News – Gary Hayes Country

Mr. Steve Earle Honors His Son Through Music.

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Nov 272020

This one is a tough article to write my friends, because I truly enjoyed the music of Mr. Justin Townes Earle. Like many others, I had a terrible year here in Ky. I too like Mr. Justin had a few bouts with addiction, and I had to check myself into rehab in February.

As soon as I was released from rehab, and began to live again I went back into work for three days…then came covid. I was sent home and told to report to unemployment for 4 months. I stopped writing for the website the entire year and when I was home, I snuck up to Wisconsin and picked up my daughter. I had to get her straightened out!

While we were all quarantined at home, the world of music lost a TON of Legends and artists including this man..a young budding ( but troubled ) artist with only a handful of albums named Justin Townes Earle.

I have always thought with as many of then I actually know personally, it must be the toughest challenge to have a famous last name. I couldn’t imagine having to constantly live up to his father’s echelon of notoriety to the “regular” music fans out there. Can you imagine pouring out your heart with songs like “Learning To Cry”, and after the show some dumb ass comes up asking for “Copperhead Road”?

He struggled all alone to pave his own path through local music communities and also through Nashville with ardent appetency to do it all alone, and with a fan base all his own. His songwriting had a different habile, and it had a style all it’s own. If another artist covered his songs, you could easily ascertain it was indeed a Justin Townes Earle song.

When they found Mr. Justin dead many websites went on tangents to release police reports and speculations…predictions…prognostications…blah blah blah. He had demons and hurdles like WE ALL DO. I’m NOT going to sit my ass on this recliner and PRETEND I am a “journalist” and it’s “my duty” to bring you that crap..I’m going to tell you that we lost ONE HELL of an artist, a fine fellow and a terrific songwriter.

You can damn sure bet I’ll be delving further into this album as it culminates into fruition for public consumption. I’m back my friends, and I’m in the BEST SHAPE I have been in years….Just pray for the Saint Of Lost Causes.

Track Listing.

I. Don’t Care

2. Ain’t Glad I’m Leaving

3. Maria

4. Far Away in Another Town

5. They Killed John Henry

6. Turn Out My Lights

7. Lone Pine Hill

8. Champagne Corolla

9. The Saint of Lost Causes

10. Harlem River Blues

11. Last Words

On the forthcoming album, J.T., Steve Earle & The Dukes pay tribute to Steve’s late son, Justin Townes Earle (J.T.), who passed away on August 20, 2020 in Nashville. The album will be released digitally on what would have been Justin’s 39th birthday, January 4, 2021, CD and vinyl formats will release March 19, 2021.

The first track, “Harlem River Blues” is available to stream today. The poignant song is one of Justin’s best-known compositions and took Song of the Year honors at the 2011 Americana Music Awards ceremony following Justin’s win in the Emerging Artist of the Year category in 2009.

100% of the artist advances and royalties from J.T. will be donated to a trust for Etta St. James Earle, the three-year-old daughter of Justin and Jenn Earle. While somber in parts, the album is ultimately a rousing celebration of a life lived with passion and purpose.

Chicago Cubs Red & Blue Vinyl
The blue and red pressings are a tribute to Justin’s favorite team, the Chicago Cubs.

New West Records – “Chicago Cubs Blue”

Indie Record Stores – “Chicago Cubs Red”

“Harlem River Blues” // Steve Earle & The Dukes, J.T.

THE OAK RIDGE BOYS HEADLINE GAYLORD OPRYLAND’S CHRISTMAS IN TENNESSEE DINNER SHOW

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Nov 262020

Annual A Country Christmas Features The Oak Ridge Boys 29-Day Residency at Resort

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 20, 2020) – Starting today, GRAMMY® Award-winning and Country Music Hall of Fame members, The Oak Ridge Boys, will celebrate the holiday season with a 29-day residency as part of Gaylord Opryland’s 37th annual A Country Christmas.

The Oak Ridge Boys will entertain fans with Christmas classics and some of their biggest hits at Gaylord Opryland November 20 – December 25, 2020. Tickets are on sale now at ChristmasAtGaylordOpryland.com.

“After decades of taking our big Christmas tour on the road, we are bringing it HOME in 2020,” said The Oak Ridge Boys’ Joe Bonsall. “We’re counting our blessings for this opportunity and invite you to make the journey to Nashville to experience our annual musical tribute to all things Christmas at the fabulous Gaylord Opryland Resort. The resort knows how to do Christmas, and we’re proud to be part of the tradition.”

One of the most distinctive and recognizable sounds in music, The Oak Ridge Boys will bring their decades of hits to fans for multiple shows throughout the holiday season. Prior to the performance, concert-goers will enjoy a multi-course feast prepared by the resort’s renowned chefs.

The Oak Ridge Boys ‘Christmas in Tennessee’ Dinner Show is just one of many activities happening during A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland including I Love Christmas Movies; acres of festive decorations; SoundWaves, the nation’s first truly upscale water resort, which maintains a perfect 84-degree temperature all year long; an ice skating rink, ice tubing and more.

As the safety of its guests and STARS (employees) is of paramount importance, Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas program has been developed in accordance with Marriott’s “Commitment to Clean” program and with enhanced protocols and social distancing measures. Face coverings must be worn by all guests ages two and older in all indoor/outdoor public areas and at Christmas attractions; face coverings may be removed while seated in a restaurant or swimming in a pool. Programming will also operate in consideration with the latest local, state, and federal legislation.

Mr. Mac Leaphart Offers Wry, Rugged Music City Joke

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Nov 252020

Listen to “Blame on the Bottle”

Nashville-based, South Carolina-born singer-songwriter Mac Leaphart’s upcoming album, Music City Joke, offers his strongest batch of songs to date. The 10-song collection, set for release on Feb. 12, 2021, finds Leaphart at his very best: wry, rugged, and recharged, singing songs that conjure up memories of front porches, honky tonks, heartbreaks, and dive bars. Wide Open Country notes “Blame on the Bottle,” the album’s lead single, “channels the humor and heart of folk heroes like John Prine and Hayes Carll.”

Produced by Brad Jones (Hayes Carll), Music City Joke is a rallying cry from an artist who has spent more than a decade paying his dues and whittling his craft, joined by a team of longtime Nashville staples, including Fats Kaplan, Will Kimbrough, and Matt Menefee, as the soundtrack to his lyric-driven, story-based songwriting.

The album kicks off with a reimagined version of “El Paso Kid,” which originally appeared on Leaphart’s 2015 release, Low in the Saddle, Long in the Tooth. “Blame on the Bottle,” inspired by a preacher on the left end of the radio dial, examines both self-will and self-righteousness just the same. The rollicking “Honey, Shake” is the purest example of Leaphart’s Southern rock-inspired upbringing.

“Ballad of Bob Yamaha or A Simple Plea in C Major” is an ode to Shel Silverstein and a shining example of Leaphart’s dedication to smartly written songs, written from the perspective of a weathered guitar that just wants to be played by someone who really knows their way up and down the frets.

The album’s mid-point is the title track, inspired by Leaphart’s move from the South Carolina Lowcountry to Nashville. “I was attempting to make it big as a writer of some of those big country hits you hear on the radio, and it wasn’t too long before I realized writing those smash hits wasn’t easy, and I wasn’t chuckling at Nashville anymore,” Leaphart says. “Nope, the joke was on me. I peeled the ‘kick me’ sign off my back and got down to focusing on my songwriting like never before–writing late at night and performing at writers’ rounds to see what stuck and what didn’t. And here it is: the song, the album…and the punchline.”

“That Train” continues to showcase Leaphart’s signature style, mixing twang, tempo, and tightly-constructed lyrics into the same package. “Window From The Sky” offers a stripped-down take on how much good a change in perspective can do. “Every Day” is a look into the dynamics of a relationship, while “Division Street” laments a tiny, shared apartment, close living spaces, and the eye-opening experience of living inside “the party house.”

Before earning his stripes as a road warrior, Leaphart launched his career in South Carolina, where he balanced a nighttime gig as a bartender with a steadily-increasing stream of shows. Leaphart’s first album, Line, Rope, Etc., was released in 2009, and a few years later, in 2012, he took his signature sound with him to Nashville. There, he has launched a popular recurring songwriter’s night called Southpaw Social Club and strengthened his own writing chops, penning songs for other artists’ albums as well as his own. Low in the Saddle, Long in the Tooth arrived in 2015, followed by Lightning Bob – featuring collaborations with Sadler Vaden – in 2018.

Leaphart — now a husband and father — received a reviving kickstart later that year when he was named a winner of the prestigious Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition.

Music City Joke Track Listing:

1. El Paso Kid
2. The Same Thing
3. Blame on the Bottle
4. Honey, Shake!
5. The Ballad of Bob Yamaha or a Simple Plea in C Major
6. Music City Joke
7. That Train
8. Window From the Sky
9. Every Day
10. Division Street

2021 Shows From The Red Barn Convention Center. A Look At The Current State Of Things Volume 2.

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Nov 242020

The Red Barn Convention Center in Ohio is one of the many wonderful live music venues that I enjoy writing about, so I wanted to let you know about some 2021 rescheduled dates. This year has been financially and emotionally nefarious to live music and the arts in general. I am hoping ( like everyone else) we get to move past this pandemic and we can have music gatherings again.

In volume one I discussed how the Iconic venue Billy Bob’s Texas has reopened and is rescheduling all of their shows from this year into 2021. That article contains all of their covid restrictions and how they are doing shows with social distancing.

We will be exploring this all over America, who is trying to begin opening and when and where. Texas, and here we have Ohio. I strongly urge everyone who is choosing to go out to PLEASE support live music.

I’m going to be publishing a bunch more articles from venues all across America that are tying hard to comply with social distancing laws and mandates. Every state is doing a vast variation of event guidelines, so I am including all of the different press releases that get sent to me.

We have an extensive list of 2021 festivals up right now, and unless things take a massive turn for the wore all of these music communities plan to launch these festivals accordingly. Also, please stay on here for future looks into what is being planned for 2021 all across America, as I delve into other music venues I love to support.

Miss Brandi Carlile Releases Her New Book “Broken Horses”.

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Nov 232020

I like to read…a lot. I like to read about my musical influences and their lives. The fact that this book is not exactly an autobiography or a memoir really intrigues me. What is it about then? I mean WHAT EXACTLY is this going to be about I asked myself? So in my own true fashion of satisfying how ardently I study this stuff I went on a rabbit hole about this book.

