Music

On New Year’s Day 1964, Connie Smith — then still an aspiring singer — met Grand Ole Opry star Bill Anderson at a concert in Canton, Ohio. It was actually their second meeting: The first followed Smith’s victory in a talent show in Columbus, after which Anderson invited her to perform on the Ernest Tubb

Canadian country artist Ryan Lindsay and New York folk artist Lizzie No have teamed up for a breathtaking version of Lindsay’s powerful tune “You, Me and the Mountains.” The live, off the floor version and its accompanying music video are premiering exclusively on The Boot; press play below to listen. The raw, intimate performance was recorded in Orange Lounge

You know what they say: A pandemic brings a baby boom. Okay, maybe no one says that — but it’s proving true in 2021, after the COVID-19 pandemic kept many country artists off the road and at home for much of 2020. The country music community is expanding in a big way this year, with several

Zac Brown Band have canceled their scheduled appearance at Nashville’s New Year’s Eve party after the group’s namesake singer tested positive for Covid-19. Brown previously contracted the virus in September, forcing the country music band to scrap a string of shows. “Despite taking precautions, I’ve tested positive for COVID-19. While we were very excited to

2022 is shaping up to be a busy year in the world of country music. Many artists are planning tours and new albums, and it appears that Maren Morris is throwing her hat into the ring. The “My Church” singer posted a video on Instagram on Dec. 23, teasing fans that something new is coming

Joe Diffie‘s songs weren’t the biggest hits of the 1990s, and he wasn’t the ’90s most well-known country star, but in so many ways he defined the decade with lyrics born out of the American experience and a simple, straight-forward and often clever approach to storytelling. Diffie, who died on March 29, 2020, at age

The next season of the Netflix self-improvement series Queer Eye premieres Dec. 31 and takes the cast to Texas to continue their mission of encouragement and empowerment. Texas native Miranda Lambert has recorded a new song called “Y’all Means All” for the series, a snippet of which can be heard in the show’s teaser. While

Mickey Guyton is excited to share a new side of her artistry and her heart with fans as she prepares her next country project. The 2022 Grammy Award-nominated singer isn’t going to simply repeat what worked in 2021.  Remember Her Name was released in September 2021 and heralded for its social importance and the artistic courage Guyton

On Dec. 28, 1956, a young Charley Pride and his wife, Rozene, got married. They’d just met earlier that year: He was playing Negro League baseball for the Memphis Red Sox and she was a dedicated baseball fan. Although the couple were only in their early 20s at the time, and married after a whirlwind

By the time Emmylou Harris released Luxury Liner, the third and most successful LP of her career-defining “honky-tonk angel” period, on Dec. 28, 1976, the vocalist had cemented a reputation for combining vintage country with impeccably chosen covers from outside the genre. Harris had been famously mentored by the late Gram Parsons, but by now

Bluegrass and banjo legend J.D. Crowe has died. In a post shared to his Facebook fan page, Crowe’s family announced the news of his passing at the age of 84 on Friday (Dec. 24). “This morning at around 3 a.m., our dad, JD Crowe, went home,” they wrote. “Prayers needed for all during this difficult time.” Crowe’s son,

December 27, 2021 FEATURED, Music News OLC! Top 20 Songs Of 2021 20. The Wanted – ‘Rule The World’: After 7 years boyband The Wanted returned to the music scene. The British group released their first new single in seven years called “Rule the World.” In the video for the song, we see Tom, Max, Siva, Nathan and Jay having just parachuted onto a

The music video for “Come Back as a Country Boy” is Blake Shelton to a tee. Not only is it filled with everything a good ol’ country boy loves, it combines two of Shelton’s greatest passions: His ranch and Marvel, apparently. “I knew I wanted to do something authentic to me,” the country star reveals in a

Throughout his career, bluegrass banjo master J.D. Crowe selflessly made room in his band the New South for innovators. Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, and Jerry Douglas all played in the group, which, under Crowe’s leadership, tested the limits of tradition-minded bluegrass culture by welcoming electric instruments and embracing songs from the folk and rock worlds.

