AEG / Live Nation Now Coming for Music’s Mid-Sized Independent Venues
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The catalysts for the catastrophic implosion in mid-sized independent venue ownership in the United States is about to make matters much worse with Live Nation and AEG investing heavily in the space.
Michael Jackson Montgomery Releases Single For Miley Cyrus
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Its the day after MTV put on its annual Video Music Awards, and the internet is buzzing with Miley Cyrus talk after the former child star put on a raunchy, sexually-explicit performance as part of the VMA show. While parent advocacy groups are up in arms, pop country hopeful Michael Jackson Montgomery is hoping to capitalize off of all the renewed Miley Cyrus attention.
We Lose Linda Ronstadt’s Voice
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This news of Linda Ronstadt losing her voice due to Parkinson’s Disease seems like an especially sinister storyline. What a cruel machination of mother nature to rob a woman of her one defining gift while she still has life and clear cognitive factories to contemplate her fate. This isn’t any voice, or any woman.
Larry & His Flask Guide The Yearning Soul “By The Lamplight”
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Larry & His Flask is an interesting music specimen. The biggest advice I could give to an underground roots band right now would be, “Get away from underground roots if you want to grow,” and Larry & His Flask’s success is the perfect example why. Their 2011 stint on the Warped Tour and taking the time to do things right on the business side….
Hank3 Says “Brothers of the 4×4” is a Traditional Country Record
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Over the last few years, country fans have come to expect a mixed bag from Hank3, whose veered more towards punk and heavy metal as time has gone on. His first two albums became staples of the early 2000’s neo-traditionalist movement, while 2006’s “Straight to Hell” was the beginning of a much harder sound. Hank3 is calling his upcoming album “Brothers of the 4×4” a traditional country record.
Sturgill Simpson on Playing The Grand Ole Opry
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Tomorrow night (Friday 8/23), up-and-coming country music star Sturgill Simpson will be making his debut on the hallowed Grand Ole Opry stage. Introducing him will be Marty Stuart. Sturgill’s Opry debut will have great personal significance. To explain, here is Sturgill Simpson on his Opry debut, in his own words.
Sammy Kershaw: Randy Travis Has Developed Pneumonia in Rehab
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Over the last few days, rumors have been swirling that Randy Travis has contracted pneumonia while in a Dallas-area rehab facility, recovering from a recent stroke he had while being treated for a heart condition. The primary source of that information appears to be fellow traditional country music star and Randy Travis friend Sammy Kershaw.
2013: The Year of the Songwriter
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Everywhere in the independent music world you’re seeing songwriters who have struggled for years finally starting to get singed to record labels and releasing career-caliber albums. Whereas other sectors of the music industry seem to be gripped by the fear that digitization and streaming may ultimately doom the business of music, talented songwriters are benefiting from the search for the next writer to break out.
Review – Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” Slowed Down to 33 RPM
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I don’t know if it’s a bigger commentary on the state of social networking, or the serious depravity of truly meaningful modern songs that the most talked-about country music composition in the last week has been a version of Dolly Parton’s legacy recording “Jolene” put on a record player at a slower speed setting than normal, making it sound like it is sung by a man, and striking a deep 70’s era half-time groove.
String Bands That Are Better Than Mumford & Sons
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I actually come from the camp that believes that if Mumford & Sons weren’t so popular, more core roots fans would respect them. But it is really hip to hate and undervalue Mumford right now. Let’s hope that the current backlash doesn’t hurt every band with a banjo, because there’s many great string bands out there that and mix high energy and heartfelt songs into the string band concept.
Valerie June is “Pushin’ Against A Stone” No More
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I know very little about Valerie June, and aspire to keep it that way. A natural mystery swirls around this woman similarly to the tresses emanating from her topside like a living, organic crown. Valerie June seems more apparition than woman—vanishing and appearing in the most random moments like a mythical character born in the mind of an early European troubadour….
Old Crow Medicine Show Invited to be Grand Ole Opry Members
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For the first time in the last half decade, the Grand Ole Opry is poised to induct a traditionally-leaning country music act into its distinct and coveted roster of permanent members. Opry member Marty Stuart surprised Old Crow Medicine Show on the Opry stage tonight (8-16) with an invitation to join the storied institution during Old Crow’s scheduled performance.
Steel Guitar Players Added to Endangered Species List
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The Environmental Protection Agency has just given an increasingly-rare form of American musician known as the steel guitar player the ominous distinction of being an endangered species. The EPA defines an endangered species as “one facing a very high risk of extinction.” The ruling comes as the number of steel guitar players continues to decline to alarmingly low levels.