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.

Eleven Hundred Springs Releases Here ‘Tis

Eleven Hundred Springs Releases Here ‘Tis

By Brian Rock It’s no secret that some of the best kept secrets in Americana come from Texas. Bands like Left Arm Tan, Casey Donahue Band, Micky & The Motorcars, The Vandoliers and many others […]

Left Arm Tan Rides Again

Left Arm Tan Rides Again

By Brian Rock Left Arm Tan rides again (with windows down of course) on their eponymous fifth album, Left Arm Tan. Continuing in the footsteps of their Southern California Country-Rock heroes, The Flying Burrito Brothers, […]

Honky-tonk Holiday Stocking Stuffer

Honky-tonk Holiday Stocking Stuffer

By Brian Rock It’s mid-December and the days are flying past faster than eight tiny airborne reindeer. But don’t worry, there’s still enough time to grab a few last-minute stocking stuffers for your music loving […]

Micky & The Motorcars’ Long Time Comin’

Micky & The Motorcars’ Long Time Comin’

By Brian Rock Micky & The Motorcars ride again on their eighth studio album Long Time Comin’. Stalwarts of the Austin Alt-Country music scene, M&M made a name for themselves playing hell raising, beer drinking […]

Stoney LaRue’s Onward

Stoney LaRue’s Onward

By Brian Rock Red Dirt Troubadour, Stoney LaRue presses forward on his sixth studio release, Onward. Nearing the end of his second decade of making music, LaRue is at a point in his career where […]

Jason James Seems Like Tears Ago

Jason James Seems Like Tears Ago

By Brian Rock If Ken Burns’ Country Music documentary gave you a literal “Hankerin’” for some good, traditional Country music, Jason James has just what you’re looking for in his latest release, Seems Like Tears […]

Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley’s World Full of Blues

Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley’s World Full of Blues

By Brian Rock Virtuoso dobro and guitar pickers Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley explore both the roots and the future of Country and Blues on their third release, World Full of Blues. The first track, […]

Charlie Parr Back with New Record

Charlie Parr Back with New Record

By Brian Rock It might come as some surprise that Charlie Parr’s fourteenth album is simply titled, Charlie Parr. After all, artists usually make their first album eponymous to help people remember their name. But […]

Rodney Crowell’s Texas

Rodney Crowell’s Texas

By Brian Rock Living legend Rodney Crowell returns to his Texas roots on the aptly named, Texas. After several consecutive albums of introspective ballads, Crowell lets down his hair for a looser, more buoyant collection […]

Eilen Jewell’s Gypsy

Eilen Jewell’s Gypsy

By Brian Rock Queen of the minor key and shortlist candidate for Queen of Americana, Eilen Jewell releases her eighth album, Gypsy. After exploring her Blues influences in 2017’s cover compilation Down Hearted Blues, Jewell […]

Davina and the Vagabonds’ Sugar Drops

Davina and the Vagabonds’ Sugar Drops

By Brian Rock Davina and the Vagabonds deliver a sweet and sumptuous feast for the ears on their fourth album, Sugar Drops. Lead singer (also songwriter and pianist) Davina Sowers is possessed of a voice […]

Karen Jonas’ Lucky, Revisited

Karen Jonas’ Lucky, Revisited

By Brian Rock Americana chanteuse, Karen Jonas revisits her early recordings on her fourth release, Lucky, Revisited. Whereas most artists revamp the arrangements of their most popular songs for the stage and then release a […]