Reckless Kelly Tributes Austin’s Latest Shuttered Venue, Giddy Ups
21 Comments
For some Austin music venues, there’s a sense of not “if,” but “when” the end will come, and along with it, all the history, memories, and sometimes friendships and family that is made at these magical spots.
EXCLUSIVE: Rosie Flores “Working Girl’s Guitar” Full Album Stream
5 Comments
Rosie Flores is rockabilly royalty. You can draw a direct line from Rose Maddox, to Wanda Jackson, to Rosie Flores, and she takes her role as the “Rockabilly Filly” seriously. Here she is releasing her 11th full length album “Working Girl’s Guitar” through Bloodshot Records on October 16th, a raucous and rebellious collection of songs.
Musician & Songwriter Hall Of Fames Swapped at Music City Center
3 Comments
As important as the Songwriters Hall of Fame is, it may not be the most deserving of a spot in Music City Center. If all things were equal, that opportunity would go to the Musicians Hall of Fame that was imminent domained by Nashville and given a week to remove its artifacts before being bulldozed to make way for the new building. And more importantly, the Musicians Hall of Fame was promised the space.
Review – Nick Curran & The Lowlifes “Reform School Girl” (RIP)
30 Comments
If you want proof that in 2012 genuine old-fashioned rock n’ roll is indeed roots music, look no further than Nick Curran & The Lowlifes and the album Reform School Girl. Unfortunately Nick Curran passed away on Saturday (10-6-12) after a long fight with oral cancer. But what Nick left behind was a revitalization of the true soul of rock & roll.
The Story Behind Tom VandenAvond’s Wreck of a Fine Man
5 Comments
Songs become timeless by having the uncanny knack of feeling relevant no matter when they are performed. The title track from Tom’s latest album Wreck Of A Fine Man falls into that lot. Last week when it was announced Darius Rucker would be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, “Wreck Of A Fine Man” seemed to be the best salve for the old soul struggling with the short-sightedness of today’s society.
Album Review – Dwight Yoakam’s “3 Pears”
20 Comments
It would have been impossible to screw up 3 Pears. With Dwight’s molasses voice, all you have to do is cut open a live mic in a studio and magic will happen. What’s the old saying about singing the phone book? When Johnny Cash has cited you as his favorite country singer, you know the talent is natural. All it needs is an outlet.
25 Artists More Deserving of Opry Invitation Than Darius Rucker
94 Comments
On Tuesday night Brad Paisley popped out of the crowd at the Grand Ole Opry and surprised everyone by presenting former Hootie & The Blowfish frontman turned pop country star Darius Rucker with an invitation to become a member of the iconic country music institution. Here we are, handing Hootie country’s most coveted invitation with a lifetime guarantee when there’s so many other artists out there so much more deserving.
Scott Borchetta on Country: “I Really Don’t Care.” Defines it as “Youth”
44 Comments
The Country Music Anti-Christ, Big Machine Records owner Scott Borchetta was on American Public Media on Friday and said on Taylor Swift and pop country, “If you don’t want to consider it country, I really don’t care. That means nothing to me.” He defined country as, “Whatever fans of country music listen to and like. It’s younger. It’s youth.”
Song Review – Taylor Swift’s “Begin Again”
21 Comments
I’m not sure how I came to this point in my writing career, but if I don’t post a review of a new Taylor Swift single post-haste, a clamor arises. Maybe it is because whether I am giving her credit for the death of country music or proclaiming she’s the last bastion of real music in popular culture, Taylor Swift is accountable for my most inspired writing. I’m still not sure how I feel about that.
Jason Aldean Caught Cheating On Wife In LA – UPDATED
90 Comments
I normally would steer clear of stories like this, but every time I’ve headed down to the general store for provisions for the hideout over the last month I’ve had to stare at a People Magazine cover story all about Jason Aldean showing off his “softer, romantic side” and his “daddy skills,” I thought it would be apropos to point out that TMZ just caught Aldean red handed cheating on his wife.
Album Review – Shivering Denizens “Baker-Whiteley”
8 Comments
The Shivering Denizens and frontman Ron E. Banner epitomize gonzo-style West Coast country. Not as salacious as Bob Wayne & The Outlaw Carnies, and more solidly country than what the Supersuckers usually serve up during their “country” set, The Shivering Denizens are like Ken Kesey meets Merle Haggard.
Dolly Parton Pulls Out Of Theme Park After Gaylord Sale to Marriott
5 Comments
Fallout from the sale of Gaylord Entertainment to Marriott International continues. Shareholders approved the $210 million dollar deal on Tuesday (9-25-2012) despite one of the leading investors in the company wanting Gaylord to spin off its Grand Ole Opry assets. Now the deal has ruffled the feathers of a country music heavyweight: Dolly Parton.
Waylon Jennings’ “Goin’ Down Rockin’: The Last Recordings”
16 Comments
The first thing this album does is remind you that Waylon Jennings left us too early. The strength of the compositions validate that sentiment. All artists go though peaks and valleys in their careers, but passing away at 64, Waylon was never afforded the legacy era that his fellow Highwaymen have enjoyed; the “Golden Years” of an iconic country career.