American Songwriter

'Yellowstone' Star Luke Grimes Reveals Major Career News

'Yellowstone's Luke Grimes is set to return with new music, as his sophomore album, 'Redbird,' is due out April 3.

3 Albums That Just Sound Like the Year 1972

Some records will bring back memories of a specific year with just one spin, and that's the case for these incredible 1972 albums.

How Tom Petty “Stumbled” Into the Album He Later Called the “Favorite LP That I’ve Ever Done”

Tom Petty "stumbled" into his second solo album, 'Wildflowers', which would garner him a triple-platinum certification.

On This Day in 1968, Glen Campbell Topped This Chart for the First (And Only) Time Thanks to His Signature Geographic-Based Formula

On this day in 1968, Glen Campbell scored his first-ever Billboard Top LPs chart-topper with 'Wichita Lineman.'

?A Nod Back to the Old Man”: Vince Gill Honors His Late Dad and Reveals How He Inspired “Secondhand Smoke”

Vince Gill's latest track, "Secondhand Smoke," was inspired by his late dad, whose instruments are featured on the song.

On This Day in 1989, This Rock and Roll Piano Maestro Landed His Third No. 1 Album With a Cold War Era-Defining Single

On this day, December 16, 1989, one of the most celebrated artists of the 21st century scored his third No. 1 album in the United States.

How Johnny Cash Inspired the Elvis Presley Hit “Blue Suede Shoes”

According to Johnny Cash, he was the one who inspired Carl Perkins to write the generational standard, "Blue Suede Shoes".

On This Day in 1989, Aerosmith Released a Hit Album That Led to a Bevy of Legal Issues

Thirty-six years ago today, Aerosmith released a massively popular album that landed them in court and led to other legal issues.

Before He Was the Man in Black, Johnny Cash Was in This Rowdy German Bar Band

Before he became a country music icon in his own right, Johnny Cash played rhythm guitar in a rowdy German bar band.

How Metallica Saved Tomorrowland After Festival's Massive Fire

Metallica came to the rescue by lending part of their stage to Tomorrowland after the site of the festival went up in flames.

Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong Pays Tribute to Brian Wilson With Unreleased Beach Boys Cover

Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong debuted an unreleased Beach Boys cover in honor of the band's late founder, Brian Wilson.

Watch: Waylon Jennings Play His Final Concert at Ryman Auditorium in 2000

“I guess y’all noticed I’m sitting on this chair, and that ain’t all old age,” said Waylon Jennings during his concert on January 6, 2000.

The Lyric Bernie Taupin Wrote for an Elton John Song About Romance at the Berlin Wall

Songwriters can’t help but be influenced by what’s going on in the world around them. They can choose to tackle topical material head on, making…

The Story Behind "Sail On, Sailor" by The Beach Boys and the Long Road to Its Creation

BY JAY MCDOWELL In 1972, The Beach Boys were a band looking for a new direction. Brian Wilson was rarely involved with their recording sessions,…

5 Artists Who Have Killed Their Alter Egos

For some musicians, having an alter ego is a key to their success. When it comes to performance, mystery, artistry or some other form of creativ…