Kickin Up Dust

The New Oral History: Chris Shiflett and Steve Dawson’s Smart, Listenable Podcasts
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The New Oral History: Chris Shiflett and Steve Dawson’s Smart, Listenable Podcasts

By
 / 25 August 2016
There are more podcasts than you can shake a flash drive at these days. Though the number of 'casts that embrace Americana music is growing, these two stand out.
Coulda Been Country: The Allman Brothers Dickey Betts’ Great Southern Songs
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Coulda Been Country: The Allman Brothers Dickey Betts’ Great Southern Songs

By
 / 1 July 2016
The Allman Brothers band receives attention for its southern rock tendencies, but its secret weapon was, for a time, the country inflections brought forth by guitarist Dickey Betts.
Packing Bags and Hittin’ the Road: A Look Back on Music Gatherings of Yore
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Packing Bags and Hittin’ the Road: A Look Back on Music Gatherings of Yore

By
 / 16 June 2016
Remember when Mumford and Sons spent their pre-show hours swinging from tires in a lake crowded with fans?
Corn in the USA: Hee Haw, Buck Owens and You
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Corn in the USA: Hee Haw, Buck Owens and You

By
 / 8 March 2016
Whether he wanted it to be or not Hee Haw was the vehicle that imprinted Buck Owens into the minds of millions of music lovers around the globe.
The Los Lonely Wolves, Los Lobos, Is Still Brilliantly Defying Classification
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The Los Lonely Wolves, Los Lobos, Is Still Brilliantly Defying Classification

By
 / 8 October 2015
It's hard to imagine an American band that's more inventive, death-defying and affable as Los Lobos. A new book and record reveal why.
John Moreland Restores Hope in a Hopeless World
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John Moreland Restores Hope in a Hopeless World

By
 / 26 August 2015
John Moreland sings tales that crawl through the soil, hiss in the night, and burrow themselves into the heartpocket of listeners.
Let Us Now Praise Dale Watson, American Treasure
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Let Us Now Praise Dale Watson, American Treasure

By
 / 4 August 2015
Dale Watson wants to secede from country music and all we can do is hope that this is one rebellion that comes to a happy end.
Beyond Record Store Day: Digging Up Some Choice Used Americana Vinyl
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Beyond Record Store Day: Digging Up Some Choice Used Americana Vinyl

By
 / 22 April 2015
There are plenty of good reasons to visit an actual record store besides that one hyped day in April.
Do iPhones Dream of Boxcars? Joe Ely and Sci-Fi Country
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Do iPhones Dream of Boxcars? Joe Ely and Sci-Fi Country

By
 / 9 February 2015
In 1983, road-weary Texan Joe Ely hovers over gadgets and wires, entering a brave new world of technology. Is he creating science-fiction country music?
The Rainmakers Find Heaven and Hell in the Heartland
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The Rainmakers Find Heaven and Hell in the Heartland

By
 / 22 September 2014
Since the early '80s, The Rainmakers have been among the best bands to emerge from the Heartland Rock boom of that decade. They may be the best that's still at it.
Is the Sadness Gone from Country Music?
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Is the Sadness Gone from Country Music?

By
 / 25 August 2014
Has country music lost its capacity for brutal, unshakeable loneliness? Or are we just experiencing some calm before the next, inevitable heartache?
When the Man in Black Went to Bat for Native America
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When the Man in Black Went to Bat for Native America

By
 / 31 July 2014
A recasting of Johnny Cash's most controversial album, Bitter Tears, raises questions about the inclusiveness of American music.