Paying a Visit to Marty Robbins
If there was ever a “most interesting man in country music,” Marty Robbins would make a great candidate. The career of Marty Robbins really was quite incredible.
Marty Robbins
Vince Gill & Paul Franklin Reunite to Toast an Old Friend
Vince Gill and Paul Franklin are reuniting once again, and this time to pay tribute to Ray Price and his legendary backing band The Cherokee Cowboys.
Cowboy and Western Singer Don Edwards Has Died
One of America’s premier cowboy poets, Western singers, preservationists, and musicologists in the field of Western recordings has passed away. Don Edwards, who was active for nearly 60 years in keeping alive the words and ways of the American West died on Sunday, October 23rd at the age of 86.
Country Music’s Greatest Concept Albums of All Time
Concept albums have been an integral part of country music history, with the release of certain projects completely reshaping the country music paradigm, including in recent memory. Just in case you need an illustration of the breadth and importance of concept albums in country music
25 Years Ago: Marty Stuart Fulfills Vow to Marry Connie Smith
It all started when Marty Stuart was just 11-years-old, in the summer of 1970, when Connie Smith—17 years Marty Stuart’s senior—was already an established star, and had landed over a dozen Top 10 hits. Connie Smith happened to be Marty Stuart’s mother’s favorite singer, right behind Marty Robbins.
Lil Nas X Attacking BET For Discrimination is Just About Perfect
We’re now supposed to believe that despite all these accolades BET has bestowed to Lil Nas X in the past, all of a sudden and out of the blue, BET has decided to discriminate against a guy they previously honored, solely because he’s gay? It seems extremely, extremely implausible.
Willie Nelson Joins Tami Neilson for “Beyond The Stars”
It was one of those moments only music can make, and it happened in Luck, TX. The “Beyond The Stars” duet with Tami Neilson and Willie Nelson ultimately was the talk of the Luck Reunion, and the talk of SXSW.
George Jones & Johnny Paycheck Guitarist Gary Adams Dies
Country Music guitarist great Gary H. Adams died on January 7, 2022. He was 78 years old and had lived a full life as a musician, husband and father. Best known as a founding member of George Jones’s touring band, and also as a member of Johnny Paycheck’s touring band…
Country History X: Marty Robbins Saves Life of NASCAR’s Richard Childress
Country History X Episode #10 is a story of courage and character, and how a split second decision by country legend Marty Robbins on the racetrack forever changed the destiny of numerous people who would go on to help shape American culture.
“Friends in Low Places” Songwriter Dewayne Blackwell Dies
There may not be a more recognizable song from the catalog of country music in the last 35 years than “Friends in Low Places” performed by Garth Brooks. Garth may have popularized it, but like so many of country music’s most legendary compositions, someone else wrote it.
Ennio Morricone: The Influence of the Country Concept Album
Italian film composer Ennio Morricone passed away on Monday (7-6) at the age of 91. And though he will will always be remembered as the definitive mastermind behind the sounds and sonic imagination of the Spaghetti Western, it would be criminal to overlook the influence Morricone had on American country music.
Trent Reznor Has a CMA Award Due to Lil Nas X. Here’s Who Doesn’t.
As easily predicted, Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus won the 2019 CMA Award for Musical Event of the Year for their collaboration on the genre-bending summer smash “Old Town Road.” In a strange plot twist to “Old Town Road” winning a CMA Award, so does industrial artist Trent Reznor. He now has a CMA Awards, while many country legends don’t.
The Story of Tompall & The Glaser Brothers Writes Its Final Chapter
Of course Tompall is where the attention usually dwells when bringing up the three siblings from Spalding, Nebraska. But youngest brother Jim, who died of a heart attack on April 6th at the age of 81, and Chuck Glaser, who died Monday, June 10th at the age of 83, also contributed heavily to country music as songwriters and performers.
