Country Music News

Country singer Tori Rose, originally from Pennsylvania and now based in Nashville, debuted her new song "Back Home" with People on Thursday (June 19). The 20-year-old rising star draws inspiration from her personal journey of leaving home in order to pursue her dreams. “I grew up in an incredibly small town and I believe I will always call it home, but I knew I had to leave if I wanted to be truly happy and let myself grow,” Rose says. “I wrote ‘Back Home’ from personal experience about having a love-hate relationship with where you grew up.” Rose collaborated with producer Jimmy Ritchey to bring her solo-written song to life, and hopes to release a full-length album in the near future. “I just hope I make my listeners feel something,” Rose says of her songs. “Whether it’s angry, happy or sad, I just hope they feel something when they listen to my music. Just like I do when I listen to my favorite artists.” (People)

Ahead of the release of Jessie Murph’s highly anticipated album, Sex Hysteria, on July 18, the rising country star has been teasing fans with previews of two new songs, "Donuts" and "Bad as the Rest." The singer shared sneak peeks via a series of TikTok videos of the upbeat track "Donuts," and the introspective "Bad as the Rest," showcasing her ability to seamlessly blend multiple musical genres while delivering catchy, evocative lyrics. “Donuts” also finds Murph making another reference to rapper Gucci Mane in the lyric, “Who the man? Who the man?/Who's blowing smoke with Gucci Mane?,” which follows the singer calling Sex Hysteria’s lead single “Gucci Mane,” after incorporating her fellow Alabama artist's 2009 hit, “Lemonade,” into the song. Following the release of her recent single, "Touch Me Like a Gangster," earlier this month, fans are eagerly anticipating the full studio versions of these addictive new tracks in the coming weeks. (Holler)

The complete lineup of performers set to be featured in the upcoming ‘CMA Fest’ primetime TV special has just been revealed. In addition to previously announced hosts Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde, the broadcast special will include performances from Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Rascal Flatts, Shaboozey, Blake Shelton, Zach Top, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, and many more, as well as noteworthy collaborations between the country superstars and special guests. The CMA Fest primetime special is scheduled to air on Thursday, June 26 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on ABC, and will be streaming on Hulu the following day. The three-hour concert event will showcase some of the incredible collaborations and performances that recently took place during the 52nd CMA Fest in downtown Nashville. (Audacy)

In a new interview with People, Kelsea Ballerini describes Noah Kahan as 'a joy' to perform with after their heartfelt duet at CMA Fest 2025. The two music superstars paired up to sing their Grammy, CMA, and ACM Award-nominated hit, "Cowboys Cry Too," as well as Kahan’s breakout smash, "Stick Season" on the main stage at Nashville's Nissan Stadium. “I adore Noah,” Ballerini said. “I got to know him as an artist and a collaborator, but now we’re dear friends and I just can’t say enough about the human being that he is.” Despite inclement weather that ultimately cut her set short, Ballerini insisted on performing  Kahan's track with him. “You came all the way down here with your friends and your family,” she recalls telling him. “We have to do ‘Stick Season.’” (Billboard)

In a new Instagram post, renowned studio musician Carol Kaye announced that she has declined induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “People have been asking: NO I won’t be there,” the 90-year-old Kaye wrote. “I am declining the RRHOF awards show. Turning it down because it wasn’t something that reflects the work that Studio Musicians do and did in the golden era of the 1960s Recording Hits.” Kaye also has long objected to the use of the "Wrecking Crew" nickname for her group of studio musicians, which was coined by drummer Hal Blaine.

