Dwight Yoakam

April 10, 2015

Alan Jackson with Cole Swindell? More Dubious ACM Duets

The calamitous and disturbing plan of the Academy of Country Music to pair up some of country music’s worst stars of today with country music heroes of the past just keeps getting worse. Though a few of the collaboration ideas seem kind of cool, some of them are downright sinister to the hearts of traditional country fans who revere the past greats, and revile the new artists who are stomping on the traditions of the genre.

Alan Jackson, Cole Swindell, David Lee Murphy, Dwight Yoakam, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, Marty Stuart, Sam Hunt

April 7, 2015

Dwight Yoakam to Duet with Sam Hunt for ACM Special

Trigger Down with Pop Country 78 Comments

In the latest sign that a godless Apocalypse is nigh upon us and will reduce the entire effort of humankind from the beginning of time to an infinitesimal blip of virtual nothingness perpetuated in a faraway corner of the universe, Dwight Yoakam has agreed to pair up with country music sham artist Sam Hunt for a duet as part of an ACM Awards television special.

ACM Awards, Deana Carter, Dwight Yoakam, John Anderson, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Patty Loveless, Sam Hunt, The Band Perry

March 10, 2015

Why Country Music Is Sick in 2015

Trigger Random Notes 128 Comments

I don’t need a workup from Dr. Scratch-N-Sniff to know something is seriously ill with country music here in the first quarter of 2015. We’re not talking about the worn-out complaints about how pop country sucks and how Sam Hunt and Florida Georgia Line don’t belong. Take all of those concerns and put them to the side for a second. I’m talking about the once high-flying country genre…

Brady Clark, Dwight Yoakam, Florida Georgia Line, Holly Williams, Merle Haggard, Sam Hunt, Sturgill Simpson, Taylor Swift

February 11, 2015

Brandy Clark Sees Biggest Sales Spike of All Grammy Performers

Trigger News 21 Comments

Why do the Grammy Awards matter? Well even if you don’t win anything, the exposure as a performer is just about priceless for those that get the opportunity. Brandy Clark was up for Best Country Album for her ’12 Stories’ release, and Best New Artist, and walked away with neither. But her performance with Dwight Yoakam on her song “Hold My Hand” landed Brandy the largest single percentage gain in song sales.

Brandy Clark, Dwight Yoakam, Eric Church, Grammy Awards, Hold My Hand

February 11, 2015

2015 Country Music Hall of Fame Picks & Prognostications

Trigger Random Notes 71 Comments

It’s about that time of year again to start considering who the Country Music Hall of Fame will include in their list of 2015 inductees. That said, this announcement seems to inch later, and later (and later) each year. Nonetheless, if you want your opinion to amount to anything, you better get it out there early in the year as the people who make the picks for the final ballots and eventually inductees are doing their homework.

Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Country Music Hall of Fame, David Allan Coe, Don Kelley, Dwight Yoakam, Grady Martin, Gram Parsons, Hank Williams Jr., Jerry Lee Lewis, Jerry Reed, Jesse McReynolds, John Hartford, Johnny Paycheck, Keith Whitley, Kenney Vaughan, Kenny Chesney, Mac McAnally, Mac Wiseman, Pete Drake, Ralph Mooney, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, Redd Volkaert, Ricky Skaggs, Ronnie Milsap, Sam Bush, The Maddox Brothers & Rose, The Oak Ridge Boys

February 8, 2015

A 57th Annual Grammy Awards Complete Preview

Trigger Random Notes 29 Comments

All you need to know about the 2015 Grammy Awards. Despite the country genre rising to become arguably the biggest genre in popular music right now, there’s just not a whole lot of country to be featured on the show this year. This year’s country performance slots are cut in half, with the only collaboration being between Brandy Clark and Dwight Yoakam.

Brandy Clark, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Dwight Yoakam, Eric Church, Grammy Awards, Lee Ann Womack, Miranda Lambert, NIckel Creek, Rosanne Cash, Sturgill Simpson

February 4, 2015

Dwight Yoakam Announces New Album “Second Hand Heart”

Trigger News 29 Comments

Rockin’ West Coast country music legend Dwight Yoakam has a fresh new set of tracks ready to be offered to the listening public under the collective title of “Second Hand Heart.” The new album is said to hearken back to Yoakam’s early cowpunk days, when the caramel-voiced singer was coming up in the ranks touring with punk and rock bands as a throwback country music artist.

