Every country music fan – old and new – knew the legendary icon Merle Haggard, but many probably didn’t know the other Merle of country music: Merle Kilgore. Kilgore enjoyed a heavily successful career — as a songwriter with 330 credits under his name, including hits like “Wolverton Mountain,” “Johnny Reb,” “More and More,” and … Read more
In 2008, country singer Kenny Chesney released his re-recorded version of Mac McAnally’s 1990 classic hit single “Down the Road” as part of his album Lucky Old Sun. Upon its release, McAnally’s version landed at no. 70 on the US Hot Country Songs (Billboard) and no. 73 on Canada Country Tracks (RPM). Although it didn’t … Read more
In 2010, Johnny Cash and Ray Charles surprised their fans when they put out one of their unreleased duet of Kris Kristofferson’s hit song “Why Me Lord” after nearly 30 years since its recording making it pretty iconic. In 1981, Johnny sent a letter to Ray asking him if he could release the song as … Read more
Questions about the existence of a supreme being still linger among the skeptics, while others rely on their faith and experiences. Disputes, scriptures, scientific facts; however we want to argue about it, it is certain that something is bigger than ourselves. We all call it differently based on our deep-rooted beliefs but Elvis Presley firmly … Read more
With a touch of rhythm and blues, Aaron Neville released a remake of George Jones’ country single “The Grand Tour” on April 20, 1993. It was the 12th track to his fifth studio album with the same name. From funky soul music, he entered the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks at No. 38 and … Read more
Rising to prominence in the 1930s, Jimmie Davis is one of the influential icons who popularized country music beyond the Southern audience. With his single “Suppertime,” he has once again proven his velvety vocal voice as an alluring presence to old country lovers. The song was released as a duet with the Anita Kerr Singers … Read more
The Rolls-Royce of Country Music, George Jones, released his version of the country song “Wings of a Dove” in 1962 with a unique touch and an upbeat country sound compared to Ferlin Husky’s original recording. The song, penned by Bob Ferguson in 1958, was featured as the fourth track on Jones’ All-Time Greatest Hits album … Read more
There’s nothing more painful than a girlfriend breaking up with you miles away while you are fighting in a war. Imagine the bittersweet feeling and agony that it will lead you to — wretched and alone. Speaking of breaking hearts, Skeeter Davis and Bobby Bare released a cover of “A Dear John Letter” in March … Read more
Louisiana fiddle superstar Doug Kershaw prides himself on his humble beginnings and heritage in the song “Louisiana Man.” Doug wrote himself an autobiographical song while he was fulfilling his military duties with his younger brother Rusty for three years. When they returned from the service, the two brothers released the single as a duo on … Read more
Songwriters Don Robertson and Hal Blair wrote a song titled “Please Help Me, I’m Falling” back in 1960, and the crystal-clear tenor voice of Hank Locklin first recorded it. He was one of the most prominent figures of that time, helping shape the Nashville sound, and this track was part of that legacy. This was … Read more
In 1953, Howard Barnes, a popular English lyricist, wrote the song “I Really Don’t Want to Know” along with songwriter and pianist Don Robertson. Since it was published, it has been sung by a long list of big-name country artists like Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton & Willie Nelson, and Jerry Lee Lewis, to name a … Read more
In 1971, Charley Pride took a big step in his career when he released his first gospel song, “Did You Think to Pray,” as part of his album of the same title. Charley Pride was the first African American to make a name for himself in country music. He is one of the pioneers of … Read more
In 1980, the American country music band Alabama released the chart-topping song titled “Tennessee River” as part of their album, My Home’s in Alabama. Upon the song’s release, it immediately landed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Magazine Hot Country Singles chart and No. 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. The song … Read more
In January 1985, a supergroup of 46 of the biggest music artists of the time, including Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, and Billy Joel, as well as country stars Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kenny Rogers, teamed up to record “We Are The World” in one cr𝖺zy, all-night session. The charity single was written … Read more
Country music singer-songwriter Zach Bryan released “Pink Skies” as part of his album of the same title. It immediately became the talk of the town because of the (definitely not pop) modern catchy country tune and the controversy surrounding its promotions. Because of that, Pink Skies instantly climbed up the charts, landing at no.1 on … Read more
