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Forgotten Artists: Jean Shepard
You gaze at that guitar on your knee
In a way that you never look at me
This love affair of yours has gone too far
And I’m tired of playing second fiddle to an old guitar
From “Second Fiddle (To an Old Guitar),” Capitol Records, 1964Kitty Wells may have been the reigning Queen of Country Music during the [...]
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Decades Old Recordings Discovered In Pennsylvania Barn
Last year, truckloads of tapes were pulled from a barn in Pennsylvania. On the tapes were thousands of unreleased live recordings by Ken Alexander, who traveled to concerts setting up sound systems for venues. The recordings were made at high schools, dances, fairs, festivals, and auditoriums and include performances from George Jones, Dolly Parton, Hank [...]
Continue reading "Decades Old Recordings Discovered In Pennsylvania Barn"
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Forgotten Artists: Hank Penny (1918-1992)
Even those of us who love Western Swing are forced to acknowledge that for that form, Bob Wills, much like Bob Marley for Reggae and Bill Monroe for Bluegrass, is the colossus against whom all other artists are compared. While others may occasionally break out of the shadow of the colossus, still the colossus remains.
In [...]Continue reading "Forgotten Artists: Hank Penny (1918-1992)"
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Oldest Active Opry Member Hank Locklin Passed Away At 91
Hank Locklin, a country legend who The Tennessean’s Peter Cooper says is one of the greatest and most influential tenor singers in country music history, died at the age of 91 on Sunday in Brewton, Alabama. Locklin has been a member of the Opry since 1960 and his hits include “Send Me The Pillow That [...]
Continue reading "Oldest Active Opry Member Hank Locklin Passed Away At 91"
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In Memory of Jim and Jon Hager
The recent death of Jon Hager (January 9, 2009) reminds me of just how unfair the fickle finger of fate can be. Hager and his twin brother, Jim (August 30, 1941–May 8, 2008), were two of the greatest showmen to ever grace a country music stage. While they never had any really big hits, and [...]
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Overlooked Albums of 2008
There were a number of albums that were deserving of more attention than they received in 2008. I could claim Hal Ketchum’s Father Time didn’t garner the praise it was due or that Randy Rogers Band was overlooked despite placing an album in the top ten. Amber Digby could certainly qualify for this list, but [...]
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Merle Haggard Returns to Stage Tonight After Layoff From Surgery
When Merle Haggard plays at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace tonight and tomorrow, it’ll be his first performances since undergoing surgery for lung cancer. He says it’ll also be the first time in his life in which he hasn’t loosened up with tobacco or marijuana.
We’re only two days into the new year and Los Angeles City [...]Continue reading "Merle Haggard Returns to Stage Tonight After Layoff From Surgery"
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The Year In Review: Top 20 Country Music News Stories Of 2008
20. Joey + Rory Rising: A Talent Competition Actually Finds Talent
Outside of American Idol winner Carrie Underwood and Nashville Star castoff Miranda Lambert, the spate of talent competitions that we’ve endured since the advent of reality TV has produced few artists who could be said to possess a level of talent that aligns them with [...]Continue reading "The Year In Review: Top 20 Country Music News Stories Of 2008"
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Willie Nelson Goes Naked For New Album
In the latest Rolling Stone, Vanessa Grigoriadis notes that aside from Willie Nelson’s project with Asleep at the Wheel, he has another album slated for early ‘09 titled Naked Willie. It’ll be produced by his harmonica player, Mickey Raphael, and consist of his RCA recordings from 1966 to 1970, without the strings and schmaltz. “For [...]
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Best Songs of November ‘08
Only eight artists make an appearance on November’s list due to a dearth of quality material, but don’t let that fool you about the top songs–they really are that good. There are only a few releases for December, so I’ll be skipping next month, but look for our end of year lists closer to the [...]
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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.
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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?Current Discussion
- highwayman3: George Strait, Reba, and Lee Ann Womack, oh wait, that's already happening, too bad they aren't coming anywhere near driving ...
- Mayor JoBob: Or Alan Jackson, Rodney Crowell and Marty Stuart with guest appearance by Jimmy Buffett!
- JCH: Jamey Johnson, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. No idea where the heck that came from.
- Mayor JoBob: Brad Paisley, David Ball and Highway 101!!!!!!
- Noeller: Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Eric Church and Zac Brown Band. It's the Bearded Saviours of Country Tour - would ...
- Sparkles: OMG - have you seen this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYENOUcaAsM I LOVE DOLLY!!!!
- Ben Milam: On three alternating stages: the pogues mahone, steve earle, eric b. & rakim, the band, emmylou harris, the drive by ...
- Bob: Suzy Bogguss and Hal Ketchum
- Jon: Alison Krauss+Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, and Shania Twain. It almost happened back in 2003-2004; the "Up! Close & ...
- Jeff Colvin: I know Lee Brice VERY WELL! He is kind and very friendly to everyone he meets. He doesn't end "meet ...
