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The Impact of Virtual Reality on the Future of Online Gaming

Eric Alper
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By Mitch Rice

The world of online gaming is constantly evolving, with technological advancements playing a significant role in shaping its future. One of the most exciting developments in recent years is the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) into gaming platforms, offering players an immersive experience like never before. As VR technology continues to improve and become more accessible, its impact on the future of online gaming is poised to be transformative. For those interested in experiencing cutting-edge gaming technology, vicibet-casino.ca offers an impressive array of games that prioritize innovation and user experience. Known for its commitment to providing a secure and engaging environment, Vicibet stands out as a reliable choice for gamers seeking the latest advancements in online entertainment.

The Rise of Virtual Reality in Gaming

Virtual Reality has made significant strides in recent years, transitioning from a futuristic concept to a tangible reality. VR technology creates a simulated environment that allows players to interact with the game world in a more realistic and immersive way. This advancement has opened new avenues for game developers to create experiences that go beyond traditional gaming, offering players the ability to step inside the game and engage with it on a deeper level.

Enhancing Player Immersion

One of the most notable impacts of VR in online gaming is the enhanced level of immersion it provides. Traditional gaming setups, even with high-definition graphics and sound, can only offer a limited sense of being part of the game. VR changes that by placing players directly into the gaming environment, allowing them to look around, move freely, and interact with elements as if they were physically present. This level of immersion can significantly enhance the gaming experience, making it more engaging and memorable.

Revolutionizing Online Casinos

Virtual Reality is poised to revolutionize online casinos by offering an experience that closely mimics that of a physical casino. With VR, players can walk through virtual casino floors, sit at gaming tables, and interact with other players and dealers in real-time. This not only enhances the social aspect of online gambling but also provides a more authentic and thrilling experience. As VR technology becomes more widespread, online casinos that adopt it early, such as vicibet-casino.ca, will likely attract a broader audience looking for this novel experience.

Expanding Game Diversity

The integration of VR in online gaming also paves the way for greater diversity in game offerings. Developers can explore new genres and create games that take full advantage of VR’s capabilities. Whether it’s a fantasy adventure, a high-stakes poker game, or a futuristic racing simulator, the possibilities are endless. This expansion in game diversity will cater to a wide range of player preferences, drawing in new audiences and keeping existing players engaged.

Overcoming Technological Challenges

While the potential of VR in online gaming is vast, there are still technological challenges to overcome. The cost of VR headsets and the need for powerful hardware can be barriers for some players. Additionally, developers must ensure that VR games are optimized for performance to prevent issues like motion sickness, which can detract from the experience. However, as the technology continues to evolve, these challenges are likely to diminish, making VR more accessible to a broader audience.

The Future of VR and Online Gaming

Looking ahead, the future of VR in online gaming is bright. As technology becomes more advanced and affordable, we can expect to see even more innovative uses of VR in gaming. Cross-platform compatibility, improved graphics, and more interactive environments are just a few of the advancements on the horizon. Online casinos like vicibet-casino.ca that embrace these innovations will be at the forefront of this exciting evolution, offering players an unparalleled gaming experience.

The impact of Virtual Reality on the future of online gaming is undeniable. By providing a more immersive, interactive, and realistic experience, VR is set to transform the way players engage with games. As the technology continues to develop, platforms like vicibet-casino.ca will play a vital role in bringing these cutting-edge experiences to players worldwide. With the potential to revolutionize online casinos and expand the diversity of games, VR is poised to become a defining feature of the online gaming landscape, offering endless possibilities for players and developers alike.

5 Surprising Facts About De La Soul’s ‘3 Feet And Rising’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About De La Soul’s ‘3 Feet And Rising’

Released on February 6, 1989, 3 Feet High and Rising marked the arrival of De La Soul as one of hip-hop’s most inventive voices. Produced in collaboration with Prince Paul, it blended playful lyricism, genre-bending sampling, and a fresh visual identity to stand apart from the dominant gangsta rap of the era. The result was a critical and commercial breakthrough that still ranks among the most influential albums in rap history.

Here are five fascinating facts about this trailblazing debut.

