Don Williams

March 1, 2016

This Don Williams Retirement Isn’t His First, And Hopefully It Won’t Be His Last

It’s perfectly alright to be totally not okay with the news Tuesday (3-1) that Don Williams has decided to go into retirement, again. That hat, that beard, and most importantly that legendary smooth baritone voice that won him 17 #1 hits over his career and an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010 can’t just go softly in the night and not expect there to be some sad faces, and disappointed ears.

Don Williams

January 25, 2016

Wynonna Judd Joined by Jason Isbell on “Things That I Lean On”

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“Things That I Lean On” begins by acquiescing to the frailties of being human, and then singing the praises of the gifts life bestows to overcome them. Written by Travis Meadows and Daniel Sanders, it is a perfect song for the conditions Cactus Moser created to record in. Though it’s not her own song, the love and honesty Wynonna sings with let’s you know it is still very personal and true to her experience.

Cactus MOser, Chris Stapleton, Daniel Sanders, Derek Trucks, Don Williams, Jason Isbell, Julie Miller, Review, Susan Tedeschi, Things That I lean On, Timothy B. Schmit, Travis Meadows, Wynonna & The Big Noise, Wynonna Judd

January 25, 2016

Song Review- Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind”

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Tim McGraw is one of the last remaining artists who can release what he wants to radio, including music that actually says something and is fit for consumption by fully maturated adults, and it somehow finds not just a semblance of traction and acceptance, but downright success.

Don Williams, Humble and Kind, Lori McKenna, Tim McGraw

November 16, 2015

Album Review – Tim McGraw’s “Damn Country Music”

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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 […]

Big & Rich, Damn Country Music, Don Williams, Garth Brooks, Gracie McGraw, Hank Williams, Review, Tim McGraw

July 13, 2015

What Country Music Can Learn from the New Star Wars Movie Reel

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It seems to be the destiny of man to make the same mistakes over and over, even when we have insurmountable evidence of the fallacy of our actions right in front of us. Country music might be one of the greatest examples of this as it cycles from being obsessed with pop and contemporary sounds, and then gets reeled back in towards its traditional heart during the tug and push of its sometimes tumultuous history.

Alan Jackson, David Allan Coe, Don Williams, Marty Stuart, Merle Haggard, Star Wars, Willie Nelson

December 19, 2014

Saving Country Music’s Best Videos of 2014

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From crude videos taken on somebody’s phone, to full production videos with scripts and actors and sets, to animated shorts and everything in between, you never know what’s going to capture the imagination and become the perfect compliment to a song in the visual form. what breaks through the crush of visual material to be called the best in 2014?

Don Williams, First Aid Kit, Florida Georgia Line, Gary Nicholson, Ray Benson, Steelism, Sturgill Simpson, The Tillers, The Whiskey Shivers, Townes Van Zandt, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Willie Watson

December 17, 2014

Mo Pitney Reveals Great Promise with “Country” Single

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If you’re looking for names to populate your most anticipated projects to be released in 2015, putting Mo Pitney at or near the top would be a savvy choice. With a one in a million country voice conveyed in a smoothness we haven’t heard since Don Williams, Mo Pitney is a chill-inducing traditional country artist with a succulent pentameter and delivery, and a songwriter’s pen engorged with stories.

Bill Anderson, country, Curb Records, Don Williams, Keith Whitley, Larry's Country Diner, Mo Pitney, Randy Travis, RFD-TV, The Grand Ole Opry

December 3, 2014

2014 Saving Country Music Song of the Year Nominees

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Each year when Saving Country Music sits down to compile the best songs, it’s done so with a solemn reverence and understanding that the idea embedded in a song has the power to change a life, and change the world. There are many songs out there that are a joy to listen to, but a Song of the Year must say something that can evoke shivers, and do so in a way nobody else has done before.