Reading an article from Rolling Stone, I learned that it will address the was certain profound experiences of her life have led her to creating her songs in the past. However she clearly made many statements that this book will also include her struggles growing up and having to move so often.

She touched upon her dealing with issues like special education classes and how she felt so out of place in so many new schools and environments. She will address her past addictions and her perspective on her own music. Sleepless tours funded by next to no funds at all on one end of the spectrum, to her impoverished childhood in a dysfunctional family fill this book with her life lessons and wit.

You can also look for a new album in 2021 as she and her band came to Nashville to record and finish her follow up to her 2018 release ( which I LOVED ). But to be honest I hold her work with her female Country Music supergroup the Highwomen as some of the greatest songs and performances in the last decade.

She co produced my personal pick of 2019 the new Tanya Tucker album, which blew my ever loving mind and escalated her into being one of the greatest modern day heroines of Country Music. She is knocking it out of the park here people…and she has no plans to stop any time soon!

The critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, producer, and five-time Grammy winner opens up about a life shaped by music in this candid, heartfelt, and intimate story.

Brandi Carlile was born into a musically gifted, impoverished family on the outskirts of Seattle and grew up in a constant state of change, moving from house to house, trailer to trailer, fourteen times in as many years. Though imperfect in every way, her dysfunctional childhood was as strange as it was beautiful, and as difficult as it was nurturing.

In Broken Horses, Brandi Carlile takes readers through the events of her life that shaped her very raw art—from her start at a local singing competition where she performed Elton John’s “Honky Cat” in a bedazzled white polyester suit, to her first break opening for Dave Matthews Band, to many sleepless tours over fifteen years and six studio albums, all while raising two children with her wife, Catherine Shepherd. This hard-won success led her to collaborations with personal heroes like Elton John, Dolly Parton, Mavis Staples, Pearl Jam, Tanya Tucker, and Joni Mitchell, as well as her peers in the supergroup The Highwomen, and ultimately to the Grammy stage, where she converted millions of viewers into instant fans.

Evocative and piercingly honest, Broken Horses is at once an examination of faith through the eyes of a person rejected by the church’s basic tenets and a meditation on the moments and lyrics that have shaped the life of a creative mind, a brilliant artist, and a genuine empath on a mission to give back.

What’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Up To?

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Nov 222020

This one is truly an event that I am anticipating so so much from my friends at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. It’s an extension of their popular show “Let The Music Play On” that was viewed over ONE MILLION times.

I mean how can we not absolutely adore the timeless classic Bluegrass and other genres that this festival exemplifies. Through the extensive tenure of this festival and this “brand” if you will, I have become acquainted with so many artists and bands.

But why don’t you let me write some more statements about why I love this festival more than some of the other ones I feature on here….THIS ONE is FREE! now wait just a minute Mr. Gary is that such a good thing? HOW does that REALLY HELP local music? Well….let’s delve into just why it does!

Many casual music lovers and festival goers both do not always comprehend the intense financial edifices and equations one has to have to fully pull off an ongoing festival like this one. Mr. Warren Hellman does. You see, in 2001 he began this festival with his own money and a dream.

His dream was to inculcate the fact that his festival would always be free and came with the intention that people would spend more money on the band merchandise and food vendors than tickets. In fact, he was oftentimes contacted by major sponsors many times and always turned them down.

The event itself draws record breaking crowds of people, in fact in the past it has assembled more than the entire population of San Fransisco. From the very start Miss Hazel Dickens was intended to be the headline act, however she declined at first. Eventually she became a staple headliner until she died in 2011.

The festival name and scope was changed when, at the very first festival in 2001, Miss Emmylou Harris played with her not strictly bluegrass band. Hellman was a fan of her bluegrass sound under the band name Nash Ramblers, but at the time she was touring as Spyboy. She played the festival as Spyboy, which had a New Orleans style rhythm section. Hellman did not complain, and “Hardly” was eventually added to the name of the festival in 2004.

November 24th I shall be tuning into the video series with passionate interest as to what will be in store for me as a fan on this episode here…..

Dear HSB Fans-

We want to thank all of you for watching our broadcast last October. “Let The Music Play On” was viewed over 1 million times. Together we raised over $500,000 for Artist Relief. That is amazing, please know how much we appreciate your support.

Beginning Tuesday, November 24th we will be releasing more footage, along with interviews and additional archival memories. We are starting right before Thanksgiving and taking you with us through the holidays and into the new year. Our first episode is hosted by Buddy Miller and features his performance with Emmylou Harris and several songs from The McCrary Sisters. Please join us every other Tuesday, starting November 24th, at 8PM ET/5PM PT as we “Let The Music Play On & On”.

Over the last twenty years, for one weekend every October, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass has brought together some of the most iconic and revered names in roots music for a free celebration in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. This year we took the show on the road to bring you even closer to artists with recordings and interviews from their hometowns. Please join us as we “Let The Music Play On & On”. Episodes are EVERY OTHER TUESDAY starting November, 24 8pm ET / 5 pm PT Website: www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com Youtube: www.youtube.com/hsbfest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hardlystrict…

We hope you are all staying safe and we look forward sharing the music with you.

www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com

Kelsey Waldon Stands Up For What She Believes In On New EP They’ll Never Keep Us Down Out November 20th

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Nov 212020

Kelsey Waldon Stands Up For What She Believes In On New EP They’ll Never Keep Us Down Out November 20th

Waldon’s haunting version of Nina Simone’s “Mississippi Goddam,” featuring Adia Victoria and Kyshona Armstrong out today via NPR/World Cafe; limited edition vinyl to benefit non-profit advocates

Nashville, TN – October 30, 2020 – “I want to work towards a new southern strategy because my South is a South for all people,” says Nashville recording artist and proud Kentucky native Kelsey Waldon. The next step forward in Waldon’s mission for progress and equality in her beloved homeland is to release her new EP, They’ll Never Keep Us Down, a collection of timeless yet timely cover songs. Today, NPR/World Cafe premiered the EP’s first single, “Mississippi Goddam.” With the help of guest vocalists Adia Victoria and Kyshona Armstrong, Waldon tackles this Nina Simone classic with a swirling, angry, country-ish feel, rekindling Simone’s fire from when the song was written after white supremacists killed four young girls in the 1963 bombing of a Black church in Birmingham, Alabama. NPR/World Cafe’s Bruce Warren commented, “There’s an electrical, pulsing change in tempo compared to Simone’s original, yet the cutting message remains the same. With Victoria and Armstrong adding their voices to this version, along with Waldon, makes an already powerful song even stronger.” Watch the lyric video here.

The B-side of “Mississippi Goddam”—also released today—is the EP’s title track, Hazel Dickens’ “They’ll Never Keep Us Down”; a power-to-the-people traditional bluegrass burner with refrains like “They’ll never shoot that union out of me” and “Your welfare ain’t on the rich man’s mind.” Hear both “They’ll Never Keep Us Down” and “Mississippi Goddam” now right here.

Fans can pre-order and pre-save They’ll Never Keep Us Down at this link ahead of its November 20th release. Additionally, Waldon will be releasing two different, limited edition, colored vinyl versions of They’ll Never Keep Us Down; proceeds from the red vinyl will benefit Hood to the Holler, a non-profit organization aiming to end racial injustice in Kentucky and beyond, and the blue vinyl will benefit Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, who represent coal miners and their families on issues of black lung and mine safety. Both vinyl editions can be pre-ordered here.

“This song [Mississippi Goddam], which showcases racial injustice as well as the enduring fight and fear that the Black community has had to endure in this country for centuries, still rings true decades later,” says Waldon. “Today in 2020, as we push for progress, sometimes it still feels like we are going backwards.” It’s that backsliding of progress that drove Waldon to revisit this host of powerful songs; from Neil Young’s “Ohio” to Billy Taylor and Dick Dallas’s “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free”—which features Devon Gilfillian—to Waldon’s late friend, mentor, and record label founder John Prine’s “Sam Stone.” They all share a strong common thread; accepting the need for change and what it means to push for it. Waldon’s view on the matter is cut and dry, with no room for interpretation; a call to conversation with her fellow southerners who may not yet think along the same lines. “This is about listening to someone else’s perspective,” says Waldon. Overall, They’ll Never Keep Us Down burns bright and hot; a torch in the night for those who’ve not yet seen the light and a friendly beacon for those who are already on their march to achieving justice for all.

They’ll Never Keep Us Down Tracklisting:

1. The Law Is For Protection Of The People

2. Ohio

3. Mississippi Goddam feat. Adia Victoria & Kyshona Armstrong

4. Sam Stone

5. They’ll Never Keep Us Down

6. With God On Our Side

7. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free feat. Devon Gilfillian

Luck Reunion Joins Hands With Long Center For “Long Live Music” Concert Series Presented By White Claw

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Nov 202020

Luck Reunion Joins Hands With Long Center For “Long Live Music” Concert Series Presented By White Claw

Night three to feature star-studded “Songs I Left Behind: A Tribute to Billy Joe Shaver” on November 22nd

November 16, 2020 – Austin, TX – It’s been a Long year, but as it turns out, Luck is on our side. Luck Reunion recently announced a partnership with their old friends at Long Center to bring the excitement of national touring acts back into Austin’s world-renowned live music scene. The resulting concert series, Long Live Music presented by White Claw, brings the spirit of Luck, TX, to the Long Center Lawn for four shows throughout November and early December.

On November 22nd, Long Live Music will welcome a star-studded array of artists to pay homage to the Honky Tonk Hero himself,Billy Joe Shaver. “Songs I Left Behind: A Tribute to Billy Joe Shaver” will honor the late artist whose songs have been performed by everyone from Willie to Elvis. A revolving door of very special guests will perform the songs of Billie Joe, a true Texas music legend, backed by a house band curated by Austin’s own Charlie Sexton. The final installment of Long Live Music will feature Alabama’s soulful native sons, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, for a fiery grand finale on December 3rd.

The series kicked off with a world-class pair of guitar-toting poets, native Texan Hayes Carll and Tulsa-based John Moreland, who took the stage for the hastily-sold-out first show. New Orleans genre-challengers Tank & The Bangas and Big Freedia stormed the Long Center lawn stage on November 12th to another sold-out crowd. The remaining shows in the series, November 22nd and December 3rd, are sure to sell out just as quickly, so Austinites should visit luckreunion.com or thelongcenter.org now to secure their spots.

