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

Tori Kelly Reminds Us That We Are “Never Alone” With Jesus

American singer Tori Kelly reminds us through her song “Never Alone” that God will always have our back. 

FloydFest 2024: What You Need To Know

Mark your calendars as FloydFest 2024 makes its comeback from July 24-28 to a bigger and better venue: FestivalPark in North Check, Virginia.

FairWell Festival 2024: What You Need To Know

Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Central Oregon will welcome FairWell Festival 2024 this July 19-21, 2024. Save the dates.

Post Malone and Blake Shelton’s “Pour Me A Drink,” the Collab of the Century

Post Malone proves he is definitely a versatile artist with his song “Pour Me A Drink,” which features Blake Shelton. 

Country Singer Mark Chesnutt In Recovery After Emergency Heart Surgery 

Country singer Mark Chesnutt has a new heart and is comfortably recovering at home. And he can’t wait to get back on stage, pickin’ and singin’. 

Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose Trade Abuse Allegations in Divorce Battle

After Firerose accused Billy Ray Cyrus of domestic abuse, Billy Ray Cyrus fired back with the same allegations.

Sonny James’ Timeless Cover of the Classic Hit “Young Love”

Let’s discover the timeless innocence of youthful love through Sonny James' amazing cover of the classic hit song “Young Love.”

Best Country Fiddler Doug Kershaw’s Performance of “Diggy Diggy Lo”

Renowned as the best fiddler in the country music scene, Doug Kershaw reminds us why love is so beautiful in his hit song “Diggy Diggy Lo.”

Rock the South 2024: What You Need To Know

Rock the South 2024 is raring to go all out and raise one hell of a fun weekend from July 18-20 at York Farms in Cullman, Alabama. 

Glen Campbell’s Moving Rendition of “What A Friend We Have in Jesus”

Glen Campbell surprised his fans when he performed an emotional rendition of the gospel song “What a Friend We Have In Jesus.”

Reba McEntire’s Melancholic Ballad “Stronger Than the Truth” Hits Hard

Country legend Reba McEntire's melancholic ballad “Stronger Than the Truth” is an anthem for the broken-hearted. 

Hank Williams Jr. Covers Big Bill Lister’s “There’s a Tear in My Beer” with His Late Dad

Hank Williams Jr. covers Big Bill Lister’s “There’s a Tear in My Beer” with his father, Hank Williams, using electronic merging technology.

Country On The Bay 2024: What You Need To Know

Country On The Bay 2024 is excited to welcome fans to Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, from July 19 to 21. 

What makes David Frizzell’s “I’m Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home” a Masterpiece?

David Frizzell’s "I'm Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home" is wittingly amusing you'd want to have it on repeat.

The Bellamy Brothers’ 1979 Hit Single Says, “If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me”

The Bellamy Brothers’ single “If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me” is a playful, romantic song of a good girl-bad boy dynamic.

The Judds Perform a Heartrending Cover of Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors”

Before becoming country music legends, The Judds’ humble beginnings include their performance of Dolly PArton’s “Coat of Many Colors.”

Alan Jackson Sings a Modern Country Cover of “Summertime Blues”

Alan Jackson shows his signature laid-back style in his rendition of Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues.”

“Hello Walls”: Throwback to Faron Young’s Tragicomedy Classic

Hear Faron Young’s heart in despair as he sings a lonesome track about coping after a breakup in the single “Hello Walls.”

Faster Horses Festival 2024: What You Need To Know

Giddy up, fellow cowboys and cowgirls, for Faster Horses Festival 2024 this coming July 19-21 in Brooklyn, Michigan. It’s going to be fun. 

Lukas Nelson Shines at Outlaw Music Festival Filling In for Willie Nelson

Lukas Nelson filled in for his father, Willie, during a show at the Outlaw Music Festival while recovering from illness. 

Finding Your “Amen Kind of Love” Like How Daryle Singletary Did

Listen to Daryle Singletary’s hit single “Amen Kind of Love,” and you’ll know the real meaning of what it takes to love someone. 

How Jon Pardi Breathes New Life into Brooks & Dunn’s “My Next Broken Heart”

Rising country star Jon Pardi collaborates with country legends Brooks and Dunn on his cover of “My Next Broken Heart.” 

The Unexpected Meaning Behind Brooks & Dunn’s “My Next Broken Heart” 

Brooks & Dunn’s classic hit song “My Next Broken Heart” is no heartbroken ballad at all, and here’s the reason why. 

Reba McEntire Gives You a Taste of Liberty in Single “Freedom”

How many lengths will you go through to get a taste of freedom? McEntire’s modern country track will tell you so. 

Boot Scootin’ Bliss: “Every Little Honky Tonk Bar” with George Strait

Ever wondered what goes through a typical Honky Tonk Bar on a Friday night? Well, Strait’s “Every Little Honky Tonk Bar” tells you just that.

Willie Nelson Brings “Hello Walls” to the Country Music Halls 

From love letters to breakup songs, Nelson’s “Hello Walls” is a heart-wrenching song about love and despair.  

“Summertime Blues” by Eddie Cochran is the Perfect Summer Anthem

If you are young and broke in the summer, playing a good old country tune such as Cochran’s “Summertime Blues” will never go out of style.

Country Thunder Wisconsin 2024: What You Need To Know

Country Thunder Wisconsin 2024 is pumped up to serve another wild party at Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, from July 18-21. You won’t want to miss it.

Country Singer Kane Brown and His Wife Katelyn Welcomes Third Baby!

Country singer Kane Brown and his wife, Katelyn Jae, are now a family of five with the arrival of their third baby. Let’s meet their new boy.

Merle Haggard’s “Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down” Says Alcohol Can’t Heal Wounds

When the alcohol isn’t working to mend your broken heart, what options do you have left? Haggard’s single “Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down” got your back.