Porkchop

Porkchop’s Catch of the Week

 

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February 12, 2025

If you listen to the bluegrass music, gospel music, or tune into the Grand Ole Opry, then you may be familiar with Darin and Brooke Aldridge. The North Carolina based, husband and wife duo’s songs cover a lot of ground. They are steeped in bluegrass music, with Darin having been a member of the Country Gentlemen, and Brooke winning the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award for Female Vocalist of the Year four times. However, you will find a big dose of gospel music in their bluegrass repertoire. In addition, some of the duo’s songs lean toward traditional country sounds. The variety of styles has added many to the growing list of Darin and Brooke Aldridge fans. The latest album from Mr. and Mrs. Aldridge is Talk of the Town.

The album is made up of twelve songs. Not only is there a variety of styles on this project, there is also a mixture of new and cover songs. Let me take a moment to tell you about some of my favorite tracks on Talk of the Town. Darin and Brooke are joined by guitarist John Jorgenson on a cover of the Desert Rose Band’s “Price I Pay”. What a great way to start the album! The duo then covers “(Now and Then There’s) A Fool Such as I”. The song was originally a hit for Hank Snow, and then Elvis made it a mega hit. The Aldridge’s version sounds as good as any I have ever heard. The gospel song, “Jordan”, features Ricky Skaggs, Mo Pitney and Mark Fain along the Darin and Brooke. It is a great old-time style acoustic gospel number, à la Flatt & Scruggs. One of the other stand out tracks is “My Favorite Picture of You”. The song was co-written by Darin and Brooke Aldridge along with Dennis Duff. It is an excellent song and has a timeless quality. “A Million Memories (A Song for Byron)” closes out the album. Vince Gill wrote this song as a tribute to his friend, the late Byron Berline. Gill asked Darin and Brooke Aldridge if they would record the song, and they only agreed if Vince would sing with them on the recording. Here’s a complete track listing for Talk of the Town:

  1. Price I Pay (feat. John Jorgenson)
  2. Same Ole New Love
  3. Here We Are
  4. Dear Lord
  5. Jordan (feat. Ricky Skaggs, Mo Pitney and Mark Fain)
  6. God Made
  7. (Now and Then There’s) A Fool Such As I
  8. My Favorite Picture of You
  9. Where You’ll Find Me
  10. Wildflower Too
  11. It Can’t Be Wrong
  12. A Million Miles (A Song for Byron) (feat. Vince Gill)

Talk of the Town is a collection of wonderfully written songs. The performance by Darin and Brooke Aldridge, and their guests, are outstanding. As I mentioned earlier, Darin and Brooke offer an album with a wide variety of styles. It is impossible to please everyone, but Darin and Brooke Aldridge have so many ways, you are bound to like some of them. I recommend giving Darin and Brooke Aldridge’s Talk of the Town a listen today.

 

 

 

February 5, 2025

The origin of Wilson Banjo Co. is interesting and worth mentioning before reviewing their new project. After working in Nashville, TN for the Gibson Custom Art Shop and honing his craft, Steve Wilson decided to start Wilson Banjo Co. and offer customized banjos. In addition to his expert craftsmanship in the workshop, Wilson is an experienced banjo player, too. As a way to feature his custom banjos, Wilson decided to record and release a collection of songs that highlighted his customized banjos. Since that first EP, he decided to release more projects to promote his banjos. In the process of making the subsequent albums, Wilson received request to perform live with the Wilson Banjo Co. band. This has led to various artists filling the roles in the band over the years, both on the album and the stage. Now that you have a brief background on Wilson Banjo Co., I will get to their latest release, Lonely As It Gets.

Along with the ever present Steve Wilson, the lineup for this incarnation of Wilson Banjo Co. includes Jaime Carter (bass, harmony vocals), Andrew Crawford (lead vocals, guitar), Brandi Colt (lead vocals) and Adam Bachman (resonator guitar). In addition, Darren Nicholson (mandolin), Adam Plott (percussion) and Kim Fox (harmony vocals) added their talents to Lonely As it Gets. The EP is made up of five songs, and Wilson Banjo Co. turned to some heavy hitters in the songwriting department to contribute songs to this project, including Rick Lang, Larry Cordle, and Rebecca Lynn Howard. Here is the complete track listing for Lonely As It Gets:

  1. Lonely As It Gets
  2. Black Wedding Dress
  3. It Always Rains (When I’m Lonesome)
  4. If You Don’t Climb The Mountain
  5. My Last Broken Heart

As per usual, the song selection from Wilson Banjo Co. is great. In addition, Andrew Crawford and Brandi Colt do a great job handling the vocals. The musical performances are top notch, too. Kudos to Steve Wilson on giving us another enjoyable project. By the way, Lonely As It Gets by Wilson Banjo Co. is available on Pinecastle Records and available at all of the regular music download sites. I recommend giving it a listen today.

 

 

January 29, 2025

Country music has a long history of humorous songs. Songs like “A Boy Named Sue”, “Put Another Log on the Fire”, and “My Wife Thinks Your Dead” are examples of funny songs recorded by mainstream artists. Of course, you have artists that make a career out singing funny songs, like Country Music Hall of Famer Ray Stevens. This Catch of the Week is an album of witty songs from a new duo. The Doohickeys’ new album is All Hat No Cattle.

The duo consists of Haley Spence Brown & Jack Hackett, and they hail from Glendale, CA. However, that is not where they originate from. Brown is from Missouri, while Hackett is from Georgia. According to the bio on their website, the two met at USC (that’s Southern Cal, not South Carolina). Soon after they realized they both liked country music and began to write songs together.

All Hat No Cattle consists of twelve original songs. The Doohickeys wrote each of the songs, and they really have a knack for penning clever, funny lyrics. In addition to the lyrics, the singing, and playing is outstanding. The music is all country, but there are various styles underneath the country umbrella that are on display throughout All Hat Not Cattle. Some of my favorite songs on the album include, “I Wish My Truck Was Bigger”, “Too Ugly to Hitchhike”, and the title track.

