Morgan Wade Is Finding Her Way Ahead of New Album “Psychopath”
63 CommentsAhead of her new album Psychopath coming out on August 25th, you were sort of preparing yourself for Morgan Wade to go full-blown pop.
The Metamodern Rise of Sturgill Simpson (A Timeline)
88 CommentsThe Metamodern rise of Sturgill Simpson could be classified as meteoric, and his dramatic ascent in the last few months is virtually unparalleled in the modern country music world for an independent artist. Amidst the swelling crowds, the high praise, and far flung accolades, let’s look back at Sturgill Simpson, and take a moment to reflect on how he got here.
Big Machine Is Big Loser in Garth Brooks Comeback
61 CommentsSo we now know who the big winner was for the Garth sweepstakes. But who was the biggest loser? That is certainly what you could call Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Records in the situation. Why? Because they had the biggest stake in the Garth sweepstakes, because of Big Machine’s joint venture with the radio world’s Cumulus Media called NASH Icons.
Willie’s Granddaughter Raelyn Nelson Looks to Make Own Name
26 CommentsThat’s right ladies and gentlemen, the Nelson clan can now field three generations of performers on the stage, and the new generation is about as defiant and ass kicking as you might expect. Rearing out of the gates comes the rambunctious and ribald Raelyn Nelson and the Raelyn Nelson Band: a full throttle country rock experience, just as much Loretta Lynn as it is The Ramones.
Song / Video Review – The Tillers “Willy Dear”
11 CommentsThe Tillers “Willy Dear” off of their 2013 album Hand on the Plow conveys a classic old-time story of love an death in early America, where the frailty of life seemed eternally suspended in the air all around; ever-present and top of mind, and the fears of the inhabitants of that time were exorcised through song to purge the haunting thoughts.
Tommy Ramone’s Country Music Love Ran Deep
6 CommentsIn the mid 2000’s, Tommy Ramone formed an old-time band with Claudia Tienan of the band The Simplistics called Uncle Monk. They released a self-titled album in March of 2006, and did numerous shows and tours around the country. Tommy played mandolin and some banjo, and in the old-school style, would lean into the microphone for solos instead of playing through a pickup.
10 Badass Kris Kristofferson Moments
26 CommentsKris Kristofferson may have never shot anyone or spent time in prison, but when you look at his life and accomplishments, it is an absolute marvel of the American experience. From starting off as a Rhodes Scholar, to becoming a helicopter pilot in the Army, to being responsible for a Hall of Fame career in country, to becoming a Hollywood superstar and dating singers and actors…
Mary Sarah “Bridges” The Old & New in New Album
30 CommentsClose your eyes for a second, and envision a world where a young beautiful bubbly female star—like Taylor Swift maybe—releases a completely traditional country album, not of her own music, but of some of the standards from country music’s sainted past. Now, open your eyes back up, and you’re ready to enter the world of Mary Sarah.
Jamey Johnson Problems Are With Publisher, Not Label
23 CommentsThe Jamey Johnson contract dispute that has kept the songwriter from releasing any new original material since his double album The Guitar Song in 2010 is not with his label as some have surmised, but with his publisher according to a new interview posted Wednesday (7-9) in The Nashville Scene. Jamey Johnson’s publisher is EMI Music Publishing in Nashville.
Garth Brooks: “Our Job Is To Fly The Flag of Country Music”
50 CommentsGarth Brooks held a much-anticipated press conference on Thursday (7-10) to announce an upcoming world tour, new music on the way, and that for the first time his music will be released digitally. Though no specifics were given in regards to world tour dates, or a name or release date for the new album, Garth did allude that we may see the first new single in the next month or two.
“Bro-Country” Songwriter Dallas Davidson Arrested
105 CommentsIn the world of country music songwriting, and specifically the writing of many of the so-called “Bro-Country” hits that have gone on to dominate country radio in the last few years, one man stands tall above the others as the King of “Bro-Country” songwriting, Dallas Davidson. Davidson was arrested Thursday morning and was yelling “racial and homophobic obscenities.”
Scott Borchetta Living Up to Promise to “Dig A Little Deeper”
35 CommentsBehind-the-scenes, Borchetta was spying all the earmarks of a hyper-trend, and saw that “Bro-Country” may be leaving his label vulnerable if they continued to bet their future on it. In Neda Ulaby’s NPR report, Borchetta said some things that stunned the country blogsphere at the time. “So we’ll task our writers and artists to dig a little deeper,” the label owner said.
Garth Brooks Headed to Sony? (A Press Conference Primer)
20 CommentsThe country music world is titillated with anticipation at what Garth Brooks might be announcing at his upcoming press conference on Thursday, July 10th, scheduled to stream live on his website at noon eastern. But the cat may already be out of the bag. Over the last few days there has been industry chatter that Garth may be announcing a deal with Sony Nashville.