Porkchop

Porkchop’s Catch of the Week

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July 16, 2025

I first reviewed an album from Matt Daniel in 2022. When I reviewed All I’ll Ever Need, there was not much information on Matt Daniel. I even noted the lack of details in my review. Since then, not much has changed. He is active on social media, but there is not a lot of background information on Matt Daniel. So, as I did with my first review, I will tell you all that I know. Matt Daniel is a Texas singer-songwriter. His latest album is The Poet.

The album features nine songs, all written or co-written by Matt Daniel. Ben Clark and Nate Fredrick are the other songwriters that collaborate on this project with Daniel. The lyrics are laid out in excellent fashion, drawing you into the story that each song tells. Daniel’s voice is outstanding, too. It has a unique timbre that sets him apart from other singers. Some of my favorite songs on The Poet include “On My Own”, “Keepin’ Me Alive”, “In Between”, and the title track. Here is the complete track listing for The Poet:

The Poet
Lonely Train
On My Own
Keepin Me Alive
Junebug’s Song
In Between
Bird on the Ground
Brand New Start
Long Way Home

I have always have always been attracted to authentic music. I want music that has some substance in the lyrics and grit in the performances. I feel like Matt Daniel is the real deal. He is a gifted songwriter and talented songwriter. I hope that we hear more from him in the future. I recommend giving Matt Daniel’s The Poet a listen today.

July 9, 2025

We have reviewed some wonderful albums thus far in 2025. I thought I would take a look back at some of the best of the best in our mid-year review. The albums are listed in the order in which they were reviewed:

– Bonnie “Prince” Billy – The Purple Bird (February 19^th)-

Bonnie “Prince” Billy is one of the most unique artists under the Americana banner. His songwriting, and those of his collaborators on this project, is superb. The range of instruments, the performances, and placement of said instruments help to set the mood and message of each song perfectly.

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– Zach Top featuring Billy Strings – Me & Billy (March 5^th)-

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– Jason Isbell – Foxes in the Snow (March 12^th)-

Foxes in the Snow is just Isbell and his guitar. He is well regarded as a great songwriter and singer, but Isbell does not get as many accolades for guitar work. This album will go a long way in bringing to light Isbell’s expert guitar work. Add that to his aforementioned singing and songwriting, and Foxes in the Snow is a powerful album.

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-Charley Crockett – Lonesome Drifter (March 19^th)-

Charley Crockett reminds me that sometimes the straightforward approach is the best way. His songwriting is straight to the point, and his delivery is completely unique and recognizable. The musical presentation also sets Crockett apart from others. Of course, you have country as the base of everything in his music, but all of it is splashed with the blues.

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– Michael Cleveland and Jason Carter – Carter & Cleveland (March 26^th)-

Carter, formerly of the Del McCoury Band, and Cleveland are two of the most awarded fiddlers in IBMA history. They combine their forces on this project. Some of my favorite tracks include “Outrun the Rain”, a cover of Buck Owens and Don Rich’s “Kern County Breakdown” and John Hartford’s “Vamp in the Middle”.

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– Alison Krauss & Union Station – Arcadia (April 2^nd)-

Was it worth the fourteen year wait between albums? With Dan Tyminski leaving the group, and Russell Moore being added to the lineup of AKUS, will the group be able to maintain the sound we have become accustomed to hearing? The answer to both questions is affirmative in the most resounding way. The vocals, music, and song selection put AKUS in a league of their own.

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– JD Clayton – Blue Sky Sundays (April 9^th)-

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– Billy Strings & Bryant Sutton – Live at the Legion (April 16^th)-

As a fan of Tony Rice, Doc Watson, and Clarence White, this album checks every box. Since those stalwarts are no longer with us, it is great to have Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton introduce a new generation to some of the songs that are the bedrock of American acoustic guitar music.

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– Charles Wesley Godwin – Lonely Mountain Town (April 23^rd)-

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– SteelDrivers – Outrun (May 28^th)-

There are very few bluegrass bands that before you hear the first utterance of lyrics you can identify just from their musical stylings. You can definitely do that with the SteelDrivers. It is amazing that they have maintained that sound through twenty years. Their songs’ lyrics set them apart, too. Combining the music with the expert songwriting places the SteelDrivers on a different artistic level than many other bands.

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– Hailey Whitters – Corn Queen (June 11^th)-

If you are not familiar with Hailey Whitters, get used to the name. I believe that her name will become more well-known as she continues to write great songs. Whitters’ songwriting and singing are outstanding.

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– Jesse Daniel – Son of the San Lorenzo (June 25^th)-

This album has an authenticity that is clearly evident. The instrumental performances from the musicians, known as the Restless Riders, are outstanding, too. Jesse Daniel’s voice has a unique and recognizable quality to it that is refreshing in this time of sound-alike releases from Nashville.

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– Volume Five – Leave a Light On (July 2^nd)-

As expected with a Volume Five album, the instrumental performances are strong. Glen Harrell is one of the most easily identified vocalists in bluegrass music. In addition, the song selection is superb. They seem to find songs that fit their style. I do not know if there is a bluegrass group at present that tells a story in song as well as Volume Five.

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*To read the complete reviews, please scroll down the page to the appropriate dates.*

July 2, 2025

Volume Five is one of the most outstanding bands in bluegrass music today. Their string of albums have turned the heads of many bluegrass aficionados, and gained many fans in the process. Volume Five has a history of excellent musicianship, singing, songwriting, and song selection that places them in the top tier of current bluegrass groups. In recent years, Volume Five has gone through some personnel changes in recent years. Resophonic guitarist and bass player Jeff Partin and mandolin player Aaron Ramsey left the group, and in early 2021, banjo player Patton Wages suffered a stroke that forced him off of the road. Despite the lineup changes, Volume Five continues to press forward and record great music. Their latest album, Leave a Light On, has just been released.

