How Country Popped Its Way Into the Mainstream

misery guts wrote:Focus On... Brad Paisley
A more famous feature than some, his 1st LP was back in '99, born back in '72, started young, went to University in Nashville, signed to EMI and etc. Is often on the road with his Dad. Plenty of songs there.

Focus On: Brad Paisley
A likelier choice really, there were collaborations with Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton and Keith Urban (not all at once), and plenty of other stuff.

A Golden Hour: Chris Janson
What elevated this were a couple of little "behind the scenes" skits for a couple of tracks, namely Drunk Girl and Done, and the other tracks were fairly standard stuff.

Mike Judge presents - Tales from the Tour Bus: George Jones and Tammy Wynette
A 2-part edition, given the litany of craziness that both George and Tammy were connected with. George certainly takes the cake as the crazier of the two, and the one who most resembles Jim Carrey.

misery guts wrote:The Golden Hour: Chris Young
I wait ages for new episodes of these shows, and suddenly they come like buses.

A Golden Hour: Chris Young
I still wouldn't know him in a crowd, but he's apparently popular. Again, there was a little behind-the-scenes segment, for the track Neon, and the selection finished with him covering Eric Clapton's Change the World, which was also nice.

A Golden Hour: Eric Church
Likeable stick with song titles like Smoke a Little Smoke and Over When It's Over.

Focus On: George Strait
He had a GH in June, and so here was Check Yes Or No again, but some different stuff like The Seashores of Old Mexico and All My Ex's Live in Texas, plus duets with Miranda Lambert and Miranda McBride.

misery guts wrote:Focus On... Tim McGraw
He was born in May '67 and married Faith Hill in '96. His first name is Samuel and he was an only child. His father was a famous baseball player who didn't accept the connection until he was an adult. He has 3 daughters, has released 14 LPs and won 3 Grammys. He has recorded duets with his wife (and notably Nelly of course, though that wasn't mentioned here, even though it remains his only UK top 40 hit).

Focus On: Tim McGraw
How much of this was simply re-presented is hard to say. A couple of numbers with Faith were included.

misery guts wrote:The Golden Hour: Faith Hill & Tim McGraw
They're a couple, they've done some songs together, but this compilation covered both their solo work and their duets, thankfully. She's maybe seen as the bigger star here.

A Golden Hour: Faith Hill
I felt this relied less on her biggest hits, which at least felt a fresher approach.

Mike Judge presents: Tales From The Tour Bus: Billy Joe Shaver
One thing I like from this series, besides its occasionally sardonic tone, and the animations, is looking at characters who don't get overused in other series. This edition marked a novelty for this series, as Billy Joe himself was one of the contributors. As was ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, who was the minister at one of Billy Joe's many weddings. He was dubbed the "thinking man's hillbilly", though from his story, how much thinking he did is another matter.

A Golden Hour: Kenny Chesney
A new name for this series, but an old hand. No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem seemed an ethos of a song, but the others were fine too.

Mike Judge presents Tales from the Tour Bus: Waylon Jennings
Another 2-parter, as the outlaw had children to speak for him, as well as characters like series regular Kinky Friedman. Jennings was a wild one, but when he hit paydirt, he really did.

misery guts wrote:The Golden Hour - Miranda Lambert
Seemed to get through a little more material of hers than in some of these shows, not quite sure how. But decent enough stuff if all you want is videos and no chatter.

A Golden Hour: Miranda Lambert
Another lengthy selection, including collaborations with Elle King and George Strait, the latter of which also included chat from both of them.

Mike Judge presents: Tales from the Tour Bus: Blaze Foley
The last in this series saw Michael Fuller, from Malvern, Arkansas, live a life of failure on the whole, and making odd friends, and winding up killed just as Merle Haggard was recording a cover of one of his songs, which would finally see him move up in the world.

misery guts wrote:Focus On... Reba McEntire
Phil & Sophie back once more, on Kelly Clarkson's mother-in-law, who's 62 now. She signed to Mercury Records in 1974, had her 1st LP the following year, and made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 1977. Things took off when she got creative control for her 2nd LP. She's sold 85 million worldwide, and was here dubbed the "Queen of Country" (I think I'd name a few others as stronger candidates for that title). She's done some acting, and worked with Brooks & Dunn. Somebody's Chelsea seemed to be a track that summed up her sound.

