A Country Fan Appreciates the Catalog of Neil Diamond
25 CommentsNeil 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.
Jason Aldean To Zac Brown “Nobody Gives A Shit What You Think”
372 CommentsThe war of words concerning the state of country music continues, with Jason Aldean being the latest to enter the fray. Responding to comments by Zac Brown in a recent radio interview, Jason Aldean took to his Instagram account to call out Zac Brown. “To those people runnin their mouths, trust me when i tell u that nobody gives a shit what u think.”
Interview: Head of New Outlaw Country Hall of Fame Gary Sargeant
16 CommentsOn August 15th, the plans for the upcoming Outlaw Country Music Hall of Fame and an accompanying Outlaw Music Association were made public. The announcement stimulated a lot of speculation about what direction the upcoming Hall of Fame would take, but not many serious answers. So Saving Country Music reached out to Gary “Sarge” Sargeant, the spearhead of the Outlaw Country Hall of Fame.
“High Cotton: A Tribute To Alabama” Is A Tribute Done Right
36 CommentsHigh Cotton: A Tribute To Alabama gets right what so many cover and tribute albums get wrong, including its 2013 counterpart Alabama & Friends. A good tribute album doesn’t just pay tribute to the band or artist. It should be a 50/50 proposition, with the contributing artists also benefiting from the name recognition the tributee affords.
12 Reasons to be Positive About Country Music in 2013
25 CommentsCountry music in 2013 feels like the best of times, and the worst of times. While a few top male performers perpetrate untold atrocities on the integrity of the genre, the rise of independent music and infrastructure in the marketplace is now almost to the point where it equals its corporate counterpart. Quality songs and worthy artists are beginning to see more and more support…
Davy Jay Sparrow’s “All Nite Long!”
8 CommentsNo ladies and gentlemen, Western Swing is not dead; not when Davy Jay Sparrow is on the job, doing his level best to keep the distinguished country music sub-genre fresh and fun by forging ahead with his fast-paced and frolicking take on one of country music’s original modes. Sparrow has migrated west from Indiana to Portland, OR and traded in his “Well Known Famous Drovers” for a gaggle of “Western Songbirds”.
Zac Brown Says Luke Bryan’s “That’s My Kind Of Night” Worst Song Ever
154 CommentsAnother day, another country artist coming out against the current direction of country music. The latest is Southern rocker Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band, who not only had some unkind words about the state of country music, but specifically set Luke Bryan’s song “That’s My Kind Of Night” in his crosshairs—the current #1 song in country music right now according to Billboard.
The Time A Topless Neko Case Got Banned from the Opry
5 CommentsIn 2013, there is only one music artist who can say they’re officially banned for life from country music’s most storied institution: the Grand Ole Opry. No, it’s not David Allan Coe, Hank Williams III, or some other hothead, firebrand artist quick to call out the Opry and other mainstream country music institutions at any perceived slight. No, the offending party is none other than alt-country luminary Neko Case.
Gary Allan Calls Out Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift
101 CommentsThe parade of country artists coming out to criticize the direction of country music continues, with Gary Allan now coming out in an interview with Larry King, decrying country music’s move towards pop, and specifically Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. “I would say they’re pop artists making a living in the country genre. I also feel like we lost our genre.”
Possessed By Paul James Awarded “Teacher of the Year” Honors
10 CommentsFans of singer/songwriter and one man band Possessed By Paul James my be surprised to find out that playing music is not his only passion. Though he inexplicably finds the time to make appearances all over the US and Europe throughout the year, down in the Texas Hill Country he’s in charge of an elementary school special education classroom, teaching children with intellectual disabilities.
12 Songs That Helped Create The Country Music Underground
31 CommentsThe underground country movement initially formed around the mid 90’s not because somebody launched a website or a record label. It wasn’t because of a festival or because someone came up with a special name for a new genre. It came from the songs artists were writing, recording, and performing; songs that spoke very deep to the hearts of hungry listeners.
2013 CMA Awards Nominees, Picks, & Prognostications
106 CommentsOn November 6th, the 2013 Country Music Association Awards will transpire once again on ABC, with the nominees being announced this morning. Most surprising was that Kacey Musgraves, along with Taylor Swift, lead all nominees with six total nods. Here is a complete list of nominees, along with thoughts, picks, and prognostications.
Vince Gill Owns Westboro Baptist Church Protesters
28 CommentsTwo guns up for Vince Gill, who yesterday (9-8-13) emerged from the Muriel Kauffman Theatre in Kansas City to accost a slew of Westboro Baptist Church protesters outside, apparently protesting his appearance because he is married to Christian music artist Amy Grant. Both Vince and Amy Grant are divorced after previous marriages.