Live Review – Atlanta, GA’s ATLive welcomes Eric Church, Luke Combs and more

 News  Comments Off on Live Review – Atlanta, GA’s ATLive welcomes Eric Church, Luke Combs and more
Nov 212019
 

By Joshua Wallace
Photography By Joshua Wallace

This past Sunday November 17th, 2019, I had the opportunity to see Eric Church, Luke Combs, Brothers Osborne and Caylee Hammack live at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.  This was the second night of the ATLive concert series promoted in Atlanta by Falcons owner Arthur Blank’s AMB Sports and Entertainment. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, this night was a sell out with 52,414 fans.  This was one of the biggest crowds I have ever been a part of for a music concert and it was an amazing night of good country music.

Caylee Hammack opened the night.  She was probably the most pop oriented singer of the evening.  She didn’t get a very long set and maybe did 5 songs. She did originals like “Preciatecha” and “Family Tree”.  She also did covers of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and Tom Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance”. I came out of her set feeling sort of indifferent to her music as she did some good covers, but her originals didn’t really grab me.  I was however, pumped for the rest of the night.

The Brothers Osborne mentioned that this was their last show of the year and they couldn’t have picked a bigger crowd to do it in front of.  The band kicked off their set with “Drank Like Hank” which is one of my favorites off their last studio album. They rely heavily on long jams during their set and John Osborne is one hell of a lead guitar player in that respect.  The longer jams help space out their more pop leaning songs through their set. During the nearly hour long set, they got to songs like “Shoot Me Straight”, “I Don’t Remember Me (Before You)”, “Burning Man” and wrapped it up with “It Ain’t My Fault”.  This last song was a killer jam that I feel like lasted at least past the 15 minute mark. There was an epic keyboard solo followed by John’s longest solo of the night. This song is one of those epic closing songs that will make anyone a fan that sees this live, even if you were on the fence throughout the rest of the set.

Luke Combs was the first double headliner for the night.  He played an hour and fifteen minute set full of hits and songs from his new record that are sure to be hits in the future.  This wasn’t a full set you would get at one of his own concerts, but I feel like we only missed a small portion of his usual set.  He came across very humble on stage and very real. The band kicked the night off with one of my favorite tracks from his first album titled “Honky Tonk Highway”.  He then immediately went into the hits with one of his biggest in “When It Rains It Pours” and you could hear the entire stadium singing along. In fact, it was like this the whole set for Luke Combs.  

Some highlights included the hit song “1, 2, Many” where after the line “So whatcha say we shotgun one?” he actually paused for a bit to shotgun a beer before going back to the song.  He performed “This One’s For You” largely acoustic before the band came back out to finish the song with him. He did one of my favorite tracks off the new record titled “Angels Workin’ Overtime” and I’m sure that one will be a hit at radio.  

Speaking of radio hits, Luke Combs announced that “Even Though I’m Leaving” is his 7th straight number 1 at country music radio.  That is an amazing run for any singer, let alone someone who is only on his second full album. He closed the set out with a Brooks and Dunn cover of “Brand New Man” and “Beer Never Broke My Heart”.  Before playing his final song, he announced that due to a bet with his keyboard player who was from Atlanta, he had to wear an Atlanta Falcons jersey for the final song of the night. Atlanta played his time the Carolina Panthers and beat them soundly earlier that day.  This was the first time I had ever seen Luke Combs live and this set only made me a bigger fan. I can’t wait to see him again but hopefully more up close next time.

The final act of the night was Eric Church.  I had seen him perform previously on the “Holdin’ My Own” tour in 2017 where he performed two sets in one night so I knew we were in for a long evening still.  He kicked the night off at the front of the stage on acoustic guitar doing a rendition of “Drowning Man” from his latest record Desperate Man. Eric Church’s live band brings a heavier rock and roll sound to the proceedings so it’s no surprise that he does things like add a tease of Black Sabbath’s “Sweet Leaf” to the end of “Smoke a Little Smoke”.  He also did an exceptional version of “Creepin’” from his The Chief album with his lead guitar player Jeff Hyde handling the dobro for the song. Before he got to one of his older hits “How Bout’ You”, he discussed playing a smaller venue in Atlanta called Wild Bills and how crazy it was to be at a sold out Mercedes Benz Stadium on this evening. Also, during “How Bout You” he did a full cover of Waylon’s “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” and a tease of Ram Jam’s “Black Betty” before closing out “How Bout You”. 

He performed one of my favorite songs called “Mr. Misunderstood” largely acoustic before the band joined him again halfway through the song.  It is my strong opinion that Eric Church is at his best in a more intimate acoustic setting. Following that, he kicked off a series of a few of my favorite songs of his.  He did a great tease of an “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” cover. Then he went into a string of songs that included “Cold One”, “Record Year” and “Round Here Buzz”. He did a spot during “Record Year” where he signed vinyl records that fans had around the stage.  He held up each one to the camera, including a vinyl record of Bruce Springsteen’s famous Born In The U.S.A. album which he signed. Before “Homeboy”, one of his guitar players came up front and did an awesome metal interlude with the band that was the heaviest bit of music of the night.  The set also heavily featured the vocal talents of his back-up singer Joanna Cotten. She was featured on the track “Mixed Drinks About Feelings” which features Susan Tedeschi doing a verse on the album cut. We got an amazing dueling guitar solo during the closing moments of a rousing rendition of “Pledge Allegiance To The Hag” that was awesome.  He closed out the night with “These Boots” where he signed a bunch of boots around the stage and one of his most popular songs in “Springsteen” which he says is his ode to a moment and the influence music can have on that moment and the power of a song to take you back to a specific moment in time. I know many people who were at this show will go back to this particular moment in time when they hear any of these songs that were played this night.  He came back out for a one song encore of the Jackson Brown song “The Load-Out” which is a perfect encore song for any band.

This was an amazing night of performances and while no one got to do a full set, it was a full night of great music.  Eric Church and Luke Combs were of course the highlights, but Brothers Osborne was awesome as well. I didn’t really get a chance to hear much of Caylee Hammack with her short set.  Overall, this was a great night and I can’t wait to hear many of these artists again. You can find out a full tour itinerary for all of the artists involved in this show on their respective websites.

Leftover Salmon Releases “Songs You’ve Left Unsung” on Backline

 News  Comments Off on Leftover Salmon Releases “Songs You’ve Left Unsung” on Backline
Nov 132019
 
Leftover Salmon Releases “Songs You’ve Left Unsung” on Backline
In Memory of Jeff Austin
Written by Greg Garrison
Pay What You Wish – 100% of Proceeds Donated to Backline
DENVER, CO — Leftover Salmon releases “Songs You’ve Left Unsung” as a tribute to dear friend Jeff Austin in his memory. The song was penned by LoS’s bassist, Greg Garrison, and is out today, November 4, 2019 at Backline.care/songs-left-unsung/. All proceeds from the sale of it are donated to Backline.
Backline.Care is a hub for music industry professionals and their families to quickly and easily access mental health and wellness resources. Backline has partnered with leading support organizations and care providers to streamline access to a wealth of services and educational resources specifically geared towards this work and lifestyle. It is a hub to discover existing organizations, unique content, peer networks, and case managers who can help create a plan that addresses your unique mental health and wellness challenges–on and off the road. Their website was created by music industry professionals for music industry professionals.

Here is a note from Greg Garrison about “Songs You’ve Left Unsung”:
I first met Jeff Austin when we were in 7th grade. Through the 80’s and 90’s, we somehow always wound up in the same places at the same times…Rolling Meadows, IL as kids, Decatur and Urbana, IL during our college years, and eventually Colorado as adults. And then, maybe predictably, as members of touring bands in the same scene.

“Songs You’ve Left Unsung” is a reflection on some of these times…the verses move chronologically, starting in Illinois and winding up in Colorado. The chorus is meant to be bittersweet but also hopeful for those of us that are still here writing songs, experiencing music, raising families and living life with all of its turbulent ups and downs.

I wanted to release the song with Backline because I think their mission is exceptionally important; providing mental health and wellness support to people in the music industry while also providing an opportunity for those of us who deal with issues like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse to share our stories. Hopefully, these stories will provide comfort, clarity, support, inspiration and a helping hand to anyone who is in need.

On a personal note, I have always struggled with a certain amount of social anxiety (not the easiest thing when you’re in a band like Leftover Salmon); the kind of anxiety that makes you feel like you’re always in the way, that folks don’t really want to hear what you have to say, play or sing, always looking for a way out of conversations because “this person doesn’t really want to be talking to me anyway…”. It makes being a musician, which involves a healthy amount of“putting yourself out there” a difficult task at times. Thankfully, when the music is happening and I’m playing the bass, I can close my eyes, quiet my mind and feel at home.

I discovered that I suffer from low-level depression (called dysthymia) during one of my most difficult periods as a human and as a musician. When I parted ways with Punch Brothers in 2008, a lot of things came crashing down. While my amazing third child (Ella) had just been born, I was also in the midst of a crumbling marriage, had no steady gig or income (Leftover Salmon was still just waking up from its hiatus), and the band that I had put so much time, effort, and soul into was moving in a different direction. Lots of stress…lots of anger…lots of confusion…lots of self-doubt…lots of hopelessness. I know many musicians can relate to this scenario, it’s certainly not a unique one in our industry.

Fortunately, through counseling, I was able to get my proverbial “shit together” to some extent, and I started taking medication (which I still take to this day). It’s hard to admit you need help. I’m glad that I did. I was lucky enough to have some honest people around me who recognized what I was going through and pushed me to make changes.

Like many, I certainly wish I would have understood the extent to which Jeff was hurting, and that I could have given him a helping hand when it was needed. I’m glad that an organization like Backline exists now, as having the support of others who have gone through or are going through a similar situation will allow the healing to start and leave far fewer songs left unsung.

-Greg Garrison
To donate and download the song, please visit www.backline.care/songs-left-unsung.
For more about Leftover Salmon, please visit www.LeftoverSalmon.com. 

Live Review – Ward Davis, Lucero and Cody Jinks in Albany, GA

 News  Comments Off on Live Review – Ward Davis, Lucero and Cody Jinks in Albany, GA
Nov 122019
 

By Joshua Wallace
All Photography By Joshua Wallace


Ward Davis

This past Thursday on November 7th, 2019 I had the chance to see Cody Jinks live with Lucero and Ward Davis as opening acts.  I arrived at the Albany Civic Center shortly after 6pm.  That was the time printed on the ticket and on everything on social media, so I assumed it meant doors were at 6pm.  Nope, the show started at 6pm and I could hear Ward Davis already going as I got my ticket at Will Call. I walked into the Civic Center as Ward was playing “Old Wore Out Cowboys” from his 15 Years In A Ten Year Town album.  This song normally features Jamey Johnson and Willie Nelson on the record, but this time we had an early guest appearance from Cody Jinks who graced the stage for a verse in the song. The crowd was still filling in at this point as like me, I assume most people thought the show started at 7pm.


Ward Davis feat. Cody Jinks

Ward Davis put on a good set this evening with tracks like “Get To Work Whiskey” and his cover of “Big River”.  He also got around to “Good and Drunk” which is my favorite track off the Asunder EP he released last year. He rounded out the set on the keys playing tracks like “15 Years In A 10 Year Town”, “I Got You” and a rousing rendition of The Eagles hit “Desperado”.


Ward Davis

Lucero was up next and I admit, I’m not the biggest fan of theirs and I was hoping to get a better feel for the band in a live setting, but it didn’t work out that way this evening.  Between Ward and Cody, they were kind of the odd band in the sound mixing department and I don’t think that worked in their favor. I did pick up on a few songs they played like “On My Way Downtown” which is my favorite track from the 2012 Women and Work album. Ben Nichols did a stripped down version of what I think was “The War” from the 2005 release Nobody’s Darlings.  They also did “Texas & Tennessee” from their 2013 EP of the same name. They also played a newer song called “Hello My Name Is Izzy” which has been released as a single. They finished the set with a track from the 2002 release Tennessee titled “The Last Song”. I hope to be able to catch this band live again soon and catch a full set next time.


Lucero


Ben Nichols

You could tell this crowd is ready for Cody Jinks by the time he hit the stage.  Before we get into Cody’s set, I have to commend whoever was playing music before Cody came on.  They mixed classic country hits with songs from current artists like Paul Cauthen, Alex Williams, Whitey Morgan and others who many in this crowd might not have heard of as Albany, GA is a fairly new market for Jinks.


