Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Riley Johnson

  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

Riley Johnson is a seasoned country music journalist whose deep passion for the genre shines through in her work. With over five years at Country Thang Daily, she covers everything from iconic classics to emerging hits, making her a cherished voice in the country music community.

Brief Biography

A Tennessee native, Riley grew up with a profound appreciation for the rich musical traditions of the South. Before joining Country Thang Daily, she developed her writing skills at esteemed publications like Billboard and People magazine. Riley’s dedication to her craft and her knack for connecting with readers through her vivid storytelling have solidified her reputation as a trusted country music journalist.

Experience

Riley’s journalism career began during her college years when she contributed to her university’s literary magazine. She also wrote music reviews and artist spotlights for her local newspaper. After college, Riley joined Billboard as a contributing writer, where she gained recognition for her detailed coverage of country music’s biggest names. She later transitioned to People magazine, where she specialized in feature stories on rising country stars and the latest industry trends.

At Country Thang Daily, Riley has authored numerous popular articles, including exclusive interviews, album reviews, and thought-provoking opinion pieces. Her ability to blend historical context with contemporary insights has garnered her a loyal readership.

Education

Riley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies. Her academic background, coupled with her practical experience, has equipped her with the skills to be an insightful and credible journalist.

Awards & Associations

Television Guest: Riley has appeared as a country music expert on regional news segments and popular music podcasts such as Nashville Soundcheck and Country Cast.
Festival Host: In the summer of 2021, Riley hosted a series of live panels at the Country Music Festival, featuring discussions with emerging artists.
Publication Contributor: Riley represents Country Thang Daily in print and online publications, including Rolling Stone Country, Billboard, and MusicRow Magazine.

Personal Interests

Outside of her professional endeavors, Riley enjoys exploring Nashville’s dynamic music scene, attending live concerts, and discovering new local talent. She’s also an avid reader, often delving into biographies of country music legends.

Important Questions From Country Thang Daily

Best advice for aspiring country music journalists?
Never stop learning and always be curious. The stories behind the music are endless, and there’s always something new to discover.

What’s your all-time favorite country song?
“He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones. Its emotional depth and storytelling are unparalleled in country music history.

Dream country music interviewee?
Emmylou Harris. Her influence on country music and her storied career would provide incredible insights and stories.

Favorite after-concert snack?
A slice of warm pecan pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream – the perfect Southern treat after a night of great music.

Latest Stories

Everything You Need To Know About Dave Fenley

Here Is Everything You Should Know About Dave Fenley

Dave Fenley definitely caught our attention during his stint on America’s Got Talent Season 8 and as part of Team Blake in The Voice Season 15.

Miranda Lambert's "Tin Man"

Miranda Lambert’s “Tin Man” Is One Of The Most Heartbreaking Songs You’ll Hear

Miranda Lambert's "Tin Man" comes with an awe-inspiring story which the singer admits was not an easy one to write – describing it like her diary.

Miranda Lambert's "Little Red Wagon"

Miranda Lambert’s “Little Red Wagon” Shows The Country Star’s Swagger Side

Miranda Lambert's "Little Red Wagon" always finds fans eager to sing along. But the same fans are wondering: What does the song actually mean?

Miranda Lambert's "Kerosene"

Miranda Lambert’s “Kerosene” Shows The Country Star’s Early Fiery Side

Miranda Lambert's "Kerosene" was released as the title track to her label debut album, where she showed how feisty she was, firing up the charts.

Loretta Lynn Shares Beautiful Family Christmas Photo With Her Children: “This Picture Is My Whole World”

Loretta Lynn Says Beautiful Family Christmas Picture Is Her Whole World

Loretta Lynn shared a beautiful Christmas picture of her family. They were even holding a picture of the members who passed away for a complete photo op.

Loretta Lynn Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man

Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty’s “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man” Tackles Long-Distance Relationship

Loretta Lynn’s “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man” is one of her most romantic duets with Conway Twitty, proving that love knows no distance.

Loretta Lynn's "Coal Miner's Daughter

Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter”: One of Music’s Most Significant Recordings

Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter” was written by the country icon herself about her own upbringing in the coal mining community in rural Kentucky.

Miranda Lambert's "Bluebird"

Did You Know Miranda Lambert’s “Bluebird” Was Inspired By a Poem?

Miranda Lambert's "Bluebird" was inspired by Charles Bukowski’s 1992 poem of the same name – then she put a spin on it to represent the woman she is.

Loretta Lynn dedicates heart-wrenching tribute to her daughter who passed away

Loretta Lynn Remembers Eldest Daughter In A Heart-Breaking Tribute

In the video captured, Loretta Lynn can be seen singing to her daughter and eldest child, Betty Sue, who died after a long battle of emphysema.

Kenny Rogers Jackass, one of MadTV's best sketches.

Kenny Rogers’ Jackass Is Still One Of The Best Sketches in MadTV

Kenny Rogers’ Jackass was one of MADtv’s very best sketch offerings that it even grew into the network’s staple for more than a decade.

The Tragic Deaths Of Loretta Lynn's Children

The Untimely Deaths of Loretta Lynn’s Kids

Loretta Lynn’s kids experienced untimely deaths that shook the singer’s family forever. The country icon actually had six children, two of whom died.

