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.

Tony Cuchetti’s Freer Street

Tony Cuchetti’s Freer Street

By Brian Rock Minnesota Americana singer, Tony Cuchetti freely combines folk, country, soul and blues on his second album, Freer Street. The North Star singer captures the funky, folk feel of his Northern neighbor, the […]

Mike Thomas Diamonds

Mike Thomas Diamonds

By Brian Rock Tennessee native Mike Thomas assesses family versus finances on his sophomore album, Diamonds. Thomas weaves his stories of holding onto love and chasing after dreams with strands of country, honky tonk, bluegrass, […]

Justin Cody Fox’s New Southern

Justin Cody Fox’s New Southern

By Brian Rock North Carolina guitar slinger, Justin Cody Fox releases his sophomore album, New Southern. Following in the footsteps of his musical heroes Tom Petty and the Black Crowes, Fox ranges from contemplative to […]

JD Graham’s A Pound Of Rust

JD Graham’s A Pound Of Rust

By Brian Rock JD Graham’s A Pound Of Rust is an brutally honest and unflinchingly personal story of addiction and redemption. In fact, listening to this album feels like eavesdropping on a tragic, and long […]

Sara Petite’s The Empress

Sara Petite’s The Empress

By Brian Rock Sara Petite asserts her power and the power of feminine energy in general on her seventh album, The Empress. Full of raucous honky-tonk and harder edged cow-punk, Petite uses the most masculine […]

TJ’s Summer Roundup 2023 with Rodney Rice, Carter Sampson, Del Barber, Mike Miz and Selwyn Birchwood

TJ’s Summer Roundup 2023 with Rodney Rice, Carter Sampson, Del Barber, Mike Miz and Selwyn Birchwood

By Brian Rock Just in time for Summer, the Beatles classic, “Here Comes The Sun” has just topped one billion streams on Spotify. As the temperatures rise, here are a few rising new artists looking […]

Joey Frendo’s Bound For Heartache

Joey Frendo’s Bound For Heartache

By Brian Rock Red dirt honky-tonker, Joey Frendo is bound to make his mark on his debut album, Bound For Heartache. Recently relocated to Oklahoma from Michigan, Frendo lets his new red dirt surroundings wash over […]

Jono Manson’s Stars Enough To Guide Me

Jono Manson’s Stars Enough To Guide Me

By Brian Rock Legendary producer, Jono Manson steps out from behind the soundboards for his latest release, Stars Enough To Guide Me. Drawing on his four decades in the music business, Manson creates a multilayered […]

Matt Andersen’s The Big Bottle of Joy

Matt Andersen’s The Big Bottle of Joy

By Brian Rock Canadian Blues powerhouse Matt Andersen spreads the joy on his twelfth studio album, The Big Bottle of Joy. The name of the album is also the name of his band; and much […]

The Shootouts’s Stampede

The Shootouts’s Stampede

By Brian Rock The Shootouts charge full speed ahead with their third album in five years, Stampede. Produced by legendary Asleep at the Wheel frontman, Ray Benson; the album bursts forth with all the energy […]

Joe Louis Walker’s Weight of the World

Joe Louis Walker’s Weight of the World

By Brian Rock Blues Hall of Famer, Joe Louis Walker adds to his legend with his 24th full length studio release, Weight of the World. Blurring the boundaries between blues and soul, Walker walks a […]

Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley’s Living In A Song

Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley’s Living In A Song

By Brian Rock Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley sing an ode to Nashville’s storied musical past on their fourth album, Living In A Song. Taking a break from their high-octane bluegrass and Piedmont Blues stylings, […]