Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

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

Mo Pitney Delivers a Stunning Rendition of “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes”

Mo Pitney's Grand Ole Opry performance of George Jones' Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes earned praise from fans, showcasing his talent and deep country roots.

Jennifer Hudson and Chris Stapleton Deliver an Unforgettable CMA Awards Performance

Jennifer Hudson and Chris Stapleton's CMA Awards 2021 performance of "Night Life" and "You Are My Sunshine" was a stunning tribute to Aretha Franklin.

Scotty McCreery’s “Your Man” Audition That Launched His Country Music Career

Scotty McCreery's American Idol audition of Your Man wowed judges and set the stage for his country music stardom, marking the start of his iconic journey.

Kevin Costner & Modern West Pay Tribute with “The Hero”

Kevin Costner & Modern West deliver a heartfelt tribute to soldiers and silent battles with The Hero, a song that honors courage and resilience in all its forms.

When 5-Year-Old Hunter Hayes Stole the Show with Hank Williams Jr.

Before his chart-topping hits, Hunter Hayes stunned a 200,000-strong crowd at just five years old, jamming with Hank Williams Jr. on Jambalaya.

Josh Turner’s 98-Year-Old Grandmother Earns Standing Ovation at the Grand Ole Opry

At 98, Lois Cunningham earned a standing ovation at the Grand Ole Opry with her touching piano performance of How Great Thou Art.

Get to Know the Children of The Country Legend, George Jones

George Jones' children reflect his legacy through their unique journeys, from quiet lives to carrying on the musical traditions of country royalty.

Five-Year-Old Libby’s Sweet Rendition of Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors

Five-year-old Libby Thacker charms hearts with her adorable cover of Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors, showcasing talent and youthful charm in a heartfelt performance.

Blake Shelton and Michael Bublé Unite for a Heartfelt Tribute to Soldiers Away from Home

Blake Shelton and Michael Bublé's Home duet beautifully honors soldiers spending Christmas far from loved ones, blending country and pop for a touching tribute.

The Timeless Legacy of Randy Travis’ Grammy-Winning “Forever and Ever, Amen”

Randy Travis' Grammy-winning hit "Forever and Ever, Amen" redefined country music with its heartfelt lyrics and timeless melody, solidifying his legendary status.

Phil Robertson Faces Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis Amid Blood Disease Complications

Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson faces early Alzheimer's and a blood disease, as his family navigates this challenging chapter with love, faith, and unwavering support.

Earliest Known Country Music Recording Discovered, Dating Back to 1891

A collector discovers a wax cylinder from 1891 featuring Louis Vasnier's "Thompson's Old Gray Mule," now believed to be the earliest known country music recording.

The All-American Rejects Reveal “Dirty Little Secret” Started as a Country Song

'Dirty Little Secret' by All-American Rejects started out as a country song before turning into the pop-punk hit we all know, with a story you wouldn't expect.

Zach Top Revives John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold” With a Neotraditional Twist

Zach Top's cover of John Michael Montgomery's 90's hit "Sold” (The Grundy County Auction Incident) showcases his neotraditional style and love for classic country.

Revisiting the Time Dolly Parton and Country Queens Sang Together on Burt Reynolds’ Show

Burt Reynolds brought Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker, Kathy Mattea, and Lorrie Morgan together for a rare 1990s interview and performance of "I Will Always Love You."

Mainstream Media Tried to Cancel Chris Stapleton, But Fans Rallied Behind Him

Chris Stapleton faced backlash after critics labeled his CMA wins " rigged," but fans rallied behind him, proving his timeless impact on country music.

Don Williams and Emmylou Harris Deliver a Classic Duet With “If I Needed You”

Don Williams and Emmylou Harris deliver a heartfelt duet of Townes Van Zandt's "If I Needed You," blending their iconic voices in a timeless country ballad.

Randy Travis and Josh Turner Deliver a Heavenly Performance of “Three Wooden Crosses”

Randy Travis and Josh Turner deliver a powerful, faith-filled duet of "Three Wooden Crosses" on CMT Cross Country, blending heartfelt storytelling with heavenly harmonies.

Vince Gill and Patty Loveless Honor a Classic With “After the Fire Is Gone”

Vince Gill and Patty Loveless deliver a heartfelt, modern take on Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn's "After the Fire Is Gone" at the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame.

George Strait and Grandson Harvey’s Emotional “God and Country Music” Performance

George Strait and his grandson Harvey's heartwarming duet of "God and Country Music" at the Houston Rodeo celebrates family, tradition, and timeless country values.

Kelly Clarkson’s “Here’s A Quarter” Cover Brings New Life to a Classic

Kelly Clarkson's bold Kellyoke cover of Travis Tritt's "Here's a Quarter" adds soulful grit to the fiery country classic, showcasing her vocal power and passion.

Kelly Clarkson’s Stunning Cover of “Smoky Mountain Rain” Showcases Her Country Roots

Kelly Clarkson's powerful Kellyoke cover of "Smoky Mountain Rain" breathes new life into Ronnie Milsap's classic and showcases her love for country music.

Alan Jackson and Hank Jr. Bring “The Blues Man” to Life With Unforgettable Duet

Alan Jackson and Hank Williams Jr.'s unforgettable duet of "The Blues Man" at the 2000 ACM Awards celebrated the raw heart of country music and its timeless storytelling.

This Teen’s Take on ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ Feels Like a Johnny Cash Revival

A 14-year-old delivers a jaw-dropping rendition of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," channeling the Man in Black with a voice and charisma beyond his years.

Lorrie Morgan’s Dramatic Take on the Classic “A Picture of Me (Without You)”

Lorrie Morgan's powerful cover of George Jones' "A Picture of Me (Without You)" brought new depth to the country classic, including an unforgettable duet with Jones himself.

Four-Year-Old Braydon’s Precious Cover of “As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone” Will Melt Your Heart

Four-year-old Braydon's adorable cover of Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty's "As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone" will steal your heart and showcase country music's timeless appeal.

Young Scotty McCreery’s Emotional Take on “The Dance” Wows the Opry Crowd

Scotty McCreery's stunning cover of Garth Brooks' "The Dance" at the Grand Ole Opry showcased his deep talent and respect for country music's greatest hits.

Ben and Noel Haggard Honor Merle Haggard With Heartfelt Tribute Performances

Ben and Noel Haggard honored their father, Merle Haggard, with a heartfelt tribute, performing his timeless hits and keeping his legacy alive.

Dolly Parton and Vince Gill’s “I Will Always Love You” Duet is Pure Country Perfection

Dolly Parton and Vince Gill's "I Will Always Love You" duet adds a fresh layer of harmony and emotion to Dolly's classic, creating a timeless country masterpiece.

Alison Krauss and Jamey Johnson Brought Willie Nelson to Tears With Their Rendition of “Seven Spanish Angels”

Willie Nelson held back tears as Alison Krauss and Jamey Johnson delivered a heartfelt performance of his iconic duet, "Seven Spanish Angels," at the Gershwin Prize Awards.