Robert Earl Keen Isn’t Un-Retiring, But He Is Re-Appearing
11 CommentsIf you thought you’d seen the last of Robert Earl Keen singing and playing on a stage, well, you were still mostly right. But some new opportunities to seen Keen live have come online recently that you should be aware of.
Joe Nichols is Releasing a Version of Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back”
53 CommentsJoe Nichols continues to be one of the most confounding country stars in mainstream country music today, many times saying one thing, but doing something much different. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Nichols has tried to stay true to himself and the roots of country music, yet he’s not above straying away at times and trying to tantalize radio with a catchy single.
Songwriters Don Chapel, Don Pfrimmer, and Performer Bonnie Lou Pass Away
13 CommentsOver the last few days, three major contributors to country music have passed away—performer and television/radio personality Bonnie Lou, songwriter and former husband to Tammy Wynette Don Chapel, and prolific hit songwriter Don Pfrimmer. Let’s take a minute to remember all three.
MerleFest Adds More String Power to Already Stacked 2016 Lineup
7 CommentsThe 2016 MerleFest lineup just keeps getting beefier. On Tuesday (12-8), the fest announced it was adding Old Crow Medicine Show, Alison Brown, Peter Rowan, and Doug Seegers to the 97 other names already announced for the 2016 installement, scheduled to transpire April 28th through May 1st at Wilkes Community College in North Carolina.
Saving Country Music’s Worst Country Albums of 2015
102 CommentsAs an addendum to Saving Country Music’s Worst Songs list, 2015 necessitates we also single out some of the worst albums released in 2015. Take note that in most years, such a list is not necessary. Not that there aren’t bad albums, but even when you’re speaking about country music’s worst offenders, many actually release fairly decent songs on their albums. But 2015 was a different case.
Chris Stapleton Proves Why Awards Shows Matter
30 Comments“Awards shows don’t matter.” This is the bill of goods fans of true country music, and fans of independent music have been forced to sell themselves for years as a consolation prize for continuously being overlooked, losing in bulk, and being generally embarrassed during the moments when America and the world crowds around the boob tube for the spectacle of a televised award show like the CMA’s or the Grammys.
Grammy Nomination or Not, Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum Cancels Solo Tour
34 CommentsCharles Kelley of Lady Antebellum received some happy news on Monday (12-7) after it was announced his debut solo single “The Driver” was bestowed a nomination in the 59th Grammy Awards for Best Country Duo or Group Performance. It appears most, if not all but one or two of the dates on the 22-date Charles Kelley tour have been canceled.
Chris Isaak to Headline Nashville Boogie – Full Lineup Released
10 CommentsMuddy Roots will be taking over the Grand Ole Opry House on May 15th for the finale of their 2016 Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender, and the one and only Chris Isaak will be headlining. The performance will be part of the larger 4-day event being held at the Opryland Hotel and Resort. Other names playing throughout the weekend include The Reverend Horton Heat, The Blasters, Wanda Jackson, Pokey LaFarge, and Dale Watson.
Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell Come Up Big in 2015 Grammy Nominations
81 CommentsThe 2015 Grammy Awards will be a big one for country music, and for some very deserving stars. Not every year are the biggest categories of the night—Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist—relevant to country. But this year, country artists make in into all three categories, including a huge nod for Chris Stapleton for Album of the Year.
Saving Country Music’s Worst Country Songs of 2015
164 CommentsAnd so continued on the unrelenting march of terrible songs in 2015. This year included some especially diabolical turns that puts the last 12 months in contention for the worst run for songs in country music history. Of course the usual suspects appear on the rap sheet like Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, and Sam Hunt. But 2015 ushered in the worst year for watching previously heralded artists turning their coats from blue to red.
Sister C Reignites the Legacy of Strong Country Women in “Faint of Heart”
12 Comments“Faint of Heart” is a pleasurable listen that you can see gaining some traction with country fans, possibly by walking through the door opened by Kacey Musgraves and Maddie & Tae recently. Call it “Merry Go ‘Round” mixed with “Girl in a Country Song” if you must, but with a sweeter vocal track than either.
Album Review – Michael Monroe Goodman’s “The Flag, The Bible, and Bill Monroe”
39 CommentsWith harmonious lead guitar lines, the super tasty steel guitar, some really well-placed female harmonies in a couple of spots, Goodman really went all out on this one and really up’d his game as someone folks show be paying much closer attention to in the classic country realm.
Why Daily and Real-Time Music Charts Are Now Necessary
21 Comments2015 has been back loaded with big events and even bigger releases that have caused renewed interest in the charts used to measure the popularity and impact of music. The problem is, in this here-and-now world, the model for how music is measured is still based around walking to a newsstand on Monday, and picking up the latest Billboard, or waiting for Tuesday when the album charts are updated online.