Tag: country

Show A Little Gratitude (Tracy Chapman Edition)

Tracy Chapman won her first CMA this year. It only took 35 years. And a Luke Combs cover of her song, “Fast Car.” Gratitude.  Grateful for the recognition.  Graceful during the long lags between receiving any.   Tracy Chapman knows a thing (or 35) about gratitude.  In 1988, when “Fast Car” was released as the first … Continue reading Show A Little Gratitude (Tracy Chapman Edition) →

The Cuckoo (Hero’s Journey Alternates)

Joseph Campbell’s “hero’s journey” can work like a plug-and-play template. It’s a proven framework for creating tension and resolving conflict with plenty of main character development along the way. The artistic world is full of similar structures - one of my alternate favorites is a folk song format called “The Cuckoo.” Learning to spot any … Continue reading The Cuckoo (Hero’s Journey Alternates) →

Sunday Music: Maren Morris Burns It The F@$! Down

If it sounds a little self-reverential, it’s because it has to be. Maren Morris has been battling pigeon holes long enough, and she’s ready to scream phoenix. I’m always here for artists doing this.  The metaphors are all present. Take a read through the lyrics on her new EP The Bridge. Then check out the … Continue reading Sunday Music: Maren Morris Burns It The F@$! Down →

Podcast Of The Week: Maren Morris Breaks Away From Country

Come for the conversation about finding yourself in the pressure of success, but stay for the snack discovery at the end.  Maren Morris is a role model. More riffing on “their labels are not your identity” in yesterday’s post. You can get even more non-musical but still on topic takes in this episode of Breaking … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Maren Morris Breaks Away From Country →

Your Job Is Not Your Identity

Maren Morris has been distancing herself from the country music scene. Or at least the country music machine. Because she understands their labels do not define her identity. This is the funny thing about career building. You start by wanting a job. Getting onto a track, climbing a ladder, being accepted into a group.  The … Continue reading Your Job Is Not Your Identity →

Sunday Music: “Weathervanes” By Jason Isbell

I’m all Isbell’d up again lately, forgive me.  Or not.  I was in college in the early 2000s when I fell in love with the Drive-By Truckers. I was a Johnny Cash fan from growing up, the kid who would play “Folsom Prison” in the 90s, solo on a guitar, between bands at punk rock … Continue reading Sunday Music: “Weathervanes” By Jason Isbell →

Relationship Mirrors (And Isbells, And Shires)

Jason Isbell’s Running With Our Eyes Closed documentary has a few moments of spouseful spatting that make it particularly remarkable. You just don’t see stuff like this. Hardly anywhere - for good reasons I’m sure.  Isbell and his wife, Amanda Shires, are successful artists in their own right. Trudging through their pasts and various source … Continue reading Relationship Mirrors (And Isbells, And Shires) →

Podcast Of The Week: Jason Isbell’s Documentary w/ Bill Simmons

I was stoked when I found out the Duplass brothers were doing a Jason Isbell documentary with Bill Simmons as executive producer for HBO. If you have the HBO subscription, we watched Running With Our Eyes Closed once already, and I'm planning to watch it two or three times in the coming weeks. It's awesome. … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Jason Isbell’s Documentary w/ Bill Simmons →

Joshua Ray Walker On Perspiration (Slowly, Then Suddenly) Becoming Perspective

A message about grinding and growing via Joshua Ray Walker (who just made his Opry debut!): It’s awesome to look back and think about playing 250 shows a year to like, 3 people a night in North Texas, and now being here. But when you’re actually in it, it’s really hard to see the growth. … Continue reading Joshua Ray Walker On Perspiration (Slowly, Then Suddenly) Becoming Perspective →