Phoebe Bridgers Gave Brad Paisley One of the Best Compliment He’s Ever Gotten
The Lost Weekend songwriter was telling Paisley about songs she loved and included an unexpected one of his own
Rainbow Body Deliver a Cosmic, Jam-Driven Debut at Laguna Beach’s Coast Festival (SHOW REVIEW)
On October 23, Rainbow Body brought their newly released self-titled album to the Coast Film and Music Festival at the Irvine Bowl in Laguna Beach for their first-ever band show. With Goose and Dawes back on tour soon, who knows when fans will get another chance to see this supergroup in action…
Ella Langley Garners Mixed Reviews On Performance Of “Jolene” For Dolly Parton CMA Tribute Show
Honoring the late, great Dolly Parton . The country icon sadly passed away on on August 25, 2026 at 80-years-old in Nashville Tennessee. Dolly had been dealing with undisclosed health issues for the last year or so, and she previously shared that she was having issues with severe kidney stones…
Steve Kilbey on The Church’s Enduring Creative Spirit and the Making of Lacuna (INTERVIEW)
The Church has been recording music since 1981, but lead singer/bassist Steve Kilbey doesn’t always know exactly where the next song is going. When it comes to writing, he prefers to let things develop rather than decide what they should become. When The Church went into the studio to make their…
Manic Monday: Parliament-Funkadelic Brings the Mothership to Houston on Halloween 1976
Before Halloween concerts became a “thing,” legendary performances were often the kind of events you had to see to believe. Little immediate reporting followed, beyond perhaps a newspaper headline the next morning. No instant posts, videos or play-by-play accounts captured what had happened, and…
Jesse Welles Brings The Spirit Of John Prine & Bob Dylan Into A Thunderous Performance at Boston’s Roadrunner (SHOW REVIEW/PHOTOS)
When Jesse Welles stepped onto Roadrunner’s stage in Boston this past Saturday, October 24, the venue felt less like a standard concert hall and more like a high-energy gathering for the modern American conscience. Armed with only his acoustic guitar, harmonica, and sharp lyrics, Welles delivered a…
Finally: Brooks & Dunn is Working On New Music
As wild as it might seem to say, Brooks & Dunn, who released their debut album in 1991, are currently the reigning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year, and might be the most relevant duo in all of country music.
Iconic Granada Theater Is Latest Independent Music Venue to Close
Another one of the most important and beloved venues in the inventory of independent performance spaces is closing its doors. The Granada Theater where so many memories have been made is set to become a "wellness center."
Now & Then: Lyal Strickland’s Shooter of Truth and the reach of Bruised Orange
There’s a particular kind of country-folk songwriting that lets embarrassment survive the editing process. The narrator can admit he’s wrong, find something funny in the admission, and still have to live with the consequences. Lyal Strickland’s Shooter of Truth belongs in that tradition. John…
Dinosaur Jr. Remain Vital With Loud & Fuzz-Drenched Performance at Portland, OR’s Revolution Hall (SHOW REVIEW)
Four decades in, Dinosaur Jr. have nothing left to prove. In fact, at this point, they could easily bask in the greatest-hits limelight and coast on the strength of a prolific output, primarily in the 90s. Yet they persevere, driven by what seems like a genuine love of playing really loud rock…
Billy Strings Makes It Five Entertainer of the Year Wins at 2026 IBMA Awards
Billy Strings, East Nash Grass, Authentic Unlimited, and Trey Hensley walked away with the top prizes at the 2026 IBMA Bluegrass Awards. Held in Chattanooga, TN at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium.
Brooks & Dunn ‘Believe’: Meaning + Lyrics
An old man’s unwavering faith offers comfort in one of Brooks & Dunn’s most moving songs, reminding us why the hope of a reunion can mean so much after loss.
