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EKY dominates the country and bluegrass charts
BY PHILL BARNETT MOUNTAIN CITIZEN AREA CODE (606) – The beginning of February saw several great music releases from eastern Kentucky artists including the Laid Back Country Picker of Fallsburg, Brit Taylor of Knott County and Sundy Best of Prestonsburg. Each of these artists’ albums joined the already long list of albums by eastern Kentuckians…
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Laid Back Country Picker’s “Go West” streaming everywhere February 2
BY PHILL BARNETTMOUNTAIN CITIZEN FALLSBURG — The Laid Back Country Picker’s new album “Go West” will be streaming everywhere starting Feb. 2. That’s right. Laid Back’s music will be hitting the internet for the first time. Fans of the Fallsburg-based country-rawk icon have been waiting for this moment since the release of his self-titled debut…
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Brit Taylor set to release ‘Kentucky Blue’ Feb. 3
BY PHILL BARNETTMOUNTAIN CITIZEN NASHVILLE – Knott County-native Brit Taylor is set to release her sophomore album “Kentucky Blue,” produced by Sturgill Simpson and Dave Ferguson, on Feb. 3. Taylor’s debut album “Real Me” was like the restoration of an old car, subtle and melancholy, complete with tape over the engine light and a fresh…
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Corduroy Brown takes a much-needed ‘Rest’ with new EP
BY PHILL BARNETTMOUNTAIN CITIZEN HUNTINGTON — Alan “Corduroy” Brown is set to release his new EP “Rest” on Feb. 1. The record features five original songs and will be streaming everywhere. The EP finds the Huntington-based “feel-good pop-rock” artist departing from his typical high-energy full-band sound for a moment of rest, as the name implies.…
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Locals nominated for Appy awards
Awards ceremony March 18 BY PHILL BARNETTMOUNTAIN CITIZEN PRESTONSBURG — The Appalachian Arts and Entertainment Awards will be held at the Mountain Arts Center March 18. Many local artists and entertainers are nominated for an award, known as an Appy. Voting is open on the awards show’s website now. Kayla Freeman Simpkins of Inez is…
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The Laid Back Country Picker is Johnny Knoxville’s ‘favorite new band’
BY PHILL BARNETTMOUNTAIN CITIZEN On his Sirius XM radio show Saturday night, Johnny Knoxville played a track from the Laid Back Country Picker’s new album “Go West” and announced that LBCP was his “favorite new band.” The radio show, “The Big Ass Happy Family Jubilee” on Sirius’ Channel 60, Outlaw Country, is hosted by Knoxville…
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Hollerwood to host Christmas show Friday at Alley on Main
BY ROGER SMITHMOUNTAIN CITIZEN PAINTSVILLE — Hollerwood Productions is hosting a “Christmas Extravaganza” Friday at Alley on Main in Paintsville. The show will feature performances by local musicians including Kristofer Lee Bentley and his band the Protectors. Doors open at 6 p.m. Music will begin at 7 p.m. and feature Jesse Osborne, Bobby Lee Caudill,…
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Fresh Off the Still: Fall Releases
BY PHILL BARNETTMOUNTAIN CITIZEN The leaves fell quickly this year and with them fell a pile of hits from around the Commonwealth. Here are some of my favorite recent releases. Peace Mountain – Nicholas Jamerson & Charles Wesley Godwin Nicholas Jamerson, one of Kentucky’s most beloved living songwriters, has teamed up with one of West…
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Tyler Booth announces debut headline tour
NASHVILLE — Sony Music Nashville/Villa 40 rising star and Wolfe County native Tyler Booth announced his first-ever headline tour, the “Country Gang” tour, which kicks off Oct. 26 at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville. Reid Haughton, Jordan Rowe and Whey Jennings will open select dates. Tickets are on sale now at TylerBoothMusic.com. Booth will be…
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Tyler Childers wears Charles Booker shirt for closing performance of Septemberfest
BY PHILL BARNETTMOUNTAIN CITIZEN LOUISA — Tyler Childers performed with his band the Food Stamps in downtown Louisa Saturday night as part of this year’s Septemberfest, a U.S. 23 Country Music Highway Homecoming. Childers took the stage around 9:30 p.m. wearing a Charles Booker for U.S. Senate T-shirt. This gesture was both praised and criticized…