Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

ICYMI: Five Hottest Topics in Country Music This Week

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Country Thang Daily brings you five hottest topics in country music that became the headlines of most media sites this week. Check them out below.

1. Rising Country Singer Justin Carter Killed in Accidental Shooting

Justin Carter, a rising country star from Texas, was accidentally killed while shooting for a music video at his apartment in the Woodlands, about 30 miles north of Houston. The incident happened on the night of Saturday, March 16. The gun, which cut short Carter’s life and career, was used as a prop for the music video.

Justin Carter, Rising country star killed in accidental shooting_hottest topic in country music this week
Photo credit: yahoo.com

His mother, Cindy McClellan told the Fox News that the gun he was carrying in his pocket while filming “went off and caught my son in the eye.”

Earlier in the week of his death, the 35-year-old Carter had just signed a record deal with Triple Threat Management. Mark Atherton of the said record label confirmed to ABC13 Carter’s potential of becoming the next Garth Brooks.

“Justin had a potential to, you know, in our eyes, and a lot of people’s eyes, to be the next Garth Brooks,” Atherton says. “He was always just so full of energy, just so fun … He always had that personality kind of like the class clown, but when it was time to get down to business, he got down to it.”

Atherton also revealed the company’s plan to release all Carter’s music and all its proceeds will go to his family.

Watch the music video of the singer’s single “Love Affair” which was released on March 9.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVYAvDoty5A

2. Garth Brooks and Other Country Icons Join Forces for the Keith Whitley Memorial Concert

A tribute concert for the late country and bluegrass singer Keith Whitley will be held on May 9 in honor of his 30th death anniversary. The all-star tribute memorial concert will feature some of the biggest names in country music including Garth Brooks, Mark Chesnut, Joe Diffy, Tracy Lawrence, Trisha Yearwood and many more.

Keith Whitley, Tribute Memorial Concert, hottest topics in country music this week
Photo credit: klur.com

Whitley’s widow Lorrie Morgan will host the tribute memorial concert which will be held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater. Their son, Jesse Keith Whitley, is also expected to render a special performance for his father.

Whitley rose to fame after he moved to Nashville in 1983 and signed with RCA Records. He was at the peak of his career when his untimely death came. Prior to this, he was able to score three consecutive No. 1 hits including “Don’t’ Close Your Eyes,” “When You Say Nothing At All,” and “I’m No Stranger to the Rain.”

3. Awesome Stage Collaboration of Big Stars in the 2019 ACM Awards Revealed

Each year at the ACM Awards, the show features some of the most respected artists of country music on its Flashback series. The 2019 ACM Awards, which is set to air live on April 7, will have awesome collaborations of big stars on the program’s segment. The King of Country George Strait and ACM’s most-awarded artist Miranda Lambert will lead the star-studded line-up of performers in the awards show.

George Strait, Miranda Lambert, 2019 ACM Awards, hottest topics this week
Photo credit: wbwn.com

The former holder of the title of most-awarded act Brooks & Dunn will also be performing alongside Luke Combs who was crowned 2019 New Male Vocalist of the Year. The 2019 ACM Flashbacks will also feature performances from ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade honoree Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, Brothers Osborne with Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile with Dierks Bentley. The 2019 New Female Vocalist of the Year Ashley McBryde will also be taking the stage with Eric Church.

Even the show’s host Reba McEntire is set to take the stage. The 2019 ACM Awards will be held at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It will be aired live on CBS at 8 PM ET.

4. Kid Rock Spends a Day Golfing with Trump, Shares Photo

Kid Rock joins President Donald Trump for a fantastic golfing in Florida over the weekend. It was a perfect time for the pair to play golf given the sunny weather. The singer shared a photo of the two on his Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvXdVL-ALks/

They seem prepared for the 45th president’s International Golf Club held in West Palm Beach with their getup. Rock appears very patriotic in his red, white, and blue attire. On the other hand, Trump, as usual, is seen wearing his red cap. The singer added to his post the following caption:

“Another great day on the links! Thank you to POTUS for having me and to EVERYONE at Trump International for being so wonderful. What a great man, so down to earth and so fun to be with!!” Rock ended it with, “KEEP AMERICA GREAT!!”

