Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

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

Reba and Kelly Clarkson Slay Their Duet of ‘Does He Love You’

During the 2018 American Country Music Award, Reba and Kelly Clarkson's Does He Love You' stole the night with their powerful vocals.

Two Decades’ Worth of Blake Shelton’s Facts

Let’s look back at the most notable facts about Blake Shelton, whose soulful country voice and witty banter has captured his fan’s hearts since 2001.

Remembering The Howdy Doody Show – The Must-See Show for The ’50s Kids

The Howdy Doody Show led children’s television programs from 1947 to 1960. Today, we can still remember how this cast of puppets brought us so much joy.

Reba McEntire’s ‘Fancy’ Ranks At 100 Greatest Country Songs

Reba McEntire's 'Fancy' had become one of her signature songs. Although it wasn’t her original one, that didn’t stop McEntire from owning the song.

My Darling Vivian: A Tell-All Documentary on Johnny Cash’s First Wife

Broken relationships, finding love again, and adding more family members are all depicted in this heartwarming documentary, My Darling Vivian.

The Noah’s Ark in Kentucky Is Drawing Millions of Visitors. Here’s Why!

The family-friendly Noah’s Ark in Kentucky has been a famous attraction ever since its opening in 2016. And it is bigger than you can ever imagine!

A Sneak Peek at Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa in Nashville

Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa, or dubbed as the Pink House, is a 17,400 square foot bar of live entertainment featuring Nashville’s gorgeous skyline.

Dave Fenley’s “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days)” Will Definitely Touch Your Soul

Dave Fenley's "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)" is a nostalgic country ballad of how progress does not always come with a positive result.

Dolly Parton Names Her Worst Songs

Does Dolly Parton even have bad songs, at the very least? For all we know, there’s nothing this woman will ever write that would ever be not good.

Are The Past and Present of Garth Brooks On Good Terms?

Though Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl are really good friends, she has only mentioned Trisha Yearwood a few times over the years.

Did Sandy Mahl Approve Of Brooks’ Marriage With Yearwood?

Even though both admitted that their 15-year marriage had its fair share of challenges, Sandy Mahl spoke very highly of Garth Brooks and his new wife.

Sandy Mahl And The Top 10 Facts You Didn’t Know About Her

Get to know more about Sandy Mahl – Garth Brooks’ first wife and the mother of his three lovely daughters. What is she doing after her divorce?

Surviving Racism, Infidelity: Meet Vivian Liberto Cash

Get to know Johnny Cash’s first wife, Vivian Liberto Cash. How did she manage to live life after divorce and racial controversies thrown at her?

Peyton Manning Spills His Love For Country Music

The former quarterback and two-time Super Bowl champion, Peyton Manning, revealed his love for country music, the artists, and his lasting friendships with them.

Meet Faith Hill’s Daughters: All Grown Up and Glowed Up

Faith Hill’s daughters – Gracie, Maggie, and Audrey – are all grown up, and they’re definitely attracting the limelight. Get a closer look at them.

10 Interesting Facts You Need To Know About Elle King

More and more are getting curious about Elle King, who decided to be a singer after falling in love with the all-girl pop-punk band the Donnas.

The Story Behind Tanya Tucker’s Lovely Ballad, “Two Sparrows In a Hurricane”

“Two Sparrows In a Hurricane” became a big country hit for Tanya Tucker in 1992, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

Ashley Campbell’s “Pancho and Lefty” Will Surely Impress You

Ashley Campbell’s “Pancho and Lefty” is one of the best renditions of this song that she earned brand-new fans after her performance in Country Road TV.

Burn Down Angry Emotions With Elle King’s “America’s Sweetheart”

The fast music, badass lyrics, and high emotions of Elle King’s “America’s Sweetheart” will surely leave you breathless and emotionally wild.

Ernest Sings ‘Somebody’s Problem’ As Loud Support for Wallen

Ernest sings 'Somebody's Problem' as support for his Big Loud label mate, Morgan Wallen, during a concert, dubbed Raised Loudy: Rowdy On The Row.

Meet Mickey Guyton: The Rising Black Woman in Country Music

Starting her career back in 2011, Mickey Guyton is receiving recognition worthy of her talent and being the female game-changer that she is.

Mickey Guyton’s “Hold On” Is A Song For Anyone Losing Hope

In a time of uncertainty and grief, Mickey Guyton’s Hold On is a song that will inspire you to breakthrough whatever is holding you back.

Blake Shelton’s “Boys’ Round Here”: A Wild Southern Rollercoaster Ride

If you want to know what Southern life is, listen to Blake Shelton’s “Boys’ Round Here,” the 2013 hit song will let you know how fun it is.

Do You Know The Weird Story Behind Blake Shelton’s “Ol’ Red”?

Blake Shelton’s “Ol’ Red” will take you for a distinct narrative spin of a prisoner who is sentenced to lifetime jail time and a dog that pokes our interest.

Critics Divided On Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You”

Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You” was originally a spiritual song, but with a whole band of electric guitar and drums, he made it more of flattering his lover.

We Are Not Yet Over Rhonda Vincent’s “I’m Not Over You”

Rhonda Vincent’s I’m Not Over You may not be part of her long list of award-winning songs, yet it etches deep with its heartbreaking lyrics.

Throwback to Rosanne Cash and Rodney Crowell’s Duet of “It’s Such a Small World”

Rosanne Cash and Rodney Crowell's "It's Such a Small World" tells the bittersweet reunion of two old lovers who ran into each other one evening.

Netflix ‘Country Comfort’ Has Everything You Want In A Show

Netflix’s ‘Country Comfort’ is a cheesy ten-episode sitcom loaded with music and fun that it will pull you out of the mixed spells of boredom and sadness.

Lil Nas X Just Bought A Posh New House

Lil Nas X gives his fans a glimpse of his posh new home, which boasts a great grey and white kitchen, a hot tub, and a stunning backyard.

Gabby Barrett’s ‘I Hope’ Is A Catchy Sweet Revenge Song

Time to forget about forgiving and wishing your cheating ex-lover well as Gabby Barrett’s ‘I Hope’ helps you get your sweet revenge.