Paul English, the long time drummer, manager, and right hand man for Willie Nelson, has died, Saving Country Music can confirm. A member of Willie’s band from his start in shady bars in Fort Worth, Texas, all the way up to Willie’s most recent shows, he was the seminal member of Willie Nelson’s Family Band. He also acted as Willie’s manager.
A third-generation mobster who turned state’s witness in 1999 and entered the Federal Witness Protection Program, only to become the mastermind behind two fraudulent restaurant chains attributed to two prominent country music personalities in Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts, has finally been indicted.
When looking to assemble a draft class of strong and talented country music women to return some balance to the genre, you better not let your gaze shoot over the head of Canadian-born, and Austin-forged singer/songwriter Whitney Rose. They don’t just hand out residencies at Austin’s legendary Continental Club to anyone.
The Kansas City Chiefs walked away with the Vince Lombardi Trophy for winning Super Bowl XIL over the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday, but when it came to the musical performer that saw the biggest boost in revenue during the big game’s highly-anticipated advertising segments, it was none other than Johnny Cash.
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 only way you heard Tanya’s two acceptance speeches is if you were signed into the streaming feed of the Grammy’s “Premier Ceremony,” which transpires hours before the actual Grammy Awards broadcast on CBS. Granted, it’s very understandable why not all the awards are handed out on national television.
Neal McCoy’s tour bus “Old Glory” is the latest to go up in flames in an early morning fire. Luckily, McCoy and all his crew were able to vacate the vehicle before the blaze overtook it, and much of their gear stowed in a separate trailer was also spared. But it is the latest close call involving touring musicians, and fires.
Hold onto your muk lucks because The Hurtin’ Albertans with Corb Lund at the helm will be releasing a new album called “Agricultural Tragic” via New West Records. His first original studio record in five years and his 10th overall, the title is indicative of the theme of the new record, and also defines the approach to country music.
In yet another sign that reigning Saving Country Music Artist of the Year Tyler Childers is one of the hottest commodities in country music at the moment, he has officially sold out his four-night “Country Squire Residency” at the Country Music Mother Church, The Ryman Auditorium, starting with his show Thursday evening (2-6).
From the realm of news to get your country music pants going crazy, Travis Tritt just “Travis T guarantee’d!” that he will have a new album later this year. A new album from a beloved artist is exciting enough. But from Travis Tritt, it’s exceptional, especially if it’s a studio album. It’s been since 2007 and Tritt’s album ‘The Storm.’
“It has been four years since we’ve released an album,” says Maddie Marlow. “For us, this is a lot more than just an album release. This sophomore album will always be a reminder that no matter the setbacks and struggles, we will come out stronger and better. We are so proud of this 15-song story.”
If you’ve been a good little Saving Country Music reader over the last couple of years, then you’ve known that Jesse Daniel has been touted here as one of the most exciting country music artists coming up to keep a keen eye on. Excellent live, and already an Ameripolitan winner in 2019 in the Honky Tonk Male category.
Chris Stapleton has just dumped a bunch of new tour dates for his 2020 All-American Roadshow Tour to go along with some previously-announced appearances and events, and they include an extensive list of openers for the respective dates. After a few years of struggling to write new songs, Chris Stapleton is coming out of his writers block.
“I think that they’re completely losing it. And I think that’s a sad situation because we should never let country music die. I think that every type of music should be saved, and country is one of the greatest. It’s been around, as far as I’m concerned, longer than any of it,” says Loretta Lynn.
Mile 0 Fest in Key West, Florida had been very lucky this week dodging intermittent showers, but took a direct hit right as Friday night headliner The Randy Rogers Band took the stage. The Randy Rogers performed in a deluge before they finally called the show, and patrons scattered in the heavy downpour.
Reckless Kelly won’t be releasing a new record in 2020, they’ll be releasing two of them. American Girls and American Jackpot will both see the light of day via Thirty Tigers as a double album concept. “I’ve always wanted to write an America-themed record, but not in some super-political or ‘rah rah rah’ sort of way,” says Willy Braun.
Hanging out at the Grammys was not the only high-profile appearance Tyler Childers made recently. The Kentucky native was featured on NPR’s World Cafe on Monday during a 30-minute segment, and once again voiced his concerns for the state of country music, and how he feels Americana is more of a distraction than a solution.
It’s a small, unincorporated region of Western Kentucky with a funny name, and it also happens to be the home of traditional country performer and Oh Boy Records signee Kelsey Waldon. They call in Monkey’s Eyebrow, and they recently decided to honor their hometown country music hero by erecting a sign at the edge of town.
It’s been a long road for Tanya Tucker, but she has finally received distinction from the Recording Academy. In fact, she received a few of them during the 2020 Grammy Awards Premier Ceremony Sunday (1-26) afternoon before the televised portion of the program for Best Country Song and Best Country Album.
Only seven other people have received the award, and Alan Jackson is only the fourth artist. George Jones won the award in 2015 posthumously, as did Merle Haggard in 2016. Marty Stuart also won the award in 2007. “That’s pretty good company there with two of my heroes of all time, George and Merle,” Alan Jackson said.
Two important independent festivals that are working hard to support and expand Texas, Red Dirt, Americana, and independent country music beyond its traditional borders will not be happening in 2020. Both the Tumbleweed Festival near Kansas City, and the Wild Hare Country Festival in Oregon have cancelled for 2020.
Ever since the Netflix series The Ranch debuted on April 1st, 2016, folks have wanted to get their hands on a copy of the new version of “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” which finds Shooter Jennings and Lukas Nelson getting together to recreate the magic of their famous fathers.
To many, David Olney is the songwriter who lost consciousness mid performance at the 30A Songwriters Festival last weekend and passed away in a poetic manner. Some knew of him before hearing the compelling story, and many didn’t. But to the folk and songwriting community, David Olney was a pillar of the craft, and a close friend.
Mark Yeary, a California native who played piano for Merle Haggard in his famous backing band The Strangers for nearly 20 years, passed away on Friday, January 17th at his home in Arizona City, Arizona. Yeary died due to a cardiac arrest episode according to Bakersfield.com. He was 67-years-old. Growing up in Orange County, California, […]