Grammy-winning country singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton contemplated the limits of love with pop star Pink in her 2019 track “Love Me Anyway” from her eighth studio album Hurts 2B Human. Written by Pink herself along with the masterminds behind Miranda Lambert’s number-one hit “The House That Built Me,” Allen Shamblin and Thomas Douglas, the song delves … Read more
“In 1814 we took a little trip / along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip’ / We took a little bacon and we took a little beans / and we caught the bloody British in the town of New Orleans,” Johnny Horton piped the iconic opening line of “The Battle of New Orleans.” The … Read more
Vocal prowess Carrie Underwood and musician Vincent Gill earned a standing ovation for their performance of “How Great Thou Art” at the Academy of Country Music Awards’ Girls Night Out on April 22, 2011. The collaboration was a moving conversation between two superstars and the Heavenly Father. With their talents colliding and shining through the … Read more
Music chart-topper Maren Morris went viral on Tiktok during Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey, on July 12. The 34-year-old singer-songwriter wore a black plunge halter top atop a denim high slit maxi skirt. She paired the outfit with black knee-high boots and a horseshoe buckle … Read more
We all had that high school sweetheart we will never forget. For Keith Whitley, it was so deep and serious that even after all these years, he wondered if he still lingered in her mind. Written by Sanger D. Shafer, country musician Keith Whitley released “I Wonder What You Think of Me” on June 1, … Read more
In March 2017, Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson, and Trisha Yearwood performed the Christian Hymn “Softly and Tenderly” together at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. This collaboration highlights how the singers’ different vocal styles and textures perfectly complement each other. Matching her hair color, McEntire shined that night wearing her shiny, orange tunic under her … Read more
In 2018, Whitey Morgan and the 78’s released one of the grittiest songs in country music, “Honky Tonk Hell,” as part of their album Hard Times and White Lines. Known for being a honky tonk expert, Whitey Morgan has never failed to impress his fans when he releases top hits like this one. Throughout his … Read more
In 1967, Elvis Presley poured his heart out in the most heartwarming rendition of the hit gospel song “Somebody Bigger Than You and I” as part of his album, How Great Thou Art. The hit gospel song was initially released in 1951 by a country band called Ink Spots. Because of its profound spiritual meaning … Read more
In 2005, country singer Randy Travis released one of the most soul-touching renditions of the classic gospel song “Are You Washed In The Blood” as part of his album Glory Train: Songs of Faith, Worship, and Praise. Originally released in 1878, the song was initially written as a Christian hymn by Elisha Hoffman. Published as … Read more
In 1975, country superstar Johnny Cash released his rendition of the classic gospel song “In the Sweet By and By” on his album, Johnny Cash Sings Precious Memories. The song was originally released in 1868 by S. Fillmore Bennett as a hymn. It was later converted to a song when American songwriter Joseph P. Webster … Read more
The single “My Home’s in Alabama” led the American country band Alabama to prominence in the 80s. It became Alabama’s greatest hit after releasing it in January 1980 as the title track of their fourth studio album, My Home’s in Alabama. Written by band members Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry, the song is a biographical … Read more
“Thy Will” is about a devastating pain turned into a faith-based single. Released on April 22, 2016, the song was the debut single of Hillary Scott & The Scott Family for their collaborative debut album Love Remains. Lady A’s lead vocalist, Hillary, was joined by her parents, Linda Davis and Lang Scott, and her younger … Read more
Emerging country singer Bailey Zimmerman’s songs, which delve into love, heartbreak, and small-town life, have quickly become country favorites. He first went viral on TikTok in 2021 with his song “Never Comin’ Home,” which he had co-written with Gavin Lucas. And now, he’s getting that bonafide “star” affixed right next to his name. With that, … Read more
American rapper Mc Chris shared a Facebook post thanking Willie Nelson for his act of kindness. Following weeks of absence due to health issues, Nelson made a Fourth of July comeback and graced the stage at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey, for his annual Fourth of July Picnic event. His return was … Read more
On July 10, 2024, rising country singer Ernest posted on his Instagram that he would be taking a brief hiatus to spend time with his family. Ernest Keith Smith, better known by his stage name Ernest, made his debut in 2019 with the release of his first studio album, Locals Only. Despite being a relatively … Read more
