Tag: Ed’s Picks

Essential Country Finds

Posted on by Shelby Williamson

Editor’s Note: Each issue of Good Country, our co-founder Ed Helms will share a handful of good country artists, albums, and songs direct from his own earphones in Ed’s Picks.

Laci Kaye Booth

Couldn’t have said it better, ourselves. GEORGE F****** STRAIT! Good Country song of the season? We think so – and the internet does, too. You don’t wanna miss Laci on tour with Parker McCollum this summer and fall.

Crowe Boys

You’ll find New Orleans-based brothers Wes and Ocie Crowe at the intersection of country, indie, and rowdy millennial alt-folk. Their debut album’s title, Made To Wander, doesn’t just speak to their packed international tour schedule, it draws from their youthful days traveling with their family band, too.

The Kentucky Gentlemen

We’ve been fans of the Kentucky Gentlemen and we remain fans of the Kentucky Gentlemen! The Kentuckian twin brothers’ latest, Rhinestone Revolution, is out now, continuing to bring their energy, sparkle, and fun to mainstream country lovers the world over.

Carín León

From Sonora, Mexico to the GRAMMYs; to CMA Fest; to the cover of Billboard. Carín León exemplifies what we mean when we say “country & western” has always included Latin folk, Mexican music, and all of the roots music traditions of North America, no matter what language or any arbitrary borders. The deluxe version of his most recent smash hit album Palabra De To’s (Seca) is out now – it’s a must-listen.

Maoli

Country soul rooted in Hawaii and the Pacific islands – that’s what Maoli offers on his latest, Last Sip of Summer. You’ll be forgiven for assuming the steel guitar is the only country input offered from the vast Pacific Ocean. Maoli shows island country sounds – his being a bit like Buffett meets Chesney meets reggae – are best when grown directly in volcanic soil.

Ashley McBryde

This fan favorite Ashley McBryde track, “Rattlesnake Preacher,” has been a staple of her live shows for… well, forever. Now, a studio cut is available for the very first time. McBryde worked with producer John Osborne (of Brothers Osborne) to ensure this long-awaited rendition captured the magic of her live performances of the number. It does!

Want more Good Country? Sign up to receive our monthly email newsletter – and much more music! – direct to your inbox.

Photo Credits: Laci Kaye Booth by Natalie Sakstrup; Crowe Boys by Nick Swift; the Kentucky Gentlemen courtesy of the artist; Carín León courtesy of Sacks & Co; Maoli by Reggie Villa; Ashley McBryde by Katie Kauss.

All Kinds of Country

Posted on by Shelby Williamson

Editor’s Note: Each issue of Good Country, our co-founder Ed Helms will share a handful of good country artists, albums, and songs direct from his own earphones in Ed’s Picks.

William Beckmann

Born and raised in a border town in Texas, singer-songwriter William Beckmann perfectly illustrates how Mexican folk, Tejano music, and country have always been closely intertwined. Latin folk is Americana; mariachi and Norteño are country. With Good Country like his, that connectedness feels intuitive – and obvious. Beckmann’s new album arrives June 20.

Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson

Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson, founding members of revered string band the Carolina Chocolate Drops, reunite on a new old-time album, What Did The Blackbird Say to the Crow, which celebrates North Carolina repertoire, fiddle, banjo, and front porch pickin’. I’m excited to join them both – and many other special guests like Steve Martin, Amythyst Kiah, Leyla McCalla, and more – at the Hollywood Bowl on June 18 for a special one-night-only edition of their Old-Time Revue.

The SteelDrivers

“Uneasy listening” or “bluegrass soul,” whatever you call their style of music, the SteelDrivers are a bluegrass institution. Their new album, Outrun, is their first with Sun Records, an excellent label match for a group that combines bluegrass, blues, country, and soul with music that’s equally at home in Nashville, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, and beyond. Love this band of ringers!

Jack Van Cleaf

There’s a new sort of Americana/country/Gen Z folk brewing between social media and music cities like Nashville, Chicago, and LA – and Jack Van Cleaf is at the center of its rise. Is it alt-country? Is it contemplative bedroom folk? Is it indie rock? Is it singer-songwriter Americana? It’s all of the above. Check out his latest LP, JVC, to discover your own terms for his striking style.