Ticketholders will also be happy to hear that funds raised by the Long Live Music series will benefit the Luck Family Foundation which supports organizations and programs that offer support to musicians and the artist community as a whole.

“We’re joining forces with Long Center for the first time to celebrate what we both care so deeply about; Austin’s creative culture. Our beloved artists are a part of it. You’re a part of it. We’re a part of it,” reads Luck Reunion’s official announcement. “Let’s come together to responsibly showcase what a bright spot the Live Music Capital of the World is to us all.”

Tickets are limited and sold in pre-marked socially-distanced squares on the lawn that accommodate 4 people. Fans will also have the opportunity to participate in Luck’s famous Lucky Draw ticketing lottery to win one “square” for each show. More information on how to enter to be White Claw’s Long Live Music Lucky Winner can be found at luckreunion.com/longlivemusic. Tickets are available via The Long Center’s website.

#longlivemusic

More About Long Center: The Long Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is an iconic, world-class performing arts center located in the heart of downtown Austin and exists to serve all. By providing an impressive and diverse array of programming, the Long Center offers Austinites a place to experience remarkable entertainment and arts together. For more info about the Long Center, please visit www.thelongcenter.org.

More About Luck Reunion: Inspired by our own anti-festival of the same name, Luck Reunion is an experience-based collective based in Willie Nelson’s backyard of “Luck, TX”. Nearly 10 years ago, a group of friends came together with a vision for a new kind of live music experience. We knew we wanted to honor the cross-section culture that has long motivated creative tradition; to preserve traditions in music, food, and craft; and to create a stage for modern-day outliers who are influenced by the legacies before us. Luckily, we had the keys to the private Luck, TX property, and the singular opportunity to open its gates to people who, like us, value artistic tradition and want to do the legwork to discover talent that reflects our cultural heritage. What started as a one-day event has grown into a community; a platform for us to share the ethos of Luck and bring together musicians, chefs, and artisans who are contributing to American roots culture in an authentic way. In addition to the flagship annual event, Luck produces content and experiences both in and out of Luck with the mission of providing a space for craftsmanship, preservation, and discovery.

More About Luck Family Foundation: Formed by Luck Reunion for the purpose of preserving and supporting the music and cultural community inspired by the work of Willie Nelson and the Luck Reunion family, the Luck Family Foundation—managed by the Austin Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization—provides financial grant assistance and other resources to artists, organizations and programs in need.

Jason Boland And More Headed To Billy Bob’s Texas In November

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Nov 192020

Full Billy Bob’s Texas entertainment calendar during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) officially announced to include Travis Tritt, The Bellamy Brothers, three nights of Cody Johnson, Justin Moore, Pat Green & More December 3-12

Two shows announced with Cody Johnson for December 8 & 9 are SOLD OUT

Billy Bob’s Texas Named “Best Thing To Do on a Thursday Night – College Night” by Fort Worth Weekly

FORT WORTH, Texas – Located in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, Billy Bob’s Texas first opened in 1981. Since then more than 17 million visitors have enjoyed live entertainment each month at the place where entertainment takes on a whole new persona.

Announced by Fort Worth Weekly, Billy Bob’s Texas has been named Best Thing To Do On Thursday – College Night.

As rising stars and music legends grace the stages of the iconic honkytonk, it is evident that there is no place in the world like Billy Bob’s Texas and November’s lineup doesn’t disappoint! Texas hitmaker & country music legend Robert Earl Keen (Nov. 6) will take the stage, kicking November off with a bang, followed up by Joe Nichols (Nov. 7), Josh Ward (Nov. 13), Michael Salgado (Nov. 14), and Giovannie & The Hired Guns (Nov. 19). Josh Turner returns once again for two night (Nov. 20 & 21) as well as Jason Bolland & The Stragglers (Nov. 25), Easton Corbin (Nov. 27), and the incomparable Aaron Watson (Nov. 28), proving November is not just a month to be Thankful, but once again a month to be entertained at Billy Bob’s Texas!

November Concert Lineup:
NOV 19 – Giovannie & The Hired Guns (Ticket Info)
NOV 20 – Josh Turner (Ticket Info)
NOV 21 – Josh Turner (Ticket Info)
NOV 25 – Jason Boland & The Stragglers (Ticket Info)
NOV 27 – Easton Corbin (Ticket Info)
NOV 28 – Aaron Watson (Ticket Info)

New Concerts Announced & On Sale NOW!
More new shows have just been announced to Billy Bob’s concert calendar. Tickets are on sale NOW for the following concerts:

DEC 03 – Travis Tritt (Ticket Info)
DEC 04 – The Bellamy Brothers (Ticket Info)
DEC 05 – Stoney LaRue (Ticket Info)
DEC 06 – Cody Johnson with The Rockin’ CJB Unplugged (Ticket Info)
DEC 07 – Justin Moore (Ticket Info)
DEC 08 – Cody Johnson (Ticket Info) SOLD OUT
DEC 09 – Cody Johnson (Ticket Info) SOLD OUT
DEC 10 – Pat Green (Ticket Info)
DEC 11 – Pat Green (Ticket Info
DEC 12 – Wade Bowen (Ticket Info)
DEC 17 – Parker McCollum (Ticket Info)
DEC 18 – Parker McCollum (Ticket Info) SOLD OUT
DEC 19 – Parker McCollum (Ticket Info) SOLD OUT
DEC 27 – Rodney Carrington (Ticket Info)

For the full concert calendar, special event, and visitor information, please go to www.billybobstexas.com

Location:
Billy Bob’s Texas
Historic Fort Worth Stockyards
2520 Rodeo Plaza
Fort Worth, Texas 76164
(817) 624-7117
DIRECTIONS

Circle airing Live At Billy Bob’s Texas!
Live at Billy Bob’s Texas gives the listener a front-row seat to concerts at the World’s Largest Honky Tonk. The music series has compiled powerful performances featuring hits from legendary country music artists like Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Eddy Raven, Gary Stewart, Asleep at the Wheel, Janie Fricke, and more.

Now, Circle network is carrying Live At Billy Bob’s Texas! Launched in January, Circle Media celebrates the country lifestyle and puts fans inside the circle of everything country. Circle offers entertainment news, documentaries, movies, archival, new and licensed programming, Grand Ole Opry performances, and more. Based in Nashville, Circle includes a linear network as well as a companion over-the-top (OTT) premium entertainment service which is expected to launch in spring 2020. Circle is a joint venture between Opry Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of Ryman Hospitality Properties, and Gray TV.

Go to CirclePlus.com for shows, schedules, and a simple guide to getting the channel.

Visit BillyBobsTexas.com/live-at-billy-bobs for more information, or to buy any of the Live at Billy Bob’s Texas CDs and DVDs, click here to visit the online store.

Billy Bob’s: Lending a Hand to Music History
Artists placing their hands in cement has been a tradition at Billy Bob’s for more than two decades.

Many of the club’s showcased artists have been honored with various awards and accolades. For some, however, their favorite honor is being part of what is now known as Billy Bob’s ‘Wall of Fame’.

Patrons can visit the Wall of Fame and see the handprints and autographs of Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and even Ringo Starr to name a few. Many fans enjoy comparing their hand size to the celebrities.

To view the gallery, click here.

Dance at Billy Bob’s!
Billy Bob’s legendary dance floor is open daily with limited capacity and appropriate social distancing requirements.

THURSDAY: College Night With Free Line Dance Lessons
Free entry with a college ID

SATURDAY: Lunch and Line Dance At High Noon, With Specials In The Honky Tonk Kitchen For Dancers
Free line dance lessons | 20% off lunch for dancers in the Honky Tonk Kitchen

About Billy Bob’s Texas:
Located in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, the 100,000 square foot cattle barn became Billy Bob’s Texas in 1981. Since then more than 17 million visitors have enjoyed live entertainment and real bull riding at “The World’s Largest Honky Tonk”.

The facility can hold 6,000 rowdy patrons on a given night and has been host to hundreds of musical acts, from Alan Jackson to ZZ Top. On Fridays and Saturdays, the venue also features live bull riding – a step up from the mechanical variety. It seems like an unlikely source for a series that has sold millions of albums.

Billy Bob’s has been named the Country Music Club of the Year 10 times by the Academy of Country Music.

To buy Billy Bob’s Texas merch or any of the Live at Billy Bob’s Texas CDs and DVDs, click here to visit the online store, or to buy tickets for special events and concerts, go to billybobstexas.com.

DEC

SAT

Flatland Cavalry

Doors: 6:00 PM

Show: 10:00 PM

Please note: There will be no valet or bull-riding on the night of this concert.

More info

ON SALE FRIDAY AT 10AM

DEC

WED

Robert Earl Keen

Merry Christmas From the Fam-O-Lee Secret Santa Christmas

Doors: 6:00 PM

Show: 10:00 PM

Please note: There will be no valet or bull-riding on the night of this concert.

More info

ON SALE FRIDAY AT 10AM

JAN

SAT

Josh Abbott Band

Doors: 6:00 PM

Show: 10:00 PM

Please note: There will be no valet or bull-riding on the night of this concert.

More info

ON SALE FRIDAY AT 10AM

JAN

SAT

William Clark Green

Doors: 6:00 PM

Show: 10:00 PM

Please note: There will be no valet or bull-riding on the night of this concert.

More info

ON SALE FRIDAY AT 10AM

DEC

THU

Tracy Lawrence

Made In America Tour

Ring in the New Year with Billy Bob’s Texas!

Doors: 6:00 PM

Show: 10:00 PM

Please note: There will be no valet or bull-riding on the night of this concert.

More info

ON SALE FRIDAY AT 10 AM

Time Marches On New Year’s Eve [pre-show] Bash

$80 each | starts at 7:30 PM

Delicious Food * Hourly Giveaways * Specialty Cocktails * Private Bathrooms

Champagne Toast at Midnight * Post-Midnight Good Luck Snacks

Cheese and Charcuterie Board
Shrimp Cocktail Bar
Smoked Carved Tenderloin
Texas Air & Land | Applewood Smoked Bacon Wrapped Quail and Hog Wings
Gearhart Ranch Braised Wagyu Short Ribs
Dessert | Assorted Cobblers, Cakes and Pie Ice-Cream
Snack | Breakfast Tacos with Salsa; Black-Eyed Pea and Ham Hocks; Collard Greens; Corn Bread

On sale Friday, Nov. 20 at 10 AM as an add-on to your ticket concert ticket purchase.

