country music – The Cosmic Clash

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

April 29, 2024 Robert Dean 222 Views 49 Winchester, Charley Crockett, country music, hank Williams Jr, Hip Hop, live music, Ludacris, Megan Maroney, Review, Turnpike Troubadours, Two Step Inn

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.

Music News Scott Rollins songwriter

Charlie Robison: In Memoriam

December 7, 2023 Scott Rollins 873 Views alt-country, Bandera, Bruce and Kelly Robison, Charlie Robison, country music, memoriam, music news, obituary, outlaw country, singer songwriter

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.

Live Music Review Scott Rollins

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

November 14, 2023 Scott Rollins 1364 Views country music, Julie Rogers Theatre, live music, Mandy Barnett, Patsy Cline, Review, SOST, Symphony of Southwest Texas

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.

Review Robert Dean

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

May 11, 2023 Robert Dean 756 Views Clay Walker, country music, Diplo, live music, Live Nation, Review, T-Pain, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, Two Step Inn, Tyler Childers, Zach Bryan

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.

Greg Ackerman Review

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

December 29, 2021 Greg Ackerman 291 Views Charley Crockett, country music, Coupland Dancehall, Joshua Ray Walker, live music, Review, singer, singer songwriter, songrwiter

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.

Greg Ackerman Review

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

August 3, 2021 Greg Ackerman 886 Views ACL TV, Austin City Limits, BLues, Charley Crockett, country music, PBS, Texas country

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.

Review Scott Rollins

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

October 27, 2020 Scott Rollins 213 Views album review, country music, Jeff Tweedy, new music, Texas music, the Wild Bunch, Will Courtney

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.

Review Scott Rollins

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

August 10, 2020 Scott Rollins 212 Views album review, alt-country, country music, Emmylou Harris, Margo Price, Nashville sound, new music, soul music, Tammy Wynette

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.

Review Scott Rollins

Album Review: Willie Nelson gives songs new life with First Rose of Spring

July 20, 2020 Scott Rollins 2825 Views album review, Americana, Billy Joe Shaver, Clint Eastwood, country music, new music, outlaw country, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson

The First Rose of Spring is Willie Nelson’s seventieth album. That is 70, seven-zero. Let that sink in a minute. The sheer volume of Nelson’s creative output is staggering. The record was released or “dropped” as the kids say, July 3, just before Nelson’s annual Fourth of July Picnic which was live-streamed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You would think there isn’t anything new to say about Willie Nelson. You would think there isn’t anything new and good enough that Nelson could sing. You’d be wrong on both counts.

Greg Ackerman Opinion

Essay: Country Music Doesn’t Suck, You Just Aren’t Listening to the Right Stuff

March 17, 2020 Greg Ackerman 813 Views Carter family, Chris Stapleton, country music, essay, Johnny Cash, Nashville, opinion, outlaw country, rock n roll, Sturgill Simpson, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson

First things first, I loathe pop-country. Even trying to explain how much I want to be thrown into a cornfield Goodfellas-style whenever Sam Hunt or Jason Aldean comes on feels like it doesn’t do justice to my description. When it comes to real country music? Inject that shit directly into my veins, because you put on some classic George Jones or Hank Williams, I’m there all day for it.

Live Review Scott Rollins

Live music review: Texas legend Lyle Lovett played Beaumont’s Jefferson Theatre

February 19, 2020 Greg Ackerman 399 Views country music, Jefferson Theatre, live music, Lyle Lovett, outlaw country, Review, Texas music

The Jefferson Theatre was privileged to host Lyle Lovett and His Acoustic Group on February 10. The theatre, located in Beaumont, Texas is designated a Texas Historical Landmark and it’s listed on The National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1927, the storied venue features an 8-Rack Morgan Organ. The Jefferson once hosted the premiere of classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life” with star Jimmy Stewart and director Frank Capra in attendance. It was the perfect place to host an equally storied Texas musician.

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