2026 ACM Awards Choose Texas, Ella Langley for Record-Setting Wins
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It’s Ella Langley and Texas for the win in 2026, as Academy of Country Music voters chose Texas artists, and Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” as the top winners. You could also say the ACMs chose authenticity.
The Worst “Country” Songs of 2020
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Due to COVID-19, and then the protests and riots, the Saving Country Music snark machine has been pretty much powered down and collecting dust for the better part of 2020. But there has been as few instances of country music malfeasance so egregious, it would be unconscionable to not address.
Tootsie’s & Palomino Legend Jimmy Snyder Has Died
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Jimmy Snyder’s most lasting contribution was as a fixture in local clubs, playing classic country standards and originals, and often giving up-and-comers some of their first opportunities on legendary stages in both California and Nashville.
Album Review – Sturgill Simpson’s “Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 2”
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In this new album, Sturgill Simpson isn’t just fulfilling a promise to fans to cut a bluegrass record, he’s finding and settling into the next phase of his career, which is as a full-blown bluegrass musician. Simpson saved his most personal songs for ‘Cuttin’ Grass, Vol. 2 (The Cowboy Arms Sessions).’
CMAs Issue Statement After Concerns Over the Death of Charley Pride
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Country legend Charlie Pride passed away on Saturday, December 12th due to complications from COVID-19, his family and representative have confirmed. Amid his death, much speculation arose of where Charley Pride may have contracted the virus, and if it was at the 2020 CMA Awards on November 11th
Pioneering Country Legend Charley Pride Has Died
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Country Music Hall of Famer, Grand Ole Opry member, and pioneering black country artist Charley Pride has passed away due to complications of COVID-19. He died on December 12th at the age of 86 in Dallas, TX. Born in Sledge, Mississippi as the forth child of 11 children to a sharecropper.
Old Tyler Childers, Chris Stapleton Albums on New Year-End Charts
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Billboard has published their year-end wrap on country music for 2020 (the music year ends in November), and as you can imagine, it’s a healthy dose of Luke Combs leading many of the metrics, especially from Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers.
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.