I know that we have some listeners that are more sensitive than others. So, I will let you know that there is a few words used on this album that may make those that are sensitive clutch their pearls, gasp for air, etc. I am not in any way trying to dissuade you from listening to All Hat No Cattle. In fact, for those that have a stronger constitution and have no pearls to clutch, I encourage you to listen to this album.  Be prepared to listen through twice because you will probably start laughing and miss another witty line or two. Give the Doohickeys’ All Hat No Cattle a listen today.

 

 

 

January 22, 2025

I was recently on a road trip for a gig with my band, Tugalo Holler. On that trip, my traveling partner and guitar player extraordinaire, Joseph Welborn and I discussed various musical artists. He brought up a name that I had heard in passing, but was not very familiar with. Joseph proceeded to play a couple of albums from that singer, Josh Ward. The songs were outstanding! I made a note to add some of his music to the playlist on the Breakfast with Porkchop Show. Little did I know that Josh Ward was getting ready to release a new album.

Josh Ward’s new project is Same Ol’ Cowboy, Different Rodeo. Having recently just listened to his previous albums before checking out the new project, I can tell you that Ward’s sound is as country as ever. There is a ton of fiddle and steel guitar throughout this new album. Ward’s style of country is ‘90s country, but don’t count him as a nostalgia act. Although the music is influenced by country music of the ‘90s, there is a clear image of Ward’s brand stamped on the project. In addition to the music, Josh Ward’s voice is strong and country. There are twelve tracks on his new album, and he co-wrote several of the songs. There are many other writers who contributed songs to the album, including Randall King, Jake Worthington, and Carson Chamberlain, who you may be familiar with as Keith Whitley’s bandleader and as one of the people credited with helping aid Zach Top’s successful rise in country music. I enjoyed all twelve songs on the album. Some of my favorites include “Talkin’ To Your Picture”, “Spilled Whiskey”, “Honky Tonk Time”, and the title track. Here is the complete track list for Same Ol’ Cowboy, Different Rodeo:

  1. There’s a Drink For That
  2. Spilled Whiskey
  3. Ain’t Got To Me Yet
  4. Dancin’ With The Devil
  5. Same Ol’ Cowboy, Different Rodeo
  6. Beer Joint Down
  7. Honky Tonk Time
  8. Lovin’ Where It’s Going
  9. Reasons
  10. Better on a Barstool
  11. Talkin’ To Your Picture
  12. Walkin’ In My Boots

Same Ol’ Cowboy, Different Rodeo is the type of album that you can listen to all the way through, start it again, and never get tired of it. Josh Ward’s singing is pure country. The songwriting is catchy, fun, and heartfelt. The music is not just good, it is infectious. I could not find a list of who makes up the band on the album, but they deserve a tip of the hat. I recommend giving Josh Ward’s Same Ol’ Cowboy, Different Rodeo a listen today.

 

 

 

January 15, 2025

This week we look to Paintsville, Kentucky for our catch of the week. That is the hometown of Chris Stapleton, Tyler Childers, and the legendary Loretta Lynn. It also happens to be the home of singer-songwriter Luke Trimble. To be honest, there is not a lot of information on him. All we have is a previous EP Nothing to Lose (2022). Since the release of that EP, many have wondered when Trimble would release a LP. Well, the wait is over. Luke Trimble’s new album is Headed Out The Holler.

The album contains ten songs, and all of them were written by Luke Trimble. The songs runs the gamut of emotions and subjects. There are songs of love (“My Sweet Renee”), lost love (“Headed Out the Holler” and “Reading Books”), and, as expected from a Kentucky native, coalmining (“Black Gold”). My favorite tracks include, “Finer Things”, “Fall Song”, “Black Gold”, and the title track. Here is the complete track list for Headed Out The Holler:

  1. “Kathleen”
  2. “Black Gold”
  3. “Headed Out The Holler”
  4. “Finer Things”
  5. “My Sweet Renee”
  6. “Stay the Night”
  7. “Reading Books”
  8. “Fall Song”
  9. “Fine Wine”
  10. “Walking Away”

If you are a fan of singer-songwriters, take a listen to Luke Trimble. His Kentucky roots influence his songwriting. I cannot say for sure, but I suspect he has been influenced by the likes of Tyler Childers. His raw vocal delivery paired with his songwriting conveys an authenticity that is palpable. I recommend giving Luke Trimble’s Headed Out The Holler a listen today.

 

 

January 8, 2025

 

 

Jamey Johnson has been a fan favorite for years. Whether with his own recordings, like “In Color”, or writing hit songs for others, including George Strait (“Give It Away”), Johnson stands out as the genuine article. His authenticity is one of the traits that endear him to country music fans. Despite having not released an album of new, original material in fourteen years, Johnson has continued to tour and add to his legion of fans. In 2022, he even became a member of the historic Grand Ole Opry. Jamey Johnson’s fans will be ecstatic to know he has released a brand new album, Midnight Gasoline.

The new album includes twelve songs. With the exception of a cover of Charlie Daniels’ “Trudy”, all of the songs are new. As expected, Jamey Johnson had a hand in writing the overwhelming majority of the songs on Midnight Gasoline. Other writers that contributed to album include Randy Houser, Chris Stapleton, Dean Dillon,  Jim “Moose” Brown, Dallas Davidson, Ira Dean, Dale Dodson, Rob Hatch, , Ajay Popoff, Jeremy Popoff, James Slater, Ernest Keith Smith, Tony Jo White, Scotty Emerick, Kyle Fishman, Jeff Hyde, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo and Troy Verges. That is a who’s who of great songwriters! I enjoyed each tune on the album, but some of my favorites include “Saturday Night in New Orleans”, “Someday When I’m Old”, “21 Guns”, and the title track. Here is the complete track list for Midnight Gasoline:

  1. Bad Guy
  2. Midnight Gasoline
  3. What A View
  4. 21 Guns
  5. Someday When I’m Old
  6. Trudy (featuring Randy Houser)
  7. One More Time
  8. Saturday Night in New Orleans
  9. Sober
  10. I’m Tired of It All (featuring Randy Houser)
  11. No Time Like the Past
  12. What You Answer To

As I mentioned earlier, Jamey Johnson has an authenticity that connects with country music fans. Whether as a songwriter or a singer, Jamey Johnson never seems to be phoning it in. The singing, songwriting, and musical performances on this album are outstanding. I hope we do not have to wait another fourteen years between albums, but, if we do, it will be well worth the wait. It definitely was this time around. I recommend giving Jamey Johnson’s Midnight Gasoline a listen today.

