“Act Naturally” came, well, naturally for Ringo Starr. He had flirted with country music long before joining the Beatles.

It was, honestly, a pretty lousy year for music. This list of Best Metal, Country and Hard Rock of 2017 highlights five exceptions, and some key honorable mentions.

I didn’t get decked, and I did ask Glen Campbell to sign my album.

Marty Stuart calls his backing band the Fabulous Superlatives – and, the thing is, they live up to his claim on every tune.

Jamey Johnson is confident and solid, offering straight-ahead country music that’s performed with conviction.

A very topical album, a group of overlooked Southern rockers and the return of a country legend highlight this Best Country and Southern Rock of 2016 list.

The show was an hour and a half late. Audience members were understandably nervous. Then, in strode Billy Joe Shaver — all 77 years of him.

Blackberry Smoke’s last album needed a little more grit. If “Waiting for the Thunder” is any indication, maybe we’ll get some of that back.

I wasn’t going to listen to Steven Tyler’s new country-influenced album, but I’m such an Aerosmith fanboy that I unfortunately just couldn’t resist.

The two words that repeatedly came to my mind during Lyle Lovett’s concert were “generosity” and “faith.”