Halloween Review – Those Poor Bastards – “Songs Of Desperation” (20th Anniversary)
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It was two decades ago this winter that the overlords of Gothic Country—Madison, Wisconsin’s Those Poor Bastards—released their debut album, Songs of Desperation, and launched the Gothic country subgenre.
Gary Allan The Latest to Have Next Album Stuck in Delays After Bad Single
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One of the few bright spots in mainstream country for so many years (though he’d throw an unfortunate single out there upon occasion), when he released his latest single in March called “Hangover Tonight,” some wondered if the hard-edged 47-year-old had lost his mind. This wasn’t the Gary Allan we all knew, all dressing in crushed velvet suits and doing his best Bruno Mars impression.
Kentucky Natives Sturgill Simpson & Chris Stapleton Come Full Circle with Donations to Mine Workers
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Throughout the history of country music, artists with strong ties to the land and the working class have used music to pull themselves out of poverty, and to turn around and help instill a sense of pride in the people who put such hard work into powering America. Now that these two once struggling musicians find themselves on top, they’re taking of their hard-earned prosperity to give back . . .
Now Even Saving Country Music Is Talking About Adele’s “25”
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When former “country” artist Taylor Swift sold 1.287 million copies of her record 1989 on its debut week, it was a feat not matched since 2002. With streaming, the disillusion with the album concept, and the general implosion of the music industry, we all thought we would never see a similar feat ever again. And Adele right now is on pace to sell over double the first week sales of Taylor Swift’s 1989, or roughly 2.5 million copies.
Ryman Admits It “Acted Hastily” In Firing Employee Over Joey Feek Prayer Vigil
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On November 12th, an employee of the Ryman Auditorium’s recently-opened Café Lula named Kimber Engstrom was fired after she attempted to set up a prayer vigil in the historic concert venue for the ailing Joey Feek of the singing duo Joey + Rory. Now Ryman management is saying they were too harsh on Kimber Engstrom, and even offered to rehire her.
Album Review – Dash Rip Rock’s “Wrongheaded”
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Their new album Wrongheaded is a garage rocking groove-laded damn good time with bits of twang peaking out between rock and roll runs and rambunctious jam outs. The record is kind of all over the place in a good way. If something doesn’t suit your fancy, skip the track and the next one probably will.
Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” Becomes Inspiration for New Film
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“I Hope You Dace” written by Mark Sanders and Tia Sillers was a #1 song in country, won the 2001 CMA and ACM awards for Song of the Year, the Grammy Award for Best Country Song and was nominated for the Grammy’s Song of the Year. But even more than that, it touched people’s lives in very specific ways, which this new film explores.
Gone is One of Country Music’s Most Beloved Grandmas
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Old-time fiddler, mandolin and guitar player, and personality of Hee-Haw Ramona Jones has died. The long-time singing partner and comedic foil to Grandpa Jones passed away Tuesday, November 17th in Goodlettsville, TN, just north of Nashville. The two were married for 52 years until Grandpa Jones passed away in 1998.
The Death of the Great American Music Blog
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Losing music blogs and websites for more economically-viable or technologically savvy replacements is one thing. Replacing them with nothing, and having the music industry itself fill in the void through bias, paid content could result in much bigger issues than no good place to read about your favorite bands.
Willie Nelson Hopes Stem Cell Surgery Helps with Continued Lung Issues
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In mid October, country legend Willie Nelson unexpectedly canceled a few upcoming concert dates in Virginia and Pennsylvania due to an undisclosed medical issue. At 82-years-old, any time there’s news of a medical issue with Willie, it can be a cause for concern. Now the medical issue has been revealed.
Chris Young’s “I’m Coming Over” Is The Most Generic Country Music Album Ever
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Look, Chris Young has a tremendous head of hair, seems like a super swell guy, and heretofore has never done anything to run afoul of Saving Country Music. But man, listening to this record was like the most non-listening experience ever. That’s about the only way I know how to put it. It’s not that this album is bad necessarily, or wrong. Those things would still be senses one feels and would raise the pulse.
Vince Gill Announces New Album “Down To My Last Bad Habit”
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The long wait for a new Vince Gill solo record is about to be over. Announced Thursday morning (11-19), Vince Gill will release his twentieth official album over his 30-plus year career, and last solo album since 2011. Down To My Last Bad Habit will arrive in stores on on February 12th, and ahead of the new record, Vince has released a new single called “Take Me Down”
Bad Music, Good People / Good Music, Bad People
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the quality of the music of these do-good artists can sometimes be an entirely different story than the quality of their character. Such an assessment is subjective mind you, both on the musical and personal side. But generally speaking, the generosity of a given celebrity and the standards of their music doesn’t always go hand in hand.