Yearly Archives: 2026

In the opening measures of Maura Shawn Scanlin’s new single, “The Good Ship,” a mournful cello responds to the call of a high lonesome fiddle drone, evoking a heightened sense of loneliness and darkness that comes just before the light of new day or new discoveries or new accomplishments. The tune, which Scanlin composed, blossoms into an upbeat jig, with Scanlin’s fiddle lines circling around and under John Doyle’s guitar and Duncan Wickel’s cello. The tune shifts tempo briefly as it moves into a more contemplative tone on the traditional tune “The Dusty Miller” before returning to some jauntiness in the final tune, the traditional “Cucanandy.”

The post Song Premiere: Maura Shawn Scanlin, “The Good Ship” appeared first on Folk Alley.

Editor’s Note: River Shook, whose new, self-titled LP comes out June 26 via Blackberry River, is No Depression’s Spotlight Artist for June 2026. Read more about the debut solo venture from the Sarah Shook and The Disarmers frontperson here and stay

It’s a tale as old as time for massive private equity firms to buy into iconic American brands like the Grand Ole Opry, mismanage the assets, implement draconian cost cutting measures, and then liquidate assets.

The post On The Potential Sale of the Grand Ole Opry first appeared on Saving Country Music.

Sad Daddy captures the full breadth and scope of their 16-year career with their fourth studio record. Ozark Shine pushes the boundaries of their work, yet it remains fully perched in their signature styles and craftsmanship. These 13 songs from the four-piece Arkansas-born string band (Melissa Carper,

If you’ve lived in the Midwestern United States you’re undoubtedly familiar with the trope about the highest elevation point being the nearby interstate highway overpass. Fruit Bats’ front man Eric D. Johnson realized that near larger towns and cities, those structures were surpassed by another manmade edifice of sorts, the landfill. Standing on these mountains […]

American Aquarium’s “4×60” finds a younger BJ Barham in the back seat of a Chevy Blazer. The song from the latest American Aquarium record New Ways to Lose is full of “back in the day…” details. For those who remember rural North Carolina

Wayward Sparrow “Devil By My Side” Americana Highways is hosting this video premiere of Wayward Sparrow’s song “Devil By My Side, the title track from his forthcoming EP Devil By My Side, which is set for release on June 26. The entire album was written, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Richard Clark, aka Wayward Sparrow. […]

The post Video Premiere: Wayward Sparrow “Devil By My Side” appeared first on Americana Highways.

On Alela Diane’s new album, ‘Who’s Keeping Time?,’ she is going full bore on a huge tour, traveling roughly 40% of the time from May through December of this year. It feels like a huge return for the singer-songwriter who is feeling so inspired by creating, collaborating, and being in community again.

The post Basic Folk podcast, eps. 346 – Alela Diane appeared first on Folk Alley.

Alan Jackson might be officially retiring in a matter of days when he performs what’s billed as his final concert on June 27th at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. But that doesn’t mean he’s totally out to pasture, or won’t put out any new music.

The post Alan Jackson Releases New Song “Still The One” As Gift to Wife first appeared on Saving Country Music.

Bet he wishes he had just paid for it from the beginning… Charges have been dropped against country singer Bailey Zimmerman after the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office confirmed to KRQE that restitution has been paid in full for the damages caused to a hotel room ahead of a canceled concert last month. The “Rock and a Hard Place” singer was charged on June 18 with one felony count of criminal damage to property over $1,000 and one misdemeanor charge […]

The post Charges Dropped Against Bailey Zimmerman After Restitution Paid For Destroyed Hotel Room first appeared on Whiskey Riff.