1. A Positive Alternative to Late-’80s Gangsta Rap

At a time when gangsta rap’s hardcore themes dominated, 3 Feet High and Rising embraced surreal humor, unexpected topics like gardening and dandruff, and “Dr. Dolittle-esque” animal interactions. The group lampooned materialism in hip-hop while promoting their own “D.A.I.S.Y. Age” ethos—short for “Da Inner Sound, Y’all.” This sunnier, playful approach led critics to label them “hippies,” a tag they rejected but one that highlighted their unique space in the genre.

2. A Sample Palette That Redefined Hip-Hop’s Sound

The album’s production reached beyond the typical funk and soul crates of the era, incorporating doo-wop, psychedelic rock, and even children’s music. Using a Casio RZ-1 drum machine and an Eventide harmonizer, De La Soul and Prince Paul layered unconventional song structures with an intricate patchwork of sounds. The approach helped earn the album the reputation as “the first psychedelic hip-hop record.”

3. The Birth of the Hip-Hop Skit

3 Feet High and Rising is frequently credited with inventing or popularizing the hip-hop skit through its quiz show-themed interludes. These playful breaks threaded the album together, creating a narrative style that influenced countless rap albums in the decades to follow. At the time, the skits were as distinctive as the music itself, reinforcing the group’s offbeat identity.

4. An Album Cover That Broke Hip-Hop Visual Codes

Designed by Toby Mott of the Grey Organisation, the cover placed the group’s heads in a triangle surrounded by fluorescent, hand-drawn flowers. The design was a deliberate move away from macho hip-hop aesthetics, matching the D.A.I.S.Y. Age concept. Interestingly, De La Soul initially wanted an entirely different cover—an elevator halfway up with only their faces—but embraced the flower-adorned concept after seeing the final result.

5. “Eye Know” Became a Cult Classic Without a U.S. Single Release

The upbeat love song “Eye Know,” built from samples of Otis Redding, Steely Dan, The Mad Lads, Lee Dorsey, and Sly & the Family Stone, reached #14 in the UK but was never released as a single in the U.S. From 2004 to 2008, it was used as background music on the BBC’s Match of the Day 2. Its B-side, “The Mack Daddy on the Left,” featured a 12-year-old guest rapper—David Jolicoeur’s cousin Jeff—who later appeared on the group’s AOI: Bionix.

From its psychedelic sampling and anti-materialist lyrics to its groundbreaking skits and bold visual style, 3 Feet High and Rising remains a singular achievement in hip-hop history. Certified platinum and preserved in the U.S. National Recording Registry, its influence still ripples through rap culture. More than three decades later, De La Soul’s debut stands as a reminder that innovation, humor, and individuality can change the game.

5 Surprising Facts About Kraftwerk’s ‘Computer World’

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Kraftwerk’s ‘Computer World’

Released on May 11, 1981, Kraftwerk’s Computer World (Computerwelt) remains a landmark in electronic music. The album arrived at a moment when computers were just starting to enter daily life, and its blend of forward-thinking concepts with sleek, minimal soundscapes positioned Kraftwerk as visionary cultural commentators. Accompanied by four singles and a world tour, it marked a creative high point for the German pioneers.

Below are five fascinating facts about this groundbreaking record.

1. A Futuristic Concept Without Using Computers

Ralf Hütter summed it up simply: “We live in a computer world, so we made a song about it.” The album explored themes like home computers, digital communication, and even the risks of surveillance and social control. While it sounded futuristic, the entire production was done using analogue equipment—no computer technology was involved. This contrast between theme and method has become one of its enduring curiosities.

2. Striking Visual Design With a Robotic Twist

The cover art features a computer terminal, apparently modeled on the Hazeltine 1500, displaying the heads of the four band members in OCR-A typeface. Inside, Emil Schult and photographer Günter Fröhling created images of mannequin versions of the band performing studio activities. Karl Bartos’s mannequin is even pictured playing a Stylophone, the distinctive mini-keyboard featured on “Pocket Calculator.”

3. “Computer Love” Became a UK #1—With Help From “The Model”

Initially released in June 1981 with “The Model” as its B-side, “Computer Love” peaked at #36 in the UK. When the two songs were reissued as a double A-side in December, “The Model” became the radio favorite, pushing the single to #1 in February 1982. Decades later, Coldplay’s “Talk” would sample its melody—after Chris Martin personally asked Kraftwerk’s permission.

