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According to a new report from the International Energy Agency, the world will spend $580 billion on data centers this year — $40 billion more than will be spent finding new oil supplies.

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We have shown the people that Mossad is just like the CIA in the States, in that they are the terrorists and propagandists that we are allowing to exist among us, rather than bringing them to justice.  We know they have acted lawlessly throughout the world, committing the highest number of assassinations.  Now, a former …

Sometimes the songs just come to you. Benjamin Tod joined the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast to talk about his faith, staying grounded while country keeps changing, doing his best to no longer be an antagonist, why staying true matters to yourself matters now more than ever, and much more. If you’ve ever listened to the often sinister and sincere stylings of Benjamin Tod, you know that the subject matter of his songs can vary from hopeful to as dark as it gets. The country music artist has quite the story to get where he is today – battling drug addiction at a young age, busking to try and make ends meet, and hopping freight trains to travel across the country. And at every stage of his life, he’s patiently waited for the songs to come to him, as he explained to us: “Songs come to me. So it’s like, I didn’t necessarily plan to do anything. I think of songs like clouds. When they come down, you’ve got to get it down right then. It’s taken from the sky… I’m sitting in bed and something comes to mind and I get my phone out and record three seconds of a melody and come back to it a month later.” Some songwriters and artists consider the songwriting experience supernatural, and attest to the same thing that Tod is speaking about there. They’ll just be sitting there, and then all of the sudden a hit song drops in their lap from out of nowhere. It’s a phenomenon that’s hard to explain… though some believe that it’s a special delivery from a higher power. Benjamin Tod isn’t sure how to describe it: “I haven’t thought about that intellectually enough to make a complete statement like that. I see the entire world – the older I get especially – in spiritual terms and in spiritual forces working one way or another. So I would say that a lot of what I do, particularly in the process of writing this record, I would absolutely say there is a deeply spiritual element to it. It’s almost a feeling like you’re just a conductor of something that is happening. It isn’t even yours necessarily.” @whiskeyriff @Benjamin Tod #whiskeyriffraff #whiskeyriff ♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff Tod did admit that songs off of the record he’s working on do feel like they’ve been bestowed upon him by God. However, he offered a counterpoint to that… saying that he wasn’t confident that the Jamey Johnson written song Honky Tonk Badonkadonk was a gift from God (Yes, that Jamey Johnson penned that track for Trace Adkins). And Benjamin Tod would know if he was being helped by the Lord. After all, he’s been focusing more and more on his faith in the last six months as he and his wife, Ashley Mae, have a kid on the way. The 34-year-old told us that he’s dove 100% into bettering himself in all aspects of his life – but especially in his relationship with God: “It’s been all encompassing, getting my mind, body and spirit (in shape). I’m going to church every single week, doing Bible in a year and doing a deep dive of the theology. I recommend (that) even if you’re not a Christian. People sort of think lowly of general Christianity and Christian theology, but it’s one of the most intellectually stimulating stories in the history of the world.” @whiskeyriff @Benjamin Tod #whiskeyriffraff #whiskeyriff ♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff I’ll second that. You can learn a lot from The Bible… the most important book you’ll ever read. And you can hear a lot more from Benjamin Tod by downloading the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Just search “Whiskey Riff Raff” or click here. We’re also available on Spotify and wherever else you can listen to podcasts. Cheers, y’all. Audio Video The post Benjamin Tod On Songs Seemingly Coming To Him From Above: “There Is A Deeply Spiritual Element To It” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Putting a country spin on a holiday classic. The leaves are falling, the nights are getting chilly, and some parts of the nation are already seeing snow on the ground. While we have yet to celebrate Thanksgiving, many Americans are putting up their Christmas trees and holiday decor, getting ready for the next big holiday, Christmas. While I’m not one to play Christmas music until Thanksgiving has passed, there are some exceptions, and this latest country Christmas release falls into that exception category. Zach Top already got the holiday spirit going by releasing a stunning cover of “Blue Christmas.” Top previously released “Blue Christmas” as an Apple Music exclusive, so some fans might already be familiar with the twangs Top laid down in this song. But for the rest of us non-Apple users, this release was like Christmas day as Top dropped it as a new single. Another country music powerhouse is laying down another Christmas classic, with Miss Ella Langley teaming up with Luke Bryan for a “Winter Wonderland” cover. The two teased that something was “coming soon” earlier this week and did not wait long before officially announcing and dropping the single. View this post on Instagram “Winter Wonderland” was written in 1934 by Felix Bernard and lyricist Richard Bernhard Smith, and it is a classic holiday song that romanticizes cold weather and snow-covered grounds. Since its writing, “Winter Wonderland” has been a staple, with over 200 recorded covers, including many country versions. Country artists who have put their spin on the song include George Strait, Sara Evans, Lady A, Darius Rucker, Reba McEntire, and, most recently, Luke Bryan and Ella Langley. This duet for Langley adds to her stellar year and to her list of collaborations this year, which spans from Noah Cyrus and BigXthatPlug to Hardy. Bryan and Langley took a classic approach for their rendition of the tune, keeping the jazz-focused melody while adding a country flair. The steel guitar humming in your ears makes you want to cozy up with a cup of hot cocoa by the fire as you hear their twangy vocals ring through the speakers. “Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the lane, snow is glistening A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight Walking in a winter wonderland Gone away is the bluebird Here to stay is a new bird He sings a love song as we go along (Ooh) Walking in a winter wonderland” While I must admit, I did not have an Ella Langley and Luke Bryan duet on my bingo card for the year, this is a pleasant surprise. Of course, Langley is a powerhouse vocalist and is quickly on the way to becoming the next big female artist, and Bryan has a laundry list of hits, but given that his sound tends to be more pop country, the contrast between their sounds makes this duet surprising. Sonically, these two vocals pair flawlessly together. The thick twangs of their Alabama and Georgia accents make their singing voices a match made in heaven, and it’s fun to hear both artists’ vocals sing this timeless tune. If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit, turn this one all the way up: The post Ella Langley & Luke Bryan Put A Country Twang On The Holiday Classic, “Winter Wonderland” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Tipping her hat to one of the queens of country music. Sierra Ferrell (noun)- woman, torchbearer of Americana music, Appalachian fairy, a tiny body with a mighty voice. It’s no lie that Sierra Ferrell is one of the best voices in country music today. The West Virginia native has captured the hearts of traditional country fans, folk fans, Americana enthusiasts, and, in general, those who appreciate good music. While Fans adore the four-time Grammy Award-winning artist for the music she creates and shares, they also love her for the breath of fresh air she breathes into existing songs. As an avid Sierra Ferrell listener in my personal life, I’ve always been amazed at her ability to cover such a wide range of genres, make them sound great, and still make each of those songs fit her sound. Sierra Ferrell has covered many artists on stage over the years, from The Beatles and Gram Parsons to Roger Miller and Shania Twain; she can do it all. And when you think you might have found a song that might challenge her, Ferrell beats you to the punch and proves you wrong. While she’s covered a wide array of artists, one woman’s music she often reaches for is the one and only Dolly Parton. Ferrell has spoken in the past about her admiration for Parton and her deep respect for her. “I’ve admired pretty much everything about Dolly Parton since the first time I heard that one-of-a-kind voice. From her work ethic to how she balances her personal and professional life to how she’s helped pave the way for women in music… she inspires on so many levels. She came from nothing and is now an international icon. But it’s her heart, and it’s her love of people that I admire most.” The country music collective shares a deep affection for Parton, as she is a one-of-a-kind talent and a genuine human being who consistently goes out of her way to give back to others. In some ways, Ferrell is not too different from Parton. Ferrell came from humble roots, spending her early years train-hopping and busking on the street to make a living. Ferrell struggled with addiction before breaking into the scene, and while she was lucky to make it to the other side of that, sadly losing some friends along the way, she’s gained a very unique perspective on life. Ferrell always seems like such a light and often preaches the importance of being kind to one another and taking care of oneself. Recently, at the American Music Awards, she expressed her gratitude for the gift of singing and stated that she would never stop. “Tell everyone I’m so thankful for the love. God and Jesus got me here. Thankful for the gifts to sing to everyone, I’ll never stop.” Ferrell and Parton both express their utmost gratitude to their team and fans, who have helped them achieve their current career success. Sierra Ferrell’s voice on a Dolly Parton song is truly magical, and over the years, she has laid down numerous covers of the Tennessee native’s work. As mentioned previously, a cover hates to see Sierra Ferrell coming, and she is an artist who always does the original singer justice. Covering a Dolly Parton song is no different. So without further ado, here are five times she has covered Dolly Parton songs that I think Dolly herself would give a standing ovation to: “Here I Am” “Old Flames Can’t Hold A Candle To You”  “The Last Thing On My Mind” by Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton “Jolene” performed alongside Sierra Hull This performance, in particular, reminds me a lot of Miley Cyrus’ viral cover of “Jolene” from 2012, given its similar acoustic nature, and it hits every time. “Coat Of Many Colors” And, of course, to top off this list is Sierra Ferrell’s cover of “Coat Of Many Colors,” which she formally recorded with Amazon Music for her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. The post 5 Times Sierra Ferrell Blew The Roof Off A Dolly Parton Cover first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Southall is one of those bands that will always just be perpetually underrated. They have received plenty of praise over the years, and the momentum behind their music now is as strong as it has ever been. It is not as if their efforts and talent have gone unnoticed. But when a band is this good and they proudly represent a marginalized scene or subgenre, the odds are stacked against them to truly receive the credit that they are due. Much like their predecessors out of Oklahoma’s Red Dirt Scene, like Cross Canadian Ragweed and Turnpike Troubadours, Southall has amassed a fervent fanbase on the strength of their sound, honesty, and authenticity, and have earned their spot near the top of the non-mainstream country rock scene, but they will likely continue to go unnoticed by radio stations, awards shows, and other country music industry based platforms. But who needs those, anyway? The proof of a band’s brilliance is in their music, not their accolades, and Southall has been on an absolute tear in that regard for the past decade. And their latest release is far from an exception. Joining the likes of Tyler Childers, Billy Strings, and Charley Crockett, among others, Southall’s OurVinyl Sessions adds another killer four-track EP to the series. Landing on streaming platforms this past week, the project features awesome renditions of two existing tracks within the band’s catalog as well as a couple of new originals. One of the songs they opted to revisit and their biggest hit to date, “Why,” which was originally released on their sophomore record Borrowed Time in 2017, is a stripped-back heartbreaker that matches the typical bare-bones, mellow nature of an OurVinyl sessions. It wouldn’t be a Southall release without some full blown rock and roll, though, and their new recording of “High-Speed Feed,” from the 2021 record For The Birds brings an added layer of swampy sound and intensity to the project. Their two new releases – “Burning Bridges” and “Southwestern Son” – find themselves somewhere in the middle sonically. But frontman Read Southall’s deft lyricism and unbreakable swagger remain on full display, as does the gritty edge that has become synonymous with Southall’s music and attitude over the years. No matter the circumstance, Southall proves time and time again that they are one of the best bands in the business. Their latest release is no exception, so give it a listen for yourself below: “High-Speed Feed” “Southwestern Son” “Why” “Burning Bridges” There are still a dozen or so opportunities to see Southall live before the end of the year, and if they’re coming to a city near you, I highly recommend doing so. There aren’t many better bands you can see live than Southall. Southall Tour Dates 11/13 – The Vogue – Indianapolis, IN! 11/14 – The Bluestone – Columbus, OH! 11/15 – Joe’s Bar On Weed St. – Chicago, IL! 11/18 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI! 11/19 – Jergel’s Rhythm Grille – Warrendale, PA! 11/21 – Knuckleheads – Kansas City, MO! 11/22 – Waiting Room Lounge – Omaha, NE! 12/4 – The Bluelight Live – Lubbock, TX# 12/5 – Blaine’s Plub – San Angelo, TX# 12/6 – The Tap – College Station, TX# 12/11 – Gruene Hall – New Braunfels, TX# 12/12 – Jolly Fox Club – Huntsville, TX# 1/17 – Deadwood Red Dirt Music Festival – Deadwood, SD* 2/6 – Billy Bob’s Texas – Fort Worth, TX 2/7 – Hard Rock Hotel And Casino Tulsa – Catoosa, OK *festival date !w/ Marfa #Read Southall Acoustic ShowsThe post Southall Revisits A Classic & Drops A Couple Of New Tunes On Brand New OurVinyl Sessions EP first appeared on Whiskey Riff.