JC Shepard
@jcshepard.bsky.social
Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Americana
Reposted by JC Shepard
Twenty-six years ago in my music history, The Chicks topped the Billboard country singles chart with “Cowboy Take Me Away” for the first of four weeks. #MusicIsLife youtu.be/MdkIJm65ytM?...
The Chicks - Cowboy Take Me Away (Official Video)
Watch the official video for "Cowboy Take Me Away" by The ChicksListen to The Chicks: https://TheChicks.lnk.to/listenYDWatch more videos by The Chicks: https...
youtu.be
February 5, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Twenty-six years ago in my music history, The Chicks topped the Billboard country singles chart with “Cowboy Take Me Away” for the first of four weeks. #MusicIsLife youtu.be/MdkIJm65ytM?...
Reposted by JC Shepard
I am incredibly honored that the Death and Life of Gentrification is reviewed in the February 9 issue of the New Yorker. My great thanks to them for their engagement with the book.
Check out this @newyorker.com Briefly Noted column for a review of @jbrownsaracino.bsky.social’s The Death and Life of Gentrification:
Briefly Noted Book Reviews
Short reviews of recent releases.
buff.ly
February 5, 2026 at 5:29 PM
I am incredibly honored that the Death and Life of Gentrification is reviewed in the February 9 issue of the New Yorker. My great thanks to them for their engagement with the book.
Reposted by JC Shepard
New at Flatwater: London-born indie musician Cornelia Murr had no ties to Nebraska when her mother moved to Red Cloud. She fell in love with the town, bought a house and finished her latest album there. On February 13, Murr is returning for a show at the Red Cloud Opera House.
🔗 buff.ly/i1yPlHq
🔗 buff.ly/i1yPlHq
February 5, 2026 at 7:07 PM
New at Flatwater: London-born indie musician Cornelia Murr had no ties to Nebraska when her mother moved to Red Cloud. She fell in love with the town, bought a house and finished her latest album there. On February 13, Murr is returning for a show at the Red Cloud Opera House.
🔗 buff.ly/i1yPlHq
🔗 buff.ly/i1yPlHq
Reposted by JC Shepard
Born on this day in 1948, Alice Cooper helped invent shock rock. With guillotines, fake blood, and theatrical chaos, he turned horror and vaudeville into rock spectacle and spent 50+ years redefining what a live show could be.
February 4, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Born on this day in 1948, Alice Cooper helped invent shock rock. With guillotines, fake blood, and theatrical chaos, he turned horror and vaudeville into rock spectacle and spent 50+ years redefining what a live show could be.
Reposted by JC Shepard
Feb. 4, 1983: Karen Carpenter passed away at age 32.
Her voice helped define ’70s pop with The Carpenters.
She struggled with Anorexia Nervosa at a time when the illness was poorly understood, and her death brought greater awareness to eating disorders.
Thank you for the music, Karen.
Her voice helped define ’70s pop with The Carpenters.
She struggled with Anorexia Nervosa at a time when the illness was poorly understood, and her death brought greater awareness to eating disorders.
Thank you for the music, Karen.
February 4, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Feb. 4, 1983: Karen Carpenter passed away at age 32.
Her voice helped define ’70s pop with The Carpenters.
She struggled with Anorexia Nervosa at a time when the illness was poorly understood, and her death brought greater awareness to eating disorders.
Thank you for the music, Karen.
Her voice helped define ’70s pop with The Carpenters.
She struggled with Anorexia Nervosa at a time when the illness was poorly understood, and her death brought greater awareness to eating disorders.
Thank you for the music, Karen.
Reposted by JC Shepard
Beautiful variant and the vinyl sounds excellent. Great folk/bluegrass/country record. 2022 repress on metallic silver vinyl.
Sierra Ferrell - Long Time Coming (2021, 2022) #sierraferrell #vinyl #records #vinylrecords #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #recordcollection
Sierra Ferrell - Long Time Coming (2021, 2022) #sierraferrell #vinyl #records #vinylrecords #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #recordcollection
February 4, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Beautiful variant and the vinyl sounds excellent. Great folk/bluegrass/country record. 2022 repress on metallic silver vinyl.
