The year in music for 2016 is best defined by the classic Dickensian line from “A Tale of Two Cities,” “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Mortality cut a wide swath across some of the greatest and influential musicians…

2015 was another bumper crop year for Americana and roots music, and 2016 show vast signs that the great music will continue to come. As our Cream of the Crop favorites from 2015 makes plain we might be experiencing a new golden age of roots…

Pre-order “Sky Blue” Many refer to musicians as “artists.” Few deserve the designation as much as Townes Van Zandt does. In his brief and troubled time on this planet, Van Zandt spun dark beauty from tragedy and addiction. “Though he did briefly flirt with mainstream…

Ryan Adams has revealed that he plans to release three albums in 2019. First up will be “Big Colors” out April 19. Produced by Adams, Beatriz Artola, and Don Was, and features contributions from Benmont Tench of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and fellow alt.darling Bob Mould.…

2018 is now in the pages of history and as America shifts (lurches?) into an uncertain future. Americana and roots music, unlike many other genres, continues  to be true to its legacy and addresses our times with art that refuses to chase the charts and…

Truth be told I’ve been distracted by much unpleasantness in 2018. So much so as many of these outstanding selections moved past my attention when they were first released. Luckily I keep a list of yearly releases and was able to rewind and catch them…

Ah the holidays. Family, friends, bourbon-barrel stouts, gluttony and Black Friday door-buster riots. Making memories… It’s also the time of year when nominations for the Grammy Awards were announced. In case you weren’t aware of this fact you’re not alone. I did a completely unscientific…

Roots music virtuoso Sierra Hull has announced her ‘Christmas Time Is Here’ tour. Each of the four tour stops she will partner with Toys for Tots and/or a local food bank– “seeking to ease the stress of the holidays for the less fortunate.” Each attending…

Southwestern spirit chaser Ryan Bingham will release his sixth studio album “American Love Song” on February 15th, 2019. That will mark a four year stretch between his latest and the criminally overlooked “Fear and Saturday Night.” That’s a long time for fans, like me, to…

How do you tour in support of a seminal album when its main influence has been dead for 45 years? Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman are currently on the road trying to answer that very question. Friday last at the lovely Majestic Theatre the Founding…

Today Twang Nation is proud to exclusively premiere the video for Grain Thief’s “Colorado Freeze” from their full-length debut “Stardust Lodge.” (out now – order below) The song is perfect road song and the video fitfully follows the band as they perform on their tour…