Rare Bob Wills Hotel Recording Discovered
- A previously unreleased and unknown recording of Bob Wills has been discovered and is available for purchase on bobwills.com.
“The recording is of Bob Wills telling his life story, in his own words, of how his career developed. It’s about half an hour long and it is certainly Bob Wills’s voice, answering questions asked by Ray Riggs and elaborating about his feelings for the music he created.”
- The full SXSW band list requires a lot of scrolling.
- Hickory Wind writer Larry Karnowski is asking for recommendations for roots music at a wedding reception.
- A little over a month into 2008 could we have already seen the worst release of the year? The Lost Highway blog author MattoB makes his case.
- Country Universe has begun revising their “Grammy Flashback” posts to include this year’s nominees. Check out Best Male Country Vocal Performance, Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals, and Best New Artist for Kevin’s insight into this year’s ceremony and opinions about nominees and winners for past years.
- Get your vote on for the Gruene With Envy Awards 2008!
- John Denver, Mac Davis, and the trio of The Flatlanders all have ties to Lubbock, TX, but Gary Ott says that even 49 years after his death, Buddy Holly is still king in West Texas.
- We had a couple of people write in yesterday about Rascal Flatts promoting a game called Rubik’s Revolution, which is based on the Rubik’s Cube except with lights. The band has exclusive rights to host the online version of the game on their site and they’re giving away 100 of the actual games, along with a pair of concert tickets.
- Not deviating from the Flatts theme, another UK publication has a Q&A with the band:
What album changed your life and why?
Chicago — 17. We had never heard music crafted like that before and it made us want to make music. Stevie Wonder’s music as it spiritually and emotionally moved us and we tried to emulate his sound. Also the Eagles’ Hotel California.Who is currently moving you musically at the moment?
John Mayer, Rihanna, Alisha Keys and Natasha Bedingfield. - Ken Irwin of Rounder Records thinks Rhonda Vincent and Dailey & Vincent may be the first groups headed by siblings to hold the top two spots on the bluegrass charts. He also asks whether any of you trivia buffs know of this happening in any genre.
- Some Hearts became the best-selling solo female debut in country music history with shipments of seven million copies.
- Cindy Watts gives us a glimpse into the lives of the songwriters behind “Before He Cheats” and how their lives have changed since writing the mega-hit.
- Flippo’s predictions for the Grammys.
- Jim Caligiuri of The Austin Chronicle isn’t a big fan of the latest Owen Temple release, in fact he’s pretty harsh on it in his review, even calling roots rock/alt.country/Texas Music a dying genre. But f you are a fan and you live on the east coast, you’re in luck. Temple began a nearly month long tour in that area yesterday.
- Billy Joe Shaver is attending this year’s Grammys. Asked whether he was going to wear a tuxedo or not, he responded:
No, I ain’t about to do that. They ain’t made an award I’ll wear a tuxedo to. I’ll just dance with the one that brung me, like I always did. Jeans and stuff, that’s about it. If they run me off, they run me off. I’ll still win the damn thing.
He really feels like this is his year to win a Grammy.
Popular Stuff
Sponsor
Is Dave Haywood going solo? This and many other of country music's most pressing questions answered in the September edition of The 9513's world famous Mailbag!
Caroline Herring likes to sing songs about life in the South. No, not exactly like Justin Moore and Jason Aldean...
The 9513's resident historian Paul W. Dennis sits down for a chat with country music legend Gene Watson.
As much as we love girl singers, we love songs about girl singers even more. Here's just a few of the many tribute songs out there.
Step away from the river and up to a jukebox, because heartbreak is only temporary, but a good song about drowning yourself—like a diamond—lasts forever.
What do you think about music labels "testing the waters" with a single before providing access to an artist's entire album? 
What country artist, young or old, would you recommend as a must-listen artist to a newcomer on his/her journey through country music, and what would your essential song picks be?Tagged In This Article
Billy Joe Shaver // Bob Wills // Buddy Holly // Carrie Underwood // Dailey & Vincent // Gruene With Envy Awards // Owen Temple // Rascal Flatts // Rhonda Vincent // SXSW
Current Discussion
- Razor X: When you chose to work with pop producers, the choice is pretty easy. Sellout. That's what makes the ...
- Razor X: I prefer that politics be kept out of songs except in general terms – I don’t mind it being ...
- Liz: I enjoyed the song and video. Nicely done!
- Jon: Unfairly stereotyped, sure. But there's a faulty premise there, Karlie: "Historically, country music ...has been built upon conservative and ...
- Leeann Ward: Couldn't have said it better than Paul.
- Paul W Dennis: I prefer that politics be kept out of songs except in general terms - I don't mind it being an ...
