Music

“It’s such a mindfuck.” That’s how Ingrid Andress sums up the disparity between the artists nominated for Best Country Album at the 2021 Grammy Awards and who’s being played on country radio. “It’s so funny, because if you look at the Grammy nominations, then you look at like the top five songs on the radio,

Time off the road has meant time to record new Christmas music for many of country music’s biggest stars. While some had albums in production to start 2020, several more packaged songs, EPs or television movies together for their fans this holiday season. A least three country-themed Christmas movies or television specials have been confirmed

For the 2020 CMA Country Christmas special, Darius Rucker teamed up with violinist Lindsey Stirling to perform the traditional holiday Christmas carol “What Child Is This.” Their performance will be part of the annual holiday broadcast on Monday night (Nov. 30), but before the show airs, the two artists dropped their holiday collaboration as a digital

Country legends and newcomers make up this playlist of the best country Christmas songs of all time. Find nearly three hours of Christmas music ready for continuously holiday playback, including hits by George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood and more. This Christmas playlist was built over eight years after receiving tremendous amounts of feedback on

Twenty-five years ago today, on Nov. 30, 1995, Martina McBride became an official member of the Grand Ole Opry. McBride was inducted into the Opry by Loretta Lynn, with whom she forged a lifelong friendship. “I love her. She’s amazing to me,” McBride says of Lynn. “What she’s done is opened herself up to me. I’ll find

The first member of the Grand Ole Opry was also its very first performer: Uncle Jimmy Thompson. The iconic fiddle player was the first artist to be featured on Nashville’s WSM radio station’s new show, then called the WSM Barn Dance, on Nov. 28, 1925. The Barn Dance would later be renamed the Grand Ole Opry,

Chris Young and Kane Brown team up for a new track that highlights the country singers’ real-life friendship and Tennessee roots. Titled “Famous Friends,” the track is Young’s latest release from an upcoming album project. Written by Young with Cary Barlowe and Corey Crowder, the guitar-driven tune plays up both artists’ small-town bona fides with

Twenty-six years ago today (Nov. 29, 1994) was a day of celebration for Brooks & Dunn: It was on that date that their debut album, Brand New Man, was certified quadruple platinum, signifying sales in excess of 4 million units. Their sophomore record, Hard Workin’ Man, also earned triple-platinum status. The first four singles from Brand New Man,

Adam Doleac is no stranger to writing heart-melting love songs — the music video for his single “Famous” even featured a real-life couple from The Bachelor — but it’s a different kind of romance that takes center stage in his latest submission to country radio, “Whiskey’s Fine.” This time around, a couple that have called it quits

Ninety-five years ago today (Nov. 28, 1925) was an historic day for country music: It was on that date that the WSM Barn Dance, later re-named the Grand Ole Opry, began broadcasting. On the evening of Nov. 28, 1925, on Nashville’s WSM-AM radio station, announcer George D. “Judge” Hay introduced famed fiddle player Uncle Jimmy Thompson as

Whether it’s coming out of Nashville, New York, L.A., or points in between, there’s no shortage of fresh tunes, especially from artists who have yet to become household names. Rolling Stone Country selects some of the best new music releases from country and Americana artists. Dillon Carmichael, “Hot Beer” Add Dillon Carmichael to the list of guys

Fifty-six years ago today (Nov. 28, 1964) was an unforgettable day for Willie Nelson: It was on that date that the singer made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry. Nelson’s appearance on the renowned Opry stage came less than two weeks after he had his first recording session at RCA Studio B in Nashville,

Jameson Rodgers‘ newest single, “Cold Beer Calling My Name,” is a slice of laidback, tried-and-true country music gold. From its titular drink to the imagery of a girl riding shotgun and a night full of fun ahead, the song stirs up all the makings of a hit at country radio. Of course, it doesn’t hurt

The Grand Ole Opry is one of Tennessee’s biggest attractions, and it’s not hard to see why: Since 1925, it’s been the location of some truly incredible country music moments, courtesy of the genre’s biggest stars from multiple generations. Membership into the Opry is one of the greatest honors within country music. That legendary Opry circle is

