Rockabilly Legend Mr. Al Hendrix Partners With Time Life To Release 107 Songs Digitally.

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Aug 022020
 

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Mr. Al Hendrix is a big part of one of my favorite periods of Country Music history, and that is the Bakersfield Sound. He is just as integral as Mr. Buck Owens, whom he often played with Mr. Bill Woods and the Orange Blossom Playboys.

These releases encapsulate much of his recent music releases from 2007 – 2019, even though some of the songs were recorded earlier than the album was released. Many of these albums are available through the respected label’s websites and his own website as well.

Here is the press release for this news:

Seven Albums Featuring 107 Songs Released To All Digital Platforms:

FAIRFAX, Va. – Rockabilly Hall of Fame legend Al Hendrix has partnered with Time Life to release 107 songs from seven of his classic albums on all digital streaming platforms: The Best of Al Hendrix, Lonesome Whistle: A Tribute to the Great Hank Williams, Heart and Soul, Lover Boy, Rare & Rockin’, Rockabilly Lovin’ and Rockabilly Christmas.

“I’m just so delighted that my music will be available to everyone who wants to listen to it whenever they want,” said Hendrix. “The rockabilly community has always been so supportive, and I hope this brings some fun and good times into their lives.”

“This is a treasure trove of music for rockabilly fans,” adds Mike Jason, Time Life Senior Vice President, Live Entertainment. “There are few artists at the top of the genre like Al is and we are so honored to be working with him.”

Inspired by the Grand Ole Opry, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Buck Owens, Hendrix recorded his first singles (“Rhonda Lee” and “Go Daddy Rock”) in 1957 and by 1960 could be heard every hour on Alan Freed’s radio show. He was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2008 and in recent years has been a featured performer at events around the world, including the Viva Las Vegas rockabilly festival, The High Rockabilly Festival in Spain, the Hemsby Rock ‘N’ Roll Weekender in the UK and at his old friend Buck Owens’ iconic venue, Crystal Palace.

8 Years After His Death, We Have Unreleased Doc Watson Music.

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Aug 022020
 

One of my personal favorite musicians of the “older era” flatpickers, and one of the sole influences of the mighty Merlefest festival in North Carolina was Mr. Arthel “Doc” Watson. He and his ilk ushered in some timeless music as well as legendary musical techniques that many my age ardently study.

I seek out the obscure and the overlooked Legends of every genre, and I have an appetencity to know WHO did WHAT and WHEN..and this album knocked it out of the park for me. Believe it or not the state of New York produced a plethora of iconic shows for Country and Folk Music in the past, and this album is on that list.

In the late spring of 1962 there was a passionate Folk Music enthusiast named Mr. Peter K. Seigel lugged some of his recording equipment to TWO New York venues to record the Legendary Doc Watson perform. For the sole purpose of personal enjoyment, he recorded Mr. Doc and his father in-law Mr. Gaither Carlton perform for the first time in New York as a headliner act.

I SAY LUGGED because…could you imagine the immense labor that required to record shows in the 1960’s? Well, he did and enjoyed it for himself before deciding to allow the public to enjoy these recordings on CD and vinyl, after this many years.

In the late 1950’s and early 60’s famed folklorist Mr. Ralph Rinzler ran across Mr. Doc Watson on accident, as he was playing Rockabilly and Western Swing with an electric guitar. Mr. Ralph convinced Watson to perform solely with Acoustic guitar and banjo. Through the years, he culminated in the end as being known for his rick baritone vocals and his playing a Dana Bourgeois dreadnought given to him by Mr. Ricky Skaggs.

The music community of North Carolina boasts a rich history from him many others along with many venues and festivals. He played a major role in creating the mighty North Carolina Merlefest, which my website heavily covers. He and his son performed many times at that festival that began in 1988 in memory of his late son.

In 1947, Mr. Doc married Miss Rosa Lee Carlton, the daughter of Legendary fiddle player Mr. Gaither Carlton whom died in 1972. Gaither was also brought to fruition by producer Mr. Ralph Rinzler, and Mr. Doc Watson was invited by the duo to record at his home in Tennessee. Here is the press release:

DOC WATSON AND GAITHER CARLTON
May 29, 2020 on Smithsonian Folkways

It’s hard to imagine a time when the brilliant guitar playing and Appalachian roots of Doc Watson weren’t a part of the American musical fabric. A famed artist in his day and a continuing influence on American music, Watson happened into the music industry much by accident, “discovered” by noted folklorist Ralph Rinzler in the early 1960s when he was mainly playing rockabilly tunes on the electric guitar near his home in tiny Deep Gap, North Carolina. Rinzler convinced Watson that audiences around the country were interested in the older music of Appalachia, and the nation soon fell in love with his heartfelt, powerful singing and his inimitable acoustic guitar playing. He inspired countless people to pick up the guitar and learn to flatpick the old melodies, much of this encouragement coming in person after performances. It was at the first of these shows in New York, really Watson’s first time headlining a show in the city (the previous time he’d played there he was one of two guitarists in Clarence Ashley’s band), that we get to hear this old music played by Watson and his fiddling father-in-law, Gaither Carlton. These live recordings from 1962 are to be released May 29, 2020, by Smithsonian Folkways as Doc Watson and Gaither Carlton on CD, digital, and vinyl. Most of these tracks have never been released before, and the recordings capture two masters at the height of their power, reveling in an audience that was there to listen, not just to drink and dance. It’s a moment where the rural Appalachian world of North Carolina came face to face with the urban New York world of young people desperate to learn folk music and to learn more about the Southern traditions they’d been discovering. These recordings show two very different worlds coming together, buoyed by Watson’s charming personality and his willingness to teach all who would learn.

These album pictures are all courtesy of Mr. Ralph Rinzler, who was the curator at the Smithsonian for years. He was co-founder of the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, as well as an intense enthusiast and a savant of Folk Music as a whole.

Now, Id’ like to talk about this album here.

This album I approached a little bit differently than others because I thought the production quality would have been poor or actually missing altogether.  One of the songs that stuck out to me the most about an old man waiting for his to come home from the Civil War…in a casket. He knew his son was dead, and the man at the window thought he was an alive passenger. It’s from an album called “Sittin’ On top Of The World”.

Most of them are wordless fiddle tunes performed in his signature Appalachian style, but songs like “Willie Moore”. A young man requested permission form his gal’s parents to marry her and they refused.  Here, we have a tragic and poignant song of despair as the young man died.

Track Listing:

1. Double File
2 .Handsome Molly
3. He’s Coming To us Dead
4. Corina
5. Brown’s Dream
6. Groundhog ( Blind Lemon’s Version)
7. My Home’s Across The Blue Ridge Mountains
8. Bonaparte’s Retreat
9. Willie Moore
10. The Blue Ridge Mountain Blues
11. Goin’ Back To Jericho
12. Billy In the Low Ground
13. Reuben’s Train
14.  The Dream Of the Miner’s Child
15. Groundhog ( FOTM Version)

Album Feature – S.G. Goodman – Old Time Feeling

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Jul 232020
 

By Joshua Wallace

Old Time Feeling is the debut album of western Kentucky native S.G. Goodman.  This debut is a record that presents itself as Americana on the surface, but there are dashes of country, alt rock, blues and some psychedelic flares throughout that keep you listening and you will not want to skip a track.  It’s an impressive debut and I highly recommend checking it out if you have not already.  Here are a few highlights of the record.

The album opens up with “Space and Time”.  It sounds like something you would find on a 1960’s country radio station.  It’s a slow almost psychedelic love ballad.  I love the subtle tempo change in the lone verse of the song, it’s a nice touch to the overall sound.  Up next is the bluesy rocker “Old Time Feeling”.  S.G. Goodman’s vocals feel at home over the rock beat here and I wish there was more like this on the album. It’s one of the better tracks and serves as a break from the slower ballads throughout.

“The Way I Talk” features a chugging guitar and drum beat that sounds a bit like indie folk amped up and put through an alt country filter.  The track is innocent enough till it slides into a feedback heavy rock solo at the end that just works with the overall groove of this album.  “Burn Down The City” starts out as an electric folky track and morphs into an alt rock groove.  It starts out subtle, but the guitar slowly gets more distorted till it turns into a chugging alt rock riff that eventually gets the whole band involved.  I dig the transitions in this track.  Finally, “Kitchen Floor” is a track leaning more to country music and has thick pedal steel throughout.  There is a slow waltz-like pace to the drums and when that is mixed with the high lonesome vocals and the pedal steel on this track it creates an amazing soundscape.

S.G. Goodman has created a record that carries an interesting mix of sounds throughout and you can hear her southern influences clearly.  Folk, country, alt rock and blues are all mixed in here with artistic flares of psychedelic and retro sounds throughout.  It’s a promising debut that should sound amazing live.  S.G. Goodman is currently scheduled to open for John Moreland on his 2021 tour and I’m planning on making it to one of those shows when shows are happening again.  In the meantime, you can check out S.G. Goodman’s website here and Old Time Feeling was released everywhere as of July 17th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : Space and Time, Old Time Feeling, Tender Kind, The Way I Talk, Burn Down The City, Kitchen Floor

 

S. G. Goodman – Old Time Feeling (2020)

  1. Space and Time
  2. Old Time Feeling
  3. Supertramp
  4. Tender Kind
  5. Red Bird Morning
  6. The Way I Talk
  7. Burn Down The City
  8. It Ain’t Me Babe
  9. Kitchen Floor
  10. Big Girl Now

Album Feature – Kyle Keller – All It Does Is Rain

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Jul 162020
 

By Joshua Wallace

Kyle Keller has released his debut full length LP with All It Does Is Rain.  This is straightforward acoustic folk music.  This album is raw and real with no bells and whistles.  Just a man and his guitar and a few other instruments spread throughout.  This album is full of lost love, sad songs and some good songwriting.  That’s what it pretty much comes down to with a record like this.  Does the artist’s singing voice grab your attention and is the songwriting good? Both are true in this case.  Kyle Keller has a gritty and sometimes deep singing voice that gets the emotions across in every song.

