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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.

1,749stories written for Country Thang Daily
2023writing for CTD since August 2023
474Legends & Classics stories 406Songs & Music stories 268Stars stories

Artists Riley Covers Most

Number of stories per artist.

Dolly Parton103
Willie Nelson62
Reba McEntire49
Alan Jackson47
Miranda Lambert45

Most Read Stories by Riley

Ranked by how many readers opened them.

Latest Stories

The Grand Ole Opry Ended Its 100th Anniversary With a Powerful Tribute to Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton was honored with an emotional I Will Always Love You tribute at the Grand Ole Opry's 100th anniversary, just weeks after the passing of her husband.

Carrie Underwood’s Heartfelt Tribute At Opry 100 Had Audience In Tears

Randy Travis brought the Grand Ole Opry to tears with just one word as Carrie Underwood honored him with a powerful tribute at the Opry's 100th anniversary.

Bryson Quick Turns Pink Floyd Country on American Idol, Earns Grand Ole Opry Invitation

Bryson Quick stunned American Idol judges with a country twist on Pink Floyd's Time, earning a golden ticket—and an unexpected invite to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.

What Will Happen to Dollywood When Dolly Parton Is No Longer Here

Dollywood's future is secure thanks to Dolly Parton's careful planning, strong leadership, and lasting legacy. Even when she's gone, her vision will keep the park thriving.

Why Carrie Underwood’s Lips Look Different Now Than They Did Years Ago

Speculation over Carrie Underwood's lips has taken over social media, but the debate is tired and unnecessary. Her talent, not her appearance, should be the focus.

Dolly Parton’s Favorite Way to Eat Cinnamon Bread Is As Sweet as She Is

Dolly Parton revealed her favorite way to eat Dollywood's famous cinnamon bread—with both icing and apple butter! Her sweet and funny response was classic Dolly.

How the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two Became a Country Music Landmark

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two brought together country legends and new voices, proving that musical traditions live on when shared.

Kris Kristofferson’s “Why Me Lord” Remains a Timeless Country Gospel Anthem

Kris Kristofferson's Why Me Lord is a heartfelt country gospel classic born from a moment of spiritual awakening. Decades later, its message of grace and redemption still resonates.

Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton’s “When I Get Where I’m Going” Still Brings Comfort After All These Years

Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton's When I Get Where I'm Going is a heartfelt ballad about faith, loss, and hope. Nearly two decades later, its message still comforts those who need it most.

Cody Johnson’s Acoustic Performance of “His Name Is Jesus” Is Pure, Unfiltered Faith

Cody Johnson's acoustic performance of His Name Is Jesus is a powerful display of faith and authenticity. Watch as he delivers this heartfelt song with raw conviction.

Zach Williams and Dolly Parton’s Duet on “There Was Jesus” Became an Instant Classic

Zach Williams and Dolly Parton's duet There Was Jesus became a Grammy-winning hit with a powerful message of faith and redemption.

Miranda Lambert Finally Releases “I Don’t Love Here Anymore” After 20 Years

Miranda Lambert releases I Don't Love Here Anymore, a hidden track from her 2005 Kerosene sessions. After 20 years, this heartfelt ballad is finally out.

Blake Shelton and Justin Moore Are Still Arguing Over What Happened on That Flight

Blake Shelton and Justin Moore reignite their decade-long drinking feud over a private plane ride gone wrong. Did Moore throw up mid-flight? Shelton says yes, and Moore says no.

Dolly Parton’s 1987 Advice on Aging Is Something We All Need to Hear

Dolly Parton's 1987 advice on aging is just as powerful today. Her wisdom, humor, and fearless approach to life prove that age is just a number.

Cody Johnson Didn’t Sell Out To Nashville’s Music Machine And It Paid Off

Cody Johnson refused to change his sound or image for Nashville executives, which paid off. His success proves real country music still has a place at the table.

Scotty Mccreery’s Son Steals The Show Singing George Strait

Scotty McCreery's 2-year-old son, Avery, is already singing George Strait, and it's adorable. Could a future duet be in the works? Watch the sweet moment unfold.

Johnny Cash’s Handwritten Bible Notes Show the Scriptures That Guided Him

Johnny Cash's handwritten Bible notes reveal his deep faith and search for redemption. His personal reflections on scripture show a man who never stopped seeking grace.

Dolly Parton Made Her Late Husband a Solemn Promise Before He Passed

Dolly Parton made a heartfelt promise to her late husband, Carl Dean, in his final moments. Their nearly 59-year love story proves that some bonds never break.

T. Graham Brown Finally Gets His Grand Ole Opry Invitation After Decades of Dedication

T. Graham Brown finally receives his long-overdue Grand Ole Opry invitation after more than 300 performances. A moment fans agree should have happened years ago.

Kip Moore’s Take on Fixing Country Music Awards Shows

Kip Moore believes country awards shows should spotlight true country artists like Cody Johnson and Whiskey Myers instead of chasing pop collaborations for ratings.

Who Really Sang Amarillo By Morning First? The Story Behind A Country Classic

George Strait made Amarillo by Morning famous, but Terry Stafford first recorded it in 1973. Chris LeDoux also sang it before Strait's iconic version.

Zach Top Honors George Strait with Amarillo by Morning at RodeoHouston

Zach Top paid tribute to George Strait with a powerful Amarillo by Morning performance at RodeoHouston, proving that traditional country music is alive and well.

Meet Brad Paisley’s Two Sons, William “Huck” And Jasper Warren

Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley's sons, Huck and Jasper, grow up in a home filled with music, adventure, and family values. Here's a look at their lives.

Luke Bryan Reveals The Song He Passed On That Became A Huge Hit For Morgan Wallen

Luke Bryan reflects on passing up Sand in My Boots, a hit that became a career-defining song for Morgan Wallen, and opens up about feeling overlooked in country music.

The Song Carl Dean Warned Dolly Parton Not to Sing and Why She Did It Anyway

Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Dean, once warned her not to cover Stairway to Heaven, calling it a classic that shouldn't be touched. But Dolly had other plans.

The Emmylou Harris Song That Caused a Rift Between Dolly and Porter Wagoner

Dolly Parton's decision to give "To Daddy" to Emmylou Harris led to one of her most tense moments with Porter Wagoner. But for Dolly, proving herself as a songwriter made it all worthwhile.

Craig Morgan Playfully Roasts Blake Shelton, ‘He Don’t Work Hard Anymore’

Craig Morgan playfully roasts Blake Shelton, calling him "soft" and saying he "don't work hard anymore." Their hilarious friendship is built on good-natured jabs.

Backstreet Boys Son Baylee Littrell Stuns American Idol With His Country Voice

Baylee Littrell's American Idol audition turned heads, but his country music journey started long before that. He's ready to prove he's more than a Backstreet Boys son.

The Story Behind Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You And Its True Meaning

Dolly Parton wrote I Will Always Love You as a heartfelt goodbye to Porter Wagoner. Decades later, it remains one of the most iconic songs in music history.

Zach Top Covers George Jones on a Lawnmower and It’s Pure Country Gold

Zach Top's cover of George Jones' "Finally Friday" on a lawnmower is pure country gold. His classic sound proves real country music is alive and well.