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Riley Johnson

  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

Riley Johnson is a seasoned country music journalist whose deep passion for the genre shines through in her work. With over five years at Country Thang Daily, she covers everything from iconic classics to emerging hits, making her a cherished voice in the country music community.

Brief Biography

A Tennessee native, Riley grew up with a profound appreciation for the rich musical traditions of the South. Before joining Country Thang Daily, she developed her writing skills at esteemed publications like Billboard and People magazine. Riley’s dedication to her craft and her knack for connecting with readers through her vivid storytelling have solidified her reputation as a trusted country music journalist.

Experience

Riley’s journalism career began during her college years when she contributed to her university’s literary magazine. She also wrote music reviews and artist spotlights for her local newspaper. After college, Riley joined Billboard as a contributing writer, where she gained recognition for her detailed coverage of country music’s biggest names. She later transitioned to People magazine, where she specialized in feature stories on rising country stars and the latest industry trends.

At Country Thang Daily, Riley has authored numerous popular articles, including exclusive interviews, album reviews, and thought-provoking opinion pieces. Her ability to blend historical context with contemporary insights has garnered her a loyal readership.

Education

Riley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies. Her academic background, coupled with her practical experience, has equipped her with the skills to be an insightful and credible journalist.

Awards & Associations

Television Guest: Riley has appeared as a country music expert on regional news segments and popular music podcasts such as Nashville Soundcheck and Country Cast.
Festival Host: In the summer of 2021, Riley hosted a series of live panels at the Country Music Festival, featuring discussions with emerging artists.
Publication Contributor: Riley represents Country Thang Daily in print and online publications, including Rolling Stone Country, Billboard, and MusicRow Magazine.

Personal Interests

Outside of her professional endeavors, Riley enjoys exploring Nashville’s dynamic music scene, attending live concerts, and discovering new local talent. She’s also an avid reader, often delving into biographies of country music legends.

Important Questions From Country Thang Daily

Best advice for aspiring country music journalists?
Never stop learning and always be curious. The stories behind the music are endless, and there’s always something new to discover.

What’s your all-time favorite country song?
“He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones. Its emotional depth and storytelling are unparalleled in country music history.

Dream country music interviewee?
Emmylou Harris. Her influence on country music and her storied career would provide incredible insights and stories.

Favorite after-concert snack?
A slice of warm pecan pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream – the perfect Southern treat after a night of great music.

Latest Stories

Kelly Clarkson closes her eyes while singing into a microphone during her raw performance of Cody Johnson’s “When It Comes To You.”

Kelly Clarkson’s Cody Johnson Cover Reminded Folks What Country’s Supposed to Feel Like

Kelly Clarkson delivers a raw, soulful take on Cody Johnson's "When It Comes To You" that proves she's got country grit in her bones and something real to say.

Luke Bryan looks emotional during a heartfelt interview as he reflects on the personal tragedies of losing his brother and sister years apart.

Luke Bryan’s Brother and Sister Died Years Apart and He’s Still Carrying That Pain Today

Luke Bryan's heartbreaking losses of his brother, sister, and brother-in-law shaped his rise to fame, and he's still carrying that pain through every song.

More than 50 country legends and stars join together onstage at the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th celebration for a surprise performance of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”

Opry 100 Crowd Thought It Was Over Then 50 Country Legends Sang “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”

Opry 100 had its jaw-dropping finale when 50 country legends surprised the crowd with "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" and brought the house down in tears.

Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley stand together at a bar amid speculation about whether the duo is done for good and what really happened between them.

Is Florida Georgia Line Done for Good and What Really Happened Between Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley?

Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley say Florida Georgia Line is on a break, but cryptic songs and solo moves hint the good-time duo might be done for good.

Travis Tritt smiles in a black cowboy hat and shirt while performing "Good Ol' Boys" with a microphone in front of an American flag backdrop.

Travis Tritt Honors Waylon Jennings With Cover of “Good Ol’ Boys” Theme From The Dukes of Hazzard

Travis Tritt honors Waylon Jennings with a raw cover of "Good Ol' Boys," keeping the outlaw spirit alive for every country fan who still loves a rebel song.

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton perform together in a bar setting for their duet “A Song to Sing.

