The good times continued through the weekend at the premiere edition of the Conroe Americana Music Festival. Fair weather, a strong lineup and a relaxed vibe made for a fine experience for the hundreds in attendance in the small city north of Houston.
Drew Holcomb and Neighbors set for Ryman
This is a very big weekend for Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors. They’re playing two nights at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville – and they just have to drive across the river to get to their shows.
2017 Americana Music Awards nominees announced
The Americana Music Association unveiled its nominees for the 2017 Americana Music Awards in a press event at the Country Music Hall of Fame. It’s a nice mix of veterans (Rodney Crowell, John Prine), today’s mainstays (Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson) and emerging artists (Aaron Lee Tasjan, Margo Price and more.)
Conroe Americana Music Festival: Day One
The inaugural Conroe Americana Music Festival got off to a promising start on Friday, May 5, in the charmingly restored downtown area of the small city north of Houston.
Preview: Conroe Americana Music Festival
he Conroe Americana Music Festival set to debut May 5-7 in Conroe, Texas. The event, described by the promoters as “a grassroots premier festival featuring a mix of Bluegrass, Rockabilly, Folk, Texas Country, Roots Rock, Blues, and Americana music,”
New release: Two Tracks’ “Post Card Town”
Coming May 19 is Postcard Town , the new album from the Wyoming-based Two Tracks. I
Reissue: James Talley’s “Tryin’ Like the Devil”
James Talley’s “Tryin’ Like the Devil” is now back in a 40th anniversary edition, released by Talley’s own Cimarron Records. This edition comes with extensive liner notes and full lyrics.
Review – Rodney Crowell’s “Close Ties”
There’s a little looking forward, a lot of looking back, and more than a hint of unfinished business in Rodney Crowell’s latest collection, Close Ties.
The Whiskey Gentry’s new album “Dead Ringer” released
The Whiskey Gentry have just released “Dead Ringer,” their first album since 2013 and it marks a vibrant step forward for this Atlanta-based band.
Music legend B.J. Thomas at the Franklin Theater
B.J. Thomas described himself as “crabby” during his appearance Friday night at the Franklin theater just down the road from Nashville. It was an evening of awkward silences and some irritation with the lighting. But it really didn’t matter. B.J. Thomas has always had a great pop voice and he ably performed songs from throughout his career, including his first hit…
Prince conference planned for May
Salford University, Manchester, England – An original member of The Revolution will talk about his time playing with Prince as part of the first ever conference devoted to the music legend.
Buildings across the city will be turned purple to mark the University of Salford’s Purple Reign:An Interdisciplinary Conference on the Life and Legacy of Prince held at The Lowry arts centre and the University’s Media City UK campus on May 24-26.
The event, hosted by the University and their US partners Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), will pay tribute to the star who died last April, and is thought to be the first ever conference dedicated solely to the Minneapolis-born funk legend.
25th Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival
By Ken Paulson Tin Pan South, an extraordinary songwriters festival set in Nashville, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year with a full slate events scheduled from March 28 through April 1. The Tin Pan South festival features small groups of successful songwriters, typically playing in the the round (or in a row.) Some songwriters are more polished performers than others,…
Re-issue: Lesley Gore’s “Love Me By Name”
“Love My By Name,” an adventurous album with a sci-fi cover, reunited Lesley Gore with producer Quincy Jones, who recorded all of her early “It’s My Party”-era hits.
Taking cover on Cayamo 2017
Singer-songwriters usually, and understandably, focus on their own songs when performing. But many also perform songs they didn’t write, especially in a festival setting like Cayamo 2017.
Quotable Cayamo 2017
Things musicians say between songs are sometimes funny, sometimes profound, sometimes both. Here are some notable quotes from the stages of Cayamo 2017.
Cayamo music cruise review: An astounding line-up
The 10th edition of the Cayamo music cruise enjoyed sunny skies, smooth seas and a fairly astounding musical lineup.
Doyle and Debbie interview: Behind the scenes
Doyle and Debbie are the lead characters in an irreverent musical that parodies traditional country songs in a non-traditional way. “When You’re Screwin’ Other Women (Think of Me)” pretty much says it all.
New: Mavericks, Rodney Crowell, Drew Holcomb
“Brand New Day,” first Mavericks @MavericksMusic studio CD on own label, stands with their best, particularly title track. https://t.co/Sqfz4GhNOe — Americana Music News (@KenPaulson7) February 27, 2017 “Close Ties” from @RodneyJCrowell due March 31. Fine album, esp. nod to @GuyClarkKCA and “Nashville 1972”. https://t.co/M8S3TYQBaQ — Americana Music News (@KenPaulson7) February 27, 2017 New @drewholcomb “Souvenir” due March 24. Our favorite…
Cayamo 2017: A music cruise preview
Much of the Cayamo 2017 lineup reads like a Who’s Who of previous Cayamos – Emmylou Harris, Brandi Carlile, Richard Thompson, Rodney Crowell, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, Steve Earle, Paul Thorn, Glen Phillips and Jim Lauderdale, among others.
Lari White’s “Old Friends, New Loves”
Lari White, literally a star of stage, screen and recordings, has a new double-EP out called Old Friends, New Loves.