Album Review – Brent Cobb’s “Ain’t Rocked in a While”
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‘Ain’t Rocked in a While’ is a loud, rambunctious, greasy, uninhibited affair that puts songwriting second to finding a groove and laying down in it. It’s garage rock deep fried in a vat of ’70s sweat.
Inaugural Inductees to the Outlaw Music Hall of Fame Announced
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The inaugural inductees to the Outlaw Music Hall of Fame set to open in the Spring of 2014 have been unveiled. In an event carried live during a 3-day concert in Altamont, TN, the 17 initial inductees were announced in two different categories: Pioneers/Innovators (Pre-1970), and Highwaymen (1970-1990). Along with the official inductees, the Outlaw Music Hall of Fame also announced Guardian Award winners.
Song / Video Review – Matt Woods “Deadman’s Blues”
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We ask a lot of our independent country and roots artists. We want them to release new music early and often, even though it stings them in the pocketbook to record. We want them to play our stupid town, even though it is way out of their way and the turnout will be light. We want them to perform in small, intimate venues, even though it’s not financially feasible for trying to take care of themselves, or God forbid, raise a family.
Slaid Cleaves Is The Latest to Be Critical of Country
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Austin, TX-based performer Slaid Cleaves is regarded as one of folk/Americana’s premier songwriters, and he’s also regarded amongst his peers as one of music’s most sharpest minds. Cleaves graduated from the prestigious Tufts University, and recently when touring through Chicago in support of his 2013 release Still Fighting The War, Slaid had some critical things to say about mainstream country to the Chicago Sun Times.
Album Stream – Possessed By Paul James “There Will Be Nights…”
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Possessed by Paul James’s music has been described by many as more of a life-changing event than a musical experience. He channels the spirit of music through himself like none other on stage, and leaves crowds staggered. A titan of the deep blues scene, a well-respected songwriter, a musician known equally for his prowess as a singer, fiddler, banjo and guitar player, and a leader of independent roots music…
Song Review – Eric Church’s “The Outsiders”
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Yes, “The Outsiders” is unpredictable. Yes it is innovative. But that’s about where the accolades end for this muddy mess of a tune that offers virtually no direction, is void of narrative, and does not really even build a cohesive groove to hang its hat on. Sure, Church may steer clear of ice cold beer and pickup trucks, but he runs into a wall trying to produce some modern country version of prog rock.
Turnpike Troubadours Get Song Into World Series with Matt Carpenter
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Oklahoma country band the Turnpike Troubadours have lived a pretty charmed life in 2013 so far, and so has St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter who is heading to the 2013 World Series vs. the Boston Red Sox, and will be taking a little bit of the Turnpike Troubadours with him. Matt Carpenter happens to favor a song called “Long Hot Summer Day” that appears on the band’s 2010 album Diamonds & Gasoline.
Season of Discontent: A Timeline of Country’s Recent Artist Criticism
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Country music in the second half of 2013 is going through some of the most historic changes the format has ever seen. The ever-present erosion of what the term “country” defines has never been greater, and the charge of preserving the roots of country music has never been more dire. As a symptom of all the change and upheaval, big-time artists are speaking out about the direction of country music like never before.
Brandy Clark Reveals The Pain Behind The Smile In “12 Stories”
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The hidden dystopia seething under the smile of sweet suburban life, and the general dysfunction plaguing any and all affairs of the heart is the broken-minded madness that Brandy taps into with this album, following fed up and frustrated fraus who are willing to medicate themselves and match the misdeeds of their men sin for glorious sin.
Country Rap Becoming Mandatory for Country Males
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If you’re a male performer in country music right now, you may no longer have a choice. If you want to see your singles and records reach the top of the charts, if you want your songs played on the radio, and if you want to be in contention for the big awards, you better add some hip hop elements into your music. And Saving Country Music isn’t the only one pointing this out.
Outlaw Music Hall of Fame to Announce Inaugural Inductees
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The Outlaw Music Hall of Fame first announced in mid-August and scheduled to be open in the Spring of 2014 in Lynchburg, TN will unveil their inaugural class of inductees on Saturday, October 26th, during a 3-day, 38-hour event transpiring this upcoming weekend in Altamont, TN. The event will feature 30 bands, and will be broadcast through a pay-per-view channel with all the proceeds going to The Hall.
Album Stream – Sage Meadows “River Roads”
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Raised on Waylon Jennings and riverside gold claims in the tiny, isolated community of Forks of Salmon, California, Sage Meadows eventually made her way north of the California border where her memories manifested into an authentic country music narrative that has named her to many as the “Emmylou Harris of Southern Oregon.”
Country Legend Dolly Parton Raps, Has Message for Miley Cyrus
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Country Music Hall of Famer Dolly Parton is good friends with rapper turned daytime stay-at-home personality Queen Latifah, and on a show set to air this Monday (10-21-13), the self-proclaimed “Queen of Dollywood” comes out and does a 90-second rap routine before her interview. Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah recently starred together in the 2012 musical movie Joyful Noise.