http://www.knoxville.com/news/entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoe/?partner=RSSKnoxville.com Stories: Wayne Bledsoeen-usentertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/may/11/knoxville-music-con-hunley-wayfarin-stranger/?partner=RSSWhen Con Hunley performs the song "Wayfarin' Stranger," it's hard for both an audience and the singer to stay unemotional. Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Sat, 12 May 2012 00:07:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-358361-734634entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Con Hunley's spirit shines on 'Wayfarin' Stranger'Knoxville.comknoxville-music-con-hunley-wayfarin-strangerurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-358361-734634Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/may/04/wayne-bledsoe-dar-williams-rufus-wainwright/?partner=RSSThere are points during Dar Williams' albums that you get tired of all the earnestness and the seriousness. At her worst, she's like one of those people you run into at parties who bums you out telling you about an important cause or her own sad story. You just want to say "You know, even Ghandi probably knew how to lighten up and tie one on every now and then, right?" Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Fri, 04 May 2012 20:35:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-356935-734627entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Dar Williams, Rufus Wainwright prove uneven songwriting greats Knoxville.comwayne-bledsoe-dar-williams-rufus-wainwrighturn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-356935-734627Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/apr/20/knoxville-music-wayne-bledsoe-little-richard/?partner=RSSThere are several pivotal moments in early rock 'n' roll — Elvis Presley's 1954 recording of "That's All Right" and Bill Haley's 1955 smash "Rock Around the Clock" are two of the standouts. But the release of Little Richard's 1955 recording of "Tutti Frutti" was the most raucous expression of rock 'n' roll to hit the airwaves. Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Fri, 20 Apr 2012 22:48:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-353805-734613entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Maybe Little Richard was the 'architect of rock 'n' roll' Knoxville.comknoxville-music-wayne-bledsoe-little-richardurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-353805-734613Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/apr/15/knoxville-music-loudon-wainwright-review/?partner=RSSLoudon Wainwright III is 65 years old — a year later than his own father was when he died in 1988. Maybe that sparked an emotional crisis in Wainwright III or maybe just a new burst of creativity. For followers of Wainwright's brutally honest and devilishly clever songwriting it's a bounty. Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Sun, 15 Apr 2012 10:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-352366-734608entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Loudon Wainwright doesn't lose his bite as he grows long in tooth; Carole King unearths her early treasures Knoxville.comknoxville-music-loudon-wainwright-reviewurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-352366-734608Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/apr/06/knoxville-music-jill-barber-kat-edmonson/?partner=RSSOver the past two decades female pop singers have tended to be belters or over-emotive vocal gymnasts. Too often a vocal performance is something akin to emotional gargling. Then there are those whose recorded vocals are composites pasted together by talented producers. Is there a real voice there at all? Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:28:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-351187-734599entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Jill Barber and Kat Edmonson, and the return of the chanteuse Knoxville.comknoxville-music-jill-barber-kat-edmonsonurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-351187-734599Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/mar/17/wayne-bledsoe-plan-now-for-april-fools-gadgetry/?partner=RSSApril Fools' Day is less than a month away and, as my children could tell you, April Fools' Day is like Christmas for ol' dad. Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Sun, 18 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-346916-734579entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Plan now for April Fool's gadgetry Knoxville.comwayne-bledsoe-plan-now-for-april-fools-gadgetryurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-346916-734579Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/mar/16/knoxville-music-springsteen-wrecking-ball-review/?partner=RSSBruce Springsteen has always seemed like the conscience of the working class. At his best, he's a voice for people who believe in the American Dream even as they see it slipping away. Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:23:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-347211-734578entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Springsteen's overdone 'Wrecking Ball' only makes a dent Knoxville.comknoxville-music-springsteen-wrecking-ball-reviewurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-347211-734578Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/mar/09/knoxville-carolina-chocolate-drops-winter-pills/?partner=RSSSince 2005 or so the Carolina Chocolate Drops have been reclaiming the long-abandoned heritage of African-American string band music. It wasn't called "country" then, but the music that blacks and whites in the country were playing in the 1920s and '30s wasn't very far apart, if at all. An Appalachian fiddle didn't know or care what color the fingers were playing it and neither did audiences. As the years went by, though, the term "country" became an insult in the black community, and black string band players were marginalized as "country" became commercial. Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Fri, 09 Mar 2012 22:20:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-345829-734571entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Carolina Chocolate Drops educates and entertains Knoxville.comknoxville-carolina-chocolate-drops-winter-pillsurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-345829-734571Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/mar/02/knoxville-music-darrell-scott-long-ride/?partner=RSS"Long Ride Home," Darrell Scott (Full Light) Darrell Scott is one of those singer-songwriters who was in the shadows for years — playing as a sideman for Nashville buddies and showing up in the songwriting credits for some of the best numbers on popular country artists' albums. Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:14:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-344448-734564entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Darrell Scott's 'Long Ride' is a likable trip Knoxville.comknoxville-music-darrell-scott-long-rideurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-344448-734564Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/feb/24/wayne-bledsoe-lovett-didnt-drop-the-qulity-when/?partner=RSSLyle Lovett has always been a class act. From his first album in 1986, Lovett has created songs filled with the kind of heart and humor that only a master songwriter can combine. His music ignores genres, jumping happily from hard country to jazz, R&B and classic pop. Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:57:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-342905-734557entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Lyle Lovett didn't drop the quality when time came for 'Release Me' Knoxville.comwayne-bledsoe-lovett-didnt-drop-the-qulity-whenurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-342905-734557Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/feb/10/wayne-bledsoe-cross-cultural-musical-adventures/?partner=RSS"Area 52" was simply meant to be a placeholder in the career of Mexican-born guitar duo Rodigo y Gabriela. The duo, who met while performing in a Mexico City-based metal band, won fame for playing flamenco-flavored acoustic guitar from a rock attitude. Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:02:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-340503-734543entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Cross-cultural musical adventures from Cuba to Russia to demon city Knoxville.comwayne-bledsoe-cross-cultural-musical-adventuresurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-340503-734543Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/jan/27/wayne-bledsoe-mcgraws-emotional-traffic-finally/?partner=RSSNothing spurs interest in an album more than when the company contracted to put the album out says the artist contracted to put the album together created something the company doesn't want. Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:53:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-337271-734529entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Tim McGraw's 'Emotional Traffic' finally gets released from the garage Knoxville.comwayne-bledsoe-mcgraws-emotional-traffic-finallyurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-337271-734529Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/jan/20/wayne-bledsoe-tvs-biggest-music-flubs/?partner=RSSLana Del Rey has stirred up a storm even before her first physical album is even released. Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:20:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-336010-734522entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: TV's biggest music flubs Knoxville.comwayne-bledsoe-tvs-biggest-music-flubsurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-336010-734522Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/jan/13/knoxville-music-guy-clark-tribute/?partner=RSSGuy Clark is what you call a songwriter's songwriter. If he'd only written "Desperados Waiting on a Train" and "L.A. Freeway," he'd probably still be a legend, but his catalog of great songs is vast. More than 30 artists deliver renditions of Clark songs on the sweet new two-disc collection "This One's for Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark." Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:11:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-334430-734515entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: New tribute to master songwriter Guy Clark hits all the right notes Knoxville.comknoxville-music-guy-clark-tributeurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-334430-734515Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/jan/06/wayne-bledsoe-charlie-louvins-satan-the-real/?partner=RSSThe song "Knoxville Girl" had been around for a long time when the Louvin Brothers recorded it. But it's Ira and Charlie Louvin's version, from the classic 1956 album "Tragic Songs of Life," that remains iconic. It's fitting that the brothers' best known work is a tragic ballad. Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:33:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-333163-734508entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Charlie Louvin's 'Satan' the real thing Knoxville.comwayne-bledsoe-charlie-louvins-satan-the-realurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-333163-734508Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2012/jan/05/ragbirds-take-wing-with-world-music-blend/?partner=RSSErin Zindle has the category of her band the Ragbirds: "World music inspired folk rock," says Zindle. "I just have this love of world culture and the diversity of people. I can see it as a mosaic of this beautiful god. I would love to be able to bring my music back to some of the sources of inspiration — to be able to travel the world." Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:11:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-332723-734507entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNRagbirds take wing with world-music blendKnoxville.comragbirds-take-wing-with-world-music-blendurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-332723-734507Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2011/dec/30/kevin-abernathy-senryu-wilco-top-list-for-the/?partner=RSSI gave up saying what the "best albums of the year" are a long time ago. No, all I can say is what albums meant something to me during the year. What albums did I go back to and they made me feel good? And, if I couldn't feel good, what albums at least made me feel something? What albums would I give or recommend to my best friends? These are the 10 discs that I expect to be listening to for many years: Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:59:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-331385-734501entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Kevin Abernathy, Senryu, Wilco top best albums of the year Knoxville.comkevin-abernathy-senryu-wilco-top-list-for-theurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-331385-734501Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2011/dec/15/wayne-bledsoe-christmas-brings-out-the-boxes-and/?partner=RSSIt's Christmas time again, and there are plenty of musical presents for Santa to put under the Christmas trees of music fanatics. Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:10:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-328654-734486entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Christmas brings out the boxes and special editions Knoxville.comwayne-bledsoe-christmas-brings-out-the-boxes-andurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-328654-734486Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2011/dec/09/john-prine-delivers-in-his-earliest-work-rb-down/?partner=RSSJohn Prine would probably laugh at the comparison, but listening to his first recordings on "The Singing Mailman Delivers" is a little like finding Da Vinci's first crack at the Mona Lisa. The performances on Prine's debut album were maybe a little better, and by that time he'd added a couple of new songs and elected to wait to include a few 1970 songs on later albums. However, the package was all here on these early recordings. At 23, Prine was already a master. Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:36:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-327135-734480entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: John Prine delivers in his earliest work; RB Morris pares things downKnoxville.comjohn-prine-delivers-in-his-earliest-work-rb-downurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-327135-734480Change0Usablehttp://www.knoxville.com/news/2011/dec/03/wayne-bledsoe-running-warm-and-cold-on-2011s-new/?partner=RSSIt's that time of year again. Christmas CDs are everywhere. Here's my guide to the good, the bad and the ugly: Bledsoe@knoxnews.com (Wayne Bledsoe)Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-325582-734474entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoeWayne BledsoeKnoxville, TNWayne Bledsoe: Running warm and cold on 2011's new Christmas CDs Knoxville.comwayne-bledsoe-running-warm-and-cold-on-2011s-newurn:publicid:www.knoxville.com:news-Story-325582-734474Change0Usable