Can you imagine turning down some of country music’s most well-known names for a spot in a singing competition? That’s exactly what the crew of American Idol did — more than once, too. Awkward! The popular TV show might be known for turning out superstars including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Scotty McCreery, but those involved with American Idol also said
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Lainey Wilson has been racking up ACM, CMA and CMT Music Awards nominations left and right — but now she could be a contender at an awards show that’s outside the country format, and isn’t even strictly focused on music! Her song “Smell Like Smoke,” which comes off the Yellowstone soundtrack as well as the
Rising country singer-songwriter Francesca Brown offers up a playful tribute to treating yourself well with her new track “Brussels Sprouts and Whiskey.” The song, which is exclusively premiering at The Boot today, serves as the second single from the Los Angeles-based talent’s upcoming album, set for release this fall. Propelled by whirling pedal steel and Brown’s
Colbie Caillat finds sweetness in the memories of a relationship that didn’t work out in “Worth It,” her first solo release since putting out The Malibu Sessions in 2016. Soul-inflected vocal harmonies and the singer’s signature brand of pop-country come together in this dreamy new track, which focuses on gratitude for time spent with a
On April 20, 1993 — 30 years ago today — Tim McGraw released his self-titled debut album. Tim McGraw hews closely to the hard-edged honky-tonk sound popular at the time, courtesy of slick co-production from Byron Gallimore (who has gone on to work with McGraw for years) and contributions from Nashville session players such as guitarist Larry
On April 20, 1993, Toby Keith released his self-titled debut album. A former oil industry worker and semi-pro football player, Keith was discovered after a friend of his — a woman who worked as an American Airlines flight attendant — slipped his demo to another pal of hers, music executive Harold Shedd. A record deal
Evan Paul is the host of Taste of Country Nights, a syndicated radio show heard on more than 100 country radio stations nationwide, every night from 7PM to midnight. He plays the best new country music and interviews today’s top stars, like Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Dan + Shay, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Lady A, Morgan
Ashley Judd celebrated her birthday on Wednesday (April 19), and the milestone day was bittersweet, bringing back memories of the actor’s late mother Naomi Judd, who died by suicide on April 30, 2022. Naomi — who, together with Ashley’s sister Wynonna, was one half of legendary country duo The Judds — died just 11 days after
Hailing from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Laura and Lydia Rogers first learned to harmonize by singing together in their local church. Despite their blood-deep connection as musicians, the sisters didn’t consider pursuing a career as a duo until a chance audition in 2010 with none other than Dave Cobb. Laura and Lydia signed with Universal Republic Records
Warner Music Nashville rising artist Chase Matthew is haunted by the ghost of his past in the official music video for “Come Get Your Memory,” directed by Robby Klein and out now (WATCH HERE). The heavy-hitting song serves as the title track of Matthew’s major label debut album, available on June 9 (PRE-ORDER HERE). See
Southern rocker Brandon Blackburn recently released a country cover of Skid Row‘s 1989 hit song “I Remember You.” You can listen to the single HERE! With his new release, Brandon wanted to go back to his rock ‘n’ roll roots and record one of his childhood favorites. “I always wanted to be a rockstar growing up,” Brandon
Paramount+ today announced WYNONNA JUDD: BETWEEN HELL AND HALLELUJAH, a feature-length documentary following the legendary singer as she navigates the next phase of her life and career, will premiere exclusively on the service in the U.S. on Wednesday, April 26. The documentary will also premiere internationally in Canada, the U.K., Australia, Latin America, Brazil, Italy,
American Idol stand out Haven Madison has fallen squarely in the pop realm so far in the competition — she impressed judges with a pair of originals for her first two performances, then shared her rendition of a Sia song — but the teenage singer from Tennessee broadened her horizons during the most recent episode
Twenty years ago today, on April 18, 2003, Dierks Bentley made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry, fulfilling a dream he had held since childhood. The singer performed his then-newly released single, “What Was I Thinkin’,” from his eponymous freshman album, which was released the following August. “I just want to add my name to
Darius Rucker has been a mainstay in country music for more than 15 years now, but the genre was not his first musical home. The singer was the frontman for the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish for two decades — and very successfully — so, why the shift to Nashville? “I talked about it
Cody Johnson is gearing up to release a new album, and once again, he’s making sure fans get their money’s worth: His next project will be a 24-track double album, titled Cody Johnson: Leather. That makes Johnson’s second consecutive double album, as his October 2021 project, Human, was also a two-disc project with 18 tracks
Over the past fifteen years, Record Store Day has become an unofficial holiday for music lovers worldwide. The annual event draws thousands of eager shoppers to their local record stores in hopes of snagging limited releases from their favorite artists. On Saturday, April 22, Record Store Day 2023 will usher in the release of rare, expanded and
Seventeen years ago today (April 17, 2006) was an exhausting day for Jo Dee Messina. It was on that date that the singer ran the Boston Marathon, in five hours and 47 minutes; her time was about an hour longer than she had anticipated because she injured her knee about halfway through the course. “I don’t
Alan Jackson‘s ultra-high-end taste in property even extends to his vacation homes. The singer and his wife built a spectacular 6-bedroom, 6.5-bathroom, 9,800-square-foot oceanside mansion on Jupiter Island in Florida that’s one of the most jaw-dropping celebrity vacation homes of them all, and it’s currently valued at just over $23 million. Jackson and his wife,
Brad Paisley is currently overseas making his first visit to Ukraine, after collaborating with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a song called “Same Here” in February. Proceeds from that track went to benefit United24, which is the country’s official fundraising platform. Paisley is a global ambassador for United24, and during his current overseas trip, the