True Grit (Cody Jinks, Charles Wesley Godwin) Acquired by WME
10 CommentsThere has been yet another huge shakeup in the world of independent country music, and Texas-based booking and management agencies. True Grit Talent Agency has been acquired by WME.
Alison Krauss and “Windy City” Hit #1 on the Country Albums Chart
21 CommentsWindy City from Alison Krauss comes in at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart for the week ending February 23rd, and also comes in at #1 on the Bluegrass Album Chart, #2 on the Americana chart right behind Ryan Adams’ Prisoner, and #5 on the all-genre Billboard 200.
Think Horns Don’t Belong in Country? Then You Don’t Know Don Markham
48 CommentsFor 40 years, Don Markham was the horn player in Merle Haggard’s backing band, The Strangers. In fact he outlasted every other permanent member in the band, and aside from a few hiatuses throughout the years, was the only constant member. He also played on every single Merle Haggard release since 1974, though you may have not noticed him.
FINALLY: Nashville to Host a Tribute to the Late Great Merle Haggard
35 CommentsA tribute is finally planned for The Hag, and it promises to be a star-studded event. ‘Sing Me Back Home: The Music of Merle Haggard’ will take place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, April 6th to honor what would have been Merle Haggard’s 80th birthday, and to mark the one year anniversary of his passing.
Details In The Serious Accident Involving Texas Artist Rich O’Toole
9 CommentsO’Toole had flown earlier on Saturday from Houston’s Hobby Airport to Amarillo, TX in preparation for a show at the GoldenLight Cafe and Cantina with the Corey Hunt Band. After arriving at the airport, he contacted an Uber ride to take him to his hotel.
John Moreland to Release New Album “Big Bad Luv”
13 Comments‘Big Bad Luv’ promises to be a shift in John Moreland’s focus. Where before you could expect some of the most tear-soaked material you could hear in all of roots music, the new album is said to be more sentimental. This should not come as a shock to Moreland fans since he was recently married, and has seen a shift in his personal life.
Sturgill Simpson On ACM Awards Snub: “Good. Dodged a Corny Bullet.”
53 CommentsAfter Sturgill Simpson and his recent album A Sailor’s Guide to Earth took home the trophy for Best Country Album at the 2017 Grammy Awards and was in contention for Album of the Year, some wondered if the ACM Awards would finally wise up and offer Sturgill Simpson a nomination.
Movie Review – “Hell or High Water” Is More Than Just A Good Soundtrack
24 CommentsIf you’re going to make a movie based in West Texas about the destruction of the agrarian economy and the way the banks rape the poor and why so much of the American heartland has turned into a ghost town husk of what it once was, what better way to embellish the moments than to include the songs of artists like Ray Wylie Hubbard, Scott H. Biram, & Colter Wall?
Aaron Watson Takes Center Stage at the San Antonio Rodeo (Photos)
5 CommentsIf you want to appreciate just how far independent Texas country artist Aaron Watson has come with his career, take a moment to reflect that in 2017, he was asked to play the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo—the same big stage that Willie Nelson, and even big pop country names like Rascal Flatts and Dierks Bentley played this year.
Album Review – Aaron Watson’s “Vaquero”
33 CommentsAaron Watson is an optimist, and a pragmatist. And though a swath of independent and traditional country fans tend to find themselves generally turned off by these things—only identifying with country music that breaks the heart—Aaron Watson is adhering to the very first rule of independent and traditional country: be authentic to yourself.
Song Review – Jason Eady’s “Barabbas”
43 CommentsWhen you have a good song, most everything else tends to get in the way. That’s the case with “Barabbas.” Wise songwriters know that when you can put the weight of historical moments and important figures behind your song, you’re getting a vastly superior head start on your average, sappy love song.
Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen’s “This Old Porch” Could Be Immortalized in Bronze
12 CommentsThere are those moments in music that will be forever immortalized for one reason or another, whether it’s the writing of a legendary song, a once-in-a-lifetime performance or collaboration, or the birth of a new genre or era. One such moment transpired in College Station, TX in 1976 not far from the corners of Church and Boyett streets.
Dalton Domino Sets The Release of His Second Album “Corners”
6 CommentsEditor’s Note: This is a contribution to Saving Country Music by Zac McDaniel who is a freelance writer. Zac is also a rancher and small business owner from Oklahoma. Along with immersing himself in the music of others he is also an aspiring songwriter. He enjoys spending time with his wife, children and Gibson guitar. […]