Podcasts by Category
The ultimate country music insider podcast. Each Monday, the Country Music Media Podcast features guests involved in timely issues who are willing to offer refreshing candor, unparalleled expertise and rare insight into the singers, songs and stories that define country music today. Journalists and hosts from radio, print, digital and country music trade publications will join the Country Music Media Podcast with information and anecdotes that slipped away, but shouldn’t have. On Thursday, host Billy Dukes offers his own perspectives and analysis on the issues facing country music today and how we can make change for the better. Please subscribe and if you like what you hear, rate and review us. Have questions or suggestions? Email billydukes@gmail.com.
- 70 - A Mid-Year Diversity Scorecard
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: A mid-year diversity scorecard. Plus, country media showed rare patience in covering a charged story and two feel good stories to wrap Season 1 of the podcast. Listen: Walker Hayes, “Fancy Like” on YouTubeWatch: Hardy Surprises a Soldier’s Family on Instagram Read: The Police Report Summarizing the Kristy Lee and Heath Sanders Altercation on Taste of CountryTweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes
Thu, 24 Jun 2021 - 69 - Country Radio's Golden Rule Changed for Morgan Wallen — RJ Curtis Explains Why
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: CRB Executive Director RJ Curtis, who’s spent 40 years in radio and digital media, talks about how a fundamental radio rule has seemingly changed and tries to explain why. Plus, is Morgan Wallen’s return to radio good for the medium? He makes a strong case that it is. More: The latest on CRSRead: Morgan Wallen's Ban Has Quietly Been Lifted, at VarietyTweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes
Mon, 21 Jun 2021 - 68 - Kid Rock + the Do Nothing All Stars
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Kid Rock plays above the rules, so there’s no way to hold him accountable for calling someone a “f—-t.” That lack of leverage works both ways however and the media should absolutely cover his antics with aggression. Also, new reports about frosty negotiations between CBS and the ACMs could signal a larger issue for awards shows in 2022 and beyond. Read: CBS Balks at Airing 2022 Academy of Country Music Awards Over $22 Million As...
Thu, 17 Jun 2021 - 67 - Meet Ward Guenther - The Best A&R Man In Nashville
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Whiskey Jam co-founder Ward Guenther talks about the 10th anniversary of Whiskey Jam, if the showcase can get too big (12:45) and how his shows on Apple Music Radio expand his vision (XX). Listen to the end to hear great origin stories about Luke Combs and Kane Brown that will surprise you. GO: Tickets to the Whiskey Jam 10th Anniversary Show, July 26th at the Ryman AuditoriumListen: The Ward Guenther Show on Apple Music RadioListen: Country Riser...
Mon, 14 Jun 2021 - 66 - Grading the 2021 CMT Awards - Hosts, Performances + More
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: The 2021 CMT Awards were the first country awards show shot in front of a live audience, but did that make much of a difference? Which songs should have been cut (2:30)? How did hosts Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini do (4:10)? How can we improve awards shows to keep them relevant (XX)? Read: 2021 CMT Awards winners, per People. Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes
Thu, 10 Jun 2021 - 65 - Garth Brooks Doesn’t Talk Politics, Until Now - Emily Yahr On Her Kennedy Center Honors Profile
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast, Washington Post reporter Emily Yahr talks about her profile on Garth Brooks ahead of the Kennedy Center Honors. Plus (18:00) astute observations about the 2021 season of American Idol and (21:00) The Voice. Read: Everyone wants Garth Brooks on their side. He just wants everyone to get along, at the Washington Post. Read: 'The Voice winner is a former tween YouTube sensation - and he could change the show forever at the Washington Post. Read: This ...
Mon, 07 Jun 2021 - 64 - A Luke Bryan Reality Show? Don’t Act Surprised
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast, why Kelly Clarkson earning Ellen DeGeneres’ time slot is very, very good news for country music. Plus, could Luke Bryan and his family be slowly warming us up for a major reality television show? Read: Kelly Clarkson takes over for Ellen at Deadline Read: Kelly Clarkson’s Kellyoke Songs by Wide Open Country Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes
Thu, 03 Jun 2021 - 63 - Does Objectivity Exist In Country Music Media? Marcus Dowling Explores What’s Right + Wrong
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: does objectivity exist in country music media? Should it? Marcus Dowling just won the Rolling Stone Chet Flippo Award for Excellence in Country Music and it’s fair to say he did it his way. He talks about his unusual path here, his tireless hustle, his rock star impulses and how and when news outlets should cover Morgan Wallen.5:15 | “I write like rapper’s rap.” 15:00 | What the winner of the Chet Flippo Award gets in 2021 16:15 | ...
