Thanks to all my Bakersfield friends for your time & help on this one.

Happy Holidays.

I spoke with @greydelisle.bsky.social about her new effort to support the legacy of Hall of Fame songwriter Cindy Walker. countrycutler.substack.com/p/the-legacy...

On Margo Price, Kimmel and listening to what women say the *first time* www.dontrocktheinbox.com/special-note...

The union representing the musicians from Jimmy Kimmel’s band releases a statement calling the FCC’s pressure on Disney “state censorship.”

Good stuff this week.

New pod episode.

Excellent independent country music blog folks:

Lots of good new music out there now.

Gavin Adcock sucks & his music is so disappointing — but his marketing is on point. Along with his team, he seems to understand how to harness the rage & head-nods to drive streams & spread a virally narrative.

Yeah, swinging at the punks & bullies.

Is there any publication or author you still read with some regularity & every time you do, because this time will be different, you become dumber than you started, but still keep going back? I’ll go first: Whiskey Riff.

Great take.

Good god, can we just let the guy write the next mainstream review of an important alt-country album already? Jesus.

RIP Tom Lehrer www.nytimes.com/2025/07/27/a...

SAVING COUNTRY MUSIC REVIEW GENERATOR: The latest [spins wheel] TYLER CHILDERS record is bad and people hate it because [draws from hat] MARISSA R MOSS wrote a [flips coin] PUFF PIECE in [uses random number generator] GQ

So, what ya think left-leaning social media platform?

Check out our latest podcast!

Had a lot of fun with this one. open.spotify.com/episode/3buJ...

Really excited about this interview with Texas-based roots artist @tonykamelmusic.bsky.social on Country Music Dads. It’s a good one. I also kiss some ass but it’s worth it. countrymusicdads.com/tony-kamel-f...

Kimmi Bitter is good people, y’all.

An album review for ya.

Check this out.

Age may be a construct, but my back still hurts.

LA Country at its Best.

Let’s talk about Honky Tonking & other simple things.

I love the Maui Sugarmill Saloon & Mercury Lounge. But I have plenty of room for love of other dive bars in my cold dark heart.

Lots of lovely new music this week.

There is something about those old band intros that speak to something in my soul.

Go listen to Sweet Megg’s new album “Never Been Home.”

This is really good. @harvilla.bsky.social brings the heat. open.spotify.com/episode/4t8H...

Hot off the presses.

I’m pretty happy with how this review came together. I like the shift in my New Music Tuesday approach. What about you? countrycutler.substack.com/p/new-music-...

john moreland is the absolute realest lol

What is the best, most-covered country song? I’d say “Gentle On My Mind.”

LeAnn Rimes is one of the most exquisite vocalists this genre has ever seen. I’m thrilled she performed at the ACMs. But please let’s not forget how the entire country industry tormented and expelled her and owe her a big fucking apology and then some. We’re lucky she graces any country stage.

This is such a good article about country music stereotypes in mainstream country versus "good songwriting" about authentic experiences in indie country

For generations, static concepts of country life have informed the definition of being country in music, rather than the dynamic experiences themselves.

Classy AF

This Eric Church album is beautiful. It’s not a country album. We need to be real about this. It’s lovely, well-crafted and produced near perfectly — but it’s not country. If anyone besides Church made it we’d say this. So we should say that now. Adult contemporary with a touch of R&B.

My favorite artists favorite artists are always my favorite artists.

Get this music critic a drink.

In which we discus the hub-bub around Jason Isbell doing the right thing (& wonder if his co-parent would get a similar reaction for doing the same thing).

Steel jobs that actually will come back to America.

Watching Zach Bryan on Stagecoach TV 1. Horns are always awesome. 2. He’s not a good singer. 3. He’s too serious and the snark mixed with sincerity rings hollow. 4. The production value is pretty incredible. 5. I don’t get why he’s a big deal.

Another Monday & another major market sell-off

A nice podcast for ya

Finding joy in beautiful new music during a period of such ugliness.

Country Music Dads talk children’s books.