Bluegrass in the Bluegrass gets a new home in 2027
A popular central Kentucky bluegrass festival is moving its location beginning in 2027. Bluegrass in the Bluegrass , an indoor winter festival put on by SamJam Promotions, has announced a move to Erlanger, Kentucky, just outside of Cincinnati, from its original location in Lexington, Kentucky…
Miranda Lambert To Headline 2026 Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Halftime Show
Going home for Thanksgiving… to perform at the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Halftime show. This afternoon, it was announced that Miranda Lambert will headline The Salvation Army’s Annual Red Kettle Kickoff Halftime Show during the Dallas Cowboys’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles for the 30th…
Bear Breaks Into Florida Couple’s Home, Steals Food and Beer
(Photo by Huseyin Demirci/Anadolu via Getty Images) Everyone knows that, after a long hard day at work, there's nothing better than a nice cold one and some snacks. And, as it turns out, bears might agree with that sentiment too. In what looks like it could be straight out of a modern (and more…
NASCAR Fans Think Chevy Manipulated The Finish Of The Cup Series Race At Talladega To Get Kyle Larson A Win
What in the world just happened? I want to get something out of the way before I say what I’m going to say: I’m a huge NASCAR fan. I’ve been watching since I was around 10 years old, have gone to dozens of races over the years, and always tune into the NASCAR race on Sundays over the NFL. So…
Popular Rock Band Drummer to Undergo Emergency Surgery, Withdraws From Tour
Three Days Grace drummer Neil Sanderson is withdrawing from the band's "Alienation" tour and will undergo emergency surgery after suffering a bicep injury . Sanderson, 47, ruptured his bicep tendon off the bone in his left arm, according to Blabbermouth . He will be replaced temporarily by former…
Country Star Reveals How His Alabama Farm Helps Keep Him "Sane"
(Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for SiriusXM) Everyone has that one thing that helps keep them grounded. And it can be one of many, many things. There are just some things that calm you down, make you feel good no matter how bad your day's been. And for country star Riley Green, that's his…
Man Rebuilds 90s Computer Piece by Piece, Discovers Decades-Old Secret on Hard Drive
(Photo by Brooks Kraft LLC/Sygma via Getty Images) Do you remember the first time you got your hands on a computer? It's likely the case that your first experience with a Windows machine - well, a computer at all, really - was on Windows 95, or 98. They were released as computers were gradually…
Deftones and System Of A Down Headline Texas-Sized Rock Festival in Dallas
Sick New World pulled out all the stops for its inaugural music festival in Texas, packing the lineup with legendary rock bands . The massive rock festival's star-studded lineup featured Evanescence, Superheaven, Sleep Theory, Underoath, Knocked Loose, AFI, and Slayer, with headlining performances…
Petting Zoo and Pumpkin Farm Shuttered After Multiple Test Positive for Dangerous Bacteria
(Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) A popular petting zoo and pumpkin farm has been shuttered following an investigation by an Illinois health department. As reported by People , five cases of E. coli may be linked to the locations. The Will County Health Department, located in the…
Major AI Company Sued Over Using Elvis Presley’s Music As Training Tool
Elvis Presley AI giant Anthropic is facing legal action from the owners of Elvis Presley's music. The company is alleged to have used Elvis' work to train its AI models without obtaining consent to do so. The lawsuit was reportedly filed on Friday, October 23, per Billboard . "The new lawsuit…
Two Fox News Hosts Tie the Knot in Celebrity-Studded Wedding
Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt (Theo Wargo / Getty Images) It's official - Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt of Fox News are now married. The prominent couple got hitched on October 24 "at the historic Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida ,...where Hannity proposed over Christmas…
“Pissing Off The Keyboard Warriors” – Bubba Wallace Responds To Criticism From COVID Vax Paint Scheme At Talladega
NASCAR’s YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway is still hours away, but Bubba Wallace – the driver of the No. 23 car – is already in the thick of it. That’s nothing new. Wallace has historically been one of the most polarizing figures in the NASCAR Cup Series. Time and time again, the driver for…
Who is Danielle Parton, Dolly's Niece + Brand Ambassador?
Dolly Parton's niece Danielle is a decorated National Guard veteran, an entrepreneur and a proud east Tennessean.
IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards reception
Caroline Owens/Rebekah Speer and mom at the 2026 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards – photos © Sandy Hatley IBMA’s biggest and brightest night launched with a private reception for nominees, performers, industry leaders, and their families before the official awards ceremony. It felt more like a class…
How The Red Clay Strays Cultivate A Faith-Filled, Judgement-Free Arena Experience
In a world that’s so divisive, and “pick-one-or-the-other-side” natured, how can the Red Clay Strays be two things at once? That’s the question that popped into my head time and time again during their second, sold-out night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The band from Mobile, Alabama…
Bunnie Xo Is Now a Proud Horse-Owner: 'Over the Moon'
Bunnie has been dreaming about owning horses for a while now.
Watch A Venomous Brown Widow Spider Quickly Neutralize A Snake On Georgia Front Porch
One might be under the impression that pretty much all snakes could easily take out pretty much all spiders. Sure, you might have a mismatch with a tarantula and a juvenile snake, but on the whole, you have to think that snakes would have the advantage? But… that’s not always the case. Arachnids…
Fishin’ with a Musician offers bluegrass experiences
Here’s a fun offer from Can’d Aid’s Instruments for Change program, which raises money to purchase instruments and support school music programs for underprivileged children. They are auctioning a number of grass-oriented floating experiences for high-rollin’ bluegrass fishing fanatics. As a part…
LISTEN: Pekoe Cat’s “What’s It Worth?” Creates a Musical Showcase for Comedian Kyle Woolven
Pekoe Cat is multi-instrumentalist, producer, and comedian Kyle Woolven. Hailing from Belleville, Ontario, Kyle first made a splash with his YouTube channel when his satirical video Welcome to Belleville went viral, and now he’s running for mayor. His alter ego Pekoe Cat showcases his more serious…
LISTEN: My Wonderful Boyfriend’s “Chip City” Unveils a Trove of Guitar Interplay and Quirky Storytelling
My Wonderful Boyfriend is a rock band based in Brooklyn that describes themselves as having kind eyes, electable haircuts, urgent, necessary prose, the right to an attorney, and songs streaming on the internet. Among that music, you’ll find the EP An Evening With . . . (2025), which does not appear…
LISTEN: Left Tracks’ “Popcorn Lung” Relates a Captain’s Log of the Body
Left Tracks is a California-based collaboration between DI LEO (Phil Di Leo) and Sun Kin (Kabir Kumar). The two composer-singers and multi-instrumentalists met in Oakland in 2016 and have individually contributed to work from artists like GUPPY, Seemway, Fieldress, Madeline Kenney, and False…
LISTEN: The Bankes Brothers’ “Georgia Peaches” Tames Recklessness for Melodic Beauty
The Victoria, BC four-piece—brothers Nelson and Morgan Bankes on vocals and guitar, lead guitarist Carson Cleaver, and drummer Gray Oxley—formed in a pool hall one Friday night in 2017. Less than a week later, they played their first gig. Delivering a dynamic set list ranging from Otis Redding to…
See Red Clay Strays and Zach Top Pay Tribute to the Late John Anderson
The country-rock band invited Top to join them in a rendition of Anderson's 1983 CMA Single of the Year, "Swingin'"
BONUS TRACKS: Kacey Musgraves In Spanish, IBMA Bluegrass Music Award Winners, and More Roots Music News
Country star Kacey Musgraves , whose new record Middle of Nowhere kicked off our No Depression Criticism Fellowship program in May, announced a continuation of that album due out January 15, 2027 via Lost Highway Records. The 16-track collection, titled Middle of Nowhere Vol. 2: Tex Mex Tapes, will…
Our Common Life from Stephen Wade
Author, banjo player, and all-around string music entertainer Stephen Wade has a new book, Our Common Life: Folksong from the Front Porch to the Concert Hall, which should be of interest to anyone with a passion for traditional folk music. Stephen, who has been described as the most popular…
Grand Ole Opry: Be Better At Reading The Room
The Grand Ole Opry is going to be fine. But it does need to understand that in this hyper-polarized moment, it has both a responsibility, and an opportunity to be a leader in uniting people and elevating the conversation.
Thursday photos from World of Bluegrass ’26
Olivia Jo at World of Bluegrass 2026 – photo © Roger Black Roger Black spent Thursday cruising around the various showcase concerts and seminars being offered during World of Bluegrass 2026, and has shared this gallery of images.
