Americana often becomes a place for artists or music industry types who don’t fit neatly elsewhere. And for Tamara Saviano, it was a place for a writer and publicist who was shunned by country music. Saviano moved to Nashville and quickly found herself crossways with industry heavyweights. A fateful firing over politics led to a […]
An AI landmark, more deepfakes, and MTV changes in this week’s music news | Key Changes
On a global scale and here in our backyard, the music industry is evolving at a dizzying pace. “Key Changes” is a quick-hit music news roundup.
Opryland’s Lasting Legacy
Opryland has been closed for nearly 30 years, and as the producer of a new documentary puts it, some people are still “butt hurt” about it. Maybe we didn’t know what we had until it left a theme park-size hole in Nashville’s heart. A documentary premiering at the Nashville Film Festival, called “A Circle Broken,” […]
Country musician fatally hit Nashville pedestrian with truck. No charges now, but probe ongoing
Police say country musician Conner Smith fatally hit a pedestrian while driving his truck in Nashville over the weekend. MNPD said the 24-year-old musician hit 77-year-old Dorothy Dobbins on Sunday evening while she was inside a marked crosswalk.
Morgan Wallen is the elephant in the room
In 2021, Wallen was caught on video uttering a racial slur. Since then, he’s become the most commercially successful musician in country and popular music. How? By remaining committed to ambivalence.
Mexican-American artist Louie the Singer has his own definition of country success
Louie the Singer is dropping his first major label album with an unwavering sense of self-determination as a Mexican-American artist. “They say I ain’t country,” he sings, “but my people started this thing they call country.”
The new Country Latin Association is already impacting CMA Fest and Nashville’s Hispanic communities
Back in March, Angie K expected it to take awhile to get Nashville’s attention with her advocacy — now she’s already making an impact at this year’s CMA Fest.
Carolina to ‘Cowboy Carter’ and back: A celebration of Black roots music finds a home
For musicians like Rhiannon Giddens and Rissi Palmer, trying to break down doors in the folk and country music scenes has been a long road. A festival in Durham this weekend aims to remedy that.
Tennessee board recommends that governor pardon country star Jelly Roll
The Tennessee Board of Parole on Tuesday recommended a pardon for country music star Jelly Roll, a Nashville native who has spoken openly about his criminal history and what it has taken to overcome it. The board’s action leaves the final decision on a pardon up to Gov. Bill Lee.
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