During the second of her six sold-out concerts at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Brandi Carlile joined Lucie Silvas — the British-born, Nashville-based singer whose vocal ferocity and incisive songwriting are akin to her own — for a thundering cover of Bonnie Tyler‘s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Dusky and soulful, Silvas’ …
Read More »Dolly Parton Is Recording Music to Release After Her Death
As far as anyone knows, Dolly Parton is mortal just like the rest of us, despite her seemingly boundless musical creativity and industrious hustle. Unlike most of the rest of us, however, she actually has a plan to preserve her musical legacy for all the generations yet to come. In …
Read More »10 Best Country Christmas Songs to Hear Now: Keith Urban, Kacey Musgraves
Keith Urban comes up with a holiday original, Kacey Musgraves recruits Lana Del Rey to sing a classic, Wade Bowen tries to do his best Mariah, and more Christmas-themed country and Americana songs to hear this week. Brandy Clark, “Merry Christmas Darling” Brandy Clark brings out the melancholic ache in …
Read More »The Haden Triplets, Nick Offerman Spoof TV Variety Shows in 'Every Time I Try' Video
The Haden Triplets – siblings Petra, Rachel, and Tanya – offer another sneak peek of their forthcoming LP, The Family Songbook, with the heavy-hearted “Every Time I Try,” accompanied by a video that pays tribute to syndicated country-music television programs that were popular weekend viewing from the Fifties to the …
Read More »The 2019 CMA Awards' Attempt to Honor Women Goes Sideways
“Play our f-ckin’ records. Please and thank you.” So read the inside of Jennifer Nettles’ cape on the CMA Awards red carpet, while the back of the Sugarland singer’s suit jacket bore the words “equal play.”Early in the evening, it seemed as if the sartorial statement may indicate a more …
Read More »CMA Awards 2019: Carrie Underwood, Highwomen Set for All-Star Opening Performance
With the superstar trio of Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood co-hosting next week’s CMA Awards telecast, the night’s festivities are already set to make history. The newly announced opening performance of the show adds another historic element with the co-hosts teaming with two generations of women in country …
Read More »Cody Jinks Cancels Texas Concert Over 'Threat of Violence'
Cody Jinks, the independent country singer who has built a rabid fan base with his straightforward lyricism and classic-country sound, canceled his concert slated for Saturday night in Nacogdoches, Texas, because of an unspecified “threat of violence.” The Texas native announced the cancellation via a series of tweets two hours …
Read More »CMA Awards 2019: Dolly Parton, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church Set to Perform
The 53rd annual CMA Awards will feature performances from some of country’s biggest stars, the usual crossover collaborations, and at least one bona fide icon. The initial lineup for the show, which airs live on November 13th, includes Dolly Parton, Eric Church, and Miranda Lambert. Country Music Hall of Fame …
Read More »How Drew Holcomb Quietly Became One of Americana's Most Popular Stars
The rigors of the road took a toll on Drew Holcomb. Around the release of 2017’sSouvenir, the sturdy-voiced Tennessee troubadour — originally from Memphis, but now based in Nashville — was exhausted by the nonstop cycle of churning out albums, then touring relentlessly in support, and wound up hospitalized for …
Read More »Flashback: Loretta Lynn Makes Her Grand Ole Opry Debut
Fifty-nine years ago today, on Saturday, October 15th, 1960, Loretta Lynn, the daughter of a Kentucky coal miner, took the stage of the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. With her debut single climbing the charts, the young wife and mother of four (who would later have a fifth …
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