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Riley Johnson

Riley Johnson

Riley Johnson covers country music’s legends, tributes, and the stories behind the songs for Country Thang Daily. When a legend is honored, remembered, or back in the spotlight, Riley is usually the one writing it.

Riley Johnson writes about the heart of country music: the legends, the tributes, and the moments that remind fans why they fell in love with this music in the first place.

What Riley Covers

  • Country legends and classic artists, from Dolly Parton and George Strait to Alan Jackson and Willie Nelson
  • Tributes, memorials, and the artists we have lost
  • The Grand Ole Opry, Hall of Fame inductions, and career milestones
  • Gospel, faith, and family in country music
  • The stories behind classic songs

How We Report

Every Country Thang Daily story is checked against primary sources before it goes live. Read our Fact-Checking Policy and Corrections Policy.

Get in Touch

Have a story tip or spot something we got wrong? Contact the Country Thang Daily team.

Riley's Track Record

Updated automatically from published stories.

1,779stories written for Country Thang Daily
2020writing for CTD since December 2020
469Legends & Classics stories 408Songs & Music stories 272Stars stories

Artists Riley Covers Most

Number of stories per artist.

Dolly Parton103
Willie Nelson65
Reba McEntire51
Alan Jackson48
Miranda Lambert46

Most Read Stories by Riley

Ranked by how many readers opened them.

Latest Stories

Miranda Lambert and Ashley McBryde Reportedly Banned From Sitting Together at the CMAs

Miranda Lambert and Ashley McBryde reportedly are no longer allowed to sit together at the CMA Awards after stealing the show with their rowdy table antics, proving their friendship is as wild and real as country music gets.

Bobby Bones Returned His ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Trophy After Tom Bergeron’s Hurtful Insult

Bobby Bones returned his Dancing with the Stars trophy after years of criticism and a stinging comment from Tom Bergeron, proving he'd rather walk away with integrity than cling to a win that never got its due respect.

The Album That Made Garth Brooks a Sales Monster and Took Down Pearl Jam’s Record

Garth Brooks shattered records in 1998 with Double Live, outselling Pearl Jam's Vs. and making history with the best-selling live album in U.S. history.

Remember When Faith Hill Yelled “WHAT!?” After Losing to Carrie Underwood at the 2006 CMAs

Faith Hill's infamous "WHAT?!" reaction after losing to Carrie Underwood at the 2006 CMA Awards sparked major controversy, but was it all just a misunderstood joke? Here's the wild story behind one of country music's most talked-about award show moments.

The Untold Story Behind Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler” Is Just as Iconic as the Song Itself

Kenny Rogers turned "The Gambler" into a country classic, but the wild backstory involving Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and missed chances makes it just as legendary as the song itself.

When Patsy Cline Scored Her First No. 1 Hit Thanks to Two of Nashville’s Most Notorious Writers

Patsy Cline turned "I Fall to Pieces" into her first No. 1 hit with help from Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard, changing country music forever with one bold recording.

When Hank Williams Took the Stage for His TV Debut and Sang the Country Classic That Made Him a Star

Hank Williams made his TV debut on The Perry Como Show in 1951 with "Hey, Good Lookin'" and turned a national audience into lifelong country music believers.

Meet the Songwriter Behind Hits for George Strait, Patty Loveless, and Martina McBride

Gretchen Peters wrote unforgettable hits for George Strait, Patty Loveless, and Martina McBride, shaping country music with raw truth and fearless storytelling.

Meet the Country Singer FBI Director Kash Patel Has Reportedly Been Dating for 2 Years

Country singer Alexis Wilkins has been dating FBI director Kash Patel for two years while balancing Nashville roots, Capitol Hill work, and a rising political profile.

When Alan Jackson Walked Out on Beyoncé at the CMAs and Took a Stand for Real Country

Alan Jackson walked out during Beyoncé's CMA performance in 2016 and sent a clear message that real country music still deserves its place on country's biggest night.

When Dolly Parton Told June Carter She Had Johnny Cash First and Didn’t Hold Back

Dolly Parton once told June Carter she loved Johnny Cash first, and she meant it. Only Dolly could say that with a grin and get away with it.

Chris Stapleton Just Dropped a Music Video for “White Horse” and Josh Brolin Steals the Show

Chris Stapleton turns his hit "White Horse" into a cinematic knockout with a music video starring Josh Brolin as a conflicted sheriff in a gripping outlaw love story set in the Texas desert.

