Officially Declaring June 28th, 2024 a Country Music Holiday

Ladies and gentlemen, by the power vested in me by the founding documents of Saving Country Music, I hereby decree that Friday, June 28th, 2024 is an official country music holiday, with all the rights and privileges thereof. Feel free to present this proclamation to any friends, family, and employers as a legitimate excuse to get out of any and all prior obligations.

Please note though, Saving Country Music and its subsidiaries are not responsible for any ramifications stemming from the observance of this holiday, and this proclamation is non-transferable, does not constitute legal tender, and holds no cash value.

A few times a year, the lineup for album releases on a given Friday is so stacked, it’s necessary to take a moment and make sure you’re aware of what’s being released so that something that you may love does not go overlooked. For a run down of every week’s releases, make sure to bookmark the Release Radar.

Kaitlin Butts – Roadrunner!

Kaitlin Butts has never been one to shy away from a little drama in her music. In fact, intrigue and murder have been recurring themes in her catalog. All the more reason for the Oklahoma native to lean into that theatrical side of her music for her third official album inspired by the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma!

If you loved her last album what else can she do (2022) but the seven songs left you wanting even more, don’t worry, Roadrunner! will include a total 17 tracks. It’s an epic, conceptualized work produced by Oran Thornton, with contributions from steel-guitar/multi-instrumentalist Russ Pahl. Vince Gill and Cleto Cordero also pop in for a featured spots, and co-writers include Angaleena Presley, Natalie Hemby, and Courtney Patton. (read more)

Silverada – Self-Titled

The band formerly known as Mike and the Moonpies officially changed their named to Silverada earlier this year. Now Mike Harmier, steel guitarist Zachary Moutlon, guitarist Catlin Rutherford, bass player Omar Oyoque, and drummer Taylor Englert are revving up to take the new Silverada for a spin. Harmeier wrote the new self-titled album in his backyard studio.

“Going into the studio, everybody in the band felt inspired to do something bigger than what they’d done before. We all knew we were at a precipice, and we wanted to jump. I brought in some songs that were metaphorical and not always straightforward, and that showed the guys that I wanted to take this music somewhere new… so they threw their own rule books out the window, too.” (read more)

Alice Wallace – Here I Am

Those who know about Alice Wallace, they know her as one of the best singers out there at the moment whose songwriting also surpasses expectations on a regular basis. Though originally from California, she’s now been in Nashville for the last few years, and the new album calls upon some of the city’s best players to bring her songs to life.

“This is an album about reclaiming myself–as an artist, as a woman, and as a person navigating a world that is beautiful and confusing and harsh,” Wallace says. “All of those changes gave me a chance to examine myself in ways I never had. This album covers a spectrum of emotion I haven’t been brave enough to share on an album before. This is album is me.”

Johnny Cash – Songwriter

“Johnny Cash is 20 years gone, but we haven’t heard the last from the Man in Black just yet. A cache of 11 demo tracks were recorded in 1993 when Cash was between his final country label deal and before he signed with producer Rick Rubin. He walked into the LSI Studios in Nashville to record eleven solo written songs he’d accumulated over the years.

The demos ended up getting lost in time, but they were recently unearthed, and stripped back to just Cash’s voice and his acoustic guitar. Then with Cash’s son John Carter Cash and David “Fergie” Ferguson acting as producers, a select group of musicians were invited into the Cash Cabin Studios in Hendersonville to record what is now simply being titled Songwriter. (read more)

Lorrie Morgan – Dead Girl Walking

To be released via Cleopatra Records, the country music and Grand Ole Opry legend turns in her first new album of original material since 2016. Morgan started the project with producer Richard Landis, who ended up passing away in the process of recording the album. But Morgan persevered, completing the album in the original Richard Landis vision.

“I didn’t want to just do another album,” Morgan explains. “I want it to be something that really moves me. When I listened to songs for the project, I’d think, ‘No, not that one. I’m not going to be able to sing that one because I’m not going to be able to feel it.’ It is very important to me that this album reflects the truths that I am feeling today.”

Josh Morningstar – Self-Titled

Many will recognize the name “Josh Morningstar” from the liner notes of Cody Jinks albums and a selection of other top independent country performers. But those who really know Josh Morningstar know him through his own music and performances first. With his first release through the Cody Jinks-led Late August Records, Josh Morningstar looks to put his own name behind his own songs in this self-titled release.

On this album, it’s others lending co-writing credits as opposed to vice versa, including Brent Cobb, Hayes Carll, Kendall Marvel, and Waylon Payne. “There’s love songs on there. There’s some funny songs on there. I really wanted to show the different aspects of who I am as an artist and as a songwriter—and this group of songs really represents that probably better than anything I’ve done. These songs come from my heart and my mind.”

Marques Morel – Tales and Tellings

Midwest songwriter and storyteller Marques Morel has been around for a while, but Tales and Tellings just may be the album that let’s the rest of the world know he’s out there. It has a songwriter’s heart, but an old school country sound crafted by producer Andrija Tokic, known for working with Melissa Carper, John R. Miller, and Ian Now to name some.

“‘Tales and Tellings’ is an album that is a long time coming,” says Marques Morel. “Some of these songs I’ve been performing for many years, but I never found a home for them on a record. This is that record, the one where most of my prodigal sons have come together to live under one roof. This was my first time ever working with a producer, and I must say that Andrija Tokic far exceeded the faith I had in him.”

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats – South of Here

A bit more R&B revivalism and Americana roots than country, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats nonetheless are welcome cousins to country fans from their quality songs and excellent live performances. “South of Here” was recorded at the famed Sonic Ranch with the revered Brad Cook as producer.

“Brad was a great producer to write alongside. This album is a look into my own struggle with anxiety, insecurity and also stories of my life. He encouraged me to take responsibility for my own narrative in the songs and to write about what’s happening in my own life,” says Rateliff. “These recordings were done together in a room with my closest friends. I hope these songs and stories give you an opportunity to better understand your own struggles whatever they may be.”

Robert Jon & the Wreck – Red Moon Rising – This blues/Southern rock band from Southern California formed in 2011 believe they are releasing their most creative and ambitious album yet. “It’s about all the beliefs, myths, and traditions surrounding a red moon, symbolizing rebirth and change, which perfectly encapsulates the spirit of our new album.”

Jubal Lee Young – Wild Birds Warble – The son of Steve Young returns after an extended hiatus to rlease this 14-song album, with 13 of them being beloved cover songs. This includes a rendition of his father’s ‘Seven Bridges Road.”

Kyle Daniel – Kentucky Gold – It’s hard-charging Southern rock for the debut album from this Bowling Green, KY native, who collaborated with The Cadillac Three on the project. “Releasing my debut album, Kentucky Gold, feels like the culmination of a lifelong dream,” says Kyle Daniel. “I feel like it’s finally time to tell my story and I am very excited to get new music out to the world.” 

John Gallagher Jr. – Goodbye or Something – A Tony Award-winning actor who has also starred on the screen has participated in numerous music-based productions. Now he’s releasing this singer/songwriter album with an alt-country sound.

(6-27) Sweet Joe Pye – Rise Early EP – This old-time folk trio is named after a flower that grows along many roads in West Virginia. It is made up of an international cast including Annick Odom (Belgian-American), Henri Colombat (French-American), and Lucas Henri (French).

Alan Walker – A Little Too Late – Singer/songwriter album, and the second solo release from the frontman of The Brilliant Mistakes.

Rachel Gleddie – Hibernate – Canadian singer/songwriter

Felice Brothers – Valley of Abandoned Songs

Chris Edwards – Homebrew – Stripped-down 11-song country album.

…and probably many more.