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The new 'Conversation' around Cole Swindell's 'You Should Be Here'

Posted less than an hour ago

Cole Swindell's 'You Should Be Here: 10th Anniversary Limited Edition Vinyl' (Warner Records Nashville)

Cole Swindell's celebrating a decade of his pivotal You Should Be Here album with the 10th Anniversary Limited Edition Vinyl version.

Cole's second album was released on May 6, 2016, and would go on to be certified Platinum, spawning three number ones in a row: the title track, "Middle of a Memory" and "Flatliner" with Dierks Bentley.

"You Should Be Here," which was inspired by the passing of his father, became Cole's fifth consecutive chart-topper, spending a month atop Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.

The news release announcing the vinyl teases that the follow-up "Conversation" is coming soon. Stay tuned to find out exactly what that means.

Lainey Wilson went 'Somewhere over the Rainbow' for some of the notes in 'Laredo'

Posted today at 5:00am

Lainey Wilson (Academy of Country Music)

CMA and ACM entertainer of the year Lainey Wilson admits she does a little too much sometimes in the studio — but she doesn't regret it.

Take, for example, the big note in her latest chart-topper, "Somewhere Over Laredo."

"I'll be honest, this song is not easy to sing," she said at the #1 party for the hit. "And for some reason, like when I get in the studio, I think I'm Superwoman and I think I can get in there and just hold these notes like I did with 'Heart Like a Truck.' And I feel like I just let it all go when I'm in there. And it kinda just rolled out of me."

The Louisiana native also sees it as a bit of a dare for the devoted.

"I like giving the fans something to kind of try to do," she reveals. "I think it's like a fun way for them to, like, be in their car driving down the road and ... they see how long they could hold it."

Ultimately, Lainey sees it as a stroke of inspiration.

"It was a moment for me, at least, like the different parts that I chose to go up and down and pullin’ back and goin’ for it was really just kind of led by straight emotion," she reflects.

"Somewhere Over Laredo" is up for song, single and visual media of the year at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards May 17 in Las Vegas.

Nashville notes: Posty's still on for PCB + LAW's booked for 'Idol'

Posted yesterday at 3:27pm

Post Malone is still confirmed to headline Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach, Florida, on Sunday, May 31, even though he delayed the start of his own tour until June 9.

Brad Paisley and Lee Ann Womack will appear on the season finale of American Idol Monday, May 11, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

You can check out Ashley McBryde's Monday appearance on ABC News Live on YouTube, ahead of her new album, Wild, dropping Friday.

Musicians on Call puts on 'A Nashional Celebration' to honor Reba McEntire

Posted yesterday at 3:01pm

Reba McEntire will be honored during an all-star event May 20 in Music City.

Musicians on Call will give the entertainment icon its Music Heals Golden Ukulele during Music Heals Live! A Nashional Celebration at The Pinnacle.

Garth Brooks, Vince Gill and Trisha Yearwood will all perform at what's billed as the nonprofit's biggest event yet. Martina McBride will also make a special appearance.

While you can't buy a traditional ticket to attend, fans can bid on a VIP experience to walk the red carpet with Nashville star Charles Esten.

Musicians on Call has brought live music to the bedsides of more than 1.25 million people since its start in 1999.

Alan Jackson will be at the Ryman for the National Memorial Day Concert

Posted yesterday at 2:00pm

Alan Jackson (John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

Alan Jackson will perform at the 2026 National Memorial Day Concert from the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

Jamey Johnson, an eight-year member of the Marine Corps Reserve, is also set to sing from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, along with Mickey Guyton.

The 37-year tradition will air live on Sunday, May 24, at 8 p.m. ET on PBS, American Forces Network and YouTube. The 90-minute show will be hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise.

Alan's appearance will take place a little more than a month before the star-studded, sold-out conclusion of his touring career on June 27 at Nashville's Nissan Stadium.

Nobody's better 'Sleepless' than Luke Combs

Posted yesterday at 12:51pm

Luke Combs accomplishes an unprecedented feat on the Mediabase country airplay chart, as he replaces himself at #1, swapping "Days Like These" for "Sleepless in a Hotel Room."

"Sleepless" is his 26th career #1 on the tally and his 22nd chart-topper in a row. One more and he'll be neck-and-neck with Luke Bryan.

Most impressively, however, is that it's the first time in the chart's 52-year history that an artist has been able to succeed himself with another solo song.

Luke's not slowing down any, either. His new single from The Way I Am, "Be by You," debuts at #42.

Meanwhile on Billboard Country Airplay, "Sleepless" is still on alert, spending its fourth week at #1, while "Days" may be dozing a bit, slipping from #2 to #5.

Koe Wetzel embodies 'The Night Champion' on new album

Posted yesterday at 11:05am

Koe Wetzel's 'The Night Champion' (Columbia Records)

Koe Wetzel's current album, 9 Lives, was certified Gold and spawned the five-week #1 "High Road," which went on to become the most-played country song of 2025.

Now The Night Champion, which arrives June 12, is the next step.

“It’s a continuation of 9 Lives, from that record to now,” Koe says. “Really, it’s everything that’s happened – because you don’t go from kids playing for beer to headlining Red Rocks, arenas all over the country, partying and trying to make sense of it all and not shift."

"My head space is clearer now," he continues. "I can look back, see how it fits together. It doesn’t make sense, exactly, but it all happened. That search for what it all means keeps bringing me back.”

The next taste of Koe's sixth studio album, "Hurts Like You," drops Friday.

“It’s kind of where I am now," he explains, "an edgy roughness to all the songs that doesn’t give a f***, but there’s a tenderness to it, too. Whatever happens, I’m man enough to deal, but the focus and headspace have shifted; I’ve grown up and become okay with looking back.”

Koe's The Night Champion World Tour continues Tuesday in Sydney, with more than 50 headlining stops mapped out across Australia, the U.S. and Canada.

Midland 'pulls it all together' with 'Stages'

Posted yesterday at 10:20am

Midland's 'Stages' (Blue Highway Records)

2017 ACM new vocal group of the year Midland is retracing their steps on their new album, Stages, which comes out June 12.

“We’ve gone so many places and done so many things,” Cameron Duddy says. “I think we got to that place in the road where we wanted to pull it all together. The title is really a tribute to all the places where we’ve made our stand, but it’s also about all the phases and stages we’ve been through to get here.”

“And the more you dig into country’s roots, the more there is to work with,” lead singer Mark Wystrach adds. “We’ve always had real respect for the original Texas and California country, so this album lets us pull all that through the songs we’ve written and found to really focus on what matters to us.”

Country legend and Lone Star State native Clint Black joins the trio on "Up in Texas," which Cameron and Jess Carson helped write.

“Nashville, Texas, California, everywhere in between; we’ve been in a pick-up, then a van and finally a bus – it’s all in these songs,” Jess says. “The road dust, sweat, music listened to, it all seeps into who we are and what we do.”

"Shooting Memories with Tequila" is the latest preview of the 10-track album, joining "Marlboro Man," "Drinkin' Dark Whiskey" and "I Wish You Would" with Mackenzie Carpenter.

Stages is the latest album from the trio best known for their quintuple Platinum debut single, "Drinkin' Problem."

Ashley Cooke amps up the intensity on her self-titled second album

Posted yesterday at 5:00am

Ashley Cooke's self-titled second album (Big Loud)

Ashley Cooke describes her self-titled second album as "a coming-of-age record disguised as a relationship album."

Arriving on Aug. 14, it will feature 15 tracks, including her current hit, "the hell you are"; "baby blues" and "excuses" from 2025's ace EP; her March release "xs" and "high school sweetheart," which drops Friday.

ashley cooke follows her 2023 debut, shot in the dark, which launched her #1 hit, "your place."

"Sonically it’s different," she says of the new album. "It has a lot of different flavors in it, which is fun because I didn’t want a record that sounded the same from top to bottom. So there’s definitely some different elements and different flavors and cool things about it that I got to experiment with."

"There’s a new producer on this record," she continues. "Dan Huff produced it, and he’s a legend, an icon. He did a lot of like Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts. He played guitar on [Michael Jackson's] Thriller. Like he is iconic and one of my great friends now, and he just, he crushed this record. So it was fun to get to work with a different producer. So it just kind of inherently, innately sounds different because of that."

Ashley's also amped the album up emotionally.

"I just feel like it hits a little harder, you know? Like it just feels a little different and just a little more mature," she says. "And I think I just got really honest lyrically, which I didn’t not do on shot in the dark, but it just feels I really leaned into like the brutal honesty of every situation on this album."

