Jon Pardi Bringing Country Music Back To Its Roots With 'California Sunrise'

In time where auto-tune & rap have found their way into country airwaves, where it's become more important for lyrics to be simplistic, making you want to drink more & think less, Jon Pardi is doing his part to bring country music back to its roots.  He's here to prove that we "don't need to find a new way to say we don't go out of style."

Pardi's sophomore studio album, 'California Sunrise,' does just that.  I was listening to the album one day while I was in the kitchen cooking with my mom, when she suddenly got a smile on her face.  "This reminds me of the music my dad listened to.  It's too bad he's not still around because you two have the same taste in music."  That comment alone speaks volumes to the direction in which Jon Pardi is taking country music.

'California Sunrise' will make you want to dance around your living room & hit the town one moment and reminisce about your ex the next.

Check It Out & Turn It Up 7/26

This week we're bringing you music by Bobby Wills, Brandon Jenkins, Craig Morgan & many more!

Shows To Catch This Week 7/25-7/31

Tuesday July 26

American Aquarium - Rockford, Illinois (Anderson Japanese Gardens)

Dolly Parton - Orem, Utah (UCCU Center)

Jason Eady - Conroe, Texas (Doesey Doe Music Cafe)

Willie Nelson - Boise, Idaho (Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical Garden)

Wednesday July 27

American Aquarium - Minneapolis, Minnesota (Fine Line Music Cafe)

Cody Canada & The Departed - Fort Worth, Texas (Capital Bar)

Dolly Parton - Morrison, Colorado (Red Rocks Amphitheatre)

Jamey Johnson - Mescalero, New Mexico (Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino)

Keith Urban - Stateline, Nevada (Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys)

Reckless Kelly - Jackson, Wyoming (Teton County Fairgrounds)

Thursday July 28

Aaron Watson - Beatrice, Nebraska (Gage County Fair)

American Aquarium - Papillon, Nebraska (Sumtur Amphitheater)

Cody Canada & The Departed - Belton, Texas (Shoepf's Backyard)

Hayes Carll - Lander, Wyoming (Lander LIVE)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Greeley, Colorado (Moxi Theater)

Keith Urban - Mountain View, California (Shoreline Amphiteatre)

Kevin Fowler - Fort Smith, Arkansas (Electric Cowboy)

Miranda Lambert - Cuyahoga Falls, OH (Blossom Music Center)

Reckless Kelly - Salt Lake City, Utah (The Depot)

Travis Tritt - Deadwood, South Dakota (Deadwood Mountain Grand)

Turnpike Troubadours - Papillion, Nebraska (Sumtur Amphitheater)

Willie Nelson - Salt Lake City, Utah (Red Butte Garden)

Friday July 29

Aaron Watson - Cheyenne, Wyoming (Cheyenne Frontier Das)

American Aquarium - Fort Smith, Arkansas (Peacemaker Music & Arts Festival)

Brandon Rhyder - Fort Worth, Texas (The Live Oak)

Charlie Robison - Bertram, Texas (Globe Theater)

Chris Stapleton - Sioux City, Iowa (Battery Park)

Clay Walker - Deadwood, South Dakota (Deadwood Mountain Grand)

Cody Canada & The Departed - Midland, Texas (The Lone Star Bar)

Dolly Parton - Kansas City, Missouri (Sprint Center)

Garth Brooks - Bossier City, Louisiana

Hayes Carll - White Sulphur Springs, Montana (Red Ants Pants Festival)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Salt Lake City, Utah (In The Venue)

Keith Urban - Stateline, Nevada (Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena)

Kevin Fowler - Little Rock, Arkansas (Electric Cowboy)

Miranda Lambert - Trinity Park, Illinois (Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre)

Pat Green - Salado, Texas (Johnny's BBQ)

Reckless Kelly - Lubbock, Texas (The Office Grill & Sports Bar)

Shane Smith & The Saints - Houston, Texas (Firehouse Saloon)

Stoney LaRue - Albuquerque, New Mexico (The Dirty Bourbon Dance Hall Saloon)

The Damn Quails - Denton, Texas (Rockin Rodeo)

Turnpike Troubadours - Fort Smith, Arkansas (Peacemaker Music & Arts Festival)

William Clark Green - Concan, Texas (House Pasture Cattle Company)

Saturday July 30

Aaron Watson - Salt Lake City, Utah (In The Venue)

