Hopefully we can hold out for just a little bit longer before Christmas music is the only music you hear no matter what you turn on, or where you go. Some great late year additions have appeared in independent country music, so let’s run them down before it’s all Christmas carols.
We already knew that Dwight Yoakam was the King of Country Cool when he came out of Kentucky and landed in Southern California, shaking his hips like Elvis, and revitalizing the Bakersfield Sound like Buck. But it was 25 years ago today when we discovered that Dwight Yoakam was a multi purpose entertainer.
Eddie Rabbitt’s career wasn’t just accomplished, it was downright Hall of Fame worthy. But do you every hear Eddie Rabbitt’s name brought up in that context of the Hall of Fame? Of course not. Hell, you barely ever hear his name at all. That should change.
Second generation country performer Justin Townes Earle passed away tragically on August 20th, 2020, but strong efforts are underway to make sure his legacy doesn’t go forgotten, especially after the ownership of the label that released his first five albums was sent in flux.
I know what some will say: Bluegrass has always been here. And that’s most certainly true. But for these subgenres of country music to sustain, they need fresh blood every few years, both in the form of exciting new performers, and new fans. And in 2021, bluegrass is enjoying both.
Look. If you know anything about music, and anything about the Turnpike Troubadours, you had to know that betting against a reunification of this band after the indefinite hiatus they announced on May 31st, 2019 was a foolish proposition, no matter how bleak it appeared to be.
“Macon” is a letdown if you’re an actual country music fan. But I would be lying if I didn’t confess that I was actually somewhat surprised by the content of this album named after Jason Aldean’s hometown. Again, this is not a “good” album by any stretch. But it’s good for Jason Aldean.
Nominees for the 2022 Grammy Awards were announced on Wednesday, November 23rd from the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, with some big names receiving some important nominations, a few obvious omissions, and the “who” being nominated as opposed to the “what.”
Where the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and really, most all Halls of Fame throughout American culture get it much more right than the Country Music Hall of Fame is how they use their nomination and induction process as a way to promote their institutions and engage the public.
Slightly off the country music page (though not entirely), yet still pretty damn exciting, it’s been announced that Martin Scorsese’s next film project will be a Grateful Dead biopic with Jonah Hill set to portray Jerry Garcia. Scorsese knows his way around the nexus of film and music
These are pop stars using the country format for attention and notoriety. And no different than Bebe Rexha, Gwen Stefani, Pink, and other pop stars who collaborated with more native country acts and usurped attention from country’s women, their appearance on country radio is problematic.
The limited series ‘George & Tammy’ about the life and marriage of country legends Tammy Wynette and George Jones is ready to begin filming in Wilmington, North Carolina. Starring Jessica Chastain as Tammy, and Michael Shannon as George, it’s based off of the 2013 book by Georgette Jones.
Normally a video for a cover song may not be cause to stop down and request your undivided attention. But anything that involves the always elusive Luke Bell these days is worth stopping down for, and he proves why when he teams up with the equally impressive Martha Spencer.
If all you have to prove country music’s intrinsic racism that is regularly cited in conversations and articles is the Lil Nas X anecdote, or the Beyoncé anecdote, or the Morgan Wallen story, then you really don’t have any proof at all.
Cody Jinks knows his way around metal music, and he proves that with None The Wiser. This isn’t some lark, though he’s also not launching the Caned By Nod project as replacement for country, or trying to pass it off as country as some pop and rock acts do. It’s a passion project.
All this talk of the superpowers of Billy Strings lately, one can foolishly shoot their gaze over the other superpicker of our generation, who came up trading flatpicking licks with Billy, and competing for the IBMA’s Guitarist of the Year—and honor Molly beat out Billy for twice.
For nearly a decade, the radio and television program Music City Roots gave a platform to the country, roots, and Americana artists that were often overlooked in Music City, whether they were up-and-comers looking for a hand up, or oldtimers who’d been shoved aside.
Soon Billy Strings could be selling out arenas across the United States. But for the time being, he’s still content to play mid-sized venues, often booking multiple dates in the same location to fulfill demand. Up until today, all but three of the live dates he had on his calendar were sold out.
Listen ladies and gentlemen, it’s not just a hypothetical that when a song gets featured on Paramount’s Yellowstone series it’s a big deal. What’s going on at the moment is a musical phenomenon helping to support independent country music.
It is my distinct pleasure to introduce you to Hammond, Indiana-native Kiely Connell and her debut record Calumet Queen that will send shivers down your spine and prick the very deepest regions of your soul with its sincere and distinct expressions of an unburdening heart.
How was your year in country music? Country music likely played a role in some of the fondest memories you will take away from 2021, whether it was enjoying a particular performance at some live event, or a warm moment with your family or friends with country music playing in the background.
If you need an illustration to help put into perspective how the shifting dynamics in entertainment are causing a tectonic-level reorganization of media, and how this is all weighing upon already deepening trends in country music, this might be one of the best.
The Saving Country Music Top 25 Playlist is built to keep you informed on all the best songs and albums coming out right here, right now in country and roots music. It’s available on most all streaming formats, or you can just use the song, artist, and album recommendations.
Certainly, when you first dive into ‘Mercy,’ there is sort of a Groundhog Day feel to it all. But the deeper you listen, and the more times you cycle through, the songwriting and the passion behind Mercy begin to reveal themselves more definitively, as does the album’s appeal.