The album kicks off with “Memories & Scars”.  It’s a good introduction to the album in that you know what to expect from here on out.  It’s a good heartbreak song in an album full of heartbreak songs.  “The Devil’s Hammock” changes things up a bit in a ballad where the narrator wishes the black water would carry his worry out to sea.  This song has always been one of my favorites to hear live and I’m glad he has recorded it here.  There is a sense of urgency as the narrator almost begs the sea to take his worry away but leave his flesh and bones.  It’s a great track for anyone who has seen darker times.  “I’ve Known Love” is another favorite about losing that special kind of love.  At the same time, it’s also about knowing all kinds of love, both good and bad.  This is one of two tracks that features Laurence Kingston on piano and that simple addition adds to the production of this track.  Finally, the album closes with “The Spark”.  This song was inspired by events that happened in Charlottesville, VA a few years ago, but it still rings true with events that are currently in the news.  I always lean more to protest songs that while they are inspired by certain events can stand the test of time and be applied to similar things in the future.

Kyle Keller has released one great raw and gritty folk album.  I highly recommend giving this one a spin if you’re a fan of sad songs of all colors.  There’s a bit of variety throughout this record to keep it interesting throughout and you will almost surely find something that draws you back for further listens.  I also have to give a shout out to Abe Partridge for the killer cover art on this one.  You should check out his art if you enjoy the album cover.  Kyle Keller is based out of Gainesville, FL and will be playing shows in that area when they re-start.  Until then, you can find him on Facebook or Twitter and his album is for sale on Bandcamp.  All It Does Is Rain is available everywhere you can stream music as of June 27th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : Memories & Scars, The Devil’s Hammock, Singing Down In Georgia, I’ve Known Love, Susannah, The Spark

Kyle Keller – All It Does Is Rain (2020)

  1. Memories & Scars
  2. I Hope You’re Gone
  3. I Don’t Love You Anymore
  4. Mama Please
  5. The Devil’s Hammock
  6. Singing Down In Georgia
  7. I’ve Known Love
  8. Susannah
  9. Diamond Eyes
  10. Afraid Of Change
  11. The Spark

Album Feature – Joshua Ray Walker – Glad You Made It

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Jul 152020
 

By Joshua Wallace

Joshua Ray Walker is back with his second solo album following his stellar 2019 release Wish You Were Here which landed at number four on my 2019 Albums Of The Year List.  Where Wish You Were Here was mostly full of slower songs and sad country tunes, this album picks up the pace and is much more of a rocking country record.  It still features Joshua’s amazing vocals and songwriting but this time there is more variety in the soundscape and that makes for a better record this go round.

The album kicks off with “Voices” which is one of the slower tracks on here.  The high lonesome cries on the chorus of this track are a great showcase for the amazing vocals you can find throughout this album.  Another favorite is “Bronco Billy’s”.  It’s a honky tonk tune that starts off slow and builds to a fast pace with some killer pedal steel work from Adam Kurtz who is on pedal steel throughout this album and is a true standout in the band featured on this record.  “Boat Show Girl” shows off some of Joshua Ray Walker’s songwriting ability on a track about a girl who wishes someone would look at her the way people look at the boat she is trying to sell.  

Another great track is the bluesy rocker titled “User”.  There are some great blues riffs with some killer slide guitar work and even a horn section.  You wouldn’t think a horn section would work on a track about blues rock track about substance abuse, but it does.  “Loving County” is another slow track that features some great yodeling and an almost cosmic soundscape with some trippy guitar throughout.  It’s a fitting sound for a song about going to one of the most lonesome off the grid places you can think of.  Finally, the album ends with the rock number “D.B. Cooper”.  The lyrics are a short two verse song about D.B. Cooper after his escape.  The slower backdrop gives way to some thick riffs that are bound to be a rocking jam live.

This album really slaps.  It features a huge variety in sound that goes from high lonesome ballads to honky tonk bangers to thick riffs and jam worthy rock n roll.  If you felt Wish You Were Here was a bit one note with a lot of ballads, this album won’t do you wrong.  I highly recommend giving this one a spin as Joshua Ray Walker has released another album of the year contender here.  Glad You Made It is out everywhere as of July 10th, 2020.  While Joshua Ray Walker can’t tour anywhere right now, you can get yourself a copy of this record on his bandcamp page. 

Favorite Tracks : Voices, Bronco Billy’s, Boat Show Girl, User, Loving County, D.B. Cooper

 

Joshua Ray Walker – Glad You Made It (2020)

  1. Voices
  2. True Love
  3. Cupboard
  4. Bronco Billy’s
  5. Boat Show Girl
  6. User
  7. Play You A Song
  8. One Trick Pony
  9. Loving County
  10. D.B. Cooper

The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Volume 1 Available Everywhere June 26th

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Jul 122020
 

 

April 15, 2020 – Nashville, TN – John Hartford’s nimble, whit-fueled songs have long been a focal point of the bluegrass and newgrass canon and Hartford’s musicianship, on both the banjo and fiddle, has now been doted over for generations, but until recently, little has been known about his late-in-life, academic approach to fiddle music. After Hartford passed in 2001, his family discovered over two-thousand original, hand-written fiddle tune charts in file cabinets under his desk, and in time, the idea for a way to honor Hartford’s passion has grown legs. Nashville-based fiddler Matt Combs spent months pouring over Hartford’s journals and notes to compile resources for what would become two expansive projects; a book called John Hartford’s Mammoth Collections of Fiddle Tunes and this album, The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Volume 1, which will be available online on June 26th. A vinyl LP of Volume 1 can also be pre-ordered here.

Hartford’s music and ideas certainly don’t need a qualifier attached, but if one were to look for evidence to support their greatness, the laundry list of grade-A musicians who took part in the recording of The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Volume 1 would be a righteous place to start. From track one, the guest artists flow in and out of a revolving door of virtuosity. Combs is joined by Ronnie McCoury, Noam Pikelny, Chris Eldridge, and Dennis Crouch for “Tennessee Politics,” Sierra Hull accompanies herself on both mandolin and octave mandolin for “Old Beveled Mirror,” and Brittany Haas leads Paul Kowert, Dominic Leslie, and Jordan Tice through “Long White Road.” Meanwhile, four tracks feature Hartford’s former bandmates—Mike Compton on mandolin, Mark Howard on banjo, and Chris Sharp on guitar—reuniting their bandleader’s music with the pickers who brought it to life for years. The head-turning list of contributors continues with Tim O’Brien, Alison Brown, Megan Lynch Chowning, Tristan Scroggins, Forrest and Kate Lee O’Connor, Kristen Andreassen, Mike Bub, Rachel Combs, and Jan Fabricius before the album concludes with Shad Cobb joining Combs and O’Brien for the triple-fiddle, album-closing composition “Evening Farewell.” When all is said and done, listeners will have heard a total of seventeen unreleased Hartford compositions, running the gamut from driving to lilting to waltzing to stomping, while never losing their creator’s lighthearted touch.

“We are quickly approaching 20 years since his passing, and I hear not only John’s tunes out in the ‘fiddleverse’ but so many of the old-time tunes he unearthed and brought to the world,” says Combs. “I truly hope that this record continues that trend. There are so many great tunes here that represent the breadth of John’s influences and his deep creative spark; all of the artists on this recording helped bring them to life through their unique lens.” Katie Harford Hogue, Hartford’s daughter and executive producer of the album, says, “What I love the most about this record is that each artist’s DNA comes through, and Dad is the unifying spirit that brings it all together. He pulled inspiration from every moment, every sound, every sight he encountered, and his journals were a place to explore all of his ideas.” The ​John ​Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Volume 1 was recorded in part at the legendary Cowboy Arms Hotel and Recording Spa in Nashville, home of the late Jack Clement, where Hartford recorded his 1984 album Gum Tree Canoe. Those album sessions essentially coincide with the start of Hartford’s musical journals, which date back to 1983.

“Ever since I pulled the first fiddle journal out of a storage box back in 2008, the whole concept has fascinated me. The idea of this much creative output from one source is mind-boggling, and yet I understand where it comes from,” says Hogue. “With the creative brain, once the faucet is turned on the ideas just keep coming. Everything builds upon everything else, and there are endless variations. That’s the great thing about art, music, and creative thinking—every idea spurs on ten more. It’s a beautiful burden.”

Combs adds, “We knew we had to bring these tunes to life and record them so that others can learn and play them. When John was still living, he felt a great sense of accomplishment when his tunes were accepted into the fiddle tune vernacular, and his greatest hope as a composer was that they would get mixed in with all the old tunes that he loved so much. This record is our attempt to do just that.”

The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Volume 1 Track Listing:
1. Tennessee Politics
2. Calhoun County
3. Old Beveled Mirror
4. Running Board Waltz
5. Little Country Town
6. Don Brown And The Boys
7. John Rice
8. On Guitars, The End Of New Fingers Get Sore
9. Long White Road
10. The Old Man’s Drunk
11. Heartache What To Do
12. How Can We Love
13. Just Enough Room To Turn Around
14. Every Hour On The Hour
15. The Half-Price Hornpipe
16. Over At The Side Of The Road
17. Evening Farewell

More About John Hartford: One of the most respected musicians in Nashville history, John Hartford is considered a cornerstone of the newgrass movement due to his 1971 masterpiece, ​Aereo-Plain​. He won a career four Grammy Awards, including two for his 1967 recording of “Gentle on My Mind,” a third for his 1976 album Mark Twang, and a fourth for his contributions to the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack in 2000. He was posthumously inducted into the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 2010, was awarded the Americana Music Association President’s Award in 2005, and the Folk Alliance “Spirit of Folk” award in 2011.

List Of Tennessee And Kentucky Live Shows.