Focus On: Reba McEntire
Duets here with Vince Gill, Darius Rucker, Linda Davis and Kelly Clarkson, besides some all-too-familiar material.

A Golden Hour: Tim McGraw
A full hour to himself (well, with one with Faith Hill).

misery guts wrote:The Golden Hour: Toby Keith
He's a bit of a lad, a man's man, I take from these videos. Good ol' boys, do it my way blah blah.

A Golden Hour: Toby Keith
Familiar material, some of which works better than others.

A Golden Hour: Rascal Flatts
They don't seem as famous or successful as most others in this series, but the material is fine.

Ellen - Final Season - Brandi Carlile
She's got a new album out. She had a NYT best-selling book. She is doing SNL tomorrow (the 23rd). She sang a special number (or a number specially) for Ellen, who's been such a supporter over the years. Courtney Cox directed one of her videos. 

CMT Crossroads - Nelly & Friends
In relation to his new album, a show with Florida Georgia Line, also Kane Brown, Breland and Blanco Brown. They did Country Grammar, Hot In Herre and Ride Wit Me, as well as newer material like Lil Bit.

misery guts wrote:Focus On... Keith Urban
Born in New Zealand, but raised in Australia, moved to the USA, and married to Nicole Kidman since 2006, with 2 kids. He's been a judge on American Idol, spent time in rehab, and made plenty of reasonable enough country records along the way.

Focus On: Keith Urban
Was beginning to wonder if he'd been done the first time, but here he was again. His record with Pink was included here along with efforts with Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.

Ellen 18 - Luke Bryan
He was in the studio, for once. He mentioned recovering from covid (Ellen has had it too, apparently). He's an American Idol judge, so talked about the latest series. ACM named him 'Entertainer of the Year'. He has a new behind-the-scenes documentary. He played Born Here, Live Here, Die Here

Ellen - Final Season - Luke Bryan
In fact, Katy Perry was guest-hosting, which meant they both talked about working together as judges on American Idol for 5 years, and how cool Lionel Richie is. They've both got Las Vegas residencies in the works too. He's an Elvis fan, even giving a brief extract of The Wonder of You. He also helped Katy with one of the show's many witless games.

misery guts wrote:Ellen: Blake Shelton
He's a coach on The Voice these days, as is John Legend, Jennifer Lopez, and Blake's other half Gwen Stefani. He's not won any Grammys. Nick Jonas is replacing J-Lo. Blake has his own vodka range, spends Christmas in LA, and sang "Hell Right" just to remind us he does have a career.

Ellen - Final Season - Blake Shelton
He returned for one last time before the show finishes. He finally married Gwen in July. He discussed a playful feud with Adam Levine who I think is also a judge on the Voice. Blake has won the show 8 times out of 21 series. Ariana Grande is a recent new judge too. He sang Come Back As A Country Boy too.

Rascal Morgan Wallen put his furore of last year behind him to win Album of the Year from the Academy of Country Music.

Music Legends: Waylon Jennings
He sold 40 million records and died at 64. He befriended Buddy Holly and missed out on the fateful plane trip, giving his seat up for Big Bopper. His guilt complex supposedly led to substance troubles over the years. He looked more convincing after he grew the beard. He topped the Billboard country chart and helped develop "outlaw country". He was part of the Highwaymen, had 4 marriages and 6 children - Shooter being his most famous child.

Kenny Rogers - All In For The Gambler
Tribute show from 2019, when Kenny was alive, as assorted acts had their goes at his material, which ranged from the Oak Ridge Boys, Chris Stapleton and Jamey Johnson to Little Big Town, Reba McEntire and even Lionel Richie himself who pretended to be put out that he wasn't singing with Kenny for once. Kenny saved his singing for the finale with Dolly. Quite the show.

Ex-S: Return of the Rhinestone Ploughboy
Scottish country legend Sydney Devine died recently at 81, and this repeat from 1994 covered his return to the stage after taking a 5 year hiatus after heart surgery. He seemed in good spirits in those days, and his fans were appreciative.

Country Legend Naomi Judd has died at 76 after battling severe depression. RIP

Adric wrote:Country Legend Naomi Judd has died at 76 after battling severe depression. RIP  

Yes, sad news. The Judds did "Love Can Build a Bridge" which I'm quite fond of. RIP 

Country 2 Country with Ricky Ross
Popstar and DJ presents from the concluding day of festival in Glashow, talking to Tenille Townes, Brett Young and Darius Rucker about country stuff. Tenille and Darius also sang some songs, but there were music clips from all three guests.

