Donald Trump Knows Country Music 3

 

*these aren't real quotes, but it's ok if you pretend they are

Country TwitterWIN: April '16

Language warning...

Not country, but still true

Exclusive Video Premiere: Jonathan Tyler - "Hey Mama, My Time Ain't Long"

Here's the exclusive premiere of Jonathan Tyler's new video for "Hey Mama, My Time Ain't Long" (co-written by Ray Wylie Hubbard). It's from his Farce the Music top ten 2015 album, Holy Smokes. The video is by Lindsay Roche, shot in Tyler's loft. Enjoy!

Road Dispatch: Jonathan Tyler at the Variety Playhouse

Road Dispatch: Jonathan Tyler at the Variety Playhouse

By Kevin Broughton

On a Thursday night in Atlanta’s Little Five Points, Jonathan Tyler is in an expansive mood. In a couple hours, he’ll open for the amazing Ron Pope and The Nighthawks, then join them for a couple months’ worth of shows on this leg of their nationwide tour.  

Tyler’s 2015 release, Holy Smokes, opened to wide critical acclaim and was a springboard to several lengthy tours for him and his stellar backing band, as they opened at various times for the Drive By Truckers, Warren Haynes, and Ray Wiley Hubbard. On this night, though, it’s just Tyler and his guitar. And the aforementioned Mr. Pope? He hails from suburban Marietta, and this 18-and-up show – at the iconic Variety Playhouse -- will be packed with local partisans hailing the hometown hero. No pressure at all.

Over boiled peanuts and Bud heavies and a mostly off-the-record discussion,* Tyler holds forth on the challenges of gigs like this one. “I like playing solo shows because they put me on the spot,” he says.  “It's sink or swim.  There's no drumbeat or bass line to hide behind.  So if the lyrics and the melody don't hold water you're sinking and everybody in the room knows it.”

In his case, it’s no overstatement. Tyler’s band is a stand-alone entity in its own right, Rise and Shine. Their tight arrangements on Holy Smokes were damn near perfect, and he’ll produce their forthcoming album; their absence isn’t an oh-by-the-way thing. Pressure?

“There are times I get nervous enough to drink a liter of whiskey but that's mainly when I'm overthinking things,” says Tyler.  “I think I'm finally getting to the point that I've accepted myself and don't really care if I bomb cause I know I'm gonna wake up tomorrow and get another shot.”

Fittingly, at this point Pope strolls into the watering hole, where a table of about a dozen family and well-wishers greet the local hero. Tyler glances at the scene, then at a visitor. “I guess it’ll be a big crowd, huh?” he says with a grin. 

He’s right. Pope is as big a draw as you’d expect in his hometown. Bigger than James McMurtry last spring. And probably as big as Steve Earle and the Del McCoury band, circa 1998. Tyler walks out with his black Gibson acoustic, greets the packed house somewhat meekly, and launches into a 10-song set almost exclusively from his new album. 

And something’s immediately noticeable about this crowd: he has them. It’s a respectful audience, the kind you see regularly in Austin and wish you had in your town. What’s remarkable is they’re all here to see the headliners; and they don’t make a peep. No grumbling between songs, or agitating for the lead act. They’re listening, and roaring their approval after every song. 

Three songs in, Tyler trades the Gibson for a ’73 Telecaster and busts out “River Bottom,” “Honey Pie” and “The Devil’s Basement,” and everyone in the venue is paying rapt attention. 

On seeing Tyler with his band, you notice how comparable the live sound is to the album; Holy Smokes wasn’t just slick production. At a solo gig – the first one he’s done in about a year – what’s immediately obvious is that the lyrics, melody and vocals do indeed “hold up,” even at an acoustic setting in big venue. He has this crowd in his hand.

This Pope-crazed audience is both appreciative and understanding of Tyler, bearing with him between songs as he grabs the wrong harp, or is momentarily perplexed by a mislaid capo. “I’m actually looking for my capo,” he says, concealing some stress. “But I’ll be okay…” Mercifully, the missing implement is at his feet, and he won’t be forced to play “To Live is to Fly,” not only without duet partner Nikki Lane, but also in a much lower key. 