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Jul 122020
 

Folks I am trying my best to keep up with all of the venues, festivals and all else for you. These dates are ALL tentative, and I move the dates that reschedule of cancel RIGHT HERE . Your guess is as good as mine as to exactly when we will have live music again, or if the economy will ever fully rebound from this global tragedy.

I know for an absolute FACT any shows before the 15th of April have been cancelled so I’ll start logging dates and events that are slated to transpire AFTER April 15th. Even the Southgate House Revival whom reports not knowing when they will re open, has been left up on here after the 18th JUST IN CASE they can re open.

Until then, everybody hunker down at home and enjoy all of these live streams and watch movies. ME? Well, I just been working on the house chores and catching up on all of my back work on the computer. Catch a few podcasts I don’t always get to listen to, and enjoy my record collection.

BE WELL MY DEAR READERS. God Bless All Of You

Alan Jackson
Bridgestone Arena August 7th 2020

Blackberry Smoke
Ascend Ampitheater August 9th

Steel Woods
Morgan Wade
the Caverns august 15th

American Aquarium
Brooklyn Bowl Nashville August 16th

John Moreland
Brooklyn Bowl Nashville August 28th

The steel Woods
Manchester Music Hall Lexington Ky August 29th

Corb Lund
3rd And Lindsley August 30th

Ronnie Mcdowell
The Red Barn In Ohio September 12th

Charley Pride
Bridgestone Arena September 15th

B.J. Thomas
SkyPAC Bowling Green Ky September 19th 2020

Sammy Kershaw
Collin Raye
Aaron Tippin
The Red Barn In Ohio Spetember 24th

Daryl Worley
The Red Barn In Ohio September 26th

Whiskey Myers
Plaza Theater In Glasgow Ky September 26th

Chris Stapleton
Thompson Arean Knoxville Tn October 1st

Chris Stapleton
Bridgestone Arena October 2nd and 3rd

The Dead South
The Reverend Peytons Big Damn Band
The Caverns October 3rd

Georgette Jones
Nashville Palace October 13th

Whiskey Myers
Ryman Auditorium October 20th

Whiskey Myers
Ryman Auditorium November 21st

Town Mountain
Station Inn December 2nd

Jo Dee Messina
The Red Barn In Ohio December 12th

Ian Noe
Lucero
Ryman Auditorium Feb 11th 2021

Chris Stapleton
Bridgestone Arena October 22nd and 23rd

Wade Bowen
Randy Rogers
Ryman Auditorium Feb 12th

Festivals I Know That Have Cancelled in 2020.

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Jul 032020
 

 

Well as many of you already know, I had to take a month off and tend to some personal medical issues. I has to take a little time away from ALL forms of communication and heal right. I emerged a stronger individual  but was flummoxed at the amount of response to this virus.

This has and will terminate LIVE music and bands as we know it, and here is a brief list of festivals I KNOW have been cancelled or rescheduled, and I’ll be adding to this list as I am aware of the cancellations, or any that are postponed.

MANY FESTIVALS are asking for donations to keep them rolling, and to recover from costs of failing to commence upon schedule. SO MANY nationwide festivals have been affected by this nationwide tragedy, and as a result ANY donate links I find for that particular festival I’ll link them ALL on here after YOUR favorite festival is listed.

Moonrunners – May 1 and 2nd – Postponed to August 8th and 9th.

Viva Las Vegas – April 1 – 4th – Cancelled Rescheduled to April 1-4th 2021

Larry Joe Taylor Festival – April 20 – 25th – Postponed to October 19th – 24th.

Riverbend Festival 2020 – May – Postponed to an Unannounced Later Date.

Freshgrass Bentonville – April 24th and 25th – Postponed To 2021

Backwoods At Mulberry Mountain – June 4 – 7th – Postponed To 2021

Suwannee Spring Reunion – March – Postponed To 2021

Shaky Boots Music Festival – July – Postponed To 2021

The Caverns:

The following shows have been rescheduled or cancelled

March 27, 28 & 29, 2020 – Bluegrass Underground PBS TV Tapings

  • Status: rescheduled
  • New Dates: November 20, 21 & 22, 2020

April 4, 2020 – Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ with The Silks

  • Status: rescheduled
  • New Date: August 30, 2020

April 18, 2020 – Jade Cicada

  • Status: rescheduled
  • New Date: August 1, 2020

If you have tickets for a show and cannot make the rescheduled date, we have partnered with Lyte to give our fans a way to sell and purchase official tickets from other real fans.

Visit Exchange

 

Calf Fry Festival – April 29th – May 2nd – Postponed To An Unannounced Later Date.

This Is Red Dirt And Barbecue Festival – Rescheduled For October 11th.

Bluegrass Island Festival – May – Cancelled Will Be In may 2021.

Outlaws And Legends – March – Cancelled Will Be In March 2021.

Chilifest – May – Cancelled Will Be In May 2021.

Trapper Creek Bluegrass Festival – May – Cancelled Will Be In 2021.

Back 40 Social Festival – May – Rescheduled For October 10th

John Hartford Memorial Festival – May – Rescheduled To September 30th to Oct 3rd.

Nelsonville Music Festival – June – Canceled Will Be In 2021.

Red River Music Festival – April – Postponed To October 3rd.

Rooster Walk – May – Cancelled Will Return In 2021.

Durango Bluegrass Meltdown – April 17th – 19th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021.

Riverbend Festival – April – Cancelled Will Return In 2021.

The Western – June 12th and 13th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021.

The Blue Ox – June 11th – 13th – Rescheduled For August 27th – 29th.

Born & raised Festival – June 5 -6 -7 Cancelled Will Return In 2021.

The Red Ants Pants – July 23rd – 26th – Cancelled Will Return July 22-25th 2021

Pagosa Folk And Bluegrass Festival – June 5 – 7th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021

Bluegrass in The Bottoms – May 28th and 29th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021

Lockn’ Fest – 1 – 4th 2020

Forecastle Festival – July 17th – 19th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021

Oystergrass – July 26th – 28th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021

Palisade Bluegrass Festival – June 15th and 16th – Postponed To 2021

The Northwest String Summit – July 16th – 19th – Postponed To 2021

Red Wing Roots Music Festival – July 10, 11th and 12th – Postponed To 2021

Hoxeyville Music Festival – August 14th – 16th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021

Jackalope Jamboree – June 26th and 27th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021.

Showdown On Sugar Creek – July 27th – Postponed to October

CL (Austin City Limits) Festival – October 2nd – 11th

Podunk Music Festival – August 10th and 11th – Postponed To 2021

Moon River Music Festival – Sept 12th – 15th – Postponed To 2021

Braun Brothers Reunion – August 6th – 8th – Postponed To 2021

Railbird Music Festival – August 22nd and 23rd

Four Corners Folk Festival – September 4 – 6th

Albino Skunk Festival – Summer is June 20th – October 1- 3rd

Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival – September 4 – 6th – Postponed To 2021

Hinterland – July 31st – August 2nd – Postponed To 2021

Pickathon – July 30th – August 2nd – Postponed To 2021

Tailgates And Tallboys – July 30th, 31st and August 1st – Postponed To 2021

Under The Big Sky Festival– July 18th and 19th – Postponed To 2021

Kickin It On The Creek – September 17th – 19th – Postponed To 2021

Moon River – September 12th – Postponed To 2021

Freshgrass – September 25 – 27th – Postponed To 2021

Walnut Valley Bluegrass – September 16- 20th – Postponed To 2021

Post Cierra Hoedown – Sept 17th – 20th – Postponed To 2021

Americanafest – September 15th – 20th – Postponed To 2021

Hometown Rising – Sept 212th -13th – Postponed To 2021

Picking In the Pine – September 18th – 20th – Postponed To 2021

Bluegrass Heritage Festiva – July 15th and 16th – Postponed To 2021

Earl Scruggs Memorial festival – Sept 4rth and 5th – Postponed To 2021

Moondance Festival – August 21st 22nd and 23rd

Red Dirt Float Fest – July 25th and 26th – Postponed To 2021

The Redwood Ramble – July 16th -19th – Postponed To 2021

Festival Of The Red – June 26th – 28th – Postponed To 2021

Roostertail – July 2nd – 4rth – Postponed To 2021

The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festiva – July 15th – 19th – Postponed To 2021

Roseberry Bluegrass Festival – July 16th -18th – Postponed To 2021

Whimmydiddle – August 14th and 15th – Postponed To 2021

Fayetteville Roots Festival – August 26th -30th – Postponed To 2021

Rockygrass – July 24th – 26th

Floyd Fest – July 22nd – 26th

Targhee Bluegrass Festival – July 10th – 12th

Bristol Rhythm And Root -Sept 11th – 13th

Muddy Roots – September 4th – 6th

Ongoing Festivals For 2020 As I Am Notified.

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Jul 032020
 

For two weeks now, I have been ardently laboring to piece together local music from a somewhat distant angle of what COULD possibly transpire…make sense? I ask you how long have you been cooped up at home? I myself have been holed up for about a week and a few days, after a month long medical event.

MANY of us have been watching this plethora of LIVE feeds, and tipping all of our valued friends whom cannot work in this time of need here, and I have a massive article that I want to share. Here is how you can help.

In all honesty, there are just so many ways you can help this music we love, no matter WHAT genre YOU enjoy most. All of these festivals below are HEAVILY SUPPORTED by me and my website, and I keep in constant contact with them all.

ANY AND ALL cancellations or rescheduled festival dates shall be duly noted I shall move that date to the other article that I have linked. Here is where you can see what’s cancelled or postponed. 

