Music

Today is a monumental anniversary for Randy Travis: It was on this date 34 years ago (Dec. 20, 1986) that he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Travis’ induction into the Opry came only six months after the release of Storms of Life, his first album on Warner Bros. That record spawned four No.

In an alternate reality, Maren Morris was on the road all last summer, headlining her RSVP Tour. The pandemic quashed those plans and, faced with yet another round of postponed dates, Morris has decided to pull the plug. The songwriter, whose hit “The Bones” is nominated for a Best Country Song Grammy, made the announcement

Sturgill Simpson‘s newly released Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 2: The Cowboy Arms Sessions features bluegrass versions of songs in his back catalog — that is, until its 12th and final track. The album-ending “Hobo Cartoon” is a previously unreleased song, co-written by none other than the late Merle Haggard. Simpson has been “sitting on [the track] for about

Maren Morris has canceled her tour dates for 2021, but there’s still some good news for fans. The singer won’t be hitting the road for her RSVP: The Tour in the upcoming year, but she has revealed that she’s working on her third album. Morris turned to social media late Friday (Dec. 18) to make

Forty years ago today, on Dec. 19, 1980, Dolly Parton made her big-screen debut, appearing in the movie 9 to 5. A comedy based on three working women, the film also starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dabney Coleman. 9 to 5 was a major box office hit. Parton played one of the leading characters, Doralee Rhodes, a secretary

Marcus King performed his song “Wildflowers & Wine” on Wednesday night’s episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, leading his band through the soul-inflected tune from his album El Dorado. Backed by a full band that includes fellow singer-songwriter Maggie Rose as one of his backup singers, South Carolina native King shows off his

Brett Young adds flair to the holiday season with his rendition of “Silver Bells.” The country crooner is contributing his distinct style to one of his favorite Christmas songs, spicing it up with an R&B flavor. Young is suave and subdued as he adds his own vibe to the Christmas classic. A soft guitar solo contributes to the song’s sense of

Roots fans will hear a familiar voice in the trailer for Justin Timberlake’s new drama film Palmer. “Redemption,” a new song by Nathaniel Rateliff, soundtracks the preview, released on Thursday (Dec. 17). Written, performed, co-produced and co-mixed by Rateliff — who had production and mixing help from Pat Meese and James Barone, also the song’s engineers

The country music family is growing in 2020. A number of artists have welcomed new babies to their broods — glimmers of hope during a tumultuous year. Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd became first-time parents this spring: Son Hayes Andrew Hurd arrived in late March. Morgan Wallen, meanwhile, surprised fans with the news of his

“Just set me free,” Nathaniel Rateliff repeats over and over like a mantra in his new song “Redemption.” Written especially for the upcoming Apple Original movie Palmer, starring Justin Timberlake, the ballad starts quietly but builds, with haunting claps and stomps, to a wall-of-sound crescendo. “Keep running until we learn to find peace,” he sings.

Alfred Howard‘s new collaboration with folk duo Siren Songs continues an ambitious, year-long experiment from the prolific and diverse musician: Write, record and release a total of 100 songs, two per week. Ahead of the Thursday (Dec. 17) release of “Letter to Your Heart,” readers can press play below to listen. Siren Songs’ Jenn Grinels and Merideth Kaye

Runaway June‘s Naomi Cooke is engaged, she revealed on social media Tuesday (Dec. 15). Her fiancé is her boyfriend of the last year and a half, Martin Johnson, the musician behind the John Mayer-endorsed pop-rockers the Night Game as well as emo kingpins Boys Like Girls. Instagram followers of both performers were likely already aware of

Singer-songwriter Van Plating went the spontaneous route when creating her newest music video, for her single “Bird on a Wire.” The clip, premiering exclusively on The Boot, captures both the golden hour of a summertime afternoon in Florida and the lyrics’ dreamy, pensive qualities. “Usually when I create a visual for my work, there’s an inspo

So, How Was Your 2020? is a series in which our favorite entertainers answer our questionnaire about the music, culture and memorable moments that shaped their year. We’ll be rolling these pieces out throughout December. In late February, Amanda Shires’ supergroup the Highwomen picked up a nomination for the 2020 ACM Awards. That event, which typically

