THE RETURN OF REDNECK COUNTRY Nick Krewen GRAMMY.com August 2004 Country music is getting rowdy again. As newcomers Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich suddenly race up the charts with attitude-brandishing anthems like “Redneck Woman” and “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)” and outspoken veterans Toby Keith and Montgomery Gentry watch their fan base increase by leaps and bounds, country audiences have returned to embracing the genre’s ornery streak….
Fan Fair Nick Krewen GRAMMY.COM Farewell Fan Fair. When it wound down June 8 with a rare reunion of The Judds, the door closed on a 32-year tradition. Upon its return in 2004, the annual Nashville country music festival – which encourages fans to mingle with its stars – will be sporting a different name: the CMA (Country Music Association) Music Festival. More troubling to hardcore country music fans,…
Nick Krewen For the KW Record November 4, 1999 Stacey Earle is making up for lost time. The younger sister of country renegade Steve waited until she was 38 to release this year’s Simple Gearle album, a stunning collection of roots-driven folk, blues and alternative country. “I always tinkered around with music and played it, by ear, around the house when we were younger,” Earle said from her Nashville…
Mark O’Connor leaves Nashville to concentrate on his talent as a classical music composer Nick Krewen For The Record June 3, 1999 Pssst. Wanna buy a house? It’s a nice one, located in a private Nashville cul-de-sac about 10 minutes from Music Row. An artist retreat, this 4100 sq. ft. cedar home contains three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a great room with a 26-foot ceiling, inset shelving,…
Max Hutchinson one of 300 pros still in there pitching tunes to artists By Nick Krewen Special To The Star Wednesday, April 21, 1999 NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Max Hutchinson may not be Roger Clemens, but he knows how to pitch. As one of Nashville’s 300 song pluggers, the middlemen who lob songs to recording artists for prospective album and single cuts, the Vancouver-born Canadian is starter, reliever…