ALBUM REVIEW: Caroline Rose Shapeshifts Again on 'Gentling the Horse at the Walt Whitman Mall'
Most artists might find the idea of reinventing themselves each time they put out new music to be utterly terrifying, but most artists aren’t Caroline Rose. A fearless and restless creator with a true DIY spirit, Rose has been steadily finding new, different parts of themself over more than a…
You might own one of these records without knowing it’s worth a fortune
There’s a familiar fantasy – that box of records you have, sitting in the loft, is a silent fortune. But the reality is that the genuinely holy grails of record collecting – such as a stereo black and gold label Please Please Me , Led Zeppelin I with its turquoise lettering, original Nick Drake…
Fleetwood Mac’s new Apple TV documentary arrives in January – discover the story behind Rumours
The late 1970s produced several classic breakup records. The romantic collapse of ABBA’s two couples fuelled a succession of bittersweet pop hits, while Marvin Gaye turned the end of his marriage into an entire double album. But few records wear their heartbreak as openly, or as successfully, as…
Something for the weekend: The Decemberists “The Better Part Of Bravery”
Well that’s it from us for this week. Apologies for those of you who look forward to the Daily Digest emails landing in your inboxes every morning – we have an elf who sets his alarm for 4am every day to get them sent out who became ill for a few days (or alternatively we had server issues). Normal…
“Time Has Been More Kind” to Hayden as he releases his tenth album
The musician known as Hayden has announced the release of his tenth studio album, The Recent Past, and shared its debut single, Time Has Been More Kind . The album is available on vinyl today at record stores and online through the Hardwood Records shop. Digital release of the album will follow on…
Readers’ Pick: Lyal Strickland – Shooter of Truth
You picked Lyal Strickland – Shooter of Truth as your favorite new release for the week of October 16, 2026.
Kacey Musgraves Is Holding Onto Her Texas State of Mind in New ‘Middle of Nowhere’ Deluxe Tracks
The country star previews her newly announced Middle of Nowhere Vol. 2: Tex Mex Tapes with “Weekend in Texas” and “Mi Tesoro”
Sorrel Nation “Creeping Thyme”
An assured second album of beauty and resilience. Creeping Thyme is Sorrel Nation’s second album. It’s also a resilient, woody plant that, in British folklore, was often used as a sign of courage in a battle and a gateway to the realm of the fairies. The resilience and magical nature of the plant…
Classic Clips: Chuck Prophet “Longshot Lullaby” – Live Glastonbury Festival, 1995
As we edge ever closer to this year’s annual shindig on the 28th November, 25 years of Americana UK this time, I thought it entirely apropos to look back at our headliner in his early years. So this week’s Classic Clip is Chuck Prophet from 31 years ago, performing on what appears to be a tiny…
The new Ultimate Music Guide: Bob Dylan’s Bootleg Series
As you’ll read in this new magazine , where 1985’s Biograph opened the door, the mission of the Bootleg Series (18 volumes and counting …) has been to go further into Bob Dylan ‘s extremely deep and well-curated vault. Inside it is music from an entire ghost Dylan career, as mesmerizing as the one…
Live Review: The Long Ryders + Autumn Saints, Electric Ballroom, London – 15th October 2026
It’s a step up for The Long Ryders, whose recent appearances in London have been at 229, but as the room fills with a crowd abuzz with anticipation, it was clearly the right move for The Long Ryders to stake their claim on one of Camden’s premier music venues. It also, as he would tell us later…
Mike Guiney “The Grace Of Eloquence”
Six decades of experience inform lyrical début of Canadian folk-roots songwriter. A new name to our readers, Mike Guiney released his début album The Grace of Eloquence at the age of 61 in 2025. Now reissued on the artist-run Wolfe Island Records, the ten tracks draw upon a lifetime of day jobs, a…
The latest AUK Podcast now available featuring Drew Danburry and Josh Rouse
This week’s show features an interview with Americana 25 performer Drew Danburry, as well as one with the fabulous Josh Rouse on the day of the release of his New West album, Museums and Women. There is also a Felice County Fair track, the new Annie Dressner, and some classic Dylan. An hour of your…
He became a huge, much loved international star. But do you know the unlikely story behind his first great break?
