“The Truth” About Live Nation’s New Nashville Venue
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Few if anyone is pointing out one of the most obvious things about it: This new venue called “The Truth” is Live Nation’s rival to the Mother Church of Country Music, The Ryman Auditorium.
The Amount of Solo-Written Hits Has Slipped from 51% to 2% in the Last 40 Years
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That’s the somewhat anecdotal, but still troubling conclusion of a recent analysis by ‘Billboard.’ Today, the more likely scenario for how a song is written is scheduled meetings in cubicle farms, or collaborations on Skype with individuals who are credited as songwriters, but are better described as producers or programmers. Ideas are thrown out in collaborative form, and then workshopped in a group setting.
Song Review – Kelsea Ballerini’s “Dibs”
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What bothers me the most about this song is how so commonplace it has become to see a song like this become a big success on country radio without any measurable clamor or concern about where this might be leading country music in the long-term. Kelsea Ballerini has no idea what country music is. At 22-years-old, she’s lived her entire life likely without hearing one authentic country song on the radio.
Lucinda Williams Announces New Album “Ghosts of Highway 20”
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Lucinda Williams isn’t slowing down anytime soon. After releasing a double album in September of 2014 called Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone, and walking away with the Americana Music Awards’ Album of the Year, the legendary alt-country Americana songwriter has been back at work and is ready to release a new record called ‘Ghosts of Highway 20.’
Who Are ABC’s “Nashville” Characters Based On In Real Life?
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The allure of ABC’s hour-long drama Nashville lost its luster for yours truly many seasons ago after the drama got so ridiculous you could see the plot twists coming from a mile away. And the music—though still a decent component—got somewhat sidelined in recent seasons in lieu of keeping the sappy and seductive scenes coming to keep eyes glued on the TV screen.
Revered Texas Songwriter David Rodriguez Passes Away
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David Rodriguez, a beloved and influential Texas singer, songwriter, poet, and part of an extended musical family, passed away on Monday (10-26) at his home in the Netherlands according to his family. He was 63-years-old. Word quickly spread around the Austin and Texas songwriter community, and the Rodriguez-influenced Lyle Lovett dedicated his final song to Rodriguez at his show at Austin’s Paramount Theatre.
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.