4. “Pocket Calculator” Went Global in Multiple Languages

Released in the US on fluorescent yellow vinyl to match the album cover, “Pocket Calculator” came with the Japanese version “Dentaku” on the flip side. Kraftwerk also recorded it in German (“Taschenrechner”), French (“Mini Calculateur”), and even performed an Italian version (“Mini Calcolatore”) on television. The track’s playful spirit and multilingual approach reflected the band’s worldwide outlook.

5. Grammy Recognition and a BBC Connection

The German-language “Computerwelt” was remixed in 1982 with extra bass and percussion for a dance version, and the original earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. The BBC also selected “Computer World” as the title music for its computer literacy series The Computer Programme, cementing the song’s association with the dawn of the digital age.

Computer World stands as both a celebration and a cautionary tale about the rise of technology, made all the more remarkable by its entirely analogue creation. From its multilingual singles to its chart-topping success and lasting influence on artists like Coldplay, the album continues to resonate more than four decades later. Kraftwerk didn’t just soundtrack the computer era—they anticipated it.

5 Surprising Facts About Madonna’s Self-Titled Debut Album

Eric Alper
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5 Surprising Facts About Madonna’s Self-Titled Debut Album

When Madonna released her self-titled debut album on July 27, 1983, she was an ambitious young artist with a handful of club hits and a vision that blended New York’s underground energy with radio-ready hooks. What began as a modest dance-pop project grew into a landmark record that sold an estimated 10 million copies worldwide, reached #8 on the Billboard 200, and helped define the sound of the 1980s. Beyond the hits “Holiday,” “Borderline,” and “Lucky Star,” the album’s story is full of behind-the-scenes moments that shaped both its sound and Madonna’s career. Here are five fascinating facts you might not know.

1. A Hospital Bed Record Deal

Madonna’s path to a record deal with Sire Records was anything but conventional. After DJ Mark Kamins played her demo track “Everybody” at Danceteria to an enthusiastic crowd, he brought the tape to Sire president Seymour Stein—who was recovering from heart surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital. Stein listened from his hospital bed, immediately liked what he heard, and signed Madonna for three twelve-inch singles with an option for albums.

2. Reggie Lucas and the Production Clash

Sire initially paired Madonna with Warner Bros. producer Reggie Lucas, known for his work with Roberta Flack and Stephanie Mills. While Lucas brought polished R&B sensibilities, Madonna felt his fuller arrangements strayed too far from her club-ready demos. The tension ultimately led Lucas to leave the project, paving the way for John “Jellybean” Benitez—Madonna’s boyfriend at the time—to remix and enhance several tracks, giving them the lean, danceable sound she envisioned.

3. “Holiday” Almost Belonged to Someone Else

“Holiday,” the song that became Madonna’s first Billboard Hot 100 hit, wasn’t written for her. Curtis Hudson and Lisa Stevens-Crowder of the group Pure Energy had originally intended to record it themselves, and later offered it to Mary Wilson of The Supremes and Phyllis Hyman—both passed. When Benitez brought it to Madonna, she recorded it quickly, adding her own cowbell part and working with Fred Zarr to incorporate the now-famous piano flourishes.

4. “Lucky Star” Began as a Thank-You Gift

Before the album sessions, Madonna wrote “Lucky Star” as a personal thank-you to Mark Kamins for his early support. She composed it on a Casiotone keyboard using a cassette player he had given her. Early versions leaned heavily on R&B or guitar-driven arrangements, but these were abandoned in favor of Benitez’s remix, which added a synthesized disco beat and New Wave touches. The song went on to become her first top-five Billboard Hot 100 single.

5. Breaking Barriers with “Borderline”

“Borderline,” one of two tracks Lucas contributed, gave Madonna her first U.S. top-ten hit. The Mary Lambert–directed video portrayed Madonna in a relationship with a Hispanic man, juxtaposed with a modeling offer from a white British photographer. At the time, the depiction of an interracial romance was rare in mainstream music videos, drawing both attention and praise. The song’s refined vocal delivery also marked a turning point in her artistic presentation/

These moments capture the mix of hustle, instinct, and collaboration that defined Madonna. From securing a deal in a hospital room to reworking tracks until they matched her vision, the album’s creation was a study in persistence and self-direction. It also set the blueprint for her future career—balancing creative control with the input of key collaborators, embracing bold visuals, and making fearless choices in both music and image. Four decades later, Madonna remains not only a debut that launched a superstar, but also a blueprint for modern pop stardom.

Steven Wilson Launches ‘Intrigue: The Progressive Rock Show’ on SiriusXM Deep Tracks

Eric Alper
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Steven Wilson Launches ‘Intrigue: The Progressive Rock Show’ on SiriusXM Deep Tracks

One of progressive music’s most fearless and innovative figures, Steven Wilson, joins SiriusXM with a new monthly series, Intrigue: The Progressive Rock Show with Steven Wilson, debuting on Deep Tracks.

During the show, Wilson — who first rose to prominence with Porcupine Tree before launching an acclaimed solo career — explores the expansive notion of what it means to be progressive in music. From the early pioneers of the 1970s to today’s experimental minds, Wilson curates an immersive journey through the unexpected and the uncompromising, highlighting artists who have pushed rock’s creative limits and expanded its sonic language.

“One of my greatest thrills as a professional musician has been the opportunity it’s given me to talk about the music I love and to turn other people onto it,” Wilson shares. “Now I’m thrilled to have my own show on Sirius XM because I can do more than just talk about it, I can actually play it! I’ll be featuring music by many bands that have been associated with progressive music over the years, covering classics and deep cuts, the old and the new, the obvious and the unexpected.”

The debut episode premieres today (Wed, Aug 6th) at 4 pm ET, with new episodes airing monthly on Deep Tracks (Ch. 308). Full episodes can be streamed on the SiriusXM app after they initially air.

Wilson is one of contemporary music’s most visionary auteurs — a six-time Grammy nominee, revered producer, and boundary-pushing composer whose work fuses cinematic ambition with emotional depth. He first gained recognition with Porcupine Tree, pioneering modern progressive rock, and has since crafted a dynamic solo catalog that includes “The Harmony Codex,” “Grace for Drowning,” and “Hand. Cannot. Erase.”

A musical polymath and spatial audio pioneer, Wilson has remixed the work of King Crimson, Tears for Fears, Pink Floyd, XTC, Black Sabbath, Grateful Dead, Chic, and The Who, among many others, bringing new dimension to classic albums with his meticulous touch. His own music wrestles with existential questions — alienation, technology, mortality — delivered with both poetic lyricism and sonic boldness.

His most recent album, “The Overview” (written, produced, and mixed by Wilson), is a high-concept, long-form experience inspired by the cosmic awe of space and the human condition. Featuring immersive visuals and dense, genre-defying compositions, the album is Wilson at his most ambitious, combining influences from Pink Floyd to gothic horror, electronica to orchestral grandeur.

Wilson hits the road for an ambitious world tour kicking off this fall. North American dates begin September 9 in San Francisco and continue through October 13 in Mexico, with stops in Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Toronto, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and more. The tour then moves to South America, India, and Australia through November.

Alt-Rock Legends Living Colour to Headline Seattle & Portland Black and Loud Fest 2025

Eric Alper
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Alt-Rock Legends Living Colour to Headline Seattle & Portland Black and Loud Fest 2025

Dreaming In Color Entertainment and Jack Daniel’s are happy to announce that alt-rock legends Living Colour will be headlining the Seattle and Portland installments of Black and Loud Fest 2025. Taking place September 13th and 14th, tickets are on sale now via:

Over the last four years the Black and Loud Fest has grown from a free community event in a parking lot in Seattle to a full-on music festival at premier venues in Seattle, Portland, and beyond.  This year, festival founder and producer King Youngblood band leader Cameron Lavi-Jones with his Dreaming in Color Team have utterly outdone themselves by bringing in LIVING COLOUR to headline. The iconic multi-Grammy, genre breaking act of alternative Black Rock is one of the few groups from that era still featuring all four original members: guitarist Vernon Reid, vocalist Corey Glover, drummer Will Calhoun and bassist Doug Wimbish.

“I wanted to really hammer home the mission and community of Black and Loud this year by bringing Living Colour. These guys embody every single reason why me and myband King Youngblood have had a chance to cut through to the forefront of Black Alternative Rock. Let me be clear, there would be no King Youngblood if Living Colour didn’t exist and pave the way. Call Living Colour the Goats and me and King Youngblood the Kids; that’s just fine by me.” explains Lavi-Jones.

