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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

Pink Features Chris Stapleton on Her Majestic Love Ballad “Love Me Anyway”

Country vocalist Chris Stapleton joined pop star Pink on her eighth studio album ‘Hurts 2B Human’ on the song “Love Me Anyway.” 

Johnny Horton and His Number One Version of “The Battle of New Orleans”

The song penned by Jimmy Driftwood, “The Battle of New Orleans,” has had many versions, but Johnny Horton’s was undeniably a standout. 

Maren Morris Garners Attention Online for Wardrobe Malfunction 

Maren Morris shocked fans with a bare below-the-waist skirt while performing at a recent Willie Nelson 4th of July Picnic. 

Keith Whitley Looks Back on Past Relationship with “I Wonder What You Think of Me”

Keith Whitley holds onto his high school lover with the single “I Wonder What You Think of Me.”

Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson, and Trisha Yearwood Share the Stage for a Striking Performance of “Softly And Tenderly”

Music icons McEntire, Clarkson, and Yearwood gather on one stage to maximize their joint slay for the Christian Hymn “Softly and Tenderly.”

Dive into Honky Tonk Hell: Whitey Morgan and the 78’s Gritty Anthem

Here’s everything you need to know about Whitey Morgan and the 78’s gritty song “Honky Tonk Hell.”

From Rock to Gospel: Elvis Presley’s Soulful “Somebody Bigger Than You and I”

The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, poured his heart out in the most heartwarming rendition of “Somebody Bigger Than You and I.”

Deep Country Gospel: Randy Travis Makes “Are You Washed In The Blood” His Own

Reflect, repent, and change with Randy Travis’ soul-touching rendition of “Are You Washed in The Blood.”

Find Peace in God: Johnny Cash’s Sweet Rendition of “In the Sweet By and By”

Let’s find peace as we listen to Johnny Cash's sweet rendition of the hit gospel song “In the Sweet By and By.”

“My Home’s in Alabama” is Alabama’s Single to Stardom

In the single “My Home’s in Alabama,” the particular state is where the heart is for the country band Alabama. 

What makes Hillary Scott & The Scott Family’s “Thy Will” a Powerful Christian Hymn?

Hillary turns her grief into a powerful gospel song with the single “Thy Will.”

American Rapper MC Chris Shares How Willie Nelson’s Kindness Blew Him Away

American rapper Mc Chris shared a post on Facebook about legendary country icon Willie Nelson’s act of kindness, and fans were definitely touched. 

“It’s Taken Its Toll On Me” – Country Singer Ernest Announces Short Hiatus

Find out the reason behind rising country music star Ernest's short hiatus. 

Relive The Old Country Vibe with Dallas Moore’s “Tryin’ To Be a Blessing”

Missing the old country vibe? Try listening to Dallas Moore’s “Tryin’ To Be a Blessing,” as it will surely take you on a trip down memory lane. 

George Jones and Tammy Wynette Took on the Pop Standard “Near You” and Made It a Country Hit

Country legends George Jones and Tammy Wynette covered the pop standard “Near You” in 1977, making it a number-one country hit. 

Joe Bonsall, Legendary Tenor Vocalist of The Oak Ridge Boys, dies at 76

After 50 years of performing with the band The Oak Ridge Boys, Bonsall recently passed away due to ALS complications.   

Brooks & Dunn Collabs with Lanco for A Remake of “Mama Don’t Get Dressed Up for Nothing”

Country singer Brooks & Dunn surprised fans with a Lanco collab for a remake of “Mama Don’t Get Dressed Up for Nothing.”

Reba McEntire’s “I’m a Survivor” Lifts Your Faith Up

You don’t know how strong you are until you realize how much you have survived. McEntire’s “I’m a Survivor” is a testament to an unbreakable faith. 

Conway Twitty Sings a Tear-jerking Cover of “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”

Conway Twitty sings a male perspective of Tammy Wynette’s 60s smash hit D-I-V-O-R-C-E. 

Throwback to Randy Travis’ 1988 Hit Single “Honky Tonk Moon” 

“Honky Tonk Moon” by Travis is a wonderful song to play for cozying up your moody afternoon. 

Alison Krauss and Union Station’s Moving Gospel Hit “A Living Prayer”

Alison Krauss and Union Station released one of the most moving gospel songs of all time, “A Living Prayer.” 

Did You Know? Fascinating Facts About Country Singer Jan Howard

Here are some interesting facts about the legendary country singer Jan Howard. 

Brooks & Dunn’s Enduring Hit: A Look at “Mama Don’t Get Dressed Up For Nothing”

Here’s what you need to know about Brooks & Dunn’s hit song “Mama Don’t Get Dressed Up For Nothing.”

Dolly Parton and Keith Urban Sing of Loving Someone Until “The Twelfth of Never”

Country icon Dolly Parton enlisted the help of Keith Urban in singing a cover of the Johnny Mathis track “The Twelfth of Never.” Check it out. 

Listen to Loretta Lynn’s Take on the Gospel Hymn “In the Garden”

Loretta Lynn’s cover of the 1912 gospel hymn “In the Garden” is a testament to her ability to convey deep emotions to her audience effortlessly. 

Listen to Hank Williams’ Raw Heartbreak in His 1952 Track “You Win Again” 

Hank Williams expressed his despair over not being able to leave his partner despite her unfaithfulness to him in “You Win Again.” Check it out.

Charley Pride and His Rendition of Hank Williams’ Widely-Covered Song “You Win Again”

Hank Williams’ song “You Win Again” has been covered by a long list of artists, including Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Charley Pride. 

Listen to “The Pill”: Loretta Lynn’s Gutsy Song About Birth Control and Sexual Freedom  

Loretta Lynn wasn’t afraid to drive the industry and conservative listeners into shock with her track “The Pill.” Listen to it here. 

Clint Black and Roy Rogers, Team Up In “Hold On Partner”

The King of Cowboys, Roy Rogers, enlisted the help of country singer Clint Black for his 1991 song and final charting single, “Hold on Partner.”

Crowd Cheers Loudly as Zach Bryan Brings The “Hawk Tuah” Girl Onstage

The crowd cheers loudly as Zach Bryan brings the “Hawk Tuah” girl onstage during his performance at the Nashville concert.