Talking about magnificent pairings, two country icons, George Strait and Willie Nelson, shared the stage at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, for a duet of “Good Hearted Woman” on January 12, 2019. Joined by household names in country music, including Alison Krauss, Vince Hill, Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow, Kris Kristofferson, John Mellencamp, and other luminary … Read more
Flashback to August 29, 1973, Charlie Rich’s signature hit “The Most Beautiful Girl” makes a frequent round in your favorite radio station. Songwriters Billy Sherril, Norro Wilson, and Rory Bourke made history when the countrypolitan ballad scored No. 1 on four US major charts—Billboard Hot 100, Billboard Hot Country Singles, Billboard Easy Listening, and Cash … Read more
Written by L.E. White, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn made their first first No. 1 hit as a duo when they released “After the Fire is Gone” on January 4, 1971. It was the lead single to their first collaborative studio album We Only Make Believe. Twitty and Lynn may have added one of the … Read more
In 1962, country legend George Jones released his rendition of the hit gospel song “Peace in the Valley” as part of his album Homecoming in Heaven. Written by Thomas A. Dorsey, the song was originally released in 1939 by Mahalia Jackson. It became such a massive hit that the song was among the first gospel … Read more
Singer, storyteller, and guitar-maker Guy Clark passed away at his home on March 17, 2016, after years of failing health. According to his manager, Keith Case, Clark’s death came after a long illness, including his 10-year struggle with lymphoma. He was 74. Guy Charles Clark, who was born on November 6, 1941, in Monahans, West … Read more
Zach Bryan’s “Something in the Orange” is one of those songs that stays with you long after the music fades. It’s a hauntingly beautiful ballad that captures the aching loneliness of love slipping away. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a sunset, wondering if someone special was thinking of you, this song will hit … Read more
There’s something undeniably powerful about Garth Brooks’ “The Dance.” It’s one of those rare songs that feels like it was written just for you, even though it resonates with millions. The beauty of “The Dance” lies in its ability to touch on universal themes—love, loss, and the bittersweet moments that make life so rich. The … Read more
In a surprise move that has caused a lot of talk, pop icon Beyoncé has received 12 nominations for the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards, all thanks to her new album Cowboy Carter. While this achievement puts her on par with country superstar Zach Bryan for the most nominations, it has also sparked a heated … Read more
“Cotton Eye Joe” is one of those songs that almost everyone recognizes, whether you first heard it as a traditional folk tune or during a lively night out, thanks to the energetic 1990s rendition by Rednex. But beyond its infectious rhythm and catchy lyrics lies a rich, mysterious history that spans over a century, rooted … Read more
Country singer and dubbed one of the pioneers of the “new traditionalists,” Randy Travis, scored his first number-one hit, “On the Other Hand,” off his freshman album Storms of Life. And this was definitely a monumental moment for him as it was also his first single as the rebranded Randy Travis under Warner Bros Records. … Read more
On May 8, 2008, gentleman crooner and country hitmaker Eddy Arnold passed away from natural causes. According to The New York Times, his death at a care facility near Nashville, Tennessee, was confirmed by the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. He was 89 years old, a week shy of his 90th birthday. In … Read more
Released in 2000, Mark Wills’s version of “Back at One” highlights the importance of grabbing opportunities when it comes to love. The song, originally composed by Brian McKnight, was released on August 17, 1999. It immediately secured a spot on the charts, landing at no. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and no. 4 … Read more
In 1987, country superstar Johnny Cash released his version of the classic hit song “Sixteen Tons” as part of his album Johnny Cash Is Coming to Town. The song was originally released in 1947 by Merle Travis as part of his album Folk Songs of the Hills. It was considered one of the most covered … Read more
In 2019, rising country singer Matt Williams released his song “Rain Down Sunshine” as part of his album Taking Chances. Unlike other country singers, Matt Williams is not the typical one who grew up in the countryside and moved to Nashville to pursue his dreams of becoming a singer. Instead, Matt is known as an … Read more
In 1973, country superstar B.W. Stevenson released his hit single “My Maria” as part of his album of the same title. Right after its release, the song immediately hit the charts landing at no. 1 on the US Billboard Easy Listening, no.1 on Canada RPM Adult Contemporary charts, and no. 9 on the US Billboard … Read more
