to own the rights to her music

 Taylor Swift rereleased her Red album recently in an affort to own the rights to her music.

Taylor Swift 

Back in November of 2020 Taylor talked about a sale of her masters to a third party. This transaction occurred without her knowledge or permission. Taylor started rerecording those albums and Red is the second one.  

Red is raking in the streams.

A post on morningbrew.com was the source for this post.

15 great double albums

Bold statements from artists. We get them from time to time. They are double albums.

Here is a link from goliath.com about 15 great double albums.

The 15 Greatest Double Albums in  Rock History 

More on the coronavirus:

Why coronavirus is so successful

What we know keeps changing on coronavirus

forging heavy metal

Ever take a trip back to find music that help define "heavy metal"? This can be a journey that gives us memories of our days gone by and a chance to discover music that we're not all that familiar with.

I came across a post on guitarworld.com that has 20 heavy songs that may be on a playlist or two of yours. If not, you might consider adding them.

Here's the link to the post: 20 Heavy Songs Before Black Sabbath

led zeppelin history

I came across a nice history of Led Zeppelin. It is a post in rollingstone.com that gives us a view from the beginning.

Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. Circa 1968.  (Getty)

Their first show was in Denmark.
Here's the link to the post: HOW LED ZEPPELIN CAME TO BE

udiscovermusic rates bass players

I came across udiscovermusic.com with thier list of 50 best bass players. These lists generally interest me. I decided to share it. Take a look, and come up with what you think. It lists 50. Find the link to the article at the end of this post.

Number 50 is Mel Schacher from Grand Funk Railroad.

Schacher

Number 47 is Gail Ann Dorsey

Dorsey

Number 39 is Phil Lesh of The Grateful Dead

Lesh

Number 36 is Cliff Burton of Metallica

Burton

Number 21 is John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin

Jones

The bass players carved out signature sounds. Here's the link to the story.

composing music with a.i.

Dan Tepfer taught himself coding. He found programming to be powerful. He is an excellent pianist. He has used computer programming to compose music. He has 11 different algorithms he uses to help him compose music.

Dan Tepfer

Will this method of creating music with artificial intelligence become more common? He hopes it opens up artistic horizons. If that keeps occurring, more music will be created by A.I.

When visiting Dan's website, check out Natural Selections. Click on "music" in the heading and "Natural Selections" in the dropdown box.

Here's the link to the source story from NPR.

dylan's nashville skyline

Bob Dylan's 9th studio album Nashville Skyline has turned 50 years old.

No one was anticipating a traditional country music album from Dylan.

"These are the types of songs that I always felt like writing when I've been alone to do so." 

The album was a different vocal style for Dylan. He created a new vocal persona to match his style of music. 

Nashville Skyline was recorded in 4 days

Here is the link to the Rolling Stone story about the album.

Nashville Skyline was a vocal change for Bob Dylan. https://t.co/nsuuN90SUo via @RollingStone The album turns 50. It opened up country rock. #savingcountrymusic #BobDylan #musichistory

— Mike Bertelsen (@mikebertelsen) April 12, 2019

honky tonk time machine

Congratulations to George Strait. His album Honky Tonk Time Machine is number 1 on the Billboard Album Chart. His 27th album to do so.

The single is Every Little Honk Tonk Bar is showing promise on the country airwaves. 

Saving Country Music has an excellent story on George's latest effort.

Let's enjoy this.

 

George Strait Is Back On Top with “Honky Tonk Time Machine," and In More Ways Than Onehttps://t.co/K4wwTxT0eL

— Saving Country Music (@KyleCoroneos) April 9, 2019

margo: singing to middle america and beyond

I found an article from the Washington Post about Margo Price. She started singing to middle America as a youngster, influenced by Tom Petty. Petty's music was a favorite of hers. She got into country music to get here foot in the door and ventured away for a time to voice her views on social issues. Country radio doesn't usually go for artists who share their views about the social scene. That didn't stop her.

Spotify's Margo Price billboard in Nashville

Price has found fans all over the United States. She has played at several outlaw country festivals where her following has grown. She has several folks in her corner. Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, and Kris Kristofferson, to name just three.

Price's tune All-American Made tells the story of people struggling through everyday life. It strikes a chord of hope and improvement with me. It told me not to give up. Keep going. Do what you do with care and determination. That's what Margo does.

She is nominated for best new artist at the Grammys tonight. I have this feeling she'll get it.

ken burns' country music

Documentarian Ken Burns, who looked at the history of jazz in 2001, will focus on country music for his next PBS series. Burns theorizes that through country music, we can get a better understanding of the American experience.

Burns

 Country Music is a good story to tell and Ken Burns is going to tell it.

Source for this post from BrooklynVegan 

william michael morgan

This artist is with Warner Bros. He has been an advocate of traditional country music. He has explored country's roots. William Michael Morgan's new efforts are with the traditionalist in mind.

