Cody Johnson, The [Dixie] Chicks, Bruce Robison, and “Travelin’ Soldier”
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Life and country music can be funny sometimes, turning what you think about certain things on their head. Tracing the lineage of the country standard “Travelin’ Soldier” is a good example.
The Black Lillies Announce An Indefinite Hiatus
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Knoxville, Tennessee’s alt-country/Americana outfit The Black Lillies have announced an indefinite hiatus. In a statement released on Thursday, December 26th, the band said, “After eleven years, five albums, approximately 2000 shows, and countless relationships built along the way, the time has come for us to take a step back…”
Saving Country Music’s 2019 Album of the Year
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Album of the Year is not an accolade handed out lightly. Obviously, the title chosen has to be regarded as the best record of a given calendar year in Saving Country Music’s estimation. Though universal agreement will never coagulate around any album, there needs to be at least some groundswell of momentum behind the record.
UPDATED: Suspect Caught in Killing of Clayton Beathard
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23-year-old Michael D. Mosley was wanted in connection with the killing of Clayton Beathard, 22, and Paul Trapeni III, 21, and the injury of a third man on Saturday, December 21st shortly before 3AM outside the Dogwood Bar in Nashville on the 1900 block of Division Street. Clayton is the brother of Tucker Beathard, and the son of Casey Beathard.
Mile 0 Fest Announces Full 2020 Lineup & Daily Schedule
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Christmas came early for ticket holders of the Texas Music/Red Dirt/Americana-oriented Mile 0 Fest set to transpire in Key West, Florida on January 28th-February 1st, 2020, as well as for those still sitting on the fence about if they want to go, or those who might have a ticket waiting for them under the Christmas tree.
Saving Country Music’s 2019 Song of the Year
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Slogans, mantras, and hashtags may be a helpful way to spread awareness or channel grievances. But art, and music specifically, has always been uniquely gifted in its ability to cross ideological boundaries, and break down the barriers surrounding hardened hearts, but only if it sidesteps the spouting of platitudes, cliches, and talking points.
Miranda Lambert On Why She Won’t Release a Live Album
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Releasing a live record is seen as a rite of passage for many artists. And with the energy she brings to a live show, you would think Miranda Lambert would be a good candidate for one. Many fans have been requesting a live record, and now some 15+ years into her career, you would think she’s about due. But she says it’s not going to happen.
Newest Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#55)
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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. It’s available on most all streaming formats (see below), or you can just use the song, artist, and album recommendations to find something new to listen to. New songs have just been added.
End of an Era: Redd Volkaert Takes His Final Bow in Austin
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On Saturday, December 21st, 2019, the hottest show in the Live Music Capital of the World commenced at 3:30 in the afternoon, and came with free admission. It was Redd Volkaert’s final Saturday afternoon matinee residency at The Continental Club on South Congress, a spot he’s held for 20-something years.
Mike & The Moonpies Ride High Praise Into 2020 Tour
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Mike and the Moonpies are bar none the best country music band out there at the moment, and recently tied for 1st in Saving Country Music’s rundown of the Best Live Performers in 2019. This may be one of those situations where your opportunity to see a band like this in smaller venues is finite, so take advantage of it while you can.
John Prine To Receive The Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award
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Songwriting legend, Americana forefather, and (possibly) future Country Music Hall of Famer John Prine will be one of the 2020 recipients of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. It will be the biggest trophy John Prine will have received in his illustrious career, right behind the jukebox Steve Goodman bought for him.
Album Review – Nick Shoulders “Okay, Crawdad”
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Casting aspersions on all the fools who cemented their 2019 end-of-year lists before Santa came to town, this singing, yodeling, whistling, mustachioed, Louisiana weirdo named Nick Shoulders just screwed up everyone’s 2019 country music flow charts by releasing a serious “best of” contender here in the middle of shivery December.
The Top 100 Americana Albums and Songs on Radio in 2019
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The Americana Music Association has released the Top 100 Albums and Songs for 2019 according to the amount of radio play each album and song received. The annual report gives listeners a glimpse into the albums, songs, and artists that gained traction in the format over the year, and is a good tool to see what you might have missed.