Country
Makin’ Tracks: Parker McCollum Gets a ‘Handle’ on His George Strait Influences
Given that Parker McCollum emerged from the Texas bar circuit and signed with MCA Nashville behind music heavily informed by classic country, the singer-songwriter has received a fair amount of comparison to one of his biggest influences, George Strait. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news His voice is different — McCollum conveys a distinctive angst, while Strait typically delivers with a quiet confidence — but there’s enough similarity to justify the correlation. And it makes McCollum a tad uncomfortable. “I certainly love all the comparisons that I’ve been getting recently to him, but I certainly don’t want that to be my identity,” he says. “I’m incredibly influenced by his sound and his records. He is the standard for me and country musi...
From Brittany Aldean to Lauren Akins, Here Are Some of the Most-Followed Country Music Spouses
They might not be topping the Billboard charts like their country-superstar partners, but a handful of Nashville wives and husbands have become celebrities in their own right as social media influencers — sometimes even drawing millions of followers. Interspersed with adoring photos alongside their mates are often posts about product endorsements, beauty hints, cooking tips, business recommendations, childcare suggestions and — this is where it sometimes gets tricky — politics. On Thursday, Billboard reported that Jason Aldean’s longtime publicity firm, The GreenRoom PR, parted ways with their client of 17 years. Though the GreenRoom’s statement to Billboard did not give a reason — other than to say the company’s focus is on the music — the move came shortly after Aldean’s wife, Brittany, ...
How to Get Tickets to Kane Brown’s “Drunk or Dreaming Tour”
Kane Brown might be between states on his “Drunk or Dreaming Tour,” but you won’t want to fall into a daze before grabbing tickets to his now-expanded global trek. The tour is set to launch just days after Brown releases his third studio album, Different Man, on September 9th. Get tickets here, and read on for more details including pre-sale dates. What Is Kane Brown’s Next Tour? Kane Brown’s “Drunk or Dreaming Tour” kicks off in Melbourne, Australia on September 17th. He will complete his first continental circuit with stops in Sydney and Ipswich, followed by the closer in Auckland, New Zealand on September 25th. Advertisement Related Video The tour resumes in Ottawa, Canada on December 1st for a 10-show jaunt with our neighbors to the north. He’ll play Montreal on December 2nd, Toronto o...
Florida Georgia Line Play Final Show Following Inner-Band Feud Over Trump
After announcing a hiatus earlier this year, country duo Florida Georgia Line played their last show together at the Minnesota State Fair on Thursday (August 31st). Tyler Hubbard confirmed he and Brian Kelley were “taking a break” in February, but breakup rumors have followed Florida Georgia Line since 2020, when the artists had a rather public disagreement regarding the election. While Hubbard had been a vocal critic of President Trump, and his wife, Hayley, posted her support of Vice President Kamala Harris, Kelley swung in the other direction, hinting at his support of the outgoing president. Eventually, Hubbard and his wife unfollowed Kelley on Instagram altogether, with Hubbard confirming that he simply didn’t want to see Kelley’s posts about Trump. “I unfollowed BK for a few days whi...
Dolly Parton Unveils Dog Accessory Line, Brilliantly Names It Doggy Parton
Dolly Parton loves dogs. As if that wasn’t already evident by her general exquisite demeanor, America’s hero has further cemented her love for four-legged friends today by unveiling her new line of dog toys and apparel, which, obviously, is called Doggy Parton. The Doggy Parton collection includes dog-sized, Western-chic duds like a “blonde bombshell wig,” a “pink cowgirl hat with tiara,” a “gingham Western print two-piece collar and leash set,” and more that’ll have everyone begging your pup to not take their man. There’s also a set of plush toys, including a rainbow, a winking butterfly (!), a microphone (!!!), and a coffee mug that says “I Beg Your [Parton].” (!!!!!!!!!) “‘Puppy Love’ was my very first record, and six decades later, my love for pets is stronger than ever,” the coun...
Jessica Chastain, Margo Price & More Stars Mourn the Death of Luke Bell: ‘A Sad Night for Country Music’
More than a week after he was reported missing in Arizona, country singer Luke Bell was found dead in Tucson on Monday (August 29). He was 32 years old. While a cause of death has not been given at press time, the Tucson Police Department confirmed to Billboard that “the investigation is on-going at the moment,” with no further details disclosed. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The late singer’s close friend and fellow country singer Matt Kinman, who said he was with Bell recently and had been taking care of him for six years as he navigated a severe battle with bipolar disorder, reportedly told Saving Country Music — which first reported the news — that Bell went missing on August 20. Bell released his debut full-length album...