 

 

 

December 18, 2024

The purpose of Porkchop’s Catch of the Week is to find the best new album releases and present them to you. In that process, I review albums from many established, well-known artists. However, I not only review projects from the artists that you are familiar with. There is also a great number of artists that have not yet gained attention that find their way to the Catch of the Week. This week, the featured project is one from a new artist. His name is Ben Chapman, a Georgia native, and his latest project is Downbeat.

Let me clarify that the artists that I call “new” are just new to me. Many have been working at their craft for years, as is the case with Ben Chapman. His songs have been covered by the likes of Flatland Cavalry and Muscadine Bloodline. Speaking of Chapman’s songwriting, he wrote or co-wrote 9 of the 10 songs on Downbeat. The lone exception is a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You”, a duet with his girlfriend Meg McRee. Some of my favorite tracks on the album include “Almost Home”, “Star of Monterey” and “America’s Sweetheart”. Here is the complete track list for Downbeat:

1) “Almost Home”

2) “Star of Monterey”

3) “Don’t You Dare”

4) “Downbeat”

5) “Temporary High”

6) “If I Was You”

7) “Finish What You Started”

8) “Baby Don’t Cry, It’s Saturday Night”

9) “America’s Sweetheart”

10) “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You”

 

Downbeat has country music as the base. However, there is a bit a soul, and rock. Mixing all of those elements together gives the album a laid back groove that is very enjoyable. Chapman’s songwriting and singing are great and fits perfectly with the music. Take a listen to Ben Chapman’s Downbeat today.

 

 

November 13, 2024

 

At the request of some listeners, I am reviewing a Christmas album. I know people begin listening to Christmas music at various times throughout the year. Some wait until after Thanksgiving,, while others start around Labor Day. I come not to praise or condemn when you choose to unleash the Christmas cheer. Many folks are looking to solidify their holiday playlist., no matter the start date. So, now we turn to veteran Yuletide singers, Amy Grant and Vince Gill.

The  husband and wife throughout their careers have released fantastic solo Christmas albums. Their latest collaborative album. When I Think of Christmas, includes some of their well known solo remastered recordings, including Grant’s “Tennessee Christmas” and “Breath of Heaven” and Gill’s “O Holy Night” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”. However, there are two new fantastic songs on this compilation, “Til the Season Comes Round Again” and the title track. Here is the complete track listing for When I Think of Christmas;

  1. When I Think Of Christmas – Amy Grant (NEW)
  2. The Christmas Song – Vince Gill
  3. Winter Wonderland – Amy Grant
  4. I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Vince Gill
  5. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year – Amy Grant
  6. Do You Hear What I Hear – Vince Gill
  7. Tennessee Christmas – Amy Grant
  8. O Come All Ye Faithful – Vince Gill
  9. Breath Of Heaven (Mary’s Song) – Amy Grant
  10. O Holy Night – Vince Gill
  11. ‘Til The Season Comes Round Again – Amy Grant & Vince Gill (NEW)

This album serves as a type of companion the Grant and Gill’s Christmas residency at the historic Ryman Auditorium over the past few years. Last year they set the record for most concerts by co-headliners at the Mother Church of Country Music with their 100th show.  I think it serves another purpose in this digital age, especially for fans of a certain age. I know I have their solo CDs, but where that somewhere is has not been discovered. Now you, I mean me, can download the new album to get Grant and Gill’s classic songs, plus the two new songs. I recommend giving When I Think of Christmas a listen today, or if you want to wait until after Thanksgiving, that is fine, too. That is totally left up to you.

 

October 23, 2024

 

Jason Isbell is lauded as one of this generation’s preeminent songwriters. Since his time as a member of The Drive By Truckers, the world has seen Isbell grow as a songwriter and performer. He has been on quite a streak since the release of Southeastern (2013), and continuing with Something More Than Free, The Nashville Sound, Reunions, and Weathervanes. During that time, Isbell has won multiple Grammy Awards and multiple Americana Music Honors and Awards. Another accomplishment that he has achieved is selling out Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, The Mother Church of Country Music, dozens of times. He released the album Live from the Ryman in 2018, and it captured the experience of a live Jason Isbell show. With his yearly appearances and the Ryman, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit decided to release another project highlighting their live performances, Live from the Ryman Vol. 2.

The new album primarily features live versions of songs from Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit’s two most recent original albums, Reunions and Weathervanes. The exceptions are “The Last Song I Will Write” from Isbell’s 2009 self-titled album, and a cover of Tom Petty’s “Room at the Top”. The two aforementioned songs, along with “Strawberry Woman”, “Cast Iron Skillet”, and “King of Oklahoma” are some of my favorite songs on this album. The great thing about the album is you are not just getting a carbon copy of the songs you know from their studio albums. There are different instrumentations on some of the songs, and the band really gets to spread their wings and provided extended musical breaks. Here is a complete track listing for Live from the Ryman Vol. 2:

1) Save the World

2) King of Oklahoma

3) Only Children

4) Overseas

5) Dreamsicle

6) Running with Our Eyes Closed

7) Middle of The Morning

8) The Last Song I Will Write

9) Strawberry Woman

10) Cast Iron Skillet

11) Miles

12) River

13) When We Were Close

14) Room at the Top

15) This Ain’t It

 

Live from the Ryman Vol. 2 is a great documentation of the powerful presentation you can experience at a Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit show. The album has a different feel than their first Live From the Ryman project. Vol. 2 includes a little more stage banter that was missing from the first outing, and I am glad they decided to include the dialogue between Isbell and the crowd. I would encourage you to listen to all of the previous studio albums, whether they are Jason Isbell solo projects or with the 400 Unit. If you have a chance, I highly recommend going to see them in concert. It is truly a great experience. Give Live From the Ryman Vol. 2 a listen today.