5. Rockabilly Queen Wanda Jackson Announces Retirement from Performing

The Queen of Rockabilly Wanda Jackson has just announced that she’s retiring from performing following the cancelation of her scheduled concerts. The 81-year-old singer did not specify any reason. However, she cited “health and safety” as the main reason for her decision in a statement shared via her Instagram account. Jackson is set to perform in Las Vegas (April 20) or in Nashville (May 25) but confirms she’s bowing out.

Wanda Jackson, Queen of Rockabilly, hottest news this week
Photo credit: Wanda Jackson/Official Facebook Page

Jackson’s musical career spans more than six decades. She scored her big hits such as “Fancy Satin Pillows,”  “Right or Wrong,” “Let’s Have Party,” and “In the Middle of a Heartache” throughout the ‘60s. She’s been a huge influence to other singers like Rosanne Cash, Pam Tillis, Cyndi Lauper, and Rosie Flores.

Latest Stories

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton perform together in a bar setting for their duet “A Song to Sing.

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton’s “A Song to Sing” Duet Feels Like an Instant Classic

Sometimes country music gives you a line so pure it feels like it’s been here forever, and that’s exactly what Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton just pulled off with “A ...

Blake Shelton and Noah Cyrus standing side by side with microphones, performing their new country duet together.

Noah Cyrus Teams Up With Blake Shelton for New Country Duet and Fans Are Loving It

Sometimes country music needs a little shot of something wild, and Noah Cyrus just poured it straight into Blake Shelton’s glass. It’s not every day you see the Voice coach ...

George Strait performing on stage with his guitar and cowboy hat, pictured at a previous event not related to the upcoming Strait From the Heart benefit concert.

George Strait Will Play “Strait to the Heart” Benefit Concert to Raise Money for Flood Victims

Some kings wear crowns, some kings wear boots, and show up when the water’s rising. George Strait, the King of Country himself, is stepping up once again for the people ...

Blake Shelton smiles on stage with guitar and mic during Vegas show, putting his own spin on George Strait’s classic.

Blake Shelton Nails George Strait Classic With His Own Spin on “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”

Sometimes you don’t mess with a George Strait classic, unless you’re Blake Shelton standing under the Vegas lights with a grin that says you’re about to pay tribute and stir ...

Dolly Parton smiles during Khloé podcast interview, sitting by mic and lamp as she shares why she won't stop sharing faith.

Dolly Parton Says People Tell Her To Stop Talking About Her Faith But She Won’t Listen

If there’s one thing you can count on Dolly Parton for, it’s that she’ll say exactly what’s on her heart and not give a single rhinestone what anyone thinks. In ...

Little Mississippi boy in plaid shirt smiles at mic during preschool graduation where he recited New Testament books and sang a George Strait classic.

4-Year-Old Boy Recites New Testament Books Then Belts Out ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’

If there’s ever been a preschool graduation that screams “God bless the South,” this is it. Somewhere in Mississippi, a four-year-old kid just made the entire congregation beam with pride ...

Young George Strait smiling on stage playing guitar in 1987 when “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” hit No. 1 and proved he ran country.

On This Day in 1987, George Strait Hit No. 1 with ‘All My Ex’s Live in Texas’ and Proved He Ran Country

Sometimes a song just cements your throne forever, and for George Strait, it was a little tongue-in-cheek love letter that made every Texan proud to claim him as their king. ...

Scotty McCreery with his wife and both grandmothers, who he revealed passed away hours apart in a heartbreaking double loss.

Scotty McCreery Reveals Both His Grandmothers Died Hours Apart in Heartbreaking Double Loss

You just don’t see some country heartbreaks coming, and this one hit Scotty McCreery straight in the soul. This week, the North Carolina native and Opry favorite shared the gut-wrenching ...

Brooks & Dunn performing on stage together, fitting their story about admitting they struggled to get along for years.

Brooks and Dunn Admit They Struggled to Get Along for Years and Tried to Blow It Real Hard

Country music’s greatest duo was basically a bar fight waiting to happen. When Brooks & Dunn stormed out of the gate with “Brand New Man” in 1991, it looked like ...

LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian smiling outdoors, not taken when she spoke about feeling hated after their affair scandal.

LeAnn Rimes Says So Many Women Hated Her After Affair With Eddie Cibrian and She Felt Like a Target

Ain’t every country ballad pretty, and LeAnn Rimes knows her verse is messy as hell. View this post on Instagram A post shared by leann rimes cibrian (@leannrimes) Back in ...

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.