Gnash

Trying to sum up Willie Nelson’s approach to music is no small task. With a catalog that spans more than 100 albums and nearly every genre imaginable, his philosophy resists easy definition. Still, one quote comes remarkably close: “According to my grandmother, the definition of music is anything that’s pleasing to the ear. Once I … Read more

A key figure of outlaw country, Willie Nelson was never one for surface-level pleasantries. That was also one of the reasons that outlaw country started to flourish in the first place. Unlike the sounds coming over from the Nashville scene, outlaw country focused on giving a voice to working-class communities, rivalling an otherwise over-polished sound with something … Read more

Much of her strongest work has always lived in the details of everyday life. The songs themselves may not always seem extraordinary on the page, but their real power comes from the emotion she pours into every performance. Still, reaching the kind of depth that once moved audiences so effortlessly required discipline, patience, and years … Read more

Jayson Arendt and the Texas Tailgaters Bring Baseball, Dance, and Country to “American Idol” Jayson Arendt, a 24-year-old Banana Ball League player and aspiring singer from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, made one of the most unforgettable entrances of the season during his American Idol audition, blending baseball, dancing, and country music in true Banana Ball style. … Read more

Long before Willie Nelson became one of the most recognizable voices in American music, he was carving out a living as a songwriter. One of the songs that helped change the course of his career was “Pretty Paper,” now cherished as a classic country Christmas tune. Nelson found inspiration in an unlikely but unforgettable place. … Read more