 

 

 

October 16, 2024

The Lake Hartwell Radio listening area is full of Cody Jinks fans. In fact, our listeners are the ones that alerted me about this up and coming artist back in 2015 when his Adobe Sessions was released. Once I gave that project a listen, I have been playing Cody Jinks’ music ever since. Since then, I have reviewed many of his albums, including I’m Not The Devil, Lifers, After the Fire, The Wanting, and Mercy. If you are new to the music of Cody Jinks, do not be ashamed. He is taking all of us back to 2012 with a newly remastered version of his album Backside of 30.

The album was a breakthrough for Cody Jinks, not only as a performer, but also as a songwriter. Songs that are still fan favorites like “Thunderheads” and “We Get By”  were first introduced to the world on Backside of 30. In addition to the remastered original album tracks, there is one new song on this new release, “When the New Wears Off”. I believe the new song will be added to the list of fan favorites. Here is a complete track list for Backside of 30:

 

1) A Memory and a Dream

2) Looking for a Friend

3) We Get By

4) Thunderheads

5) 13 Years

6) Prairie House Redemption featuring Sam Anderson

7) Glad to Say

8) Lady Bug

9) This Old Guitar

10) Alone

11) Just Enough

12) When the New Wears Off

 

Cody Jinks has established himself as a fan favorite among independent country artists. It is amazing of the following he has developed. I believe once you give Jinks’ music a listen, you will enlist into the growing ranks of the Cody Jinks army. Do not feel bad if you are just discovering the music of Cody Jinks. Now that you know, take a listen to his new (old) album, Backside of 30.

 

 

 

October 9, 2024

Billy Strings is no longer an up and coming artist. Even if you do not listen to him regularly, you are probably familiar with his name. He has struck with a chord with younger listeners and introduced them to acoustic and bluegrass music. The younger fans think he is cool. Billy Strings has also begun to melt the icy hearts of bluegrass purists. They do not think he is cool, but will admit that he has the vocal skills on par with their heroes of yesteryear and the pickin’ skills that is a hybrid of Doc Watson and Tony Rice. Billy Strings has a list of accolades that includes Grammy and IBMA wins, album sales that seem impossible for an acoustic act, and tour stops that register astronomical ticket sales. Billy Strings looks to continue his ascent in the music world with his latest album, Highway Prayers.

This album contains twenty tracks, which is quite an undertaking in today’s marketplace of just releasing singles. However, Highway Prayers is not a laborious listening endeavor. The singles and related videos that have been released have done nothing but drive Billy Strings fans’ hunger to consume the entire album, and they will not be disappointed. With the exception of “Stratosphere Blues / I Believe in You” and “Gild the Lily”, all the songs on Highway Prayers are bluegrass at their core. One of my favorite tracks from the album is “Seven Weeks in County”, a western ballad that is musically akin to “Ghost Riders in the Sky”, although lyrically the song tells a different story. Here is the complete track list for Highway Prayers:

1) Leanin’ on a Travelin’ Song
2) In the Clear
3) Escanaba
4) Gild of the Lily
5) Seven Weeks In County
6) Stratosphere Blues / I Believe in You
7) Cabin Song
8) Don’t Be Calling Me (at 4AM)”
9) Malfunction Junction
10) Catch and Release
11) Be Your Man
12) Gone a Long Time
13) It Ain’t Before
14) My Alice
15) Seney Stretch
16) MORBUD4ME
17) Leadfoot
18) Happy Hollow
19) The Beginning of the End
20) Richard Petty

 

Billy Strings has captured the attention of the listening public with a series of great albums, outstanding pickin’ and singing, great songwriting, and energetic concert performances. Highway Prayers will help bolster more attention for Billy Strings. A twenty song album would seem like a marathon in many artists’ hands. That is not the case with Billy Strings. When you finish with one track, you cannot wait for the next song to begin. I recommend giving Billy Strings’ Highway Prayers a listen today.

 

 

 

October 2, 2024

Molly Tuttle’s music is no stranger to the Catch of the Week. Her albums When You’re Ready, Crooked Tree, and City of Gold were reviewed here. In case you are not familiar with Molly Tuttle, let me give you a quick look at her background. Molly Tuttle has been playing guitar since she was 8 years old, performing on stage for the first time at the age of 11 with her father, Jack. Tuttle’s songwriting skills were evident at an early age, winning the Chris Young songwriting competition at MerleFest.  She also received a scholarship in 2012 to Berklee School of Music. Tuttle also has the distinction of being the first woman to win the International Bluegrass Music Association Guitar Player of the Year Award in 2017. For an encore, she repeated as the 2018 award winner. Molly also won the 2022 IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year Award, and is a two-time Grammy winner. Molly Tuttle and her band Golden Highway’s have just released a new project, the EP Into the Wild.

The project is a six song set features original songs and covers that draw from a wide range of influences. Molly Tuttle co-wrote the EP’s title track and “Getaway Girl” with Ketch Secor (Old Crow Medicine Show). There is also a new, pared down version of “Stranger Things”, a song originally released on the City of Gold album. “Here in California” is a song from the pen of folk singer Kate Wolf, one of Molly Tuttle’s influences. There is also a cover of Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit”, a song the band has covered in a live video and has been a fan favorite for several years. Tuttle also teams up with mandolinist Sierra Hull to cover Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U”.

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway is comprised of top tier pickers. In addition to Molly Tuttle on guitar, there is Bronwyn Keith-Hynes on fiddle, Dominick Leslie playing mandolin, Kyle Tuttle on banjo, and bassist Shelby Means. This EP is a great way to whet the appetites of fans for the group’s next album. It has been reported that Molly Tuttle is currently writing songs for that project, and it will hopefully be out next year. Until then, I recommend giving Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway’s Into the Wild a listen today.

 

 

 

September 25, 2024

Photo Credit James Macari; Courtesy of Republic Records

 

Miranda Lambert is one of todays’ most versatile, mainstream county music singers. She can tear out your heart, stomp it flat, and leave you wiping tears. Lambert’s songs can be fun and playful. Other tunes from Miranda’s catalog show a feisty side, and remind you that she is not be crossed. Sometimes lost in all of her commercial success is her love and commitment to good songwriting. Another thing that she loves is Texas, the state where she was born and raised. She showcases those two loves in her latest album, Postcards from Texas.

