Billy Strings, Michael Cleveland Lead 2020 IBMA Bluegrass Noms
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The 2020 IBMA Awards will go forward as scheduled, sans audience of course, but with an exceptional list of nominees for 2020. Leading all nominees is fiddle player Michael Cleveland with seven nominations total, and entirely worthy after releasing the weal-received album Tall Fiddler. He’s followed by the wondrous Billy Strings.
Newest Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#64)
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The Saving Country Music Top 25 Playlist is built to keep you informed on all the best songs and albums coming out right here, right now in country and roots music. It’s available on most all streaming formats, or just use the song, artist, and album info to find something new to listen to. New songs just added.
Lower Broadway District in Nashville Looted & Vandalized
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Nashville’s historic Lower Broadway district—which many consider the Holy Land of country music with numerous historic buildings and entertainment institutions—has suffered numerous incidents of vandalism and looting at the hands of protesters demonstrating against the death of George Floyd.
Super Rare Clint Black Demo Tape Found at a Goodwill
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On a totally black cassette tape (what else would you expect?) that is simply marked “Clint Black” with the phone number “589-0560” on a label, someone who most certainly sounds like a young Clint Black spends 7 minutes and 59 seconds reciting minute-long renditions of solid gold hits.
Logan Ledger Takes You Down “River of Fools” in New Song
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Combining a little wacka-do Roger Miller-style vocal noodling, curious and entertaining phrasing with unexpected turns, and writing that fits the whimsical nature of the composition, “River of Fools” is rendered quite enjoyable. Logan can master these classic country modes when turned loose on them.
Album Review – Jaime Wyatt’s “Neon Cross”
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“Neon Cross” once again captures Jaime Wyatt leaning on honesty, and exhibiting a fearlessness of expression despite her shy disposition to reveal her most bruised emotions and recollections in song as an enraptured audience soaks it all in.
Grand Ole Opry Purchase of Austin City Limits Complex Dissolved
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Well, this is one crisis of cross-continent venue ownership that could have meant further homogenization of American country music that has now been averted. Ryman Hospitality Properties was supposed to but the complex that houses ‘Austin City Limits.’ But the deal fell through.
Review – Mike & The Moonpies Cover Lost Gary Stewart Songs
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Mike Harmeier, Caitlin Rutherford, Kyle Ponder, Zach Moulton, and the incomparable Omar Oyoque. Mike and the Moonpies as they’re know collectively. Also known as the greatest country music band in the world at the moment — Gary Stewart. The King of the Honky Tonks.
Charley Crockett Announces New Album “Welcome To Hard Times”
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As if the most potent strains of American roots music all rose up from the ground and intertwined into a living, breathing entity, Charley Crockett contains an unfair amount of country and blues talent, only rendered forgivable from his incredible ability to share it. On July 31st, the Texas native will release his latest record.
Jason Isbell Hits Multiple #1’s with New Album “Reunions”
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Jason Isbell has once again landed at #1 in both country and rock, as well as folk/Americana with his latest record ‘Reunions.’ This is the third time in a row the Alabama native has landed at the top of all three metrics with an album debut, and all from an artist who rarely makes it onto commercial radio.
Vintage Album Review – Sarah Shook & The Devil’s “Seven”
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Recently reissued by Bloodshot Records on vinyl for the first time, ‘Seven’ is Sarah’s slightly nascent, but surprisingly powerful and well-performed prototype for what would blossom into one of the most compelling underground talents of our time. For thirsty ears looking for more of her unique approach, ‘Seven’ is very welcome.
Most Anticipated Country & Roots Albums for 2nd Half of 2020
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Keeping up with all the releases in the country and roots realm is hard enough. COVID-19 has made it even more difficult with numerous delays and postponements on big titles, along with many artists waiting to announce their new records with all the uncertainty in the marketplace. But there are still many important records coming up in 2020.
Review – Reckless Kelly’s “American Jackpot / American Girls”
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The United States is a popular and polarizing subject in music right now to say the least. But Reckless Kelley isn’t really looking to dive directly into that whole fracas with their new double record “American Jackpot/American Girls,” despite what you may glean from the title and cover art.