Black and Loud may have started with humble beginnings but they have two sponsor partners who have stood loudly with them these four years – Electric Bike company Ariel Rider based in Tukwila, WA and of course title sponsor Jack Daniel’s.  Both sponsors have been with the project since day one and are still going strong helping build the Black and Loud movement.

This movement gained steam with the addition of Black and Loud New Orleans in April 2025 at the House of Blues New Orleans. Featuring multi –Grammy winning Cyril Neville, the Uptown Ruler himself, and his son Omari Neville and the Fuel. The event also gave King Youngblood an opportunity to debut in New Orleans. Explains Cyril Neville, “I feel blessed to be part of this Black and Loud Movement and given a chance to fully change it up and get down with these young people. My roots are just as much in rock as they are in the funky soul sound of the Neville Brothers, The Meters, The uptown Rulers and of course the Wild Tchoupitoulas.”  

Lavi-Jonesis bringing Cyril Neville to Black and Loud Seattle and Portland because the Mighty Neville Brothers have always had a strong following in the PNW. 

Back by popular demand comes the return of Down North, and Nikki Dand the Sisters of Thunder, who would make the spirit of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the mother of modern-day rock and roll loud and proud. Lavi-Jones discovered the fusion alt funk soul band Waterseed in New Orleans and is bringing them to the PNW for two nights of mayhem in Portland and Seattle. The list goes on with PARISALEXA, BLACK ENDS, Year of the Dragonf eaturing Dirty Walter of Fishbone, Nathan Nzanga and his band Up Left leading the ever popular Black and Loud Hip Hop Cypher, and many more.  Also, an unexpected highlight for Black and Loud Seattle this year is the inclusion of Moka (aka MXKA) – a Blaxican (Blackand Mexican) Corridos singer who sings in exquisite Spanish the Corridos songs of her Mexican heritage.  Moka has sparked Spanish speaking music communities across the USA. Moka caught the attention of Jack Daniel’s early in her career, and they are bringing her into the Black and Loud musical family of diverse artists.

Led by Lavi-Jones and his band King Youngblood, Black and Loud goes full on national in 2026 hitting Brooklyn, Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Chicago and more carrying the banner that Black Art is Resistance everywhere Lavi-Jones goes. Lavi-Jones, an independent voter, has been tapped by national/regional organizations including the Democratic Progressives and Indivisible, speaking at large rallies with crowds ranging from 17,000 to70,000 about the need for America’s youth to wake up and get involved because as Lavi-Jones has said, “This is not about left or right, this is about rich and poor and the fascist oligarchs who are trying to kill us all in an America on fire.”

Black and Loud by its very authentic and joyful existence, has a mission to bridge the Goats and the Kids of Black fronted alternative music in any genre, with serious intent to build community in a music industry overrun with internalized marginalization. The Fest has matured into an important genre bending movement with some of the best Black artists in the world.

There will be Black Painters painting on stage again this year and a pop-up Art Gallery by Black gallery owner Avery Barnes of Taswira Gallery. KISW will get behind the event on the airwaves and this year Black owned community radio station KVRU based in South Seattle will record during the event and broadcast Black and Loud Seattle 2025 after the event.

The festival producers hope folks will consider donating to the Black and Loud Ticket Scholarship fund to help BIPOC young people who might not be able to afford a ticket to experience all this Musical Blackness. 

Americana/Bluegrass Greats Steep Canyon Rangers Release Empowering New Single “Next Act”

Eric Alper
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Americana/Bluegrass Greats Steep Canyon Rangers Release Empowering New Single “Next Act”

GRAMMY Award-winning Americana and bluegrass ensemble Steep Canyon Rangers return with the universally empowering song “Next Act,” available today on all streaming platforms.

A stirring anthem of reinvention, “Next Act” showcases the Rangers’ signature blend of Americana and bluegrass fire with rootsy storytelling, rich, harmony-laced sound, and soulful musicianship carried by Burdett’s commanding lead vocal.

Written by Graham Sharp and Aaron Burdett, “Next Act” follows the journey of a woman rising from heartbreak and reclaiming her independence.

