On Wednesday (April 30), Eric Church announced the dates and details of his 2025 Free The Machine Tour of North America. The 22-date arena tour starts in Pittsburgh on September 12 and finishes in Los Angeles on November 15, hitting cities like Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, and Seattle along the way. Church will be joined by…… read more
Prior to being honored during Variety’s Power of Women: Nashville event, Jessi Alexander spoke with the publication about her journey from fledgling artist to blockbuster country songwriter. Alexander broke gender stereotypes in the Music Row writers’ rooms by penning chart-topping hits like Lee Brice’s “I Drive Your Truck,” Miranda Lambert’s “Things That Break,” Blake Shelton’s…… read more
Nashville-based label Big Loud, home to Morgan Wallen, has reportedly sold a minority stake in the country superstar’s master recordings to Chord Music Partners for over $200 million. The deal is for a minority holding in Wallen’s first three studio albums, which includes his blockbuster 2023 double album, One Thing at a Time. The deal…… read more
The 2025 ACM Awards will begin with a 12-minute music showcase honoring ACM Award-winning Songs of the Year over six decades. The segment will feature Clint Black, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, and Sugarland, and will likely include hit songs like “Tequila,” “Why Not Me,” “Blue,” and “Stay” in the medley.…… read more
Chase McDaniel believes that listening to music in real-time can have a significant impact on listeners, rather than letting an algorithm choose what they hear. The new country artist recalls three life-changing moments he’s had while hearing songs on country radio, and McDaniel hopes his first radio single, “Burned Down Heaven,” has a similar effect…… read more
Lainey Wilson will make her feature film debut in the Universal adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, Reminders of Him. The Grammy-winning country superstar will join a star-studded cast that includes Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, and Lauren Graham, with the film set to be directed by Vanessa Caswill. This won’t be Wilson’s first…… read more
In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kacey Musgraves clarified her previous comments on her marijuana use, revealing that she still smokes, though not to the extent she did when she was younger. “I never said I don’t ever partake,” says the 36-year-old singer. “I just don’t wake up and hit a gravity bong…… read more
Reba McEntire has been one of the top female country stars since the ’80s, but she realizes she wouldn’t be anywhere without the support of her dedicated fans. In the new Variety cover feature on McEntire as part of their Power Of Women Nashville issue, the 70-year-old country music icon says she owes everything to…… read more
In a new interview with Variety for their Power of Women Nashville issue, Sheryl Crow reflected on the evolving landscape of women in music, while celebrating the rise of young and talented female musicians. “The caliber of writing is just so good with Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, and Phoebe Bridgers, and these women are not…… read more
At the heart of the iconic Grand Ole Opry, one of the symbolic homes of country music, lies a team of dedicated women ensuring its 100-year legacy thrives. Associate producer of talent Gina Keltner, director of archives and content management Emily Frans, associate producer of show development Nicole Judd, and director of artist and industry…… read more
Variety’s Power of Women Nashville cover star Mickey Guyton has defied the odds to become a prominent figure in country music, while inspiring many with her talent and resilience. Despite facing challenges as a female and Black artist in a predominantly white, male industry, Guyton has continued to make her mark with her powerful performances…… read more
In a new interview with Variety for her Power of Women Nashville cover story, Kelsea Ballerini recalled the challenge of establishing her own identity separate from her idol, Taylor Swift, in order to make a mark in the music industry. She recalls an interaction with a record label executive who dismissed her early on by…… read more
Ella Langley and Zach Top, fresh off being presented with ACM’s New Female Artist and New Male Artist of the Year awards, are both set to perform at the 60th ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire. Langley leads all ACM nominees with eight total nods, on the strength of her successful debut album, hungover, and…… read more
Beyoncé launched her Cowboy Carter Tour on Monday night (April 28) with a nearly three-hour performance at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The 35-time Grammy winner looked resplendent in an all-white outfit complete with cowboy hat, boots, and fringed jacket, with backup dancers dressed in similar attire. The 39-song set focused on Beyoncé’s 2024 Album…… read more
On Monday (April 28), Scotty McCreery and Dustin Lynch announced the dates and details of their joint co-headlining Two For The Road Tour. The 12-date run is set to kick off on November 6 at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw, Michigan, and conclude on December 6 in Duluth, Minnesota, with special guests Walker Montgomery…… read more
On Monday (April 28), Shaboozey announced the dates and details of his 2025 Great American Roadshow Tour. The 12-date run is scheduled to kick off on September 22 in Indianapolis, and will hit various cities across the United States, including Detroit, Philadelphia, Nashville, and Houston, before concluding on October 16 at the House of Blues…… read more
Gretchen Wilson will play a pivotal role in CBS’s upcoming music competition show, The Road. This series, created by Taylor Sheridan and Blake Shelton, features aspiring musical acts touring with headliner Keith Urban. Scheduled for a fall debut, The Road will see Wilson as the show’s tour manager offering mentorship to competing performers and showcasing…… read more
Toby Keith’s daughter Krystal is celebrating fulfilling her late father’s lifelong dream by having one of his horses, Render Judgment, race in the 2025 Kentucky Derby. Krystal announced the exciting news on Instagram on Sunday (April 27), saying “Toby will have the best seat in the house” as he cheers on his horse from Heaven.…… read more
Luke Combs closed out the final night of Stagecoach on Sunday (April 27) by delivering a high-energy performance that featured surprise guest appearances by Garth Brooks and Good Charlotte. Starting the show with a bang, Combs brought out fellow country star Bailey Zimmerman for their duet, “Back Up Plan,” before captivating the audience with unexpected…… read more
Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” sits at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart for a landmark 10th consecutive week. Only 4% of all Hot 100 No. 1s have ruled for double-digit weeks, with “Luther” becoming the first ever 10-week chart-topping hit by a solo man and woman with no accompanying acts –…… read more
Kane Brown earns his 14th career Top 10 hit on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, as “Backseat Driver” climbs to No. 10 this week. The track was written by Jacob Davis and Jordan Walker, and was produced by Dann Huff. It’s lifted from Brown’s recent record, The High Road, which debuted at No. 2 on the…… read more
On Friday (April 25), Maren Morris announced the dates and details of her 2025 Dreamsicle World Tour. The country star will be promoting her fourth studio album, which is set for release on May 9. The jaunt features dates across North America running from May 30 to September 26, including stops in major cities like…… read more
During Jelly Roll’s headlining performance at Stagecoach on Saturday night (April 26), Lana Del Rey made a surprise appearance, joining Jelly for a duet performance of “Save Me,” with Lana filling in for the track’s original vocalist, Lainey Wilson. “This is my favorite crooner of all time. Lana Del Rey is with me, y’all,” Jelly…… read more
Lana Del Rey’s highly-anticipated “very special country set” in the Palomino tent at Stagecoach on Friday night (April 25) featured nods to music icons like Tammy Wynette – with a cover of “Stand By Your Man” – and John Denver during her 65-minute performance. Amid speculation about the country sound of her upcoming album, Del…… read more
During her set at Rock the Country in Knoxville on Friday (April 25), Ella Langley was surprised with her first ACM Award for New Female Artist of the Year through a congratulatory video from Miranda Lambert, the winningest artist in ACM history. Langley is the top-nominated artist for the upcoming 60th ACM Awards with eight…… read more