The Biggest Takeaways from SXSW 2025
You don’t enjoy SXSW—the annual musical gathering in Austin, Texas every mid March. You endure it. You survive it. Here are Saving Country Music’s biggest takeaways from SXSW 2025.
Summer Dean
Newest Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#152)
Absolutely LOADED update to the playlist as A-list singles and album cuts come flooding in on us, pushing well past the 25-song limit to include them all. This playlist is so good, moves are being made to make it illegal in Alabama.
Mile 0 Fest 2025: Ground Zero for Big Moments
What happens at Mile 0 Fest in Key West doesn’t stay in Key West. It resonates throughout the Texas/ Red Dirt world, into Americana, and throughout independent country for the rest of the year.
Keystone Artist Connect Illustrates The Key to Success is Connection
A group of women operating under the name Keystone Artist Connect have decided that instead of sitting back and watching their favorite artists continue go under-supported, they’re rolling up their sleeves and doing something.
Live Performers Country Festivals Should Not Overlook for 2025
To make sure important names don’t go overlooked, here’s a sample of some of the other independent country performers who are guaranteed to deliver top-caliber performances patrons will remember.
Artists Who Made Big Impressions at SXSW 2024
South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin last week was an opportunity to scout for talent, see some important up-and-coming bands, and gauge who is on the rise. Here were some of the best.
Memorable Moments Mark Willie Nelson’s 2024 Luck Reunion
What started as a very exclusive gathering has become a world-class event with international interest due to the names that play and attend the event during Austin’s greater SXSW festivities. This was especially true in 2024.
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.
Texas Country Music Awards Announce 2023 Winners
The Texas Country Music Awards were held on Sunday, November 12th at the legendary Billy Bob’s Texas in the Fort Worth Stockyards, with traditional country artists Jake Worthington, Summer Dean, and Dale Watson winning awards.
Scenes and Moments from the 2023 Jackalope Jamboree
One of the reasons independent acts have been rising in popularity to rival and even surpass their mainstream counterparts in popularity is due in part to events like the Jackalope Jamboree.
Newest Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#122)
The Saving Country Music Top 25 Playlist is built to keep you informed on all the best songs and albums coming out right now in country music. Available on all major streaming platforms.
Album Review – Summer Dean’s “The Biggest Life”
For some, distraction and escapism are fine remedies for whatever is weighing on their mind. For the rest of us, there’s country music. There is nothing like hearing the misery and sorrows of others to make you feel less alone in your own ills.
Release Radar & Most Anticipated Albums for 2nd Half of 2023
We have reached the point of insanity these days with the amount of albums coming out each week in the greater country and roots realm. It’s like a full-time job just keeping track of it all, let alone navigate through the sea of releases to try and find what may be appeal to you.
Summer Dean to Channel Golden Era Greatness on “The Biggest Life”
Fresh off of her win as the 2023 Ameripolitan Music Awards Honky Tonk Female, the blue jean Texas honky tonk queen Summer Dean has announced a new album, and released a new single that is classic country music gold. “The Biggest Life” will arrive via Bruce Robinson’s revivalist label The Next Waltz.
Scenes from Ameripolitan 2023 (& Yes, the Waffle House Dress)
For two days before the awards show transpired, performances took place at the stately Guesthouse at Graceland in Memphis showcasing some of the greatest up-and-coming and independent talent from country, roots, and rockabilly—or “Ameripolitan” as we call it in this instance.
2023 Ameripolitan Weekender & Awards Features a Stacked Lineup
It’s been a couple of years since the Dale Watson-founded Ameripolitan Awards and the corresponding weekend of events have occurred due to COVID-19. But 2023 promises to be a rousing comeback with a stellar lineup of musicians slated to perform February 17th to 19th in Memphis, Tennessee.
Born & Raised Fest 2022 Featured Top Flight of Independent Country
Held on the same grounds as the massive Rocklahoma gathering, Born & Raised boasted one of the best lineups all year on an incredibly crowded weekend. Just the Friday night lineup alone was worth the effort, with some of the best songwriters and performers in all of country music booked one after another.
Album Review – Kimberly Kelly’s “I’ll Tell You What’s Gonna Happen”
It’s called “I’ll Tell You What’s Gonna Happen,” but it very well could be called “Better Late Than Never.” Call it what you want, but it most certainly deserves to be called country, and good. Native Texan Kimberly Kelly has been kicking around both the Texas and Nashville country scenes for years
Jesse Daniel’s “My Kind of Country” Tour Is One Not To Miss
If the musical experience you most cherish is being in a honky tonk, listening to honky-tonk music, with a bunch of fellow honky-tonkers, seeing a guy or gal that probably should be on a stage two or three times larger, the Jesse Daniel experience is the perfect fit for you.
Jesse Daniel Toasts Waylon, Releases New Tour Dates
Don’t fret for the future of country music ladies and gentlemen. If need be, Jesse Daniel will strap it on his back, and carry it into the future himself. This road-doggin’, honky-tonkin’, California-born, Texas-based singer and songwriter will be keeping the twang alive.
Charley Crockett Releases New Tour Dates w/ Killer Openers
Charley Crockett is one of the hardest working men in country music, and he is continuing his relentless touring schedule by heading out West, and then making his way back east to close out 2021. He’s also bringing along some great openers that are worth seeing all by themselves.
Newest Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#90)
Well damn, the summer of 2021 didn’t exactly turn out like we all had planned. But country music is the crutch we all lean on when times get tough, or heartbreak and disappointment creeps into our lives. So here’s a newly-freshened selection of some the best country stuff.
Album Review – Summer Dean’s “Bad Romantic”
‘Bad Romantic’ is the kind of country record you wished some of your favorite women of country would cut, but never do. It’s got that denim and bell-bottom 70’s honky tonk country vibe going on strong, unabashedly twangy and country, with a dash of funky energy and attitude.
Colter Wall Selling Out Upcoming Tour, Announces Openers
Reigning Saving Country Music Artist of the Year Colter Wall is about to head out on tour, and as was warned when the tour was first announced, you better scarf up tickets now and see him in smaller venues when you still can, because this won’t last for long.
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