Album Review – Jake Owen’s “Dreams To Dream”
Produced by Shooter Jennings at his Snake Mountain Studio, it’s like nothing you ever heard from Jake Owen or really any current or former mainstream country music before.
Channing Wilson
Recap: Episode Two of “The Road” Splits Contestants in Two
For the second episode, instead of the artists all performing once, they were split into two pairs to perform at two separate shows, with each contestant singing both a cover song, and an original.
Initial Thoughts on New CBS Country Music Series “The Road”
On Sunday (8-19), the opening episode of the new CBS reality TV series “The Road” premiered, giving some very worthy talent network television face time in a way that can only be good. But the show has a flaw.
New Taylor Sheridan CBS Series ‘The Road’ to Feature Cool Talent
There’s a new television/competition series coming this fall to CBS, and it has some really cool, and really uncool folks involved in the production, as well as some exciting names participating in the competition itself.
Cody Jinks Announces New Album “In My Blood”
The modern King of Outlaw Country isn’t one for lounging around for a few years in between albums. After releasing a new studio album and a Lefty Frizzell tribute in 2024, Cody Jinks will release his latest album called “In My Blood.”
On Luke Combs Playing the Newport Folk Festival
Yes, Luke Combs is one of the largest names in popular country music. But from the very beginning, Combs has always proven to go deeper than the surface with his music.
Iron Hills Music Festival Announces Impressive Inaugural Lineup
You might be surprised to learn that Birmingham, Alabama right in the heart of the country music homeland does not have an annual country music festival. Well it does now.
Saving Country Music’s 2023 Essential Albums List
Welcome to Saving Country Music’s most comprehensive guide to music in a given year: The Essential Albums List. It’s a resource not just for 2023, but for future generations who may want to reflect back on this year in country music.
How The Wilder Blue Landed Luke Combs on “Seven Bridges Road”
If this dark little corner of the internet never did anything else worth a damn, at least it introduced The Wilder Blue to country music megastar Luke Combs. The Wilder Blue have a new album coming out on November 21st.
Biggest Musical Takeaways From AmericanaFest 2023
AmericanaFest occurred last week in Nashville. And despite the continued debates on “What is Americana?” the event is an excellent place for discovery. These will be the biggest names in country in coming years.
Album Review – Luke Combs – “Growin’ Old”
Luke Combs may be the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, but you get the distinct impression that he’s barely aware of it. There’s no cocksure attitude as he stands up there on stage in his Bass Pro fishing shirt with the flap across the back. He’s just a grown up pudgy choir kid from North Carolina.
Album Review – Channing Wilson’s “Dead Man”
Reaching for Channing Wilson is reaching for the hardest stuff possible in the realm of country music. If this music was alcohol, it’d be the kind of spirits that are illegal in some parts of Alabama—the stuff that dubs as turpentine in a pinch. You want country damn music, straight with no chaser.
February 24th is a Big Release Day. Here’s What Not to Miss
There have been busier release days in the past year or so with 20+ albums on the Saving Country Music radar hitting the shelves all at once. But it’s who is releasing albums, and what those albums are that makes Friday, February 24th feel like an especially important release day that is worth highlighting.
2022 Was a Historic Year for Grand Ole Opry Debuts
In 2022, something happened at the Grand Ole Opry that is only fair to label as historic. More so than any other year in its nearly 100-year existence, the coveted Grand Ole Opry debut was doled out to deserving artists from across the panorama, checking off bucket list items, populating glowing resume points…
Newest Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#111)
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. It’s available on most all streaming formats, or you can just use the song, artist, and album recommendations.
Jerry Jeff Walker, Hondo Crouch Statue Unveiled in Luckenbach TX
There are few places more synonymous with country music in Texas than Luckenbach, and there are few places more synonymous with an individual artist than Luckenbach is with Jerry Jeff Walker. When Walker recorded his album Viva Terlingua! in Luckenbach’s legendary dance hall.
Release Radar & Most Anticipated Albums for Final Part of 2022
The final months of 2022 are here, and just like the first portion of the year, it is jam packed in an increasingly cluttered environment for new releases. Instead of being overwhelmed, use this guide to help you navigate through the crush of titles, with the first 20 albums listed considered some of the top releases.
Sunny Sweeney Announces New Album “Married Alone”
There are only a few women out there in country music that you would ever dare considering using the exemplifying qualifier of “Outlaw” with, but Sunny Sweeney sure fits the bill. She’s a full-blown independent music maverick these days.
Release Radar & Most Anticipated Albums for 2nd Half of 2022
You can find a detailed list of all the confirmed album releases for the 2nd half of 2022 below, some specific albums from each release week that you should make sure to not overlook, and the always-exciting ‘Rumor Mill’ where intelligence is gathered on upcoming releases.
Luke Combs Is Already Using His CMA Entertainer Win for Good
Luke Combs didn’t just put Zach Bryan, Morgan Wade, and Cody Johnson on a poster. He put out a whole promotional video featuring these artists as part of the announcement, and splattering it all over social media. Even if people don’t attend these events, the damage is done.
Luke Combs is the Kind of Leader Mainstream Country Needs
It’s not that Luke Combs is ideal, because he isn’t. Hell, who is? And for many independent fans, he will never compete with the likes of Cody Jinks or Tyler Childers in their hearts. But who would you rather have being the face of mainstream country at the moment?
25th Annual Key West Songwriters Fest Puts Songwriting First
Even in this confounding day and age in country music, it all still starts with a song. Not a beat, not a riff, but a song. Words, music, and melody. Story and inspiration. It’s what separates country music from certain other musical art forms, no matter how much it may get boiled down.
Album Review – Travis Tritt’s “Set In Stone”
“Set In Stone” feels like a really solid and inspired mid career selection from Tritt, well-produced by Cobb, with some great instrumental performances, and no signs of rust or heavy wear from the time away. Undoubtedly though, this is a Boomer record, and in more ways than one.
Travis Tritt’s 1st Album in 14 Years Features Formidable Songwriters
Along with picking one of the hottest and most well-respected producers from the independent side of country for his comeback record, Tritt has also called on some of the best songwriters and performers at the moment. Don’t expect a dated retrospective from Tritt.
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