Thomas Rhett envisions dream concert moment with Bruno Mars

Posted Monday afternoon

Thomas Rhett's off work Wednesday night, but he's willing to jump into action if the opportunity arises.

The "Ain't a Bad Life" hitmaker is headed to Nashville's Nissan Stadium to see Bruno Mars' The Romantic Tour Wednesday, and on Monday he gave notice he'd do almost anything to step onstage with his favorite artist.

"This video is for Bruno Mars," TR said on Instagram, in a clip that must have been recorded last week. "If you have ever watched any interview of mine, then you would know that when people ask me who is my dream collaboration, it's you bro."

"And my wife and I bought tickets to your show next week in Nashville and I'm just putting it out there," he continues. "I know every single word to every single one of your songs. I'll be in the crowd. If you need a friend, if you need someone to sing, or even dance, holla at your boy. Love you, buddy."

Of course, TR is no stranger to pop collabs or stadiums. He'll play Nashville's Geodis Park with Niall Horan July 9, and he just put out "Where We Go" with Marshmello.

Ella Langley's breaking records once again on the Hot 100

Posted Monday afternoon

Ella Langley performs on the ‘The 59th Annual CMA Awards’ (Disney/Frank Micelotta)

After taking a week off to let Olivia Rodrigo have a turn at the #1 spot on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 with "Drop Dead," Ella Langley has now returned to the top with "Choosin' Texas," marking the song's eighth week in pole position.

But that's not all for Ella: She now has two other songs in the top 10. "Be Her" is at #5 and "I Can't Love You Anymore," her duet with Morgan Wallen, debuts at #7.

This makes Ella the first singer who's best known as a country artist to have her first three top-10 hits in the chart at the same time. Not even Taylor Swift can say that.

Plus, "I Can't Love You Anymore" is the first time a duet by two singers best known as country artists has ever debuted in the Hot 100 top 10. The last time a song fitting that description in general was in the top 10 was back in 1983: Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton's iconic team-up "Islands in the Stream."

Dolly details: The legendary singer gets specific about her health

Posted Monday afternoon

Dolly Parton at CMA Fest June 06, 2024 in Nashville (Terry Wyatt/WireImage)

Dolly Parton posted the most extensive update yet about her health on social media Monday.

Talking for more than five minutes, the superstar was characteristically upbeat and funny as she delivered the "good news and a little bad news."

"I'm responding really well to meds and treatments and I am improving every day," she said first, before revealing "it's going to take me a little while before I'm up to stage performance level because some of the meds and treatments make me a little bit 'swimmy-headed,' as my grandma used to say."

"I am truly sorry that I'm gonna miss all of you that had tickets to see me in Las Vegas," she added later, going on to encourage fans to still take the time to visit Sin City even without her planned residency.

Comparing herself to a classic car being restored, Dolly spent a lot of time lightening the mood while delivering some serious news.

"I've told you before that I've always had problems with my kidney stones," she began, in the most detailed section of the update. "Lord, they dig more stones out of me a year than the rock quarry in Rockwood, Tennessee. But seriously, my immune system and my digestive system got all out of whack over the past couple, three years, and they're working real hard on rebuilding and strengthening those."

Dolly went on to say she's still at work, with multiple projects still demanding her attention, including Dollywood and the opening of her Nashville hotel and museum sometime later this year. She's also busy writing and reworking her Broadway musical, which is still on track to open in New York in fall or early winter.

Russell Dickerson puts on his 'BOOTS' with Fetty Wap

Posted Monday afternoon

Russell Dickerson & Fetty Wap's "BOOTS" (Triple Tigers)

Russell Dickerson's much-wanted collab with rapper Fetty Wap, "BOOTS," will arrive on Friday, just in time for his birthday.

"I can't keep my hands to myself watching you dancing in those B-double-O-T-S/ Sun-D-R-E-double-S," he sings. "This ole boy all in a mess/ I never will forget she had those lips like a red corvette/ Heart sinking like a June sunset/ She got my head spinning like she was spinning all in them, all in them B-double-O-T-S."

The "Happen to Me" hitmaker debuted the new song in a clip that shows him standing inside the door of his bus wearing shorts and slides. When he jumps from the bus steps to the ground, the sandals change to boots.

