Country Music News

Lawyer Lynn Walker Wright has requested that a California judge dismiss her from Priscilla Presley's financial abuse lawsuit. Walker Wright is accused of conspiring with memorabilia auctioneer Brigitte Kruse in an effort to defraud Priscilla Presley out of over $1 million in an alleged elder abuse scheme. The lawyer claims that she never violated her legal duty to the ex-wife of Elvis Presley, and submitted new court filings where she “vehemently denies” duping Presley into signing legal documents that Presley alleges were “unconscionable” and financially destructive. Walker Wright once represented Kruse in a separate legal matter before she represented Presley, but she is adamant there was no conflict of interest. Presley claims in her lawsuit that, “Kruse arranged for me to be ‘represented’ by her friend, Lynn Walker Wright. I was isolated from my advisors and asked to sign a series of agreements with little to no explanation of the contents of each agreement.” (Rolling Stone) 

After supporting Billy Currington, Kip Moore, Jon Pardi, and Morgan Wallen during various dates on their tours, Larry Fleet has announced a headlining tour of his own in 2025. Fleet has just revealed dates on his Hard Work & Holy Water Tour, which will be a 26-show run featuring Kentucky country duo Everette as the opening act. Fleet, who scored a No. 1 Country Airplay hit by co-writing “Man Made A Bar” for Wallen and Eric Church, announced his upcoming tour with an Instagram post on Monday (September 9). “Playing these songs live is where the real magic is for us, and we’re grateful to @weareeverette for joining us on this journey next year,” Fleet wrote in the caption. “We’ll take you to church for some, sit next to you on the barstool for others, and it’s a sexy show, but family friendly, so come on out and see us!!” Fleet’s Hard Work & Holy Water Tour kicks off on February 13 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Music Row)

On Tuesday (September 10), Joshua Ray Walker shared the unfortunate news that his colon cancer has unexpectedly spread to his lungs. As a result of the new cancer diagnosis, the country singer launched a GoFundMe page to support his ongoing treatment. Walker was diagnosed with colon cancer last year, and he made an emotional post on Instagram to  disclose that the disease has spread to his lungs and his prognosis isn’t great. After sharing the good news that he has completed his difficult chemotherapy treatments, Walker revealed, “The bad news is that upon the completion of tests to check on the status of my cancer post treatment, multiple nodes of varying sizes were found in both my lungs.” His cancer has been upgraded to Stage 4, and he will start radiation treatment soon. Walker shared this optimistic statement as he continues his ongoing cancer fight, “I’ve always lived life to the fullest and I will continue to do so.” (People)

During Kane Brown’s show at Denver’s Coors Field on Friday (September 6), the country star paused his show so he could show support to a young fan he saw in the crowd. Brown was in the middle of singing his hit, "Good as You," when he saw a fan in the crowd holding a sign that read, “Bullied for the color of my skin! I just want a hug from Kane Brown." The country star shared a tender moment with him before finishing the song with the kid by his side. The emotional moment was captured by a fan on TikTok, who captioned their post, "This fr made me cry. Kane Brown Denver September 2024. He truly has a beautiful soul." The moment made an impression on Brown as well, who shared a photo of him and the fan on Instagram, captioning his post, “Be yourself , don’t worry about others ❤️ but also try and be kind. Treat others how you would wanna be treated.” (Taste of Country)

During the September 10 episode of The View,  Whoopi Goldberg weighed in on the controversy surrounding Beyoncé not receiving any nominations for her chart-topping country album, Cowboy Carter, at the 2024 CMA Awards. "A lot of people are surprised — I don't know why — that it didn't receive a single CMA Award nomination,” Goldberg said. “Well, this is the question: Are you surprised? I don't think she was snubbed, I think they just didn't... it wasn't for them." Fellow The View panelist Sunny Hostin, chimed in with her support for Beyoncé. "I happen to love Dolly Parton, so I felt that when the Queen of Country sort of passed the baton a little bit for 'Jolene,' which was an incredible song on her album, and 'Texas Hold 'Em,' two incredible country songs, I thought she would at least get nominated for those two," Hostin said. "But, my mother always told me, 'Find the audience that's looking for you.' This audience isn't looking for her." (People)

Brooks & Dunn have announced that they are hitting the road in early 2025. The Country Music Hall of Fame duo revealed the initial dates on their Neon Moon Tour, which will kick off with a series of shows scheduled to begin in March of 2025 with David Lee Murphy set as the opening act. The country legends made their tour announcement with a post on Instagram on Tuesday (September 10), and excitedly captioned their post, “First leg of the NEON MOON TOUR 2025 coming to a city near you! Bringin’ our friend @davidleemurphy so you know it’s gonna be a party. Tickets on sale this Friday, September 13th at 10am local time.”