In 2019, country singer Dallas Moore released “Tryin’ To Be a Blessing” as part of his album of the same title. Despite the song not hitting any charts, it was still considered one of Dallas Moore’s best releases. As someone who grew up listening to authentic country music, Dallas was mostly influenced by legendary country … Read more
In 1977, country legends George Jones and Tammy Wynette teamed up for a duet of the 1947 pop standard “Near You.” Kermit Goell wrote the track’s lyrics, and Francis Craig composed the music. And then it was first recorded by Craig and His Orchestra at Castle Recording Studio in Nashville in 1947 under Bullet Records. … Read more
Philadelphia singer and longtime tenor voice of The Oak Ridge Boys, Joe Bonsall, died on Tuesday, July 9 at 76. According to a statement released on his official website, the icon’s cause of death was revealed to be complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Announcing his passing, the statement read, “Joe loved to sing. He … Read more
In 2019, country superstar duo Brooks & Dunn announced that they would be collaborating with rising country star Lanco for the remake of the classic hit song “Mama Don’t Get Dressed Up For Nothing” as part of their album Reboot. The song was originally released in 1996 and has become a staple hit among country … Read more
“I’m a Survivor” is amongst Reba McEntire’s critically acclaimed hits in the contemporary pop-country genre. No one can stop the Queen of Country from releasing heartwarming songs that touch any listening soul in every generation. Written by Shelby Kennedy and Philip White, the song is featured as the lead single in her third compilation album, … Read more
Released on September 30, 1968, Conway Twitty made his own rendition of the 60s heartbreak anthem “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” by Tammy Wynette. Dubbed the “High Priest of Country Music,” Twitty has secured timeless classics. And with “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” under his belt, he has once again proven that he can make a cover just as popular as the original. … Read more
Released in June 1988, one of Randy Travis’ best hits was the single “Honky Tonk Moon” written by singer-songwriter Dennis O’Rourke. It was the lead track to Travis’ third studio album Old 8×1, that peaked at No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts for one week. The song became the singer’s seventh and fifth … Read more
In 2004, American bluegrass country band Alison Krauss and Union Station released one of the most moving gospel songs of all time, “A Living Prayer,” as part of their album Lonely Runs Both Ways. Her prominence in the music industry has resulted in the group receiving considerable attention since its debut. The band has released … Read more
Since the 1960s, Jan Howard has blessed the country music world with her angelic voice, and because of this, many listeners have become interested in learning more about the singer. As we explore interesting facts about her and leap through the chapters of her life, from her childhood to how she started her music career, … Read more
In 1996, the country iconic duo Brooks & Dunn released “Mama Don’t Get Dressed Up For Nothing” as part of their album Borderline. The song immediately became one of Brooks & Dunn’s greatest hits, landing at no. 13 on US Hot Country Songs (Billboard) and no. 8 on Canada Country Tracks (RPM). Aside from their … Read more
Chart-topping country sensation Morgan Wallen made country music history twice in the UK in just one performance. July 4, Wallen graced British Summer Time (BST), an all-genre festival presented annually by American Express, at Hyde Park, London, as the first-ever country artist headliner. He kicked off the second week of festivities, following a successful weekend … Read more
Country icon Dolly Parton brought back a timeless piece of music treasure with the help of Keith Urban. It’s Johnny Mathis’ 1957 B-side pop track “The Twelfth of Never” from his album Johnny’s Greatest Hits. The song was written by Jerry Livingston and Paul Francis Webster, and the tune—except for the bridge—was adapted from the … Read more
Country singer Loretta Lynn was devout in her faith. In her 1976 autobiography, she talked how she always tried to lead a good Christian life. She grew up in the coal mining community in Butcher Hollow and attended church on Sundays, listening to sermons by Elzie Banks. Her music reflected that. One of the gospel … Read more
Country legend Hank Williams’ 1952 track “You Win Again” stood the test of time despite being one of his lesser-known classics. That is, the song was released as the B-side to the much more favorable up-tempo radio play number “Settin’ the Woods on Fire.” It became one of Hank Williams’ widely-covered tracks, with notable ones … Read more
Country singer Charley Pride joined the long list of artists who covered Hank Williams’ 1952 B-side track “You Win Again.” His 1980 version was a number-one hit, earning him his 28th career chart-topper. And deservingly so. Pride was able to inject his unique artistry into the song and reflect the changing cultural landscape of country … Read more