Country Westerns self-titled debut album released last summer and later landed on many best-of 2020 lists, including our own (Ep. 43). This week we have the Country Westerns - guitarist Joey Plunket, drummer Brian Kotzur and bassist Sabrina Rush - who talked about the winding road that brought them together, the band's progress to the Fat Possum record deal and their debut album, and musician life during COVID-19. We also found out they are baseball fans -- Joey grew up with the Braves, Brian the Astros and Sabrina the Cubs (that collective heartache must drive their music, right?). Find this wonderful album on Amazon and Bandcamp or if possible, your local independent record store. Buy this record, put it on repeat and thank us later if you haven't listened already -- and go see their show when the road clears.
In Chapter Two, and early look at Spring Training after the first weekend of games. Also, Eduardo Rodriguez returns after missing the 2020 season with COVID-19 complications and looked strong in his first simulated game., Scott Kazmir returns to MLB as a Giant non-roster invitee, hoping to make a Major League Roster for the first time since 2016. There is also the Spring Training 20-pitch rule, evaluating the major free agent signings and, out of the blue, our take (and Craig's wife's) take on J. J. Watt signing with the Cardinals.
In Chapter Three, Taylor Swift re-recorded her smash hit single "Love Story" and the entire second album from which it originates, "Fearless," which releases in Spring. Love Story had predictable immediate success on the country charts so Swift wins another round, in a big and sobering way, against her longtime nemesis Scooter Braun and former record label, Big Machine. No doubt, to be continued!.