Articles written by: Brian Rock

Brian was raised gypsy style, moving every other year until well after college. As friendships proved to be temporary, Brian found a constant companion in music, wearing the grooves off Beatles and Dylan albums before moving on to Lyle Lovett and Dwight Yokam. Living so often in flux, he has come to value music and lyrics of lasting quality. Not moved by trends or fashion, he is drawn to timeless lyrics and soulful rhythms. Although now settled down, Brian still expresses his gypsy spirit through his writing. He has co-written songs with musician friends he’s met along the way, including several contributions to the 2012 ICMA Album of the Year, Family Album. Brian also writes children’s books and poems, including the Children’s Book Council featured title, The Deductive Detective.

Nicolette & The Nobodies The Long Way

Nicolette & The Nobodies The Long Way

By Brian Rock Canadian honky tonkers, Nicolette & The Nobodies eschew short cuts on their debut album, The Long Way. Coming ten years after the band’s inception, they took their time perfecting their synergy before […]

Driftwood’s December Last Call

Driftwood’s December Last Call

By Brian Rock Athens, GA meets Greenwich Village on Driftwood’s new album, December Last Call. The upstate New York based band continues to push the boundaries of folk on this, their sixth album. From alt […]

Ted Russell Kamp’s California Son

Ted Russell Kamp’s California Son

By Brian Rock Ted Russell Kamp may just be the hardest working man in Americana. While many artists are just now releasing their first new albums since the onset of Covid 19, California Son, marks […]

The High Hawks Mother Nature’s Show

The High Hawks Mother Nature’s Show

By Brian Rock The High Hawks soar on their sophomore album, Mother Nature’s Show. Composed of members from Leftover Salmon, Hard Working Americans, and Great American Taxi, The High Hawks create an eclectic, backwoods country/rock […]

2023 TJ Stocking Stuffers with Jaime Wyatt, Uncle Lucius, Bastards of Soul, Emma Jo and Gram Parsons

2023 TJ Stocking Stuffers with Jaime Wyatt, Uncle Lucius, Bastards of Soul, Emma Jo and Gram Parsons

By Brian Rock In the words of the late, great Tom Petty, “It’s Christmas All Over Again.” If you find yourself caught off guard by its sudden arrival and in need of some last-minute gift […]

The Vinnie Paolizzi LP

The Vinnie Paolizzi LP

By Brian Rock Nashville folk/americana artist Vinnie Paolizzi makes a name for himself on his debut album, The Vinnie Paolizzi LP. Combining traditional folk and Laurel Canyon rhythms, with just a hint of soul, Paolizzi […]

Colin Cutler Tarwater

Colin Cutler Tarwater

By Brian Rock North Carolina Americana artist, Colin Cutler takes inspiration from Flannery O’Connor on his fourth album, Tarwater. The title is a reference to the main character from O’Connor’s short story, “You Can’t Be […]

Jessi Colter Edge of Forever

Jessi Colter Edge of Forever

By Brian Rock Grammy Hall of Famer and original country outlaw, Jessi Colter makes her triumphant return to her honky-tonk roots on her 13th album, Edge of Forever. Forever associated with her late husband, Waylon […]

Victoria Bailey A Cowgirl Rides On

Victoria Bailey A Cowgirl Rides On

By Brian Rock Classic Country revivalist, Victoria Bailey rides again on her sophomore album, A Cowgirl Rides On. Combining Appalachian bluegrass with Sons of the Pioneers era western music, Bailey takes us on a cross […]

Jeff Plankenhorn Alone At Sea

Jeff Plankenhorn Alone At Sea

By Brian Rock Funky folkster, Jeff Plankenhorn unplugs to recharge on his fourth album, Alone At Sea. A story/cycle in three acts, Alone At Sea, addresses our hectic lives, the need to get away from […]

Forest Sun Hey Magnolia

Forest Sun Hey Magnolia

By Brian Rock Folk poet extraordinaire, Forest Sun shares a dozen well-crafted new songs on his twelfth album, Hey Magnolia. Unlike the optimistic romanticism of last year’s Follow The Love, Hey Magnolia, finds Sun in […]

The Waymores Greener Pastures

The Waymores Greener Pastures

By Brian Rock Husband and wife duo, The Waymores, gallop through country’s golden age on Greener Pastures. Evoking the dueling duets of Johnny Cash and June Carter as well as George Jones and Tammy Wynette, […]