Fellow Performers Remember Country Artist Doug Supernaw, Who Died November 13 at 60

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Nov 182020

Fellow Performers Remember Country Artist Doug Supernaw, Who Died November 13 at 60

In the late 80’s and early 90’s, when Rock And Roll took a different direction into that alternative stuff which I hated, I turned to Country full time. Back then, the radio was choked full of the more traditional mainstream Country like this man…Doug Supernaw.

I was still buying tapes back then, and enjoying people like Sammy Kershaw and Doug Stone. Honestly, some of the songs that came from that era are now considered classics today.

There exist many package shows today that feature these artists together on one show, where you can enjoy their hits on stage. Today many of these artists are also passing away, like the beloved people that made the Outlaw Era so special.

I missed writing about many of these people that passed away in 2020, and I had to back away from writing for quite some time to tend to myself first. As I slowly trickle back to full on writing, I will always reflect on these wonderful times and wonderful songs.

Sadly, this is now a time for reflecting upon their contributions to Country Music and how they embellished my youth. Many damn fine albums emerged from the ashes of what Rock turned into in the 90’s, to become iconic Country albums that still had fiddles and steel guitars. There still existed Pop Country back then and it was completely watered down, like it is now. It was changing but the difference is back then it wasn’t shutting out the more Traditional Country either.

Things were different back then, and the music was targeted to a different demographic than it is now. Also I think another factor is back then we had no digital outlets and relied solely on radio. Whatever your opinion is about the situation, I’m sure you concur that this man and his ilk are slowly leaving us. We MUST hold dear all of the fantastic music from this era.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country music hitmaker Doug Supernaw has passed away at his home in Texas at the age of 60.

Born in Bryan, Texas, Doug Supernaw moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1987, where he found work as a session songwriter. After four years in Nashville, he moved back to Texas, where he founded a band called Texas Steel. In 1993, Supernaw signed with BNA Entertainment. After releasing his debut album, Red And Rio Grande, Supernaw gained recognition with singles “Honky Tonk Foolin’”, “Reno” and “I Don’t Call Him Daddy”, which became his signature song and securing a gold record. In total, Supernaw recorded four studio albums in total with two additional greatest hit projects showcasing his career.

Fellow artists mourn the loss of their friend and share fond memories that have left them forever inspired by Doug Supernaw.

“Doug Supernaw’s voice was a mainstay during the 90s in country music and I am sorry to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.” – Charley Pride

“I never really knew Doug all that well, but I have always respected him. He has been in my prayers since I heard he was down. Heaven’s gained another great one. Prayers for his family.” – Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys

“Praying for Doug Supernaw and his family during this difficult time. Thank you for your contributions to country music.” – Lee Greenwood

“My heartfelt condolences to the family of Doug Supernaw. You will be missed.” – B.J. Thomas

“Doug had a broad smile, great spirit, and firm handshake. He always left me feeling better with his natural sense of humor. Blessings and condolences to his immediate and extended family. R.I.P., dude.” – T. Graham Brown

“My thoughts and prayers are with Doug and his family during this time. He was one of the good guys in our business and he gave us some great music during his career that will always be remembered.” – T.G. Sheppard

“Your career in country music spanned for nearly 3 decades. My thoughts are with you, your family and friends during this difficult time.” – Kelly Lang

“The last time I performed alongside Doug Supernaw was during a Country For A Cause charity event. It had been years since I had seen him work a stage, and it was great to see him wow the Nashville crowd that night. I remembered what a great entertainer he was. Over the past year, Doug fought a good fight, but he is in pain no more. My prayers and condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans.” – Tim Atwood

“My heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Doug Supernaw and his family during this very difficult time. Have always loved his songs and he will be greatly missed.” – Shane Owens

“My heart aches for the family of Doug Supernaw. Getting introduced to country music in the early 90s, he had one of the biggest songs I can remember in “I Don’t Call Him Daddy” – still to this day I know every single word. Country music will miss him and that last name will never be forgotten.” – J.D. Shelburne

“Doug Supernaw was always such a welcomed sight when our paths would cross out on the road! I loved his big smile and warm heart! He was super sweet to me and a super talent! Doug had a great love for country music and for all of his friends and fans! And the feelings were mutual in return. Doug Supernaw will be loved, missed and remembered forever by all who knew him.” – Deborah Allen

“I am really sad to hear about the passing of Doug Supernaw. The loss of another great talent. I am going to miss you, Doug.” – Johnny Lee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 13, 2020) — Doug Supernaw was diagnosed in February 2019 with Advanced Stage IV lung and bladder cancer and after aggressive treatment, the cancer spread to his brain and spine and placed in Hospice care in October of 2020. He passed away peacefully at his home in Texas today.

A mainstay in Country music in the 90’s, Doug Supernaw, charted eleven singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Track charts with three number one singles, “Reno,” “I Don’t Call Him Daddy,” and “Not Enough Hours In The Night.”

“So sorry to hear of the passing of Doug Supernaw. Although I didn’t know him real well, he was always so friendly and nice when I did have the opportunity to be around him, and would like to have known him better. He was a great talent and very supportive of our Dottie West birthday bash. Thank you and RIP Doug.” –Jeannie Seely

“Doug was a great guy and a good entertainer ,and a Texan no doubt! We extend our sympathies to his family and fans and the country music community. RIP Doug..” –Exile

“After moving to East Texas, we got to know him and his lovely wife Cissy over the last few years. Keeping the family in our prayers. “Reno,” what a song!” –David Ball

“I met Doug Supernaw thanks to Kim Williams who had written “Not Enough Hours In The Night,” and he wanted the three of us to write together. He was a genuine gentleman. He went out on the road to promote that single and we did hook up to write.” –Kent Blazy

“We have lost another member of the country music family. Fellow Texan, Doug Supernaw was a very talented man and he leaves such great music and memories for his many friends and fans. My deepest condolences go to Doug’s wife and family.” –Linda Davis

“I was saddened to hear of the passing of Doug Supernaw. Being raised on 90’s Country, hits like “I Don’t Call Him Daddy”, and “What’ll You Do About Me” were staples in our home. He will be missed!” –Noah Garner

“I am so sad to hear about Doug Supernaw’s passing. My family and I will keep him and everyone who loves him in our prayers.” –Dallas Remington

Steve Earle, Luck Productions, and City Winery Host 6th Annual John Henry’s Friends Benefit Concert For Autism

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Nov 182020

Steve Earle, Luck Productions, and City Winery Host 6th Annual John Henry’s Friends Benefit Concert For Autism

Performances from Steve Earle & The Dukes, Lucinda Williams, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, and many more on December 13th

November 13, 2020 – For five years running, musician/author/playwright/activist Steve Earle has been gathering a group of world-class friends and performers for a one-night-only concert which raises money for The Keswell School, an educational program for children and young adults with autism. On December 13th, with the help of Luck Productions and City Winery, Earle’s 6th annual John Henry’s Friends benefit concert is going virtual, expanding its audience, and making the annual fundraiser a world-wide affair. With 100% of donations going to The Keswell School—an institution, near to Earle’s heart at which his son and the event’s namesake, John Henry, is a student—a host of world-renowned musicians have accepted their invitation to participate. Performers include Steve Earle & The Dukes, Emmylou Harris, Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Lucinda Williams, Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires, and many more. A full list of artists can be found below and more information, including how to donate, can be found here!

Join Steve Earle & The Dukes with special guests for the 6th Annual John Henry’s Friends Benefit Concert, presented by Luck Productions & City Winery NYC, celebrating the Keswell School’s work in providing education for children and young adults with autism.

The virtual concert will take place on December 13th at 7:30pm EST at luck.stream/johnhenrysfriends

Tickets

“Well, 2020 has pretty much sucked so far,” said Steve Earle. “It’s been tough on everybody, including those of us in the performing arts, who, after all, depend on the patronage of live audiences for our very livelihood. Therefore, I’m especially grateful that some of my favorite people have come together against all odds to support a cause that is near and dear to my heart, the Keswell School. Since we’ve been doing these shows, they are always my favorite day of the year…good music, good friends, and a good cause. This year’s performers are alumni, one and all, and I’m eternally grateful to each and every one for suiting up and showing up in the hour of our school’s greatest need.”

As mentioned, all donations raised through the live stream will go directly to The Keswell School, an educational program for children and young adults with autism. Founded in 2002 on the belief that children diagnosed with ASD can live full and productive lives as integrated members of their communities, The Keswell School provides educational, therapeutic, and supportive services for children diagnosed with ASD and their families. The Keswell School challenges students to accomplish in aspects of school life and prepares them for the fullest possible engagement in the world. The strong bond between Keswell students and their teachers and therapists is rooted in the School’s commitment to meeting students at their individual levels of development.

6th Annual John Henry’s Friends Lineup:

Steve Earle & The Dukes

Emmylou Harris

Graham Nash

Jackson Browne

Lucinda Williams

Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires

Josh Ritter

Matt Savage

Shawn Colvin

The Mastersons

Warren Haynes

Honky Tonk: Portraits of Country Music, 1972-1981, a special exhibit of photographs by Henry Horenstein

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Nov 172020

Three of the most ideal things I am interested in are museums, Honky Tonk Music and the 1970’s, and once again a museum like The Birthplace Of Country Music Museum in Bristol is offering a good taste of history to us that salivate over it.

The reason why exhibits like this one are so greatly integral to Country Music is because many of the folks they feature have now passed on, and are gone. In my studies and my prospicience to preserve it for future Country Music fans, I ardently support exhibits like this one. As a historian at a younger age, I regretfully missed out on being able to see many of the people I idolize like Mr. Ernest Tubb and Marty Robbins live in their prime.

Photographers like Mr. Henry and Mr. Jerry Overcast and their ilk spent their entire lives following these big stars around and captured them out of their element, which makes it more amazing. You know, on stage you saw what THEY WANTED us to see..but behind that curtain this man captured what WE WERE NOT ALWAYS MEANT to see. If you go to his website HERE, you can kind of see my point of how random it all was and how he never meant to make it so significant..but it was.

Country Music in the 1970’s wasn’t found on innocent levels of places on Earth, and it wasn’t pure and clean cut as Hee Haw presented it to us on t.v. It was found in the dirty and dark beer joints across America, in the back alleys dives and it didn’t exemplify pure, or righteous living..but it was honest living. These people had more baggage than the Dallas airport, and more drama than soap operas, but they spoke to us through songs of real life struggles.

