CMA

Business, CMA, Country, Grammy, Music Publishing, Nashville, Pop, Songwriter, Taylor Swift, Texas, United States November 12, 2024

She was Taylor Swift’s early secret weapon, who helped write some of the star’s biggest songs. Meet Liz Rose.

Liz Rose played a formative role for the then-teenage Nashville high school student, collaborating with her on 17 songs. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Taylor Swift might not have become the most popular singer-songwriter on the planet today if it weren’t for Liz Rose. This isn’t to say that Swift wouldn’t have sold more than 200 million records, garnered untold billions of streams, had 92 million monthly listeners on…

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CMA, Concert reviews, Country, Events, Hip-Hop, Nashville, United States July 11, 2024

In his stunning four-star Toronto debut, Jelly Roll proves he’s the rock star the world needs now

The message of his hybrid rock, country and hip-hop sound is all about life and its struggles and imperfections. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Jelly Roll 4 stars (out of 4) History, Toronto, Wednesday, July 10 Jelly Roll finally made History Wednesday night. Not actual history, although in retrospect some may eventually see it that way, but specifically, he performed at the popular Toronto music venue. Up until…

CMA, Country, Country Music Hall Of Fame, Country Pop, Country Rock, Grammy, Guitar, In Memoriam, Oklahoma, Piano, Producer, Songwriter, United States, Voice, Willie Nelson February 6, 2024

Controversial and popular country music star Toby Keith dies age 62

“Most people think I’m a redneck patriot. I’m O.K. with that,” the musician from Oklahoma once said. He won a slew of awards and 32 chart-topping hits   By Nick Krewen Special to the Star For the first decade of his career, country music superstar Toby Keith philosophically commiserated with the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield: he felt he got no respect.  That changed by the end of his life, at least…

Americana, Award Winners, CMA, Country Pop, Grammy, Nashville, Neotraditional, Songwriter, Texas, United States, Voice January 22, 2018

Lee Ann Womack wants to remind us what country music is about

51-year-old Grammy winner and 2001 Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year is at the Horseshoe Jan. 24. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Jan 20, 2018 After spending the better part of a few decades building her country music career as part of Nashville’s Music Row label machinery, Texas traditionalist Lee Ann Womack is calling her own shots these days. It’s the reason why her latest project,  the exceptional…

CMA, Concert reviews, Country, Country Pop, Country Rock, Grammy, Nashville, Songwriter, Voice June 24, 2017

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill woo Toronto fans with romantic production: review

Country music’s royal couple brought white picket fence values to the Toronto leg of their Soul2Soul World Tour. Nick Krewen, Music, Sat. June 24, 2017 Tim McGraw and Faith Hill at the Air Canada Centre, June 23 In movies they call it “The Big Payoff.” You’ve all seen it: the two lead characters form a bond, build up romantic tension and then seal their attraction with a lengthy kiss. On…