Garth Brooks Wants to Make 5 (Yes, 5!) More Chris Gaines Albums
74 CommentsIf the first iteration of Chris Gaines wasn’t controversial enough, get ready for five (yes, five!) more Chris Gaines albums to complete the universe of the Garth Brooks sex-addicted emo pop star alter ego.
Dolly Parton to be The Focus of Unique NBC Movie Series
13 CommentsOn Friday (1-16), it was announced that Dolly Parton has signed a development deal with NBC to create a unique series of television movies for the network that will deal with various aspects of Dolly Parton’s life. This will not be a full-length television series, or a miniseries per se, but a collection of movies that feature Dolly’s true life story.
The 50,000-Head Music Festival You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
13 CommentsIt’s the ACL Fest, Lollapalooza Bonnaroo, and Coachella, of Texas music all wrapped into one, but without the complex maze of performance areas and wristband access, legions of hipsters, and hackneyed joining of disparate music acts that scream of the monogenre forming in American music. Instead most, if not all of the performers at Larry Joe Taylor Fest know each other.
Sturgill Simpson Signs with Atlantic Records
69 CommentsSturgill Simpson is now officially a major label artist. The Kentucky native who’s been making waves throughout country music over the last year with his award-winning album Metamodern Sounds In Country Music has signed to Atlantic Records, part of the Warner Music Group, and will release his next album currently being recorded through the major label.
The Black Crowes Have Officially Broken Up
23 CommentsThe highly-influential Southern rock band The Black Crowes has officially broken up according to a statement released today from the band’s long-time guitar player Rich Robinson. The band was founded 24 years ago by Rich and his brother and singer for the band Chris Robinson. According to Rich Robinson, the issue came down to a spat over money with his brother.
Album Review – Justin Townes Earle’s “Absent Fathers”
29 CommentsSee, this is why we’re fans of music. Because there’s something about the perseverance of the human spirit wrapped in every single piece of audio material, and every single album, regardless of how good it is. We have artists that we follow, that we’re fans of, not just because they do things that seem esoteric, but because they’re human and apt to fail.
Mickey Guyton’s Making Waves with “Better Than You Left Me” (Review)
52 Comments“Better Than You Left Me” gets most all of the textures right—the steel guitar, the waltz beat, the swaying back and forth that jars loose the emotions from the heart and sends them racing through the blood stream. It’s pop country, but like Patsy Cline was pop country. Sure I’d love a little bit more dirt thrown on it or for her vocal performance to be a bit more subdued, but it’s more than a start.
George Jones “White Lightning” Moonshine Raises Questions
45 CommentsUnveiled as part of the presentation of George Jones’ new museum was the plan to have the name and likeness of George Jones used on his own line of flavored moonshine and vodka, branded after his first #1 hit from 1959 written by The Big Bopper, “White Lightning.” The beverage line will be made in a partnership with the Silver Trail Distillery in Hardin, KY.
Once Again Eric Church Goes Independent for Concert Openers
61 CommentsSay what you want about Eric Church’s music, and though he’s sporting one of the most loyal fan bases in popular music these days, he’s also revealed himself as one of the most polarizing figures in country music in the last few years. But you can’t fault the man for thinking outside the box, and scouring the hungry, unwashed faces of independent music when looking for openers.
Zac Brown Band Covers Jason Isbell’s “Dress Blues” on College Gameday
56 CommentsAs the college football consciousness of the country zoomed in on Arlington, TX and the first official National Championship game ever played at the collegiate level Monday night, Zac Brown Band was tapped as the entertainment for ESPN’s College Gameday presentation leading up to the big game. Zac Brown Band played Jason Isbell’s much-appreciated but fairly obscure song for fallen soldiers.
Song Review – Zac Brown Band’s “Homegrown”
36 CommentsWhat gives Zac Brown Band a lot more creative latitude with their music is the fact that they’re honest about not really being country. We’re all music fans first, and then our loyalties split down the lines of various genres. If only more artists were honest about their intentions, it would give us the opportunity to enjoy the music more. Zac Brown Band is a Southern rock band…
Wade Bowen & Randy Rogers to Release “Hold My Beer”
13 CommentsThat’s right, the long-running legendary Texas country tour, and the long-anticipated album complimenting the collaboration is finally happening. Hold My Beer, a studio record featuring A-list Texas country talent Randy Rogers of The Randy Rogers Band and Wade Bowen trading licks back and forth will finally be released.
NASH Icon Signs Ronnie Dunn / Makes Big Network Move
11 CommentsNASH Icon is ramping up for a big 2015, making some significant moves on Monday (1-12) to start the year where 2014 ended: stirring conversation about where country music is headed and potentially stimulating a format split that would see more older country music return to the airwaves en masse. The long rumored signing of Ronnie Dunn to the label has been officially announced.