American Aquarium - Kansas City, Missouri (Uptown Theater)

Charlie Daniels Band - Robinsonville, Mississippi (Fitz Casino Tunica)

Cody Canada & The Departed - El Paso, Texas (Tricky Falls)

Dolly Parton - St. Louis, Missouri (Scottrade Center)

Garth Brooks - Bossier City, Louisiana (CenturyLink Center)

Hayes Carll - Missoula, Montana (Top Hat Lounge)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Big Sky, Montana (Big Sky Town Center)

Jason Eady - Belleville, Illinois (Eckerts)

Jon Pardi - Spokane, Washington (Knitting Factory Concert House)

Kevin Fowler - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Jake Jam)

Miranda Lambert - Omaha, Nebraska (CenturyLink Center)

Pay Green - New Braunfels, Texas (Whitewater Amphitheater)

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Billings, Montana (The Pup Station)

Reckless Kelly - Lubbock, Texas (Cattle Barrons Ball at V-8 Ranch)

Stoney LaRue - Alto, New Mexico (Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts)

The Damn Quails - Waco, Texas (The Backyard)

Turnpike Troubadours - Kansas City, Missouri (Uptown Theater)

William Clark Green - New Braunfels, Texas (River Road Icehouse)

Sunday July 31

Aaron Watson - George, Washington (Watershed Festival)

Jason Eady - Omaha, Nebraska (The Waiting Room)

Lanco - Chicago, Illinois (Bub City)

Ray Wylie Hubbard - White Sulphur Springs, Montana (Red Ants Pants Music Festival)

The Damn Quails - Fort Worth, Texas (TX Red Dirt Roads w/Justin Frazell)

Why Chris Janson’s 'Holdin’ Her; is the Love Song Country Music Has Been Waiting For

Every now and then, in the midst of modern country music, you find a true gem. A song that provides such strong imagery, gives you goose bumps, and brings you to tears is a rarity these days, but Holdin’ Her by Chris Janson accomplishes just that. Holdin’ Her is a song that will make you want to fall in love, not just for a night, not just for the summer, but for a lifetime.   

This is the story of meeting a girl, falling in love, getting married, and having a family.  In fact it is a personal story that Jason co-wrote with James Otto about his own wife and family.   If the song alone doesn’t bring you to tears, the waterworks are sure to roll down your cheek when you watch the music video and hear Janson describe what the song means to him while images of him and his family roll on in the background.  

This is real.  This is raw.  This is what country music should be. 

Artist of the Week - Maren Morris

Born & raised in Texas, Maren Morris began singing & performing at an early age.  At 20 she decided to stop performing, leave Texas, & move to Nashville to focus on her songwriting.  She has helped write songs for other artists including Tim McGraw, Kelly Clarkson, & Brothers Osborne.  

After writing My Church, Morris decided it was time for her to get back into performing & recording her own music.  Her hit single reached #5 on the US Hot Country chart, & her current single, 80s Mercedes, is climbing the charts.   Her album Hero, which was released back in June, debuted at #1.

Hero is a solid album from start to finish.  I have not stopped listening to it since it came out.  Consisting of songs about bad relationships that you can't help but sing at the top of your lungs, & more soulful, heartfelt tracks, there's a song on there for every mood.

Rich

Check It Out & Turn It Up 7/19

This week we're bring you tunes by Blackjack Billy, Justin Adams, Logan Mize, & more!

Shows To Catch This Week 7/18-7/24

Monday July 18

Old Crow Medicine Show - Chicago, Illinois (Thalia Hall)

Stoney LaRue - Stillwater, Oklahoma (Eskimo Joe's)

Tuesday July 19

Dolly Parton - Cedar Rapids, Iowa (US Cellular Center)

Wednesday July 20

David Allan Coe - Deadwood, South Dakota (Deadwood Mountain Grand)

Dolly Parton - Hinckley, Minnesota (Grand Casino Hinckley Amphitheater)

Hayes Carll - San Francisco, California (Great American Music Hall)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Fort Worth, Texas (Capiral Bar)

Jason Eady - El Paso, Texas (State Line BBQ)

Reckless Kelly - Phoenix, Arizona (MIM Music Theater)

Thursday July 21

Aaron Lewis - Lincoln, Nebraska (Bourbon Theatre)

