Country Music News

Miranda Lambert, known for her musical talent but novice golf skills, is preparing to compete in the celebrity Ryder Cup golf tournament for the first time, despite having played only 22 holes in her life. Sharing a humorous Instagram video of her learning the game from her coach and husband Brendan McLoughlin, Lambert joked about her struggles but expressed determination to "give it hell." “My pal @lukebryan called and gave me a pep talk the other day and he encouraged me to bring y’all on this journey for moral support,” Lambert wrote, while adding, “Cheers to trying new things.” The 41-year-old country star is focused on improving her game ahead of the event later this month. The Ryder Cup, which pits European and American professional golfers against each other, will take place on September 26–28, at Bethpage State Park in New York, along with a friendly golf competition between American and European celebrities. Details about other participants or TV coverage for the celebrity golf event have yet to be announced. (Taste of Country)

Just days after launching his new fashion brand, Austin Post, with a runway show in Paris, Post Malone surprised fans at Paris La Défense Arena on Wednesday night (September 3) by bringing out Chris Stapleton to perform “California Sober” together for the first time on his Big Ass Stadium Tour. The unexpected collaboration highlighted the duo’s close creative partnership as they delivered the Southern rock standout from Post’s chart-topping 2024 album, F-1Trillion, with Stapleton joining Post at his big Paris show even though he is not currently on tour in Europe. The show also featured opener Jelly Roll joining Post for their duet “Losers,” which has become a fan-favorite on the tour. Post Malone and Jelly Roll will continue their European run together on the Big Ass World Tour with a two-night stand at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 7-8. (Holler)

In a new interview with Business Insider published on Wednesday (September 3), Dolly Parton revealed her go-to Taco Bell order. “I like the others, but they fall apart so bad, especially if you're riding around,” said the 79-year-old country music legend. “So I always get a Taco Supreme, with the sour cream and all that, in the soft shell. I love that.” A longtime fan of Taco Bell, Dolly also expressed her love for the Mexican Pizza, a menu item she celebrated by starring in Taco Bell’s 2022 promotional campaign, ‘Mexican Pizza: The Musical,’ alongside Doja Cat, helping highlight its fan-driven return after being discontinued in 2020. Beyond fast food, Parton is an accomplished home cook who recently launched a line of frozen meals and released a cookbook with her sister, drawing on her upbringing as one of 12 children where she learned to cook “out of necessity.” (People)

Shaboozey has partnered with Amazon’s Prime Sports to release his new song, “Let ‘Em Know,” which is set to debut on September 11 during the broadcast of the Green Bay Packers vs. Washington Commanders Thursday Night Football game. The track will also serve as the show’s opening theme and centerpiece of a national marketing campaign, with snippets of the song featured in this new commercial promoting the upcoming game. This marks Prime Sports’ fourth year streaming TNF, with Shaboozey’s new track set to be featured weekly on TNF Tonight and Thursday Night Kickoff, alongside composer Pinar Toprak’s original anthem. Shaboozey’s rising career includes his crossover hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which had a record-breaking 19-week run at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as his current Country Airplay chart-topper, “Good News.” This new partnership further solidifies Shaboozey’s NFL connection, following the country star's performance at the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving halftime show in 2024. (Billboard)

During an appearance on Bobby Bones' BobbyCast show on Tuesday (September 2), Dierks Bentley shared a story about receiving a box of thick books from Tim McGraw, leaving him unsure if it was a prank or a serious gesture from the competitive country star. Bentley mentioned having a prior conversation about books with McGraw, prompting him to send Dierks a surprising gift. “He sent me a cardboard box full of books. Every book was this thick," Bentley recalled, while wondering if McGraw actually read them. "With McGraw you can't tell. Is he pulling a prank on me, or he could be totally serious.” Bentley admitted that he is still confused by the collection of “really thick history books,” and wonders if McGraw sent them as a joke. “I still can't tell to this day. I need to ask him,” Bentley said, while adding, “And he probably won't tell. He [will] probably [be] like, 'Of course I read those books.' I'm just like, 'This has to be a joke.' But maybe not." (People)

