The Legendary Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace Closes Its Doors
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The plight for legendary, mid-sized country music venues continues to worsen as the legendary Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, California has been forced to abruptly close.
Gear Stolen from The Pistol Annies (well, kind of…)
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Earlier today the bawdy trio launched an interactive, animated, content-unlocking, grab-your-contact-info-so-they-can-bombard-you-about-sparkly-pink-merch-in-the-future internet timewaste as part of the advertising run up to their upcoming album “Annie Up.” I quickly awoke to the realization that I’m a grown ass adult and have better things to do than oogle at comics during the middle of a Wednesday.
The Curious Case of Granger Smith & Earl Dibbles Jr.
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A little under a year ago, Earl Dibbles Jr., the alter ego of Texas country music star Granger Smith, released a song and video called “The Country Boy Song” that had us all in stitches. Then in mid-October of 2012, Granger Smith released the single “We Do It In A Field” from his new album just released today called Dirt Road Driveway, and all of a sudden we had to re-write what we thought about Granger Smith.
Record Store Day 2013 Country Music Field Guide
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This Saturday, April 20th is the 2013 installment of Record Store Day. 2013 has some juicy releases, including some super rare Willie Nelson demo sessions, a split with Waylon Jennings and the Old 97’s, some cool live albums from Gram Parsons and Sarah Jarosz, and a re-issue of Justin Townes Earle’s first album, the Yuma EP.
Nashville’s Sex War: Gender Marketing in Music
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When it comes to country music, it is the best of times, and the worst of times depending on if you’re talking about male or female artists. While it’s easy to focus on the awful, inane music from mainstream country’s male-dominated ruling class, there is an inspiring sect of female performers attempting to emerge from the heavy shadows of towering males and their tiring musical pap. So why the gender gap?
Album Review – Deadstring Brothers “Cannery Row”
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Separating themselves from those with only a half-sense for the early 70’s vibe and hipsters who see it as trendy, the Deadstring Brothers have been proving they have an unadulterated sense for that coveted heroin sweat sound and how to mix it with their own original expression since their first album on Bloodshot Records in 2003. Simply put, Cannery Row is a pleasure to listen to.
The Case That Taylor Swift No Longer Wants to be Country
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So what is going on with Taylor Swift and country music in 2013? For years the droning, tiresome argument of whether Taylor Swift is country or not has raged on incessantly. But something has changed since the release of her last album Red in October of 2012, hinting that Taylor Swift herself may be wanting rid of the rigid country format that has firmly ensconced her in the crosshairs of country criticism for years.
The Dinosaur Truckers Set Bluegrass On Fire
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Holy mother. While the Mumfordization of roots music has left so many string bands looking for the right watered-down derivative to forge mass appeal, The Dinosaur Truckers offer up the pure, uncut, unadulterated form–potent and dangerous and not for the faint of heart. Listen to The Dinosaur Truckers at your own risk.
Kellie Pickler: “Too Many Suits & Ties Trying To Make The Calls”
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Kellie Pickler’s 2012 album 100 Proof shocked the country music world with its bold, traditional sound and soulful compositions, so much so that Rolling Stone and Saving Country Music both named it the Album of the Year. Well Kellie is now back in the studio and wants folks to know that 100 Proof was not an aberration. We can expect the same type of authentic country sound on her next one.
Country Music Hall of Fame Announces 2013 Inductees
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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN has just announced their 2013 inductees. The new members to country music’s most prestigious institution are “Cowboy” Jack Clement, Bobby Bare, and Kenny Rogers. Host Bill Anderson Steve Moore made the announcement from the Hall of Fame rotunda Wednesday morning (4-10).
Charo & George Strait to Release “Incidental Isolationist”
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Saving Country Music has learned that another superstar duo is planning their own culture-blending song to capitalize off of the “Accidental Racist” publicity. Country’s King George Strait, and world-renown Spanish actress, singer, and flamenco guitar player Charo have teamed up to tackle the immigration issue in a new song reportedly to be called “Incidental Isolationist.”
Brad Paisley & LL Cool J’s Country Rap “Accidental Racist”
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I don’t care what the intentions of this song are. And I’ll give you that it’s well-written, including LL Cool J’s rapping parts. And I’m not just saying that as a positioning point. Because despite the optimism this song attempts to convey, “Accidental Racist” also conveys a level of judgementalism and reaffirmation of stereotypes that many people don’t appreciate.
2013 ACM Awards Flubs, Follies & Funny Moments
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Aside from all the bad music, disappointing award winners, and ridiculous stage antics, the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards may go down as one of the gremlin-riddled presentations in the modern award show era. An inordinate amount of technical problems plagued the night, along with other funny mishaps. Here are some of the major ones.