Whispering Beard – August 18th – 20th

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass – October 2nd – 4th

Moonshiner’s Ball – October 8 – 11th

Hillberry Music Festival – October 8 – 11th

The Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival – October 8 – 11th

Honey Creek Bluegrass Festival – October 22nd – 24th

Hangtown Music Festival – October 22nd – 25th

Symco Hot Rod And Rockabilly Festival – August 7th and 8th

Manchester Music Festival – August 29th – 31st

Vine Grove Bluegrass – September 24th – 26th

Nashville Boogie – October 2nd -4rth

Southern Gothic Campout – October 23rd – 24th

Firewater music Festival – October 1st – 3rd

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top 20 Albums Of 2020 So Far

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Jul 022020
 

By Joshua Wallace

This has been a strange year to release a new record in, but that hasn’t stopped folks from releasing some great albums.  Here is a list of my Top 20 Albums of 2020 So Far.  I know I could have included more artists here, but I am working on a Top 50 list that will be published at the end of the year.  I have included links to previous coverage of albums when we have it.  Check these records out and support these bands while they cannot tour for their new records by buying merch or tipping during a livestream.

 

1. Kyle Nix – Lightning On The Mountain And Other Short Stories

Review

 

2. Mike and The Moonpies – Touch Of You : The Lost Songs Of Gary Stewart

Review

 

3. American Aquarium – Lamentations

10 More Albums We Are Looking Forward To In 2020

 

4. Hill Country – Hill Country

 

5. Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen – Hold My Beer Vol. 2

 

6. Jessi Alexander – Decatur County Red

Review

 

7. The Panhandlers – The Panhandlers

Review

 

8.  Ashley McBryde – Never Will

Review

 

9. Aubrie Sellers – Far From Home

Review

 

10. Jaime Wyatt – Neon Cross

10 Most Anticipated Country Albums Out This Summer

 

11. John Baumann – Country Shade

10 Most Anticipated Country Albums Out This Summer

 

12. ROOKIE – ROOKIE

 

13. Hailey Whitters – The Dream

 

14. Kyle Keller – All It Does Is Rain

10 Most Anticipated Country Albums Out This Summer

 

15. Zach Bryan – Elisabeth

 

16. Hellbound Glory – Pure Scum

10 Most Anticipated Country Albums Out This Summer

 

17. Sammy Brue – Crash Test Kid

 

18. Chancey Williams – 3rd Street

 

19. Jesse Daniel – Rollin’ On

 

20. Whitney Rose – We Still Go To Rodeos

 

Album Feature – Kyle Nix – Lightning From The Mountain and Other Short Stories

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Jun 302020
 

By Joshua Wallace

I know a lot of folks are big fans of Turnpike Troubadours and you will be familiar with Kyle Nix from his fiddle work with the band.  While there is plenty of good fiddle work showcased on this album, we have never heard Kyle Nix as a singer-songwriter or as a frontman of his own band.  I was excited about this album from the moment it was announced.  The premise of an album treated as a collection of short stories had me intrigued.  Then you throw in the fact that his backing band are fellow members of the Turnpike Troubadours.  I had a strong feeling that this record would turn out to be a highlight of the year and I’m here to say that I was not disappointed.  Lightning From The Mountain and Other Short Stories delivers some good fiddle driven, knee slappin’ and story centered country music.  

The first single released from the album was the title track “Lightning From The Mountain”.  This is a story of revenge after a bad deal over some bootleg liquor.  It’s a fast track with some great fiddling that you would expect from a fiddle player as good as Kyle Nix has shown he is on the Turnpike Troubadour records.  This song also features some great storytelling and it’s a good introduction to Kyle Nix as a singer and songwriter.  Another favorite from this record is the track “Graves”.  I love the opening riff and the track almost has a gothic sound to it.  There is more nice fiddling on this track.  I love the line “ Pretty girls make graves / But a fool will dig his own”.

The track “Shelby ‘65” brings forth rightful comparisons to the Jerry Reed classic “Eastbound and Down”.  It’s another banger of a track on this record and it’s got a killer banjo riff mixed in with some hot guitar licks.  It’s a song about a couple on the run in the titular hot rod.  This one is bound to be lots of fun live.  Another great track is “If Ruby Ain’t Happy”.  There are plenty of songs about Ruby in country music.  This song is about a man trying to make Ruby happy.  I particularly love the line “She don’t like them country songs that run down her name / She catch you singin’, Oh Lord, it’s Judgement Day!”.  This song has an old time country feel to it with more of the great fiddle playing you have come to expect from this album by now.  Finally, I will touch on “Lonesome For You (Widower Pt. 1)”.  This song opens up with an amazing 40 second pedal steel intro that leads into one of the slower songs of the record.  It’s a song about how a widower remains lonesome for their lost love and it truly captures those emotions in this great track.

Kyle Nix has released an amazing debut record that puts him as a front runner for album of the year in my opinion.  I could go on about every song on this album as there is not a bad one here.  Every song tells a short story and the album is successful in delivering on that promise.  I can’t wait to see Kyle Nix live once bands are able to tour again.  In the meantime, you can find everything Kyle Nix is up to on his website.  Lightning From the Mountain and Other Short Stories is available everywhere as of June 26, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : Lightning From The Mountain, Graves, Shelby ‘65, Little Miss Jones, If Ruby Ain’t Happy, Lonesome For You (Widower Pt. 1)

Kyle Nix – Lightning From The Mountain and Other Short Stories (2020)

  1. Intro
  2. Manifesto
  3. Lightning From The Mountain
  4. Sweet Delta Rose
  5. Prelude : Meet Your Match
  6. Graves
  7. Blue Eyes
  8. Shelby ‘65
  9. Josephine
  10. The Wolf At The Door
  11. Little Miss Jones
  12. Good Girl Down The Road
  13. If Ruby Ain’t Happy
  14. Woman Of Steel
  15. Lonesome For You (Widower Pt. 1)
  16. Old Joe Clark
  17. Reprise : Hacia El Ocaso 

Current List Of Livestreams From Many Genres.

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Jun 282020
 

Luke Winslow King – , July 19th, July 26th,
William Clark Green – July 15th
Reverend Horton Heat – July 15th, 22nd And July 24th
American Aquarium – July 23rd and 25th
Ray Benson – July 25th
Asleep At The Wheel – July 25th
Clint Black – July 30th
Jason Isbell – July 31st
Deer Tick – August 1st
Jerry Douglass – August 8th

Festivals I Know That Have Cancelled Or Postponed In 2020

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Jun 272020
 

 

Well as many of you already know, I had to take a month off and tend to some personal medical issues. I has to take a little time away from ALL forms of communication and heal right. I emerged a stronger individual  but was flummoxed at the amount of response to this virus.

This has and will terminate LIVE music and bands as we know it, and here is a brief list of festivals I KNOW have been cancelled or rescheduled, and I’ll be adding to this list as I am aware of the cancellations, or any that are postponed.

MANY FESTIVALS are asking for donations to keep them rolling, and to recover from costs of failing to commence upon schedule. SO MANY nationwide festivals have been affected by this nationwide tragedy, and as a result ANY donate links I find for that particular festival I’ll link them ALL on here after YOUR favorite festival is listed.

Moonrunners – May 1 and 2nd – Postponed to August 8th and 9th.

Viva Las Vegas – April 1 – 4th – Cancelled Rescheduled to April 1-4th 2021

Larry Joe Taylor Festival – April 20 – 25th – Postponed to October 19th – 24th.

Riverbend Festival 2020 – May – Postponed to an Unannounced Later Date.

Freshgrass Bentonville – April 24th and 25th – Postponed To 2021

Backwoods At Mulberry Mountain – June 4 – 7th – Postponed To 2021

Suwannee Spring Reunion – March – Postponed To 2021

Shaky Boots Music Festival – July – Postponed To 2021

The Caverns:

The following shows have been rescheduled or cancelled

March 27, 28 & 29, 2020 – Bluegrass Underground PBS TV Tapings

  • Status: rescheduled
  • New Dates: November 20, 21 & 22, 2020

April 4, 2020 – Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ with The Silks

  • Status: rescheduled
  • New Date: August 30, 2020

April 18, 2020 – Jade Cicada

  • Status: rescheduled
  • New Date: August 1, 2020

If you have tickets for a show and cannot make the rescheduled date, we have partnered with Lyte to give our fans a way to sell and purchase official tickets from other real fans.

Visit Exchange

 

Calf Fry Festival – April 29th – May 2nd – Postponed To An Unannounced Later Date.

This Is Red Dirt And Barbecue Festival – Rescheduled For October 11th.

Bluegrass Island Festival – May – Cancelled Will Be In may 2021.

Outlaws And Legends – March – Cancelled Will Be In March 2021.

Chilifest – May – Cancelled Will Be In May 2021.

Trapper Creek Bluegrass Festival – May – Cancelled Will Be In 2021.

Back 40 Social Festival – May – Rescheduled For October 10th

John Hartford Memorial Festival – May – Rescheduled To September 30th to Oct 3rd.

Nelsonville Music Festival – June – Canceled Will Be In 2021.

Red River Music Festival – April – Postponed To October 3rd.

Rooster Walk – May – Cancelled Will Return In 2021.

Durango Bluegrass Meltdown – April 17th – 19th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021.

Riverbend Festival – April – Cancelled Will Return In 2021.

The Western – June 12th and 13th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021.

The Blue Ox – June 11th – 13th – Rescheduled For August 27th – 29th.

Born & raised Festival – June 5 -6 -7 Cancelled Will Return In 2021.

The Red Ants Pants – July 23rd – 26th – Cancelled Will Return July 22-25th 2021

Pagosa Folk And Bluegrass Festival – June 5 – 7th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021

Bluegrass in The Bottoms – May 28th and 29th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021

Lockn’ Fest – 1 – 4th 2020

Forecastle Festival – July 17th – 19th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021

Oystergrass – July 26th – 28th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021

Palisade Bluegrass Festival – June 15th and 16th

The Northwest String Summit – July 16th – 19th

Red Wing Roots Music Festival – July 10, 11th and 12th

Hoxeyville Music Festival – August 14th – 16th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021

Jackalope Jamboree – June 26th and 27th – Cancelled Will Return In 2021.