Cody Jinks

Cody Jinks started right away with music from his new records.  He kicked the set off with “Same Kind Of Crazy As Me” from The Wanting.  This set was heavy on new tunes, but he plays a long enough set list that you still get everything you want.  Speaking of the set list, he is doing something interesting with his set lists as of late. He has lines with two songs listed instead of one.  It seems like these are parts in the set where he has two songs in the same key lined up and can select either one. This is a very cool way of doing things.  It gives the band flexibility to read the room and it potentially gives fans a different experience each night instead of just having the same old set.

Jinks then went on with the title track off the Lifers album and followed that up my personal favorite off that record “Big Last Name”.  More new songs followed with “Tell Em What It’s Like” and “The Wanting”. After those tracks we got into “I’m Not The Devil” which had a special appearance from Ward Davis who sang a verse.  Albany, GA was also the site of the very first live version of “Where Even Angels Fear To Fly”. I really dig this one live and it is quickly becoming a favorite of mine off The Wanting album.


Cody Jinks feat. Ward Davis

We also got another favorite track of mine off The Wanting album with “Which One I Feed”.  I was especially looking forward to this one as it was one of my favorite preview tracks leading up to the albums release.  More new music soon followed with “Ain’t A Train”. This song is huge for the fiddle solo that hits you hard every time it drops in the song.  Well, the live band does not have a fiddle player so Austin “Hot Rod” Tripps grabs a dobro instead. While it’s a good track live, it’s just not the same without that hot fiddle solo.  Jinks mentioned that this is one of his most upbeat setlists he’s ever done before going into one of his biggest tear jerker tracks in “David”. It still hits hard in a live setting.


Cody Jinks and The Tone Deaf Hippies

Another new track followed with “Wounded Mind”.  This isn’t one that I had anticipated hearing live, but it’s a good one.  It’s a very good deep cut from The Wanting. Up next we had “Holy Water” from Lifers and “Think Like You Think” from After The Fire.  There is a bit of irony singing a song like “Think Like You Think” in front of a drunk and rowdy crowd on a Thursday night, but it’s a damn good song live.  “Cast No Stones” was one of the highlights of this night for me. It’s one of my favorite Jinks tracks overall, but this is especially good live as he brings the house lights up for an extended sing-a-long with the crowd.  “Must Be The Whiskey” and “Hippies and Cowboys” closed out the regular set. “Must Be The Whiskey” is a huge fan favorite off the album Lifers and it feels like a hit every time I hear it live. Jinks came out for a two song encore which included the acoustic leaning “The Raven and The Dove” and one of his biggest fan favorite songs “Loud and Heavy”.

This was my third time seeing Cody Jinks live and his show never disappoints.  From seeing him at the Ryman a couple of years ago to this show, he keeps getting better.  He’s upped his showmanship a lot recently. He picks out kids in the crowd and gives them guitar picks and acknowledges signs and interacts with the crowd in a meaningful way.  A lot of independent artists don’t do this level of crowd interaction but it is a must for bigger stages and crowds. Cody Jinks is riding high and the sky’s the limit. He’s always on tour and I can’t wait till the next time I get to see him live.  You can find out if he’s coming to a town near you at this link.

The Further Adventures of The Franklin County Trucking Company- The Franklin County Trucking Company

 News  Comments Off on The Further Adventures of The Franklin County Trucking Company- The Franklin County Trucking Company
Nov 112019
 

The Further Adventures of The Franklin County Trucking Company- The Franklin County Trucking Company

Luther Center

If you ever wondered what it might be like if a cowpunk band performed nothing but trucking songs, well… wonder no more!  The Franklin County Trucking Company, the brainchild of  “Skinny” Jim Rotramel answers the question. Their second album “The Further Adventures of ….” continues their mission of bringing 21st century country punk trucking songs to the people.  The band, an all-star agglomeration of sorts, features “Skinny” Jim (guitar) and Taylor Sprehe (drums) of The Number 9 Blacktops, Eddie Spaghetti (bass, vocals) of The Supersuckers, and Sean Hopkins (acoustic guitar, vocals) of Dallas Alice, performing a mix of new and old trucking songs, with the spirit of 60s and 70s country trucking  songs and hard core punk.  In addition, we get several guest appearances from Colonel JD Wilkes of Legendary Shack Shakers on some insanely punk harmonica work.

The album starts with a straight out punk rocker “Dodgin’ Scales”,  opining the risks involved with hauling an oversized load.  Starting the first song with the lines “I’m dodgin‘ scales and raising hell, Kentucky bound  headed down to the land of the Commonwealth, I got an oversized load and I’m runnin’ late, pushing 18 wheels to the Bluegrass state,” and with searing guitars reminiscent of Warner Hodges’ work with Jason and the Scorchers or Dan Baird and Homemade Sin, this song sets the tone for the entire album.

Next up is “Time is Money”, about getting the load in on time by “chasing that long white line,” and features a little 70s style CB chatter.

After that, we get a real treat, a full out cowpunk version of the old Eddie Rabbitt tune “Drivin’ My Life Away”, and this version flat out kicks A$$!

JD Wilkes shows up for the first time on “Truck Drivin’ Bastard, Me” and makes his presence known right away on this screamer with some WICKED harp work!

Next we have the tragic tale of a hard luck woman who becomes a truck stop prostitute,  encounters violence, and exacts her revenge in “Perryville, Missouri.”

“Runnin’ Strong” and “Lonely Life” describe the joys and the downfalls of trucking as an occupation.  “Runnin’ Strong” hits the highlights, describing the freedom that the vocation allows one, where “Lonely Life” brings the narrator back to real life and “a lonely life of masturbation and truck stop hot dogs.”

Following these two is a real treat, an incendiary cover of the Little Feat song “Willin’.”

Next is “T-R-U-C-K-S-T-O-P”, a rager that sounds a little like Social Distortion exhorting all of the glories of hitting up the truck stop for video poker, videos of Rawhide, cheeseburgers, strong coffee and hot showers.

Finally “That Darn Trucker”, about a hapless trucker who gets everything wrong… he gets lost, doesn’t drink coffee, doesn’t use his blinker, and can’t drive a stick shift.  It’s a hilarious end to a very very fun 31 minute album.

I don’t know if they’ll do any live shows in support of the record, but if they do, I know I’ll go see them.  If they don’t, be sure to go see The Number Nine Blacktops when they hit your town, as their leader, Jim Rotramel,  is the braintrust behind this collaboration.

I’d give this one 8.5 out of 10.

Go to www.number9blacktops.com/ to get a cd (and maybe a nice 2020 trucker calendar and personal note from Jim), or hit up Spotify to stream, or your usual place to purchase mp3s.


Darrin Bradbury Announces “Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs”, Out September 20

 News  Comments Off on Darrin Bradbury Announces “Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs”, Out September 20
Nov 102019
 
Darrin Bradbury Announces New Full-Length
Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs
Album set for September 20th release on ANTI- Records, first single out now
July 24, 2019 – Nashville, TN – Like a more self-deprecating, decidedly morose John Prine, or perhaps a more jovial Guy Clark, New Jersey native Darrin Bradbury’s songs are riddled with hilarious, obvious-once-you-hear-them observations on mundane everyday life. The eleven songs on Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs, Bradbury’s new release on ANTI- Records, leave listeners singing along with sometimes ridiculous, often dark, but instantly familiar tunes. Take 60 seconds to learn more about Darrin Bradbury here.
Produced by Kenneth Pattengale (The Milk Carton Kids), Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs is a collection of songs born from dealing with depression and the pressures of life in the only way Bradbury knows; by poking fun at it. “It’s an album trying to combat depression, to laugh your way out of depression, and to be honest and accurate with that depression,” Bradbury quips. “I try to write things that make me chuckle, and that chuckling is usually making peace with the existential dilemma of both the times and life in general.” Today, Wide Open Country premiered the title track from Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs, calling it “philosophical” and noting that “Fans of John Prine, Steve Goodman and other lyricists who’re as quick-witted as they are hilarious will find a kinship with Bradbury.” The album is available for pre-order today.
With only one co-writer on the entire album—ANTI- label-mate, friend, and fellow esteemed Nashville musician, Jeremy Ivey—Bradbury’s one-of-a-kind style is allowed to shine brilliantly, unobstructed by outside opinion. The tracking of Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs was completed in a similarly simple way; using the same combo of musicians for every song on the record. Aside from producer Pattengale’s mellotron and vocal contributions and the aforementioned Ivey’s bass and piano playing, only two extra musicians were called to round out the band; Alex Muñoz on additional guitars and Dillon Napier on drums. The only exception is the lone guest vocalist on the album, modern outlaw country queen and longtime supporter of Bradbury, Margo Price, who adds a somber harmony to a track titled “The Trouble With Time.”
Of the eleven songs on Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs, only two of them are more than three minutes long. The shortest of which, “Strange Bird,” clocks in at one minute, seventeen seconds. “In the writing of this album, what was important to me was that the song was over when the thought was over. It wasn’t about having to fill a certain amount of space,” Bradbury says. “If I’m not motivated to say anything more about this particular thing, I won’t force it. I would rather have a minute-and-a-half song that I felt conveyed something unique.”
Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs will be Darrin Bradbury’s first release on ANTI- Records. “Darrin possesses a wonderful, darkly sardonic sense of humor and a matter of fact wisdom that reminded me of some of my favorite writers from Chuck Berry to Mose Allison to John Prine,” says ANTI- founder, Andy Kaulkin. “I haven’t heard anyone do this sort of thing on this level for a very long time. His songs keep me on the edge of my seat.”
“When I write, there are things that I want to get away with,” Bradbury says. “I want to get away with the line, ‘I woke up this morning and I got out of bed / Tripped on my pants and fell on my head.’ ” Overall, Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs is a beautifully refined version of Bradbury’s writing; going for broke, connecting the dots, and doing it with blunt honesty that brings it all home. “If I can get you to take that seriously, and not skip a beat when you listen to it, that’s what I want.”
Track listing:
1. Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs
2. Breakfast
3. Hell’s More or Less the Same
4. The Trouble with Time (feat. Margo Price)
5. Strange Bird
6. Nothing Much
7. The American Life
8. This Too Shall Pass
9. Motel Room, Motel Room
10. So Many Ways To Die (Frozen Pizza)
11. Dallas 1963
About Darrin Bradbury:
Darrin Bradbury writes about the way things really are in America— a singular perspective shaped by a natural gift for storytelling, a lingering battle with depression, and a sly sense of humor. A self-described folk satirist who has toured the country for more than a decade, Bradbury collects his oddball observations in his newest album, Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs.
Bradbury grew up in New Jersey with an early interest in performing, partly because of his mother’s career as a circus clown. At the age of 7, he felt certain that he would either become a songwriter or a cartoonist. He learned to play guitar as a vessel to tell his stories—and because his handwriting and grammar steered him away from being a novelist. By the age of 18, he’d discovered Bob Dylan, Jack Kerouac, and Paul Simon, and decided to hit the road.
At 25, he moved from Charlottesville, Virginia, to Nashville, to try making it as a songwriter. For three months, he slept in his car in a Walmart parking lot, and developed a local following by playing open mic nights. With a handful of self-funded EPs and albums, Bradbury steadily cultivated a national audience by touring constantly. Produced by Kenneth Pattengale of the Milk Carton Kids, Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs is Bradbury’s first release for ANTI- Records.

Now also friends It’s funny how all of these little pieces of the puzzle fit together so well. ANTI Records has released a couple good albums in 2019, as I just recently wrote a terrific article for his label mate Mr. Jeremy Ivey and Mr. Ian Noe at the Exit In. You can read that article by clicking on the above link on his name, and also HERE IT IS!

Initially I didn’t expect to go out tonight, because I have a LOT of doctor appointments and nerve shots to deal with this winter. I’m getting ready for deer hunting and some other things I enjoy like football games, and I need to manage my Rheumatoid Arthritis to do those things. You know how the doctor games hit your wallet, and I STILL manage to get out and support LIVE music.

A LOT of people ask me  “Gary, WHO do YOU think is the next BIG THING in local music?” Well, I’m going to elaborate on that answer for a few moments on this article. I have TWO answers to that quandary for you, my dear readers, after pondering over several factors, I did indeed come up with TWO.

The two I THINK will become the next big things are Mr. Ian Noe and also the Dead South both of whom released KILLER albums in 2019. I’m going to sit here behind my keyboard and rave about these two until well into next year when I hear some more good ones, but just because I temporarily omit them from a current rotation does NOT MEAN SHIT!