The lineup on Leave a Light On sees Glen Harrell on lead vocals and fiddle, Jacob Burleson on guitar and harmony vocals, Jacob Eller on bass, Chris Wade on banjo, and former members Aaron Ramsey on mandolin and harmony vocals, and Jeff Partin on resophonic guitar and bass. Also, Grayson Lane, son of Blue Highway’s Shawn Lane, wrote and plays piano on the title track. The new album feature ten songs, and there is not a bad song in the bunch. Some of my favorites include “Pine Tree Skyline”, “County Wishing Well”, and the title track. Here’s the complete track listing for Leave a Light On:

Dying All Over Again (Jeff Partin)
Dreams Like That (David R. Coriell)
County Wishing Well (Josh Miller)
Walking Among the Living (Jon Randall & Jessie Lee Alexander)
You Don’t Care for Me Enough to Cry (John Moreland)
I’m Gonna Love You Like There’s No Tomorrow (Peter Rowan)
Pine Tree Skyline (Bob Minner & John Meador)
We Just Disagree (Jim Krueger)
Leave a Light on (Grayson Lane)
What Can You Do (Jeff Partin)

June 25, 2025

We look west for this review; California, to be specific. That is where Jesse Daniel hails from. The thirty-something singer-songwriter has been touring honky tonks regularly for years. Prior to taking to the troubadour’s trail, Daniel fought addiction to drugs and alcohol. The fight with those demons led to jail time. Daniel has been very transparent about his journey. He also credits music to help put him on solid ground and point him in the right direction. Jesse Daniel’s draws from those experiences in latest album is Son of the San Lorenzo.

The album, and its title track, are named after the area of California where Jesse Daniel grew up. He has recorded the song previously. However, it is a good move to include a new recording of the song on this project because many, including myself, are just now becoming familiar with Daniel’s music. It is a great introduction to his music and the story of his life. Some of the other outstanding tracks on this LP include “He”, “Jodi”, “My Time’s Gonna Come”, and “Mountain Home”. Jesse Daniel wrote every song by himself with the exception of a duet with Charles Wesley Godwin (“Time Well Spent For a Man”), which was written by Nick Foster. Here is the complete track listing for Son of the San Lorenzo:

Child is Born
Son of San Lorenzo
He
The Ballad of Love Creek
One’s Too Many (And a Thousand Ain’t Enough)
Jodi
Mountain Home
Time Well Spent For a Man feat. Charles Wesley Godwin
Crankster
My Time is Gonna Come
The End

It is worth noting that not only is Jesse Daniel the primary songwriter on this album, but he also produced and self-released this project. Even without knowing his backstory, this album has an authenticity that is clearly evident. The instrumental performances from the musicians, known as the Restless Riders, are outstanding, too. Jesse Daniel’s voice has a unique and recognizable quality to it that is refreshing in this time of sound-alike releases from Nashville. I recommend giving Jesse Daniel’s Son of the San Lorenzo a listen today.

June 18, 2025

I first reviewed a project from the Castellows in 2024. That project was there EP A Little Goes a Long Way. I was thoroughly impressed not only with their incredible harmony vocals, but also with the fact that they played their own instruments. The group members (sisters Eleanor, Powell, and Lily Balkcom) are Georgia natives’ latest project shows no drop in quality. The Castellows new EP is Homecoming.

This EP is comprised of seven songs. Six of those are original compositions with the only exception being a cover of Patty Loveless’ “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am” (penned by Gretchen Peters). The Castellows had a hand in writing those six songs. Some of their co-writers include Cleto Cordero, Colby Acuff, Erik Dylan, Casey Beathard, and Daniel Tashian. Some of my favorite songs on this project include “Freeway”, “Broke”, and “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am”. Here is the complete track listing for Homecoming:

“Old Way” (Ellie Balkcom, Powell Balkcom, Casey Beathard, and Jimi Bell)
“Sheltered” (Eleanor Balkcom, Lily Balkcom, Powell Balkcom and Daniel Tashian)
“You Don’t Even Know Who I Am” (Gretchen Peters)
“Place They Call Home” (Feat. Flatland Cavalry) (Ellie Balkcom, Lily Balkcom, Powell Balkcom, Cleto Cordero)
“Freeway” (Ellie Balkcom, Powell Balkcom, Lily Balkcom, and Matt Jenkins)
“Broke” (Ellie Balkcom, Powell Balkcom, Lily Balkcom, Erik Dylan)
“Homecoming” (Ellie Balkcom, Powell Balkcom, Lily Balkcom, Colby Acuff)

The Castellows still amaze me. Their tight, family harmonies are beautiful and haunting. There musicianship and that of the other musicians on the album is outstanding. In addition, the songwriting, of the Balkcom sisters and their collaborators, it top notch. The Castellows sound is what some would classify as neotraditional. However, unlike many other under that banner, the Castellows sound is also modern. This is a great offering from the group. I recommend giving the Castellows’ Homecoming a listen today.

June 11, 2025

I first reviewed Hailey Whitters’ work in 2021 with her album Living the Dream. It was a great album full of great singing and songwriting. Prior to that review, she had already had success as a songwriter, co-writing songs that have been covered by the likes of Little Big Town (“Happy People”) and Alan Jackson (“The Older I Get”). Since that first review, I have been anxiously awaiting a new album from Hailey Whitters. Her new album, Corn Queen, is out now.

