New Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Playlist (#187)

Before Christmas music invades the airwaves, a Midterm election in the United States descends us into chaos, and AI implodes the entire music industry as we know it, let’s take a moment to appreciate some of the top tracks from human creators that help stir the emotions of life and remind us of its beauty, and why we’re music junkies in the first place.

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.

Newest Additions:

The Castellows – “Mr. Right” – Such a great song showcasing what this sister trio does best, which is putting their personal experiences into song, evoking goosebumps with their blood harmonies, and creating a version of traditional country that still feels current and accessible. That is Laur Joamets of Sturgill Simpson fame on steel guitar. “Mr. Right” also comes with a more Gospel-oriented song, “Closer Still.”

Evan Wallace – “Buenas Noches, Nacogdoches” – This Texas born, Seattle-based up-and-coming country artist conjures up strong memories of Dwight Yoakam with his debut single, and gets you salivating for what might be next to come. Word is he’ll have a debut album out in ’27. Stay tuned.

Vince Gill, Marty Stuart – “Praying Like Hell For Rain” –  This is just about a perfect specimen of traditional country, with two country legends narrating characters from their home states, and both taking opportunities to blaze out guitar solos. Hearing that inescapable tone from Marty Stuart’s guitar Clarence cutting through what’s ultimately a Vince Gill song is really what the best of country music collaboration is all about. It’s from Vince’s new EP Marty And Me.

Tami Neilson, Willie Nelson – “Too Many Mamas” – Sure, sometimes these country songs that piggy back off of other country songs can be a little cheesy. But Tami Neilson’s voice is so superb here, this song is so steeped in traditional country influences, and to add Willie on top makes this a country music treat.

The Darryl’s – “Copper Chopper” – Sorry folks, not sure why this track is populated on the Top 25 Playlist. Some hacker must be involved because all efforts to remove it have failed. Clearly, this song, this “band,” and their new album How It’s Done does not fit the standards of Saving Country Music, so please disregard its inclusion here and accept our apologies.

Cory Kosel – “Machine of My Design” – We’re all such slaves to our devices, algorithms, and curated information feeds these days, and Corey Kosel encapsulates this perfectly in this song. He first performed it on Episode 6 of The Hook, and darn near took a Gold Patch away for it. It’s from his upcoming album Dispatch from the Edge of Town out December 4th.

Paloma Maria – “Broken Over You”– Few songs evoke that classic ’80s country feel like Paloma Maria does with her debut single, produced by Eric “Roscoe” Ambel. All the textures are near perfect on this track, especially Cody Nilsen on steel guitar. But it’s the story inspired by how a beau said he loved her one night, only to wake up the next morning to blame it on the booze that sets the heartbreak.

Heather Littlefield – “Wildflowers” – As the title track to Heather Littlefield’s upcoming album out November 18th, “Wildflowers” tells a story about persevering though bad circumstances, but not letting it sour who you are, personified through natural beauty. Instead of wilting to challenges, bloom wherever your seed takes root.

Kaitlin Butts – “That Makes One of Us” – This is a great bar stool rumination that takes the concept Kaitlin’s new album Hello, Honky Tonk, and realizes it through a character and a story. The waltz time really helps bring the emotion out of the song, and both the writing and the music create the setting for the song perfectly. We probably shouldn’t be surprised a co-write with Lori McKenna turned out this well.

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The Saving Country Music Top 25 Playlist primarily lives on Spotify, but is also available for those who use Amazon Music, YouTube, and Apple Music. For those who don’t stream music, you can still find the song recommendations in list form below.

CLICK HERE to follow Saving Country Music on Spotify, and/or follow the Spotify Top 25 Playlist.

Please Note: The songs on this playlist are curated for listening pleasure and flow. Otherwise, they are not in any specific order.

Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist:

• “Buenas Noches, Nacogdoches” – Evan Wallace – (single)
• “Praying Like Hell For Rain” – Vince Gill, Marty Stuart – Marty And Me
• “What’s Left To Hold Onto” – Tyla Rodrigues, The Kruse Brothers – (single)
• “Second Chances” – Pug Johnson – A Beaumont Bar
• “Run Me Ragged” – Alicia Blue – Country Desire
• “She’s Familiar (In the Strangest Ways)” – Ian Noe – Canyon Falls Trailer Band
• “Mr. Right” – The Castellows – (single)
• “Cowboy in Berlin” – Shota Adamashvili – (single)
• “Broken Over You” – Paloma Maria – (single)
• “Perfect Time for Leavin’” – Lucas Hudgins – (single)
• “That Makes One of Us” – Kaitlin Butts – Hello, Honky Tonk
• “Peeling Labels” – Jonathan Terrell – (single)
• “Wildflowers” – Heather Littlefield – Wildflowers (11-18)
• “Watch The Money” – The Ransom Brothers – Cryin’ Shame
• “All Outta You” – Wyatt McCubbin – 650
• “American Shoestring” – Darby Sparkman – (single)
• “Machine of My Design” – Cory Kosel – Dispatch from the Edge of Town (12-4)
• “Wilson Silverstar 402 Blues” – Noeline Hofmann – (single)
• “It Takes a Man to Say Goodbye” – Tony Hannah – Love It Or Leave It
• “Sing Along” – Joe Stamm – More Than Just Bones
• “Too Many Mamas” – Tami Neilson, Willie Nelson – (single)
• “Universal Thump” – Pony Bradshaw – Ode to Humidity
• “Another Day In A Nightmare” – Jason James – Cut The Chain
• “Copper Chopper” – The Darryl’s – How It’s Done
• “There’s The Door” – Grey DeLisle – Don’t Turn Around
• “Old History” – Morgan Wade, John Paul White – (single)

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