Outlaw Country Radio 102.7 FM

06/23/2025

Happy Monday Outlaw Fans! This week we are highlighting Barbara Mandrell as our Artist of the Week!😍🤩

Barbara Mandrell didn’t just break the mold—she rewrote it with rhinestones. Born December 25, 1948, in Houston, Texas, she was a musical prodigy who read music before she could read books. By age 11, she was dazzling audiences on the steel guitar, already touring with legends like Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash as a teenager.

In the 1970s and ’80s, Mandrell rose to superstardom with her signature blend of country, pop, and soul. Hits like “Sleeping Single in a Double Bed,” “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right,” and “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” weren’t just songs—they were anthems that showcased her emotional depth and stylistic range.

But Barbara wasn’t just a voice—she was a force. As the first artist to win the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year two years in a row (1980 and 1981), she helped usher in an era where female country artists could be both glamorous and commanding. Her variety show, Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters, made her a household name, bringing Nashville sparkle to living rooms nationwide.

A near-fatal car accident in 1984 forced her to slow down, but never silenced her spirit. After stepping away from performing in the late ’90s, she remained a proud ambassador of country music, becoming one of the youngest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009.

Steel-sharp, gospel-rooted, and always ahead of her time, Barbara Mandrell didn’t just sing country—she defined its elegance, grit, and enduring heart.

Today, Mandrell gracefully embraces success in her public life while staying focused on her private life. She has remained true to her love of God, family and country and is the embodiment of a true entertainer. Mother of three, grandmother and wife, Mandrell’s family takes center stage, even as she remains an icon of the industry. In her spare time, Mandrell can be found gardening, visiting friends, taking care of her home and family and enjoying a slower pace of life since retirement. She often says, “I have so much to do, I don’t know when I found time to work.” (barbaramandrell.com)

06/21/2025

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! Get ready to join Outlaw Country Radio at the 2nd Annual Listener Appreciation Day! Plan to stop by Saturday, June 28th, 11:00am. Live music, food/drink, raffle and more! 🥰🤠

06/16/2025

Hey there Outlaw Fans! Here we are at Monday again 😍 Enjoy our Artist of the Week - Randy Travis! 🤠🎸

Randy Travis wasn’t just a country singer—he was a quiet storm that reshaped the genre with a deep baritone and a soul soaked in gospel roots. Born Randy Bruce Traywick on May 4, 1959, in Marshville, North Carolina, he grew up in a working-class family with a rough edge. Trouble followed him early—brushes with the law, a rebellious streak—but so did music. His father pushed him to sing and play guitar, unknowingly forging a future legend.

In the early ’80s, Randy moved to Nashville and adopted the stage name “Randy Travis.” At first, the suits said he was “too country.” But he stuck to his traditional sound, breaking through with his 1986 debut album Storms of Life. It was a game-changer. While the genre was leaning pop, Travis brought country back home—steel guitars, heartbreak, and honesty. Songs like “On the Other Hand” and “Forever and Ever, Amen” became instant classics, and so did he.

He racked up Grammy Awards, CMA trophies, and platinum records—but his influence went beyond accolades. Randy Travis opened the door for a wave of neotraditional artists like Alan Jackson and George Strait to thrive in mainstream country.

Off-stage, Travis battled personal demons and health issues, including a devastating stroke in 2013 that nearly silenced him. But with grit and grace, he fought back. In 2016, he stunned the world by singing a single verse of “Amazing Grace” at his Country Music Hall of Fame induction—proof that the soul of a true artist never fades.

Randy Travis didn’t just sing country songs—he was the country song: full of struggle, redemption, and timeless truth.

06/14/2025

Two weeks from today!! We want to celebrate our Outlaw Country Radio fans at the 2nd Annual Listener Appreciation Day! Get ready for a day filled with fun, food and live music with local country singer Dusty Rust! You won't want to miss it! 🎸🤠
Raffle baskets, Outlaw swag, and vendors including: One Moto Cafe, Scott's RV, Pat Moore Quality Cars, Protected Insurance Services, Double Barrel Print, A & M Auto Group, A Stranger Plate Catering, and StoneJax. Come on down and join us Saturday, June 28th, 11-3pm!

06/09/2025

It's Monday again Outlaw Fans! Enjoy this read on Alan Jackson one of country music's greats!! 🤠🎸❤

Alan Eugene Jackson was born on October 17, 1958, in the small town of Newnan, Georgia, where the roads were dusty, the churches were full, and country music flowed from every radio like morning sunlight. Raised in a modest home built around his grandfather’s toolshed, Jackson’s childhood was steeped in traditional values and the kind of simple, honest living that would one day define his music.
Unlike many artists who chase fame early, Alan was a late bloomer in the music world. He didn’t start writing songs seriously until he was in his twenties. Before that, he worked odd jobs, including in the mailroom of The Nashville Network (TNN), slowly building connections and studying the craft of country songwriting.
His big break came with the help of Glen Campbell, who passed Jackson’s demo to industry executives. That set off a journey that would soon make Alan Jackson a pillar of the genre. In 1989, he signed with Arista Nashville as their first artist, and by 1990, his debut album Here in the Real World was redefining what “neo-traditional country” meant—honest, heartfelt, and rooted in classic influences.
What set Alan apart wasn’t just his towering height or signature mustache—it was his music’s emotional depth and lyrical clarity. Songs like “Chattahoochee,” “Remember When,” “Drive (For Daddy Gene),” and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” weren’t just hits; they were personal anthems for millions of Americans.
Jackson’s music always walked the line between commercial success and artistic integrity. He pushed back against trends that diluted traditional country sounds, most notably with his album Like Red on a Rose, which showed he could experiment without losing his identity. His blend of bluegrass, gospel, and honky-tonk helped keep country music anchored during decades of change.
With over 60 million albums sold and more than 35 No. 1 hits, Alan Jackson is one of the best-selling artists in country music history. Yet, despite his fame, he remained a devoted family man, married to his high school sweetheart Denise since 1979, and a father to three daughters.
Alan was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017, a recognition that cemented what fans had known for years: that Jackson wasn’t just playing country music—he was country music.

