The 2025 CMA Awards LIVE Blog (+Winners)
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Congratulations, you have navigated your way to the notorious Saving Country Music CMA Awards LIVE blog. As the presentation unfolds, snark, keen observations, earned praise, and a few swear words and errant typos.
Midland’s Songwriter & Producer Pretty Much Just Admitted They’re Manufactured
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“I feel like we manifested [Midland], because this is our playground…,” says Shane McAnally. “When these guys walked in and were a vehicle for those kinds of songs, and also quite capable of writing them as well, it was like ‘Weird Science,’ like, it wasn’t our design, but it’s almost like we put into a machine what we wanted, and out came Midland.”
Miranda Lambert Puts Badass Lineup Of Openers Together for Upcoming Tour
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Get your hemp necklaces and nag champa ready, because Miranda Lambert is about to embark on the “Livin’ Like Hippies” tour come January, and even if you’re fair to partly cloudy on Ran Ran herself, she’s assembled a pretty badass lineup of openers that represent a who’s who of cool independent acts that may coax you off your couch.
Single Review – William Michael Morgan’s “Vinyl”
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With all the talk about the cheeky machismo of Midland lately, including many assigning the trio savior status for finally returning a semblance of traditional country back to the mainstream of country, folks seem have forgotten that William Michael Morgan did that very thing with a single called “I Met A Girl” in 2016.
New Additions to Saving Country Music’s Spotify Playlist, & Now Available on Google Play (#9)
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As summer concludes and we start to enter what promises to be a very crowded fall for landmark releases in country music, new songs have just been added to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Playlist to get you ready. Also, the playlist is finally available for those who use Google Play.
Album Review – Billy Strings in “Turmoil & Tinfoil”
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While some try to sell you on the idea that adhering to certain genres or traditional instrumentation is a severe limitation on creativity, some of the most brilliant musicians are the ones who are able to work within the confines of severe limitations and still tap into originality and undiscovered musical vistas that dazzle the spirit in unique ways.
Despite The Quality of “On The Rocks,” Midland Are Still Bullshitters
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I can’t stand these Midland guys. I can’t stand their faces, I can’t stand their bullshit Tom Selleck circa 1985 mustaches, I can’t stand their stupid getups, or the fact that they’re making a mockery of the authenticity of scores of Austin-based country artists, and legions of traditional country performers across the globe.
Album Review – Lilly Hiatt’s “Trinity Lane”
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With her third record, second generation alt-country performer Lilly Hiatt has offered up a career-defining album full of songwriting gems and inspired performances that is spirited to the heights of infectious listening by smart and considerate production. This personal and galvanized work finds the full realization of Lilly Hiatt’s vision, voice, and potential as a […]
Jason Isbell Postpones Multiple Dates Due To Death in Band Member’s Family
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Jason Isbell has postponed four upcoming tour dates mere days before the shows were scheduled due to a death in the family of his bass player and heart of his backing band, The 400 Unit. Jimbo Hart, a lifelong friend of Isbell and long standing member of the band suffered the tragedy recently.
New Americana Radio Chart Hopes To Add More Transparency / Accountability to Format
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As the Americana genre continues to expand market share for the independent industry, and is aided by the success of big stars such as Jason Isbell, so expands the need for better infrastructure and accountability in the format. On January 1st Americana will implement an automated system to count all the songs played in the format.
Album Review – Thomas Rhett’s “Life Changes”
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Thomas Rhett’s got nothing. Each performing artist, whether it’s in the independent realm or the mainstream, has at least one thing they can hang their hat on that makes them unique and interesting in the entertainment marketplace. But with Thomas Rhett, it’s none of the above.
Willie Nelson Covers Hank, Hank, Hank & Hank on New Album With “The Boys”
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We’re plenty well satiated on new music from Willie Nelson after the release of his latest album God’s Problem Child in May. In fact it might be one of Willie’s best recordings in many years, and certainly one of the better selections since signing with Sony’s Legacy imprint some years back. But there’s no rest for the wicked.
Beloved Drummer Gets Big Boost from 2017 AmericanaFest
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You may have not known his name or who he was, but it would be hard not to notice the tall, lanky, dreadheaded dude in big white glasses behind the drums backing up a dozen or so different independent country artists from Nashville over the years as they toured through your town, and doing his best to not just keep the beat, but bring the energy.