Trace Adkins bucks against the notion of the cattleman rogue while displaying the type of earnest and family-based worker he represents in his ”Ain’t That Kind of Cowboy” music video. The song, written by Justin Lantz and Stephen Wilson, is the title track from Adkins’ recent EP of the same name, released in October. The six-song

Kacey Musgraves is making her debut in the world of voice acting. She will lend her voice to the English-language version of Earwig and the Witch, an animated film from the Tokyo-based studio Studio Ghibli, alongside actors Dan Stevens and Richard E. Grant, per the Hollywood Reporter. Based on a novel by UK author Diana Wynne Jones,

Collaborations dominated the best-selling songs in country music in 2020. In fact, four of the top five songs on this list crossed over thanks to some additional help from a pop heavyweight. Charlie Puth, Gwen Stefani and Justin Bieber are three of them, aiding Gabby Barrett, Blake Shelton and Dan + Shay, respectively. The lone solo

Anita White, the Seattle blues singer who performs under the name Lady A, has released a new song about her legal battle with a Nashville country-music trio over use of the name. “My Name Is All I Got” is a rhythmic, stomp-and-clap blues song that finds White detailing the hardships she’s faced in 2020. “Yes,

Vince Gill is best known for his exceptionally pure tenor as a singer of some of country music’s most emotional ballads, but as it turns out, he can rock it up when he needs to. The country superstar turns up the volume on a version of “Heartache Tonight” from the Eagles‘ new live album, and

Ask anyone who has met her: There is nothing quite like seeing the iconic Dolly Parton in the flesh. But seeing her all dolled up in her holiday best as an animated character is pretty great, too. In the music video for her new song “Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas,” Parton joins an animated version

“Charley Pride had to be the best every time he stepped in front of a microphone. It was his burden and his gift.” When asked what makes Pride’s 1971 release “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” one of country music’s timeless anthems, Rissi Palmer — another groundbreaking Black country performer — answers with a definitive statement.

Charley Pride’s death on Saturday from complications of Covid-19 resulted in an outpouring from artists including Dolly Parton, Maren Morris, Darius Rucker, and Marty Stuart. Stuart also honored Pride regularly while he was living, inviting the country legend on his RFD-TV show more than any other artist. After Pride’s death, Stuart and his wife, singer

The Chicks have given an internet thumbs up to Taylor Swift‘s “No Body, No Crime,” an enthralling murder-mystery number that finds its place among the tracklist of Swift’s most recent album, Evermore. Swift surprise-released the new set, a spiritual sequel to this summer’s Folklore, on Friday (Dec. 11). As pointed out by Uproxx, the song,

Andrew Jannakos released his first official music video on Friday (Dec. 11), and the TikTok star-turned-Sony Nashville signee is giving The Boot’s readers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the new clip. Flip through the gallery below for a peek at what went on on set. Directed by Justin Key and produced by Taillight

One of the most-beloved groups in country music, Alabama have a history spanning more than 40 years of hits. Randy Owen, Jeff Cook and Teddy Gentry, along with former member Mark Herndon, have charted more than 60 singles – covering everything from the blue-collar worker to romance and heartbreak – making them one of the most successful (and longest-lasting) bands in

Pioneering country music legend Charley Pride, who died Saturday at 86 from complications related to Covid-19, was as equally influenced by blues and gospel music as he was country music. Although his biggest crossover hit, “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” was nominated for a 1971 Grammy, the two trophies he won that year were for

Dangit, Chris Bandi! You gotta warn a guy about songs like “Would Have Loved Her” in advance. The piano-led ballad leaves you reaching for tissues before the chorus wraps, and then he starts a second verse that should come with a sign that reads “Game Over.” “Would Have Loved Her” is a time-stopper told best with a stripped-down performance like the one he gives

Darius Rucker was among the many country singers who turned to social media to react to the unexpected news of Charley Pride‘s death on Saturday (Dec.12), calling his friend “one of the finest people I know.” According to a statement from his publicist, Pride died in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, at the age of 86,

Ten years ago today (Dec. 13, 2010) was an unforgettable day for the Band Perry: It was on that date that the sibling trio, made up of Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry, landed at the top of the charts with their single “If I Die Young.” “If I Die Young,” which was the second single from TBP’s eponymous