Check It Out & Turn It Up 8/30

This week we're bringing you songs from Matt Mason, Chuck Wicks, J. Adam Broome, Post Monroe, & more!

Shows To Catch This Week 8/29-9/4

Monday August 29

Charlie Worsham - Nashville, Tennessee (The Basement East)

Tuesday August 30

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

Wednesday August 31

Randy Rogers Band - Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Varsity Theater)

Thursday September 1

Chris Stapleton - Portsmouth, Virginia (Portsmouth Pavilion)
Pat Green - Du Quoin, Illinois (Du Quoin State Fair)
Randy Rogers Band - Clinton, Arkansas (Champion Chuckwagon Races)

Friday September 2

Chase Bryant - Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Texas Club)
Chris Stapleton - Allentown, Pennsylvania (Allentown Fairgrounds)
Jamey Johnson - Du Quoin, Illinois (Du Quoin State Fair)
Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Kearney, Nebraska (JDs)
Pat Green - Iowa City, Iowa (First Avenue Club)
Reckless Kelly - Lincoln, Nebraska (Bourbon Theatre)
Sam Riggs - Omaha, Nebraska (Whiskey Tango)
Willie Nelson - Asbury Park, New Jersey (Stone Pony Summer Stage)

Saturday September 3

Brandon Rhyder - Naples, Texas (The Melon Patch)
Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Pittsburgh, Kansas (Little Balkans Days Festival)
Jason Eady - Godley, Texas (Del Norte Taco)
Pat Green - Kansas City, Missouri (Tumbleweed Festival)
Reckless Kelly - Huron, South Dakota (South Dakota State Fair)
Willie Nelson - New Haven, Connecticut (College Street Music Hall)

Sunday September 4

Chris Janson - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Henry Maier Festival Park)
Jason Eady - Fort Worth, Texas (Live Oak Music Hall)
Reckless Kelly - Neillsville, Wisconsin (Silver Dome Ballroom)
Willie Nelson - Salamanca, New York (Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino)

Issues of Mainstream Country Explained by Kevin Fowler & Zane Williams with 'Sellout Song'

It's no secret that standards for what's considered country music these days have drastically dropped.  Hell even artists that used to produce quality music have taken to the new trend of releasing their very own sellout songs.  That's right I'm looking at you Luke & Jason.

Kevin Fowler & Zane Williams certainly aren't the first to call out "artists" who have chosen to take the path of sell out.  Aaron Watson has "Hey Y'all - My Contribution To Ruining Country Music"  Wade Reeves had "Haggard and Jones" Eric Church has "Lotta Boot Left To Fill"  The list goes on & on.  

Hopefully one of these days mainstream country will go back to meaningful lyrics, rap & techno will permanently exit any track meant to be country, & grown ass men will stop wearing glittery skinny jeans.  However, until that day comes at least we have Kevin & Zane willing to show "country artists" these days just how ridiculous they look & sound.

Check It Out & Turn It Up 8/23

This week we're bringing you songs to add to your playlist from Chase Bryant, Mike McClure Band, Noe Palmer, and Micky & The Motorcars.

Shows To Catch This Week 8/22-8/28

Monday August 22

American Aquarium - Jacksonville, Florida (Jack Rabbits)

Charlie Worsham - Nashville, Tennessee (The Basement East)

Tuesday August 23

American Aquarium - Orlando, Florida (Will's Pub)

Wednesday August 24

American Aquarium - Tallahassee, Florida (5th & Thomas)

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Seattle, Washington (Tractor Tavern)

Thursday August 25

American Aquarium - Atlanta, Georgia (City Winery)

Bart Crow - Lawrence, Kansas (Granada)

Chris Stapleton - Mount Pleasant, Michigan (Soaring Eagle Casino Amphitheatre)

Chris Young - Washington, Pennsylvania (CONSOL Energy Park)

Clint Black - Toledo, Ohio (Hollywood Casino Toledo)