Morgan

William Michael Morgan has spoke. His opinion tells us he cares and has concern for country music. 

Morgan has said he would like to record with Margo Price.

Source for this article from Saving Country Music: About the State of Country Music

dwight yoakam 2019 tour

Dwight Yoakam is going on tour in 2019.

Here are some of the dates:

• January 17 - Dubuque, Iowa at the Five Flags Center
• January 18 - Sioux City, Iowa at the Orpheum Theater
• February 21 - Springfield, Illinois - Sangamon Auditorium
• February 23 - Wheeling, West Virginia - Capitol Theater
• Charleston, West Virginia - The Clay Center
• Council Bluffs, Iowa - Harrah's 

Here's a complete list of the concert dates and venues: Dwight 2019 Tour

If you don’t see a date close to you, don't fret, he’ll likely have more dates to come.

2019 should be a good year for Dwight. Remember when Johnny Cash called Dwight the best voice in country music ever? I don't either, but when I read that, it was cool. Thanks Johnny!

 

randy houser and a new album

On January 11th Randy Houser releases a new album. It's called Magnolia.

Houser has also created a movie of the same name that brings to life the lyrics of the project.

“Magnolia tells my story but also tells the story of running away from something while not knowing exactly what you’re running to” - Randy Houser

Randy Houser

With a difficult shooting schedule, he had to push back the release of the album.

Read about his story on Taste of Country 

.

His album is one of the most anticipated in 2019 according to Saving County Music.

Many of the signs are pointing to many positives about this album.

saving country music's most essential albums

Saving Country Music has released their review of 2018 albums.Saving Country Music has reviewed a record number of albums (78) in 2018. 

Here are a few of what was featured.

• Pistol Annies - Interstate Gospel 
• Cody Jinks - Lifers
• Brandi Carlile - By The Way, I Forgive You
• John Prine - The Tree Of Forgiveness

 

So enjoy. Get caught up. Explore.

 

 

 

 

The ESSENTIAL ALBUMS LIST is Saving Country Music's most expansive, in-depth, and involved look at ALL the records that deserve your attention released in the past year to make sure you don't miss anything good.https://t.co/Fy3RL1pllU

— Saving Country Music (@KyleCoroneos) December 28, 2018

saving country music's 2018 artist of the year

Tyler Childers

Saving Country Music’s 2018 Artist of the Year https://t.co/N931SeUW93

— Saving Country Music (@KyleCoroneos) December 21, 2018

Standing up for the integrity of country music is not easy, especially these days when speech is increasingly stifled. Tyler stands up for his roots.

jamie lin wilson

Jamie Lin Wilson lives the good life. She's thankful for her roots.

Jamie Lin Wilson, former member of The Trishas, from Sealy TX, makes her life fulfilling. https://t.co/TSThbAUTEI #savingcountrymusic #Texas #musicians

— Mike Bertelsen (@mikebertelsen) December 21, 2018

influencing pop or being influenced?

Gary Allan is chiming in about the prop influence of country.

Gary Allan on Country Music's Mainstream: “We Used to Influence Pop. Now We’re Being Influenced by Pop.” https://t.co/56IgWsOylJ

— Saving Country Music (@KyleCoroneos) December 17, 2018

This is not the first time Gary has been outspoken on this topic. In 2016 Allan had a restart in his career.

courtney marie andrews

Thanks to @PasteMagazine for making May Your Kindness Remain the number one folk album of the year. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ID2fK9hjJD

— Courtney Marie Andrews (@courtneymamusic) December 13, 2018

margo is nominated for a grammy

Margo Price has been nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best New Artist.

Margo Price

Here's the complete list of Grammy nominations from Billboard on billboard.com 

Margo is one of six women nominated for Best New Artist.

Winners will be presented the Grammy on February 10, 2019 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  

Price released her second album All American Made in 2017 and debut album Midwest Farmer’s Daughter in 2016.

More nominee news from jambase.com

Margo is originally from Aledo, Illinois.

80's country songs

Rosanne Cash

I came across theboot.com for country music playlists. I have seen their 80's country music playlist. I started in country radio in August 1981. I was in country radio all through the 80's. 

Here's the link to the playlist: 1980s Country Fans Playlist

I have particular songs on this to point out. If you are in country radio music programming, you might consider these selections.

• Islands in the Stream - Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
• Rosanne Cash - Seven Year Ache
• All My Ex's Live in Texas - George Strait
• Why Not Me - The Judds
• Guitar Town - Steve Earle
• Can't Even Get the Blues - Reba McEntire
• I'm No Stranger to the Rain - Keith Whitley
• Mountain Music - Alabama

There's two that are first number 1's on the Billboard Country Chart: Rosanne Cash and Reba McEntire.

Use these songs in between current country songs. Check out the entire list. Expand your music horizon.