Released on July 16, 2019, John Prine delivers the song “My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight” with a calm tone and sincerity that can accompany you on a lovely day. Many artists have covered the song, but what sets Prine’s rendition apart is his heartwarming conveyance. The sentimental ballad was originally written by Stephen Foster in … Read more
Hootie & the Blowfish lead singer Darius Rucker released his first chart-topping single as a solo act titled “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” on May 27, 2008. This was the first time an Afric𝒂n-Americ𝒂n country singer reached the spot since Charley Pride’s “Night Games” in September 1983. It also rose to No. 35 … Read more
On April 3, 2014, virtuoso bluegrass musician Arthur Smith, well-known as the man behind “Guitar Boogie” and “Feuding Banjos” rechristened as “Dueling Banjos” in the acclaimed film Deliverance, passed away at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina just two days after he celebrated his 93rd birthday. While no official cause of death was provided, according … Read more
The classic hit “When You Say Nothing at All” has four versions—Keith Whitley’s original in 1988, Alison Krauss and Union Station in 1995, Frances Black in 1996, and Ronan Keating in 1999—and all of them have been very successful. But, of course, nothing can beat the first. The song, written by Paul Overstreet and Don … Read more
In a new interview published on August 8, country star Phil Vassar opened up about his near-death experience. “I was dead for 30 minutes a couple of times — died. No heartbeat. No heartbeat at all,” he said. According to the multiplatinum singer-songwriter, he suffered two serious medical emergencies back in early 2023. The first … Read more
Exploring the country sphere in different styles, the Bellamy Brothers’ songs brought a string of hit records to the music culture. The Bellamy Brothers have produced mellow classics that have endured for decades, ranging from country, rock, and pop songs. They never had any musical training, but country music genes run in their family. Their … Read more
In 2018, before he shot his chance to participate in the popular TV series “American Idol,” Laine Hardy was known for his acoustic covers of classic songs like “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” Despite his young age, Laine has proved to everyone that he has what it takes to make it to the Idol stage. … Read more
Jamey Johnson’s 2010 studio album Guitar Song features the track “I Remember You,” which highlights his expertise in evoking reminiscent and spiritual contemplations through music. Jamey Johnson is a prominent figure in country music, known for his deep, traditional sound and songwriting process. His deeply introspective songwriting technique and rich, soulful voice give color and … Read more
Grammy-winning country group Zac Brown Band’s fourth studio album, Jekyll + Hyde, was an entire 16-track affair of genres. That is, each song featured a different genre. It opened with “Beautiful Drug,” a shimmery type of pop song that was sentimental of Ke$ha’s “Your Love is My Drug.” And then it shifted to lite-rock with … Read more
Three months after she was arrested for prostitution charges, Wynonna Judd’s daughter with Arch Kelley III, Grace Pauline Kelley, was once again taken into custody. According to booking records, Kelley, 28, was arrested in Carroll County, Georgia, on August 3, 2024, on three misdemeanor charges: fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, driving with … Read more
“We were both young when I first saw you,” then 18-year-old Taylor Swift sang in her 2008 hit song “Love Story.” It was — and still is — one of the most iconic intro lines in her entire discography, and even non-Swifties know this song by heart. “Love Story” was written by Swift and released … Read more
In 2019, rising country singer Lauren Davidson released the uplifting song “Live Laugh Love” from her album of the same title. Growing up in a musical family, Davidson has always had a passion for creating songs that aim to send messages of positivity to everyone. At a young age, she started writing songs that tackled … Read more
Don’t let societal pressure get to you — Merle Haggard sends a powerful message in his single “I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am.” The Hall of Famer released the song with The Strangers on October 14, 1968, to tell the story of a man’s humble life. This was the only single … Read more
Miranda Lambert, a staple in the country music world, and her husband Brendan McLoughlin have recently found themselves at the center of swirling divorce rumors. The couple, who tied the knot in 2019 after a fast-paced romance, has faced intense public scrutiny in recent months as speculation about their marriage has reached a fever pitch. … Read more
In 1976, country legend Kenny Rogers released his version of the hit gospel song “Love Lifted Me” as part of his album of the same title. Originally released in 1912 by lyricist James Rowe, “Love Lifted Me” was initially known as a hymn that later on became a gospel hit after musician Howard Smith decided … Read more