Brandy Clark, Dwight Yoakam, Eric Church, Second Heand Heart

January 13, 2015

Once Again Eric Church Goes Independent for Concert Openers

Trigger Random Notes 61 Comments

Say what you want about Eric Church’s music, and though he’s sporting one of the most loyal fan bases in popular music these days, he’s also revealed himself as one of the most polarizing figures in country music in the last few years. But you can’t fault the man for thinking outside the box, and scouring the hungry, unwashed faces of independent music when looking for openers.

Brandy Clark, Brothers Osborne, Drive By Truckers, Dwight Yoakam, Eric Church, JD McPherson, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, The Cadillac Three, The Lone Bellow, The Outsiders Tour

January 9, 2015

Odie Blackmon Talks Teaching George Jones College Course

Trigger Random Notes 16 Comments

Around the passing of The Possum in 2013, I remember the news of his widow Nancy setting up an endowment and scholarship fund for MTSU in the name of George Jones. What I didn’t know, and what has gone somewhat under-reported, is that the passing of George and the endowment encouraged the faculty of MTSU to enter a class on the life of George Jones into the school’s curriculum.

Beverley Keel, Bobby Braddock, Dwight Yoakam, George Jones, George Strait, Harlan Howard, Jim Lauderdale, Lee Ann Womack, MTSU, Odie Blackmon, The Desert Rose Band, The Grand Ole Opry, The Louisiana Hayride

November 21, 2014

The Mavericks to Release New Album “Mono”

Trigger News 12 Comments

Saving Country Music’s 2013 Album of the Year was not Jason Isbell’s breathtaking Southeastern, or Sturgill Simpson’s breakout High Top Mountain, but the comeback record from the Latin-inspired Raul Malo and The Mavericks called “In Time.” Now The Mavericks have announced that they’ve been in the studio again and will release the followup to In Time called “Mono.”

Big Machine Records, Brantley Gilbert, Dwight Yoakam, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Isbell, Mono, Raul Malo, Robert Reynolds, Sturgill Simpson, Taylor Swift, The Mavericks, Valory Music Group

November 4, 2014

Willy Tea Taylor Signs to Palomino Pencils’ Blackwing Music Label

Trigger News 8 Comments

What do pencils and music have in common? Apparently a lot more than it would appear on the surface. And Palomino, the company responsible for bringing the legendary Blackwing Pencil back from the dead has now launched a music wing and record label, signing Willy “Tea” Taylor, noted songwriter, co-frontman of the Oakdale, CA-based Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit.

Andrew Combs, Blackwing Music, Blackwing Pencils, Dolly Parton, Dwight Yoakam, Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, Michael Witcher, Palomino, Phil Harris, Willy Tea Taylor

October 15, 2014

The Greatest Hank Williams Tribute Songs of All Time

Trigger History 45 Comments

Hank Williams was the greatest country music singer and songwriter to ever walk the face of the Earth. And if you don’t believe that, just listen to how his fellow country music performers feel about his contributions to the music. Here is a list of the greatest Hank Williams tribute songs of all time.

Alan Jackson, Ashley Monroe, Darrell Scott, Dave Alvin, David Allan Coe, Dwight Yoakam, Ernest Tubb, Ferlin Husky, Fred Eaglesmith, Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr., Hawkshaw Hawkins, Jack Cardwell, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Joey Allcorn, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Mark Chesnutt, Moe Bandy, Ritchie Albright, Robert Earl Keen, Slaid Cleaves, The Blasters, The Highwaymen, Waylon Jennings

August 28, 2014

A Breakdown of the NASH Icon Playlist (AKA Merle’s Back on Radio)

Trigger Radio/Media 40 Comments

“What will NASH Icon be, and will it make a significant improvement to country radio?” This has been the question on the mind of many country music fans ever since NASH Icon was announced. Now that there are actually radio stations broadcasting the new NASH Icon format, we can listen in and hear just exactly what NASH Icon is.

