A New Rule - For My Own Sanity

Okay, for the record, photo covers or promotional shots of an Amerciana band sitting at a poker table, playing roulette, shooting craps, or any other sort of gambling-type activity, but especially poker, are now off-limits. They're right up there with shots of the band in front of a brick wall or standing along railroad tracks. CLEE-SHAY.

For all you nameless Bluegrass and country bands in Bluegrass Now and No Depression who keep making this blunder, this is just a heads up. You're pretty much guaranteeing I can't take you seriously. This includes you Steep Canyon Rangers (although I really like that last album anyway). Oh, and Black Jack counts too, Van Morrison. It's tired. It's already cliche. Let's just move along. One exception -- If your album is actually named "Vegas" however, I give you one freebie for a crap-shooting photo. After that and you're out, Two Tons of Steel.

Well, maybe I just lost too much money at Vegas last month.... hmmm.

Over here on the other hand, though, I can't get enough of album covers designed like whiskey labels. Keep those coming. Especially if they're compilations like the Heartworn Highways soundtrack or any of the Sin City compilations. Mmmm... smooth.