Of the song, Sharp offers: “‘Next Act’ was inspired by a friend of mine I greatly admire. I saw her get done wrong in a relationship she had built her life around. She looked her heartbreak in the eye, got to work, and moved on to a version of herself that was even wiser and freer. A good reminder that we don’t have to be defined by our past if we’re willing to keep growing.”

Recorded by Julian Dryer, mixed by Derek Studt, and produced by Steep Canyon Rangers, “Next Act” features the Rangers’ trademark instrumental brilliance by Aaron Burdett (guitar, lead vocals); Michael Ashworth (percussion, harmony vocals); Mike Guggino (mandola, harmony vocals); Nicky Sanders (fiddle); Barrett Smith (bass); and Graham Sharp (banjo).

Alongside the new single release, the band has announced an extensive run of tour dates stretching into 2026, including high-profile performances with longtime collaborators Steve Martin and Martin Short, as well as six festival appearances–Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival, Bourbon & Beyond, North Carolina Folk Festival, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival and the 19th annual Mountain Song Festival, a band-curated festival benefitting The Cindy Platt Boys & Girls Club of Transylvania County. A complete list of dates is below; tickets are available here.

“Next Act” is the first new music following 2024’s Live at Greenfield Lake, the band’s first live album of original material. Upon release, it set a record for the most No.1 albums on Billboard’s Bluegrass Chart, tying with the Old Crow Medicine Show, and also debuted on a total of six Billboard charts.

As torchbearers of Americana and bluegrass music, the Steep Canyon Rangers have crafted their unique sound for 25 years. Comprising of Graham Sharp (banjo and vocals), Mike Guggino (mandolin, mandola and vocals), Aaron Burdett (guitar and vocals), Nicky Sanders (fiddle and vocals), Mike Ashworth (drums, dobro, guitar and vocals), and Barrett Smith (bass, guitar, and vocals), the band’s music blends their Appalachian and Piedmont influences, creating a sound that is uniquely their own. The North Carolina Hall of Fame inductees have gained recognition beyond the bluegrass world, with outlets like Rolling Stone recognizing them as “one of the most sought-after groups in Americana, bluegrass, and indie-folk.”

Over the band’s esteemed career, the three-time Grammy nominees have released 14 studio albums, three collaborative albums with actor and banjoist Steve Martin, been inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame, and appeared on some of music’s biggest stages. In 2013, Nobody Knows You won the GRAMMY Award for Best Bluegrass Album, while 2012’s Rare Bird Alert and 2020’s North Carolina Songbook garnered nominations in the same category.

Finnish Deathgrind Act I, Cursed Announce Brutal New ‘Heretical Onslaught’ EP

Eric Alper
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Finnish Deathgrind Act I, Cursed Announce Brutal New ‘Heretical Onslaught’ EP

Finland’s I, Cursed, who combine angry and furious death metal and grindcore, will release a new Heretical Onslaught EP on September 11th, 2025. The EP will be released in cooperation with Finnish record labels Inverse Records & Meara Music, which is also an agency and event producer based in Ulvila.

Heretical Onslaught Track Listing:

1. Malignant
2. Impure
3. Nothing From The Ruins
4. Disfigurement
5. Funerary
6. Loss
7. Swarm
8. Death Pays It All

Country Legends Emmylou Harris, Brad Paisley, Jim Lauderdale, Don Cook, Steve Bogard & Tony Martin to Join Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

Eric Alper
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Country Legends Emmylou Harris, Brad Paisley, Jim Lauderdale, Don Cook, Steve Bogard & Tony Martin to Join Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) has revealed that Emmylou Harris, Brad Paisley, Jim Lauderdale, Don Cook, Steve Bogard, and Tony Martin will be inducted in October. Chairman Rich Hallworth and Executive Director Mark Ford shared the news via a press conference on Nashville’s Music Row this morning.

The six new members will be formally inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame on Monday, October 6th. The ceremony will take place at the Music City Center during the 55th Anniversary Gala. They will join the 247 members who have already been inducted.

“Gathering as we do each year – to reveal and welcome the members of our incoming class – is truly one of the highlights of our calendar,” Hallworth says. “To these outstanding songwriters, we say – thank you for sharing your songs and your artistry with us. We are proud to honor you this fall, when you will officially join your legendary peers in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.”

