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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.
  • Her beat includes the Grand Ole Opry, Hall of Fame moments, gospel and faith in country music, and the artists who built the genre.
  • 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.

1,766stories written for Country Thang Daily
2020writing for CTD since December 2020
473Legends & Classics stories 377Songs & Music stories 253Stars stories

Artists Riley Covers Most

Number of stories per artist.

Dolly Parton101
Willie Nelson65
Reba McEntire51
Alan Jackson48
Miranda Lambert45

Most Read Stories by Riley

Ranked by how many readers opened them.

Latest Stories

Morgan Wallen Flew Solo for His Walkout on Night Two at Soldier Field and the Dance He Did Had Chicago Losing It

Morgan Wallen skipped the celebrity walkout guest on night two in Chicago and walked out alone at Soldier Field. The dance he threw in had the crowd going wild.

Brad Paisley’s “He Didn’t Have to Be” Is Still the Song That Wrecks Every Stepdad Who Hears It

Brad Paisley's "He Didn't Have to Be" was written about his best friend's stepson in 1999. Twenty-seven years later, it still stops dads in their tracks.

Ella Langley Called God Her ‘One North Star’ and Shared Her Testimony in Oklahoma City

Ella Langley paused her Dandelion Tour in Oklahoma City to share her faith, saying God is her "one North Star" and she reads the Bible almost every single day.

Keith Urban Wished Ex-Wife Nicole Kidman a Happy Birthday Five Days Before What Would Have Been Their 20th Anniversary

Keith Urban posted "happy birthday nicole mary" on his Instagram Story for Nicole Kidman's 59th birthday, five days before their 20th wedding anniversary.

Bunnie XO Said She and Jelly Roll Are Still Having a Baby Together Despite the Divorce and Revealed They Already Lost Four Embryos

Bunnie XO broke her silence on the Jelly Roll divorce, revealing they lost four embryos, he's already dating, and they're still planning to have a baby together.

Morgan Wallen Gave His Dad the Father’s Day Gift of a Lifetime with a Weekly Bible Study Show on His SiriusXM Station

Tommy Wallen, Morgan Wallen's father and a Baptist pastor, is launching "Tommy's Sunday Seven" on Morgan Wallen Radio. It debuts Father's Day at 9am ET.

Shania Twain Said She Doesn’t See Herself as a Feminist and Explained Why the Label Has Never Fit Her

Shania Twain told The Sunday Times she doesn't call herself a feminist. Her explanation was classic Shania, honest, thoughtful, and nobody's but her own.

Trace Adkins Is Dropping His First New Single in Five Years and He’ll Debut It on National Television for America’s 250th Birthday

Trace Adkins will release "American Made" on June 26 and debut it live on PBS's A Capitol Fourth special. It's his first single in five years and his 30th year in country.

Gretchen Wilson Is Re-Recording Her Debut Album as Duets with Tanya Tucker, Miranda Lambert, Cody Johnson, and Ella Langley

Gretchen Wilson is re-recording "Here for the Party" as a duets album with Tanya Tucker, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Travis Tritt, and Ella Langley.

Chris Stapleton Will Headline America’s 250th Birthday Concert at the LA Coliseum on the Fourth of July

Chris Stapleton and the Smashing Pumpkins will headline America's Block Party at the LA Coliseum on July 4. Tickets are $17.76 with proceeds going to Feeding America.

Sources Say Jelly Roll’s Deepening Christian Faith Is the Real Reason Behind the Bunnie XO Divorce

Daily Mail sources claim Jelly Roll's faith clashed with Bunnie XO's bold persona. But a second source says the faith itself is an act. The truth is messier than both.

Brianna Chickenfry Reveals What Was in Zach Bryan’s $12M NDA as She Slams His Wedding

Brianna Chickenfry claims Zach Bryan's $12 million NDA would have barred her from social media and work for 5 years, and that his 2025 wedding was a "dig" at her.

Bunnie XO Calls Herself and Jelly Roll “Baby Christians” After Finding God Again

Bunnie XO says she and Jelly Roll are "baby Christians" rediscovering faith together after years away from God, opening up about redemption, growth, and their Grammy spotlight moment.

Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” Gets Hilariously Butchered by TikTok’s Dirty Misheard Lyrics

TikTok users hilariously butcher the lyrics to Ella Langley's hit "Choosin' Texas," turning a chart-topping heartbreak anthem into a viral misheard lyrics trend. Ella takes it in stride while gearing up for her new album and big-stage performances.