The country stars are promising a hit-filled set featuring classic country tunes from throughout their Award-winning three-decade plus career, even naming their entire tour after their No. 1 single on the country charts, “Neon Moon,” which was featured on Brooks & Dunn’s 7x-platinum debut album from 1991, Brand New Man. The 12 dates announced on the initial leg of the Neon Moon Tour are just the beginning for Brooks & Dunn in 2025, with more shows set to be announced soon. (Taste of Country)

On Tuesday (September 10), Zach Bryan shared a brand new music video for “Oak Island,” one of the emotional standouts on his new record, The Great American Bar Scene. And once again, Bryan has tapped some Hollywood heavyweights to bring his cinematic vision to life, as the “Oak Island” video features the acting talents of stars Casey Affleck and Jack Martin. The video is once again directed by Matthew Dillon Cohen, who has worked on several of Bryan's music videos, including “Oklahoma Smokeshow,” “Boys of Faith,” and the recent single, “Nine Ball,” which starred none other but the legendary Matthew McConaughey. Bryan wrote the story and concept for the video along with his girlfriend, the podcaster Brianna Lapaglia. Cohen shot it last month in upstate New York. Bryan has a few more live dates left in 2024 throughout November and December, before his just announced headlining set at the 2025 Stagecoach Festival. (Holler)

Luke Combs is set to open his brand new bar, Category 10, in downtown Nashville this November. Category 10 will open in the iconic old Wildhorse Saloon location, and the venue’s official Instagram promises the spot will be a paradise for country music fans. “Get ready for an ice-cold beer and a country song. We'll see y'all in November 👀 🌀,” reads today’s post. “Category 10 will hit you like a hurricane with 5 distinct experiences influenced by the personal passions of @lukecombs himself!”

Category 10 will feature five different experiences within the venue, The Honky-Tonk, Hurricane Hall, The Still, 5 Leaf Clover Sports, and The Eye, all adding up to one of the most unique bars in all of Nashville. Category 10’s TikTok also shared behind-the-scenes glimpses of how construction is going on the bar, showing the spectacular space as it comes together as well as the picturesque views from throughout the bar, including the impressive rooftop space. Luke Combs’ Category 10 is set to make a great addition to the thriving Nashville bar and music scene. (All Country News) 

Megan Moroney released her Billboard Top 10 charting country album, Am I Okay?, back in July. And now the country superstar is set to bring those songs and the rest of her hits on the road during her Am I Okay? 2025 North American Tour. Moroney shared the dates and locations for her upcoming tour with a post on Instagram on Tuesday (September 10).

The country star writes excitedly about her upcoming shows, “i’m so excited to announce the AM I OKAY? TOUR!!! 💙 i get to play some of my bucket list venues & it’s going to be a very ✨blue✨ very magical year on the road. i’m already counting down the days until i get to see your faces & all of your “homemade tshirts & homemade signs” :,) i know i’ve said it a lot but thank you for making all of my dreams come true - just over the mooooooon that i get to do this 🥹🫶🏼🚀👑👙🎣 see ya in 2025 💙” Maroney’s artist presale for her tour begins on Thursday, (September 12th) at 10 a.m. local time, with public on sale beginning on Friday (September 13) at 10 a.m. local time. (Holler) 

The stacked lineup of performers for the upcoming People’s Choice Country Awards have just been announced. Kane Brown, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady A, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, and the War And Treaty will all play during the awards ceremony, which is set to take place at Nashville’s legendary Grand Ole Opry on Thursday, September 26 at 8 p.m. ET. In addition to this star-studded lineup of live performances scheduled to take place at the People’s Choice Country Awards, the ceremony will also be hosted by Shania Twain, and additionally will feature the presenters Carly Pearce, Dan + Shay, Little Big Town, and comedian Nate Bargatze. The nominees for the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards were disclosed in August, with Zach Bryan leading this year’s class with 19 nods and Beyoncé receiving 17 nods. Also receiving multiple nominations are Kacey Musgraves, Shaboozey, Kane Brown, Morgan Wallen, and Luke Combs. (Audacy)

The Country Music Association revealed nominees for the 58th Annual CMA Awards. Morgan Wallen leads the way with seven total nods, followed by Cody Johnson and Chris Stapleton with five nominations each. Post Malone and Lainey Wilson both received four nominations, while Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Megan Moroney, and Kacey Musgraves each received three noms.