Plains (Katie Crutchfield and Jess Williamson) Don’t Talk About “Abilene” in New Song: Stream
Jess Williamson and Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield have shared “Abilene,” another new song from their project as Plains. Listen to the track — and watch Yoga with Adriene’s own Adriene Mishler star in its music video — below. The classic country waltz melodies of “Abilene” soundtracks Plains’ journey to distance themselves from the Texas city, and the lives it once housed. “Young lovers like to dream/ We’ll settle down and we’ll make a good team/ Well Main Street was cute and the rents there were cheap/ But I was too much for you and for your Abilene,” Williamson sings. Crutchfield shared the inspiration behind the latest Plains song in a statement. “The song ‘Abilene’ really solidified the vision of the album for me,” she said. “I’ll never forget how giddy I felt when Jess sent me t...
Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon, Willie Nelson to Guest on ‘Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas’
Dolly Parton is planning an A-list Christmas special with some of her best friends. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas film will feature appearances from her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus (as well as pops Billy Ray Cyrus), as well as Jimmy Fallon, Willie Nelson, Jimmie Allen and Zach Williams. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The NBC holiday musical movie will air at an as-yet-unspecified time between Thanksgiving and Christmas and star the 76-year-old country icon, alongside actors Tom Everett Scott, Ana Gasteyer and Angel Parker. The meta project is described as a “modern-day movie musical” about the making of a network TV special. THR reported that as Dolly strives to make a show that shares the “mountain ...
Maren Morris and Cassadee Pope Call Out Jason Aldean’s Wife Brittany Over Transphobic Comments
Comments made by country singer Jason Aldean‘s wife, Brittany, are coming under fire after she posted a transphobic joke on Instagram. “I’d really like to thank my parents for not changing my gender when I went through my tomboy phase. I love this girly life,” Brittany wrote earlier this week, on Aug. 23, as a caption to a before-and-after makeup video set to Beyoncé’s 2006 song “Upgrade U,” (even though Beyoncé is known to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community). Husband Jason left a laughing emoji in the comments and replied, “Lmao!! Im glad they didn’t too, cause you and I wouldn’t have worked out.” In a wordier statement via Instagram Stories on Friday (Aug. 26), Brittany expanded upon her unsolicited thoughts on transgender youth and their rights to gender-affirming care: “Advocating for ...
Alan Jackson Tests Positive for COVID-19, Cancels Kansas City Concert
Alan Jackson canceled Saturday night’s (Aug. 27) concert in Kansas City, Missouri, after testing positive for COVID-19. “I’m so sorry I can’t be there tonight,” Jackson said, according to a statement published by the venue, the T-Mobile Center. “I hate to disappoint my fans.” A representative for Jackson confirmed to Billboard that the country star has COVID-19 and that the show was called off. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The T-Mobile Center says organizers intend to reschedule the concert date, and that those who purchased tickets for the original date will have them honored at the rescheduled date. The show was part of his Last Call: One More for the Road” Tour, which launched in June and runs through early October. At the ti...
Noah Cyrus and Ben Gibbard Brace for Heartbreak on New Song “Every Beginning Ends”: Stream
Noah Cyrus is gearing up to release her debut solo album, and with her latest single “Every Beginning Ends,” she’s got none other than Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard in her corner. Listen to the two’s new duet below. A slow country ballad, “Every Beginning Ends” mourns the beginning of the end of a relationship. “You went to sleep without saying you loved me,” Cyrus first sings, prompting Gibbard to reply,. “I guess I thought you already knew.” The opening is just one of many call-and-response lyrics in the track, as the artists draw up all those dreaded signs of two people falling out of love. In a statement, Cyrus recalled working with Gibbard, a veteran of emotional songwriting. “That was such a surreal experience,” she said. “I’ve always been such a huge fan, so it was pretty daunti...
Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Scotty McCreery Blend Country Music & a Good Cause at ACM Party for a Cause
“You get country music and a good cause, what could be any better?” Scotty McCreery told the crowd gathered at Ascend Amphitheater in downtown Nashville on Tuesday evening (Aug. 23). The ACM Party for a Cause benefiting ACM Lifting Lives returned to Nashville for a second year, welcoming a stellar performer lineup of reigning ACM duo of the year Brothers Osborne, McCreery, Blanco Brown, Travis Denning, Sara Evans, Caylee Hammack, Darius Rucker, Ingrid Andress, Hailey Whitters and Brad Paisley to downtown Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The balmy summer evening served as a perfect backdrop for a night of music to raise money for ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music. The organiz...