Kelly Clarkson Reportedly Chose Compassion Over Conflict in Brandon Blackstock’s Final Days

Kelly Clarkson reportedly set aside past tensions to support her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, in his final days, showing quiet strength and compassion as she focused on their children and healing.

Billy Bob Thornton Breaks Silence on Rumors He’s Leaving Landman After Season 2 Finale

Billy Bob Thornton shuts down rumors he's leaving Landman, confirming he's locked in for the long haul as the Texas oil drama gears up for a high-stakes Season 3.

Jelly Roll Moved to Tears by Look-Alike Louisiana Singer’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on Star Search

Jelly Roll was brought to tears on Star Search when Louisiana singer Bear Bailey delivered a powerful cover of "Hard Fought Hallelujah," turning the stage into a soul-stirring moment of faith, redemption, and raw emotion.

Billy Bob Thornton Says Hollywood Keeps Snubbing Taylor Sheridan Because They Think He Is a Right-Wing Cowboy

Billy Bob Thornton says Taylor Sheridan's shows get ignored at awards shows because of Hollywood bias, but Landman's explosive success tells a different story.

Landman’s Explosive Season 2 Finale Pulls 14.8 Million Viewers and Delivers Paramount+ Its Biggest Win Yet

Landman closed Season 2 with 14.8 million views in two days, topping Paramount+ history despite a mixed season and proving country grit still draws a crowd.

Chris Stapleton Says He’s Grateful for the Career but the Fame Was Never Part of the Dream

Chris Stapleton opens up about the price of fame, revealing he never chased the spotlight and still dreams of a quieter life away from the cameras.

Who Is Karley Scott Collins? Meet Keith Urban’s Reported New Girlfriend After His Divorce

Karley Scott Collins is the rising country star rumored to be dating Keith Urban after his divorce from Nicole Kidman. Here's everything you need to know about her and their possible romance.

Lainey Wilson Spoke It Into Existence and Now She’s Takin’ Over the Road With Chris Stapleton

Lainey Wilson once said she dreamed of touring with Chris Stapleton, and now that dream is a reality as she joins his 2026 All-American Road Show with her signature grit, fire, and star power.

Waylon Jennings Took the Stage for the Last Time in 2000 and Country Music Hasn’t Been the Same Since

Waylon Jennings gave his final major performance in 2000 at the Ryman Auditorium, delivering a defiant, unforgettable farewell that proved country music will never see another legend quite like him.

Kelly Clarkson Puts Her Whole Soul Into Red Clay Strays Cover and Proves Nobody Can Out-Sing Her

Kelly Clarkson's stunning cover of The Red Clay Strays' "No One Else Like Me" proves she is still one of the strongest voices in country music, and fans are now begging for a collab.

Naomi Judd Ditched Her Birth Name for a Reason That Says Everything About Who She Was

Naomi Judd traded her birth name for one that reflected her strength, faith, and Kentucky roots. Her powerful choice tells the real story behind the legend.

What Really Happened to Ricky Van Shelton and Why He Walked Away From It All

Ricky Van Shelton walked away from country music at the height of his fame. Here's the real reason he left it all behind for a quieter, more meaningful life.

Zach Bryan’s New Song “Skin” Sounds Like a Sharp Goodbye to Brianna Chickenfry

Zach Bryan drops a fiery new track called "Skin" that sounds like a lyrical goodbye to ex, Brianna Chickenfry, and marks a bold step into his next chapter.

Country Singer Tyler Farr Admits to Skinny-Dipping and Peeing in Jason Aldean’s Pool

Tyler Farr admits he skinny-dipped and peed in Jason Aldean's pool, proving once again that country boys like him do not play by the rules but sure know how to make headlines.

Miranda Lambert Delivers an Emotional Rendition of ‘Run’ in Tribute to George Strait at Kennedy Center Honors

Miranda Lambert delivers a powerful tribute to George Strait with her flawless rendition of "Run" at the Kennedy Center Honors, solidifying her place as the country queen.

Ella Langley Nails Kitty Wells Classic “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels”

Ella Langley delivers a flawless cover of Kitty Wells' "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," proving she's country to the core while honoring one of the genre's most legendary women.