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

iHeartCountry is Back On Track Feat. Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Sam Hunt, and Many More!

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.

Time to shine country fans, as soon enough, you’ll get the chance to show your love for Country music by watching the now-virtual iHeartCountry Festival soon to air in a radio-special next month.

No More Setbacks

For starters, the event was supposed to go live way back May 2 in Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX, but because of the pandemic restrictions, the festival was held back and canceled. Too bad for that country stuff you brought to get the physical experience full-hand. They’ll be staying at home for quite a time, too.

A few days ago, it was announced that the producers of the said iHeartCountry Festival would not want it canceled this year, so they tried their luck by forcing the event to go ‘full virtual’, the same staff, the same crew, and the same stars. The only difference is that it was pre-recorded in Nashville, Tennessee to stream on iHeartMedia’s country stations.

Expect no less, except for the lack of the full-dive experience, as their Country All-star roster is still the same featuring Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jon Pardi, Dustin Lynch, Riley Green, and Morgan Evans. To make up further with the unavailability of doing things physically, announcements were made that Bobby Bones is bound to also make an appearance.

It’s Junior Rodeo On!

Rod Phillips, the Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartCountry remains thankful that they remain privileged enough to be assigned to host the event. Part of his enthusiasm is that he’s positive that the lineup they made is one of the most iconic and biggest yet. He added that because they are forced to go virtual, fans might be a little disappointed. The change also opens an opportunity for millions of listeners around the globe to see and hear what Country Music is all about as it’s also available on their exclusive streaming platform, LiveXLive.

But if you think that there will be zero fan interactions, well that’s a no-go as members and cardholders of iHeartCountry can get to play in one of their trivia nights on October 4 featuring Kelsea Ballerini. The lucky players to be chosen will be receiving a signed item from her and the winner gets to be specially mentioned during the virtual performance.

Expect the virtual performance to stream on 150 iHeartCountry radio stations, iHeartRadio’s official website, and LiveXLive exclusives, 8 PM ET on October 23.

Latest Stories

Charley Crockett, Margo Price, and Zach Top bring classic country flair to the stage as nominees for the new Best Traditional Country Album GRAMMY.

Grammy’s New Best Traditional Country Album Packs a Lineup Full of Heavy Hitters

Country music finally got some long overdue respect from the GRAMMYs this year and it came with a brand-new category that is already making waves. The 2026 nominations introduced the ...

Lainey Wilson stands among fellow country icons Willie Nelson, Zach Top, and Chris Stapleton, highlighting a powerhouse GRAMMY lineup for 2026.

2026 Country GRAMMY Nominees Include Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, and a Few Big Surprises

Country music just reminded the Recording Academy exactly who still runs the show, even if they did not make it into the all-genre categories. The 2026 GRAMMY nominees are officially ...

Country star Jason Aldean kisses Brittany Aldean’s hand with a smile, marking their new musical chapter together on “Easier Gone.”

Jason Aldean and Brittany Aldean Are Teaming Up for Their First Duet on His New Album

Jason Aldean and Brittany Aldean are done keeping fans waiting because they are finally stepping into the studio together for a duet that is already raising eyebrows and expectations. After ...

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani smiling together on the red carpet, even as reports swirl about the couple quietly living separate lives.

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani Reportedly Living Separate Lives and Friends Are Noticing

The red carpets stopped, the social posts quieted down, and now even the insiders are saying it out loud because Blake and Gwen might be heading in opposite directions. According ...

Bunnie Xo smiling backstage in a gold-patterned jacket, radiating confidence after sharing her seven mugshots and message of redemption.

Jelly Roll’s Wife Bunnie Xo Shares All Seven Mugshots and Says You’re Never Too Far Gone to Change

The internet saw seven mugshots, but Bunnie Xo saw a girl who survived hell and lived to tell it. Jelly Roll’s wife went full throttle into her past this week ...

Bunnie Xo and Jelly Roll seated side by side, their united front reflecting the strength and faith behind her honest talk about infertility.

Jelly Roll’s Wife Reveals It’s Been Hard to Get Pregnant but Says It’s in God’s Hands Now

“It’s tough, but you just put it in God’s hands.” Bunnie Xo is walking through fire with her head held high, and she is letting the world see every step. ...

Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, and BigXthaPlug holding microphones, representing the bold 2025 CMA Awards performer lineup blending country and rap.

CMA Awards 2025 Performers List Shakes Things Up With Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, and BigXthaPlug

Luke Combs and BigXthaPlug are about to pray hard and raise hell on the CMA stage. The first wave of performers for the 2025 CMA Awards just dropped, and it ...

George Strait performing onstage in a plaid shirt, singing his first No. 1 hit “Fool Hearted Memory” alongside Texas fiddle legend Johnny Gimble.

Rare Clip of George Strait and Legendary Texas Fiddler Striking Country Gold With His First No. 1

The fiddle cried before George Strait even opened his mouth. It was 1982. George Strait walked onto the Austin City Limits stage still fresh from the rodeo circuit and barely ...

Dolly Parton and Linda Perry perform together, with Dolly singing into a vintage microphone and Linda playing guitar, during their emotional duet of “What’s Up?” that went viral online.

Dolly Parton and Linda Perry Just Gave Us the Duo We Never Knew We Needed With Viral ‘What’s Up?’ Cover

Dolly Parton could have sat this one out, but instead she pulled Linda Perry onstage and delivered a masterclass in timeless music with one of the most unexpected and unforgettable ...

Gracie McGraw performs an emotional rendition of “My Buddy” on stage in a black dress during PBS’s Veterans Day special, honoring soldiers with a heartfelt tribute.

Tim McGraw’s Daughter Gracie Honors Veterans With Emotional PBS Performance That Stuns Viewers

Gracie McGraw stepped onto the Carnegie Hall stage, opened her mouth, and every jaw in the room dropped. The daughter of country royalty, Gracie could have coasted on the McGraw-Hill ...