Gretchen Wilson & Ryan Bingham Added To Farm Aid Lineup; Trace Adkins’ New Video
- Gretchen Wilson and Ryan Bingham have been added to Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid concert lineup.
- Blake Shelton’s tattoo regret:
“This is what I drew him for a deer track,” Blake tells GAC with a laugh. “To this moment, people still come up to me and say, ‘Man, ladybugs … that’s cool. What does that mean to you?’ I probably have the crappiest tattoo — not only in country music — but maybe the world.”
- Loretta Lynn and Todd Snider collaborated on the Snider’s most recent album, but he tells The Austin Chronicle’s Jim Caligiuri that the pair wrote two more songs as well, one of which — a song titled “She’s Got Everything It Takes to Take Everything You’ve Got” — will appear on Lynn’s next album as a duet with Elvis Costello.
- Preston Jones’ observations at the Taylor Swift concert on Friday:
If there was a theme to the evening, it might be best summed up as “revenge of the wallflower.” Swift frequently makes reference to all manner of schoolyard trauma in her songs; her between-song chatter likewise kept circling back to the horrors of high school life. Her inability to broaden her horizons beyond heartbreak is her Achilles heel; few other artists can evoke the specific strain of vaguely humiliated scorn that Swift has mined so effectively. However, after the ninth ditty about a boy who did her wrong or got away or shattered her dreams, the songs become rote exercises in youthful exorcism.
- Music Mix’s Whitney Pastorek published an interesting interview with Miranda Lambert following her performance at the Ryman last week.
- Saturday would have been Marty Robbins‘ 84th birthday. The 3 Chords a Day blog used the occasion to revisit the classic “El Paso” and it’s two sequels, “Feleena (From El Paso)” and “El Paso City.”
- Tom Russell ponders his place in American music and talks about songwriting and his new album, Blood and Candle Smoke, in an interview with The Boston Globe’s James Reed.
- Billboard on the new Toby Keith album:
There’s a little less bluster and bravado on Toby Keith’s latest album, “American Ride,” and it’s a welcome turn. Keith has always understood how to connect with his loyal fans, and he may have sensed their need for a break from the in-your-face feel of his most recent albums.
- George Strait sold-out the first show at the new Cedar Park Center just outside of Austin last week and by all accounts turned in a Strait-like performance, but the venue left a lot to be desired. Commenters on Joe Gross’s review complained about terrible organization, pricey parking and beer, long bathroom lines, and scrunched seating.
- Country Music Tattle Tale finds Jackson Taylor offensive:
Jackson states in his song, “Cocaine” that he did what he thought any man should do. After being cheated on and lied to, he decides to get high off of cocaine, get drunk everyday, and get with dirty girls. Well, looks like you must have shown her! She probably regrets ever leaving you…yeah…?
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Music Fog:
- Country Universe: What are your favorite songs about the month of September and the beginning of fall?
- Emmylou Harris and Vince Gill are scheduled to duet on the Jay Leno Show this coming Wednesday and Willie Nelson is set to hit the Ryman on November 5.
- The Emmitt-Nershi Band gets some due praise from the Too Old To Rock and Roll…To Young To Die and Songs:Illinois blogs for its new album New Country Blues.
- Watch the powerful new video for Trace Adkins‘ “All I Ask For Anymore.”
- In his latest blog post, Craig Bickhardt recalls his songwriting partner and the events that led to their song “Brother to the Wind:”
When I met Fritter at the Nashville airport, the first thing he did was hand me the rock. It was a crudely chiseled figure of a hulking bear moving on all fours, head slightly raised, sniffing the wind. It had tiny ears and anatomically accurate muscular hindquarters. It weighed about fifteen pounds but he’d carried it all the way through the long terminals at Philadelphia International and BNA.
- Farce the Music keeps iTunes honest with a doctored screenshot of Trailer Choir’s Off the Hillbilly Hook EP page and graphs the most popular ways to toughen a boy up, one of which is to name him Sue.
- Groover’s Paradise recommends Guy Clark’s “Texas 1947,” with the author calling it his favorite train song.
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Sammy Kershaw – “Better Than I Used To Be”
As the title track off his upcoming album, “Better Than I Used to Be” is a straight-up look back on the career of a country music staple.