Showdown On Sugar Creek – July 27th – Postponed to October

CL (Austin City Limits) Festival – October 2nd – 11th

Podunk Music Festival – August 10th and 11th – Postponed To 2021

Moon River Music Festival – Sept 12th – 15th – Postponed To 2021

Braun Brothers Reunion – August 6th – 8th – Postponed To 2021

Railbird Music Festival – August 22nd and 23rd

Four Corners Folk Festival – September 4 – 6th

Albino Skunk Festival – Summer is June 20th – October 1- 3rd

Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival – September 4 – 6th – Postponed To 2021

Hinterland – July 31st – August 2nd – Postponed To 2021

Pickathon – July 30th – August 2nd – Postponed To 2021

Tailgates And Tallboys – July 30th, 31st and August 1st – Postponed To 2021

Under The Big Sky Festival– July 18th and 19th – Postponed To 2021

Kickin It On The Creek – September 17th – 19th – Postponed To 2021

Moon River – September 12th – Postponed To 2021

Freshgrass – September 25 – 27th – Postponed To 2021

Walnut Valley Bluegrass – September 16- 20th – Postponed To 2021

Post Cierra Hoedown – Sept 17th – 20th – Postponed To 2021

Americanafest – September 15th – 20th – Postponed To 2021

Hometown Rising – Sept 212th -13th – Postponed To 2021

Picking In the Pine – September 18th – 20th – Postponed To 2021

Bluegrass Heritage Festiva – July 15th and 16th – Postponed To 2021

Earl Scruggs Memorial festival – Sept 4rth and 5th – Postponed To 2021

Moondance Festival – August 21st 22nd and 23rd

Red Dirt Float Fest – July 25th and 26th – Postponed To 2021

The Redwood Ramble – July 16th -19th – Postponed To 2021

Festival Of The Red – June 26th – 28th – Postponed To 2021

Roostertail – July 2nd – 4rth – Postponed To 2021

The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festiva – July 15th – 19th – Postponed To 2021

Roseberry Bluegrass Festival – July 16th -18th – Postponed To 2021

Whimmydiddle – August 14th and 15th – Postponed To 2021

Fayetteville Roots Festival – August 26th -30th – Postponed To 2021

Rockygrass – July 24th – 26th

Floyd Fest – July 22nd – 26th

Targhee Bluegrass Festival – July 10th – 12th

Album Feature – Blackberry Smoke – Live From Capricorn Sound Studios EP

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Jun 182020
 

By Joshua Wallace

Blackberry Smoke are releasing a Live From Capricorn Sound Studios EP that honors the history of southern rock.  If you’re not familiar with Capricorn Sound Studios, the studio is in Macon, GA and has hosted many of the greatest southern rock bands including but not limited to The Allman Brothers, The Marshall Tucker Band and Wet Willie.  It’s a great companion piece to their planned Spirit Of The South Tour which is scheduled to start next month in St. Louis, MO.  The tour is going to be a celebration of southern rock music with support from The Allman Betts Band, The Wild Feathers and an appearance by original Allman Brothers Band member Jaimoe.  Due to COVID-19, these plans are currently up in the air at the moment.  This release will have to do until we can see the live celebration as it was intended.

The album kicks off with a killer rendition of The Allman Brothers’s hit “Midnight Rider”. A really cool feature with this cover is that Charlie Starr gets to play Duane Allman’s iconic Goldtop Les Paul guitar in this new version.  Another highlight is the band’s cover of The Marshall Tucker Band hit “Take The Highway”.  This track features current Marshall Tucker Band member Marcus Henderson on the flute.  While there have been some good Marshall Tucker Band covers without the flute, you kind of need a flute on the record to truly match the Marshall Tucker Band sound.  I’m glad that we have that here.

Another favorite is “Grits Ain’t Groceries” which was originally done by Little Milton and covered by southern rock act Wet Willie.  I am happy to see Wet Willie featured here as they are often overlooked in the discussion of great southern rock acts.  Another Wet Willie song featured on this album is their track “Keep On Smilin’”.  This track features Wet Willie vocalist Jimmy Hall and it was recorded some 46 years after the original, in the same studio.  If you would like to check out more Wet Willie, my favorite records of theirs tend to be Wet Willie II and Keep On Smilin’.  Finally, this record features a cover of Little Richard’s hit “Southern Child”.  This track along with a few others on the record features backing vocals from The Black Bettys.  It also features Jimmy Hall on the harmonica.  There is lots of great solo work with this one and it is a great tribute to Little Richard who passed away this year at 87.

This EP is a great homage to the history of southern rock.  I’m glad to see a lesser known band like Wet Willie have such a big feature on this album.  The Spirit Of The South tour sounds like an amazing show for fans of Blackberry Smoke and southern rock in general.  I hope it has a chance to happen sooner or later.  You can keep up to date on everything Blackberry Smoke on the band’s website.  The new EP Live From Capricorn Sound Studios is available everywhere June 18th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : Midnight Rider, Take The Highway, Grits Ain’t Groceries, Southern Child

Blackberry Smoke – Live From Capricorn Sound Studios EP (2020)

  1. Midnight Rider (The Allman Brothers)
  2. Take The Highway ft. Marcus Henderson (The Marshall Tucker Band)
  3. Keep On Smilin’ ft. Jimmy Hall and The Black Bettys (Wet Willie)
  4. Grits Ain’t Groceries ft. The Black Bettys (Little Milton & Wet Willie)
  5. Revival ft. The Black Bettys (The Allman Brothers)
  6. Southern Child ft. The Black Bettys (Little Richard)

Colter Wall Announces New Album Due in August

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Jun 162020
 

By Joshua Wallace

Colter Wall has announced the follow up to his 2018 release Songs Of The Plains.  This album picks up where that one left off and is titled Western Swing & Waltzes And Other Punchy Songs.  The title track has been released alongside the announcement and you can stream that below.  I heard a lot of these songs live when I saw Colter Wall live with his band The Scary Prairie Boys back in December, 2019.  You can read that review here.  He recorded this record with that same group and if the title track is any indication, there will be lots of western swing influence throughout this album.  I loved his version of Marty Robbins hit “Big Iron” live and I’m glad to see it here.  The record features a mix of original songs and covers including a few western traditional songs.  This album was self produced and recorded by Adam Odor at Yellow Dog Studios in Wimberly, TX.  You might be familiar with Adam Odor’s work as he produces records for Mike and The Moonpies.  This record has quickly become one of my most anticipated releases of 2020 and you will be able to hear it on August 28th, 2020 via La Honda Records/Thirty Tigers.  You can pre-order a copy here.  That deluxe vinyl looks good.

Colter Wall – Western Swing & Waltzes And Other Punchy Songs (2020)

  1. Western Swing & Waltzes (Colter Wall)
  2. I Ride An Old Paint / Leavin’ Cheyenne (Traditional)
  3. Big Iron (Marty Robins)
  4. Henry and Sam (Colter Wall)
  5. Diamond Joe (Traditional)
  6. High and Mighty (Lewis Martin Pederson III)
  7. Talkin’ Prairie Boy (Colter Wall)
  8. Cowpoke (Stan Jones)
  9. Rocky Mountain Rangers (Colter Wall)
  10. Houlihans at the Holiday Inn (Colter Wall)

Album Feature – Craig Gerdes – Tough As Nails

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Jun 092020
 

By Joshua Wallace

I have been a fan of Craig Gerdes since his 2018 release Smokin, Drinkin and Gamblin.  That record featured some good rockin’ country music with some great songwriting on tracks like “Dead In A Box In Kentucky” and “Red Neck Sonsaabitches”.  His new record Tough As Nails picks up where that one left off with plenty of hot guitar pickin and good country songs.  Let’s take a dive into some of these new tracks.

The title track “Tough As Nails” starts off acoustic with focus on Gerdes’s vocals.  It’s the calm before the storm though as the full track kicks in hard with driving guitar riffs that echo the rocking country sounds of the late 70’s or 80’s.  Be sure to check out the alternate bonus track version with longer jams.  Up next on the album is a cover of the Roger Alan Wade cut “If Guitars Were Guns”.  This song appeared on the 2012 Roger Alan Wade album Southbound Train and it was a favorite of mine off that record too.  Gerdes takes the mostly acoustic Wade track and turns it into a barn burner that honors the spirit of the original while keeping it in the style of this record.  Be sure to check out the extended 7 minutes plus bonus track version of this one also.

Another favorite is “Highwayman” which is an ode to life on the road.  I particularly dig the guitar solo on this track and can imagine it being a longer affair when played live.  The sound changes up a bit on the country blues inspired “The Hard Way” which is about the rougher side of a country singer’s life.  The solo work on this one is a highlight with it’s bluesy sound and great pickin.  The song “Tonight’s Not The Night” is another great rockin honky tonk tune that starts out with a hot guitar riff and doesn’t let go, just like the rest of the album.               

This is a record that will be fun to hear live when live shows start up again.  A lot of these tracks would play well in a live honky tonk setting with a rowdy crowd.  The album has two bonus tracks that are extended versions of album tracks.  I like that these songs get this kind of treatment, however I get the feeling that you could extend most of these songs with longer solos and jams with alternate arrangements.  I can’t wait to see Craig Gerdes live again with some of these songs.  Until then, you can support the band at their website with this link.  Tough As Nails is out everywhere as of April 24th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : Tough As Nails, If Guitars Were Guns, Highwayman, The Hard Way. Tonight’s Not The Night

Craig Gerdes – Tough As Nails (2020)

  1. Tough As Nails
  2. If Guitars Were Guns
  3. Between The Cradle And The Grave
  4. Pennies, Feathers and Dimes
  5. Highwayman
  6. The Hard Way
  7. Most Times I Lost
  8. That Little Girl
  9. Tonight’s Not The Night
  10. Only The Road Knows
  11. Tough As Nails (Bonus)
  12. If Guitars Were Guns (Bonus)

My First Local Show Of 2020: Breaker’s Marina Hosts Mr. Dallas Moore And MORE!

