From Unhoused Busker to Headliner: The Rise of Sierra Ferrell
From performing on street corners for spare change to one of the fastest-rising artists in all of country and roots music, Sierra Ferrell has arrived.
Todd Snider
Artist, Journalist, and Historian Peter Cooper Suffers Head Injury
The family of singer, songwriter, performer, producer, journalist, and historian Peter Cooper are asking for thoughts and prayers after the veteran member of the country music community suffered a head injury that was initially thought to be life threatening. He remains in critical condition.
The Origin of “Where Are the Bodies Garth?” [Brooks]
For the last couple of years I’ve been noticing it. And if you’re a fan of Garth Brooks or just a general fan of country music, you may have noticed it too. There are an inordinate amount of people in the comments sections of anything having to do with Garth Brooks asking, “Where are the bodies Garth?”
John Prine’s Son Tommy Prine Releases Debut Single
At 26-years-old, Tommy Prine is the youngest son of John Prine. He learned how to fingerpick from his father, first picking up a guitar at the age of 10. But interestingly, it wasn’t his father’s music that first inspired Tommy to get into singer/songwriter material at the ago of 17. It was Jason Isbell’s opus ‘Southeastern.’
Corb Lund To Toast Peers in New Album “Songs My Friends Wrote”
Like any true country cowboy troubadour, Canada’s Corb Lund spends his days herding cattle and bucking hay, and then spends his nights scratching out tunes around the kitchen table in dirty Carhartt’s with callused hands.
From a Jewel Video to a Folk Hero: Rediscovering Steve Poltz
Steve Poltz has morphed into an bonafide underground folk hero. His songs work like kids songs for adults, similar to the songwriting legacy of John Prine. Poltz’s storytelling skills in the live setting rival or surpass the very titans of the craft such as Todd Snider.
Evan Felker & Others Help Rhett Miller Raise Funds for Cystic Fibrosis
Thursday evening (10-28), Old 97’s frontman Rhett Miller helped organize the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s “Breathe Easy” CF Concert Series featuring a host of cool artists from the country, alt-country and roots world raising money to help find therapeutics and a cure for the disease.
Album Review – Sierra Ferrell’s “Long Time Coming”
Everyone recognizes what Sierra Ferrel has, and wants to be a part of it. It’s like Janis Joplin in the 60’s. A lioness. Sierra isn’t just a singer and songwriter. She’s a force of nature who melds gypsy jazz and mountain music into an alluring and intoxicating concoction.
How The Grand Ole Opry Became a Surprising Winner of 2020
The 2020 pandemic has exposed how essential many country music institutions are to society. The Grand Ole Opry beamed its signal into households to the tune of becoming the most successful streaming concern in music during the entirety of 2020.
Stuart Baker Axed From Squidbillies After Dolly Parton Comments
After 15 seasons and 123 episodes of voicing an ornery redneck squid as part of the Adult Swim animated Series Squidbillies on Cartoon Network, voice actor, guitar player, and comedic country musician Stuart D. Baker—also known as Unknown Hinson—is out.
Tyler Childers Sets 3-Night Sold Out Record at Kentucky Arena
Forget that in less than two months from now, Tyler Childers will be taking off on a national arena tour with fellow Kentuckian and producer Sturgill Simpson that is already some 25% sold out, Tyler Childers is selling out arenas on his own right at the moment, at least one near his hometown, and on consecutive nights.
Turnpike Troubadours & Jason Boland Present 2019 Medicine Stone Lineup
The Turnpike Troubadours and Jason Boland and the Stragglers have just announced the lineup for the 2019 Medicine Stone Festival on the grounds of the beautiful Diamondhead Resort in the Turnpike’s home town of Talequah, Oklahoma. The lineup has expanded to 32 names in 2019.
Jack Ingram Readies New Album of Tributes & New Songs, “Ridin’ High … Again.”
