New Discoveries and Biggest Takeaways from SXSW 2026
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SXSW continues to be both an enigma and a mess. But Saving Country Music continues to approach the event like it was initially meant to be: to discover and reveal musical talent that deserves more recognition.
New Analysis Confirms & Refutes Stereotypes of Country Lyrics
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It’s one of the most common criticisms of today’s mainstream country music: all the songs sound the same and say the same basic things. But is this true, or is it more of a stereotype? And are country lyrics improving as the mainstream continues to veer away from the Bro-Country era?
Writer Jan Reid Was Seminal To Austin Music’s “Improbable Rise”
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If not for author Jan Reid, there would be no Austin City Limits. And without Austin City Limits, there may not have been any national awareness of what was happening in the Texas Capital back in the early and mid 70’s and beyond,which became the catalyst for country’s Outlaw movement.
Album Review – Tyler Childers – “Long Violent History”
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No matter the attitude one brings to this unusual, and unexpected work by Tyler Childers, it’s undeniable that when his biography is penned, a dedicated portion will be transfixed on remembering that time during the crazy pandemic of 2020 that he released a surprise record full of old-time fiddle tunes
Yeah No, Blake Shelton is NOT The King of Country
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Look, you can make too much of these kinds of things for sure. But coming from a big platform and going completely unchecked, a little bit of marketing could turn into a big aberration of the truth, so some spirit dissent is warranted in this situation. Blake Shelton is not the “King of Country.”
Newest Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#70)
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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.
Travis Tritt to Release First New Single in 13 Years
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Well well well. Get ready to grow your mullet out, bust out your old pair of Levi’s nut huggers from high school, and be ready to party like it’s 1989, because after a pretty astounding 13-year hiatus of no proper single, one is headed our way.
Review – Victoria Bailey’s “Jesus, Red Wine & Patsy Cline”
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If you’re looking for a honky tonk sweetheart, then you’ve found one in native Californian Victoria Bailey, who comes sauntering out of the painted desert on a Palomino like a singin’ cowgirl from the days of old, seducing you with eyes the size of flying saucers and a sweet soprano with the most perfect country warble.
Valerie June’s Surprise ACM Performance w/ Eric Church Overlooked
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Mickey Guyton made one of the greatest impacts during this week’s ACM Awards. But as we have seen from the media on numerous occasions, important moments for black country artists in the past are being overlooked to score a buzzy headline or tweet.
Tyler Childers Drops Surprise Album, “Long Violent History”
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Completely unexpectedly and totally unannounced, the current king of independent country music dropped a surprise record early Friday morning (9-18) called ‘Long Violent History.’ No, you won’t find a cache of new original songs. This is a record of old traditional fiddle tunes
We Need a Carrie Underwood Classic Country Album. And Now.
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Look, lobbying for Carrie Underwood among the classic country crowd has always been an uphill battle. But the career of Carrie Underwood is a perfect example of why you can’t paint all pop country with the same broad brush.
Austin Legend and Songwriter Doak Snead Passes Away
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A pioneer of Austin’s progressive country scene, as well as respected songwriter and country music personality Doak Snead has passed on. A member of the duo Tom and Billy, and later the leader of the Doak Snead Band, he was a staple and regular opener at Austin’s legendary Armadillo World Headquarters.
ACMs Spoil Great Night By Splitting Entertainer of the Year
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Just remember, “It’s only the ACM Awards.” It’s just disappointing that one of their best presentations in perhaps a decade or more—and under difficult circumstances—had to be sullied at the very end by a silly and avoidable decision.