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Jun 072020
 

This first half of 2020 has been absolute chaos for everybody, and I have been no exception. I have spent the entire year taking care of personal issues, and family issues the same. Pretty much all of us have been held up at home and left to wonder what will happen to us as a nation, and when will things return back to normal?

One of the major things I have been missing for the year is live music. So, when I got word on social media that the almighty Outlaw himself Mr. Dallas Moore was rolling in to play a show I HAD to come down. Much to my surprise one of my favorite up and coming acts Mr. Tony Logue would be the other act.

Breaker’s Marina is a beautiful venue built on the Tennessee river that offers a wide variety of fun for everyone, and we had a very fun time there. The actual marina itself keeps different hours than the dining area as far as I could tell, and you can rent various types of watercraft there.

The stage area was built really well, complete with a back line riser and plenty of utility outlets for a full band.  One really cool thing I noticed, was the sides of the stage had windows for air but also to make loading and unloading equipment much easier.

Really, the only drawback I could see was a lack of a backstage area, and unless the artist doesn’t mind a lack of a greenroom, this place would be ideal for anybody really. I want to talk about the food, folks the food IS AMAZING! Now, it’s more middle ranged price wise ( which I didn’t mind to support the venue to pay the band ). Everyone has to make a profit, while the music is on…and if you read my website, I KNOW you ARE on the same page.

Folks, PLEASE GO support this venue so they can have future shows, and I can go back there for more articles in the future. If my pictures and my words don’t convince you to go, then it’s futile to read further into this portion of it. The owner was VERY genuine, and his staff was VERY KIND, just REAL down home people that will go out of their way to make YOUR meal the BEST.

The first act was a weekly staple at the marina, and one that I have encountered once before. Now, to be honest I have been to so many music functions, and with so many bands I cannot recall just where we ran into one another? He didn’t recall either, but Mr. Johnny Mac was a nice treat tonight.

He has some original music for sale, and also entertains a crowd with cover songs equally with his own personal flair. He played some pretty mean guitar licks on those cover songs, and also they had HEART..he wasn’t just rambling off lyrics to people. This young man LOVES Country Music like WE DO, he lives it like we do.

He has an album called Mac Two that boasted an original song he played called ‘Show You Love”. Along with that he did a Jason Isbell song “Cover Me Up”, which declares his love for Miss Amanda Shires and forsakes his former self. Altogether, he played for hours with other original tunes with various covers.

One of his originals called ” Haggard Songs” was really well composed, and inadvertently declares that 30 yeas from now, he will still be singing Haggard Songs…like his cover of the 1977 classic song from the album of the same name.

I have been ardently watching Mr. Tony for the past few years, and watching hm grow both on stage presence and as a songwriter. When he puts on a show you are in for a real treat, and you will hear some gritty, true to life songs that lament real life troubles and tribulations. Many of his songs speak to me as an individual, and my life at a factory, and out in the country.

He opened with an old Drive By Truckers tune called “TVA” from the 2009 Fine Print album, all of the covers he does, he does them total justice with passion. He possesses a REAL Western Kentucky grit to his soul, and when you watch him play, you ARE SO engulfed in his lyrics.

“Cutt Riley’s Daughter” is a poignant murder ballad about a country boy that marries an abusive man’s daughter, and serves time for killing him. I cannot ruin the entire song for you, you’ll have to delve into it yourselves at one time or another.

“Jenny Ridge” is a ghost story about the spirit of the woman whom searches for a child out in the hollars of Kentucky. I know for an absolute fact that Mr. Tony could fit in well with some of the Appalachian artists or the folk artists in the Midwest, that make up John Hartford Festival.  Hell, I could see him dominating Muddy Roots too.

“Calloway County” was on his set list tonight, as well as “Welder” and a cover of “I’m On Fire”. However, one of the songs that struck me as a listener more was the Chris Knight cover of “Not Enough Rope”. the lyrics are so poignant and dark, but at the same time it is a song about honest everyday life.

“Deadwood” was played tonight, as well as another of my favorites called “Reckless Kind”. That song tells about a young man growing up hard headed into manhood, and all of the wrecks and mistakes he makes in youth. I believe many of us remember wrecking cars, and drinking underage or legally and making mistakes like that? Fights….Lord I been stabbed and cut up from fights myself, I AM AN ADDICT and I’ll always be one…sober 110 days now.

Toward the end as the sun went down he ushered the dusk into the river with songs like “The Storm”. Being a factory worker, I can readily relate to this one myself. I’m actually going through some storms now myself here at home, and people like me choose to lace up our work boots and stand in the storm.

Prayer and hard work makes all your life problems get better, but this man’s anthem to the modern day working man is just what society needs for uplift. He also played some new songs called “Silas” and one called “Baptized” about the Cumberland River.

“Life’s Blood” was one about folks getting kicked out of LBL, which is Land Between The Lakes..a popular area that not only spans West Kentucky but Tennessee as well. Now, upon talking with Mr, Tony more, he plans to go into the studio in August and September time spans for his new album. We will keep our eyes peeled on this one!

Mr.Dallas Moore is another name to watch this year, as he has a whole new album in the bag and played some new songs for us tonight. I will be one of the first to announce that the name of the new album will be called THE RAIN. This new album will be on Sol Records  He began the show with a heaping helping of old  tunes first, before going into some new ones.

Off the 2016 Live at Bullitt County Jail album they played “One More Ride”, and steamrolled right into a song from Mr. Honky Tonk called “Shoot Out The Lights”. When I first met Mr. Dallas in Altamont ( which inspired him to write ‘Up On That Mountain” ) he was touring in support of his 2013 album Blessed Be The Bad Ones. that album contained the song “Texas Tornado”.

His bad assed blend of Country and other forms of music make so many fans flock to his performances from California to New York. He draws big crowds wherever he goes, and he has had the good ol Snatch Wranglers backing him up for YEARS…folks HE IS A local Legend to me.

“Bottle And A Bible” shares his enthusiasm for imbibing in whiskey as well as sharing his love for God with us. That was instilled into him at a young age by his parents. He recorded an old time album years ago with his mother, and I was one of the many fortunate ones to have known her on social media.

After he played “Raisin’ Hell And Slingin’ Gravel” he went into the new songs, one called “Locked Down And Loaded”. It was another classic Dallas Moore thumping Outlaw song, as well as a re done version of an older song called “Blue Jean Jesus”. That song is from a old album called Untold Stories, and if you can find it, it is a RARE FIND to collectors like me.

Some of the new songs are as follows ‘Better Days”, which was a lament from a common person weathering some of life’s problems. It’ll get better, and this song calls out for that hope from him. “Every Night I Burn Another Honky Tonk Down” is another powerful song about Mr. Dallas’s travels all over America.

They TRULY DO burn Honky Tonks down every night for years! And they go “On Through The Night” EVERY NIGHT when we rest at home. This unit BURNS UP the road, sets up their own equipment, greets fans and MORE!

When all of the new songs were done, he played a song written by none other than Country songwriting Legend Mr. Bobby Keel. They played ‘Time Off For Bad Behavior” cut by Confederate Railroad in the 90s. It also was performed by many others as well. “Mama And Daddy” was next along with others like the Hoyt Axton classic “Della And The Dealer”.

From the latest album he played “Everything But You” and the title track “Tryin To Be A Blessing” . One of the songs that hits the truest to home for him is “Home Is Where The Highway Is”, which talks about the over 300 shows a year he does.

He finished with many Honky Tonk classics like the Wayne Mills song “The Last Honky Tonk” and the title track of his previous album “Mr. Honky Tonk”.  The song called “Outlaw Country” was from the classic 2009 album called Can’t Tame A Wildcat. Dallas Moore has a few old classic albums that ( like I said before) are rare finds for underground music collectors.

He closed the show off with Ol’ Slewfoot, and I’ll tell you what. He stayed until everyone had the opportunity to shake his hand and meet with him.  He always has and always does at every show, in every city across America, and I’m quite sure he will continue to do so for many many years.

This man deserves to be a road Legend and a Legend altogether, and his band that has been ardently traveling with him for so many years deserves just as much credit for what they do. I want to thank him for being so kind to my daughter, whom is now a new fan of his. Through that experience I leave my daughter, she will enjoy local music for many years to come..hopefully longer than I am alive.

Opry Legend Mr. Jimmy Capps Has Died.

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Jun 022020
 

There are many names involved in Country Music that are symbolic of making it my favorite genre of all. I am exactly like one of my heroes Mr. Robert K Oerman, whom not only studies the artist and the song…they salivate over having to know EVERYBODY that played on the entire album altogether.

If you collect vinyl albums to the extent that I do, you will find the name Jimmy Capps on a plethora of those old Country albums. Recently we lost Mr. Kenny Rogers, who released the album called “The Gambler”. The song was written by Mr. Don Schlitz and if you look on the album jacket, you’ll see Jimmy Capps.

In 1980, Mr. Curly Putman wrote a smash hit song that was recorded by Mr. George Jones on the album called “I Am What I Am”….if you look on that album you’ll see that name once again..Mr. Jimmy Capps. I tell these kind of people time and time again that THEY ARE JUST AS INTEGRAL as the artist themselves. He was a full on active member of what is called “The Nashville A- Team” whom, when assembled were an unstoppable force for Country Music in the past.

He was an inductee of the Musician’s Hall Of Fame, a staple member of Larry’s Family Diner on RFD TV, and a beloved part of the hallowed series called “Country’s Family Reunion”. Back in 1996 Gabriel Communications started that show where the Legends gather and share stories and play. If you watch the house band long enough you will see him……once again…Jimmy Capps.

This part of my article is the most special to me….he was a staple member of the Grand Ole Opry house band since 1967. He originally came onto the Opry  with Mr. Charlie and Mr. Ira Louvin, where he played guitar with them on the song “Knoxville Girl”. In 1959 he became an Opry member where he played for so many Legends until his death.