Mon, 31 May 2021 - 62 - Morgan Wallen's Ban Is Doing More Harm Than Good
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: a recent decision by the Country Music Association made it clear. What was once a conversation about Morgan Wallen and race in country music, is becoming a fight. It's time for media outlets and music platforms to change course. Plus, what is news and what is hype when it comes to Morgan and other sensitive subjects? Read: Morgan Wallen returns to Kid Rock's bar, per the Tennessean. Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @BillyDukes
Thu, 27 May 2021 - 61 - Alison Bonaguro, On Leaving CMT, Chet Flippo + the Jake Owen Paradox
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Journalist Alison Bonaguro helps us understand Jake Owen and why his best days might be ahead of him. She also talks about her mentor, the late journalism legend Chet Flippo, and why she left CMT after over a decade of work. 2:00 | The Jake Owen paradox 18:00 | Getting paid as a country journalist 22:00 | Chet Flippo 31:00 | Why she split from CMT Find Alison Bonaguro on Twitter @alisonbonaguroFind Billy Dukes on Twitter @BillyDukes
Mon, 24 May 2021 - 60 - Good Conversations Aren't the Same as Good Interviews - Kelleigh Bannen (Replay)
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Apple Music Country host Kelleigh Bannen was still finding her way when we chatted in November 2020. The platform is nearing its 1-year anniversary and she continues to get every A-lister imaginable. Eric Church and Alan Jackson are just two she's chatted with recently. Host Billy Dukes is on vacation this week so this is a replay of Ep. 9. She may not be a trained journalist, but the singer and songwriter has the chops and grit to be very, very g...
Mon, 17 May 2021 - 59 - The Whole World’s Gone Country, But Why?
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: country music isn't just going to Hollywood? Our genre is going to New York City and Las Vegas as well. But why? Plus: 2:30 | Kane Brown + Kelsea Ballerini are the Perfect Fit4:00 | A new country music drama, called Monarch. 9:05 | Be cautious reporting on American Idol's Caleb KennedyRead: Fox orders Monarch for the 2021-22 season per VarietyRead: Caleb Kennedy dropped from American Idol, from the Spartanburg Herald-Tribune Tweet: Find Billy Duke...
Thu, 13 May 2021 - 58 - If Maren Morris Was a Stock, Should You Buy, Sell or Hold?
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: It's the Q2 2021 Stock Report. If country artists were a publicly traded business, which would be worth your money this month. With new albums and tours on the horizon there is a lot to consider but perhaps most of all consider who is not doing anything. Kenny Chesney - HoldLuke Bryan - BuyMorgan Wallen - SellDan + Shay - HoldMiranda Lambert - SellMaren Morris - BuyCarrie Underwood - HoldJason Aldean - BuyBlake Shelton - BuyEric Church - Sell...
Mon, 10 May 2021 - 57 - Miranda Lambert’s 'The Marfa Tapes': A One-Word Review
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: A one-word review of Miranda Lambert's The Marfa Tapes album with Jon Randall and Jack Ingram, Morgan Wallen's BBMA expulsion and unpacking some of the important moments from the Ep 55 conversation with Tyler Mahan Coe. Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter at @billydukes
Thu, 06 May 2021 - 56 - Tyler Mahan Coe: Cocaine & Rhinestones Host On Country Today, Country Media Today, and Season 2
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Tyler Mahan Coe, host of Cocaine & Rhinestones talks about Season 2, which debuted in April 2021. He also has strong, well-educated opinions on country today and country media today. It will surprise you to hear his thoughts on "Outlaws" and "pop-country." 5:50 | Where did Tyler learn his journalism skills. 11:50 | Why Johnny Cash sucks14:55 | Tyler’s take on the pop-country music debate is unique and hard to argue with18:10 | The sound o...
Mon, 03 May 2021 - 55 - Kip Moore’s Good Life Is ... Different, Plus Bad Band Names
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Kip Moore dropped a new song called "Good Life" that asks his long time fans to adjust to something new. Plus Rascal Flatts may not be done and how a bad band or song name can doom the artist. Alabama simply wouldn't stand a chance today. Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukesListen: Kip Moore, "Good Life" on YouTubeListen: Tenille Arts, "Somebody Like That" on YouTubeWatch: Alexandra Kay covering Randy Travis on TikTok
Thu, 29 Apr 2021 - 54 - Eric Church’s ‘Heart & Soul’: The Good, the Bad + the Unbelievable w/ Grady Smith, Angella Sharpe, Marty Kurtz
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Eric Church's new Heart & Soul album is big and personal, but is it any good? Three members of the media join Billy Dukes to discuss the triple album project, including Angella Sharpe, Marty Kurtz and Grady Smith. 2:27 | Angella Sharpe on Heart20:30 | Marty Kurtz on &39:23 | Grady Smith on SoulRead: The Top 50 Eric Church Songs on Taste of Country Tweet: Find Angella Sharpe on Twitter at @AngellaSharpe Tweet: Find Marty Kurtz on ...