When Hank Williams arrived in 1949 in Nashville, he didn’t wait long to become one of the biggest stars in country music. A year later until 1951, he enjoyed the peak of his success, becoming one of the most accomplished touring acts and charting every record he put out – well, except the ones issued … Read more
Festival Title: Cavendish Beach Music Festival 2024 Festival Duration: July 5-7, 2024 Venue: Route 6 Ranch in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada Performers Include: Brothers Osborne, Tyler Childers, Zac Brown Band, and more Ticket Information: Get Your Tickets Here The largest multi-day outdoor music festival in Atlantic Canada, Cavendish Beach Music Festival, is ready to … Read more
Festival Title: Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic 2024 Festival Duration: July 4, 2024 Venue: Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey Performers Include: Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, and more Ticket Information: Get Your Tickets Here Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic is moving into its new home at the … Read more
Country singer Travis Tritt scored his first number-one hit with his second release from his 1990 debut album Country Club titled “Help Me Hold On.” He co-wrote it with accomplished songwriter Pat Terry under Warner Brothers Nashville. Fellow country music artist Dana McVicker lent her voice for the background vocals while producer Gregg Brown also … Read more
Country singer Carrie Underwood graced the last day stage of the Carolina Country Music Fest 2024 in Myrtle Beach and delivered one hell of a performance despite the massive downpour. However the rain did pose a near disaster as she appeared to have slipped as she walked offstage down the stairs after her set finished. … Read more
American country singer Billy Ray Cyrus reached a breaking point with Australian singer Firerose just after seven months of marriage. According to court documents obtained by the Associated Press, Billy Ray filed for a divorce from his latest bride on May 22 in Nashville, Tennessee. The “Achy Breaky Heart” country superstar cited irreconcilable differences and … Read more
It was 2000, and it had been six years since Travis Tritt hit the top of the charts and three since his last appearance in the Top 10. The first few months of the year were a lull, too. In June, he dropped his first single from his album Down the Road I Go, titled … Read more
Country singer Sonny James, known for his 1957 track “Young Love,” which topped both country and pop charts, passed away on February 22, 2016, at Nashville’s Alive Hospice. According to a statement released on his website, his death was due to natural causes. He was 87. James was, as Kix Brooks described him in his … Read more
Emmy Russell started her American Idol journey with an original song. She fittingly ended it with a tribute cover of “Coal Miner’s Daughter” for her late grandmother and country legend Loretta Lynn. This was the second time she covered the classic on the show, and for this performance, instead of a piano, she had a … Read more
Country legend Johnny Cash released an ode to Ireland appreciating its beauty with “Forty Shades of Green” as part of his album Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash in 1963. The song was initially released as a B-side of Cash’s song ‘The Rebel-Johnny Yuma.” Johnny Cash is an American country singer-songwriter who is … Read more
Country singer Lainey Wilson’s discography isn’t just a string of solo hits. Over the years, she has also steadily stacked up her collaboration resume — earning several number ones from them — and solidified her name as a coveted duet partner by many artists, from the likes of legends like Dolly Parton down to new … Read more
Buck Owen’s 1964 track “Crying Time,” popularized by Ray Charles, is making waves again after Lukas Nelson and Sierra Ferrell shared a casual snippet of their take on the song. In the video Ferrell posted on her Instagram, she was wearing a light blue and brown full-fledged cowboy outfit – from the hat to the … Read more
With her single ”Your Place” from the album Shot in the Dark, Ashley Cooke jumps into a huge leap in her career and turns into a Billboard Hot-100 artist at No. 95. Luminate reports that the smash hit earned her about 23 million radio airplay impressions and 2 million streams in the US from May … Read more
Country singer Carly Pearce candidly took to social media to share a very important health update. In the video uploaded on her Instagram, captioned, “health update. love y’all 💛,” Pearce began with a smile that she has always been transparent and honest about every part of her life, and she felt that this news deserved … Read more
During Home Free’s Spring Tour in 2015, vocal percussionist Adam Rupp beatboxed his way onto the stage of South Portland and performed a vocalized drum solo to silence the skeptics. The performance took 7 minutes to show his versatile beatboxing and impressive vocal dexterity for his modulated vocalized drums and DJ beats. Before introducing Rupp … Read more