Not Just Country, INDEPENDENT Country Tops The Charts
91 CommentsNot only is country music codifying its monopoly at the top of the charts, it’s being done by independent and outright unsigned artists that came up solely from the strength of grassroots support.
Sam Hunt’s Genre-Blurring “Nashional” Music Festival Cancelled
23 CommentsThe inaugural “Nashional” music festival set to transpire in just over a month at Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall on April 20th and 21st has been cancelled. It was planned, curated, and set to be headlined by genre-bending “country” star Sam Hunt.
Jason Boland and the Stragglers Ready New Album “Hard Times Are Relative”
23 Comments“We’ve always just wanted to entertain ourselves and put out music that would be a part of people’s lives, not just something passing to them,” says Jason Boland. “We want to be something more monolithic. We’re just a social experiment at this point .”
Song Review – Blake Shelton’s “I Lived It”
88 CommentsThe mood has shifted on mainstream country radio, at least for the moment. And as spring rounds the corner, so does a renewed sense that perhaps a rebirth is occurring as better songs are blooming on the radio charts all over the place. If you’re stuck like a broken record saying all mainstream country sucks, you’re missing the bigger picture
Countrypolitan Emerges As a Growing Influence in 2018
41 Comments“Countrypolitan” or “The Nashville Sound” are the terms used to describe the lush, orchestral approach to country music that took root in Nashville in the 60’s, which embellished the music with strings and chorus sections to make it appeal to a more distinguishing audience of the time. It was Music Row’s answer to the counterculture revolution.
Album Review – Dallas Moore’s “Mr. Honky Tonk”
35 CommentsThis is the record that when someone asks you, “Dallas Moore? Where should I start?” you have a solid answer. “Mr. Honky Tonk” is Dallas Moore’s most refined, polished, and professional album yet, but without compromising any of the grit and attitude that has earned him such a dedicated following and the “true Outlaw” moniker.
Brent Cobb Announces New Album, Tributes Wayne Mills in Debut Song
18 CommentsSmooth country blues Georgia soul songsmith Brent Cobb will be releasing his latest album “Providence Canyon.” Produced by cousin Dave Cobb, it is led by the song “King of Alabama,,” which is a tribute to slain country music artist Wayne Mills.
The Randy Travis “Diggin’ Up Songs” Spotify Playlist is Total Garbage
55 CommentsThe effrontery of whomever is really responsible for compiling these five songs together and presenting it as an expression of Randy’s tastes or desires is appalling. This is ridiculous, and everyone involved in the perpetration of this ruse must think we are all incredibly gullible, and should be called out publicly.
This Bebe Rexha Madness Has To Stop
147 CommentsBebe Rexha and her song “Meant to Be” with Florida Georgia Line has officially become to sum of all the fears for the encroachment of pop into country. Now spending its 14th week at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, “Meant To Be” officially becomes the biggest song for a woman in the 70 year history of the country genre.
Sturgill Simpson Reveals Plot for Double Album on Joe Rogan Podcast
56 CommentsThe always elusive and enigmatic Sturgill Simpson stopped by the studio of Joe Rogan in Los Angeles to record a long-form podcast recently, and revealed some interesting tidbits about his musical plans in the coming future both recorded and live during the nearly three-hour discussion.
American Aquarium Signs with New West Records, Readies Release of “Things Change”
33 CommentsFans of American Aquarium have known the name of their upcoming album for a while. Now they have the details. This is not the situation of a band on the mend backing into an effort to survive. Arguably ‘Things Change’ sees the 12+ year project by BJ Barham just now reaching its stride.
Song Review – Jason Aldean’s “You Make It Easy”
87 CommentsJason Aldean is the latest mainstream country music bro to make it hard to be a mainstream country hater with his latest single, “You Make It Easy.” It’s certainly not anywhere close to an exceptional effort, and we’d be fools to believe that the puffy purveyor of such filthy tire fires as “Dirt Road Anthem” and “1994” has turned a page.
VP of Cumulus Country Doesn’t Listen to Country, Swears Off Sturgill Simpson
76 CommentsThe country music genre used to be full of people who were passionate about the art form. They found purpose behind bringing the music to people, and that is why they decided to become performers, songwriters, side players, DJs, managers, publicists, roadies, journalists, or whatever it took to push the music forward.