Mon, 26 Apr 2021 - 53 - The Future of Country Music, Part 2: We Can Grow Without Selling Our Soul
The ACM Awards were great, for country music fans. But for everyone else? Well, the 2021 ACM’s poor ratings showed that there just wasn’t much for the non-country audience, which is a problem. This week we look at ways the genre can grow without losing its soul. Change doesn’t have to be scary. 1:20 | What the ACM Awards got right and wrong5:00 | Diversity at the 2021 ACM Awards 6:30 | Ratings are becoming a big problem 9:05 | Here’s how to solve it Read: Why Luke Bryan De...
Thu, 22 Apr 2021 - 52 - Miranda Lambert + Elle King’s “Drunk (And I Wanna Go Home)” Isn’t On Country Radio - Why?
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Chart expert Chris Owen explains what needs to happen for Elle King’s duet with Miranda Lambert to hit country radio. It’s complicated and takes some major label cooperation. Is it likely? Also, the truth about corporate programming and how it might have cost Hunter Hayes his commercial career. On the flip side how Lainey Wilson’s “Thinks A Man Oughta Know” benefited from corporate programming. Chris and Billy also discuss why you can figure out t...
Mon, 19 Apr 2021 - 51 - Morgan Wallen Fans Are Hustling Backwards
Morgan Wallen fans should consider that they might be doing more harm than good. Three signs holding two billboards apiece in Nashville continue pressing on a bruise in the country music industry that hasn’t had enough time to heal properly. Read: Who Paid for the Morgan Wallen Billboards? at Rolling StoneRead: The original story at Music Mayhem Magazine Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter
Thu, 15 Apr 2021 - 50 - ACM CEO Damon Whiteside On Hosting In 2021, Carrie Underwood’s Snubs, the Streaming Future of Awards Shows
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: ACM CEO Damon Whiteside joins Billy Dukes for a wide-ranging conversation about the 2021 Awards (April 18 on CBS) and the future of awards shows. Are these pandemic changes permanent? Did CBS hesitate on booking Mickey Guyton as host? Is Carrie Underwood mad about her snub? 1:45 | The hard part about the 2021 ACM Awards 5:00 | Why Mickey Guyton and was CBS hard to convince? 9:00 | What will hosting look like this year? 10:45 | Why is diversi...
Mon, 12 Apr 2021 - 49 - Should We Trust Eric Church?
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Billy Dukes explores the lengths Eric Church went to in planning his new Gather Again Tour. Do you feel it’s safe enough to attend large-venue country concerts? Also, Billy looks at which songs from Heart & Soul might sound good in a set list. Watch: Blake Shelton talks about his exit strategy on The Voice, with Today with Hoda & Jenna Read: Saving Country Music’s news about Loretta Lynn pulling Van Lear RoseListen: Alan Jackson...
Thu, 08 Apr 2021 - 48 - Worst Dressed Lists Are Endangered Species
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Fewer media outlets — and far fewer country music media outlets — are building Worst Dressed lists using red carpet pictures from an awards show. With the 2021 ACM Awards coming up, we bring back photographer John Shearer's thoughts on his photos being used for Worst Dressed lists. Plus, what the red carpet actually sounds like. Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukesHere's John Shearer's Official Website.You should follow John on Instagram...
Thu, 01 Apr 2021 - 47 - ACM Awards Voting: Angela Stefano Reveals Her Ballot
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: The Boot's Angela Stefano reveals her ballot (8:00) for the 2021 ACM Awards. Billy also shares who he'd vote for if he were a voting member. Then (30:00) should fans be allowed to vote again and (32:30) what category should be added. Tweet: Find Angela Stefano on TwitterTweet: Find Billy Dukes on TwitterRead: Frank Sinatra Has a Cold at Esquire Read: 2021 ACM Awards Nominations at the Boot
Mon, 29 Mar 2021 - 46 - This One Isn't Morgan Wallen's Fault
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Billy Dukes reflects on the death of a great country and bluegrass ambassador and theorizes what might happen to the historic building he watched over. Morgan Wallen's first show back is on the calendar and some people are upset about it. But that anger is misguided. Then (8:00) we look at Country Music Media "Ls." Email or tweet examples of embarrassing mistakes in journalism. We can all learn from them. Read: Frank Sinatra Has a Cold at Esquire&...
Thu, 25 Mar 2021 - 45 - The Cadillac Three's Jaren Johnston: Songwriting Secrets, Success In the U.K. + What Media Does Wrong
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Jaren Johnston from the ACM Vocal Group of the Year nominated band the Cadillac Three joins with no filter to share secrets of the songwriter's room, how and why his band is huge in the U.K. and what the media does wrong consistently during interviews. 5:20 | Do artists prepare for interviews? 9:48 | It's hard out there for a country band.13:00 | Which artists were hit hardest by the pandemic? 14:15 | Has the pandemic changed the sound of country ...