Alabama, Alan Jackson, Big Machine Records, Chase Rice, Cole Swindell, Cumulus Media, Diamond Rio, Dierks Bentley, Doug Stone, Dwight Yoakam, Florida Georgia Line, Garth Brooks, John Dickey, Kacey Musgraves, Lee Ann Womack, Mark Chesnutt, Merle Haggard, NASH, NASH Icon, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Old Crow Medicine Show, playlist, Ricochet, Sturgill Simpson, Tracy Byrd, Vince Gill

July 14, 2014

The Metamodern Rise of Sturgill Simpson (A Timeline)

Trigger Random Notes 88 Comments

The Metamodern rise of Sturgill Simpson could be classified as meteoric, and his dramatic ascent in the last few months is virtually unparalleled in the modern country music world for an independent artist. Amidst the swelling crowds, the high praise, and far flung accolades, let’s look back at Sturgill Simpson, and take a moment to reflect on how he got here.

Charlie Robison, David Letterman, Dwight Yoakam, High Top Mountain, Marty Stuart, Metamodern Sounds In Country Music, Pickathon, Pokey LaFarge, Sturgill Simpson, Sunday Valley, The Grand Ole Opry, The Legendary Shack Shakers, Zac Brown, Zac Brown Band

July 14, 2014

Big Machine Is Big Loser in Garth Brooks Comeback

Trigger Random Notes 61 Comments

So we now know who the big winner was for the Garth sweepstakes. But who was the biggest loser? That is certainly what you could call Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Records in the situation. Why? Because they had the biggest stake in the Garth sweepstakes, because of Big Machine’s joint venture with the radio world’s Cumulus Media called NASH Icons.

Alan Jackson, Big Machine Records, Clint Black, Cumulus Media, Dwight Yoakam, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, Lew Dickey, Nash Icons, RCA Nashville, Scott Borchetta, Shania Twain, Sony Music Entertainment

April 16, 2014

Moot Davis & “Goin’ In Hot” Are Worth A Good Listen

Trigger Reviews 39 Comments

I’ve been wanting to tug on the sainted Saving Country Music reader’s ear about Moot Davis for years, and who knows what all kinds of dumb excuses have conspired up to this point to not allow that to happen. But the release of his latest “Goin’ In Hot” is just about the perfect damn opportunity if there ever was one to stop everything else down and sing the praises of this man’s contributions.

Dwight Yoakam, Goin' In Hot, Gram Parsons, Keith Richards, Kenny Vaughan, Marty Stuart, Merle Haggard, Moot Davis, Nikki Lane, Ralph Mooney

April 9, 2014

Eric Church Taps Dwight, Brandy Clark, Brothers Osborne for Tour

Trigger News 50 Comments

Eric Church has just announced the details and dates for his upcoming “The Outsiders” World arena tour, and he will be tapping some worthy talent to open for him during dates that will start on September 11th in North America, and run through December. Joining him will be Dwight Yoakam as the primary opener, as well as Brandy Clark, Brothers Osborne, and Halestrom.

Brandy Clark, Brothers Osborne, Dwight Yoakam, Eric Church, Halestrom, Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, The Outsiders Tour, Tour

March 5, 2014

10 Badass Billy Joe Shaver Moments

Trigger History 39 Comments

You can’t go long talking about badasses in country music without bringing up the one, the only Billy Joe Shaver. Though he may have never received the recognition of Willie, Waylon, or even Coe or Paycheck, his influence is arguably just important. When you have Elvis cutting one of your songs, Willie Nelson calling you his favorite songwriter, have Bob Dylan name dropping you…

Billy Joe Shaver, Bob Dylan, Dale Watson, Dickey Betts, Dwight Yoakam, Eddie Shaver, Elvis, Green Gables, Guy Clark, Honky Tonk Heroes, Kris Kristofferson, Squidbillies, The Allman Brothers, The Eagles, Waylon Jennings, Whitey Morgan, Willie Nelson

January 8, 2014

Austin Lets Out a Hipster Gaffaw at Your Country Festival, iHeartRadio

Trigger Random Notes 41 Comments

Today it was announced that Austin, TX would be the site for iHeartRadio’s first ever country music festival, transpiring at Austin’s Frank Erwin Center on March 29th, with a list of top tier headliner talent. There is so much that is ill-conceived about this, I’m not sure where to start. Throwing a corporate country event in Austin, especially at that time of the year will be about as popular in Austin as running over a bicyclist in your Hummer.

