Charles Wesley Godwin Readies Mammoth 19-Track Album “Family Ties”
33 CommentsDo you feel that? It’s that distinctive tingling deep in your bones that you get whenever you know one of your favorite music artists is on the precipice of something monumental. This feeling accompanies this news.
1 Dead, 4 Injured in Shooting on Austin’s 6th Street Music District
6 CommentsOne woman is dead, and four others are injured after a shooter opened fire in Austin, TX’s popular 6th Street district—the heart of the Live Music Capital of the World. The suspect is still at large. The suspect opened fire at approximately 2:17 a.m. Sunday morning, right after Austin’s bars close and 6th Street is usually at its most crowded.
George Strait to Present Jim Lauderdale with Americana Honor
9 CommentsIt has been announced that “King” George Strait will make a rare public appearance after his official touring retirement to present Jim Lauderdale with the Wagonmaster Award named for country music icon Porter Wagoner during the September 21st awards at the Ryman Auditorium.
Finally: Mo Pitney’s Debut Album “Behind This Guitar” Coming
22 CommentsFinally we get some forward movement on one of the most anticipated mainstream traditional albums in a good while. Curb Records-signed singer and songwriter Mo Pitney will release his debut album ‘Behind This Guitar’ featuring 10 of 12 co-written songs by Pitney himself, and contributions from folks we though the rest of Nashville had forgotten.
The Timing is Right for Lori McKenna’s “The Bird & The Rifle”
18 CommentsLori McKenna couldn’t have anticipated that her song “Humble and Kind,” recorded by Tim McGraw would become the first solo-written #1 song to top the country charts in four years right as she was getting ready to release an album produced by Dave Cobb—one of the hottest names in Nashville.
Beloved Bass Player & Producer George Reiff Diagnosed w/ Stage 4 Cancer
1 CommentLong-time and well-known bass player, producer, engineer, and guitarist George Reiff has been diagnosed with stage 4 Cancer in his brain, liver, adrenal gland and right lung. He was scheduled to have surgery Thursday (7-28) or Friday to have a tumor removed from his brain.
The Josh Abbot Band Had a Rough Week
13 CommentsThings could be worse in your life. You could be in the Josh Abbott Band at the moment, which means you’ve probably experienced some massive calamity recently. Despite their continued success as one of the very top acts in Texas country, they’ve gone through a string of unfortunate incidents over the last week or so.
Own a Piece of the Bill Monroe Estate
1 CommentThe estate of the Father of Bluegrass will be liquidated in Gallatin, TN beginning on Thursday (7-28), giving Bill Monroe fans a chance to own one of the 1,000-plus items from the country and bluegrass legend, including musical instruments and equipment, furniture, clothing, stage suits, jewelry, and other interesting items.
IBMA Announces 2016 International Bluegrass Music Awards Nominations
6 CommentsFlatt Lonesome, The Earls of Leicester, Balsam Range, The SteelDrivers, and Sam Bush emerged Wednesday (7-27) as the leading nominee getters for the 2016 installment of the International Bluegrass Music Awards, or IBMA’s, while Clarence White was announced as the latest inductee into the Hall of Fame.
Inaugural Outlaw Music Festival Announced
23 CommentsScranton, Pennsylvania will be the host of the inaugural Outlaw Music Festival to be held at the Pavilion on Montage Mountain on Sunday, September 18th, with headliners Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and Willie’s son Lukas Nelson’s band Promise of the Real backing up Neil Young on stage.
Willie Nelson to Pay Tribute to Ray Price In “For The Good Times”
14 CommentsIf you’re looking for more Willie Nelson and Ray Price in your life, you can knock out two birds with one stone, and get a heaping helping of The Time Jumpers at the same time on a new tribute album on the way. For The Good Times: A Tribute To Ray Price is set for release via Legacy Recordings on September 16th.
Brantley Gilbert’s “The Weekend” Can’t Give Up on Bro-Country
120 CommentsCan someone start up a Go Fund Me campaign to help Brantley Gilbert surgically remove the marbles out of his damn mouth? By golly I can’t understand a word this dude says. Brantley’s about the best case I’ve ever seen for someone’s self-absorbed, too-cool-for-school attitude translating into a debilitating speech impediment.
Florida Georgia Line Criticized For Disrespecting Police After Multiple Incidents
57 CommentsFlorida Georgia Line reportedly refused to allow uniformed police officers backstage, including at one point threatening to cancel their performance if their demands were not met. This sparked an outcry from both law enforcement professionals and other individuals working the events, and eventually led to a public outcry.