How Country Popped Its Way Into the Mainstream

Phil Mack chats...
Four short-ish chats in this one, meeting Jerrod Nieman, Drake White, Erica Nicole and Kirstie Lovelady, none of whom I've heard of. Erica was at the Nashville Monday morning event, the others were at the Panama City thing. Bless him, Phil tried so hard to encourage them to visit the UK and Ireland.

Country legend Loretta Lynn has sadly passed away. RIP

A statement from the family of Loretta Lynn.
"Our precious mom, Loretta Lynn, passed away peacefully this morning, October 4th, in her sleep at home at her beloved ranch in Hurricane Mills.” The family of Loretta Lynn.
The family has asked for privacy during this time, as they grieve. An announcement regarding a memorial will be forthcoming in a public announcement.

Adric wrote:Country legend Loretta Lynn has sadly passed away. RIP

A statement from the family of Loretta Lynn.
"Our precious mom, Loretta Lynn, passed away peacefully this morning, October 4th, in her sleep at home at her beloved ranch in Hurricane Mills.” The family of Loretta Lynn.
The family has asked for privacy during this time, as they grieve. An announcement regarding a memorial will be forthcoming in a public announcement.

Yes, a sad day and a long life. She'll always be remembered for Coal Miner's Daughter. RIP 

56th CMA Awards
Bob Harris voiceovered for highlights, basically performances and many key awards. An interesting insight to the modern country scene, where top singles and albums come out of the blue. Alan Jackson was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement gong. There was a tribute to Loretta Lynn as well.

CMT Crossroads - LeAnn Rimes and friends
From 2022, marking 25 years since her heyday, joined by Carly Pearce, Ashley McBryde, Mickey Guyton and Brandy Clash. They chatted almost more than they sang.

Behind the Music: Shania Twain
Her name's actually Eileen, her folks died when she was young-ish, and her tenuous Native American heritage isn't as solid as she has sometimes claimed. But marrying Mutt Lange enabled her to stick it to Nashville and get her midriff out for the audience. Faith Hill was the only other musician to speak in her support, her sister Carrie and brother Mark (Mark Twain!) were included too.

Off Camera w/Sam Jones - Sissy Spacek
The famous actress was looking at music first, and nearly was signed by a record company, but wouldn't you know? They already had Loretta Lynn, of all people. Cut to much later when she was cast in Coal Miner's Daughter, learning to take off Loretta's voice, befriending her subject, winning the Oscar, getting offers to tour in her own right, being an OK songwriter, and her daughter being a better musician than she is.

Shania Twain's new album Queen Of Me has gone straight to #1 in the UK. It's her first new album in many years.

misery guts wrote: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.

Country2Country with Ricky Ross
From the Pacific Quay, Glasgow, Ricky talked in the first show to Jordan Davis, Thomas Rhett and Morgan Evans, then in the second show to Matt Stell, Lainey Wilson and Midland. Most also did a couple of songs each. A final show managed to blend the best of the first two shows.

Later w/Jools Holland: Country
Another hour's round-up from 30-odd years of his show. A few interesting inclusions, like Steve Earle and John Prine, also Lyle Lovett and Taylor Swift, plus BR549 who I don't know. He also got megastars like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Charley Pryde and Garth Brooks.

Jason Aldean caused a bit of a fuss with his most recent single, and saw it become a Billboard #1  

Glastonbury '23: The Chicks / Dermot Kennedy
In fact, the ex-Dixie Chicks only got half the time that Dermot did, so the run-time was padded out with yet another chance to see the Pretenders. The country lot did make sure to include Goodbye Earl.

Radio 2 Live In Hyde Park: Shania Twain
A short run-out from 2017, when it bucketed down. She seemed to have a bit of trouble warming the crowd up. Maybe she needed longer?

Arena - Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues
A lengthy look from 2004, repeated to mark his centenary in September. His grandson Hank III was still touring and keeping his name alive when this was made. Otherwise several members of his backing band the Drifting Cowboys spoke warmly of him, and his problems with his wives and mother were considered. He made his name at Shreveport before going on to conquer Nashville. But he ended up back in Alabama. He did leave behind many standards of country, though.

Grand Ole Opry - Luke Combs and friends
Old Crow Medicine Show and Asleep at the Wheel laid the ground for Luke to main event.

