What the headline says!
Category: Opinion
Identity Through Imaging (For Country Universe)
An essay for Country Universe as well as a little something on “Highway 40 Blues”
2019 CMA Awards Thoughts, Picks And Predictions
The 53rd Annual Country Music Association Awards air Wednesday, Nov. 13 on ABC. Below, you’ll find The Musical Divide’s thoughts, picks and predictions for the awards presented. (Note: Underline = chosen pick) ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR Will win: Garth Brooks Eric Church Chris Stapleton Carrie Underwood Keith Urban Should win: Garth Brooks Eric Church – (tie) Chris… Continue reading 2019 CMA Awards Thoughts, Picks And Predictions
Opinion: Country Music Is Back In The ‘Urban Cowboy’ Phase
Warning: Language The early 1980s produced a source of financial pressure on Nashville’s country music record divisions. The Urban Cowboy phenomenon, named for a movie that glorified a honky tonk and cowboy lifestyle, spread country music’s brand image to an urban society long thought immune to the charms of rural culture. Notice, though, that I… Continue reading Opinion: Country Music Is Back In The ‘Urban Cowboy’ Phase
The Importance Of Discussing Mainstream Artists (w/ Country Exclusive)
Megan Bledsoe of Country Exclusive and I recently teamed up to write a collaboration on the importance of writing about mainstream country artists. You can find the piece here, and be sure to check out Megan’s other work.
By The Way, Brandi Carlile Is Dominating 2019
I’m sure no one wants to hear the “real country” debate get brought up again. To some, this issue is about the sound of the country music genre and little more. From a broad perspective, it also looks at representation. Therefore, whether artists identify as “country,” “Americana,” “roots,” or whatever else, it doesn’t exclude them… Continue reading By The Way, Brandi Carlile Is Dominating 2019
Country Music Hall Of Fame Picks And Prognostications
Julian Spivey of The Word kindly asked me to contribute to a piece where we, along with Nathan Kanuch of Shore2Shore Country and Megan Bledsoe of Country Exclusive, gave our opinions on who should be elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame this year. You can find the piece here, and make sure to check… Continue reading Country Music Hall Of Fame Picks And Prognostications
Opinion: ‘Real Country’ Starts Off Strong On First Episode
Look, I had very little faith in a show called “Real Country” when it was first announced, especially when the judges were Travis Tritt, Jake Owen and Shania Twain – an odd pairing if there ever was one. But if I’ve learned anything from years of writing album reviews, it’s that you can’t judge something… Continue reading Opinion: ‘Real Country’ Starts Off Strong On First Episode
Opinion: Thoughts On The 52nd Annual CMA Awards
This year’s CMA Awards were … interesting to say the least. If anything, it feels like the divide in country music is cutting deeper than ever before, with the best moments of the show feeling like true standouts and the worst moments feeling like embarrassments for the genre. I’m going to give my thoughts on… Continue reading Opinion: Thoughts On The 52nd Annual CMA Awards
The Musical Divide 