Aaron Watson - Dallas, Texas (The Rustic)

Brandon Rhyder - Belton, Texas (Schoepf's BBQ)

Chris Stapleton - Canandaigua, New York (Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center)

Hayes Carll - Los Angeles, California (Teragram Ballroom)

Jason Eady - San Antonio, Texas (The County Line Barbecue)

Keith Urban - West Valley City, Utah (USANA Amphitheatre)

Reckless Kelly - Solana Beach, California (Belly Up Tavern)

Friday July 22

Aaron Watson - Austin, Texas (Nutty Brown Cafe & Amphitheatre)

Charlie Robison - Decatur, Texas (Bonos Saloon)

Chris Stapleton - Gilford, New Hampshire (Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook)

Cody Canada & The Departed - Paris, Texas (Heritage Hall)

Cody Johnson - Denver, Colorado (Grizzly Rose)

Cory Morrow - Dallas, Texas (Granada Theater)

Dierks Bentley - Raleigh, North Carolina (Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek)

Dolly Parton - Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Denny Sanford PREMIER Center)

Garth Brooks - San Antonio, Texas (ATT Center)

Jack Ingram - Austin, Texas (Nutty Brown Cafe & Amphitheatre)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Pawhuska, Oklahoma (Cavalcade Rodeo/Osage County Fairgrounds)

Kevin Fowler - Alice, Texas (Jim Wells County Fairgrounds)

Kip Moore - Las Vegas, Nevada (Mandalay Bay)

Randy Rogers Band - Beaumont, Texas (Jerry Nelson's Hill Country & The Backyard Music Hall)

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Conroe, Texas (Dosey Doe Music Cafe)

Reckless Kelly - Los Angeles, California (El Ray)

Stoney LaRue - Katy, Texas (Mo's Place)

The Damn Quails - New Braunfels, Texas (River Road Ice House)

Turnpike Troubadours - Houston, Texas (House of Blues)

William Clark Green - Amarillo, Texas (Hoot's Pub)

Saturday July 23

Aaron Watson - Longview, Texas (Great Texas Balloon Race)

Bart Crow Band - Birmingham, Alabama (Zydeco)

Charlie Robison - Spring, Texas (Bareback Bar & Icehouse)

Dierks Bentley - Bristow, Virgina (Jiffy Lube Live)

Dolly Parton - Deadwood, South Dakota (Deadwood Mountain Grand)

Dwight Yoakam - Laughlin, Nevada (Edgewater E Center)

Garth Brooks - San Antonio, Texas (AT&T Center)

Gary Allan - Primm, Nevada (Star of the Desert Arena)

Jack Ingram - Lake Charles, Louisiana (Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Myriad Botanical Gardens)

Jason Eady - New Braunfels, Texas (River Road Icehouse)

Kevin Fowler - Concan, Texas (Houst Pasture Cattle Co)

Keith Urban - Albuquerque, New Mexico (Isleta Amphitheater)

Randy Rogers BAnd - Austin, Texas (Nutty Brown Cafe & Amphitheatre)

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Stafford, Texas (Redneck Country Club)

Reckless Kelly - Paso Robles, California (California Mid-State Fair)

Stoney LaRue - Burnet, Texas (Haley Nelson Park Amphitheater)

The Damn Quails - Humble, Texas (Cash County Line)

Tim McGraw - Stateline, Nevada (Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena)

Turnpike Troubadours - New Braunfels, Texas (White Water Amphitheater)

William Clark Green - Abilene, Texas (The Patio At Nueva Luna)

Sunday July 24

American Aquarium - Atlanta, Georgia (Park Tavern)

Dierks Bentley - Virginia Beach, Virginia (Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater)

Garth Brooks - San Antonio, Texas (AT&T Center)

Hayes Carll - Newport, Rhode Island (Newport Folk Festival)

Jason Eady - Austin, Texas (Strange Brew)

Reckless Kelly - Petaluma, California (Mystic Theatre)

Country Music Festivals Near You 7/14-7/17

Jamboree in the Hills

July 14-17: Morristown, Ohio

Thursday July 14: Joe Zelek, High Valley, Colt Ford, Trace Adkins, & Brantley Gilbert

Friday July 15: Seth Ennis, William Michael Morgan, Billy Currington, Alan Jackson, & Kid Rock