Bobbie Gentry
A repeat from 1968, with Bobbie joined by guest Long John Baldry. They did You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' together, which was different.

Shania Twain at the BBC
Tellingly, she didn't even get a full hour, even with the odd video thrown in. A couple of odd chat bits too.

57th CMA Awards
Introduced by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, this highlights show was more about performances than awards (I gather Morgan Wallen did very well, but you wouldn't have known that from this). Post Malone was an unexpected contributor, and Cynthia Erivo was a surprising prize-announcer.

Grand Ole Opry: Luke Combs & friends
From early in 2022, this time with Luke opening and closing, and Chris Janson and Zach Williams sandwiched in the middle.

Bobbie Gentry
Another edition from 1968, enlivened by the guesting of Donovan (they duet on There Is A Mountain, he manages Hurdy Gurdy Man by himself), and Bobbie gets the backing of Pan's People for one number.

Grand Ole Opry Live - Memorial Day Weekend
A show from 2021, featuring Chris Young, Lauren Alaina (and family), and Luke Combs.

Luke Combs has also been part of a court case with an unofficial merchandiser:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67714285

Having won the case, he was appalled to be awarded costs which would have clearly scuppered his vanquished foe, so instead paid the lady a donation, which might speed her exit from hospital.

Rob & Romesh vs... Country Music
Shania Twain is bizarrely roped in to help the two comedians, and challenge them to write and perform a country song. Rob is keener than Romesh, but they manage to perform in a Nashville venue, and it goes pretty well.

Founding member of The Dixie Chicks, Laura Lynch, has died at the age of 65 after a fatal car crash. RIP

Yes, shocking news, and at a sad time to happen. RIP 

CMA Country Christmas
Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood co-hosted this somewhat charming show, which featured turns from Lady A, Jordan Davies, The War & Treaty, Ashley McBryde, and a fun one from Jon Pardi too.

Bobbie Gentry
A 3rd repeat from her 1968 series, this had the Hollies as guests, getting to cover Blowin' In The Wind for some reason. But Bobbie did do Ode to Billie Joe.

Grand Ole Opry - Luke Combs and Craig Morgan
From back in 2020, the 7th show since the start of the pandemic, with both guys out front and socially distanced (as were other musicians, not to mention host Bobby Bones). Both men seemed on good form though, with songs like Six Feet Apart and The Father, My Son and the Holy Ghost (about the untimely death of Craig's son).

A Very Country Christmas
Amusing and lengthy compilation of the great and the less-great, many of which were familiar (eg Dolly Parton or Kelly Clarkson), but a lot were not. Glad to see Roy Orbison getting to do Pretty Paper, and other rare clips from the Everly Brothers, or a supergroup with Cash, Perkins, Orbison and Lee Lewis (in memory of Elvis).

Bobbie Gentry
Her guests here were Jerry Reed and a duo called Sue & Sunny. By this 1971 series, she was still using that Mississippi Delta intro and did some Beatles mash-ups/medleys, including Mother Nature's Son and Golden Slumbers among others.

Tuath Cheol
Ruairidh Gray links together 2 shows with highlights from a 1990s series which combined the mood of the Grand Ole Opry, with a lot of Scottish acts. Both editions were chock-full of music, with the odd light-hearted inclusion too.

Bobbie Gentry
The last of this run of repeats was from 1971, and her special guest was Mason Williams, who obliged with his big number Classical Gas.

Country singer Toby Keith has died at the age of 62 after battling cancer. RIP

Adric wrote:Country singer Toby Keith has died at the age of 62 after battling cancer. RIP

Surprising news, even with the cancer thing. Had to check up this thread to remember what I might think about him. Alright music at times, if a bit blokey. RIP all the same 

Grand Ole Opry Live: Kenny Rogers and more
This hour from June 2002 saw Kenny doing a couple of songs, and chatting to host Katie Cook, on what was apparently his first ever show there. Other acts were Mark Chestnutt, Jean Shepherd, and Larry Gatlin and his brothers.

Grand Ole Opry Live: LeAnn Rimes and more
This half hour edition came from November 1997, with Mike Snider and Teddy Wilburn augmented by on-the-rise LeAnn Rimes, who did her hit Blue as well as a cover of Your Cheatin' Heart. I was pleased to see host Keith Bilbrey too.