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton’s “A Song to Sing” Duet Feels Like an Instant Classic

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton's "A Song to Sing" proves real country duets never go out of style, blending raw honesty with timeless harmony.

Blake Shelton smiles on stage with guitar and mic during Vegas show, putting his own spin on George Strait’s classic.

Blake Shelton Nails George Strait Classic With His Own Spin on “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”

Blake Shelton puts his own spin on George Strait's "All My Ex's Live in Texas" in Vegas, proving some country classics never die when the right cowboy's onstage.

Little Mississippi boy in plaid shirt smiles at mic during preschool graduation where he recited New Testament books and sang a George Strait classic.

4-Year-Old Boy Recites New Testament Books Then Belts Out ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’

A Mississippi preschooler recites the New Testament, then stuns the crowd by singing George Strait's "All My Ex's Live in Texas," proving country roots run deep.

Brooks & Dunn performing on stage together, fitting their story about admitting they struggled to get along for years.

Brooks and Dunn Admit They Struggled to Get Along for Years and Tried to Blow It Real Hard

Brooks and Dunn admit they nearly crashed their duo more than once, proving some country partnerships thrive on chaos and good old-fashioned grit.

Waylon Jennings once called Garth Brooks the most insincere person he ever saw

Waylon Jennings Once Said Garth Brooks Was the Most Insincere Person He Ever Saw

Waylon Jennings once called Garth Brooks the most insincere man he ever saw, a feud that still echoes in country music's clash of outlaw grit and arena polish.

Lee Greenwood performs live in a patriotic shirt, years after nearly shelving “God Bless The USA,” now America’s beloved anthem.

Lee Greenwood Almost Didn’t Release “God Bless The USA” as a Single, Now It’s America’s Anthem

Lee Greenwood nearly kept "God Bless The USA" off the radio, but one bold Halloween night changed everything and gave America its timeless anthem.

Toby Keith performs with his American flag guitar, the same patriotic spirit that fueled his song "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue."

The Untold Truth Behind Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)”

Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" was born from personal loss and national tragedy, capturing raw patriotism that still sparks debate today.

Toby Keith plays guitar with an American flag design, capturing the patriotic vibe perfect for a Fourth of July country playlist.

35 Patriotic Country Songs to Turn Your Backyard Into the Ultimate 4th of July Party

Crank up these 35 patriotic country songs and turn your backyard into the ultimate Fourth of July party, beer in hand and fireworks blazing.

Country legend George Jones plays guitar under spotlight, embodying the raw heartbreak behind these 12 most depressing country songs.

These 12 Depressing Country Songs Will Have You Sobbing and Hitting Repeat All Night

From George Jones to Jason Isbell, these 12 painfully real country songs handpicked from Reddit's top fan picks will break your heart and keep you listening all night.

Miranda Lambert plays guitar in a cozy bedroom, the perfect moment that shows how she made “The House That Built Me” a classic.

Blake Shelton Was Supposed to Sing “The House That Built Me” Then Miranda Lambert Made It a Classic

Blake Shelton almost made "The House That Built Me" his own, but Miranda Lambert took it, owned it, and gave country music a classic for the ages.

George Strait sits somber in a cowboy hat and checkered shirt, reflecting the quiet grief behind his song "You'll Be There."

George Strait’s “You’ll Be There” Hits Harder When You Know Who He Was Singing To

George Strait's "You'll Be There" isn't just a country ballad. Once you know the heartbreak behind it, the song becomes a gut punch only a grieving father could sing.

Lee Greenwood sings passionately in the studio while recording his new “God Bless the USA” version with U.S. Air Force soldiers.

Lee Greenwood Teams Up With U.S. Soldiers for a Powerful New “God Bless the USA”

Lee Greenwood teams up with the U.S. Air Force Band for a powerful new version of "God Bless the USA" that strips away politics and hits with pure American pride.

Johnny Cash and June Carter smile side by side in a vintage photo, capturing the warmth and legacy of their iconic love story.

Inside the Beautifully Messy Love Story of Johnny Cash and June Carter

The wild, beautiful, and brutally honest love story of Johnny Cash and June Carter proves that the greatest romances are the ones that survive the fire.

Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton in Yellowstone, shocking fans who had no idea her real accent is actually British.

