Biggest Takeaways from the 2025 Master Musicians Festival
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Neighborly. If you had to describe the 32nd annual Master Musicians Festival with only one word, that’d be it. Because that’s exactly what it felt like. It’s a family-friendly event that’s not yet been exploited.
Cody Canada Shares ‘Some Old, Some New’ on Acoustic LP
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“Some Old, Some New, Maybe a Cover or Two” feels like Canada taking a moment to reflect on his past, refocus on his roots, and ready himself for the future. This album is much more than just running through some old Ragweed material, a couple of Departed tunes, and a few of his favorite songs. There’s something unspoken between the tracks (in an album with a lot of speaking and stories)….
Darius Rucker to Record Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird”
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Pop rocker turned county pop star Darius “Hootie” Rucker has decided to cut yet another iconic tune from the American songbook after his massive commercial success with Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel.” Rucker’s next remake will be what many regard as the most-requested song in this history of American music, Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 14-minute anthemic jam “Free Bird.”
George Jones Receives Monument in Nashville
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A monument dedicated to country music legend George Jones was unveiled today (11-18-13) in Nashville at the Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home and Memorial Park at 660 Thompson Lane in the Berry Hill portion of southern Nashville. The event was open to the public, and also included a special presentation by George Jones’ widow Nancy Jones. George Jones died on April 26th, 2013.
So Eric Church, You Think That Genres Are Dead? (A Rant)
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You’re right Eric, genres are dead, and it’s because assholes like you have killed them by making murky, soulless, rootless pap to appeal to the wide masses while the roots of music wither, and there’s no better evidence of that than your latest rock opera being rammed down the throats of what are supposed to be country consumers, throwing the homogenization of the American culture into hyper drive.
Willy “Tea” Taylor & The Smell of Old Baseball Gloves
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If you asked me point blank who I thought was the best songwriter of our generation regardless of genre, scene, commercial or critical success, I would tell you without hesitation that it is Willy “Tea” Taylor from the interior valley cattle town of Oakdale, CA. Willy “Tea” Taylor is an enigma, while at the same time being the most down-to-earth person you would ever meet.
Billy Joe Shaver to Release First Studio Album in 7 Years
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Billy Joe Shaver is getting ready to record and release his first studio album in 7 years, according to the 74-year-old Outlaw country songwriter and performer. “Hopefully getting it out in a couple of months. It’s all new too and different…There are some political things. The songs are so different then what’s on the radio now. It’s either going to change things around or get kicked out. One or the other. ”
Darius Rucker Wants ‘Wagon Wheel’ Grammy or “Country’s Screwed”
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Former Hootie & The Blowfish frontman and country music carpetbagger/interloper Darius Rucker says he deserves a Grammy nod for his #1 hit “Wagon Wheel,” or quote, “country music’s screwed.” Darius Rucker made the comments during an interview with sports personality Dan Patrick. Why exactly country music is “screwed” if the song is not nominated was not elaborated upon by Rucker.
Lydia Loveless Goes “Boy Crazy” On New EP
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Ahead of a new full-length album promised from Lydia in 2014 is a quick little EP called “Boy Crazy.” It is a straight ahead power pop album with punkish and country undertones that draws you right in with it’s juicy hooks and melodies, witty lyrics, fun themes, and general good-timedness. It really wets your appetite for what Lydia might have coming with her new full-length project.
George Jones’ First Album Reissued on Vinyl (Giveaway)
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It has been just over six months since we lost one of country music’s most singular and influential voices in George Jones, and though nothing will ever fill the void left in the heart of country music by the George Jones passing, our memories of his music just got a little easier to recall and share. Reserve Records has just reissued George Jones’ very first LP from Starday Records.
The Real Issue Behind Taylor Swift’s Victoria’s Secret Performance
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Tonight in New York City at the Lexington Avenue Armory, Taylor Swift will be the musical headliner for the Victoria’s Secret annual fashion show, set to air on CBS December 10th. It’s not necessarily how much skin will be on display at the show that is so alarming as much as the appearance seems like such a calculated assessment of Swift’s public perception and an attempt to recalculate it.
Album Review – Kellie Pickler’s “The Woman I Am”
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Kellie Pickler’s 2012 album 100 Proof was like its own little country music revolution. This set the table for Kellie Pickler’s 2013 offering The Woman I Am to be one of the most anticipated releases this year. Kellie, willing to focus less on the commercial flop of 100 Proof and more on its critical success, kept much of the same personnel and approach in place for The Woman I Am, including the same producer Frank Liddell.
Willie, Kris, & Lyle Star in “When Angels Sing” Christmas Movie
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The annual dirge of Christmas movie releases is enough to turn your stomach like a glass of expired eggnog. But there is one movie out this year that may be worth your time, if for no other reason than the cast is built around country music royalty, including Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, and appearances by Dale Watson, The Trishas, Ray Benson, & more.