COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS

For more than three decades, Rhett Akins has helped write the soundtrack to country music. On Tuesday night, country music returned the favor in one of the most emotional moments the Grand Ole Opry has seen this year. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member and hitmaker behind 36 No. 1 songs was caught completely off guard when Jon Pardi walked onto the Opry stage with a life-changing surprise: an invitation to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Photos cred

For Colby Acuff, making a record was never about chasing perfection. It was about chasing something real. On HANDMADE HORSEPOWER, the Idaho singer-songwriter leans even harder into the qualities that have earned him one of country music's most devoted grassroots followings: honest songwriting, fearless creativity, and a healthy disregard for doing things the easy way. The album is loud, deeply personal, and refreshingly handcrafted in an era where speed often wins over substa

Sela Campbell may only be 19, but she's not waiting around for permission to make an impression. With the release of her debut EP, Lovin' Made Me Mean, the Virginia native arrives with something that's becoming increasingly rare in Nashville: six songs she wrote completely on her own. For a debut project, that's a bold statement. Photo Credit: Meg Reynolds A Fearless First Impression Released June 26, Lovin' Made Me Mean introduces Campbell as an artist who already knows exac

Ella Langley isn't just having a breakout year anymore. She's making history. Ella Langley | Credit: Caylee Robillard The Alabama native's blockbuster single "Choosin' Texas" has officially logged an 11th consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, setting a new benchmark for women in country music and cementing one of the genre's most remarkable chart runs in decades. Ella Langley Stands Alone in Country Music History With its 11th week atop the Hot 100, "Choosin' Te

Heartbreak rarely arrives with a clean ending. More often, it lingers in the quiet moments, the drive home after work, the songs that hit a little too hard, the memories that refuse to let go. Connor Hicks taps into that all-too-familiar feeling on his new single, "Over You Feels Like," delivering a country song that's less about getting over someone and more about surviving the journey in between. Photo Provided The Kentucky native continues to carve out his place among coun

We knew it was going to be emotional, yet we still weren't ready for it. Courtesy Of Nissan Stadium On Saturday night (June 27), Alan Jackson stepped onto the stage at Nashville's Nissan Stadium for the final full-scale concert of his legendary touring career. More than 60,000 fans packed the stadium for Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale, turning one last Alan Jackson show into one of the biggest nights country music has seen in years. There were tears. There were

Every year, CMA Fest delivers unforgettable moments. But this year's ABC television special wasn't just another highlight reel, it reminded fans exactly why country music is having such a massive moment. Credit John Russell/CMA From emotional solo performances to long-awaited reunions, these were the five performances we haven't stopped talking about. #5 – Tim McGraw & Lainey Wilson Bring Nashville Together With "I Like It, I Love It" Some songs never get old. Tim McGraw dus

As the countdown begins for Last Call With Alan, the country icon’s sold-out farewell concert at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium on June 27, Alan Jackson is giving fans one more gift before the lights dim on one of country music’s most celebrated careers. Courtesy Of Alan Jackson On the heels of a historic moment, Jackson releases "Still The One," his heartfelt take on the beloved 1976 Orleans classic. While countless artists have revisited timeless songs over the years, few have

Cody Johnson has built his career on a simple principle: he doesn't record songs he doesn't believe in. That unwavering authenticity has become his calling card, and it's exactly what makes Banks Of The Trinity such a compelling listen from start to finish. Spanning 15 tracks, the album feels like a confident statement from an artist who knows exactly who he is. Johnson doesn't spend much time trying to surprise listeners. Instead, he leans into the qualities that have made h

Chancey Williams has never been one to trade authenticity for trends, and on his latest single, “Saddle Up,” the Wyoming native doubles down on the western lifestyle that has become his trademark. Equal parts heartbreak anthem and dance hall burner, the track feels tailor-made for neon-lit honky-tonks, county fair dance floors, and anyone who's ever fallen for someone who was always halfway out the door. Credit: Kenzie Holmberg From the opening lines, Williams paints a famili

