Traci Thomas

February 15, 2016

Justice Served: Jason Isbell Wins 2016 Grammy for Best Americana Album / American Roots Song

Justice has finally been done, and the current King of Americana finally has his Grammy. Actually, he now has two of them. Alabama-born songwriter Jason Isbell walked away with Best Americana Album honors at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards for his latest record Something More Than Free during the pre-telecast awards Monday afternoon (2-14), as well as Best American Roots song for “24 Frames.”

Abigail Washburn, Amanda Shires, Bela Fleck, Grammy, Jason Isbell, Mavis Staples, Something More Than Free, The Steeldrivers, Thirty Tigers, Traci Thomas

December 17, 2014

The Big Lessons of Sturgill Simpson’s Success

Trigger Random Notes 38 Comments

The hope of fans of any independent music artist is that they will be able to achieve a sustainable career, and that their music will find wider appeal amongst the listening public. When an independent artist succeeds, it’s important that we pay attention to what lent to that success so hopefully more worthy artists can achieve similar results, and to ask what that success might mean.

Dave Cobb, Jake Owen, Jason Isbell, Kathy Mattea, Keith Urban, Marc Dottore, Marty Stuart, Shakey Graves, Shovels & Rope, Sturgill Simpson, The Zac Brown Band, Thirty Tigers, Traci Thomas, Zac Brown

January 2, 2014

Saving Country Music’s 2013 Artist(s) of the Year

Trigger Reviews 37 Comments

2013-saving-country-music-artist-of-the-year

Saving Country Music’s Artist of the Year, just like the Song of the Year and Album of the Year, is designed to eventually resolve down to one. But this is not always the case. It seems irresponsible to supplant one for the other because of some silly notion that you can only have one. Such is the case here in 2013 when handing out the honor meant to not just highlight the music, but the man or woman behind it.

Amanda Shires, Jason Isbell, Possessed by Paul James, Raul Malo, Sturgill Simpson, The Mavericks, Thirty Tigers, Traci Thomas

September 12, 2012

2012 Americana Music Award Winners & Recap

Trigger News 22 Comments

Wednesday night (9-12-2012) country music’s mother church The Ryman Auditorium was alive with the sounds of The 2012 Americana Music Awards that saw an always talented, eclectic (and sometimes confusing) flock of musicians, songwriters, and performers amass to give credit to the best and brightest of the year.

Alabama Pines, Alabama Shakes, Bonnie Raitt, Booker T Jones, Buddy Miller, Cary Ann Hearst, David Hood, David Rawlings, Deep Dark Woods, Doc Watson, Don Was, Drive By Truckers, Earl Scruggs, Gillian Welch, Hayes Carll, Jason Isbell, Jim Lauderdale, John Hiatt, Levon Helm, Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Patterson Hood, Richard Thompson, Scott Borchetta, Shovels and Rope, The Band, The Civil Wars, Traci Thomas

September 29, 2010

The Descent of Justin Townes Earle

Trigger Random Notes 14 Comments

Now that we’re all able to take a deep breath after the Justin Townes Earle breakdown in Indianapolis and his subsequent tour cancellation and rehab stint, there’s a few things that need to be said, first and foremost being that with all the allegations and points of justification out there, and with legal matters pending, it is the responsibility of ALL of us to assume that Justin Townes Earle is innocent until he is proven guilty.

arrest, JD Wilkes, Justin Townes Earle, Pickathone, radio radio, Ray Wylie Hubbard, SXSW, Th' Legendary Shack Shakers, Traci Thomas