In 2016, Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson teamed up for the first time in three decades with “Lay Me Down.” The song comes off Lynn’s album, Full Circle, in which she made history. Full Circle became Lynn’s highest-charting album of all time when it debuted at the 19th spot on the Billboard albums chart. The … Read more
In 1948, Eddy Arnold released his rendition of “Anytime” off the album of the same name. It turned out to be a massive hit for Arnold, climbing all the way to the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart while successfully crossing over the pop chart – ranking No. 17 on Billboard Hot 100. Composer … Read more
In the late 1950s, Willie Nelson– who would one day become Nashville’s hottest star – was struggling with financial issues. He worked at his school as a guitar instructor and sang at Houston’s Esquire Ballroom, in which he would take a thirty-mile commute. But in that very moment, one of his best songs was born … Read more
Andy Samuel Griffith was best known for his numerous roles in a variety of television shows and films. The most notable of which included his ‘60s sitcom The Andy Griffith Show and the legal drama Matlock. Of course, he played the lead roles in both TV series. While it’s quite interesting to talk about his … Read more
In 1975, Emmylou Harris achieved massive success when she released “Sweet Dreams” as the third single off her second studio album Elite Hotel – which became her first No. 1 country album and helped her earn the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance. Harris’ rendition of “Sweet Dreams” also ranked No. 1 on Billboard’s … Read more
In 2001, Merle Haggard released an album of gospel songs called Cabin in the Hills. It features a mix of original Merle Haggard songs and traditional ballads arranged by the country legend himself – this includes “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.” The song was written by Thomas A. Dorsey, who is widely regarded as the … Read more
It’s quite amazing how someone’s testimony of faith in Christ amidst the horror of life gave birth to a powerful and beautiful song. Well, we’re talking about “I Believe in a Hill Called Mt. Calvary,” which the Gaither Vocal Band released in 1997. Written by gospel musicians and couple William J. Gaither and Gloria Gaither, … Read more
In 2018, Hank Williams Jr. dropped “Take A Knee, Take A Hike” overnight without saying a word, and it had fans in a frenzy. He quietly released the song on his official YouTube channel, and he didn’t mention a word anywhere on social media until the video had already gotten thousands of views – letting … Read more
An American singer-songwriter and a New York native, Don McLean is undoubtedly one of the best folk artists ever. The best proof lies in the story of his songs which are commonly deep, reflective, and meaningful. His best-known song, “American Pie,” is a massive hit in 1971, dedicated to the three rock and roll performers … Read more
During her lifetime, Fanny Crosby penned over 8,000 hymns. Most, if not all of, exude her enormous faith and loyalty to God. The prolific hymnist had since become well-known because of her great contributions to gospel music. And the hymn “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” was her first work to have won international acclaim. … Read more
In 1961, Burl Ives released “A Little Bitty Tear” as a single off his album The Versatile Burl Ives! The song became one of his highest-charting hits, reaching No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart while peaking at No. 9 on Billboard Hot 100. It even climbed all the way to the top of … Read more
Nicholas Kyle Everette, otherwise known as Niko Everette, died in a one-vehicle wreck Saturday (July 9) on the Mississippi Gulf Coast at around eight in the morning. Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd Jr. confirmed that the car Everette was driving left the roadway in Vancleave before it went off the road, struck a culvert and … Read more
At some point in his life, Merle Haggard once imagined Heaven’s pure bliss in “What Will It Be Like.” While Haggard is hardly ever mentioned in the same breath as performers like the Carter Family in the archives of gospel music, the country music legend cut a pair of gospel albums within his career that … Read more
There is nothing more exciting and at the same time scarier than change. We all seek change to take us away from the miseries of life. However, we also fear it because it requires our effort to adapt to something new. But, change is the only way for us to move forward. Why “A Change Is Gonna … Read more
The world would be different if every family has a family Bible. If parents read the Bible to their children before they go to bed each night, things would be entirely different. Let’s take a look at the song “Family Bible.” It tells us that despite all the troubles in the world or its imperfections … Read more
