Album Review – Billy Strings – “Live Vol. 1”
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Even stone sober, Billy Strings and his band can take your mind places otherwise inaccessible under normal circumstances, opening up portals of enjoyment and understanding that is nothing short of life-altering.
Curious Timing of Rodney Atkins Re-Signing with Curb
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As the headlines were making people wonder why anybody would ever sign with Curb in the first place, here was a big country star re-signing with the label he’s been with since 1996. We would later find out the potential reason for the curious move. On November 21st, police were called to the home of Rodney Atkins…
Album Review – The Kentucky Struts “Year of the Horse”
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Well here it is, the end of December. The last few moments of 2011 are counting down, and yet completely unbeknown to us, right under our noses, one of the most expansive, imaginative, engaging, and inspiring projects all year is finally coming into full bloom. It is called Year of the Horse by the Cold Spring, KY-based Kentucky Struts.
The 6 Pop Country Archetypes
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Have you ever wondered who actually listens to those songs they play on pop country radio? Here are the six primary Archetypes, or as Music Row refers to them, “target demographics”, that make up the audience of the pop country world: The “Affliction T-Shirt “New Outlaw” Doucher”, “Bored Suburban Soccer Mom”, “Glitter-Faced Pop Country Girl”…
Curb Releases Tim McGraw Single ‘Right Back Atcha Babe’
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On Monday Curb Records released a brand new single from Tim McGraw’s long-disputed album Emotional Traffic called “Right Back Atcha Babe”. The timing of the single release is somewhat puzzling. Many McGraw fans are refusing to partake in Emotional Traffic and it’s singles, not wanting their money to go to the label that kept him under thumb for years.
Saving Country Music’s Worst Country Songs of 2011
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I can’t recall a year with this high caliber of a crop of bad songs. This group can hold their own against the Achy Breaky Hearts and Honky Tonk Bandonka Donk’s of the last few decades. And this year might be the first that songs do well not in spite of being stupid, but because they are stupid.
New Justin Townes Earle ‘Nothing’s Gonna Change..’ 3/27
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Bloodshot Records has just announced that Justin Townes Earle will be releasing his 4th LP Album on March, 27th, 2012, and it is a mouthful, called Nothing’s Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now. Earle told Billboard he wanted his next album to have a Memphis vibe. This album will hypothetically be one Justin Townes Earle recorded while sober.
Album Review – Ray Lawrence Jr. “Raw & Unplugged”
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This is some of the best true country songwriting I have heard all year. I am floored folks. I’ll be honest with you, knowing the context of this album going in, I didn’t think it had much chance to charm my little music heart, but that is exactly what it did. Ray’s songs are just so true, honest, well-written, and authentic, it makes his adeptness at song craft absolutely undeniable.
Interview – Derek Dunn / Formerly of .357 String Band
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One of the great things about the now disbanded .357 String Band from Milwaukee, WI was that it really didn’t have a frontman. However guitar player and songwriter Derek Dunn did feel like the primary spokesman throughout its 7 years, and the fulcrum that the rest of the band rotated around.
Rachel Brooke’s “Late Night Lover” 7″ Out January 3rd
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Michigan songbird Rachel Brooke has a new project on the way that can now be pre-ordered called Late Night Lover. It is a 7″ vinyl release that will only be sold in a limited-edition 500 numbered quantity accompanied by a digital download card. Late Night Lover features just Rachel and her guitar.
Keys to Taylor Swift’s Success Every Artist Can Learn From
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When people talk about the “manufactured” pop star, what they mean is taking a pretty face, and pushing all the right buttons to make an artist that has mass appeal at the expense of soul and creativity. It is very easy to pigeon hole Taylor into this lot. But in truth Taylor Swift’s success has nothing to do with her following all the rules. She broke all of them.
Ray Wylie Hubbard’s “Grifter’s Hymnal” Album Upcoming
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When you’re compiling your list of most-anticipated albums for 2012, you’ve got another one to add to the top of the heap. Ray Wylie Hubbard has announced he’s got a new one ready for 2012 called Grifter’s Hymnal, and he’s got an interesting cast of characters helping him, including Ringo Starr, long-time drummer Rick Richards, George Reiff, and his son Lucas Hubbard.
Album Review – The Carper Family “Back When”
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The Carper Family illustrates the unfair, unreasonable amount of talent, and specifically female talent, that can be found in Austin, TX on any given night. And that is what The Carper Family does; they are a working, local band, playing many nights a week at various Austin venues. Back When proves that this local band deserves more national, and international attention.