Saving Country Music
The more music being dumped into streaming networks every day, the harder it is to find the songs, albums, and artists, and albums that might appeal to you. The bounty of choice has resulted in the cratering of appeal. The post New Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Playlist (#183) first appeared on Saving Country Music .
The Hook is not a performance competition. It's a songwriting showcase. But it's not just that either. The Hook is an attempt to address the issues that you see and hear so many of your favorite artists complaining about. The post The Power of Song Explored in the Latest Episode of ‘The Hook’ first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Best of luck pigeon holing Ben Jones in your nice and ordered little idea of what being American is supposed to be, cast in the political binary, and weighted on one side or the other of the always-inflamed culture war. The post Remembering Ben Jones: So Much More Than Hazzard County’s Mechanic first appeared on Saving Country Music .
As we like to say about our country heroes, they're gone but not forgotten. It's even easier to not forget them when their progeny make it a personal mission to keep their legacy going, and not just by being a reenactment. The post John PayCheck Crafts a “Better Plan” Ahead of New Album first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Recently, a Saturday Night Live skit featuring comedian Chris Farley impersonating Hank Williams Jr. has been making the rounds online. Originally aired as part of Season 23, Episode 4 on October 25th, 1997, the skit is quite hilarious. The post The REAL Message Behind the Hank Jr. / Chris Farley SNL Skit first appeared on Saving Country Music .
How this latest iteration of "The Band Perry" landed a label deal and booking representation, ended up on the lineups of festivals like the Two Step Inn and Bristol Rhythm and Roots playing to backing tracks defies logic. The post Brother of The Band Perry Exposes Falsehood Behind New Lineup first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Sorry Halloween, but you're gonna have to play second fiddle to the release of a new Kaitlin Butts record in 2026. Coming at you like a bowl full of treats on October 30th, Kaitlin will unleash her latest record "Hello, Honky Tonk." The post Let’s Do This: Kaitlin Butts to Release New Album “Hello, Honky Tonk” first appeared on Saving Country Music .
There's no need to close your eyes and suspend disbelief, or stoke the imagination with intoxicants or potions to be transported to the West Texas universe where the songs of Red Shahan dwell among the sandpaper winds. The post Album Review – Red Shahan’s “Hard Land” first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Called "Sho-Bud Showcase Live," the lineup includes Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, Lloyd Green, Marty Stuart, Skunk Baxter, Dan Dugmore, Don Felder from The Eagles, Marcus King, Rocco DeLuca, Eddy Dunlap, and more. The post Slash, Marty Stuart, Marcus King Lead Sho-Bud Steel Guitar Show at Ryman first appeared on Saving Country Music .
It's most certainly a bold work of recorded music. It's the kind of album that's like catnip for critics and awards organizations. But it's also a monogenre blob of influences trying to be all things to all people, while taking a formulaic approach. The post Album Review – Shaboozey’s “The Outlaw Cherie Lee” first appeared on Saving Country Music .
There has been one dangerous falsehood parroted out by AI's proponents and apologists: It's no different than AutoTune---the software that allows a sharp or flat note to be brought in tune in either a recorded or live performance. The post No, AI Is Not “Just Like AutoTune” first appeared on Saving Country Music .
On the surface maybe, pairing up John Prine and David Allan Coe might feel a little awkward. But those who know their country history are familiar with the fact that John Prine was the unspoken co-writer of David Allan Coe's big hit. The post Unreleased John Prine, David Allan Coe Songs Grace New Projects first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Multi-instrumentalist, solo performer, side player, and one of most overall likeable guys in Nashville will be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry. This was the news coming out of a Friday night (8-7) performance with Vince Gill. The post Charlie Worsham Invited to be New Grand Ole Opry Member first appeared on Saving Country Music .
She was known by numerous names, including the “Whittling Fiddler” and the “Stradivarius of the Ozarks." And in the country music realm, she was the oldest living legend, and by a mile, being designated as a "Living Treasure." The post Violet Hensley, Oldest Living Country Legend, Dies at 109 first appeared on Saving Country Music .
You never know who is going to show up to The Hook, or what's going to happen. That's part of the fun. But each week it seems someone with a name behind them in music shows up unexpected, and something happens that helps reset your mind. The post Surprise Appearances and Powerful Moments Grace The Hook Episode 9 first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Just over two years ago in July of 2024, arguably Crowell's most iconic album disappeared online, and for reasons that are still unspecified. But there's good news here on Crowell's 76th birthday. The album has returned. The post On His Birthday, Rodney Crowell’s Most Iconic Album Returns first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Instead of trying to re-create the past and try to meet the lofty expectations, Mike Harmeier and the boys simply focus in on being the best version of themselves they can be with the lineup of the band as it's presently constructed. The post Album Review – Silverada’s “Living Proof” first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Certain people in music just have a distinctive touch that their fellow musicians recognize, and want to tap into whenever they're making music, whether on the stage, or in the studio. That is how Tommy Detamore ended up in the credits of so many records. The post Pedal Steel Legend and Producer Tommy Detamore Has Died first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Delightfully unpretentious, and insulated from all the trend chasing back east, they're just writing, recording, and releasing country songs and records that emulate their heroes, and come with immediate appeal. The post Album Review – Robert Henry & the Repeaters – “Down The Road” first appeared on Saving Country Music .