Mon, 22 Mar 2021 - 44 - The Future of Country Music Part 1
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: What we can learn about race and gender equality in country music from sports, particularly the NFL. Black quarterbacks started to become the norm after one thing changed, and country singers can do it too. Read: Country Music Is Changing, In Spite of Itself on Pitchfork (the part about Nate Barnes has been removed) Tweet: Find Billy Dukes on Twitter @billydukes
Thu, 18 Mar 2021 - 43 - The Grammy Awards Showed Progress — Is It Real? Dr. Jada Watson Knows
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Dr. Jada Watson joins Billy Dukes to talk about about equality in country music and to discuss her new report: Redlining In Country Music. But first ... The 2021 Grammy Awards featured some serious country talent but it wasn’t a full list of artists we’re used to hearing on the radio. Miranda Lambert was there and so was Maren Morris and sure, those two have had great years in mainstream country music and are anchors our format. But Brandi Carlile...
Mon, 15 Mar 2021 - 42 - How Grammy Nominees Are Really Decided Will Shock You
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Billboard revealed that most Grammy Awards categories — including all of the country categories — aren't decided by voters. Say what? The 2021 Grammy Awards are on Sunday March 14 but this information will shape how you look at all awards shows moving forward. Also (14:30) Billy gives his predictions for the country categories at the Grammys. Read: Who Picks the Grammy Nominees in Billboard Read: 12 Grammy Rules That Will Surprise You ...
Thu, 11 Mar 2021 - 41 - Why Country Music’s Biggest Stars Are Looking To England + Holler Country
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Baylen Leonard from Holler Country joins Billy Dukes to talk about country music's next great frontier: the U.K. and Europe. Holler Country is based in London, England but focused on American country music. The market is long overdue for this approach and it could have a significant impact on the genre in America too. 3:55 | What is Holler Country 9:45 | If Holler Country had a station truck, which artists would be on the wrap? 12:40 | Can a count...
Mon, 08 Mar 2021 - 40 - Inbox: Carrie Underwood's ACM Snub + Maren Morris' Next Album
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Open the inbox. Billy Dukes answers listener questions about new albums, ACM snubs, future hits and when live music is coming back. As always, find Billy on Twitter @BillyDukes4:07 | ACM Snubs + Carrie Underwood 5:55 | Any news on Sam Hunt releasing new music? 7:30 | Will we get a new Maren Morris album in 2021?8:35 | Will how Eric Church is releasing his album affect his awards nominations and chart rankings? 10:40 | What song below the Top 40 cu...
Thu, 04 Mar 2021 - 39 - Comparing Carly Pearce Profiles - Rolling Stone's Jon Freeman Opens His Notebook
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast, Rolling Stone's Jon Freeman joins host Billy Dukes to compare their two very different profiles on Carly Pearce. You don't need to be a fan of Carly's to enjoy hearing how two journalists approached the conversation and built around a central question. Of course, you'll pick up on all the insecurities too. 1:00 | The Truth about the album listening events. 2:00 | A tale of two Carly Pearce profiles 5:45 | The central question16:30 |...
Mon, 01 Mar 2021 - 38 - My Apology Podcast, to Ryan Upchurch (Maybe)
Luke Combs apologized for associating himself with the Confederate Flag but that's the least interesting thing about the story from last week. If you look closely, you'll learn something from the antagonist in this story, Ryan Upchurch. Billy Dukes explains how the whole thing is a lesson in fair and balanced journalism but not for the reasons you think.4:24 | Where did the Luke Combs’ Confederate Flag pictures came from?5:38 | Who is Upchurch? 6:53 | What’s in the apology video?8:17 | H...
Thu, 25 Feb 2021 - 37 - If Eric Church Was a Stock, Should You Buy, Sell or Hold?
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: If I gave you $1 million to invest in a country singer’s career, who would you choose? You don’t have to put it all in one bucket. You could give 20 percent to Thomas Rhett, 20 percent to Maren Morris, 20 percent to Blake Shelton. He’s as big as it gets so that has to be a safe investment, right? What about Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert, or newer artists like Gabby Barrett, Carly Pearce and Morgan Wallen. Remember, I told you to inve...
Mon, 22 Feb 2021 - 36 - Old Dominion's "Never Be Sorry" + the Struggles of Country's Best Bands
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast, how the pandemic has exposed the troubles in forming, marketing and maintaining a band. Nearly a dozen country bands or duos have underwent changes, quit, disappeared or floundered since early 2020. There's a reason for it and it underscores why moving forward bands are a bad bet. Billy argues that just one band active today will make the Hall of Fame and no band that starts in the next 10 years will come close.