In a press release from Whitters’ record label, Big Loud, she said that fans started calling her Corn Queen because she is from Iowa. Whitters added, “At first, it seemed kind of silly, but the more I thought about it, the more I loved the duality of it. Corn is this simple, humble crop, and ‘queen’ implies royalty passed down through blood. I come from a long line of blue-collar farmers and construction workers. I’ve been out here for over a decade brushing my teeth in truck stop bathrooms, sleeping on hotel floors, driving myself from gig to gig. It’s not glamorous, but I’m proud of it. I like the idea of a queen with a little grit and elbow grease.” Corn Queen definitely seems like an examination of life in Iowa, or any small town setting. As expected, Whitters songs are full of lyrics that will bring a wry smile to your face, while others are more thought provoking. Some of my favorite tracks include “High on a Heartbreak”, “The Nail”, “Prodigal Daughter” featuring Molly Tuttle, “I Don’t Want You” featuring Charles Wesley Godwin, and the title track. Here is the complete track listing for Corn Queen:

High On The Hog (Hailey Whitters)
Prodigal Daughter (featuring Molly Tuttle) (Hailey Whitters, Paul Sikes, Bryan Simpson)
Shotgun Wedding Baby (Hailey Whitters, Brad Warren, Brett Warren, Caroline Watkins)
Helluva Heart (Hailey Whitters, Trannie Anderson, Paul Sikes)
High On A Heartbreak (Hailey Whitters, Jessie Jo Dillon, David Garcia, Hillary Lindsey)
It’ll Do (Hailey Whitters, Chris LaCorte, Hillary Lindsey, Jon Nite)
Hearsay (Hailey Whitters, Trannie Anderson, Paul Sikes)
Anything Like Me (Hailey Whitters, Trannie Anderson, Paul Sikes)
I Don’t Want You (featuring Charles Wesley Godwin) (Hailey Whitters, Jon Nite, Gordie Sampson)
The Nail (Hailey Whitters, Bryan Simpson, Ryan Tyndell)
Casseroles (Tom Douglas, Hillary Lindsey, James Slater)
Wagon (Trannie Anderson, Ben Hayslip, Seth Mosley)
Wholesome (Hailey Whitters, Luke Dick)
White Limousine (Hailey Whitters, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jesse Frasure)
Corn Queen (Hailey Whitters, Bobby Pinson)
DanceMor (featuring The Wilder Blue) (Hailey Whitters, Nicolle Galyon, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)

If you are not familiar with Hailey Whitters, get used to the name. I believe that her name will become more well-known as she continues to write great songs. I hope that she will start to gain traction as a performer, too. Her performances have drawn comparisons to Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves. It is really unfair to compare artists to each other, but if you are going to be compared to others, Lambert and Musgraves are not bad company. Hailey Whitters’ songwriting and singing are outstanding. Give her album, Corn Queen, a listen today.

June 4, 2025

Many of you are familiar with singer and songwriter Ashland Craft. The Piedmont, SC native first came to national attention as a contestant during Season 13 of The Voice. After her run on that TV program, Craft released her 2021 Travelin’ Kind. For years Craft has been honing her craft as a singer, songwriter, and performer. She has kept a full schedule of concert dates and gaining new fans along the way. Many of those fans have been wondering when Craft would release a new album. We got hints that a new full length album would be coming soon when she started releasing single in late 2024 and early 2025. The wait is now over, as Ashland Craft has released a new album, Dive Bar Beauty Queen.

Ashland Craft highlights her many talents on the new album. Her vocal delivery sounds better than ever. She can go from the southern swagger on the title track to the softer delivery on “Momma Don’t Pray Like She Used To”. Her songwriting is also on display on Dive Bar Beauty Queen. Craft had a hand in writing ten of the album’s eleven tracks. Here is the complete Dive Bar Beauty Queen track list:

“Dive Bar Beauty Queen” (Ashland Craft)
“Hangin’ Up The Honkytonk” (Ashland Craft, Ben Stennis, Erik Dylan)
“Lie A Little” (Bryan Simpson, Kelly Archer, Mark Irwin)
“Wasn’t The Chevy” (Ashland Craft, Trannie Anderson, Marla Cannon)
“Yard Sale” (Ashland Craft, Kasey Tyndall, Lee Starr)
“Kick Rocks Cowboy” (Ashland Craft, Jonathan Singleton, Shane Minor)
“Happy Drunk” (Ashland Craft, Kasey Tyndall, Tori Allen)
“Right Damn Now” (Ashland Craft, Wyatt McCubbin, Erik Dylan)
“Doesn’t Have To Be That Way” (Ashland Craft, Lee Starr, Marv Green)
“Momma Don’t Pray Like She Used To” (Ashland Craft, Jess Grommet, Willie Morrison, Corey Elizabeth Grogan)
“Morning Person” (Ashland Craft, Faren Rachels, Dallas Wilson, Trannie Anderson)

Ashland Craft continues to grow as an artist. Her commitment to touring and sharpening her skills as a stage performer and songwriter has her pointed in the direction of becoming a country star. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Ashland Craft. If you have a chance to go out to see her in concert, I encourage you to do it. Also, I recommend giving Ashland Craft’s Dive Bar Beauty Queen a listen today.

May 28, 2025

No matter what happens for The SteelDrivers, the first thing mentioned when their name is brought up is, “That’s the group Chris Stapleton used to sing with, right?” You are correct. Before launching his solo career, Stapleton was a member of The SteelDrivers. When he left the group, many people, including me, wondering how the sound of the group would change. The answer was it did not change much at all. In fact, despite the changes of personnel, especially on guitar and lead male vocals, the group’s style is almost indecipherable during their twenty year run. The SteelDrivers had another big change recently when they signed with the historic Sun Records. Their latest album, and first on Sun, is Outrun, and features Richard Bailey (banjo), Tammy Rogers (fiddle), Mike Fleming (bass), Brent Truitt (mandolin), and Matt Dame (Guitar).

