The Grand Ole Opry tradition continues now for the sixth week in a row during the Coronavirus outbreak, as 15-time Grammy winner and Opry member since 1982 Ricky Skaggs will take the stage, along with one of the institution’s more recent members, bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent who were inducted in early 2017. “Sure is […]
Ray Wylie has parleyed his many years of peddling mad influence in country and roots music into a collaborative album hosting a heavy dose of cool names. Called “Co-Starring,” it is preceded by the new song “Bad Trick” that itself sees Ringo Starr, Don Was, Joe Walsh, and Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes all show up to support Hubbard.
A baritone who performed in numerous Gospel groups throughout his career, including The Statesmen, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Imperials, The Bill Gaither Trio, and The Gaither Vocal Band, Gary McSpadden was also a solo singer and songwriter, television host, and pastor throughout his nearly 60 year career.
John Prine is back in the charts, but this time for a much more somber reason. As fans and fellow artists took to remember John Prine through his music, songs and albums of the musical legend who passed away on April 7th at 73-years-old spiked on a number of charts in both Rock and Country.
The Turnpike Troubadours, Jason Boland, and the Medicine Stone Festival held annually in Oklahoma have all filed suit against their former management, Cory McDaniels Enterprises LLC, for what they claim are irregularities in accounting and the handling of financial affairs, and to be released from their management contracts.
Sturgill Simpson is the latest artist from the country/roots realm to test positive for COVID-19. The songwriter, performer, and producer said in a statement on Saturday (4/11) that he had been suffering from chest pains, fever, and pre-stroke blood pressure levels when his wife took him to a local hospital ER.
Celebrating Easter early, and once again offering one of the few live entertainment options amid the Coronavirus shutdown, traditional country artist T. Graham Brown, Grand Ole Opry member Trace Adkins, and Southern Gospel singer Jason Crabb will all hold forth from the Grand Ole Opry house.
Country music seems to have been hit disproportionately hard when it comes to deaths and illnesses due to COVID-19, with the passing of Joe Diffie being one of the first big losses in music entertainment early in the pandemic. But if there was any silver lining, it’s that fans are purchasing, downloading, and streaming their music.
The Tyler Childers set was captured on Pickathon’s legendary Woods Stage in the tall Douglas Fir forest that surrounds the festival grounds the weekend he released his latest album ‘Country Squire.’ Yours truly was standing stage side for the set, and can attest to its quality. Admission is free, but the concert is a MusiCares fundraiser.
A brand new book from Loretta Lynn is on the way called ‘Me & Patsy Kickin’ Up Dust,’ and ahead of the new memoir Loretta has released a new rendition of her covering Patsy Cline’s iconic “I Fall to Pieces.” Though you have a few options for books on the life of Loretta Lynn, this one focuses specifically on the friendship between Loretta and Patsy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
Whether you’re a fan of the banjo, or bluegrass and folk in general, or even if you’re not, nearly everyone recognizes the opening riff of the iconic instrumental “Dueling Banjos” made famous in the 1972 film Deliverance. And now guy who actually played the banjo on the song has passed away.