Best songs of country-rock artists: Eagles, Poco, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Loggins & Messina, Marshall Tucker Band, Jimmy Buffett, John Denver

What is country rock? It might be the laidback feel, steel pedal guitar, other “traditional” instruments, rockabilly or bluegrass rhythm, or vocal inflection. I like the country rock vibe, though I’m not a big bluegrass, rockabilly or roots fan. I enjoy the early Eagles brand of country rock, but not so much Poco’s early countrified … More Best songs of country-rock artists: Eagles, Poco, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Loggins & Messina, Marshall Tucker Band, Jimmy Buffett, John Denver

Merle Haggard

Last week, the Grand Ole Opry celebrated the life of Merle Haggard. Merle was never a “Nashville guy,” he did not like the cookie-cutter way Nashville made their music and preferred the rougher, Bakersfield outlier sound. Still, Merle was a country music icon and an influence on many country music entertainers. In Bakersfield, California on … More Merle Haggard

Musical Surprises

I love to be surprised by music I didn’t know about or was convinced I would not like. As I get older, I have to fight harder to move out of my comfort zone of musical tastes. Retracing my steps over many decades, there are some game-changers. Although I will not likely be shouting the … More Musical Surprises

80s Ladies

Country singer K.T. Oslin recently passed away. She had a hit record called “80s Ladies” and it got me to thinking about my interest in country music back in the late 1980s. There were some very successful female singers that flirted with pop music. K.T. Oslin – Sadly, it seemed she did not release a … More 80s Ladies

Nanci Griffith

With a voice, every bit as distinctive as Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith blended folk, country and pop into vignettes of struggle and joy.  Griffith wrote most of her own songs, and was covered by many other artists, but also released albums of songs that influenced her.  Mary Chapin Carpenter is … More Nanci Griffith