Kane Brown‘s long been hinting at big things in the works for 2022, and now, he’s firming up those plans. His next new song, called “Whiskey Sour,” will be out on Jan. 14. The singer shared the news with fans on social media, where he also teased a preview of the track. “We were two

Alan Jackson has one of most recognizable names and voices in country music — and for good reason. From ”Chattahoochee” to “Little Bitty,” and “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” the Georgia native has written and recorded some of the most beloved songs in the genre since his career began in the early 1980s. Since those early beginnings, he’s become one

Let’s face it: This Christmas season is shaping up to be less than a beaut, Clark. Fortunately, there’s some new country and Americana recordings to dull the pain. Some extol the virtues of simply getting drunk or stoned, while others look to brighter and more clear-eyed days ahead. Here’s your must-hear holiday playlist. Katie Pruitt,

Carly Pearce‘s beloved Christmas traditions involve her pets, her mother and two of their favorite holiday films. In an interview with her label, Big Machine Records, Pearce sets the scene for one of her favorite holiday activities: sitting down with her mom to watch two holiday films they both love. “My mom and I, we have two movies that

Ho ho ho! The holiday gift you never knew you wanted is here: Some of country’s biggest stars are reciting ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas just in time for Santa’s big day. Country artists including Luke Bryan, Trisha Yearwood, LoCash, Dustin Lynch, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town and more spread Christmas cheer through the iconic story in this

J.D. Crowe, a pioneering banjo player with his progressive bluegrass group the New South, died Friday morning, according to a post on the musician’s Facebook page. He was 84. “This morning at around 3 a.m. our dad, JD Crowe, went home,” Crowe’s family wrote. “Prayers needed for all during this difficult time.” A seminal figure

December 24, 2021 FEATURED, Music News OLC! Holiday Favs: Continue celebrating your holidays with funk with Everett Bradley’s New Single “Tinsel” and show “Holidelic”. GRAMMY-nominated rock percussionist Everett Bradley (Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi) recently announced the return of his beloved holiday funk revue Holidelic, opening this week at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in New York, NY. The show is been

With big families and big feasts (and maybe a big fight or two), country stars celebrate the holidays just like we do. Family, friends and hot buttered rum (us too, Jake Owen!) are among country artists’ favorite Christmas traditions — as are some pretty unique ones! Luke Bryan and his family celebrate Christmas Eve with

When both of your parents are country music superstars with busy touring schedules, it can be tricky to find time to do all of the Christmastime activities that make the holiday season special. Despite their hectic calendars, though, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood always make time for a tradition that makes it feel like Christmas in

One of Lainey Wilson’s early jobs was performing as a Hannah Montana impersonator at birthday parties and county fairs. The native of tiny Baskin, Louisiana, would travel all around the Deep South and run through the musical repertoire of Miley Cyrus’ breakout TV role. Wilson would sometimes “open” for Hannah too — under her own

December 22, 2021 FEATURED, Music News OLC! Holiday Favs: Audrey DuBois Harris New Single “Christmas Without You” Captures the Warmth of your Holiday! Following the release of her stunning new album “LIFT EVERY VOICE” this summer, world-renowned vocalist and performer Audrey DuBois Harris returns to usher fans into the holiday season with her gorgeous new

When Amy Grant and Vince Gill got married in March of 2011, they both had children from prior relationships — Grant had three young children, while Gill had one daughter — and the couple completed their family with the birth of their daughter Corrina in 2001. Juggling the needs of a blended family can be complex,

It’s another landmark year for Chris Stapleton. According to Billboard, the country superstar’s latest album Starting Over is the best-selling Americana / folk record of 2021. Six years after its initial release, Stapleton’s debut record Traveller landed at the No. 2 spot, an impressive feat for any artist. This year’s list of best-selling albums is very similar

December 22, 2021 OLC! Holiday Favs: Sprayground, Iconic Streetwear Brand, Creates A New Bridge between Fashion And Music As It Drops New 1-minute Music Video To Launch Ultimate Winter Collection. Sprayground – the world’s most innovative streetwear brand known for its elaborate backpacks and edgy apparel collections, is creating a new concept in the future