Music City Minute

When we hear the words Outlaw Country, the biggest characters that immediately come to mind are Johnny Cash, Waylon, Willie, Kris and Merle. However, there are a lot more artists that make up the subgenre that we may have forgotten about. Folks like Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Jessi Coulter, Tanya Tucker, Hank Junior and Johnny Paycheck. What is interesting about that list is it shows that Outl...

If you were to crack open the dictionary and look up the word legend, you would see a full-page picture of Willie Nelson right next to the definition. This week, we celebrate Ole Poncho, who turned 93 on April 29, and talk about a man who has seen and done at all! Willie’s music career began following a stint in the Air Force and finding work as a disc jockey. At the same time...

Imagine you are performing in front of a packed house like you have done hundreds of times before. Yet, there is something different about this concert, and it’s about to get very emotional like it did for an up-and-coming artist at the Lonestar Smokeout Festival in Texas. Avery Anna has officially joined th...

Do you know what I love about country artists? They are honest about their lives being similar to ours (aside from the global superstar thing). Yet, that is what is so special about the genre – just how down-to-earth artists can be. Speaking of relatable, Lainey Wilson recently shared a story about an incident from her younger days in Baskin, Louisiana, that found her on the wrong side of th...

Max McNown has come a long way from growing up in Bend, Oregon, busking on the San Clemente pier in California, then landing in Nashville, where he writes and records hit songs. The 24-year-old recently opened up about some of the most influential artists who make up his catalog of favorites, which includes Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan, Tyler Childers and perhaps most interestingly a Boulder-based indie...

I have a confession in my not-so-distant past: I was obsessed with professional wrestling, which culminated in a peak fan moment of meeting Rey Mysterio Junior. If that seems like a surprising admission, I have more for you! As it turns out, Darius Rucker (yes, Hootie) is a huge professional wrestling fanboy. In fact, he is such a big fan he signed a deal with WWE to get a slice of a pie through m...

In country music, Ella Langley is the hottest thing on two wheels. On the heels of releasing her sophomore album, "Dandelion," Langley admits she is still getting used to superstardom. The Alabama native has been open about her struggles with imposter syndrome, anxiety and weight of her bangs being recognized everywhere she goes. While Ella's bona fide talent speaks for itself, at heart, the 26-ye...

While most of us have a basic grasp of mathematical concepts, it can be difficult to fathom the difference between 1 million and 1 billion. For instance, 1 million seconds equals about 11.5 days, whereas 1 billion seconds adds up to just over 31 years! Needless to say, 1 billion is a big number, and when a song reaches 1 billion streams, it is an equally massive accomplishment. Currently, there ar...

In show business, there are two important phrases artists live by: "break a leg" (meaning good luck) and "the show must go on." That said, it would seem Eric Church has taken both of those phrases a little too seriously, and let’s just say the 48 hours leading up to a recent Jacksonville, Florida, show were just as incredible and unforgettable as the concert itself. Acknowledging his mismatc...

You may have heard artists, especially singers, refer to their body as their instrument, and as any good musician will tell you, it is important to take care of said instrument. With that, country icon Jo Dee Messina has made the conscious effort to maintain a finely tuned musical apparatus. Recently, the singer opened up about her life changes and new music. The 55-year-old admits her 90-pound we...

In a world of doom scrolling and artificial intelligence, it feels like good news is hard to come by. However, for the second time this week, I found myself crying happy tears while watching a reel from Mitchell Tenpenny and his wife Meghan Patrick. In a beautiful announcement, Patrick mentioned how thankful she is for an amazing husband who will also make an amazing dad. Shocked and nearly speech...

Similar to Batman, Parker McCollum received a distress signal and responded without hesitation. Recently, a woman named Alana opened about her 17-year-old son Kolton’s battle with an aggressive form of leukemia and equally aggressive treatments in Houston, Texas. In February, as Kolton was reaching the end of his current cycle, his mom bought tickets to the Parker McCollum show at Rodeo Hous...

Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire and Jelly Roll all agree that rodeo and country music go together like Vienna sausages and Cheese Whiz or 38-inch wheels and KC Lights on your daily driver. With that in mind, it always felt unusual that a city like Nashville wouldn’t regularly host any major pro rodeo events. However, Miss Reba, McGraw and Jelly decided it was time to change the game and officially...