One of the signatures of the SteelDrivers is their insistence on recording original material. It helps that the band’s roster features great songwriters to assist in gaining new material. Tammy Rogers is a tremendous songwriter, and she co-wrote eight of the twelve songs on Outrun. Matt Dame co-wrote three of the album’s songs. The SteelDrivers also recorded some great songs co-written by former band member, the late Mike Henderson. Add to that a list of co-writers that includes Verlon Thompson and Thomm Jutz, and it is obvious why the songs on this project are top notch. The musical performances, as always, are outstanding. Some of the standout tracks on Outrun include “You Should See The Other Guy”, “Booze And Cigarettes”, “Cut You Down” and the title track. Here is the complete track listing for Outrun:

“Outrun” (Tammy Rogers, Leslie Satcher)
“The River Knows” (Tammy Rogers, Tom Douglas, Daniel Ethridge)
“Booze And Cigarettes” (Tammy Rogers, Verlon Thompson)
“Cut You Down” (Tammy Rogers, Thomm Jutz, Eli Wheeler)
“Prisoner’s Tears” (Mike Henderson, Wally Wilson, Mark Irwin)
“Rosanna” (Tammy Rogers, Liz Hengber, Matt Dame)
“When The Last Teardrop Falls” (Tammy Rogers, Daniel Ethridge)
“Painted And Poison” (Mike Henderson, Ronnie McCoury)
“Traveling Trouble Blues” (Tammy Rogers, Thomm Jutz)
“You Should See The Other Guy” (Tammy Rogers, Liz Hengber, Thomm Jutz)
“Emma Lee” ( Matt Dame, Gary Baker, William Barnhill)
“On My Way” (Matt Dame, Gary Baker, William Barnhill)

May 14, 2025

Each Catch of the Week has a checklist of things I am listening for before I recommend it to you: outstanding performances (vocally and musically), great songwriting and song selection, and solid production. This Catch of the Week meets all of those qualifications. Chaparelle is an act based in Austin, TX. The duo consists of solo artists Jesse Woods and Zella Day. Chaparelle teamed up with producer Beau Bedford on their album. The album, Chaparelle’s debut project, is Western Pleasure.

It is difficult to describe Chaparelle’s sound because it includes so many different elements. It is definitely rooted in the country sounds of the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. However, you cannot classify Chaparelle as strictly a retro-country act. There are elements of the ‘60s pop sound, especially on “Heart Broke Holiday” and the project’s only cover, “Dance With Somebody”. Woods and Day deliver great solo vocal performances throughout, but their harmony singing is a perfect pairing reminiscent of the Everly Brothers. All of the elements fit together seamlessly on Western Pleasure. Except for the aforementioned cover, the album’s other ten songs are originals that Woods and Day had a hand in co-writing. Some of my favorite tracks include “Bleeding Hearts”, “All Things Considered”, and “Dance With Somebody”. Here is the complete track listing for Western Pleasure:

Bleeding Hearts
Devil’s Music
Inside the Lines
Bad Loving
Playing Diamonds Cashing Checks
Heart Broke Holiday
Baby Jesus
All Things Considered
Sex and Rage
Love is Hot
Dance with Somebody

I love the sound and feel of the songs on Western Pleasure. I must admit that I was not aware of Jesse Woods and Zella Day as solo artists before researching the album for this review. I do not know if they are going to devote most of their time and energy to Chaparelle or split it with their solo careers. I hope to hear more from Chaparelle in the future. This album is a welcome palate cleanser to my playlist. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I recommend giving Chaparelle’s Western Pleasure a listen today.

May 7, 2025

Many listeners may be familiar with Mo Pitney. We have featured his songs “Country”, “Ain’t Bad For a Good Ol’ Boy”, “Boy and a Girl Thing”, and “Everywhere” on the Breakfast with Porkchop Show. Although those songs are more in the country vein, Pitney is steeped in bluegrass music. Over the years sharpened his skills at many bluegrass jam sessions. Along the way, Pitney befriended fellow musician, banjoist John Meyer. They recently decided to join forces and create a duo. Ever since they announced their formation, the bluegrass world has been a buzz. Pitney Meyer have just released their first album, Cherokee Pioneer.

Pitney Meyer offers a variety of subject in the songs on Cherokee Pioneer: from the rural country imagery of the opening track, “Banjo Picker (In A Bluegrass Band)” to the Appalachian acapella gospel message of the album’s final song, “Lord Sabbath”. The album includes eleven songs. Pitney and Meyer had a hand in writing all but of the songs (“White Corn Graves” by Darryl Miller and John Anderson’s “Seminole Wind”). A couple of my favorite songs on this project are “Trail Of Tears” and “Bear Creek Clay”. The latter was a co-write between Pitney, Meyer, and Danielle Yother. She is not only a great songwriter, but she is a member of a great group, the Wilder Flower. Be sure to check out their music, too. Here is a complete track listing for Cherokee Pioneer:

Banjo Picker (In A Bluegrass Band) (Mo Pitney, Darryl Miller)
Old Friend (Mo Pitney, John Meyer, Wyatt McCubbin)
Bear Creek Clay (Danielle Yother, John Meyer, Mo Pitney)
Mourning Dove”(Mo Pitney, John Meyer)
White Corn Graves (Darryl Miller)
Trail Of Tears (Mo Pitney, John Meyer)
Blue Water (Mo Pitney, John Meyer)
Seminole Wind (John Anderson)
Walk In The Way (Mo Pitney, John Meyer)
Rivers Of Living Water (Mo Pitney, John Meyer)
Lord Sabbath (Mo Pitney)

In addition to Mo Pitney (guitar) and John Meyer (banjo), the duo is joined by Nate Burie (mandolin and vocals), Blake Pitney, Mo’s brother (bass and vocals), along with Jenee Fleenor and Ivy Phillips (fiddle). It is also worth noting that the album was recorded live on analog tape. It is great to hear the studio banter between the musicians and singers before the songs begin. The location of the recording was the Storytellers Hideaway Farm in Bon Aqua, TN, inside an 1837 log cabin once owned by Johnny Cash. The live approach is refreshing. Although we have lots of funs tools and toys at our disposal, this album is a reminder that you can make a great album in the way that Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, and the Stanley Brothers recorded. I highly recommend giving Pitney Meyer’s Cherokee Pioneer a listen today.

April 23, 2025

For this review, we turn to the state of West Virginia. Morgantown, WV is the where Charles Wesley Godwin was born and raised. Godwin has slowly gained attention since releasing his first album, Seneca, in 2019. Since then, he has released several more albums and EPs, toured and collaborated with Zach Bryan, and even had his song “Winter’s Come and Gone” featured on the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: The Ballads of Songbirds & Snakes. All along the way Charles Wesley Godwin has continued to hone his craft. His latest release is an EP called Lonely Mountain Town.

