country music

Willie Nelson 2 Chad Cooper
Live MusicReviewScott Rollins

Live music review: Willie Nelson in Beaumont proved life affirming

Scott Rollins 475 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

What more can really be said about Willie Nelson? He is recognized the world over and is apricated by fans of varying musical genera and backgrounds. He’s acted in movies and is arguably the most influential songwriter in county music history. He is one of the greatest icons in popular culture worldwide. Emmylou Harris once said, “if America could sing with one voice, it would be Willie’s”. Which is one reason to see his performance at Ford Park in Beaumont to see the legendary songwriter perform a life affirming show. 

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Robert Earl Keen Lyle Lovett 41 at 100
Live MusicReviewScott Rollins

Live music review: Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library

Scott Rollins 1865 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Through an uninteresting and unimportant turn of events I found myself invited to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library for a series of events called “41 @ 100”. The George and Barbara Bush Foundation presented this celebration to celebrate the 100th birthday of President George H.W. Bush. Though a graduate of Yale, President Bush was approached by Texas business and the college as a location for his presidential library. The only event I turned out for was a concert. The combination of A&M grads Lyle Lovett (class of 79), and Robert Earl Keen (class of 78) on June 14 was impossible to pass up.

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Willie Nelson PR photo The Border
AlbumReviewScott Rollins

Album review: Willie Nelson graced us with The Border

Scott Rollins 2612 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

While the populace of the politically persuaded argue over two old men in the American Presidential Race in 2024, other old men are focused on something more beautiful other than politics: Creativity. Dick Van Dyke, at 98 years old, just won a Day Time Emmy Award, his first, for his work on “Days of Our Lives” and did a little dance on the red carpet. Clint Eastwood wrapped production of a new thriller he’s directed called “Juror No. 2” at 94 years of age. Harrison Ford is still famously acting in film and two concurrent television shows at a modest 81, and Willie Nelson at 91 years old, has graced us with a wonderful new album, The Border.

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Two Step Inn 2024
Live MusicReviewRobert Dean

Live music review: Ludacris Came to Party and Hank Jr Wants You to Know He’s Not Gay at Two Step Inn

Robert Dean 1769 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

The Two-Step Inn people are getting this thing right. Last year, being the first kick-off event, there were a few holes in the ship regarding accessibility and general needs being met, but this year, they’ve kicked up everything from just a few notches to feet, including lockers to water stations and tents for drug testing. Last year, I was lucky enough to catch both days. This year, I managed to sneak into the fest only on Sunday, April 21 but what I saw was worth the risk of getting towed.

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Charlie Robison
Music NewsScott Rollinssongwriter

Charlie Robison: In Memoriam

Scott Rollins 1862 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Charlie Robison took his place amongst the fabled Texas troubadours even though he flirted with commercial success in Nashville a time or two. But he was a Texas boy. We all knew guys like Charlie, we saw them on Friday nights, around town. His relatable nature was part of his appeal. He passed on September 10, 2023 in San Antonio of complications from cardiac arrest. He was only 59.

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mandy barnett
Live MusicReviewScott Rollins

Live music review: Mandy Barnett and Symphony of Southeast Texas delivered beautiful performance

Scott Rollins 2457 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

The historic Julie Rogers Theatre is home to the Symphony of Southeast Texas (SOST), hosting classical, pops, educational, holiday performances, as well as many specials throughout the year. On October 14,  the SOST welcomed Mandy Barnett, performing music from her Nashville Songbook. 

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Two Step Inn Roger Ho
ReviewRobert Dean

Live music review: Live Nation nails Two Step Inn Festival and T-Pain carried the day

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When attending festivals, there’s a game of cat and mouse between security and journalists. And at the Two Step Inn in Georgetown April 15-16, me and my media brethren bonded like a pack of wolves. I went into the gig with wholesome intentions to capture the heart and soul of the event, despite the sun’s rays beating down on me while my boots gathered layers of dust. 

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Joshua Ray Walker
Greg AckermanReview

Live music review: Everyone has a story, Joshua Ray Walker has a lot of them and they’re all good

Greg Ackerman 661 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Joshua Ray Walker has been on the receiving end of accolades and an uptick in his career for this past year, being featured in the virtual pages of media standards Rolling Stone and Texas Monthly, while wrapping it all up on the road supporting Charley Crockett. On December 19, Walker found himself in the headline slot, bringing his cast of familiar characters to an unfamiliar stage at Coupland Dance Hall, located just 30 miles northeast of downtown Austin.

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Charley Crockett
Greg AckermanReview

Live music review: Charley Crockett and the Blues Drifters taped a magical ACL TV episode

Greg Ackerman 1482 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Last Wednesday, July 28 Charley Crockett and the Blues Drifters taped their debut Austin City Limits (ACL TV) episode. The performance was magical. Crockett and his band entered ACL Live at the Moody Theater primed for the taping, coming off a month-long run that included a number of dates on the West Coast, were ripe for a masterful performance.

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ReviewScott Rollins

Album Review: At Home with Will Courtney and the Wild Bunch

Scott Rollins 831 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Perhaps the saddest part of the vast changes in the music business is the fall of albums as a collection of songs rather than the trend of artist releasing nothing but singles. In this case, what we’re talking about here is technically an EP that dropped in September, but you’ll see what I mean as we get into this record, entitled, At Home with Will Courtney and the Wild Bunch.

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ReviewScott Rollins

Album Review: Margo Price hits the nail on the head with new record

Scott Rollins 785 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

In the unforgiving desert that is commercial country music, there is an occasional oasis of originality coupled with traditional roots. A shining example is Margo Price. She’s released her third studio album, That’s How Rumors Get Started on July 10.

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