If you need any more validation that some weird social contagion around attempting to take down Charley Crockett has taken hold among a certain population, look no further than this irresponsible, and arguably libelous new article. The post ‘San Antonio Current’ Beclowns Itself with Charley Crockett Data Center Story first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Rockabilly music as a genre is well over 70 years old. And yet it survives, coming back in style every few decades as artists from new generations discover it and recognize its coolness and cultural cache. The post Rockabilly Is Revived at New Great Lakes Rockabilly Road Trip first appeared on Saving Country Music .
All of the Ella Langley accolades and attention have somewhat overshadowed the rather incredible success of another song, Stella Lefty's "Boston." Whether it deserves to be or not, it has also been assigned to the domain of "country." The post Making Sense of Stella Lefty and New Song “Boston” first appeared on Saving Country Music .
On the 300 level of the new stadium slated to be open in February of 2027, there will be a mini version of Robert's Western World. Similar to a satellite establishment you might see at an airport, it will include Robert's Western World staples. The post Robert’s Western World Announces Satellite Location at New Nashville Stadium first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Billy String jumped up on stage with his Gibson SG electric guitar, and according to the lucky bastards who were there, played all night. Video corroborates that Billy sat in with the John Inghram Band, throwing down licks on songs. The post Billy Strings Plays West Virginia Dive Bar for Hours on Day Off first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Wyatt Flores is one of the most thoughtful, honest, expressive, and gripping songwriters of this new generation of Texas and Red Dirt performers. But let's just be open and clear-eyed about exactly what "Scared of Heights" is. The post Album Review – Wyatt Flores – “Scared of Heights” first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Merle Haggard deserves credit for a lot. But who knew that late in his career when an aging Merle Haggard was in his swan song, he also played a pivotal role in the legacy of another Country Music Hall of Fame act: Brooks & Dunn. The post Merle Haggard Helped Get Brooks and Dunn Back Together first appeared on Saving Country Music .
You never know what's going to happen, or who is going to show up to The Hook. But no matter who appears or what they perform, it’s hard to put into words the kind of magic, music, community, and camaraderie that happens. The post Adam Odor Gives Grammy-Winning Advice, Drew Moreland Appears on Ep. #8 of The Hook first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Tyler Childers does not give audio or video interviews these days. He just doesn't do it. Simply seeing Tyler Childers speaking extemporaneously on camera this week in a video released was a little jarring almost. The post The Powerful Message to Take from New Tyler Childers Interview first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Tanya Tucker has spent her entire life having to navigate a world of powerful men who didn't always have her best interests in mind, and tried to exploit what was hers. She was just 13 years old when she had her first hit with "Delta Dawn." The post Tanya Tucker Testifies and SINGS in front of Texas Senate Hearing first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Ultimately, "Little Miss Twain" will not be what Shania Twain is remembered for. But what you can take away is that getting more personal and pulling from your own life's story while trying to be more true to yourself always results in better art. The post Album Review – Shania Twain’s “Little Miss Twain” first appeared on Saving Country Music .
After finally re-emerging to play some shows recently, and releasing a tribute to Blaze Foley called "Jukebox Blues" in March, Ian Noe has announced the release of a new 16-song concept album called "Canyon Falls Trailer Band." The post Ian Noe Re-Emerges to Announces New Double Concept Album first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Hopefully everything is okay with Jason Isbell, and especially if it isn't, he deserves our understanding and grace. But it also feels like consumers deserve more leeway and explanation if performers expect that courtesy to be reciprocated. The post On Jason Isbell Cancelling Numerous Shows with No Explanation first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Few if anything is uniting the population of the United States these days, and the same goes in country music, which is virtually split right down the middle by the culture war. But opposition to AI and data centers is. The post What Can Unite Willie Nelson and Gavin Adcock? Data Center Opposition first appeared on Saving Country Music .
It used to be that whenever a true country music traditionalist came down the pike---especially a younger one---it had us all in a tizzy because it was such a rare occurrence. Now it's not a rare occurrence at all. The post Colton Dawson Is Not Just Another New Neotraditionalist first appeared on Saving Country Music .
“We set out to make an album that pairs well with campfire coffee kettles, dusty neon band signs, and sun-bleached dashboard Polaroids,” lead singer Zane Williams says. “We figured it out together, as friends, the five of us." The post The Wilder Blue Announce New Album “Cinco” first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Kacey Musgraves has announced that multiple early dates on her upcoming "Middle Of Nowhere Tour" have been canceled, with no explanation for the cancellations, and no plans to reschedule them. What's going on? The post On Kacey Musgraves Canceling Numerous “Middle of Nowhere” Tour Dates first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Bringing imagination and an expansive view of what "country music" can be, Austin-based artist Chasen Wayne and his backing band The Honky Tonk Machine have been mesmerizing audiences with their music. The post Chasen Wayne Announces New Album “The Diamond Saloon” first appeared on Saving Country Music .
Now Waylon Jennings is receiving an honor he probably should have received many years ago. Though let's face it, Waylon never liked being honored that much in life, skipping out on awards shows, and not even attending his Hall of Fame induction. The post Waylon Jennings to be Honored in Hollywood first appeared on Saving Country Music .