This negative regard for The Monkees often overshadowed the very real, and very important contributions that guitarist, singer, and songwriter Mike Nesmith had on the confluence of country and rock in California, both as a performer, and as a benefactor.
If not for author Jan Reid, there would be no Austin City Limits. And without Austin City Limits, there may not have been any national awareness of what was happening in the Texas Capital back in the early and mid 70’s and beyond,which became the catalyst for country’s Outlaw movement.
The next trend in country may not be defined by a style or a sound, but who is involved in it. But if collaborations will be the next big trend, how about putting out just a little bit of effort to make sure that the great talent that is going unrecognized in country music itself gets some love?
2014 in country music did not see the passing of titans of the genre like we experienced in 2013 when George Jones, Ray Price, Tompall Glaser, and many more passed away, but was more the story of the vital side players, songwriters, session musicians, and storytellers who are so important to making the country music of others sound great.
Singer, songwriter, Poet Laureate, and the author of the Texas Trilogy, Steven Fromholz passed away Sunday morning (1-19) according to the Texas Music Chart. Fromholz was a towering figure of words and music in his home state of Texas, and amongst his famous music friends. He wrote the song “I’d Have To Be Crazy” made popular by Willie Nelson…
Before I get into the meat of part 2, I forgot to mention in part 1 that Shel Silverstein ALSO was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. But I’m a little confused about this, because he died in 1999, and as the Grand Ole Opry has told us over and over […]