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.

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, […]

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 […]