Sturgill Simpson on New Album: “It’s Definitely Not a Country Record”
30 Comments
It feels like any day now we’ll hear something about a new record coming from Sturgill Simpson. But just in case the country fan in you is hoping it will be a return to Sturgill’s roots, and similar to his earlier records like ‘High Top Mountain’ and ‘Metamodern Sounds in Country Music’, you best steel yourself for something else.
Album Review – Tom Russell’s “October in the Railroad Earth”
11 Comments
This album is a story of America, and who better to tell it than Tom Russell. His years have only embellished and refined his wit and craftsmanship, and he never lost his hunger along the way. There are good reasons why Russell is so revered by his musical and literary peers, and those reasons remain evident on “October in the Railroad Earth.”
The 2019 Tumbleweed Festival Announces Daily Lineups
10 Comments
The Tumbleweed Music Festival set to take place just outside of Kansas City May 30th through June 1st has just announced their daily lineups for 2019, and the festival will have a slightly different complexion from previous years by putting all the performers on one main stage.
Willie vs. The Weaponizing of Music In The War of Identity
20 Comments
“We are all the same. There is no difference anywhere in the world. People are people. They laugh, cry, feel, and love, and music seems to be the common denominator that brings us all together. Music cuts through all boundaries and goes right to the soul.” — Willie Nelson
Colter Wall Adds to 2019 Tour Dates, Including w/ The Wood Brothers
21 Comments
Throwback country and folk singer Colter Wall is currently traversing the European continent bringing his one-in-a-million voice and roots revivalist music to the Old World, and then he will be returning to North America come April to perform the music from his latest album ‘Songs of the Plains’ to appreciative audiences.
Album Review – Emily Scott Robinson’s “Traveling Mercies”
20 Comments
Singer and songwriter Emily Scott Robinson has released a remarkable work of cutting autobiographical stories mixed with brilliant works of fiction that even from this early perspective in the calendar year can confidently be presented as one that will challenge for one of the best collections of songs released in all of 2019.
Dustin Schaefer Leaves The Black Lillies, To Fill In with Reckless Kelly
2 Comments
Guitarist Dustin “Dusty” Schaefer has left the Knoxville-based roots band The Black Lillies, and will be pursuing his solo career henceforth. But not before he will take the lead guitar spot recently vacated in Austin-based alt-country band Reckless Kelly for a stint starting in mid April.
Yes, A Guy Named Colby Swift Sang Cody Jinks on ‘American Idol’
49 Comments
You may not know whether to laugh or cry, cheer or jeer, but Cody Jinks was just exposed to a huge national and international audience, though he wasn’t there in person to soak it up. Instead the exposure happened on Sunday night’s (3-17) episode of ‘American Idol’ via a contestant by the name of Colby Swift
Country Hall of Fame Makes “Joke” By Snubbing Hank Jr. / Jerry Lee Lewis
165 Comments
Everyone has an opinion of who should be in the Hall of Fame. But few held the opinion it should be Ray Stevens. Sorry Hall of Fame. Love you, but this was a bad, bad pick. What a joke. Hank Williams Jr., Jerry Lee Lewis, Maddox Brothers and Rose, and a host of other performers were much more deserving.
Brooks & Dunn Announced as Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees
45 Comments
Brooks & Dunn will be the newest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame in the Modern Era. This was the news coming out of the press conference held Monday morning (3-18) in the Hall of Fame rotunda in Nashville. Brooks & Dunn was a commercial powerhouse duo in the 90’s if there ever was one.
“King of the Surf Guitar” Dick Dale has Died
27 Comments
From country to punk, from rockabilly to blues, from pioneering some of the most important sounds and modes on the most influential instrument of the last century, Dick Dale was a guitar god, a cultural icon, the soundtrack to generations of fans, and a forger of the future of all American music art forms. And now the “King of the Surf Guitar” is gone.
Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion is the American Roots Gathering of the Year
11 Comments
What started out to be a small and intimate alternative to Austin’s sprawling SXSW gathering every March, and that was only known initially through invite or word of mouth, has now become arguably the most important and exclusive gatherings in all of American roots music every year.
Loretta Lynn & Patsy Cline The Focus of Upcoming Biopic
14 Comments
A film delving into the life and friendship of two of country music’s most iconic performers is set to be shot this month and released later in 2019. Called ‘Patsy & Loretta,’ it will follow the careers of Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn as they intertwined in the early 60’s.