As fall breaks and the end of the year fast approaches, it’s time to look at what’s on tap for the rest of 2025 in country before Christmas music ushers the music industry into the Holidays.
Wyoming native and independent country artist Luke Bell was an enigma in life, became a cult legend upon his death, and despite his scant output, has become an influential artist as his legend has only grown.
On the side of a hill at a state park in Bell County, Kentucky rests the Laurel Cove Amphitheater. Appearing like something taken from a scene of a J.R.R. Tolkien novel…
It’s not necessarily the music of Gavin Adcock that has become so predictable that it veers into the realm of cliché. It’s his behavioral pattern that we have seen play out in music ad nauseum.
What is “authenticity” in country music, and why is it so important? And should it be? This is a question many love to ask, but the answer isn’t simple. The authenticity question is intertwined with the history of country music.
Three artists from three separate countries have released versions of “The Bullfighter” over the last two months. Who will be next? We will have to see.
Instead of focusing on Luke Bell’s death and the circumstances surrounding it, YouTube video channel/production company Western AF is focusing on his life with a new 50-minute extended feature.
The captivating aspect of Luke Bell’s story is the reason multiple creators have risen up to help tell that story to the world. There’s a driving motivation to make sure the lessons of Luke Bell’s life and death don’t go unlearned.
On Friday, April 12th, the widow of Americana singer and songwriter Justin Townes Earle took to social media to let her thoughts be known about the song “When We Were Close,” written and performed by Jason Isbell.
With a gas can with a hole cut in the top for a tip jar, Pat Reedy has traveled around and kept it up close and personal with his fans, and with life in forgotten America. That’s reflected in “Make It Back Home.”
On Monday, February 19th, Wyatt Flores announced that he would be cancelling his upcoming show in Oxford, Ohio. Other upcoming shows in Detroit and Toronto will also be rescheduled to a later date.
Specializing in what she characterizes as “Wild Rose Country Music,” she’s taken time from punching cattle on the Canadian prairie in Southern Alberta to perform at key festivals in the area, while also cutting videos.
Some inspired filmmakers have set out to tell the story of Luke Bell. Directors Kevin Romeo and Matt Bakken of Rhino Media have taken the idea that someone should preserve Luke Bell’s legacy in full.
What the reaction to Luke Bell’s death certified was that he was a candidate to have a posthumous career in the same vein as Townes Van Zandt, Blaze Foley, and other singer/songwriters whose music feels so elemental.
Let’s delve a little bit deeper into this Paul Cauthen arrest business to clear up some misconceptions, address some unfair criticisms, and talk about how all of this plays into the independent country music community at large.
JP Harris was currently on tour at the time, and flew into Nashville last minute to perform the tribute. Early on in Luke Bell’s career, not only did JP Harris give Luke a place to stay and a job (JP Harris is also a full-time contractor), he also was a mentor to Luke, referring to him as “little brother.”
As we look back on 2022 and before we look forward to 2023, it’s important we take the time to pay tribute to the important individuals in country music who left us over the last year, and who left a mark on the country and roots music world that will never fade. 2022 saw some absolute titans of the music leave us.
Country artist Luke Bell was officially laid to rest in a private ceremony in Cody, Wyoming on September 9th. But on Saturday, November 12th, friends, family, fellow musicians and fans were given the opportunity to remember and celebrate Luke Bell publicly.
Luke Bell was officially laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Christ Episcopal Church in Cody, Wyoming on September 9th. But now a public memorial is planned for Luke that will be taking place on November 12th at the Circle P Ranch in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville.
Like too many of the great country music poets before him, Luke Bell died way too young due to the devastating ailment of the Lovesick Blues. Unfortunately though, that’s not one of the boxes that medical examiners are given to check off when they turn in their autopsy reports.
The 2022 Americana Music Awards transpired at the Ryman Auditorium Wednesday Night, September 14th, with Billy Strings, Brandi Carlile, Allison Russell, Sierra Ferrell, and The War and Treaty all walking away with big awards. There were also a few surprises.
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.
This week has been very bittersweet for Martha Spencer. It happened to be that Luke Bell picked the same week to grab everyone’s attention that she was releasing her new album called ‘Wonderland,’ which also happens to feature Luke Bell appearing on one of the album’s tracks—one of Luke’s last recordings.
If you’re sick and tired of turning on the CMA and ACM Awards and wondering where the hell your favorite artists are as you stare at some dude in skinny jeans shaking his ass with backup dancers, or a tractor rapper singing into an Auto-tuner, it’s about time you checked out the Dale Watson-founded Ameripolitan Awards.