The unexpected collaboration was birthed when Russell's wife, Kailey Dickerson, posted a clip captioned "My husband when he found out Fetty was released" in January. In the video, Russell's washing a cup at the kitchen sink while echoing Fetty's vocals.

More than 34 million views later, the collab written by Russell, Matt Dragstrem and Dylan Marlowe grew out of the viral campaign that organically followed. "BOOTS" will arrive Thursday at 11 p.m. CT.

Russell will turn 39 on May 7, the day before his Nash-Birthday Bash on Friday at Nashville's Ascend Amphitheater with Tyler Hubbard, Adrien Nunez and Kevin Powers.

Miranda Lambert's greasing the wheels for musical time travel with 'Crisco'

Posted Monday morning

Once you hear a clip of Miranda Lambert's new single, you may want to run to the store to get some "Crisco," but it's out of stock until May 15.

"We've been cookin' with Crisco/ Ain't we, it's in country and disco," the country superstar sings on what will be her first release with new label MCA. "Stir it around and give it a spin/ It's a rhinestone world we're living in/ We're talking 'Southern Nights'/ We could be like 'Islands in the Stream,' that's right/ Givin' in that rhythm with the radio and away we go/ Cookin' with that Crisco."

Glen Campbell's "Southern Nights" hit #1 on both the country and pop charts in 1977, while Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton's "Islands in the Stream" did the same in 1983.

If the song happens to be a bit too poppy for you, it's important to remember it's an undeniable shoutout to Loretta Lynn, who did national commercials for the brand for a decade starting in the late '70s. (Crisco, of course, is a solid fat made of hydrogenated vegetable oils used for baking and frying that was hugely popular in the 1970s and '80s.)

“It has so many elements of the country music that I love that I’ve never put on tape,” Miranda says of the song. “There’s a looseness to it, a joy. It feels like dancing in your kitchen with the person you love, spinning old records, not overthinking a thing.”

You'll be able to taste Miranda's "Crisco" dish she cooked up with co-writers Aaron Raitiere, Jesse Frasure and Chill Fellacheck on May 15.

It's 'Butterfly Season,' so watch Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert fly

Posted Monday morning

Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert perform onstage during the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards May 08, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)

If you're a die-hard country fan, you probably already know there's a sisterhood behind the smash hit "Choosin' Texas," one made up of Ella Langley and Miranda Lambert.

Ella previously told ABC Audio she'd "put [Miranda] on my manifestation board to write a song with for two years in a row." Once that happened with "Choosin' Texas," the two were off and running.

"Me and her have become really close over this last year," Ella reflects. "She's been somebody who's just taken me under her wing and treated me like family, and just been somebody who, when I'm at a low or a high, she's there to talk me through either one because she's been there before."

Miranda went on to co-produce Ella's #1 album Dandelion, as "Choosin' Texas" propelled her to unprecedented mainstream success.

"It's a very small amount of people that have been through a situation like this before," Ella adds, "and she's definitely one that I could take advice from — and know I'm gettin’ good advice."

The two sing together on the Dandelion track "Butterfly Season."

They're also two of the most-nominated artists at the upcoming ACMs, with Miranda up for eight and Ella competing for seven, with noms in common for "Choosin' Texas."

With both set to perform, who knows what surprises may be in store? Tune in to find out Sunday, May 17, when the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards stream live from Las Vegas on Prime Video.

Post Malone & Jelly Roll cancel first few weeks of Big A** Stadium Tour Part 2

Posted Sunday morning

Jelly Roll and Post Malone perform onstage during Post Malone Presents: The BIG A** Stadium Tour Kick Off on April 29, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)

Post Malone is the latest artist to scrap tour dates this summer, following high-profile cancelations by pop stars Meghan Trainor and Zayn Malik. The first six shows of his Big A** Stadium Tour Part 2 with Jelly Roll, which were to have started May 13, have now been called off: The tour will now start June 9 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In an Instagram Story post captured by Complex, Posty wrote, "Looking at the upcoming schedule after Stagecoach, I came to the realization that what we’re trying to do, and what’s possible, isn’t really lining up. The truth is, I promised y’all beautiful people new music, and I don’t have the time to finish it before tour starts. We ain’t ready for tour just yet, so I’m making the decision to push the tour back about 3 weeks to get this music done.”

