Marissa R. Moss
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marissarmoss.bsky.social
Marissa R. Moss
@marissarmoss.bsky.social
Journalist, mom, Nashvillian, etc. Wrote a book called HER COUNTRY for Holt. Writing one now for Hachette called I'VE BEEN A BAD, BAD GIRL. Don’t Rock The Inbox newsletter: https://www.dontrocktheinbox.com
On the newsletter today, thinking about the new songs from Carly Pearce & Kelsea Ballerini

www.dontrocktheinbox.com/ti/
Kelsea Ballerini & Carly Pearce: Can You *Have It All* in Country Music?
First off, thanks for all of you who joined me last week in the CMA chat post. Some of you gave the excellent feedback that you think we should consider a DRTI Discord - curious to hear what more of y...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I’d like to know what this article says but I felt physically unable to continue after it labeled neurodiverse kids like mine as “sick”
I don't think I've ever disagreed and agreed more strongly with a piece, seesawing from one paragraph to the next.

Will come back to dissect.

#GiftLink #GiftArticle
America’s Children Are Unwell. Are Schools Part of the Problem?
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM
recapped the CMA Awards with @joeyblueclaw.bsky.social on his podcast - talked a little shit, got a little fired up about Lainey Wilson, dreamed about the Brandi/Sturgill collab, maybe sang Girl Crush (didn't actually do this but it would have made sense in context)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVGD...
CMA Awards 2025: Talking Smack, Taking Names | Rolling Stone Nashville Now
YouTube video by Rolling Stone
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:02 PM
When Brandi Carlile sings country songs….phhhhheeeeeeew
November 20, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Reposted by Marissa R. Moss
a conversation with the wonderful writer, thinker and researcher @heyjackson.bsky.social about finding meaning in genre even when genre doesn't exist www.dontrocktheinbox.com/on-soul-folk...
On 'Soul-Folk', with author Ashawnta Jackson
These days, the too-often ignored history of Black artists making country music looks like positively well-trodden territory compared to the story of Black artists and folk. Enter Ashawnta Jackson's S...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Reposted by Marissa R. Moss
an interview with a first-rate 82 year old singer songwriter whose name should be on your lips alongside willie waylon and the boys. on his last album he has a song called "jesus wasn't a capitalist" www.dontrocktheinbox.com/james-talley...
James Talley On 50 Years of 'Got No Bread, No Milk, No Money, But We Sure Got A Lot Of Love'
The veteran singer-songwriter talks with DRTI about his timeless debut, and the half-century since.
www.dontrocktheinbox.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:20 PM
I'm really proud of what we've done this year at DRTI, all while raisin kids and havin babies. Hope you will support our work, and a big thank you to those of you who already do!!
November 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Just want the world to know that I asked @thejonfreeman.bsky.social for a few New Orleans recommendations and he sent me a word doc that was so beautifully written it even contained a perfect kicker
November 18, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by Marissa R. Moss
Can confirm I saw Robert Plant more than once in east Nashville, somewhen inside 03-10.
November 17, 2025 at 7:13 PM
well shit this got me good
besides being a great writer, marissa lives in east nashville alongside TS. she and her newsletter partner fought and clawed for what they have in music journalism among men and never gave in to the cynicism

idk i guess what i’m saying is i finished reading this and felt like it channeled snider
November 17, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Wrote about Todd Snider, East Nashville and how the more things change, the more they change.

www.dontrocktheinbox.com/something-go...
Something good comes along, then it’s gone: Farewell, Todd Snider.
When I moved to East Nashville in 2012, legend had it that if you wanted to find Todd Snider, all you had to do was go to Drifter’s BBQ in Five Points, and he’d be there at the bar. Nashville always h...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Reposted by Marissa R. Moss
I get why it happens but goddamn do I wish anything could hit as hard on the timeline as something that sucks that everyone hates written by or about the worst person you know. I wish something good or interesting was able to get anywhere near the traction some shit that sucks does.
November 17, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Reposted by Marissa R. Moss
all this can be yours for 8 measly bucks a month (or less with an annual sub!). 100% substack free! bsky.app/profile/mari...
November 14, 2025 at 4:03 PM
I can't write while listening to songs with lyrics so today's Don't Rock the Inbox subscriber playlist is instrumental country and roots tunes!

www.dontrocktheinbox.com/put-a-record...
Put a Record On: An Instrumental Country Playlist for Writing (or whatever else you do)
As someone who listens to music all the time, and writes about music and musicians for a living, there is one curious time when I am extremely picky about what I listen to: when I am actually writing....
www.dontrocktheinbox.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Reposted by Marissa R. Moss
When country singer Luke Bell was found dead in 2022, his story became tabloid fodder. But Bell's complex life couldn't be distilled into a headline: He wrote beautiful country songs informed by the American west, while struggling with deep mental illness.
Country Music Casualty: The Tortured Life and Untimely Death of Luke Bell
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Reposted by Marissa R. Moss
NOT covering unredacted bodycam footage of a non-mega famous musician writhing in agony, sickness and pain is a decision we, as journalists, can make.
November 7, 2025 at 10:38 PM
do I have thoughts about how there are no country nominations in any of the all genre categories? in the "year of country music" or whatever? I sure do!
November 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
An honor to get to tell this story. Listen to some Luke Bell today.
When country singer Luke Bell was found dead in 2022, his story became tabloid fodder. But Bell's complex life couldn't be distilled into a headline: He wrote beautiful country songs informed by the American west, while struggling with deep mental illness.
Country Music Casualty: The Tortured Life and Untimely Death of Luke Bell
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Reposted by Marissa R. Moss
I'm happy that Mamdani won. But I won't let that get in the way of my celebrating Cuomo losing.
November 5, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Real heads remember the Lockeland Springsteen days and browsing through our best songs of 2014....Sturgill, Adia Victoria, Margo, Luke Bell, Kelsey Waldon, a pre-Hero Maren Morris song that the Highwomen eventually recorded...sorry we were kind of king shit

thenashup.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/f...
Feature /// Lockeland Springsteen’s Favorite Local Songs of 2014
For the first time, Team L/S is proud to have formulated our Top Local Songs of the Year. Voted on by our team, our list follows the songs that impacted us the most, that stirred us, made us cry, m…
thenashup.wordpress.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Marissa R. Moss
Unsurprisingly, I loved reading this interview while listening to the album. Two people whose work I always enjoy.
October 28, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Reposted by Marissa R. Moss
it was so lovely to talk with @heyjackson.bsky.social about her wonderful book Soul-Folk for Don't Rock The Inbox. highly recommend it! www.dontrocktheinbox.com/on-soul-folk...
On 'Soul-Folk', with author Ashawnta Jackson
These days, the too-often ignored history of Black artists making country music looks like positively well-trodden territory compared to the story of Black artists and folk. Enter Ashawnta Jackson's S...
www.dontrocktheinbox.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:35 PM
chatted with Brandi Carlile about her really beautiful new record
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
'I Hate Being Alone': Brandi Carlile Tries to Find Herself
Brandi Carlile says she hates being alone and talks new album 'Returning to Myself.'
www.rollingstone.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Sorry about the bait and switch headline but I had to get your attention….
October 21, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Reposted by Marissa R. Moss
we've lost a fair number of subscribers since moving to ghost (but are obviously still happy we did!) - as a reminder most of our content is free, and even being a free subscriber means a lot to us if you'd consider it www.dontrocktheinbox.com
Don't Rock The Inbox
A country music newsletter.
www.dontrocktheinbox.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM