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Riley Green, Luke Bryan & Jason Aldean help open JSU's Randy Owen Center

Posted less than an hour ago

Randy Owen performs at Jacksonville State University. (Courtesy Brandon Phillips/Jax State Digital Media Services)

The Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts is now open on the campus of Alabama's Jacksonville State University after a night that included some of the biggest artists in country music.

Named in honor of the JSU graduate who became a Country Music Hall of Famer as the lead singer of Alabama, the event featured a top-secret superstar lineup for the facility's official opening May 27.

Former JSU quarterback Riley Green performed, as well as Jamey Johnson, who attended JSU in the '90s.

“My wishes, and my hopes, and my dreams are that someday some kid will come through here, like me, and when they leave here, they have a dream,” Randy reflected. “Because if I can make it, anybody can. I’ve been so blessed to be here, and this is one day that I’ll never forget."

Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Teddy Gentry, Pam Tillis, Mark Wills, The Oak Ridge Boys, Drake White and more also took the stage.

Maren Morris gives her 'HERO' a 'Second Wind'

Posted today at 10:30am

Maren Morris' 'HERO: A Second Wind' (Legacy Recordings)

Maren Morris' debut album came out on June 3, 2016, and to mark a decade of music, the "My Church" hitmaker is expanding the collection.

"HERO is officially 10!" she shared on Instagram. "to celebrate, i wanted to share a few pieces from this era that never made it out into the world. two new songs from the vault and four never-before-heard demos."

In addition to the record's original 11 tracks, HERO: A Second Wind includes the new songs "We Can't Be Friends" and "Hard Liquor and Soft Rock," as well as the demos for "Company You Keep," "I Wish I Was" and "Drunk Girls Don't Cry" plus "Sugar," which is out now.

Available as a double vinyl set and CD, the revamped collection comes to streaming June 26, complete with the previously-released bonus songs "Bummin' Cigarettes," "Company You Keep" and "Space."

Jordan Davis may have had to 'Learn the Hard Way,' but his efforts paid off

Posted today at 5:00am

Jordan Davis' 'Learn the Hard Way' (MCA)

When Jordan Davis made his third album, Learn the Hard Way, his intention was clear: to color outside the lines a bit.

As his latest hit, "Turn This Truck Around," becomes his 10th career #1, he can rest assured his efforts paid off.

"I think the overall inspiration for this album really was to do something different, to do something that me and [producer] Paul [DiGiovanni] haven’t done, to kind of show influences instead of just talk about them," Jordan says. "And I think we did that with a few different songs in this: 'Son of a Gun,' 'Louisiana Stick,' 'Turn This Truck Around.'"

"I feel like it’s stuff that we haven’t done before," he continues. "It’s a different sound for us, so that was really what we wanted to do, and I think we accomplished it."

Learn the Hard Way marks its first birthday on Aug. 15, and featured his previous hits "I Ain't Sayin'" and "Bar None."

Nashville notes: Dolly x Kendra's collab at the Hall + Vince Gill returns to the circle

Posted yesterday at 4:19pm

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will host a Kendra Scott x Dolly Parton pop-up in The Museum Store from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. CT this Friday and Saturday. You can shop Dolly's Kendra collab and design custom jewelry, as well.

Vince Gill has been added to the Friday and Saturday lineup at the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.

Luke Bryan sold out both shows as he kicked off his Word on the Street Tour Friday and Saturday in Gilford, New Hampshire.

Scotty McCreery celebrates '15' with extended Opry set

Posted yesterday at 3:37pm

Scotty McCreery won the 10th season of American Idol on May 25, 2011, and wasted little time making his way to the Grand Ole Opry stage: He made his debut there on June 10, 2011.

Almost 15 years to the day, the "Bottle Rockets" hitmaker is headed back.

"Little did @ScottyMcCreery know stepping into the circle for the first time (at only the age of 17) that he would one day be invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry," the country music institution posted on Instagram. "On June 11, 2026, Scotty will be performing a special extended set to celebrate 15 years since his Opry debut."

The North Carolina native was officially inducted on April 20, 2024.

"What a ride. Looking forward to stepping back into the Circle," Scotty answered the Opry's post.

It's a big year for marking milestones, as he'll also release his 13-track retrospective collection, titled 15, on July 17.

