleball Prime”
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Music, just like sports, is mostly a young man’s game. Most certainly there are wily veterans out there taking the field and taking the stage, but many of them made their name when they were young. It’s hard to hold onto the dream of making the big time the older you get, whether you’re trying to strike out opposing batters, or sing on the stage to strangers.
Album Review – Carrie Underwood’s “Storyteller”
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Carrie Underwood is not the problem in country music, and neither is Storyteller. Like the title alludes to, it is full of fiction and fantasy, primarily for adult females. It’s the escapism of a Grisham novel. It’s the seduction of a soap opera. It’s also not really country, at all, despite Underwood’s reassurances before this release that she would keep it tied to her roots.
Not Just a Banjo Player. Bill “Brad” Keith the Banjo Player.
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Bill Keith many be known by just as many people by the name “Brad” Keith because of the nine months he spent as a member of Bill Monroe’s illustrious Bluegrass Boys in 1963. Though it was a very short stint in Bill Monroe history, the result was some of the most iconic, groundbreaking, and beloved bluegrass banjo recordings ever captured, regularly prefaced by Bill Monroe introducing “Mr. Brad Keith” on the banjo.
After Voice Issues, Sturgill Simpson Turns Atlanta Show into Karaoke Night
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Sturgill Simpson was sick to the point where he could barely sing. Immediately upon taking the stage, he apologized to the crowd, said he was suffering from severe allergies and would make it up to them at a makeup show on December 7th. And then Sturgill decided to do something unprecedented in country music, and I’m not talking about pontificating on hallucinogenic drug trips in song.
Album Review – The Wood Brothers’ “Paradise”
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Taking that musicianship, and the sense of groove and dynamics of jazz, and bringing it into the roots music space with adeptness, knowledge, and respect, The Wood Brothers have carved out their own unique discipline in the music spectrum that creates multiple avenues of appeal for a wide chunk of enlightened listeners.
Todd Snider Says His Days of Touring as a Solo Act are Done
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Singer/songwriter Todd Snider is currently on the last leg of his “Occupy Tour” with Elizabeth Cook, and recently confirmed what a lot of the audiences of his live shows have been hearing Todd say on stage over the past few weeks: he’s done touring as a solo performer at the conclusion of his current tour. The news sets the backdrop for a number of short-run residencies Todd Snider is scheduled to play in Texas.
Joey Feek of Joey + Rory Decides to Cease Cancer Treatment
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This was the heartbreaking, devastating news that fans and followers of the traditional country and bluegrass duo Joey + Rory, and people beyond the music community who had been following their tragic story woke up to on Friday morning (10-23). Joey Feek—the wife of Rory Lee Feek, and mother of one-year-old Indiana Feek, is ending her battle with stage IV colorectal cancer.
The Many Different Influences Behind New Album from Chris Roberts (An Interview)
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If songwriting is storytelling set to song, then one must look to a musician’s wishing well of history to see the experience from which they draw from. For Chris Roberts, that well is deep and pure with an undeniable passion for music. Few artists can lay claim to have been born in the Deep South delta blues, grown up in the Wild West of Montana, stood in front of Broadway’s bright lights in New York . . .