currently working on a critical review of "George W. Bush: Faith in the White House." I hope I can get it done long before Christmas. I'd feel a little guilty posting it right before then. There's just so much to say. . . .

I have this project in mind that I've been kicking around for years now regarding Alt. Country, Insurgent Country, Punktry, or whatever you want to call it that, and where it intersects with the gospel. How it sends these rogue letters to American faith. How some of it's protagonists grew up with the gospel and how their songwriting interact with it or with it's central themes. This project is an article, or is it a book, or just posts on this blog page? I don't know. I should just post the names of the artists I want to profile, or possible names. In no particular order. And some of the books involved.

Artists and Bands
Johnny Cash
Waylon Jennings
Steve Earle
Iris Dement
Michelle Shocked
(Rev.) Ralph Stanley
Buddy and Julie Miller
Mark Heard
Uncle Tupelo, eg. Son Volt, Wilco. . . . .

Books
Tex Sample, "White Soul: Country Music, the Church, and Working Americans"
"No Depression: An Introduction to Alternative Country Music. Whatever That Is."
by Grant Alden, Peter Blackstock
Barbara Ching, "Wrong's What I Do Best: Hard Country Music and Contemporary Culture"
Gene Edward Veith, Thomas L. Wilmeth "Honky-Tonk Gospel: The Story of Sin and Salvation in Country Music"

The music video for one the coolest men alive's song "Rich Man's War" can be viewed here.