The Steel Wheels will tell their fans’ stories — including that of a now-retired physical therapist — on their new album, Everyone a Song, Vol. 1. The bluegrass band’s first single from the project, “The Healer,” is premiering exclusively on The Boot; press play below to listen. “The Healer” celebrated Meta Thayer as she retired after
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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will put to use some of the most iconic instruments in the genre’s history for its upcoming “Big Night” fundraiser, set for Wednesday, October 28th. Included among the newly announced instrument and artist pairings are guitars once owned by Johnny Cash, Mother Maybelle Carter, and Jimmie Rodgers.
Garth Brooks became only the ninth artist ever to earn the Billboard Icon Award on Wednesday night (Oct. 14). The country superstar marked the moment with a career-spanning medley during the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, with a virtual audience just for the occasion. Brooks’ eight-song medley infused a unique kind of energy as he borrowed live clips from
Award-winning singer, songwriter & producer Ian Guerin has just released his highly anticipated new single and accompanying music video “Chapter II” worldwide. “Chapter II” was written by Guerin and produced by his long-time collaborator Azhmir for Ian’s second studio album “Irreplaceable,” and contains elements of Adult Contemporary, Pop and R&B Music which is being released
This year’s Billboard Music Awards will look different than past ceremonies — not exactly shocking for an awards show in 2020, during the novel coronavirus pandemic. For starters, the show is taking place in the fall, rather than the spring, after a six-month postponement. There’s still a lengthy list of nominees who will be vying to take
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit’s “Only Children” music video is a mysterious adventure. The Kurt Simpson-directed clip follows two young women as a glowing knapsack falls into their possession; press play above to watch. The two friends share a night full of adventure with the backpack in their possession, but when the morning comes,
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. Joachim Cooder, “Over the Road I’m Bound to Go” By the
Sturgill Simpson‘s first bluegrass album is due out on Friday (Oct. 16). The singer-songwriter admits in an Instagram post announcing the album that he was hoping for its release to be a surprise, but someone spilled the beans. A Google search for Simpson’s name and the album’s title, Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1: The Butcher Shoppe Sessions,
In 2015, Cam, Sam Hunt and Kelsea Ballerini, among others, were country music newcomers making waves, while Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood were established artists pulling in star collaborators. Little Big Town, meanwhile, were capturing headlines with a gorgeous tale of jealousy that got a bit misconstrued — but all that buzz worked in their favor, for sure. It’s a
Sam Hunt‘s “Breaking Up Was Easy In the ’90s” is anything but timeless. The progressive country hitmaker’s heartbreak might feel familiar, but his lyrics would be out of place in any other era. That’s intentional. The song speaks to how social media makes moving on so much more difficult today, because you can see your ex seemingly
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit wrapped up four nights of socially distanced performances on the rain-soaked grounds at the Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee, on Sunday night. The group’s Saturday show happened to coincide with the birthday of the late John Prine, to whom Isbell and wife/bandmate Amanda Shires paid tribute with a stirring performance
Kane Brown finds new religion on “Worship You,” his new single. The slow-burning love song is likely aimed at wife Katelyn Jae, and he sings it like a man who believes in their love like he believes in the Bible. Vocally, Brown spends most of the chorus on the same plane after two relatively short verses
Ten years ago today, on Oct. 12, 2010, the Band Perry released their eponymous freshman album, on Republic Nashville. The debut single from The Band Perry, “Hip to My Heart,” peaked at No. 20 on the charts, but the follow-up single from the sibling trio, “If I Die Young,” shot straight to the top. It
Chase Wright shows off his skill on the piano in his new “Make You Miss Me” music video. The up-and-comer is premiering the clip exclusively with The Boot; press play above to watch. Seated at an upright piano in an empty warehouse-type building, Wright accompanies himself as he sings the song he co-wrote with Robyn Collins and Jared
In 2019, Brothers Osborne released a document of their live show, culling several tracks from a series of Ryman Auditorium performances from earlier that same year. It showed off the CMA-winning duo’s comfort and skill with slow-burning balladry and jam-friendly noodling alike, further cementing the reputation they’d been building as top-tier live entertainers — equal