There are seven songs on Lonely Mountain Town. Even though the overall musical presentation of the album could be called stripped down, it still sounds epic. Add to the music Godwin’s expert lyrics, and you have a project that feels more like an LP instead of an EP. Godwin wrote or co-wrote all but one of the seven songs on Lonely Mountain Town. The lone exception is the cover of Jason Molina’s “Hammer Down” featuring Scott Avett of the The Avett Brothers. There are a few other guests appearances and co-writers on the EP. ERNEST co-wrote and sings on “Dead To Rights”, and Wyatt Flores and Aaron Raitiere co-wrote “It’s Her Move” with Godwin. Here is the complete track listing for Charles Wesley Godwin’s Lonely Mountain Town:

Lonely Mountain Town
It’s the Little Things
Dead to Rights (featuring ERNEST)
It’s Her Move
Then I’m Gone
She Don’t Love Me Anymore
Hammer Down (featuring Scott Avett)

Charles Wesley Godwin has the unique ability to not only write songs that grabs the listener through lyrics that elicit strong emotional reactions, but, combined with the perfectly placed chords and selected instruments, he is able to paint pictures that seem to come to life. Godwin’s ability to take all of those ingredients and release songs that have the weight of an epic is astounding. I can tell you about his great musical and lyrical abilities, but the only way to appreciate it is to listen for yourself. I encourage you to give Charles Wesley Godwin’s Lonely Mountain Town a listen today.

April 16, 2025

When it comes to acoustic guitar pickers, two of the best around are Billy Strings and Bryan Sutton. They are highly regarded by fans and peers. On April 7, 2024, Strings and Sutton combined there forces for a concert at American Legion Post #82 in Nashville. The dynamic duo thrilled the crowd with their picking and singing. If you are disappointed that you missed that show, you are not alone. There were a lot of folks in Nashville and the surrounding area that would have loved to have been there. However, there is only so many folks that can fit inside American Legion Post #82. Billy and Bryan knew this, and that is why they recorded the show. Now everyone can enjoy the legendary concert on Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton’s new album, Live at the Legion.

The double album, released April 7, 2025 (the one-year anniversary of the show), captures two masters at work. There are twenty songs included on the project, and they cover many songs made famous by a host of 6-string heroes and singers alike. The list includes Doc Watson, Tony Rice, and Bob Dylan. As expected, the picking is so hot enough to make the sun jealous. In addition, Billy and Bryan provide outstanding vocals. It is amazing how much they get accomplished with just two guitars and their voices. Here’s a complete track listing for Live at the Legion:

Nashville Blues
Tom Dooley
Little Darling Pal of Mine
Walk on Boy
Texas Gales
Cold, Cold World
Way Downtown
Randall Collins/Done Gone
Give Me Back My Fifteen Cents
Groundhog
Open Up Them Pearly Gates
Two Soldiers
Last Day at Gettysburg
Salt Creek/Big Sandy River
Travlein’ Man
Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright
Darling Corey
Mary of the Wild Moor
Give the Fiddler a Dram/Whistling Rufus/Ragtime Annie
Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar

I would normally take time to point out some of my favorite tracks on an album I am reviewing, but it is impossible to pick a favorite. As a fan of Tony Rice, Doc Watson, and Clarence White, this album checks every box. Since those stalwarts are no longer with us, it is great to have Billy Strings & Bryan Sutton introduce a new generation to some of the songs that are the bedrock of American acoustic guitar music. The album is available for download. If you want a physical copy (CD or vinyl) they will not be available until later this year. However, you can preorder your copy now. I highly recommend giving Billy Strings & Bryant Sutton’s Live at the Legion a listen today.

April 9, 2025

I first discovered JD Clayton in 2023 through his album Long Way From Home. It was a fantastic introduction to his music. That album’s “American Millionaire” became a regular on the Breakfast with Porkchop Show. Clayton’s laid back vocals and songwriting led to him becoming one of my new favorite artists. I am still wearing out Long Way From Home, while wanting to hear more of his music. I do not have to wait around wanting new music from JD Clayton because he has just released a new album, Blue Sky Sundays.

This album consists of nine songs, with seven of them being written or co-written by Clayton. Much like JD Clayton’s vocals, the songs on Blue Sky Sundays have a laid back lope, even though a few songs feature a southern rock sound. That being said let it be understood that the base for every song on this album is country music. The only two cover songs on the album are “Give Me One Reason” (Tracy Chapman) and the title track. “Arkansas Kid” is a Lynyrd Skynyrd song originally written co-written by Skynyrd front man, Ronnie Van Zant. However, you will not find that title in the Lynyrd Skynyrd catalog. It was written as “Mississippi Kid”, but Clayton re-wrote the lyrics to highlight his home state. Some of my favorite tracks on the album include, “Dance Another Dance”, “Arkansas Kid”, “Madelene”, and “Dirt Roads of Red”. Here is the complete track listing for Blue Sky Sundays:

Let You Down
Dirt Roads of Red
Madelene
Slow & Steady
Arkansas Kid
Give Me One Reason
High Hopes & Low Expectations
Dance Another Dance
Goodnight

From the first track to the last, just like on his first album, JD Clayton delivers a truly enjoyable album. Clayton’s songwriting and singing are outstanding. The musicians on the recording fit perfectly with the vocals and lyrics. Clayton is unafraid of changing tempos and styles from song to song to give each tune the appropriate mood. I recommend giving JD Clayton’s Blue Sky Sundays a listen today.

April 2, 2025

Alison Krauss & Union Station has been one of the most recognizable bluegrass groups over the past thirty plus years. In recent years, Alison Krauss has explored opportunities outside of bluegrass music, most prominently touring and recording with Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant. The members of Union Station have pursued other avenues, too. In fact, it has been fourteen years since the last album from AKUS. They have reassured fans that even though they have not recorded any new material, the band had not broken up. True to their word, Alison Krauss & Union Station are still together, and they have just released a new album, Arcadia.

