A Special Note from “Trigger”

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Hello World,

I’ve got some big news, at least for those who may care.

First let me say how incredibly appreciative I am to you, the Saving Country Music reader, for allowing me to be able to write about music for a living as a primary occupation. It is a dream come true, an incredible privilege, and something that I most certainly do not take for granted.

I am very aware as I log in each morning that many of you are starting much more meaningful, and much more difficult occupations as I pursue an elective way of living that allows me to listen to music all day. For this, I am deeply grateful, and probably don’t communicate this enough.

As long-time readers know, I have always refused to operate a merch shop for Saving Country Music. The independent country revolution is very much funded off of T-shirts, koozies, and hoodies. It’s what helps get your favorite artists down the road. I’ve never wanted to compete with those artists by offering my own merch for sale.

I’ve also staunchly refused to implement a subscription, Patreon, or paywall approach to the website that may actively or inadvertently take music dollars out of the hands of music creators, and will limit who can benefit from Saving Country Music’s content. I want to be a facilitator for people to find music that will enrich their lives while supporting the artistry of independent performers, not to be a middle man skimming a transactional share out of the process.

Incidentally, Saving Country Music also carries one of the lightest ad sets for any website that is not run as a nonprofit. There are no popups, drop downs, click thru’s, or video streaming ads, or any ads whatsoever in the reading space. Yes, Saving Country Music still has ads and still has to make money, if for no other reason than to pay for the gargantuan server necessary to keep the some 7,700+ published articles online, and to make the articles quickly available to the many thousands of people who come here every day.

For many years, folks have asked what they can do to further support my efforts, and I’ve always said simply, “read.” Your presence here is payment enough, and generally speaking this is all the effort needed to keep Saving Country Music going. Also, your understanding that we may not always agree but that my heart is always in the right place is also appreciated.

But for all of those who’ve asked over the years what else you can do, or that generally just want to help support my writing, this is your opportunity.

On March 7th, I will be publishing a novel called Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board. This is a fiction novel of the literary genre, and has absolutely nothing to do with country music, whatsoever. In fact, music is only mentioned in the novel briefly. Instead, it works like the biography of a professional thief who decides to shift his goals to more altruistic purposes. But it’s also much more than that.

Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board is a propulsive story that is just as much an adventure as it is a self-help guide. It explores subjects such as self-discipline, dreaming, drugs, the encroachment of technology into daily life, and eventually, catastrophic natural disasters, terrorism, and Armageddon. “‘Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board’ is much more than child’s play. It’s the key to unlocking the mysteries and meaning of life…” is the official blurb, and just like the message behind this novel, it is something that I believe in.

Along with refusing to operate a merch store on Saving Country Music, I also have never mentioned, let alone promoted, any of the musical endeavors I may have been a part of, or any other personal pursuit through the website. If I have participated in a musical project of some sort, then I have recused myself from covering it here, aside from perhaps listing it in release radars and such as to not injure the other creators involved.

I am also making an exception in this case because Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board really doesn’t have to do with music, but my writing, which is what this website is ultimately all about. But also, I really believe in this project, and want it to reach as many people as possible. And since I’m releasing this thing completely independently, I have to use whatever resources I have at my fingertips.

I had other options of how to release this book. But just like your favorite independent band or artist, I want to retain control over this work. Also as a previously-published author, I know the rigors and pitfalls of the publishing industry first hand, and don’t want to go through them again.

Similar to trying to help out your favorite band or artist, pre-orders of this novel are pretty important for helping to spread the word, and to help raise a blip on the radar. So if you feel so inclined to pre-order, it would be a great help.

For $2.99 you can pre-order this novel in digital form. This would be a big gesture, and a tiny penance for all of the (hopefully) value you have received from Saving Country Music over the years. It is also available in paperback form.

Pre-order on Kindle

Pre-order the Paperback on Amazon

Pre-order via BookBaby (direct)

Pre-order on Barnes & Noble

Over the coming weeks, I will also be posting excerpts from the novel to hopefully get folks who are curious but not committed to getting this novel interested enough to pull the trigger. This isn’t about the money, but getting attention to this work. For folks hard up for cash but that still want to read the book, shoot me an email and I’ll make sure you get a copy upon the release. Eventually, Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board will also be available in audiobook form, and signed copies will be made available too.

I have a much more involved post about some philosophical changes being made here at Saving Country Music coming up soon. And yes, this novel is just one of many other things beyond articles about country music that are on the way.

Once again, thanks for all of your support over the years, and now let’s get back to the music.

© 2025 Saving Country Music