One of the MANY reasons I came down here to the Exit In to see this fantastic show. Another reason is the outstanding staff the Exit In has, their security staff and their door staff, as well as the entire bar staff need to be APPLAUDED right here on this website. One of the stage security people introduced himself to me as Mike, and was worried about my camera bag, and let me keep it low behind a speaker. They ALL make sure we have a SAFE no bullshit show that WE ALL can feel secure going to and anybody that gets out of hand drunk gets tossed out!

The title of  Mr. Jeremy Ivey’s 2019 debut album is called “The Dream And The Dreamer” and it is out now on ANTI Records. His band is called The Extraterrestrials, and I shall be delving into this band further in the upcoming months for darn sure, I PROMISE you that!

There is an all around different genre vibe on this album here, and to be honest I couldn’t refer to tons of artists he actually sounds like. I hate to be one of those people that don’t have any idea what to call it, and just lump it into “Americana”..IT’S JUST GOOD MUSIC! If you MADE ME call it something I suppose Alt-Country could be implemented here….but IT’S JUST GOOD MUSIC!

I mean you hear influences like Mr. Bob Dylan and others, but he maintains a distinct style of his own with rough references to political beliefs and his own upbringing in his songs. The first song called “Story Of A Fish” has a really hopping folk vibe to it, and could be enjoyed by fans of so many genres it is pretty much endless. He has spent a lot of time in the background as a member of many bands like Buffalo Clover, where he met his wife Miss Margo Price, who produced his debut album here.

Included in his set tonight was a song called “Ombrophobia” which is a common anxiety disorder found in kids and is basically a fear of rain. “White Shadow” was next, however the FIRST SONG that GRABBED ME was the title song on the album here “The Dream And The Dreamer”. I’m adopted as well, and spent a lot of time finding my real parents and my real place I came from in life. I had many feelings of struggle and swimming upstream like he refers to as a person.

This is a powerful ballad with a tale of the intense battle in humanity and the battle inside people’s heads. These lyrics are well thought out, and the songs make you THINK. I enjoyed that about him, they make you DWELL ON THEM and really LISTEN to them on a wider scale. I really liked the line about the fear on TV that might kill us first, I hardly turn on my television for anything, and I listen to music…for reasons like that.

He played a few songs acoustic like “Someone Else’s Problem” and the song called “Falling Man”  before the rest of the band came out, as well as his wife Miss Margo Price whom her met at a younger age. He sites her as a huge influence and they are big fans of one another, you can easily ascertain the unity they have for one another BOTH onstage AND offstage the same.

“Greyhound” was next, and on the album you can hear them singing together as well. It sounded REALLY GOOD live, and is about people that live on the road. You know, until I started this website traveling I never really realized how intense and difficult life on the road was. All along those yellow lines…indeed. Some of those people have hard times keeping track of what city they are in on what day.

“Diamonds Back To Coal” is pretty much an anti- modern day man song, and was his closing song. It’s a very political song, and his entire album is the same. If you are one of those that don’t appreciate that in your music, you won’t care for this album. But I truly did appreciate his set tonight, I thought it was thought provoking and insightful.

Mr. Ian Noe has been on my radar for some time now, and is number one on my “up and coming” list of people to achieve the Tyler Childers echelon of local music. he is about to bust open wide and trickle over toward the mainstream side of things. When some of you on social media start griping about his albums being overproduced, I’ll be over here yawning and giggling.

He opened tonight with “Letter To Madeline” the great song about a holed up bank robber being surrounded, as he laments about spending the money with his baby at home. All of his songs are so intensely well written and arranged that it’s so hard to not gush on every one as a journalist. EVERY SONG paints such a vivid picture in my mind, as I listen to them.

“Promised Land’ and the mighty “Barbara’s Song” was next about the famous train wreck in 1904, when the bridge collapsed and OH MY GOD the descriptions of what was going on with his lyrics…just absolutely non grandiloquent in any fashion. He speaks with authority and dumps those vocals out upon us in wicked fashion!

“Junk Town” is a soulful jam with a smooth and soft tempo to it. EVERYBODY loves “Irene (Ravin’ Bomb)” that the entire audience has created a sing along to this song…hmm..kind of when Childers says FIRE IN THE HOLE or a David Allan Coe crowd yells LET ME LET ME LET ME…this following has also created a nifty niche for him here. It just intensifies my saying that he HAS that connection with his crowd  few today possess, especially for his age and time out onstage. To have that power this early, he will be unable to stop in 10 years.

My favorite song “Meth Head” was next followed by his own version of “Rollin In My Sweet Baby’s Arms” and “Dead On The River” about bodies found in the river. “If Today Doesn’t Do Me In” was on the list along with “Canyon Falls Bound” and “Between The Country”

He closed with a song called “Strip Job Blues” and “P.O.W. Blues”. This was by far one of his best shows I got to see so far with a full band. This man is moving up in the world on a grand scale, and you can remember I said that NOW because in a few years when everybody else is ACTING LIKE THEY DID I’ll shove this article up their asses. Mr. Ian’s band was Mr. Erin Nelson on drums, Mr. Steve Daly on guitars, and Mr. Michael Zimmerman on the bass guitar tonight.

Darrin Bradbury Releases New Single “Breakfast”,
 Announces International Tour Dates
Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs set for September 20th release on ANTI- Records
August 21, 2019 – Nashville, TN – Mixing humor with obvious-once-you-hear-them observations on mundane, everyday life, Darrin Bradbury’s unique wit makes for songs that are instantly relatable; this is evident on “Breakfast,” the second single from his highly-anticipated new album Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs, slated for release on September 20 via ANTI- Records. Yesterday, The Bluegrass Situation premiered the new track and video; read more and watch here. Today, Bradbury announced that he will join Texas songwriter Jarrod Dickenson for a UK tour beginning in London, following U.S. dates supporting John Moreland (full schedule below). Talking Dogs & Atoms Bombs is available for pre-order today.
Produced by Kenneth Pattengale (The Milk Carton Kids), Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs is a collection of songs born from dealing with depression and the pressures of life in the only way Bradbury knows; by poking fun at it. “It’s an album trying to combat depression, to laugh your way out of depression, and to be honest and accurate with that depression,” Bradbury quips. “I try to write things that make me chuckle, and that chuckling is usually making peace with the existential dilemma of both the times and life in general.” Pattengale recounts, “For awhile there Darrin and I would meet about once a week at my neighborhood coffee shop under the guise of me dispensing advice to him, despite repeated warnings that I am NOT in the advice giving business. As these things go, there was not much to say, and not much to learn—just friendly commiseration about the torrential weather bashing at the faces of anyone who dares to attempt a career in music. So maybe it was apt that I took the wheel for Darrin’s album about depression. Captain and co-pilot leading a more diverse Ship of Fools in circles out at sea.”
Last month, Wide Open Country premiered the title track from Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs, noting that “Fans of John Prine, Steve Goodman and other lyricists who’re as quick-witted as they are hilarious will find a kinship with Bradbury.” Rolling Stone Country named the single one of the “10 Best Country and Americana Songs To Hear Now” and described it as a unique blend of, “Bradbury’s signature gumbo of countrified talking blues, oddball folk, and black humor, with some stoner-worthy philosophy about the origins of microwaves tossed into the pot.”
Described as a “stellar singer and songsmith” by Nashville Scene, Bradbury enlisted the help of only one other writer for the entire album—ANTI- label-mate, friend, and fellow esteemed Nashville musician, Jeremy Ivey. The tracking of Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs was completed in a similarly simple way; using the same combo of musicians for every song on the record. Aside from producer Pattengale’s mellotron and vocal contributions and the aforementioned Ivey’s bass and piano playing, only two extra musicians were called to round out the band; Alex Muñoz on additional guitars and Dillon Napier on drums. The only exception is the lone guest vocalist on the album, modern outlaw country queen and longtime supporter of Bradbury, Margo Price, who adds a somber harmony to a track titled “The Trouble With Time.”
Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs will be Darrin Bradbury’s first release on ANTI- Records. “Darrin possesses a wonderful, darkly sardonic sense of humor and a matter of fact wisdom that reminded me of some of my favorite writers from Chuck Berry to Mose Allison to John Prine,” says ANTI- founder, Andy Kaulkin. “I haven’t heard anyone do this sort of thing on this level for a very long time. His songs keep me on the edge of my seat.”
“When I write, there are things that I want to get away with,” Bradbury says. “I want to get away with the line, ‘I woke up this morning and I got out of bed / Tripped on my pants and fell on my head.’ ” Overall, Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs is a beautifully refined version of Bradbury’s writing; going for broke, connecting the dots, and doing it with blunt honesty that brings it all home. “If I can get you to take that seriously, and not skip a beat when you listen to it, that’s what I want.”
On Tour:
Aug 23 – Nashville, TN – WMOT’s Finally Friday
Sept 10-15 – Nashville, TN – AMERICANAFEST
Sept 30 – Baltimore, MD – Creative Alliance *
Oct 1 – Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere *
Oct 4 – Garwood, NJ – Crossroads *
Nov 22 – London – The Cavendish Arms ^
Nov 23 – Broadhempston – Broadhempston Church ^
Nov 24 – Shrewsbury – Henry Tudor House ^
Nov 25 – Manchester – Gullivers ^
Nov 27 – Halifax – The Lantern ^
Nov 28 – Norwich – Waterfront Studio ^
Nov 29 – London – The Cavendish Arms ^
Nov 30 – Liverpool – Prohibition Recording Studio ^
Dec 1 – Glasgow – The Blue Arrow ^
Dec 2 – Edinburgh – The Voodoo Rooms ^
Dec 3 – Newcastle – Cluny 2 ^
Dec 5 – Bristol – Rough Trade ^
Dec 7 – Belfast – Ulster Sports Club ^
* supporting John Moreland
^ supporting Jarrod Dickenson
About Darrin Bradbury:
Darrin Bradbury writes about the way things really are in America— a singular perspective shaped by a natural gift for storytelling, a lingering battle with depression, and a sly sense of humor. A self-described folk satirist who has toured the country for more than a decade, Bradbury collects his oddball observations in his newest album, Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs.
Bradbury grew up in New Jersey with an early interest in performing, partly because of his mother’s career as a circus clown. At the age of 7, he felt certain that he would either become a songwriter or a cartoonist. He learned to play guitar as a vessel to tell his stories—and because his handwriting and grammar steered him away from being a novelist. By the age of 18, he’d discovered Bob Dylan, Jack Kerouac, and Paul Simon, and decided to hit the road.
At 25, he moved from Charlottesville, Virginia, to Nashville, to try making it as a songwriter. For three months, he slept in his car in a Walmart parking lot, and developed a local following by playing open mic nights. With a handful of self-funded EPs and albums, Bradbury steadily cultivated a national audience by touring constantly. Produced by Kenneth Pattengale of the Milk Carton Kids, Talking Dogs & Atom Bombs is Bradbury’s first release for ANTI- Records.

2020 Music Festival News.

 News  Comments Off on 2020 Music Festival News.
Nov 102019
 

As most of my loyal followers already know, I report on a plethora of music festivals each year. I continuously make solemn efforts to maintain contact with each one on an even basis, and give each festival equal attention when it comes to my support. I do like to separate information for them, because some of them may feel like I’m trying to compete them but I’m NOT…not in ANY way!

This is going to be an ongoing mass informational article that I’ll be updating many times with information about TONS of nationwide festivals, complete with separate links for each one as I make them according to the time frame. This will be a MAJOR JOB that I’ll be promoting heavily.

