Album Review – Charley Crockett’s “Age of the Ram”
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‘Age of the Ram’ is the third and final installment of what Crockett calls his “Sagebrush Trilogy” following the harrowing story of Billy McLane, and truly fulfills the promise of a conceptualized narrative.
Ken Burns Country Music Film Comes at the Best & Worst Time
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The broadcast of the Ken Burns-produced 8-part, 16-hour documentary on country music could very well be the most significant event to happen in country music in 2019, if not in the next few years. For country music to receive the expansive documentary treatment for America’s preeminent filmmaking archivist could have significant implications.
Chris Stapleton’s Creative Juices Appear to be Flowing Again
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Though Chris Stapleton started on the mainstream side of music as a songwriter specifically, his output has significantly slowed over the last few years. However this might be changing. Over this summer during his All-American Roadshow Tour, Stapleton has been featuring a couple of new songs.
What’s Been Bothering Me About This New Tanya Tucker Album
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As Tanya’s first original record in 17 years, ‘While I’m Livin” has undeniably helped put Tanya back on the map. Producers Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings deserve all the credit in the world for taking the initiative to make this record happen. However, there were a couple of curious and concerning things about the project.
Quaker City Nighthawks Drummer Melts Down at AmericanaFest
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After the Americana Music Awards Wednesday night (9-12), Paul Cauthen hosted his “Big Velvet Revue” showcase at the Basement East in Nashville. After an extended delay in the show, the drummer for the band, Aaron Haynes, decided to come out from behind the drum set, and accost the sound man from the mic.
Blackberry Smoke to Open for Guns n’ Roses – Plot Live Album
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The big opportunities keep coming for the preeminent Southern rock band of our time, Blackberry Smoke. They recently played some big gigs opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd, and now have been tapped by Guns n’ Roses on their upcoming fall tour. They also are releasing a new live album, ‘Blackberry Smoke Homecoming: Live in Atlanta.’
2019 Americana Music Awards Winners and Recap
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The 18th Annual Americana Music Awards transpired Wednesday night (9-11) at the Country Music Mother Church, the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, with lots of love spread out among a diverse list of winners, but John Prine emerging as the biggest winner walking away with both Album of the Year for ‘Tree of Forgiveness,’ and Song of the Year
Details Revealed For Cody Jinks’ Two (Yes, Two) New Albums
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Well the cat’s out of the bag. We’re not just getting one new album from Cody Jinks in 2019, we’re getting two. The first we’ve known about for a while and is called After The Fire due out October 11th with what appears like a campfire shooting the middle finger on the front. Then the […]
Jason Aldean Just Released a Song Called “We Back”
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If it was the early 90s, and Jason Aldean was opening for AC/DC or a born again Ozzy Osbourne, perhaps this mess would fly. But this is 2019, and supposed to be country music. Where is the Prince of Darkness to bite the head off a Jason Aldean when you need him?
Marty Stuart Confirms Reissue of “The Pilgrim” w/ Bonus Tracks
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As first announced by Saving Country Music earlier this summer, Marty Stuart’s Magum Opus The Pilgrim is being reissued and for the first time on vinyl, along with an accompanying CD with 10 bonus tracks taken from the project and other recorded material Marty has amassed over the years. The 20th Anniversary Edition of The […]
Neal Casal Remembered By Friend & Collaborator, Zephaniah OHora
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Tuesday, September 10th is Suicide Prevention Day, and the day has been observed with renewed importance by many in the independent country and roots world after the recent passing of songwriter, player, and producer Neal Casal. The 50-year-old took his own life on August 26th leaving many with lingering questions about his passing.
Album Review – “The Highwomen” (Self-Titled)
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Strong songwriting underpins inspired performances delivered by four women with passion for this project and its material in this initial effort by The Highwomen. Instead of writing it all themselves, they took the Nashville approach of utilizing co-writers to refine each effort that began with their original ideas, and it shows in the results.
Kelly Clarkson Goes Off About Today’s Country & It’s Beautiful
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It’s not just hardcore country fans who are stupefied by what the modern country format has become. It’s most everybody. In fact the ranks of non-country fans and performers may be even more shocked and appalled by what is called “country music” today, because they haven’t been present for the slow erosion of the format over the many years.