Are you ready for the top 40 country songs for July 2022? Morgan Wallen is still holding the top spot nice and strong this month while occupying three more spots in this list. More Top 40 Country: June 2022 | May 2022 | April 2022 | March 2022 | February 2022 | January 2022 | December 2021 | November 2021 | October 2021 | September 2021 | Meanwhile, Bailey Zimmerman proves he has … Read more
Isn’t it amazing when two of the biggest names in country music history join forces to sing a song written by another country music superstar? Well, we’re talking about Willie Nelson’s “Night Life.” In 1979, George Jones and Waylon Jennings released their rendition of the song off Jones’ album, My Very Special Guests – which … Read more
In 1979, Charley Pride released “Where Do I Put Her Memory” as the third single off his album Burgers and Fries/When I Stop Leaving (I’ll Be Gone). It went on becoming another No. 1 country hit for Pride as it climbed atop Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, where it remained on top for the entire … Read more
Roy Orbison revitalized the classic “My Prayer.” This song is a popular classic gospel romance song that dates back to the early 1930’s. Origins “My Prayer” is a popular gospel song that is from the late 1930s. Violinist Georges Boulanger provided the gorgeous melody while Carlos Gomez Barrera and Jimmy Kennedy penned the amazing lyrics. … Read more
In 1974, Elvis Presley started incorporating the song “Why Me Lord” into his live shows up until his last concert tour. His version appeared on his 1974 album Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis, and on the compilation, I Believe – The Gospel Masters. Presley would often introduce the song for gospel singer J.D. Sumner … Read more
Luke Combs has come into the world of fatherhood. The hitmaking country singer and his wife Nicole Combs announced the birth of their first child together – a baby boy, Tex Lawrence Combs, who was born on a Father’s Day. Isn’t it just wonderful timing? Combs shared the good news with all his fans through … Read more
On July 16, 2012, the world of country music lost one of its few remaining stars from honky-tonk’s mid century golden age. Kitty Wells, known as The Queen of Country Music, died at her home in Madison, Tennessee. She was 92. Her death was confirmed by her grandson John Sturdivant Jr., revealing that the country … Read more
Country hitmaker Alan Jackson’s “Sissy’s Song” brought listeners to tears upon its release in 2009 as the fourth single from his album Good Time. The heartbreaking hit was generally well-received by music critics! For instance, Karlie Justus of Engine 145 has given the song a “thumbs up” rating. She also said that “Sissy’s Song” was … Read more
Oak Ridge Boys singer Joe Bonsall turned to social media to address fans as to why he has been absent from the iconic country group’s recent live shows. “There has been some concern for me, and yes, I AM having some health issues,” he said. In the next few posts, the 74-year-old singer further shared … Read more
Award-winning singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson rose to the top of country music through blood, sweat, and tears. He never stopped until he became one of the most highly respected artists in Nashville, with his work being heavily praised by fans and professionals alike. Let’s take a deeper look into Johnson’s journey with these facts. 1. He’s … Read more
There’s perhaps no other artist who has shaped the course of country and bluegrass music than Ricky Skaggs. Over the course of his career, he has earned an astounding fifteen Grammy Awards and has become a member of the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum and Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2021, he was … Read more
Alison Krauss may have only been a teenager when she entered the country music scene, but she proved to have talent beyond her years. Today, she’s one of the biggest and brightest country stars who continues to show her versatility. Fans all over the world relished in Alison Krauss songs that contain all the necessary … Read more
Neal McCoy has been a country music fan favorite ever since he first graced the country music scene in the early 1990s. Since then, he proved that he’s more than a novelty act with his brand of neo-traditionalist honky tonk that earned him a string of hits in the mid-1990s. Today, we’re going to get … Read more
The death of Charlie Rich on July 25, 1995, came as a shocker. Rich – who smoked heavily and had struggled with alcoholism throughout his career – drove from Memphis all the way to Florida with his wife, Margaret Ann, for a vacation. They dropped by a casino in Natchez, Mississippi, to see their son … Read more
On July 30, 2015, country singer-songwriter Lynn Anderson died from a heart attack at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center – where she had been briefly hospitalized after contracting pneumonia following a trip to Italy. She was 67. Her death sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow country stars. Reba McEntire, who revealed being … Read more