David Allan Coe Facts You Didn't Know

10 Badass David Allan Coe Facts You Should Know

We’ve compiled the most interesting David Allan Coe facts for you. With his rebellious music, he remains an iconic and influential name in the industry

The Strange Story of Loretta Lynn's Haunted Hurricane Mills

Beyond The Grave: Enter Loretta Lynn’s Haunted Hurricane Mills

Hearing these stories from Loretta Lynn’s haunted Hurricane Mills will definitely give you chills. They said there are odd occurrences in every corner.

Miranda Lambert Dusts Off 'Heart Like Mine' For Virtual Texas Benefit Show

Miranda Lambert Re-lives ‘Heart Like Mine’ On Virtual Texas Benefit Show

Fans were delighted to hear Miranda Lambert’s old hit, ‘Heart Like Mine,’ as she performed for the virtual “We’re Texas” storm recovery benefit concert.

Zac Brown Band's 'Colder Weather'

Zac Brown Band’s ‘Colder Weather’ Pays Tribute To Truck Drivers

Zac Brown Band's 'Colder Weather' pays tribute to truckers spending most of their time on the road, separated from their lovers by distance and weather.

Zac Brown Band's 'As She's Walking Away'

Zac Brown Band’s ‘As She’s Walking Away’ Warms Heart Of Listeners

The soulful melody and meaningful lyrics of Zac Brown Band's 'As She's Walking Away' just flow so smoothly that it’s a no-brainer why listeners love it.

Zac Brown Band's 'Chicken Fried'

Zac Brown Band’s ‘Chicken Fried’ Seals Band’s First No. 1 Hit

Zac Brown Band's 'Chicken Fried' was first recorded by the band in 2003 and later added on their first debut studio album, The Foundation, in 2009.

Zac Brown Band's 'Toes'

Zac Brown Band’s ‘Toes’ Receives Positive Critical Reception

Zac Brown Band's 'Toes' is a tropical treat released as the third single from their debut studio album and was the band’s second No. 1 country hit.

10 facts about the rising country star Heath Sanders

10 Facts About The Rising Country Star Heath Sanders

Here are ten jumpstart facts about Heath Sanders, who got a big break after his cover of Chris Stapleton’s ‘Either Way’ got viral on social media.

Things You May Not Know About Sam Elliot

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Sam Elliott

With his lanky yet experienced build, impressive mustache, and deep voice, Sam Elliott definitely looked like the true representation of a cowboy.

Reba McEntire's "You're Gonna Be"

Reba McEntire’s “You’re Gonna Be” Will Truly Touch Your Heart

Reba McEntire's "You're Gonna Be" is a poignant ballad of a first-time mother who vows to protect her child from everything that’s wrong.

Ricky Van Shelton's "I'll Leave This World Loving You"

Ricky Van Shelton’s “I’ll Leave This World Loving You” Is One of His Biggest Hits

Ricky Van Shelton's "I'll Leave This World Loving You" did not only become his fourth consecutive No. 1 hit but was also his first multi-week No. 1.

How Ricky Van Shelton Overcame Alcohol Addiction

The Inspiring Story of How Ricky Van Shelton Overcame Alcohol Addiction

Ricky Van Shelton was one of the biggest male country music artists during the ‘80s and ‘90s – however, it took a toll on the young man from Virginia.

Reba McEntire's "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia"

The Story Behind Reba McEntire’s “The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia”

Reba McEntire's "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" is a murder ballad of a husband who found out his young wife had been cheating on him.

Tim McGraw reflects on raising 3 girls with wife Faith Hill

Tim McGraw Shares How It Feels To Raise 3 Girls With Faith Hill

With a house full of daughters, Tim McGraw spent his whole fatherhood as the only man in the house, which he finds to be an amazing experience

Everything You Need To Know About Collin Raye

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Collin Raye

Collin Raye is one of the most celebrated artists who helped define the ’90s era. Learn more about the man behind some of the most beloved country songs.

The Gambler Movie Series

Throwback To The Gambler Movie Series That Thrilled Us All During The 80s and 90s

The Gambler movie series is one massive proof of how a big star Kenny Rogers is! It premiered in 1980 and turned out to be such a massive-ratings hit.

Help Me Make It Through The Night

‘Help Me Make It Through The Night:’ A Provocative Song of the 1970s

Did you know that Help Me Make It Through The Night' was inspired by an interview with Frank Sinatra? It was written by no other than Kris Kristofferson.

Miranda Lambert Shares the Defining Moments in Her Marriage to Brendan McLoughlin

The Defining Moments in Miranda Lambert’s Marriage to Brendan McLoughlin

After getting married in January 2019, Miranda Lambert and her husband Brendan McLoughlin keep themselves occupied doing things they love.

Kenny Rogers' 'Mary, Did You Know'

The Story Behind The Popular Holiday Song: Kenny Rogers’ “Mary, Did You Know”

Wynona Judd and Kenny Rogers’ “Mary, Did You Know” has since grown into a modern Christmas classic with hundreds of artists recording it through the years.