Keith Urban - Syracuse, New York (Lakeview Amphitheater)

Miranda Lambert - Columbia, Maryland (Merryiweather Post Pavilion)

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Portland, Oregon (Mississippi Studios)

Friday August 26

American Aquarium - Waverly, Alabama (Standard Deluxe)

Brandon Rhyder - Conroe, Texas (Dosey Doe Music Cafe)

Eric Paslay - Denver, Colorado (Grizzly Rose)

Hank Williams Jr - Noblesville, Indiana (Klipsch Music Center)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Dallas, Texas (Gas Monkey)

Keith Urban - Camden, New Jersey (BB&T Pavilion)

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Bainbridge Island, Washington (Treehouse Cafe)

The Damn Quails - Lindale, Texas (Love & War)

William Clark Green - Dallas, Texas (Granada Theater)

Saturday August 27

American Aquarium - Little Rock, Arkansas (White Water Tavern)

Brandon Rhyder - Georgetown, Texas (Dale's Essenhaus)

Cody Canada & The Departed - Artesia, New Mexico (Red Dirt Black Gold Festival)

Hank Williams Jr - Cincinnati, Ohio (Riverbend Music Center)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Lubbock, Texas (Charley B's)

Jason Eady - Artesia, New Mexico (Red Dirt Black Gold Festival)

Keith Urban - Bristow, Virginia (Jiffy Lube Live)

Pat Green - Austin, Texas (Nutty Brown Cafe)

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Bainbridge Island, Washington (Treehouse Cafe)

Stoney LaRue - Fort Worth, Texas (Billy Bob's Texas)

Turnpike Troubadours - Waco, Texas (Margarita Salsa)

William Clark Green - Stephenville, Texas (City Limits)

Sunday August 28

American Aquarium - Saint Louis, Missouri (Off Broadway)

Charles Esten - Huntington, New York (The Paramount)

Chris Young - Louisville, Kentucky (Freedom Hall)

10 Reasons to Put Down the Luke Bryan and Pick Up Cody Johnson's GOTTA BE ME

Cody Johnson released his much anticipated album Gotta Be Me on August 5, 2016.

I immediately downloaded the album when I returned from a trip to WeFest and was not disappointed.  I experienced a range of emotions and goosebumps galore as I explored his new work. Here are 10 reasons you should put down the Luke Bryan and pick up the Cody Johnson's Gotta Be Me

1. Voice like silk.  Seriously.
2. Love songs.  When's the last time you listened to a song from Luke Bryan that actually made you want to fall madly in love with someone?  I'll wait.  
3. Steel guitar.  It's a country music staple and something modern country is truly lacking.  
4. Cheating Songs.  How on earth could you ever feel bad for the woman cheating on a perfectly good man?  Become Cody Johnson, that's how.
5. Country as Hell.  Guess what he doesn't need to do?  Tell you about in a song.
6. Fighting songs.  We all have that one friend, you know the one.  He gets too liquid courage and gets himself into a heap of trouble.  Well "Billy's Brother" is the anthem for that friend.
7. Stays true to himself.  I seriously feel like the more I listen to his music the more I get a peak into his life.  He's not trying to prove anything and that's what I love about him.
8. Drinking songs.  Who's doesn't like a song to get drunk to?
9. You can dance to it.  Who doesn't want to dance with their sweetie (or small animal) around their living room?  Go ahead and move the living room furniture out of the way, because you're gonna want to.
10. Break up songs.  "Kiss Goodbye" makes me never want to go through the pain of a break up again.  I seriously felt like I was the one about to get dumped as I listened to it. 

Don't believe that Cody Johnson is the real deal?  See for yourself.

(Cody Johnson's new album is available for purchase on iTunes)

Check It Out & Turn It Up 8/16

This week we're bringing you music by Jon Langston, Steve Moakler, Pat Cooper, & more!

