Willie Nelson – The Cosmic Clash

Live music review: Willie Nelson in Beaumont proved life affirming

October 30, 2024 Scott Rollins 475 Views Bobbie Nelson, country music, Ford Park, live music, Review, songwriter, The Border, The Last Leaf on the Tree, Willie Nelson, Williie and Family

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.

Album Review Scott Rollins

Album review: Willie Nelson graced us with The Border

June 11, 2024 Scott Rollins 2612 Views album review, Buddy Cannon, country music, new music, outlaw country, Rodney Crowell, songwriter, The Border, Willie Nelson

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.

Greg Ackerman Review

Live music review: The Flaming Lips played Luck Reunion 10th Anniversary series Saturday

October 2, 2022 Greg Ackerman 1721 Views live music, Luck Ranch, Luck Reunion, psych-rock, Review, The Flaming Lips, Wayne Coyne, Willie Nelson

If there is such thing as a beloved SXSW satellite event, it’s Luck Reunion which takes place on Willie Nelson’s Luck Ranch each March. Since the event began, a lot has changed, including the owners tolerance for concerts on the property. The Luck Reunion 10th Anniversary Series continued last night with The Flaming Lips and Nelson’s son, Micah with his band, Particle Kid.

Drew Doggett Review

Live music review: My Morning Jacket Delivers One Big Holiday to Moody Amphitheater

May 4, 2022 Drew Doggett 1547 Views George Strait, Jim James, live music, MMJ, Moody Amphitheater, My Morning Jacket, Review, Willie Nelson

Where most artists deliver the runtime of a long HBO episode, a My Morning Jacket set is an epic Peter Jackson film. On April 29 in Austin, the band played a two-hour, 45 minute marathon, with nearly as many songs (22) as years they have been together (24). In other words, it was your typical, kick-ass MMJ set.

Greg Ackerman SXSW 2021

SXSW: 2021 Digital version prompts more questions than it answers

March 19, 2021 Greg Ackerman 355 Views A Place to Bury Strangers, Alexis Ohanian, APTBS, Dedstrange, LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, South by Southwest, SXSW, SXSW online, The Mysterines, Willie Nelson, X-Ray Specs

When we realized we would be covering South By Southwest (SXSW) this year from the comfort of our living room, it became clear our coverage of the festival was going to change significantly in 2021.

Review Scott Rollins

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

July 20, 2020 Scott Rollins 4056 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.

Review Scott Rollins

Album Review: Homegrown released by Neil Young 45 years later

June 22, 2020 Scott Rollins 559 Views acoustic, album, Americana, Cameron Crowe, Homegrown, Merle Haggard, Neil Young, new music, Review, songwriter, Townes Van Zandt, Willie Nelson

While I am not one to fall into regret, I do enjoy exploring the road less traveled. That turn you didn’t take, the zig when you should have zagged, the song no one else recorded, or the B-side the DJ never flipped. I love discovering “new old music” as exemplified on Neil Young’s record Homegrown which was released last week; 45 years after it was recorded.

Greg Ackerman Opinion

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

March 17, 2020 Greg Ackerman 1837 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.

Album Preview Scott Rollins

Album preview: upcoming Rodney Crowell record Texas highlights songcraft

July 11, 2019 Scott Rollins 497 Views album review, Americana, country, Guy Clark, Lyle Lovett, Rodney Crowell, Scott Rollins, songwriter, Steve Earle, The Cosmic Clash, Willie Nelson

My favorite songwriter, however, is Rodney Crowell. His new record, TEXAS is phenomenal. A true work of art. The record is due out August 15. Crowell will be performing in support of the record launch on that same day at The Heights Theater in Houston.

Review Scott Rollins

Album review: Latest Willie Nelson album is an instant classic

July 3, 2019 Scott Rollins 1485 Views album, Americana, Billy Joel, country music, Guy Clark, Lukas Nelson, outlaw country, Review, singer, songwriter, Willie Nelson

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.

Album Greg Ackerman Review

Album review: Jesse Dayton drops outstanding new record this Friday

June 5, 2018 Greg Ackerman 422 Views album review, alt-country, country music, Guy Clark, Jesse Dayton, Music, outlaw country, Texas music, The Clash, The Outsider, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, X

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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