Picking over the last of the boiled peanuts before show time, Tyler mentioned those moments that make it worthwhile. “When everything connects it feels like I'm channeling God and I ride that wave till they kick me off stage.”

As he wound up his set with electrified versions of “Late Night Special” and “Gypsy Woman,” Tyler may not have channeled The Almighty, but he certainly rode a helluva wave. It portends well for the rest of the tour, and validates Pope’s choice for an opening act: a seasoned pro who shines in any setting.   

 

* Topics may or may not have included: making music with Nikki Lane; United States fiscal policy; whether bro country has its roots in shitty 80s hair music; and the perils of telling Donald Trump jokes to a New York audience. (The biggest peril is cricket noises.)

Little Known Facts: February 2016

By Jeremy Harris and Trailer

---------------

Jason Aldean is actually at the forefront of a new plastic surgery technique known as ballooning. 

Charlie Sheen was the first member of the Florida Georgia Line fan club. 

Taylor Swift wasn't made famous by Kanye West. She was made famous by Saving Country Music.

Recently, members of Sister Hazel were asked about switching to country music. 

They replied: "We didn't; country switched to Sister Hazel". 

Country music isn't evolving, but it is working on its resume for the Darwin Awards.

With the success of his debut album, Wheeler Walker, Jr. is hoping to make 

this his last year working as a kindergarten teacher's aid.

We'd like to proudly announce the Farce the Music Country Festival! 

Kendrick Lamar was offered one million dollars to re-edit his 2015 album 

"To Pimp A Butterfly" into a country album by Curb Records.

Tyler Farr is still on vocal rest because it takes a lot of rest
to sound like a rusty tractor driving through a plate glass window factory.

Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill ain't as good as it once was, but it's restructuring.

"Kane Brown, who's she?" will be the most common reply to 

We Hate Pop Country Facebook posts in 2016.

The Farce the Music Country Festival has been cancelled. Sorry.

It is offensive to use the word "freedom" around a Brantley Gilbert fan. 

Instead, choose terms like "parole" or "weekend pass."

A confused elderly man was recently removed from a Ray Wylie Hubbard show. 

The show went on as scheduled once Ray was let back in. 

A CNN exit poll shows that 67% of Donald Trump voters 

hope he picks Earl Dibbles Jr as his running mate. 

The Outlaw Country Cruise: Drinking, Singing, and Beards

The Outlaw Country Cruise: Drinking, Singing, and Beards
by Jeremy Harris

When I first heard about The Outlaw Country Cruise I was beyond excited. The lineup was in its infancy at the time and preorders hadn't started yet, but my wife and I knew we were going. As time passed the lineup grew and even had a substitution at one time. When the time came, we were loaded up and ready to spend 20+ hours in the car heading south. Ok, maybe that last part sucked. Once there though, that would change. 

Black Oak Arkansas

Once on board it was time for buffet trip number 1 then off to show number 1. While still docked, Sarah Gayle Meech started things off with her honky-tonk stylings. After her set there was a short break then the launch party began. Weeks before the cruise, some people were debating about whether Sixth Man, who runs the cruise, had make a good decision by selecting The Mavericks to play during this time. It didn't take long to figure out not only was this a good decision, but it was the perfect decision. Who couldn't been better to set the standard and provide the energy to leave Miami better than The Mavericks? Nobody, that's who. 

After the sail away party things pretty well flowed as numerous shows took place with sometimes five shows going on at once in different areas. The hardest part about this entire vacation was picking where to be and how long you could be there until it was time to head to the next show. With so many different bands playing there was always something I wanted to see. 