Austin, Bobby Bones, Carrie Underwood, Chris Young, Clear Channel, Dustin Lynch, Dwight Yoakam, Eli Young Band, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, iHeartRadio Country Festival, Jake Owen, Jason Aldean, Josh Turner, Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, Loretta Lynn, Luke Bryan, Rodeo Austin, Scotty McCreery, South by Southwest, SXSW, Thompson Square, Willie Nelson

December 25, 2013

Christmastime in Gruene, TX with The Mavericks

Trigger Reviews 10 Comments

Watching The Mavericks take the humble, but prestigious Gruene Hall stage, you have to remind yourself that at one time The Mavericks were the biggest group in country music, taking home the Vocal Group of the Year from both the CMA and ACM in 1995. At the same time, this is in no shape or form a band on the skids, or one riding off of their past glory days. The Mavericks feel as relevant and as fresh as they ever have.

Dwight Yoakam, Gruene, Gruene Hall, Lyle Lovett, Raul Malo, Ray Price, Scott Borchetta, The Mavericks

December 18, 2013

Dwight Yoakam Plane Fire Forces Emergency Landing

Trigger News 11 Comments

Dwight Yoakam and everyone else is safe after a a scare at 50,000 feet Sunday afternoon. Dwight and 9 other passengers were aboard a twin-engine Hawker 800 jet after playing a private show in a small town in Canada’s Northwest Territories roughly 1,300 miles due North of Great Falls, MT, when the pilot radioed in an engine fire while en route back to the United States.

airplane, Dwight Yoakam, fire

September 18, 2013

2013 Americana Music Awards Winners & Recap

Trigger News 14 Comments

The 2013 Americana Music Awards once again transpired in Nashville at the historic Ryman Auditorium as part of the week-long Americana Music Conference. Delbert McClinton lead off with Hank Williams’ “Hey, Good Lookin,'” leading into MC Jim Lauderdale giving a poignant introduction that included the line, “The past matters, traditions matter, even when we explore ways to have those traditions extended and expanded.”

2013, Alejandro Escovedo, Americana Music Awards, Americana Music Awards Winners, Billy Bragg, Bruce Robison, Dan Auerbach, Delbert McClinton, Dr. John, Duane Eddy, Dwight Yoakam, Emmylou Harris, Hank Williams, Holly Williams, JD McPherson, John Fullbright, Kelly Willis, Ken Burns, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Milk Carton Kids, Nicki Bluhm, Richard Thompson, Robert Hunter. Jim Lauderdale, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Sam Bush, Shovels and Rope, Stephen Stills, Tift Merritt, Wilco

July 1, 2013

5 Worthy Artists Finding Success in 2013

Trigger Reviews 22 Comments

You know how you may root for a hometown sports team for years even though they’re terrible, and then out of the blue when they start to get good you don’t know how to behave because you’ve identified with losing for so long? Well that is what is happening in 2013 with many of the artists Saving Country Music and so many loyal fans have been following for years.

Ashley Monroe, Austin Lucas, Caitlin Rose, Chuck Ragan, Dwight Yoakam, Hellbound Glory, Junior Brown, Kacey Musgraves, Kid Rock, Sturgill Simpson, Valerie June

June 9, 2013

Movie Review – “The Last Ride, A Story of Hank Williams”

Trigger Reviews 14 Comments

“The Last Ride” takes you on the ill-fated road trip beginning in Alabama, and ending in West Virginia where Hank Williams passed away on New Years Day, 1953. Though Hank’s name is never spoken in the movie, it’s taken as a given that you know who he is, and what fate awaits him. The relationship between the superstar on death’s door and the confused young man is the centerpiece of “The Last Ride.”

A Story of Hank Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Hank Williams, Henry Thomas, Kris Kristofferson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, The Last Ride, The Last Ride movie

«‹ 3 4 5 6