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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

Joe Bonsall, Legendary Tenor Vocalist of The Oak Ridge Boys, dies at 76

Joe Bonsall, Legendary Tenor Vocalist of The Oak Ridge Boys, dies at 76

After 50 years of performing with the band The Oak Ridge Boys, Bonsall recently passed away due to ALS complications.   

Brooks & Dunn Collabs with Lanco for A Remake of “Mama Don’t Get Dressed Up for Nothing”

Brooks & Dunn Collabs with Lanco for A Remake of “Mama Don’t Get Dressed Up for Nothing”

Country singer Brooks & Dunn surprised fans with a Lanco collab for a remake of “Mama Don’t Get Dressed Up for Nothing.”

Reba McEntire’s “I’m a Survivor” Lifts Your Faith Up

Reba McEntire’s “I’m a Survivor” Lifts Your Faith Up

You don’t know how strong you are until you realize how much you have survived. McEntire’s “I’m a Survivor” is a testament to an unbreakable faith. 

Conway Twitty Sings a Tear-jerking Cover of “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”

Conway Twitty Sings a Tear-jerking Cover of “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”

Conway Twitty sings a male perspective of Tammy Wynette’s 60s smash hit D-I-V-O-R-C-E. 

Throwback to Randy Travis’ 1988 Hit Single “Honky Tonk Moon” 

Throwback to Randy Travis’ 1988 Hit Single “Honky Tonk Moon” 

“Honky Tonk Moon” by Travis is a wonderful song to play for cozying up your moody afternoon. 

Alison Krauss and Union Station’s Moving Gospel Hit “A Living Prayer”

Alison Krauss and Union Station’s Moving Gospel Hit “A Living Prayer”

Alison Krauss and Union Station released one of the most moving gospel songs of all time, “A Living Prayer.” 

Did You Know? Fascinating Facts About Country Singer Jan Howard

Did You Know? Fascinating Facts About Country Singer Jan Howard

Here are some interesting facts about the legendary country singer Jan Howard. 

Brooks & Dunn's Enduring Hit: A Look at "Mama Don't Get Dressed Up For Nothing"

Brooks & Dunn’s Enduring Hit: A Look at “Mama Don’t Get Dressed Up For Nothing”

Here’s what you need to know about Brooks & Dunn’s hit song “Mama Don’t Get Dressed Up For Nothing.”

Morgan Wallen Sets Country Music Record in the UK 

Morgan Wallen Sets Country Music Record in the UK 

Hitmaker Morgan Wallen’s summer is shaping up to be a historic one after performing in a sold-out 50,000 crowd at BST Hyde Park in the UK. 

Dolly Parton and Keith Urban Sing of Loving Someone Until “The Twelfth of Never”

Dolly Parton and Keith Urban Sing of Loving Someone Until “The Twelfth of Never”

Country icon Dolly Parton enlisted the help of Keith Urban in singing a cover of the Johnny Mathis track “The Twelfth of Never.” Check it out. 

Listen to Loretta Lynn’s Take on the Gospel Hymn “In the Garden”

Listen to Loretta Lynn’s Take on the Gospel Hymn “In the Garden”

Loretta Lynn’s cover of the 1912 gospel hymn “In the Garden” is a testament to her ability to convey deep emotions to her audience effortlessly. 

Listen to Hank Williams’ Raw Heartbreak in His 1952 Track “You Win Again” 

Listen to Hank Williams’ Raw Heartbreak in His 1952 Track “You Win Again” 

Hank Williams expressed his despair over not being able to leave his partner despite her unfaithfulness to him in “You Win Again.” Check it out.

Charley Pride and His Rendition of Hank Williams’ Widely-Covered Song “You Win Again”

Charley Pride and His Rendition of Hank Williams’ Widely-Covered Song “You Win Again”

Hank Williams’ song “You Win Again” has been covered by a long list of artists, including Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Charley Pride. 

Listen to “The Pill”: Loretta Lynn’s Gutsy Song About Birth Control and Sexual Freedom  

Listen to “The Pill”: Loretta Lynn’s Gutsy Song About Birth Control and Sexual Freedom  

Loretta Lynn wasn’t afraid to drive the industry and conservative listeners into shock with her track “The Pill.” Listen to it here. 

Clint Black and Roy Rogers, Team Up In “Hold On Partner”

Clint Black and Roy Rogers, Team Up In “Hold On Partner”

The King of Cowboys, Roy Rogers, enlisted the help of country singer Clint Black for his 1991 song and final charting single, “Hold on Partner.”