Tumbleweed Music Festival May 28th-30th 2020 Kansas

One of my favorite jobs this year was Tumbleweed Music Festival. I’ll be doing my 2020 pushes for over 200 nationwide festivals here in the next few weeks. I keep in constant touch with directors from all over the nation on their festivals to bring YOU the BEST coverage possible.
Now, this is an email sent to me ( and if you join their mailing list, you got this also) that has some of the changes coming in 2020. At this juncture, I cannot say whether I’ll be there in person or have a team member there. I plan to change up my festival presence for 2020, but I also plan to “tie in” a few that coincide time wise and travel wise.
I mean WHY THE HECK NOT? Wouldn’t YOU WANT ME to cover Bluegrass and Red Dirt in a weekend?
See here is how I look at this…let’s create a LARGE national network of “stops” for ALL local music and ALL genres. Let’s juxtapose all of these scenes, and stop treating them like scenes. Let’s make them a big huge community.
One organization is doing JUST THAT and it’s Mr. Jim Guthrie  and his wife Miss Victoria from the Honky Tonk Hotel out in Missouri. Those two are taking some of the Appalachian artists and bringing them to the Midwest regions, and I applaud them. I mean, this gives people like me easier work and more access to other artists because they pass through. He is closely in connection with Tumbleweed, and he and I talk all the time about ways to improve music functions. He does a LOT for the artists, booking, lodging, and needs people like me to help promote the music. Most importantly to me..he takes NO income from what he does, and that is honorable in my opinion. It costs money to keep the water and lights on!
With all that being said I am currently in contact with 250 festivals to date, and getting information on 2020 dates, times, places, lineup announcements, new stages, less stages, and the whole nine yards. We got info coming for well over 250 festivals for you on this website, as I work with 6 other websites that deal with festivals directly.
The addition of a more intimate stage pleases me, this year Master Musician’s Festival did it. It went over VERY WELL, and gave us the fans more of an opportunity to get acquainted with the musicians and absorb the lyrics easier. Muddy Roots also does this with TWO stages but they are right off the main vendor area, so you still have clamor and loud talking. This announced stage area is WELL OFF the main area and will provide AMPLE QUIET for you..but I have one concern. Cross traffic on foot. There simply was not enough space to facilitate LARGE AMOUNTS of pedestrians crossing to the main stage…unless they move the main stage.
As of right now, the Tumbleweed head director has no more information to share with you via text last week. But he DOES what to say THANK YOU for being there, enjoying the festival, loving the music, and being a patron. HE NEEDS our input to make Tumbleweed the BEST festival possible, and on May 28th- 30th 2020, let’s make it happen….MORE TO COME!

If YOU HAVE A comment, question or suggestion you can contact them, they are good folks!

Based on your valued feedback and our commitment to delivering an outstanding festival experience, we are committed to the following improvements for Tumbleweed 2020.

MUSIC

Introducing a 2nd stage located in an intimate and shaded area (where archery was). This stage will run from about noon to 5pm and pick-up again at about midnight when the main stage ends. It’s a beautiful spot and the perfect size. Main Stage will run from approximately 5pm to midnight.

RESTROOMS

More units, more locations, easier access, cleaned twice daily

TRANSPORTATION

Campers! fixed-price $5 per person, includes camping gear from the parking to camping on horse wagons. Established “taxi stands” at main stage, camping and parking for easy ride-hailing. We’re exploring gear drop-off at the forest for Thursday arrivals!

VIP

VIP-exclusive bathrooms and shade tent at main stage with dedicated bar in that tent serving all levels of VIP. No pre-set chairs/reserved seats in VIP, but able to place personal chairs daily. A late-night VIP dance party will kick-off after the last main stage act goes off – around midnight. The country dance party is held in the VIP Tavern.

GA

The GA+ section will be closer to the stage than this year’s placement, with vendors pushed back to allow more room on each side. GA+ is essentially GA from this year. We’ve introduced GA+ to allow for a lower-price “GA” ticket. The lower price GA ticket is for fans who are tight on funds and don’t mind distant viewing of the stage.

CAMPING

The General Store returns with its essentials, including ice! No vendors will be located in camping, eliminating the generator noise.

TICKETING/AMBASSADORS

To maintain ticket integrity, we’re discontinuing the Ambassador Program. The least expensive tickets are always available online at TumbleweedCountry.com. The ticketing schedule remains in-place, with price increases following the ticket schedule announced and published at TumbleweedCountry.com

Tumbleweed 2020 tickets launch on August 5th for a one-week massive sale… the lowest prices of the year. We appreciate your support of Tumbleweed’s authentic and independent country music experience! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach us at Tumbleweed@bordaproductions.com.

Suwanee Spring Reunion March 19-22nd 2020 Florida.

By Joshua Wallace

Friends, you might remember my coverage of the Suwannee Spring Reunion 2019 and how awesome that festival was.  Well, it’s almost time for the 2020 edition and I’m here with some dates and the initial lineup announcement.  The 2020 edition of the Suwannee Spring Reunion will happen March 19th – 22nd at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL.  This year’s initial lineup announcement features some familiar faces and new ones too.  I’m looking forward to covering this event right here on Gary Hayes Country.

Suwannee Spring Reunion 2020 Initial Lineup

Donna the Buffalo
Peter Rowan Free Mexican Airforce featuring Los Texmaniacs
The Duhks
Darrell Scott
Jim Lauderdale Band
Verlon Thompson
Shawn Camp Band
Roy Book Binder
Jeff Mosier Ensemble
Quartermoon
Sloppy Joe

And many more to be announced!

For more information, tickets, and to reserve camping, please visit www.suwanneespringreunion.com.

Old Settler’s Music Festival  April 15th-19th Texas.

This one here in Tilman Texas is our friends at Old Settler’s Music Festival and they have recently annonuced a partial lineup of their 2020 acts. I’ll tell you what we have an amazing list of festivals to satisfy ALL of our readers here, JUST KEEP READING!
Hi Everyone,

We are excited to bring you “a little sneak peak” at the 2020 Lineup.  We’ll certainly have more artists to unveil soon – about two dozen more! We picked this first bunch because it’s a mix old favorites and what we believe will be new favorites. Returnees include the unmistakable joy and energy that is Shinyribs, merry prankster Steve Poltz, descendants of bluegrass royalty The Travelin’ McCourys, transcendental folk locals The Deer, and globetrotting string band Della Mae.

New OSMF favorites …

  • American Aquarium’s well loved, hardscrabble roots rock.
  • Charley Crockett’s musical gumbo of Delta blues, honky-tonk, gospel and Cajun jazz.
  • Brilliant young guitarist, singer, songwriter and multiple award winner Molly Tuttle
  • The country noir of Logan Ledger, who so impressed Americana legend T. Bone Burnett that he produced Logan’s debut album.
  • Real deal hill country blues artist Cedric Burnside, one the best shows we saw at SXSW last year.
  • The Hogslop String Band – a band that absolutely oozes charm while raising a ruckus, complete with washtub bass.
  • And 2019 Youth Competition Winner Elijah Delgado.

Stay tuned – there’s plenty more surprises and Old Settler’s news to come!
Thank you so much for being part of our family. We can’t wait for April 2020.

— The folks at Old Settler’s

PS Scroll down for a link to our Spotify playlist which we add to as we release more artists!
Get Tickets

Merlefest April 23-26th North Carolina

One of the festivals I have on my radar this next festival season is the North Carolina based Merlefest, which is a non camping festival held on a college campus.
Initial Lineup Announced For MerleFest 2020
Willie Nelson & Family and Alison Krauss atop billing;
Chris Austin Songwriting Contest entry still open
November 12, 2019 – Wilkesboro, NC – MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the initial lineup for MerleFest 2020, which will be held April 23-26. The annual homecoming of musicians and music fans returns to the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “For over 30 years, one of the major factors that has built and sustained MerleFest has been the quality of the artists and performances that our guests see over the 4-day festival,” says Ted Hagaman, Festival Director. “People truly feel that the festival is a great value and that is why music fans and families return year after year. We feel that the 2020 lineup again reflects the diversity and quality of performers, and we look forward to another successful festival in April.” The complete lineup for MerleFest 2020 will be announced over the next few months.
Today’s lineup announcement includes Willie Nelson & Family, Alison Krauss, The Jerry Douglas Band, Sam Bush, Jim Lauderdale, Kruger Brothers, The Waybacks, Scythian, Donna The Buffalo, Peter Rowan and the Free Mexican Airforce, Tommy Emmanuel, Shinyribs, Charley Crockett, Darrell Scott, The Steel Wheels, Robbie Fulks, Amythyst Kiah, Cordovas, Alison Brown, Andy May, “B” Townes, Banknotes, Bill & The Belles, Bryan Sutton, Carol Rifkin, Charles Welch, Chatham Rabbits, Che Apalache, The Cleverlys, Creole Stomp with Dennis Stroughmatt, David Holt, Fireside Collective, Flattop, Happy Traum, Hogslop String Band, InterACTive Theatre of Jef, Irish Mythen, Iron Horse Bluegrass, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Jody Carroll, Joe Smothers, Ken Crouse, Laura Boosinger, The Local Boys, Los Texmaniacs, Mark Bumgarner, Mary Flower, Mitch Greenhill, Pete & Joan Wernick, Piedmont Bluz, Presley Barker, Rev. Robert Jones, Roy Book Binder, Sierra Ferrell, String Madness, T. Michael Coleman, Tony Williamson, Wayne Henderson, The Moore Brothers, The Williams Brothers, and Wyld Fern.
Tickets for next year’s festival go on sale November 12, 2019, and may be purchased atwww.MerleFest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. MerleFest offers a three-tiered pricing structure and encourages fans to take advantage of the extended early bird discount. Early Bird Tier 1 tickets may be purchased from November 12 to February 16, 2020; Early Bird Tier 2 tickets from February 17 to April 22. Remaining tickets will be sold at the gate during the festival.
New for MerleFest 2020 is “The Patio at MerleFest.” This ticket-upgrade includes comfortable seating in a covered area with great views of the Watson and Cabin stages, access to the friends and family seating area (formerly named VIP), a deluxe air-conditioned mobile bathroom unit, snacks and beverages, and live video displays from the Watson and Cabin stages. Fans wanting to gain access to this exciting new addition to MerleFest should act quickly, as seating is limited.
MerleFest would also like to remind potential participants that the entry period for 2020’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest is still open. Now in its 28th year, CASC is an extraordinary opportunity for songwriters to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of Nashville music industry professionals, under the direction of volunteer contest chairperson, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale. Aspiring songwriters may submit entries to the contest using theonline entry form at MerleFest.org or by mailing entries to MerleFest/CASC, P.O. Box 120, Wilkesboro, NC, 28697. All entries received during October and November will receive an early-entry discount price of $25 per entry, while submissions received in December and January will require a $30 fee per entry. All lyrics must be written in English and no instrumental entries will be accepted. The deadline to enter is February 1, 2020.
About Willie Nelson & Family
With a six-decade career and 200 plus albums, this iconic Texan is the creative genius behind the historic recordings of “Crazy,” “Red Headed Stranger,” and “Stardust.” Willie Nelson has earned every conceivable award as a musician and amassed reputable credentials as an author, actor, and activist. He continues to thrive as a relevant and progressive musical and cultural force. In recent years, he has delivered more than a dozen new album releases, released a Top 10 New York Times’ bestsellers book, again headlined Farm Aid, an event he co-founded in 1985, received his 5th degree black belt in Gong Kwon Yu Sul, headlined the annual Luck Reunion food and music festival at his ranch in Luck, Texas, during SXSW, launched his cannabis companies Willie’s Reserve and Willie’s Remedy, and graced the covers of Rolling Stone and AARP The Magazine.
In 2015, Nelson published “It’s A Long Story: My Life,” the unvarnished and complete story of his life that landed him on the New York Times’ bestsellers list. He also released a new studio album with Merle Haggard titled Django And Jimmie, which debuted at #1 on Billboard‘s Country album chart and #7 on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart. In November 2015, the Library of Congress honored him with their Gershwin Prize for Popular Song for his contributions to popular music. He is the first country artist to receive the distinguished award. The following year began with the release of “Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin,” a collection of 11 newly recorded Gershwin classics. The album debuted at #1 on both the Top Current Jazz chart and the Top Traditional Jazz chart, as well as earned him a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. In September 2016, came “For the Good Times: A Tribute to Ray Price,” an album of newly recorded interpretations of 12 Ray Price songs. In 2017, he released two albums of newly recorded performances: “God’s Problem Child,” with 13 new songs that debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Country album chart and #10 on the Billboard 200, and “Willie Nelson and The Boys (Willie’s Stash, Vol. 2),” that includes 11 country classics and one brand-new song performed by Nelson and his sons Lukas and Micah. For 2018, he released “Last Man Standing” in April to celebrate his 85th birthday. It is comprised entirely of songs newly-penned by Nelson (and longtime collaborator and producer Buddy Cannon).
In September, he released the album “My Way,” a collection of newly-recorded standards and classics originally made famous by Nelson’s close friend and musical colleague Frank Sinatra. It went on to win the GRAMMY Award for Best Traditional Pop Album. For 2019, he released “Ride Me Back Home,” a new studio album with 11 recordings that are a reflective upbeat journey through life, love, and time’s inescapable rhythms viewed from Willie’s inimitable perspective. These new songs and performances add to his classic catalog and find Willie Nelson rolling at a creative peak, writing and singing and playing with the seasoned wit and wisdom that comes from the road, which he still travels along performing for fans. Willie Nelson & Family performs Thursday, April 23, 2020.
About Alison Krauss
Born in Champaign, Illinois, Alison Krauss grew up listening to everything from folk to opera to pop and rock music, but quickly fell in love with bluegrass when she began playing fiddle at the age of five. Shortly after, Krauss began entering fiddle contests. At the age of 14, Rounder Records signed her to her first record deal, and she went on to release her debut solo album two years later. The accomplished bluegrass musician became a member of the Grand Ole Opry at age 21.
Since 1985, Krauss has released 14 albums including five solo, seven with her longtime band and musical collaborators Union Station, and the Robert Plant collaboration “Raising Sand,” which was certified platinum and won five Grammys, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year. She’s sold more than 12 million records to date, and her honors include 27 Grammys, nine Country Music Association Awards, 14 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards and two Gospel Music Association Awards.
“Windy City,” her latest solo album, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums and Top Bluegrass Albums charts and received two Grammy nominations. The album was produced by Buddy Cannon, whose vocal harmonies Krauss grew up listening to and were the soundtrack to her childhood. “Buddy sang harmonies on everything back then,” Krauss says. She also reveals of Cannon, “I don’t do something unless I feel like I’m called to do it. That’s what I felt like, so I honored it. It’s like the same feeling of when you know something is right musically, with a song or a batch of songs –the same feeling, but this was attached to a person instead of a batch of songs.”
Krauss frequently collaborates with artists from numerous genres, including Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Kenny Rogers, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Vince Gill, The Chieftains, James Taylor, The Cox Family, Yo-Yo Ma, Johnny Mathis, Cyndi Lauper, Heart, Bad Company, and Phish. She has recorded and toured with Willie Nelson, whom she honored with a performance during the 2015 Gershwin Prize Tribute Concert. She will reunite with Nelson this summer on a co-headlining tour throughout North America.
“Whiskey Lullaby,” a duet which she performed with Brad Paisley won two CMA Awards in 2004. She has also produced albums for Alan Jackson, Nickel Creek, and The Cox Family. Some of these collaborators were also formative to Krauss, and she lists influences including Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, Dolly Parton, Larry Sparks, The Cox Family, and Ralph Stanley. Alison Krauss performs Thursday, April 23, 2020.
About MerleFest
MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel, and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock, and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 13 stages during the course of the four-day event. MerleFest is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.
About Window World
Window World, headquartered in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is America’s largest replacement window and exterior remodeling company, with more than 200 locally-owned offices nationwide. Founded in 1995, the company sells and installs windows, siding, doors, and other exterior products, with a total of over 14 million windows sold to date. Window World is an ENERGY STAR partner, and its window products have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal for 10 consecutive years. Additionally, through its charitable foundationWindow World Cares, the Window World family provides funding for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which honored the foundation with its Organizational Support Award in 2017. Since its inception in 2008, Window World Cares has raised over $7 million for St. Jude. Window World Inc. also supports the Veterans Airlift Command, a non-profit organization that facilitates free air transportation to wounded veterans and their families. For more information, visitwww.WindowWorld.com or call 1-800 NEXT WINDOW. For home improvement and energy efficiency tips, décor ideas and more, follow Window World onFacebook andTwitter.
 For more information, visit www.MerleFest.org.

