Album Review – Benjamin Tod – “Shooting Star”
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One of the signs that it’s a new day in country music is how a host performers who started as street buskers, train hoppers, and hitchhikers have now become some of the premier names in genre.
CMA Music Festival Not Representative of CMA’s Mission
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“What I love about CMA Music Fest, it reflects where country music is, you know?” Dierks Bentley says. “It’s a young, current, hip thing that’s happening that deserves to be in a downtown city center that’s new and growing and feels vibrant and just feels … represents the music properly. You know, this is not like your grandfather’s country music anymore.”
Album Review – Billy Joe Shaver’s “Long In The Tooth”
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We have waited seven damn years for the 74-year-old to finally put out another album of original music, and Long In The Tooth is well worth the wait. The album finds Billy Joe Shaver sitting tall in the saddle, shouting and spitting, brandishing his fists and taking potshots, and shining in moments of unexpected sentimentality.
The Civil Wars Officially Part Ways, Offer Free Download
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Though the writing has been on the wall for a while now, today one country music’s most critically-acclaimed modern singing duos officially called it quits. The Civil Wars, who embodied evolved songwriting much more indicative of Americana, spellbinding vocal presentation bordering on the classical or operatic, released a statement today saying the duo is officially no more.
Hal Ketchum To Return After 6 Year Absence with “I’m The Troubadour”
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The music spirit in Hal Ketchum has surfaced once again, and working with Austin, TX-based label Music Road Records, the 61-year-old singer is set to release his first album in six years called “I’m The Troubadour” on October 7th. “I came to the realization that I had gotten to this deep level of depression, and I finally said to myself, ‘I can still do this. I can still write.’ “
Keith Urban Is A Big Sturgill Simpson Fan
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Despite a rough start to Keith Urban’s week last week when one of his concerts in Mansfield, Mass. descended into a 55-arrest, 22-taken to the hospital & rape allegations kind of night, you could make the argument the country music superstar won the week. Keith Urban made it a point to speak out about what happened at the concert. Then by golly, Keith Urban took of his personal time to write an op-ed…
Drunk Driver Runs Over Police Officer At Jason Aldean Concert
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At the Jason Aldean “Burn It Down” tour stop at the Xfinity Theater in Hartford, CT on Saturday (8-3), 19-year veteran police officer Joseph Fargnoli Jr. was struck by a drunk driver leaving the concert while the officer was pursuing the driver on motorcycle. Also, a total of 30 concertgoers were taken to local hospitals for medical treatment during the show, including eight individuals under 21.
Randy Travis Covers Waylon’s “Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line”
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As the thoughts and prayers of millions of fans keep vigil over Randy Travis in hopes the ailing singer someday will be able to share his gift for song with the world once more, life moves on and the release of Randy’s second installment of Influence: The Man I Am series approaches on August 12th. As a reflection back upon the artists and songs that created the foundation of Randy’s storied career …
CMT Party Down South Cast Member Taylor “Lil Bit” Quits.
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More bad news for CMT’s flagship reality show Party Down South. One of the most popular cast members, Taylor “Lil Bit” Wright, has quit the show due to safety concerns over what transpires in the Party Down South house, and because she feels like the message of the show is in conflict with her religious beliefs.
Bradford Lee Folk Rediscovers The Beauty of Bluegrass
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Somewhere in the pursuit of bluegrass perfection, the simplicity of the subgenre got forgotten: the wood and the wire, and the beauty of universal sentiments conveyed through inviting melody. This re-attention to the beauty side of bluegrass is what is found on Bradford Lee Folk’s new album Somewhere Far Away with The Bluegrass Playboys.
One Hot Pistol: Kacey Musgraves Earns Gold & Platinum Certs
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Kacey Musgraves may not be the typical country music commercial powerhouse or the perennial chart topper, but the hard work on her debut major label album Same Trailer, Different Park, and the resonance and appeal of her breakout single “Merry Go ‘Round” have finally paid off for the country star in RIAA certifications.
Ryan “Daddy” Richards of CMT’s “Party Down South” Accused of Rape
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Yet another cast member of CMT’s Jersey Shore-style reality show Party Down South has found himself in legal trouble, and this time it involves the show directly, and accusations of rape on the set. Ryan “Daddy” Richards, famous for being the beer funnel toter of the eight-person cast, was accused of raping a woman who partied with the cast in their Athens, GA location in April during the taping of the current season.
Ben Folds Being Forced Out Of Historic Studio ‘A’
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The saga to save Nashville’s historic Studio ‘A’ and other Music Row landmarks sees another setback as Ben Folds says he’s being forced out of the space he’s spent over a decade renting and spent over $1 million on in renovations. Because of raised rent of 124% from the new ownership, Ben Folds says he’s planning to vacate Studio ‘A’ by November.