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
In 2013, country singer Alan Jackson sang his heart out when he released his amazing cover of the iconic gospel hit “Love Lifted Me” as part of his album Precious Memories Volume II. Written by James Rowe, the song was originally released as a hymn in 1912. Inspired by the 14th chapter of the Gospel … Read more
When two legends collide, a masterpiece is born. George Strait collaborated with Willie Nelson to release the song “Song One with Willie” on March 29, 2019. This was the closing track to Strait’s thirtieth studio album Honky Tonk Time Machine. Strait and Nelson wrote it together with songwriters Bubba Strait and Buddy Canon. Although the … Read more
In 1996, the known country duo Brooks & Dunn released their cover of the hit country love song “My Maria” as part of their album, Borderline. The song was originally released by B.W. Stevenson in 1973. As it secured a spot on the charts, “My Maria” became an anthem for those hearts throbbing because of … Read more
The 1961 hit “I Fall to Pieces” may not have been an easy success for Patsy Cline, but it turned out to be an enduring hit that forever cemented her place not just in country but also in pop. Cline enjoyed several major hits in her short-lived eight-year recording career, including the first of her … Read more
Clad in black and bearded, outlaw country music artist and now a legendary icon in the genre, Waylon Jennings asked, “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way.” Written by Jennings and released in August 1975 as the first single from his album Dreaming My Dreams under RCA Nashville, this track was the singer’s fourth … Read more
There is no better feeling than finding a home that respects you. Willie Nelson’s mellow singing in “Ride Me Back Home” will bring you to tears as he points out the significance of horses’ freedom. The animal seems fitting for a country song, but the lyrics have a deeper meaning than that. On June 21, … Read more
American songwriter Larry Weiss wrote and recorded “Rhinestone Cowboy” for his debut album Black and Blue Suit in 1974. Glen Campbell popularized the song, but Weiss deserves the same credit as the singer for writing such a classic. The songwriter’s original record rose to No. 4 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. Campbell’s 1975 version … Read more
“No News” brought positive news to the American country band Lonestar after its release on January 8, 1996. This was the second single from their debut album, Lonestar, and was released as a double A-side with their debut single, “Tequila Talkin.” “No News” was their first song to reach the Billboard Hot Country Singles & … Read more
Small towns can bring big, significant memories. Those memories are often put into preservation, and so American country-rock singer Brantley Gilbert and Canadian country singer Lindsay Ell collaborated for the single “What Happens in a Small Town.” This was the lead single to Gilbert’s fifth studio album, Fire & Brimstone. Released on January 14, 2019, … Read more
In 2019, award-winning country singer Jake Owen released his hit single “Down to the Honkytonk” as part of his album, Greetings from… Jake. The song immediately became one of Jake Owen’s greatest hits, landing at no. 7 on the US Country Airplay (Billboard) and no. 9 on the US Hot Country Songs (Billboard). The single … Read more
In 1963, American singer Stonewall Jackson released “Don’t Be Angry” as part of his album I Love A Song. As someone who grew up in poverty, creating music was the only escape Stonewall had when he was in the Navy. “Don’t Be Angry” is among the long list of songs he has written that made … Read more
Grammy-winning artist Alison Krauss joined fellow Grammy winner Dan Tyminski and the rest of Union Station for a memorable performance of “Man of Constant Sorrow” from the soundtrack of the 2000 satirical comedy-drama film O Brother, Where Art Thou. “Man of Constant Sorrow” was first published in the early 1900s by a blind fiddler named … Read more
On August 2, friday, Grammy-award-winning country singer Carly Pearce gave a heckler an earful at her WE Fest in Minnesota and kicked him out of the event. An audience member captured the whole heated incident and posted it on TikTok, shocking fans all over the world. In the video, a man is shown being escorted … Read more
Queen of Country Dolly Parton and her duet partner and mentor Porter Wagoner debuted their first No. 1 in the country charts with the single “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me.” If you’re wondering if the song has any link to Elvis Presley’s “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me,” it doesn’t. The duo had their own interpretation … Read more
Glen Campbell became a household name by singing about the struggle of rising to fame. Imagine yourself in 1975, listening to Glen Campbell’s evergreen hit “Rhinestone Cowboy” on the radio, not knowing where time may take you. When Larry Weiss composed and recorded the song in 1974 for his album Black and Blue Suite, his … Read more
Johnny Cash released his rendition of the synth-pop, blues rock song “Personal Jesus” by the British electronica band Depeche Mode on November 5, 2002. The cover was featured on his sixty-seventh and final non-posthumous studio album, American IV: The Man Comes Around. This was the B-side to his single “Hurt,” released in March 2003. Rick … Read more
Reba McEntire has been an undeniable creative force and one of the most beloved household names in country music. And through the ups and downs of her life, it was her faith that got her through. As she once wrote and sang, “I Got the Lord on My Side.” The track was one of the … Read more
Family bands have always been part of the country genre—from the Jacksons and the Osmonds down to the Wilsons, Gibbs, and Nelsons—and one shaping up to be an addition to that list: The Arizona Wildflowers. This bluegrass band out of Casa Grande is known as the Dietrich family, and all five members are aged 15 … Read more