Record Store Day 2018: Our Top 11 Americana/Roots Picks
It’s that time of year again. Time to raise your dead ass out of bed at the crack of dawn to stand in a line in the elements outside your favorite record still for limited-edition…
Category Archives: Legends
Ry Cooder To Release New Album ‘The Prodigal Son,’ May 11th, Hear The Cut ‘Shrinking Man’ Now
The words Renaissance Man is often thrown around to apply to anyone that has more than one interest. When applied to Ry Cooder his nearly 50 years as a master guitarist/musician, producer, songwriter and mentor…
Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore To Release ‘Downey to Lubbock’ This Summer
Few things in narration strike me as much as well-constructed alternate history. Like the Amazon series ‘The Man in the High Castle,’ loosely based Philip K. Dick’s 1962 alternative WW2 history novel of the same…
Willie Nelson Answers Health Concerns with New Album ‘Last Man Standing,’ Shares Title Track
Isn’t it a very Willie Nelson thing to do? After the Red-Headed Stranger recently cancelled shows due to a bout with the flue we collectively held our breaths. It’s to be expected, news of a…
What We know About Ethan Hawke’s Blaze Foley Biopic ‘Blaze.’
‘Blaze’ the Ethan Hawke co-written and directed tender biopic created to celebrate the tragic life of country blues Texas artist Blaze Foley has been turning heads at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival at the Cafe…
Old 97’s County Fair Line-Up Announced
It’s been a tough winter and spring can’t get here soon enough. Texas roots rock legends the Old 97’s made just made that anticipation greater. The line-up for the 3rd annual Old 97’s County Fair…
Wanted! – Notable Americana and Roots Music Releases for 2018
2017 was another great year for Americana and roots music, and 2018 so far shows no signs that the great music is waning. As our Cream of the Crop favorites from last year makes plain…
Cream of the Crop – Twang Nation Top Americana and Roots Music Picks of 2017
Over that last 11 years of running this blog, roots and Americana has embedded itself as a fully realized and respected genre of cultural influence around the world. Bands and festivals from the UK, Australia,…
Twang Nation Americana and Roots Music Holiday List
– “At the Louisiana Hayride Tonight” – Various artists (Bear Family) $250. Germany’s Bear Family label has reputation for giving loving (obsessive) detail in creating their box sets and “At the Louisiana Hayride Tonight” continues…
Robert Ellis and Courtney Hartman To Release ‘Dear John,’ Tribute to John Hartford
Texan Robert Ellis and Coloradan Courtney Hartman bonded backstage at a music festival in 2013 over their mutual love of John Hartford songs. After a few years of friendship and collaboration led to the creation…