Album Review – Lindi Ortega’s “From The Ether”
18 Comments
It’s only fitting that Lindi Ortega would make her ominous return with Halloween right around the corner. This Gothic country mistress conjures up a song cycle meant to leave one haunted by the spirits of past lives, and past lovers.
The Opry Trends Older As Newer Stars Shirk Obligations
74 Comments
Out of the 67 current members of the Opry, only 25 of them fulfilled their 10 appearance obligation, and three of those died during the year. 11 members didn’t make any appearances at all. But what may be more interesting is who is appearing on the Opry to take up the slack. Of the Top 11 performing members at the Grand Ole Opry in 2014, the average age was 79-years-old.
Kentucky’s Fifth on the Floor Is Breaking Up
11 Comments
Lexington, Kentucky-based Southern rock / sometimes country band Fifth on the Floor is breaking up, according to a missive sent out by the band today (1-6-15). Led by songwriter and lead singer Justin Wells, Fifth on the Floor was seen by many as one of the most promising upstart Southern rock bands of the last decade, releasing three albums over the eight year span of the project.
Craig Wayne Boyd’s “My Baby’s Got A Smile On Her Face”
27 Comments
Boyd’s “My Baby’s Got A Smile On Her Face” became only the second single to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart ever. The other #1 debut was Garth Brooks’ “More Than A Memory” from 2007. This development had the media going crazy, ready to annoint Craig as the genre’s next superstar. this week it has completely dropped out of the Top 25. Poof, it’s gone. Sales of the song dropped a whopping 94%.
Jamey Johnson Offers New Song “Alabama Pines” for Free
25 Comments
Baby New Year all swaddled and cooing dropped a welcomed gift for traditional country fans on New Years Day while many people were busy boiling up New Year feasts and fixated on college football. Jamey Johnson, mere months removed from launching his own record label called Big Gassed Records, offered a free song to his fans called “Alabama Pines.”
Albums To Look Forward To In 2015
111 Comments
Who will be releasing new albums in 2015? What are some of the most-anticipated projects? What are the rumors swirling out there about new albums that may be coming down the pike? Here’s a rundown of upcoming projects from artists recommended by Saving Country Music that you can look forward to in 2015. Please feel free to leave your thoughts about what you’re excited about being released.
Sturgill Simpson & Willie Nelson Ring in New Year at ACL
32 Comments
Where the last time Sturgill made a stop in Austin he was sporting a conversion van stenching of the road, now there was a big primary blue tour bus idling across the street. the gallery was packed by the time Sturgill took the stage. Tight and well-tuned from playing down-to-the-minute sets on tour with Zac Brown, Sturgill and the boys chewed through their songs like clockwork, with Simpson showing fire…
Album Review – Roger Alan Wade’s “Bad News Knockin'”
39 Comments
Once again Roger Alan Wade makes his case for being one of the most criminally-underrated songwriters of our generation, releasing his newest album Bad News Knockin’ right before the end of 2014 through Johnny Knoxville Records, and rocketing himself near the top for the most notable songwriting efforts for all of last year.
“Little” Jimmy Dickens Has Passed Away
27 Comments
A country music legend, and one of the oldest living country music performers from country’s golden era, is gone. “Little” Jimmy Dickens, one of the most venerable members of The Grand Ole Opry and a country music Hall of Famer, was admitted to the hospital on Christmas for an undisclosed illness, and passed away on Friday, January 2nd. He has just turned 94 on December 19th.
Saving Country Music’s 2014 Album of the Year
108 Comments
In 2014, you had two previously-unknown women release towers of country music brilliance in Tami Nelison’s Dynamite! and Karen Jonas’s Oklahoma Lottery. You had folk blues songwriter Charlie Parr deliver a masterpiece in his instrumental triumph in Hollandale. You had the Swedish sister duo First Aid Kit feature what very well would had been considered an Album of the Year on any other year…
Bass Player & Writer of “Long Tall Texan” Henry Strzelecki Passes Away
20 Comments
Tragic news out of Nashville where where prolific and beloved bass player Henry Strzelecki has passed away after being struck by a vehicle while out for a walk Monday, December 22nd. Strzelecki experienced severe injuries including major head trauma in the accident, and was in a coma over the holidays. He eventually passed away from the injuries on December 30th.
Flight Diverted After Blake Shelton’s “Boys ‘Round Here” Causes Problem
48 Comments
We already knew Blake Shelton’s awful country rap song “Boys ‘Round Here” was one of the worst “country” songs ever, causing undue strain and consternation amongst true country fans and fans of all decent music. But now there’s a story of just how disturbing the song was for one holiday season commute at 30,000 feet.
George Strait Bests Luke Bryan For Touring in 2014
17 Comments
Remember when members of Luke Bryan’s camp started crying when George Strait won the Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year in 2014? They said it was just a parting gift at the farewell of his career, and that he wasn’t an “Entertainer.” But once again we get validation that George Strait’s Entertainer win at both the CMA’s in 2013, and the ACM’s in 2014, were well deserved.