Why Carrie Underwood’s Producer Credits for “Cry Pretty” Are Critically Important
Carrie Underwood co-produced her entire new record out in September. This takes Carrie Underwood—a top tier country performer—into virtually uncharted territory in the mainstream, at least in the near term. This move by Carrie Underwood is incredibly audacious for country, mainstream or otherwise, from a man or a woman.
$10 Million Donation to Local Radio Station KEXP Is Big Boon For Independent Artists
Being an independent music artist is not easy. Adversity lurks everywhere, and the cards are stacked against you. But it’s nice to have auspicious enclaves of support to help you upon your journey. For many years, a small nonprofit radio station based in Seattle called KEXP has been that very thing for bands.
Album Review – Left Arm Tan’s “El Camino”
Just like country and Americana bands from places outside of the United States, local and regional bands can be an excellent hiding place for some of the best music being released in a given year that is going regularly overlooked by the rest of media. Left Arm Tan from Ft. Worth, TX fits right into that mold.
Guitarist and Producer Randy Scruggs Has Passed Away
One of the most important men behind-the-scenes who had his hands deep in the iconic sounds of country music, while also keeping the flame of one of the most famous families in country history alive has passed away. Randy Scruggs, whose playing, writing, and producing ran deep throughout country music for decades, passed away on Tuesday.
Miranda Lambert Revels in Being the “Keeper of the Flame”
When the Miranda Lambert camp announced the next single they’d be sending to country radio was the mid-tempo “Keeper of the Flame,” it didn’t leap off the page as a smart pick for today’s radio landscape. But that probably wasn’t the most important consideration that worked itself into the calculus.
Blackberry Smoke Hit #1 in Country in Pure Album Sales with “Find A Light”
Blackberry Smoke is once again #1 in country, at least when you consider pure album sales. Their most recent album Find A Light released on April 6th sold more cohesive records last week than any other country release according to the Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart. They also charted in Rock and Americana.
Backstreet Boys’ A.J. McLean Says He Wants to “Disrupt” Country & Turn It Urban
In 10 years and 11 days of owning and operating Saving Country Music dot com, I have never once seen someone display such bold-faced effrontery and wanton disrespect for the gorgeous and historic institution of country music as this wash up and his $50,000 diamond-encrusted gauge earrings.
Hank3 Makes 1st Public Appearance in Nearly 4 Years for DevilDriver Outlaw Interview
Hank3 has been out of the spotlight for the last few years as he takes an extended period off to reshuffle his personal life, but he has re-emerged recently as part of the heavy metal band DevilDriver’s upcoming tribute to Outlaw country called “Outlaws ‘Til The End” to be released July 6th.
Jason Isbell Issues A Ton of New Tour Dates for 2018
Americana stalwart Jason Isbell has just loaded his tour schedule up with a ton of new tour dates with his band The 400 Unit, and fans better be on their toes because certain dates will sell out. Adding to previously-announced dates, he’s now announced additional dates starting in July and going into late September.
Album Review – Jason Aldean’s “Rearview Town”
So here we go again. Another new Jason Aldean album, and another machine gunning of blistering arena rock guitars, braggadocios rural boy aphorisms, self-aggrandizing affirmations of what a badass he is, with very little substance or sincerity delivered between the lines to find enriching. But let’s also give Jason Aldean some due credit.
2018 ACM Awards Fail to Pay Tribute to Fallen Country Greats From Past Year
When we saw the expansive list of performances scheduled for the 2018 ACM Awards Sunday night (4-15) in Las Vegas, we knew something would need to be axed from the presentation to make room. During most every awards show in the modern era, performers and dignitaries of note who have passed away in the last year are honored.
Saving Country Music’s 2018 ACM Awards LIVE Blog
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the official 2018 ACM Awards LIVE blog. For those of you not familiar with this exercise, for the next three hours we will be ranting and raving, holding feet to the fire, showering others with praise who are worthy, and trying to make the excruciating practice of watching a country music show that much less painful.
The 2018 ACM Awards Complete Preview
All the information on the 53rd Annual ACM Awards in one place, including the presenters, the performers, the collaborations, the nominees, and other things to watch for. Will Chris Stapleton have another big night? What do traditional country fans have to look forward to (if anything)? And awards that have already been handed out.