John Carter Cash Opens Up the Historic Cash Cabin for a Rare Behind-the-Scenes Look

John Carter Cash gives fans a rare look inside the iconic Cash Cabin, the historic recording studio built by Johnny Cash in 1979 that still carries the legacy of country music royalty.

Kenny Chesney Says Grace Potter Rumors Got So Wild Even His Mom Believed Them

Kenny Chesney sets the record straight in his new book, revealing how rumors about him and Grace Potter got so wild that even his own mother believed they were romantically involved.

She Was a High School Teacher Before Winning Grammys and Taking Over Country Music

Donna Fargo’s journey from a high school English teacher to a Grammy winning country star, shaped by early dedication, late blooming ambition, and a life changing partnership.

Lukas Nelson and Sierra Ferrell Deliver the Most Electric Moment of Farm Aid 2025 With “Find Yourself”

Lukas Nelson and Sierra Ferrell lit up Farm Aid 2025 with a fiery performance of "Find Yourself" that stole the show and proved their chemistry is the real deal.

What Really Happened Between Blake Shelton and His First Wife Kaynette Williams

Kaynette Williams was Blake Shelton's hometown sweetheart from Ada, Oklahoma. They married in 2003 and divorced in 2006. Here's what happened.

Tim McGraw Honors Fallen Soldiers With Emotional Performances of “If You’re Reading This”

Tim McGraw's "If You're Reading This" remains one of country music's most heartfelt tributes, honoring fallen soldiers through powerful performances at the ACM Awards, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day.

Josh Turner Honors His WWII Veteran Grandfather With Moving Tribute “Unsung Hero”

Josh Turner honors his WWII veteran grandfather with the emotional tribute "Unsung Hero," turning a personal family story into a powerful anthem for everyday heroes across America.

Craig Morgan Reenlists in the U.S. Army Reserve at 59 and Says He Still Has More to Give

At 59, country star Craig Morgan reenlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve during a live Grand Ole Opry show in July 2023, proving he still has more to give to his country and his fellow soldiers.

Trisha Yearwood Reveals the Life-Altering Choice She Made for Garth Brooks

Trisha Yearwood reveals she stepped back from her career after marrying Garth Brooks to focus on their marriage and family, proving that love sometimes means choosing presence over spotlight.

Clay Walker Wipes Away Tears as His Daughter Sings “Jesus Take the Wheel” Like She Was Born for It

Clay Walker fought back tears as his daughter, Mary Elizabeth, stunned the crowd with a powerful rendition of "Jesus Take the Wheel," proving country runs deep in the Walker family.

The Judds, Patty Loveless, and Martina McBride Perform ‘Stand By Your Man’ at 2000 ACMs

Dolly Parton, The Judds, Patty Loveless, and Martina McBride delivered a powerhouse tribute to Tammy Wynette at the 2000 ACMs with "Stand By Your Man," honoring her legacy with pure country fire.

Rare Clip of George Strait and Legendary Texas Fiddler Striking Country Gold With His First No. 1

George Strait's first No. 1 hit got the royal treatment with Johnny Gimble on fiddle. This rare Austin City Limits moment proves country gold starts in Texas.

Dolly Parton and Linda Perry Just Gave Us the Duo We Never Knew We Needed With Viral ‘What’s Up?’ Cover

Dolly Parton and Linda Perry reunited for a raw, emotional cover of "What's Up" that cuts through the noise and proves legends never miss the moment.

David Allan Coe Had the Talent but His Own Reputation May Have Ruined Everything

David Allan Coe had the talent to be a country legend, but his self-destructive behavior and controversial music kept him from reaching the success he deserved.

A Story From 30 Years Ago Shows the Side of Reba McEntire That Cameras Rarely Catch

A 30-year-old fan story reveals the heart of Reba McEntire as she stopped a show to honor a special needs fan, showing the kind of country grace cameras rarely catch.

Taylor Sheridan Leaves Paramount and Some Point to Rising Tensions With the New Leadership

Taylor Sheridan is leaving Paramount for NBCUniversal, and behind the billion-dollar deal are rising tensions with new leadership that pushed the Yellowstone creator away.

Taylor Sheridan Exits Paramount So What Happens Now to Yellowstone and His Other Shows

Taylor Sheridan is leaving Paramount for NBCUniversal in a billion-dollar deal, raising big questions about the future of Yellowstone and the shows he built from scratch.

Miranda Lambert Says Her Husband Has Gone Full Country and Now Says Y’all Like a Local

Miranda Lambert says husband Brendan McLoughlin has fully embraced country life, from baking cookies on the farm to saying "y'all" like he was born doing it.