George Strait, Jamey Johnson Plan Benefit for Texas Flood Relief
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George Strait is stepping up big to help his fellow Texans affected by the severe flooding over the 4th of July weekend in Central Texas. Strait’s sphere of influence is definitely felt strongly throughout the region.
Dale Watson to Finally Play Austin City Limits
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37 years ago, Austin City Limits was founded to be the visual accompaniment to a book called The Improbable Rise of Redneck Rock by Texas author Jan Reed. The book set out to chronicle the formation of the Austin, TX music scene that transpired in the late 60’s and into the 70’s, along with its many artists and side characters.
Ray Price in Hospital Battling Severe Sepsis Infection
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Country Music Hall of Famer Ray Price is currently in the hospital battling Sepsis, a bacterial infection in his blood line. He is currently in a cardiac intensive care unit being treated by Dr. Red Duke. “Rays blood pressure dropped too low and his heart rate too high. We were in watchful crisis all night long and through out early morning hours before he stabilized,” Ray’s wife Janie Price told fans.
10 Cool Country Bands From Europe
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You talk to most any independent country, roots, or Americana artist, and to a man they will tell you their fortunes tend to be better in the European market. With so many European tours and the continued spread of American country music, it was only a matter of time before country began to rub off on the locals and American roots music spread like wildfire throughout the Old World.
Was Miley Cyrus Really Raised on Johnny Cash & Waylon Jennings?
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Yes, Miley Cyrus. That sledge hammer-licking slut. Did you see her on the VMA’s with that foam finger? And then riding that big wrecking ball wearing nothing? Let’s all wag our fingers, shield the children from all the spectacle, position ourselves as self-righteous and above it all….and then watch her latest video 4 times in a row once the kiddos go to bed.
Lindi Ortega’s “Tin Star” Shines Bright
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Whereas Lindi’s last album had a definitively dark, Gothic tinge, Tin Star is more of an equitable, neotraditional take, though the dark shades still tickle the edges and emerge from the shadows here and there. In fact Tin Star is downright boot stomping in places, traversing the carnivorous streets of Nashville defiantly, taking a trip down to Louisiana, finding inspiration in the tragic character of Frida Kahlo.
Tyler Farr’s “Redneck Crazy” (A Rant)
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Tyler Farr’s “Redneck Crazy” isn’t for jilted male lovers looking for solace, it is for socially awkward, introverted, creepy-ass chronic masturbaters that hold a minor in megalomania. This song doesn’t need a rant, it needs a restraining order and ankle bracelet. True rednecks ride their problems out, rub their wounds in the dirt and move on, not whine about them like a panty waist…
Five Feet From Stardom: The Story of Zach Sweeney
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The fate of the sideman in music is one of always playing second fiddle to the big star. But one of the things we love about the other players in a country band is they generally don’t care. Though many times they do an equal share, if not the majority of the heavy lifting for the music, they’re just fine blending into the background.
Review – Alan Jackson’s “The Bluegrass Album”
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To have Alan Jackson—3-time CMA Entertainer of the Year winner, and a man that has sold more than 60 million records worldwide—release a straightforward, traditional bluegrass album with no caveats, no tangents, simply straight ahead acoustic instrumentation in a traditional style, is a feat and a victory all on its own. And the music ain’t too bad either.
Luke Bryan Rolls Big Black Jacked Up Truck Into Pond
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Luke Bryan and his other bro-tastic pop country pseudo-rapping laundry list-espousing pretty boys may love to sing about big ol’ pickup trucks, but it has always been circumspect if they could even pilot one in a pinch. Luke Bryan’s ride ended up in the drink a few days ago. Luckily the matching henna tattoo he got with Jason Aldean did not get wet in the incident.
The Lessons Viewers Are Learning from ABC’s “Nashville”
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ABC’s Wednesday night drama Nashville just entered its second season, and though like many network television dramas, the drama can feel over-the-top and contrived, the show’s impact on a wide range of issues that fall under the charge of Saving Country Music is undeniable, if not unprecedented. Though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the show, it’s still important to understand Nashville’s impact.
“Old 97’s & Waylon Jennings” Delivers Collaborative Magic
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Originally cut in Nashville in 1996 and sitting on the shelf ever since, Old 97’s & Waylon Jennings is a remarkable little gem unearthed these many years later, offering a window into a time right before Waylon’s health began to fail him, and right as the Old 97’s were rising in the alt-country tide alongside bands like Wilco and Whiskeytown.
RANT – Okay I’ll Say It: Country Music in 2013 Is Sexist
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That’s right. A scandalous accusation I know, but one I stand behind with puffed chest and other such countenance to covey, “Yeah, I said it. You got a problem with that ?!?!”, and one that holds up when taking the most basic look at our little genre known as country music, and simply asking, “Where in the hell are the women?” Especially on country radio.