Album Review – Melissa Carper’s “A Very Carper Christmas”
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What a genius idea to have Melissa Carper make a Christmas album, and not just one the reprises the old great standards, but with mostly original songs, in that vintage sound and style she’s known for.
Americana Debuts New Songs & Albums Charts
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On Tuesday, January 16th, The Americana Music Association launched its brand new charting system with the help of technology company CDX. The new system will more easily and more accurately report the activity on Americana’s radio stations and shows across the Americana reporting network.
Newest Additions to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#14)
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We’re finally coming out of the drought for new music that accompanies the winter holidays, and heading into the season where the releases of highly-anticipated new music will be coming at us hard and heavy. In preparation, Saving Country Music’s official Top 25 Current Playlist has been provisioned with some new selections.
Sorry, Mitchell Tenpenny & “Bitches” Goes Too Far
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No. We’re not going here. I’m sorry. Consider this a line in the sand. Consider this an ultimatum. Nobody’s mother is being threatened here, mind you. We’re not veering off the rails or anything. But if there was ever a moment where dramatic action was called for in country music matters, this would be it.
2nd SNL Appearance Could be the Start of a Big 2018 for Chris Stapleton
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Radio sure as hell won’t play him, but recognizing the greater cultural impact Chris Stapleton has accrued in the last couple of years, SNL has invited him back for a 2nd performance. But that’s not all Stapleton has going for him in early 2018 …
African Americans Helping to Keep Country & Roots Music Alive
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Let’s face it. For a host of reasons, it’s pretty rare to see African Americans making country and roots music. But when they do, more often that not, they’re doing it the right way, pushing the music forward creatively while fiercely helping to preserving the past, becoming part of the solution instead of prolonging the problem.
Mickey Lamantia Speaks to Both Sides of the Outlaw Legacy in “Every Bad Habit”
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Nobody really wants to be an Outlaw. They just think they do. All that black leather and badass attitude, booze and women, it looks like the essence of cool from afar. But it’s a lot easier to admire the Outlaw life from a distance than it is to actually live it yourself.
Folk Alliance Celebrates 30 Years – Sweet Beaver Showcases Worthy Roots Artists
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Folk Alliance International will be celebrating 30 years of supporting roots music in North America and beyond at their annual conference taking place on February 14-18, 2018, at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. For the second year running, Saving Country Music will help sponsor the Sweet Beaver Showcase.
Song Review – Carrie Underwood’s “The Champion” ft. Ludacris
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Context is everything here, and it’s critically-important we regard what the end game with this song is. The impetus for Carrie Underwood’s “The Champion” is to be a TV theme song for the Super Bowl on NBC. But I don’t know folks. As was expressed recently, we need Carrie Underwood in country right now, but not necessarily this version.
An Editor’s Note on Recently-Posted “Rant” Against Walker Hayes & His Album “Boom”
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Dear Saving Country Music readers, country music listeners and lovers, fellow journalists, and especially fans of Walker Hayes and the work of country music producer, Shane McAnally . . . On December 18th, 2017, I wrote a “rant” entitled, “‘Boom’ By Walker Hayes Is The Worst Album In ‘Country’ Music History. Full Stop.” . . .
Country Hall of Fame Readies New Major Exhibit, “Outlaws & Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ’70s”
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Yes, Yes, and Yes! On Thursday (1-11), the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville announced their newest major exhibit to open on May 25th, 2018. Not just part of the regular rotation of smaller exhibits, the major exhibit creates the cornerstone for the museum’s focus for the next few years.
Willie Nelson Feeling Better After Confirmed Flu – Reschedules Cancelled Shows
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Willie Nelson is feeling better after suffering from the flu and having to stop down a show near San Diego Saturday evening (1-6), unable to make it through the opening song, “Whiskey River.” Willie’s Harrah’s Resort SoCal show became one of six shows Willie was forced to cancel due to the illness.
Courtney Marie Andrews to Release Highly-Anticipated Album “May Your Kindness Remain”
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Announced on Monday (1-10), Andrews will be making her debut on Fat Possum Records in conjunction with Mama Bird and Loose Music with May Your Kindness Remain. Featuring ten tracks produced by Canadian Mark Howard, it is said to awaken more gospel influences in Courtney, and this certainly can be heard in the album’s title track.