Frequent collaborator Jon Randal co-produced this fourteen track album along with Miranda Lambert. Postcards From Texas is the first project that Lambert has recorded in the Lone Star state since she was an unsigned, independent artist. The songwriters that contributed to songs to this album are noted in the track list below. It is an all-star lineup of writers. I enjoyed each track on this album, but a couple of my favorites include “Looking Back on Luckenbach” and “Santa Fe” feat. Parker McCollum.

Postcards from Texas Track List:

(songwriters in parentheses)

  1. “Armadillo” (Aaron Raitiere, Jon Decious, Parker Twomey)
  2. “Dammit Randy” (Miranda Lambert, Brendan McLoughlin, Jon Randall)
  3. “Looking Back on Luckenbach” (Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally, Natalie Hemby)
  4. “Santa Fe” feat. Parker McCollum (Miranda Lambert, Jesse Frasure, Jessie Jo Dillon, Dean Dillon)
  5. “January Heart” (Brent Cobb, Neil Medley)
  6. “Wranglers” (Audra Mae, Evan McKeever, Ryan Carpenter)
  7. “Run” (Miranda Lambert)
  8. “Alimony” (Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally)
  9. “I Hate Love Songs” (Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall)
  10. “No Man’s Land” (Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick)
  11. “Bitch On The Sauce (Just Drunk)” (Miranda Lambert, Jaren Johnston)
  12. “Way Too Good At Breaking My Heart” (Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Jesse Frasure, Jenee Fleenor)
  13. “Wildfire” (Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall)
  14. “Living On The Run” (David Allen Coe, Jimmy L. Howard)

 

Miranda Lambert continues to release albums that entertain the masses, please the critics, and, it seems, make her happy, too. As is the case with each of her albums, as soon as I was done listening to Postcards From Texas I was ready to start it all over again. I recommend giving Miranda Lambert’s Postcards From Texas a listen today.

 

 

 

September 11, 2024

George Strait has been making music that has pleased country music audiences for almost forty years. Although his concerts dates have slowed a bit in recent years, he is still making new music. His 31st studio album has been released, and it continues in Strait’s tradition of making great albums. Cowboys and Dreamers is as classic anything that King George has ever released.

Cowboys and Dreamers includes thirteen tracks. With the exception of Strait’s cover of Waylon Jennings “Waymore’s Blues”, the rest are new songs, and they come from a variety of great writers, including Dean Dillon, Jim Lauderdale, Bobby Braddock, Chris Stapleton, Ronnie Bowman, Bubba Strait (George’s son), Jessie Jo Dillon (Dean’s daughter), and even King George himself. Each song is outstanding and in the classic George Strait style. Some of my favorites include, “MIA Down in MIA”, “Three Drinks Behind”, “The Journey Of Your Life”, “Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame”, and the title track. Here is the complete track listing for Cowboys and Dreamers:

 

1) “Three Drinks Behind” (Benjamin Gaither, Jeff Silvey and Kim Williams)

2) “Cowboys And Dreamers” (Jessie Jo Dillon, Keith Gattis and Bubba Strait)

3) “To The Moon” (Marty Brown and Steve Clark)

4) “MIA Down in MIA” (Adam Craig and Dean Dillon)

5) “Wish I Could Say” (Keith Gattis)

6) “Calling From The Car” (Bobby Braddock)

7) “People Get Hurt Sometimes” (Jim Lauderdale, Kendell Marvel and Jimmy Ritchey)

8) “Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame” ft. Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton, Jameson Clark and Timothy James)

9) “The Little Things” (George Strait, Monty Criswell and Bubba Strait)

10) “The Book” (George Strait, Dean Dillon, Jessie Jo Dillon and Bubba Strait)

11) “Rent” (Guy Clark and Keith Gattis)

12) “Waymore’s Blues” (Curtis Buck and Waylon Jennings)

13) “The Journey Of Your Life” (Ronnie Bowman and Troy Jones)

 

George Strait has never strayed too far from the style we heard on his first albums, and this album continues in that tradition. Cowboys and Dreamers is definitely in the mold of his earlier projects. Another thing you have always been able to say about George Strait is that he is authentic. Nothing seems forced about the music, singing, or production. It is just an honest presentation of what makes country music great. I recommend giving Cowboys and Dreamers a listen today.

 

 

 

August 21, 2024

Dan Tyminski has been a fixture in bluegrass music since the 1990s, playing with the Lonesome River Band before joining Alison Krauss & Union Station in 1994. He went on to critical and commercial success for his recording of the classic “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow” for the ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou’ movie soundtrack, and his collaboration with Avicii on the song “Hey Brother”. Tyminski has also released several solo albums, and created the Dan Tyminski Band to tour in support of his solo projects when AKUS is on hiatus. Tyminski’s success has led to him becoming one of the revered statesmen in bluegrass, with his incredible vocals and strong rhythm guitar work being emulated by bluegrassers everywhere. Dan Tyminski released the album God Fearing Heathen in 2023 to much acclaim. He follows up that release with a new album, Live From the Ryman.

Known as the “mother church of country music”, the Ryman served as the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. It is still used for select Opry dates, plus the Ryman now has a busy concert schedule that includes not just country and bluegrass acts, but performers from all genres. Getting to perform at the Ryman is on many musicians bucket list. Standing on the same stage that legends like Hank Williams and Bill Monroe graced has been described by many artists as an almost religious experience. With that being said, having the opportunity to record a live album on the Ryman stage must take that feeling to an indescribable level. Dan Tyminski and his band deliver thirteen songs on this project. There is a mixture of songs from Dan’s time with AKUS, Dan Tyminski Band, a few traditional bluegrass tunes, and one new song, “Whiskey Drinking Man”. Here is the complete track listing for Dan Tyminski: Live From The Ryman:

 

  1. This Sad Song
  2. Let Me Fall
  3. Modern Day Jezebel
  4. Cumberland Gap
  5. Ode to Jimmy
  6. God Fearing Heathen
  7. The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn
  8. I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow
  9. Silence in the Brandy
  10. Say Won’t You Be Mine
  11. GOAT
  12. Whiskey Drinking Man
  13. Old Home Place

 

It goes without saying that Dan Tyminski is the star of this album. However, the supporting cast, the Dan Tyminski Band, is a huge part of this album’s greatness. The band consists of Jason Davis on banjo, Gaven Largent on dobro, Maddie Denton on fiddle, Harry Clark on mandolin, and Grace Davis on bass. Their expert playing, Tyminski’s powerful vocals and musicianship, along with the outstanding songwriting make Dan Tyminski: Live From The Ryman a must have. I recommend giving it a listen today.