Waylon Jennings once famously said he “couldn’t go pop with a mouthful of firecrackers,” yet with an album of previously released material, he did help country music reach a milestone heretofore reserved for pop and rock albums. On this day in 1976, Wanted! The Outlaws, an LP on which Jennings was featured alongside his wife

Luke Combs didn’t earn a single nomination for the 2021 Grammy Awards, but is that really a snub? Eric Church did, for a song that flips a middle finger to the country establishment, but is that really a surprise? The answer to both questions is yes, and you’ll see why as you pore over this full list

If there’s anyone who’s really right to fill Glenn Frey‘s shoes in the Eagles, it has to be his son, Deacon. The younger Frey takes over for his late father in an uncanny performance on the Eagles’ new live version of “Peaceful, Easy Feeling” that would have made his dad proud. Deacon Frey has stepped

Country singer-songwriter Sara Evans‘ father, Jack Evans, has died. The artist announced the sad news in an emotional statement to fans via her various social media outposts. While a cause of death hasn’t been made public, Evans hasn’t been shy about the fact that her dad was previously diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Earlier this year,

Hal Ketchum, the Grand Ole Opry member and hit country singer of “Small Town Saturday Night,” died Monday night at 67 as a result of complications from dementia. Ketchum’s wife Andrea confirmed the news on Facebook Tuesday. “With great sadness and grief we announce that Hal passed away peacefully last night at home due to

Poison frontman and sometimes country singer Bret Michaels is selling his Southwestern estate in Arizona, and pictures show a spectacular property that’s worth every penny of its $3.299 million asking price. The singer, guitarist and songwriter listed his estate at an undisclosed address in Scottsdale in late November. According to Variety, the single-story 5 bedroom,

Sam Hunt has released a new music video just in time for Turkey Day. It’s the clip for the suave country singer’s “Breaking Up Was Easy in the ’90s,” and it spins a somewhat apropos tale of homecoming ahead of this year’s Thanksgiving. Ultimately, however, the video ends on a bittersweet note. Directed by Justin

Tanner Gomes won his way into the Top 16 in Season 19 of The Voice on Tuesday night (Nov. 24), delivering a swaggering version of Tim McGraw‘s “Real Good Man” that drove his coach, Kelly Clarkson, to move him forward in the iconic reality singing competition over an incendiary performance from Marisa Corvo. Corvo was

Ingrid Andress and Miranda Lambert lead all country music artists at the 2021 Grammy Awards with three nominations each. Andress earned nominations in the Best Country Album and Best Country Song categories, as well as an all-genre nomination for Best New Artist. Lambert’s three noms include Country Album, Country Song, and Best Country Solo Performance.

Twenty-one years ago today (Nov. 25, 1999) was an unforgettable day for LeAnn Rimes: It was on that date that the then-17-year-old performed for Pope John Paul II. Rimes performed a tune, “I Believe in You,” for the Pope as part of a special Thanksgiving Day concert. The song was written as the title cut

Lady A recruit Thomas Rhett for a tear-jerking new duet called “Heroes,” which remembers some of the musical greats who are no longer with us. Lady A bandmate Charles Kelley co-wrote the song alongside Rhett, as well as songwriters Jesse Frasure, Julian Bunetta, Sean Douglas and Joe London. “All of my heroes keep dying / Lord,

Nominees for the 2021 Grammy Awards will be announced on Tuesday (Nov. 24), via a livestream event featuring, among others, country artist Mickey Guyton. The 2021 Grammy Awards nominations announcement event is set for noon ET on Grammy.com, with Recording Academy President and CEO Harvey Mason Jr. heading things up. Pop singer Dua Lipa, Christian singer

UPDATE (11/23/20):After having its theatrical release delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Library That Dolly Built will now become available as a worldwide streaming event. The documentary will stream for free exclusively on Facebook Wednesday, December 9th at 7 p.m. ET. The screening will be followed by a performance and conversation featuring Parton. ##

Ever wondered how nominees and winners get selected at the Grammy Awards? Lucky for our readers, The Boot has some intel on how the voting process, both to determine the year’s nominees and to crown each year’s winners, works. We consulted the Recording Academy’s official Grammy Awards voting rules to explain how nominees and winners for the