A new original studio album is on the way from Travis Tritt, finally. Announced Wednesday morning (3/11), the 90’s country legend who’s sold more than 30 million records worldwide has signed with the Los Angeles-based record label Big Loud Noise, and will be releasing a Dave Cobb produced record in 2020.
When Dierks Bentley announced that his next album cycle would surround his screw off side project with his road band called Hot Country Knights and that they’d actually signed to UMG Nashville, we really didn’t know what to expect. We knew he was getting silly, but we had no idea he’d be getting funny too.
SXSW has not just been canceled for 2020 due to concerns over the Coronavirus. The declaration by the City of Austin of a “local disaster” on March 6th has put the entire organization on the brink, and looking at an uncertain future. SXSW was forced to slash 1/3rd of their full-time workforce.
Another one of The Strangers has reunited with Merle Haggard in the big honky tonk in the sky. Biff Adam—the long-time drummer for Merle Haggard’s backing band passed away in his sleep Saturday evening, March 7th, due to congestive heart failure. He was 83-years-old.
“Your Life is a Record” is a little bit of a different approach for Brandy. Where usually her songs follow more of a proven methodology in the use of double entendres and witty turns of phrase and perspective to render themselves enjoyable, this record strikes a more personal chord.
Miranda Lambert has been spending the first part of 2020 on her Wildcard tour. As part of the tour, Miranda has been doing something unique to pay tribute to the first responders who rush into burning buildings and respond to 911 calls when trouble strikes.
Comprised of husband and wife Cole Michael Porter and Kendra Porter, they met in their hometown bar and soon became fast friends and singing partners. But this isn’t a Captain and Tenille bit where they gaze lovingly into each other’s eyes while singing other people’s songs. Both Cole and Kendra are respected singer/songwriters.
The big tribute show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for Willie Nelson that transpired on January 12th, 2019 is finally set to be broadcast for the rest of us who couldn’t attend, and it will include some behind-the-scenes footage and interviews as well. Specials for Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers are also on the way.
Without a single case of the Coronavirus either confirmed or even suspected at the moment in Austin, TX or the greater Travis county area, the mayor of Austin, Steve Adler, has declared a “local disaster,” mandating that the music portion of SXSW set to transpire in Austin the 3rd week of March will no longer happen, against the wishes of SXSW itself.
The Panhandlers aren’t just bound by their ties to the region. The geography and people of the upper portions of West Texas is what this music is all about. From falling water tables to failing farms, this is an account of an unforgiving land nobody would ever choose to call home. Yet people still do.
Like we saw with American Aquarium’s last record, the very well-received “Things Change,” BJ Barham might perform best when his back is against the wall, folks are counting him out, and he’s got something to prove. He relishes the underdog position.
Texas-based Southern rock band Whiskey Myers are launching their own personally-curated event to be an annual gathering for their fans called the Firewater Festival. It is set to take place October 1st through 3rd, 2020 in Ly Cynge, Kansas about 45 minutes south of Kansas City at the Wildwood Outdoor Education Center.
“Hey, so what does everyone think about American politics?” That’s basically the anthill you’re kicking over whenever you invoke the name of the Dixie Chicks, even though their music was never really that political, and the polarization of their name was more due to misunderstanding and hysteria
Pam Tillis will be back in a solo capacity for the first time in a dozen years when she releases her eleventh studio record ‘Looking for a Feeling.’ Influenced not just by her country roots that run deep from her performing father and songwriter Mel Tillis, Pam is also looking to bring her classic rock and soul influences to the table
“Nashville.” Oh how people love to wag a dirty finger in its direction as this monolithic homogenized reprehensible blob-like entity looming on the horizon, responsible for all the current ills in country music and some of the cultural filth beyond.
Tyler Childers is already regarded as one hell of a singer, songwriter, and country music performer, so much so that even without mainstream radio play, he’s getting nominated for Grammys. But who the hell knew this boy could play fiddle too?
Featuring 27 dates starting in July, the tour will afford you the opportunity to get plenty of your fill of Blackberry Smoke music, as well as the Allman Betts Band and Wild Feathers. But then you’ll get something you can’t see with any of these bands individually.
Unless you’ve been living on Mars, you probably know all about the often polarizing political opinions of alt-country legend Steve Earle. One of the most outspoken and politically-charged performers of our time, he pulls no punches, either in his music, or on stage. But with his upcoming record, he’s taking a different approach.
As tax season approaches and we get the opportunity to tie a bow around the doings of 2019, it’s always interesting to look back on the year at the Grand Ole Opry to see which performing members are paying their proper dues to country music’s most historic institution, and which one’s aren’t.
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 (see below), or you can just use the song, artist, and album recommendations to find something new to listen to. New songs just added.
The current “Queen of Bluegrass” Rhonda Vincent will be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry. Surprised on stage by mentor Jeannie Seely Friday night (2-28) during the Grand Ole Opry presentation, Vincent had to ask Seely twice if she was serious (which of course she was), before Vincent responded “Absolutely, 100%. Oh my gosh.”
For many in the Texas and Red Dirt realm, Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen are their #1 and #1A favorite performers. And when they combine their efforts, that appeal is amplified. Though neither imbibes in really strong traditional country in their respective primary projects, when they get together, the fiddle and steel guitar comes to the top.
What has every good country music fan crashing silly little sites like Saving Country Music on a regular basis? It’s the hope of discovering some piece of music or a performer whose quality far outpaces the popularity it enjoys, or in many cases, doesn’t. Johnny Falstaff is just that kind of guy, where less people know about him than should.
Like someone with the Coronavirus coughing in your face, here come the 2020 ACM Awards nominations. With Maren Morris and Thomas Rhett leading the pack of nominees with five nominations each, Justin Bieber receiving three nominations, you might as well be getting news from the local doctor where you’re quarantine station is located.
