Country Fans Aren’t Unwitting Pawns (a Response to Ketch Secor & NYT)
213 CommentsIt goes without saying that at this moment in history, everyone in America is incensed and sickened by the level of gun violence plaguing society, and specifically the prevalence of mass shootings, and especially school shootings.
Review – Hank Williams in “The Garden Spot Programs”
7 Comments25 tracks unearthed from four live studio performances recorded in Nashville in 1950 come together to constitute a new edition to the complete work of the Drifting Cowboy, Hank Williams. The performances, released by Omnivore Records and originally sponsored by Naughton Farms, a mail-order plant nursery in Waxahachie, TX, capture Hank Williams in his purest form.
Sturgill Simpson’s “Metamodern Sounds” Debuts on Billboard Charts
37 CommentsKentucky native Sturgill Simpson has quickly become a critic’s favorite and a cult hero around the country with the release of his second solo album Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, garnering praise from industry critics and rabid country fans alike. And now the emerging country star has another feather to place in his cap.
Country Music Writes A Letter to Garth Brooks
58 CommentsGarth! Hey buddy, it’s been a long time. Yeah, I know, we’ve seen each other in passing here and there. Some appearances at the award shows and such, and that whole thing out in Vegas and the recent box set release, though I’m not really sure if any of that counts. But hey, don’t worry, I’m not jumping on your butt or anything. You hung the moon for me for over a decade…
Willie & Billy Joe Shaver Protest in “Hard to be An Outlaw”
26 CommentsWell it’s about time we had some established country artists take up the trend of country protest songs, and give modern country their what for. As the lead single from Billy Joe Shavers upcoming album Long In The Tooth scheduled for release on August 5th, the long-time, storied country Outlaw songwriter has teamed up with his old buddy Willie Nelson to release a duet called “It’s Hard to be An Outlaw”
Luke Bryan & Taylor Swift Lead Stars with Worst Vocal Ranges
79 CommentsYes, yes, it’s the age-old complaint that music doesn’t sound as good as it used to, and that the singers of today aren’t nearly as good as the ones we grew up with. Though there is certainly a bit of “old man syndrome” that creeps into this endless debate about the direction of popular music, there is also very specific and irrefutable data that backs up these claims that music isn’t as good.
Dolly Parton Scores Highest-Charting Album Ever w/ “Blue Smoke”
19 CommentsYet another sign that the appeal for traditional country and country music’s legacy artists is alive and well. Dolly Parton released her 49th overall studio album Blue Smoke on May 13th, and the record has earned Dolly Parton a distinction she’s never experienced in her decorated, historic career. Blue Smoke marks Dolly’s highest charting solo album in her career’s history.
Jake Worthington & The Great Reality Show Hype
37 CommentsJake Worthington finished 2nd and has captured the hearts and imaginations of many traditional country fans by wearing a big cowboy hat, and singing Keith Whitley songs on the show every chance he got, along with songs from Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr., and others throughout the competition.
Dolly Parton’s Hollywood Home Up For Sale (Pictures)
10 CommentsNo, Dolly Parton did not have to mortgage the farm to pay for the production of her new album Blue Smoke released last week, but she is letting loose of a little hacienda in West Hollywood, California she’s owned since 2007 for anyone who can scratch together a cool $1.39 million and really likes the color pink. Dollywood West is located at 9060 Harlan Ave. in the coveted Norma Triangle neighborhood.
“RebelCore” Wants to Become New Term for Country Rap & Hick-Hop
98 CommentsYou can call it country rap, or you call it hick hop (and some call it other things that are not so flattering), but a new company wants to coin the definitive term of what to call music that mixes country, rap, EDM, rock, and the rebellious culture of monster trucks and muddin’ that surrounds the movement. RebelCore is what they want it to be known as….
Lee Ann Womack’s “The Way I’m Livin'” Album Coming
37 CommentsFans of Lee Ann Womack have been waiting not-so-patiently since 2008’s Call Me Crazy for new music from the multi-Grammy and multi-CMA Award winner, and on September 23rd they’ll finally get their wish. After years on major labels, Womack has teamed up with renown label Sugar Hill Records to release The Way I’m Livin’ this fall.
Classic & Contemporary Country Could Go Separate Ways
30 CommentsEnvision a day where all the current Top 40 country that classic country fans are incensed over is segregated into its own autonomous format, with its own radio stations, and potentially even its own awards, special events and festivals. And the same could happen for classic country. It could have it’s own place to not forget the past, and respect the roots of the genre.
Review – Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood’s “Somethin’ Bad”
118 Comments“I got a real good feeling something bad’s about to happen” is the lyrical hook of Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood’s much-anticipated duet “Something Bad” which is set to appear on Miranda’s new album Platinum, and was just released as a single. And when the duo debuted the song on the 2014 Billboard Music Awards Sunday night, something bad did happen.