If you read his 2018 autobiography called “The Man In Black”, you will learn so many cool stories and memories of decades of work for this genre. Stories of the recording studio fun they had while recording the album called “Stand By Your Man” in 1969, which was Miss Tammy Wynette’s fourth album.

His presence on the Opry stage was just as beloved and integral as that gorgeous circle of wood taken from the Ryman stage and placed into the current Opry stage we have now. To be honest no matter how many Legends come and go, that circle of wood will always remain….and I think angels like Jimmy Capps are gracefully looking down that circle blessing all whom stand in it.

He has not left the Opry my dear readers…..NO. he IS there, because he IS part of the Opry and always will be. The powers that be may want to forcefully take all the history away from Country Music today, but as long as people like me are around studying these precious gems…people like Mr. Jimmy Capps will NEVER DIE.

 

List Of Online Music Streams For Many Genres.

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May 312020
 

I been cooped up in this house almost six weeks now like the rest of you guys. Getting projects done around the home, and getting caught up on here as well. I’m not much one for TV , but I’ll admit, I have indeed watched some of that too.

Lots of us are completely uncertain as to when we will return to work, or receive our unemployment. Some aren’t getting any at all, or we don’t know when it’s coming.. so we are all turning to music to heal our wounds or mend our insecurities. I KNOW I AM.

So I had an epiphany today that since I USUALLY publish a list of ongoing local shows that I could put together some LIVE STREAMS going on around many of the genres that I enjoy covering on here. There is going to be a large number of bands being included on this one people, so hold on tight.

Todd Snider – EVERY SUNDAY at 11AM
Luke Winslow King –  June 6th , 13th, June 20th.
Kayla Ray – June 6th
Hayes Carll  – June 9th, June 16th
Amanda Anne Platt And The Honeycutters – June 4th
Clint Black – June 3rd and June 10th
Andrew Leahey And The Homestead – June 4th
Sean McConnell – June 4th
Ward Davis – June 6th
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Nashville Mourns The Loss Of A Major Venue.

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May 282020
 

Unfortunately, this article might become a series of articles for the closing of so many venues across America, once society decides to re open the rest of the economy. I’m not writing this to discuss politics or viewpoints or any other crap that provokes debate, I’m merely illustrating a fact…..our beloved Douglass Corner will not reopen when they are allowed to reopen.

For 33 years, the corner venue has hosted open mic nights and many major shows in it’s lengthy tenure here in Nashville. It closed on March 15th and finally determined today it will not be able to reopen, as will MANY other venues across the United States that I know about.

Tallahassee , Chicago, and many other cities claim waste to many smaller venues that will not be able to reopen after things return to ( whatever we will now know ) as normal. I will be ardently researching the lists of small venues that will not be able to recover from these months of shutdown.

Mr. Mervin Louque and the now deceased Mr. Rick Martin opened the lounge in 1987 , and it became one of the many homes for songwriters and Country Music artists alike. Legends played there, Legends that are now passed away like the memories of what Music Row once was.

Mr. Alan Jackson, Eric Church,  Miss Trishia Yearwood, and also Garth launched his first ever fan club party there to a packed house. In 1997 Mr. Guy Clark recorded his live album “Keepers” there, and the one and only Mr. Keith Whitley filmed his video for ” I’m No Stranger To The Rain” there..sadly that was the very last single he would ever release.

But folks this article is more personal for me than ANY other of the news sites that is reporting on this subject…..because many times I myself played there too.  MANY songwriters like me spent hours in there networking and enjoying each other’s songs. You see, every Tuesday night Mr. Donnie Winters spearheaded the iconic writer’s night there for many years.

I promise you NONE OF THEM will mention him or Miss Rhonda at the bar or what the staff has done for us as songwriters. It’s been a haven for us all for decades, and will most likely be turned into condos for 2,500 a month rent!  Everybody in Nashville was given an ample opportunity to play their music to the public for free, each week.

As a journalist and also as a songwriter, I began my career there and was personally inspired by Mr. Donnie and his brother Mr. Dennis AKA The Winters Brothers. Their contributions to Country Music as a whole are second to none in Nashville, that dates back to the 1970’s when Mr, Charlie Daniels began the Volunteer Jam.

They had a television show on public access TV when I first moved down here, and I used to go down to their yearly music festivals they had every year..before there were so many bigger festivals….MAN I MISS Ernie’s bbq. So in closing, I’m sure you can easily ascertain my sadness over this ordeal here….and sadly I’ll probably have to make articles for a few more soon.

Album Feature – Mike and The Moonpies – Touch Of You – The Lost Songs Of Gary Stewart

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May 262020
 

By Joshua Wallace

You might know the music of Gary Stewart from such hits as “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinking Doubles)” or “Drinkin’ Thing” which both appeared on the same album called Out Of Hand.  If you haven’t heard that one, I highly recommend checking it out.  You can hear Gary Stewart’s influence on Mike and The Moonpies music and when you do, you will know that they were the perfect band for a project such as this.  Here we have 10 unrecorded songs co-written by Gary Stewart during the late 70’s and 1980’s.  These were songs that for whatever reason, did not make it on any recorded albums.  The band worked closely with Stewart’s daughter, Shannon Stewart, and his best friend Tommy Schwartz to compile the tracks for this project.  This album was meant to be released later in the year, but the band was able to finish it remotely during the recent “stay-at-home” orders.  Let’s check out some of the tracks they came up with.

The album kicks off with a straight up honky tonk number in “Bottom Of The Pile”.  It’s a song about the rowdiest honky tonk you’ve ever been in and it’s sure to get some dance floors moving at your next live Moonpies show.  Switching things up, we have the duet of “Smooth Shot Of Whiskey”.  Mike trades lines and harmonizes with Mark Wystrach of Midland.  It’s a smooth (no pun intended) ballad.  This sounds like it would fit right in on an early 80’s country radio station.  Another favorite is “Dance With Barbara”.  Every bar has a Barbara, and all of the guys want to dance with her.  This one is sure to make the dance floors shuffle.  I love the interplay of the pedal steel and lead guitar on this one.  

Another great dance floor tune is “The Gold Barstool”.  It’s a great shuffle with more killer lead guitar work, however it is the songwriting that is the star here.  If you work at a company for a long time, you typically get a gold watch or something for working in a place for 20 years.  Well, at this bar you get a gold barstool for drinking there for 20 years.  How’s that for celebrating good times?  It’s songs like this that show how great of a songwriter Gary Stewart could be.  Slowing things down a bit, we have the bluesy number called “I’m Guilty”.  The guitar work is smooth and awesome here, but I love Mike’s vocal performance on this one as it’s one of his better tracks over the years.  Finally, we have “Heart At Home” which is a bit of a different style for Mike and The Moonpies.  Some slow piano work by Dave Perceful kicks off the track before it goes into a smooth easy listening country ballad.  It’s a great change of pace as you don’t often hear this style of country these days.

Mike and The Moonpies have put together a great tribute to the talent that is Gary Stewart.  It’s a treat for longtime Gary Stewart fans who have new songs to dig into.  It’s also a treat for newer Gary Stewart fans who are discovering his music through Mike and The Moonpies.  While it’s still very much a Moonpies record, the band also taps into sounds from Gary Stewart’s era of late 70’s and early 1980’s country that fans don’t get to hear much of these days. I cannot wait to hear some of these songs live as it sounds like a good live record.  Touch Of You – The Lost Songs Of Gary Stewart will be available everywhere at 12:01 AM on Thursday May 28th, 2020.  This record is only available digitally at first, however there will be physical items to pre-order in the future.  Check out the band’s website for more info soon.

Favorite Tracks : Bottom Of The Pile, Smooth Shot Of Whiskey, Dance With Barbara, The Gold Barstool, I’m Guilty, Heart At Home

Mike and The Moonpies – Touch Of You – The Lost Songs Of Gary Stewart (2020)

  1. Bottom Of The Pile
  2. Smooth Shot Of Whiskey (feat. Mark Wystrach of Midland)
  3. Touch Of You
  4. Life’s A Game
  5. Dance With Barbara (feat. Courtney Patton)
  6. The Gold Barstool (feat. Zac Wilkerson)
  7. That’s Life
  8. The Finished Product
  9. I’m Guilty
  10. Heart At Home (feat. Jamie Lin Wilson and Courtney Patton)

 

10 Most Anticipated Country Albums Out This Summer

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May 262020
 

By Joshua Wallace

As uncertainty becomes more and more a part of the new normal, it’s good to know that we can still count on some great country music albums coming up in the near future.   We’ve got some quality records coming out in 2020 and it’s shaping up to be a big release year.  COVID-19 has changed up the release schedule a bit, however, I have included albums with as solid of a release date as I can on this list.  Check out our 10 most anticipated country albums out this summer.

Mike & The Moonpies – Touch of You – The Lost Songs of Gary Stewart – May 28th

Mike and The Moonpies just announced this release last week.  It’s a collection of unreleased songs written by Gary Stewart and as soon as I heard about this record, it jumped to the top of my list.  The Moonpies are one of the best honky tonk bands around and I’m looking forward to what they can do with some lost Gary Stewart songs.  It’s a good thing we only have to wait a couple of days for this one.  It comes out Thursday May 28th.  This album is only available digitally at first, with physical items to come in the future.

 

 

Jaime Wyatt – Neon Cross – May 29th

Shooter Jennings has been on a tear lately as a producer and this new Jaime Wyatt album is looking to be no different.  This album features guest appearances by Shooter Jennings himself and his mother Jessi Colter.  I was a big fan of her 2017 album Felony Blues and cannot wait to see what she has as a follow up.  This one is out in a couple of days on May 29th.

 

John Baumann – Country Shade – June 5th

I first discovered John Baumann with his 2017 album Proving Grounds.  I was a huge fan of tracks like “Lonely In Bars” and “The Trouble With Drinking”.  Baumann was also a part of the Texas country super group The Panhandlers who released one of my favorite albums of 2020 so far.  I’m really looking forward to this solo record and if songs like “Next Ride Around The Sun” and “The Country Doesn’t Sound The Same” are any indication, Baumann has another big record here.  I’m looking forward to this one out in early June.