Yellowstone Fans Shocked to Hear Kelly Reilly’s Real Accent and It’s Nothing Like Beth Dutton

Kelly Reilly stunned Yellowstone fans when she revealed her real British accent on live TV. She sounded nothing like the tough-as-nails Beth Dutton they know.

Nicole Kidman cozies up to Keith Urban in Sydney, the man who ended her Hollywood dating chapter with one perfect proposal.

Meet the Famous Men Nicole Kidman Dated Before Keith Urban Put a Ring on It

Before Nicole Kidman found lasting love with Keith Urban, she dated Hollywood's boldest names, from Tom Cruise to Lenny Kravitz, in a romance saga all her own.

Keith Urban turns to the camera during a packed festival show as thousands of fans sing "Happy Birthday" to Nicole Kidman.

Keith Urban Stopped His Show So Thousands of Fans Could Serenade Nicole Kidman for Her Birthday

Keith Urban stopped a packed festival mid-show so thousands of fans could sing "Happy Birthday" to Nicole Kidman, somehow making every man on earth look unromantic.

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman sing joyfully in their viral 2016 car duet of “The Fighter” with unfiltered love and charm.

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman Singing “The Fighter” Together Is the Relationship We All Want

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman's 2016 car duet of "The Fighter" is still stealing hearts with its raw charm, real love, and over 11 million views to prove it.

Allie Colleen performs on stage with a big smile and acoustic guitar, showing confidence and independence as she builds her music career on her own terms—far from her father Garth Brooks’ shadow.

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Says She Doesn’t Represent Him and Wants No Part of His Shadow

Allie Colleen is forging her own path in country music and making it clear she's not riding Garth Brooks' coattails or representing his legacy in her career.

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Moved On, But Did They Ever Make Amends?

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert moved on, but nearly a decade after their split, signs point to unresolved tension and no real truce between the country exes.

Holly Dunn performs passionately under soft stage lights with her guitar in hand, capturing the emotion behind her heartfelt classic “Daddy’s Hands.”

Holly Dunn Wrote “Daddy’s Hands” for Her Dad and Somehow Spoke for an Entire Generation

Holly Dunn's "Daddy's Hands" wasn't a chart-topper, but it became the defining song for anyone who ever loved and finally understood their father too late.

Oliver Anthony belts out raw heartbreak in a dimly lit studio session, his face scrunched in pain, strumming a resonator guitar with the kind of fury only divorce can fuel.

Oliver Anthony Poured His Divorce Hell Into “Scornful Woman” and It’s Flat-Out Devastating

Oliver Anthony's "Scornful Woman" is a blistering heartbreak anthem, ripping through the pain of divorce with raw lyrics and no interest in sugarcoating a thing.

Brad Paisley strums his guitar under a spotlight—looking like he’s about to sing the song that breaks every stepdad’s heart wide open. Not the original performance, but you can feel the same lump in your throat.

Brad Paisley’s “He Didn’t Have to Be” Is the Ultimate Tribute to Men Who Chose to Be Dad

Brad Paisley's "He Didn't Have to Be" still hits like a gut punch, honoring the men who stepped up and became dads when they didn't have to be.

Mark Herndon plays drums on stage with a smile, wearing sunglasses and a bandana, representing his longtime role with country supergroup Alabama despite feeling like an outsider.

He Was Alabama’s Drummer for Years But Mark Herndon Says He Was Never Treated Like He Belonged

Mark Herndon spent 25 years drumming for Alabama, but behind the fame, he was never treated like family. His story is the side of country's biggest band you didn't hear.

The Dixie Chicks pose in front of an American flag in white T-shirts, with the words "FREE SPEECH" written on their arms—capturing the controversial moment that reshaped their career after 2003.

Whatever Happened to the Dixie Chicks After They Crossed the Line in 2003?

The Dixie Chicks blew up their own career in 2003 and never fully came back. Two decades later, they're a lesson in what happens when you trash your own roots.

Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard perform on stage together in 2015, each playing a guitar and singing into microphones, proving their legendary status with the success of their album Django and Jimmie.

On This Day in 2015, Willie and Merle Proved They Still Ran the Damn Game With “Django and Jimmie”

On this day in 2015, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard topped the charts with Django and Jimmie, proving country's outlaws still ran the show.

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