DelFest 2025 Showcases The Best in Bluegrass and Beyond
DelFest, held on Memorial day weekend each year in Cumberland, Maryland at the Allegheny County Fairgrounds is now in its 16th year and going strong.
Asleep at the Wheel
Does ’90s Country Deserve It’s Own Fest? Key Western Fest Says “Yes.”
Is 30-year-old country music really one of the hottest things going in country music today? A new festival down in Key West, Florida called Key Western Fest put that hypothesis to the test last week, and discovered mostly positive answers for ’90s country stars and their fans.
The Legendary Longhorn Ballroom Finally Sets Re-Opening
The Longhorn Ballroom was one of the most important venues in country music for many years. When it opened in 1950, it was known as Bob Wills’ Ranch House, and was one of the major venues in Western Swing. It was also once operated by Jack Ruby.
Country Music’s (Not So) Surprising List of Jewish Contributors
From performers, to songwriters, to executives and producers, to the strong scene of bluegrass entertainers from New York that have gone on to define the very highest reaches of the discipline, these Jewish contributors deserve our recognition and appreciation.
Marty Stuart Joins The Shootouts for New Song Ahead of Album
If one of the things that gets your motor running is takeoff Telecaster guitar in a country song, then waste no time piping up the new track from The Shootouts with Marty Stuart. Ohio’s official throwback traditional country honky tonk band has a new album on the way called ‘Stampede.’
The 6 Major Label Albums of Stoney Edwards Finally Reissued
On April 5th, Saving Country Music honored pioneering country artist Stoney Edwards on the 25th Anniversary of his passing, concluding in part, “His music should also be repopulated here in the digital age so that future generations can enjoy this pioneering country artist.”
Sting Endears Himself to True Country Crowd on Nashville Trip
World famous Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sting was in Nashville on Wednesday, May 18th to perform at the city’s Ascend Amphitheater, just a short walk down from Lower Broadway. And along with being one of the most famous bass players, Sting is also a country music fan.
Album Review – Brennen Leigh’s “Obsessed With The West”
What makes ‘Obsessed With The West’ not just another Western Swing record is how Brennen Leigh is able to emphasize the playfulness that this approach to country music allows through its bouncy rhythm, and the boundless possibilities of chords and lyricism.
25 Years Ago: Pioneering Black Country Artist Stoney Edwards Dies
Stoney’s career may have not been Hall of Fame worthy, but releasing six albums on a major country music label, and scoring Top 20 hits dispels the idea that the contributions of black artists in country music was resigned to just one individual.
Newest Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#99)
The Saving Country Music Top 25 Playlist is built to keep you informed on all the best songs and albums coming out right here, right now in country and roots music. Available on most all streaming formats, or you can use the song recommendations to find something new.
Brennen Leigh Goes Western Swing on “Obsessed with the West”
Delightfully old-fashioned and born 60 years too late, Brennen Leigh has always worked Western Swing influences into her music, and been chummy with the Asleep at the Wheel crowd in Austin. But now as a Nashville resident, the distance has made her heart grow fonder
Pioneering Country Rocker Commander Cody (George Frayne) Has Died
There were few that could tap into the cosmic side of country music better, and nobody that could sail as deep into the ozone as Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen. And now, the band’s illustrious pilot, the Captain, keyboard player and singer Commander Cody himself, has died.
Billy Joe Shaver Tribute Takes Shape in Austin
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in restricted crowd size and travel, but a strong contingent of Austin, TX musical talent will be coming together for a socially-distanced Billy Joe Shaver tribute concert on Sunday, November 22nd at the city’s Long Center in an outdoor event.
Vince Gill Is Leaving The Time Jumpers
It was one of the coolest things in country music while it lasted. But one of the cool things about The Time Jumpers is nothing lasts forever aside from the band itself. Nashville’s Western Swing house band has been entertaining crowds with interchangeable players and keeping traditions alive since 1998.
Review – Episode 2 Of Ken Burns Country Music Film, “Hard Times”
The first episode of the Ken Burns Country Music documentary tasked itself to define what country music is by delving deep into its origins and original purveyors. The second episode called “Hard Times” began the work of explaining why the music means so much to so many people.
Miranda Lambert Cites Dolly Parton As Her Country Music Icon
PBS is gearing up for the release of the extensive 8 part, 16-hour Country Music Documentary starting September 15th directed by Ken Burns. And ahead of the release, PBS is trying to engage the country music public by asking people to share who their favorite country music icon is. They started by asking Miranda Lambert, Vince Gill, & Ray Benson.
Ray Benson Brings Out The Stars for Annual Birthday Bash
For the benefit of the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, or HAAM, Ray Benson hosted his 19th annual birthday bash Tuesday night (3-12) in downtown Austin, which also acts like an unofficial kickoff party for the country side of SXSW. Benson assembled one hell of a talented lineup to come out and play.
George Strait to Help Open New Arena
The brand new, $540 million-dollar arena started in November 2017 is said to have a seating capacity of 14,000, and though the area will be used for sporting events and other functions, Matt Homan, president and general manager of the venue, called it the “first concert announcement at Dickie’s Arena.”
Weather at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic Results in Multiple Cancellations – Resumes After Rain
Willie Nelson’s 2018 4th of July Picnic in Austin, TX was disrupted by heavy thunderstorms that moved through the area on Wednesday, resulting in cancellations in numerous performances. Being held at the Circuit of the Americas just south of Austin proper, fans were told to take shelter at roughly 2:30 p.m.
Lineup for 2018 Willie Nelson 4th of July Picnic Announced
A traditional like few others will transpire once again this summer when Willie Nelson celebrates the 4th of July by gathering together friends and family for his annual 4th of July Picnic. For the fourth year in a row, the event will be held at the Circuit of the Americas speedway just south of Austin, TX, and will include many long-standing invitees.
2017 Nashville Boogie Brings Classic Country & Rockabilly to Opryland (Photos)
Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Resort and the greater Music Valley portion of the city filled up this weekend with thousands of revelers in throwback duds celebrating the annual Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender presented by Muddy Roots. Over 90 acts on 5 different stages and at three separate venues.
Lineup Announced for Willie Nelson’s 2017 4th of July Picnic
A traditional like few others will transpire once again this summer when Willie Nelson celebrates the 4th of July by gathering together friends and family for his annual 4th of July Picnic. For the third year in a row, the event will be held at the Circuit of the Americas speedway just south of Austin, TX, and will include many long-standing invitees.
Jerry Jeff Walker Joins Bobby Bare & Wanda Jackson to Headline the Nashville Boogie
The 2017 Nashville Boogie presented by Muddy Roots is set to go off May 18th to the 21st at Nashville’s Opryland Resort and the nearby Nashville Palace, and they have just announced that Jerry Jeff Walker will headline the event Sunday night (5-21) at the Grand Ole Opry House.
Album Review – Dale Watson and Ray Benson’s “Dale & Ray”
It was bound to happen at some point. It’s almost strange it took so long. Two guys who have long called Austin, TX their main haunt, and who have made careers out of steadfastly sticking to their guns in their particular styles of country music, be damned of the financial ramifications, what fleeting trends come and go, or what Nashville thinks of it all, joining forces on a duets record.