I am heavily into the 1970’s and 1980’s Opry years, as well as the culmination of the Outlaw Movement and also the Nashville Sound eras. So much transpired during those times that shaped the genre into what it is today both locally and mainstream wise. It is with all of this in mind that I tell you all my dear readers I cannot stress how important it is to go up and see this exhibit for yourselves, as I plan to take a trip up there to see it myself SOON…here is the press release.

Honky Tonk: Portraits of Country Music, 1972-1981, a special exhibit of photographs by Henry Horenstein.

Dates: September 29, 2020 – March 28, 2021

Location: Special Exhibits Gallery, Birthplace of Country Music Museum

In the 1970s, photographer Henry Horenstein shot album covers for upstart bluegrass label Rounder Records. But in his off-hours, he soon became unofficial photographer to the culture of country musicians great and small, and their dedicated fans. It’s a world that looks quite a bit like country songs sound: full of hard-working operators and lonely dreamers, half-full glasses and scorpion belt buckles, and a few tall hats, boots, and bottles as well. It’s the world of the honky tonk.

A candid, affectionate glimpse into the real country music scene as it was performed and lived, Honky Tonk: Portraits of Country Music, 1972—1981 is a parade through the early years of future great performers like Dolly Parton and Del McCoury, and already established legends like Mother Maybelle Carter and Don Stover. It is a time capsule of an important era in country music set within family music parks and music festivals, the Grand Ole Opry, and Nashville’s Tootsies and other well-loved honky tonks. Horenstein’s lively portraits of the community preserve the scene where musicians and fans, cowboys and townies, converged to step out, strum, and strut their stuff.

The museum will be offering a variety of educational and engaging public programming to accompany the Honky Tonk exhibit. Keep an eye on our website or subscribe to our eNewsletter to learn more!

Special thanks to the Massengill-DeFriece Foundation for their support of the exhibit at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

About Henry Horenstein

Henry Horenstein has been a professional photographer, filmmaker, teacher, and author since the 1970s. He studied history at the University of Chicago and earned his BFA and MFA at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he studied with Harry Callahan and Aaron Siskind.

Henry’s work is collected and exhibited internationally, and he has published over 30 books, including several monographs of his own work such as Histories, Show, Honky Tonk, Animalia, Humans, Racing Days, Close Relations, and many others. He has also authored Black & White Photography, Digital Photography, and Beyond Basic Photography, used by hundreds of thousands of college, university, high-school, and art school students as their introduction to photography. His Shoot What You Love serves both as a memoir and a personal history of photography over the past 50 years.

Ward Davis To Release New Full-Length Album Black Cats and Crows With Thirty Tigers On November 20th

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Nov 172020

Outlaw Country-Rocker Ward Davis To Release New Full-Length Album Black Cats and Crows With Thirty Tigers On November 20th

Album available for pre-order; First single out now via Rolling Stone

October 16, 2020 – Nashville, TN – Kicking off with a blaze of harmonized electric guitars sounding like when the Allman’s Elizabeth Reed checked into the Eagles’ Hotel California, Ward Davis’s new album Black Cats and Crows doesn’t waste a second on formalities. Out November 20th on Thirty Tigers, Black Cats and Crows is triumph on all fronts. A muscly country-rock record filled with murderous story songs, heartbreaking vulnerability, and that unmistakable voice—Davis’s weathered croon, barrel-aged then left out in the sun—are all brought to life through Davis’s and producer Jim “Moose” Brown’s care for their craft and disdain for sterility. Yesterday, Rolling Stone premiered “Black Cats and Crows,” the album’s title track and first single calling it, “an ominous piano ballad in which Davis questions why the deck is stacked against him.” Fans can listen to “Black Cats and Crows” now at this link and pre-order Black Cats and Crows here.

Without listening to a note of Black Cats and Crows, the company kept in the liner notes alone—co-writers Cody Jinks, Kendell Marvel, and Shawn Camp—will tip off any discerning music fan on how respected Davis is as a songwriter. Of course, his own songwriting history precedes him too, having written tunes for the likes of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Trace Adkins. “This is my coping mechanism. I know music is a coping mechanism for a lot of people,” Davis says. “It’s important that it’s crafted well, but it’s also important that it’s honest so that people can relate to it and get something out of it.” But it’s not just songwriters that have taken notice. Among the world class musicians who took part in the recording of Black Cats and Crows, a name not too often thrown around in the world of country music appears; Anthrax’s Scott Ian, who guested on the ominous murder ballad, “Sounds of Chains.”

In addition to the guitar-driven tunes, several songs on Black Cats and Crows also remedy the often-overlooked role of piano in outlaw music. A fine pianist who shrugs off any praise of his own playing, Davis looks up to the slip-note stylings of master Floyd Cramer. “He would do these little flickers with the keys that aren’t complicated but really create a sound,” Davis says. “I mimic him a lot.” Kicking off with piano and fiddle, “Threads” lays a weary heart bare, while the beautifully written “Good to Say Goodbye” traces the push and pull that ensues when it’s time to go. “Good and Drunk” is a lesson in songwriting, heartbreaking and real. “That was a hard one to write,” Davis says. “It was a bad day. I came home from a tour with Sunny Sweeney, and my ex-wife had packed up everything and put the boxes in the garage. I was sitting there alone, hungover, wanting a whiskey drink, and I realized I didn’t know where the whiskey was. But I had my legal pad out. So, I started writing this song.”

Davis mines his own worries and pain for a song without ever forgetting the other person who will eventually listen to it. “I want people to know these songs mean something to me,” he says. “I hope they mean something to them. Maybe they’ll hear something that’ll make them feel better.”

Black Cats and Crows Tracklisting:

Ain’t Gonna Be Today

Black Cats and Crows

Threads

Sounds of Chains

Get To Work Whiskey

Colorado

Book Of Matches

Heaven Had A Hand

Where I Learned To Live

Papa And Mama

Lay Down On Love

Nobody

Good To Say Goodbye

Good And Drunk

With Everyone A Song, Vol. 1, The Steel Wheels Set The Personal Experiences Of Their Supporters To Song On November 20th

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Nov 162020

With Everyone A Song, Vol. 1, The Steel Wheels Set The Personal Experiences Of Their Supporters To Song On November 20th

First episode of the album’s companion podcast, We Made You A Song, is available October 14th via NPR; First single, “The Healer,” premiered today

October 14, 2020 – Harrisonburg, VA – In the first few months of a worldwide pandemic, bluegrass-rockers The Steel Wheels took to their own home studios—in some cases pieced a home studio together—and got to work. Recording more than 60 songs when all was said and done, the group landed on a concept unlike any waters they’d waded into before; they called it “Distance Together.” Conceived by The Steel Wheels’ lead singer and songwriter, Trent Wagler, the project became an avenue for fans of the band to commission works and send musical greetings to their loved ones. The initiative sparked a surprisingly impactful and intimate songwriting process, with Wagler setting the personal stories of fans to song and verse. Some songs were written for individuals, some for friends and families—many were specific to a time and place—and some were commissioned for weddings and anniversaries or to commemorate a lost loved one or the completion of a life’s work. At the end of the process, The Steel Wheels—Brian Dickel, Trent Wagler, Jay Lapp, Eric Brubaker, and Kevin Garcia—were left with some of the most heartfelt, inspiring material they’ve ever written, and the result shines through on Everyone A Song, Vol. 1,a brand new 9-song album to be released on November 20th.

Today, The Boot premiered Everyone A Song, Vol. 1’s first single, “The Healer,” which came to life as a song to celebrate the retirement of a physical therapist’s 38-year long career. Before making it onto the album, “The Healer” was used during a socially distanced retirement party as a special gift to commemorate an amazing career. “As the family recalled stories from [the subject’s] life, it was clear that her healing skills were not limited to the workplace,” recalls Wagler. Like every other tune on the album, the song’s lyrics and melody reflect the love and admiration that encircle the celebrated. Fans can listen to ‘The Healer” now at this link and pre-order Everyone A Song, Vol. 1 right here. Additionally, on Friday, Oct. 16th, the band will join The Boot’s online community via Facebook Live to play a few songs from the new record, including the first single “The Healer,” at 8pm central.

The process behind this new album has been further documented in an accompanyingpodcast, We Made You A Song. Each episode dives into the creation of a single song on the album, serving as an in-depth audio liner note. Wagler interviews the band as well as the actual subjects of each song to give a rare glimpse into the creative process and what it means for someone to have their experience distilled into melody and rhyme. We Made You A Song is distributed by NPR and WMRA.

Everyone A Song, Vol. 1 was born out of a desire to close the distance created in the midst of the Covid-19 shutdown. “Maybe I was dreaming of being an essential worker,” says Wagler. “It made me ask the question: what’s essential about music? It’s the connection. The understanding. The beauty and magic of melodies that transcend us with the words that say, ‘You there, I see you, and you see me, and doesn’t it feel good to not be alone in the world?’ That’s what art has to offer. Especially right now. And planting real stories right in the middle of it kind of pushed aside any other pretense or distraction about being cool or whatever.”

Everyone A Song, Vol. 1 Tracklisting:

My Name is Sharon

The Healer

Don’t Want To Come Back Down

The Man Who Holds Up The World

Water And Sky

Florida Girl (Work For It)

Lucy

Genevieve

Family Is Power

Larry Keel Announces New Album American Dream

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Nov 152020

Larry Keel Announces New Album American Dream,

out November 6

Listen to lead single “Try” today via JamBase

Nashville, TN – October 7, 2020 – Over the past 30 years, Larry Keel has been praised by fans and critics alike for his energetic live performances and award-winning flatpicking skills. He is a prolific songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has appeared on nearly two dozen albums, including 12 that he produced himself, and has collaborated with everyone from Bill Monroe to Billy Strings. Today, he is proud to announce his anticipated new solo album American Dream. Set for release on November 6, Keel single-handedly produced, recorded, and wrote each of the 10 tracks on the album, a project that was predominantly created during quarantine this past spring. This influence is evident in the album’s first single,“Try”, which is premiering exclusively at JamBase today. Keel says “Try” is about his personal approach to figuring out life’s mysteries and challenges, saying, “Big concept, simple approach: all you gotta do is try.” American Dream can be pre-ordered here.

