country Archive
17 Sep 2024
Jewel’s Journey to Now (Part 2 of 4)
Continued from Part One… The way it’s often told, the circumstances of your “discovery” some years ago are kind of a fairy tale story… That was a very intense and […]
16 Sep 2024
Jewel’s Journey to Now (Part 1 of 4)
Jewel (Kilcher) has defined success on her own terms. With a fascinating and unusual backstory, the Alaska native sailed against the prevailing musical tides of ‘90s grunge, proving that there’s […]
30 Jul 2024
Album Review: Rome 56 – Paradise is Free
Heartland twang, creamy vocal harmonies, shimmering powerpop jangle and Byrdsy/Petty-ish Southern lilt: all of those winning qualities make themselves known with the first minute of “The Man Behind the Man […]
02 May 2024
The Marshall Tucker Band: Together Forever
Combining rock, country and even a bit of jazz, the Marshall Tucker Band earned major success in the 1970s. The group from Spartanburg, South Carolina would score six Gold albums, […]
26 Apr 2024
Jim Messina: Master of Stage and Studio
It’s the rare individual whose work encompasses multiple and clearly-defined sectors of the music business: very few people can claim deep experience as recording engineer, producer, musician, recording artist, singer-songwriter […]
18 Feb 2024
Album Review: Real People, Great Radio Vol. 2
Indie by definition and indie in spirit, Real People, Great Radio Vol. 2 is a compilation featuring Asheville musical artists. Curated, sponsored and put together by community radio station AshevilleFM […]
21 Jan 2024
Album Review: Two Faces West – Postcards From Lonely Places
As a direct result of the manner in which it was made, Two Faces West’s debut album is – in the words of the group – “a stylistic mess.” The […]
13 Nov 2023
A Quick Chat with Saddletramp’s Blake Ellege
Blake Ellege may well be the busiest and hardest-working musician in Western North Carolina. And if he’s not, he’s working on it. Every ear during the holiday season, he magically […]
14 Sep 2023
Album Review: Graham Parker and the Goldtops — Last Chance to Learn the Twist
Across his nearly 50 years as a recording history, Graham Parker has had it both ways: he’s made fiery, passionate, rocking music, and he’s delivered subtle, stripped-down solo/acoustic work. But […]
01 Aug 2023
30 Days Out, August 2023 #1: Circles Around the Sun, Hearts Gone South, Matisyahu, BJ & BJ
Two local-based legends, one other excellent WNC-based artist, and two very popular touring acts: Those are just some of the highlights of live music in and around Asheville in the […]