Shows To Catch This Week 8/15-8/21

Tuesday August 16

Charlie Robison - Aledo, Texas (Railhead Smokehouse)

William Clark Green - Fort Collins, Colorado (The Aggie Theater)

Wednesday August 17

American Aquarium - Millvale, Pennsylvania (Mr. Smalls Theatre)

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Fort Worth, Texas (Capital Bar)

Thursday August 18

Aaron Watson - Klamath Falls, Oregon (Klamath County Fair)

American Aquarium - Richmond, Virginia (The National)

Reckless Kelly - Bozeman, Montana (Emerson Cultural Ctr Park)

William Clark Green - Denver, Colorado (Bluebird Theater)

Friday August 19

Aaron Watson - Bakersfield, California (Buck Owens' Crystal Palace)

American Aquarium - Baltimore, Maryland (Rams Head Live)

Jason Boland & The Straggler - Sedalia, Missouri (Grandstand Missouri State Fair)

Reckless Kelly - Billings, Montana (Pub Station)

Stoney LaRue - Sedalia, Missouri (Missouri State Fair)

William Clark Green - Wichita, Kansas (Barleycorns)

Saturday August 20

Aaron Watson - Tucson, Arizona (The Rialto Theatre)

American Aquarium - Raleigh, North Carolina (Lincoln Theatre)

Randy Rogers Band - Lincoln, Nebraska (Pinnacle Bank Arena Festical)

Ray Wylie Hubbard - Brenham, Texas (The Barnhill Center)

Reckless Kelly - Deadwood, South Dakota (Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center)

Stoney LaRue - Manhattan, Kansas (The Hat)

William Clark Green - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Wormy Dog Saloon)

Sunday August 21

Aaron Watson - San Diego, California (Moonshine Beach)

American Aquarium - Charleston, South Carolina (Charleston Library Society)

Jason Eady - Austin, Texas (Strange Brew)

Reckless Kelly - Englewood, Colorado (Gothic Theatre)

Check It Out & Turn It Up 8/9

This week we're bringing you music by Adam Hood, Gabe Garcia, Justin Anderson, & more!

Shows To Catch This Week 8/8-8/14

Monday August 8

Charlie Worsham - Nashville, Tennessee (The Basement East)

Chris Janson - Ridgefield, Washington (Clark County Fairgrounds)

Cody Canada & The Departed - Seattle, Washington (Tractor Tavern)

Turnpike Troubadours - Fargo, North Dakota (The Sanctuary)

Tuesday August 9

American Aquarium - Bozemon, Montana (Live from the Divide)

Randy Rogers Band - Nacogdoches, Texas (Banita Creek Hall)

Wednesday August 10

American Aquarium - Billings, Montana (Zoo Montana)

Dolly Parton - Evansville, Indiana (Ford Center)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Billings, Montana (Pub Station)

Kip Moore - Nashville, Tennessee (Ascend Amphitheater)

Turnpike Troubadours - Billings, Montana (Zoo Montana)

Thursday August 11

American Aquarium - Helena, Montana (Lewis & Clark Brewery)

Chris Stapleton - New Braunfels, Texas (River Road Icehouse)

Chris Young - Costa Mesa, California (Pacific Amphitheatre)

Cody Johnson - Cheyenne, Wyoming (Terry Bison Ranch)

Reckless Kelly - Challis, Idaho (Braun Brothers Reunion)

Travis Tritt - Tupelo, Mississippi (Bancorp South Arena)

William Clark Green - Challis, Idaho (Braun Brothers Reunion)

Friday August 12

Alabama - Youngstown, Ohio (Covelli Centre)

American Aquarium - Challis, Idaho (Braun Brothers Reunion)

Brett Eldredge - Sedalia, Missouri (Missouri State Fair)

Charlie Robison - Fourmile, Kentucky (Bell County Fairgrounds)

Cody Canada & The Departed - Challis, Idaho (Braun Brothers Reunion)