Sierra Ferrell - Long Time Coming (2021, 2022) #sierraferrell #vinyl #records #vinylrecords #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #recordcollection
Sierra Ferrell - Long Time Coming (2021, 2022) #sierraferrell #vinyl #records #vinylrecords #vinylsky #vinylcommunity #recordcollection
Reposted by JC Shepard
When the United States passed the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, it led many to seek freedom outside the USA.
From 1850 and 1860, between 15,000 to 20,000 escaped enslaved persons came to the Province of Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
This is the story.
🧵 1/8
From 1850 and 1860, between 15,000 to 20,000 escaped enslaved persons came to the Province of Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
This is the story.
🧵 1/8
February 4, 2026 at 4:01 PM
When the United States passed the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850, it led many to seek freedom outside the USA.
From 1850 and 1860, between 15,000 to 20,000 escaped enslaved persons came to the Province of Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
This is the story.
🧵 1/8
From 1850 and 1860, between 15,000 to 20,000 escaped enslaved persons came to the Province of Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
This is the story.
🧵 1/8
Reposted by JC Shepard
"MPR News has learned that the police chief in the small southern Minnesota city of St. Peter intervened Thursday afternoon to prevent federal immigration agents from arresting a local resident" who had been observing federal agents. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
St. Peter police chief intervenes, prevents federal agents from arresting resident
The police chief of St. Peter intervened to prevent federal agents from taking a local resident who was observing ICE enforcement actions into custody. It is believed to the first time local police in...
www.mprnews.org
January 31, 2026 at 2:48 PM
"MPR News has learned that the police chief in the small southern Minnesota city of St. Peter intervened Thursday afternoon to prevent federal immigration agents from arresting a local resident" who had been observing federal agents. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by JC Shepard
Jan. 31, 1970: Whole Lotta Love peaks at no. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 — Led Zeppelin’s highest-charting U.S. single.
Robert Plant’s lyrics pull directly from the blues, inspired by Muddy Waters’ 1962 song You Need Love (written by Willie Dixon).
Heavy rock, ancient roots. 🎸⚡
Robert Plant’s lyrics pull directly from the blues, inspired by Muddy Waters’ 1962 song You Need Love (written by Willie Dixon).
Heavy rock, ancient roots. 🎸⚡
January 31, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Jan. 31, 1970: Whole Lotta Love peaks at no. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 — Led Zeppelin’s highest-charting U.S. single.
Robert Plant’s lyrics pull directly from the blues, inspired by Muddy Waters’ 1962 song You Need Love (written by Willie Dixon).
Heavy rock, ancient roots. 🎸⚡
Robert Plant’s lyrics pull directly from the blues, inspired by Muddy Waters’ 1962 song You Need Love (written by Willie Dixon).
Heavy rock, ancient roots. 🎸⚡
Reposted by JC Shepard
Jan. 31, 1989: Roy Orbison’s final album Mystery Girl was released, weeks after his death.
Featuring collaborators including Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Bono, and George Harrison, the album produced You Got It—his first U.S. Top 10 hit since “Oh, Pretty Woman.”
Orbison died December 6, 1988, aged 52.
Featuring collaborators including Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Bono, and George Harrison, the album produced You Got It—his first U.S. Top 10 hit since “Oh, Pretty Woman.”
Orbison died December 6, 1988, aged 52.
January 31, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Jan. 31, 1989: Roy Orbison’s final album Mystery Girl was released, weeks after his death.
Featuring collaborators including Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Bono, and George Harrison, the album produced You Got It—his first U.S. Top 10 hit since “Oh, Pretty Woman.”
Orbison died December 6, 1988, aged 52.
Featuring collaborators including Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Bono, and George Harrison, the album produced You Got It—his first U.S. Top 10 hit since “Oh, Pretty Woman.”
Orbison died December 6, 1988, aged 52.
Reposted by JC Shepard
“Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.”
― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own #WomensArt
Portrait by her sister Vanessa Bell
― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own #WomensArt
Portrait by her sister Vanessa Bell
January 28, 2026 at 3:42 AM
“Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.”
― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own #WomensArt
Portrait by her sister Vanessa Bell
― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own #WomensArt
Portrait by her sister Vanessa Bell
Reposted by JC Shepard
On this day in 1965, Queen Elizabeth II approved the new Maple Leaf flag through a Royal Proclamation. It flew for the first time at Parliament Hill two weeks later on Feb. 15, 1965.
Learn more in my Deep Dive 👇
buff.ly/fIikokc
Learn more in my Deep Dive 👇
buff.ly/fIikokc
January 28, 2026 at 12:15 PM
On this day in 1965, Queen Elizabeth II approved the new Maple Leaf flag through a Royal Proclamation. It flew for the first time at Parliament Hill two weeks later on Feb. 15, 1965.
Learn more in my Deep Dive 👇
buff.ly/fIikokc
Learn more in my Deep Dive 👇
buff.ly/fIikokc
Oh Holly. Acoustic roots music, live & local from historic Holly Hotel
.
#musicislife #Michigan
youtube.com/watch?v=SFke...
.
#musicislife #Michigan
youtube.com/watch?v=SFke...
"On Holly" | Live from the Holly Hotel
YouTube video by Echoes in the Iron
youtube.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:02 AM
Oh Holly. Acoustic roots music, live & local from historic Holly Hotel
.
#musicislife #Michigan
youtube.com/watch?v=SFke...
.
#musicislife #Michigan
youtube.com/watch?v=SFke...
Reposted by JC Shepard
Jan. 26, 1970: Simon & Garfunkel release Bridge Over Troubled Water — their final studio album.
Both the single & LP hit no. 1, swept the Grammys (Album, Record & Song of the Year), sold over 25 million copies, and left behind one of the most covered songs in pop history.
Both the single & LP hit no. 1, swept the Grammys (Album, Record & Song of the Year), sold over 25 million copies, and left behind one of the most covered songs in pop history.
January 26, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Jan. 26, 1970: Simon & Garfunkel release Bridge Over Troubled Water — their final studio album.
Both the single & LP hit no. 1, swept the Grammys (Album, Record & Song of the Year), sold over 25 million copies, and left behind one of the most covered songs in pop history.
Both the single & LP hit no. 1, swept the Grammys (Album, Record & Song of the Year), sold over 25 million copies, and left behind one of the most covered songs in pop history.
Reposted by JC Shepard
Publishing for Planners: A New Era for Island Press www.planetizen.com/features/136...
Publishing for Planners: A New Era for Island Press
As the legendary legacy publisher transitions into a new life phase, publisher Heather Boyer and senior editor Stacy Eisenstark reflect on the past and the future of creating books for planners.
www.planetizen.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Publishing for Planners: A New Era for Island Press www.planetizen.com/features/136...
Reposted by JC Shepard
Singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams tapped into America's current period of struggle on her latest album, a collection of protest songs called "World's Gone Wrong."
Lucinda Williams gives new voice to protest music on 'World's Gone Wrong'
Singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams tapped into America's current period of struggle on her latest album, a collection of protest songs called "World's Gone Wrong."
n.pr
January 25, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams tapped into America's current period of struggle on her latest album, a collection of protest songs called "World's Gone Wrong."
Reposted by JC Shepard
RECOMMENDED READING: A novel centered on a young Army nurse who served in Vietnam and the latest in a “romantasy” series topped the list of popular fiction titles checked out at public libraries of Nebraska’s capital city.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
From Cindy Gonzalez:
Hottest reads in Nebraska’s capital city? Lincoln public libraries announce popular 2025 titles • Nebraska Examiner
What are the hottest reads in Nebraska's capital city? Lincoln public libraries announce most popular 2025 titles.
buff.ly
January 25, 2026 at 3:36 AM
RECOMMENDED READING: A novel centered on a young Army nurse who served in Vietnam and the latest in a “romantasy” series topped the list of popular fiction titles checked out at public libraries of Nebraska’s capital city.
