Towering Songwriter, Alan Jackson Co-Writer Jim McBride Has Died
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Alan Jackson became a country music Hall of Famer singing them. But it was his long-time behind-the-scenes songwriting partner Jim McBride who was responsible for co-writing so many of his songs.
FOX’s “Monarch” Canceled as Showtime’s “George & Tammy” Soars
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It’s the tale of two television shows, as two networks try to tap into the rich narrative of country music, one via fictionalized drama, and another via the true story of Tammy Wynette and George Jones. One didn’t go very well at all. Another is setting records. FOX’s “Monarch” vs. Showtime’s “George & Tammy.”
Album Review – Randy Houser’s “Note To Self”
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Whether you’re an adventurous traditional country music fan willing to cross enemy lines to seek out some of the best of the mainstream, or the mainstream country fan who insists on seeking out the country music of substance that the radio and awards tend to ignore, both paths will lead you to Randy Houser’s new album.
Venerated Journalist and Performer Peter Cooper Has Died
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Who sings the song marking the passing of a soul when the person who has died is the one we turn to on such solemn and grave occasions? Who writes the obituary for the man who was responsible for marking the passing of so many greats in country music when he is now the one being eulogized?
Saving Country Music’s 2022 Song of the Year Nominees
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Infinite apologies if you came here looking for your next favorite boot scooter, because that’s not what Song of the Year is all about. There will be a Single of the Year category coming up too. But what we’re looking for here is the most unabashedly slow and sentimental sad bastard songs possible.
Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers to Headline Loaded Railbird Festival
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The Railbird Festival has been around for a few years now, mixing Kentucky horse racing culture and the state’s favorite spirit of bourbon with a diverse musical experience. But in 2023, Railbird is leaning more into the independent country side of music and their Kentucky roots.
Uncle Lucius to Reunite After Five Year Hiatus
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There is plenty to be sour about in the world here in 2022. But damn if it is hard to not be thankful for this year if your center of gravity is music from Texas and Oklahoma. Now Uncle Lucius is also giving us good news. We thought they’d played their final show in 2018 at Gruene Hall.
“George & Tammy” Debut Episode Lives Up To Expectations
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The real life stories of certain country music artists are sometimes even more intriguing and dramatic than the dramatized stories they tell in song. This was certainly the case for George Jones, Tammy Wynette, and their tumultuous marriage and working relationship.
Saving Country Music’s 2022 Album of the Year Nominees
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2022 is a very unique year when it comes to albums to consider, since there are no clear front runners as we’re used to. No specific album or albums feel like undeniable masterpieces, but the albums at or near the top of the heap are so numerous, it’s painstakingly hard to delineate them from each other.
The 2022 Country Music Christmas Playlist
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Here is the 2022 Saving Country Music Christmas Playlist. It is country. It is good. It is all new recordings of both classics and original songs released in 2022, delicately curated to remove anything that is too syrupy, too pop, or not cool. All the songs have been expertly arranged to be listened to consecutively.
Artist, Journalist, and Historian Peter Cooper Suffers Head Injury
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The family of singer, songwriter, performer, producer, journalist, and historian Peter Cooper are asking for thoughts and prayers after the veteran member of the country music community suffered a head injury that was initially thought to be life threatening. He remains in critical condition.
“Sun Records” Series Starring Drake Milligan Now Streaming
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One of the best things CMT did in the last decade was to air the limited series Sun Records back in 2017. Consisting of eight episodes written by Hank Williams biographer Colin Escott, and based off the Million Dollar Quartet musical, it captured the important moments that most all of popular music sprang from.
New ‘Cocaine Bear’ Film Is More Bear, Less Bluegrass Conspiracy
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This movie is not what a lot of people were expecting when they heard that author Sally Denton’s book The Bluegrass Conspiracy: An Inside Story of Power, Greed, Drugs & Murder was being referenced to make a movie, at least judging from the trailer for the movie, and the description that accompanies it.