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

Calf Fry Music Festival 2024: What You Need to Know

Catch the biggest names in the Red Dirt scene perform this coming May 2-4 at the Calf Fry Music Festival 2024 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. 

iHeartCountry Festival 2024: What You Need to Know

Country superstars are ready to take over The Moody Center in Austin, Texas, on May 4th for the iHeartCountry Festival 2024. 

Jean Shepard in Hilarious and Heartbreaking Hit “Second Fiddle (To An Old Guitar)”

Country legend Jean Shepard sings of love lost in the hit song “Second Fiddle (To An Old Guitar).”

Tracy Byrd’s “I’m from the Country” is an Ode to Country Life

Tracy Byrd’s song pays homage to the rural lifestyle, leaving everyone even more proud to say, “I’m from the Country.” 

Charley Pride Hit Number One In 1971 With “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’”

In 1971, groundbreaking vocalist Charley Pride closed country music’s change-making slate of hit singles with “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’.”

Willie Nelson and Norah Jones Perform “Crying Time” In Celebration of Ray Charles’ Genius

In 2008, country legend Willie Nelson shared the stage with singer Norah Jones and jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis to perform “Crying Time.”

Merle Haggard Laments “Are the Good Times Really Over” As He Reflects On Simpler Times

Catch all the pop culture references as Merle Haggard laments, “Are the Good Times Really Over”? and wishes a buck was still silver. 

“It’s Finger-Lickin’ Good!” – Reba McEntire Stars As Colonel Sanders In KFC Commercial

Country singer Reba McEntire steps into the iconic white suit as she chicken tycoon Colonel Sanders in the 2018 series of KFC ads. Check it out.

To Love And Let Go: The Story Of Merle Haggard’s “Silver Wings”

Country legend Merle Haggard sings of a melancholic story of loving and having to let go despite not wanting to in his 1969 track “Silver Wings.”

Dolly Parton Receives Sole Songwriting Credit On Beyoncé’s Reimagined Version Of “Jolene”

Beyoncé reworked the original version’s lyrics and even added a bridge, but she gave the songwriting credit solely to Dolly Parton. 

Morgan Wallen Arrested For Allegedly Throwing A Chair Off The Roof Of A Bar In Nashville

According to Nashville police, Morgan Wallen is facing three felony counts of reckless endangerment and a disorderly conduct charge.

Beyonce and Willie Nelson Surprise Us with New Collaboration

Beyonce captivates pop and country music fans with Willie Nelson’s unexpected appearance and striking narratives on her latest album, Cowboy Carter.

Zach Bryan’s Mugshot: A Frenzy of Jokes and Memes

Remember Zach Bryan's infamous mugshot? The internet still can't get over it! See the funniest fan reactions, why it's become a meme, and how it reflects on the outlaw country star.

Reba McEntire shares Hope and Faith in the Christian Country Song “Back to God”

Reba McEntire’s powerful single, “Back to God,” inspires hope in dark times. 

Dolly Parton Wrote and Performed “Travelin’ Thru” for “Transamerica” Movie

Dolly Parton’s transformative influence is solidified through the song “Travelin’ Thru,” which she wrote and performed for the movie “Transamerica” (2005). 

How Bluegrass song “Rocky Top” became Osborne Brothers’ Signature Song

The Osborne Brothers helped bring bluegrass into the American mainstream with songs like “Rocky Top.”

Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge over Troubled Water” had Political Roots

The Simon & Garfunkel epic swansong, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, composed by Paul Simon and sung by Art Garfunkel was born out of political sadness.

Jerry Maguire film inspires Kenny Chesney’s slow-brewing ballad “You Had Me from Hello”

Jerry Maguire's iconic line to Dorothy Boyd inspired Kenny Chesney’s hit single “You Had Me from Hello.” 

Billy Gilman’s “Oklahoma” Speaks of Longing

“Oklahoma” by Billy Gilman tells a story of longing. Keep reading to know more.

Country’s Most-Loved Living Legends Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson Cameo in Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter

The 27-track opus by Beyoncé features interludes by country music’s living legends, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, and it’s honest-to-God good.

Here’s What Dolly Parton Thinks Of Beyoncé’s Feisty Version Of “Jolene” In Cowboy Carter

Beyoncé put her feisty spin on the classic hit “Jolene,” and the original singer, Dolly Parton, couldn’t be more impressed with it. 

Buck Owens and the Buckaroos talks of a cautionary tale in “I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail”

Recognized as one of Owen’s signature songs, “I've Got a Tiger by the Tail” highlighted the Bakersfield sound in the music genre.

Patty Loveless Shows What Letting Go Means with Somber “How Can I Help You Say Goodbye”

Saying goodbye is never easy, but Patty Loveless shows that comfort can be reached when she sings, “How Can I Help You Say Goodbye.” 

From “Dumbest Idea Ever” to Billion Dollar Empire: How Kelly Clarkson Inadvertently Caused the Rise of Taylor’s Version

Did you know that Taylor’s Version was born from Kelly Clarkson’s insightful suggestion to re-record all the songs she didn’t own the masters?

Lainey Wilson’s Butt Is Bootylicious In Her Viral TikTok Video And We Cannot Lie

Lainey Wilson's rear end went viral – but there's more to this rising country star than meets the eye. Learn about her music, career, and the buzz around her recent viral fame.

Appreciating The Beauty of Americans with The Oak Ridge Boys Hit Song “American Made”

The Oak Ridge Boys released an appreciation song for the American beauty titled “American Made,” here’s what you need to know about it. 

Hank Locklin Shows Off His Music Mastery in His 1957 Hit “Send Me The Pillow You Dream On”

Hank Locklin released another hit song in 1957 titled “Send Me The Pillow You Dream On,” which teaches us how to move on.

Bunnie XO Embraces Her Natural Beauty With Her No Makeup Look 

In a highly-requested Instagram post, Bunnie XO fearlessly showed her no-makeup look. And what can we say? She’s a natural beauty. 

Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO Stand Up for Disciplined Middle Schooler

Country singer Jelly Roll and his wife Bunnie XO showed their support to a middle schooler after she was sent home for drawing them. 

Lisa Marie Presley’s Life of Legacy and Loss, Graceland’s Next Chapter

Lisa Marie Presley's life centered on preserving the music legacy and estate of her father, Elvis Presley. Against all odds, she had done just that.