Kenny Chesney, who has typically favored CDs and digital releases throughout his career, has embraced the growing vinyl trend by making his iconic 2005 album, The Road and The Radio, available on vinyl for the first time. This follows the recent vinyl releases of Chesney's previous albums, Here and Now and BORN. Beloved by his No Shoes Nation fanbase, The Road and The Radio is certified 4x-platinum, and features the No. 1 hits "Living in Fast Forward," "Summertime," and "Beer in Mexico." The release marked a high point in Chesney’s career, earning him his second CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year awards, which he held onto from 2006 to 2008. Chesney is also releasing his first book, HEART*LIFE*MUSIC, on November 4, which was co-written with his longtime friend Holly Gleason, and  offers fans an intimate look at the country superstar’s musical journey. (Holler)

In an interview with the Canadian outlet ETalk, Shania Twain reflected on her 1997 hit, "You're Still the One," which she co-wrote with her ex-husband Robert "Mutt" Lange. The country superstar revealed that although she was hesitant to perform the song live following their divorce, she now has a "newfound appreciation" for it thanks to her fans. "Fans love it, they want to hear it. It means so much to them in so many ways,” Twain shared. “It’s more the meaning that it represents to everybody else that makes it so meaningful to me again.” "You're Still the One" won Grammys for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1999, while also being nominated for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The song spent 42 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, reaching No. 1 for two weeks in May 1998. Twain is currently working on her seventh album, promising a focus on storytelling and a sound that may surprise listeners. (People)

Farm Aid 2025 will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a live broadcast on CNN from Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on September 20. The event will feature performances by founders Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp, alongside special guests including Dave Matthews, Kenny Chesney, Billy Strings, Margo Price, Wynonna Judd, and Steve Earle, among others. The event, which has raised over $85 million to support U.S. farmers since its inception in 1985, will be streamed on CNN’s platforms without need for a cable login, with CNN anchors John Berman and Laura Coates hosting and climate correspondent Bill Weir reporting onsite. “Farm Aid is honored to partner with CNN to bring Farm Aid 40 to a broad and diverse audience,” said Farm Aid co-director Jennifer Fahy. “This partnership is critical to elevating the role of family farmers to their rightful place as essential for all of us and showcasing the extraordinary artists who have generously shared their voices of support for 40 years.” (Billboard)

On Wednesday (September 3), Brandi Carlile announced the details of her first solo album in four years, Returning to Myself, which is set for release on October 24 via Interscope and the rejuvenated Americana imprint Lost Highway. The 10-song project features co-producers Andrew Watt, The National’s Aaron Dessner, and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, with contributions from Carlile’s longtime collaborators the Hanseroth Twins, plus SistaStrings, drummers Matt Chamberlain and Chad Smith, and keyboardist Josh Klinghoffer. The announcement was accompanied by the release of the title track and a music video directed by Floria Sigismondi. The album includes tracks like “Joni,” a tribute to Joni Mitchell, and a new version of “You Without Me,” a previously released collaboration with Elton John, with Carlile drawing inspiration from Emmylou Harris’ celebrated 1995 album, Wrecking Ball. “I wanted to make something that was undeniably and willfully me,” Carlile says of the album. “Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to be carried and still end up on your own two feet.” (Variety)

Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary on Tuesday (September 2) during a trip to Cologne, Germany. The couple shared an affectionate series of photos of themselves in a cathedral on Instagram, with Bunnie captioning the post, “Life is ours, we live it our way 💫  9 years of us ✨.” Jelly reshared the post on his Instagram Story, which he soundtracked with Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters,” while writing, “9 years. I love more and more every single day.” The couple first met back in 2015, and eventually married in 2016. Despite a brief separation in 2018, the couple has remained strong throughout their rising careers, as Jelly has become a Grammy-nominated, Billboard-topping country artist and Bunnie a popular host of the Dumb Blonde podcast that has millions of listeners. Jelly and Bunnie are working on expanding their family through IVF, documenting the challenges of their ongoing pregnancy journey on social media. (Billboard)

During a recent appearance on the In The Trenches With Spidey podcast, renowned Nashville music manager Troy “Tracker” Johnson revealed how Morgan Wallen made an unexpected appearance in Drake’s 2023 music video for “You Broke My Heart.” After a chance lunch involving Big Loud’s CEO Seth England and music legends Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre, Drake’s team suddenly contacted Tracker late at night to fly Wallen to Toronto with little info beyond the shoot’s location. Despite initial uncertainty and secrecy about details, Wallen and his team eventually arrived on a movie-like set where the country superstar met Drake, with the duo hitting it off and filming multiple takes of their scenes. The surprise collaboration not only shocked country music fans, but it also solidified Wallen’s growing global status. Both artists ended up exchanging numbers and teasing possible future projects, while the day ended with a late-night feast where they were joined by ERNEST and Charlie Handsome, where they reflected on the surreal experience. (Holler)

