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

Jimmie Rodgers’ “In the Jailhouse Now” Got A Funny Lyrics That Evolved Through Time

The entire idea of "In the Jailhouse Now" is ironic. That is what makes it such an amusing and enjoyable story even after all these years.

“Without Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood May Not Have Existed”

Carrie Underwood admitted that growing up, it was a goal for her to just be like Dolly, someone who sets the best example and paves the way for the next generation.

Glen Campbell’s Heart-Wrenching Breakup Song “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”

Originally written by Jimmy Webb, "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" was covered by Glen Campbell in 1967. It is about a love affair Jimmy Webb had with Suzy Horton, whom he began dating when they were high school students.

Remembering The Highwaymen’s Hit Song “Desperados Waiting For A Train” 

“Desperados Waiting For A Train” was made popular by the famous country group Highwaymen in 1985. Guy Clark wrote the song in 1973.

Hollyberry: The Perfect Christmas Gift for Matt Stell

If you would ask Matt Stell of the most memorable Christmas childhood memory he had, it was the time his mother got him a puppy, a good little dog they named Hollyberry.

Throwback To Brooks and Yearwood’s Impressive Performance in 2016 CMA Awards

During the 2016 CMA Awards night, country music couple, Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks paid homage to some of country music legends in a medley duet.

Red Foley’s “Peace In The Valley” Will Give You Hope In This Life Full of Hard Times

Red Foley’s version of “Peace in the Valley” is the only recording that entered the country chart. In addition, he sold millions of copies.

Linda Ronstadt Conveyed A Sense Of Yearning On Her Version Of “Blue Bayou”

This hit was originally released in 1963. After a few years, Linda Ronstadt made “Blue Bayou” more popular with her version of the hit.

Dolly Parton Shows Her Love For Christmas Through “Go Tell It on the Mountain”

Dolly Parton celebrates Christmas by giving us a beautiful rendition of the great Christmas song "Go Tell It on the Mountain."

Porter Wagoner Once Taught Us How To Have “A Satisfied Mind”

Porter Wagoner’s “A Satisfied Mind,” written by Red Hayes and Jack Rhodes is probably one of the classis country songs that has the most profound wording.

Dan + Shay Gave 3 Families their Best Christmas Gift Yet

Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, also known as Dan + Shay, truly believe that Christmas is the season for giving. The legendary country duo surprised three families with houses that were fully furnished helping each family regain some of their lost footings in such tough times.

Country Artists Time Off: How They Spent Christmas with their Families

Today, we will be featuring artists like Luke Bryans, Chris Young, Kelsea Ballerini, Cole Swindell, and Love and Theft's Stephen Barker Liles on how they spend their Christmas times in their unique ways.

WATCH: Brett Eldredge will Make Your Christmas Eve “Glow”

Brett Eldredge was also able to achieve a lifelong dream when he was able to record Christmas music for his Christmas album "Glow."

Adorable 2020 Moments in Country Music

No doubt this was the worst year for most of us and we would not be sorry to say goodbye to 2020. However, there were more fun and uplifting moments in 2020 than we all might think of, especially if you're one of the loyal fans of country music.

Carrie Underwood Hopes for Isaiah To Make It to New Year’s Eve

Carrie Underwood anticipates that their 5-year-old Isaiah 'might' make it to midnight which will and most probably be one of his life's greatest moments as a toddler.

There’s More To The Story Behind The Song “You’ve Got a Friend”

A song for your real, true friends, "You've Got a Friend" was made popular by music legends, Carole King and James Taylor, in their own separate versions.

Throwback To Randy Travis’ Unforgettable Performance of “Silent Night”

Randy Travis, together with 40 other singers from the First Baptist Church, performed "Silent Night" after reaching a point called the "Rock of Ages."

What Miranda Lambert’s Acoustic Version of “Bluebird” has to say About the Holidays

Get ready to experience 'Bluebird' by Miranda Lambert in a whole low-key and stripped-down level as she performs in her Tennessee home.

Reba McEntire’s “Consider Me Gone” is a ‘Strong Woman’ Song

The song “Consider Me Gone,” which Reba McEntire describes a ‘strong woman’ song, gave the singer her 34th No. 1 country hit.

Warning From Two Outlaws: “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys”

“Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” is a song recorded by Ed Bruce in 1975.Ed Bruce co-penned the lyrics whit his wife Patsy Bruce.

Van Plating’s Latest MV ‘Bird On A Wire’ Features the Relaxing Sunset of Florida

Nothing spells Florida better than enticing afternoons lit with golden painted skies and it's one of a kind sunset, and nothing depicts the view more than the Singer-songwriter Van Plating's latest music video for her single 'Bird on a Wire'.

Take a Peek at Dolly Parton’s Early Morning Routine

In a recent interview as she appears in the Pop Culture RuPaul's Drag Race show, Dolly Parton shared that she begins her day in an untimely hour of 3 a.m. But as she explains why it's nothing out of the ordinary. She just gets her job done quicker when working around those hours.

Things Elvis Presley Would Prefer Over Getting His “Blue Suede Shoes” Scuffed

"Blue Suede Shoes” is considered as one of the first rockabilly records. It is a rock-and-roll standard written and first recorded by Carl Perkins in 1955.

Jeff Carson Showcased The Power of a Father’s Love In The Song “The Car”

Penned by songwriters Gary Heyde and C. Michael Spriggs, "The Car" was recorded by American country music artist Jeff Carson. Released in October 1995, it is the third single from his self-named album, Jeff Carson.

Jimmie Allen Looked Back On His Most Cherished Memories of Charley Pride

When the news about Pride's death was released, Jimmie Allen took no time in posting a lengthy tribute video to the man he looked up to. Allen reminisced the times when all he did was to listen to Pride's songs. He also looked back on the process of how his hero became a mentor and a friend to him in the past years

WATCH: Andrew Jannakos ‘Gone Too Soon’ MV Finally Out

Whether you know him from TikTok or as Adam Levine's team member during the Voice Season 16, or as a rising country singer, Andrew Jannakos ought to bring some excitement as he officially released his first-ever music video just this Friday, December 11 for his 'Gone Too Soon' single.