Reminiscent of Jerry Garcia’s solo album Garcia, Keel plays each instrument on every track of American Dream, giving listeners a unique opportunity to hear the acclaimed acoustic guitar player showcase his mandolin chops, banjo licks, upright bass thump and power on electric guitar. While some tracks are rooted in Keel’s classic bluegrass style, others veer towards poppy folk rock, a couple of tunes are dripping in moody psychedelia, and some have more of a gritty,

old-time stomp like the single “Try”.

Lyrically, the songs on American Dream are dynamic. Some were inspired by Keel’s experiences as a touring musician living life on the road, while others were galvanized by the events that were taking place at the time—including the COVID-19 pandemic and the global protests against systemic racism. On title track “American Dream”, Keel acknowledges his position as a white man and how he’s consistently listening and learning. In the song’s opening line, he clearly states what he does not want to be as a man (I don’t wanna grow up to be another angry old white guy / self-important, and all wrapped up in his white lie), and then proclaims what he is attempting to be: an empathetic, moral and positive person, always striving to do better and aiming to serve the greater good.

“I consider this album to be a culmination of my deepest and most sincere thoughts, up to now. In spite of the turbulent times happening when I wrote most of these songs, I felt really centered and energized to just say exactly what was on my mind through lyrics and music,” Keel explains. “For me, this was a positive experience in starting a conversation through this recording. Hopefully it resonates with someone out there.”

This month, Keel will be on tour in Virginia with Sam Bush Band, Travis Book & Andy Falco, and Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen; next month, he will be in South Carolina at Charleston Pour House. All shows will conform with local regulations and Covid-related safety measures.

American Dream Track Listing:

1. American Dream

2. The Best of Man

3. Mother Nature

4. Long Way Round

5. So Black and White

6. Precious Times (Aby’s Song)

7. Try

8. Old Friends

9. Old Man Kelsey’s

10. Mars’ Cry

The Wild Feathers Dive Into Archives For Full-Length Release Medium Rarities

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Nov 142020

The Wild Feathers Dive Into Archives For Full-Length Release

Medium Rarities

Unreleased B-sides, demos, and covers fill out the band’s existing decade-spanning catalog; first single “Blue” out now

September 18th, 2020 – Nashville, TN – In early 2020, just weeks before pandemic swept the globe, The Wild Feathers were kicking off a brand new chapter—fully independent, no more label contract or team, soaring free of the weight of the industry on their backs. Then, the universe pulled the ripcord. When their major tour with Blackberry Smoke was canceled in March, the band—Ricky Young, Joel King, Taylor Burns, Ben Dumas, and Brett Moore—found themselves with unexpected time to reflect on their career so far. Medium Rarities, a brand-new full-length album of unreleased songs spanning the band’s decade-long career, is what came from those reflections. King, whom Dumas dubs the band’s “archive master,” started poking around hard drives of old music, and the idea of a rarities compilation began to take shape. The album, set for release on November 20th, is composed of those B-sides, covers, demos, and other nuggets King and the band culled from The Wild Feathers’ vault. Medium Rarities can be pre-ordered now at this link. A vinyl pressing of Medium Rarities will be available exclusively through Magnolia Record Club starting today.

Fans can immediately hear “Blue,” the first track from Medium Rarities, at this link. A Dave Cobb produced cover of the Jayhawks’ classic from Tomorrow the Green Grass, The Wild Feathers’ version of “Blue” sticks close to the original but with the band’s signature harmonies—reminiscent of The Band or Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers—expanding beyond the existing vocal melody. “I can’t remember not being in love with the Jayhawks,” says Young. “Melody is by far the first thing that draws me to a song and they just can’t help but pull you in and it’s just effortless.” This song is the first on Medium Rarities not just because it’s a rock and roll kick-off for the ages, but because the album is sequenced chronologically and “Blue” was recorded near the very beginning when the band was looking for a record deal. “Interscope wanted to hear what we could do harmony wise and we thought that song would be the perfect example of what we thought we were capable of,” remembers Young.

“Fire,” “Goodnight,” and “My Truth” round out the middle of the compilation. All three tracks are new material written in the lead-up to the band’s plans to explore a new era of the Wild Feathers. “Fire,” in particular, shows the group’s sonic growth with its understated verse arrangement, sparkling production, and arena-ready chorus. The harmony-drenched “My Truth” has its roots in a recent writing retreat the band took together, and the song’s lyrics (“I’ve been looking for the answers / I can’t find them on the news”) connect a personal relationship to current events. Unlike the rest of the songs, produced by the likes of Dave Cobb and Jay Joyce, the Wild Feathers produced these new tracks together as a band.

Standout b-side “Marie” is a laid-back front-porch rocker about a songwriter who doesn’t have much or all that he promised, and his songs are all that he may leave behind; its vulnerable lyrics are punctuated with chiming acoustic guitar and twangy electric riffs. Young wrote “Marie” during sessions for the band’s self-titled debut album, and admitted to being surprised that the song didn’t make the final tracklist. “It’s one of my favorites,” he says. “I’ll always play it if I do a solo show or anything like that. I’m really glad it’s made it onto this record.”

“Medium Rarities opens up the possibility for future volumes,” Young says. “We thought it was a cool thing to do for ourselves, and especially for our fans. We’ve always been one of those bands that talks about having a true catalog, by every definition: live albums, box sets, double albums, b-sides, and rarities albums—being music fans, and that’s what we are, that’s what you want from artists you like. You want anything you can get your hands on. This is one more step we’ve accomplished.”

Medium Rarities Tracklisting:

1. Blue

2. Heartbreak

3. Marie

4. Almost Cut My Hair

5. Fire

6. Goodnight

7. My Truth

8. To Be Gone

9. Lose Yourself

10. Guitar Man

11. After the Bottle’s Gone

The Wild Feathers will finish out 2020 with a handful of live-streaming concerts and private events, including public dates with Blackberry Smoke as well as a handful of headline shows of their own. They’re currently at work on material for a new album and plan to release new music in early 2021.

Album Feature – Chris Stapleton – Starting Over

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Nov 132020

By Joshua Wallace

Chris Stapleton has returned with the follow up to 2017’s dual releases of From A Room : Volume 1 and Volume 2. His new album is titled Starting Over and it finds him back at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A with Producer Dave Cobb. Aside from the typical lineup of Morgane Stapleton (vocals, tambourine), with longtime bandmates J.T. Cure (bass) and Derek Mixon (drums), this record features performances from former Heartbreakers Mike Campbell (electric guitar) and Benmont Tench (Hammond B3 organ) along with the legendary Paul Franklin (pedal steel). That is one incredible lineup for any record and Chris Stapleton makes the most out of it. I feel like Stapleton has created the best record of his career with Starting Over. Let’s take a deeper look at some of these tracks.

The album’s first track and first single is “Starting Over” which is a simple acoustic melody that is super catchy. It reminds me a bit of Volume 1’s “Broken Halos” but more upbeat. The next track is “Devil Always Made Me Think Twice” which appeared on Hailey Whitters album The Dream earlier this year. Stapleton’s version kicks things up a notch with a thick blues riff and the entire vibe of this track is a jam. This is a stark comparison to Whitters more mellow version that takes you more to a smoky blues room rather than a bigger dance hall.

The track “When I’m With You” is a nice country ballad that highlights Stapleton’s voice. It serves as a nice mellow moment around some of the record’s heavy hitters. Speaking of heavy hitters, the track “Arkansas” is a southern rock romp full of grit and soul. It’s a track inspired by a trip to the state of Arkansas and it’s good enough it might inspire some tourism to the home of the Razorbacks. “Hillbilly Blood” is another favorite that kind of reminds me of if you crossed “Death Row” with “Outlaw State Of Mind”. It has that kind of vibe and I dig the thick groove on this track.

“Maggie’s Song” is a tear jerker and one of Stapleton’s best written tracks. This song will make anyone cry, especially pet lovers. “Whiskey Sunrise” is a country blues track that builds slowly to a crushing guitar solo that I hope is extended live because in both instances, the solo ends just as it sounds like it’s getting started on the record. “Watch You Burn” is a heavy track co-written by Mike Campbell and inspired by the 2017 Las Vegas shooting at the Route 91 Harvest music festival. Stapleton wasn’t there as he says on the song, but he puts enough fire and passion behind this track for all of those who were. Finally, the album ends with “Nashville, TN” which features Paul Franklin on the pedal steel guitar. It’s a song about leaving and at the same time serves as a criticism of how the town treats singers and songwriters who go there with a dream.

There is a lot to unpack with this album and it is one of the best country records of the year and one of the best overall records of the year. Chris Stapleton has put together a collection of songs that are both timeless and meets our current moment in history. There are a few covers on this record with two Guy Clark songs and a John Fogerty track. I highly recommend getting a copy of this record as it will be high on many album of the year lists including my own. You can look forward to Chris Stapleton’s “All American Road Show” tour to resume next year when it is safe to do so. You can find out information about that on his website. Starting Over is out everywhere as of November 13th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : Starting Over, Devil Always Made Me Think Twice, When I’m With You, Arkansas, Hillbilly Blood, Maggie’s Song, Whiskey Sunrise, Watch You Burn, Nashville, TN

Chris Stapleton – Starting Over (2020)

Starting Over
Devil Always Made Me Think Twice
Cold
When I’m With You
Arkansas
Joy Of My Life (John Fogerty)
Hillbilly Blood
Maggie’s Song
Whiskey Sunrise
Worry B Gone (Guy Clark)
Old Friends (Guy Clark)
Watch You Burn
You Should Probably Leave
Nashville, TN

Upcoming Festival Dates For 2021, And Other News From Me.

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Nov 012020

Hello my dear friends and music lovers of all forms. I write this with immense uncertainty for the upcoming live music situation next year. I personally never made any official withdraw announcement for the website, trust me I HAVE been watching and studying things. If YOUR favorite artist released a new album in 2020, chances are I have been equally enjoying it.

Now, as I prepare to wrap up my year and revel in my many accomplishments I made in 2020 on a personal level, I study all of the festivals that have already locked in new dates for 2021.

I have been making many phone calls and sending many emails to many groups of people all over America in order to do this. the extent of my studies put me on a whole different echelon here. There are so many avenues to explore and transfer to written form, to share with you, additionally I will include the links to the festivals so you can see the information yourself.

I had to step back from things directly before the pandemic even erupted nationally, to take care of a horrible dependency to pain pills. I have many health issues, and some of them require pain management, and I had to accept the fact I cannot manage the pills responsibly. I had to enroll in a rehabilitation program, and learn how to work the twelve steps of AA meetings.