Nikki Lane

Like… Blackberry Smoke playing an acoustic set with special guests of every act knowing the words to Snake Farm. I'm convinced Ray Wylie Hubbard is very similar to Beetlejuice but instead of having to say his name three times to get him to appear, you say it once then hit the first two chords of Snake Farm. Boom, Ray appears! I heard him at least 5 times doing the song with numerous bands and I wish it would've happened 50 more times. Ray wasn't the only one making special appearances. Hell he wasn't the only one coming up for Snake Farm. He joined Paul Thorn and Waymore's Outlaws (with Shooter Jennings) during one of the best shows of the trip. Roger Alan Wade jumped up and performed a heart-felt version of the Waylon classic "You Asked Me To" and Jesse Dayton also joined in on this show. My god, what a talent. Not only a great song writer, but it'd be hard to find a better guitar player and when he sings George Jones. Damn! Some artists who weren't even booked on the cruise popped in for performances. Jonathan Tyler joining The Band of Heathens was a great surprise. 

Ray Wylie Hubbard with Band of Heathens

Several weeks before the cruise, Sixth Man had sign ups for many on cruise activities with limited area available. These included Battle Shots, best beard contest, and listener's lounge interviews with SiriusXM hosts among other great events. The main reason I'm highlighting these events is because these are the ones I participated in. Battle Shots was a no-brainer. A modified version of Battleship where every hit you received results in you taking a shot. The game was played tournament style and on a boat where drinks are very expensive, free drinks are a bonus. Teams were comprised of five players so my wife, my brother in law and myself teamed up with two of London's finest players, Ben and Lucy. Not only did we get about 20 free shots each during gameplay, we won that son of a bitch. What's the reward for winning you ask? A free margarita poured and placed in you hand at that exact moment you think you can't drink another drop, a 'golden' cup, and a $30 gift certificate per player for the artist merch store. Not a bad deal. Shortly after Battle Shots was the best beard contest. I had been asked earlier to enter but I'm not one of those guys that has a beard to be cool. I'm just lazy and don't like shaving. For some reason while drinking numerous shots and getting three invites from Sixth Man staffers during this time it seemed like a great idea. 

Elizabeth Cook

Best beard was judged by Sarah Gayle Meech, Rosie Flores and Elizabeth Cook. When each contestant went on stage they were asked for their name and where they were from. I've been on cruises before and I know what reaction Ohio people get. Always one idiot who yells out "O-H" and many other idiots who finish it. Not gonna happen this time. "Hi, I'm Jeremy from southern Ohio and Ohio State fucking sucks!" Guess what.... Rosie Flores is an Ohio State fan. I received her lowest score to that point. I was the 12th person up and she wasn't helping. Sarah and Elizabeth came through for me with respective scores of 9 & 10 for a total score of 27 out of 33. Elizabeth described me as a "party in the front and a party in the back, which led to a drunken turn around. 

Shooter Jennings with Waymore's Outlaws

Blackberry Smoke

In the two listener's lounge events my wife and I attended, we were treated to great happenings. In one show we saw Mojo Nixon interview Jim Dandy from Black Oak Arkansas. These were supposed to be interviews with some acoustic performances. Jim Dandy was so long winded that Mojo barely could speak and only got three questions in during the hour. It was funny watching Mojo squirm trying to get a word in. The other we attended featured Steve Earle interviewing and backing up vocally for Lucinda Williams. What a rare treat to witness this and to hear acoustic versions of songs from her latest album. 

You can watch some of the videos Jeremy took here: https://www.youtube.com/user/ohbuffalo38/videos?view=0&shelf_id=1&sort=dd

Country TwitterWIN: February 2016

can I start a gofundme for someone to walk right up to Luke Bryan and punch him right in his stupid annoying face

— kayla (@kayhaby) February 16, 2016

#GRAMMYs Luke Bryan singing Lionel Richie makes my penis an inny.

— Cake Bowen (@NotJakeOwen) February 16, 2016

We need less Luke Bryan and more Chris Stapleton

— Keegan (@RealColSanders) February 17, 2016

yasss chris stapleton! the only country music on my phone. lol. dude's a soul singer. #GRAMMYs

— tameka marnaye. (@TamekaJonesSTL) February 16, 2016

Chris Stapleton >>>>>> Sam Hunt. By a million Nissan Maxima car lengths. #Grammys2016

— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) February 16, 2016

Sam Hunt makes Smashmouth look like the Beatles. #GRAMMYs

— Wheeler Walker, Jr. (@WheelerWalkerJr) February 16, 2016

You know what would be awesome? If everyone spent a week listening to a new record before publishing reviews. Mandatory waiting period.

