2025 Mempho Music Fest Offers Killer Sunday Country Lineup
7 Comments
We already knew this year’s event would feature some of the best in country and roots. What we didn’t know until their recent daily lineup reveal is that all these killer artists would be performing the same day.
Carrie Underwood’s “Cry Pretty” Tanks at Country Radio
104 Comments
A couple of days after Carrie Underwood called out country radio for not supporting strong women, it’s become official that Carrie Underwood’s latest single “Cry Pretty” is done at radio, will be the worst-performing single of her career, and has tanked two weeks ahead of her new album being released.
Newest Additions to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#26)
6 Comments
The newest additions to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Playlist start with the opening tracks to a couple of cool new records. John R. Miller and the Engine Lights have a new album out called ‘The Trouble You Follow,’ and the witty and true “Holy Dirt” tops the newest incarnation of the playlist
Album Review – John R. Miller & The Engine Lights “The Trouble You Follow”
22 Comments
As real as the sharp curves of mountain roads and the abandoned shucks of coal towns, John R. Miller weaves his stories of struggle and survival with a poetic wit, honesty and abandon, and a palpable authenticity. These are songs so tucked away up a holler, to find them you have to creep past No Trespassing signs.
Carrie Underwood’s “Love Wins” & Country’s Expanding Message of Inclusion
56 Comments
The role of mainstream country music in this contentious time of ever-present social cataclysm and perennial political polarization is starting to materialize, and in pretty conclusive form. Country music is seeing all the turmoil, and wanting to be a calming, unifying voice, instead of choosing sides, and lending to the discord.
Sturgill Simpson Randomly Shows Up To Kentucky School, Plays for Students
34 Comments
All across the United States of America, student-aged youngsters are turning their summer smiles into school year frowns as they once again acquiesce to the indoctrination of academia. But for one high school in Jackson, Kentucky, they got a pleasant and completely unplanned surprise when Grammy Award-winning hometown hero Sturgill Simpson showed up to serenade […]
Album Review – The Devil Makes Three’s “Chains Are Broken”
18 Comments
Despite the undeniable instrumental shift to amplification, Chains Are Broken still feels very much like a Devil Makes Three record, surprisingly so. The minor chords, the dark themes, and the punk roots attitude is still what’s most prevalent. You almost don’t notice they’ve basically morphed into a rock band.
George Strait on Death of Drummer Mike Kennedy: “Our Hearts Are Broken”
16 Comments
Long time George Strait drummer and member of the Ace in the Hole Band Mike Kennedy died in an automobile accident on Interstate 40 Friday afternoon (8-31) in Lebanon, Tennessee. Many in the country music community are morning the loss of one of the most beloved backline players in the business, including George Strait.
George Strait Drummer Mike Kennedy Killed in Car Accident
75 Comments
Long-time drummer for George Strait and proud member of the Ace in the Hole Band Mike Kennedy was killed in a car wreck in Tennessee on Friday afternoon, August 31st according to numerous reports. The wreck happened on Interstate 40 in Wilson County, just east of Nashville. He was 59-years-old.
There’s Nothing New About “New Artist” Controversies
28 Comments
There’s nothing new about staring at the “New Artist” nominees for a country music industry awards show and being bewildered at the names you see. It’s an annual exercise. This year the names included in the CMA’s “New Artist of the Year” category were no different.
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real Play Major Role in “A Star Is Born” Remake
37 Comments
A new version of the feature film A Star Is Born is on the way starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, and a host of notable names from the the cool side of country music are included in the movie and soundtrack. But the most surprising takeaway from the track list is the very active participation of Lukas Nelson.
Turnpike Troubadours Cancel More Shows Into September
121 Comments
The Turnpike Troubadours have canceled yet another round of shows affecting performances in late August and up to their appearance at the Medicine Stone Festival on September 21st, which is still on. Their show Thursday night (8-30) at the Beaumont Event and Concert Hall in Wayne, Nebraska was canceled Thursday afternoon.
Is That Robert Earl Keen Behind the Mysterious “Stryker Brothers” Project?
56 Comments
There is a strange project that is preparing to be released on September 7th by a pair of country music performers called The Stryker Brothers that has folks trying to figure out what the hell is going on, and who the hell is behind it all.