 

 

 

August 14, 2024

American Aquarium has been around for over fifteen years. Bandleader BJ Barham has been the driving force behind the band, both singing and writing the majority of the songs American Aquarium’s repertoire. Although they have been performing for years, many discovered the group through their 2020 album, Lamentations. On the strength of that album, American Aquarium started to gain critical and commercial success, expanding their audiences, including playing The Grand Ole Opry. Since then, American Aquarium released Slappers, Bangers, and Certified Twangers, Vol. 1 & 2. And Chicamacomico. In addition to those albums, American Aquarium have been touring and gaining even more fans with their high energy performances. In between all of the tour stops, the group found time to head back to the studio to record their latest album, The Fear of Standing Still.

American Aquarium is not afraid to offer high octane songs, like “Head Down, Feet Moving”, and slower contemplative songs, like the title track, on the same album, and the group sounds great on each type of song. BJ Barham is a great storyteller with a voice to match. If you have ever wondered what Bruce Springsteen would sound like if he were from North Carolina, then just listen to BJ Barham. His superb songwriting is on display throughout The Fear of Standing Still. Barham wrote or co-wrote each of the album’s ten songs. The co-writers on this project include Hailey Whitter & Lori McKenna (“The Getting Home”), Stephen Wilson, Jr. (“Crier”), and Katie Pruitt (“Southern Roots”). “Messy As A Magnolia” and “Cherokee Purples” are two of my favorite tracks from the album. Here is the complete track listing for
The Fear of Standing Still:

1)            Crier

2)            Messy As A Magnolia

3)            Cherokee Purples

4)            The Getting Home

5)            Southern Roots (featuring Katie Pruitt)

6)            The Curse of Growing Old

7)            The Fear of Standing Still

8)            Piece by Piece

9)            Babies Having Babies

10)          Head Down, Feet Moving

 

It is great to have some new music from American Aquarium. The Fear of Standing Still is an excellent album. The group’s performances, the songwriting, and production (Shooter Jennings) are outstanding. BJ Barham and the rest of American Aquarium have done it again. If you have a chance, go out and see American Aquarium in concert. Until then, give The Fear of Standing Still a listen.

 

 

 

August 7, 2024

 

If you have followed my Catch of the Week for very long, you are aware that I have strong opinions on tribute albums. They are either very good, or they are very bad. There is no middle ground. So, when I recommend a tribute album, rest assured I hold it in high regard. Most tribute albums are homage to musical artists that have made an impact on other musicians, but they are no longer with us. This Catch of the Week is not only a tribute album, but the artist being honored is still alive and well.

Norman Blake is a legendary performer. Norman, born in 1938, is an expert multi-instrumentalist that has had a great career as a soloist, as a duo with his wife, Nancy, and recording and touring with many other artists over the years. Two of the most notable collaborations that Norman Blake was involved in was with Johnny Cash and John Hartford. He recorded and toured with Johnny Cash for 10 consecutive years and collaborated with Cash over the remainder of his career. Blake was also a member of the band Aero-plain, along with John Hartford. Even though that group was together for just a short time, Norman Blake and John Hartford continued to perform and record together through the years. That work with Johnny Cash and John Hartford figure heavily into this new album, Pilgrimage to Rising Fawn.

John Carter Cash, Johnny and June Carter Cash’s son, served as the producer and the driving force behind Pilgrimage to Rising Fawn. The project was captured over a year’s time, as he took recording equipment to the Blake’s home in Rising Fawn, GA in order to make the album. The John Hartford connection to this project is through John’s son, Jamie, who performs along with Norman Blake on two of the album’s ten tracks. Other appearances on this album includes Nancy Blake, Jamey Johnson Carlene Carter, Ana Cristina Cash, Joseph Cash, John Carter Cash, Matt Combs, John Cowan, Dennis Crouch, Jerry Douglas, Jamie Hartford, and Bill Miller. Here is the complete track listing for Pilgrimage to Rising Fawn:

 

  1. “Alabama Jubilee” – Featuring Jamey Johnson
  2. “Mystery Of Life” – Featuring Jamie Hartford
  3. “Cowboy’s Rules/ Boston Boy” – Featuring Norman Blake, Nancy Blake, Dennis Crouch, and Matt Combs
  4. “Hi-Eenktum Daddy-O” – Featuring Ana Cristina Cash and John Carter Cash
  5. “Shady Grove” – Featuring Jamey Johnson
  6. “Uncle Noah’s Ark” – Featuring Norman Blake
  7. “Give My Love to Rose” – Featuring Joseph Cash
  8. “Life’s Railway to Heaven” – Featuring Carlene Carter and John Carter Cash
  9. “Howard Hughes Blues” – Featuring Jamie Hartford
  10. “Georgia On My Mind” – Featuring Jamey Johnson

 

I want to give a big tip of the hat to John Carter Cash for capturing these performances with a live and relaxed sound. It sounds as if we are listening to friends having a jam session. Most importantly, Cash uses this album to remind the world of Norman Blake’s greatness. However, the biggest tip of the hat goes to Norman Blake. In the world of acoustic guitar players, I feel like he is sometimes overlooked when younger pickers mention the greats. I can guarantee that your favorite young six string wonder was influenced, directly or indirectly, by Norman Blake. There is no shame in not being familiar with Norman Blake. However, use Pilgrimage to Rising Fawn as a starting place to explore the wonderful world of Norman Blake’s work. I recommend giving Pilgrimage to Rising Fawn a listen today.

