Taylor Swift

November 1, 2013

The Marginalization of Taylor Swift Producer Nathan Chapman

Nathan Chapman is a session musician, songwriter, and record producer. If you wanted to point to one individual behind the sonic success of Taylor Swift, it would be him. The first record Chapman ever produced was Taylor Swift’s first, self-titled release in 2006. If you hear a Taylor Swift song, you’re hearing just as much of Nathan Chapman as you are Taylor Swift….except to when it comes to Taylor’s last album “Red.”

Max Martin, Nathan Chapman, Scott Borchetta, Shellback, Taylor Swift

October 30, 2013

More Signs Scott Borchetta Is Encroaching on Artist Freedom

Trigger Random Notes 51 Comments

As Scott Borchetta and Big Machine Records continue to win market share and talent from its rival labels on the Music Row campus, his propensity to inject himself more and more into the creative process could become a bigger problem. As Big Machine gets bigger, so could the artistic control dilemma, and the dilemma of maintaining control over the quality and purity of the term “country.”

Big Machine Records, I'd Want It To Be Yours, Justin Moore, Max Martin, Scott Borchetta, Shellback, Sweeter Than Fiction, Taylor Swift

October 22, 2013

Season of Discontent: A Timeline of Country’s Recent Artist Criticism

Trigger Random Notes 43 Comments

Country music in the second half of 2013 is going through some of the most historic changes the format has ever seen. The ever-present erosion of what the term “country” defines has never been greater, and the charge of preserving the roots of country music has never been more dire. As a symptom of all the change and upheaval, big-time artists are speaking out about the direction of country music like never before.

Alan Jackson, Buck Owens, Carrie Underwood, Dale Watson, Gary Allan, George Jones, Jake Owen, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Bryan, Sheryl Crow, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, Tom Petty, Zac Brown

October 18, 2013

Country Legend Dolly Parton Raps, Has Message for Miley Cyrus

Trigger News 15 Comments

Country Music Hall of Famer Dolly Parton is good friends with rapper turned daytime stay-at-home personality Queen Latifah, and on a show set to air this Monday (10-21-13), the self-proclaimed “Queen of Dollywood” comes out and does a 90-second rap routine before her interview. Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah recently starred together in the 2012 musical movie Joyful Noise.

Dolly Parton, Jolene, Miley Cyrus, Queen Latifah, Rapping, raps, T Pain, Taylor Swift, Wrecking Ball

October 14, 2013

Mainstream Country Independent Fans Should Give A Chance

Trigger Reviews 124 Comments

It’s so easy to get swept up in stereotyping mainstream country as being completely void of anything worth your time these days, but in truth there’s still a lot of great music in the popular music world, however a small percentage it might be of the total package. Saying the mainstream has nothing good to offer is narrowing your musical experience no different than saying that music is bad because it’s not popular.

Alan Jackson, Ashley Monroe, Dierks Bentley, Easton Corbin, Eric Church, Gary Allan, George Strait, Jamey Johnson, Joey + Rory, Kacey Musgraves, Kellie Pickler, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies, Reba, Taylor Swift, The Mavericks, Vince Gill, Zac Brown Band

October 1, 2013

RANT – Okay I’ll Say It: Country Music in 2013 Is Sexist

Trigger Random Notes 53 Comments

That’s right. A scandalous accusation I know, but one I stand behind with puffed chest and other such countenance to covey, “Yeah, I said it. You got a problem with that ?!?!”, and one that holds up when taking the most basic look at our little genre known as country music, and simply asking, “Where in the hell are the women?” Especially on country radio.

Alison Krauss, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Loretta Lynn, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, Tyler Farr

September 23, 2013

The Greatest Feuds in Country Music History

Trigger History 51 Comments

natalie-maines-f-u-t-k-fuck-you-toby-keith

The last few weeks might go down in history as one of country music’s most feud-laden moments. Though country music feuding may be on a sharp rise here recently, it is not an uncommon or recent occurrence in country music by any stretch. Nothing gets folks talking like a good old artist on artist donnybrook. Here are some of the most infamous over the years.