When it was announced that AKUS would be releasing a new album, it was also revealed that long time band member Dan Tyminski would not be joining the crew on this outing. Tyminski is having tremendous success with his own band, and opted to focus on those efforts. That left a gigantic hole in the AKUS lineup. However, the legendary Russell Moore of IIIrd Tyme Out was chosen to take over Dan’s vocal and guitar duties. He would join Krauss (fiddle, vocals), Barry Bales (bass, vocals), Ron Block (banjo, guitar, vocals), and Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel, vocals). Then, everyone waited to see how the finished product would sound with the new lineup.

The new combination of AKUS does not disappoint. Arcadia features ten songs, and each one is an example of vocal and musical artistry at the highest level. Krauss’ ethereal vocals shine on songs such as “Looks Like the End of the Road”, “The Wrong Way”, “One Ray of Shine”, and “There’s a Light Up Ahead”. Russell Moore’s powerful delivery drives songs like “Snow”, “Granite Mills”, and “The Hangman”. As per usual, the instrumental prowess of AKUS is on display throughout Arcadia. Barry Bales solid bass playing, Ron Block’s guitar and banjo performances (which I believe is highly underrated), and Jerry Douglas masterful Dobro accents are as big a part of the songs as the aforementioned vocals. It is also worth noting that former AKUS member Adam Steffey provided mandolin on “One Ray of Shine” and “Richmond on the James”, Stuart Duncan contributed additional fiddle parts, and Alison Krauss’ brother, Viktor, added piano and string arrangements on the project. Some of my favorite tracks on the album include “Richmond on the James”, “Snow”, and “North Side Gal”. Here’s the complete track listing for Arcadia:

Looks Like the End of the Road
The Hangman
The Wrong Way
Granite Mills
One Ray of Shine
Richmond on the James
North Side Gal
Forever
Snow
There’s a Light Up Ahead

Was it worth the fourteen year wait between albums? With the change in the lineup of AKUS, was the group able to maintain the sound we have become accustomed to hearing? The answer to both questions is affirmative in the most resounding way. The vocals, music, and song selection put AKUS in a league of their own. I highly recommend giving Alison Krauss & Union Station’s Arcadia a listen today.

March 26, 2025

When it comes to fiddling, there are none better than Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland. Carter just recently announced he was pursuing a solo career and was leaving the Del McCoury Band after more than thirty years with the group. Michael Cleveland and his award winning band Flamekeeper have been amazing fans for almost two decades. Carter and Cleveland have more International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Fiddle Player of the Year Awards than one trophy shelf can hold. These two fiddle phenoms have now combined their forces on a new album, Carter & Cleveland.

The album consists of eleven tracks. This album is a split of instrumental and vocal songs (6 vocals and 5 instrumentals), if you are keeping score. Carter and Cleveland invited a who’s who of pickers and singers to participate in this project, including the Del McCoury Band. Some of the other artists that contributed include Jeff White, Charlie Worsham, Sam Bush (mandolin), Jerry Douglas (dobro), Bryan Sutton (guitar), Cory Walker (banjo), Alan Bartram (bass), Harry Clark (mandolin), Darrell Scott (vocals) Vince Gill (vocals), Jaelee Roberts (vocals), Cory Walker (banjo), Casey Campbell (mandolin), Cody Kilby (guitar). Some of my favorite tracks include “Outrun the Rain”, a cover of Buck Owens and Don Rich’s “Kern County Breakdown” and John Hartford’s “Vamp in the Middle”. Here’s a complete track listing for Carter & Cleveland:

Give It Away
Kern County Breakdown
With A Vamp In The Middle
Runnin’ Late
Dreams
Outrun The Rain
Stoney Lonesome
In The Middle of Middle Tennessee
Arapahoe
Fiddler Jones
Bluegrass In The Backwoods

Although it is not a purely instrumental album, it is an almost even split between vocal songs and instrumentals, the number of instrumentals could deter some from giving this album a try. I have several friends that will tell you, with no malice, that they are not fans of instrumental albums. Even if you normally do not listen to instrumental only albums, I suggest giving this one a try. The music is some of the smoothest you will ever hear. In addition, Carter’s rich baritone is easy on the ears. I highly recommend giving Carter & Cleveland a listen today.

March 19, 2025

Slow and steady is the best way to describe Charley Crockett’s ascent in popularity. He started out performing on street corners. Crockett has moved on to having full tour schedule and releasing numerous albums, Crockett is a shining example of perseverance for every aspiring artist. Along the way, he has honed his singing and songwriting skills. Charley Crockett’s latest album is Lonesome Drifter.

The album consists of twelve songs, nine of which Crockett either wrote or co-wrote. Charley Crockett co-produced Lonesome Drifter with award winning Shooter Jennings. One of the differences from Crockett’s previous albums is the use of strings. The best example of this is how strings are weaved in with piano and steel guitar to great effect on “Easy Money”. Crockett revisits Tanya Tucker’s “Jamestown Ferry”. He has recorded the song before, but I do not mind hearing a new version of the tune. He also covers George Strait’s “Amarillo By Morning”. Here is the complete track listing for Lonesome Drifter:

“Lonesome Drifter”
“Game I Can’t Win”
“Jamestown Ferry”
“Easy Money”
“Under Neon Lights”
“This Crazy Life”
“The Death Of Bill Bailey”
“Never No More”
“Life Of A Country Singer”
“One Trick Pony”
“Night Rider”
“Amarillo By Morning”

As a fan of songwriters, I sometimes find myself looking for flowery words and phrases in a song. Charley Crockett reminds me that sometimes the straightforward approach is the best way. His songwriting is straight to the point, and his delivery is completely unique and recognizable. The musical presentation also sets Crockett apart from others. Of course, you have country as the base of everything in his music, but all of it is splashed with the blues. I recommend giving Charley Crockett’s Lonesome Drifter a listen today.

