Roy Orbison

Ten songs on "Cowboy" Jack Clement's birthday

Born in Whitehaven, Tennessee on this day in 1931, "Cowboy" Jack Clement's accolades as a prolific singer and songwriter, record and film producer, and television and radio host have been well-earned, with a career that spans over half a century and touches every nook and cranny of country music.

Sam Phillips born on this day in country music history

On this day in 1923, legendary producer, record executive, DJ and Sun Records/Sun Studios founder Sam Phillips was born to a pair of poor tenant farmers near Florence, Alabama. You likely know the name for his work founding this seminal recording studio/label, as well as for helping discover and fos ... More >>

Kopplins reopens in new location

New location brings ice cream, cupcakes, and coffee together on one street​St. Paul's premier gourmet coffee house has moved. After six years at its Hamline location, it has packed up the carafes and set up shop along Marshall Avenue in Merriam Park on what's fast becoming a super-sweet ... More >>

Brandi Carlile at the Fitzgerald Theater, 11/27/11

​Brandi Carlile with the Secret SistersNovember 27, 2011Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul"If you're in a good mood, don't get used to it," joked Secret Sisters big sis Laura Rogers at the beginning of their set. "We sing sad, depressing country music."That give-and-take between somber, soulful singing ... More >>

Roy Acuff, born on this day in country music history

​If Roy Acuff hadn't been born on this day 1903 in Maynardville, Tennessee, third of Ida Carr and Simon E. Neill Acuff's five children, Tennessee might not be the hillbilly capital of the world today. Least, if you ask former Tennessee Governor Prentice Cooper, that might be so. Not that you ... More >>

Peter Jesperson talks about the early days at Twin/Tone Records

Jennifer Jesperson​Peter Jesperson's resume includes stints with Oar Folkjokeopus (now Treehouse Records), Jay's Longhorn Bar, Rev 105, and myriad other music-related jobs. Perhaps best known for co-founding Twin/Tone Records with Paul Stark and Charley Hallman, Jesperson signed such seminal ... More >>

Dom surf into town atop a wave of buzz

Dom the Frontman still won't give up his last name

Top 10 Country Breakups

​On this day in country music history, Bob Dylan brought about the dissolution of one of the most influential bluegrass bands of all time. Well, that might be an overstatement. Read on.

Chooglin' tour diary, Vol. 2

​Written by Zach Zins of Chooglin'Previously: Volume OneBORDEAUXBordeaux turned out to be the best town and best show yet.  We rolled in early evening, got our hotel rooms, and wandered off into the city.  The Garonne river splits Bordeaux in two, and the government buildings, museums, c ... More >>

Nicole Atkins and the Black Sea at the Turf Club, 3/1/2011

Photos by Tony Nelson​Nicole Atkins and the Black Sea March 1, 2011 The Turf Club, St. Paul Nicole Atkins appeared onstage unceremoniously, said "Welcome" to the small crowd that had assembled before her at the Turf Club, and gave a short, self-conscious laugh before she tapped her tambourine ... More >>

CRITICS' PICKS

Photos by Tony Nelson​Nicole Atkins and the Black Sea March 1, 2011 The Turf Club, St. Paul Nicole Atkins appeared onstage unceremoniously, said "Welcome" to the small crowd that had assembled before her at the Turf Club, and gave a short, self-conscious laugh before she tapped her tambourine ... More >>

She & Him

Photos by Tony Nelson​Nicole Atkins and the Black Sea March 1, 2011 The Turf Club, St. Paul Nicole Atkins appeared onstage unceremoniously, said "Welcome" to the small crowd that had assembled before her at the Turf Club, and gave a short, self-conscious laugh before she tapped her tambourine ... More >>

Parliament, Broken Social Scene top our list of best mega-groups of all time

​With the 24 members of Gayngs assembling themselves for a pair of "Last Prom on Earth" shows tonight at First Avenue, we asked ourselves: Who are some other awesome, ridiculously large supergroups and mega-collaborations? Here's a short list of our faves.

Shelby Lynne

​With the 24 members of Gayngs assembling themselves for a pair of "Last Prom on Earth" shows tonight at First Avenue, we asked ourselves: Who are some other awesome, ridiculously large supergroups and mega-collaborations? Here's a short list of our faves.

Amos Lee, the Bangles, Apples in Stereo: Critics' Picks

​With the 24 members of Gayngs assembling themselves for a pair of "Last Prom on Earth" shows tonight at First Avenue, we asked ourselves: Who are some other awesome, ridiculously large supergroups and mega-collaborations? Here's a short list of our faves.

Gogol Bordello, DeVotchKa

​With the 24 members of Gayngs assembling themselves for a pair of "Last Prom on Earth" shows tonight at First Avenue, we asked ourselves: Who are some other awesome, ridiculously large supergroups and mega-collaborations? Here's a short list of our faves.

Yeasayer, Gogol Bordello, and more

​With the 24 members of Gayngs assembling themselves for a pair of "Last Prom on Earth" shows tonight at First Avenue, we asked ourselves: Who are some other awesome, ridiculously large supergroups and mega-collaborations? Here's a short list of our faves.

Beach Boys, the Kills, Mogwai, and more

​With the 24 members of Gayngs assembling themselves for a pair of "Last Prom on Earth" shows tonight at First Avenue, we asked ourselves: Who are some other awesome, ridiculously large supergroups and mega-collaborations? Here's a short list of our faves.

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band

​With the 24 members of Gayngs assembling themselves for a pair of "Last Prom on Earth" shows tonight at First Avenue, we asked ourselves: Who are some other awesome, ridiculously large supergroups and mega-collaborations? Here's a short list of our faves.

Raul Malo

​With the 24 members of Gayngs assembling themselves for a pair of "Last Prom on Earth" shows tonight at First Avenue, we asked ourselves: Who are some other awesome, ridiculously large supergroups and mega-collaborations? Here's a short list of our faves.

Play it again: Top 10 Reissues of 2008

Last Call

A small-town mayor with big-city ambitions sets off a major brouhaha in Harris

The Beautiful Ones

A bar act that croons Bob Seger while wearing pink tutus? Better make that a double.

Songs That Fall from the Sky

Meet the Handsome Family: The story of the band that forgot time

The Lie Behind the Lies

Fact-fudging memoirist James Frey is being hung for the wrong crime

David Ball: Freewheeler

Fact-fudging memoirist James Frey is being hung for the wrong crime

Real Life Rock Top 10

Placebo rediscover cro-magnon relics; culturcide revive 1985; Randy Newman says the past ain't what it used to be

Real Life Rock Top 10

David Thomas channels the ghosts of Edward Hopper, Orson Welles, and his own past

Tao of the Tumbleweed

Twang's Eastern philosopher Jimmie Dale Gilmore weaves his strange life into an Endless Night

Texas Three-Step

Decades after their only recording, the Flatlanders ride their legend from the strange plains of Lubbock to a surprising reunion

Slow Ride

Low have been heckled by crowds and dropped from their label. Now Minnesota's quietest band returns with its best album yet.

SWEET ON SWEDES

Low have been heckled by crowds and dropped from their label. Now Minnesota's quietest band returns with its best album yet.

Low Pressure Systems

Low have been heckled by crowds and dropped from their label. Now Minnesota's quietest band returns with its best album yet.