Billy Ray Cyrus, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Charlie Rich, country music feuds, Curb Records, Dierks Bentley, Dixie Chicks, Dolly Parton, Eric Church, Ethan Hawke, feud, Garth Brooks, Gary Allan, Grand Ole Opry, Hank Williams III, Hank3, In A Razor Town, Jason Isbell, John Denver, Johnny Cash, Kelly Clarkson, Kid Rock, Kris Kristofferson, LeAnn Rimes, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Natalie Maines, Porter Wagoner, Rascal Flatts, Ray Price, Scott Borchetta, Shooter Jennings, Stonewall Jason, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Tompall Glaser, Travis Tritt, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Zac Brown

September 16, 2013

12 Reasons to be Positive About Country Music in 2013

Trigger Random Notes 25 Comments

Country music in 2013 feels like the best of times, and the worst of times. While a few top male performers perpetrate untold atrocities on the integrity of the genre, the rise of independent music and infrastructure in the marketplace is now almost to the point where it equals its corporate counterpart. Quality songs and worthy artists are beginning to see more and more support…

Ashley Monroe, Austin Lucas, Avett Brothers, Blake Shelton, Bobb Bare, Caitlin Rose, CMA Awards, Cory Branan, Country Music Hall of Fame, Dale Watson, Darius Rucker, David Letterman, East Nashville, Gary Allan, Grand Ole Opry, Guy Clark, Hellbound Glory, Jack Clement, Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kid Rock, Lindi Ortega, Mumford and Sons, Nashville, Old Crow Medicine Show, Old Farts and Jackasses, Outlaw Country Music Hall of Fame, Pokey LaFarge, Rascal Flatts, Ray Price, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Shovels and Rope, Sturgill Simpson, Taylor Swift, The Lumineers, Tom Petty, Twones Van Zandt, Valerie June, Zac Brown

September 13, 2013

Gary Allan Calls Out Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift

Trigger News 101 Comments

The parade of country artists coming out to criticize the direction of country music continues, with Gary Allan now coming out in an interview with Larry King, decrying country music’s move towards pop, and specifically Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. “I would say they’re pop artists making a living in the country genre. I also feel like we lost our genre.”

Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Gary Allan, Kacey Musgraves, Larry King, Taylor Swift

September 2, 2013

Sheryl Crow: “Country Is More Pop Than Pop Was When I Came Up”

Trigger Random Notes 38 Comments

“The country format is more pop than pop was when I came up two decades ago,” Sheryl explained to Reuters late last week when being interviewed about her new album, illustrating the degree of country’s move to pop in recent years. Of course Sheryl isn’t saying anything that some country fans haven’t been clamoring about for years, but Crow’s perspective and honesty speaks to the degree of change in country.

Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, country, Darius Rucker, pop, Sheryl Crow, Taylor Swift

August 26, 2013

Charlie Worsham’s “Rubberband” May Win Him a Wide Audience

Trigger Reviews 13 Comments

There’s nothing I value more than a mainstream country music record that bucks all trends and is truly worth your ear. Enter Charlie Worsham and his debut album Rubberband that is being lauded by many critics and fans alike as a breath of fresh air for the mainstream radio dial. Rubberband is a very fun album that sucks you right in, but Charlie Worsham is no Kellie Pickler….

Charlie Worsham, Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Kellie Pickler, Marty Stuart, Rascal Flatts, Rubberband, Taylor Swift, Vince Gill, Wade Bowen

August 25, 2013

We Lose Linda Ronstadt’s Voice

Trigger Random Notes 11 Comments

This news of Linda Ronstadt losing her voice due to Parkinson’s Disease seems like an especially sinister storyline. What a cruel machination of mother nature to rob a woman of her one defining gift while she still has life and clear cognitive factories to contemplate her fate. This isn’t any voice, or any woman.

Brittney Spears, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, Linda Ronstadt, loses her voice, Miley Cyrus, Parkinson's Disease, Taylor Swift

August 12, 2013

CMA Fan Fest “Country’s Night To Rock” LIVE Blog

Trigger Random Notes 66 Comments

Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the LIVE blog for the 2013 broadcast of CMA’s Fan Fest, dubbed over the last few years as “Country’s Night to Rock.” Since our live blogs for mainstream country’s big awards shows have been so successful over the years, and because we had many requests to also create a platform for commiseration, it was decided we’ll give it a shot for this event too.

Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, CMA Fan Fest, Country's Night to Rock, Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Jake Owen, Jason Mraz, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kellie Pickler, Kelly Clarkson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Lenny Kravitz, Live Blog, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw

August 6, 2013

The Meaningless Billboard Florida Georgia Line Songs Record

Trigger Random Notes 29 Comments

Billboard and the echo chamber that is much of the entertainment media/blogosphere made much hoopla last week over Florida-Georgia Line’s “Cruise” breaking the all-time record for weeks at #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Closer scrutiny of the charts shows that, contrary to the flashy press releases and hype you may see regarding Florida-Georgia Line’s “Cruise,” its “record-setting” week is the historical achievement that isn’t.

Billboard, Carrie Underwood, Charts, Country Charts, Cruise, Eddy Arnold, Florida Georgia Line, Hank Snow, Hunter Hayes, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Longest #1 of All Time, Luke Bryan, Miley Cyrus, Randy Houser, Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, Webb Pierce

July 24, 2013

The Civil Wars Tension Creates Confusion For Fans

Trigger Random Notes 30 Comments

The recently-split duo is now set to release a new album…though they’re completely open about the fact that they’re not even speaking to each other. How is a music fan, or specifically a Civil Wars fan supposed to perceive this? How can you submit to their music when you know there’s open tension between the two, especially when their music has depended so much on the intimacy in their singing and lyricism?

breakup, hiatus, Jason Aldea, Kenny Chesney, Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, Taylor Swift, tension, The Civil Wars, Toby Keith

July 17, 2013

10 Alternatives to Tsarnaev’s Rolling Stone Cover

Trigger Random Notes 24 Comments

Much ado has been made about Rolling Stone giving accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev rock star treatment by putting his mug on their latest issue. Though it’s a free country with free press and I would fight for the right of Rolling Stone to put whatever they want on their cover, here are some simple, friendly, alternative ideas of what could have graced the front of Rolling Stone’s July 2013 issue.

Black Sabbath, Boston, Caitlin Rose, Chet Flippo, Cover, David Bowie, George Jones, Hank Williams, Jason Isbell, Johnny Paycheck, Mavis Staples, Paul McCartney, Pokey LaFarge, Randy Travis, Ray Charles, Rick Rubin, Rolling Stone, Staple Sisters, Taylor Swift, The Band, The Rolling Stone, West TX, Willie Nelson

July 9, 2013

Want to Meet Shooter Jennings? That Will Be $85.

Trigger Random Notes 187 Comments

Announced a few days ago, “VIP meet & greet packages” are being offered at many of Shooter’s upcoming appearances, including at the Muddy Roots Festival this late August. What do you get for your $85? A T-shirt, a tote bag, 5 guitar picks (that all grand total will cost Shooter less than $12-$15 wholesale), and this is my favorite one, an “Invitation to pre-show private shopping experience.”

Caleb Klauder, Dale Watson, Kid Rock, Meet and Greet, Muddy Roots Festival, Pickathon, Ralph Stanley, Shooter Jennings, Sturgill Simpson, Taylor Swift, Wayne Hancock

June 24, 2013

Most Embarrassing Moments in Country Music History

Trigger History 96 Comments

When looking at the historical timeline of country music, many times it is big events that set the wheels of change in motion, for the good and the bad. Whether it is intrusion of pop or rap into country, or the ill-treatment of country music greats, here are some of the most embarrassing moments in country music history.

Alan Jackson, Bob Dylan, Chris Gains, CMA Awards, Darius Rucker, DeFord Bailey. Jason Aldean, Dirt Road Anthem, Garth Brooks, George Jones, Grand Ole Opry, Hank Williams, Jakob Dylan, Jason & the Scorchers, Jessica Simpson, John Denver, John Hartford, Keith Urban, Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams, Ludacris, Olivia Newton John, rap, Rascal Flatts, Reinstate Hank, Ryman Auditorium, Sheryl Crow, Stonewall Jackson, Struggle, Taylor Swift, Waylon Jennings

June 19, 2013

How Hip-Hop Stole Country Music: The Arrival of the Mono-Genre

Trigger Random Notes 79 Comments

All of a sudden hip-hop influences are dominating the top of the country music charts, asserting just as much influence, if not more than indigenous country influences, with a bevy of new country rap tunes from numerous artists ready to be released, and mainstream artists lining up to try and be a part of the trend. How did country music get here?