From Cindy Gonzalez:
From Cindy Gonzalez:
Reposted by JC Shepard
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
January 25, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
Reposted by JC Shepard
Government-issued maps offer a promise for safely exploring our public lands, but they no longer reflect the reality of what’s actually on the ground.
buff.ly/pAN1smM
buff.ly/pAN1smM
The nation’s trails are disappearing - High Country News
Government-issued maps offer a promise for safely exploring our public lands, but they no longer reflect the reality of what’s actually on the ground.
www.hcn.org
January 25, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Government-issued maps offer a promise for safely exploring our public lands, but they no longer reflect the reality of what’s actually on the ground.
buff.ly/pAN1smM
buff.ly/pAN1smM
Reposted by JC Shepard
Happy Burns Night Day!
#Rabbie
"Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, alas, forever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee!"
#Rabbie
"Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, alas, forever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee!"
January 25, 2026 at 6:55 AM
Happy Burns Night Day!
#Rabbie
"Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, alas, forever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee!"
#Rabbie
"Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, alas, forever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee!"
Reposted by JC Shepard
Happy Burns Night 🏴
January 25, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Happy Burns Night 🏴
Reposted by JC Shepard
Jan. 23, 1959: The Winter Dance Party tour kicks off in Milwaukee, WI.
Before it ended, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & The Big Bopper were killed in a plane crash—one of rock’s darkest moments.
As Don McLean sang: “A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile.”
Before it ended, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & The Big Bopper were killed in a plane crash—one of rock’s darkest moments.
As Don McLean sang: “A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile.”
January 23, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Jan. 23, 1959: The Winter Dance Party tour kicks off in Milwaukee, WI.
Before it ended, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & The Big Bopper were killed in a plane crash—one of rock’s darkest moments.
As Don McLean sang: “A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile.”
Before it ended, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & The Big Bopper were killed in a plane crash—one of rock’s darkest moments.
As Don McLean sang: “A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that music used to make me smile.”
Reposted by JC Shepard
This playlist is the shortest distance between you and discovering your next favorite song, album, and artist.
It's available on all formats. New songs just added.
savingcountrymusic.com/new-adds-to-...
It's available on all formats. New songs just added.
savingcountrymusic.com/new-adds-to-...
New Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#171)...
2026 is off to a very promising start with new singles and albums, and the Top 25 Playlist is here to be the shortest distance you and discovering them. Just click play and find your next favorite son...
savingcountrymusic.com
January 18, 2026 at 3:14 PM
This playlist is the shortest distance between you and discovering your next favorite song, album, and artist.
It's available on all formats. New songs just added.
savingcountrymusic.com/new-adds-to-...
It's available on all formats. New songs just added.
savingcountrymusic.com/new-adds-to-...
Reposted by JC Shepard
Today is National Thesaurus Day.
Personally, we find these made-up holidays contemptible, abhorrent, nauseating, repugnant, and unpalatable.
Personally, we find these made-up holidays contemptible, abhorrent, nauseating, repugnant, and unpalatable.
January 18, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Today is National Thesaurus Day.
Personally, we find these made-up holidays contemptible, abhorrent, nauseating, repugnant, and unpalatable.
Personally, we find these made-up holidays contemptible, abhorrent, nauseating, repugnant, and unpalatable.
Reposted by JC Shepard
Today (12th January) marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Dame Agatha Christie; mystery writer, playwright, plotting genius, creator of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple AND THE BESTSELLING NOVELIST OF ALL TIME.
If you've never read her, the time is now. #ReadChristie2026
If you've never read her, the time is now. #ReadChristie2026
January 12, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Today (12th January) marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Dame Agatha Christie; mystery writer, playwright, plotting genius, creator of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple AND THE BESTSELLING NOVELIST OF ALL TIME.
If you've never read her, the time is now. #ReadChristie2026
If you've never read her, the time is now. #ReadChristie2026