 

Hellbound Glory – Pure Scum – June 5th

I have been a fan of Hellbound Glory for a long time.  Their last album Pinball was a big favorite here at Gary Hayes Country and it sounds like Pure Scum will be the same.  Shooter Jennings is producing this record (his second on this list).  If singles like “Dial 9-1-1” and “Ragged But Alright” are any indication, this record will be high on our year end Top 50 lists.  This one is out in June.

 

Bryan James – Politics or Religion – June 11th

I first became a fan of Bryan James with his 2017 record “Between The Devil and The Angel”.  This album featured a pure country sound and had many great songs across it’s 19 tracks.  Fast forward to 2020 and we have his highly anticipated follow-up album Politics Or Religion coming up in June.  Check out a preview of the album here.

 

Kyle Nix – Lightning on the Mountain & Other Short Stories – June 26th

When I heard Kyle Nix of the Turnpike Troubadours was going solo, I knew this would be a good one even before I heard the first single.  If that’s not enough, when you hear that members of Turnpike Troubadours serve as his backing band, then you know this will be a good one.  That was all confirmed when “Lightning On The Mountain” was released as the first single.  Now I can’t wait for the end of June for this record to come out.

 

Kyle Keller – All It Does Is Rain – June 27th

I have been a fan of Kyle Keller for a while.  His 2017 EP was a collection of raw and real acoustic tracks.  You can expect more sparse instrumentation here on All It Does Is Rain as the sad songs and stories are at the forefront of Kyle Keller’s music.  If you’re a fan of good songwriting and slow acoustic sad country and folk songs, this album is for you.  Look for it everywhere you can stream music on June 27th.  I have also heard we might be getting a single released from this one soon.

 

Joshua Ray Walker – Glad You Made It – July 10th

Joshua Ray Walker blew me away with his 2019 debut album Wish You Were Here.  He’s got an amazing voice and great songwriting skills to match.  Earlier this year he released a new song called “Voices” that allows him to stretch his vocal chords out even further.  I can’t wait to hear this entire album and we will be able to in early July.

 

S.G. Goodman – Old Time Feeling – July 17th

I first came across the music of S.G. Goodman through Spotify’s Indigo playlist.  I was immediately drawn in by her voice which is very raw and unique.  Her music comes across like a mix of Kentucky influences and a blend of rocking Mississippi delta blues.  I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of the album as her early release singles have been very solid.  This one is out in July.

 

The Texas Gentlemen – Floor It!!! – July 17th

Finally, we have a new record from the Texas country funk outfit The Texas Gentlemen.  You have most likely heard The Texas Gentlemen serving as Paul Cauthen’s backing band on his albums like his 2019 release Room 41.  They also have a previous album out called TX Jelly from 2017 that you should check out.  This band is recommended if you like heavy doses of funk in your country.  Check out the single “Bare Maximum” and the album is out in July.

 

 

Be sure to check back here at Gary Hayes Country for coverage on all of these and more great albums coming out soon.

Nice List Of Livestreams From Many Genres.

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May 202020
 

I been cooped up in this house almost six weeks now like the rest of you guys. Getting projects done around the home, and getting caught up on here as well. I’m not much one for TV , but I’ll admit, I have indeed watched some of that too.

Lots of us are completely uncertain as to when we will return to work, or receive our unemployment. Some aren’t getting any at all, or we don’t know when it’s coming.. so we are all turning to music to heal our wounds or mend our insecurities. I KNOW I AM.

So I had an epiphany today that since I USUALLY publish a list of ongoing local shows that I could put together some LIVE STREAMS going on around many of the genres that I enjoy covering on here. There is going to be a large number of bands being included on this one people, so hold on tight.

Todd Snider – EVERY SUNDAY at 11AM
Luke Winslow King – May 30th, June 6th , 13th, June 20th.
Kayla Ray – June 6th
Hayes Carll  – May 26th, June 2nd, June 9th, June 16th
Amanda Anne Platt And The Honeycutters – June 4th
Clint Black – June 3rd and June 10th
Andrew Leahey And The Homestead June 4th

 

New Music From The Hammer And The Hatchet Out Now.

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May 192020
 

Some of my good friends in the mid west region of Indiana that attend festivals like John Hartford Memorial Festival ( which is currently slated to still happen in October 2020 ) introduced me to these two fine individuals whom call themselves The Hammer And The Hatchet.

There is a plethora of outstanding local music on the forefront of Indiana and Illinois, and there are many festivals that happen in that area, that offer this band a place at their table to serve up heaping helpings of their original folk type roots music they play.

They recently released their third album, with this being their very first release on vinyl, ergo that makes this release a big milestone for their growth and foundation. I have indeed ran into Miss Jayme Hood  and Mr. John Bowyer at last year’s Hagfest, and I got to watch them online at this year’s livestream.

All thirteen songs on here were written by them both, and the Reverend Peyton appears on the ninth song called ‘Soil And Stone”. I am going to be reviewing this album very soon, and including it on this article later this week. So stay tuned for this one and many more!

  1. Bowling Green Snow
  2. Back Me Up Emmy Lou
  3. Get Bent
  4. Insomnia Song
  5. Bailey’s Small Engine Repair
  6. Tinfoil Rings
  7. My Heart
  8. Dove’s Bill
  9. Soil And Stone
  10. Choices
  11. Ferris Hill Massacre
  12. Our Bleeding Hearts
  13. South Of Hope

Album Feature – Caleb Caudle – Better Hurry Up

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May 192020
 

By Joshua Wallace

Better Hurry Up is the follow up to Caleb Caudle’s 2018 album Crushed Coins which was a favorite here at Gary Hayes Country.  While that album was more Americana leaning, this album takes Caleb Caudle in a more funky and soulful direction while still keeping things grounded in Americana.  I would go as far as saying that Better Hurry Up is the best Caleb Caudle album yet.  Read on and find out why.

I dig the groove in the title track “Better Hurry Up”.  It sets the stage for a funky and soulful trip throughout this record.  Another favorite is the track “Dirty Curtain”.  It’s a track that takes you down the road of country music’s dark side with plodding drums and haunting pedal steel.  It’s about a place you don’t want to go, but sometimes you have to and you have to encounter life’s more seedy and dangerous elements.  Finally, “Let’s Get” is a catchy and more mellow tune.  I really dig the piano’s groove on this track.  The harmonica is also a nice touch.  This entire album has a nice range that goes from funky to soulful while still keeping things country and Americana and I dig it.

This truly is the best Caleb Caudle album yet.  I cannot wait for the day when I can hear some of this album with a full band.  I was going to potentially catch him live in Macon, GA last month but everything suddenly changed.  This record came out April 3rd, 2020.  Check it out and you can find out everything Caleb is up to at his website.

Favorite Tracks : Better Hurry Up, Dirty Curtain, Let’s Get, Monte Carlo, Reach Down

Caleb Caudle – Better Hurry Up (2020)

  1. Better Hurry Up
  2. Call It A Day
  3. Regular Riot
  4. Dirty Curtain
  5. Let’s Get
  6. Monte Carlo
  7. Feelin Free
  8. Reach Down
  9. Front Porch
  10. Wait A Minute
  11. Bigger Oceans

Album Feature – Ashley McBryde – Never Will

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May 192020
 

By Joshua Wallace

I have been a big fan of Ashley McBryde ever since her hit song “A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega” came across my radar way back in 2017. 3 years later we’re getting the follow up to the 2018 album that contained that song with her new record titled Never Will.  This album continues where Girl Going Nowhere left off with a mix of solid country gold and 90’s country influenced tracks.  This album is sure to be a favorite and will likely land at the top of many country fan’s album charts when 2020 is all said and done.

The first song anyone heard from this record was “One Night Standards.” It’s a great track with a smooth sound meant for the radio.  It’s an interesting twist on classic cheating songs that you don’t often hear these days.  Another interesting track is “Shut Up Sheila”.  It’s a very simple guitar track with some interesting percussion in the background.  It’s a song about not letting go of who you are, even in the toughest of times.  I dig the rock riff that comes in in the final third of the song.  Another great song is “First Thing I Reach For”.  From the awesome opening riff, you know this is a great country track.  I love the pedal steel throughout this one.  It’s all about how we keep going back to the things that we shouldn’t, especially in relationships.

My favorite track on this record comes in the revenge murder ballad “Martha Divine”.  It’s a great story telling song with a classic rock and 90’s country inspired sound.  You don’t always hear murder ballads that are this dance-able.  I love how the title track of both of Ashley McBryde’s major label albums have been about how she has denied critics throughout her career.  This song in particular is about not selling out to get where she is and how she “Never Will”.  Finally, the last song on the record is a fun and different kind of song to end the album on.  It’s the only song she didn’t write on the album and it is written by Randall Clay.  It’s a funky song and she kind of raps the verses but it works because it is a bit of a silly tribute to “Styrofoam”.

This album is the perfect follow-up to Ashley’s great 2018 album Girl Going Nowhere.  It features the same classic country mixed with 90’s country and classic rock sound.There is some good songwriting here and I love how she tells a story that can center around a place, an object or a person.  I can’t wait to hear some of these songs live and see what is next for Ashley McBryde.  Never Will is out everywhere as of April 3rd, 2020.  You can support Ashley McBryde and find out everything she is up to on her website.    

Favorite Tracks : One Night Standards, Shut Up Sheila, First Thing I Reach For, Martha Divine, Velvet Red, Never Will, Styrofoam

Ashley McBryde – Never Will (2020)

  1. Hang In There Girl
  2. One Night Standards
  3. Shut Up Sheila
  4. First Thing I Reach For
  5. Voodoo Doll
  6. Sparrow
  7. Martha Divine
  8. Velvet Red
  9. Stone
  10. Never Will
  11. Styrofoam
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