Music

Back before Chris Stapleton became a household name in 2015, (it should’ve happened much sooner but that’s a story for a different time), he was writing hits, lots of ’em. One of those was Kenny Chesney’s “Never Wanted Nothing More,” which he co-wrote with Ronnie Bowman. Released as the lead single from Chesney’s 2007 Just

When the world stopped, country music singer-songwriter Matt Hillyer knew he needed to get going. “When everything shut down during the pandemic, the one thing I did say to myself was, ‘Man, if I don’t come out on the other side with a whole bunch of songs, then I’m not a songwriter at all,” Hillyer

You now have six more chances to see Eric Church on his summer The Outsiders Revival Tour. He added a handful of new stops to the previously-announced 27 cities on the schedule, including Charleston, South Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia, and another show in his home state of North Carolina at PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, among

Rising artist Mandi Sagal dissects the trauma left in the wake of a toxic relationship in her powerful new track “One Less Broken Heart,” premiering at The Boot today (Jan. 20). In what she calls the most “important, authentic and vulnerable song I’ve ever written,” Sagal gives a raw testimonial that shines a critical light on a

Happy Friday. We’re back with another edition of the Whiskey Riff New Music Friday Playlist. This week on the playlist, we have new tunes from Hardy, Easton Corbin, Ruston Kelly, Nicholas Jamerson, Billy Strings, Willie Nelson, Drew Parker, Caitlyn Smith, Dolly Parton, Meghan Patrick, Jordan Davis, Aubrie Sellers, Thomas Rhett, Gord Bamford, and more. Turn

Burgeoning singer-songwriter Erin Kinsey is kicking off 2023 on a high note. After wrapping up a landmark year, which included her debut appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, the Texas native is ready to share a brand new single that’s already become a fan favorite. Her radio-ready new track “Boys in Boots” is an infectious, playful ode

Fortunate he didn’t send them to the train station… Ryan Bingham was playing a show last night in Denver, CO at Mission Ballroom when some members of the audience got a little out of hand. While we don’t get to see any of the actual disturbance in the video, Ryan handled it like an absolute

We’ve officially rung in 2023, which means we have a whole new year of great music to look forward to. Since our Weekly Picks feature first launched in 2022, The Boot has highlighted recent favorites from country, Americana, and everything in between. Each list features picks from our contributing team that we think you’ll love.

First and foremost, a very happy birthday to the inimitable Dolly Parton. The county queen is 77 years young today, and in true Dolly fashion, she’s opting to give rather than receive on this very special day. Which means, she’s giving a gift to all of us, releasing a brand new song called “Don’t Make

Waylon Jennings is one of the most iconic names in the history of Country Music. Right up there with Willie, Dolly, Loretta, Merle, George (both Jones and Strait), and Johnny, a conversation about the genre is hardly complete without at least a mention of the Texas native. But did you know “Waylon” is not is

Karen Jonas weaves an irresistible rhythm on her new song, “Rock the Boat.” It’s a gothic swirl of liberation and possible menace, an inexorable pull of tides as the narrator urges us to swim against them. The track is just the first taste of her sixth album, The Restless, out on March 3. “The record tells

Dolly Parton and her husband, Carl Dean, have been married for 56 years. They got married not long after she moved to Nashville, after first meeting outside of the Wishy Washy laundromat in Music City. Carl intentionally stays out of the spotlight, but even though Dolly’s become a global superstar and icon, they’ve managed to keep their

Can you imagine a talent as great as Kris Kristofferson working as a janitor at a recording studio? The legendary artist and songwriter behind iconic songs like “Sunday Morning Comin’ Down,” “Me & Bobby McGee” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night” took quite the road to country music stardom. A Rhodes Scholar at

Dierks Bentley’s 10 studio album is due out next month. Announced last week, Dierks says Gravel And Gold is “the best country music I ever made,” and added that he scrapped two different records while trying to get to this point now where he’s happy with the final product to put an album out to fans.

Two country music legends, one legendary country music song. Throughout the entire history of country music, there are few songs as iconic as “Sunday Morning Coming Down.” Penned by the great singer/songwriter and Highwaymen member, Kris Kristofferson, “Sunday Morning Coming Down” was originally released in 1969 by Ray Stevens. It was then released by Johnny

Singer-songwriter Nicholas Jamerson examines a blazing romance in his brand new track “Watching the Fire Burn,” premiering exclusively at The Boot today (Jan. 16). The Eastern Kentucky native uses richly layer accompaniment and vivid lyrical imagery to introduce listeners to two characters intertwined by an irresistible and lasting connection. Their bond is still strong, seemingly

Some heartbreaking news coming from the American Idol world today. Former Idol contestant and country artist CJ Harris passed away from a heart attack last night in his hometown of Jasper, Alabama. He was only 31-years-old. According to TMZ, Harris was taken to a local hospital by ambulance, but didn’t make it. Harris auditioned for the show in 2014 in

It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know that Hank Williams was one of the original pioneers of country music. He was one of the first artists to bring mass popularity to the genre, and he did so in such a short period of time. He tragically passed away in 1952, at the age of

Forget all those artist-owned bars on Broadway in Nashville… It looks like Koe Wetzel might be gearing up to open his own bar and restaurant, Koe Wetzel’s Riot Room, in Fort Worth, Texas soon. As of right now, there’s not much information out there, but a fan shared this picture yesterday of what looks to

Maren Morris recently experienced what she called a “decade-long dream” as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Maren appeared on the show this past Friday, participating in a chat with the 15 contestants left who are fighting for their spot to be named America’s Next Drag Superstar: And during a conversation that took place