When Michael Trottersat down on the staircase inside his home in Albion, Michigan, one day in 2017, he was ready to end his life. Grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in Iraq, Trotter thought that maybe his life insurance policy could solve his wife and young son’s financial woes …
Read More »Roy Clark's Signature Songs to Be Compiled on 'Greatest Hits' Album
Roy Clark’s skillful guitar playing and exuberant personality were highlights of his weekly appearances on the variety series Hee Haw, but the versatile entertainer also had a recording career that spanned more than five decades. Now, the fruits of Clark’s studio labor are featured in an 18-track collection that will …
Read More »Watch Amanda Shires, Jason Isbell Perform and Share Writing Advice
On Wednesday, Amanda Shires and Jason Isbell kicked off Literary Hub’s new video performance series in support of Mighty Writers, a Philadelphia-based non-profit that teaches reading and writing to thousands of low-income and marginalized students every year. Shires played fiddle and sang three songs off her album To the Sunset …
Read More »Hailey Whitters Sings Luke Combs' 'Beer Never Broke My Heart'
Hailey Whitters become a rising star in Nashville on the power of her songwriting, but in a new video released on Monday she proves to be a gifted interpreter of others’ songs as well. The Iowa native gave a little tribute to Luke Combs for his recent Song of the …
Read More »Randy Travis Takes Things One Day at a Time
In October 2016, Randy Travis was among the three new inductees selected to enter the Country Music Hall of Fame, having led a neo-traditional renaissance after his commercial breakthrough in the Eighties. During his portion of the event, he did something entirely unexpected and performed a verse of “Amazing Grace” …
Read More »Maren Morris Drops New Songs 'Just for Now' and 'Takes Two'
Maren Morris has issued a pair of new songs, nearly 15 months after the arrival of her second album Girl. The new tunes, “Just for Now” and “Takes Two,” now appear as additional tracks at the end of the streaming version of Girl. “Just for Now,” written by Morris with …
Read More »Rosanne Cash to Receive MacDowell Medal for Contributions to American Culture
Rosanne Cash has won the 2021 Edward MacDowell Medal, though the prize ceremony in her honor won’t take place until August 8th, 2021 due to the coronavirus. Named after the composer Edward MacDowell, the MacDowell Medal honors artists who have made significant contributions to American culture. Previous winners include Georgia …
Read More »American Aquarium Chronicle the 'Things That Break Us as Human Beings' on New Album
In mid-March, while Americans were beginning to reckon with job losses and isolation spurred by coast-to-coast shelter-in-place orders, BJ Barham performed the American Aquarium songbook for shut-in fans via livestream, one album at a time. On the sixth night, he debuted the band’s new album, Lamentations (New West Records), released …
Read More »Miranda Lambert, Brothers Osborne Set for 'CMT Celebrates Our Heroes' Special
UPDATE (5/12): Luke Combs, Brandi Carlile, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Kane Brown, Kristen Bell, Lauren Daigle, Sam Hunt, and Tim McGraw have been added to the CMT Celebrates Our Heroes special. CMT’s Artists of the Year television special typically takes place late in the year and honors a handful of …
Read More »Watch Keith Urban Clone Himself for Cover of Steve Winwood's 'Higher Love'
Keith Urban got a little help from himself and also himself during Global Citizen’s “One World” concert on Saturday, April 18th, performing a cover of Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” with two clones as his backing band. The concert raised $128 million in funds for COVID-19 relief. Seated on a stool …
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