The 2025 Christmas Country Playlist (UPDATED)
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If you’re looking for that perfect Christmas playlist that specializes in country music, and is dedicated to new songs or new versions of old classics released this calendar year, then you’ve come to the right place.
Newest Additions to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#26)
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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”
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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
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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
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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”
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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”
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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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.
Flatland Cavalry Gives First Taste of New Music with “Honeywine”
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Flatland Cavalry has been in the studio recently working on new music, and ahead of a still-unannounced album, they have released a new song called “Honeywine.” The new song comes a month after high profile fiddle player Laura Jane Houle departed Flatland Cavalry for undisclosed reasons.