At their concert in Dallas over Labor Day weekend, the Jonas Brothers surprised fans by bringing out Kelsea Ballerini – who previously opened for them on their 2021 Remember This Tour – to perform duets of her hit “Peter Pan” and their song “Fly With Me.” “We had the wonderful pleasure of bringing her on tour, and throughout the years, we’ve had the fortune of doing several performances,” Nick Jonas said while introducing Ballerini. “But tonight, she’s gracious enough to come out and be here for this incredible Dallas crowd. Please welcome to the stage our friend, your friend, Kelsea Ballerini.” Sunday’s concert featured several special moments, including guest appearances by Ryan Cabrera for a rendition of “On the Way Down,” and Plain White T’s for their smash hit, “Hey There Delilah,” as well as performances of fan-requested live rarities “One Day at a Time” and “Love Is on its Way,” and the live debut of Kevin Jonas’ solo track “Changing.” (Rolling Stone)

Post Malone debuted his namesake fashion label, Austin Post, with a runway show in Paris on Monday (September 1) at the historic Hôtel de Bourdon, a former mansion that once belonged to legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld. The country star showcased his first collection, "Season One: At First Light," which features "Dallas western" style clothing "with Southwest ranch influences." The collection includes pieces like dark-washed jeans with gold star emblems, suede jackets, and cowboy-inspired velvet designs, all styled with exclusive Lucchese boots, blending Post’s Texas roots with ranch culture. The show’s dramatic finale included a model riding a horse down the runway, with Post thanking the audience after the show while clad in all denim and sporting a cowboy hat. In a chat with WWD, Post said that creating his own label is something he "always wanted to do" and that the new collection is "really special" and "speaks to me." (People)

Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” dominated Billboard’s 2025 Songs of the Summer chart, holding the No. 1 spot throughout all 14 weeks of the season, while also spending 10 total weeks atop the Hot 100, marking the first chart leader of the breakout pop star’s career. The chart ranks songs based on streaming, airplay, and sales from Memorial Day to Labor Day, excluding titles that appeared the previous year. Morgan Wallen made history by securing the Nos. 2, 3, and 4 spots with a trio of hits from his chart-topping album, I’m the Problem –  “What I Want,” featuring Tate McRae, “Just in Case,” and “I’m the Problem,” respectively – making the country superstar the first artist with three Top 5 entries in a single Songs of the Summer chart.

Warren’s “Ordinary” led in radio airplay and downloads, while Wallen’s “What I Want” had the most overall streams. The Songs of the Summer Top 10 is rounded out by Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” at No. 5, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” at No. 6, current Hot 100 chart-topper, “Golden” by HUNTR/X at No. 7, Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” at No. 8, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” at No. 9, and Ravyn Lenae’s “Love Me Not” at No. 10. (Billboard)

HUNTR/X’s “Golden,” from the soundtrack to the hit Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters, claims the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for a third week, while the music from the movie notches three Top 5 hits and a record-setting four simultaneous Top 10s for a second consecutive week. Saja Boys’ “Your Idol” and “Soda Pop” remain at their respective No. 4 and No. 5 peaks, while in addition to their chart-topping hit, HUNTR/X’s “How It’s Done” moves up one spot to reach a new high of No. 9. With three Top 5 hits in two straight weeks, KPop Demon Hunters joins Saturday Night Fever as the only soundtracks to achieve that triple-double in chart history. In April 1978, Saturday Night Fever’s three hits were the Bee Gees' “Night Fever” at No. 1 and “Stayin’ Alive” at No. 2, while Yvonne Eliiman’s “If I Can’t Have You” was No. 5.

The rest of this week’s Hot 100 Top 10 includes Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” holding at No. 2, Morgan Wallen’s “What I Want,” featuring Tate McRae, remaining at No. 3, Ravyn Lenae’s “Love Me Not” stays at No. 6, while Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” vaults up seven spots to No. 7, fueled by the buzz for the pop superstar’s new album, Man’s Best Friend, which was released on Friday (Aug. 29). Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” falls one spot to No. 8, and Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” rises one slot to No. 10, becoming only the fourth song to spend a milestone 50 weeks or more in the Top 10, joining Swims' “Lose Control” (76; 2024-25), Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” (66; 2024-25) and The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” (57; 2020-21). (Billboard)