The influence of two major players in the country and rock genres will continue to inspire generations of fans, young and old, in the form of a festival. This year, West Palm Beach, Florida, will be hosting the inaugural Alan Jackson’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere Fest. Embodying the vibes of the famous – or should we say infamous – collaboration between Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffe...

Carrie Underwood has opened up about her personal life, specifically whether or not she would encourage her young sons Isaiah and Jacob to audition for a show such as "American Idol." While Underwood believes both of our sons are naturally talented singers, even pointing out how Isaiah is a mini her in so many ways, she is certainly not eager to become a stage mom. The season four "American Idol"...

When Sam Hunt burst onto the country music scene, he was primed and marketed as the next big thing. That said, he has certainly proved himself as a recording artist and performer over the last decade. Even though he has charted eleven number one songs, Hunt has only released two studio albums since signing with MCA Nashville. Even by today’s standards – with most country albums averagi...

Well, butter my backside and call me a biscuit – Tim McGraw is joining the Country Music Hall of Fame! The good news came down on Friday, March 20, with McGraw earning a spot in the Modern Era category, which recognizes artists who have achieved national prominence over 20 years. As for the Veterans Era category, Ralph and Carter Stanley, (aka The Stanley Brothers) are being honore...

Y’all, it has happened – the reunion we have been wishing, hoping, thinking and praying for since August 31, 2022. Just a few days ago, Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard took the stage together in Nashville for a live performance! The reason for the band getting back together had to do with their good friend Jason Aldean, who was the guest of honor at a celebration of the 49-year-old, Geo...

Spring is an enchanting time, and honestly, a second chance at a new beginning. Now, technically, the spring equinox does not occur until Friday, March 20, but it is never too early for "Blue Skies" and "Starting Over." In fact, you can begin stirring up those good vibes with the playlist of brand new music from our favorite country artist. Fresh off the acetate press, Luke Combs dropped a new sin...

Since the dawn of creative expression, artists have been the target of some gnarly flying projectiles. Over the centuries, this behavior has been dubbed fan-mania, which is very different from the run-of-the-mill "boo fest," where a disgruntled audience would throw rotting vegetables (and other naturally occurring organic material) at performers. Some of the earliest documented fan-mania&nbsp...

One of my all-time favorite movies is called "The Rose," starring Bette Midler, from 1979. Inspired and loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin, Midler's character Mary Rose is a popular yet self-destructive rock star who struggles to cope with the demands of her high-profile occupation. Throughout the story, Mary Rose pleads desperately for a break that she never receives and, unfortunately, en...

In the music world, a concept album or song typically breaks from the cookie cutter commercial structure, allowing an artist more creative freedom. Oftentimes an artist will assume a character for alter ego such as Chris Gaines, Earl Dibbles Junior or Darla McFarland. That said, one could argue that nearly all of Sturgill Simpson‘s work could be considered concept art. The Kentucky native's...

A modern-day "Man in Black" is now a bona fide member of the Grand Ole Opry. This week, friends Craig Morgan, Ernest and comedian Leanne Morgan were on-hand to celebrate Jelly Roll's Opry induction in front of a packed house. Additionally, Lainey Wilson delivered a heartfelt speech where she called Jelly Roll a true friend and mentor, followed by the presentation of the Nashville native's official...

Not only is Tucker Wetmore musically talented, the 26-year-old is also properly fit and not afraid to shake his moneymaker on and off the stage. While there is no shortage of thirst trap pictures on the "Wind Up Missing You" singer's social feed, one particular photo shared recently had country music interwebs abuzz. Appearing in a carousel of candid snaps, the photo in question is that of what I...

Here is a name we have not heard in a while: Morgan Evans. After he and Kelsea Ballerini finalized their very public divorce, the Aussie singer-songwriter felt the best way to heal was to step back and assume a low profile. Like so many of us, Evans processed his sadness and grief by throwing himself into work. Now three years post breakup, Evans is ready to feel a spotlight again. In a recent int...