Country
Morgan Wallen Makes Surprise Appearance at MLK Freedom Fest
Nearly a year after being caught on camera using a racial slur, Morgan Wallen appeared on stage at the event honoring Martin Luther King Jr. The country singer made a surprise appearance at Nashville’s MLK Freedom Fest on Saturday night, joining rapper Lil Durk for a performance of their recent collaborative single, “Broadway Girls.” In introducing Wallen, Lil Durk said he was “genuine at heart,” and added, “Can’t nobody cancel shit without me saying it, you know what I’m saying?” In February 2021, footage of Wallen using the n-word was posted to TMZ. In the video, which was filmed by his neighbor, Wallen was seen drunkenly yelling, “Take care of this pussy ass motherfucker. Take care of this pussy ass n****.” Wallen later attributed his behavior to being in the throes of a 72-hour bender....
Ralph Emery, Country Music Broadcaster and Hall of Fame Member, Dies at 88
Ralph Emery, a longtime country music broadcaster and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has died. He was 88. Emery’s passing was first reported on Saturday (Nov. 15) by the Tennessean, with a statement from his family that said he “passed away peacefully” that morning at Tristar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. His cause of death has not been revealed. Emery, born in 1933 in McEwen, Tennessee, had a successful career in the country music industry for more than 50 years, working in radio before shifting to television. Known as the dean of country music broadcasters, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1989. Explore See latest videos, charts and news He notably interviewed a number of country music sta...
Jay Barker, Sara Evans’ Husband and Ex-Alabama Quarterback, Charged With Domestic Violence
Former Alabama quarterback Jay Barker, who is married to country music singer Sara Evans, was arrested Saturday (Jan. 15) on a felony domestic violence charge, Tennessee authorities said. Barker, 49, was booked into a Nashville county jail early Saturday morning, according to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office website. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and placed on a $10,000 bond with a 12-hour hold because it was a domestic violence case. He was released Saturday night after posting bond. Explore Explore Sara Evans See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Investigators did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press requesting details about the case. Barker did not answer a call from the AP and it was not immediately cl...
Dallas Frazier, Country Songwriter Behind ‘Elvira,’ ‘Beneath Still Waters’ & More, Dies
Songwriter Dallas Frazier, known for penning hits including The Oak Ridge Boys‘ 1981 classic “Elvira,” and Gene Watson‘s “Fourteen Carat Mind,” died Friday (Jan. 14). Frazier was 82. Frazier was born in Spiro, Okla., on Oct. 27, 1939. At age 12, he was already writing songs and won a talent competition hosted by Ferlin Husky. By age 14, Frazier was recording for Capitol Records. In 1960, Frazier had his first success as a songwriter, when “Alley Oop” became a pop hit for the Hollywood Argyles. Three years later, he moved to Nashville. In 1967, the Frazier-penned “There Goes My Everything,” recorded by Jack Greene, was named song of the year by the Country Music Association. Frazier also found success co-writing songs with A.L. “Doodle” Owens, including Charley Pride‘s first No. 1 Billboard...
Dolly Parton Announces New Album Run, Rose, Run; Shares “Blue Jeans and Faded Dreams”: Stream
New music from Dolly Parton is on the way. Today, the country icon has announced the coming release of her 48th (!) solo album Run, Rose, Run, slated for release on March 4th. The LP will serve as a companion piece to Parton’s novel of the same name, which she co-authored with James Patterson and is set to hit shelves three days later on March 7th. In advance of the studio set, the singer has shared the lead single “Big Dreams and Faded Jeans,” explaining in a statement, “So many people come to Nashville with their sack of songs. Whether they’re running from anything or not, they’re running towards a future. That’s what ‘Big Dreams and Faded Jeans’ is all about.” Advertisement Related Video “Put on my jeans, my favorite shirt/ Pull up my boots and hit the dirt/ Finally doing something I’ve...
Thomas Rhett’s Upcoming Album ‘Where We Started’ Features a Katy Perry Collaboration
Thomas Rhett will release his sixth studio album, Where We Started, on April 1, he announced Friday (Jan. 14). What’s more, the title track is a rootsy-pop collaboration with pop superstar Katy Perry, co-written with Jon Bellion, Jesse Frasure and Ashley Gorley. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “There’s something for everyone on this album and I can’t wait for y’all to hear it,” he captioned a teaser video on Instagram for the upcoming release. “Who’s ready?!” Rhett, who is nominated for a best country song Grammy for “Country Again,” co-wrote all but one of the tracks on the new 15-song album, which features production from Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure and Matt Dragstrem. He also welcomes several country collaborators on the album, including Riley ...
