Kentucky Headhunters on 50+ Years in Music Ahead of Master Musicians Fest
20 Comments
To the unknowing mind, The Kentucky Headhunters name itself might conjure up a slightly negative stereotype of some dangerous backwoods fugitives who would behead outsiders. However, the reality is the complete opposite.
Bobby Bones Talks About “Sturgis Simpson” and “Jeremy Isbell” (& Other Bobby Bones Musings)
66 Comments
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
47 Comments
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
94 Comments
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”
60 Comments
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
30 Comments
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”
19 Comments
“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
27 Comments
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.
BR-549 To Release New Album & DVD “One Long Saturday Night”
11 Comments
Germany’s Bear Family Records is releasing ‘One Long Saturday Night’—a 23-song CD and companion DVD capturing the original lineup of the band at the height of their powers as they perform classic country hits and a handful of originals live for the German TV show Ohne Filter. The CD also includes four tracks from a concert in Japan the band played the week after.
“Dallas Observer” Mischaracterizes Merle Haggard Comments in Support of Misguided Think Piece
32 Comments
It’s one thing to mischaracterize my opinions, or the opinions of Chris Stapleton fans, or concerned country music fans in general. It’s another thing to use the name and visage of a respected country music legend to assert the wrongful and misguided opinions of your think piece, especially when the aim of that think piece is to attack active and concerned country music fans.
Scotty McCreery’s “Southern Belle” Just Won’t Die
59 Comments
Whenever you’re out in front of a release apologizing for it, it’s never a good sign. “This is probably about as far left as we’ll go,” McCreery announced ahead of “Southern Belle,” tipping listeners off that this was going to be the moment the 22-year-old tried to make a big splash on radio in lieu of sticking to sometimes more traditional-leaning material that compliments his deep country tone.
The Ameripolitan Awards Announce 2016 Nominees
35 Comments
The 3rd Annual, 2016 Ameripolitan Awards have announced their 2016 nominees. Scheduled to transpire on February 16, 2016 at the historic Paramount Theatre in downtown Austin, it will be hosted by Western Swing legend Ray Benson, and feature performances by many of the nominees and other notables from the “Ameripolitan” realm.
And So It Begins. Justin Timberlake Releases “Drink You Away” To Country Radio
56 Comments
Justin Timberlake has officially gone country. Or at least one of his songs has. As radio programmers all over the country were busy Wednesday morning trying to figure out where to stack their reams of payola, a memorandum buzzed out across the wires: “Justin Timberlake’s ‘Drink You Away’—the same song he played with Chris Stapleton on the CMA Awards—is requesting play on your country station.”