10 Years After Merle Haggard’s Death, His Legacy Looms Large … Yet Elusive
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It was ten years ago today—April 6th, 2016—that word came down that one of the greatest singers, songwriters, and entertainers to ever grace the medium of country music, Merle Haggard, had passed away.
How Sturgill Simpson & Merle Haggard Wrote “Hobo Cartoon”
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Those who’ve studied the career of Sturgill Simpson don’t need a lesson of just how close he was to country legend Merle Haggard later in Haggard’s life. The cross-generational friendship formed not from the fawning of Sturgill, but from a sincere appreciation from Merle for what Sturgill was doing.
Country & Roots Christmas Music 2020 Playlist & Compendium
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Though it may be daunting to navigate with so many releases, Saving Country Music is here for you, and with so many releases, 2020 is also the first year you can compile a full-fledged Christmas playlist entirely of newly-released songs from the country world.
Sturgill Simpson Releases Cuttin’ Grass Vol 2. (Cowboy Arms Sessions)
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That bastard did it again. Just as country and bluegrass fans were just settling in for a long Winter’s nap Thursday evening (12-10), alerts started going off that Sturgill Simpson wasn’t just messing with us when he titled his recent Cuttin’ Grass album Vol. 1. Now he has released Vol. 2
Shooter Jennings Signs as Concord Label Group Staff Producer
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Shooter Jennings has signed on with the Concord Label Group as a staff producer who will work closely with Concord’s Chief Label Executive Tom Whalley as a creative executive to develop the current roster, and identify new talent. Concord owns numerous imprints important to the country and roots realm.
The Best Mainstream Country Albums of 2020
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We’ve run down the Album of the Year Nominees for 2020, as well as the Song of the Year nominees, and an Essential Albums list is also coming together. But since the mainstream of country isn’t always well-represented on these lists, let’s look back on some of those best albums.
Return of The Wreckers a Reminder of Michelle Branch’s Wrecked Country Career
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After the initial success of The Wreckers, Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp chose to go their separate ways and start solo careers. This is really where the trouble ensued for Ms. Branch, and why her discography has a gaping, 14-year hole in it, aside from The Wreckers release.
The Hellroys Save 2020 with New Album “Hellroys On Earth”
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Perfectly inappropriate for the holiday season, this three-piece band wastes their otherwise great musical talent on bull$hit country songs about how disgusting the human body is, and a singlewide full of sisterwives turning the tables on their suitor. It’s immature, ridiculous, and extremely entertaining.
Saving Country Music’s 2020 Song of the Year Nominees
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A Saving Country Music ‘Song of the Year’ nominee is not just your favorite ditty that gets stuck in your head. These are songs that have the power to change hearts and change lives, open you up new ideas or ways of thinking, or unlock memories or emotions you haven’t felt in years.
Amid End-of-Year Praise, Lauren Mascitti is on COVID Front Lines
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Lauren Mascitti has had one eventful 2020. We all have in many respects, but for Lauren, it’s been especially action-filled. Early in the year, she released what is quickly becoming her breakout record, ‘God Made a Woman.’ Now as 2020 is drawing to a close, it is receiving renewed interest.
Whiskey Myers Speaks on Independence on Steven Rinella Podcast
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“It’s still important to us. So that’s why we never signed any record deals or anything,” Cody Cannon says. The band currently operates their own label, Wiggy Thump Records distributed by Thirty Tigers. “We’ve always been independent, and we always want to be … Why the hell do I want a boss?”
Album Review – Brit Taylor’s “Real Me”
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Divorce and country music go together like peanut butter and jelly. The “Big D” is as fundamental to country music as steel guitar. And Kentucky songwriter Brit Taylor is here to speak about her own experiences with irreconcilable differences in her debut album called “Real Me.”
Sturgill Simpson: “We’ll Definitely Tour with the Bluegrass.”
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“I’ll go play whatever gig wants me to come and play. I will definitely tour with the bluegrass,” Sturgill Simpson said in a new interview out of Scotland, where he also addressed numerous other subjects, including his recent production work.