Willie Nelson Not Slowing Down; Ralph Stanley’s Swan Song; The Lovell Sisters Trio Downsize
- Willie Nelson collaborated with T Bone Burnett on a forthcoming album of vintage country songs that date back as far as the ’20s, and as reported by The Boot, he’s completed three others: one with James Stroud, one with Leon Russell, and another with Wynton Marsalis that serves as a tribute to Ray Charles.
- Townes Van Zandt is among the new inductees to the Austin Music Memorial.
- The Bluegrass Blog on Ralph Stanley‘s album-in-progress and recording future:
Ralph Stanley has been in the studio this month, working on a new album for Rebel Records, one which he has intimated may be his last. This will be an all-Gospel project, produced by his son Ralph Stanley II.
Ralph is recording with The Clinch Mountain Boys, and a few special guest performances are expected to be included, along with II singing lead on a couple of tracks. They have new songs from Ronnie Bowman and Jim Lauderdale, and Ralph is also planning to include a song from the days of The Stanley Brothers and at least one a capella number.
- The staff at KUT listed its favorite albums of the year.
- Music Fog: Tara Nevins w/The Believers – “Locket & Key”
- Country Universe continued its mega-list of the 201 greatest singles of the decade with part four and part five.
- If the new Rory Feek and Tim Johnson-produced Merry Kidsmas album, which features only performances by kids from their perspective, does well, they hope to follow it up with an album of songs from a dog’s perspective.
- Craig Shelburne shared his favorite Christmas video of all-time: Vince Vance and the Valiants‘ “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
- When Crazy Heart finally rolls out to a theater near you, be sure to stick around for the credits:
The most chilling moment actually comes at the very end of the credits as the a cappella version by Robert Duvall of Billy Joe Shaver’s “Live Forever” from the film accompanies a freeze frame: “Dedicated to the memory of Stephen Bruton.”
- Listen to the women of Madison Violet in their debut on Mountain Stage.
- The Lovell Sisters announced three dates as part of a farewell to the oldest member, Jessica, who is leaving the trio to attend college and marry her long-time boyfriend. Megan and Rebecca will continue on making music together. (via Country Standard Time)
- Universal Records South and Show Dog Nashville are expected to announce a joint restructuring deal soon.
- From Garth Brooks’ retirement to Taylor Swift‘s dominance, Chet Flippo listed some memorable moments from the past decade of country music.
- Lyle Lovett performed three of the originals from his latest album, Natural Forces, and a cover Townes Van Zandt‘s “Loretta” on World Cafe.
- In an interview with Peter Cooper, Sam Bush notes that his practice habits were inspired by Vassar Clements:
“I went to Vassar’s house once, and he was watching football, without the sound on. And with his fiddle, he improvised a soundtrack for the game. If someone was running down the field, he’d play faster and faster. And when they crossed the goal line, he’d bring it down to long, slow notes. I’m not that inventive, but I do love to watch baseball and practice. Unless Vin Scully is announcing, because then I want to hear every word he says.”
- Corb Lund joined Q TV host Jian Ghomeshi in the studio to perform several selections from his latest album, Losin’ Lately Gambler. Watch: “Long Gone to Saskatchewan” | Interview | “Losin’ Lately Gambler” | “This Is My Prairie“
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Billy Joe Shaver // Corb Lund // Garth Brooks // James Stroud // Jim Lauderdale // Leon Russell // Lyle Lovett // Madison Violet // Ralph Stanley // Ralph Stanley II // Ray Charles // Rory Feek // Sam Bush // Stanley Brothers // Stephen Bruton // Tara Nevins // Taylor Swift // The Lovell Sisters // The Stanley Brothers // Tim Johnson // Townes Van Zandt // Vassar Clements // Vince Vance // Willie Nelson // Wynton Marsalis
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December 18, 2009 at 11:42 am
I love Corb Lund’s “superjacket”
December 18, 2009 at 12:06 pm
If the new Rory Feek and Tim Johnson-produced Merry Kidsmas album, which features only performances by kids from their perspective, does well, they hope to follow it up with an album of songs from a dog’s perspective.
I thought this link was going to take me to the latest installment of Country California’s Fake News.
December 18, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Razor, when Joey + Rory did a concert out here in LA early this year (mostly for their label folks) Rory told of how he has written an entire “Dog Song” album. Rory sang a couple examples and they were very funny. I know that Paula W. has mentioned here that Rory also does those songs at his Songwriter’s Nights performances at the Bluebird Cafe. As good as they are I still prefer Anita Ree’s “Us Dogs Like Fishin’ Too” which is undoubtedly the best country song ever written from a dog’s perspective!
December 18, 2009 at 1:47 pm
The new Show Dog-Universal label is officially done: http://www.roughstock.com/blog/show-dog-records-merges-with-universal-records-south via http://www.musicrow.com/2009/12/wright-to-head-show-dog-universal-music/
December 18, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Matt, thanks for that link to the Music Row article. If you look at the artist rosters of both labels before the merger, its like two groups of people stuck on separate icebergs that were rescued to the safety of the Titanic! Toby is the only big name, big selling artist on the list, so now he gets to keep even a larger label afloat on his shoulders. You’d think Toby would tire of playing Atlas to these sinking labels…..
I’m sorry to hear about the current disbanding of the three Lovell Sisters as their album was one of the best of 2009 despite its lack of recognition. This is the exact reason why Jere Cherryholmes won’t allow Cia Leigh to date! (lol)
December 18, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Opry Alert! Amber Digby will make her Opry debut on Saturday Night’s Opry in a segment hosted by Ronnie Milsap! Other artists being featured worth tuning in for include Ralph Stanley, Emily West (I expect a Christmas song from this gal), Emmylou Harris, and Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. There is only one show, so don’t miss it! (lol)
Opry Schedule: http://www.opry.com/TicketsAndInformation/ThisWeek.aspx
Listen In: http://www.wsmonline.com/
PS – There is a good chance Amber Digby will be at the E.T. Record Shop Midnite Jamboree to sing back-up for her close friend Leona Williams and her son Ron!
Link: http://www.etrecordshop.com/