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
In 2019, country music powerhouse duo Brooks & Dunn released a collaborative album aptly titled Reboot. This record revisited 12 of their previous singles and featured 12 up-and-coming country music artists joining them in creating new versions. Their debut song and number-one country hit that launched their career, “Brand New Man,” was at the top … Read more
On June 27, 2024, American band The Mavericks frontman Raul Malo announced on Instagram that he was diagnosed with colon cancer. In the post, Malo talked about how they had been on a health kick for being on the road for the last couple of years. Aside from nutrition, part of taking care of themselves … Read more
Johnny Cash is set to become the first professional musician to receive a statue in the U.S. Capitol on September 24. In a congressional letter announced on Wednesday, July 31, the country legend’s commemoration will be held at 11 a.m. in Capitol’s Emancipation Hall as part of the National Statuary Hall Collection. The hall commemorates … Read more
Country legends Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson collaborated to release a live album titled VH1 Storytellers. The Rick Rubin-produced album incorporated records associated with both artists, taking turns performing — with one taking the lead while the other does harmony or occasional verses. It also featured some guitar solos by Nelson as well as song … Read more
For their debut album, country music duo Brooks & Dunn immediately served four consecutive number-one singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts. And the first of their string of debut hits was “Brand New Man.” The song was written by the duo themselves and record producer Don … Read more
In 2009, country music artist Brad Paisley released his song “Welcome to the Future” as part of his album American Saturday Night. Upon its release, it immediately topped the music charts, landing at no. 2 on US Hot Country Songs (Billboard) and no. 1 on Canada Country (Billboard), making it one of Brad Paisley’s greatest … Read more
In 2015, record producer and singer Kirk Franklin released one of the best contemporary gospel songs of all time, “Wanna Be Happy?” as part of his album, Losing My Religion. The album immediately became a top hit among listeners, landing at no.1 on the US Top Gospel Albums (Billboard) and no. 3 on the US … Read more
In 1998, country singer Leon Russell released his amazing cover of the hit country single “He Stopped Loving Her Today” as part of his album, Legend in My Time” Hank Wilson Vol. III. Written by Bobby Braddock and Curly Putman, the song was originally released by George Jones in 1980 as part of his album … Read more
In 2021, rising country star Michael Ray released his heartfelt cover of the Randy Travis hit song “He Walked On Water.” The song was originally released in 1990 by Randy Travis as part of his album No Holdin’ Back. It was one of the most listened-to country ballads because of its detailed lyrics, which many … Read more
A “Footloose 2.0” remake in 2011 was made with Blake Shelton singing the soundtrack. On October 8, 2011, the country singer premiered the music video of the classic soundtrack “Footloose” in Shaun Silva’s direction. Along with Shelton’s chart-toppers, the song was featured on his sixth studio album, Red River Blue, as a bonus track. This charted at … Read more
Country musician Merle Haggard released a soulful rendition of “The Old Rugged Cross” in September 1981 for the studio album Songs for the Mama That Tried. The gospel album reached No. 46 on Billboard country album charts. Although the album had no hit singles, Haggard genuinely loved the tracks as he wrote in his 1999 … Read more
In faith and glory, Conway Twitty seeks reassurance and praises God’s grace in the song “Clinging to a Saving Hand.” Connie Smith first recorded the song on December 21, 1970, whereas Twitty’s record was released on November 5, 1973. His version of the song was the lead single to the album Clinging To A Saving … Read more
Of the 65 songs on her discography, starting from her debut single “Apartment No. 9” in 1966, one will forever be affixed to Tammy Wynette’s name: “Stand by Your Man.” The track, co-written by Wynette with music producer Billy Sherill, was released as the first single and title track of her same-titled 1968 album. At … Read more
In 1986, Reba McEntire released the neo-traditional hit song “Little Rock” from her album Whoever’s in New England. Upon its release, the song immediately climbed up the charts landing at no. 1 on the US Hot Country Songs (Billboard) and no. 2 on Canada RPM Country Tracks. Since she started her career in 1976, Reba … Read more
In 1971, country legend Merle Haggard released a one-of-a-kind cover of Hank Williams’s classic gospel hit “I Saw the Light” as part of his album, The Land of Many Churches. Written and recorded by Hank Williams, the song was originally released in 1948. Although the single didn’t receive that much recognition upon its release, Williams … Read more
In 1990, Alan Jackson released one of the catchiest country songs, “Wanted,” as part of his album Here in the Real World. Right after its release, the song immediately topped the charts, landing at no. 3 on both the US Hot Country Songs (Billboard) and Canada Country Tracks (RPM) – making it one of Alan … Read more