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.

TJ’s Summer Sonic Six Pack [Parker Millsap, Nicki Bluhm, Speedbuggy and more]

TJ’s Summer Sonic Six Pack [Parker Millsap, Nicki Bluhm, Speedbuggy and more]

By Brian Rock Summer’s here and the time is right… for updating your backyard BBQ and road trip playlists. With so many great new releases this summer, it’s hard to focus on just one. So, […]

Tami Neilson’s Sassafrass

Tami Neilson’s Sassafrass

By Brian Rock Tami Neilson is a woman of contradictions. Born in Canada, she resides in New Zealand. An award-winning Country singer, she infuses her music with Soul. A hard-hitting social commentator, she wraps her […]

Luke Winslow-King’s Blue Mesa

Luke Winslow-King’s Blue Mesa

By Brian Rock Luke Winslow-King’s sixth album, Blue Mesa could just as easily have been called “Blues Mesa.” Each of the ten Blues-infused Americana songs on this album stands out like a painted mesa against […]

Jeff Plankenhorn’s Sleeping Dogs

Jeff Plankenhorn’s Sleeping Dogs

By Brian Rock Jeff Plankenhorn leads us into the dog days of summer with his second album, Sleeping Dogs. After years of proving himself as one of the most sought-after guitars for hire in the […]

Don Gallardo’s Still Here

Don Gallardo’s Still Here

By Brian Rock After fifteen years in the music business with four previous studio albums and one live album, Don Gallardo wants you to know that he’s, Still Here. On this, his fifth studio album, […]

Old Crow Medicine Show’s Volunteer

Old Crow Medicine Show’s Volunteer

By Brian Rock Old Crow Medicine Show celebrates their 20th anniversary with the release of their latest album, Volunteer. Within the first three seconds of the lead song, “Flicker & Shine,” it’s clear that they […]

Sarah Shook and the Disarmers’ Releases New Album Years

Sarah Shook and the Disarmers’ Releases New Album Years

By Brian Rock Sarah Shook and the Disarmers exploded onto the American scene with their 2017 release, Sidelong. Now they’re back to throw gas on that fire with their new album, Years. Inspired by the […]

Andrew Sheppard’s Steady Your Aim

Andrew Sheppard’s Steady Your Aim

By Brian Rock Andrew Sheppard aims to please on his second album, Steady Your Aim. Continuing the authentic and distinctive Americana sound he developed on 2015’s Far From Here, Sheppard steadies his reputation as an […]

The Top of the World by 6 String Drag

The Top of the World by 6 String Drag

By Brian Rock 6 String Drag invites you to take a trip to The Top of the World on their third full length release. Playing pure, unadulterated Rock N Roll, the band seems blissfully unconcerned […]

Rob Williams’ An Hour Before Daylight

Rob Williams’ An Hour Before Daylight

By Brian Rock Rob Williams gets up early to share his new album, An Hour Before Daylight. This, his third full length release, sees Williams continue his unique, melodic hook-laden style of Folk-abilly. Perhaps inspired […]

The Contenders’s Laughing With The Reckless

The Contenders’s Laughing With The Reckless

By Brian Rock Americana duo The Contenders are anything but reckless in their debut album, Laughing with the Reckless. Filled with finely crafted songs of struggle and hope, Guitarist Jay Nash and Drummer Josh Day […]

JD McPherson’s Undivided Heart And Soul

JD McPherson’s Undivided Heart And Soul

By Brian Rock The first note of the first song on JD McPherson’s new album, Undivided Heart And Soul, lets you know right away he’s entering a new chapter in his career. With this, his […]