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Artists to Watch in 2008 (Part 1 of 5): On Notice
Anita Cochran. Bryan White. Mark Wills. These were a few of the names on the country music radar ten years ago. My, how times change.
Each day this week I’ll be taking a look at the artists who are poised to vie for our attention in 2008; most of them will go the way of […]Continue reading "Artists to Watch in 2008 (Part 1 of 5): On Notice"
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The Year in Review: Everybody’s Trying to be the Next Alabama
Alabama was the story of the 1980s, one of the few artists from that decade that I don’t wish to forget. Alabama was country music’s first supergroup and one of its first superstars, so it’s surprising that their success didn’t immediately spawn a generation of successors. Nineties groups like Blackhawk, Ricochet, Shenandoah and Lonestar were […]
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And The Bands Played On: Big State Festival Day Two
Kelly Willis and The Wrights were on the brink of starting their 12:30 sets when we arrived at the festival grounds on Sunday. Writing the Saturday wrap-up kept us from showing up earlier to watch Colin Gilmore and Ashley Ray. Our famished stomachs led us straight to the nearest food while we half-heartedly listened to […]
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Roger Creager Filled With Conviction And Ray Benson Comes Up Big At 2006 AMA
Last night my girlfriend and I took a trip to Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest dance hall, to catch a Roger Creager show. To make a long review short, it was nothing short of adrenaline inducing. He performs with more passion and conviction than anyone I have ever seen play live, and can seamlessly drift between […]
Continue reading "Roger Creager Filled With Conviction And Ray Benson Comes Up Big At 2006 AMA"
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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
- Bubba: Over the weekend Angela was doing a show in Wrightsville Beach, NC. Just over he...
- Razor X: I've listened to it three times in a row. It's magnificent. This has got my vote...
- leeann: Razor X, That's pretty much how I felt about it....
- Razor X: OK, I'm listening to it now and I feel like I have died and gone to Hillbilly He...
- 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 ...
- 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...