Dierks Bentley - Maryland Heights, Missouri (Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre)

Dolly Parton - Tulsa, Oklahoma (BOK Center)

Eli Young Band - Denver, Colorado (Grizzly Rose)

Hank Williams Jr - Woodlands, Texas (Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion)

Hayes Carll - Challis, Idaho (Braun Brothers Reunion)

JB & Moonshine Band - Omaha, Nebraska (Whiskey Tango)

Jason Eady - Harker Heights, Texas (Cowboy Up Saloon)

Kevin Fowler - Fort Worth, Texas (Billy Bob's Texas)

Reckless Kelly - Challis, Idaho (Braun Brothers Reunion)

Stoney LaRue - Webster Texas (Big Texas)

Saturday August 13

Aaron Watson - Laredo, Texas (UniTrade Stadium)

Brett Eldredge - Des Moines, Iowa (Iowa State Fair)

Charlie Robison - Newport, Kentucky - Southgate House Revival)

David Allan Coe - Sacramento, California (Ace of Spades)

Dierks Bentley - Noblesville, Indiana (Klipsch Music Center)

Dolly Parton - North Little Rock, Arkansas (Verizon Arena)

Hank Williams Jr - Austin, Texas (Austin360 Amphitheater)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - State Line Village, Idaho (Nashville North)

Jason Eady - Waco, Texas (The Melody Ranch)

Kevin Fowler - Laredo, Texas (Gateway City Country Jam)

Pat Green - Concan, Texas (House Pasture Cattle Company)

Reckless Kelly - Challis, Idaho (Braun Brothers Reunion)

Stoney LaRue - Belton, Texas (Schoepf's Old Time Pit BBQ)

Sunday August 14

Chris Young - Murphys, California (Ironstone Amphitheatre)

Jake Owen - Springfield, Illinois (Illinois State Fair)

William Clark Green - Billings, Montana (The Pub Station)

The Cadillac Three Remind Us What It Feels Like To Fall In Love

Anyone who has fallen in love knows how quickly and unexpectedly it can happen.  'White Lightning' does the perfect job at explaining just that.  

'White Lightning' can be found on their new album 'Bury Me In Boots' out this Friday!

You can pre-order 'Bury Me In Boots' on iTunes as well as here.

Check It Out & Turn It Up 8/2

This week we're bringing you music by Dalton Domino, Casey Donahew, Ryan Kinder, & more!

Shows To Catch This Week 8/1-8/7

Monday August 1

The Cadillac Three - New York, New York (Iridium)

Charlie Worsham - Nashville, Tennessee (The Basement East)

Cody Canada & The Departed - Corona, California (M15 Concerts Bar & Grill)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Republic, Washington (Republic Brewing Co)

Willie Nelson - Salina, Kansa (Stiefel Theatre)

Tuesday August 2

Cody Canada & The Departed - San Diego, California (The Merrow)

Dolly Parton - Columbus, Ohio (Celeste Center)

Hayes Carll - Salt Lake City, Utah (The State Room)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Seattle, Washington (Tractor Tavern)

Reckless Kelly - Reno, Nevada (Cargo at Whitney Peak Hotel)

Willie Nelson - Topeka, Kansas (Topeka Performing Arts Center)

Wednesday August 3

Cody Canada & The Departed - Mill Valley, California (Sweetwater Music Hall)

Dolly Parton - Fort Wayne, Indiana (Allen County War Memorial Coliseum)

Hayes Carll - Denver, Colorado (Bluebird Theater)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Portland, Oregon (Mississippi Studios)

Thursday August 4

Aaron Watson - Sacramento, California (Ace of Spades)

Alabama - Lincoln, Nebraska (Pinewood Bowl Theater)

American Aquarium - Durango, Colorado (The Balcony Bar)

Chris Stapleton - St Augustine, Florida (St Augustine Ampitheatre)