Watchhouse

My old pals Andrew and Emily were a pick last year when they guested on “Pink Skies” on Zach Bryan’s smash hit album, The Great American Bar Scene. Now they’re back with a full-length album of their own, Rituals, out today! We’ve been covering and collaborating with Watchhouse for over a decade, so stay tuned for more celebrations of the new record coming soon to BGS and Good Country.

Want more Good Country? Sign up to receive our monthly email newsletter – and much more music! – direct to your inbox.

Photo Credits: William Beckmann by Connor Robertson; Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson by Karen Cox; The SteelDrivers by Glenn Rose; Jack Van Cleaf by Joseph Wasilewski; Watchhouse by Jillian Clark.

Ed’s Picks – Country to Love

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Editor’s Note: Each issue of Good Country, our co-founder Ed Helms will share a handful of good country artists, albums, and songs direct from his own earphones in Ed’s Picks.

Sabrina Carpenter

Stop everything!! Sabrina Carpenter’s deluxe edition of Short n’ Sweet released today, featuring Dolly Parton herself on a new version of “Please Please Please” – and, thank you!

Olivia Ellen Lloyd

An honest, down to earth country singer-songwriter from West Virginia, the self-sufficient Olivia Ellen Lloyd will release her lovely new honky-tonkin’ album, Do It Myself, in March.

Kacey Musgraves

“The Architect” as Best Country Song? Another one the GRAMMYs got right this year. Even if you never stopped listening, it’s the perfect time to return to this Good Country track.

Find more Kacey Musgraves on Good Country here.

TopHouse

Indie folk with string band bones from Montana (via Nashville), we’re excited for TopHouse’s new EP, Practice – and that they’ll play our stage at Bourbon & Beyond later this year.

Cristina Vane

Hundreds of thousands of fans adore the blues, bluegrass, Americana, and country combinations of Cristina Vane and her slide guitar. Her latest, Hear My Call, is out next week.

Sunny War

Our BGS Artist of the Month, Sunny War brings together fingerpicking, blues, punk – and so much more. Her newest, Armageddon in a Summer Dress, is timely, fierce, and excellent.

Dive into our Artist of the Month coverage on BGS.

Want more Good Country? Sign up on Substack to receive our monthly email newsletter – and much more music! – direct to your inbox.

Photo Credits: Sabrina Carpenter, Short n’ Sweet; Olivia Ellen Lloyd by Aaron May; Kacey Musgraves by Kelly Christine Sutton; TopHouse courtesy of the artist; Cristina Vane courtesy of the artist; Sunny War by Joshua Black Wilkins.

Ed’s Picks: All Kinds of Country

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Editor’s note: Each issue, our co-founder Ed Helms will share a handful of good country artists, albums, and songs direct from his own earphones in Ed’s Picks.

Kane Brown. "Kane Brown needs no introduction, except perhaps to your 'anything but pop country' friends. This mainstream sound will have them changing their tune."

Hannah Dasher. "Hilarious and heartfelt, whether it's her cookin', her country croon, or her TikToks that bring you in, you're gonna love her."

Mickey Guyton. "Mickey Guyton has been blazing a trail in country and Music City for more than a decade; she deserves all the flowers she's receiving now – including that bouquet from Beyoncé."

Emily Nenni. "Get to know her now, 'cause Emily Nenni is on her way up. Check out her gritty and sly honky-tonk country on her just-released album, 'Drive & Cry.'"

Reyna Roberts. "In the vein of big-voiced and bold singers like Carrie Underwood, this pop-leaning Princess of Outlaw Country was rising fast even before her feature on Beyoncé's 'Blackbiird.'"

Photos: Kane Brown by Diwang Valdez; Hannah Dasher, courtesy of the artist; Mickey Guyton by Bonnie Nichols; Emily Nenni by Alysse Gafkjen; Reyna Roberts, courtesy of the artist.

