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.

1,747stories written for Country Thang Daily
2023writing for CTD since August 2023
471Legends & Classics stories 405Songs & Music stories 269Stars stories

Artists Riley Covers Most

Number of stories per artist.

Dolly Parton103
Willie Nelson61
Reba McEntire49
Alan Jackson47
Miranda Lambert45

Most Read Stories by Riley

Ranked by how many readers opened them.

Latest Stories

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.

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.

The Full Landman Soundtrack Is Here and It’s Packed With Country Heavyweights

The Landman soundtrack is loaded with country heavyweights like Turnpike Troubadours, Lainey Wilson, and Ella Langley. Stream the full playlist now on Spotify and Apple Music.

Willie Nelson Admits There’s Just One Thing That Would Make Him Step Away From Music

Willie Nelson says he will only quit music when his beloved guitar Trigger gives out. Here's the badass story behind their legendary bond and why that moment will mark the end of an era in country music.

Willie Nelson Tried to Quit Music in 1972 and Came Back More Dangerous Than Ever

Willie Nelson tried to quit music in 1972, but his short-lived retirement sparked the outlaw revolution. He came back with Shotgun Willie and changed country music forever.

You’ve Been Hearing Merle Haggard’s “If We Make It Through December” All Wrong

Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December" isn't just a Christmas song, it's a raw, working man's prayer about survival, heartbreak, and holding on for better days.

Kenny Chesney Played a Bigger Role in the Florida Georgia Line Breakup Than Anyone Realized

Kenny Chesney unknowingly played a key role in the Florida Georgia Line breakup, and one passed-up song quietly became the turning point that ended it all.

Ella Langley Honors George Strait With a Beautifully Simple Cover of “Fool Hearted Memory”

Ella Langley delivers a raw and powerful acoustic cover of George Strait's "Fool Hearted Memory," proving timeless country still hits hardest when sung with heart.

Cody Johnson Recalls Being So Broke at Christmas He Couldn’t Afford Ramen and Then a Miracle Showed Up in the Mail

Cody Johnson remembers the Christmas he was so broke he gave away his last twenty dollars, then came home to a miracle waiting in the mailbox.

Billy Bob Thornton’s LANDMAN Character Blasts “The View” as Pissed Off Millionaires Bitching About Trump and Everyday Folks

Billy Bob Thornton's Landman character takes a savage jab at The View in Season 2 Episode 5, delivering a viral-worthy line that fires up Taylor Sheridan's already blazing script.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s Youngest Daughter Just Made Her Acting Debut in LANDMAN

Audrey McGraw, daughter of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, makes her acting debut in LANDMAN and proves she is a rising star both on screen and in music.

Garth Brooks Once Made Someone Believe They Scored Big With a Fakeout Christmas Gift

Garth Brooks pulled off a hilarious Christmas prank by gifting two cans of beets in a Beats headphone box at a family gift exchange, proving he can win the holidays with humor and heart.

The Country Star Who Lost Three Fingers, Relearned Guitar, and Landed in Disney and Hollywood Westerns

Country music pioneer Wesley Tuttle lost three fingers in a childhood accident but relearned guitar, became a Capitol Records star, voiced Disney's Snow White, and lit up Westerns with his wife, Marilyn.

Alan Jackson Pulled a Wild Stunt to Get Denise’s Attention and It Somehow Turned Into a Marriage

Alan Jackson once hid in the backseat of Denise's car to get her attention, and that wild stunt somehow led to a real-life country love story that still stands strong today.