Clint Black - Beaumont, Texas (Julie Rogers Theatre)

Cody Canada & The Departed - Saramento, California (Goldfield)

David Nail - Petaluma, California (Mystic Theatre)

Drake White - Omaha, Nebraska (Whiskey Tango)

Gary Allan - St Louis, Missouri (River City Casino & Hotel)

Jon Pardi - Boise, Idaho (Knitting Factory Concert House)

Keith Urban - Bozeman, Montana (Brick Breeden Fieldhouse)

Miranda Lambert - Los Angeles, California (Greek Theatre)

Randy Rogers Band - Waco, Texas (The Backyard Bar Stage & Grill) *Hold My Beer & Watch This*

Reckless Kelly - Enterprise, Oregon (OK Theatre)

Stoney LaRue - Corpus Christi, Texas (Brewster Street Ice House)

The Damn Quails - Austin, Texas (Shady Grove)

Turnpike Troubadours - Manhattan, Kansas (The Hat)

Friday August 5

Aaron Watson - Clearlake Oaks, California (Cache Creek Vineyards)

Alan Jackson - Hinckley, Minnesota (Grand Casino)

American Aquarium - Denver, Colorado (Marquis Theatre)

Brandon Rhyder - Lindale, Texas (Love & War)

Charlie Robison - Woodlands, Texas (Dosey Doe Big Barn)

Clint Black - Baton Rouge (L'Auberge Casino & Hotel)

Cody Canada & The Departed - Clvoerdale, California (Cloverdale Downtown Plaza)

Hank Williams Jr - Tampa, Florida (MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre)

Hayes Carll - Omaha, Nebraska (The Waiting Room)

Keith Urban - Pocatello, Idaho (Portneuf Health Trust Amphitheatre)

Miranda Lambert - Irvine, California (Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre)

Reckless Kelly - Seattle, Washington (Crocodile Cafe)

Stoney LaRue - Terrell, Texas (Silver Saloon)

Turnpike Troubadours - Springfield, Illinois (Boondocks)

William Clark Green - Schulenberg, Texas (Wolter's Park)

Saturday August 6

Aaron Watson - Portland, Oregon (Star Theater)

American Aquarium - Fort Collins, Colorado (Hodi's Half Note)

Brandon Rhyder - Plano, Texas (Love & War)

Cody Canada & The Departed - Angels Camp, California (Calaveras County Fairgrounds)

Dierks Bentley - Syracuse, New York (Lakeview Amphitheater)

Dolly Parton - Grand Rapids, Michigan (Van Andel Arena)

Hank Williams Jr - West Palm Beach, Florida (Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre)

Hayes Carll - Saint Charles, Iowa (Hinterland Music Festival)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Miles City, Montana (Miles City Malt Fest at Conner's Stadium)

Jason Eady - Lindale, Texas (Love & War)

Kevin Fowler - San Antonio, Texas (Floore's County Store)

Kyle Park - Horseshoe Bay, Texas (Horseshoe Bay Resort)

Randy Rogers Band - Bastrop, Texas (Bastrop Homecoming & Rodeo)

Reckless Kelly - Post Falls, Idaho (The Nashville North)

Stoney LaRue - Dalhard, Texas (XIT Rodeo)

Will Hoge - Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Shank Hall)

William Clark Green - Beaumont, Texas (Dixie Dancehall)

Sunday August 7

Aaron Watson - George, Washington (Watershed Festival)

American Aquarium - Casper, Wyoming (Beartrap Summer Festival)

Cody Canada & The Departed - Portland, Oregon (Mississippi Studios)

Dolly Parton - Highland Park, Illinois (Ravinia)

Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Bozeman, Montana (Peach Street Studios)

Jason Eady - Fort Worth, Texas (Live Oak Music Hall)

Reckless Kelly - Butte, Montana (Butte Depot)

Turnpike Troubadours - Sioux Falls, South Dakota (The District)