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Jason Isbell's known for his deeply piercing songwriting.
After playing in bands as a teenager, he honed his lyrical chops and landed a publishing deal with FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
From there, Isbell joined the southern rock band Drive-By Truckers as a touring member, soon beginning to write songs for their albums, Decoration Day (2003), The Dirty South (2004) and A Blessing and a Curse (2006).
He eventually left the band in 2007 to pursue a solo career, releasing his debut album Sirens of the Ditch the same year. Two more albums followed alongside Isbell's band the 400 Unit, 2009's Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and 2011's Here We Rest.
But it was his fourth album, 2014's Southeastern, that picked up serious momentum, both critically and commercially. Isbell's songwriting had clearly reached a new level.
Southeastern helped him win the three major awards at that year's Americana Music Awards: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year (for 'Cover Me Up').
Hot on the heels of that success, Isbell released another best-selling album Something More Than Free, which was produced by Dave Cobb. His sixth studio album The Nashville Sound followed in 2018. Between those two albums, Isbell won four Grammys, including two for Best Americana Album.
Isbell and Cobb worked together again on his sixth studio album, 2020's Reunions. In 2021, Isbell and the Drive-By Truckers released a live album from their 2014 reunion show at Shoals Theatre.
Tasked with celebrating special songs, Caroline Spence turns the dial back to her youth and those essential cuts that forever changed her relationship with music and set her down the songwriting path.
Holler regulars Thomas Rhett, Gabby Barrett, Russell Dickerson, Jason Isbell, Dustin Lynch, Niko Moon, Priscilla Block, Rhett Atkins, Ryan Hurd, and Erin Kinsey all play The World's Largest Music Festival on the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this June and July
As we sit down to mull over the five essentials he couldn’t live without, Arlo McKinley shares what kept him going through a period of self-doubt and what continues to bring him comfort in both music and life.
Awards ceremonies are notoriously juicy affairs. We take a look back at 10 of the most unforgettable CMA Awards moments.
Alongside familiar friends in The 400 Unit and producing prodigy Dave Cobb, Reunions is Jason Isbell’s most adventurous sonic palette to date.
Since its launch in 1974, Austin City Limits has held a special connection to country music. Beloved by artists and fans alike, the show is known for authentic music presented in live and uncut performances.
ACM predictions, country-turned-movie stars and 2021 festivals - whatever the big country news is, we've got it covered at Holler Weekly. Plus, we delve into Amanda Wicks' In Conversation feature with Rhiannon Giddens.
In a year of deep tragedy and anxiety, the 20 records here have offered deep empathy, comfort and empowerment to carry us through.
Joined by a handful of like-minded musicians, 'Georgia Blue' sees Isbell cover a selection of songs by Georgia-hailing artists. It's a delightfully loose, expertly played and above all sincere 13-track set that checks every box for a project of this kind.
Marcus K Dowling explains how the awards were a bittersweet attempt by an industry representing a nation to again celebrate its once proudly indomitable spirit.
Railbird’s merging of top shelf music, bourbon and horse racing culture helped to create an event that was uniquely Kentucky in every way imaginable.
So, you've seen our top picks for the best records of 2020, but what do the people think?
The theory is enticing, but Greenfields is frustratingly a missed opportunity to breathe fresh life into Gibb’s music.
Isbell's 400 Unit, Drive-By Truckers, Lucinda Williams, and more will perform.
We could happily put money on Hailey Whitters being just as much of an inspiration to new songwriters in the years to come as her choices for Cuts The Deepest are to her.
The pair will star alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro in the adaptation of David Grann’s nonfiction best-seller.
Tanya Tucker and Blackberry Smoke also join the lineup.
Mike Cooley, Patterson Hood and Jason Isbell have announced they’ll be releasing an exclusive 4 LP box set of their memorable Live At The Shoals Theatre performance.
The duo performed the single after the release of Shires' all-female reimagining of the empowering track.
As country reckons with its need for greater diversity - across gender, race, and sexuality - the same goes for its storytelling. It’s time for new tales about alcohol and its aftermath.
It's a rare opportunity to catch the full 400 Unit in action in 2020.
If one person raising their voice starts the conversation, then more raised voices start the movement.