CBS Refuses to Renew ACM Awards Amid Slipping Ratings
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Even if you weren’t particularly into country music or whatever the awards show was covering, you didn’t want to be the only person standing around the water cooler at work or in the lunchroom at school the next day who didn’t see the CMAs or the ACMs, even if it was just to hate on them.
Billy Strings, Sarah Jarosz, Jade Bird Announced for ACL Tapings
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After blowing minds all across the country and world, becoming one of the big winners of the last year with his frequent live stream performances, and earning a Grammy for Best Bluegrass album a few months ago, Billy Strings is being tapped to make his debut on Austin City Limits.
Flatland Cavalry Announces New Album “Welcome to Countryland”
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One of the most important young bands in Texas country is back with a new song out, and a new album on the way. The song is called “Some Things Never Change,” and the album is called “Welcome to Countryland.” It comes as the band looks to take their music to the next level.
Album Review – The Steel Woods – “All Of Your Stones”
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“All of Your Stones” symbolizes a triumph of spirit, and a realization of a dream. Whether Jason “Rowdy” Cope knew in some cosmic way that his time was limited, or the words and real-life circumstances intersected solely due to coincidence, he made this record like it could be his last.
Alan Jackson’s New Song ‘Back’ Partly Inspired by Justin Timberlake
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Alan Jackson is bringing country music back. On Friday, May 14th, his first new album in some six years arrives, and all indications are he means business. Delivering 21 songs of country music goodness, he offers up some drinking songs, some heartbreak songs, and few sentimental songs for his mother and daughters. But he also […]
Colter Wall Joins Summer Dean for “You’re Lucky She’s Lonely”
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Helping to introduce Summer Dean to the world outside of the traditional country circles in Texas is Colter Wall, who has featured Summer as an opener for him before, and now does something that he’s never done before—both co-writing and dueting on a song with another artist.
Kip Moore Is Latest to Tap Cool Openers for Upcoming Tour
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Kip Moore has always been a wild one in mainstream country. It’s certainly hard to fault him for who he’s chosen to open on his upcoming 20-city “The How High Tour,” looking well beyond the stable of uninspiring mainstream up-and-comers.
John R. Miller Readies Release of Rounder Debut “Depreciated”
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If you can’t get enough of guys like Tyler Childers and Arlo McKinley who define the very heart of the authentic Appalachian sound, then John R. Miller needs to be occupying space in your musical catalog as well, if he isn’t already. Tyler Childers has been one of John R. Miller’s biggest proponents.
Waylon Jennings and the Cocaine Bear (Country History X)
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This is the story of Waylon’s notorious relationship with cocaine told through the improbable tale of a police officer and lawyer turned drug smuggler from Kentucky, and a cocaine-eating bear. Country History X, which looks to tell the history of country music, one story at a time.
Review – Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall ‘The Marfa Tapes’
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If it wasn’t Miranda, would we be making such a big of a fuss about this? Of course not. But here we are. And a big fuss has been deserved to be made about Jack Ingram and Jon Randall in the mainstream for years and never really was, but now here it is.
Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Mickey Guyton to Sing for Memorial Day
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Some top country music talent has been tapped to perform at the National Memorial Day concert that broadcasts annually on PBS. Not always so inclusive of country performers, this year Alan Jackson is slated to be one of the centerpieces of the presentation as he gets ready to release a new album.
25th Annual Key West Songwriters Fest Puts Songwriting First
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Even in this confounding day and age in country music, it all still starts with a song. Not a beat, not a riff, but a song. Words, music, and melody. Story and inspiration. It’s what separates country music from certain other musical art forms, no matter how much it may get boiled down.
On Gary Allan (Finally) Announcing His New Album “Ruthless”
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Many true country fans were ecstatic at the news, but I fear some folks have visions of getting a slew of new songs from Gary along the lines of “Nothing On but the Radio” and “Smoke Rings in the Dark” when we already have multiple indications that’s unlikely the direction Gary Allan will be taking.