George Jones, Johnny Paycheck Drummer Arnie Adams Dies
The Country Music world has lost an incredibly important and pioneering drummer. On August 28th, Roland “Arnie” Adams passed away at home, reportedly from a late-stage cancer.
Merle Haggard
Album Review – The Malpass Brothers – “Lonely Street”
As a true country music fan, you’re used to dealing in close approximations when seeking out modern musical choices. With The Malpass Brothers though, this isn’t necessary.
10 Years Ago Today: George Jones Plays His Final Concert
It’s something that most of us mere mortals can’t comprehend. But for our country legends, they would have it no other way. Willie Nelson has regularly said that he wants to die on stage. And as morbid as a prognosis as that might be, it speaks to how important music and performance is to these legends.
Finally! Tanya Tucker to Be Inducted to Country Music Hall of Fame
Tanya Tucker’s life has been like a country song. That’s how she can sing them with such a convincing attitude, and conviction. And though it feels like she’s lived many lifetimes in her career, at 62, Tanya still has time to enjoy this accolade, and add to what now can be called a Hall of Fame career.
Aaron McCune Keeps Bass Singing Alive with Oak Ridge Boys, Dailey & Vincent
Aaron McCune can not only can handle the bass parts to iconic country songs from The Oak Ridge Boys and others, he can go even deeper, and this is bringing the important element of four-part harmonies with bass in country music to a new generation. He’s a member of Dailey & Vincent.
The Legendary Longhorn Ballroom Finally Sets Re-Opening
The Longhorn Ballroom was one of the most important venues in country music for many years. When it opened in 1950, it was known as Bob Wills’ Ranch House, and was one of the major venues in Western Swing. It was also once operated by Jack Ruby.
Album Review – Laura Benitez – “California Centuries”
Don’t overlook the West Coast and California when you go looking for good country music. Case in point is Laura Benitez and the Heartache, who’ve been playing kick ass traditional country for years outside of the purview of country’s mother brain back in Nashville, and may have just released their career effort.
Tanya Tucker (& Dog Stella) Turn in Hall Of Fame Worthy Set in OK
Tanya Tucker is nothing short of a modern living Queen of Country Country Music, who deserves all the rights and privileges that such a designation bestows. She proved this in Pryor, Oklahoma on the grounds of the famous Rocklahoma festival where Born & Raised is held.
50 Years Ago Today: Townes Van Zandt’s “Pancho & Lefty” Is Born
Calling it a “country song” doesn’t seem to do it justice, and almost inadvertently downgrades the impact and importance of the artistic work known as “Pancho & Lefty,” because few other songs can make us feel like this one can. It’s transcendent of country, or song, or even music. It’s “Pancho & Lefty.”
Compendium of Country Music Definitions, Subgenres, Terms, & Eras
Country music is country music, and the best definition of what country music is, is that you know it when you hear it. It’s self-evident. But the genre has birthed many subgenres, many stylistic movements over the years, and at times has seen a splintering and Balkanization.
After Dolly Parton, What Country Artists Are Next for Rock Hall?
Dolly Parton will be one of the next inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The next question is how the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will consider country performers for induction moving forward. This moment presents a slippery slope.
Review – Ellis Bullard’s “Piss-Hot Freightlining Country Music”
You show up with your chest puffed out, wearing funnyglasses with bunch of feathers shoved into the front of your Stetson, and telling everyone you’re slinging “Piss-hot freightlining country music,” then you better deliver, son. But Ellis Bullard has nothing to worry about.
The CMT Awards Don’t Matter. Still.
Country music as a genre is unique in how it has its own dedicated award show organizations, and two of them as a matter of fact, and both of which that have been around for well over 50 years. But neither of them is the CMT Awards.
On Garth Brooks, Chick-fil-A, and Lower Broadway
Garth Brooks is the latest high-profile country star to purchase property in Nashville’s Lower Broadway entertainment district with the intent of putting up a new multi-story bar and restaurant. Acquiring the three-story, 40,000 square foot property at 411 Broadway…
Dwayne Johnson’s Daughter’s Favorite Song is by Dale Watson
We’ve known for years about the affinity Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has for traditional country and true blue independent country artists. But just about nothing illustrates how big of a role true country music—or in this case, “Ameripolitan”—actually plays.
90’s Country Star Jeff Carson Dies at 58
For a while, it looked like the fate of Jeff Carson was to be a side player for the duration of his career. But when he finally got his opportunity, Jeff Carson made the most of it and rocketed to the top of the country charts.
50 Years Ago: Ronald Reagan Pardons Merle Haggard
It’s one of the most legendary origin stories in country music history. Merle Haggard from Bakersfield, California was engaging in a life of petty crime while trying to make it as a guitar player and singer until he committed one petty crime too many, and a judge threw the book at him.
Album Review – Dolly Parton’s “Run, Rose, Run”
‘Run, Rose, Run’ deserves to be graded on a curve because it’s meant as a complement to a novel, not a standalone feature. But even without running opinions through the love we all have in our hearts for everything Dolly Parton, ‘Run, Rose, Run’ includes some quality songs.
On Blake Shelton Pondering Retirement
The best in country music don’t make music because they want to. They make country music because they have to. It’s not a means to an end financially. It’s a requisite emotionally and spiritually. Making country music is how a true country music artist unburdens their soul.
Merle Haggard Was Burt Reynolds’ Choice to Play The Snowman
One interesting Merle Haggard story that seems to have gone under-reported in the Internet age is that Merle Haggard was the pick by Burt Reynolds to play his semi truck-driving sidekick “The Snowman” in the legendary Smokey and The Bandit movie series.
Did Merle Haggard Really Escape From Jail 17 Times? (Country History X)
Merle Haggard was one of country music’s most famous former convicts, though most of his crimes were petty. The reason he landed in the notorious San Quentin Prison was due to how many times he escaped from smaller facilities and local jails. But did he really escape 17 times?
Dallas Frazier, Writer of ‘Elvira’ and So Many More, Has Died
Before you can write it, you first have to live it. And Dallas Frazier lived many lives in his lifetime, putting it all in song along the way, and amassing one of the most legendary song catalogs in country music history, while also enjoying moments as a singer and a performer.
New ‘Definitive’ Merle Haggard Biography ‘The Hag’ on The Way
If you love Merle Haggard and Hoover up anything with his name on it, you’ll be happy to hear that a brand new 464-page “definitive” biography on The Hag is coming shortly from Hachette Books and New York Times Bestselling author Marc Eliot.
Why Jamey Johnson Plays So Many Cover Songs in Concert
Country music traditionalist Jamey Johnson has become known over the last few years more and more for filling the majority of his concerts with classic country songs written by others, along with pulling from his catalog of originals. For some this approach to his concerts feels strange.