Mempho Music Fest 2025 Features Top Names in Insurgent Country
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To be able to see Sierra Ferrell, Charley Crockett, and Tyler Childers all on the same bill—and not at some 50,000-person megafest—is incentive enough. Add John R. Miller, and Memphis legends Amy Lavere and Lucero…
Kacey Musgraves on Country: “Do I love what it’s turned into? No…”
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Kacey Musgraves has been doing her level best to disrupt the well-ordered country music apple cart since she released the single “Merry Go ‘Round” last September. Recently when speaking to American Songwriter, Kacey elaborated on her strange existence in the mainstream country format, and how she’s not exactly happy where it is, and the stereotypes it brings to her music.
Blake Shelton’s “Boys ‘Round Here” Video (A Rant)
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If equality is what Blake Shelton was looking to strike in the video for “Boys ‘Round Here,” then he deserves a big pat on the back. Because anything and everything about this eye-raping edifice to the universal monoculture and hyper-driven consumer excess mixed with vomit-inducing racial tokenism is as equally repulsive as it is embarrassing.
The Pistol Annies and “Annie Up”
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So here come The Pistol Annies again, with their cleavage heaving and lined with lace, all attitude in their tank boots and tube tops. So what’s the take? Are they traditional country saviors, or a silly act? When you boil it down, The Pistol Annies are gender music. Sure, we all tend to be able to relate more to a singer and and a perspective that mirrors our own, but The Pistol Annies project seems to take it a step further.
Sturgill Simpson Talks “High Top Mountain”
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For a while now I’ve been coveting an interview with Sturgill Simpson. I’d show up to his live shows with my stupid little palm-sized audio recorder at the ready, and though he’s always been a nice and cordial guy, as soon as I’d mention the word “interview,” I’d get a bit of a sideways look, chased by a courteous, but firm, “I’d prefer to let the music speak for itself.” But I finally got it.
Shooter Jennings Threatens Federal Charges Against SCM
On Saturday, Shooter Jennings released a statement through his official Facebook page that accused I, Trigger of Saving Country Music, of participating in the hacking of one of his websites. This is Saving Country Music’s official response.
Blues Review – Ten Foot Polecats “Undertow”
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The Ten Foot Polecats out of Boston bring the serious, full-tilt North Mississippi deep blues mojo on their new chest-pounding, groove-infested long player rightly entitled Undertow. As the name implies, this bad boy sucks you down and doesn’t quit tugging you asunder until you wholly submit to the deep muddy abyss of booty-shaking rhythms.
Hank3 to Release New Album “Brothers of the 4X4”
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Just announced, Hank Williams III’s next album will be called Brothers of the 4X4. The album will contain 16 tracks, and be released on Hank3’s own record label distributed by Megaforce Records. The release will also be accompanied by a “hellbilly/punk” album called A Fiendish Threat that will include 13 tracks.
Texas Music Offers Template for Regional Revitalization
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Texas music is becoming hard wired and institutionalized, and this creates a few game-changing, long-term effects on the overall country music landscape. It is offering a template to the rest of the music world, and not just country music, of how to regionalize and organize a group of like-minded musicians and fans together to where they’re not dependent on corporate America’s traditional musical industrial complex.
Don Maddox Recalls One Of George Jones’ First Big Breaks
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Few, if any can give perspective on George Jones that 90-year-old Don Maddox can–the last surviving member of the pioneering and influential band The Maddox Brothers & Rose. Many artists can speak about how George Jones helped them get their start in the music business, but Don Maddox can speak about how The Maddox Brothers & Rose helped George Jones get his start in the mid 50’s.
Sturgill Simpson Live At Sun King Brewery
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Have you ever had a dessert that’s just too rich? A girlfriend or boyfriend that’s just too damn hot? That’s how it feels with Sturgill Simpson’s music. This stuff is so good, it hurts. Any new material from Sturgill demands an immediate stop down of one’s life to pay attention. Seriously Sturgill, we’ve got shit to do.
The Mysterious Woman In Red Revealed: Interview with Valerie June
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Valerie June, the self-proclaimed purveyor of “Organic Moonshine Roots Music,” had her fans in sheer disbelief, while the rest of the audience was wondering, “Who is this astounding singer?” when she unexpectedly appeared on national television singing an intimate, stripped-down version of the song “Like Jesus Does” with Eric Church at the ACM Awards a few weeks ago.
Review – Willie Nelson’s “Let’s Face The Music & Dance”
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Let’s Face The Music & Dance is an album of classic standards, performed with Willie’s “Family Band” that now principally includes sister Bobbie on piano, and Mickey Raphael on harp. It is not a country album in the traditional sense of the term. But the music hearkens back so far, and this entire album is so awash in those well-recognizable Willie tones, it still has plenty of country feel to it.