People’s Choice Country Awards Beclowns Itself With 17 Beyoncé Nominations
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Beyoncé does not consider herself a country artist, and she does not consider her 2024 album Cowboy Carter as a country album. Full stop. Saying that Cowboy Carter is a country album is a canard sown out of whole cloth.
Review – Justin Townes Earle “Nothing’s Gonna Change…”
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For all intents and purposes, Justin Townes Earle has “made it” in as much as any musician can in the modern era of music, and this usually endows the artist with the latitude to do just about whatever they want sonically, and JTE decided to give a “Memphis feel” (his words) to his newest endeavor. I hear Memphis here, but I also hear just as much early Motown…
Why Time Has Been Kind to Garth Brooks’ Music
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“Garth Brooks did for country music what pantyhose did for finger fucking.” This is a quote attributed to Waylon Jennings, and one that’s hard to argue against. But over time, Garth Brooks’ music has fallen more into favor with traditional country music fans who once revered him as the country music anti-Christ. Why? Because Garth’s music is actually country.
Davy Jay Sparrow Brings Fun to Western Swing
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Davy Jay Sparrow from Bloomington, Indiana is not a neo-traditionalist, he’s an ultra-traditionalist. If you don’t like the “Olde Fashioned” country sounds, then turn back now. If you do, the tunes that Davy and His Well Known Famous Drovers throw down on this album are good enough to be considered right beside BR549, Wayne Hancock, and the other overlords of country’s old sounds.
Bob Wayne’s “Till The Wheels Fall Off” & Duet w/ Hank3
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Country music madman, the Outlaw Carnie Bob Wayne has just announced he has a new album coming out May 22nd, 2012 (April 9th in Europa) from Century Media called Till The Wheels Fall Off, and that the album will feature a duet with none other than Hank Williams III called “All My Friends” that will be released tomorrow (3-23-12).
Jonny Corndawg Talks Country, Music & Hipsters
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Saving Country Music’s recent review of Jonny Corndawg’s latest album Down On The Bikini Line caused quite the stir, primarily from the accusation that his music was an extension of the ever-widening hipster culture. So instead of letting the confusion fester, I sought out Jonny at SXSW last week to discuss him, his music, and hipsters, and how we could potentially bridge the understanding gap with his music.
Recap – Saving Muddy Hillgrass XSXSW 5 2012
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2012 will go down as the first year that the annual XSXSW event put on by Hillgrass Bluebilly Records went from a regular “showcase” in the traditional South by Southwest form, to a two-day full-blown premier whistle stop on the independent roots railroad’s yearly cycle. With help from Saving Country Music, Muddy Roots, and many other gracious entities…
The XSXSW Charter: Things can be better.
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As Texans, we are tired of every March being misrepresented by the madness South by Southwest creates. As citizens of Austin and surrounding areas, we want our city back. As fans and supporters of music, we want a better solution. As musicians, we want to be treated better. In the coming years we hope to make enough noise to at least make them listen.
The Ugly Valley Boys Have Classic Style Beyond Music
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Some folks chase whatever the hot classic retro style or trend is at the moment, whether in appearance or music, because that is what is cool or hip at the time. And then you have other folks who are classic individuals because that’s the only way they can feel comfortable in their own skin. They’re old souls, trapped in a modern world and young bodies.
Album Review – Shooter Jennings “Family Man”
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In the end I’m just surprised at the sheer lack of direction with this album. I guess there’s a “Family Man” concept here, but it almost seems a burden to the music instead of a compliment. However I would be lying if I said Family Man didn’t have any moments. And yes, Shooter is a nice guy, but that is not a sonic element you can measure in music.
What is a Hipster? (And why you should care)
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When the term “hipster” comes up, which is not an uncommon occurrence with the ongoing expansion of hipster culture and its tendency to interface with underground roots music, there always seems to be some confusion around the term. So to make a reference for everyone, I am going to set out on the difficult task of explaining what a modern hipster is.
Carolina Chocolate Drops: True Diversity in “Leaving Eden”
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The best part about the Carolina Chocolate Drops is they symbolize the greatness, the importance, and the hope of true diversity in music. I’ll say what many others are scared to say: It is cool to have people of color playing country music, and not just playing country, but “getting it,” and not using race as either a bit or a crutch.
Smells Like Pop Country: Perfume, Branding & Music
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One likely reason we’re seeing an explosion of product naming and perfumes is because in the new reality of the music business, the album and single cycle is elongating. Tim McGraw and his label Curb Records have been at the center of this trend, with McGraw insisting they release his music, and Curb attempting to stretch its artists’ albums out.