Colter Wall Bass Player, Revered Musician Jason Simpson Has Died
Jason Simpson, the longtime bassist for Colter Wall’s backing band the Scary Prairie Boys, died on March 23 at age 51. A Kentucky native, Simpson was a founding member of The Mertons and contributed to Wall’s key releases from 2018’s Songs of the Plains through 2025’s Memories and Empties. He was recently honored as a Kentucky Colonel, reflecting his standing in the local music community. His death prompted Wall to cancel remaining tour dates and announce an indefinite hiatus.
Nearing 93, Willie Nelson Is Still Chasing His Dreams
Willie Nelson, soon to turn 93, announced his 79th studio album, *Dream Chaser*, slated for release on May 29, 2026. The record features six original tracks, a co‑write with Bob Dylan, and production by longtime partner Buddy Cannon. Nelson also...
Album Review – Colton Bowlin’s “Grandpa’s Mill”
Colton Bowlin’s debut album "Grandpa’s Mill" delivers homespun Appalachian storytelling backed by producer David “Fergie” Ferguson, echoing the raw authenticity of Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers. The record leans heavily on personal and regional narratives, from murder ballads like “Dirty...
Hit Songwriter, Bluegrass Great Ronnie Bowman Dies in Motorcycle Crash
Renowned bluegrass vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Ronnie Bowman died at age 64 following a motorcycle crash in Ashland City, Tennessee, on March 22, 2026. Bowman’s career spanned more than three decades, highlighted by a 11‑year tenure with the Lonesome River...
Paul Overstreet Named New Songwriter Inductee to the Country Hall of Fame
Paul Overstreet was announced as the 2026 Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter inductee, joining veterans Ralph Stanley and modern star Tim McGraw. Overstreet’s catalog includes 27 Top‑Ten hits, two Grammy Awards and a record‑setting five consecutive BMI Songwriter of...
Ralph Stanley / The Stanley Brothers Named New Hall of Fame Inductees
The Stanley Brothers have been announced as the 2025 Veteran’s Era inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame, joining Paul Overstreet and Tim McGraw in the 2026 class. The ceremony, held in Nashville’s Hall of Fame rotunda, featured Marty Stuart’s...
50 Years Ago: Kris Kristofferson Famously Rides Motorcycle On Stage
In March 1976, Kris Kristofferson’s character John Norman Howard rode a motorcycle on stage during the filming of *A Star Is Born* at Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium. The stunt, captured amid a live concert featuring Santana and Peter Frampton, became an iconic...
Album Review – “Country Never Dies” (Gavin Adcock? Various Artists)
"Country Never Dies" is marketed as a Gavin Adcock tribute but functions as a various‑artists compilation, with Adcock contributing only two cover tracks and serving as a nominal executive producer. The album attempts to blend classic country standards with emerging...
Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves End Long Feud Via New Song
Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves, once rumored to be feuding over the 2013 hit "Mama’s Broken Heart," have officially reconciled with a new duet, "Horses and Divorces," on Musgraves' upcoming album. Lambert’s 2013 recording of the song, written by Musgraves,...
Shakey Graves Plays Free Show at Sagebrush Ahead of New Album
Austin‑based singer‑songwriter Shakey Graves headlined a free concert at the Sagebrush honky‑tonk on March 13, drawing crowds that wrapped around the venue. The performance was part of SXSW’s programming and featured opening sets by Tenille Townes, Travis Bolt, Tyler Halverson...
Album Review – Brit Taylor’s “Land Of The Forgotten”
Brit Taylor’s new album *Land Of The Forgotten* channels the rugged spirit of Western Kentucky and Appalachian tradition through unapologetically raw country songwriting. Produced and co‑written with her husband Adam Chaffins, the record arrives as the couple welcomes a newborn,...
Country Music Cruise Sets Lineup, New Ship for 2027
Country Music Cruise announced its 13th annual voyage, sailing Feb 7‑14 2027 from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan and Philipsburg. The cruise will move to the larger Celebrity Silhouette, reflecting growing demand as past sailings have sold out quickly. Headliners such as Clint Black,...
Clint Black Gets New Hall of Fame Exhibit. Will He Finally Be Inducted Too?
The Country Music Hall of Fame announced a dedicated exhibit, “Clint Black: The Hard Way On Purpose,” opening April 22, 2026 and running through August 2027. The showcase will display Black’s instruments, stage outfits, song manuscripts, photos and video footage, highlighting his...
Bob Dylan Shouts Out Hank Williams III in New Post
Bob Dylan recently posted an Instagram video featuring Hank Williams III performing his grandfather’s 1948 song “My Sweet Love Ain’t Around” on The Marty Stuart Show. The post follows a series of Dylan’s country‑oriented shares, including videos of Ray Benson and Ray...
Justin Townes Earle’s Tragic Life Story Told in New Book
Jonathan Bernstein’s newly released authorized biography, "What Do You Do When You’re Lonesome," chronicles the turbulent life of singer‑songwriter Justin Townes Earle. The book uncovers his early immersion in Nashville’s underground Swindlers scene, chronic addiction battles, and fraught relationship with...
Texas Tornados Member, Tex-Mex Music Legend Augie Meyers Dies
Augie Meyers, the 85‑year‑old Tex‑Mex music icon and key member of the Sir Douglas Quintet and the Grammy‑winning Texas Tornados, died in his sleep on March 7, 2026. Renowned for his Vox organ and accordion work, he helped define the psychedelic‑rock‑country fusion...
Album Review – Trey Hensley’s “Can’t Outrun The Blues”
Trey Hensley’s new solo album *Can’t Outrun The Blues* marks his first full-length release since 2009, following a split from longtime partner Rob Ickes. The record showcases Hensley’s double‑IBMA Guitar Player of the Year virtuosity while weaving soulful blues into...
New Additions to Alan Jackson’s Final Concert Are Family
Alan Jackson’s announced final show will take place on June 27 at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, a 55,000‑seat venue that sold out within hours after tickets launched. The event, billed as “Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale,”...
New Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#174)
Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist, now followed by over 11,000 Spotify users, has added eight fresh tracks from emerging country and roots artists. The curation remains strictly merit‑based—no paid placements—so each song must prove its quality on its own....
Separating the Signal From the Noise of Sturgill Simpson’s “Mutiny” Leak
Sturgill Simpson’s album *Mutiny After Midnight* was slated for a physical‑only launch on March 13, 2026, but a YouTube leak on March 1 made the record widely available. The leak stemmed from a “treasure hunt” that unintentionally flooded record stores with dozens,...
Album Review – JD Graham’s “Uppers & Downers”
JD Graham’s new album “Uppers & Downers” arrives after he survived a devastating car accident that forced him to cancel his US and European tour. The record, co‑produced by Jason Weinheimer and featuring Tulsa’s top session players, delves into themes...