Back when I was covering the Latin music industry for the Los Angeles Times, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alejandro Fernandez, a top Mexican singer. Like his famous father Vicente, Alejandro often performs in full charro (cowboy) gear, and sometimes even does so horseback. Just another reminder of how much the US and Mexico [...]
Therapeutic Thursday – Retro Pop Revival Rocks My World
April 5, 2012 Leave a Comment
Not sure y’all have noticed this or not, but there is a slow and steady movement in pop music away from the plastic and manufactured, back to classic blues, jazz and Motown-inspired sounds. Pretty sure we can thank Adele for this, as she proved without a doubt that today’s pop listener is ready for something [...]
New Study Shows Hip-Hop Fans Are Promiscuous, Country Fans Not
April 3, 2012 15 Comments
I love Harper’s Magazine, and especially their index — the list of fascinating factual tidbits that graces the front of the magazine each month. Last month, there were two that stood out, both taken from a recent study conducted in the United Kingdom. They are as follows: Chances that a hip-hop fan will have had [...]
My Favorite Irish Dude Singer & the Mexican Dude Singer Who Sounds Just Like Him & the Italian Dude Who Sounds Like Both Too
March 15, 2012 Leave a Comment
I know. I’m gettin’ just a wee bit too happy on the Irish front this week, in the lead-up to St. Patrick’s Day. It’s like that for we Irish-ish peoples. (My mom’s mom was Irish American.) So, in honor of the good old green, I give you The Script, whose singer Danny O’Donoghue is very cute [...]
The Beauty of Being Truly Multicultural
March 2, 2012 4 Comments
This is Juanes. I love Juanes. Juanes is from Colombia, of Basque heritage, and he sings in Spanish. He is a leftist. He is hot. He is smart. He is talented. I love Juanes. I think I mentioned that already. Know who else I love? Here, look: Yes, Kid Rock. American, conservative, not all that [...]
The Grammys Should Be Ashamed
February 14, 2012 23 Comments
I’ve been conflicted about whether or not to weigh in on the Recording Academy’s decision to feature not one but TWO performances by disgraced singer and woman-beater Chris Brown at the Grammy Awards this past weekend. Part of me was so disgusted by the move that I just wanted to stick my head in a [...]
Top 5 Reasons I Love Miranda Lambert
February 2, 2012 2 Comments
True statement: Miranda Lambert is my hero. Well, one of my heroes. I’ve got a few. But Miranda’s at the top of the list, right next to Charles Dickens and Cantinflas. It’s a weird list, my list of heroes. But it’s a really good weird list. But I digress. I do that sometimes. In fact, [...]
The New Song Haunting Me
December 27, 2011 1 Comment
“My Love Follows You Where You Go” by Alison Krauss & Union Station. I love this song. I love it more than I love chocolate. That’s about all I can say. No, that’s a lie. I’m a novelist. I have plenty to say. Always. “More smiles than a merry-go-round…” Great music. Great lyrics. Absolutely haunting. [...]
Luke Bryan, Cowboys, and Stereotypes
December 27, 2011 1 Comment
It’s funny. Well, not funny. Odd. It’s odd. Ever since I started dating the cowboy, and getting more acquainted with rural American life (at least in New Mexico), I have been amazed by how quick many of my city friends have been to stereotype him and his kind, often in the most unflattering ways. Mind [...]
Ashton Kutcher Makes a Mockery of Country
When I saw the outfit Ashton Kutcher chose to wear to present the best female vocalist award at the ACM country music awards Sunday night, all I could do was shake my head. When I heard him attempt to sing on that stage, surrounded by some of the best singers on earth, and when I [...]