Ricky Van Shelton had it all—a voice that could stop you in your tracks, hit records climbing the charts, and a loyal fanbase who adored him. But in 2006, when fans least expected it, he did the unthinkable: he walked away from it all. After two decades of chart-topping success, Shelton turned his back on … Read more
Loretta Lynn’s handwritten lyrics to “Coal Miner’s Daughter” are more than just words on paper—they’re a living piece of history, capturing the heart and soul of a woman who rose from humble beginnings to become one of country music’s most iconic figures. Written in her own hand, these lyrics offer a raw, intimate look at … Read more
Jelly Roll has never been one to shy away from addressing critics, and a recent interaction on X (formerly Twitter) showcases his ability to take negativity in stride. When a user posted, “I hate that tootsie roll guy. You mean Jelly Roll? Yeah,” Jelly Roll’s response wasn’t just a clap back—it was a lesson in … Read more
Morgan Wallen has done it again, and this time, he’s making history while he’s doing it. For the second year in a row, Wallen has snagged the coveted #1 spot on Billboard’s Songs of the Summer chart, marking a milestone not seen in 46 years. With his 2024 collaboration with Post Malone, “I Had Some … Read more
Country Chart – Week of August 31, 2024 This week’s Country Top 30 buzzes with crossover hits, chart-topping favorites, and newcomers making serious waves. From Cody Johnson’s gritty storytelling to the genre-hopping magic of Post Malone, country music has never felt more alive and diverse. Whether you’re into the deep-rooted twang or prefer a pop-infused … Read more
Kenny Chesney, the man who’s been the heartbeat of country music for decades, has shown once again that his connection with fans is as strong as ever. As the Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour wrapped up with a stunning three-night finale at Gillette Stadium, over 183,224 fans gathered to celebrate the music, the memories, and … Read more
Country music star Jelly Roll, known for his soulful voice and an even bigger heart, recently stopped in West Valley, Utah, leaving an indelible mark on a small group of young entrepreneurs. During a break from his Beautifully Broken Tour, the singer stumbled upon a kids’ lemonade stand run by a group of local children. … Read more
Country music sensation Scotty McCreery, known for winning American Idol’s 10th season, made headlines for his courageous actions during a recent concert at the Colorado State Fair. On August 24, 2024, McCreery interrupted his performance to confront a man who allegedly assaulted a woman in the audience, earning widespread praise for his decisive response. View … Read more
In her decades-long career, starting with her debut solo album Hello, I’m Dolly in 1967, Dolly Parton successfully made a name for herself. Here’s the thing: She’s not just an icon in the country genre but also in the entire music industry, dabbling in pop and even rock n’ roll. In fact, she was even … Read more
The legendary Johnny Cash’s 1969 live album Johnny Cash At San Quentin was undeniably a moment in country. That is, he recorded it straight from the maximum security prison, the San Quentin State Prison, which was also the oldest correctional facility in California. The whole performance was filmed by Granada Television and produced and directed … Read more
A few facts you probably know about Carly Pearce: She left her Kentucky home and dropped out of high school at 16, took a job at Dolly Parton’s theme park, Dollywood, moved to Nashville, got a record deal, and lost it, worked odd jobs to pay rent, became a back-up singer, and then ultimately made … Read more
Some songs tug at your heart, some songs hit right at your soul, and then there are songs that you just relate to so much that they touch every fiber of your being, like Bon Jovi’s “Scars on This Guitar.” The track was released in 2016 as part of their album This House Is Not … Read more
1971 was the golden year of Dolly Parton’s early career, releasing three albums that cemented her place in the genre: The Golden Streets of Glory, Joshua, and Coat of Many Colors. The first introduced Parton as a vocal prowess, the second scored her her first number-one hit, “Joshua,” and the third would later earn her … Read more
Written and recorded by American country musician Waylon Jennings, “Rainy Day Woman” utterly compares the ironic nature of life’s ups and downs to a woman. This track was the second single released in December 1974 to his album The Ramblin’ Man. It climbed the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart at No. 2 and … Read more
Upon releasing a collection of unreleased tracks in her fourth compilation album, Deep Tracks, Faith Hill featured a cover of “Come to Jesus” as the 13th song on her tracklist on November 18, 2016. It was originally recorded by Mindy Smith in January 2004. Hill’s version failed to enter the country charts, but the album … Read more
