American Aquarium‘s BJ Barham returns to Walking the Floor for the second time in three years, talking once again with host Chris Shiflett about the endurance, drive and resilience needed to sustain a career in today’s alt-country scene. “You have to realize you’re catching a vibe — you’re not gonna …
Read More »CMA Fest 2019: Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert to Perform
CMA Fest will return to Nashville for its 48th year in early June, with musical performances and fan-oriented experiences taking place at numerous locations across downtown Nashville. The music continues through every evening with concerts at Nissan Stadium, which will feature Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley in this …
Read More »10 Best Country, Americana Songs of the Week: Jack Ingram, Tenille Townes
Long-awaited new music from Texas troubadour Jack Ingram, another stunner from promising songwriter Tenille Townes and the latest message of self-love from Sarah Potenza make up the must-hear tracks of the week. Daddy Long Legs, “Glad Rag Ball” Dropping the fuzz and amplification for this acoustic blues-jam-in-a-park, New York trio …
Read More »See Michael Ray's Acoustic Cover of Randy Travis' 'He Walked on Water'
Michael Ray has been known to break out a classic country cover from time to time and, in a new Grand Ole Opry “Radio Replay” video, the “One That Got Away” singer offers up brief rendition of Randy Travis‘ “He Walked on Water.” “It’s a song that I played at …
Read More »How Our Native Daughters Reimagine Folk Song Narratives
As she tends to do, Rhiannon Giddens had an idea. The singer-banjoist and MacArthur Genuis had convened a group of fellow artists — Allison Russell, Leyla McCalla and Amythyst Kiah —in January 2018 to record the collaborative concept album Songs of Our Native Daughters to interpret and revive long-extinct forms …
Read More »Darius Rucker to Receive Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award
Darius Rucker‘s philanthropic work on behalf of children will be recognized with a special award later this year. The “For the First Time” singer and Hootie & the Blowfish frontman is set to receive the Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award during the Music Biz 2019 Awards and Hall of Fame …
Read More »10 Best Country and Americana Songs to Hear Now: Reba McEntire, Steve Earle
A classic Reba McEntire ballad, a Guy Clark cover from his acolyte Steve Earle and a Spanglish love song from the Last Bandoleros make up our list of the best country songs to hear this week. The Last Bandoleros, “Enamorado” A bilingual love song, “Enamorado” mixes the ramped-up romance of …
Read More »Del McCoury's 80th Birthday: Inside His Opry Bash With Dierks Bentley, Vince Gill
Bluegrass bandleader Del McCoury, who turned 80 years old on February 1st, celebrated his birthday on the Grand Ole Opry stage Wednesday night surrounded by family, friends and fellow musicians. The celebration of McCoury’s life transformed the long-running live radio show into the “Grand Del Opry.” The evening of musical …
Read More »See Kassi Ashton's Colorful 'Violins' Video
“I’ve got my own marching band/Guess I lost my give a damn,” snarls Kassi Ashton in her current single “Violins,” rebuffing a clingy ex with cool nonchalance. In the song’s new video, Ashton imagines a high school scene where she’s the baddest drum major in town. “I wanted something — …
Read More »Trisha Yearwood on Frank Sinatra Tribute Album, Writing With Garth Brooks
In 2015, Trisha Yearwood was one of the artists selected for the Recording Academy’s all-star tribute to Frank Sinatra, during which she performed “I’ll Be Seeing You.” The event’s musical director, producer Don Was, asked her backstage if she’d ever considered doing a full album of standards. She told him, …
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