It was ten years ago today—April 6th, 2016—that word came down that one of the greatest singers, songwriters, and entertainers to ever grace the medium of country music, Merle Haggard, had passed away.
Part of the magic about the music of Keith Whitley is that he was able to accomplish so much in such a short period of time. He passed away tragically in 1989 at the age of 34 right as his career was taking off.
Well now. Country music’s wrestling heel and town drunk has hauled off and recorded himself an entire record of classic country music covers, and in a classic country sound, and in alleged tribute to all the past greats.
Bob Weir was critical to the cross genre appeal and the bridge building aspect of The Grateful Dead. Bob Weir was where many rock fans first discovered and realized that country music was cool.
Many country music artists have claimed to be “Outlaws” over the years. Only two have produced .22 pistols and shot at people’s heads to prove it: Billy Joe Shaver, and Johnny PayCheck.
“Willie Sings Merle” fills the moments with the cherished songs and sounds of two of country music’s most legendary contributors, making the love Willie shared for Merle communicable.
Ever since Merle Haggard’s passing on his 79th birthday on April 6th, 2016, there’s been talk of some 300 to 400 unreleased songs sitting in an archive somewhere in the bowels of the Merle Haggard estate.
No rest for the Willie. Along with still constantly touring at 92, he’s also good for about a two-per-year clip of new albums. This year, both of those albums will be tributes. Next up is Merle Haggard.
“It’s been infiltrated by California, just like everything else.” This answer is simply a stock, reactionary, culture war-inspired, flinging of red meat to a right wing constituency that is not rooted in truth whatsoever.
Lo and behold, as elite media is praising BigXthaPlug to the hilt because they hate country and country fans, this dude is locked in the slammer once again on the day of his album release.
George Strait is more than deserving of the honor, and it feels like it’s coming at the perfect time in his career. But as to be expected, in this politically acrimonious time we live in, it’s been polarized by some.
Country traditionalist Big City Brian Wright isn’t the first to record a country trucker album, and he won’t be the last. But he is the first to take a country trucker album, and make it fly.
At a recent show, the 73-year-old George Strait addressed just how much longer we might be able to see him perform live, and in a rather poignant and touching way.
The Patsy Cline Museum located at 119 3rd Ave S in the Lower Broadway corridor of Nashville will be closing permanently on May 15th. It was originally opened in 2017 on the second floor of the Johnny Cash Museum.
“If one looks down the list of music’s greatest writers of all time, I couldn’t imagine the list being complete without the name of Larry Bastian.” — Garth Brooks
Everyone knows about Willie Nelson’s country music legacy, his altruistic endeavors through Farm Aid and other initiatives. But not enough is made about Willie Nelson the entrepreneur.
There are many legendary country songs, and there are many legendary country music performers. But there are few songs in the history of country that capture the feelings one country legend had for another like Merle Haggard’s “Always Wanting You.”
It’s often the songwriters and side players who never get their fair share of credit for their contributions to music. But if there was one side player who most every country music knew during his era, it was Don Rich.
This is the kind of traditional country music that immediately sits right with you, that reminds you of the greatness that country music used to be, and that sets you at ease knowing this timeless sound hasn’t been lost.
In many respects, the passing of a country artist is not where their career and legacy ends. It’s just the beginning. Near the end of their career and especially after their death is when the real work starts.
It was supposed to have been called “Inside The Walls.” But despite a big budget audio production and camera crew being involved, and plans to make it into a television special as well, it was never officially released.
Grammy-winning country and Cajun singer, and accordion and guitar player Jo-El Sonnier was a true keeper of the flame in American roots music, and a rare soul who put the preservation of the music before anything else.
The Country Music world has lost an incredibly important and pioneering drummer. On August 28th, Roland “Arnie” Adams passed away at home, reportedly from a late-stage cancer.
As a true country music fan, you’re used to dealing in close approximations when seeking out modern musical choices. With The Malpass Brothers though, this isn’t necessary.