After 'Me & a Beer,' Chris Janson's ready to 'Fight for a Girl'

Posted yesterday at 1:30pm

Chris Janson's 'Wild Horses' (Harpeth 60 Records/Warner Music Nashville)

Chris Janson's latest hit just broke into the top 10, but he's already picked its successor.

"Fight for a Girl" will be his new radio song, following the success of "Me & a Beer." Both tunes are from his Wild Horses album, which came out in August 2025.

An unexpected concert EP from Chris also dropped in May, titled Live at The Song.

The collection features tracks from his recently aired episode of the syndicated TV show, including hits "Buy Me a Boat," "Drunk Girl," "Good Vibes" and "Done," plus "Fun," his new track that came out in March.

Midland and Clint Black are going on tour, but there's no show 'Up in Texas'

Posted yesterday at 12:42pm

Clint Black & Midland Live in Concert (Blue Highway Records)

Not only do Midland and Clint Black have a song together on the trio's new album, they're also going on tour.

The "Killin' Time" hitmaker and the "Drinkin' Problem" boys will do eight shows together starting Oct. 8 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The trek wraps Oct. 24 in Glen Allen, Virginia.

Presales start Wednesday, before tickets become available to the public on Friday.

Jess Carson and Cameron Duddy helped co-write their collab "Up in Texas." "Drunk Enough" is lead singer Mark Wystrach's sole co-writing credit on Midland's Stages album, which drops June 12.

Clint's autobiography, also titled Killin' Time, came out May 19.

Jordan Davis won't 'Turn This Truck Around,' even for Ella Langley

Posted yesterday at 10:27am

Jordan Davis' "Turn This Truck Around" (MCA)

No need for Jordan Davis to "Turn This Truck Around," because it's parked at #1 on the Mediabase country airplay chart.

For the Louisiana native, it marks a major milestone.

"It’s unreal to think this is my 10th #1 single at country radio," Jordan wrote on Instagram. "I can still remember the first #1 like it was yesterday, and now even typing '10' feels so surreal."

"I’m so grateful for the support from country radio over my career and to the fans who have supported me from my very first release," he continues. "This simply could not have happened without you all."

Jordan's first #1 was his debut release, 2017's "Singles You Up."

On Billboard Country Airplay, Ella Langley's blocking Jordan from the #1 spot, where "Turn This Truck Around" is at #2. But all is fair: he's doing the same to Ella's "Be Her" on the Mediabase tally.

Karen Fairchild paints a picture of Little Big Town's 'It's a Dying Art'

Posted yesterday at 5:00am

Little Big Town (Disney/Michael Le Brecht)

It's been nearly four years since Little Big Town's last non-holiday album came out, but that all changes on Aug. 28 with It's a Dying Art.

LBT's Karen Fairchild explained the title of the foursome's 12th studio album during their surprise pop-up show at Nashville's 12/30 Club.

"We’ve been working on new music and the record is called It’s a Dying Art, because love is a dying art, and we want to keep that thing going," she told the intimate crowd. "When you hear the song 'It’s a Dying Art,' it’s all about [how] we connect together and [what we] do together and it’s about you guys. Like, we make this music for you guys — we make it for ourselves — but this is what we live for right here is, like, the connection with you all."

The song, officially titled "Dying Art," is the fourth track on the record, immediately preceding the recently released "Hey There Sunshine" and "Over and Over."

Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley Monroe and Jason Isbell all collab with Little Big Town on the record, as well.

Nashville notes: Steve Wariner's visual art + Carly Pearce's Ole Red gig

Posted Monday afternoon

Sony Music Nashville will take over Gibson Garage Nashville on Thursday, with Corey Kent, Zach John King, Kameron Marlowe, Tigirlily God and Karley Scott Collins among the artists scheduled to perform. The free shows take place at 209 10th Avenue South and are set for Wednesday and Friday as well.

The exhibit, The Flip Side: Paintings by Steve Wariner, will be on display at Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center in Hendersonville, Tennessee, from June 21-July 26. It features 60 works by the "Holes in the Floor of Heaven" hitmaker that span 30+ years.

Carly Pearce is set to take the stage Friday at 8:30 p.m. CT at Spotify House at Ole Red Nashville.

