Waylon Jennings

Willie Nelson is 80

Willie Nelson neither looks nor seems 80 years old. This is an age reserved for, well, old people. The unhip, those not in-the-know, not totally with it. And yet, Willie turns 80 today. What's his secret? We doubt it's the weed -- sorry -- but think that it likely has more to do with his totally Z ... More >>

Meet Eleganza!, one of First Avenue's best new bands: "We want people to either fuck or fight"

Eleganza! is one of the best new rock 'n' roll bands in Minneapolis, if not the best. It was born by necessity mere months ago from the ashes of bands past and an urgency from extraordinary frontman Brian Vanderwerf, who you may know as guitarist/vocalist for the Midnight Evils, the celebrated Choog ... 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 >>

Rich Mattson honors Paul Wellstone, Uptown Bar on Ol' Yeller's Levels

By Craig Planting From 2001 until 2007, Americana roots-rockers Ol' Yeller put out five studio albums (including 2004's Sounder which won a Minnesota Music Award) and toured the country, especially Texas, over a dozen times. They became a favorite of Twin Cites musicians and local music scenesters, ... More >>

Ten George Jones career milestones ahead of his final "Grand Tour"

In his younger years, country legend George Jones was assigned the moniker "No Show Jones." Tales of his hard drinkin' and drug abuse were epic enough to make Keith Richards seem tame, and as such, he had a habit of not showing up to a lot of his own shows. But all this is behind him -- it's said he ... More >>

Top ten country songs about farming -- ahead of Farm Aid this weekend

David Allan Coe famously said that the perfect country and western song requires the following five components: Mama, trains, trucks, prison, and gettin' drunk. With all due respect to Mr. Coe, one subject seems absent: farmin'. Farming has been a part of country music since -- well, we guess the ... More >>

Buildings on strip clubs, throwing beers, and touring

Buildings are a Minneapolis noise-rock three-piece gaining a lot of traction in the U.S. and beyond, since February's release of their outstanding second record, Melt Cry Sleep (doubleplusgood). Singer/guitarist Brian Lake, drummer Travis Kuhlman, and bassist Ryan Harding look like mild-mannered guy ... More >>

Kid Rock and 22 examples of hick-hop's evolution

Country rap, or "hick-hop" as it's sometimes called, may seem to capture either the height of musical irony, or the height of its stupidity. Probably both. But in the book The Accidental Evolution of Rock 'n' Roll, prolific music journalist Chuck Eddy traces the sub-genre's roots all the way back to ... More >>

Red Daughters interview pt. 2: "We definitely listened to Cream in a graveyard"

Related:Red Daughters interview pt. 1, Varsity show ThursdayThis is the second half of a conversation with four members of the undeniably groovy Red Daughters. Their songs are satisfyingly dynamic, epic and earthy, and should be a delight alongside Bloodnstuff, Speed's the Name, and Buildings this ... More >>

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.

Ten of the World's Toughest Rodeo songs before Saturday's main event

​This ain't my first rodeo, but perhaps it could be yours. This weekend, the "World's Toughest Rodeo" tour makes its annual stop at the Xcel Energy Center (Friday and Saturday, February 3-4, 7:30, $9.50-80 with special pricing for Girl and Boy Scouts, no foolin'). In addition to bull, bareback, an ... More >>

Dylan Hicks unveils "West Texas Winds," talks upcoming novel

​What a pleasant surprise it was to see this brand new song and video from Minneapolis singer/songwriter Dylan Hicks last week. For one thing it's been far too long to have heard anything new from the "Governor of Fun." He only recently showed up with new material in one of Terry Eason "Song-A-Day ... More >>

Notable 2011 deaths in country music

It's an annual tradition to look back at year's end to those who've passed on in the previous twelve months. Whether it's just filler for the year's final broadcast of Entertainment Tonight, or Americans really do feel a need to reflect with sadness on the deaths of celebrities, I do not know. What ... More >>

10 Songs About the Slammer: This Day in Country Music History

​"I was drunk, the day my mama, got outta prison." You know the rest. But what you may not know is that this weekend, 48 years ago, country singer David Allan Coe began serving a four-year prison sentence at the Ohio State Penitentiary for car theft, possession of obscene materials, and poss ... More >>

Top 10 country songs for Father's Day

​Another tie, another jar of cologne, another set of cuff links, another Father's Day. Do you call your dad, send him a card, buy him some tools? Or how about you dedicate a collection of Father's Day songs to him by reposting this Top 10 list to his Facebook page? First, you'll have to frie ... More >>

Dale Watson with Whitey Morgan & the 78s: Save the date

​If you're reading this, there's a good chance you like country music. There's an even better chance you never had a chance to see two of the most important figures in country music perform live during their heyday.

