The rise of the independent country megafestival with support from ’90s country stars has been one of the biggest illustrations for how significant, sustainable, and broad-based the resurgence of roots in country music has been.
Country music legend Keith Whitley is gone, but he’s a long way from being forgotten. If anything, the strength and influence of his legacy has only increased over time, and that was illustrated at the Two Step Inn fest.
There is perhaps no better sign of the country resurgence than the surging popularity of 25-year-old Zach Top. His music has caught fire like he’s the next new thing, even though his sound is older than he is.
You better hope you’ve taken your anti-depressants recently, because the newest additions to the Top 25 playlist with take you to the deepest recesses of human emotion like only the best country music can.
If you haven’t heard Zach Top, you’re about to in a big way. The staunch traditionalist that draws comparisons to Mark Chesnutt, Alan Jackson, and Randy Travis is on the honky tonk escalator straight to the top.
Taking a step back and zooming out, it’s an entirely different setup in 2024 compared to when Saving Country Music was founded going on 16 years ago. It all begs the question, “Has country music been saved?”
Every year there’s that handful of artists that you discover and it’s hard to comprehend how you got along without them previously. In 2023, there seems to be even more of these artists than normal.
After 2023 sold out, you knew Two Step Inn would be returning for 2024. Returning it is, and with just as mouthwatering of a lineup as it had in 2023, but sans as many of the hip-hop wild cards.
Lainey Wilson will be going out on an extensive tour in 2024, and she won’t be opening for the boys. The boys will be opening for her. It also won’t be in large clubs and theaters, it will be in amphitheaters and arenas.
Despite lackluster support from radio, Ashley McBryde continues to increase her fan base, and keep her foot on the pedal when it comes to touring. That’s why she’s just announced a new slew of dates.