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A couple of years ago I read an article about the Country Music Awards which referred to an artist called Chris Stapleton – he stole the show with two duet performances with Justin Timberlake (I have a secret crush on Justin Timberlake btw). I’d never heard of him. As you’ve hopefully now learned from these posts, my next move was to check out the impressively bearded man. He has a decent heritage as a successful songwriter for other artists and had recently released his own solo album called Traveller (new album due soon). It is the most gorgeous collection of soul searching tunes about life and love. Soon after my introduction to Stapleton, a friend with a huge music knowledge and much tidier beard than all the fellas in the pictures, suggested tracks by The White Buffalo and a group called Blackberry Smoke.
The White Buffalo, or Jake Smith to his mum, has a larger solo output than Stapleton. He drew a wider audience after some of his music featured in the popular biker-club TV series Sons of Anarchy. His most recent album, Love and the Death of Damnation, came out at about the same time as Stapleton’s Traveller. His versatile voice lends a mournful tone to his musical stories which feature a gritty reality at their core. Again – beautiful.
And so to Blackberry Smoke; a loveable crew of southern rockers with real variety to their repertoire. They can do heavyish rock, classic country sound and funkier soulful stuff. There’s often a little glint of humour about their output. Apparently they are great live and have a reputation for being a hard working band.
I love the music these artists offer up, but I know next to nothing else about Americana/Southern Rock/Country. The other day I was listening to Chris Stapleton’s new single and wondered where all the women of this genre are. I’m not talking the old style female country singers we all know. I’m talking the new generation. Where are they? I could go and do my own homework, but where’s the fun in that, when I have you guys to help me out? I know at least 2 of you will know something about this.
Yet again ‘Spillers I come to you to fill in the gaps in my musical knowledge. What can you tell me about all this and who else should I be tracking down?