Aaron Lewis, Accidental Racist, Ashley Monroe, Blake Shelton, Boys 'Round Here, Brad Paisley, Brantley Gilbert, Colt Ford, country rap, Cowboy Troy, Cruise, Darius Rucker, Dirt Road Anthem, Florida Georgia Line, George Jones, Jason Aldean, Jawga Boyz, Joe Diffie, Kid Rock, Lil Wayne, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, LL Cool J, LoCash Cowboys, Ludacris, Luke Bryan, Lynard Skynard, Miranda Lambert, Moonshine Bandits, Nelly, Pistol Annies, remix, Sheryl Crow, Staind, Struggle, T Pain, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Warren Zevon, Waylon Jennings

June 10, 2013

No Playboy, We Did Not “Claim” Luke Bryan Has A Vagina

Trigger Random Notes 54 Comments

So this weekend we were reading the June edition of Playboy Magazine. You know, for the articles. And lo and behold, Saving Country Music is cited in a feature on Eric Church entitled “The Badass” that proclaims the performer from North Carolina the “new face of country music.” You know, I could almost like Eric Church if he would quit so doggedly pursuing his persona as product.

Blake Shelton, David Allan Coe, Earnest Tubb, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr., Johnny Paycheck, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marty Stuart, Playboy, Taylor Swift, The Allman Brothers, Travis Tritt, Waylon Jennings

June 4, 2013

Grandson “Struggle” Turns Waylon Songs Into Rap

Trigger Reviews 104 Comments

The rapping grandson of Waylon Jennings, one Will “Young Struggle” Harness, or “Struggle” as he prefers to go by now has a new album out called I Am Struggle, that doesn’t just borrow heavily from Waylon’s catalog, it is downright built from it. 7 of the 9 tracks on the country rap record directly incorporate samples and structures of Waylon tunes in an unprecedented intrusion of rap into the country music format.

Carlene Carter, Hank Willaims III, Hank Williams Jr. Hank Williams, I Am Struggle, Jessi Colter, Justin Townes Earle, Rosanne Cash, Shooter Jennings, Struggle, Taylor Swift, Waylon Jennings

June 2, 2013

The Mavericks “In Time” One of the Best of 2013

Trigger Reviews 24 Comments

Take the West Coast country coolness of Dwight Yoakam, the haunting tremolo of Roy Orbison, the sweaty rhythms of Los Lobos, and what you get is Miami’s indescribable and enigmatic throwback old-school all-things-to-all-people house band for America known as The Mavericks. “In Time” might be the best album in their nearly 25-year history, and its one of the best put out so far in 2013.

Big Machine Records, Dwight Yoakam, In Time, Los Lobos, Rascal Flatts, Roy Orbison, Scott Borchetta, Taylor Swift, The Mavericks

May 28, 2013

We’ve Got A Bigger Problem Now. It’s Called Florida Georgia Line.

Trigger Down with Pop Country 106 Comments

These dudes are on the mother of all tears. Their song “Cruise” threatens to be the biggest country song in 2013, and has already set multiple records, including spending 12 weeks at the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart—the first time this has happened by a duo in the 69-year history of the chart. “Cruise” has already been certified triple-platinum.

Blake Shelton, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Nelly, Scott Borchetta, Taylor Swift

May 20, 2013

Saving Country Music’s Worst Country Songs of All Time

Trigger Down with Pop Country 168 Comments

We all know them and we all hate them, those ubiquitous and ridiculous pop country songs that make us hang our heads in shame, embarrassed to call ourselves country fans, constantly making us having to explain that no, we don’t listen to that type of country. They pursue us doggedly, on the radio, over the speakers at the grocery store, blaring from a car full of high school kids at a red light.

1994, Achy Breaky Heart, Bad Country Songs, Big & Rich, Billy Ray Cyrus, Blake Shelton, Boys 'Round Here, Brad Paisley, Brown Chicken Brown Cow, Corn Star, Country Girl (Shake It For Me), Craig Morgan, Cruise, Dirt Road Anthem, Florida Georgia Line, Honky Tonk Badonkadonk, I Wanna Talk About Me, Jason Aldea, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Red Solo Cup, Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy), She Think's My Tractor's Sexy, Stuck Like Glue, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Truck Yeah, Worst Country Songs of All Time

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