 

 

 

July 31, 2024

Sturgill Simpson is one of the most interesting artists of our time. It is almost impossible to put a label on his music. Simpson has put a wide variety of styles and sounds in his previous albums: High Top Mountain , Metamodern Sounds in Country Music , A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, Sound and Fury, and The Ballad of Dood & Juanita. You will hear everything from country and gospel to bluegrass, rock, psychedelic rock, strings, and horns. Simpson had previously stated that he was only going to make five original albums before calling it quits as a solo artist. His Cuttin’ Grass, Vol. 1 & 2 are not included in the album total because those albums consist primarily of bluegrass versions of his previously recorded material. He has just released a new album, Passage Du Desir, but, true to his word, the album is not credited to Sturgill Simpson. Instead, Passage Du Desir is credited to his alter ego, Johnny Blue Skies.

Sturgill Simpson has said in several interviews that Johnny Blue Skies is the moniker that was given to him by a patron of a bar he frequented when he was younger. I am fine with the new name because the music is completely Sturgill Simpson. The album features eight new songs, and all of them were written by Simpson. Each song has a sound that is unique from the next track. However, there is something that is difficult to quantify that sonically ties the album together. Maybe it is Sturgill Simpson….I mean Johnny Blue Skies that is the thread that stitches the songs into a musical quilt. I enjoyed each track, but a few of my favorites are “Scooter Blues”, “Who I Am”, and “One For the Road”. Here is the complete track listing for Passage Du Desir:

  1. “Swamp of Sadness”
  2. “If The Sun Never Rises Again”
  3. “Scooter Blues”
  4. “Jupiter’s Faerie”
  5. “Who I Am,”
  6. “Right Kind of Dream”
  7. “Mint Tea”
  8. “One for the Road”

It is hard to say that this album is a return Sturgill Simpson’s earlier sound because it is almost impossible to pin him down to a particular genre. However, this album feels like it is more akin to Metamodern Sounds in Country Music  and  A Sailor’s Guide to Earth. Maybe it is an example of an artist continuing to grow while drawing on his previous musical experiences. Whether it is Sturgill Simpson or Johnny Blue Skies, I hope that he gives us more music in the future. I recommend giving Passage Du Desir a listen today.

 

 

 

July 24, 2024

Tracy Lawrence was one of the standout country music stars of the 1990s. It is one of the most successful periods for the genre, with millions of albums having been sold. From that era, Tracy Lawrence’s songs are still revered by fans and covered in concert by current country stars. Since the time of his breaking into mainstream country music, Lawrence has continued to release new projects and tour. Never resting on his laurels, Tracy Lawrence has just released a new EP, Out Here In It.

There are six tracks on the new EP. As expected with a Tracy Lawrence project, the songs vary from the feel-good “Pretty Dang Good” to the heartbreak of “Gulf of Mexico”. I enjoyed each track on Out Here In It, but my two favorite tracks are the aforementioned “Gulf of Mexico” and the reflective “Out Here In It”. Here is the complete track listing for Out Here In It:

  1. “Pretty Dang Good”
  2. “I Could Use One”
  3. “A Cowboy Would”
  4. “Gulf of Mexico”
  5. “Out Here In It”
  6. “Honky Tonk Up”

 

Tracy Lawrence is a prime example of country stars that are still releasing quality songs despite not finding a place on current country radio playlists. I cannot speak for Lawrence or any of the others that find themselves in that situation, but I believe I would find those circumstances freeing as an artist. Lawrence sounds as good as ever, and his ability to convey a story or an emotion is still top notch. I recommend giving Out Here In It a listen today.

 

 

 

July 10, 2024

It is hard to imagine, but for a period of time no record label wanted Johnny Cash. After starting his career in 1954 at Sun Records, Cash signed with Columbia in 1958. In one of the more shocking announcements in country music history, Columbia dropped Cash from the label in 1986. It did not take long before Mercury picked up Cash. He was with Mercury from 1987-1991. From the end of his deal with Mercury until he signed with Rick Rubin’s American Recordings in 1994, Cash was without a label. How could the legendary “Man in Black” be cast aside by the music industry? During that period of musical limbo, it turns out that Cash was busy recording music. That music was recently discovered by John Carter Cash, the only child of Johnny and June Carter Cash, and he decided to take the recordings and finish the productions process. Now we have a new album from Johnny Cash, Songwriter.

As the album’s title implies, Johnny Cash is the sole writer of all of this project’s songs. The original recordings were basically demos. John Carter Cash sought the help of musicians and background vocalists to add to the existing material, including Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, and Dan Auerbach. Those recognizable names adding to the recording left me with the concern that the end result could be a tangled mess of sound. However, my fears were put to rest when I listened to Songwriter. It is obvious that the focus in on the voice of Johnny Cash. Here is the track list for Songwriter:

 

  1. Hello Out There
  2. Spotlight
  3. Drive On
  4. I Love You Tonite
  5. Have You Ever Been to Little Rock?
  6. Well Alright
  7. She Sang Sweet Baby James
  8. Poor Valley Girl
  9. Soldier Boy
  10. Sing It Pretty Sue
  11. Like A Soldier

 

This album is a wonderful bridge between Johnny Cash’s Mercury run and the start of his wonderful relationship with Rick Rubin and American Recordings. These songs echo the early sounds that made Cash a legend. With his American Recordings projects, many of the songs were wonderfully selected and performed covers. This new album serves to remind everyone that not only was Johnny Cash a performer, but he was also a songwriter. I recommend giving Johnny Cash’s Songwriter a listen today.

 

 

 

 

April 17, 2024

It has been many years since I have listened to an instrumental album that was led by a steel guitar player. I guess the last one I heard was one of the many Buddy Emmons LPs. Steel guitar players are not extinct, but they on the endangered list. If you are able to spot a steel guitar player in the wild, many are approaching or already at AARP age. That is why it was so exciting to find a new project from a young steel guitar player.

Hailing from Austin, Texas, Noah Faulker is a 16-year-old pedal steel phenom. His musical journey did not begin with steel guitar. At the age of 9, Faulkner began playing piano, teaching himself the basics. Later he began taking advanced lessons with Bukka Allen. Faulkner was introduced by Allen to legendary Texas musician, Lloyd Maines. After the introduction, Noah became interested in pedal steel guitar. Maines helped him find his first pedal steel and gave him a lesson. It turns out that is the only lesson Noah would take. He taught himself by watching videos of Maines and the aforementioned Buddy Emmons. In 2022, Noah posted his first pedal steel video on Instagram, and he was off to the races.