Saturday July 16: 1170, The Stickers, Tara Thompson, John Berry Brooke Eden, Maddie & Tae, Easton Corbin, Tyler Farr, Jake Owen, & Brad Paisley

Sunday July 17: Craig Wilkins, The Gatlin Brothers, John Anderson, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, & Neal McCoy

Faster Horses Festival

July 15-17: Brooklyn, Michigan

Friday July 15 

Main Stage: Locash, Jana Kramer, Jon Pardi, Wynonna & The Big Noise, Sam Hunt, Eric Church

Next From Nashville Stage: Jameson Rodgers, Haley Georgia, Ryan Hurd, Brett Young, Aaron Watson, Whiskey Myers

Saturday July 16

Main Stage: Lindsay Ell, Mo Pitney, A Thousand Horses, David Nail, Travis Tritt, Gary Allan, Jason Aldean

Next From Nashville Stage: Seth Ennis, Jon Langston, Kelleigh Bannen, Aubrie Sellers, Lanco

Sunday July 17

Main Stage: Brooke Eden, Granger Smith feat. Earl Dibbles Jr, Joe Nichols, Big & Rich, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum

Next From Nashville Stage: Runaway June, Royal Bliss, William Michael Morgan, Tara Thompson, Russell Dickerson, Aaron Lewis

Windy City Smokeout

July 15-17: Chicago, Illinois

Friday July 15: Shawn Lacy, Jordan Gray, Brandon Ray, Steve Moakler, Jessie James Decker, Phil Vassar, Chase Rice

Saturday July 16: Jameson Rodgers, Ryan Beaver, Joey Hyde, Ryan Hurd, Walker County, Whiskey Myers, Big & Rich feat. Cowboy Troy, Billy Currington

Sunday July 17: Shawn Lacy, Michele McGuire, Brett Kissel, Sister C, Cale Dodds, Corey Smith, Maren Morris, Old Dominion

Where The Sun Don't Shine - Whiskey Myers at Varsity Theater

 Back on June 23rd I was able to see Whiskey Myers in concert for a second time.  I had first seen them perform back in December 2013 in Spring, Texas.  When I saw that they would be playing in my home state at the same time I was going to be there, I knew I had to attend.  It had already been too long since I had last seen them so I was not going to pass up this opportunity.  

From the moment that Whiskey Myers takes the stage you can instantly feel the Southern Rock vibe of the band.  The energy was high from the first chord of Early Morning Shakes all the way to the very end of the two hour show.  Contributing to the high energy was the fans singing along song after song.  This was a pleasant surprise.  I'll be honest, walking into the theater I was curious as to just how many people would be there and how many people would know so many of their songs.  While Whiskey Myers has been popular among the Texas Country scene for closing in on a decade, they don't find themselves with the same airplay in Minnesota.

Whiskey Myers is a solid band all around.  When I first moved down to Texas in 2012, Lonely East Texas Nights was one of the very first songs I heard on the radio & I've been hooked ever since. They continually impress my both vocally and lyrically.  However, perhaps most impressive, is something you can only get a true sense of if you attend one of their shows.  From the wide range of instruments used, to guitar solos that put musicians all over to shame, instrumentally the band is nearly unmatched.

If you've never caught a show, I suggest you do so ASAP.  I promise you will not be disappointed.  You can find tour dates near you here.

Whiskey Myers' fourth album, Mud, will be released on September 9.  It is currently available for pre-order on PledgeMusic.

While we all patiently wait for Mud's release, check out some of their older songs here.  Each of their first three albums, Road of Life, Firewater, & Early Morning Shakes, are available for purchase on iTunes.

Check It Out & Turn It Up 7/12

This week we're bringing you tunes by Dustin Craig, Will Hoge, Clay Walker, & more!