Don Williams, Everything's Gone, First Aid Kit, Garry Nicholson, Hellbound Glory, Hurray For The Riff Raff, I Lost You, Jim Lauderdale, Joseph Huber, Leon Virgil Bowers, Lloyd Maines, Lydia Loveless, Parker Milsap, Ray Benson, Streets of Aberdeen, Sturgill Simpson, Tami Neilson, The Body Electric, The Lonely Island, The Secret Sisters, Truck Stop Gospel, Turtles All the Way Down, Waitress Song, Wanchese & Manteo, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Willie Watson

December 1, 2014

2014 Saving Country Music Album of the Year Nominees

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2014 has revealed itself as the “Year of the Dark Horse” when it comes to compiling the greatest albums released in the last 12-month span. Tami Neilson, Karen Jonas, Charlie Parr, Matt Woods? Who’s heard of these people outside of their respective fan bases? And meanwhile the realm of mainstream music can’t field one candidate, unless you want to count First Aid Kit.

2014 Album of the Year, Charlie Parr, Don Williams, Doug Seegers, Dynamite!, First Aid Kit, Hollandale, I'm A Song, Jason Eady, Jim Lauderdale, John Fullbright, Joseph Huber, Karen Jonas, Kelsey Waldon, Matt Woods, Metamodern Sounds In Country Music, Oklahoma Lottery, Reflections, Stay Gold, Sturgill Simpson, Tami Neilson, With Love From Brushy Mountain, Zoe Muth

June 18, 2014

Saving Country Music’s Best Songs of 2014 So Far

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Compared to albums, making picks of songs is such a tough, arbitrary business. This year seems especially tough, not because the field isn’t strong, but because many of the best moments are coming from unlikely sources, including a cadre of cover songs that despite the spirit of the “Best Songs” approach being about original compositions, seem almost criminal to omit.

Bob Wayne, Dierks Bentley, Don Williams, Eric Church, First Aid Kit, Hellbound Glory, I'll Be Here In The Morning, Jason Eady, John Fullbright, Karen Jonas, Kirsty Lee Akers, Leroy Virgil, Liberty Bell, Lonely Island, Matt Woods, Melody Williamson, Miranda Lambert, Parker Milsap, Red Eye Gravy, Streets of Aberdeen, Sturgill Simpson, Take Me Back, The Promise, The Secret Sisters, The Wall, There's No Country Here, Turtles All the Way Down, Willie Nelson, Willie Watson, Zoe Muth

June 16, 2014

Saving Country Music’s Best Albums of 2014 So Far

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2014 so far has been an interesting year for album releases for sure. Some names we were hoping big things from like Sturgill Simpson and Jason Eady delivered in big ways. Other dark horse names we’d never heard of like Karen Jonas came out of the woodwork to stun. Some names like Don Williams and Charlie Parr put out surprising albums that have to be considered high water marks of their career.

Best Albums So Far, Charlie Parr, Dalight & Dark, Don Williams, First Aid Kit, Hollandale, Jason Eady, John Fullbright, Joseph Huber, Karen Jonas, Matt Woods, Metamodern Sounds In Country Music, Oklahoma Lottery, Reflections, Songs, Stay Gold, Sturgill Simpson, With Love From Brushy Mountain, World of Strangers, Zoe Muth

May 19, 2014

Lee Ann Womack’s “The Way I’m Livin'” Album Coming

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Fans of Lee Ann Womack have been waiting not-so-patiently since 2008’s Call Me Crazy for new music from the multi-Grammy and multi-CMA Award winner, and on September 23rd they’ll finally get their wish. After years on major labels, Womack has teamed up with renown label Sugar Hill Records to release The Way I’m Livin’ this fall.

Bruce Robison, Buddy Miller, Chris Knight, Don Williams, Frank Lidell, Hank Cochran, Hayes Carll, Jamey Johnson, Lee Ann Womack, Mando Saenz, Marty Sturat, Mindy Smith, Neil Young, Paul Franklin, release date, Roger Miller, Sugar Hill Records, The Way I'm Livin'

March 24, 2014

Scott Borchetta Commandeers Legacy Label Dot Records

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Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Label Group is now bigger by one, and adds a new branch on the Big Machine tree right beside the labels other imprints of Republic Records and Valory Music Group. Announced today, Scott Borchetta and Universal Music Group have resurrected the “Dot Records” label name—a legacy music brand that was first started in Gallatin, TN.