“I was never a ‘wrecker’ at all,” she writes. “That’s a terrible insulting name.” In addition to Kaye’s Rock Hall induction, her musical legacy also came up in the wake of the death of Brian Wilson, with Kaye playing on Pet Sounds and many other Beach Boys’ classics, including “California Girls,” “Good Vibrations” and “Heroes and Villains.” Kaye also was part of the studio teams assembled by Motown, Phil Spector, and Quincy Jones, playing on songs by Frank Sinatra, Sonny & Cher, Simon & Garfunkel, the Monkees, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Joe Cocker, and Ray Charles. (Variety)

On Wednesday (June 18), Erica Nichols, the manager of The Bluebird Cafe, posted a video where she addressed rumors that Olivia Rodrigo's team requested the removal of Taylor Swift photos when she performed at the intimate Nashville venue. "We did have a filming with Olivia Rodrigo here. Olivia's people did not ask us to remove an image of Taylor Swift. Nobody did,” Nichols clarified. “We removed an image of Taylor Swift that was in a position where the filming was taking place. When we have filmings, we are required legally to remove images that are under copyright. We don't own those images, so we cannot give permission for those images to be used in any kind of broadcast. That's the sole reason that the photograph was removed from the place it stood." The rumor started after a video circulated online where an employee claimed that the club removed "any visible sign of Taylor Swift before [Rodrigo] performed there in 2023." (People)

Conner Smith has withdrawn from two upcoming shows on June 20 and June 21 to process the aftermath of a fatal car accident that occurred in Nashville on June 8, where the 24-year-old country singer accidentally struck and killed a 77-year-old pedestrian in a crosswalk. “As Conner Smith takes time to privately process recent events, he will unfortunately not be performing in Akron on June 20. We appreciate your understanding and continued support during this difficult time,” his team said in a statement. Despite canceling the June performances, Smith is still slated to perform at a series of shows from July to November. While the investigation is ongoing, no official charges have been filed against him. “His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins’ family during this incredibly difficult time,” Smith’s attorney said in a statement at the time of the incident, while adding that, “Mr. Smith continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.” (People)

During an exclusive listening party in London before her show at the Scala on Wednesday (June 18), Margo Price shared insights about her upcoming album, Hard Headed Woman, which is set for release on August 29 via Loma Vista Recordings. Her new collaboration with Tyler Childers called “Love Me Like You Used To,” caught the attention of country fans when the album was announced. “‘Love Me Like You Used To,’ a duet with Tyler Childers, one of my very best friends,” Price says in praise of the country star, before adding,  “he really enjoyed putting that song on, trying that song on because it's not autobiographical - it's hypothetical.” As for the significance of Hard Headed Woman, Price said the album title pays tribute to another one of her illustrious friends, Willie Nelson, as well as her personal growth and long history of being “stubborn as hell”  “Yeah...Midwest Farmer's Daughter, Hard Headed Woman. I'm grown up now. It's also a nod to Red Headed Stranger.” (Holler)

Lukas Nelson, son of Willie Nelson and leader of Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, is set to release his debut solo album, American Romance, on Friday (June 20). The 36-year-old Grammy-winning musician is aiming to create a significant musical legacy of his own by staying true to his country-western, folk, and Americana roots. The introspective album reflects Nelson's journey to find clarity, as he strives to connect with his audience and honor the diverse landscapes that have shaped him. With his dad’s legendary career as a guide, Lukas wants to "connect" with fans of his own "who will follow me until I'm 90," while adding, “I have to play music that is relevant to my own generation and to who I want to be artistically." Collaborating with acclaimed artists like Sierra Ferrell, Stephen Wilson Jr., and the album's producer Shooter Jennings, Nelson explores themes of identity, spirituality, and artistic expression, ultimately creating a heartfelt tribute to his country upbringing and personal growth. (People)

In a new interview with Billboard, producer Austin Shawn discusses the hit song "Backup Plan" by Bailey Zimmerman, and shares insight into the country star’s forthcoming album. Shawn says that the decision to feature Luke Combs was spontaneous. “When I finished the first rough mix on it, Bailey was like, ‘Should I text it to Luke?,’” Shawn recalls. “Luke didn’t get back to him for a month — he was probably just living with it. And then he was like, “Song rips, I’m in,” out of nowhere. We had not gone to anyone else. It was either Luke or nothing.” The creative partnership between Zimmerman and Shawn dates back to the singer’s debut EP, Leave the Light On, featuring hits like "Rock and a Hard Place" and "Fall In Love." The duo are working together on Zimmerman’s upcoming album, Different Night, Same Rodeo, with Shawn sharing that the project includes “a couple of awesome features” with “a little bit of something for all demographics of music too, not just country.” (Billboard)

