For my last piece of 2025, I got to talk with Annie DiRusso for Rolling Stone, who is fun and funny as hell and made a fantastic debut album, Super Pedestrian, this year. Now I will go throw my phone into the Cumberland River, see you all in 2026.... www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...

My response to anything over the next two weeks

Americans are tired of what coastal elites have been shoving down their throats, so I think elevating fresh voices like the vice president, the head of one of the most valuable companies on the planet, a Times columnist, and a Jeffrey Epstein associate who teaches at Harvard is a risk worth taking.

so fun kibitzing about country music with Josh and @joeyblueclaw.bsky.social (he does, lo and behold, have a handle) on RS Nashville Now!

We at Don't Rock the Inbox are pleased to present our best country songs and best country albums (in partnership with our friends at Stereogum) of 2025... www.dontrocktheinbox.com/the-best-cou...

the best christmas playlists are made by us Jews, just is what it is

kinda trick question because I consider Big Thief roots adjacent BUT try Ken Pomeroy

If I could find the time something I would like to do would be to have folks send me their favorite song or album of the year (that is not country) and I will send them a country song or album that is just as exciting and good!! (still on my **everyone has missed a lot of good shit in country tip**)

yes i am blurbing with a literal newborn because #grindset if you would like to support my work please subscribe to www.dontrocktheinbox.com :)

"invited to join the Grand Ol Opry on the Joe Rogan Podcast" well ok I think I've seen enough of 2025 here

Though I wish he were making his DRTI debut under happier circumstances, I am so grateful to @jonnyauping.bsky.social for this beautiful Raul Malo remembrance on the newsletter today

in the meantime i wrote my own little poptimism screed www.dontrocktheinbox.com/poptimism-an...

Raul Malo, the operatic vocalist and co-founder of the Grammy-winning, Latin-tinged country band the Mavericks, has died at age 60. Access the free article here: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...

you guys rock

not sure what made me think of this but remember when Keith Urban had a song called "Female" that was wild

fasted subscribin' I ever did subscribe!

Listening right now to the lovely Don White album that @natalieweiner.bsky.social spotlights in the newest Don't Rock The Inbox round-up. Every post brings at least 1 new reason - usually more! - why I'm glad to be a paid subscriber. Natalie and @marissarmoss.bsky.social do great work.

much more I could add to this piece, too....would love someone to do a study of the amount of country music "allowed in" during republican vs. democrat presidencies. are certain pubs afraid of signaling "country" during the time of Trump? just things I think about late at night before the gummy hits

i have a fun game it's called "zack bryan lyric" or "line from olivia nuzzi's memoir"???

if you send me a screenshot of your subscription receipt i will send you a link to my (not country) 8 hour funk/soul/r&b/jazz xmas playlist bsky.app/profile/nata...

only three more away! sale is still cooking if anyone else is on the fence....

Hopefully anyone who follows me knows by now, but in case you still don't — if you're a person who cares a good deal about music writing (or just, y'know, music), DTRI absolutely needs to be in your life.

we're only 8 people away from 400 paid subs at Don't Rock the Inbox, a big milestone for us! no better time to subscribe to the finest country newsletter in all the land (i.e. when it is 40% off annual subs) www.dontrocktheinbox.com

wonderful monday surprise to get an nymag cosign for Don't Rock The Inbox via the inimitable @yaydylan.bsky.social!! perfect timing with our cyber monday sale - 40% off all week, $48 for a year of DRTI! nymag.com/strategist/a...

Dont Rock the Inbox in the Strategist - thanks @yaydylan.bsky.social!!

thread of newsletters to support on Black Friday (for yourself or get them as a gift and look cool). ppl giving you great stuff when AI slop is trying to beat you down: first: Don’t Rock The Inbox ( @natalieweiner.bsky.social and @marissarmoss.bsky.social) www.dontrocktheinbox.com

On the newsletter today, thinking about the new songs from Carly Pearce & Kelsea Ballerini www.dontrocktheinbox.com/ti/

I’d like to know what this article says but I felt physically unable to continue after it labeled neurodiverse kids like mine as “sick”

recapped the CMA Awards with @joeyblueclaw.bsky.social on his podcast - talked a little shit, got a little fired up about Lainey Wilson, dreamed about the Brandi/Sturgill collab, maybe sang Girl Crush (didn't actually do this but it would have made sense in context) www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVGD...

When Brandi Carlile sings country songs….phhhhheeeeeeew

a conversation with the wonderful writer, thinker and researcher @heyjackson.bsky.social about finding meaning in genre even when genre doesn't exist www.dontrocktheinbox.com/on-soul-folk...

an interview with a first-rate 82 year old singer songwriter whose name should be on your lips alongside willie waylon and the boys. on his last album he has a song called "jesus wasn't a capitalist" www.dontrocktheinbox.com/james-talley...

I'm really proud of what we've done this year at DRTI, all while raisin kids and havin babies. Hope you will support our work, and a big thank you to those of you who already do!!

Just want the world to know that I asked @thejonfreeman.bsky.social for a few New Orleans recommendations and he sent me a word doc that was so beautifully written it even contained a perfect kicker

Can confirm I saw Robert Plant more than once in east Nashville, somewhen inside 03-10.

well shit this got me good

Wrote about Todd Snider, East Nashville and how the more things change, the more they change. www.dontrocktheinbox.com/something-go...

I get why it happens but goddamn do I wish anything could hit as hard on the timeline as something that sucks that everyone hates written by or about the worst person you know. I wish something good or interesting was able to get anywhere near the traction some shit that sucks does.

all this can be yours for 8 measly bucks a month (or less with an annual sub!). 100% substack free! bsky.app/profile/mari...

I can't write while listening to songs with lyrics so today's Don't Rock the Inbox subscriber playlist is instrumental country and roots tunes! www.dontrocktheinbox.com/put-a-record...

When country singer Luke Bell was found dead in 2022, his story became tabloid fodder. But Bell's complex life couldn't be distilled into a headline: He wrote beautiful country songs informed by the American west, while struggling with deep mental illness.

NOT covering unredacted bodycam footage of a non-mega famous musician writhing in agony, sickness and pain is a decision we, as journalists, can make.

do I have thoughts about how there are no country nominations in any of the all genre categories? in the "year of country music" or whatever? I sure do!

An honor to get to tell this story. Listen to some Luke Bell today.

I'm happy that Mamdani won. But I won't let that get in the way of my celebrating Cuomo losing.

Real heads remember the Lockeland Springsteen days and browsing through our best songs of 2014....Sturgill, Adia Victoria, Margo, Luke Bell, Kelsey Waldon, a pre-Hero Maren Morris song that the Highwomen eventually recorded...sorry we were kind of king shit thenashup.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/f...

Unsurprisingly, I loved reading this interview while listening to the album. Two people whose work I always enjoy.

it was so lovely to talk with @heyjackson.bsky.social about her wonderful book Soul-Folk for Don't Rock The Inbox. highly recommend it! www.dontrocktheinbox.com/on-soul-folk...

chatted with Brandi Carlile about her really beautiful new record www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...

Sorry about the bait and switch headline but I had to get your attention….