Album Review – Stephen Wilson Jr.’s “bon aqua”
Unique, edgy, and original, with a visual component to his music via the moody and imaginative videos that accompany his releases, Stephen Wilson Jr. is like no other artist you’ve seen before.
Hailey Whitters
Outsiders Zach Bryan, Hailey Whitters Win ACM ‘New Artist’ Awards
Everybody calm down. It’s just the ACM Awards. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t celebrate that the good guys won.
Charles Wesley Godwin Signs with Big Loud Records
One of the hottest up-and-coming artists in all of country music is now signed to the roster of one of the hottest labels in all of country music. Announced Wednesday afternoon (3-29), West Virginia native Charles Wesley Godwin has signed to Big Loud Records, which is the home of Morgan Wallen.
See, This Is Why Eric Church Is One of the Good Guys
Eric Church is a fan of country music’s “Outsiders” if you will. That is why for his “Outsiders Revival” tour, Church will be reviving the practice of featuring some of the cooler folks in country music as opposed to whatever boilerplate star the industry is trying to shove down the public’s throats at the moment.
The Best Mainstream Country Albums of 2022
Every year to make sure the best titles in mainstream country don’t get overlooked, and to encourage the quality in the mainstream to rise to the top, we run down the best mainstream country albums to compliment the Album of the Year nominees. Some years there is overlap.
The 2022 Country Music Christmas Playlist
Here is the 2022 Saving Country Music Christmas Playlist. It is country. It is good. It is all new recordings of both classics and original songs released in 2022, delicately curated to remove anything that is too syrupy, too pop, or not cool. All the songs have been expertly arranged to be listened to consecutively.
Hailey Whitters is Finally Finding the Traction She Deserves. Finally.
Finally. 14+ years into a 10 year town, and Hailey Whitters is receiving the attention from the mainstream of country music that many fans, critics, and prognosticators have been saying she deserved many years ago, wishcasting her as one of the future bright stars of the genre if she was just given a chance.
Album Review – Hailey Whitters – “Raised”
Hailey Whitters proves on ‘Raised’ that eulogizing small town middle America doesn’t have to be so trite. Whitters and her co-writers like Lori McKenna, Brandy Clark, and Nicolle Galyon know how to take the yearning we all feel for a sense of home…
Hailey Whitters Draws From Heartland for Upcoming Album ‘Raised’
Hailey Whitters is a really important artist to this whole thing. With Americana-level writing chops and a traditional-leaning sound, yet mainstream-level appeal and acceptance, she’s vital to the effort to save country music. She illustrated this with her last album ‘The Dream.’
The Best Mainstream Country Albums of 2021
If 90% of mainstream country music is bad, then it stands to reason that 10% of it must be good, or at least decent. So under the philosophy of celebrating what stands out in hopes it sustains, the idea that mainstream country fans deserve good music too, and to not be independent music music snobs […]
Saving Country Music’s 2021 Single of the Year Nominees
New for 2021 are the Single of the Year nominees, which are songs whose primary litmus test is simply the enjoyment they convey. The Single of the Year are more well-rounded offerings that have proven infectiousness.
‘Yellowstone’ Season 4 Premier Got TWICE The Audience of CMAs
If you need an illustration to help put into perspective how the shifting dynamics in entertainment are causing a tectonic-level reorganization of media, and how this is all weighing upon already deepening trends in country music, this might be one of the best.
Newest Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#86)
It’s the 4th of July weekend! Don’t risk tanking your festivities by turning on some terrible corporate country radio station. Take a listen through the Top 25 Playlist that’s just been reinforced with a bunch of great new tunes from a bunch of top independent country artists.
Album Review – Flatland Cavalry’s “Welcome to Countryland”
Welcome to Countryland is a worthy introduction and a resounding pronouncement for an important band coming into their own. It’s a step up, a stepping out, and an effort worthy of the buzz and adulation Flatland has been garnering for five years now. Well-written and executed, heartfelt…
Flatland Cavalry Announces New Album “Welcome to Countryland”
One of the most important young bands in Texas country is back with a new song out, and a new album on the way. The song is called “Some Things Never Change,” and the album is called “Welcome to Countryland.” It comes as the band looks to take their music to the next level.
Alan Jackson to Release New 21-Song Album “Where Have You Gone”
The long wait for new music from Alan Jackson will soon be over. After nearly six years since his last release Angels & Alcohol in July of 2015, Alan Jackson has unveiled a new project called ‘Where Have You Gone’ to be released with 21 songs, he’s more than making up for lost time.
Album Review – Hailey Whitters – “Living The Dream (Deluxe)”
Deluxe editions of albums are often repositories for whatever might have been left on the cutting house floor after the original track list was finalized. But with Hailey Whitters’ ‘Living The Dream (Deluxe Edition),’ it’s so much more.
Sturgill Simpson, Hailey Whitters Lead New Adds to Top 25 Playlist (#76)
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. New songs have just been added.
Country & Roots Christmas Music 2020 Playlist & Compendium
Though it may be daunting to navigate with so many releases, Saving Country Music is here for you, and with so many releases, 2020 is also the first year you can compile a full-fledged Christmas playlist entirely of newly-released songs from the country world.
New Brandy Clark Album “Your Life Is A Record” Coming
Grammy nominated, CMA-winning, well-respected and admired singer and songwriter Brandy Clark is prepping the release of a new album in the new year called ‘Your Life Is A Record.’ Though details on the new record are still a little light, Brandy did preview the new record recently during a promotional event.
Highwomen Supergroup Offers First Taste via “Redesigning Women”
As if answering a distress call sent out over the airwaves or via a spotlight beamed over Music City, the Highwomen have assembled in the form of the Grammy-winning Brandi Carlile, fiddlemaster Amanda Shires, songwriting markswoman Natalie Hemby, and superstar Maren Morris. “Redesigning Women” is their first taste.
Saving Country Music’s Best Songs of 2019 So Far
An album is something you listen to. A song is something that can change a life. The places a song can take you, the realizations and perspectives it can impart, the way it can touch something inside of you to make you feel something you never have before, or haven’t felt for a long time is the reason we cherish music so much.
Brothers Osborne Are Spot On About Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road”
“This dude puts out a song with kind of quasi country lyrics? Something about a horse, boobies and some shit? Don’t create controversy and expect that to give you a hall pass. We need great songs. Go listen to Kris Kristofferson, and then go listen to that song, and if you tell me they have anything to do with each other.”
Song Review – “10 Year Town” by Hailey Whitters
Usually the themes of heartbreak in country music revolve around relationships, death, or perhaps the erosion of small town life or the family farm. But in the current environment in country, another type of heartbreak has emerged that is more intimately tied to the music itself.
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