Officially Declaring July 25th, 2025 a Country Music Holiday

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The country music gods will smile down upon the listening public with an embarrassment of riches on July 25th, 2025, requiring Saving Country Music to officially declare a country music holiday.

When you have two of independent country’s topmost titans in Cody Jinks and Tyler Childers releasing albums on the same day, along with surging upstart Hudson Westbrook releasing an anticipated record, and Whitey Morgan releasing his first album in seven years, it’s cause for celebration.

Or at the least, a release day like this is worthy of a run down so you don’t miss something you might love.


Cody Jinks – In My Blood – July 25th

The modern King of Outlaw Country isn’t one for lounging around for a few years in between albums. After releasing a new studio album and a Lefty Frizzell tribute in 2024, Cody Jinks will be releasing his latest album called In My Blood. Once again the album was recorded at The Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, just like most all of Cody’s music since his landmark 2015 release The Adobe Sessions.

“You’re on a journey with me. My life is my records,” Cody Jinks says. “Nothing’s changed. This album was me, my band, producers and engineers. That’s as real as it gets. That’s as authentic as I can make it.” Co-writers include Ward Davis, Tennessee Jet, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Channing Wilson, Kendall Marvel, and Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr, who Jinks co-wrote the title track with. (read more)

Tyler Childers – Snipe Hunter

There is good news for Childers fans who’ve been thirsting for some actually new, unheard songs from him, especially since most of his recent albums have included previously-heard material and cover songs. The track list for the Rick Rubin-produced record includes entirely new titles, aside from “Oneida” and “Nose To The Grindstone.” That means the 13-track album has 11 new songs, though some of these have been heard in concert or in crude videos previously.

Though many will be excited to get a slew of new songs from Childers, others might be disappointed that some other fan favorites are not on the album. With Childers recently performing fan favorite “Jersey Giant,” which has been turned into a mega hit by multiple other artists, some assumed it would be on the new album. Nonetheless, Snipe Hunter will include more new material than any other Childers record since his breakout album Purgatory. (read more)

Hudson Westbrook – Texas Forever

With an immediately infectious Texas country sound that leans towards the traditional side, and songs that come straight from his lived experiences, Hudson Westbrook has announced his presence in country music, and has become one of the hottest up-and-coming names in the genre. If you have any reservations about declaring that the country music revolution is in full force, an assessment of Hudson Westbrook will sell you on the idea fast. 

The 17-song album serves as a tribute to growing up in Texas, and Westbrook co-wrote every one of the songs. “I’m so proud of this record,” says Westbrook. “I love Texas, it’s shaped so much about who I am. We wrote 50-60 songs for this project and narrowed it down to 17 that I think really represent where I am in my life right now and what I love making as an artist: songs that sound like where I grew up, but read like something that just about anyone could relate to.”

Grayson Jenkins – Country Parables

With Grayson Jenkins originally being from Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, with songwriting maestro Pony Bradshaw sitting in the producer chair, and with appearances by Bradshaw and fellow Kentuckian Brit Taylor, there’s plenty of reasons you should be paying attention to Country Parables. Billed as Grayson’s most complete and comprehensive album to date, he pulls influences from ’90s country radio, along with songwriting heroes like John Prine and Sturgill Simpson.

Though Kentucky is where much of the inspiration comes from, the album was recorded in Little Rock, Arkansas, and with Tulsa’s version of the wrecking crew, namely Paddy Ryan, Jesse Aycock, and Aaron Boehler, along with accompaniment from Nashville legend, Fats Kaplin. Pat McLaughlin known for working with John Prine also co-writes a couple of the songs.

Whitey Morgan and the 78’s – Live from Bandit Town USA

There’s just about nothing more badass than getting your faced melted by Whitey Morgan and the 78’s live. It’s been a full seven years since we’ve heard any new music from Whitey, so we’ll take what we can get, which is a live album that was just announced last minute, and recorded in 2024.

Yes, Whitey supposedly has a new studio album produced by Shooter Jennings on the way as well (hopefully), with multiple singles already out in the wild. But Bandit Town out in California is where Whitey’s turned in some rather legendary sets, and now he’ll have a whole album commemorating those moments for posterity.

The track list includes: 1. Me and the Whiskey 2. Low Down on the Backstreets 3. Ain’t Gonna Take It Anymore 4. Around Here 5. Still Drunk, Still Crazy, Still Blue 6. Waymore’s Blues 7. What Am I Supposed To Do 8. Good Timin’ Man 9. Outlaw Women 10. Wild and Reckless.

Patty Griffin – Crown Of Roses

Premier-level songwriter Patty Griffin re-appears after a six year absence from studio work to present one of her most ambitious albums to date. Written and recorded during a tumultuous period in her life that included the death of her mother and struggles with voice issues, she poured these heartbreaks and struggles back into the album’s eight tracks, delving into her family history, especially Patty’s relationship with her mother.

Produced by Craig Ross, it’s smart to not expect a country or even alt-country album here, but one that explores multiple genres while it looks to envelop the songs with the right textures for the story. No matter what it sounds like, it’s Patty Griffin, which means it’s worth paying attention to.

Ben Nichols – In The Heart of the Mountain

Fans of the Memphis-based alt-country band Lucero, don’t gloss over this release thinking this is some other Ben Nichols. This is indeed the frontman’s first solo record in 16 years, since 2009’s The Last Pale Light in the West. And if you know anything about Ben Nichols, you know to expect searing songwriting delivered in a unique raspy tone, and music that can start off rootsy, but usually veers into rock.

“I’ve never before set out to write a song about mental health,” explains Nichols. “Although one could say all songwriting is about mental health in one way or another. The title track to the album, ‘In the Heart of the Mountain’ is a wife-appreciation song. My wife and I have been together for over ten years now and I realize how much she keeps me sane. We can often be our own worst enemies and having someone who keeps us from getting too wrapped up in the devils and demons of our own making is a truly wonderful thing.”

Walkin’ After Midnight, Live at the Ryman – Live album plus Blu-Ray that chronicles the tribute to Patsy Cline at the Ryman Auditorium featuring Wynonna, Ashley McBryde, Grace Potter, Beverly D’Angelo, Crystal Gayle, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Mickey Guyton, Kristin Chenoweth, Rita Wilson, Natalie Grant, Kellie Pickler, Pam Tillis, Tigirlily Gold, Reyna Roberts, Tami Neilson, and Mandy Barnett.

Unspoken Tradition – Resilience – A bluegrass album from Western North Carolina with a title inspired by the people still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene.

Minor Gold – Way To The Sun – Folk rock from award-winning singing duo Dan Parsons and Tracy McNeil.

Chosen Family – Generation Us – An acoustic duo made up of longtime friends Shawn Stockman and Billy Mann, both from South Philly who also happen to be fathers of neurodivergent children.

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