Kris Kristofferson at 80: An Appreciation
Singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson, who turns 80 this week, is known for saying, “heroes happen when you need ‘em.” If that is so, then I’ve needed Kristofferson -- in persona, songs, stories, and poems -- for the last 50 years. After writing so many tributes to great artists who have left
Ya Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band
There's a song by country-rock band Alabama with the lyric, “If you're gonna play in Texas, you gotta have a fiddle in the band.” But I find that governing clause a little too narrow. In almost any genre of music, that most cranky and difficult
Tony Poole (Starry Eyed and Laughing) on the Byrds and More
The Byrds created timeless music. They were folk-rock, psychedelic rock, and country rock pioneers and are — okay, I’ll come clean — my favorite band of all time.
I could go on and on about the brilliance of original Byrds Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark, David Crosby, Chris Hillman and Michael
Ryan Adams and the Infamous Stringdusters featuring Nicki Bluhm at Telluride Bluegrass
Ryan Adams took the stage at the 2016 Telluride Bluegrass Festival flanked by a full bluegrass band that turned out to be the Infamous Stringdusters featuring Nicki Bluhm. Most in the audience were surprised, since the festival program billed the set as an “unforgettable solo performance.” Turns out that festival
Blue Mountain's Dog Days
“Me and Laurie must have played every joint in Mississippi....anything to keep away from a real job,” says Dog Days founder/guitarist/vocalist Carrie Hudson. The result of all that joint jumpin' ended up being one of the most revered darlings of the Alt country scene in the
Vince Gill's Down to His Last Bad Habit
The first time Vince Gill played music in front of anybody was in the second grade. He played "House of the Rising Sun." "I was scarred early." He laughs. "I didn't know I was playing a song about a whorehouse."
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