Mason Ramsey recently returned toThe Ellen DeGeneres Showto perform his latest single, a classic country arrangement of the Bing Crosby holiday staple “White Christmas.” Performing in a sparkling holiday suit, Ramsey added his own idiosyncratic flair to the standard, written by Irving Berlin in the early 1940s. The 12-year-old country …
Read More »10 Best Country, Americana Songs of the Week: Kacey Musgraves, Greensky Bluegrass
A new song from Greensky Bluegrass, the title track of Kacey Musgraves‘ CMA award-winning Golden Hour and a dancehall-ready entry from Mike and the Moonpies make up the songs you must hear this week. Greensky Bluegrass, “All for Money” The title track from Greensky Bluegrass’ upcoming seventh album, All for …
Read More »Flashback: Ricky Skaggs Crosses the Atlantic for 'Country Boy'
During this week’s CMA Awards, three new inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame will be recognized. Along with legendary fiddle player Johnny Gimble and singer-songwriter Dottie West, both being recognized posthumously, eight-time CMA award winner Ricky Skaggs will be honored and is also listed as a performer. The …
Read More »Hayes Carll Readies New Album 'What It Is'
Hayes Carll‘s high-school teacher was one of the first to notice a particular quirk possessed by the Texas-born singer-songwriter: a penchant to look toward the endings of things, not the beginnings — and most certainly not the here and now. “Every one of my poems and songs and short stories …
Read More »Flashback: Tony Joe White, Foo Fighters Play 'Polk Salad Annie' on 'Letterman'
When Dave Grohl filmed the Nashville episode of his HBO music docuseries Sonic Highways, he spent time talking swamp rock with gravelly-voiced singer-guitarist Tony Joe White. The Louisiana native, who died Wednesday at 75, went on to jam with Grohl and the Foo Fighters a few times afterward, including a …
Read More »See Kelleigh Bannen's Lamenting 'Happy Birthday' Video
It borrows the title of a celebratory song sung around the world on a daily basis, but Kelleigh Bannen‘s “Happy Birthday,” as depicted in the Nashville native’s melancholic new video, isn’t aiming to get the party started. Penned by Bannen with Claire Douglas and Dallas Wilson, “Happy Birthday” is a …
Read More »Hear Justin Moore's Heartfelt New Song 'The Ones That Didn't Make It Back Home'
Justin Moore raises a glass to fallen soldiers in his heartfelt new single “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home,” his first new music in two years. Co-written by Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill, and Jeremy Stover — who co-produced the track with Big Machine Label Group President Scott …
Read More »Hear Soccer Mommy's Ethereal Cover of Dixie Chicks' 'Wide Open Spaces'
If you’ve seen Sophie Allison on tour — aka Soccer Mommy — it’s possible you’ve seen her sporting a Billy Ray Cyrus shirt, a vintage score she picked up on the road. It makes sartorial sense for Allison, after all, who is from Nashville and grew up on a steady …
Read More »See Eric Church's Acoustic Performance of New Song 'Hippie Radio'
Songs built around the lyrics or titles of other songs can often tilt toward the lazy. But Eric Church‘s new “Hippie Radio,” off the just released album Desperate Man, finds a smart way to nod to gems of the past. “My daddy had a Pontiac on the beiger side of …
Read More »10 Best Country and Americana Songs of the Week: Kelsea Ballerini, Walker McGuire
A country-EDM collaboration from Kelsea Ballerini and the Chainsmokers, an arena-sized jam about getting older from emerging duo Walker McGuire and an irresistible 1990s homage from Kane Brown are all featured in this week’s list of best country and Americana songs. https://youtu.be/BtJg0yYzcVQ William Matheny, “Christian Name” Alt-country guitars meet power-pop …
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