Noah Faulkner, known professionally as Pedal Steel Noah, has just released his first EP, Texas Madness. The album is comprised of five songs. There are two original PSN compositions on the project: “Cleopatra” and “Lucy and Dixie”. The remaining three tracks are covers, but they are not songs that you would expect a pedal steel player from Texas to cover.  He takes on Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”, The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven”, and Tears for Fears’ “Head Over Heels”. You may be shocked by that list of songs. However, it will be more shocking once you listen to the songs. PSN takes the non-country songs and makes them sound like they are country standards. Here is the complete track listing for Texas Madness:

  1. Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division)
  2. Just Like Heaven (The Cure)
  3. Cleopatra (Pedal Steel Noah)
  4. Head Over Heels (Tears For Fears)
  5. Lucy and Dixie (Pedal Steel Noah)

 

Pedal Steel Noah received some backup in the studio from his family on Texas Madness. PSN’s dad, Jay, plays guitar and 13-year-old brother Nate plays bass. If you have watched any of Noah’s videos, you will recognize the family’s dog, Kara, gracing the EP’s cover. PSN plays with the touch of player that has been playing for decades. Who knows what the future holds for Pedal Steel Noah. Whether it is as a studio musician or backing artists at live shows, I have a feeling that we will be hearing a lot his pedal steel work down the road. If you want more information about Pedal Steel Noah, visit https://pedalsteelnoah.com/. I recommend giving Pedal Steel Noah’s Texas Madness a listen today.

 

 

 

April 10, 2024

Over the past few years, there has been resurgence in the popularity of ‘90s country. Many up and coming artists that have been inspired by the likes of Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, and Tracy Lawrence are, to borrow a line from the aforementioned Jackson, “chasin’ that neon rainbow.” You can hear the influence in the new artists’ releases. However, this Catch of the Week does not just pay tribute to the ‘90s country sounds. Zach Top’s Cold Beer & Country Music sounds exactly like it is pulled from that decade.

Zach Top may be a new name to many, but he is not a novice when it comes to performing music. The Sunnyside, Washington native began playing publically in various bluegrass bands. He landed with the group Modern Tradition, and the group was very successful, including having a #1 song (“Like It Ain’t No Thing”). In 2021, Top turned his sights to Nashville and country music.

Zach Top’s Cold Beer and Country Music is comprised of twelve songs, and he co-wrote each of the songs. There is plenty of fiddle, steel guitar, and piano featured throughout the project. Speaking of the instruments, it is refreshing to be able to hear every instrument individually as they are working together. I feel like a lot of today’s music, not just country, is compressed to the point that you cannot hear the important place each instrument holds in helping to paint the mood of the song. I truly enjoyed every track on this album, but some of my favorites include “Use Me”, “Dirt Turns to Gold”, “Lonely for Long”, and the title track. Here is the complete track list for Cold Beer & Country Music:

  1. Sounds Like The Radio
  2. Cold Beer & Country Music
  3. Cowboys Like Me Do
  4. There’s The Sun
  5. Dirt Turns To Gold
  6. The Kinda Woman I Like
  7. Lonely For Long
  8. Bad Luck
  9. Use Me
  10. Ain’t That A Heartbreak
  11. I Never Lie
  12. Things To Do

 

I want to take a moment to recognize the producer of Cold Beer & Country Music, Carson Chamberlain. I am sure his experience helped to inform his work on this album. Chamberlain is the former steel guitar player for the late Keith Whitley, touring manager for Alan Jackson and Clint Black, songwriter for acts like George Strait and Alan Jackson, and producer for the likes of Billy Currington and Easton Corbin.  With his contributions, the expert musical performances and, most importantly, Zach Top’s outstanding vocals, you have the perfect combination to make Cold Beer & Country Music. With Zach Top being only 25-years-old, I feel like we will be hearing him on country radio for many years to come. I recommend giving Zach Top’s Cold Beer & Country Music a listen today.

 

 

 

April 3, 2024

Singer-songwriter Kelly Willis, singer and bassist Melissa Carper, and singer and guitarist Brennen Leigh are successful solo acts. In recent years, each of their individual tour stops would sometimes find the three artists packaged together for a concert date. When those occasions occurred, they not only played their individual sets, but they also would perform songs together. The merging of their powers for those special performances had many concert goers inquiring if the three had any records they had recorded together. The three singers had no such recording that they could direct people towards. However, that got them to think that maybe that it was not a bad idea to pursue a collective venture. Willis, Carper, and Leigh have just released their new project, Wonder Women of Country.

The EP includes six songs, and with the exception of a cover of John Prine’s “I Have Met My Love Today”, each song was written or co-written by Willis, Carper, and Leigh. In addition to providing lead and harmony vocals on the project, each member plays their own instruments, with Brennen Leigh playing lead guitar and mandolin, Kelly Willis on rhythm guitar, and Melissa Carper on bass. The other musicians includes Chris Scruggs on steel guitar, Geoff Queen on Dobro and steel guitar, Ginny Mac on accordion, and Timmy Campbell on drums. The project is a combination of traditional country sounds and a splash of western swing. Some of my favorite tracks include “Hanging on to You”, “Another Broken Heart”, and “I Have Met My Love Today”. Here is the complete track list for Wonder Women of Country:

  1. “Fly Ya to Hawaii”
  2. “Another Broken Heart”
  3. “Won’t Be Worried Long”
  4. “A Thousand Ways”
  5. “Hanging on to You”
  6. “I Have Met My Love Today”

 

Kelly Willis, Melissa Carper, and Brennen Leigh have done an outstanding job on their vocal delivery, musical performances, and songwriting on Wonder Women of Country Music. I also want to give a tip of the hat to the aforementioned additional musicians that also helped to craft the album. I know this collaboration is not going to be Willis, Carper and Leigh’s main gig going forward. They will continue to further their individual solo careers. However, I hope that we are given more projects in the future from this group. I recommend giving Wonder Women of Country a listen today.

 

 

 

Remember, you can contact me via email at

porkchop@gacaradio.com, by facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/921wlhr or by calling me Monday -Friday from 6-10am at 706-356-WLHR (9547).

 

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