- Jon: Aah, the bracing sound of a rock guy dragging his attitude into the country realm.
- Steve M.: "Steve, You really should drop the “holler than thou” additude. Everything in this commerical; don’t act like you’re above that. Carrie ...
- estelle: I love it! From Cowboy Casanova to Play On, there's not a single track that I do not like. So ...
- highwayman3: Dan Milliken, thanks for that post, I wanted to comment on the Miranda comparison as well because its just silly ...
25 Comments
RSS for comments on this post | Trackback URI for this post
February 8, 2008 at 10:32 am Permalink
This dude at the Austin Chronicle made a point while at the same time sounding stupid. “Texas Music” isn’t a genre and should’nt be referred to as a genre. We get forced to label music that way, yet often the classifications seem to not truly fit the song/artist that its attempting to pigeonhole. “Alternative Rock” has become as mainstream as McDonalds and has spawned dozens of sub-genres such as Emo, Screamo, Grunge, Post-Grunge, etc.. People have said “Alt-Country” is dying ever since the split up of Uncle Tupelo, which wasnt near as big then as they have become posthumously. The fact is, most of, if not all the artists that get labeled “Alt-Country” or “Texas Country” despise the tag as they feel it limits them. It is tons of critics over time who have given that name and many of those same critics are now saying that something that the artist never claimed has lived, is dying. Bloggers like me get forced to use restricitve terms such as “Roots Rock” and “Red Dirt”, because if we decide to simply call Jackson Taylor or Jason Boland “Country” (which they are. period), then plenty of ignorant folks decide that “country” isnt the right label since that includes “nashville” and they’re not from nashville, thats for sell-outs. its a vicious cycle….
February 8, 2008 at 11:20 am Permalink
‘Chicago 17′? Oh, sweet merciful lord.
February 8, 2008 at 1:31 pm Permalink
If at first you don’t succeed, try and try and try again. I like Shaver myself.
February 8, 2008 at 1:33 pm Permalink
Labels aside, Owen Temple’s new CD leaves much to be desired.
Dear Rascal Flatts,
What marketing genius pawned you off as country? A quick concise reply would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
SW
February 8, 2008 at 1:43 pm Permalink
I’m with Chris N. on this – Chicago 17 is shite. Admitting a love of Peter Cetera never wins ANYONE any credibility points.
Similarly, a love of John Mayer wins no love from me.
February 8, 2008 at 2:07 pm Permalink
I’m still wrapping my head around it. I never thought the sentence “We had never heard music crafted like that before and it made us want to make music” could conceivably be applied to ‘Chicago 17.’
February 8, 2008 at 2:14 pm Permalink
How ’bout the fact that they mentioned 6 or 7 artists as inspiration and not a single one of them is country. That problem also seems to be reflected in those celebrity playlists where country singers put together a list of artists that aren’t even country.
February 8, 2008 at 2:34 pm Permalink
When i read that, it made me want to shout, “REALLY??? NO WAY!!! I’M IN SHOCK!!!”, I said it earlier about the writer making a point, but sounding stupid as it wasnt the point he meant to make…HELLO!!!! Thats like Barry Bonds telling reporters, “Man, my head is twice the size as it used to be and my stats are growing even quicker than that, and hey, I have a ton of syringes right here…”
February 8, 2008 at 2:48 pm Permalink
seriously. ‘chicago 17′? not only is ‘chicago 17′ an affront to civilized society (mainly because it followed ‘chicago 1′ through ‘chicago 16′, but apparently it has given us rascal flatts. peter cetera, you are on notice.
February 8, 2008 at 4:25 pm Permalink
I get to hang with Billy Joe on a regular basis down here in Texas and there is no one more deserving of winning a Grammy this year than him, especially with this record. He is a class act & the moment he steps on that red carpet, people should be kissing his ass and thanking him for his contributions to music & the world of songwriting. If they try to throw him out, I hope he gives it to em where they don’t want it….
But of course the spotlight on Country stars at the Grammys will be on the 16 year old Taylor Swift midriff, the color of Kenny Chesney’s flip flops, and the fagtastic wardrobe that the Rascal dudes will be wearing. Way to represent country music homos.
February 8, 2008 at 4:32 pm Permalink
I should add that the first few Chicago records — before they ditched the horns and Peter Cetera took control — are pretty badass.
February 8, 2008 at 5:54 pm Permalink
Badass and Chicago should only be in the same sentence when discussing italian beef sandwiches!
February 8, 2008 at 6:40 pm Permalink
Early Chicago did rock. Boy, did I play the grooves out of those records growing up. Its fine to like music other than country, but jeez, they couldn’t mention anyone from the country world?
