Album Review – Luke Bell’s “The King Is Back”
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‘The King Is Back’ is not just a dump of tracks. It’s a complete work of the Luke Bell legacy that feels vital to the country music catalog, completing the picture of Luke Bell the artist, and hopefully, extending his legacy.
“Traveller” by Chris Stapleton Wins 2016 Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance
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During the 48th Annual Grammy Awards pre-telecast Monday afternoon, the rising country star and Kentucky born songwriter walked away with the Grammy for “Best Country Solo Performance” for his fine work on the title track to his debut solo album, Traveller. Stapleton beat out Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Cam, and Lee Ann Womack for the distinction.
Justice Served: Jason Isbell Wins 2016 Grammy for Best Americana Album / American Roots Song
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Justice has finally been done, and the current King of Americana finally has his Grammy. Actually, he now has two of them. Alabama-born songwriter Jason Isbell walked away with Best Americana Album honors at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards for his latest record Something More Than Free during the pre-telecast awards Monday afternoon (2-14), as well as Best American Roots song for “24 Frames.”
The 2016 Grammy Awards Complete Preview
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Though this is not necessarily reflected in the performances, the general consensus is the Grammy Awards this year could be a big night for country music. With Chris Stapleton up for Album of the Year, Little Big Town up for Song of the Year, and other high-profile and important nominations, this is one of the few years country music could come out on top.
Album Review – Vince Gill’s “Down To My Last Bad Habit”
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Vince Gill is the perfect model of how a country artist should age. Forget trying to run with the young crowd, or continuing to try and tap into whatever made you famous in the past. An artist like Vince Gill has accrued all the personal wealth he and his family will ever need. He’s as decorated with awards as any living country music artist, including a Hall of Fame induction.
Couch by Couchwest Calls It Quits
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The great internet purge of cool small-time music publishing enterprises continues. Couch by Couchwest is the latest victim, announcing earlier this week that it is calling it quits. Founded nearly six years ago to be an alternative to South by Southwest held every mid March in Austin, CXCW took the performers who couldn’t attend the event, and matched them up with patrons who couldn’t attend the event.
The Band Perry’s Failed Single “Live Forever” Pulled from the Internet – Then Added Back (Updated)
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The strange saga of the Big Machine-signed The Band Perry and their curious new direction continues. The latest shoe to fall is their official, big production video for the failed single “Live Forever” has been pulled from YouTube, pulled from their social network pages, and no trace of the video can be found anywhere.
Album Review – Wheeler Walker Jr.’s “Redneck Shit”
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Believe it or not, there’s even a deep history for more lewd comedy that would happen in country music under the covers. Roy Acuff, the “King of Country Music” cut dirty songs when nobody was looking, and so did other early country legends, some under assumed names. These recordings were like the peep shows of music in the early days, passed around at beer parlors or in the back rooms of studios.
Dori Freeman’s Self-Titled Debut is Deserving of High Praise
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2016 is still a young, fertile lass and much more still needs to be determined. But I get the sense we’ll be talking about this album again come December, and Dori Freeman will not be a name unknown, but the one of the select few to be measured by.
Randy Travis Sings “Amazing Grace” in First Singing Performance Since Stroke
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Many news outlets have reported on Randy’s performance, but questions remained on just how capable Randy was in singing “Amazing Grace.” Fans of Travis have been hoping and praying for a full recovery for the singer since his health issues. Singing is sometimes easier for individuals dealing with impediments than talking is.
Song Review – Sturgill Simpson’s “Sugar Daddy”
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More so than most songs, it might be important to understand the context in which “Sugar Daddy” is being offered, or how it potentially may dovetail into a much more encompassing and cohesive album concept in the future, if “Sugar Daddy” even makes it onto Sturgill’s next album and is not just intended for the ‘Vinyl’ soundtrack.
Finally, The Definitive Cradle-to-Grave Biography on George Jones to Be Released
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The 320-page biography will cover George’s life from an impoverished childhood growing up in East Texas, being raised by by a devoutly-religious, but alcoholic mother and an often-abusive father, his multiple tumultuous marriages including to Tammy Wynette, his alcohol and cocaine abuse that almost killed him, and his marriage to his fourth wife Nancy.
What’s In A Name: Music Fans of Today Are Not Cheering For “What,” But “Who”
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Music is such a polarizing subject in popular culture already. We love to love our music, and we love to hate everyone else’s. Music is what we use to identify ourselves culturally. It’s what allows us to find camaraderie with other people who are more likely to be like-minded with ourselves. It’s what we pride ourselves in to tell us that we’re better than others.