'Stages' of CMA Fest: Midland's free show at Garth Brooks' honky-tonk

Posted Monday afternoon

Midland's 'Stages' Party (Courtesy Blue Highway Records)

Fans in Nashville for CMA Fest can get a preview of Midland's new album during a special show on Friday.

Mark Wystrach, Cameron Duddy and Jess Carson will take over the Friends in Low Places Rooftop from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. CT for the live debut of songs from their upcoming album, Stages.

The show is free and open to the public, and there's even a meet-and-greet afterward. You just need to be 21 or over to get in.

Stages arrives June 12 and features the previously released "Marlboro Man," "Shooting Memories with Tequila," "Glass Half Empty," "I Wish You Would" and "Drinkin' Dark Whiskey" with Mackenzie Carpenter.

'It's a Dying Art': Little Big Town and Miranda Lambert play together 'Over and Over'

Posted Monday afternoon

Little Big Town's 'It's a Dying Art' (MCA)

Die-hard Little Big Town fans can go ahead and be jealous: There's a select group of people who've already gotten to hear parts of their new album.

The unexpected preview came Thursday night when Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook took the stage at downtown Nashville's 12/30 Club — and the surprises didn't end there.

In addition to fan favorites and the sneak peek at It's a Dying Art, Miranda Lambert popped up to perform LBT's new song, "Over and Over."

But there was more: the foursome later appeared during Miranda's set at the Music City Rodeo, doing "Girl Crush," "Boondocks" and "Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)."

It's a Dying Art, which the band described as "a reflection on connection, love, and the importance of preserving both," comes out Aug. 28.

I just wanna 'Be Her': Ella Langley dominates at #1 (again)

Posted Monday afternoon

Ella Langley's "Be Her" (SAWGOD/Columbia Records)

It seems to be Ella Langley's chart these days; there just happen to be other people on it.

The "you look like you love me" sensation has just cemented her fourth #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with "Be Her," as her previous #1, "Choosin' Texas," hangs on at #6.

That's extremely rare, since it topped the chart for three weeks way back in February and March.

Her duet with Morgan Wallen, "I Can't Love You Anymore," is also up to #13 in only five weeks.

"Be Her" climbed to the pinnacle in only 15 weeks, which is the shortest time for a female artist in the past 10 years.

Previously, "Choosin' Texas" took 16 weeks, which was tied for the record with Carrie Underwood's "Church Bells" from July 2016.

Megan Moroney's reign has begun: Cloud 9 Tour now in motion

Posted Monday afternoon

Megan Moroney (Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for TNT Sports)

Megan Moroney's gonna be more than a little busy for the next four months or so: She kicked off her Cloud 9 Tour Friday night with a sold-out show in Columbus, Ohio.

The set list included the title track of her third studio album, “Cloud 9,” as well as “6 Months Later” and "Tennessee Orange,” plus deeper cuts like “Traitor” and an acoustic take on “Wedding Dress."

The 49-date trek will find Megan playing big venues like New York City’s Barclays Center, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, United Center in Chicago and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena before heading to Europe in the fall.

The "Beautiful Things" hitmaker just won best country album at the American Music Awards for Cloud 9, on the heels of the wide release of its Target bonus track, "Traitor (Roles Reversed)."

Riley Green's Cowboy tour rides into fall

Posted Monday morning

Riley Green's Cowboy As It Gets Tour (Live Nation)

If you didn't get enough "cowboy" on the initial run of Riley Green's 2026 tour, you'll have 13 more opportunities as he extends his Cowboy As It Gets shows into the fall.

The new dates start Sept. 10 in Denver, with the "Change My Mind" hitmaker hitting Long Beach, Los Angeles, Austin and more before he wraps Dec. 6 and 10 at Resorts World in Las Vegas.

Randy Houser and Kashus Culpepper will be his guests on this leg, with Hannah McFarland returning as well.

Riley's Back 40 Duck Club will get first crack at presales on Tuesday, with public access opening on Friday.

This is Riley's biggest tour so far, having already sold out venues like Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. His new album, That's Just Me, arrives Sept. 18.

Luke Bryan cranks up the summer fun with 'Country and She Knows It'

Posted Monday morning

Luke Bryan's "Country and She Knows It" (MCA)

If you're ready to get the summer started and have some fun, you're on the same wavelength as Luke Bryan, who happens to have just the song for it.