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In each and every instance, the best country albums of the past ten years were built on the backs of songs -- stories about you and me from birth to death and stories that paint landscapes rooted in every region of America and beyond. These are the top country albums of the decade.Tagged In This Article
Amanda Shires // Blake Shelton // Craig Bickhardt // Cross Canadian Ragweed // Elvis Costello // Emmitt-Nershi Band // Emmylou Harris // George Strait // Gretchen Wilson // Guy Clark // Jackson Taylor // Loretta Lynn // Marty Robbins // Miranda Lambert // Ryan Bingham // Taylor Swift // Toby Keith // Todd Snider // Tom Russell // Trace Adkins // Trailer Choir // Vince Gill // Willie Nelson
Current Discussion
- merlefan49: My tongue is not on the floor. That was without a doubt the worst Tina Tuner impression I've ever ...
- stormy: Brady, apologies, but the point remains. Taylor has not earned the free pass her fans expect people to give ...
- Michelle: I can think of a few, but I'm not about to name them. I wouldn't want to tick anybody off. ...
- Steve M.: Matt, Not being a big listener to top 40 radio, I didn't realize they had been around that long. Thanks.
- Thomas: ...a polished turd is a polished turd, even if you sing it on-key.
- Matt B.: Steve M., Rascal Flatts are @ 10 years now. Gary LeVox's reputation isn't exactly 'golden.'
- Brady Vercher: I reckon Taylor Swift has as much claim to writing a couple of those songs as Willie does...
- Steve M.: This has gotten me thinking. Has any country star had a long career (10+ years) with a reputation of being ...
- Dan E: I like Taylor Swift a lot. But, I find it completely sad that people are bringing her up constantly on ...
- stormy: K: Willie Nelson gets a free pass because he has earned it by being better than 90% of professionals at everything ...
18 Comments
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September 28, 2009 at 11:52 am Permalink
Thanks for the link to the Amanda Shires video! Its nice to see this talented Texan fiddler (along with The Belleville Outfit) is now on The 9513’s radar! Good show, and thank you Music Fog for having such great taste in music!
A friend of mine in Virginia caught the “10 Out of Tenn” show at the tiny IOTA Club on Saturday night and just loved the performances by Ashley Monroe, Jedd Hughes, and Sarah Siskind. He’s in his mid 60’s and a hardcore bluegrass fan, so all of the other rock oriented artists didn’t do much for him…
Sarah Jarosz was on the season debut episode of “A Prairie Home Companion” on Saturday and I really like her singing voice! Unfortunately her songwriting is a bit too artsy-fartsy for me. Oh well.
September 28, 2009 at 12:00 pm Permalink
One other thing I forgot to mention. This week’s country CD specials at Best Buy include new releases Miranda Lambert’s “Revolution” and The Avett Brothers “I and Love and You” both for $ 9.99. Eric Church’s “Carolina” is priced at $ 7.99. Target stores featured no country albums this week.
September 28, 2009 at 12:04 pm Permalink
Hey Rick – I wrote a blog post about Shires two weeks ago, I guess you missed the 9513 linking to that one ;-)
September 28, 2009 at 12:04 pm Permalink
…also, The new Avett Bros cd is pretty amazing.
September 28, 2009 at 12:21 pm Permalink
… Keith has always understood how to connect with his loyal fans, and he may have sensed their need for a break from the in-your-face feel of his most recent albums.
Ya think?
September 28, 2009 at 12:53 pm Permalink
I’ve just gotten into the Avett Brothers. They’re pretty cool.
September 28, 2009 at 1:07 pm Permalink
Leeann – There is some good stuff to dig up, and if you get the chance, look up some live videos. their records are great, but their live show is a different animal completely…
September 28, 2009 at 1:08 pm Permalink
Thanks for the link to my “El Paso” post!
September 28, 2009 at 1:28 pm Permalink
Kelly,
I have seven of their albums right now (thanks to my addiction to Emusic). I haven’t gotten through all of them yet though. I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve been hearing so far though.
By the way, what The9513 does here with the News Roundup is truly awesome. Rounding up all of the news for us to read is great, but your support of other bloggers is especially commendable. We really appreciate it.
