Jo Dee Messina had no idea that Cole Swindell was planning to cut his own updated twist on her 1996 country classic, “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” until Swindell’s version was already finished and recorded. In fact, when she finally heard “She Had Me at Heads Carolina,” it wasn’t Swindell who sent it to her — it
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Jordan Davis is counting down the days until he and his wife Kristen welcome baby No. 3. The new addition to the family is set to arrive this month. Fortunately for the “Next Thing You Know” star, he’s currently on the road with a country star who knows a thing or two about being a dad
Seventy-four years ago today, on June 11, 1949, Hank Williams made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. The then-25-year-old performed “Lovesick Blues,” his first No.1 hit, as well as his self-penned single “Mind Your Own Business” … and earned an incredible six encores. Williams began performing when he was still a teenager, but in addition
On June 11, 1970, Ray Price married Janie Phillips, and thus began one of country’s greatest love stories. Theirs was a love story that lasted 43 and a half years, before the country singer passed away on Dec. 16, 2013, after battling pancreatic cancer. Ray Price enjoyed a fantastic music career prior to his death, becoming a
Jelly Roll rocked the crowd at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium on Friday night (June 9) with a powerful CMA Fest set that literally left the fans screaming for more. The unexpected country breakout star of the year took the stage as an unannounced special guest on the second night of headlining performances at CMA Fest, as
Big things are brewing in all aspects of Kimberly Perry‘s life. After releasing her new EP, Bloom, on Friday (June 9), she’s getting right back to work in the studio, with plans to expand the EP into a full album in the fall. “We’re recording the back half of that in June,” Perry tells Taste
Eighteen years ago today (June 10, 2005) was an unforgettable day for Carrie Underwood: It was on that date that the Oklahoma native made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry, only a couple of weeks after she was declared the Season 4 winner of American Idol. During her first Opry performance, Underwood performed “Inside Your Heaven,” the
Wynonna Judd and her husband, Michael Scott “Cactus” Moser, have been through a lot in their years of marriage. When they said “I do” on June 10, 2012, they didn’t know the devastating event that would take place just a couple of months later — but they emerged stronger from it. Judd and Moser (formerly of Highway 101
Jimmie Allen‘s Nashville record label has dropped him after a second woman came forward with sexual assault allegations. On Friday morning (June 9), a second Jane Doe filed a lawsuit in Tennessee federal court, alleging that Allen sexually assaulted her and filmed the encounter without her permission or awareness. Previously, BBR Music Group had suspended its relationship
ne of Music City’s buzziest newcomers, Chase Matthew, releases his sophomore album, ‘Come Get Your Memory’ (via Warner Music Nashville), available now here. Serving as the follow-up to Matthew’s breakout project, ‘Born For This,’ the eclectic 25-track project marks the Nashville native’s major label debut under Warner Music Nashville. LISTEN TO ‘COME GET YOUR MEMORY’
Lauren Alaina and Lainey Wilson are coming together for a song that celebrates one, er, big thing they’ve got in common. “Thicc as Thieves” is the final track off Alaina’s new Unlocked EP, which dropped on Friday (June 9) — and it’s a tribute to Southern women who’ve got booties as thick and generous as the
Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser — the country music world has a lot of BFFs. No wonder the genre has so many great best friend songs. It only makes sense: After all, it’s our buddies who are there for us
With seven albums and a lengthy list of accolades to his name, Sturgill Simpson has proven himself as one of modern country music’s most talented songwriters and performers. The Kentucky native kicked off his career by forming the band Sunday Valley in 2004, but the project eventually fizzled out. After moving to Nashville, Simpson spent years trying
Is there anything Dolly Parton cannot do? At 77 years young, the veteran country singer has been hosting awards shows, writing books and singing in holiday specials. And lately, she’s been setting new world records. There’s not too much empty space on Parton’s list of accolades, but there’s certainly room for not one, not two, but three new
Twenty-four years ago, Garth Brooks pivoted at the height of his fame to do something … uh, let’s call it “unexpected.” Instead of forging ahead in his unbridled country music success, he decided to create new music under the name of a fictitious rockstar, the brooding, soul patch-sporting Australian named Chris Gaines. If you’ve heard of
It’s official: Garth Brooks is ready to revive his rock star alter-ego, Chris Gaines. During an extensive Q&A interview at Billboard Country Live: In Conversation, the country star confirmed his intentions to release more music as the controversial character. The 1999 album Garth Brooks… In the Life of Chris Gaines was meant to serve as
Vince Gill and Amy Grant’s daughter Corrina Grant Gill has released a new song called “Too Much.” Her playful vocals carry the listener along through this humble track that is both self-reflective and honest. She’s dedicated the song to empaths everywhere. Gill’s voice dances through the first verse as she marvels at the people around
Maren Morris is on the cover of Billboard‘s 2023 Pride issue, along with four of today’s most renowned drag queens: Eureka O’Hara, Landon Cider, Sasha Colby and Symone. As part of the cover story, Morris moderates a conversation between the four performers that dives into the recent onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ bills aimed at limiting and
On June 7, 2003, Kenny Chesney set a career milestone: He headlined his first stadium concert. According to CMT, Chesney’s stadium gig drew 61,780 people to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. — home not just to the University of Tennessee, but also a place the native of nearby Luttrell knew well. “I sat right up
We’ve got our first taste of country on this season of America’s Got Talent. Mitch Rossell makes his emotional debut during Tuesday night’s (June 6) episode, both with his story and his song “Son.” As soon as Rossell introduces himself, it becomes clear this is going to be a tearjerker. The hopeful explains that he got into the music