“'Country and She Knows It' is just about fun," he says of his latest hit. "It’s about telling stories of girls that are just in their element, being themselves and how us guys get wrapped up in it. And I just think it’s a great song to kick the summer off and see everybody out there dancing, especially the country girls."

Luke's top-25 hit is the lead radio single from his new album, Signs, which comes out Sept. 18. It also features the previously released "Fish Hunt Golf Drink" and "Word on the Street," which is also the name of his tour that kicked off Friday.

He'll play the Carolina Country Music Fest in Myrtle Beach on June 5, before resuming his tour June 11 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Nashville notes: The Highwomen 'Live' + Zach John King's 'Beneath the Pines'

Posted Friday afternoon

"Comes with the Country" is the latest release from "Long Live Country" hitmaker Shane Profitt. He plays the Chevy Vibes Stage June 5 at CMA Fest, before joining Luke Bryan on his Word on the Street Tour June 11 in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Highwomen's Live at The Gorge 2023 album is out now, ahead of their performance at the venue on Sunday. Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby have also released a new live video for "Redesigning Women."

Zach John King's new song, "Beneath the Pines," follows his Grand Ole Opry debut last Saturday. Six dates on his upcoming Get to Drinkin Tour have already sold out.

Lauren Alaina is 'Better Off' than the girl she used to be

Posted Friday afternoon

Lauren Alaina (Disney/Michael Le Brecht)

When Lauren Alaina hears her new song, she can't help but think about how far her life has come.

“I wrote 'Better Off' from the perspective of a girl who finally realizes she didn't lose anything by being cheated on ... in a lot of ways, she ended up much better off," she says. "It's full of sass and attitude, but underneath it all, it's really about growth and knowing your worth."

“I'm in such a beautiful season of life now with my husband and daughter," she adds, "and this song feels like finally closing the door on a different stage of my life.”

"Better Off" is the latest track from Lauren's new album, Stages, which drops Aug. 28. It also includes her top-25 hit with Chase Matthew, "All My Exes," and the previously released "Raining Whiskey."

After heading out on the Songs of Summer trek with Darius Rucker, Lauren's set to launch The Stages Tour Oct. 1 in Milwaukee.

The Band Perry is ready to 'Kill It' with new music

Posted Friday afternoon

The Band Perry's "Kill It" (Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment)

The Band Perry's new song, "Kill It," completes the "romantic-goth trilogy" they started with their previous tracks "PSYCHOLOGICAL" and "Buzzards."

"I thought someone new could fix it/ Told myself some lies to trick it/ Drank too much just to forget it/ Tried to put it six feet deep in a hole," Kimberly Perry sings on the new song. "Thought I had the guts to pull the trigger but I didn’t/ If this is a game, I’d say that you’re winning/ My love’s still alive and kicking/ Guess only one of us knows how to kill it."

Even though she didn't write it, it expresses a sentiment Kimberly knows well.

“‘My love’s still alive and kicking’ is my favorite line in this song and, honestly, my entire personality,” she says. “I never know when to give up on someone ... or something. ‘Kill It’ is my confession that I’d rather lose with my heart still beating than win by burying mine first.”

Next up, Kimberly and husband Johnny Costello play CMA Fest in Nashville, complete with a June 5 set on the main stage at Nissan Stadium.

Corey Kent now knows what to call it: 'Heartland Rock and Roll'

Posted Friday afternoon

Corey Kent's 'Heartland Rock and Roll' (Sony Music Nashville)

When Corey Kent's new record arrives Sept. 25, he'll have officially defined his sound, in more ways than one.

“Heartland Rock and Roll is my third major label album, and it’s really the first time I’ve been able to finally name the sound I’ve been working towards my entire career,” Corey says. “These songs sound like where I’m from. The lyrics span from nostalgia, to honest regrets and gratitude for the simple things I value most in life."

"From top to bottom, this is me," he continues. "Every artist wants to leave their mark in music ... a way to say, ‘I was here and I did it my way.’ This feels like mine. This is heartland rock and roll.”

The 16-track album features his top-10 hit with Koe Wetzel, "Rocky Mountain Low," as well as the previously released "Empty Words" and "Wannabe," plus "Cigarette Burns," which is out now.