In 1977, Nils Lofgren was already a respected singer-songwriter with eight albums to his name, either as the frontman and creative force behind the band Grin, or latterly as a solo artist. With major label backing, his tour of the UK was geared towards moving him significantly further forward, in…
Spitzer Space Telescope “Calais-O” – rufty-tufty shanties alert
We have mentioned before that Folk is a broad church, and we’ve hinted that it can be at its best, or at least its most interesting, when it pushes at the boundaries. And, sometimes, that pushing needs to be in a backwards direction – picking up a style that has fallen from fashion and breathing…
Video Premiere: Wren + Wilde “Chasing Time” – running circles round my mind
Chasing Time is the lush, new single from Minnesota folk band Wren + Wilde. As soon as the song begins, we are introduced to the sublime harmonies that are at the heart of the song. Over a strong beat and warmly produced instrumental layers, the vocals are pure and heartfelt, rising into the…
“I’ll Never See You Again Hopefully” – Apparently Pat McAfee Wasn’t A Fan Of His Experience At The University Of Utah For ‘College GameDay’
Didn’t exactly enjoy his time in Salt Lake City, eh? ESPN brought College GameDay to Utah for the second week in a row today, setting up shop at the University of Utah ahead of their matchup with Houston after spending last weekend in Provo for the matchup between BYU and Notre Dame. It’s obviously…
“She Took It Really Heavy” — Danielle Parton Reveals How Her Own Cancer Battle Uncovered Dolly’s Secret Health Struggle
Dolly was an incredible aunt until the very end. On August 25, 2026, Dolly Parton sadly passed away at 80-years-old in Nashville Tennessee. Dolly had been dealing with undisclosed health issues for the last year or so, and she previously shared that she was having issues with severe kidney stones…
Garth Brooks Halts Ticket Sales for Upcoming Show Due to Bots
He says the situation is "out of hand" and "progressively getting worse."
2026 IBMA Bluegrass Music Award winners
This evening in Chattanooga, TN, the IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards were given to deserving winners in the bluegrass community for their efforts over the past year, as voted by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association . The show, hosted by the mandolin-heavy team of…
Chris Young Celebrated His First No. 1 Hit in a Surprising Way
Chris Young will never forget the night he got his first No. 1 hit.
“That’s My Sanity” — Riley Green Says His Alabama Farm Is The Thing He’s Most Proud Of Right Now
It’s definitely something to be proud of. Riley Green released his new album That’s Just Me a couple weeks ago, which features a pretty lengthy 19-song tracklist. It also features collaborations with Hannah McFarland, Jake Worthington, Alabama’s Randy Owen, and my personal favorite, Brooks & Dunn …
IBMA ’26: Wednesday Night Rambling
Véranda showing on Wednesday night at World of Bluegrass 2026 – photo © Elizabeth Loring The second night of the IBMA World of Bluegrass band showcases (known as the Bluegrass Ramble) was just as inspiring and exciting as the first. It’s a bit like bluegrass speed dating, as you move from room to…
How Taylor Swift's Landmark Debut Album Changed Country Music
It changed everything.
2026 Picking for the Prize Guitar contest winners
Kit Bulla, Teak Porter, Libby Lindblom, Soraya Sullivan, Jed Clark and Luke Black at the Martin Guitar Picking for the Prize guitar competition during World of Bluegrass 2026 – photo © Isabella Trakimowicz One could argue that few instruments carry as much weight in bluegrass as the guitar, and few…
2026 IBMA Industry Award winners
Penny Parsons and Gary Reid with his 2026 IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award – photo © Tom Turk The IBMA 2026 Industry and Distinguished Achievement Awards Luncheon was held on Wednesday, October 22, 2026 in the Chattanooga Convention Center. Chris Jones, a past IBMA Industry Award multi-winner…
Hail And Farewell To John Anderson
The iconic country music great was 71 when he passed away on Wednesday. Tributes continue to roll in from friends and fans in Nashville and beyond for John Anderson, who passed away Wednesday at age 71. According to his publicist, Don Murry Grubbs, the country music legend died peacefully in his…
IBMA 2026 Town Hall Meeting at WOB
Interim director Paul Schiminger and members of the IBMA executive committee were on hand to present a “state of the association” meeting and Q&A session this morning at the 2026 World of Bluegrass during the annual Town Hall Meeting. This is the only general membership meeting each year for the…
An Honest Review of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” Tribute
The presentation would start and finish off strong, had some really touching moments in the form of both performances and oral remembrances worth remarking on and revisiting, yet meandered at times in the middle portions.
