In yet another positive sign that the appeal for traditional country music is waxing instead of waning, and that “King” George Strait has weathered the effort by some in the country music establishment to be put out to pasture, the financial disclosures from a couple of his recent shows are not only eye popping, they’re record breaking.
It’s time once again to juice the Saving Country Music Top 25 Playlist with some new selections, and it starts with a couple of songs from some recent albums receiving positive reviews here at SCM. We begin with the title track of Taylor Alexander‘s new album Good Old Fashioned Pain, which is yet another 2019 […]
In 2018, Jason Eady’s latest album ‘I Travel On’ ended up at or near the top of the heap for many when it came to their favorite albums, and it was nominated for Saving Country Music’s 2018 Album of the Year. If the 11 songs of the original record left you craving more, you’re in luck. Jason Eady is planning on releasing an extended version.
In a curiously under-reported story, country music music icon and now Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Linda Ronstadt is the subject of an upcoming documentary biopic directed by two award-winning filmmakers that will be making its worldwide debut at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 26th. It’s called ‘The Sound of My Voice.’
The good news for independent Texas country artist Sunny Sweeney continues, as once again she will be the recipient of some big opportunities opening for arena audiences as part of Bob Seger’s farewell tour. Five new dates have just been added opening for Seger, along with additional headliner dates.
Tracy Lawrence has a new album coming out on August 16th called Made in America, and though we don’t have many details on it at the moment, the 90’s country star who put together seven #1’s and twenty-one Top 10’s into the 2000’s says it’s going to be “very country,” and hopes it’s part of the recent return to country’s roots.
You’ll be hard pressed to present another country music personality more responsible for helping to save country music in the last quarter century than Marty Stuart. Though he never had the big hits as some of his contemporaries, his work both in the public eye and behind-the-scenes to preserve the legacy of country music is unparalleled.
Willie Nelson’s latest album will be called ‘Ride Me Back Home,’ and will once again be produced by Buddy Cannon, with a release date forthcoming sometime in June. This is the news coming out of an exclusive SiriusXM taping that occurred at Willie’s ranch outside of Austin on April 13th in the chapel of his own private Western town, Luck, TX.
Making a collaborative album with some of the most iconic artists from Texas and beyond wasn’t exactly what Houston native Rodney Crowell had in mind when he first started out to write and record his latest record. It just sort of happened that way. This won’t just be a Texas record in name.
No, it’s not 1989, it’s 2019. But looking at the top of the Billboard Country Albums chart this week, you would have thought you’d been transported back 30 years in time. But it’s quite okay if you’re a traditional country music fan. No need to figure out how to generate the 1.21 gigawatts it takes to fire the flux capacitor and get you back to the present.
Beloved and accomplished singer, songwriter, and performer Hal Ketchum is suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and has officially retired from touring. This was the news that was confirmed by Ketchum’s wife, Andrea on Sunday (4-14) afternoon.
Johnny Cash’s legacy has already been firmly cemented into American history, and well beyond his contributions to country music. Only fitting that he would become the first country music artist, and one of the few cultural icons beyond the political realm to ever to have his likeness memorialized in the United States Capitol.
Justin Moore fans will have to wait a little bit longer to get their hands on his latest record and fifth release overall, Late Nights and Longnecks. The record was originally scheduled to be released on April 26th, 2019 through Big Machine Records’ Valory Music imprint. No reason has been given for the delay.
For years, St. Louis Cardinals lead off man and franchise face Matt Carpenter has been helping to spread the goodness of the Turnpike Troubadours by featuring their song “Long Hot Summer Day” as his walk up music when he goes to bat. Now he’s added songs by Cody Jinks and the Band of Heathens.
Earl Thomas Conley, one of the most successful country music artists through the 80’s decade, and known for his “thinking man’s country” style of country where heartbreak, story, and character played a critical role in creating the deep appeal for his music, has passed away. He was 77-years-old.
Miranda Lambert spoke about the prospects of new music, and seemed to confirm studio time is in her immediate future, and to expect the stuff she’s working on to be bold. She also alluded that we might get to hear some of the new stuff as early as June. “I feel like I’m taking some risks and not being afraid.”
From his important work with the throwback country outfit BR549, to his long and productive solo career, to numerous causes and enterprises behind-the-scenes few catch wind of, Chuck Mead has on the front lines of helping to save country music for a quarter century. On June 28th, the country throwback will release his fourth album.
It’s not just wishful thinking, and it’s not skewing the numbers to paint a sunny picture. With his new album ‘Honky Tonk Time Machine,’ “King” George Strait is back at the top of the country genre, and in multiple ways. And that’s not all George Strait fans have to celebrate. He’s showing surprising traction on radio as well.
“This dude puts out a song with kind of quasi country lyrics? Something about a horse, boobies and some shit? Don’t create controversy and expect that to give you a hall pass. We need great songs. Go listen to Kris Kristofferson, and then go listen to that song, and if you tell me they have anything to do with each other.”
Keith Urban walked away with the biggest trophy of the night for Entertainer of the Year, and Dan+Shay walked away with the most trophies with three. But it was Kacey Musgraves who arguably won the 2019 ACM Awards Sunday evening (4-7) as she walked away with both Album of the Year for Golden Hour, and Female Artist of the Year.
Very excited to share the latest additions to the Saving Country Music Top 25 Playlist, which includes songs from some great records and artists that need to be on your radar. Ben Jarrell’s debut LP ‘Troubled Times’ has been setting people’s hair on fire, and there’s nothing better to get the blood pumping at the top of the playlist.
It’s been a busy week in the land of country music traditionalist Cody Jinks, and it was crowned by a ringing endorsement from wrestling personality turned entrepreneur and podcaster Stone Cold Steve Austin. Plus Cody released two new videos, some tour dates, and a juicy hint about new music on the way.
This tour will be an all female affair, with Miranda Lambert’s supergroup with Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley, a.k.a. The Pistol Annies opening up select tour dates, along with Elle King, Caylee Hammack, Tenille Townes, Maren Morris, and Ashley McBryde. Each date will feature three openers, with a revolving cast for each stop.
We’re just lucky to still have Charley Crockett around at this point. While the 34-year-old was getting ready to have surgery for a seven-year-old hernia condition he’d been suffering from, but didn’t have the funds to address, he was diagnosed with a major heart condition. Now after a few months on the mend, he’s ready to get back on the road.