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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’s Backstage Tour Demands Are So Simple They Had Joe Rogan Cracking Up

Miranda Lambert had Joe Rogan cracking up when she revealed her simple tour demands are just Cheetos and Tito's. The country star proves once again that keeping it real is what makes her a legend.

Miranda Lambert Tells Joe Rogan Her Songs Start So Many Girl Fights She Had to Rearrange Her Setlist

Miranda Lambert says her fiery hits like "Mama's Broken Heart" spark so many girl fights at her shows that she had to rearrange her setlist to keep the peace.

KT Smith Says Morgan Wallen Once Proposed With a $75 Ring in the JCPenney Lot and She Loved Every Second

KT Smith opens up about Morgan Wallen's heartfelt parking lot proposal with a $75 ring, sharing a raw and real glimpse into their love story before the fame, the chaos, and the headlines.

KT Smith Opens Up About Staying With Morgan Wallen After Catching Him Cheating Multiple Times

KT Smith opens up about her rocky past with Morgan Wallen, revealing why she stayed despite multiple infidelities and how they've grown into respectful co-parents for their son.

Dolly Parton Shares the Creepy Night That Left Her Shaken and Convinced Her House Was Haunted

Dolly Parton recalls a chilling night in her Nashville home when faucets turned on by themselves and footsteps echoed through the house, leaving her convinced the place was haunted.

Kenny Chesney Says George Jones Took Him on His First Private Jet Ride and It Started a Lasting Friendship

Kenny Chesney recalls the unforgettable moment George Jones invited him on his first private jet ride during their 1995 tour, marking the start of a meaningful friendship that helped shape his early career.

Caroline Bryan Says Luke Bryan’s Mom Took a “Tinkle” in Front of Her the First Time They Met

Caroline Bryan hilariously recalls the first time she met Luke Bryan's mom, LeClaire, who casually took a "tinkle" in front of her without warning. Welcome to the wild and unfiltered world of the Bryan family.

Reba McEntire Opens Up About Retirement and What Dolly Parton Told Her About Quitting

Reba McEntire shuts down retirement rumors, revealing what Dolly Parton once told her about quitting and why she has no plans to slow down any time soon.

Meet Bryan Andrews, the Rising Anti-MAGA Country Singer Gaining Viral Attention With No-Filter Truck Videos

Bryan Andrews is shaking up country music with his unapologetic, left-leaning truck videos and viral hit "The Older I Get," proving that heartland grit comes with its own truth, and he is not backing down.

Restless Heart Gave Us “I’ll Still Be Loving You” and It Remains One of Country’s Purest Promises

Restless Heart's 1987 ballad "I'll Still Be Loving You" remains one of country music's purest love promises, blending timeless lyrics with a legacy that still resonates today.

Reba McEntire Speaks Candidly About Stepson Brandon Blackstock Two Months After Losing Him

Reba McEntire remembers stepson Brandon Blackstock after his passing from melanoma, sharing heartfelt memories and an emotional tribute to the son she helped raise.

Megan Moroney Joins Brad Paisley for Surprise Duet of “She’s Everything” at Hallmark Event

Megan Moroney stuns fans by joining Brad Paisley onstage for a surprise duet of "She's Everything" at a Hallmark event, delivering a standout moment of country music magic.

Kenny Chesney Looks Nothing Like Himself in Wild ’90s Throwback From Peyton Manning’s College Party

A throwback photo of Kenny Chesney performing at Peyton Manning's college party in 1998 shows a completely unrecognizable version of the country star before the fame and cowboy hats.

Gretchen Wilson Says Her First Clash With Cody Johnson Was Rough but He’s Now One of Her Favorites

Gretchen Wilson says her first show with Cody Johnson ended in a fight over stage space. Years later, she calls him one of her favorite artists in country music.

Rare Footage Shows Chris Stapleton, Vince Gill and Keith Urban Slaying “Nobody to Blame” in 2016

In rare 2016 footage from an iHeart Country event, Chris Stapleton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban teamed up for "Nobody to Blame." One lyric slipped, but the magic did not.

Ella Langley’s Live Version of “Choosin’ Texas” in Houston Is Even Better Than the Studio Cut

Ella Langley brought "Choosin' Texas" home to Houston and sang it like she was kicking the door off heartbreak. The studio cut never stood a chance.

Ella Langley Taps Miranda Lambert to Co-Write “Choosin’ Texas” and It Cuts Like Classic Country

Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert co-wrote "Choosin' Texas," a heartbreak anthem laced with steel guitar and sharp storytelling that feels like a lost classic.

Carrie Underwood Shocks Dove Awards Crowd With Surprise Duet Performance Alongside Ben Fuller

Carrie Underwood surprised the 2025 Dove Awards crowd with a powerful duet alongside Ben Fuller, performing their faith-filled hit "If It Was Up To Me" to a standing ovation.

The Tragic Truth About John Denver’s Plane Crash That Most Fans Never Knew

John Denver's fatal 1997 plane crash wasn't just a tragic accident. It was a preventable disaster rooted in design flaws and one final, gut-wrenching mistake.

Christian Singer Forrest Frank Sparks Debate After Refusing to Attend Award Shows

Forrest Frank refused to attend award shows, sparking debate between supporters like CeCe Winans and critics like Jelly Roll over faith, fame, and conviction.

Jelly Roll Fires Back at Forrest Frank’s Decision to Turn Down Awards Saying He Doesn’t Quite Agree

Jelly Roll questioned Forrest Frank's choice to reject award shows, sparking debate over faith, conviction, and how Christian artists handle success and recognition.

Christian Artist Forrest Frank Turns Down Award Shows Declaring His Only Trophy Is Eternal Life

Christian artist Forrest Frank rejected major award shows, saying his real trophy is eternal life, proving that faith means more to him than fame or applause.

Alan Jackson’s 1995 Hit “Tall, Tall Trees” Was Penned by Two Country Icons Long Before He Recorded It

Alan Jackson's 1995 hit "Tall, Tall Trees" became a number one smash, but the upbeat classic was first written by country legends George Jones and Roger Miller decades earlier.

Why Gretchen Wilson Says She Owes Alan Jackson an Apology Before His Final Nashville Show

Gretchen Wilson reveals the hilarious and heartfelt story behind why she owes Alan Jackson an apology before his final Nashville concert, sharing how the country legend unknowingly helped her survive her first CMA Awards performance.

Morgan Wallen Emerges Bloodied But Unbroken In Emotional “I Got Better” Music Video

Morgan Wallen's I Got Better video turns a fiery crash into a stark breakup metaphor, showing him bloodied then healing as the hook declares he got better.

Gwen Stefani And Blake Shelton’s Relationship Timeline From Costars To Soulmates

From The Voice costars to soulmates, Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton's timeline traces heartbreak, harmony, and a 2021 Oklahoma ranch wedding that still shines.

Meet Gwen Stefani, The Woman Who Stole Blake Shelton’s Heart And Became His Wife

Gwen Stefani rose from California ska-punk frontwoman to global pop icon before becoming Blake Shelton's wife, blending Hollywood sparkle with country grit.

Ella Langley Drops Long Awaited Cover Of Toby Keith’s Classic “Wish I Didn’t Know Now”

Ella Langley honors Toby Keith with a powerful new release of his 1994 classic, "Wish I Didn't Know Now," giving fans the long-awaited cover they demanded.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s Love Story From First Meeting to Marriage and Family

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's love story spanned 19 years, from fairytale romance to family struggles and a heartbreaking divorce.