Our editors spotlight the best in the West.
Let’s kick things off this week with special congrats for the great John Prine, who earlier this week took the prize for Artist of the Year at the Americana Music Honors & Awards. It’s the legendary singer-songwriter’s third time winning the ceremony’s top honor. What brought him to the forefront this time around? His beautifully melodic and poignant album The Tree of Forgiveness. The Dave Cobb-produced collection, packed with some of Prine's most insightful lyrics yet, has warmed up crowds all over the country as he’s toured performance halls and opera houses.
I took my dad to see the artist at his Dallas stop back in June (what a perfect son I am!), and it was a joyous occasion. Fans of all ages sang along with classic gems such as “Hello In There” and “Grandpa Was a Carpenter,” and danced in their seats to Tree of Forgiveness’ track “Knockin’ On Your Screen Door.”
Prine possessed an inspiring stage presence that night in Dallas. Unlike many artists who’ve been at it for decades, he still performs with urgency, clarity, and infectious energy. He’s announced more tour dates to close out the year, including a Las Vegas performance during Wrangler NFR. Take your opportunity to hang with a true poet.
Next up, a look at some interesting tidbits around the West:
Another congrats: This one goes out to Miranda Lambert, who launched her Idyllwind boots, accessories, and apparel line nationally this week in collaboration with Boot Barn. With this and her hometown Pink Pistol complex, she’s becoming quite the mogul. Now, how about that new Pistol Annies record, huh?
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The Weekender Duffle is now available in Midnight! We have a limited supply, grab yours today.
While we’re on the subject of fashion: Fer the love of leather, did you catch Tecovas’ new line of duffle bags? Need, want, gotta have.
From fashion to cowgirl passion: A Buckaroo Girl post this week had us hollerin’ amens all over the place. It’s an open letter of sorts, inspiring cowgirls to slough off the haters.
A Cash Q&A: As always, be sure to check out the latest posts at the new-and-improved cowboysindians.com. My favorite piece to land on the site this week is a Q&A with John Carter Cash, in which he chats about his new album and an upcoming cookbook called The Cash and Carter Family Cookbook: Recipes and Recollections From Johnny and June’s Table.
And for this week’s parting shot, I leave you with the trailer for The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, the new Coen Brothers western anthology film coming to Netflix later this year. The description alone is so tantalizing: “Each chapter tells a distinct story about the American West.” Take one look at the trailer — featuring leading man Tim Blake Nelson along with a bevy of recognizable faces — and you’ll know this telling of history ain’t by-the-numbers. Expect endearing quirkiness mixed with the Coens’ signature dark humor. The waiting is the hardest part.