Music Legends: Jim Reeves
A short but successful career before it ended in a plane crash which isn't really well remembered. He was one of nine, started on guitar at 5, and radio at 12. He'll get his centenary celebrations in September of 2023.

Country legend Mickey Gilley has died at the age of 86. RIP

^^^Sad news 

Phil Mack chats...
New to me rather than new generally, the presenter talks first to Rhonda Vincent, then TG Sheppard, at some Nashville event (I suspect there'll be more of these). Rhonda has never played Ireland, but Phil does his best to encourage her to change that. TG was clearly talked to soon after Merle Haggard's death, which dates things. Phil had never met him before and at times seemed to know little about him. His backstory with Elvis Presley and Graceland was worth hearing about again. He was a close friend with Barry Gibb, has made 52 albums, and has a wealth of backstage footage which Phil was keen to get his hands on.

Music Legends: Merle Haggard
He was from California, had a mis-spent youth, spent a lot of prison time, but did eventually go straight, partly after Lefty Frizzell gave him musical encouragement. Johnny Cash gave him inspiration at San Quentin, and he finally mended his ways. He wrote an autobiography back in 1981, he had 5 marriages, major surgery in 1995, and lung cancer in 2008. He died on his 79th birthday.

misery guts wrote:Every Which Way But Loose
Late 70s Clint Eastwood film with our hero as a truck-driving bare-knuckle boxer with an orangutang for a best friend. He falls for an aspiring country singer, played by Sondra Locke, and pursues her across the USA when she runs out on him. Proper country stars like Mel Tillis and Charlie Rich also feature, as does Phil Everly, and the soundtrack fits in the tone.

Any Which Way You Can
Sequel with a less country overtone, though Locke returns and gets to sing a song, whilst Glen Campbell himself gets to sing the titular song (even if it's Clint himself with a different number over the credits). To complete things, er, Fats Domino gets to play a little piano.

Phil Mack chats...
This time he talked to Jimmy Fortune and David Frizzell. Jimmy worked with the Statler Brothers for 21 years before they knocked it on the head, and he went on to solo success. David was pushing a CD tribute to Buddy Holly, which also featured big names like Merle Haggard. Phil naturally talked of how good it would be to get any of these acts to the UK and Ireland.

Music Legends: George Strait
He's been hugely successful in the 80s, 90s, 00s and probably 10s. He turned 70 on the 18th of this month. He's had the most country #1 hits apparently. He joined up but got discharged.

Phil Mack chats...
This time it was with Ronnie McDowell and then Jeannie Seely, from 2016. Knowing Phil clearly filmed these in short order, I shouldn't criticise too heavily, it's amazing the shows work as well as they do. McDowell came out with a rapid tribute song after Elvis Presley died. Seely was in a car accident in 1977, and has been a regular guest on Country Family Reunion and Larry's Country Diner.

Phil Mack chats...
From Panama City, he spoke to Mo Pitney, and then the Brothers Osborne (of whom I have heard - apparently one of them is/was married to Lucie Silvas). Phil tried so hard to sell them all on the idea of coming to the UK and Ireland.

Phil Mack chats...
This time he spoke briefly to Cam and then Denny Strickland, and a bit longer to James Dean Hicks, who turned out to be a songwriter more than a performer. Talking numbers clearly caught Phil's imagination; 3000 songs, 50 million sales. Even worked with One Direction.

Country singer Luke Bull has died at the age of 32. He went missing in Arizona on August 20th. Details still coming to light. RIP

Full article

Very sad. Can't say his name seems familiar. Luke Bryan, maybe. Anyway, RIP

Phil Mack chats...
T. Graham Brown and Billy Yates in the first one. I had heard of Brown before. Yates invited Phil and his team to his ranch near Nashville, and there was talk of including the place on the KIC tours.

Phil Mack chats...
Shorter chats with Jamie Lynn Spears and band Blackjack Billy whilst in Panama City, and then to Marty Brown back in Nashville. Brown had made a mark on America's Got Talent, and had a successful cover of Make You Feel My Love, and was about to make his debut at the Grand Ole Opry.