Whenever a songwriter sits down to write a song, their sincere hope is they will conjure up something that will stir the human soul in such a manner that it leaves an indelible mark upon listeners lasting well beyond the moments in audience with the song itself. Sad, happy, nostalgic, or tragic, as long as it awakens a keen sense of being alive.
Mother, designer, and one of the most revered songwriters, performers, and women of Texas country music has tragically passed away. Kylie Rae Harris died in Taos, New Mexico Wednesday night (9-4) in a three vehicle crash. Harris was in the northern New Mexico town to play the Big Barn Dance in Taos Thursday (9-5). She was 30-years-old.
If you’re married fast to the notion that country music can’t evolve while remaining tethered to it’s roots, then you better not go near Jason Hawk Harris’s Bloodshot Records debut Love & the Dark and risk having your little theory thrown back in your face. Fueled by the challenge, and armed with his classical training as a musician…
Beyond being a valuable film companion, through the work the Ken Burns team did putting together this film, they were also able to assemble all the most important information on country music, present it in story form, align it with an incredible amount of archival pictures, and put together what very well may be the definitive country music history book.
The name of the tour is definitely a little dubious for the venues Garth has selected to play so far. But those complaining about Garth’s efforts here are missing the bigger picture. “I think he recognizes the significant role that smaller venues play in keeping country music going.”
Tulsa, Oklahoma native Zach Bryan took many fans of Texas, Red Dirt, and independent country music by surprise recently when he released an album of solo acoustic recordings on August 23rd under the title “DeAnn.” But the biggest question many have is, who is Zach Bryan?
“What is this?!? Taylor Swift ain’t country, and the Dixie Chicks are commies!” Yeah yeah. Roll off it. We can be adults here and discuss a Taylor Swift song if it’s deemed interesting or necessary. And in the case of “Soon You’ll Get Better,” there are a few interesting country music tie-in’s worth discussing.
Though it’s Dolly Parton’s music that has made her who she is today, it’s her work ethic and dedication that has also inspired millions of people to persevere through life’s struggles. Raised in a small cabin as one of 12 siblings and now 73-years-old who who knows how much cash in the bank, Parton isn’t planning to slow down anytime soon.
Croy and the Boys are the true sound of Austin, TX paid forward over the decades, with the permanent stench of the honky tonks soiling their pearl snap shirts, and the 10,000 hours spent twirling the shit kickers of central Texas around dance floors logged and certified, thank you very much.
It’s been just over three years since Craig Morgan released any new music, and just over three years since his son, 19-year-old Jerry Greer, went missing on Kentucky Lake near the Kentucky and Tennessee border on a Sunday afternoon. The teen had been tubing on the lake with friends, and after hitting a big wave, failed to surface.
Drawing from both the bleeding edge of authenticity that has made the performers of Kentucky like Tyler Childers and others define the current country music insurgency, and the spellbinding songwriting magic of Oklahoma’s preeminent writers like Evan Felker, John Moreland, & John Fullbright, Zach Bryan stuns in one song after another in ‘DeAnn.’
The first single from Ashley’s upcoming second major label release is everything you want from an Ashley McBryde song. It’s edgy and gritty, but still country in the way the words and melody tell a true story we all can relate to, and deftly employ the double entendre to give it that classic country feel.
Kane Brown is not happy about getting snubbed by the CMAs, again. And as he’s did last year, he took to Twitter on Wednesday (8-28) after the CMA nominations were revealed to show his disdain, posting a GIF of Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry shaking his head in disappointment. Now he’s deleted his Twitter account.
In many respects, the CMAs did that this year with their 2019 nominations, or at least better than many years. But the Album of the Year nominations were especially easy to pick apart in 2019. The biggest reason to second guess these nominations is that this current awards shows cycle has been exceptional for excellent mainstream albums.
“Yellowstone” provided a ton of music and artists for fans of the show to explore, especially throughout the country and roots realm, and especially artists that the mainstream often ignores. And the success of the show has also resulted in deserved attention for the songs and artists featured.
Vince Gill and ‘Okie’ come completely out of left field in both the power and scope this project contains. His faith is at the forefront, his concern about the tempest-tossed nature of today’s societal upheaval is sincere, and his wisdom is sharp and biting in a record that speaks to our time poignantly and surprisingly free of judgement.
The 2019 CMA Award nominees were announced Wednesday (8-28) morning, and those hoping for country music to have it’s “woke” moment with multiple women nominated for Entertainer of the Year, and Lil Nas X dominating everything else will be sorely disappointed. However the nominations did have some surprising moments.
Canadian country and Western artist Colter Wall was one of the fortunate ones to be selected to perform for the new season of the long-running and highly-revered PBS music show Austin City Limits for their 45th season. And if you want to catch the taping, you better be on your toes because it’s coming up this Friday.
Even ceding the argument that the album concept is dead for many listeners these days (which is not true at all for core, grassroots fans), there still doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of reason to release a large handful of your songs before an album’s street date, aside from that just seems to be what everyone does these days.
There are a lot of things true country music fans and artists do to express their love for the music, and at times, show concern for what country music has become. Traditional country artist C.J. Garton and his 13-year-old son Clinton Bruce Garton III decided to take a unconventional approach to raising awareness about what is going on.
The effort to save country music must be a pragmatic one. Classic country like the stuff Midland is peddling has become a hot commodity in the mainstream and beyond in the last couple of years, and don’t question for a second that Midland and their big radio singles haven’t been a catalyst for this positive development.
Some may wonder why it took so long. Others will just be ecstatic it’s happening at all. But either way, Cody Jinks will be stepping into the hallowed Grand Ole Opry circle to make his Grand Ole Opry debut. Scheduled to perform in the 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. slot (Central time), he will be sharing a segment with Grand Ole Opry member Clint Black.
The Grand Ole Opry regularly loves to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries and other such milestones for its members when they come around on the calendar. It’s a good reason for fans to tune in, and can build a good theme around a segment or an entire show. No anniversary for any Opry member might be […]
Leading off the latest additions to the Saving Country Music Top 25 playlist is long-time underground honky tonker and survivor Johnny Falstaff with his latest single “Move A Mountain.” Though not tied to a proper album release just yet, it’s a good introduction to this under-the-radar artist who’s been paying dues.