February 8, 2008 at 7:48 pm Permalink
Lost Highway confirms that Laura Bryna is thankfully not the next big thing in country music. I don’t mind when average artists release new CDs as I just ignore them. Its when fine albums by true talents like Ashley Monroe, Sarah Buxton, and Susan Haynes don’t get released on CD that I get really annoyed. Smaller labels feel compelled to release even bad CDs in hopes of recouping some of their production costs. Its at the big labels, where new artists have to chart a “hit” single before release, that fine debut albums get shelved…..
The comments from the airheads that comprise Rascally Farts don’t surprise me one bit. They are a pop-rock band pure and simple, which is sadly where mainstream country radio is headed more and more each day…
Billy Joe Shaver better not be packing when he shows up for the Grammy’s, as all hell will break loose in Tinseltown….
And as for Texas alt. country declining, I just think its evolved into Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram and Pat Green who have taken it mainstream. As long as traditionalists like Brennen Leigh, Amber Digby and Sunny Sweeney keep popping up in Texas, I’m content.
February 8, 2008 at 7:48 pm Permalink
Don’t forget that Jay of RF produced the most recent Chicago record. Possibly it was him talking and the other 2 members happen to be ‘inspired’ by someone in their own genre.
Peter, why do you not like John Mayer, aside from the ‘wimp-rock’ label he gets?
February 8, 2008 at 8:14 pm Permalink
Hey Charlie Mack-
Good on you for your comments on the music. I agree with you. But
do you really need to refer to derogatory terms of sexuality when discussing things?
I come to this blog for intelligent conversation-and to learn about music I want to know about (I live in the Northeast-their idea of country here is rather narrow, limited to a clear channel station.) I like what you say musically, but some of your comments still make me wince. As a rock refugee, I’m sensitive to the stereotypes that country fans get stuck with. I often get stuck with. I am often saying “Yeah, is country, but have an open mind..”
How does everyone else feel?
February 8, 2008 at 9:26 pm Permalink
Matt – Because I find John Mayer interminably boooooring. In between him and Jack Johnson and Dave Matthews I just don’t know why people insist on being bored by their music.
February 8, 2008 at 9:43 pm Permalink
(I know this is a country blog, but…) Peter, I’m with you on Jack Johnson and Dave Matthews. I’m a CA beach girl, but I still yawned my way through a Jack Johnson concert. However, I got dragged to a John Mayer concert by a friend. I was not a fan at the time. If I heard “My Body is a Wonderland” one more time I was going to scream. However, he is awesome in concert. I didn’t know much of his music and I was enthralled. He is truly amazingly talented on the guitar and puts on a fantastic show. Ignore his CDs if you want, but I suggest catching him in concert.
Also, thanks for your comment Cindy! I’m with you.
February 9, 2008 at 8:22 am Permalink
I dig Jack Johnson and Dave Matthews (not John Mayer so much). While I am not angry in a “phil’s phriends” kind of way, I feel that the above “early chicago” lovers are the ones that are content with sheer boredom in the musical choices. I know, it’s all relative, but it is kind of funny that someone defending anything that Chicago has produced has the nerve to call others out for choosing “boring” music. I mean, Chis N. even called some of their stuff “badass”. That’s like calling “soul-survivor” era Michael Bolton Heavy Metal just cuz he had long hair….
February 9, 2008 at 8:23 am Permalink
sorry…i meant “soul provider” era Michael Bolton…I guess I am glad that I wasnt too well versed in his back catalog…
February 9, 2008 at 8:26 am Permalink
Thanks, Lynn. I appreciate the support. And I just saw five grammar mistakes in my post.
I hereby resolve to always hit preview, and read what I wrote! I need more sleep!
February 9, 2008 at 9:48 am Permalink
Peter, I like all the artists you mentioned but haven’t been too excited to get either DMB or Jack Johnson’s newest material. They are literally re-recording themselves at this point.
As for Mayer, he’s way more interesting than most ‘pop singers’ are.
February 9, 2008 at 2:05 pm Permalink
I’m not saying Mayer has no talent. He’s a heck of a guitar player and musician. I just don’t find him a compelling vocalist or songwriter at all. But people like who they like. I have plenty of artists and songs I like people would find horrible or strange or cheesy.
February 10, 2008 at 12:02 am Permalink
If you don’t think early Chicago is badass, you haven’t heard early Chicago. ‘Chicago 17′ is so awful precisely because it’s a rejection of everything early Chicago was about.
February 10, 2008 at 7:19 am Permalink
…or, I just don’t agree with how bad those album’s asses are….
I know we all like to debate music and disagreeing can be fun most of the time, but lets stop short of assuming that others haven’t heard something simply cuz one doesnt agree with your opinion, shall we? I only diss the stuff I have actually listened to, as I wouldnt be able to comment otherwise.
Leave a Comment