— Jody Rosen (@jodyrosen) February 12, 2016

Stop Kane Brown 2016

— Hunter Hutchinson (@HunterHutch) January 26, 2016

Cheering for either Ben Roethlisberger or Pacman Jones is like deciding between going to a Florida Georgia Line or Luke Bryan concert.

— NotKennyRogers (@NotKennyRogers) January 10, 2016

If you think Honda Ridgelines are real trucks you also probably think Sam Hunt is real country music

— Hunter Knapp (@hunter_knapp1) February 8, 2016

.@ACMAwards I see I was shut out of this year's nominations. Can you tell me if kickboxing skills were even taken into account?

— Fake Martina McBride (@DrunkenMartina) February 2, 2016

Family reunions are often first dates for Brantley Gilbert fans.#NoBro

— John Wayne Twitty (@JohnWayneTwitty) February 9, 2016

lucas said if i hadn't been in the van with him, he'd a thought it was a
silver alert. smart ass kid's out of will. https://t.co/kieXqJ4b4I

— Ray Wylie Hubbard (@raywylie) January 31, 2016

Build a buff snowman in Nashville today & give it a five o'clock shadow & a grey tshirt, it'll be signed to a record contract in minutes.

— Reginald Spears (@ReginaldSpears) January 23, 2016

I worked with an Amish guy today and even he knows Florida Georgia Line sucks.

— Christian Frey (@CrissChinFrey) January 1, 2016

Ray Wylie, Paul Thorn, Waymore's Outlaws - Snake Farm (Outlaw Cruise)

Video by Jeremy Harris

Country TwitterWINs: January '16

Where would they be if not famous: Brantley Gilbert, living in a trailer listening to Avenged Sevenfold playing slow pitch softball....

— Nick Tschida (@Cheets3) July 19, 2015

Shit. Spent two hours in studio laying down badass vocal for Zucchini Tarts before realizing I'd grabbed cookbook instead of lyric sheet.

— Fake Martina McBride (@DrunkenMartina) January 6, 2016

So is it the talk-singing, the skinny pants, or the high tops that makes Sam Hunt country?

— Maycee Holden (@MayceeHolden) December 16, 2015

it seems having chops isn't as important as having a lighted box to stand on while playing a 80's hair metal lead on a pretend country song.

— Ray Wylie Hubbard (@raywylie) January 8, 2016

#AgPowerBallDreams buy Luke Bryan some man pants and a can of dip to stain his teeth

— beckm1 (@beckm1) January 10, 2016

WTF is this new "country" song singing about a girl in a SnapBack? Country music sucks anymore.

— Amber Gobrogge (@ambergobrogge) January 12, 2016

The gym I went to today in Germany was more enjoyable than I'd expected. pic.twitter.com/3JXyggTJpT

— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) January 13, 2016

The Band Perry thinking pop fans want suburban soccer mom music dolled up with EDM beats and lasers is such a glaring miscalculation.

— Grady Smith (@gradywsmith) December 11, 2015

The one constant in modern country music is an intense hatred of this nation's fine interstate highway system.

— Todd Holloman (@todd_holloman) January 8, 2016

A bro country song is basically an extended Nelly hook but about trucks, cute girls in cutoff jorts, hard work, & beer. I got this.

— TBG3000 (@ThatBoysGood) January 13, 2016

Remember when country music was written by Cowboys instead of spoiled frat boys?

— Cal Ellis (@Snowmice) December 29, 2015

Chris Stapleton's big toe is more country that Sam Hunt in a step side Chevy Pickup

— mac norton (@mac_norton) December 15, 2015

Adding me on FB then immediately inviting me to like your shitty country band’s page. “Big things on the horizon.” #stuffwhitepeoplelike

— Charlie Stout (@charliestout) January 12, 2016

In 2016 resolve to listen to more singers whose jeans weren't picked out for them.

