country music

ReviewScott Rollins

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

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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.

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Waylon Willie and friends
Greg AckermanOpinion

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

Greg Ackerman 1837 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

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.

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LiveReviewScott Rollins

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

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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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Vince Gill
AlbumReviewScott Rollins

Album review: Vince Gill’s Okie is a pleasant surprise

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I received a text from my good friend, musical soul mate, and partner in crime, who told me to listen to new Vince Gill record “Okie”. I was about to embark on a ten-hour car ride, so I downloaded it to the old iPhone like I’d just cracked the technology that morning and listened.  What I heard truly from the record that dropped back in late August of this year impressed me.

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Dwight Yoakam
ReviewScott Rollins

Live music review: Dwight Yoakam in Lake Charles

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I regarded the beer in my hand as Kentucky-born singer took the stage, then as he plowed through three songs like a runaway train, I decided the loudest show I’ve ever been to is Dwight Yoakam. He played the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, Louisianna on September 21.

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ReviewScott Rollins

Live music review: Legendary singer Rodney Crowell kicked off tour in Houston

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The Heights Theatre on 19th Street in Houston was the setting on August 15 for legendary singer Rodney Crowell to kick off his tour supporting his fantastic new album Texas. Nestled in the Northwest quarter of the 610 Loop, in “The Heights” neighborhood of Houston, the Spanish Mission-style structure was built in the 1920s as the neighborhood movie house.

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Willie Nelson Ride Me Back Home
ReviewScott Rollins

Album review: Latest Willie Nelson album is an instant classic

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Outlaw country music pioneer Willie Nelson has perhaps been a greater influence on American music than any other singer, songwriter, or musician in history. At 86 he appears just as relevant today as anytime in his career.

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Kris Kristofferson
ReviewScott Rollins

Live music review: Kris Kristofferson and The Strangers at the Golden Nugget

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The show was four minutes late, house lights still on and I was waiting outside the door marked with the section I’d secured seats. To my right, on the other side of the hall, were five places to buy beer, wine, or something harder if the spirit took you. My bride and I had crossed the Louisiana border with two of our best friends, who share the same interest in music, politics and nearly everything else.

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AlbumGreg AckermanReview

Album review: Jesse Dayton drops outstanding new record this Friday

Greg Ackerman 422 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Austin’s Jesse Dayton is much like his influences Waylon, Willie and even The Clash and X. The music the Texas musician makes perfectly reflects those disparate styles and more. As an artist, Dayton refuses to be pigeon-holed into a particular genre. Listening to the tracks on his latest, “The Outsider” highlights the point that the singer, songwriter and guitarist is talented at presenting music regardless of genre, East Texas Blues, punk, rock, acoustic songwriter ballads in the Texas tradition all make an appearance on this outstanding new record. 

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