Dolly Parton gets NASCAR Paint Job for Upcoming Race
Pink isn’t exactly the perfect color for NASCAR, but when it’s presented in partnership with country music legend Dolly Parton, even the burliest of motorsports aficionados stand down, if not pump their fists when they see it coming around the turn. NASCAR’s Tyler Reddick driving for Richard Childress Racing will be sporting a Dolly Parton paint job.
Jason Aldean to Receive the Dick Award of the Decade
Jason Aldean will receive the Dick Award for the Decade from the ACMs come April—“Dick” being for Dick Clark, who this decade award was just renamed after, and who luckily is dead so he doesn’t have to see his name besmirched by being associated with the likes of Jason Aldean.
Marty Stuart’s “Way Out West” Is a Journey Back to When Country Became Cool
As much as Marty Stuart is a student of country music, he’s also a teacher. And with a refreshing boldness, and frankly a little bit of guts from running the risk of being misunderstood by some of the fuddy duddy fans of traditional country, Marty Stuart encapsulates a critical time in country and all of American music when country music became cool.
How Many of These Country Music Veterans Can You Name?
So many of country music’s legendary artists also spent time earlier in their lives serving the country in one capacity or another. And on Veteran’s Day as we pay tribute to ALL the men and women who served in the military and put themselves in harm’s way, let’s have some fun by looking back to see how many of these country legends we can pick out by their pictures.
Street to Be Renamed in Honor of Marty Robbins
Marty lived in Glendale, AZ until he enlisted in the Navy at 17 and served in the Pacific Theater in World War 2. It was there he learned to play guitar, and like so many GI’s, fell in love with the steel guitar of Polynesian music. After Marty’s discharge, he started his career in nearby Phoenix, both as a performer and a DJ, and later with his own television show.
NASCAR’s Kyle Larson Pays Tribute to Marty Robbins with Retro Paint Job
When Kyle Larson takes the honorary Chip Ganassi #42 Marty Robbins car on the the Darlington race track on Saturday, he won’t just be paying tribute to a country music legend, but a legend of the racing world that once put his own life in peril to save another.
Don’t Compare Sturgill Simpson to Waylon . . . Unless You’re Merle Haggard. That’s probably okay.
The comparisons of Sturgill Simpson to Waylon Jennings never cease, even though in some instances they’re based on pretty shallow and misguided observations. That’s why it’s probably pretty understandable if Sturgill is tired of hearing about them at this point. In a recent interview with Foo Fighters guitarist and Dead Peasants frontman Chris Shiflett (listen in full below), Sturgill once again answered the Waylon comparisons.
Legendary Country Producer Billy Sherrill Passes Away
One of the most important, influential, and successful producers in the history of country music has passed away. Billy Sherrill, known as one of the fathers of the “Countrypolitan or “Nashville Sound,” and a Country Music Hall of Fame and Musician’s Hall of Fame inductee, died Tuesday (8-4) morning due to illness. He was 78-years-old.
Nashville’s Independent Artists Speaking Out About City’s Growth
It’s that penultimate moment—that tipping point—when a town or neighborhood known for it’s cool, rich, and creatively-vibrant culture becomes so awash with interlopers, gentrifying hipsters, and retiring baby boomers that the critical mass point is reached in redevelopment, rising rents, and real estate prices and the entire thing implodes.
Randy Travis Covers Waylon’s “Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line”
As the thoughts and prayers of millions of fans keep vigil over Randy Travis in hopes the ailing singer someday will be able to share his gift for song with the world once more, life moves on and the release of Randy’s second installment of Influence: The Man I Am series approaches on August 12th. As a reflection back upon the artists and songs that created the foundation of Randy’s storied career …
The 10 Best Country & Roots Songs From Breaking Bad
Did you know the first song to ever be featured on Breaking Bad was a classic country tune by Stonewall Jackson? They may not play real country on the radio anymore, but there’s many different ways you can skin a cat. As popular and critically-acclaimed TV series like Breaking Bad breathe new life into television, they have become an invaluable market for showcasing quality country and roots music from the past and present.
1 2