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.

JD Clayton’s Long Way From Home

JD Clayton’s Long Way From Home

By Brian Rock JD Clayton recalls his Arkansas roots on his full-length debut, Long Way From Home. Following up on the success of his 2018 EP, Smoke Out The Fire, Clayton mines the same classic […]

2022 TJ Stocking Stuffers with Truth & Salvage Company, Town Mountain, Effie Zilch, and The Harlem Gospel Travelers

2022 TJ Stocking Stuffers with Truth & Salvage Company, Town Mountain, Effie Zilch, and The Harlem Gospel Travelers

By Brian Rock It’s finally December and that means it’s time for party throwing, mistletoe-ing, and Ho Ho Ho-ing! We hope this Christmas season brings you a sleigh full of good friends, good memories, and […]

Melissa Carper’s Ramblin’ Soul

Melissa Carper’s Ramblin’ Soul

By Brian Rock The most distinctive voice in Americana, Melissa Carper, takes us on another musical journey on her second solo release, Ramblin’ Soul. Effortlessly combining down home country with uptown Jazz, Carper’s voice adds […]

Will Payne Harrison’s Tioga Titan

Will Payne Harrison’s Tioga Titan

By Brian Rock Louisiana Country crooner, Will Payne Harrison adds a New Orleans flair to classic Nashville sounds on his third album, Tioga Titan. Lilting Cajun fiddle adds a subtle spice to these ten traditional […]

Trampled By Turtles Alpenglow

Trampled By Turtles Alpenglow

By Brian Rock As Trampled By Turtles approaches their twentieth year together, they pause to contemplate the passing of time on their tenth album, Alpenglow. Named for the fiery phenomenon where the sun creates a […]

John Fullbright’s The Liar

John Fullbright’s The Liar

By Brian Rock Oklahoma singer/songwriter John Fullbright returns after an eight-year hiatus with his majestic new album, The Liar. The former AMA Emerging Artist nominee picks up right where he left off on 2014’s critically […]

Chris Canterbury’s Quaalude Lullabies

Chris Canterbury’s Quaalude Lullabies

By Brian Rock Louisiana balladeer, Chris Canterbury plumbs the depths of despair and desolation on his achingly beautiful third release, Quaalude Lullabies. Following in the footsteps of Chris Stapleton, Canterbury sings with an authenticity that […]

Triggers & Slips What Do You Feed Your Darkness?

Triggers & Slips What Do You Feed Your Darkness?

By Brian Rock Utah’s Honky-Tonk heroes, Triggers & Slips face their demons on their third album, What Do You Feed Your Darkness? With a balanced mix of tear in your beer ballads and boot stomping […]

Forrest McCurren’s Oh Me, Oh My

Forrest McCurren’s Oh Me, Oh My

By Brian Rock Forrest McCurren celebrates lovers, losers and loners on his debut, Oh me, Oh My. Following in the footsteps of 2021 breakout artist, Mac Leaphart; McCurren captures the everyman, country/folk stylings of Hayes […]

Kenny Roby Releases Self-titled New Album

Kenny Roby Releases Self-titled New Album

By Brian Rock Kenny Roby makes peace with himself on his eponymous seventh solo album, Kenny Roby. After the intense emotional reckoning of his 2020 release, Reservoir, this album finds Roby in a more centered, […]

Andrew Duhon’s Emerald Blue

Andrew Duhon’s Emerald Blue

By Brian Rock Louisiana troubadour, Andrew Duhon blends genres and colors on his third album, Emerald Blue. The evocative Folk singer adds a soulful timbre to his ballads and blues as he contemplates love, loss […]

The Barlow’s New Year, Old Me

The Barlow’s New Year, Old Me

By Brian Rock The Barlow share new music in their good old style on their third release, New Year, Old Me. Combining outlaw country, honky-tonk, red dirt music, and a bit of indie attitude, The […]