Man it is fun to be spot on right. But let’s not bury the lead, that being that you can now listen to Justin Townes Earle’s new album Harlem River Blues in its entirety through NPR’s First Listen. These are not previews, this is every song, and they will be available until the release date of September 14th.
Last week an article was posted on No Depression lamenting the glossification of bluegrass. Of course my first thought was to point out bands like Trampled By Turtles, The .357 String Band, Split Lip Rayfield, The Hackensaw Boys, Larry & His Flask, and many others. But aside from that, I think you can make a […]
Flint, Michigan’s Whitey Morgan & The 78′s eponymous album recorded at Levon Helm’s recording studio will be out on October 12th via Bloodshot Records. From Bloodshot: “Outlaw’s always been the rough-around-the-edges, tough guy uncle at the country music family picnic. Denim and leather, not Stetson and Nudie. Hair by Pennzoil, not Pomade. But in the […]
Hank III.com has just announced tour dates of the East Coast, more might be coming. As of right now, there is no support band announced. What I have been hearing is that after the problems on the last tour with Izzy Cox, there will be no more Hank III openers. Hopefully this is not true, […]
2010 is turning out to be a bumper crop year for REAL country music, and no, I’m not just saying that to be a cheerleader for the “scene.” I’ll be the first to admit that last year was a terrible year for new releases, save for a few great ones from the Bloodshot Record’s gang […]
When it boils right down to it, what is it going to take to Save Country Music? Hard work, education, and grass roots efforts are one way, but the magic bullet would be an artist that could rise above all the arguments dividing country music, and offer widespread appeal through a new approach while also […]
Justin Townes Earle has finished his 3rd full length album called Harlem River Blues, and it is due out September 14th on Bloodshot Records. It was recorded in late May, and according to JTE, “We got a little Rock n roll on this one folks,” as he wanted to re-create the “soulful sounds of Memphis, […]
Flint, Michigan’s Whitey Morgan and the 78’s have just signed with the the label that is the home of Insurgent Country, Bloodshot Records. Whitey and the boys join the ranks of people like Wayne “The Train” Hancock, Justin Townes Earle, and Scott H. Biram, all signed to the Chicago-based label. The announcement comes just days […]
A couple of free goodies just because available from one of my favorite emerging artists, Justin Townes Earle. The first is a free download of an acoustic version of the title track from Midnight at the Movies (which I just discovered you can buy on limited edition vinyl HERE). It is just him an his […]
Well there is some good news and some bad news in regards to the Outlaw Radio Chicago podcast. Bad news first: The network that it was broadcasting on live every Tuesday has apparently gone belly up. The good news is you can still listen to every episode at savingcountrymusic.com/outlaw-radio, and I will begin posting the […]
It seems like whenever I start making “Best Of” lists, I draw the ire of one group of people or another. I think I am misunderstood quite commonly that my “Top” picks mean that they are my favorite personally, or that maybe I am even trying to push some agenda. I really do agonize over […]
There is nothing I take more serious then putting my name behind an album as being the best of any calendar year. Unlike some organizations who hand out such things to whoever can sell the most albums or show the most teen spirit, I understand that Albums of the Year set a precedent, and will […]
The Devil Makes Three is one of those bands that I have had the privilege to watch go from cutting their teeth playing for small crowds in dive bars to being one of the best-drawing, most successful punk-inspired string bands on the West Coast. The Devil Makes Three was ahead of the curve so to […]
If I had to pick one stand out performer out of the dozen plus acts I saw at Pickathon outside of Portland last weekend, it would be Justin Townes Earle. I was lucky enough to be able to see him three different times, and after his first show we sat down for a quick interview. […]
My heroic dry spell of shows is about to come to an end my friends, because I am hitting the road and bearing down on various ports of call to take in some of the best good ole country music this fine country has to offer! Gas prices? Meh, my plan is to keep the […]
The Hardcore Troubadour, Steve Earle, is back with the follow up to his 2007 Grammy award winning Washington Square Serenade, but this time Earle takes on fifteen cuts from his hero, Townes Van Zandt. Simply entitled, Townes, the album is an array of songs most meaningful to Earle of the cult singer-songwriter. Earle once said […]
The King of Country and Western Troubadours, part time voice actor for Cartoon Network’s Squidbillies, and full-time bad ass guitar player Unknown Hinson is going to be on Jimmy Kimmel Live tomorrow night! (Tue 4-21-09) Unknown Hinson (or at least his other persona, Danny Baker) was in the news recently, swept up in the whole […]
For the past 38 weeks, Outlaw Radio has been playing REAL country music every Tuesday night at 9 PM Central, and interviewing guests like Hank III, Wayne “The Train” Hancock, Joe Buck, Roger Alan Wade, the .357 String Band, and many others. The show is aired live on punkandbeansradio.com, but in the past, if you […]
The It Burns When I Pee Podcast needs help people. No, I’m not talking about castration, a flea dip, and electro-shock therapy (though Jeebus knows they could use this as well.) No, they need your ears, simple as that. Sure you could also go to the IBWIP Store and be tempted by the lifted skirt […]
Being the son or daughter of a famous country performer is a dichotomy. Sure, the name may help you get a contract from a record label, but for everyone that gives you a listen because of who you are, there will be another who writes you off as just living off the family name. You […]
The King of Juke Joint Swing and now a wily veteran of the underground country circuit, Wayne “The Train” Hancock will be releasing a new album this April, called Viper of Melody. According to waynehancock.com the album will feature his current touring lineup of Izzy Zaidman on lead guitar, Huck Johnson on slap bass, and […]
Allright, so this is my list of my top album releases of 2008. I’m only one human, so I can only purchase and listen to so much music. So if there’s something I’m missing or if you want to put your own list together, pony up in the comments section. No. 1 Fire & Hail […]