'Time to Get a Gun' singer-songwriter Fred Eaglesmith returns to Aces Live in Bradenton

Criminally under-appreciated Canadian singer-songwriter Fred Eaglesmith has recorded a slew of great, self-penned songs since he started releasing albums and touring relentlessly in the 1980s.

My favorites Eaglesmith numbers include the wonderfully warped love letter "Wilder Than Her," the deftly silly "White Trash," the poignant migrant-workers lament "Carmelita," the stirring cautionary tale "Alcohol & Pills" and new stuff like the sepia-toned memory pain of "Cigarette Machine."

But Eaglesmith's most famous song, another one of my favorites, is "Time to Get a Gun." "Fred-Heads" were loving it for more than a decade before country superstar Miranda Lambert introduced the song to the masses when she recorded it for her platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated 2009 album "Revolution."

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—Photo by Kori Heppner/Shock Ink.

The Band Perry, Fred Eaglesmith make January big month for concerts in Manatee

Country hit-makers The Band Perry performs at the Manatee County Fair on Jan. 20.

Here's my column running on front of Accent/A&E in today's Herald.

Unless you’re Mannheim Steamroller, most bands would rather stay home during the holidays than tour. So every year from about mid-December to early January it’s typically slim pickings. But big acts are finally returning to the road and our region again. Here are my highly subjective selections for the remainder of the month.

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Miranda Lambert leads 'revolution' at CMAs

Lambert pictured right.

She sings with ample attitude.

Writes her own sassy songs — or records ones by alt-country luminaries like Fred Eaglesmith or John Prine.

And is the best female artist to come out of Nashville in recent memory.

Props to the Country Music Association for making Miranda Lambert and her excellent album "Revolution" the big winner at tonight's awards show.

Read "Miranda Lambert's 'Revolution' just that at CMAs."

Miranda Lambert performing "White Liar," off her album "Revolution."