Crowd Cheers Loudly as Zach Bryan Brings The “Hawk Tuah” Girl Onstage

Crowd Cheers Loudly as Zach Bryan Brings The “Hawk Tuah” Girl Onstage

The crowd cheers loudly as Zach Bryan brings the “Hawk Tuah” girl onstage during his performance at the Nashville concert. 

“Evil On Your Mind” By Jan Howard: Gut Feeling or The Truth? 

“Evil On Your Mind” By Jan Howard: Gut Feeling or The Truth? 

Let’s unravel whether Jan Howard’s hit song “Evil On Your Mind” is just a gut feeling or the truth.

Heal Your Soul While Listening to Darryl Worley’s Hit Song “Second Wind”

Heal Your Soul While Listening to Darryl Worley’s Hit Song “Second Wind”

Let’s find out how Darryl Worley’s hit song “Second Wind” helps heal the souls of those who are lost. 

Zach Bryan’s Album, ‘The Great American Bar Scene,’ Brings In Bruce Springsteen and John Mayer Features

Zach Bryan’s Album, ‘The Great American Bar Scene,’ Brings In Bruce Springsteen and John Mayer Features

Fourth of July was full of exciting events, including the release of country star Zach Bryan’s 19-track album, ‘The Great American Bar Scene.’

Jamey Johnson's Soothing Rendition of "I Wonder Do You Think of Me"

Jamey Johnson’s Soothing Rendition of “I Wonder Do You Think of Me”

Let’s indulge ourselves in Jamey Johnson’s mellow cover of the classic song “I Wonder Do You Think Of Me.”

What It Takes to Love Someone with The Bellamy Brothers’ Song “You’ll Never Be Sorry”

What It Takes to Love Someone with The Bellamy Brothers’ Song “You’ll Never Be Sorry”

Finding out what it truly means to love someone with The Bellamy Brothers’ hit song “You’ll Never Be Sorry.”

From Sexy to Silly: Ray Stevens' Parody Cover of "Help Me Make It Through the Night"

From Sexy to Silly: Ray Stevens’ Parody Cover of “Help Me Make It Through the Night”

Country singer Ray Stevens released one of the funniest versions of “Help Me Make It Through the Night” in his parody cover. 

Cope with the Loneliness of Heartbreak by Counting the “Flowers on the Wall” with The Statler Brothers

Cope with the Loneliness of Heartbreak by Counting the “Flowers on the Wall” with The Statler Brothers

The Statler Brothers’ “Flowers on the Wall” takes you on the journey of a breakup, how one fills the pockets of time as one navigates the pain.

Brooks & Dunn Reunite for Soulful Rendition of "Ain't Nothing 'Bout You" with Brett Young

Brooks & Dunn Reunite for Soulful Rendition of “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You” with Brett Young

Known country duo Brooks & Dunn re-recorded a soulful version of their 2001 chart-topping single “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You” with rising star Brett Young. 

Run Away from Your Problems with Ronnie Milsap’s Hit Song “Houston Solution”

Run Away from Your Problems with Ronnie Milsap’s Hit Song “Houston Solution”

Country singer Ronnie Milsap reminds us to look at the brighter side through his 1989 hit song “Houston Solution.”

Kings of Country Collide: Ronnie Milsap and George Strait Reimagine "Houston Solution"

Kings of Country Collide: Ronnie Milsap and George Strait Reimagine “Houston Solution”

Country superstar Ronnie Milsap surprised his fans when he announced he would release a re-recorded version of “Houston Solution” with George Strait. 

Watch Charley Pride and Glen Campbell’s Live Acoustic Performance of Marty Robbin’s Hit Song “El Paso”

Watch Charley Pride and Glen Campbell’s Live Acoustic Performance of Marty Robbin’s Hit Song “El Paso”

Charley Pride and Glen Campbell honor Marty Robbins with an acoustic performance of his biggest hit, “El Paso,” in North Carolina. Watch it here. 

From Napkin to Number One: Garth Brooks' "Friends in Low Places"

From Napkin to Number One: Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places”

Out of his decades-long career, Garth Brooks’s “Friends in Low Places” remains to be one of his most popular songs. Here’s why.

Unveiling Claude King: Interesting Facts About the Country Music Icon

Unveiling Claude King: Interesting Facts About the Country Music Icon

Let’s leap through country music icon Claude King’s life and find some interesting facts about him. 

Brooks & Dunn Steps Out of Their Comfort Zone with “Ain’t Nothing ‘bout You”

Brooks & Dunn Steps Out of Their Comfort Zone with “Ain’t Nothing ‘bout You”

Famous country duo Brooks & Dunn proves they are versatile artists as they try a new style in “Ain’t Nothing ‘bout You.”