Ed’s Picks: A Breath of Fresh Air

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

(Editor’s note: Each issue of Good Country, our co-founder Ed Helms will share a handful of good country artists, albums, and songs direct from his own earphones in Ed’s Picks. 

Sign up here to receive Good Country issues when they launch, direct to your email inbox via Substack.)

Cam

A photo of Cam with the quote: "One of the best makers of pop country and mainstream country today – even Beyoncé took notice! Cam has co-write and production credits all over 'Cowboy Carter.'"

Maya de Vitry

A black and white photo of Maya de Vitry with a text quote: "Once a member of string trio the Stray Birds, Maya de Vitry's solo music is emotive, grounded, and poetic, combining rock, Americana, and country-folk."

Courtney Hartman

A black and white photo of Courtney Hartman with a text quote: "My pal Courtney, a fantastic flatpicker, writes and records timeless music with striking connections to place, nature, community, and the motion of the planets."

Kyshona

A black and white photo of Kyshona with a text quote: "Kyshona's genre-fluid album, 'Legacy,' (out April 26) finds redemption in exploring generational traumas - with compassion, heart, and family ties front and center."

The Local Honeys

A photo of roots duo the Local Honeys in black and white with an accompanying text quote: "East Kentucky-based roots duo the Local Honeys combine folk, old-time, bluegrass, and country, channeling the storytelling and folklore of their ancestors and Appalachian community."

Caroline Spence

A black and white photo of Caroline Spence with a text quote: "Your favorite songwriter's favorite songwriter, Spence makes pristine singer-songwriter folk with a country patina that's perfect for a stroll through your summertime garden."

Photo Credits: Cam by Dennis Leupold; Maya de Vitry by Kaitlyn Raitz; Courtney Hartman by Jo Babb; Kyshona by Anna Haas; The Local Honeys by Erica Chambers; Caroline Spence by Kaitlyn Raitz.

Ed’s Picks: Pickers Galore

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

(Editor’s note: Each issue of Good Country, our co-founder Ed Helms will share a handful of good country artists, albums, and songs direct from his own earphones in Ed’s Picks. 

Sign up here to receive Good Country issues when they launch, direct to your email inbox via Substack.)

Sister Sadie

An image of bluegrass band Sister Sadie with the text: "A supergroup in perhaps their strongest iteration yet. Like The Chicks with a dash of The Judds and a pinch of Patty Loveless, played by an absurdly talented bluegrass lineup."

Ashley Campbell

An image of Ashley Campbell in a cowboy hat with the text: "Ashley Campbell is another stellar musical multi-hyphenate – it must run in the family. She's a fantastic banjo player, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, genre-bender, and performer."

Vince Gill & Paul Franklin

An image of Vince Gill & Paul Franklin with their instruments, including the text: "Now that's some GOOD COUNTRY. These two need no introduction, they are perfect examples of the heights to which all country instrumentalists aspire."

Brennen Leigh

Brennen Leigh in a cowboy hat and patterened sleeveless top, with the caption: "At home in Nashville, Texas, and the Minnesota prairie, Brennen Leigh is as bluegrassy as she is honky tonkin' and a quintessential singer-songwriter-frontwoman-picker."

Joy Clark

Joy Clark is pictured with a hollow body electric guitar and the text: "Black Opry alum Joy Clark is a BGS/GC favorite. Whatever the context – folk, Americana, or country; solo or in a band – her one-of-a-kind voice on the guitar feels right at home.

Ed’s Picks: Tejano, Country, Bluegrass, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

(Editor’s note: Each issue of Good Country, our co-founder Ed Helms will share a handful of good country artists, albums, and songs direct from his own earphones in Ed’s Picks. 

Sign up here to receive Good Country issues when they launch, direct to your email inbox via Substack.)

Sign up here to receive Good Country issues when they launch, direct to your email inbox via Substack.

Ed’s Picks: Country From All Corners

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

(Editor’s note: Each issue of Good Country, our co-founder Ed Helms will share a handful of good country artists, albums, and songs direct from his own earphones in Ed’s Picks. 

Sign up here to receive Good Country issues when they launch, direct to your email inbox via Substack.)