On the Hall of Fame Choosing Muscle Shoals for the Next Major Exhibit
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The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville has announced the theme for their next major exhibit. About every couple of years, the Hall of Fame features a big exhibit that delves into some era or influence.
Song Review – Toby Keith’s “I Like Girls That Drink Beer”
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Apparently Toby Keith is tired of self-respect. At some point, maybe when his previous album Bullets in The Gun was awarded the dubious distinction of being the lowest-selling #1 debut album of all time, he decided to screw it all and start making stupid songs. Well now he’s back with a new single “I Like Girls That Drink Beer,” a piece of trend-chasing laundry list cliche crap…
This New CMT Edge Outlet
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A few days ago, CMT launched a new format and website called CMT Edge with the intent of covering artists outside the norm of mainstream country music. Since then I’ve been asked many times what I think of it, and my stock answer has been that I don’t exactly know what I think of it yet. Having said that, I see no reason at this point not to stay positive about it.
Pointer & I’s 2012 Visit to Downtown Nashville
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As some of you may already know, I’ve got a good friend named Pointer, and every year we get together for an annual trip to downtown Nashville around Labor Day. Pointer and I are great friends and we both love country music, but we couldn’t be on more opposite sides of the country music spectrum. Pointer loves to have his picture taken in front of things.
2012 CMA Award Nominations, Observations, Predictions
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Love ’em or hate ’em, it’s hard to dispute that the CMA Awards are the most important night in country music every year. The nominations announced last week had a few interesting wrinkles including Kelly Clarkson for Female Vocalist of the Year, so let’s take a in-depth look at what’s coming up on November 1st and make some predictions.
Recap – 2012 Muddy Roots Festival
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So here I sit down once again to the impossible task of articulating with words just what an experience attending the Muddy Roots Festival is. Please understand this is just my perspective, and even more so than previous years and events I was pressed into duty as a volunteer for the fest even more where unfortunately I missed a lot of performances and only caught small segments of others.
2012 Muddy Roots Festival LIVE Blog
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Welcome ladies and gentleman to the Saving Country Music LIVE blog from the 2012 Muddy Roots Festival! This will be a running timeline of pictures, observances, news, festival updates, and funny quips from the Muddy Roots site for festival goers and the folks that can’t make it and wish to live the experience vicariously.
Like Him or Not, Bob Wayne Has Arrived
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I bet when you saw Bob Wayne’s name in the title of this article, you had some sort of immediate emotional reaction, didn’t you? You either thought, “That foul mouthed punk, I can’t even stand to see his ugly face,” and you blame him for perpetuating a perversion of country music. Or you said “Hell yeah.” Like him or not, Bob Wayne has arrived. One way you can tell this is by the polarization that precedes his name.
American Idol Doesn’t Need Keith Urban, It Needs…
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I’m probably a fool for trying to give advice to American Idol on how to right their ship. At this point, barking advice is about as helpful as saying, “I told you to look out for icebergs.” The cultural phenomenon that was American Idol in the early oughts is no longer. So what’s American Idol’s solution for next season? Pander even more to celebrity.
The History of the Country Checklist / Laundry List Song
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Like most of the overused song formulas employed by Music Row songwriters, the laundry list likely started with some good, creative, innovative tunes. But once something works, it is called upon again and again by Music Row until all creativity is spent and it becomes cliche. Such is the evolution (or devolution) of the country checklist song.
New Dale Watson Single & “I Lie When I Drink” Album Coming
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Dale Watson’s last album “The Sun Sessions” with its Johnny Cash-infused vibe came out in October of 2011 so you’d figure it’s about time for him to release some new material, and that’s exactly what he’ll do on Monday (8-27) when he debuts his new single “Daughter’s Wedding Song”; the first single from his upcoming album I Lie When I Drink due out in early 2013.
Album Review – The Calamity Cubes “Old World’s Ocean”
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Old World’s Ocean puts The Calamity Cubes’ bevy of talents on glorious display. Excellent songwriting is conveyed through flawless vocal performances and inventive music. They say to make it in music today you need a distinct voice, and The Calamity Cubes have two of them; the deep, brooding baritone of Brook Blanche, and the whimsical, character-filled sighs of Joey Henry.
James Hand to Release “Mighty Lonesome Man” Oct. 16th
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Texas country music legend James Hand will be releasing his brand new studio album Mighty Lonesome Man on October 16th. The 12-track album will include all original material, and contributions from an All-Star cast of Austin, TX’s country music talent. It will be released digitally, and on CD and vinyl. James Hand recorded the album this spring at Summit Street Studios in Austin, and has a busy year ahead of him.