Natalie Maines Archives - The Bluegrass Situation

On today’s episode of Only Vans, we have one of my all-time favorite Texas country singers, Bleu Edmondson! We talk about Robert Earl Keen, self-worth, getting Stoney’d, and making a record with Wade Bowen.

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Our guest this week on Only Vans is exciting for me, because I’m a big fan of Bleu Edmondson and I have been for a long time. As you’ll find out, he’s been on a multi-year hiatus, but he’s back. In our conversation we talk about Texas music staple and legend Wade Bowen, who is producing Edmondson’s new project – which, of course, we are highly anticipating.

We also chat about Lloyd Maines, who we mention a lot on the podcast. I’ve never really introduced him properly, but he’s a GRAMMY Award-winning, Texas-based producer, session player, musician, and he’s in the Austin City Limits Limits Hall of Fame. No big deal. Also, his daughter is Natalie Maines, who is the lead singer of The Chicks.

Elsewhere in our chat, we also talk about our friend Brandon Jenkins, who passed away unfortunately in 2018 from heart surgery complications. He’s dearly missed and remembered by all of us. Enjoy our Only Vans episode featuring my friend, Bleu Edmondson!

Find Bleu Edmondson on social media here and here.

Thanks to our sponsors, The MusicFest at Steamboat, Lakeside Tax, & CH Lonestar Promo!

Find our Only Vans episode archive here.

With what many have called a comeback album, the Chicks sported new experiences, new stories, and a new name to top it all off. Their 2020 album Gaslighter is a unique one in the decorated discography of the group formerly known as the Dixie Chicks. In an interview for Today, The Chicks described how they deviated from their normal process of writing all the music prior to arriving at the studio to record the album, and insist they have no regrets about the past controversy that prompted their perceived exit from mainstream country.

For Gaslighter, which is their first new album since 2006, the Chicks collaborated with producer Jack Antonoff to craft the songs in the studio. The result is a fresh sound that retains the characteristic directness for which The Chicks are well-known. The album doesn’t shy away from dealing with heavy themes like family, social justice, and divorce. For example, its title track was written about lead singer Natalie Maines’ bitter divorce, an experience that no doubt was also a primary inspiration for “Sleep at Night.” Take a look at their Today interview with Carson Daly below.

Photo credit: Robin Harper

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WATCH: The Chicks on Their Comeback, Controversy, and Country Music