No New “FairWell Fest” for 2026
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Major independent country mega festival FairWell Fest in Redmond, Oregon will not be returning in 2026. There’s also good indication that it will not be returning at all after first being held in 2023.
Future of ‘Music City Roots’ Uncertain as Original Staff Forced Out
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For nearly a decade, the radio and television program Music City Roots gave a platform to the country, roots, and Americana artists that were often overlooked in Music City, whether they were up-and-comers looking for a hand up, or oldtimers who’d been shoved aside.
Billy Strings Adds New Dates to SOLD OUT Tour
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Soon Billy Strings could be selling out arenas across the United States. But for the time being, he’s still content to play mid-sized venues, often booking multiple dates in the same location to fulfill demand. Up until today, all but three of the live dates he had on his calendar were sold out.
Colter Wall, Shane Smith & the Saints See ‘Yellowstone’ Sales Boost
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Listen ladies and gentlemen, it’s not just a hypothetical that when a song gets featured on Paramount’s Yellowstone series it’s a big deal. What’s going on at the moment is a musical phenomenon helping to support independent country music.
Album Review – Kiely Connell’s “Calumet Queen”
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It is my distinct pleasure to introduce you to Hammond, Indiana-native Kiely Connell and her debut record Calumet Queen that will send shivers down your spine and prick the very deepest regions of your soul with its sincere and distinct expressions of an unburdening heart.
Was It Truly a ‘Really Bad Year’ in Country Due to Morgan Wallen?
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How was your year in country music? Country music likely played a role in some of the fondest memories you will take away from 2021, whether it was enjoying a particular performance at some live event, or a warm moment with your family or friends with country music playing in the background.
‘Yellowstone’ Season 4 Premier Got TWICE The Audience of CMAs
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If you need an illustration to help put into perspective how the shifting dynamics in entertainment are causing a tectonic-level reorganization of media, and how this is all weighing upon already deepening trends in country music, this might be one of the best.
Newest Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#93)
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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, or you can just use the song, artist, and album recommendations.
Album Review – Cody Jinks – “Mercy”
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Certainly, when you first dive into ‘Mercy,’ there is sort of a Groundhog Day feel to it all. But the deeper you listen, and the more times you cycle through, the songwriting and the passion behind Mercy begin to reveal themselves more definitively, as does the album’s appeal.
Luke Combs Is Already Using His CMA Entertainer Win for Good
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Luke Combs didn’t just put Zach Bryan, Morgan Wade, and Cody Johnson on a poster. He put out a whole promotional video featuring these artists as part of the announcement, and splattering it all over social media. Even if people don’t attend these events, the damage is done.
Colter Wall Announces Select Tour Dates for Winter 2021/2022
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Colter Wall has made old cowboy tunes and whooping trail songs cool again, and against inexplicable odds. People hunger for that authenticity Colter Wall brings to his music. And to keep his equilibrium and that authenticity in tact, he often spends his time off from music tending cattle.
Jennifer Hudson Upstages Mainstream Country on the CMAs
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Far and away, the best performance of the night was turned in by an artist entirely outside of the country music fold when Jennifer Hudson took the stage to sing Willie Nelson’s “Night Life,” leading into “You Are My Sunshine,” with assistance from Chris Stapleton on guitar.
The 2021 CMA Awards LIVE Blog
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Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the 2021 CMA Awards LIVE blog. For the entirety of the decreasingly-relevant broadcast, thoughts pointed remarks, keen observations, outright snark, and probably a few swear words and errant typos will be presented in real time.