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!