Album Review – The Doohickeys – “All Hat No Cattle”
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Some folks forget that comedy in some ways is just as integral to the classic versions of country music as fiddle and steel guitar. It’s just that all of these elements have been forsaken by certain modern versions of commercial country.
“The Late Show” Loses Key Ally for Country & Roots Artists
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For twenty years and for two separate hosts, senior music producer for The Late Show Sheryl Zelikson has been a key behind-the-scenes champion for under-the-radar country and roots music performers who otherwise may never have been afforded an opportunity for a national television debut.
Sorry Willie Nelson, But You Are Not Allowed to Die
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Even people who despise country music see Willie Nelson as a beacon of light in the world, as a guidepost of infinite wisdom, and as an irreplaceable soul on this mortal coil. For decades now, music has simply been the excuse to pay attention to what a gift it is to have Willie Nelson inhabit planet Earth.
Album Review – “Hierarchy of Crows” by Moot Davis
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Part rockabilly maven, part honky tonk shit kicker, part heroin-era Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers revivalist, for going on 16 years now the moniker ‘Moot Davis’ has been synonymous with the top shelf of cool in the underground country and roots scene with those smart enough to know where to look to find the best stuff.
Jamey Johnson Show Cancelled After He Refused to Go Through Metal Detector
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This story has been updated. Jamey Johnson’s show on Sunday, July 23rd at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina was abruptly cancelled after Johnson reportedly refused to either disarm, or to go through metal detectors to enter the venue. Though accounts of the incident vary, what is undisputed is that the show […]
Endless Russia: The Emergence of the Permanent Political Media State
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The incessant march of political revelations in a purposeful trickle that won’t allow the public or the media to regain a sense of the normal news cycle is causing long-term, damning affects on how Americans fundamentally live their lives, and how they interface with each other, their communities, and engage in entertainment and leisure.
Song/Video Review – Blake Shelton’s “Doing It To Country Songs”
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What sucks about “Doing It To Country Songs” is that there’s actually a lot of positives going on here, and it could have turned out to be something decent. But the innuendo here is worn out in the first 30 seconds, and the double entendres just don’t have the potency or levity to land a punch or crack a smile.
Album Review – Justin Dean Payne’s “Coal Camp”
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Not caring whether his music earns him any notoriety or financial gain is what gives an artist like Justin Dean Payne the power and latitude to explore the inner depths of his own soul like the deepest regions of a coal vein until a mother lode of the purest, most lucrative strains of human expression are discovered, and unearthed for the world’s benefit.
Marty Stuart on The Marty Stuart Show: “Mission Accomplished. Let’s Move On.”
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Just this week Saving Country Music inquired if there would ever be any new episodes of The Marty Stuart Show—the long-running RFD-TV staple that saw Marty share the stage with his backup band The Fabulous Superlatives, as well as a host of special guests, including many great country music oldtimers.
Scotty McCreery Cited After Carrying Loaded 9mm Handgun Into Airport
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Country music artist and American Idol winner Scotty McCreery is in legal hot water after being caught carrying a loaded gun through airport security. The incident happened on Thursday, July 13th, but was made public on Friday (7-21). It occurred at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina.
What A Stupid Idea to Name the Brickyard 400 After Brantley Gilbert
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Calling this year’s race the “Big Machine Brickyard 400” is probably not the most savory development for true country music fans in itself. But Big Machine has announced they’re going the extra mile with their 2017 Brickyard sponsorship, at least for one of their artists: Brantley Gilbert.
Legendary Shack Shakers Ready New Record “After You’ve Gone”
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The crazy and wild-eyed Col. JD Wilkes and his backup band of wily misfits known as the Legendary Shack Shakers will be returning with their 9th studio album called ‘After You’ve Gone.’ Their decidedly lo-fi sound mixes the influences of the deep and derelict blues with the fearful prayers of primitive Appalachian country.
The Curious Curation of Country Music’s Recent Tribute Concerts
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To put it bluntly, the ability of Blackbird Presents to curate talent for events is pretty terrible, and appears to be done without any true understanding of the layout of the current country music landscape. Some of the invites for these Blackbird Presents events seem so incredibly blind to the realities present in country music fandom, it’s remarkable.