Big Machine Records, Chris Stacey, Count Basic, Don Williams, Dot, Dot Records, Hank Thompson, Pat Boone, Roy Clark, Scott Borchetta

March 19, 2014

Don Williams’ “Reflections” Reminds Us of What’s Important

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“Reflections” is much more than just the easy listening country it may appear to be on the surface. It’s an album with a message, and leads by example. Instead of whining about the state of country music, it does something about it. “Reflections” is the album we needed right here, right now. Not just from the perspective of saving country music, but the perspective of saving ourselves.

Don Williams, Merle Haggard, Reflections, Review, Townes Van Zandt, Willie Nelson

March 4, 2014

Don Williams Covers Townes Van Zandt’s “I’ll Be Here In The Morning”

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After releasing “And So It Goes” in 2012, Don Williams has all of a sudden become downright prolific in the new decade, and his latest release “Reflections” is due out March 11th. Ahead of the release Don teases us with a new song, an adaptation of Texas songwriting legend Townes Van Zandt’s beautiful, disarming tune of love triumphing over freedom, “I’ll Be Here In The Morning.”

Don Williams, I'll Be Here In The Morning, Mark Knopfler, Reflections, Townes Van Zandt

February 9, 2013

55th Annual Grammy Awards Preview

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Sunday night is the most important night in music of the year as the 55th annual Grammy Awards will be transpiring in Los Angeles. Independent-minded music consumers can go back and forth about just how important Grammy night is, but regardless if you like the winners or even care to pay attention, what transpires Sunday night will have effects on the entire music world.

Alison Krauss, Bonnie Raitt, Carrie Underwood, Don Williams, Eric Church, Hunter Hayes, Jamey Johnson, John Fullbright, Mumford & Sons, Ronnie Dunn, Taylor Swift, The Avett Brothers, The Grammy Awards, The Lumineers, Will Hoge, Zac Brown Band

December 17, 2012

Saving Country Music’s 25 Essential Albums for 2012

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Here is the list of 25 albums Saving Country Music deems essential for 2012 listening, and then I added an extra one I couldn’t leave off. Please note this list only includes albums that have been reviewed so far. There are a few more good and important albums in 2012 that have yet to be reviewed. The first 7 albums on the list (from Little Victories to Lee Bains) were all serious considerations for SCM’s Album of the Year.

Billy Don BUrns, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Chris Knight, Davy Jay Sparrow, Don Williams, essential albums, Foghorn Stringband, Jackson Taylor, James Leg, Joe Buck, Joseph Huber, JP Harris & The Tough Choices, Justin Townes Earle, Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires, Left Lane Cruiser, Lone Wolf, Marty Stuart, McDougall, Paige Anderson, Rachel Brooke, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Restavrant, Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, Sara Watkins, The Alabama Shakes, The Calamity Cubes, Tom VandenAvond, Willie Nelson

October 17, 2012

Jamey Johnson’s “Living for a Song / Tribute to Hank Cochran”

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Jamey Johnson’s Living For a Song is a tribute to his musical hero; a man he met in 2008 when Cochran was already suffering from pancreatic cancer. I’ve always had great respect for Jamey Johnson the man, and his dedication and desire to see this project through elevates him yet another notch. But shoot me that I like my pulse raised when I put on an album.

Bobby Bare, Brantley Gilbert, Colt Ford, Don Williams, Emmylou Harris, Hank Cochran, Jamey Johnson, Kris Kristofferson, Living For A Song A Tribute To Hank Cochran, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson

June 25, 2012

Album Review – Don Williams “And So It Goes”

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This biggest question heading into the release of Don Williams’ And So It Goes was what would change in Don’s sound after an 8-year hiatus from recording, 18 years after last working with long-time producer Garth Fundis, a quasi-retirement, and an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame? Well the answer is positively nothing, and that’s what makes And So It Goes such a treasure.

And So It Goes, Don Williams

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