Five Questions: Samantha Crain
Oklahoma’s Samantha Crain is a musical force to be reckoned with. As a singer, her phrasing and rhythms fail to follow traditional folk patterns. And, as a songwriter, her compositions … Read More
Between the Lines: "Elephant"
She said, “Andy, you’re better than your past. So you gotta just let it go. Regret doesn’t do any of us any good, no way.” She’d always been so good … Read More
Five Questions: Iris DeMent
Some 23 years ago, Iris DeMent appeared on the singer/songwriter scene with her Infamous Angel debut. With that set, she set her own artistic bar remarkably high, particularly with the … Read More
12 Best Quips from Dolly's Return to the Ryman
After more than a decade away, Dolly Parton returned to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium last night for the first of two sold-out benefit shows. Greeted by a standing ovation, she got … Read More
Keeping Calm and Carrying On: An Interview with Ashley Monroe
When legends like Guy Clark and Vince Gill sign on to work with a young artist, you know there’s something there. Such is the case with country singer/songwriter Ashley Monroe. … Read More
Jerry Was There: Neal Casal and the Grateful Dead’s Swan Song
Recently, the Grateful Dead celebrated its 50th anniversary and bid the world adieu with five Fare Thee Well performances split between Santa Clara, California, and Chicago, Illinois. The lineup onstage … Read More
Between the Lines: "Before It Falls"
The picture from the television keeps shifting the shadows in the room. The ceiling, a Rorschach test that I’m failing. The lamp isn’t on, but a light from down the … Read More
Kacey Musgraves: Pageant Material
There’s a reason sophomore albums are considered a tough nut to crack. An artist has only a year or two to write a batch of tunes that stack up to … Read More