Nearly eight years after the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas, Jason Aldean opened up about the tragic experience on a recent appearance on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast. Performing during the massacre that claimed 60 lives and injured over 800, Aldean described the shock of returning home to a distraught family, before making a memorable appearance on Saturday Night Live. “Sunday morning, I was on a flight going back to Las Vegas to go to the hospital and see all the victims. That was tough,” Aldean shared. “People hadn't recovered from their wounds yet.” Despite continuing his tour and welcoming the birth of his son shortly after, he struggled privately with grief. “I kind of broke down thinking about just all the people that I could have lost, all the people that we did lose as far as fans,” Aldean shared. He revealed that the tragedy will “forever connect us to that city,” and he hopes to do a Vegas residency someday. (People)

Shaboozey has scored his second No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart with “Good News,” which rose one place to reach the top on this week’s chart, after gaining 31.1 million audience impressions. The track was co-written by Shaboozey and Sean Cook, Michael Pollack, Sam Roman, Nevin Sastry, and Jake Torrey, and is featured on his recent album, Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going, which peaked at No. 2 on Top Country Albums and No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart in June 2024. Shaboozey’s first Country Airplay No. 1 was the record-breaking crossover sensation, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which spent seven weeks at No. 1, and went on to set multiple chart longevity records. Additionally, Jon Pardi has earned his 11th Country Airplay Top 10 hit with “Friday Night Heartbreaker,” which marks his first appearance in the Top 10 since 2023’s “Your Heart or Mine,” which peaked at No. 4. (Billboard)

Ethan Hawke’s new two-part documentary, Highway 99: A Double Album, offers a rich, three-hour tribute to Merle Haggard, delving into the late country legend’s complex life and legacy with heartfelt reverence. Blending rare archival footage, audio interviews with Haggard, reflections by Dolly Parton and Rosanne Cash, and performances by artists like Norah Jones and Jason Isbell, Hawke captures The Hag’s magnetic yet conflicted spirit, from his troubled youth and heartfelt songwriting to his contradictory political stances. The film’s intimate narrative, anchored by Hawke’s reflective journey through Haggard’s hometown of Bakersfield, reveals the man behind iconic songs like “Okie From Muskogee” and “I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am,” celebrating his enduring influence in a long-overdue cinematic homage. Highway 99 premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 29, and is set to hit streaming services once rights are secured. (Variety)

Stray Kids’ KARMA debuts atop the Billboard 200 chart, earning the K-pop group the seventh No. 1 of their career. The release notched 313,000 equivalent album units in the United States over the past week, with traditional album sales making up 296,000 of that figure, marking career highs in both totals for the group. All seven of Stray Kids’ Billboard 200 chart entries have debuted at No. 1, beginning with ODDINARY in 2022, and continuing with HOP in 2024, making them the first act to debut at No. 1 with their first six entries in the 69-year history of the chart, with KARMA’s chart-topping success extending their record.

Other significant moves in this week’s Top 10 include Laufey earning her first Top 10 of her career with the No. 4 debut of A Matter of Time, while Deftones score their seventh Top 10 with Private Music, which enters at No. 5. Tyler, The Creator’s Cherry Bomb vaults back up the chart, reaching No. 6 following a 10th anniversary reissue, while BigXthaPlug claims his highest-charting effort of his career with the No. 7 debut of I Hope You’re Happy. The rest of the Billboard 200 Top 10 is rounded out by the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack holding steady at its No. 2 peak, Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem drops two places to No. 3 following twelve nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1, Alex Warren’s You’ll Be Alright, Kid falls three spots to No. 8, Gunna’s The Last Wun descends five slots to No. 9, and Wallen’s One Thing at a Time slides down three places to No. 10. (Billboard)

During an intimate Soho Sessions performance at the Hamptons’ Stephen Talkhouse on Monday night (August 25), Maren Morris reflected on how her breakout 2016 single, “My Church,” transformed her from a singer-songwriter into a full-fledged artist, bringing out opener Yola to join her on the song. That special collaboration fit perfectly alongside performances of “The Bones,” “Girl,” “Dreamsicle,” and “80s Mercedes,” and an entrancing cover of John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery,” which Morris said was “first song I ever learned on guitar.” The country star engaged the 250-person audience with candid anecdotes and a stripped-down, seven-song set during the benefit show, which supported the music education nonprofit Music Will and was sponsored by the FLAG Art Foundation. “It was such a pleasure performing for an intimate listening crowd at Soho Sessions,” Morris said in a statement. “We shared stories, I got to sing with the incredible Yola and help raise money for music education, an endeavor close to my heart.” (Rolling Stone)