9/30 Early Women of Country & Western

Recently, popular country site “Taste of Country” posted an article entitled  Country Music’s 30 Most Powerful Women of All Time  Taking nothing away from any of their choices or opinions, I note that the furthest back they went was Kitty Wells, whose breakthrough came in 1952. I believe an “all time” list should also include those who made significant contributions to the genre even earlier, such as Maybelle Carter, as the Carter Family defined early “country music” as much as anyone, and early western stars like prolific songwriter Cindy Walker, and Patsy Montana. Here’s an article about Patsy Montana and Waylon Jennings

 

9/28/17 Update

I cut one of my all-genre lists from 100 songs to 75. I could probably stand to tighten it up a little more, but if you’re looking for something a little different: Odds & Ends, But Mostly Odds

9/27/17 Update

 

I reviewed some of my older playlists to remove broken links, and made other minor adjustments. Interesting Instrumentals is one of the all-genre offerings, and it’s back up to 250 songs.  Robert’s YouTube Channel

9/20/17 Update

I spent the last week plus in Nashville, and saw many music acts. The Country Music Hall of Fame got a lot of my time in the mornings. Lee Ann Womack’s showcase at Music City Roots included such surprise guests as Jamey Johnson. The reigning bluegrass Grammy winners, O’Connor Band, put on a great show. I could go on and on. Here’s a whole bunch of pictures: Hundreds of pictures (mostly cell phone)

9/9/17 Update

I’m going to spend all of next week on a “music vacation” to Nashville, including Americanafest, so keep an eye open for updates on Robert’s Country Blog Facebook Edition

9/7/17 Update

Expanded the 2017 New Country Showcase from 150 songs to 165.

9/6/17 – CMA Awards thoughts

For the most part, I don’t care who wins what, but I’m bored, so here are some random thoughts: CMA Awards Nominees

• Entertainer – Does Garth win again, for a “lifetime achievement” type of deal ? Does Church get credit for an absolute monster of a tour in the last year ? Does Luke get a boost from a rumored American Idol judgeship ?  Urban turns 50 next month, so do they give it to him as sort of a last hurrah before being “aged out” of mainstream radio, which generally shuns older performers ? Does Stapleton get it for the most dominant albums from 2015-present (Billboard #1 country album in 2015, again in 2016, and top 2 albums in the first half of 2017) ? My guess is Garth.
• Album – I think Chris & Jason will split a block of votes, and the two groups will split a block of votes, leaving Miranda the winner by default.
• Female Vocalist – Alison Krauss would be my pick over the choices given.
• Male Vocalist – Chris Stapleton.
• Song/single – Same finalists ? Just combine these categories… Oh, and in addition to the CMA’s choices, I suggest checking out “Outta This Town” by Sons of the Palomino, “40 Years” by Jason Eady, “Old Country Song” by Wade Hayes, “Black Jesus” by Channing Wilson, and “Lucifer And the Fallen Angels” by Ray Wylie Hubbard.
• Group – I’d have liked seeing the Steel Woods in this spot, or even a “retro” act like Sons of the Palomino or Country Side of Harmonica Sam
• Duo – Rhonda Vincent & Daryle Singletary sound great together, and would get my vote over any of the listed picks. Nothing against Maddie & Tae, but how are they nominated, when they didn’t even release an album in the last year ?
• Musical Event of the Year – The Glen Campbell/Willie Nelson one would be my pick of the five given.
• Video – “Bottle By My Bed” by Sunny Sweeney would be my pick over any of the CMA’s choices.

8/31/17 Opry Opinion

So far in 2017, the Opry added Chris Young, Crystal Gayle, and Dailey &Vincent to its official roster  of members. Carrie Underwood is the only female member under age 45. Other than the new inductee Chris Young (32), the next youngest male (excluding groups) is Josh Turner, who turns 40 this fall. At some point, the institution is going to have to include some younger folks.