Album Review – Brooks & Dunn’s “Reboot II”
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Instead of exploiting a moment when Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn still have tread left on the tires to give it another shot with original songs, we get a second installment in their Reboot series.
Bad Music, Good People / Good Music, Bad People
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the quality of the music of these do-good artists can sometimes be an entirely different story than the quality of their character. Such an assessment is subjective mind you, both on the musical and personal side. But generally speaking, the generosity of a given celebrity and the standards of their music doesn’t always go hand in hand.
Justin Timberlake Producer Timbaland Confirms Country Record. “I Don’t Discriminate No Genres”
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Justin Timberlake is going country, and you’d have to be stuck on Mars with blinders and earplugs not to notice this. The only reason the complicit country and entertainment media have yet to report it is because they’re paralyzed unless someone hands them a press release and gives them marching orders. Now long-time Justin Timberlake producer and collaborator Timbaland has confirmed this.
Jason Isbell’s “Something More Than Free” Sets All-Time Record on the Americana Chart
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This week was the first week Something More Than Free has not graced the #1 spot on the Americana Radio Airplay chart in the last 20—an all-time record. The only other records to come close to the accomplishment were Isbell’s previous release Southeastern from 2013, and Robert Plant’s Band of Joy album, which both spent 15 weeks at the top of the charts.
Hey MCA Nashville, Where’s The New Josh Turner Album?
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This thing was considered ploddingly long in coming and and potentially missing in action nearly a year ago. Now for many Josh Turner fans, the situation has reached a critical mass state, and folks are starting to demand answers. Is Josh and his music being held hostage? At this point, what plausible explanation could be given to justify all the delays?
Album Review – Chris Isaak’s “First Comes The Night”
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It’s a little hard to fathom that Chris Issak has never made a country record before. He combines the caramel singing and cool factor of Dwight Yoakam, the crooning capability of Raul Malo, and the lounge-like timelessness of Lyle Lovett into one smooth package that makes the felines swoon and the men hopping jealous. He’s a crooner whose styling cuts across all kinds of borders of taste and influence.
Bobby Bones Talks About “Sturgis Simpson” and “Jeremy Isbell” (& Other Bobby Bones Musings)
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Over the last couple of weeks, Saving Country Music headquarters has received a fresh new onslaught of emails on the subject of pop country über DJ Bobby Bones—the morning show personality for iHeartMedia’s syndicated network and the single-most name at the forefront of homogenizing American mainstream country music radio. Let’s tackle some of these subjects . . .
Ryman Auditorium Fires Employee After Trying to Set Up Joey Feek Prayer Vigil
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Kimber Engstrom, an employee of the Ryman Auditorium’s recently-opened Café Lula, has been fired after she attempted to set up a prayer vigil in the Country Music Mother Church for Joey Feek of the singing duo Joey + Rory. Joey Feek was diagnosed with abdominal Cancer in 2014, and is currently in hospice care after receiving a terminal diagnosis from doctors in late October and deciding to cease treatment.
The Dixie Chicks Are Officially Back – Announce Major North American Tour
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So here’s some North American dates the Dixie Chicks just announced to go along with some European dates announced previously. I guess that means the Dixie Chicks are officially back. So be joyous, or dress up three old Cabbage Patch dolls like them and burn them in your driveway in effigy while you blare Toby Keith like it’s still 2002. Just keep my comments section clean of your crap.
Album Review – Tim McGraw’s “Damn Country Music”
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One of the big story lines in country music over the past few years has been the rehabilitation of country music from a quarter century ago that emerged during the period known colloquially as the “Class of ’89.” Despite the commercial rise of country during the era, it’s also the period people love to point […]
Chris Stapleton’s 2nd Week at #1 Proves He’s No Fluke
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Another week, and another #1 showing for Chris Stapleton’s debut album Traveller as the songwriter and performer continues to ride a wave of momentum after a massive showing at the CMA Awards on November 4th. A sweep of New Artist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year categories, and a high-profile performance with Justin Timberlake put Stapleton on the map of mainstream fans in a big way.
Song Review – J.B. Beverley’s “Phone Calls From My Uncle”
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“Over the years, I’ve had many-a-veteran friend ask me to write a song for the men and women in the battlefield. Having never seen combat, I put it off for a long time,” says songwriter J.B. Beverley, the frontman of J.B. Beverley and the Wayward Drifters. “I wanted to wait until I had the right feeling . . . the right message. I’ve listened to the stories you all have shared with me . . .
Mr. Show’s Bob Odenkirk & David Cross Make Perfect “Checklist” Country Parody
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Bob Odenkirk and David Cross—previously-known as the comedy duo who starred in the HBO series Mr. Show that ran from 1995 to 1998—have now revitalized their comedy stylings on Netflix in a new series called With Bob and David. And in one of the new episodes, they’ve put the terrible “checklist” culture of modern country right in their crosshairs.