The Last Bandoleros, the country-rock band who blend elements of the early Beatles with Tejano vibes, have released a new song, the mysteriously titled “Dancing With Irene.” Propelled by a twangy Buck Owens riff and country beat, the track highlights the group’s tight harmonies. But Irene is more of a …
Read More »See Chris Stapleton Perform Dark, Dramatic 'There Ain't No Easy Way'
On Tuesday, Chris Stapleton paid tribute to two of his bluegrass heroes, Darrell Scott and Tim O’Brien, with a scorching cover of their song “There Ain’t No Easy Way.” Performing at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium for the Universal Music Group luncheon during Country Radio Seminar, Stapleton refers to Scott and O’Brien …
Read More »Hear 'WD-40' Duo Muscadine Bloodline's Tenacious New Song 'Movin' On'
One of the fundamental challenges facing new country artists like the duo Muscadine Bloodline is the simple act of getting someone to pay attention for an entire song. The solution for Alabama natives Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton, who make up Muscadline Bloodline, is to keep introducing musical ideas, which …
Read More »How Country Music Is Helping Las Vegas Heal After Route 91 Tragedy
With tall casino buildings surrounding him, Matt Farmer stood near the sound booth watching country star Kip Moore perform a 90-minute set outdoors on Las Vegas’ famed Freemont Street. At one point, Farmer, a local entertainment manager, looked up at the hotels. “Is that a sniper up there?” he wondered, …
Read More »How Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers Turned a Loose Tour into Annual Tradition
Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen have never been ones to overthink things when they get together. These are two guys who named their freewheeling acoustic shows the Hold My Beer and Watch This Tour, after all. This summer, they staged another Hold My Beer Tour to commemorate its 10th anniversary …
Read More »Watch Kane Brown's Jet-Setting 'Found You' Video
Kane Brown‘s rise from internet sensation to legitimate country radio hitmaker has been a swift one, with the singer’s self-titled debut LP appearing late in 2016 and his single “What Ifs” reaching Number One in late October. In a new video for “Found You,” a track from the deluxe edition …
Read More »Mel Tillis, Country Entertainer and Songwriter, Dead at 85
Mel Tillis, as famed for his recording career and songwriting as he was for his lifelong stutter, died early Sunday morning at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Florida, following a lengthy illness. A representative confirmed the singer’s death, citing respiratory failure as the suspected cause. He was 85. As …
Read More »See Tommy Emmanuel, Amanda Shires' Wistful Cover of Madonna's 'Borderline'
Guitarist Tommy Emmanuel is in collaborative mode for his forthcoming album Accomplice One, which arrives in early 2018. On the new collection, Emmanuel – designated a “Certified Guitar Player” by Chet Atkins – combines his staggering playing with an impressive cast of country and roots musicians including singer-songwriter Amanda Shires, …
Read More »Eagles, Vince Gill Thrill at Hits-Heavy Grand Ole Opry Concert
For nearly the same number of years that the Eagles have been together, fusing country and rock and becoming one of the best-selling, most popular bands of all time, the Grand Ole Opry House has been home to country music’s longest-running live radio show. On Sunday night, at a special …
Read More »Hear Turnpike Troubadours' Chugging New Song 'Pipe Bomb Dream'
Rooted in Red Dirt country-rock and spaghetti-western twang, Turnpike Troubadours‘ “Pipe Bomb Dream” tells the story of a military man who comes home, only to find himself on the losing end of the law. “In all fairness, Jonny [Burke] and RC [Edwards] wrote this song, mostly,” says frontman Evan Felker. …
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