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March ‘08 Album Review Wrap-Up
Carlene Carter - Stronger
Born the daughter of June Carter and Carl Smith and step-daughter to Johnny Cash made Carlene Carter an heir to a rich line of country music nobility, but that doesn’t mean you’ll finder her latest album dripping with steel guitars, fiddles, and hillbilly twang. Stronger is at times beautiful and poignant, […] -
Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy Opens Tomorrow
Edd Hurt gave a good rundown of Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy, the exhibit that opens tomorrow at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and a brief history of the Williams family.
Luke Bryan scored a co-sponsorship from Longhorn Steakhouse and Jack Daniels. As part of the deal he’ll make 24 appearances […]Continue reading "Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy Opens Tomorrow"
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Sara Evans Engaged To Alabama Talk Show Host
Sara Evans’ publicist has confirmed that she is engaged to Alabama talk show host, and former University of Alabama quarterback, Jay Barker.
Toby Keith plans to release a 35-song greatest hits package on May 6th that spans his career, starting with “Should Have Been a Cowboy” and concluding with his latest single, “She’s a Hottie.” […]Continue reading "Sara Evans Engaged To Alabama Talk Show Host"
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Album Review: Joe Ely & Joel Guzman - Live Cactus!
Interstate 10 spans from coast to coast, but perhaps the most lonesome stretch belongs to West Texas. Aside from occasional wildlife sightings and a windmill farm it’s a desolate view–not what one would refer to as a scenic route, but it’s the fastest means of travel from one destination to the next.
One could even […]Continue reading "Album Review: Joe Ely & Joel Guzman - Live Cactus!"
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Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Taking Shape
The 16th annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival is scheduled to take place April 1-5 in nine different Nashville area venues. Josh Turner, Vince Gill and Rodney Crowell are among the country singers already announced from the 350-plus songwriters on the lineup.
As a young man Joe Ely accidentally got into the circus business and as […]Continue reading "Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Taking Shape"
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Obama Boogies Back To Texas With Ray Benson and Joe Ely
An fundraiser for Barack Obama at the Austin Music Hall last night featured country artists Ray Benson and Joe Ely, and Obama himself even joined in for a performance of “Boogie Back to Texas.” The Asleep at the Wheel MySpace blog has several additional pictures.
Chet Flippo weighs in on Kix Brooks’ comments about artists getting […]Continue reading "Obama Boogies Back To Texas With Ray Benson and Joe Ely"
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Aces Beat Kings: Charley Pride Bests Luke Bryan
Luke Bryan got his butt whipped by Charley Pride at a charity poker event in Las Vegas last week.
“I made the final table with Charley. He and I were the chip leaders. There were about four people left, and I got dealt a pair of kings - the money hand. I bet BIG and Charley […]Continue reading "Aces Beat Kings: Charley Pride Bests Luke Bryan"
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Kenny Chesney Produced Willie Album Hits Shelves In January
Songs like Johnny Cash’s “Hurt”, Martina McBride’s “Independence Day”, and George Strait’s “Amarillo by Morning” chartered considerably lower than other songs from these artists’ catalogs, but are sometimes considered signature songs; even over higher charting singles. With that in mind, Country Universe wants to know: What is the definition of a hit?
Sarah Borges, Lucinda Williams, […]Continue reading "Kenny Chesney Produced Willie Album Hits Shelves In January"
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Todd Snider and John Carter Cash Play Part In New Loretta Album
Singer-songwriter Larry Joe Taylor–who doesn’t listen to mainstream music–participated in Galleywinter’s 20 Questions feature.
Your music and festivals really promote songwriting above show. What made you want to really focus on the songwriting aspect? And, who are some of your favorite songwriters?
Songwriting is a craft. I’ve spent all of my musical life trying to hone my […]Continue reading "Todd Snider and John Carter Cash Play Part In New Loretta Album"
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Patty Griffin Scores Two Awards At AMAs
Merle Haggard’s latest album, The Bluegrass Sessions, “was produced by a bluegrass musician with bluegrass musicians, recorded at a bluegrass studio, released on a bluegrass label, racked under bluegrass in record stores, aired on bluegrass radio, covered by the bluegrass press, and it’s currently in it’s fourth consecutive week at # 1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass […]
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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: Can't we just ship all of the uptight Purtians who worry about who's having sex ...
- 2004: Anyone remember the Trailers 2004 release Welcome to the Woods (WTTW)? For those...
- Paul H!: I agree with Chuck and Helena; others are grossly over- reacting. Click on the p...
- 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...