— Reginald Spears (@ReginaldSpears) December 30, 2015

Ray Wylie Hubbard Meme

Honest Lyrics: Luke Bryan, Kelsea Ballerini, etc.

Farce the Music's Top 13 Albums of 2015

For the first time, our best albums list is a composite voted on by Trailer and FTM's 4 most frequent contributors (Kelcy Salisbury, Kevin Broughton, Jeremy Harris, and Matthew Martin) along with a tiebreaker vote from Trailer's concert buddy/friend with good taste in music, Chad. We hope this will add validity and weight to the results. It was another great year for music, as you'll see clearly below. 

11. (Tie) Jason Boland and the Stragglers - Squelch

Boland & a slightly reworked Stragglers lineup provide proof that country music can evolve without sacrificing its identity. Not many artists are turning out this kind of work nearly two decades into their career, but the proof is in the pudding as The Stragglers have put out a rollicking rock-tinged album with a subversive, punk rock type aesthetic throughout. If you like smart, socially conscious lyrics with a bite, this is the country album for you. -Kelcy

11. (Tie) William Clark Green - Ringling Road

It may head towards the pop country direction a few times. I don’t care. It may contain a few songs that are catchy but don’t contain much substance. I don’t care. It may be from someone that a lot of you had never heard of. I don’t care. I chose this as my top album because it’s my top album. How can you argue with that logic? I don’t know or care. All I know is this is by far my favorite album of this year and it wasn’t even something that required much thought. -Jeremy

11. (Tie) Father John Misty - I Love You, Honeybear

Indie-pop is a sub-genre I usually avoid due to the twee nature of its typical fare. Father John Misty doesn't do twee. He infuses his catchy pop tunes and lounge rollers with a strong dose of balls. His lyrics are clever, biting, and frequently downright asshole-ish. These songs comfort, provoke, enlighten, and annoy, often at the same time. Our narrator is a jerk, but a jerk that you have to stick around to see what he'll do or say next. This is a record that will gnaw at you and stick with you, each song taking its turn being an earworm or soundtrack to some odd moment. -Trailer

10. Jonathan Tyler - Holy Smokes

It’s astounding when you realize all the things this guy has accomplished by his 30th year. Out of a contract with the suits at Atlantic Records, Tyler combines songwriting chops and a top-flight vocal range to express his newfound independence in impressive fashion. Expect more great things from this prodigy. -Kevin

9. John Moreland - High on Tulsa Heat

It's not an album you may want to listen to over and over because it's so heavy. But, whether you want to or not, you'll be compelled to continue to listen. It's catchy. It's a bummer. But John Moreland sings with the conviction of a man who has no choice but tell you about the pains of life. Moreland's voice is so powerful and strong. If you don't own this album, stop everything you're doing and get this album. Listen to it. Then, listen to it again regardless of your gut feeling. This album will hit you, and hit you hard. By the time you get to "Cherokee" on the last half of the album, you'll realize how special Moreland, and this album, is. -Matthew

8. Ray Wylie Hubbard - The Ruffian's Misfortune

The Wylie Lama has released his best album in years, and we are lucky enough to witness it. "Stone Blind Horses" is as good a lyric as anything released all year, "Bad On Fords" is about as much fun as anything Hubbard has ever put out, the whole vibe is great & the results are fantastic. -Kelcy

This seasoned, wry songwriter really can’t make a bad record. “Chick singer, Badass Rocking” has the kind of driving, tribal feel as a RWH standard, “Snake Farm.” And the record closes with “Stone Blind Horses,” which would make my top 5 list of singles from 2015. -Kevin

7. The Yawpers - American Man

If this were a list of the top rock albums, Nate Cook and his band would be at the summit. The songs confront a range of social/societal issues head on, but what blows you away is how much sound the Yawpers get from two acoustics and a drum kit. Buckle up; this one gets you by the throat. -Kevin