Alan Jackson - Still The One Few artists have chronicled love, heartbreak, family, faith, and small-town life with the consistency and sincerity of Alan Jackson. And with “Still The One,” he proves once again that even after all these years, his voice, and his perspective, remain as resonant as ever. As Nashville prepares for one last call with a country music giant, Jackson is offering a fitting reminder: some things don’t fade with time. Great songs. True love. And legends

When Vincent Mason arrived on the country music scene in 2024, people paid attention almost immediately. The Georgia native connected with listeners through honest songwriting and an unmistakable voice, quickly building a fanbase that has only continued to grow. In little more than a year, he’s gone from one of Nashville’s most promising newcomers to an artist landing on some of country music’s biggest stages. Photo by Daniel Prakopcyk A New Chapter With “What You Want” His l

Miranda Lambert has never been one to stay in one lane, and that’s exactly what makes her one of country music’s most enduring voices. Miranda Lambert | Photo Credit: Brayln Kelly Smith After more than 20 years of crafting songs that have become the soundtrack to heartbreak, healing, wild nights, and open-road adventures, the Texas native is once again throwing the rulebook out the window. Lambert officially announced her highly anticipated new album, Crisco, arriving October

The open road got a little more glamorous on Thursday. Hundreds of fans, travelers, locals, and curious road-trippers packed into Cornersville, Tennessee, as Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop officially opened its doors, transforming an ordinary highway stop into a destination infused with Dolly Parton's unmistakable warmth, music, and Tennessee spirit. All Country News was on hand for the celebration as the country icon made a surprise appearance to personally welcome guests. C

Kenny Chesney has spent more than three decades following his own path, but his latest chapter may be one of his most exciting yet. After stepping outside the traditional Nashville system and launching music through HEY NOW Records, Chesney found himself energized in a way he hadn't expected. That creative spark led him back into the studio, where what started as a finished album soon became something bigger. Now, with "Carry On" gaining momentum as one of the summer's defini

For one young Morgan Wallen fan, a night at Soldier Field became so much more than a concert, it became a moment his family says they will remember for the rest of their lives. During Morgan Wallen’s second sold-out show in Chicago, Jake Worthington, a fan whose life was forever changed after surviving a devastating head-on collision that left him with a traumatic brain injury, received the surprise of a lifetime when he was invited backstage to meet the country superstar. Co

Carly Pearce is ready to tell her story like never before. The GRAMMY, CMA, and ACM Award-winning country star officially announced her highly anticipated fifth studio album, Honest Woman, set for release on August 28 via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. Alongside the announcement, Pearce unveiled the album’s latest offering, “She Don’t,” a clever, sharp-tongued track that showcases exactly why she remains one of country music’s strongest storytellers. Credit Dove Shore Built a

In front of a sold-out crowd of more than 30,000 fans at Falcon Stadium, Lucas Divino delivered a performance worthy of the history books. The Brazilian-born bull rider, who recently became a United States citizen, led Team Star Command to victory at the 2026 PBR Space Cowboys, presented by the U.S. Space Force, during a star-studded celebration of America's 250th birthday. When the championship was on the line, Divino came through in the clutch, riding Dirty South for 88.5 p

Country music fans, rodeo lovers, and thrill-seekers might want to clear their calendars now. PBR just announced a brand-new event that is bringing some of the biggest names in country music together with heart-pounding rodeo action and world-class bull riding for one unforgettable weekend. Dubbed PBR Bulls & Beats, the three-day celebration will make its debut at Colorado State University's Canvas Stadium from July 10-12, 2026, and the lineup is nothing short of incredible.

If you thought Ella Langley was slowing down anytime soon, think again. Fresh off one of the most impressive breakout runs in country music, the multi-platinum, chart-topping singer-songwriter has officially announced a second leg of her wildly successful The Dandelion Tour, adding 21 brand-new dates to what is already her first-ever arena headlining trek. The announcement comes as Langley's star continues to skyrocket, with sold-out shows, chart-topping hits, and a rapidly g