Brad Paisley on the Time Carl Dean Drove Dolly Parton to His House
Parton and Paisley were filming the video for “When I Get Where I’m Going,” and her husband patiently waited in the car. “He was so happy to be in the shadows,” Paisley says
Abby Posner – Rest And Rise
More than a few records have come together owing to the catharsis of writing about a broken relationship. LA’s Abby Posner raised that whole concept up a notch with her new album Rest And Rise. Taking an idea from a podcast about the 3 stages of grief, Posner organized the tracks like a vinyl…
ALBUM REVIEW: Rayland Baxter Steps Out of the Rut and Into the Light on 'True Violet'
“I’m gonna walk away from a bad day,” Rayland Baxter sings on the aptly titled “Real Bad Rut” off his first new record in four years, True Violet . And in many ways, that is just what he did, going off the grid to cope with a hard time and coming out the other end with a slew of bright-eyed…
The Top 10 UK Americana Albums of All Time: Hugo Simões
The fourth entry in the series, and Hugo Simões tries his hand at the top 10. That word “ best “. It’s the easiest way to send a writer running into the woods, raving, clawing at the maples. It’s the kind of pressure that requires either deep meditation or impulse. I’m going with impulse. It starts…
Two Decades After Their Debut, New Tribute Album Honors The Felice Brothers
The Felice Brothers have been called rootsy, ragged, and raucous since they descended from the Catskills to become scruffy New York City buskers. Two decades into their career, they have earned another descriptor — influential. A new tribute album, Felice County Fair: A Celebration of The Felice…
Kacy Lee Anderson’s Hello, I’m Irrelevant reviewed: cosmic country with a cutting edge
Click here and subscribe to Uncut The opening bars of Hello, I’m Irrelevant suggest that the making of Kacy Lee Anderson’s first album has been a liberating experience. Over a muted piano and waltzing shuffle, the Canadian sounds like she’s out to settle a score. “ If you wanna burn me ”, she…
Queens Of The Stone Age’s Perfecth reviewed: rock of ages
Click here and subscribe to Uncut For many of us who have a faint aversion to heavy rock, Queens Of The Stone Age have long occupied a strange loophole. On paper, they ought to repel: the bulldozing riffs, the desert-rock machismo, the leather-jacketed sneer. And yet the songs slip past the…
Talking Heads reunite for new book project
Click here and subscribe to Uncut Talking Heads have reunited for a new retrospective volume, Talking Heads: New Feeling . Due next May to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Talking Heads: 77 , the book has been assembled with the participation of David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz and…
Want to get into jazz but don’t know where to start? Here’s the first 21 albums you should buy
The idea of the “jazz album for people who don’t like jazz” has always been slightly unhelpful. Jazz might not resonate with listeners for wildly different reasons. Some hear blandness, others hear chaos; some think it elitist, others think it disreputable; some find it too busy, others find it…
Watch Carrie Underwood Close Dolly Parton Tribute Concert With ‘I Will Always Love You’
The country star was joined by some of the Nashville tribute concert’s other performers to sing the soaring ballad
Zac Brown Delivers Emotional ‘Duet’ With Dolly Parton During Tribute Ceremony
The country music icon, who died in August, originally recorded “Butterfly” for Brown’s 2025 album, Love & Fear
Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Riley Green Mourn John Anderson: ‘This One Really Hurts’
Country Music Hall of Famer died on Wednesday at 71
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