If you’re wondering just how much the music of Kenny Rogers meant to fans, this is a pretty good indication. The Country Music Hall of Famer passed away on March 20, and since then sales and streams of his music have spiked dramatically, putting The Gambler on the top of the Billboard Country Albums chart for the first time in 35 years.
For the benefit of a good cause, reigning Saving Country Music Artist of the Year Cody Jinks has joined forces with Oklahoma-based Outlaw country artist Casper McWade to cover the song “Don’t Follow” by Alice in Chains. Perfect for a country rendition since the original version released in 1994 was performed with acoustic guitars and harmonica.
Scheduled to appear on the hallowed Grand Ole Opry stage Saturday night (4-4) will be Ashley McBryde, who just released a critically-acclaimed new album ‘Never Will,’ Canadian country artist and Opry member Terri Clark, as well as former American Idol contestant turned country star Lauren Alaina.
Ashley McBryde was already considered one of the best artists from mainstream label crowd, and a bright spot for country music moving forward. With her new album ‘Never Will,’ she cements her place as one of the best current artists in country music, period. Inspired, inspiring, well-performed and written, make ample room in your listening rotation
Our worst fears when seeing that the name of Florida Georgia Line’s new song was “I Love My Country” is that we were in store for some jingoistic anthem slathering it on thick about how much they support the troops and the good ol’ stars and stripes, exploiting people’s patriotism circa Toby Keith 2003. Oh, if we could have only been so lucky.
Any effort to give more emphasis to artists who are deserving of a greater share of the spotlight in country music should be seen as a sum positive, and generally supported, including this Indigo playlist. But there are some serious issues with Indigo, first and possibly foremost being that the name.
Beware of the women who write songs for the mainstream of country. To make it in that evil world often dominated by men, you’ve got to be a real tough mother cut from a different cloth, capable of being told “no” over and over again and still continue on, and agile enough to deliver songs that can succeed.
Western Swing legend and frontman of Asleep At The Wheel Ray Benson is the latest country artist to test positive for the Coronavirus. The 69-year-old who lives in the Austin area said on Tuesday morning (3-31) he’s been feeling tired for the last 10 days. He was tested Monday and was positive for COVID-19.
Jan Howard’s death was marked with obituaries enumerating her many accomplishments in country music, including her hits, her collaborations with John Anderson, and her long tenure at the Grand Ole Opry. But when it comes to Jan Howard, it was just as much about the work she did off the stage, and out of the spotlight.
The day after we learned that songwriting legend John Prine was in the hospital and intubated on a respirator due to Coronavirus symptoms, we now have a bit of a clearer picture on his condition from his wife, Fiona Whelan Prine, who had contracted COVID-19 herself recently.
Sure, perhaps absence makes the heart grow fonder, and the indefinite hiatus of the boys from Oklahoma has us all foggy-eyed in recollection. But according to one industrious Twitter user’s social experiment in the midst of the Coronavirus quarantine, the Turnpike Troubadours rule the roost.
From Austin, TX comes a unique take on American country music that is cosmic in scope, West Coast in attitude, but still well-inferred and tethered to the roots of Appalachia and the rust of Texas honky tonks. The group is called The Tender Things, and this new album titled How You Make a Fool evokes strong memories of the Flying Burrito Brothers.
Songwriting legend John Prine is currently in critical condition in the hospital, and is hooked up to a ventilator after suffering from Coronavirus symptoms. The news comes after John Prine’s wife, Fiona Whelan Prine, tested positive for the Coronavirus in mid March, and had been in quarantine and isolated from John.
“The Pickup Man” Joe Diffie has died due to complications from the Coronavirus. After announcing on Friday, March 27th that he had contracted COVID-19 and was receiving treatment for the illness, his publicist and family have confirmed that he passed away on Sunday, March 29th. He was 61-years-old.
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 just use the song recommendations to find something new to listen to. New songs just added.
Country music legend and long-time Grand Ole Opry star Jan Howard has passed away at the age of 91. Howard died on Saturday, March 28th peacefully in her sleep in Gallatin, Tennessee near Nashville. A Grand Ole Opry member for nearly 50 years, news broke of her passing as the storied country music institution was broadcasting.
For the third week in a row, the Grand Ole Opry will endure through the unprecedented shutdown in American life to offer entertainment to the masses by holding true to it’s tradition of broadcasting on Saturday night (3-28). And for the third week in a row, there will be no audience and no backing band, but Vince Gill and Amy Grant will perform.
It was a little over a year ago that the foul-mouthed country act perpetrated by comedian Ben Hoffman known as Wheeler Walker Jr. went MIA after an internet brushup. Walker Jr. found himself on the wrong side of the contentious issue. Now he’s back with a new song and a Greatest Hits album on the way.
Cody Jinks has just released an unexpected song called “Fast Lane.” You could call it typical Cody Jinks in how it plods along in half time, with the bass rattling your rib cage. But typical Cody Jinks also means you get a killer country song with writing that sounds like something composed specifically for you.
Classic country music fans, train your attention squarely upon the skinny shanks and fresh face of California songwriter and singer Jesse Daniel, for he’s about to become your next favorite artist, and ‘Rollin’ On’ your next favorite album. It’s only a few precious times each year we get to enjoy a landmark release that really defines the best in country music.
Austin, TX-based country blues rock and roll band The Statesboro Revue have just released a surprise new single called “Sinner, Saint, S.O.B.,” and their first taste of music in nearly five years features appearances by up-and-coming Texas country singer and songwriter Mason Lively, and the great Wade Bowen.
Well-respected country and roots multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell is “sicker than he’s ever been in his life” after contracting the Coronavirus, according the Campbell’s wife and frequent collaborator, Teresa Williams. “Larry tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday. If you didn’t know anybody who has it now you do.”
It was June 11th, 2019, and the music world was left in shock and anger after the publishing of an investigative report by The New York Times detailing the loss of an estimated 175,000 master tapes, and some 500,000 total songs in a fire on the grounds of Universal Studios in Hollywood, California.
Holly Williams, Sam Williams, and Hilary Williams were featured on a new CMT series called “Another Round” that looks to capture performers in an intimate setting. But noticeably absent from this assemblage of Hank Jr.’s progeny was Hank Williams III.