Bogard and Martin will be inducted into the contemporary songwriter category. Lauderdale in the contemporary songwriter/artist category. The veteran inductees include songwriter Cook and songwriter/artist Harris. Paisley, who was elected in 2024 but deferred his induction until this year, joins the contemporary songwriter/artist category.

Folk-Americana Artist Clover County Shares Witty New Single “Good Game” Ahead of Debut LP ‘Finer Things’

Eric Alper
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Folk-Americana Artist Clover County Shares Witty New Single “Good Game” Ahead of Debut LP ‘Finer Things’

Emerging Georgia singer/songwriter Clover County releases new single “Good Game” from her upcoming debut LP Finer Things, out September 26 via her own label Undercover Lover Records in partnership with Thirty Tigers. Co-written by Will Taylor of Hovvdy (who also provides background vocals), the song finds Clover taking the high road – wishing her ex well with a dash of ‘bless your heart’ irony instead of putting him on blast.

Following her run with rising country star Sam Barber which begins tomorrow, Clover will support folk singer/songwriter Willi Carlisle on a slew of November dates which includes stops in Nashville and Atlanta. She will also hit the road with fellow GA musician Sydney Rose in December for a handful of West Coast dates.

“‘Good Game’ was inspired by a D-3 college athlete with a god complex – someone my friends and family couldn’t stand, and honestly, neither could I by the end,” shares Clover. “I was deep in his insecure manipulations for way too long, and breaking free felt like winning a championship. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of a breakup song, especially since, right after we split, everything started falling into place for me…while he moved back into his parents’ basement. So I leaned into a ‘bless your heart’ kind of energy – wishing him well, because Lord knows he’ll need it.”

Produced by Carrie K (Noah Kahan, Maggie Antone, Koe Wetzel), the album is a coming-of-age soundtrack that explores romantic, familial and platonic love with a winking charm and an observing eye. Already, Clover has shared the album’s first single “Virginia Slim,” which arrived last month alongside the album announcement. Equally inspired by the classic country of Dolly Parton and the ’90s rock of Sheryl Crow as she is by her contemporaries like Waxahatchee and Hovvdy, the album blends the twang of timeless country songwriting with tongue-in-cheek observations on modern love.

Living comfortably in the space between folk, Americana and alternative, Clover affectionately refers to the genre she occupies as “bootgaze.” She began developing this sound as a student at University of Georgia where she cut her teeth playing house shows and college bars around Athens, GA. After the release of her debut single in 2023, she went out on the road with alt darlings and country stars like Lord Huron, Medium Build, Shakey Graves, Waylon Wyatt and Morgan Wade. Then, last year she released her debut EP Porch Lights which included the nostalgic single “Ultraviolet,” which peaked at #22 on MediaBase Triple A charts and is still a mainstay on SiriusXM. Now, on her debut LP, she sings about those years where she often found herself blissfully naive with a newfound wisdom of someone who’s grown up but knows she’s not done growing.

Finer Things Tracklist
1. Anywhere
2. Sweeter
3. Yours Too
4. Midnight Crow
5. Virginia Slim
6. Blue Suede Eyes
7. Angels
8. Good Game
9. Whiskey Cherry
10. Cadillac
11. Paradise Rd
12. Stranger Danger

Tour Dates
August 7 – Boise, ID – Idaho Botanical Garden Outlaw Field *
August 8 – Spokane, WA – Spokane Pavilion *
August 9 – Tacoma, WA – Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park *
August 11 – Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theatre *
August 15 – Forest Grove, OR – McMenamins Grand Lodge *
August 16 – Eugene, OR – McDonald Theatre *
September 13 – Toronto, ON – The Danforth Music Hall *
September 14 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall *
October 4 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
October 31 – Asheville, NC – Asheville Yards Amphitheater *
November 1 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz *
November 18 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn ^
November 19 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre ^
November 20 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East ^
November 21 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle ^
November 22 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West ^
December 2 – Los Angeles, CA – The Troubadour %
December 4 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent %
December 6 – Portland, OR – Holocene %
December 7 – Seattle, WA – Barboza %

* – supporting Sam Barber
^ – supporting Willi Carlisle
% – supporting Sydney Rose

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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