striking matches

While rock legends such as Jimi Hendrix and Slash typically dominate the "best guitarist ever" conversations, country music is no slouch when it comes to producing legendary shredders.

The title track of Ashely Monroe's new The Blade album is a duet with Miranda Lambert, so when she didn't appear during Monroe's performance of the song at the Basement in Nashville on Wednesday night (July 22), it seemed unlikely the two friends would share the stage at all that night.

On the debut album from Striking Matches, one is forced to reconcile the guitar-slinging skills of Justin Davis and Sarah Zimmerman with the duo's softer, coffee-shop tendencies. Nothing But the Silence swings wildly between highs and lows. It’s an album with no patience for pedestrian.

OK, we know -- Striking Matches made last year's Artist to Watch list as well. But this year really is their year!

To say Ashley Monroe falls into herself during a song is misleading, and an understatement. When the singer drops her head and gives into the weight of her lissome eyelashes, it's as if theater curtains have dropped, concealing a world of chaos and disharmony that the audience only hears about on her albums, and on stage.

Nashville duo Striking Matches are preparing to release their debut EP -- and they're excited. The self-titled project introduces Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis, two Belmont University students influenced by everyone from Jerry Reed and Patsy Cline to the Beatles and John Mayer. Interested in hearing the release before you buy it? Taste of Country has the exclusive first listen of 'Striking Mat