Americanafest September 15-20th Tennessee

Folks this is one that I usually end up regrettably missing BUT this year I DID NOT miss out on the action coming from all over Nashville.
Take a Look at Our 2020 Pricing Schedule Below Before Passes Go On Sale Next Friday, Nov. 15

Photos: Nathan Zucker

Planning is already underway for next year’s AMERICANAFEST®, our music festival and conference taking place Sept. 15-20, 2020 in various venues across Music City.

Before passes go on sale, we want to make sure you have all the information you need to buy your 2020 Conference Registration at the right time that works well with your budget.

The earlier you buy, the more you’ll save. Starting next Friday, you can take advantage of our Early Bird Discount of $349 ($249 for Americana Music Association® members) before the normal rate kicks in on February 4. See the table below for details.
2020 Conference Registration Price Points
Standard Rate / Americana Music Association Member Rate
November 15 – February 3
$349 / $249
February 4 – June 8
$499 / $399
June 9 – September 7 
$599 / $499 
September 8 – 20 
$649
Mobile users: Rotate your device to properly view the table above.

How do I know if a Conference Registration is the right pass for me? Conference Registrations are for attendees who are not only interested in experiencing the nighttime music festival but also learning about today’s industry topics at our comprehensive business conference. This pass is also the best option for networking at many special events throughout the week and for the first chance at purchasing Americana Honors & Awards tickets.*

To make sure you have the right AMERICANAFEST experience next year, click the button below to learn more about our passes.
Explore Our Passes Here

Nashville BoogieOctober 2-4th Tennessee

Another GREAT festival I have attended EVERY ONE OF is none other than Muddy roots Nashville Boogie

Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender
“NEW AND IMPROVED”
We’ve reworked this entire event and it’s got folks super excited! We haven’t even announced the full lineup yet and there are already less than 400 tickets left for sale. Grab yours right now!
Here’s what’s new:
1) We’ve moved entirely away from the Opryland Resort.
2) All the bands are scheduled for the Nashville Palace and the Scoreboard Grill
3) The Scoreboard Grill can serve beer 23 hours a day.
4) The car show is still behind the Palace. We are not yet taking submissions
5) The vendors will be in store fronts and throughout the parking lot. Open to public.
6) We are now utilizing the entire Music Valley lot for the Boogie events
7) The Western Fashion Show is now at the Palace
8) The record convention is still at the Palace on Sunday
9) You can still bring your kids but they have to be out of the bars before 10pm
10) Oh, and we moved the date! It is now October 2-4, 2020. The driest month in TN.
That’s pretty much it for now. It was nice rocking that resort but we’re wanting to get back to our roots. We never wanted to be the biggest rockin’ event in the world. It was the biggest venue but we want the best damn party. And an old school honky tonk with a big dance floor and a neon guitar on the ceiling is just right. It’s where the stars played for decades. We will carry on their tradition.
Please keep in mind. We are downsizing this event by a few thousand attendees. This will absolutely sell out and we predict it will be this month now that we are promoting our flyers.

Ian Noe And Jeremy Ivey At The Exit In.

 News  Comments Off on Ian Noe And Jeremy Ivey At The Exit In.
Nov 092019
 

Initially I didn’t expect to go out tonight, because I have a LOT of doctor appointments and nerve shots to deal with this winter. I’m getting ready for deer hunting and some other things I enjoy like football games, and I need to manage my Rheumatoid Arthritis to do those things. You know how the doctor games hit your wallet, and I STILL manage to get out and support LIVE music.

A LOT of people ask me  “Gary, WHO do YOU think is the next BIG THING in local music?” Well, I’m going to elaborate on that answer for a few moments on this article. I have TWO answers to that quandary for you, my dear readers, after pondering over several factors, I did indeed come up with TWO.

The two I THINK will become the next big things are Mr. Ian Noe and also the Dead South both of whom released KILLER albums in 2019. I’m going to sit here behind my keyboard and rave about these two until well into next year when I hear some more good ones, but just because I temporarily omit them from a current rotation does NOT MEAN SHIT!

One of the MANY reasons I came down here to the Exit In to see this fantastic show. Another reason is the outstanding staff the Exit In has, their security staff and their door staff, as well as the entire bar staff need to be APPLAUDED right here on this website. One of the stage security people introduced himself to me as Mike, and was worried about my camera bag, and let me keep it low behind a speaker. They ALL make sure we have a SAFE no bullshit show that WE ALL can feel secure going to and anybody that gets out of hand drunk gets tossed out!

The title of  Mr. Jeremy Ivey’s 2019 debut album is called “The Dream And The Dreamer” and it is out now on ANTI Records. His band is called The Extraterrestrials, and I shall be delving into this band further in the upcoming months for darn sure, I PROMISE you that!

There is an all around different genre vibe on this album here, and to be honest I couldn’t refer to tons of artists he actually sounds like. I hate to be one of those people that don’t have any idea what to call it, and just lump it into “Americana”..IT’S JUST GOOD MUSIC! If you MADE ME call it something I suppose Alt-Country could be implemented here….but IT’S JUST GOOD MUSIC!

I mean you hear influences like Mr. Bob Dylan and others, but he maintains a distinct style of his own with rough references to political beliefs and his own upbringing in his songs. The first song called “Story Of A Fish” has a really hopping folk vibe to it, and could be enjoyed by fans of so many genres it is pretty much endless. He has spent a lot of time in the background as a member of many bands like Buffalo Clover, where he met his wife Miss Margo Price, who produced his debut album here.

Included in his set tonight was a song called “Ombrophobia” which is a common anxiety disorder found in kids and is basically a fear of rain. “White Shadow” was next, however the FIRST SONG that GRABBED ME was the title song on the album here “The Dream And The Dreamer”. I’m adopted as well, and spent a lot of time finding my real parents and my real place I came from in life. I had many feelings of struggle and swimming upstream like he refers to as a person.

This is a powerful ballad with a tale of the intense battle in humanity and the battle inside people’s heads. These lyrics are well thought out, and the songs make you THINK. I enjoyed that about him, they make you DWELL ON THEM and really LISTEN to them on a wider scale. I really liked the line about the fear on TV that might kill us first, I hardly turn on my television for anything, and I listen to music…for reasons like that.

He played a few songs acoustic like “Someone Else’s Problem” and the song called “Falling Man”  before the rest of the band came out, as well as his wife Miss Margo Price whom her met at a younger age. He sites her as a huge influence and they are big fans of one another, you can easily ascertain the unity they have for one another BOTH onstage AND offstage the same.

“Greyhound” was next, and on the album you can hear them singing together as well. It sounded REALLY GOOD live, and is about people that live on the road. You know, until I started this website traveling I never really realized how intense and difficult life on the road was. All along those yellow lines…indeed. Some of those people have hard times keeping track of what city they are in on what day.

“Diamonds Back To Coal” is pretty much an anti- modern day man song, and was his closing song. It’s a very political song, and his entire album is the same. If you are one of those that don’t appreciate that in your music, you won’t care for this album. But I truly did appreciate his set tonight, I thought it was thought provoking and insightful.

Mr. Ian Noe has been on my radar for some time now, and is number one on my “up and coming” list of people to achieve the Tyler Childers echelon of local music. he is about to bust open wide and trickle over toward the mainstream side of things. When some of you on social media start griping about his albums being overproduced, I’ll be over here yawning and giggling.

He opened tonight with “Letter To Madeline” the great song about a holed up bank robber being surrounded, as he laments about spending the money with his baby at home. All of his songs are so intensely well written and arranged that it’s so hard to not gush on every one as a journalist. EVERY SONG paints such a vivid picture in my mind, as I listen to them.

“Promised Land’ and the mighty “Barbara’s Song” was next about the famous train wreck in 1904, when the bridge collapsed and OH MY GOD the descriptions of what was going on with his lyrics…just absolutely non grandiloquent in any fashion. He speaks with authority and dumps those vocals out upon us in wicked fashion!

“Junk Town” is a soulful jam with a smooth and soft tempo to it. EVERYBODY loves “Irene (Ravin’ Bomb)” that the entire audience has created a sing along to this song…hmm..kind of when Childers says FIRE IN THE HOLE or a David Allan Coe crowd yells LET ME LET ME LET ME…this following has also created a nifty niche for him here. It just intensifies my saying that he HAS that connection with his crowd  few today possess, especially for his age and time out onstage. To have that power this early, he will be unable to stop in 10 years.

My favorite song “Meth Head” was next followed by his own version of “Rollin In My Sweet Baby’s Arms” and “Dead On The River” about bodies found in the river. “If Today Doesn’t Do Me In” was on the list along with “Canyon Falls Bound” and “Between The Country”

He closed with a song called “Strip Job Blues” and “P.O.W. Blues”. This was by far one of his best shows I got to see so far with a full band. This man is moving up in the world on a grand scale, and you can remember I said that NOW because in a few years when everybody else is ACTING LIKE THEY DID I’ll shove this article up their asses. Mr. Ian’s band was Mr. Erin Nelson on drums, Mr. Steve Daly on guitars, and Mr. Michael Zimmerman on the bass guitar tonight.

Album Feature – Luke Combs – What You See Is What You Get

 News  Comments Off on Album Feature – Luke Combs – What You See Is What You Get
Nov 082019
 

By Joshua Wallace

Luke Combs is on a monster tear through country music history off the heels of his last album titled This One’s For You and it’s deluxe packaging titled This One’s For You Too.  Earlier this year, he released the mega successful EP titled The Prequel. That EP featured the first 5 songs on this new album titled What You See Is What You Get. What You See Is What You Get is finally the follow up to This One’s For You that the world has been waiting for.  Does it live up to the hype? I’m here to tell you that yes, yes it does. If his last album is any indication, Luke Combs has another massive collection of hits on his hands.

The album kicks off with the mega hit “Beer Never Broke My Heart”.  The track kicks off with a quick banjo riff before going into heavy twangy guitars that are often the signature of this album.  It’s a fun track that is both fun to throw on at a party and fun to experience live. Another great single released ahead of this record is “1, 2, Many”.  This is more of a honky tonk drinking song and the chorus is infectious. Brooks & Dunn make a fun cameo near the end of the song. It’s great to hear something like this getting radio play.

The track “Every Little Bit Helps” is a bit of a smoother throwback to 90’s country radio.  This song was released by Luke as an acoustic video back in July and at that time it was a slower acoustic demo.  It’s fun to hear how the song has changed since then with this final version of the track. Another track that got that same early release is “Dear Today” which has an acoustic live version floating around out there.  It starts off like that on the record, but the band slowly creeps into the track and it’s such a smooth tear jerker of a song. This will be a mega hit on country radio before this album cycle is up, it’s that good of a song plus I love the solo on this one.

Another track that fans are looking forward to eagerly is “Does To Me (feat. Eric Church)”. It’s more of a feature than a duet as Eric Church doesn’t come in till the end.  He gets to name drop Don Williams which is cool in my book and it’s a damn good song to boot. “Angels Workin’ Overtime” takes the 90’s country sound and brings into more southern rock territory on a track about being overworked and underpaid. “Nothing Like You” is a ballad about being on the road but missing what you have back home.  It’s a stripped down affair and is one of the softer Luke Combs moments, until you get to the finale of the record. “Better Together” a song dedicated to Luke’s fiance Nicole and it’s just him and his big voice against a piano. This is one of Luke’s better moments on this record and I can’t wait to hear it live.

Luke Combs is on a run like none other in country music and I don’t think he’s stopping any time soon.  What You See Is What You Get picks up where his debut album left off and it’s another collection of hits waiting to happen.  I hope I get to see Luke live sometime in the near future and if I do I will report on it here. The sky’s the limit for Luke Combs right now and it’s only getting crazier from here.  What You See Is What You Get is out everywhere on Friday November 8th, 2019.

Favorite Tracks : Beer Never Broke My Heart, 1, 2, Many, Every Little Bit Helps, Dear Today, Does To Me (feat. Eric Church), Angels Workin’ Overtime, Nothing Like You, Better Together

Luke Combs – What You See Is What You Get (2019)

  1. Beer Never Broke My Heart
  2. Refrigerator Door
  3. Even Though I’m Leaving
  4. Lovin’ On You
  5. Moon Over Mexico
  6. 1, 2, Many (feat. Brooks & Dunn)
  7. Blue Collar Boys
  8. New Every Day
  9. Reasons
  10. Every Little Bit Helps
  11. Dear Today
  12. What You See Is What You Get
  13. Does To Me (feat. Eric Church)
  14. Angels Workin’ Overtime
  15. All Over Again
  16. Nothing Like You
  17. Better Together

Album Feature – Erin Enderlin – Faulkner County

 News  Comments Off on Album Feature – Erin Enderlin – Faulkner County
Nov 052019
 

By Joshua Wallace

If you’re a fan of sad country songs with thick pedal steel, this album is for you.  Erin Enderlin has issued her follow up to 2017’s amazing Whiskeytown Crier with Faulkner County.  This album picks up where that left off with some of the saddest country songs you’ll hear all year.  The pedal steel is thick throughout this record with tracks with Dan Dugmore, Paul Franklin, and Smith Curry handling the instrument throughout the record.  Let’s dig into some of these tracks.

One of my favorites is the track “Whatever Gets You Through The Night”.  I dig the smooth jazz sounds on this one as Erin Enderlin goes through all the different ways you can try to get through a rough night.  I love the way the piano plays with the pedal steel here. If you’re looking for more great piano licks, look no further than “The Queen Of Marina Del Rey”.  It’s a song about a woman trying to make it famous out in L.A. and struggling to do so. It’s a great tune and I dig the guitar solo on this one. One thing to note, there is a track “Till It’s Gone” that repeats from the Whiskeytown Crier album.  It appears to be a re-recorded version of the original with a shorter run time. It’s a good inclusion here though as it does fit with the overall sound of this album.

Who doesn’t love a good trucking song?  “A Man With 18 Wheels” provides just that but from the truck driver’s wife or significant other’s perspective.  I love the line in this one that says “His home away from home is in the house that Peterbilt”. Another favorite is “These Boots”.  This version is listed as the “Full Band Version”. An earlier cut of the track was released as a single in 2018. This version is smoother and the acoustics fit in with the album as a whole better.  Finally, “Old Flames (Can’t Hold A Candle To You)” is a twist on the traditional country music cheating song in that it’s about not cheating. You don’t hear songs like this often enough and I’m happy to hear it here.

This album was released as several EPs throughout the year, but I’m glad to have it as a whole.  The entire package makes sense as you can imagine these songs being about characters living in or being from a small rural county called Faulkner County.  I’ve been a big fan of Erin Enderlin since her 2017 record Whiskeytown Crier and this one doesn’t disappoint. Jim “Moose” Brown & Jamey Johnson returned to produce this new effort and you can definitely hear their influence on the sound here.  If you’re looking for a great traditional country record in 2019, look no further than Erin Enderlin’s Faulkner County which is out November 1st, 2019.

Favorite Tracks : Whatever Gets You Through The Night, The Queen Of Marina Del Rey, A Man With 18 Wheels, These Boots, Old Flames (Can’t Hold A Candle To You)

Erin Enderlin – Faulkner County (2019)

  1. I Can Be Your Whiskey
  2. Whatever Gets You Through The Night
  3. The Queen Of Marina Del Rey
  4. Tonight I Don’t Give A Damn
  5. Use Me Again
  6. Broken
  7. Hell Comin’ Down
  8. A Man With 18 Wheels
  9. Hometown Jersey
  10. Till It’s Gone
  11. These Boots (Full Band Version)
  12. Old Flames (Can’t Hold A Candle To You)
  13. Sweet Emmylou
  14. Run Baby Run

The Tyler Childers Phenomenon Of 2019.

 News  Comments Off on The Tyler Childers Phenomenon Of 2019.
Nov 022019
 

Mr. Tyler Childers. This name has become a brilliant beacon of light for good Country Music. I’ll be catching up with him at the fifth annual Kickin It On The Creek. He is a driving force in local music, an inspiration to all local musicians and bands alike, and a beacon of hope for REAL Country Music and independent music as a whole.

Now I’m going to be completely honest here, as I always am on this blog, we know each other. But I don’t go WAY BACK with him like others do, and we don’t visit each other on holidays, and if I led you to believe that I’d be lying through my teeth. My West Virginia friends like Mr. W.B.Walker and Mr. J.J.Waters both know him from YEARS BACK and when they speak of his past THEY SPEAK of the stories you need to listen to NOT MINE.

This young man absolutely dominated my Facebook, twitter and Instagram feeds throughout 2019 in many ways. He played his first time at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado ( Mr. Luther wrote a GREAT article for us there), and played again at the Opry. As we speak I am catching up with a PLETHORA of things from 2019, and I’m writing about his fabulous performance at Kickin It On The creek like I just mentioned.

Tyler Childers And The Food Stamps have indeed blazed a trail through independent and underground music in the last few years with only two major label albums, and just recently he announced an arena tour with powerhouse artist and producer Sturgill Simpson. More on that later in this article here.

He has a four day Ryman Auditorium run in early 2020 before going on that tour with Sturgill, and here are the dates for the powerhouse arena tour as mentioned above. I’m going to be completely honest, I really don’t think there are many fans of Mr. Strugill Simpson that aren’t fans of Mr. Tyler already. However these venues just keep growing, I see a great propensity in these artists to become more agile as they get accustomed to bigger crowds.

He guest stared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and he did a wonderful job on there, and it brought his music to whole new echelon of listeners. All together that has been transpiring all over for him and his music from all of the different avenues of exposure of his music. Actually, he was on several different talk shows this year, but the one that I got to see was this one here.

I met these folks at this year’s Kickin It On the Creek, and promised to include them on some of my work. This is their mission from their website:

September 27,2020

Click to Learn about Healing Appalachia

Our Reason

Drug overdose is the leading cause of death for people under the age of fifty in the United States. The Appalachian region has been dramatically impacted by the opioid and heroin epidemic. West Virginia in particular, the only state entirely within the Appalachian region, gained national and international notoriety after 26 people overdosed near a housing development in Huntington on August 15, 2016. West Virginia has the highest rate of fatal overdose in the nation. Tragically, rates of death due to overdose have exponentially increased across the country from 2015 to 2016. In 2016, 52 out of 100,000 West Virginia residents fell victim to an accidental overdose. Preliminary data for 2017 shows no improvement according to public health officials despite efforts to make life-saving drugs like Naloxone or Narcan more easily accessible.

The causes for this epidemic are complex. Many sources point to the economic decline and continuing loss of decent jobs through ongoing deindustrialization that has particularly impacted the region. Multiple legal settlements from drug companies to states and local units of government verify that pharmaceutical opioid marketing and prescribing practices set the stage for

opioid and, later, heroin addiction. Topic experts like Sam Quinones, author of Dreamland, point to the decline of community by decreased funding of public services. Indeed, addiction thrives in isolation. However, recovery communities are forming. Many of the same people who have been revived with Naloxone are helping others find recovery. The scourge of the epidemic remains, but there is reason to hope that people and communities can overcome this problem. At present, addiction-related charities receive around $25 million in private funds annually, in contrast to $390 billion given to all charities based on Facing Addiction and Giving USA 2016 data. This is approximately 0.00006 percent of all charitable funds raised.

In closing here folks, I’m quite adamant on the fact that we will only see this young man and his band rise to the top of the food chain here. He is achieving his dream’s through hard work and dedication to his craft, his attention to his style and his knack for kicking you in the nuts with his lyrics and his harsh realist attitude.

I think he will be appearing in many festival lineups in 2020, and many more road shows with his crazy hilljack band The Food Stamps….SEE YOU IN THE CROWD!

Americanafest 2019.

 News  Comments Off on Americanafest 2019.
Nov 022019
 

For the third time in my many years of doing this website ( yeah I’m old) I went down to the big Nashville gala that assembles downtown mostly in September each year that is called Americanafest. Now in 2020 the official dates will be September 15-20th, just a few days after this year’s times.

Honestly I cannot approach this festival like all of the others I write about for many reasons. I mean honestly I LOVE the music and the people here, but it doesn’t replace the people that make Kickin It On The Creek or Muddy Roots happen. It doesn’t replace that feeling of HOME, or the welcome of rolling up those beautiful roads into that community of friends.

I took in many of the panels and offerings of the first couple days there and didn’t go to any of the shows until Friday but I’m going to write about many of the shows I DID see, the first day I actually saw music was The Fourth Annual Bloodshot Records Backyard Bash.

Bloodshot Records’ 25th anniversary celebration continues as we return to the heart of hip East Nashville for the fourth annual Backyard Bash at The Groove record store during AmericanaFest! Please join us in the peaceful backyard at 1103 Calvin Avenue from 5PM to 8PM on Friday, September 13th (spooky!). As always, the party is free and open to the public. All are welcome: fans, friends, industry bigwigs, smallwigs, and no-wigs. Come one, come all. Bring the kids. Bring grandpa. Heck, bring your pet raccoon and a jar of lightning bugs.

Enjoy special performances some of our best and brightest stars…

Sarah Shook & the Disarmers
Banditos
Vandoliers
Jason Hawk Harris
Ruby Boots

…while you enjoy complimentary cocktails by Deep Eddy Vodka, as well as beer from Lagunitas Brewing Co!

Our longtime friends at Recording King will be giving away guitars (yes, actual guitars!) to some lucky fans. And our literary-minded Chicago neighbors at Field Notes will have a special gift for all attendees! More details on that soon.

The Rolling Feast truck will be on hand to keep everyone good and nourished.

We hope to see you in Music City for one of our favorite Bloodshot events of the year!

Bloodshot Records Backyard Bash AmericanaFest Four IV

Man it was HOT this festival season, for the majority of the year. This backyard was CRAMMED and HOT until the sun set later on, but the FREE WATER was SUCH a blessing all weekend. There was so much FREE STUFF out here, I mean WHO in their RIGHT MIND wouldn’t want to attend this?