September 28, 2009 at 3:02 pm Permalink
Anyone looking to brush up on their Avett Brothers would be interested to know that their album, “Emotionalism,” is available at an mp3 download for $5 at Amazon.
September 28, 2009 at 3:50 pm Permalink
Most of the Avett Brothers stuff is also on eMusic.
September 28, 2009 at 5:09 pm Permalink
Kelly, I acknowledge you were the first contributing regular around here to spotlight Amanda Shires and say her new album “West Cross Timbers” didn’t suck! Thanks! (lol)
I never expected a casual mention of The Avett Brothers to become the dominant topic of discussion here today! Those fellas definitely have something unique going on…
Old Crow Medicine Show along with Chuck Mead are performing here in LA tomorrow night but the tickets start at $ 35 before added service charges! Hey, what’s up with that! I’m in a personal financial recession here! Sheesh.
September 28, 2009 at 5:27 pm Permalink
Speaking of the Avett’s, Chris Parton over at the CMT blog gives them a shout out today:
http://blog.cmt.com/2009-09-28/the-avett-brothers-are-a-thinking-mans-band/
I guess the lack of comments isn’t surprising…
September 28, 2009 at 6:37 pm Permalink
Hasnt Toby been moving away from the “In Your Face” attitude for awhile now. Sure seems that way at least, outside of “She’s A Hottie” (ugh) he has been mostly releasing songs like “Lost You Anyway” or “She Never Cried In Front of Me”. It really doesnt seem like something new that he is moving in that direction.
I really dont get the Jackson Taylor review either. I dont put Jackson in the same league as guys like Jason Boland, Dale Watson, Randy Rogers or Wade Bowen, but he’s miles ahead of guys like Rich O’Toole and I like that he makes music that is clearly intended for guys who miss the Outlaw sounds forged by Shaver or Coe.
I have always found it a bit of a shame that Trade Adkins has basically focused on making mindless songs like “I Got My Game On” when his voice has always been elevate average songs into stronger territory. “All I Ask For Anymore” isnt exactly covering new ground, but it’s enjoyable because of Adkins.
September 28, 2009 at 8:00 pm Permalink
I liked the Avett Brothers before all of you. ;)
September 28, 2009 at 8:58 pm Permalink
Rick’s Random Tidbits: The unofficial godmother of LA’s country music scene Kim Grant was recently interviewed by the online Americana music journal “The Alternate Root” (which I had never heard of before). Its a nice interview and folks from Chicago will especially like it! (lol) Here is the paragraph that caught my attention:
“Question: Kim, how do you navigate the Americana scene publicity waters these days?”
Answer: I have a large database of music blogs and we focus heavily in blog publicity. The people running the blogs have been receptive as we mail out physical product to them (ie CD’s). We try to work our artist’s music to podcasts in Americana as well as roots leaning blogs such as Freight Train Boogie(?), Twangville, and The Gobblers Knob among the many others.”
What, Kim’s been mailing free music to Kelly Dearmore! Aarrgghh! (lol)
Interview Link: http://www.thealternateroot.com/index.php?option=com_flippingbook&view=book&id=10&book_id=10%20&firstPageNumber=106
PS – I was talking to Dave Gleason yesterday and suggested that when he’s doing his frequent gigs in Northern California he might want to look up some guy named C.M. in Sacramento and Ken in Chico! (lol)
September 29, 2009 at 10:54 am Permalink
I’m glad you caught that, Rick. Kim is the best kind of advocate. We blogger types get tons of stuff sent our way, and I would guess that many of us have a good idea of whether something has a chance of being great or not, by simply spotting a familiar return address on the package. My eyes light up when I see Kim’s, as she promotes some of the absolute best talent that is playing today, regardless of the region (she has even turned me onto excellent artists that she doesnt represent or book into her shows)…
December 3, 2009 at 5:00 am Permalink
This month we interview The Bottle Rockets, Son Volt, Webb Wilder and YARN. Plus a free Holiday Sampler 25 new Xmas tracks to download. Chip Taylor’s new video “Charcoal Sky” filmed by ADC Film. Lots of great Roots Americana Music in the worlds fastest growing Roots Americana Magazine.
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