Austin’s Broken Spoke Moves Towards Historic Preservation
Many of the venues that once established Austin, Texas as the Live Music Capital of the World have been shuttered in recent years as the city deals with rapid growth and soaring real estate prices. But...
View ArticleCountry Music Legends as a Deck of Cards
For years I've been thinking that a cool way to present the legends of country music would be to illustrate the genre's top artists through a deck of cards. Where to place what artist, what suit would...
View ArticleThe Legendary Longhorn Ballroom Finally Sets Re-Opening
The Longhorn Ballroom was one of the most important venues in country music for many years. When it opened in 1950, it was known as Bob Wills' Ranch House, and was one of the major venues in Western...
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...
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Album 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...
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Davy 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...
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10 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...
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The 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...
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Sammy 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...
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Album 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...
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Austin 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...
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After 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...
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Legendary 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...
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Han 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...
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Country 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...
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Think 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...
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40 Years Ago: Alabama Records Ode to The Fiddle & Texas
It's a bit ironic that it's a band from Alabama that most famously explained the importance of the fiddle to music from Texas, but few if anyone will complain how they did it, and 40 years ago today....
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...
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