Noticeably absent from the list of nominees is Beyoncé, whose countrified, crossover hit album, Cowboy Carter, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and made her the first Black woman to ever top the Hot Country Albums chart. The album’s first single, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and debuted atop the Hot Country Songs chart.

Nominees for CMA Entertainer of the Year are Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, and Jelly Roll. While the CMA Album of the Year nominees are Deeper Well by Kacey Musgraves, Fathers & Sons by Luke Combs, Higher by Chris Stapleton, Leather by Cody Johnson, and Whitsitt Chapel by Jelly Roll. The 58th Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 20. (Variety)

Better Than Jail, a benefit album to raise support for improving our criminal justice system, is set to be released on October 4. The record features music by Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Steve Earle, the War and Treaty, Lukas Nelson, Hayes Carll and Allison Moorer, Bonnie Raitt, Margo Price, Old Crow Medicine Show, Taj Mahal, and more. A majority of the compilation features covers of classic prison-themed songs, including the album’s lead single, Earle’s cover of the Crickets‘ 1960 track, “I Fought the Law.” Better Than Jail also features an original tune by Isbell and Shires called “Color of a Cloudy Day,” which was originally written for the 2015 documentary film, The Fear of 13, and will be widely available for the first time on the benefit album.

Proceeds from the sales of Better Than Jail go towards Equal Justice USA and Free Hearts. “These iconic artists breathe new life into storied songs, empowering the organizations who address this issue head on,” says Brian Hunt, Better Than Jail producer and President of Believe Entertainment Group. “We must do more to improve our criminal justice system, and this album harnesses the transformative power of music to rally the call.” (Music Row)

During the final night of Jordan Davis’ Damn Good Time World Tour, the country star was the victim of a hilarious prank from his tourmates Mitchell Tenpenny and Ashley Cooke. During Davis’ performance of his emotional hit song, “Next Thing You Know,” Tenpenny and Cooke came out on stage in giant, inflatable baby costumes. At first Jordan was completely unaware as the duo playfully danced behind him while singing along to the song into their inflatable baby bottles. But the audience’s loud cheers and laughter quickly let Davis know something was happening behind him. Jordan cracked up when he realized what was going on, all while trying to keep the song going. He eventually embraced Mitchell and Ashley as they all sang the tune together, reveling in one last memorable moment from their successful tour together. Cooke thankfully captured all of their hilarious hi-jinks in a TikTok video that has since gone viral, as country fans clearly can’t get enough of the pair’s clever prank. (All Country News)

After capturing the country music world’s attention with his viral hit sensation, “Wine Into Whiskey,” Tucker Wetmore just shared details for the release of his first official project. Wetmore’s debut EP is called Waves On A Sunset, and it will arrive on October 4. The eight-song collection will feature the rising country star’s previously released singles, “Wine Into Whiskey,” “Wind Up Missin’ You,” and “What Would You Do?,” along with five additional tracks, including Wetmore’s forthcoming new single, “Silverado Blue,” which will be released on Friday (September 13).

Wetmore shared the exciting news in an Instagram reel on Monday (September 9), captioning his post, “GUYS I’M DROPPING MY FIRST PROJECT!!! In a lot of ways this feels like my introduction to the world so I wanted to share some sides of me y’all haven’t seen yet. These songs have been mine for a while, but I can’t wait to make them ours. Thank you all for everything, love you guys.” Pre-orders for Waves On A Sunset start this Friday. (Holler) 

Kelsea Ballerini has just revealed her plans to celebrate the release of her highly-anticipated new album, Patterns, on October 29 with a one-night-only concert at New York’s historic Madison Square Garden. Aly & AJ and Tigirlily Gold have been announced as the supporting acts for the special show. Ballerini announced her big MSG record release show with an eye-catching Instagram video featuring Ballerini’s dog, Dibs, taking a helicopter flight above New York as well as strolling past all the city’s landmarks on his walk, before Kelsea and her dog both arrived at Madison Square Garden where the country star played a solo acoustic song in the middle of the empty arena.

“the whole time i was making this album, i was visualizing and dreamscaping ways to bring it to life for our live show,” Ballerini wrote in the caption. “in one of my favorite cities that is landmarked heavily in the music and visuals of PATTERNS, i’m so giddy to be celebrating this album release one night only at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN with aly and aj (pinch me) and my girls tigirlily gold on october 29th!!!!” (Music Row)

Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” sits at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a ninth nonconsecutive week, extending 2024’s longest stint at the top of the singles chart. Shaboozey’s crossover chart-topping hit became the singer-songwriter’s first career No. 1 back in July. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” also extends its rule over the Hot Country Songs chart by spending its 13th week at No. 1.

