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Country Music Loses The Beat With the Passing of Buddy Harman
Buddy Harman, dubbed the father of modern country drumming by Eddie Stubbs, passed away yesterday evening at the age of 79 from congestive heart failure.
A native Nashvillian born Murrey Mizell Harman Jr., Mr. Harman played drums on more than 18,000 recordings, including Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman,” Patsy Cline’s “Crazy,” Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” Tammy […]Continue reading "Country Music Loses The Beat With the Passing of Buddy Harman"
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Kristy Lee Cook Hooks Up With Arista Nashville; Single Due In August
American Idol’s Kristy Lee Cook scored a record deal with 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville. Her first single, “15 Minutes of Shame,” will hit radio on August 11 and her full album is due out sometime this fall. Last month, in his article proclaiming country music as American Idol’s uncomfortable bedfellow, Matt predicted that she’d be signed […]
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The Statler Brothers and Tom T. Hall Enshrined In Hall of Fame
The first song ever recorded by The Statler Brothers was a tune by the name of “The Ballad of Billy Christian,” written by Tom T. Hall. In that regard, it was only fitting that both were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame at the Ford Theater on Sunday night.
Last week Rick drew our […]Continue reading "The Statler Brothers and Tom T. Hall Enshrined In Hall of Fame"
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Howard Stern Responds To Dolly; Says Bring It On
Howard Stern’s response to the allegations that Dolly Parton is contemplating a lawsuit: “I can’t even imagine someone thinking they have an actionable case, but bring it on.”
Last month I called attention to the story behind Marty Robbins‘ epic western ballad “El Paso,” where the hero’s love for a woman named Felina becomes his downfall. […]Continue reading "Howard Stern Responds To Dolly; Says Bring It On"
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Dwight Yoakam Slated to Make 24th Appearance on The Tonight Show
When Dwight Yoakam appears on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” tomorrow he’ll break the record for most musical appearances on the show by any artist. He’s currently tied with Lyle Lovett at 23. One of the tunes he plans to play is “Act Naturally,” from the catalog of his late mentor, Buck Owens.
“Jay and […]Continue reading "Dwight Yoakam Slated to Make 24th Appearance on The Tonight Show"
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Songs About Prisoners Waitin’ Around To Die
Country Music is concerned with topics like life and death, sin and salvation, and the experience of the outsider and the lower classes. It should come as no surprise then that many fine country songs feature prisoners waiting to die. Here are 10 of the finest.
10. “They’re Hanging Me Tonight” - Johnny […]
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Is CMA Fest’s Nashville Future In Jeopardy?
CMA board member Kix Brooks believes the annual CMA Music Festival needs to start paying artists to play at the event, instead of asking them to perform for free year after year.
“It’s not in immediate danger, but we need to do some housekeeping,” he said. “I was pleading today with civic leaders to get on […]Continue reading "Is CMA Fest’s Nashville Future In Jeopardy?"
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2008 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
The newest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame for 2008 were announced today at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Tom T. Hall, Emmylou Harris, The Statler Brothers, and Ernest “Pop” Stoneman will be inducted into the pantheon of country music’s great later this year.
Stoneman will be inducted […]Continue reading "2008 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees Announced"
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Keith Urban T-Shirts Now Made With Recycled Plastic
Keith Urban has partnered with a company to help make his t-shirts more environmentally-friendly by being partially made from recycled plastic bottles. At the same time, Kenny Chesney says his tour requires 55 trucks and 28 buses to make everything work.
Who didn’t see this one coming years ago? Dolly Parton postponed her tour, citing […]Continue reading "Keith Urban T-Shirts Now Made With Recycled Plastic"
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Cancer Patient Granted Wish to Visit Opry
The Charleston Gazette ran a touching story on Christmas Eve about Steve Johnson, a 50-year old cancer patient who had fulfilled two of his three wishes. The last thing he wanted to do before he died was visit the Grand Ole Opry, something he didn’t think he was going to happen. While looking up information […]
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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.
Forgotten Artist: Wynn Stewart Both Buck Owens and Merle Haggard have cited Wynn Stewart as a major influence on their careers, yet somehow, he was never able to translate his enormous talent into extended and consistent success for himself.
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
- Matt B.: and Why should we care when or where Shania records a record. It isn't relevant...
- Lynn: I was also surprised by the use of "Only in America." Not because it was a count...
- Troy: k can we stop talking bout Mutt and Shaina yes the are very successful people an...
- paul: It doesn't look like Mutt moved on since he is begging Shania to take him back a...
- paul: Stormy, once again you fail to look at the facts. Shania and Mutt will work out ...
- Paul W Dennis: Photocrap really is a hoot ! The Del McCoury idea is interesting - let's see...
- Stormy: Mutt's already moved on. In the event of divorce half a studio is equal to 0 ...
- Paul W Dennis: What is really sad, Chris, is that 15+ years after the fall of the Soviet Union,...
- Paul: Does she have access to the studios? lmao!!! They are half in her name. My guess...
- Paul: Stormy, you are totally clueless. Shania has 4 studios that are half in her name...
