The Oak Ridge Boys

RIP George Jones, country legend (1931-2013)

To begin a remembrance of George Jones, one need look no further than his song lyrics. "He stopped loving her today, they placed a wreath upon his door." "Yabba Dabba Doo, the King is gone, and so are you." Jones died this morning at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, after being hospitalized the ... More >>

The Ten Best Country Albums of 2012

By Alan Scherstuhl This list of the year's best country albums is assembled with two important premises in mind: First: If the people who record and listen to these records consider them country, than they're damn well country. Purists who argue that country should still sound like '68, '76, '84 or ... More >>

The 2012 presidential election through a country music fan's eyes

When it comes to political touchstones, country music is all about po' folks and old time religion, issues that largely resonate with folks no matter where they sit on the political spectrum. As we gear up for the November election, it's important to think about what you support -- not just politi ... More >>

Ray Davies, Culture Cry Wolf, and more

The Blind Boys of Alabama

Ten Country Christmas songs to try not to hate

​So you haven't finished your holiday shopping. Perhaps, in fact, you haven't even started it. Don't you feel bad about yourself? Hey, there's still plenty of time to order gift cards, which you know your folks want anyway. Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Mills Fleet Farm. Easy! So click click, th ... More >>

Justin Townes Earle, Dale Watson and Oak Ridge Boys this weekend

My favorite illegal fireworks​The Fourth of July, or Independence Day as I began calling it once I hit adolescence and wanted to say things not in rural colloquialisms but with an air of sophistication - think "Febrooary" not "Febyaray," "Attacks on the World Trade Center," not "NineEleven," a ... More >>

Sun Country's epic disappointment: Branson, Mo

We were sitting on the edge of our seats today when Sun Country airlines said they would be announcing a new destination from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Band Stand

35 concerts to soundtrack your summer.