Cody Jinks, Blackberry Smoke and Jamey Johnson headline Fred Phillips’ Best of 2024 country and southern rock releases.

Joseph M. Thompson explores successful business arrangements with the military that continue to have a strong impact on the country music we hear today.

Progressive banjo player Alison Brown discusses career-shaping music by Earl Scruggs, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and David Grisman.

Bobaflex, Sophie Lloyd, Steel Woods, Doro and Rob Halford also find a home on Fred Phillips’ list of best 2023 songs.

The Parrotheads will miss the concert experiences. The rest of the world will miss Jimmy Buffett’s attitude.

‘Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90’ was well-meaning, heartfelt, and often well-performed – but a few intangibles were lacking.

Stylistic influences aside, Jim White’s ‘(The Mysterious Tale of How I Shouted) Wrong-Eyed Jesus!’ is honest, original, un-glossed country at its best.

Recorded 50 years ago, Gram Parsons’ ‘Grievous Angel’ was an artistic triumph even though it never climbed higher than No. 195 on Billboard’s album chart.

‘Tennessee Pusher’ arrived 15 years ago with a new lineup and a big-time producer – but Old Crow Medicine Show’s essential wisdom and rootsy humor remained.

When Ward Davis’ solo acoustic performance at the Louisiana Grandstand theater was announced, I almost decided to skip it.