March 12, 2025

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. Although the albums he has made with his band, the 400 Unit, are great, I have been longing for the new Isbell songs that are akin in style to those from Southeastern. We now have an album of new Jason Isbell songs that fits the bill. His new album is Foxes in the Snow.

There are eleven songs on this project, and all of them were written by Isbell. As many songwriters do, Isbell has turned his personal struggles into poetry set to music. His 2024 divorce from his wife, Amanda Shires, seems to have led to many of the album’s songs. Even though those songs are not mean spirited or full of venom, it does not mean they are not full of pain. There are also songs about trying to move on after the divorce. A couple of tracks that stand out are “Wind Beneath the Rain”, “Eileen”, and “Bury Me”. Here is the complete track listing for Foxes in the Snow:

Bury Me
Ride to Robert’s
Eileen
Gravelweed
Don’t Be Tough
Open and Close
Foxes in the Snow
Crimson and Clay
Good While It Lasted
True Believer
Wind Behind the Rain

Jason Isbell not only made this album without the 400 Unit, but without any other instrumentalist. Foxes in the Snow is just Isbell and his guitar. He is well regarded as a great songwriter and singer, but Isbell does not get as many accolades for guitar work. This album will go a long way in bringing to light Isbell’s expert guitar work. Add that to his aforementioned singing and songwriting, and Foxes in the Snow is a powerful album. I recommend giving Foxes in the Snow a listen today.

March 5, 2025

Photo credit: Citizen Kane Wayne

Zach Top is one of country music’s fastest rising stars. His ascent has caught many off guard due to Top’s retro style. It goes against the grain of what Nashville has pushed for the last decade. His music is more akin to that of Alan Jackson and Tracy Lawrence, while his voice reminds me of the late Keith Whitley. In what is becoming a trend with Zach Top, his latest release has surprised many country music fans.

Zach Top has developed a musical friendship with Billy Strings, the bluegrass (and more) phenom, who much like Top, took his particular genre by storm. They have been making guest appearances at each other’s shows, to the delight of their respective fan bases. Many may not realize that before hitting the country music scene, Zach Top began his career in bluegrass music. So, Zach and Billy speak the same musical language. They have combined their efforts on a new EP, Me & Billy.

The EP only includes three songs, but Zach and Billy make quite an impact. Two of the songs, “Bad Luck” and “Things To Do” appeared on Top’s album Cold Beer & Country Music. As good as the original versions on Top’s album are, the EP versions have a grittier feel, thanks to their acoustic approach. The other song on Me & Billy is a cover of a cover. “Don’t Cheat in Our Hometown” was a chart topper for Ricky Skaggs in 1983. However, Skaggs knew the song from the legendary Stanley Brothers. Zach and Billy’s version is outstanding!

You never know if two excellent artists will mesh when they collaborate until you try it on for size. Well, Zach Top and Billy Strings are a perfect fit. Their ability to both sing lead and harmony is smooth. In addition, the guitar pickin’ is superb. We all knew that Billy can pick, but Zach knows his way around the fretboard, too. Zach and Billy each have their own careers to look after. However, I hope to see more collaboration between these two. I highly recommend giving Me & Billy a listen today.

February 26, 2025

Normally I only review new albums. I want to highlight the best new music. That is, and will remain, the purpose of Porkchop’s Catch of the Week. However, I wanted to pay tribute to an album from 1975 that was just selected for inclusion into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The album is J.D. Crowe & The New South, although most bluegrass aficionados refer to it by its catalog number, Rounder 0044.

The band members included the legendary banjoist J.D. Crowe, bass player Bobby Slone, and three young men who go on to become legends: Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs and Jerry Douglas. To state the obvious, the musical and vocal performances were at the highest level. The thing that makes this album so influential is the track list. In addition to bluegrass songs (“Old Home Place”, “Cryin’ Holy”, and “Sally Goodin”), Rounder 0044 includes songs that were well outside the norm for bluegrass artists. Covers of the Fats Domino R&B hit “I’m Walkin’”, Utah Phillips’ “Rock Salt and Nails”, and two Gordon Lightfoot compositions (“You Are What I Am” and “Ten Degrees & Getting Colder”), at the time, made many fans scratch their heads. The band made each song their own. In fact, I have crossed paths with many bluegrass fans over the years that will mention Rounder 0044, and they have no idea that the songs were originally by other artists.

This album helped to launch the careers of future IBMA Hall of Famers Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, and Tony Rice. Skaggs is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Most importantly, the album changed the way bluegrass acts considered recording songs that were outside of the genre. The songs from Rounder 0044 that raised eyebrows in 1975, can now regularly be heard on the stage of bluegrass festivals and in jam sessions everywhere. J.D. Crowe & the New South is well deserving of being selected for the Grammy Hall of Fame.

February 19, 2025

His name is Will Oldham. He is an actor, singer, and songwriter. Although he has recorded music under his given name, he is better known by his stage name, Bonnie “Prince” Billy. I was introduced to his music by my Fall Down Trees bandmate, Dustin Owens. He is a big fan and has been singing his praises for many years. Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s music is really hard to categorize. When anyone talks about his music, people usually stick it under the large umbrella of Americana. In having listened to some of his music in the past, if someone were to ask me, I can affirm it would be hard to attach it to a designated genre. This is in no way a knock on the music. It is amazing that an artist can perform music in so many different styles effortlessly, while at the same time maintaining their own musical style. Bonnie “Prince” Billy continues to do that.