I learned that there was no difference between an addiction full blown and a dependency, and that I was once again..an addict. Therefore, I realized I had a plethora of work to do on myself in order to retain my control of my personal life. I cannot do what I do on here without a clear head, AND NOW I have 9 months sober.

I moved my daughter down to Kentucky in April from Wisconsin, and I am currently reaching her the ways of independent music. She has never been exposed to the likes of Cody Jinks or Greensky Bluegrass. In my opinion, SHE IS the future of our precious music, and exposing her to the many bands that she has never heard on any radio makes me an elated father.

I had to put aside my written duties for several months, in order to help my daughter with her personal life and set her up to succeed in life. With a young adult, you have to set them up with finances and avenues of support. When you play Monopoly you start with money, right? Right. So with all of that being said…let’s move forward with my usual assault on the corporate mainstream crap that prostitutes your FM radio.

This is NOT a final list for 2021, in fact there are more than 150 festivals I have no information for as of yet. I’ll be actively adding new festivals and dates to this article all through the spring of next year, as we see about whether or not these can even transpire.

I HAVE BEEN watching, reading and keeping up with SO MANY new releases in 2020, and my crew has been working diligently with album reviews in my absence. We will ALL be releasing a TOP 50 of the year, so be looking for those to come around the week of Christmas.

I still have my annual birthday celebration, and this year it will be at the Spillway Bar And Grill on November 21st featuring Mr. Ward Davis. You can buy tickets for that right HERE.

This past weekend, I took my daughter to Alabama to see the grave of one of Country Music’s greatest superstars. Hank Williams is a hero to me, as well as many and I needed to visit him and become revitalized and recharged. I needed guidance and prayers in order to move forward and still become the force that I am for local music.

Known Dates For 2021 festivals :

Album Feature – The Cadillac Three – Tabasco & Sweet Tea

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Oct 282020

By Joshua Wallace

The Cadillac Three have returned with their second album of 2020 and this album is a game changer for them. The band has leaned more into the funk side of their sound and dropped any notion of getting played on country radio. There has also been an instrument change as Kelby Ray has dropped the lap steel in favor of bass to give The Cadillac Three’s new sound a proper low end. It’s a sonic shift that in my opinion has created their best album yet. Let’s check out some of these tracks on The Cadillac Three’s fifth album.

The album kicks off with a great guitar riff on “Tabasco & Sweet Tea” before settling into a funky danceable groove that immediately lets you know what you’re in for on this record. Jaren Johnston’s crooning on this track is just the right kind of funky for the vibes here also. “Sweet Southern Spirit” starts off with an old school hip hop drum beat before the guitar kicks in and brings in the funk. This is a great track about the kind of woman that is “on a country boy bucket list”. TC3 name checks Lynyrd Skynyrd here on this track that has a great funky guitar solo that you can get down to.

“Devil’s Lettuce” brings a funky rap spin to a track about getting high on devil’s lettuce. It’s a funky kind of hip hop feel here but you still get the killer guitar riffs that TC3 are bringing all over this record. It reminds me of what ZZ Top did with “I Gotsta Get Paid”, but leaning more into the funky aspect of that kind of track rather than the dirty blues that ZZ Top employed on their song. “Money Ain’t Shit” is another track that brings a killer guitar riff right up front and center with a cool back beat and smooth crooning from Johnston. This track and the next are big indications that The Cadillac Three are not pushing hard for radio friendly songs anymore. The next song is “Turn The Radio On” which is a straight up country radio protest song. It speaks to how hard it is for artists to make it if they don’t get played on country radio. It’s always great to hear an artist in the position of someone like The Cadillac Three acknowledge this. They have had their own struggles with getting played on the radio and air it out here.

The Cadillac Three have created what I consider to be their best album yet with Tabasco & Sweet Tea. If you haven’t been a fan or have been on the fence about them, I highly suggest giving this record a listen as it is a different style for them. They have dropped any pretense of making music to get played on country radio and just went to make the funky country record they wanted to. It’s a sound that just works for them and I hope this is what we get from TC3 going forward. Tabasco & Sweet Tea is out everywhere as of October 23rd, 2020. As a special note, digital copies are $3.99 for a limited time on the band’s website.

Favorite Tracks : Tabasco & Sweet Tea, Sweet Southern Spirit, Devil’s Lettuce, Money Ain’t Shit, Turn The Radio On, Sabbath On Cornbread

The Cadillac Three – Tabasco & Sweet Tea (2020)

Tabasco & Sweet Tea
Stop That Girl
Head Over Wheels
Sweet Southern Spirit
Road Soda
Bridges
Devil’s Lettuce
Crispy
Money Ain’t Shit
Turn The Radio On
Sabbath On Cornbread

Album Feature – Rachel Brooke – The Loneliness In Me

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Oct 232020

By Joshua Wallace

Rachel Brooke might be newer to some fans of more current traditional country music, but she has been around making good traditional country music for well over a decade now. Her last full length solo album was 2012’s A Killer’s Dream which was a personal highlight of 2012 for me. I highly recommend you seek that one out if you have not heard it. Rachel Brooke’s voice has a haunting quality to it and serves to add to the running theme of loneliness and the things that go with it. Let’s take a look at some of the tracks on this record.

The album kicks off with “It Ain’t Over Till You’re Crying”. From the haunting opening line through the slow waltz style track, this song sets a vibe for the record with a song about getting a measure of revenge on a former lover. The pedal steel is thick on this track and I dig that. Another favorite is “The Hard Way”. This is another slower ballad that features Rachel’s lower range that still has a bit of a haunting quality to it.

“The Loneliness In Me” picks up the pace a bit with some rocking guitar. I love songs that are upbeat but the lyrics are not. It creates a great juxtaposition where you’re rocking out to someone singing about everything going wrong but their loneliness is what gets them through. I love the conversational quality of the lyrics on this one. “Ghost Of You” is another great track with a haunting melody. It’s a song about how love sticks around because a lover’s ghost can linger after they’re gone. Finally, “The Awful Parts Of Me” has a really great retro string section that makes this track sound like something off 60’s country radio. It’s a twisted love song that fits in with the overall theme of this record perfectly.

Rachel Brooke has created a modern country throwback classic with a twisted lyrical twist that will catch listeners off guard but in a good way. The album has a haunting quality about it that Rachel Brooke has always brought to her music. If you’re a newer listener, I highly recommend checking out Rachel’s previous albums, especially her records with Lonesome Wyatt of Those Poor Bastards. The Loneliness In Me is out everywhere as of October 23rd, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : It Ain’t Over Till You’re Crying, The Hard Way, The Loneliness In Me, Ghost Of You, The Awful Parts Of Me

Rachel Brooke

Rachel Brooke – The Loneliness In Me (2020)

It Ain’t Over Till You’re Crying
Great Mistake
The Hard Way
The Loneliness In Me
Picture On The Wall
It Won’t Be Long
Ghost Of You
The Lovells Stockade Blues
Lucky And Alone
The Awful Parts Of Me
Undecided Love
I Miss It Like It’s Gone

Album Feature – Sturgill Simpson – Cuttin’ Grass – Vol. 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions)

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Oct 162020

By Joshua Wallace

Sturgill Simpson has released Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions) as the follow up to last year’s rock record Sound And Fury. This album turns to bluegrass and re-works 20 of Sturgill’s original tunes into bluegrass tracks. What really makes this album is that these are totally re-arranged to be bluegrass and not just his old songs played in this style. It really helps that Sturgill has put together an amazing bluegrass band of some of the best players today with Stuart Duncan, Mike Bub, Sierra Hull, Scott Vestal, Tim O’Brien, Mark Howard and Miles Miller on the record.

There really isn’t a bad track on this album, and it’s the first record I have reviewed here where I recommend the whole album. Some standouts include a few Sunday Valley tracks with “All The Pretty Colors”, “I Wonder” and “Sometimes Wine”. I hope we get a few more of these on the potential Vol. 2. Other high marks include a total re-working of “The Storm” from the mid-tempo track on High Top Mountain to a thunderous and fast bluegrass track that will have concert halls dancing for sure. “Turtles” is also slightly sped up for the bluegrass style and it has a totally different feel to it vs the cosmic styling of the Metamodern track. “Life Of Sin” goes from being a guitar forward twangy country jam to a fiddle forward country flavored bluegrass track. Indeed, it is the new arrangements for these familiar tracks with some of the best bluegrass players you can put together that makes this much more than a greatest hits album.

Sturgill has done it again with this one and has made what could be another genre defining masterpiece. This time he has done for bluegrass what Metamodern Sounds In Country Music did for traditional country back in 2014. Bluegrass is in a resurgence with artists like Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle and others leading the way. Now Sturgill joins the pack with this collection. Time will tell if we get a Volume 2 with the rest of his songs and hopefully a bit more Sunday Valley and a bit of Sound and Fury too. I don’t often review records like this, but this is more than a Greatest Hits album. These are familiar songs done in a new way with some of the best pickers you can find. I highly recommend giving this record a spin and I hope we get a bluegrass tour with Sturgill and this band. Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1 is out everywhere digitally as of October 16th, 2020 with physical releases later in December.

Favorite Tracks : The Whole Thing

Sturgill Simpson – Cuttin’ Grass – Vol. 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions) (2020)

All Around You
All The Pretty Colors
Breakers Roar
I Don’t Mind
I Wonder
Just Let Go
Life Ain’t Fair And The World Is Mean
A Little Light
Life Of Sin
Long White Line
Living The Dream
Old King Coal
Railroad Of Sin
Sitting Here Without You
Sometimes Wine
The Storm
Time After All
Turtles All The Way Down
Voices
Water Down The Well

Album Feature – David Adam Byrnes – Neon Town

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Oct 142020

By Joshua Wallace

Every now and then you see a random new artist and decide to check them out and it blows you away with how good they are. This was my experience with David Adam Byrnes new record Neon Town. I was not familiar with him at all until it dropped this past Friday, but now I am a fan. A little bit of research revealed that this is the follow up to his 2011 album Premium Country, but you really should treat this as a re-introduction. A move from Nashville to Texas provided some new inspiration and artists like Cody Johnson showed him what Texas country could be. That’s where the album Neon Town comes in and it is pure country music gold. You might not find a better Texas country album this year.

