New Grand Ole Opry Chief Says Hank Williams Won’t Be Reinstated
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The new vice president and executive producer of the Grand Ole Opry said this week in an interview that Hank Williams will not be reinstated to the institution he helped popularize. But while casting aside the idea of Reinstating Hank, he inadvertently mentioned the reason why the case for Hank’s reinstatement is warranted.
Gene Watson Invited to Be The Next Grand Ole Opry Member
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On the Friday night Opry (1-17), Gene Watson received a long-overdue invitation to finally join the Grand Ole Opry as the next official member. The 76-year-old from Palestine, TX was surprised by Vince Gill, who is one of the Opry’s favorite couriers of formal invitations. Of course, Gene Watson accepted.
Ashley McBryde Announces New Album, “Never Will”
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Ashley McBryde is resetting what we’ve come to expect from mainstream country performers, mainly bringing grit, guts, tattoos, honesty, and plenty of rock attitude to her roosty sound that has made her a favorite of many fans and critics, and had her waking away with the CMA for Best New Artist back in November.
Album Review – Wade Hayes “Who Saved Who”
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Where in the world has Wade Hayes been? He’s been hiding in the same dark honky tonk on the edge of town as actual county music for the last decade or so. How country is his latest record Who Saved Who? The title track is about the love of his dog if that gives you any indication. That’s to say his newest album is unapologetically country.
Margo Price Exits Third Man Records, Releases New Song
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Margo Price is no longer signed with Jack White’s Third Man Records, and is now signed with Loma Vista Recordings. Ahead of the release of her third record, Margo Price has unveiled a new song called “Stone Me.” “After what feels like an eternity, I’m releasing a new song into the wild today,” Price says.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Member & Country Rocker Chris Darrow Dies
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Chris Darrow, multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, country rock pioneer and member of multiple influential bands including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and The Corvettes who backed up Linda Ronstadt, has passed away according to his representatives. He was 75-years-old. He was a centerpiece of country rock.
Country Music Hall of Fame Picks & Predictions for 2020
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It’s that time of year once again to consider who might be in the running for the precious few spots as the newest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. At about this time, a secret committee commissioned by the CMA is going over their final ballots and whittling down the names to the few who will make it.
Tre Cool of Green Day Joins Willie Nelson on West Coast Tour
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Tre Cool of Green Day has pretty much joined Willie Nelson’s Family Band. Alright, that’s probably a little presumptuous and hyperbolic, but there is definitely something cool going on here, and now it’s happened a couple of times. It started when Willie Nelson played a show in San Francisco.
iHeartMedia Layoffs Bleed Even More Regionalism Out of Radio
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“Bloodbath” is how some radio business insiders are describing the big round of layoffs for employees and on-air personalities affecting America’s largest owner of radio stations, iHeartMedia. It wasn’t the percentage of employees, but who received pink slips that has left so many radio professionals and their local listeners in shock.
Billy Strings Tour Dates Selling Out Left and Right
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Those who’ve been paying attention knew this was coming. It’s not just Tyler Childers, Cody Jinks, and other hot shot country artists turning the tables on Music Row. Billy Strings from the bluegrass realm is doing the same thing, and we’re seeing it reflected in the amount of sold out shows he’s posting for his upcoming winter/spring tour.
What In God’s Name Is Going On In Tim McGraw’s “Way Down”?
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It’s never too late to revitalize your career, or to train wreck it. Tim McGraw saw all the hubbub being made over “Old Town Road” and decided he could mumble rap about pure nonsense and call it country too. Bad for him though, none of the Gen Z’ers with their Tik-Tok apps know or care who Tim McGraw is.
Randy Travis Sees Country Turning Towards the More Traditional
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“We feel like it is beginning to turn back to the traditional,” says Mary, the wife of Randy Travis. “It’s almost like fashion and everything else, there is an ebb and a flow. There are so many young artists that study Randy, and study some of the traditional [style], and they’re singing it.”
Album Review – Tenille Arts “Love, Heartbreak & Everything…”
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Shirking the bubblegum pop sensibilities that seem to sugar coat most of the new “country” music emanating from Music Row these days, Tenille Arts took a year full of spills in a bad breakup, and put them into the 12 songs of this surprisingly deep and smart record with Tenille herself taking a hand in co-writing every track.