10 Years Ago: Chris Stapleton Revolutionizes Country with Landmark Album
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There are just a few landmark records that you can point back to in the history of country music and legitimately claim they revolutionized the genre in fundamental ways.
‘Nothing Stays The Same’ Film Highlights Struggles of Local Venues
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The 70-minute film ‘Nothing Stays The Same: The Story of the Saxon Pub’ might be about a specific venue in Austin. But even if you’ve never been to Austin, the film offers a great encapsulation of why it’s so critical to preserve these performance spaces.
Taylor Swift (Yes, Taylor Swift) Sends a Murder Ballad to Radio
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Tapping into the long-standing tradition in country music of the murder ballad, “no body, no crime” features two members of the sister trio Haim. The song tells the story of Este (also the name of Haim’s oldest sister), who suspects her husband of cheating, tells a friend, and then goes missing.
Remembering The Final Big Concert from Waylon Jennings
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The second night of a two-night residency at the The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville—a.k.a the “Mother Church of Country Music”—Waylon Jennings held court with a now legendary band, and numerous special guests. It did constitute a proper final bow.
On The Furor Over Blake Shelton’s Song “Minimum Wage”
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Look, I’ve made an entire career out of rearing back and reefing guys like Blake Shelton and their bad “country” songs square in the nuts. But the flack he is receiving over this dumb “Minimum Wage” song is completely unfounded and inappropriate.
Loretta Lynn Announces New Album “Still Woman Enough”
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Loretta Lynn will be joined by numerous guests, and celebrate the legacy of women in country music with her latest album called Still Woman Enough, set for release on March 19th via Sony’s Legacy Records imprint. Co-produced by Loretta’s daughter Patsy Lynn Russell and John Carter Cash at the Cash Cabin Studios.
Album Review – The Dimestore Cowboys (Self-Titled)
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The Dimestore Cowboys out of Johnson City, Tennessee have that blue-collar, local honky tonk feel to them, imbuing the band with the authenticity that results in international appeal for those who know what country music is supposed to sound like, and be about.
Florida Georgia Line Looking For More “Freedom” From Each Other
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It’s not what Florida Georgia Line said. It’s what they didn’t say, and what they felt compelled to answer when really nobody was asking any questions. Now many are wondering about the future of one of country music’s most popular and vilified duos.
Sturgill Simpson, Hailey Whitters Lead New Adds to Top 25 Playlist (#76)
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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. New songs have just been added.
Release Radar, & Most Anticipated Country & Roots Albums for 2021
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2020 is in the books and it’s time to look forward to the bright promise of 2021, and specifically the album releases in the country and roots world we have to be excited about. This includes the most anticipated releases, a complete release radar, as well as the always-fun rumor mill.
In Memoriam: Country Music’s Fallen Greats of 2020
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As bad as 2020 has been for just about everything, believe it or not, country music got it worse than just about every other segment of music, entertainment, sports, etc. when it came to both the amount, and the major names that passed away in the last 12 months.
2020’s Top Country Video, Film, Musician, Producer & Live Performance
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Along with recognizing some of the best live performances that happened before the lockdowns, it also feels important to recognize the top achievers in the medium of film, video, instrumentality, and production in 2020, since there were some stellar efforts in that direction in 2020.
Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler,” “Trio” Album to Grammy Hall of Fame
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The Grammy Awards have announced their annual inductions into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and a few of them have deep ties to country music, including “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers, as well as Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt in “Trio.”