Thu, 18 Feb 2021 - 35 - Marcus Dowling Explains Why Rappers Can Say It and Country Folk Can’t
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast, journalist Marcus K. Dowling joins host Billy Dukes to talk about country music's uneasy relationship with black culture and why white country singers just can't say the N-word. Read: A brief, sordid history of why country music can't use rap music's "n-word" on Medium Listen: Brittney Spencer, "Sorrys Don't Work No More" on YouTubeListen: Ashlie Amber, "Fight With You" on YouTubeMore: All About Marcus DowlingTweet: @MarcusKDowlingTweet: @BillyDukes
Mon, 15 Feb 2021 - 34 - Luke Combs' Next Move May Define His Legacy
Luke Combs did something remarkable in early February and Billy thinks if you’re paying attention you’re noticing a trend from Luke. Plus (1:10) a response to Eric Church's National Anthem, (13:49) Billy reflects on where he went wrong during Ep. 31 and (16:30) four steps Morgan Wallen needs to take immediately. Read: More about Luke Combs and Maren Morris' plans for CRS, per Inside Radio. Listen: Luke Combs new song "The Great Divide" on YouTubeRead: Luke Combs' introduction to "The Great Di...
Thu, 11 Feb 2021 - 33 - Chuck Wicks On Asking Hard Questions, Why Artists Don't Speak Up
This week's guest on the Country Music Media Podcast is Chuck Wicks, an artist who's proving to be as good a host and interviewer as he was songwriter. Chuck talks about his relationships with Bobby Bones (2:00) and breaks down the financials of being a new artist (4:00). He also reflects on avoiding uncomfortable topics with Carrie Underwood (17:00) and how he'd approach the same today. At 25:00 Chuck offers a unique perspective about why more artists don't speak out on important socia...
Mon, 08 Feb 2021 - 32 - Morgan Wallen's Consequences + How It May Change Streaming
This episode of the Country Music Media Podcast centers on Morgan Wallen's words and consequences. Billy thinks we can't be hard enough on Morgan but we also can't banish him into the wilderness alone. In being removed from streaming platforms Morgan Wallen may also reveal a streaming fallacy. Read: TJ Osborne Comes Out As Gay in TimeRead: The latest on Morgan Wallen's actions and consequences in Taste of Country, plus links to what he did via TMZ.
Thu, 04 Feb 2021 - 31 - Adam Gold On His $10,000 Bet With John Rich
This week's guest on the Country Music Media Podcast is Adam Gold. Adam has a long, acrimonious history on Twitter with John Rich of Big & Rich. It reached new heights when they bet $10,000 on who would be inaugurated as president on Jan. 20. The bet was made after the November elections, as even the Supreme Court refused to consider a case that the election was fraudulent. To say it was a strange arrangement is an understatement, but Adam tells the story best. Read: (5:20) The 2013 excha...
Mon, 01 Feb 2021 - 30 - Eric Church Is Flat Out Flexin'
Eric Church announced the Heart & Soul album series this month. It's three separate albums, a concept that comes with implications for the bean counters (1:50). Eric Church clearly does not care about the bean counters. Billy also looks at yet another way country music and sports are similar (at 8:40). We compare stats across eras like it's fair when really there is an increasingly small window of relevancy around any streak or moment of history. Read: Everything You Need to Know About Er...
Thu, 28 Jan 2021 - 29 - A Modern Journalist’s Survival Guide, with Kelly Sutton
Kelly Sutton's story isn't just one of perseverance. It's a story of persistence and versatility. Those three qualities are essential for a modern journalist, something she epitomizes in 2021. Think of this episode of the podcast as a Country Music Media survival guide, but enjoy our tangents on industry events, country music Twitter and YouTube conspiracy theories. Kelly's new show is called Connected With Kelly and it's a chance for one of country music's leading ladies of media to have lon...
Mon, 25 Jan 2021 - 28 - Toby Keith Went To Washington + We Got the Response All Wrong
Toby Keith and Ricky Skaggs rolled into the White House during an impeachment. Garth Brooks chose to play an inauguration that was divisive, especially in country music circles. Country music and politics crossed paths in some significant ways this month but there is something you should know, especially about that Medal of Arts ceremony. We got the response all wrong. Read: Toby Keith on His Politics in the Chicago TribuneRead: Emily Yahr's Washington Post profile on Toby Keith Read: A ...