Rock & Roll isn't dead, you just can't see it from the highway or hear it on corporate radio, but there are still some bands keeping it alive. This album is at once sprawling, messy, smart, cynical, homesick & rebellious. It's a good thing. -Kelcy

6. American Aquarium - Wolves

To say the musical arrangements are daring & a departure from past albums is true. Yes, the same basic structure is there, the skeleton is intact enough to keep the loyal fans sated. But BJ Barham & the boys take risks here. The lush "Man I'm Supposed To Be" could be something Chet Atkins produced, but the darkness that lurks in this most honest of love songs somehow makes the song even more powerful. -Kelcy

5. Whitey Morgan - Sonic Ranch

How does an album with a bunch of covers make a year end list? By making you forget they’re cover songs. Whitey hits a home-run with this one and his vocals should’ve made this album more talked about than it already was in 2015. -Jeremy

As strong a "real country album" as you'll hear in 2015. It's refreshing to hear such unfiltered honky-tonk music in this day and age of contrived edge and softened edges. Morgan and the 78s' version of modern outlaw country is a comparable sound to what Sturgill Simpson is doing, but with a blue collar approach and a more pronounced low-end. This album may not drive Morgan to acceptance/hype in the same circles as Jason Isbell and Sturgill, but it's a big statement album that will bring in new fans and make old ones very happy. -Trailer

4. Chris Stapleton - Traveller

Chris Stapleton has been around the scene for a long time and I think many folks have had 

a feeling that one day he'd get the recognition due him. I'm glad that day has come, and this 

album is completely worthy of all the praise it has garnered. Stapleton's voice is as strong as 

ever and the songs are perfect showcases for his style. The slower, sadder tunes on the 

album are the real highlights though and the song "Fire Away" is far and away my favorite 

track on the album. -Matthew

3. Jason Isbell - Something More Than Free

The only thing keeping this one out of my top spot is the fact that it was just a year since his last tour-de-force, Southeastern.  As I wrote here, this record lets your emotions off the mat a little bit, and allows you to breathe. I think it’s his best to date, but the dude keeps raising the bar. -Kevin

2. James McMurtry - Complicated Game

The first studio album in six years from the dean of Texas songwriting. McMurtry turns a phrase better than most, and injects an extraordinary pathos into his everyman characters. He didn’t miss a beat during the half-dozen year delay, and this one is well worth the wait. -Kevin

I'm not sure there is anyone out there today who can write songs about everyday scenarios as perfectly as James McMurtry. On his latest effort, McMurtry strips down his songs to their basics and lets the focus be on the stories within each song. The incredibly heartbreaking song "You Got To Me" will leave you missing something- whether that be home, a past relationship, or just earlier years will be up to you. The song and the album stuck with me for weeks after listening to it. -Matthew

1. Turnpike Troubadours - Turnpike Troubadours

On this record, the Troubadours let a little color and light in, and it's just enough to fully realize the absurd potential of this group. There's space, separation, and vividness in the sound. The slower songs soar, the rockers punch, and there's fiddle and steel galore. On a good set of speakers, this thing is stunning. Their writing was already excellent, but they've even upped their game in that department. "The Bird Hunters" tells the tale of a man coming to terms with an ended relationship over the course of a quail hunt. This could come across as hokey or forced in the hands of a lesser act. The Troubadours make it a song-of-the-year candidate, epic, cinematic, and immersive. -Trailer

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Other popular selections:

The Pollies - Not Here

Lindi Ortega - Faded Gloryville
Baroness - Purple

Kacey Musgraves - Pageant Material

Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen - Hold My Beer

Allison Moorer - Down to Believing

Lucero - All a Man Should Do

Courtney Patton - So This is Life

Benton Leachman - Bury the Hatchet

Ashley Monroe - The Blade

The Honeycutters - Me Oh My

The Deslondes - s/t

Eric Church - Mr. Misunderstood

Will Hoge - Small Town Dreams