Tag Archives: Merle Haggard

The 10 Most Controversial Songs in Country Music History

The 10 Most Controversial Songs in Country Music History

Controversy can be a double-edged sword in country music. On the one hand, some spirited conversation about a song or album can elevate an artist’s profile, particularly in our present on-demand world. On the other, there’s a real risk of being banished from radio. Here are 10 of country music’s most controversial tunes, in order…MORE

Kix TV: Vince Gill

Kix TV: Vince Gill

Watch Vince Gill on Kix TV. Vince and Kix discuss “retirement” and the making of Vince’s Down To My Last Bad Habit album as we look back at this 2016 visit. MORE

Watch Keith Urban (and a Dancing Nicole Kidman) Ring In the New Year With a Medley of Songs by Merle Haggard, Prince, George Michael & More

Watch Keith Urban (and a Dancing Nicole Kidman) Ring In the New Year With a Medley of Songs by Merle Haggard, Prince, George Michael & More

Keith Urban celebrated New Year’s Eve with a free performance in Nashville on Dec. 31. Before the music note dropped (yes, Nashville drops a music note—eat your heart out NYC), Keith performed a medley of hits in tribute to artists who died in 2016, including George Michael’s “Careless Whisper,” Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” Glenn Frey of…MORE

Year in Review: Country Stars We Lost in 2016

Year in Review: Country Stars We Lost in 2016

It’s never easy to lose someone and it’s especially hard when those people have made an impact on our lives. 2016 saw the passing of 10 country artists who have touched our lives with their music, including legendary artists Merle Haggard and Ralph Stanley and those we lost way too soon like Joey Feek and…MORE

Holiday Playlist: The 10 Manliest Christmas Songs This Side of Paradise

Holiday Playlist: The 10 Manliest Christmas Songs This Side of Paradise

What would the Christmas season be without music? It’s the soundtrack for trimming the tree, wrapping presents and cooking Christmas dinner. While those activities are fun for a lot of folks and Martina McBride’s White Christmas is must-have musical accompaniment, I decided to create the manliest of holiday playlists, perfect for listening to while splitting…MORE

Chris Young Talks CMA Award Nomination, Cold-Calling Vince Gill and New Christmas Album

Chris Young Talks CMA Award Nomination, Cold-Calling Vince Gill and New Christmas Album

Jim Casey talks with Chris Young about the rapid success of his duet with Cassadee Pope, “Think of You,” his CMA Award nomination, how he got in touch with Vince Gill for “Sober Saturday Night,” the daunting challenge of picking songs for his new Christmas album, It Must Be Christmas, his favorite Christmas albums and more.…MORE

Merle Haggard’s New Marijuana Line to Hit the Market Soon

Merle Haggard’s New Marijuana Line to Hit the Market Soon

In 2015, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson teamed up for the duets album Django and Jimmie, which featured the tune “It’s All Going to Pot.” Their art is imitating life. Willie introduced his new marijuana brand, Willie’s Reserve, earlier this year, and now Merle, who passed away in April 2016, will soon have his own…MORE

Art Imitates Life as Billy Ray Cyrus Crosses His Own “Thin Line”

Art Imitates Life as Billy Ray Cyrus Crosses His Own “Thin Line”

Billy Ray Cyrus is a busy man these days. Writing and starring in his own sitcom, Still The King, which was picked up for a second season by CMT, would keep anyone busy enough. On top of that, Billy Ray decided to release a brand-new album, Thin Line—which drops Today (Sept. 9)—chock-full of guest appearances…MORE