Vince Gill Signs Lifetime Record Deal, Readies New Music
21 Comments
In an unprecedented move, country music legend Vince Gill has signed a lifetime recording deal with his current and long-time record label MCA. Gill is also prepping to release multiple EPs.
Album Review – Garrett T. Capps “All Right, All Night”
20 Comments
Garrett T. Capps is like a country artist without a country. Or more like a country artist without a planet. Space country is what he likes to call his music to attempt to convey the atmospheric and psychedelic flavoring of his brand of honky tonk. It’s a little bit out there, but more country and grounded than you might think.
The Worst “Country” Songs of 2019
101 Comments
One sign that mainstream country music continues to improve is the decrease in “country” songs that were worthy of rants in 2019 compared to previous years. However there were a few exceptions in 2019, and songs worthy of taking out back to the woodshed. Our full-throated opposition to these monstrosities misappropriated as “country.”
Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen Shows Up to Jam with Whitey Morgan
11 Comments
On Thursday, September 13th, Whitey Morgan and the 78’s played a show at The Apollo near Rockford, Illinois when they had an unexpected visitor stop by in the form of Cheap Trick Rick, a.k.a. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Rick Nielsen. “Apparently he is a fan,” Whitey Morgan tells Saving Country Music. “He’s a great dude.”
Release Morgan Wallen’s Cover of Isbell’s “Cover Me Up” as a Single
80 Comments
It’s time. In fact, it’s well past time. And the people calling the shots shouldn’t make the same mistake they did with Chris Stapleton’s rendition of “Tennessee Whiskey.” We’re talking of course about Morgan Wallen’s cover of Jason Isbell’s song “Cover Me Up.” It’s time to release it as a proper radio single.
How to Watch The New Circle Network & The Grand Ole Opry
71 Comments
The Opry Entertainment Group and Gray Television have officially partnered together to launch The Circle Network, which will include broadcasts of The Grand Ole Opry. But the big question for many country music fans has been where and when can they watch the network? Though some of this is still being determined, here is what we know so far.
Album Review – Elijah Ocean’s “Back to the Lander”
13 Comments
Built around recording sessions captured in the barn of Elijah Ocean’s parent’s home in Maine back in 2017, ‘Back to the Lander’ finds Elijah Ocean in a deeply reflective mood, rattling off memories like turning pages in a travelogue, fondly recalling the people, places, and moments of the last many years.
New Version of “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies” Finally Coming
34 Comments
Shooter Jennings and Lukas Nelson got together to recreate the magic of their famous fathers on a new rendition of “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” originally written and performed by Ed Bruce with his wife Patsy. But of course you only get a teaser version of the song in the opening segment of ‘The Ranch.’
Grand Ole Opry, Hee-Haw Returning to TV Via the Circle Network
41 Comments
As first reported by Saving Country Music in October, The Grand Ole Opry will finally be returning to television via the recently-announced Circle Network owned by the Opry Entertainment Group—or at least portions of the show will be, along with expanded specialty programming tied to the iconic country music institution.
Grand Ole Opry Parent Company Buys Austin City Limits Property
9 Comments
Ryman Hospitality Properties, which owns The Grand Ole Opry, The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, as well as numerous other important music properties in Nashville and beyond, has struck a deal to purchase the 37-story, full city block-sized mixed-use complex in downtown Austin along second street known as Block 21.
The Best Mainstream Country Albums of 2019
71 Comments
All country albums, regardless if they emanate from a major label or receive radio play, are considered for Saving Country Music’s Album of the Year nominations. But not every year does a mainstream album make it. Even though one didn’t make it to the top of the heap in 2019, we had a bumper crop of quality mainstream country releases.
The Country Side of Harmonica Sam’s “Broken Bottle, Broken Heart”
22 Comments
There are a few ways you can attempt to achieve country music perfection. With The Country Side of Harmonica Sam, it is to so expertly recreate the classic era of country music when artists like Lefty Frizzell and Webb Pearce were topping the charts, the results are downright jaw dropping. We’re not talking about close approximations.
Cain’s Is The Country Music Place to Be This New Year’s
19 Comments
If you’re going to be in Tulsa this New Years, let me just say on behalf of all the country and roots fans that won’t be, we hate you and your ugly stupid face. It’s completely unfair that you’ll get the opportunity to take in some of the best lineups of performers this side of the big festivals.