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

3-Year-Old Drake Grillo Wowed Many Signing National Anthem At Carrier Dome

Three-year-old Drake Grillo nailed every single note and lyric of the national anthem, Star-Spangled Banner. Check out the video here.

Carrie Underwood’s “Something in the Water” Will Tug The Depths of Your Heart and Soul

Country music artist Carrie Underwood delivered a crossover success with her 2014 lead single “Something in the Water.”

Johnny Cash’s “I Got Stripes” And The Prison Tale Of Redemption

The “Man In Black,” Johnny Cash, sang a soulful prison tale of the struggles of incarceration and the hope of redemption in “I Got Stripes.”

Sing Along To Johnny Cash And George Jones’ Duet Version Of “I Got Stripes” 

Two legendary country singers, Johnny Cash and George Jones, join forces for a duet of “I Got Stripes, and it’s everything fans could hope for. 

The Statler Brothers Recall Post-War Pop Culture On “Do You Remember These”

America’s country music group, The Statler Brothers, took on pop culture references with their 1972 single “Do You Remember These.” Check it out. 

Dean Brody Showcases The Irresistible, Lovable Trouble Though “Canadian Girls” 

In January 2012, country music artist Dean Brody released his Dirt album’s first single, “Canadian Girls.” Check out the song here. 

Hank Williams Encapsulates Heartbreak and Betrayal With “Your Cheatin’ Heart”

It only took minutes for Hank Williams to write the song “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” inspired by his first wife, Audrey Mae Sheppard.

US Marines Sing Along To “Days of Elijah” In Worship 

The US Marines worshipped together, lifting their voices as they sang Robin Mark’s “Days of Elijah.” And it was undoubtedly an inspiring sight. 

Sweet Girl In Blue Sings Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA”

Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” takes on a sweet sound with the voice of eight-year-old Marleigh Miller. Check out the video here. 

Merle Haggard Shares His Sad Reflections As A Country Star In “Footlights”

One of country music’s most influential artists of all time, Merle Haggard, weighs in on fame and career in his 1979 track “Footlights.”

Bobbie Gentry’s “Fancy” Is The Anthem Of Women’s Liberation

Singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry scored her second and final Top 40 at the Billboard Hot 100 with her feminist song, “Fancy.” Let’s check it out. 

Here’s Our 15 Most Favorite Taylor Swift Songs From Her Country Catalog

From Taylor Swift down to Speak Now, we list all 15 of our favorite songs from Taylor Swift’s three-album country catalog. 

Ten of the Best Bobbie Gentry Songs You Should MUST Listen To

If you are looking for some new country music to listen to, here are ten of the best Bobbie Gentry songs you should check out. 

10 Not-So-Known Facts About Bobbie Gentry That You Should Know

Here are the facts: Bobbie Gentry was the whole package, from talent down to visuals, and she was the trailblazing queen of the country. 

Megan Moroney Tells A Star-Crossed Tale In The Endearing Song, “Tennessee Orange”

Georgia native Megan Moroney made a glorious entry on the country music scene when she released “Tennessee Orange” in December 2022 as her debut single.

“Smoky Mountain Rain” – Ronnie Milsap’s Soulful Tale About a Lonely Southerner

The song "Smoky Mountain Rain" by Ronnie Milsap came out in September 1980 as the first and only track on his album Greatest Hits. It then became one of his best-known hits.

Luke Combs Sings About Letting Someone Go in “Going, Going, Gone”

Luke Combs' "Going, Going, Gone" topped Country Airplay and hit No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking his 15th consecutive solo No. 1.

Meaning Behind Marvin Morrow’s Song “Mama’s Old Song Book”

In 2001, country singer Marvin Morrow released a gospel song titled “Mama’s Old Song Book,” and here’s the meaning behind it. 

Meaning Behind Gaither’s Song “Then Came the Morning”

Here is everything you need to know about Gaither's song "Then Came the Morning," from its meaning to some facts about it. 

Meaning Behind Brian Free & Assurance’s Song “Somebody’s Miracle”

Here is everything you need to know about the country gospel group Brian Free & Assurance song, “Somebody’s Miracle”.

Travis Tritt’s “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde”: An Unstoppable Love Story

Here is everything you need to know about country singer Travis Tritt's song "Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde." 

Taylor Swift Revealed That Kenny Chesney’s Early Support Fueled Her Dreams

In her cover story as TIME magazine’s 2023 Person of the Year, Taylor Swift shared that Kenny Chesney was instrumental in her career.

Faith Hill’s Life-Altering Ballad: “A Baby Changes Everything”

In September 2008, Faith Hill released “A Baby Changes Everything” from her album Joy to the World, which touched and changed so many lives.

Amy Grant Is Set To Make a Grand Comeback at the Ryman Auditorium

After a bicycling accident that left her hospitalized a year and a half ago, Amy Grant is getting ready to make a big comeback in none other than the Ryman Auditorium.

Scotty McCreery Invited to Join the Grand Ole Opry

On Sunday evening (December 3), Scotty McCreery got the ultimate surprise of his career when Garth Brooks invited him to become the latest member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Leann Rimes Openly Talks About Growing Up In The Spotlight And More

LeAnn Rimes dropped by the Happy Place podcast with Fearne Cotton, where she shared details about her childhood and working through tough experiences from her past.

“Need A Favor” By Jelly Roll Is A Painfully Honest Tune Everyone Should Hear

On December 9, 2022, Jelly Roll released “Need A Favor” as the lead single from his album Whitsitt Chapel. The song quickly became a hit, ranking No. 1 on the country charts.

Here Are The Top Bluegrass Albums For November 2023

Willie Nelson once again heads the top Bluegrass Albums for November 2023 with his album Bluegrass. It is Nelson’s first full album of bluegrass music.

Lainey Wilson Took Home 2023 CMA Awards Entertainer of the Year

Lainey Wilson won big during the 2023 CMA Awards, where she was crowned the 2023 CMA Entertainer of the Year and took home four more awards out of her nine nods.

“Boys Of Faith” By Zach Bryan Mine Nostalgia For Old Friends And Relationships

On the title track of his EP Boys of Faith, country star Zach Bryan collaborated with another indie folk artist for the first time, and it's none other than Justin Vernon of Bon Iver.