Thu, 21 Jan 2021 - 27 - Rolling Stone's Jonathan Bernstein On Morgan Wallen + the Future of Album Reviews
Rolling Stone music critic Jonathan Bernstein says Morgan Wallen's Dangerous: The Double Album does some things very well, but has some major flaws. He gave it a 3-star rating and this week he explains what went into the review, how he approaches music criticism and the future of album reviews. Read: “Morgan Wallen is a versatile Nashville Cliché Machine on ‘Dangerous: The Double Album" in Rolling StoneRead: The Story of the Black Country Music Association" in Rolling StoneTweet: Find J...
Mon, 18 Jan 2021 - 26 - Loretta Lynn Just Taught Us All a Very Important Lesson
There's a problem with Loretta Lynn’s new album, and it’s kind of a big one. The press release says Still Woman Enough is a celebration of women in country music but it should say it’s a celebration of white women in country music. To what degree should we eviscerate an 88-year-old Country Music Hall of Famer, and true pioneer in American history? The answer to that requires a bit of research. Read: Rest In Peace, Ceasar Gaiters in the Richmond Times DispatchListen: Loretta Lynn recites...
Thu, 14 Jan 2021 - 25 - Big Rick Daniels Called Out Gary LeVox + Gary LeVox Called Back
Days after the Christmas morning bombing in Nashville, Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts gave weight to a conspiracy theory that a missile — not a bomb in an RV — was responsible for the explosion on 2nd avenue. Today's guest called his bluff. Big Rick Daniels hosts the morning show on Korn Country 100.3 in south-central Indiana. He's not a seasoned news journalist, but you wouldn't know it to hear him handle a serious topic with appropriate objectivity. After our conversation about Gary, Rick and ...
Mon, 11 Jan 2021 - 24 - Morgan Wallen's ‘Dangerous’ Album Presents a Problem for Music Critics
There are very few people capable of properly reviewing an album like Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous, and even fewer who want to. This says nothing about the actual album and it’s relative worth. This is more about what goes into a proper album review. They're hard. They're time-consuming and — if we're being honest — nobody is reading them.
Thu, 07 Jan 2021 - 23 - Maren Morris, ‘To Hell and Back’ — What the Hell Happened? With Chart Expert Chris Owen
Why do good songs go bad? Chart expert Chris Owen shares what happened to great songs from Maren Morris and Lady A, explained why superstars can't have a year's most played song and looked ahead to new music coming in 2021. No one makes sense of the country music airplay charts quite like Chris. Find Chris Owen on Twitter, @FiddleSabre Read: More About Florida Georgia Line's Solo Efforts on Taste of CountryListen: Hardy, "Give Heaven Some Hell"Listen: Jameson Rodgers (Feat. Luke Combs), "Cold...
Mon, 04 Jan 2021 - 22 - Why We Stopped Loving On Artists Like K.T. Oslin
K.T. Oslin died on Dec. 21, but her legacy isn't the music. In 1987 she debuted on RCA Records with a song called "80s Ladies" that would win her fans and acclaim and start a half-decade career that featured Grammys, CMA Awards and ACM Awards. She was 45 years old at the time. Only one woman has more No. 1 hits past age 40 than she does (Dolly Parton). Only one woman has reached No. 1 while older than she was (Reba McEntire). Why did we stop embracing women like K.T. Oslin? Why did the averag...
Thu, 31 Dec 2020 - 21 - Texas Time: Lost and Found With Buddy Logan of Radio Texas Live
Buddy Logan of Radio Texas Live is a hub in a wide and diverse wheel of great country music and storytelling in Texas. Think of him as traffic control for the current Red Dirt Music scene. This week we look back at legends lost in 2020 — Billy Joe Shaver and Jerry Jeff Walker come to mind, but there are more — and the next generation of superstars. Parker McCollum is just starting to break nationally, but he's been headlining in Texas for a decade. Who's next? Listen: Chris Knight, "Down the ...
Mon, 28 Dec 2020 - 20 - The Truth About Top 10 Lists
Top 10 country songs of 2021? Top 10 country albums? Of course it's subjective and if you think your favorite artist has been intentionally slighted, you may be right. Artists To Watch lists are also popular this time of year and to understand how to interpret them there’s some things you need to know about the motives of the people writing them. And there’s some things to look for to pick apart the good ones from the bad ones. Thanks to everyone who's subscribed and double thanks if you've l...
Thu, 24 Dec 2020 - 19 - A Date With Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton appears fearless, but Emily Lordi knows that’s not true. Throughout her immersive profile, Lordi unpacks the country legend’s loyalties, tendencies and secret influences in a way that’s informative, personal and artistic. You can find The Grit and Glory of Dolly Parton on the cover of T Magazine, the New York Times Style Magazine, and it’s also available online. But I invited Emily to the podcast to talk about the process and experience of sitting across from the country queen kn...