On Monday (June 16), the Red Clay Strays announced additional dates on their 2025 Get Right Tour across North America. The new shows are in Cincinnati, Ohio; Pikeville, Kentucky;  Macon, Georgia; and Huntsville, Alabama, and are set to take place in September and October. The ACM Award-winners will offer a fan pre-sale beginning on Wednesday (June 18), followed by a public on-sale on Friday (June 20). The band's tour consists of 66 largely sold-out shows across North America and Europe beginning in July, including high-profile performances at iconic venues like the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, the Warfield in San Francisco, Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado, and Moody Amphitheater in Austin, as well as multiple appearances on Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival Tour throughout the summer. The shows are in support of their wildly successful sophomore album, Made by These Moments, and the companion live record, Live at the Ryman. (Consequence of Sound)

On Monday (June 16), Bunnie XO shared an emotional Instagram video that revealed a positive update on the in vitro fertilization (IVF) journey with her husband Jelly Roll. "When you just got the call you've been waiting on for 5 months since this ivf journey started," she wrote. "All the tears, the hopelessness & the struggle, God finally said, 'Here.' 😭." The Dumb Blonde podcast host emphasized that while it's not a pregnancy announcement, it marks a major step forward in their path to parenthood. This would be Bunnie XO and Jelly Roll’s first child together, though she is also stepmom to the country superstar’s two kids, Bailee Ann, 16, and Noah Buddy, 7. Bunnie XO has been very open about her fertility journey, documenting the highs and lows of her experience on social media, after first sharing last June that the couple were beginning the IVF process. (People)

Dolly Parton will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Oscars’ 2025 Governors Awards on November 16. The country legend already has 10 Grammys and a Primetime Emmy to her name, and this honorary Academy Award will bring her one step closer to achieving EGOT status. Parton also will join a short list of music stars who have received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award award, including Frank Sinatra (1970), Danny Kaye (1981), Quincy Jones (1994), Harry Belafonte (2014), and Debbie Reynolds (2015). Parton is being recognized for her extensive humanitarian efforts, including founding charitable organizations like the Dollywood Foundation and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which has provided children with 285 million books worldwide. Parton has also starred in films like Nine to Five and Steel Magnolias, while earning two Best Original Song Oscar nominations for “Nine to Five” – which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 – and “Travelin’ Thru” from Transamerica. Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen, and Wynn Thomas will also be honored at the event. (Billboard)

On Monday (June 16), Noah Cyrus announced details of her sophomore album, I Want My Loved Ones to Go with Me, which is due out on July 11 via RECORDS/Columbia Records. The 11-track record was produced in partnership with Mike Crossey and PJ Harding, and features collaborations with Fleet Foxes, Ella Langley, and Bill Callahan, along with lead single, “New Country,” which features Blake Shelton and is set to drop on Friday (June 20). “For a long time, I couldn't really trust in my own choices," Noah, 25, shared in a press release. "But I've found who I am, I know who I am, and this record shows what I had inside me all this time. This album is me.” Cyrus also revealed dates for her upcoming North American tour, which kicks off in Los Angeles on July 11 and concludes in Phoenix on October 24. Tickets go on-sale Friday (June 20), with an artist presale running through Thursday (June 17). (People)

Ty Herndon has just signed a three-album deal with Club44 Records, and the Grammy-nominated country singer launched his new creative partnership with a reimagined duet version of his 1995 breakout hit, “What Mattered Most,” featuring LeAnn Rimes. The single is the first offering from Herndon’s upcoming album, Thirty, which will pay tribute to his distinguished 30 years in country music by featuring newly-recorded collaborations of his iconic hits with a variety of musical guests. “Recording this song with LeAnn was nothing short of magical,” says Herndon. “We were touring together in the ’90s when her career exploded and she used to come out on stage and sing this song with me. So all these years later, re-recording it as a duet, was a full-circle moment I’ll never forget. We’ve both lived a lot of life since then, and I think you can hear that in every note.” The album’s official release date is set to be announced later this summer. (Music Row)

