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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

Chris Lane has “Big, Big Plans” for the Future and He is Starting Now

For all country music fans, you probably might have crossed paths with the rising song from Chris Lanes. "Big, Big Plans" topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart and the Mediabase charts this week.

Patsy Cline Once Lent Her Angelic Voice To The Hymn “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”

“Just a Closer Walk with Thee” is a popular gospel song covered by artists such as Patsy Cline, Mahalia Jackson, and more.

Dottie West and Kenny Rogers Were Mismatched Lovers in “What Are We Doin’ in Love”

The last duet of Dottie West and Kenny Rogers, “What Are We Doin’ In Love,” became Dottie West’s favorite song that she collaborated with Rogers.

Scotty McCreery Tributes Charley Pride with “Five More Minutes”

He was a father-figure and a close friend for all stars we look up to, and that's the reason why Scotty McCreery dedicated 'Five More Minutes' to thank and see through the legacy of Charley Pride.

Jim Croce’s “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song” Comes With A Romantic Story Behind

“I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song” is a Jim Croce song written in 1973 in the album I Got a Name. The song was released after Jim Croce and five others died in a plane crash in Louisiana, at the age of 30.

How Carrie Underwood Handled Her Gift Purchase Dilemma

'I am not a good gift-giver,' Carrie Underwood explained. She feels overwhelmed on what to get for people on her bucket list, and what's stressing her more is the fact that she has to give the benefit of the doubt as she shops online this year.

Dolly Parton’s Inconsolable Over Charley Pride’s Death

Among Charley Pride's friends, none could be in greater sorrow than country star Dolly Parton. For the whole course of this year, Parton had to say goodbye to some of her closest friends.

How Travis Tritt Launched The Eagles Back On-Air

The Eagles have been one of the renowned group of artists that had pretty high standards set amongst themselves. It later resulted in the group breaking up around the '80s. But that bitterness became a tale of the past when Travis Tritt tried to get the band together again.

The Classic Hymn “In My Father’s House” Will Surely Rouse Your Spirit

"In My Father's House" is a gospel song based on the book of John (14:2). Elvis Presley recorded a version of it on his 1960 album, His Hands in Mine.

Blake Shelton Teamed Up With His Mom for the Holiday Song “Time for Me to Come Home”

In 2012, Blake Shelton invited his mother on stage and they performed the song that they wrote together called “Time for Me to Come Home.”

Would You Also Celebrate Christmas the Dierks Bentley’s Way?

While it is true that his Christmas trees are old, the money he puts into these fancy decorations is put into good use by people who needed it more. That's how we can say that the way Dierks Bentley celebrates Christmas is quite amazing!

One Of The Most Emotional Songs Bill Anderson Ever Released, “Still”

“Still” is Bill Anderson’s second number one and signature song. Those who have lost love and couldn’t get through it will certainly relate to this song easily.

Cristy Lane’s “One Day at a Time” Will Keep You Going Despite Today’s Hardships

This gospel hit of Christy Lane in 1980 was written by Kris Kristofferson and Marijohn Wilkin. Marilyn Sellars was the first one to record this song.

Throwback To Jim Reeves’ Most Enduring Song, “Distant Drums” 

“Distant Drums” was among Jim Reeves' singles released posthumously. It was the most successful of these records being his only UK No. 1 hit.

Blake Shelton Opens Up About Wedding Plans with Gwen Stefani in 2021

From a dodgy Blake Shelton, he becomes someone unafraid to drop the big guns by facing 'that' question head-on.

In Memory of Busbee: Listen to Carly Pearce’ “Show Me Around”

Sympathy from Busbee’s closest friends and frequent collaborators filled the internet. But as for Carly Pearce, she took another route in giving tribute to her friend. With the help of Emily Shackleton and Ben West, they channeled their sadness into the lyrics of a heart-tugging song, “Show Me Around.”

Don Williams Went Through An Unrequited Love In “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend”

The “Gentle Giant” Don Williams' “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend” can touch your hearts with its soft, jivey harmony. And will definitely move you.

You Will See Playing Cards Differently After Listening to Tex Ritter’s “The Deck of Cards”

"The Deck of Cards" is a recitation song recorded and performed by Tex Ritter and penned by T. Texas Tyler. This is about a soldier who attended the church and was caught by the marshal with his deck of cards. Asked why he has his cards with him inside the church, he explained each representation of the cards.

Toby Keith Played As A Patron Of A Local Bar With His Hit Song “I Love This Bar”

There is that one place that we keep on patronizing. Also, some of us repeatedly go back to that place because of some aspects.

Harper Grae Tells Her Story of How She Rose from ‘Muddy Water’

In the music video for "Muddy Water," it's not just Harper Grae's dreams that became reality, but it was also the dream of the awesome team that helped her succeed.

Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings Combined Their Talents In “One Too Many Mornings”

Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash recorded Bob Dylan’s song “One Too Many Mornings” for their first album together known as Heroes in 1986.

Justin Townes Earle’s Team Discloses Cause of His Death

Just a few months after Justin Townes Earle, his death was confirmed by medical examiners to be due to a drug overdose. The singer/songwriter’s representatives broke the news through Earle's socials. This is part of continuing the singer's legacy of raising awareness about substance addiction.

Why Dan+Shay Say “Christmas Isn’t Christmas”

Dan+Shay will, for the first time, be singing an original Christmas song and yes, it is a tribute to their wives. “Christmas Isn’t Christmas” follows their first-ever Christmas single “Take Me Home For Christmas” which they have already released this year.

Throwback to Crystal Gayle’s Signature Piece: “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”

This hit by Crystal Gayle was written by Richard Leigh. He wrote it while his dog, Amanda, sat as his feet, staring up at him with her big brown eyes.