Sabrina Carpenter once again places three of her songs in the Hot 100’s Top 5 for a second consecutive week, as “Espresso” moves up a spot to No. 3, former June No. 1 hit “Please Please Please” drops down a place to No. 4, and “Taste” drops three spots to No. 5 in its second week on the chart. All three tracks are from Carpenter’s current Billboard No. 1 album, Short n’ Sweet, which has spent its first two weeks on top of the charts since it was released. Rounding out this week’s Billboard Hot 100 Top 5 is Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen, which jumps up three spots to No. 2, after previously spending six weeks at No. 1 following its debut back in May. (Billboard)

On Friday (September 6), Danielle Bradbery ushered in her “self-healing” era by releasing her first new album in six years, Danielle. On her record, the 28-year-old country pop singer, who won The Voice back in 2013, captured "the ebbs and flows" of a toxic relationship that is now thankfully in her past. Bradbery reveals that her vulnerable new song, “You Could,” describes her desperate conversation with God in hopes that her life would change. "All of these moments, I have actually been there. I've sat down in my bathroom and just cried my eyes out to where I couldn't anymore," Bradbery shared. "And I'm just saying, 'Please fix him for me, because I know I can't, but you can.' It's a deep one. I really wanted to go there because I have nothing to hide. People go through stuff like this. I went through it and I'm like, 'Maybe this can help somebody wake up. So if it's a song that can help someone realize a little bit sooner, then that's amazing." (People)

Country singer Laine Hardy revealed on Saturday (September 7) that he is engaged to Jordan Gautreau, and the soon-to-be-married couple are also expecting their first child together. The 23-year-old Hardy, who won Season 17 of American Idol back in 2019, and Gautreau, a cheerleader for the New Orleans Saints, made the happy announcement with a joint Instagram post. The clip features a video capturing their gender reveal with a bouquet of flowers, a happy photo of the couple with Gautreau flashing her engagement ring, as well as a polaroid photo with “Baby H 2025” carved into the sand. Jordan affectionately captioned the post, “the secret is out…. I’m having his babyyyy🤭 We are so excited for this chapter of our lives. Looking forward to God’s plan for us. The biggest surprise and the easiest YES! Can’t wait for our new title as parents and to plan a wedding🫶🏼🤍💍 #partywiththehardys” On Friday, just before the couple shared the news of their engagement and pregnancy, Hardy released a brand new song called, "That Man." (Taste of Country)

Shaboozey's smash hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” sits atop Billboard’s Country Airplay chart for a milestone seventh week. In the process, the crossover No. 1 hit surpasses Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” which spent six weeks at No. 1 in 2006, as the longest-leading Country Airplay hit to start out a country career. This recognition takes into account the artists’ first Country Airplay entry as a lead artist or their initial songs that were promoted to country radio. Since the Country Airplay chart began in January 1990, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is only the 11th track ever to spend seven weeks or longer at No. 1.

Two recent country hits are tied for the longest stint atop the Country Airplay chart with 10 weeks each: Nate Smith’s “World on Fire” (whose run began in December of 2023) and Morgan Wallen’s “You Proof” (2022-23). Also of note in this week’s chart, Justin Moore notched his 15th total Country Airplay Top 10 of his career, as “This Is My Dirt” jumps up a spot to reach No. 10. It’s the lead single and title track from Moore’s forthcoming 12-song album which is due out on October 8. (Billboard)

The second annual People's Choice Country Awards is set to take place at the historic Grand Ole Opry on September 26.  And it has been revealed on People’s Choice Instagram that Kane Brown will be honored during the ceremony with this year’s Country Champion Award. The award recognizes an artist's passion for service and groundbreaking contributions to the country music industry and beyond. Last year’s Country Champion Award was bestowed to country legend Wynonna Judd.

“Since the beginning of his career, Kane Brown has ensured that his legacy will extend beyond music,” shares Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events and Specials, NBCUniversal Entertainment. “His dedication to empowering and supporting younger generations is nothing short of inspiring, and we’re thrilled to honor him with the Country Champion Award.” Brown has already scored an impressive 11 No. 1 singles at country radio since the Georgia native released his self-titled, 2x-Platinum debut album back in 2016. Brown was also the first artist ever to lead all five of Billboard’s main country charts simultaneously. (Holler)