Earl Scruggs: 10 tidbits in honor of his birthday

​Happy 87th birthday to Foggy Mountain Boy Earl Scruggs! Scruggs, who along with Lester Flatt formed one of the most influential bluegrass outfits of all time, was born on this day 1924 in the small town of Flint Hill, North Carolina, and by the age of 21 was showcasing his syncopated, three-f ... More >>

Jamey Johnson to play benefit at Fine Line Friday

Courtesy of jameyjohnson.com​So you're a hipster who hates country music but loves Waylon Jennings. Despises Keith Urban and Toby Keith but digs on Cash. Thinks Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift can burn in a pyre of blonde extensions and Auto-tune processors but thinks Loretta in her black wi ... More >>

Rockford Mules team with Mark Har for "Ma, They Broke Me"

​So. This is my weekly country music blog. Question one: Are local band Rockford Mules country? Well, s'pose just as much as any other Southern Rock outfit - think Marshall Tucker, Skynyrd, Ozark Mountain Devils - might be considered such (hell, I heard someone cover Georgia Satellites at Gill ... More >>

Patriotic country songs: The good, the bad, the ugly

​Happy Armistice slash Veterans Day! This is the day we're supposed to be patriotic, but without blowing anything up. And so on this day, I'm going to remember that services for veterans are woefully underfunded, that Don't Ask Don't Tell is bullshit policy, that women comprise over 14% of active- ... More >>

Travis Tritt at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 10/13/10

Photo by Nikki Miller​Travis Tritt October 13, 2010 Burnsville Performing Arts Center Prologue: How does one write sincerely yet un-self-consciously about the solo and acoustic performance of one of her favorite performers from her adolescence? She gets very drunk, that is how. Brutal, unabas ... More >>

Jerry Jeff Walker ('Mr. Bojangles') to play Zoo Saturday

​In 1965, an Upstate New Yorker turned National Guardsman gone AWOL turned traveling busker turned Greenwich Village folk scenester was thrown in a New Orleans jail for public intoxication, where it came that he... knewaman - Bojangles - and - he'ddance - for... oh, it's only one of the most-playe ... More >>

Shooter Jennings and Hierophant play Cabooze Saturday

​ I'm gonna tell you somethin', and then you're gonna judge me. I really, really like Tool. Now that that's out of the way, I'm gonna tell you that Shooter Jennings, progeny of country legends Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter, just put out a concept album under the band name Hierophant. I'v ... More >>

First Ave's Nate Kranz talks favorite shows, restaurants, and growing up with rock 'n' roll

Photo by Sarah Sandusky​There's always been one consistent thing about First Avenue, throughout the years: the staff comes with a deep love of music. From the door person who frisks you at the door to the booking agent in the office, the staff has always been made up of people who liked the music ... More >>

Mac Davis's birthday and 10 ramblin' songs

Today, one of country's best relationship-phobes turns 68. Ten songs to get hooked on... but not too hooked. I don't want no clingin' vine! You're smothering me!

Crazy Heart director talks country music, Jeff Bridges

First time writer/director/producer Scott Cooper talks to Gimme Noise about his Oscar-buzzworthy film.

Songs for "I'm Not Going to Take It Anymore Day"

Situated between Cuddle Day and Man Watcher's Day, a badass country playlist celebrating the day to tell everyone to shove it.

Are You Ready for the Country: How to tune a turd

Ten ways I'd put the hurt on Kanye West.

Heidi Newfield and Hot Roxx to cover the best and worst of country

Cabooze, Club Jäger and Cracker Barrel. Three ways to catch your country music this week.

2009 Vans Warped Tour

Mos Def, Gear Daddies, Warped Tour, and more

Matt Jennings: The other brother

Folk artist Matt Jennings is singing a different tune from his big-time sibling Mason

Minnesota Pride: White Iron Band celebrates 10th birthday

Audio Rorschach

Chooglin' leader Brian Vanderwerf opens ears, mouths off

Toby Keith, "Honkytonk U"

Radio Gaga

To The Moon, Anton

33 fainting spells spaces out Chekhov's 'Ivanov'

Texas Three-Step

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

Willie Nelson: Teatro

A New Flame