Shows To Catch This Week 7/11-7/17

Tuesday July 12

David Allan Coe - Knoxville, Tennessee (The Concourse)

Wednesday July 13

Hayes Carll - Austin, Texas (Blues on the Green)

Jason Eady - Fort Worth, Texas (Capital Bar)

Ray Wylie Hubbard - New York, New York (Hill Country Live)

The Damn Quails - Abilene, Texas (Lytle Land & Cattle Company)

William Clark Green - San Angelo, Texas (Blaine's Pub)

Thursday July 14

Chris Stapleton - Farmningville, New York (Pennysaver Amphitheater)

Craig Morgan - Deadwood, South Dakota (Deadwood Mountain Grand)

Dierks Bentley - Charlotte, North Carolina (PNC Music Pavilion)

Hank Williams Jr - Prior Lake, Minnesota (Mystic Lake Casino)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Waco, Texas (Lakeside Tavern)

Jason Eady - Belton, Texas (Schoepf's Backyard)

Keith Urban - Cincinnati, Ohio (Riverbend Music Center)

Outshyne - Rock Falls, Illinois (Long Shot Sports Bar & Grill)

Randy Rogers Band - Helotes, Texas (Floore's Country Store) *Hold My Beer & Watch This*

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Sellersville, Pennsylvania (Sellersville Theater 1894)

The Damn Quails - Okemah, Oklahoma (Woody Guthrie Folk Festival)

Turnpike Troubadours - Okemah, Oklahoma (Woody Guthrie Folk Festival)

William Clark Green - Lubbock, Texas (The Blue Light)

Friday July 15

Aaron Watson - Brooklyn, Michigan (Faster Horses)

Brandon Rhyder - Navasota, Texas (Western Club)

Cody Canada & The Departed - Mckinney, Texas (Hank's Texas Grill)

Dierks Bentley - Atlanta, Georgia (Lakewood Amphitheatre)

Hayes Carll - Portland, Oregon (Aladdin Theater)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Corpus Christi, Texas (Concrete Street/American Bank Center)

Jason Eady - Fredericksburg, Texas (Luckenbach Dancehall)

Justin Moore - Westbury, New York (NYCB Theatre at Westbury)

Keith Urban - Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio (Blossom Music Center)

Loretta Lynn - San Antonio, Texas (Majestic Theatre San Antonio)

Maggie Rose - Las Vegas, Nevada (Stoney's Rockin Country)

Miranda Lambert - Rogers, Arkansas (Walmart AMP)

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Washington DC (Hill Country Live DC)

Roger Creager - Denver, Colorado (Grizzly Rose)

Stoney LaRue - Lubbock, Texas (Charley B's)

The Damn Quails - Red River, New Mexico (Mother Lode Saloon)

Turnpike Troubadours - Nashville, Tennessee (Cannery Ballroom)

William Clark Green - Port Oconner, Texas (Poco Fest)

Saturday July 16

Aaron Watson - Stockville, Nebraska (Frontier County Fairgrounds)

Brandon Rhyder - Fredericksburg, Texas (Gillespie County Fairgrounds)

Cody Canada & The Departed (Luckenbach Dance Hall)

Dierks Bentley - Tampa, Florida (Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre)

Hank Williams Jr - Council Bluffs, Iowa (Stir Concert Cove - Harrah's)

Hayes Carll - Seattle, Washington (Neptune)

Jamey Johnson - Atlantic City, New Jersey (Caesars Atlantic City)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Concan, Texas (House Pasture Cattle Co)

Jason Eady - Lubbock, Texas (Charley B's)

Keith Urban - Holmdel, New Jersey (PNC Bank Arts Center)

Kevin Fowler - Port Oconnor, Texas (Poco Fest)

Loretta Lynn - Marksville, Louisiana (Paragon Casino Resort)

Maggie Rose - San Diego, California (House of Blues San Diego)

Pat Green - Grand Prairie, Texas (Lonestar Park)

Randy Rogers Band - Littlefield, Texas (Celebrate Littlefield)

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Washington DC (Hill Country Live DC)

Sara Evans - Gulfport, Mississippi (Island View Casino)

Stoney LaRue - Reklaw, Texas (Lake Striker Marina)

The Damn Quails - Amarillo, Texas (Hoot's Pub)

Turnpike Troubadours - Lexington, Virginia (Lime Kiln Theater)

Sunday July 17

Dierks Bentley - Orange Beach, Alabama (The Wharf Amphitheater)

Turnpike Troubadours - Newport, Kentucky (The Southgate House Revival - Sanctuary)

William Clark Green - Fort Worth, Texas (Landmark Bar)

Check It Out & Turn It Up 7/5

Every week we'll be bringing you a playlist of songs to check out & turn up.  Some will be by artists you already know & love while others will be by artists that you've yet to hear.  Regardless, we hope you love them too!

This week we're bringing you tunes by Miranda Lambert, The Cadillac Three, Erick Willis, and more!