Former The Voice contestant Andrew Jannakos went from his first time performing in front of a live audience during a blind audition on The Voice 2 1/2 ago, to his new debut song lighting up the song charts. There’s no doubt the 26-year-old is hitting the country music scene at full speed. Since the release of his breakout
Seventeen years ago today (Oct. 11, 2003), Tim McGraw had one good reason to celebrate: His latest single, “Real Good Man,” had soared to the top of the charts, becoming his 17th No. 1 song. The uptempo, rocking “Real Good Man,” which is still a concert favorite, was the fourth single from McGraw’s multi-platinum album Tim McGraw and
Dolly Parton‘s brand-new A Holly Dolly Christmas album is full of seasonal favorites and personal touches, but no track is nearer to the singer’s own childhood than “You Are My Christmas.” In fact, the song is a family affair: Parton’s brother, Randy, duets with her on it, with his daughter Heidi (Parton’s niece) providing backup vocals. Parton knew she wanted
Larkin Poe, the Atlanta-raised duo of Rebecca and Megan Lovell, remake Lenny Kravitz’s ubiquitous 1998 hit “Fly Away” as a moody, acoustic number, propelled by bluesy slide guitar. It’s the band’s latest taste of their upcoming covers album Kindred Spirits and doubles down on the atmospheric vibes of the LP’s prior release, a rendition of
John Prine will be remembered as a man who wrote incredible songs — but also, as a man who loved hot dogs, kept Christmas trees up year-round and never left home without … condiments? The folk icon is known for his way with words, but also for his quirks. Prine was a friend to younger acts and,
Fifty years ago today, on Oct. 10, 1970, Johnny Cash‘s “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” from his The Johnny Cash Show album, landed at the top of the charts. The song, written by Kris Kristofferson, was first recorded by Ray Stevens, who released his version of the tune in 1969. But it was Cash’s rendition, released one year later, that
“We Didn’t Have Much,” Justin Moore‘s first release from his not-yet-announced next album, speaks to a popular country music theme that just might be surging in popularity right now: happiness in simplicity. The often-traditional singer released on Friday (Oct. 9) one of two current country singles with lyrics that look back with nostalgia on simpler times (the
Justin Moore leans into a more rootsy sound for his new song “We Didn’t Have Much.” With shades of Tim McGraw’s “Red Rag Top” and a heavy dose of nostalgia for days gone by, “We Didn’t Have Much” finds the Arkansas country singer reminiscing about Tonka trucks, G.I. Joe, and Sundays framed by chicken dinners
Saturday Night Live creator and showrunner Lorne Michaels is speaking out about dropping Morgan Wallen from the show’s lineup after the singer violated coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols, saying we’re “living in a different time.” Wallen turned to social media on Wednesday (Oct. 7) to announce that his appearance on SNL, which was scheduled for Saturday (Oct.
On this date (Oct. 9) in 1993, chances are good that Vince Gill was celebrating. It was that day, 27 years ago, that his single “One More Last Chance” became his third No. 1 hit. The comedic “One More Last Chance,” which Gill wrote with famed tunesmith Gary Nicholson, comes from Gill’s multi-platinum-selling album I Still Believe in You. That
Josh Abbott Band‘s new song “Settle Me Down” is for that person who’s always got your back. Press play below to get an early first listen to the track, premiering exclusively on The Boot and our partner site, Taste of Country. JAB namesake and leader Josh Abbott co-wrote “Settle Me Down” with fellow Texas-bred artists
Little Big Town gave a mostly unplugged full-band performance for a new edition of NPR Music’s Tiny Desk (Home) Concert. Standing in a sunken living-room area in front of a massive tree-trunk coffee table, Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, and Phillip Sweet merged their voices for the dreamy title track from 2020’s Nightfall as
Vince Gill paid musical tribute to the late Mac Davis during his recent set at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday (Oct. 3). The country legend sang a haunting version of Davis’ “In the Ghetto” that had the in-person audience spellbound. Gill hit the hallowed stage as part of a lineup that included Dierks Bentley,
Keith Urban brings the emotion in “Better Than I Am,” the penultimate song on his 2020 album The Speed of Now Part 1. The country star has been sitting on the track for a while, he revealed to The Boot, waiting for the right project on which to release it. Urban co-wrote “Better Than I Am”
While Cam‘s “Classic,” is undoubtedly a progressive pop-country banger, the singer keeps it old school for the accompanying music video. In the colorful clip, she brings to mind a bevy of traditional American beauties. After all, what better type of sentimentality to invoke for the reflective tune that begins with the evocative couplet, “Pickin’ up some Lucky Strikes