06/07/2025

And that she did, her voice resonated with emotion as she sang. Tammy is deeply missed every day♥️

06/05/2025

Remembering our dear Conway Twitty, whose voice truly defined country music. His songs still play in our hearts, a legend never forgotten.

06/02/2025

Hey there Outlaw Fans! Happy first Monday in June! Check out Midland - a band making tracks on the country scene! 😍🎸🤠

Formed in Dripping Springs, Texas, Midland is a Grammy-nominated country trio that has redefined the contours of modern country music by breathing fresh life into classic West Coast country and ‘70s honky-tonk flair. Consisting of Mark Wystrach (lead vocals), Cameron Duddy (bass, vocals), and Jess Carson (guitar, vocals), the band blends authenticity and charisma with finely honed musicianship—producing a sound that’s both nostalgic and boldly original.

Unlike many Nashville-formed acts, Midland’s roots trace back to a deep friendship and shared love for vintage country music. The trio first played together at Cameron Duddy’s wedding in Jackson Hole, Wyoming—a jam session that sparked a creative bond. Each member came from a different background: Wystrach was a model and actor, Duddy an award-winning music video director (he won a VMA for Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven”), and Carson a full-time musician and rancher. What united them was a devotion to the kind of music George Strait, Dwight Yoakam, and Merle Haggard built—music where storytelling, swagger, and soul intertwine.

Midland’s sonic signature stands out in today’s pop-infused country landscape. They channel smooth harmonies, steel guitar licks, and a laid-back Bakersfield twang with a style often described as “cosmic cowboy chic”—complete with Nudie suits, bell bottoms, and a desert aura. Their lyrics reflect both a reverence for heartbreak and a penchant for tongue-in-cheek charm, often blending irony with sincerity.

Their breakout single “Drinkin’ Problem” (2017) earned critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching the Top 5 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and going Platinum. Produced by Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, and Dann Huff, the song anchored their debut album On the Rocks, which became a neo-traditionalist manifesto at a time when such sounds were fading from the mainstream.

Midland followed up with Let It Roll (2019), which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. The record displayed their growth as songwriters, while continuing to showcase their cinematic storytelling and infectious hooks. Songs like “Mr. Lonely” and “Cheatin’ Songs” cemented their place as torchbearers for honky-tonk heritage.

In 2022, they released The Last Resort: Greetings From, a concept-driven album built around desert escapism, heartbreak, and redemption. It carried a more polished edge, even venturing slightly into southern rock and pop territory, all while staying rooted in their core aesthetic.

Known for their theatrical, high-energy performances, Midland tours extensively and cultivates a vibe that’s as much about atmosphere as sound—bringing the honky-tonk to life with retro glam, barroom banter, and singalong anthems. Their visuals—dusty road trip aesthetics, vintage filters, and country western fashion—complement their music and have helped build a dedicated fan base.

Though still relatively young in their career, Midland has become a bridge between generations—honoring the past while creating space for a new kind of country storytelling. Their image may seem tongue-in-cheek at first glance, but their dedication to craftsmanship and genre preservation runs deep. In a world of over-produced singles, Midland remains committed to the album format, analog recording, and the old-school tradition of band-as-brotherhood.

05/31/2025

The music back then is so much better.

05/31/2025

BOLD, UNBREAKABLE AND BORN TO SING: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE HEART OF REAL COUNTRY, WYNONNA JUDD!

Happy Birthday to the incredible Wynonna Judd, a true powerhouse in the world of country music! Wynonna’s voice has been a beacon of strength and soul for decades, carrying the legacy of the Judd family while carving out her own remarkable path.

Did you know Wynonna was born Christina Claire Ciminella but took the stage name Wynonna to honor her Native American heritage and to create her own unique identity in music? She first rose to fame alongside her mother Naomi as part of The Judds, a duo that became one of country music’s most beloved acts in the 1980s and early ’90s. Their blend of tight harmonies and heartfelt lyrics earned them five Grammy Awards, nine Country Music Association Awards, and over 20 number-one hits, truly a legacy that helped shape modern country music.

As a solo artist, Wynonna’s deep, powerful voice and emotive storytelling only grew stronger. Her debut solo album in 1992 produced hits like “She Is His Only Need” and “I Saw the Light,” earning her a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Over the years, she has released multiple albums that showcase her versatility, blending traditional country with blues, rock, and soul influences. Her music doesn’t just entertain; it connects deeply, telling stories of love, struggle, and resilience that resonate with fans across generations.

In recent years, Wynonna has continued to inspire, participating in shows like “Dancing with the Stars” and touring with her own projects, showing her energy and passion remain undiminished. In 2023, she released new music that highlights her ongoing commitment to evolving while staying true to her roots.

On this special day, we celebrate Wynonna Judd not just as a phenomenal artist but as a woman whose voice has given courage and comfort to so many. Here’s to many more years of health, happiness, and unforgettable music. Happy Birthday, Wynonna, keep shining your light and telling the stories only you can tell!

05/30/2025