Kayton Roberts – Keeper of the Pedal-Less Steel Guitar
It’s hard enough for side players in any genre to receive the recognition their contributions to the music deserve, let alone ones who choose a discipline that is a dying art. Kayton Roberts had it hard enough as a steel guitar player. But Kayton’s instrument of choice—the pedal-less steel—was in even less demand throughout his career.
David Rawlings to Release New Album “Poor David’s Almanack”
David Rawlings and long-time collaborator Gillian Welch have once again compiled a collection of songs together, this time called Poor David’s Almanack. It will be Rawlings and Welch’s 8th collaborative album since first meeting at the esteemed Berklee College of Music, and will be Rawlings’ 3rd solo release.
No Seriously, Walker Hayes’ “You Broke Up with Me” is the Worst ‘Country’ Song Ever
It might actually be the intangibles and industry tentacles extending from Walker Hayes and “You Broke Up with Me” that make the whole thing so sinister. This is not just the lead single from a Sam Hunt knockoff you’ve never heard of before.
Jason Isbell’s “The Nashville Sound” Goes #1 in Country, #4 Overall
Jason Isbell and his band The 400 Unit have just notched their best-charting, and best-selling record of Jason Isbell’s career with The Nashville Sound. Selling a total of 54,000 units, including 51,000 in pure album sales, it puts Isbell #1 in country, and #4 overall for this week on the album charts.
Album Review – Sarah Jane Scouten’s “When The Bloom Falls From The Rose”
Sarah Jane Scouten, from British Columbia’s Bowen Island, was born into a household where she was exposed to the music of Hank Williams and Canadian folk singers such as Stan Rogers from an early age, and those influences have gone on to infer her strong roots-based style.
Legendary Dwight Yoakam & Buck Owens Sets from Austin City Limits to be Issued
On October 23, 1988, Austin City Limits went Bakersfield for one legendary night when an upcoming hot shot California country throwback traditionalist with jellyspine hips named Dwight Yoakam took the stage, and so did the man that he saw as his primary influence, the legendary Buck Owens.
“Two of a Kind” Songwriter Bobby Boyd Has Died
Songwriter and performer Bobby Boyd, who was known for writing numerous hits, including the Garth Brooks #1 “Two of a Kind, Workin’ on a Full House,” has passed away. Bobby Boyd was a staff writer for Jimmy Bowen at Elektra Asylum Publishing, starting his professional songwriting career in Nashville in 1980.
Music From Season 3 of “The Ranch” on Netflix
Music, and country music specifically plays a big role in the series, not just in the soundtrack, but in many of the jokes told, and in the titles of each episode. Many other musical Easter eggs are placed throughout the series for music fans, such as posters on the wall, and albums in the local bar’s juke box.
Small-Minded Article in “Ft. Worth Weekly” Misses Bigger Picture in Texas Music
As times get lean for alternative newsweeklys, their penchant to dispose of any and all journalistic class, fact-based reporting, or positive counterpoints to their dubious assertions goes out the window in lieu of mercilessly ripping into entire segments of artists without a single word of objectivity or credit where credit is due.
Album Review – The Secret Sisters’ “You Don’t Own Me Anymore”
When it comes to neotraditional singing duos, The Secret Sisters are regarded at the very top of the discipline. However that hasn’t exactly won them the fame and comfort that is usually reserved for the esteemed and elite of a medium.
Loretta Lynn Cancels Additional Shows After Recent Stroke
The hope still is that country music legend Loretta Lynn is on the road to recovery and rehabilitation after suffering a stroke on May 5th, but she’s not ready to return to the stage just yet. Word came down on Wednesday (6-21) that Loretta would be canceling some upcoming performances.
God, Family, Bluegrass, & Murder: Inside the Life of the Stockdale Family Band
At the moment, we don’t have any motive, or any solid information on why Jacob Stockdale would decide to gun down two of his family members before attempting to take his own life. Though the public can surmise about a motive, there was no evidence or prior knowledge of trouble within the family.
Heavy Metal’s DevilDriver Helming Expansive Outlaw Country Tribute Record
What started out to be the idea for a heavy metal album of Outlaw country covers by DevilDriver frontman Dez Fafara has apparently turned into a monster project that may include dozens of songs and as many as 25 guest appearances. Though the songs will be country, the approach to most of the songs will be metal.