Chicago country five-piece Tobacco City formed to cover Neil Young songs for a Halloween show, but thankfully they’ve since developed their own sound. Like Young, they have a way with plaintive melodies, but their music is rooted in bluesy honky-tonk and earthy, wistful country, with supple, pop-driven harmony vocals. Tobacco City’s surefire rhythm section—drummer Josh […]
Tag: honky-tonk
Posted inMusic
The Quebe Sisters are worthy heirs of classic country styles
The Quebe Sisters bill themselves as progressive western swing, but in most respects they sound more old-timey than the country-jazz acts of the 30s and 40s that inspire them. Though the “King of Western Swing,” Bob Wills, included traditionally noncountry instruments such as horns and electric guitar in his band and played tunes by Duke […]
Posted inMusic
RIP Trey Gruber of promising young Chicago band Parent
Trey Gruber of up-and-coming Laurel Canyon-style rockers Parent has died at age 26.
Posted inBlogs
BR5-49’s Chuck Mead rediscovers his sweet spot in classic honky-tonk
The former BR5-49 regains his bearings on Back at the Quonset Hut, a collection of hard-core country covers.
Posted inBlogs
New goodies from the vaults of Bakersfield country legend Buck Owens
Omnivore Recordings uncovers some previously unreleased treasures of Bakersfield-style country.
Posted inMusic
Chicago Country Music Festival
Now located in Millennium Park, this year’s edition features performances by Jewel, Jake Owen, Love & Theft, Clint Black, Gretchen Wilson, Truth & Salvage Co., the Giving Tree Band, and others.