Red Clay Strays, Zach Top, Ella Langley Win Early ACM Awards
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It’s just the ACM Awards. And it’s just their “New Artist of the Year” categories that are split into three separate awards. But the good guys won, and it does perhaps portend positive things for the future.
Tom Petty Is Critical of “Game Show” Stars, & “Plastic Computer” Music
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Tom Petty has been known to speak his mind from time to time, including in August of 2013 when he criticized modern country as “Bad rock with a fiddle.” Now in a new interview with Canada’s CBC news organization, Petty has relayed some pointed opinions about what he characterizes as stars that have “won a game show” and that make “plastic computer music.”
Song Review – Weird Al Yankovic’s “Word Crimes”
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In an era when music has not only ceased to unite us, but has become one of the very implements used to divide us in the ever increasingly-entrenched culture war, there is one artist that is just weird enough to cross traditional borders of style, generation, and taste to tickle our funny bones universally. Yes, I’m talking about the curly-haired, spastic polka-playing parody artist “Weird” Al Yankovic.
Corb Lund & Lindi Ortega Land CCMA Nominations
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The Canadian Country Music Association has just released their nominees for their 2014 CCMA Awards, and unlike their American award show counterparts, worthy names who may not have a huge commercial impact but deserve critical praise made the list. Lindi Ortega comes in with three nominations. In the roots category, she will be competing with Canadian country favorite Corb Lund.
Maggie Rose’s “Girl In Your Truck Song” (A Rant)
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What in the all kinds of actual hell do we have here my friends. I think we have just unearthed the biggest cultural abomination that has ever been classified as “country” music in its 70 year existence. No, I’m not talking bad, awful, terrible, or any other such adjectives. Even those words would seem to instill this embarrassment of Western Civilization with a dollop of undeserved respect.
Album Review – Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Remedy”
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Old Crow Medicine Show’s new album Remedy is the first album the string band has released since officially minting a #1 song in the form of Darius Rucker’s take on “Wagon Wheel”, and the first as the freshest members of the prestigious Grand Ole Opry. 2013 was a big year for the buskers, and the band has gone from riding praise from Doc Watson and the kind mentoring from David Rawlings ….
The Waylon Jennings Quote About Garth Brooks – Real or Fake?
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“Garth Brooks did for country music what pantyhose did for finger fucking.” This is the quote that has been attributed to Waylon Jennings that you are likely to see in much greater frequency now that Garth Brooks has come out of retirement. For some, it is the totality of their argument against Garth.The problem is there’s no verifiable records of Waylon ever saying it.
The Metamodern Rise of Sturgill Simpson (A Timeline)
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The Metamodern rise of Sturgill Simpson could be classified as meteoric, and his dramatic ascent in the last few months is virtually unparalleled in the modern country music world for an independent artist. Amidst the swelling crowds, the high praise, and far flung accolades, let’s look back at Sturgill Simpson, and take a moment to reflect on how he got here.
Big Machine Is Big Loser in Garth Brooks Comeback
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So we now know who the big winner was for the Garth sweepstakes. But who was the biggest loser? That is certainly what you could call Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Records in the situation. Why? Because they had the biggest stake in the Garth sweepstakes, because of Big Machine’s joint venture with the radio world’s Cumulus Media called NASH Icons.
Willie’s Granddaughter Raelyn Nelson Looks to Make Own Name
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That’s right ladies and gentlemen, the Nelson clan can now field three generations of performers on the stage, and the new generation is about as defiant and ass kicking as you might expect. Rearing out of the gates comes the rambunctious and ribald Raelyn Nelson and the Raelyn Nelson Band: a full throttle country rock experience, just as much Loretta Lynn as it is The Ramones.
Song / Video Review – The Tillers “Willy Dear”
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The Tillers “Willy Dear” off of their 2013 album Hand on the Plow conveys a classic old-time story of love an death in early America, where the frailty of life seemed eternally suspended in the air all around; ever-present and top of mind, and the fears of the inhabitants of that time were exorcised through song to purge the haunting thoughts.
Tommy Ramone’s Country Music Love Ran Deep
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In the mid 2000’s, Tommy Ramone formed an old-time band with Claudia Tienan of the band The Simplistics called Uncle Monk. They released a self-titled album in March of 2006, and did numerous shows and tours around the country. Tommy played mandolin and some banjo, and in the old-school style, would lean into the microphone for solos instead of playing through a pickup.
10 Badass Kris Kristofferson Moments
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Kris Kristofferson may have never shot anyone or spent time in prison, but when you look at his life and accomplishments, it is an absolute marvel of the American experience. From starting off as a Rhodes Scholar, to becoming a helicopter pilot in the Army, to being responsible for a Hall of Fame career in country, to becoming a Hollywood superstar and dating singers and actors…