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Hillbilly Poetry Playlist: An Introduction to Recitations
The recitation is a tradition embedded deep in country music. It’s the art of storytelling that involves spoken words with musical accompaniment, and usually has a strong moral undertone. They vary in subject matter, from the honorary (”I Remember Johnny Horton” - Claude King) to the infinitely cheesy (”To a Sleeping Beauty” - Jimmy Dean). […]
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Forgotten Artists: Bradley Kincaid In a manner similar to Alan Lomax, William Bradley “The Kentucky Mountain Boy” Kincaid was one of the great American musicologists and collectors of American folk, country and parlor songs.
Forgotten Artists: Goldie Hill Had Carl Smith and Goldie Hill been born 30 or 40 years later, they might have been like Faith Hill and Tim McGraw–the dominant married couple in country music.
Miranda Lambert - “More Like Her” This kind of material, as opposed to her tough-chick-done-wrong romps like “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” and “Gunpowder and Lead,” is where her real promise lies
Joey Rory - “Cheater, Cheater” It’s actually downright frivolous, but that just makes it all the more fun. And really, are you allowed to say “ho” on country radio?
Josh Gracin - “Unbelievable (Ann Marie)” Despite initial marketing that touted the album as deep and personal, “Unbelievable (Ann Marie)” is anything but deep or personal.
Josh Turner - "Everything Is Fine" Turner is the rare example of an artist who records material that’s both quality and trademark.
Darryl Worley - "Tequila On Ice" A groovy mid-tempo that sways, a refreshing reprieve from the exhausting pace of a format that clamors for loud music and swelling choruses.
Blake Shelton - "She Wouldn't Be Gone" It’s all about nailing the melody rather than providing a legitimate interpretation that accentuates the lyrical content, although Shelton does do a pretty good job of injecting what limited emotion he can.
Don’t look now, but Darius Rucker, lead singer of 90s rock group Hootie & The Blowfish, has a country hit on his hands. What you probably haven’t heard is that Rucker is the first black artist to chart a single in the country top 20 since Charley Pride last did it in 1988.
News that former Sugarland member and co-founder Kristen Hall is suing her ex-mates, to the tune of $1.5 million, goes a long way towards providing a bit of context regarding the Atlanta singer/songwriter’s sudden departure from the group.
In Memory of Don Helms (1927 - 2008) Helms dated back to a time when an excellent four or five piece band and a good singer were all that were needed to make great country music. No drums, no light shows, no production tricks in the recording studio–just good music.Current Discussion
- Stormy: Steve: We all know that Brady is a little strange and somewhat eccentric. WE d...
- Stormy: I’ve always wanted my music to sound like a good band And I want Russell ...
- Trent: Do you have proof steve, sound's like your the one with secrets, this blog is ab...
- Trent: Hey ???, why don't you use a name you MORON to make your stupid comment!...
- Jake B.: This review is very harsh.. What do you expect out of someones second album? She...
- J.R. Journey: ... and let's not forget Tom Shapiro either. Another first-class songwriter who...
- Matt B.: WTF? "Steve"?...
- J.R. Journey: I'm pleased to see Matraca Berg getting the recognition she deserves. It's long...
- steve: i dont know about mattb but i heard brady v is queer....
- Chris D.: Finally! I love the hellcat video. xD "The last time she was here she ate Geo...
