Johnny Knoxville : Supporter of REAL Country Music
You might be surprised to learn that Jackass mastermind and actor Johnny Knoxville is a big fan of underground / outlaw country music. Not only that, at times he’s gone out of his way to lend his name...
View ArticleThe Ruby Jane Show Live . . . and Hope
I’m convinced. Ruby Jane was sent to earth by God to save country music. All accolades I lapped on the 15-year-old fiddle-playing fenom when I said You Need Ruby Jane In Your Life were validated, if...
View ArticleThe Quebe Sisters Are Good. Real Good.
On Friday night I was treated to Western swing heaven as Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel brought his Bob Wills musical A Ride With Bob to my neck of the woods. (You can read my review of the show on...
View ArticleAlbum Review – Willie Nelson’s “Heroes”
This album is good both because it is Willie, and because it is good. After years of navigating through a gray area in his career and having to dabble with some record labels probably less able to do a...
View ArticleDavy Jay Sparrow’s “All Nite Long!”
No ladies and gentlemen, Western Swing is not dead; not when Davy Jay Sparrow is on the job, doing his level best to keep the distinguished country music sub-genre fresh and fun by forging ahead with...
View Article10 Badass Merle Haggard Moments
Of all the country music greats, Merle's story might be the most symbolic of the American experience: from growing up in California as the son of Okie parents during The Depression, to spending time in...
View ArticleThe Most Important Drum Set in Country On Display At Cash Museum
The Legends of Sun Records exhibit will showcase many artifacts and much information about the original class of Sun Records stars, but one man, and one particular piece of memorabilia might be worth...
View ArticleSammy Brue – Or The Young Man on the “Single Mothers” Album Cover
Every Justin Townes Earle album cover has featured Earle himself and a pretty woman somewhere in close vicinity to him, and just exactly who these pretty women are is part of the fun and mystery. But...
View ArticleAlbum Review – Garth Brooks’“Man Against Machine”
The truth is, Garth was never going to live up to the lofty expectations many were foisting upon his re-entry into the country fold. Forget the naysayers who still can't get over his high wire act at...
View ArticleAustin City Limits Announces New Class to Hall of Fame
As the longest running music show on TV enters its 40th season, Austin City Limits has announced its second installment of inductees into its Hall of Fame founded in 2014. The original crew of the...
View ArticleAfter 55 Years, The Louisiana Hayride Is Coming Back
The Louisiana Hayride is on its way back, and in a big way. Arguably the 2nd most influential music program in country music history, only rivaled in stature by The Grand Ole Opry, it's been an effort...
View ArticleLegendary Texas Fiddle Player Johnny Gimble Has Passed Away
Texas Playboy, Million Dollar Band member, and legendary country and Western Swing fiddle player Johnny Gimble has passed away. Known best as one of the primary fiddle players in Bob Wills' Western...
View ArticleHan Solo is Apparently a Huge Traditional Country Fan
Who hadn't thought that when Han Solo was outrunning Imperial starships in the Millennium Falcon---not the local bulk-cruisers mind you, I'm talking about the big Corellian ships now---that he wasn't...
View ArticleCountry Music’s Royal Court and Founding Family
If you're into country music and the history of it, you're probably used to hearing about the "King" of this, or the "Father" of that. Since the history of country music is so important to keeping the...
View ArticleThink Horns Don’t Belong in Country? Then You Don’t Know Don Markham
For 40 years, Don Markham was the horn player in Merle Haggard's backing band, The Strangers. In fact he outlasted every other permanent member in the band, and aside from a few hiatuses throughout the...
View ArticleLeon Rausch, The Voice of Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys, Has Died
Fans of country music most all recognize the name of Bob Wills as the King of Western Swing. But if you're listening to the music of Bob Wills, it's often Leon Rausch you hear singing. A fixture of...
View ArticleReview – Episode 2 Of Ken Burns Country Music Film, “Hard Times”
The first episode of the Ken Burns Country Music documentary tasked itself to define what country music is by delving deep into its origins and original purveyors. The second episode called "Hard...
View ArticleJohnny Knoxville : Supporter of REAL Country Music
You might be surprised to learn that Jackass mastermind and actor Johnny Knoxville is a big fan of underground / outlaw country music. Not only that, at times he’s gone out of his way to lend his name...
View ArticleThe Ruby Jane Show Live . . . and Hope
I’m convinced. Ruby Jane was sent to earth by God to save country music. All accolades I lapped on the 15-year-old fiddle-playing fenom when I said You Need Ruby Jane In Your Life were validated, if...
View ArticleThe Quebe Sisters Are Good. Real Good.
On Friday night I was treated to Western swing heaven as Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel brought his Bob Wills musical A Ride With Bob to my neck of the woods. (You can read my review of the show on...
View Article