Songwriter and Texas music wildman Jack Ingram has a new album on the way called ‘Ridin’ High … Again.’ It will be Ingram’s tenth studio record overall, and was recorded at Austin, TX’s iconic Arlyn Studios in just two days in what Ingram describes as one “forty-eight hour party.”
Fellow Artists Show Support for Turnpike Troubadours at Mile 0 Fest
How people feel about the Turnpike Troubadours at the moment depends a lot on who you speak to, and if they’ve been personally caught up in some of the recent cancellations. But when it comes to their fellow artists in the Texas/Red Dirt scene assembled at this week at Mile 0 Fest, it’s love, concern, and respect.
Mile 0 Fest Announces Full 2019 Lineup / Main Stage Schedule
Mile 0 Fest taking part in Key West, Florida January 29th to February 2nd has just released it’s final lineup, expanding to a total of 68 names. With the expanded names, and with most performers playing multiple shows across the island, this will bring the sum total of performances to well over 100.
Who Should Host the New “Hee-Haw” If It Comes to Pass?
The prospects of a new incarnation of the long-running country music-themed television show Hee-Haw being in the works opens up a whole realm of delicious possibilities of how the show could take shape, and who could comprise the cast. So if a new Hee-Haw show comes to pass, who should be part of the cast?
“Dreamer” Kent Finlay to be Honored with New Book / Tribute Album
We’ve all heard of the “Class of ’89” in country music, right? That was the year that Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, and others came to power. Well have you ever heard of the “Class of ’87”? That was the year Todd Snider, James McMurtry, Bruce Robison, Hal Ketchum, and Terri Hendrix all played regularly at an old wooden music venue in San Marcos, Texas called the Cheatham Street Warehouse.
Todd Snider Says His Days of Touring as a Solo Act are Done
Singer/songwriter Todd Snider is currently on the last leg of his “Occupy Tour” with Elizabeth Cook, and recently confirmed what a lot of the audiences of his live shows have been hearing Todd say on stage over the past few weeks: he’s done touring as a solo performer at the conclusion of his current tour. The news sets the backdrop for a number of short-run residencies Todd Snider is scheduled to play in Texas.
Did Jason Isbell Just Save Country Music with His #1 Album?
The idea that Jason Isbell saved country music when his latest release Something More Than Free inched out Alan Jackson for the #1 spot on Billboard’s Country Albums chart has been offered as a discussion topic by cosmic songwriter and east Nashville sage Todd Snider. Above all else, how awesome is it to have the old version of Todd Snider back in our midst?
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.
The Waylon Jennings Quote About Garth Brooks – Real or Fake?
“Garth Brooks did for country music what pantyhose did for finger fucking.” This is the quote that has been attributed to Waylon Jennings that you are likely to see in much greater frequency now that Garth Brooks has come out of retirement. For some, it is the totality of their argument against Garth.The problem is there’s no verifiable records of Waylon ever saying it.
What Todd Snider Really Thinks About Garth Brooks
Anyone who considers themselves a good storyteller has to be an admirer of songwriter and performer Todd Snider. Over his career, it can be argued his stories have gone on to bolster his troubadour status just as much as his songs. And anyone who’s seen Todd Snider perform a few times or more knows that Garth Brooks has been a familiar punching bag for Todd.
Albums To Look Forward To In 2014
2014 promises to be another great year for music, and the first part of the year might just be one of the busiest seasons for anticipated releases we have seen in quite a while. From a lost Johnny Cash album, to a new one from his daughter Rosanne, to Jason Eady, a big re-issue from Lucina Williams, and releases from Scott H. Biram and Robert Ellis, there’s enough here to get your music taste buds salivating.
Album Review – Farmer Jason & Buddies “Nature Jams”
Possibly better known to you as the cowpunk pioneer and legendary frontman of Jason & The Scorchers, Ringenberg’s alter ego “Farmer Jason” brings some serious passion to his new release Farmer Jason and Buddies: Nature Jams. Hank Williams III, Todd Snider, Brandi Carlisle, Tommy Ramone, Iris Dement, and Mike Mills from REM are just some of the names that stop by to help.
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