Country Music Drama Series ‘Monarch’ Pushed to Fall
Fox is making a major change to its midseason slate. The broadcast network has pushed country music drama Monarch to the fall after originally scheduling it for a Jan. 30 premiere date. The decision comes as the pandemic has complicated filming on the Atlanta-based series, which stars Susan Sarandon, Trace Adkins and Anna Friel as members of a dynastic family in the country music world. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “Monarch is a top priority for Fox Entertainment in 2022,” the network said in a statement Wednesday (Jan. 12). “Unfortunately, due to the unavoidable realities of the pandemic and the profound impact COVID-19 continues to have on our industry and around the world, it is necessary to reschedule Monarch’s J...
Lord Huron Announce 2022 North American Tour
Lord Huron are hitting the road this summer. The Michigan indie folk band have announced a headlining North American tour in support of their latest album, Long Lost. The trek kicks off in Las Vegas on May 17th and sees them hitting Portland, Cleveland, Atlanta, Toronto, and New York, among other cities. Notably, in June, the rockers are set to play two nights at Morrison, Colorado’s famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The tour wraps up August 21st at Columbia, Maryland’s Merriweather Post Pavilion. Folk duo First Aid Kit lend support on the band’s final few dates, including at stops in Chicago, Toronto, and New York. Lord Huron have plenty of festival dates sprinkled in with their headlining shows. Before the tour properly kicks off, they’ll perform at the One Big Holiday Festival in Riviera C...
Maren Morris Drives into New Era with “Circles Around This Town”: Stream
Maren Morris has released her feel-good new single “Circles Around This Town” along with its accompanying music video. Stream it below. The track finds the country star looking back on her journey from struggling, undiscovered songwriter to one of Nashville’s brightest voices and even references her big break with 2016’s “My Church” and “80s “Mercedes.” “Couple hundred songs and the ones that finally worked/ Was the one about a car and the one about a church,” she croons on the effervescent chorus. “That I wrote/ Driving circles around this town/ Trying to write circles around this town/ Trying to say something with meaning, something worth singing about.” Advertisement Related Video “Circles Around This Town” serves as the lead single for Morris’ upcoming third studio album, following her...
Grow Your Own Willie Nelson with the New Chia Pet
Willie Nelson is known for his love of greenery. Now, with the new Chia Pet, he becomes it. Available wherever that one aunt shops for holiday presents, Chia Pet’s latest novelty planter features the Red-Headed Stranger in full bloom. Although only the luscious locks comes with color, the eyes just feel red, with a bleary glint that suggests this Chia Pet is having a great time. The devices is recommended by none other than alt-country icon Margo Price. “Love mine so much!” she wrote on Instagram. “The only thing that would make it better is if it came with cannabis seeds.” Alas, it’s supplied with regular old chia seeds. For a less conventional experience, you may have to check out Willie’s Reserve, where Nelson himself is the chief tester. But if you just want to knock off...
2022 RodeoHouston Sets Performer Lineup
This year’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s 2022 entertainer lineup is star-packed, with performers from a range of genres, including country, Contemporary Christian, EDM, R&B, pop and more. The multi-week event runs from Feb. 28-March 20 at NRG Stadium. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, for King & Country, Sam Hunt, Cody Johnson, Journey, Khalid, Marshmello, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Brad Paisley, Chris Stapleton, Gwen Stefani, George Strait, Keith Urban and more are among those announced as performers for this year’s RodeoHouston. Strait, who will conclude this years RodeoHouston with a show on March 20, will welcome Ashley McBryde as a special guest. The weekday rodeos will begin at 6:45 p.m. ...
Happy New Year: Kacey Musgraves, Normani, Christina Aguilera & More Look Forward to 2022
Happy New Year! Music stars began to usher in 2022 with messages on social media on New Year’s Eve. Kacey Musgraves had an excellent suggestion on Twitter for those hoping for a better year ahead: “PSA: if you listen to Rainbow at precisely 11:56:39 on New Year’s Eve, you’ll be starting off 2022 hearing ‘it’ll all be alright,’” she noted in a tweet on Dec. 31. “Do with this what you will.” Meanwhile, Normani fans were in for an end-of-year treat: the singer’s name trended after she posted a video snippet that seems to play a few seconds of a new song, captioning it with “Dear 2022” — implying there’s more dropping in the new year. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Christina Aguilera looked back at the highlights of her 2021 — “a year full o...