Haunting and heavenly, Carolina Chocolate Drops vocalist Rhiannon Giddens hurls a soulful rendition of “Wayfaring Stranger.” The Pulitzer musician enchanted fans and non-fans alike with her banjo when she performed the American folk-gospel song with Italian jazz musician Francesco Turrisi. Produced by Joe Henry, Giddens, and Turrisi released the track on May 3, 2019, for her collaborative … Read more
Written by Donny Keess and Monty Holmes, American country singer George Strait released his record “When Did You Stop Loving Me” on April 19, 1993. This was featured as the final single to his thirteenth studio album Pure Country, sitting with the No. 1 hits “I Cross My Heart” and “Heartland” on the tracklist. Although … Read more
Sometimes, the songs that stick with us the most are the ones that almost didn’t make it. “Lookin’ for Love,” Johnny Lee’s big hit from 1980, is one of those songs. After being turned down by over 20 artists, it finally found its way to Lee. With a bit of help from the movie “Urban … Read more
There’s something magical about a rainy night—the way the raindrops dance on the roof, the flashes of lightning that briefly brighten the sky, and the sense of peace that fills the air. Eddie Rabbitt understood this magic and turned it into a timeless hit with his song “I Love a Rainy Night.” Released in 1980, … Read more
In a world where work can sometimes feel like a treadmill you can’t get off, Dolly Parton’s song “9 to 5” came along like a cool breeze on a hot day. Released in 1980, this super famous song wasn’t just the theme song for a movie—it became like a battle cry for working people, especially … Read more
There’s something hauntingly beautiful about the time between fall and winter in New England—a period when the vibrant colors of autumn fade, leaving behind the stark, bare branches that give this time its name: stick season. For those who know the region well, this time carries a unique blend of melancholy and reflection. It’s this … Read more
If you’ve been anywhere near the country music scene lately, you’ve probably heard the name Dallas Moore. But who is he really? Beyond the gruff voice, the outlaw persona, and the endless miles on the road, there’s a story that many fans might not know—a story of grit, passion, and a relentless dedication to the … Read more
Great artists, such as Johnny Cash, Burl Ives, and Joan Baez, have already covered the spiritual classic “Wayfaring Stranger,” but only one version has become a chart-topper. With her crystalline voice emerging as the guitar delicately plays, country icon Emmylou Harris kindles a melodious tone in her version of “Wayfaring Stranger” that would dazzle any … Read more
“Let yesterday go,” Chris Young passionately sang Keith Whitley’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes” at the Grand Ole Opry on October 11, 2011. Known for his chart-toppers like “I’m Coming Over” and “Famous Friend,” Young has produced original hits that led him to the country spotlight. Before stepping onto the grand stage, Young had bought the … Read more
Aretha Franklin’s 1972 live album “Amazing Grace” features her track “Mary Don’t You Weep,” which highlights her proficiency in disseminating biblical beliefs and spiritual contemplations through the composition of music. She earned a Grammy for her album for best soul gospel performance, and it sold about two million copies, leading to being platinum-certified by RIAA in … Read more
In 1960, country legend Elvis Presley released a moving cover of the hit song “If We Never Meet Again” featuring artists The Jordanaires. Written by Albert E. Brumley, the song was initially released in 1946 by the country group Brown’s Ferry Four. Over the coming years, known country singers like Elvis Presley released their cover … Read more
Mo Pitney’s debut album, Behind the Guitar, was released on October 7, 2016. It features the song “Take the Chance,” which highlights the importance of courage in having a romantic interest in someone. The album became so popular after its release in 2016 that it charted at No.10 on Billboard Top Country Albums in its … Read more
Laine Hardy wowed everyone with his amazing performance of Hank Williams’ classic hit song “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” during the American Idol 2019 Finale, which earned him the title for the season. Written by Hank Williams and Moon Mullican, the song was initially released by Williams in 1952 as a single with his Drifting Cowboys. … Read more
Mahalia Jackson’s version of “Somebody Bigger than You and I” from her 1960, album “I Believe” emphasizes humbleness and the need to perceive that our actions and achievements in life are part of a larger, more significant picture. American singer Mahalia Jackson otherwise known as the “Queen of gospel music,” is widely considered as one … Read more
Take a solitary walk into a divine, mystical scene with Elvis Presley’s “In the Garden.” On February 27, 1967, the icon recorded the hymn for his eighth studio album, How Great Thou Art—a critically acclaimed album that features Presley’s classic tracks of gospel covers such as “Somebody Bigger than You and I.” The King of … Read more