Many of these bands and artists I have covered in the past at other festivals and house shows across America. But the first young lady called Ruby Boots, I have never saw live yet. She is from Western Australia, and at a very young age, she took it upon herself to venture out into the world to escape a bad environment.

My main man Mr. Joshua wrote a review about her last album (which was her Bloodshot debut) and you can read about that HERE. She played a set with another guitarist beginning with a breakup song called ‘I’ll Make it Through”. I liked her solo style just as much as I enjoy her full band on the album, and to truly absorb her music, I’ll have to see her with a full band. Before deciding if I would see her multiple times I would have to consider many other things, but if she was on a festival bill I would make it a BIG point to catch her set.

“It’s So Cruel” was next, now this one sounded VERY different on the album than it did today. I enjoyed the album version better on this song, and the other songs like “I Am A Woman” showcased her vocal better. She spoke to me on this song as a person, and allowed me to look into her heart more. Now, myself as a music lover I sometimes identify less with the women than I do the men, because being a man I haven’t been through what they are singing about. But I try my best to put myself in their shoes, or position.

However I WILL say this as a music FAN I enjoy the women more than the men onstage. I think that they put more fire into their performance, and have a better ambiance overall. This round here, I took in more of the gals than I did the guys at Americanafest simply because the offerings were better to my tastes.

One thing about her new album last year was that the songs were all over 4 minutes long, and that is unusual to be honest for ALL of them to be that long. Her last two songs on the set were “Somebody Else” and she closed with “Believe In Heaven”.

The Banditos have a new album in the works to follow up from 2017’s Visionland, so a few of the titles I didn’t recognize today. This was my very first time to see Miss Mary Beth Richardson wail those songs upon us in furious fashion.  Mr. Corey Parsons, and Mr. Stephen Pierce started the band in 2010, and actually today was Mr. Danny Vine’s last show with them. Mr. Randy Wade and Mr. Jeffery Salter make up the remainder of this band.

Their 2015 self titled album boasted the song called “Still Sober (After All These Beers). They announced that their new record will be available in about another month, so we will keep our eyes peeled for that one for sure.

Mr. Jason Hawk Harris put out a GREAT debut album on Bloodshot Records called Love And The Dar. But when I finally got to see him live I got to witness his fabulous guitar abilities with songs like “Cussing At The Light”. Songs of drinking and despair come from his soul on stage as he sings about medicating his beat down heart with alcohol and party life.

He opened with a song called “Phantom Limb” which on the album had some really good twang, and it didn’t sound as good live accept for his vocals. HIS VOCALS are absolutely flawless live, and they vividly shine through his audience with creative vigor.

He closed with a song called “Giving In” that spoke to me REALLY close because I TOO wish that where I am is where I’ve been. TODAY I am recovered as an addict, and I have a GREAT JOB with a good life. I used to be a REALLY bad mess and honestly didn’t think I’d be alive to see 40.

Sarah Shook And The Disarmers you have read about on here from MANY festivals and shows. But THIS TIME she is playing some NEW material for us in hopes to release a new album soon. The new song she played was called “Goodbye From Kansas”, and I’ll maybe chat with her in the future about her plans. I consider her a good friend, and I love her to death, many times I enjoy their news in private just as a fan myself. MANY TIMES they tell me things I DO NOT print because I do this for enjoyment not for hits or attention.

“Good As Gold” was her first song, and she closed with “New Ways To Fail” both songs coming from her latest album called “Years”. And as we all enjoyed this music in this intense heat, she jokingly recalled how many times I have been to her shows in crazy hot weather. This summer was really arid and HOT, all of our tobacco crops were good from all of our spring rain, but our beans dried up BADLY. We had 90 days of 90 degree heat and NO RAIN!

They played “The Bottle Never Lets Me Down” however I’ll tell you this, she hasn’t been drinking lately as an individual, and I applaud her for that. Miss Sarah, if you read this I’m quietly rooting for you, and I love you very much my friend. ANYTIME you need me please call upon me!

I moseyed onto other venues and other shows tonight, see this is how Amercianafest operates. There are SO MANY venues involved, and SO MANY side shows to see all over town. You need to download a phone app to see the daily and hourly schedule to take this festival in. ALSO BUY A LINEUP SHIRT EARLY, because they sold out by Friday.

Miss Carson Mchone is a gal that I had on my stage I sponsored in 2014 in Kansas City called the Westport Roots Festival and she was fabulous. She is talented, beautiful and a GREAT person to be around. I quickly sprinted over to the The Basement to see her play a FANTASTIC SHOW.

Off the 2018 Carousel she played “Sad” and “Drugs” now, that song showcases her vocals SO WELL, and I LOVE it on the album with that warm tone steel guitar tone. From her 2015 album called “Goodluck Man” she played “Poet” that was a good song live. Her vocals on the song “Really Good Friends” is also amazing, I LOVE that curl she puts on the end of words, she has a voice of gold.

Many of her songs are so well written, and I think she is VASTLY overlooked by MANY independent music sites and podcasts, and radio. Besides me, I only know of a few blogs that give her any love, and folks that needs to change NOW, because she is amazing on stage!  “Ain’t You Lucky I Love Being Lonely” is amazingly written in my opinion, and it’s one of her best songs.

I’m going to rave about her because she has been banging around the Texas local clubs before she was even legal to drink, and she has put in more dues than many of  the other local gals you would call her peers. She has many musicians backing her up nowadays, like the song “Dram Shop Gal” where I have heard it played many different ways live. This is just an amazing song with amazing lyrics.

She closed her set with “GTDB ( Good Time Daddy Blues)” from her first album, and I really didn’t get to hang around very long to talk to anybody, because on this festival you need to MOVE or you will not get to see everything you want to see. Someone like me that loves all types of music has to move all over the city, I mean you are literally at 10 venues in a weekend there. It’s insane to try to do, but kind of a fun challenge to amass such a plethora of sets in such a short span of a week.

After that show I went over to the Mercy Lounge and The Cannery Ballroom, and the High Watt, which is pretty much the hub or epicenter of the entire festival here this week for the music. The panels are actually all over the city, and there are side package shows all over as well.

On Saturday I attended two of them like that, and they were great. Friday night I covered one of the bands that is releasing a new album tomorrow ( as I write this ) November 1st, called Long Time Comin’. Mickey And The Motorcars started out in Idaho, but quickly delved into the Texas Red Dirt community.

The two Braun brothers that are in the band started the Red Dirt festival in Idaho called The Braun Brothers Reunion. From the 2008 Naive album they played the song called “Twilight” before bringing up Alejandro Escovedo to play a song called ‘Sister Lost Soul”.

They played another song with Mr. Alejandro and played some Bob Dylan songs before showcasing some new songs for us, and by the time I complete this article, Mr. Joshua will have a nice album review up for this album I will link in here. There were a plethora of bands putting out new albums here during this week, so many of these sets contained new music.

“Rodeo Girl” was a new song which will be track number 2, “Stranger Tonight” which is track number 9. This was a song about finding a gal that is getting over a breakup, and a man that is looking for a stranger. Perhaps he is also just getting over a breakup as well. In either case it’s a song about a one night stand. They closed their set with track number 7 called “Break my Heart”.

The one complaint I had about the main venue here was the loud talking during the music. I HATE a rough and rowdy, obstreperous crowd. Back toward the bar area I had so many people rudely chattering about stupid crap they could talk about outside, that it ruined the enjoyment of the new songs.

I got to see some of Lilly Hiatt set that was right after the Motorcars at the same bar. Actually, i closed the entire night out at this main venue here with American Aquarium whom are also fresh on a new album called Lamentations.

Miss Lilly Hiatt played “Everything I Had”, and the other song I got to watch her play was called

American Aquarium played the Mercy Lounge at 11pm, and I got pretty tired so I quit for the night after their set. Like I said they played so many new songs as well, and most of them were good. I just simply couldn’t get up close to the stage here, from moving venues so often, and with such a large crowd of people. I’ll tell you what it was hard to even buy merch, it was THAT PACKED!

From the 2018 Things Change album they played “The World Is On Fire”, which was my favorite song on this album for sure. Mr. B.J. Barham is now a sober and focused front man for a solid well oiled machine, that blasts songs down your throat with vigorous fury.

Mr. Shane Boeker  is on lead guitar, drummer  is Mr.Joey Bybee, the bassist is Mr. Ben Hussey, and Mr. Adam Kurtz is currently on pedal steel and electric guitar. I didn’t get any good pictures of their set tonight, but I REALLY enjoyed their music toward the back of the venue, as they played “Tough Folks”.

I went back down to Grimey’s on Saturday for their wonderful party they had, in that wretched heat.  When I got there it was bustling with excitement as Mr. Orville Peck played a set and was signing albums of his 2019 release called “Pony”. Just as Mr. Paul Cauthen was there performing songs from his new album called “Room 41′.

Mr. Paul Cauthen just played some of his new songs acoustic, but his new album is packed full of exciting new sounds, while maintaining his signature unique vocals. To be honest, there is nobody else quite like him out there today. He played the song called “Holy Ghost Fire” , that opens this album on the first track.

This is a upbeat partying album that is a little Bluesy, some Country and some soulful rock and Roll. This album is a nice sophomore album to his 2016 My Gospel album. He played the song  “Prayed For Rain” and also the JAM song on this album called “Cocaine Country Dancing”. That song is a complete JAM either with full band or acoustic version as well.

“Angel” and “Slow Down” were also both included in his brief set. This album has a very solid 70’s disco vibe to it even, and it often references the hard party life of that time as well. I GET IT, and I like to sometimes veer off of a strict Country diet and onto this record and some Aaron Lee Tasjan and others that fit this little niche. It’s not in any way a bad deal here, and it encompasses a temporary getaway for me as a listener to envision a club on a red carpet with ladies falling at my feet.

I went over to the Westin Nashville where they had a HUGE party package upstairs on the rooftop stage area. There were a few other bands before the target one I wanted, and that was Mr. Corb Lund, who also has a new album out called “Cover Your Tracks”.

I have been a BIG Corb Lund fan for many many years now ever since I first heard Hair In My Eyes Like A Highland Steer in 2005, he was one of the first Red Dirt artists I began to enjoy. Now, this new album here has many covers, and a few originals he co wrote with other people like Mr. Hayes Carll.

Like the vastly inventive song “Cover Of The Rolling Stone” which he played tonight here, and is a damn fine song about getting famous and not getting famous within his style of music. Now, from this second album here called Hair In My Eyes Like A highland Steer, he played that thumping good tune called “Good Copenhagen”.

That song had some GREAT steel guitar twang and solos in it on the album, which he brought out to us live here tonight. “Gonna Shine Up My Boots” was included in this set as well, that song came off 2014’s Counterfeit Blues and I have heard him include that song a few times.

“Bible On The Dash” is another superb song that he wrote with Mr. Hayes Carll, and is also one of his Honky Tonk thump songs with those awesome Country lyrics. This is indeed the bible belt and this is a funny story where these boys are rolling around with guns and drugs, and they get away with it all because of a Bible on their dash.

He ended his iconic set with his timeless piece of “Rye Whiskey/ Time To Switch To Whiskey” , and as I moved onto my next venue I wiped off my sweaty head and ate some free food. You know, I’m going to say this for real though…all the free drinks and food cannot replace the fine folks at Kickin It On The Creek or Muddy Roots..those festivals are HOME. However I did indeed have fun nonetheless here this week.

One of the ladies names you WILL SEE on MANY Top 50 lists of 2019 is none other than Miss Michaela Anne, I can already promise you’ll see her on mine. This new album was pure fire on a major scale! And I was pleasantly surprised at how good the basic cheeseburger was at the City Winery In Nashville. I was initially not impressed with their fancy food they offer there, but my waitress assured me they can make basic country food.

Her set tonight was nothing short of amazing, and he vocals were on point tonight. I’ll be featuring her shows more into the future, as I highly anticipate her rise. This third album was by FAR her best, and she has not yet reached her zenith yet..oh no. She WILL become a powerful entity within Country Music for sure.

She opened with “Just look At Us” but the BEST song of the set and in my opinion one of the best on Desert Dove period is the song “Child Of The Wind”. This song is VERY well written and enjoyable, it spoke to me as an individual and it displayed her growth in her writing skills. This song presented a strong mental picture to me as a listener and I can sit back and just let my mind wander within the story.