On Thursday (June 12), Kane Brown released his infectious new country anthem, "2 Pair." The track was produced by Jordan Schmidt, with Brown saying of his new song: “’2 Pair’ is an anthem for the summer. I wanted to give my fans a song they can blast at full volume and sing along to all summer long. It perfectly matches the energy of the best time of the year, and I hope they feel that energy the same way that I do.” The country star’s latest single was released via Sony Music Nashville, and marks Brown’s first release since he dropped The High Road back in January, which spawned his successful The High Road Tour. Brown has a series of music festival appearances and headlining dates scheduled throughout the U.S. this summer, with the second leg of The High Road Tour set to hit Europe and the U.K. this fall. (Country Now)

On Thursday (June 12), Post Malone shared a raw and soulful rendition of his country-tinged track, “Ain’t How it Ends,” as part of The Littlest Honky Tonk series. The stripped-down, unplugged performance was filmed in a cozy trailer-turned-stage outside of a stadium stop on his Big Ass Stadium Tour, with Posty providing an unexpected intimate moment within the large-scale scope of his current tour. “A love song to country music of the past and present - this song embodies the feeling we all have when we listen to songs from the radio or jukebox,” reads the description of the performance clip. “Ain’t How It Ends” was originally included in the “Long Bed” expanded edition of Post’s chart-topping 2024 album, F-1 Trillion. Posty’s Big Ass Stadium Tour is scheduled to hit L.A.’s SoFi Stadium on Thursday (June 19), with special guest opening acts Jelly Roll, Wyatt Flores, and Chandler Walters. (Holler)

On Monday (June 16), Hardy announced the cancellation of all the upcoming European shows on his 2025 Jim Bob World Tour just days before it was set to commence. The country star writes: "It wasn't an easy decision, but one I had to make for my band, crew and my family. Please know that I love you all and I will be back as soon as I can." Ticket refunds for the canceled shows will be issued automatically. No specific reason was given for the tour cancellation, with the run of shows scheduled to start on Thursday (June 19) in Copenhagen, followed by dates in the Netherlands, Belgium, the U.K. and Ireland. Ten European shows were canceled altogether. Hardy is scheduled to resume his Jim Bob World Tour in mid-July with a series of shows in the U.S., which wraps up at Madison Square Garden in New York City on September 24. (Taste of Country)

Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” premieres at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the Grammy-winning pop star’s second chart-topper and her fourth Top 10 hit of her career, while becoming her first single to debut atop the chart. Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” spent one week at No. 1 in June 2024, after debuting at No. 2. Carpenter co-produced “Manchild” with Jack Antonoff and co-wrote it with Antonoff and Amy Allen. The rest of the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 is rounded out by Alex Warren’s previous chart-topper, “Ordinary,” which drops a spot to No. 2, Morgan Wallen’s “What I Want,” featuring Tate McRae, dips one slot to No. 3 , while the country superstar's “Just in Case” falls one place to No. 4, and the title track to his No. 1 album, “I’m the Problem,” slides down a spot to No. 6. Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” drops a spot to No. 5, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” falls one slot to No. 7, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” dips one place to No. 8, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” slips one spot to No. 9, and Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” falls one slot to No. 10. (Billboard)

Lauren Alaina welcomed her first baby, daughter Beni Doll Arnold, with her husband Cam Arnold on Wednesday (June 11), with the couple sharing the exciting news in a joint Instagram post on Friday. Alongside the baby announcement, Alaina also revealed the release of a heartfelt new song dedicated to her daughter, “Heaven Sent.” "I have a little surprise for everyone. To celebrate the most precious miracle on Earth I have decided to release a song I wrote about my daughter," shared the country singer. "We learned she was coming in a time of deep sadness after the loss of my daddy. I wasn’t sure when I would share Heaven Sent but watching my own husband become a father the last couple of days has made me want to share it with you now. She came just before Father’s Day. My first without my own father. A day that will forever be hard to me, but I now have a new and perfect reason to celebrate it.” (People)