The album kicks off with “Neon Town” and it’s a straight banger. It’s a classic honky tonk song that gets you in the mood to dance. This is a track that wouldn’t be out of place on a George Strait album. Another favorite is “Old School”. I love the groove this track cuts. It’s a funky track about how chivalry is still alive even if it is old school.”Tequila, Salt and Time” is a typical feel good country music island jam, but similar to “Old School”, this song has a groove that makes you just want to dance and that danceable aspect is something that makes this record stand out among 2020’s country music releases.

“Beer Bucket List” kicks things off with a great fiddle riff. This is another great banger of a track about the escapism that beer can provide from the typical 9 to 5 lifestyle. “In My Arms” is a great ballad that I feel like would have gone to number one on country radio in the mid to late 90’s. It has that smooth kind of melody and simple guitar and fiddle harmony that made those kinds of songs popular. Regardless of the decade, it’s still a great tune. The album closes out with a killer cover of classic country tune “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke and Loud Music”. It’s a very stripped back cover and closes the album out on a familiar note.

David Adam Byrnes has released one hell of a record full of great danceable country songs which is something we haven’t had much of in 2020. There are tracks for honky tonks that are bangers and there are tracks that make you want to slow dance the night away. It’s a good album. I highly recommend checking this one out and I hope to be able to see David Adam Byrnes live sometime in the future. Neon Town is available everywhere as of October 9th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : Neon Town, Old School, Tequila, Salt and Time, Beer Bucket List, In My Arms

David Adam Byrnes

David Adam Byrnes – Neon Town (2020)

Neon Town
I Can Give You One
She Only Wanted Flowers
Old School
Signs
Tequila Salt and Time
Beer Bucket List
In My Arms
I Ain’t Seen It Yet
Dim Lights, Thick Smoke and Loud Music

Album Feature – Brent Cobb – Keep ‘Em On They Toes

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Oct 022020

By Joshua Wallace

Brent Cobb has released the follow up to his 2018 record Providence Canyon. While that album revealed a more rocking side of Cobb’s music, Keep ‘Em On They Toes goes back to the more mellow rootsy vibe of 2016’s Shine On Rainy Day. With four albums under his belt, Cobb is proving himself to be one of the premier songwriters in country and Americana music. Let’s check out some of the tracks in this new record.

The album kicks off with the inspirational and quotable track “Keep ‘Em On They Toes”. It’s a feel good anthem about walking to the beat of your own drummer and not letting other people get to you. It’s a great message that a lot of people need to hear right now. “Good Times and Good Lovin’” is another great track. I love the interplay between the fiddle and the slow piano on this track. It’s a smooth ballad that I’m sure will be a lot of folks’ favorite song.

“This Side Of The River” is a great song about loving what you have and celebrating the simple life. It’s got a smooth vibe that flows well with the rest of the album. “Don’t Sweep Your Dust Under My Rug” is a song about those people that are quick to judge other people they don’t understand. It’s basically saying “I live the way I do, I don’t mess with you, don’t mess with me.” It’s a simple message that a lot of people can relate to these days. “Soapbox” feels like the kind of song the world needs to hear about stepping off your soapbox and trying to get a long. It’s another great track for this record and I love Nikki Lane’s feature here.

Brent Cobb has released a great record that speaks to a lot of the current conditions of the world without being tied to any particular point in time. While a song like “The World Is Ending” feels like a 2020 song, it doesn’t feel stuck in 2020. Good songs should be timeless and this record has that. Brent Cobb has been playing some of these songs live over the past year or so, but I can’t wait till I’m able to hear some of the newer stuff in a live setting with a full band. You can find out more of what Brent Cobb is up to on his website. Keep ‘Em On They Toes is out everywhere as of October 2nd, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : Keep ‘Em on They Toes, Good Times and Good Lovin’, This Side Of The River, Dust Under My Rug, Soap Box

Brent Cobb – Keep ‘Em On They Toes (2020)

Keep ‘Em On They Toes
Shut Up And Sing
Good Times and Good Lovin’
Sometimes I’m A Clown
This Side Of The River
Dust Under My Rug
Soapbox (feat. Nikki Lane)
When You Go
The World Is Ending
Little Stuff

Book Review – Red Dirt by Josh Crutchmer

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Sep 222020

By Joshua Wallace

I have been a fan of the Red Dirt scene ever since I discovered the vast world of independent country that exists beyond the mainstream. I started picking up on some of these bands around 2008 with acts like Jason Boland and The Stragglers and Cross Canadian Ragweed being my introduction to the music. However, being from south GA, I had no direct connection to these bands like someone who lived there did. That’s where this book comes in for me. It helps me fill in some missing pieces of the story and gives me a bit of the history that I didn’t know or couldn’t know without actually being there. Josh Crutchmer might be the print planning editor at The New York Times, but his background is firmly planted in Oklahoma and the red dirt scene. He interviewed everyone quoted in this book and he has gathered a fine collection of characters to tell this story. It’s a good history for newcomers and established fans alike.

The book is divided mostly into chapters by band. You have essentials like Tom Skinner, Bob Childers, Jimmy LaFave and even Garth Brooks and his stories about starting out in dives in Oklahoma. I love the chapters that provide a bit of history too. You get a great deal about The Farm which was a legendary Stillwater, OK venue that is heralded as the birthplace of Red Dirt. There are also chapters about early bands such as The Red Dirt Rangers and The Great Divide. You get a great deal of background on the red dirt scene before you start getting into more current artists.

The chapters on current artists are great also because these chapters tell stories and give background pieces on them that you might not have gotten elsewhere. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on Hold My Beer with Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen where you get a bit about both of the men and then they discuss their collaboration which to date has produced two of my favorite recent red dirt releases. Then you have the great chapter on Jamie Lin Wilson followed by a good discussion of the gender gap in Red Dirt which features a few of the current great female artists in the scene.

I can’t talk about this book without discussing the chapter on Turnpike Troubadours and specifically Evan Felker. The coverage in Rolling Stone that discussed Crutchmer’s interviews with Felker is quite possibly the reason many people know about this book. It’s how I heard of it, for sure. If you read that article and are looking forward to this bit in the book, I’m here to say it delivers. I’m not going to give many spoilers in this review, but I do want to say this chapter ends on a positive note which is great news for Turnpike fans.

There is so much discussed in this book that it’s hard to put it in an article like this. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking to do a deep dive into the history and current state of the Red Dirt music scene. The author does at times mention the current pandemic and how it has changed things since he started writing the book. It’s refreshing to see the author acknowledge the current uncertainty of things going forward in a book of this nature. I also highly recommend this book if, like me, you are an outsider to the red dirt scene. I have naturally become a fan of this music over the years, but with red dirt being such a self contained scene, it’s hard to get the full story just being on the outside looking in like I am. You can find everything you need to about this book on reddirtbook.com and the book is available everywhere as of September 19th, 2020.

Album Feature – Matt Woods – Mornings After EP

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Sep 152020

By Joshua Wallace

Matt Woods has released the new Mornings After EP. This record is a companion piece to his 2019 album Natural Disasters. You can find a review for that one here. This EP was recorded during the same sessions as the 2019 album and with the same band. This companion piece helps to add depth to an already great album experience. Let’s take a look at some of the tracks here.

The album kicks off with “Tomorrow’s All We Have” which is a slower bluesy rock kind of tune. I love the keys on this track and the guitar solo takes you back to a small smoky dive bar. This also has one of Matt’s signature power vocal performances similar to his song “Deadman’s Blues”. I also love the track “Getaway”. It has a bit of an island rock sound on a track about the need to get away from your normal life. I love the slide guitar on this one. Finally, “Sunshine” is another slow bluesy track on this record. Like the opening track, it has another great vocal performance from Woods. I dig the guitar riffs going throughout this one.

Matt Woods has released a great companion EP to his 2019 full length album Natural Disasters. If you were a fan of Natural Disasters or his previous work, I highly recommend checking this release out. There are some great vocal performances on these songs for these to be tracks that were left off an album. I kind of wish we could get a deluxe package with both Natural Disasters and Mornings After in the same release as these tracks add some depth to the original LP. Check out everything Matt Woods has going on through his website here. Mornings After is available everywhere as of September 4th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : Tomorrow’s All We Have, Getaway, Sunshine

Matt Woods – Mornings After EP (2020)

Tomorrow’s All We Have
Take It Slow
Getaway
Sunshine
California Shakes

Album Feature – Tennessee Jet – The Country

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Sep 092020

By Joshua Wallace

Tennessee Jet is back with his follow up to his 2017 album Reata. The Country is Jet’s third full length LP and it is my favorite of the albums he has released so far. Tennessee Jet recorded this record in California with Dwight Yoakam’s touring band. It also features the likes of Paul Cauthen, Elizabeth Cook, Cody Jinks and Mickey Raphael on this record. Let’s take a dive into some of the tracks on this one.

The opening track “Stray Dogs” reminds me a bit of “The Road Goes On Forever” by Robert Earl Keen but in a good way where this song echoes the style and feel of that classic tune. “The Raven And The Dove” is Tennessee Jet’s version of the tune he wrote that Cody Jinks recorded on his 2019 album The Wanting. This version is more somber than Jinks version of the tune and the pedal steel and guitar get to shine more in the instrumental here. An absolute highlight of the track is the grungy “Johnny” which is a tribute to Johnny Horton as the song covers the topic of his death. It plays like a grungy classic Nirvana tune and somehow it just fits right in the middle of this record of solid country gold.

Following that is Tennessee Jet’s version of “Pancho & Lefty” which features Cody Jinks, Elizabeth Cook and Paul Cauthen. This song has been done many times, but there is something about this tale of outlaws that always draws me in. This one is no different. Another highlight is the title track “The Country”. It’s a slow moving ballad that features guitar and fiddle but it has my favorite line of the entire album. I love the slow build to the line “I miss you like the country radio don’t play no more”. It’s a tune that has to be heard to be fully appreciated.

Tennessee Jet has released what is in my opinion the best record of his career. The Country has some good variety in the record throughout from solid country gold to folk leaning rootsy tracks to a grungy rock epic about a country legend. You will find a bit of everything here. I hope to catch Tennessee Jet live sometime in the near future as I have not been able to see him live yet. You can follow Tennessee Jet on his website. The Country was released everywhere you can find music as of September 4th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : The Raven And The Dove, Johnny, Pancho & Lefty, Hands On You, The Country, She Talks To Angels

Tennessee Jet – The Country (2020)

Stray Dogs
The Raven And The Dove
Johnny
Pancho & Lefty
Off To War
Hands On You
Someone To You
The Country
She Talks To Angels
Sparklin’ Burnin’ Fuse’

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