Review – James McMurtry’s “The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy”
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James McMurtry is such a master class songwriter, you might even hear other songwriters referred to as the “James McMurtry” of their era or region. But James McMurtry is the James McMurtry of James McMurtry’s.
Hank Williams “I Saw The Light” Biopic Delays Release
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The movie about the life of Hank Williams is starting to account for as much drama as Hank did. Originally scheduled to be released on November 28th to give the film prime consideration during Oscar season, I Saw The Light starring Tom Hiddleston as Hank has now suddenly been moved back. New stills from the movie have also been made available.
Jason Isbell & Sturgill Simpson Share Stage in Tuscaloosa for “Amarillo Highway”
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Beyond sharing bills, big rocketing career trajectories, and both employing the services of super producer Dave Cobb, the two artists appear to have a greater kinship off the stage. But for whatever reason, we’ve never seen the two men on stage together, until now.
Country Music’s Greatest Prison Albums
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Prison and country music go together like peanut butter and jelly. No wonder a slew of country music albums have been actually recorded within prison walls—some for convicts, some by convicts, and some using convicts. And we’re not just talking about novelty releases either, but some iconic albums that have helped define country music over the years. Here are some of them.
Granger Smith is “On The Verge” of Becoming the Next Bro-Country Sensation
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Granger’s incredibly generic and pandering new single “Backroad Song” has just been sent to mainstream country radio proper. And with a big Nashville label behind it now, the single has become the 2nd most added song to country radio stations in the last two consecutive weeks, and is about to get yet another power boost of infinite proportions.
Sober Chris Janson Releases “Power of Positive Drinking” – Makes the Ghost of Lou Reed Weep
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It’s nauseating enough when horrifically average people are given extraordinary opportunities. It’s even worse when extraordinarily below average people do things that are horrifically opportunistic. This is what you have with much of today’s popular country music, and specifically with Chris Janson and his stupid new single “Power of Positive Drinkin'”.
Dolly Parton Dispels Stomach Cancer Rumors, Admits Treatment for Kidney Stones
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Three weeks ago Dolly Parton checked into the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville after suffering sever abdominal pain from what was later determined to be kidney stones, but according to an article posted by the Enquirer on Wednesday, October 14th citing an unnamed source, the fear was that Dolly was suffering from stomach Cancer.
Willie Nelson Sidelined by Undisclosed Medical Issue – Cancels Tour Dates
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“We have just been informed that Willie Nelson has a medical issue and will be rescheduling the first half of his tour dates,” states Nick Hooker, Senior Marketing Manager for SMG Florence Civic Center. “We know this is last-minute and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience, but our hearts and best wishes go to Willie Nelson and his family during this time of health concern.”
How Whitey Morgan Is Fulfilling The Promise of Underground Country
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Like a slow moving thunder roll, Whitey Morgan continues to tour, night in and night out, delivering crisp, throbbing performances every time that leave crowds embedded with Whitey passion in every town they tackle until the crowds are swelling, and the word is spreading about this bearded guy from Flint who refuses to compromise, who has his heart in the right place, and who puts on amazing shows.
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Gary Rossington Suffers Major Heart Attack
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Gary Rossington, the guitar player and last original member of the iconic Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd still playing in the current lineup, suffered a major heart attack on Thursday, October 8th according to Rossington’s daughter, Mary Elizabeth. Rossington had to undergo surgery, will need further surgery soon, but is currently resting under observation.
Song Review – Tim McGraw’s “Damn Country Music”
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Though some may consider Tim McGraw soaring in such high thermals that it’s sacrilege for him to be singing about scraping the bottom and setting out to fulfill your dreams in country music, but that’s exactly what McGraw did on May 10th, 1989 when he boarded a Greyhound bus bound for Nashville—the day after his country music hero Keith Whitley died.
The Cactus Blossoms Sign to Red House Records, Ready New Album “You’re Dreaming”
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You’re Dreaming will be blood brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum’s third album, complimenting their self-titled debut release from 2011, and Live at the Turb Club from 2013. The new record will include ten original compositions, and will be produced by JD McPherson—an old-school throwback rock and roll-inspired artist himself.
Don Henley’s Playlist: Sturgill Simpson, J. P. Harris, Jamey Johnson, Jason Isbell, Kelsey Waldon…
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Henley’s been out there outwardly criticizing the state of country music and the state of music in general, though doing so with a lot more of a thoughtful and informed tone than many others, including tracing the problem back to the disappearance of the agrarian way of life that was once prevalent throughout America, and now finds itself quickly receding.