The Fascinating Story Behind the Final #1 Song from Waylon Jennings
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The final hit from a country legend is always a fascinating topic. The sad reality is that whenever a superstar reaches the end of their shelf life according to the cold and soulless assessment of country music.
Done with Navy Commitments, Zach Bryan Hits the Road Full Time
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Part of what made Zach Bryan’s story and career so intriguing was how it all blossomed while he was still in the military. That will remain an integral part of his narrative moving forward. But Saving Country Music has confirmed that at this point, Zach Bryan has left the Navy.
Billy Strings Disrupts Country Charts with Career Effort “Renewal”
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This is one of those moments when it all gets real. All the touring, all the stellar performances, all the live streams, all the great songs and the sowing of grassroots with blood and sweat from a prodigy musician to now a 29-year-old modern musical marvel…
‘Reservation Dogs’ is Latest TV Series to Feature Killer Soundtrack
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Once again it is a television series that is stepping up to deliver what mainstream country radio and other conventional music mediums often don’t, which is the music from independent artists that is resonating with the public despite commonly being overshadowed.
Album Review – H. Self’s “Broken Live On”
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Whether it’s from nature or nurture, to people predisposed to moody dispositions, the music of H. Self is like medicine, either from the way embracing the emotional pain is a way to feel alive in a numbing world, or by offering camaraderie through the shared commiseration.
Album Review – Brandi Carlile’s “In These Silent Days”
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It takes seconds, not minutes into this new album for the brilliance of writing and the power of performance that Brandi Carlile boasts to be self-evident. Immediately an internal dialog commences in the listener on if Carlile is one of the best singers in the roots realm.
Sturgill Simpson’s “Metamodern Sounds” Album Certified Gold
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Released in 2014, “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music” was Sturgill Simpson’s breakout release, and helped put him on the map in country music and beyond. Metamodern Sounds wasn’t just well-received by critics, it helped further stimulate a cultural revolution in country music.
MCA Wanted George Strait to Lose The Hat, Go By ‘Cain Cooper’
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During his speech to the black tie National Cowboy & Western Heritage crowd, George Strait told a story about when he first signed a major label deal and landed in Nashville, and what MCA Records tried to get George Strait to do to make him more marketable.
‘Austin City Limits’ Season 47 Is Worth Stopping Down For
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Not every season of Austin City Limits these days is worth stopping down for, or has such close ties to the country and roots scene like it did back in the program’s heyday. But the first portion of Season 47 sure does. Set to premier on Saturday, October 2nd.
Song Review – Tyler Childers – “They Oughta Name a Drink After You”
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Embracing and the cliché nature of what is otherwise an excellent country song, switching out some honky tonk piano at the start and then revisiting the fiddle start off later in the song allows Tyler Childers to smear his own DNA on the track, while still being respectful to the original composition.
Loyalty and Longevity Result in Opry Invite for Mandy Barnett
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Celebrating her 46th birthday by performing on the Tuesday night Opry, she was surprised on stage by Connie Smith, who sauntered up to lead the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to Barnett before presenting her with a birthday card. Inside was an invitation.
The Media’s Obsession with Jason Aldean’s Wife’s Instagram Posts
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Jason Aldean’s wife’s Instagram account has about as much to do with country music as Dog The Bounty Hunter, which is absolutely positively nothing, despite country media’s strange and lingering obsession with these subject matters. And now for the second time…
Album Review – Mickey Guyton’s “Remember Her Name”
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In 2015, when Mickey Guyton released her debut single “Better Than You Left Me,” she symbolized hope in the mainstream of country music for a host of reasons. Similar to how we regard artists such as Lainey Wilson and Carly Pearce today, Mickey Guyton was a bright spot.