The Great Purge of the American Blue Collar Musician
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It’s nationwide, and affecting all genres. We’re losing large swaths of the population of blue collar, club-level working musicians who can sustain themselves without any other means of employment, and at an alarming pace.
August 21st, 2026 is a Busy Day for New Albums. Here’s Your Guide
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You’re being warned now. The next couple of weeks are going to be the busiest weeks for cool releases in country and roots in 2026, with a cavalcade of albums coming out that could include some of your favorites of the year.
David Allan Coe Estate Enters Dispute as Forgotten Son Emerges
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It probably comes as no surprise to anyone that the David Allan Coe estate is embroiled in legal fights and verbal arguments in the aftermath of his death on April 29th. Beyond multiple ex-wives with multiple children between them…
Frank Beard: The Heartbeat of Texas Music (RIP)
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It was always the wonder of ZZ Top that the only member of the band with the name “Beard” was the only guy not rockin’ one darn near to his belly button. No matter, ZZ Top drummer Frank Beard dripped cool like the other two hombres.
On Miranda Lambert Opening Controversial New LiveNation Venue “The Truth”
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There’s worse offenses for sure. Nobody should be looking to “cancel” Miranda Lambert over this issue. Artists deserve to get paid. But is it a bad look? It kind of is. She could have passed it to someone else.
SteelRadio.org Plans New Steel Guitar Fest
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All hail the steel guitar! It’s one of the essential building blocks of true country music, and the most recognizable sound of the genre as it squeezes the emotion out of moments with its crying and moaning bends.
Truer Than Fiction: The Death of Hayden Panettiere
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Hayden Panettiere (pronounced pan-a-teery) was not a country star. She simply portrayed one on television. But as her life drew parallel to the one she played on the small screen, it became eerily similar to the stories we’ve seen play out.
Album Review – Bronwyn’s “Rattlin’ Bones”
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Imparting enthusiasm and fresh perspectives into a very old genre of music—and in a manner that imparts that invigoration into the audience themselves—Bronwyn puts her signature stamp on bluegrass with new album “Rattlin’ Bones.”
New Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Playlist (#183)
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The more music being dumped into streaming networks every day, the harder it is to find the songs, albums, and artists, and albums that might appeal to you. The bounty of choice has resulted in the cratering of appeal.
The Power of Song Explored in the Latest Episode of ‘The Hook’
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The Hook is not a performance competition. It’s a songwriting showcase. But it’s not just that either. The Hook is an attempt to address the issues that you see and hear so many of your favorite artists complaining about.
Remembering Ben Jones: So Much More Than Hazzard County’s Mechanic
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Best of luck pigeon holing Ben Jones in your nice and ordered little idea of what being American is supposed to be, cast in the political binary, and weighted on one side or the other of the always-inflamed culture war.
John PayCheck Crafts a “Better Plan” Ahead of New Album
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As we like to say about our country heroes, they’re gone but not forgotten. It’s even easier to not forget them when their progeny make it a personal mission to keep their legacy going, and not just by being a reenactment.
The REAL Message Behind the Hank Jr. / Chris Farley SNL Skit
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Recently, a Saturday Night Live skit featuring comedian Chris Farley impersonating Hank Williams Jr. has been making the rounds online. Originally aired as part of Season 23, Episode 4 on October 25th, 1997, the skit is quite hilarious.