“One Heart” was next and this was one that was more personal from her to us. I think this album overall shows us more of a personal side into her own mind and soul, and that is a powerful gift for any artist to share with us fans. The more I listen AND I MAN REALLY LISTEN to this album the more I understand HER as a person. “If I Wanted Your Opinion” is indeed a good song right there, even though it’s comical, it has twang and rhythm. It’s totally powerful to the female cause that rejects the concept that women are objects.

I REALLY enjoyed the purpose and subject of this song, and this set here pretty much solidified my answer that the ladies outdid the men at Americanafest overall. I just enjoyed their songs and presentation overall more than the men I saw this week, and I’m not afraid to say that on record!  “I’m Not The Fire” was included in this set tonight, and it was a good solid addition to her set as well. I’m not the fire, I’m just the coals is a GREAT line here, this song is a MASTERPIECE of writing for her, hell for anybody. You ever hear a song and say “I’m jealous I didn’t write that”? ….yeah I’m jealous for sure.

The Cannery Ballroom boasted the final bands of this festival for me. The POWERFUL all gal string band called Della Mae that consists of lead vocalist/guitarist Miss Celia Woodsmith, 2-time national champion fiddle player Miss Kimber Ludiker,mandolinist  Miss Jenni Lyn Gardner, and upright bassist Miss Zoe Guigueno.

Now if you want GREAT HARMONIES and AMAZING musicianship then these ladies are what you want right here. The only bad thing is that we haven’t had a new album for 4 years from them yet. However many of these were new songs I believe.

This band just absolutely KILLS IT on stage, and they are one of my personal favorite women bands, and are VASTLY overlooked by ALL of the underground websites and media. I think many of their songs they played here tonight were new songs, because I didn’t recognize some of them, and I know their albums WELL.

There is SO MUCH FUN to have this week in town, and even though I say other festivals are more of a family type welcome feel, I’m NOT telling you to OMIT Americanafest totally as a whole. I mean if you sit and figure out the bands I got to see for the 100.00 a patron spends I TOTALLY got my ticket money’s worth. Although I had a media pass I spent a LOT in merch money!

There were SO MANY places to watch music and eat, if you cannot find music to watch here this week, stay home. Because I’m going to warn you, the traffic is HORRIBLE, the parking is hard, and the venue changes are rapid, but with the shuttle service it’s easier. If you LOVE MUSIC then this a GREAT way to find bands in the afternoons, and MANY of the record stores have GREAT sales going on.

This community is a GREAT opportunity to make business deals and network with other people that do what you do, and to expand your audience no matter what you do in the music business. I will always continue to patronize this solid week of agonizing schedule wreckage, to further my hunger for new music.

Full List Of Local Tennessee And Kentucky Shows.

 News  Comments Off on Full List Of Local Tennessee And Kentucky Shows.
Nov 022019
 

YOU have a show YOU would like added to my list PLEASE email me at garyhayes2@yahoo.com. I literally watch more than 40 venues in Nashville plus belong to many concert websites in order to bring you this coverage. NEW IN 2018, folks I am always looking for ways to enhance what I do for you. So this year I’ll be reporting on further Kentucky shows, and further Tennessee shows as well.

Mr. Joshua, Mr. Luther and I cover hundreds of shows a year, and many festivals in person. Online, we cover 200 festivals yearly and bring a LOT of news to the masses. Folks WHATEVER YOU DO PLEASE support live venue and local music.

The Royal Hounds
Alley Taps November 15th

Mary Sarah
Nashville Palace November 16th

Royal Hounds
Roberts Western World November 17th, December 8th, November 24th, December 15th, 22nd, 29th,

The Charlie Daniels Band
Bridgestone Arena November 20th

Casey Donahew
cannery Ballroom November 21st

Del McCoury Band
The Caverns November 23rd

The Grascals
Bluegrass Hall Of Fame November 23rd

EmmyLou Harris
Margo Price
Lucas Nelson
Bridgestone Arena November 23rd

The Milk Carton Kids
Basement East November 24th

William Elliot Whittmore
Exit In November 24th

Clay Walker
Wildhorse Saloon November 26th

Alex Williams
3rd And Lindsley November 27th

Andrew Leahey And The Homestaed
3rd And Lindsley November 24th

Whey Jennings
Nashville Palace November 24th

Left Lane Cruiser
The Dive November 29th

Sean McConnell
Marathon Music Works November 29th

Po Ramblin Boys
Bluegrass hall of Fame Owensboro Ky November 30th

Wynonna
Alhambra Theater Hopkinsville Ky November 30th

Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
J.D. Wilkes
Southgate house Revival November 30th

Ketch Secor
Molly Tuttle
Station Inn December 3rd

The Farmer And Adele
Southgate House December 4th

Town Mountain
Station Inn December 4th and 5th

Josh Abott
Mercury Ballroom Louisville Ky December 5th

Shane Smith And The Saints
The Basement East December 5th

The Vagabonds
3rd And Lindsley December 6th

Cosmic Honky Tonk Revue
Chuck Mead
Jim Lauderdale
Jim Ringenberg
The Caverns December 7th

Ketch Secor
Molly Tuttle
Songbirds December 7th

Missy Raines
CMA Theater December 11th

Erin Enderline
Texas Troubadour Theater December 14th

Reverend Horton Heat
Cannery Ballroom December 18th

The PO Rambling Boys
The Station Inn December 6th

Ward Davis
Josh Morningstar
Songbird’s December 13th

Lucero
Minglewood Hall December 13th

Kristina Murray
Jeremy Pinnell
Southgate House December 16th

David Ball
American Legion Post 82 December 21st

Chris Knight Album Release
Southgate House revival December 21st

Jd McPherson
Basement East December 22nd

Mac MacAnally
City Winery December 28th

Po Rambllin’ Boys
Bluegrass Hall Of Fame December 30th

Old Crow Medicine Show
Ryman Auditorium December 30 and 31st

Ward Davis
Josh Morningstar
Southgate House December 31st

Kristina Murray
Whiskey Bent Saloon December 31st

Unknown Hinson
Exit Inn December 31st

Cash ORiley And The Hellbilly Hobohemian
440 Main Bowling Green Ky January 31st

Blackberry Smoke
Nashville City Winery January 3rd

Russell moore and IIIrd Tyme Out
Shepherdsville Ky January 10th

Unknown Hinson
exit In January 10th

Tanya Tucker
Ryman Auditorium January 12th

Ronnie Milsap
CMA Theater January 17th

Brandi Carlile
January 14,15th and 16th 2020
Ryman Auditorium

Drew Holcomb
Tivoli Theater Chattanooga Tn February 12th

Tyler Childers
Ryman Auditorium February 5th 6th 15th and 16th

Ward Davis
The Shed Maryville Tn January 18th

Miranda Lambert
Cody Johnson Band
Bridgestone Arena January 24th

The Steel Wheels
City Winery January 26th

Parker McCollum
Exit In January 30th

Doyle And Debbie
Station Inn Feb 4th, Feb 11th, Feb 25th, March 3rd, 10th, March 24th, March 31st,

Billy Strings
Lexington Ky Feb 6th

Billy Strings
Louisville Ky 7 and 8th

William Clark Green
Flatland Cavalry
Basement East Feb 7th

Chris Stapleton
Bridgestone Arena February 10th 2020

Ashley McBryde
Luke Combs
Rupp Arena February 14th

Railroad Earth
Caverns February 29th

John Moreland
Basement East March 20th

Ricky Skaggs And Kentucky Thunder
Caverns Pelham Tn March 21st

Rye Davis
Southgate House Feb 22nd

Lost Dog Street Band
Southgate House Revival March 18th

David Frizzell
texas Troubador Theater March 28th

Drivin And Cryin
Caverns April 4th

The Lil Smokies
Basement East April 16th

Tyler Childers
Sturgil Simpson
Bridgestone Arena May 21st and 22nd

Rhonda Vincent And The Rage
Cavrens June 6th

Todd Snider
Rhonda Vincent
The Caverns Pelham Tn June 20th

Charlie Daniels
Bridgestone Arena July 17th

Alan Jackson
Bridgestone Arena August 7th 2020

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

Album Feature – Micky & The Motorcars – Long Time Comin’

 News  Comments Off on Album Feature – Micky & The Motorcars – Long Time Comin’
Nov 012019
 

By Joshua Wallace

Alt-country band Micky & The Motorcars have returned with their first studio album since 2014’s Hearts From Above.  If you were a fan of that album, the new record Long Time Comin’ picks up where that left off with guitar heavy red dirt music with an alt country flare.  Micky and Gary Braun are still the centerpieces of this band, however Gary takes more time up front writing half the songs and singing them. Let’s take a look at some of the tracks you’ll find on the album.

One of the preview singles is the opening track “Road To You”.  It’s a cleverly written road song with a driving rhythm perfect for any road trip playlist.  It’s worth noting that Courtney Patton shares a co-write here with Micky. It’s a great opener to reassure long time fans that the band hasn’t changed anything.  Another favorite is “Lions Of Kandahar” which evokes middle eastern vibes in a track that describes a deployment in the middle east. It’s a first person story song that really showcases Gary’s songwriting ability.  I particularly love the last verse which addresses the PTSD soldiers experience after coming home from war.

The track “Thank My Mother’s God” was written by Micky and Jeff Crosby.  It’s a good tune that pays tribute to mothers and their devotion. I particularly love the line “Throw your heart in the river and hope it sees the ocean someday”.  Finally, the track “Stranger Tonight” is another rocking track that is that is about the search for comfort, even if it’s not in love. I love the grungy guitars throughout this track and it really highlights the alt country rocking part of their sound.

Micky & The Motorcars haven’t missed a beat since their last studio album 4 years ago.  If anything the band has improved with Gary taking more of an up front role on this album sharing those duties with his brother Micky.  I hope to see the band live at some point if they ever make it to the southeast. In the meantime, Long Time Comin’ is out everywhere you can find good music on Friday November 1st, 2019.

Favorite Tracks : Road To You, Lions Of Kandahar, Thank My Mother’s God, Stranger Tonight,

Micky & The Motorcars – Long Time Comin’ (2019)

  1. Road To You
  2. Rodeo Girl
  3. Alone Again Tonight
  4. Lions Of Kandahar
  5. All Looks The Same
  6. Thank My Mother’s God
  7. Break My Heart
  8. Run Into You
  9. Stranger Tonight
  10. Hold This Town Together
  11. Long Time Comin’

Album Feature – Stoney LaRue – Onward

 News  Comments Off on Album Feature – Stoney LaRue – Onward
Nov 012019
 

By Joshua Wallace

Red Dirt country legend Stoney LaRue has returned with another studio album in Onward.  It is his first studio release since his 2016 covers album Us Time and his first album of original tunes since 2014’s Aviator.  I was a big fan of Aviator and I’ve been looking forward to another album of Stoney LaRue tunes. This new record Onward does not disappoint, so let’s get straight into some of these tracks.

“Hill Country Boogaloo” was one of the album’s pre-release singles and it’s a barn burner.  It’s a killer rocking track that takes you to a groovy honky tonk and it’s bound to be a live crowd favorite.  Another highlight is the Gary Nicholson cover of “Falling and Flying”. I’ve always been a fan of this song and this version does not disappoint.  “Evil Angel” might be my favorite track on the record. It keeps the funk of “Hill Country Boogaloo” while adding a hint of southern gospel to the mix.  The album rounds out with a duet version of Brandon Jenkins track “High Time” in tribute to the red dirt legend who passed away last year. It’s a nice tribute to a singer who left us way too soon.

Stoney LaRue does not disappoint with this new record Onward.  I only hope we don’t have to wait another 4 years for the next batch of new original tunes.  If you need some red dirt in your playlist this year, this album hits the spot. It has features from the likes of Brandon Jenkins and Tanya Tucker rounding out the album.  Once again, I highly recommend checking this out. It is out everywhere Friday November 1st, 2019.

Favorite Tracks : Hill Country Boogaloo, Falling And Flying, Evil Angel, Worry Be Gone, Let’s Chase Each Other Round The Room, Thought You’d Want To Know


Stoney LaRue – Onward (2019)

  1. You Oughta Know Me By Now
  2. Hill Country Boogaloo
  3. Falling And Flying
  4. Not One Moment
  5. Meet In The Middle feat. Tanya Tucker
  6. Message In A Bottle
  7. Evil Angel
  8. Drowning In Moonlight
  9. Worry Be Gone
  10. I Can’t Help You Say Goodbye
  11. Let’s Chase Each Other Round The Room
  12. Thought You’d Want To Know
  13. High Time feat. Brandon Jenkins