Mon, 21 Dec 2020 - 18 - Charley Pride and the CMA Awards + Why It Really Matters How He Caught COVID-19
Charley Pride died after catching the coronavirus and people want to blame the CMA Awards. Is that fair and what questions should we be asking about Pride's life, death and this pandemic? Also, at 12:50 Andrea Williams updates something she said last week on the podcast about Darius Rucker's role (and by extension any modern Black country music hitmaker) in advancing equality in country music. Read: Andrea Williams' article in Vulture: Charley Pride Deserved Better Than What Country Music Cou...
Thu, 17 Dec 2020 - 17 - Kalie Shorr Never has Too Much To Say
In radio, there’s this concept known as planned spontaneity and my guest today knows a thing or two about it. Kalie Shore has had her fair share of unplanned spontaneity, and frankly a lot of it has been tragic. But she’s also figured out how to use tragedy and drama as tools to carve out a fascinating lane for herself as a singer, songwriter, influencer and now host of the Too Much To Say podcast. 2:15 | How the podcast came together 7:30 | Kalie Shorr's interviewing philosophy&nbs...
Mon, 14 Dec 2020 - 16 - Andrea Williams Is Mad Enough To Make Change, Are You?
If you're on country Twitter, you've noticed Andrea Williams, a distinguished author and journalist, and the woman who has pledged to call out any person or institution that knowingly or unknowingly contributes to boxing out Black and Latino artists in country music. Andrea is loud and defiant and the kind of person you want on her side and — as Jason Isbell and Maren Morris found out — unafraid of calling out the woke liberal all stars. Tweet: Find Andrea Williams on Twitter @AndreaWillWrite...
Thu, 10 Dec 2020 - 15 - The Real Reason Nobody Is Watching Awards Shows In 2020
CMA Country Christmas Ratings came out. And ratings in general are not something I enjoy talking about or even believe in, the level ratings for the 2020 CMA Country Christmas (and by extension dismal ratings for the CMA and ACM Awards) I do believe can tell us something about not only the show, but awards shows in general this year and next year. It's just uncomfortable watching something like looks like a super spreader event. Source: CMA Country Christmas Ratings via Show Buzz DailySource:...
Mon, 07 Dec 2020 - 14 - Chase Rice, the Pandemic + Navigating Dolly Fever
Ironically, the pandemic may be to blame for Chase Rice's unsavory tweet in support of his new radio single. Also this week, how to navigate Dolly Parton pandemonium if you're a journalist who's just interviewed Dolly Parton. Plus, why it's not fair to say the lack of Black and Latino artists is simply a numbers game. Contest: The Eric Church ViewFinder I'm giving away. Tweet about the show with the #CMMP hashtag for a chance to win. Read: Emily Lordi's, "The Grit and Glory of Dolly Parton" i...
Thu, 03 Dec 2020 - 13 - Jerry Broadway + ‘Amazing Grayson’: A Story of Faith, Humility and Redemption
Country music is built on stories of humility, faith and redemption and this week’s guest has a good one. If you’ve ever taken a relationship for granted or if you’ve ever looked at the best thing that ever happened to you and thought “meh, what else is there?” you’ll relate to author Jerry Broadway. Maybe you know him best as just Broadway, part of the nationally syndicated Bud and Broadway radio show but before that in institution at radio stations across the southeast and Midwest in m...
Thu, 26 Nov 2020 - 12 - Tom Roland: Could TikTok Be Country Music’s Great Equalizer?
Artists like Priscilla Block, Andrew Jannakos and Elvie Shane are using TikTok to tilt the playing field to their advantage. Freelance journalist Tom Roland explains how and why it's working. Is TikTok for real, or is the social media platform another flash in the pan that promises more wannabe country music stars than actual stars? Recently, Tom Roland wrote an article for the Billboard Country Update called TikTok’s Timely Rise In Country Music. If you don't understand the platform, don't w...
Thu, 19 Nov 2020 - 11 - Kelleigh Bannen On Chris Stapleton + Asking Friends Hard Questions
After years of talking to morning radio deejays, Kelleigh Bannen is one. She hosts the Kelleigh Bannen Show on Apple Music Radio and gets to talk to artists like Chris Stapleton, Cam, Luke Combs and more. It's been an adjustment, but she's no newbie and her approach to interviewing is to study, listen and learn before she talks. What’s it like interviewing friends? How hard will she push people she knows to tell stories they might need a little pushing to tell? How comfortable is she ask...
Thu, 12 Nov 2020 - 10 - CMA Awards Voter Angela Stefano Reveals Her Ballot
How are the CMA Awards decided? Go inside the mind of CMA voter Angela Stefano and learn why she chose who she did for Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year and more before the 2020 CMA Awards on Nov. 11. There’s a lot of logic behind each of her decisions but there’s undeniably a lot of personal preference. How are nominees chosen? How do voters decide? Is it truly a popularity contest and do the singers who make the most friends in the media have an advantage? To what degree can a vote...
