The June 16 release of Jason Isbell’s upcoming studio album, The Nashville Sound, is less than one month away. The new 10-song offering addresses a range of real-life subjects, including politics (“White Man’s World”), pressure (“Anxiety”), hope (“Something to Love”) and mortality (“If We Were Vampires”). The tender ballad, “If We Were Vampires,” was made…
The nominees for the 2017 Americana Honors & Awards were announced today (May 9), and a familiar name is front and center: Sturgill Simpson. Sturgill, who won Americana Awards in 2014 and 2015, leads the pack with three nominations in 2017, including Album, Artist and Song of the Year. Other artists with multiple nominations include…
If selling out a five-night run at the Ryman Auditorium in two hours is any indication, Jason Isbell has already perfected his “Nashville Sound.” The Grammy-winning singer/songwriter will release his upcoming album, The Nashville Sound, on June 16, as he continues a 50-plus-date tour of the U.S., including multiple stops at New York’s Beacon Theatre,…
Reba McEntire, John Prine and Jason Isbell will headline Love Letters—Thistle Farms’ 20th anniversary fundraiser—on May 3 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Thistle Farms helps female survivors of trafficking, prostitution and addiction by providing safe and supportive housing, the opportunity for economic independence and a strong community of advocates and partners. Founded by Becca Stevens in…
Singer/songwriter/musician—and all-around bad mo-fo—Jason Isbell has a new album in the works, The Nashville Sound. The new 10-song offering, which is scheduled to drop on June 16, addresses a range of real-life subjects, according to the press release, including politics and cultural privilege (“White Man’s World”), longing nostalgia (“The Last of My Kind”), love and…
Americana juggernaut Jason Isbell celebrated five years of sobriety yesterday (Feb. 6)—and what an amazing five years it’s been for the Grammy-winning artist. Since going to rehab in 2012, Jason has gotten married to Amanda Shires (2013), released award-winning albums Southeastern (2013) and Something More Than Free (2015), won two Grammys (2016) and welcomed a…
Don Williams may have announced his retirement from performing last year at the age of 76, but that won’t stop more than a dozen country superstars from paying tribute to the 50-year career of the legendary artist. Dierks Bentley, Brandy Clark, Garth Brooks, Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell and Lady Antebellum are just some of the…
Everyone makes errors—God knows we sure do. But we just couldn’t resist posting this FAIL that CNN tweeted, which mistakenly noted Faith Hill—instead of Faith Evans—as releasing a duet album with The Notorious B.I.G. Check it out. Faith Hill is releasing an album of duets with The Notorious B.I.G, 20 years after his murder https://t.co/AFZrE2RnjG…
In the final revelation of its week-long rollout of new exhibits in 2017, the Country Music Hall of Fame announced today (Jan. 13) that its new American Currents exhibit will open on March 17, 2017, and run though March 2018. The exhibit will provide an annual up-to-date snapshot of the state of country music, featuring…
If you couldn’t make it to Nashville in September for the 2016 Americana Music Festival, PBS has the next best thing with the airing of a special episode of Austin City Limits on Nov. 19. ACL Presents Americana Music Festival 2016, which will premiere on Friday, Nov. 19, 8 p.m. CT, will feature more than…
Chase McDaniel believes that listening to music in real-time can have a significant impact on listeners, rather than letting an algorithm choose what they hear. The new country artist recalls three life-changing moments he’s had while hearing songs on country radio, and McDaniel hopes his first radio single, “Burned Down Heaven,” has a similar effect…
Lainey Wilson will make her feature film debut in the Universal adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, Reminders of Him. The Grammy-winning country superstar will join a star-studded cast that includes Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, and Lauren Graham, with the film set to be directed by Vanessa Caswill. This won’t be Wilson’s first…
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kacey Musgraves clarified her previous comments on her marijuana use, revealing that she still smokes, though not to the extent she did when she was younger. “I never said I don’t ever partake,” says the 36-year-old singer. “I just don’t wake up and hit a gravity bong…
Reba McEntire has been one of the top female country stars since the ’80s, but she realizes she wouldn’t be anywhere without the support of her dedicated fans. In the new Variety cover feature on McEntire as part of their Power Of Women Nashville issue, the 70-year-old country music icon says she owes everything to…
In a new interview with Variety for their Power of Women Nashville issue, Sheryl Crow reflected on the evolving landscape of women in music, while celebrating the rise of young and talented female musicians. “The caliber of writing is just so good with Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, and Phoebe Bridgers, and these women are not…