Posty had previously been teasing a 40-track album called The Eternal Buzz. He went on to write that he's been "making some bada** s*** for this double album… and I can’t wait to perform for y’all again."

He also hinted that some of his new music, at least, may feature him returning to his rap roots. He added, "And to a lot of little stinkers that think I’ve forgotten about old Stoney, I haven’t." Stoney was the title of his 2016 debut.

Variety notes that according to recent reports, ticket sales have been "soft" for several dates on the tour, as opposed to last year's Big A** Stadium Tour, which completely sold out. Neither Post Malone or Jelly Roll have released an album since 2024, which may explain why Post is eager to put out new music ahead of the tour.

Nashville notes: Joe Nichols' 'High Notes' + Takoda Brice's debut

Posted Friday afternoon

Joe Nichols' new track, "High Notes," is a nod to Hank Williams Sr. and shares its title with the name of Hank Williams Jr.'s 1982 album. It's the third preview of Joe's next record, following "Fighting the Good Fight" and "Goodbyes Are Hard to Listen To."

Lee Brice's oldest son, Takoda Brice, stars in his dad's new video for "Truck Bed Mixtape," which is out now.

Chris Janson performed his top 10 hit, "Me & a Beer," live from his home state of Missouri Friday on the Today show as part of the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off Celebration.

Cody Johnson says 'Hello Lonesome' as he heads to play with Strait

Posted Friday afternoon

Cody Johnson's new album won't arrive until June 26, but the CMA male vocalist of the year is rolling out a steady stream of new music in the meantime.

"Hello Lonesome" follows "I Want You," which came out two weeks ago.

"No agenda on this one," Cody said on Instagram. "Just wanted y’all to hear it and think, that’s a damn country song. Hello Lonesome is out now. Let me know what y’all think."

Cody's new album, Banks of the Trinity, follows his 2024 CMA album of the year Leather, which boasts his current top five hit, "The Fall."

On the heels of headlining RodeoHouston and Stagecoach, the ACM entertainer of the year nominee plays an in-the-round show with George Strait on Saturday. The Clemson, South Carolina, concert will be the first one at Memorial Stadium since Strait's 1999 "Death Valley" stop.

Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell help LOCASH say 'YES'

Posted Friday afternoon

When it comes to new music from LOCASH, the message is an overwhelming "YES!"

"Yes, this is the beginning of a new era for LOCASH,” Preston Brust says in a news release. “Starting with ‘YES,’ we'll be releasing new music faster than we ever have. Yes, the song is called ‘YES’ — and yes, we’re excited to get this one out and rockin’ through y’all’s speakers!”

“I don’t know why you blush when you’re sipping Merlot/ Got 3 blankets and you’re still getting cold/ But I know, everything’s gonna be fine/ It can rain and the sun still shines," Preston and Chris Lucas sing on the track. “Every dollar, every breath/ Every minute of this life I got left/ Baby it’s yes."

Written alongside Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell plus noted tunesmiths Ben Johnson, Ashley Gorley and John Byron, "YES" is the first new music from the duo in 2026.

Take your 'Boots Off' for another 'California Sunrise' with Jon Pardi

Posted Friday afternoon

Jon Pardi's 'California Sunrise (10th Anniversary Edition)' (MCA)

Get ready for the dawning of another California Sunrise, as Jon Pardi readies the 10th Anniversary Edition of his 2016 album.

“Ten years ago I made a record that would unknowingly change my life,” the Golden State native says. “Since then, it’s been one hell of a ride—my family has grown, I’ve seen the world, and I’m out here living my dream. It’s pretty damn cool to see how much people continue to embrace this project even all these years later. Thankful for the last ten and looking forward to the next.”

The new edition drops June 12 and adds three tracks from the vault: "Drinkin' and Dancin'," "If I Had Another Heart" and "How Did You Know," which is out now.

Just how successful was the triple-Platinum-selling #1 album? It launched five singles, all Platinum and beyond. "Head Over Boots" is seven-times Platinum, while "Dirt on My Boots" is six-times Platinum.

Stay tuned to see if Jon's current top-30 hit, "Boots Off," can walk a similar path.

Quadruple-Platinum "Heartache on the Dance Floor," three-times Platinum "Night Shift" and Platinum "She Ain't in It" are the other big sellers on California Sunrise (10th Anniversary Edition).