Jamey Johnson Credits Toby Keith’s Passing for Inspiring New Music
22 Comments
After many years and many excuses for not releasing a new album—including a concussion, publisher issues, and just plain apathy—Jamey Johnson has experienced a creative explosion recently.
Sam Hunt’s “Take Your Time” Wastes The Time of Country Listeners
133 Comments
Why in the world as the proprietor of a country music outlet am I being tasked once again to talk about this guy? I know what some of you are going to say. “Well Trig, just ignore him!” As if I close my eyes and pretend he’s not there he will magically go away. I only wish. But instead Sam Hunt is not only very much real and in the flesh, and firmly ensconced now as a mainstream country music performer.
The Oldest Living Links to Country Music’s Golden Past
35 Comments
With the passing of the 94-year-old “Little” Jimmy Dickens at the beginning of 2015, it’s a reminder for us to cherish the final living links to country music’s most legendary past who can still tell stories of how country music once was. The amount of performers who were important in forming the very foundation of country music are quickly fading away.
10 Badass Dolly Parton Moments
21 Comments
Is Dolly Parton a “Badass”? You bet she is. And for her birthday (Jan. 19th), let’s articulate 10 reasons (actually twelve) why the the platinum blonde buxom country music legend still kicking ass at age 68 should be considered a badass by everyone. And by the way, yes I know the term “badass” may seem a little strange to reference Dolly Parton with.
Album Review – Cody Jinks “Adobe Sessions”
32 Comments
Looking like a hippy, writing like an Outlaw, sounding like a Texas country stalwart, and touring like there’s no tomorrow, the name Cody Jinks belongs smack dab in the mix when you’re speculating on who is the best and the brightest in the current crop of insurgent country songwriters. “Adobe Sessions” is a really solid album, and one that some are saying marks an early entry for Album of the Year.
Dolly Parton to be The Focus of Unique NBC Movie Series
13 Comments
On Friday (1-16), it was announced that Dolly Parton has signed a development deal with NBC to create a unique series of television movies for the network that will deal with various aspects of Dolly Parton’s life. This will not be a full-length television series, or a miniseries per se, but a collection of movies that feature Dolly’s true life story.
The 50,000-Head Music Festival You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
13 Comments
It’s the ACL Fest, Lollapalooza Bonnaroo, and Coachella, of Texas music all wrapped into one, but without the complex maze of performance areas and wristband access, legions of hipsters, and hackneyed joining of disparate music acts that scream of the monogenre forming in American music. Instead most, if not all of the performers at Larry Joe Taylor Fest know each other.
Sturgill Simpson Signs with Atlantic Records
69 Comments
Sturgill Simpson is now officially a major label artist. The Kentucky native who’s been making waves throughout country music over the last year with his award-winning album Metamodern Sounds In Country Music has signed to Atlantic Records, part of the Warner Music Group, and will release his next album currently being recorded through the major label.
The Black Crowes Have Officially Broken Up
23 Comments
The highly-influential Southern rock band The Black Crowes has officially broken up according to a statement released today from the band’s long-time guitar player Rich Robinson. The band was founded 24 years ago by Rich and his brother and singer for the band Chris Robinson. According to Rich Robinson, the issue came down to a spat over money with his brother.
Album Review – Justin Townes Earle’s “Absent Fathers”
29 Comments
See, this is why we’re fans of music. Because there’s something about the perseverance of the human spirit wrapped in every single piece of audio material, and every single album, regardless of how good it is. We have artists that we follow, that we’re fans of, not just because they do things that seem esoteric, but because they’re human and apt to fail.
Mickey Guyton’s Making Waves with “Better Than You Left Me” (Review)
52 Comments
“Better Than You Left Me” gets most all of the textures right—the steel guitar, the waltz beat, the swaying back and forth that jars loose the emotions from the heart and sends them racing through the blood stream. It’s pop country, but like Patsy Cline was pop country. Sure I’d love a little bit more dirt thrown on it or for her vocal performance to be a bit more subdued, but it’s more than a start.
George Jones “White Lightning” Moonshine Raises Questions
45 Comments
Unveiled as part of the presentation of George Jones’ new museum was the plan to have the name and likeness of George Jones used on his own line of flavored moonshine and vodka, branded after his first #1 hit from 1959 written by The Big Bopper, “White Lightning.” The beverage line will be made in a partnership with the Silver Trail Distillery in Hardin, KY.
Once Again Eric Church Goes Independent for Concert Openers
61 Comments
Say what you want about Eric Church’s music, and though he’s sporting one of the most loyal fan bases in popular music these days, he’s also revealed himself as one of the most polarizing figures in country music in the last few years. But you can’t fault the man for thinking outside the box, and scouring the hungry, unwashed faces of independent music when looking for openers.