Thu, 05 Nov 2020 - 9 - Update: Luke Combs, You Sneaky Genius You
This is an update on Ep. 4 of the Country Music Media Podcast. Chris Owen talked about the Secret to Luke Combs' record breaking success in September 2020. Now, with new data and new records to his name it's clear that the CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee is following in the footsteps of country music's most gifted marketer: Garth Brooks. Billboard's article detailing all of Luke Combs' one-week records can be found HERE. If you've ever wondered how the Billboard 200 is calculated they bre...
Tue, 03 Nov 2020 - 8 - Grady Smith: Maybe Bro Country Wasn't All That Bro-y After All?
During the era of Bro Country, we were about one more “hey girl” away from a revolution, am I right? Actually, am I right? It was a trend for sure, but maybe we were a little hard on artists like Luke Bryan or Florida Georgia Line and songwriters like Dallas Davidson. Maybe, if we actually looked at all the songs played on country radio over a bro-y era, we’d see that this was an annoying niche more than a dominant style, one blamed for pushing women to the edges of the genre and beyond. Or m...
Thu, 29 Oct 2020 - 7 - Country Music's Greatest Overachiever Is ...
This week on the Country Music Media Podcast: Would you rather be considered an overachiever or an underachiever? On its face, that question seems absurd. If you’ve underachieved, you’ve kinda failed, right? But on the other hand, if someone says you overachieved, isn’t that like saying you’re not that talented? In October, I sent a tweet asking which artists has made the most of what 2020 handed them and was overwhelmed with responses. Dozens of artists were named. Some made sense. A f...
Thu, 22 Oct 2020 - 6 - Which Morgan Wallen Is the Real Morgan Wallen?
Maybe we’re being too hard on Morgan Wallen. Maybe we’re not being hard enough. Fans responded with varying degrees of empathy and patience when Saturday Night Live gave him the boot after he broke COVID-19 protocols. Wallen, for his part, took the high road and took responsibility during a two-and-a-half-minute video on social media. Is the "Whiskey Glasses" singer the hard-partying troublemaker that's made TMZ several times in 2020? Or is he the humble kid from East Tennessee he appeared to...
Thu, 15 Oct 2020 - 5 - The Secret To Luke Combs' Chart-Busting Success
It’s difficult to find Luke Combs’ equal. Not now, not 10 years ago, not 30 years ago. Maybe not ever. The no-nonsense country singer and songwriter with a ‘90s country bent has released 9 singles to radio. Every one has reached No. 1. All but one has stayed there for multiple weeks. Since May of 2017 he’s spent 26 weeks at the top of the country charts — that’s a half year! — and I’m talking about the more illusive airplay chart, not the Hot Country Chart which is a mix of airplay, sales, st...
Thu, 08 Oct 2020 - 4 - Is Country Radio Ready to Forgive Taylor Swift?
Historically, when young female pop artists break up with country, country doesn’t come crawling back. But this time they are. Taylor Swift's "Betty" is a Top 40 hit and her performance at the 2020 ACM Awards felt as comfortable as you could hope if you're among those hoping she'll soon take back her crown as queen of country . My guest this week will explain why — after all she and the genre have been through since her last country hit ("Red" in 2013) — the timing may be right. Emily Yahr is...
Thu, 01 Oct 2020 - 3 - What Kane Brown Can Learn From Garth Brooks
In June, Garth Brooks became the first artist to surge forward amid a pandemic when he played a concert simulcast to 300 drive-in theaters nationwide. Garth was to show ‘em all how it’s down at $100 a car load except … he couldn’t. Reviews from fans in attendance and a few media outlets applauded the effort and vision but panned the actual concert. Man, if Garth couldn’t do it, what hope does Kane Brown have when he asks his fans to pay $100 a car load this weekend for a concert that will be ...
Thu, 24 Sep 2020 - 2 - ACM Awards: Behind the Scenes With John Shearer
The awards will be forgotten and the music will fade away but the photos will continue to tell the stories of the 2020 ACM Awards, country music's strangest awards show in recent memory. Ep. 1 features an interview with John Shearer. John is one of country music’s most talented, most popular and most likable photographers. You’ve seen John’s work after every country music awards show since 2015. He comes from California where he started shooting awards shows in 2002. One of his John’s most fa...
Thu, 17 Sep 2020 - 1 - Introducing: The Country Music Media Podcast
It's the ultimate country music insider podcast. Host Billy Dukes explores country music's hottest news stories, artists, songs, trends and events through the eyes of the journalists that covered them. It's the Country Music Media Podcast, a weekly dive into what's shaping country music.
Thu, 03 Sep 2020
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