A Country Fan Appreciates the Catalog of Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond. The Jewish Elvis Presley as some have referred to him over the years. But country? That’s probably not what you think of when you think Neil Diamond.
Rodney Crowell
Supergroup Member and Session Player Michael Rhodes Has Died
Everybody wanted him, on their albums and on their tours. But only the lucky could get him because he was so high in demand. His name was Michael Rhodes, and he was the bass player for countless artists, sessions, and tours over a nearly 50-year span, playing on some 60 Gold and Platinum albums.
A Compendium of Country Music Supergroups
The only thing more cool than your favorite country music performers is when your favorite country music performers come together to collaborate in a supergroup. Some of these collaborations have gone on to become just as legendary as the individual performers themselves.
Album Review – Courtney Patton’s “Electrostatic”
Those intimately familiar with the name Courtney Patton will need no coaxing to pay attention to a new album from her. No long-winded critical assessment is necessary, they pre-ordered this thing weeks ago, and much attention and love will be given to it for the weeks and months to come.
George Strait Tributes Billy Joe Shaver (& Willie Nelson)
Yeah yeah, we get these tribute albums to country legends coming down the pipeline every few weeks or so it seems. But when you can get “King” George Strait to show up and participate in one of them, now you’re making some serious news. This song was really the linchpin to Billy Joe Shaver’s entire career.
Trailer for “They Called Us Outlaws” Documentary Series Released
As reported by Saving Country Music in July, a new 6-part, 12-hour documentary named ‘They Called Us Outlaws: Cosmic Cowboys, Honky Tonk Heroes, and the Rise of Renegade Troubadours’ is on the way, featuring over 90 interviews and 75 live performances, with Jessi Colter executive producing.
Billy Joe Shaver Tribute Album Announced Amid Estate Dispute
August 16th, 2022 would have been Billy Joe Shaver’s 83rd birthday, but unfortunately, he passed away on October 28th, 2020 at the age of 81, leaving a legacy of songwriting that set the very foundation for Outlaw country music that is still just as influential and resonant today.
Vintage Album Review – Elizabeth Cook’s “Balls”
When considering her music, many would probably cite 2010’s ‘Welder’ as her master work. But Elizabeth Cook enjoyed an entire era of straight up traditional country output at the start of her career, peeking with her 2007 record ‘Balls,’ which has just been reissued.
“Live Forever” Book on Billy Joe Shaver’s Life & Songs Sets Release
An oral history on the life of songwriting legend Billy Joe Shaver will be released on July 21st. Called ‘Live Forever: The Songwriting Legacy of Billy Joe Shaver,’ it is about Shaver’s life and songs told through his peers, friends, and disciples. Authored by Courtney S. Lennon…
Album Review – Willie Nelson’s “A Beautiful Time”
“A Beautiful Time” was constructed like all country albums should be: start with whatever worthy original new songs the performer can muster, and then canvas country music’s rich population of career songwriters to find other stuff that’s worthy of wide attention.
Vincent Neil Emerson & John R. Miller Announce Joint Tour
Well hot damn. If you wanted to see two of just about the best songwriters out there at the moment together, Vincent Neil Emerson and John R. Miller have just announced a joint tour of intimate venues that will be worth suffering a hangover at work the next day for.
Newest Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#97)
What an amazing time in music we live in where you can compile a playlist of excellent new songs from living legends like Willie Nelson and Ray Wylie Hubbard, and place them right beside new songs from great contemporary artists like Ian Noe and Kaitlin Butts.
Willie Nelson To Release New Original Album “A Beautiful Time”
“A Beautiful Time” will be more of an original album from Willie Nelson, with five new songs penned by Nelson with his producer Buddy Cannon, as well as original songs written by others to complete the track list, and a few recognizable covers
Dallas Frazier, Writer of ‘Elvira’ and So Many More, Has Died
Before you can write it, you first have to live it. And Dallas Frazier lived many lives in his lifetime, putting it all in song along the way, and amassing one of the most legendary song catalogs in country music history, while also enjoying moments as a singer and a performer.
Album Review – Vincent Neil Emerson (Self-Titled)
This new album is a combination of simple compositions that convey sweet little vignettes from Texas life, and deep reverberative works and leave one shaken to the core from the impact of their stories. This combination makes Vincent Neil Emerson easy to warm to, but lasting in effect.
Jerry Jeff Walker Memorial Concert to be Aired Live
Legendary songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker passed away on October 23rd, 2020 due to throat Cancer, but never got a proper send off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event sold out within minutes of being announced, but if you’re a die hard Jerry Jeff fan and still want to participate, you can.
Vincent Neil Emerson Announces New Self-Titled Album
Quickly emerging Texas singer/songwriter Vincent Neil Emerson will be releasing his new, self-titled album produced by Rodney Crowell on June 25th via La Honda Records. It’s the same label home of Colter Wall distributed by Thirty Tigers. The new title looks to pick up where his debut left off.
The Johnny Cash Family Tree of Performers
The House of Cash is one of the most critical and accomplished family lineages in the history of country music. Though Johnny Cash is where most of the attention dwells, now three generations of performers have emerged, while Cash’s siblings have also contributed to country music.
Landmark Willie Nelson Tribute Concert to Finally Be Released
A once-in-a-lifetime event happened on January 12th, 2019 when a wide-ranging assemblage of talent from country music and beyond came together at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to pay tribute to Willie Nelson. Called ‘Willie: Life and Songs of an American Outlaw,’ it’s being released on CD and DVD.
Merle Haggard Tribute Concert to Finally Be Released
Unless you were there in person, you missed it. But now we’ll all get the opportunity to see the tribute concert that transpired on April 6th, 2017, when a hefty list of musical talent all assembled at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to pay tribute to the legendary Merle Haggard.
Iconic Instruments & Big Stars to Benefit Country Hall of Fame
To help in the COVID-19 recovery effort, the Hall of Fame is planning a special live streaming event that will match up many of the iconic instruments in the “Precious Jewels” collection and other displays with many of the best artists and players of today.
Will Oldham Premiers New Song Ahead of “Once Upon A River” Film
Once named by Saving Country Music as One of the Seven Songwriters Who Will Change Your Life, the output of 50-year-old Kentucky native Will Oldham is usually a bit more folk-oriented in nature. But “Dirty Halo” has a country heart.
Country Hall of Fame Event Matches Musicians w/ Iconic Instruments
Also as part of the reopening, the Hall of Fame is planning a special live streaming event on October 28th, and one they hope will be one of their biggest fundraisers ever, called “Big Night (At The Museum)”. It will match legendary instruments with many of the legendary artists of today.
Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell on Grand Ole Opry
Vince Gill has been one of the regulars during these quarantine Opry performances, appearing more than any other artist. Adding Emmylou Harris along with Rodney Crowell is just about the perfect combination, not just for the history the duo has together, but due to the history they both have with Vince Gill.