On the “Hick-Libs”
While the hick-lib celebrities would have us believe that Appalachia and rural Oklahoma is home to covert gay coal miners and queer cowboys, the overwhelming majority of those who they claim to represent can be found
Louis Michot: Cajun, Zydeco, Old Timey, Race, Solo Records & a Humble Genuis that is “Rêve du Troubadour”
Join us as we sit down with Louis Michot (best known as the fiddle player and lead-singer for the Grammy award winning Lost Bayou Ramblers, but blowing minds on the sonic masterpiece that is his solo
Blood, Grit, and Hoedowns: The Dead South “Chains and Stakes” Album Review
The Dead South are back with another masterful album of bluegrass framed Americana. On Chains and Stakes...
It’s Been Awhile for Shane Smith and the Saints
by Benji Magness Shane Smith and the Saints just released a new single “It’s Been Awhile” ahead of their forthcoming album “Norther” (dropping March 1st). “It’s Been Awhile” captures the universal sadness and desire of the
How Important Is Authenticity? A Question for Sam Williams (Gay Grandson of Hank)
by Amos White How Important Is Authenticity? Most country music fans, and certainly the classic country fans, will remember Tammy Wynette’s heartbreaking song “Til I Can Make It On My Own” which was one of her
Emmylou Harris “All I Intended to Be” Nonesuch Records
County Legend Emmylou Harris, a self-described “finder of songs and gatherer of songs” has outdone herself with what deserves to be regarded as one of
Keith Anderson "C'MON!" Sony
by Jody Mason High Country Boy All-American songwriter Keith Anderson has been writing music since his boyhood in Oklahoma and has finally released “C’MON!”, an
EMERSON DRIVE "Countrified" Midas Records
by Jody Mason Buried Treasure: Emerson Drive’s Missed Hits Emerson Drive hasn’t released an album since 2006 with “Countrified” but the 5-piece band is still
Jackopierce “Promise of Summer” Foreverything
by Lisa Kiser I’m not gonna lie – I’d never heard of these guys until I stumbled upon them on the web, and decided to
In the Footsteps of the Snowman: A Jerry Reed Retrospective
“Atlanta to Texarkana and back in twenty eight hours? That ain’t never been done before.” – Cledus Snow (The Snowman), Smokey and the Bandit In
Mike Seeger – “Last Known Interview”
The Vine of American music grew slowly at first. Traditions were passed down from person to person. Music and musicians were relatively isolated, unique to
Bonnie “Prince” Billy “Lie Down in the Light” Drag City
by Jesse Hill Will Oldham. The haunting, Appalachian shapeshifter: father, mother, son, daughter, minstrel, lumberjack, monster, goat, snake, earth, water, wind, and fire. His prolific
Opry Member Charlie Walker Passed Away Friday at 81
Excerpt from tennessean.com “Grand Ole Opry member and famed disc jockey Charlie Walker, whose shuffling, twinkling “Pick Me Up On Your Way Down” remains a
Vetiver “Thing of the Past” Gnomonsong
by Jesse Hill This is a covers record. However, unless you have spent hours in an attic filled with jars of pickled fairies, a chest
George Jones “Burn Your Playhouse Down: The Unreleased Duets” Bandit Records
The rich, throaty tones of George Jones are one of the most instantly recognizable sounds in county music. Unless this reviewer misses his guess, C&W
Earl Scruggs
Just a few quick facts about the mighty Earl Scruggs; 1) Earl Scruggs was born in Shelby, North Carolina in Cleveland County. 2) Earl began
Levon Helm “Dirt Farmer” Vanguard Records
Lindsey Oechsle “Ramble On: Levon Helm has yet to dance his Last Waltz” Sometimes even the strongest soldier falls, but folk rock legend Levon Helm
Robbie Fulks “Revenge” Yep Roc
Kyle McCraw “Sweet! Cheap! Live!” reads the cover of Robbie Fulks’ new double disc live album; Fulks even calls live albums rip-offs during the acoustic
Hayes Carll “Trouble in Mind” Lost Highway
Kyle McCraw Houston singer/songwriter, Hayes Carll plays country music. Or, maybe you want to call it roots rock or Americana. If you need a specific
Randy Travis “Around the Bend” Warner Bros.
Kyle McCraw Randy Travis has spent the last nine years recording only gospel music, and “Around the Bend” marks his return to country. Fans should