The new album from Bonnie “Prince” Billy is The Purple Bird. As with his previous albums, this one does not belong in one particular genre. However, this album is the closest to country music, or adjacent category, that he has ever released. Bonnie “Prince” Billy normally produces his own projects, but he brought in legendary engineer and producer, Dave “Fergie” Ferguson (Johnny Cash, John Prine, Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers). In addition to several songs written exclusively by Bonnie “Prince” Billy, it is worth noting that the album includes many songwriting collaborations. The all-star list includes Ronnie Bowman Tommy Prine, Pat McLaughlin, Roger Cook, Tim O’Brien, John Anderson, and Dave Ferguson. O’Brien and Anderson also make guest appearances on The Purple Bird. Some of my favorite songs on the album include “Tonight With the Dogs I’m Sleeping”, “Boise, Idaho”, and “The Water’s Fine”. With that being said, there is not a track that I wanted to skip. Here is the complete track listing for The Purple Bird:

Turned To Dust (Rolling On)
London May
Tonight With The Dogs I’m Sleeping
Boise, Idaho
The Water’s Fine
Sometimes It’s Hard to Breath
New Water
Guns Are For Cowards
Downstream
Spend The Whole Night With You
Is My Living In Vain?
Our Home

With this Catch of the Week, I realize this album might not be for everybody, but I simply could not go without reviewing The Purple Bird. Bonnie “Prince” Billy is one of the most unique artists under the Americana banner. His songwriting, and those of his collaborators on this project, is superb. The range of instruments, the performances, and placement of said instruments help to set the mood and message of each song perfectly. I recommend giving Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s The Purple Bird a listen today.

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:

Price I Pay (feat. John Jorgenson)
Same Ole New Love
Here We Are
Dear Lord
Jordan (feat. Ricky Skaggs, Mo Pitney and Mark Fain)
God Made
(Now and Then There’s) A Fool Such As I
My Favorite Picture of You
Where You’ll Find Me
Wildflower Too
It Can’t Be Wrong
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:

Lonely As It Gets
Black Wedding Dress
It Always Rains (When I’m Lonesome)
If You Don’t Climb The Mountain
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:

There’s a Drink For That
Spilled Whiskey
Ain’t Got To Me Yet
Dancin’ With The Devil
Same Ol’ Cowboy, Different Rodeo
Beer Joint Down
Honky Tonk Time
Lovin’ Where It’s Going
Reasons
Better on a Barstool
Talkin’ To Your Picture
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:

“Kathleen”
“Black Gold”
“Headed Out The Holler”
“Finer Things”
“My Sweet Renee”
“Stay the Night”
“Reading Books”
“Fall Song”
“Fine Wine”
“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:

Bad Guy
Midnight Gasoline
What A View
21 Guns
Someday When I’m Old
Trudy (featuring Randy Houser)
One More Time
Saturday Night in New Orleans
Sober
I’m Tired of It All (featuring Randy Houser)
No Time Like the Past
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;

When I Think Of Christmas – Amy Grant (NEW)
The Christmas Song – Vince Gill
Winter Wonderland – Amy Grant
I’ll Be Home For Christmas – Vince Gill
It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year – Amy Grant
Do You Hear What I Hear – Vince Gill
Tennessee Christmas – Amy Grant
O Come All Ye Faithful – Vince Gill
Breath Of Heaven (Mary’s Song) – Amy Grant
O Holy Night – Vince Gill
‘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)

“Armadillo” (Aaron Raitiere, Jon Decious, Parker Twomey)
“Dammit Randy” (Miranda Lambert, Brendan McLoughlin, Jon Randall)
“Looking Back on Luckenbach” (Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally, Natalie Hemby)
“Santa Fe” feat. Parker McCollum (Miranda Lambert, Jesse Frasure, Jessie Jo Dillon, Dean Dillon)
“January Heart” (Brent Cobb, Neil Medley)
“Wranglers” (Audra Mae, Evan McKeever, Ryan Carpenter)
“Run” (Miranda Lambert)
“Alimony” (Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby, Shane McAnally)
“I Hate Love Songs” (Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall)
“No Man’s Land” (Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick)
“Bitch On The Sauce (Just Drunk)” (Miranda Lambert, Jaren Johnston)
“Way Too Good At Breaking My Heart” (Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, Jesse Frasure, Jenee Fleenor)
“Wildfire” (Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall)
“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:

This Sad Song
Let Me Fall
Modern Day Jezebel
Cumberland Gap
Ode to Jimmy
God Fearing Heathen
The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn
I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow
Silence in the Brandy
Say Won’t You Be Mine
GOAT
Whiskey Drinking Man
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:

“Alabama Jubilee” – Featuring Jamey Johnson
“Mystery Of Life” – Featuring Jamie Hartford
“Cowboy’s Rules/ Boston Boy” – Featuring Norman Blake, Nancy Blake, Dennis Crouch, and Matt Combs
“Hi-Eenktum Daddy-O” – Featuring Ana Cristina Cash and John Carter Cash
“Shady Grove” – Featuring Jamey Johnson
“Uncle Noah’s Ark” – Featuring Norman Blake
“Give My Love to Rose” – Featuring Joseph Cash
“Life’s Railway to Heaven” – Featuring Carlene Carter and John Carter Cash
“Howard Hughes Blues” – Featuring Jamie Hartford
“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:

“Swamp of Sadness”
“If The Sun Never Rises Again”
“Scooter Blues”
“Jupiter’s Faerie”
“Who I Am,”
“Right Kind of Dream”
“Mint Tea”
“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:

“Pretty Dang Good”
“I Could Use One”
“A Cowboy Would”
“Gulf of Mexico”
“Out Here In It”
“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:

Hello Out There
Spotlight
Drive On
I Love You Tonite
Have You Ever Been to Little Rock?
Well Alright
She Sang Sweet Baby James
Poor Valley Girl
Soldier Boy
Sing It Pretty Sue
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:

Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division)
Just Like Heaven (The Cure)
Cleopatra (Pedal Steel Noah)
Head Over Heels (Tears For Fears)
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:

Sounds Like The Radio
Cold Beer & Country Music
Cowboys Like Me Do
There’s The Sun
Dirt Turns To Gold
The Kinda Woman I Like
Lonely For Long
Bad Luck
Use Me
Ain’t That A Heartbreak
I Never Lie
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:

“Fly Ya to Hawaii”
“Another Broken Heart”
“Won’t Be Worried Long”
“A Thousand Ways”
“Hanging on to You”
“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@gacara dio.com, by facebook at

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

Porkchop