Country Music News

'Happy People' pretending? Little Big Town proves 'It's a Dying Art'

Little Big Town's 'It's a Dying Art' (MCA)

"It’s time to tell the real story," Little Big Town teased on their socials Thursday. The accompanying video shows Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild and Philip Sweet filing into a recording studio and sitting down side by side, while all looking various degrees of serious, stressed and uncomfortable. 

It's safe to say this is not what you usually get from the band known for their good vibes.

Text burned into the video is equally dark: "Us preparing for when Netflix makes a documentary about the s*** that went down making our new record in this studio." 

It's a Dying Art does indeed come out Aug. 28, but have the "Happy People" really hit a hard patch? 

It seems unlikely if you troll around their socials. Take, for example, a week earlier when they each did four different takes (supportive, disappointed, sarcastic and flirty) on the line "It's never really over" from their new song, "Over and Over." The foursome struggles to contain their laughter while they each do their best to pull it off. 

If you need more evidence that all the "Boondocks" gang may be guilty of is shameless promotion of their upcoming record, just check the outtakes from their "Sucker for a Sad Song" video. Between laughter around Kimberly's problems with her black veil, and Karen and Ashley Monroe posing by a jukebox, you get a pretty good karaoke version of Philip and Jimi singing "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain." 

Let any remaining doubt be settled by the It's a Dying Art announcement: "This album was made in the middle of real life — grief, hope, and everything love costs and gives us. It’s a reminder to hold on. We can’t let love be a dying art."

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Kenny Chesney's only got 3 more stops before he docks at 'Silver Sands Marina'

Kenny Chesney (Disney/Frank Micelotta)

Kenny Chesney will be making the media rounds this fall ahead of the release of his new album, Silver Sands Marina

He's set to stop by Rockefeller Plaza just days before his 21st record comes out Sept. 25.

"Excited to share that I’ll be performing LIVE on @TODAYShow Thursday, September 17 on NBC," he posted on his socials. "Head to TODAY.com/concerts to learn how to attend."

As of now, it's one of only three more chances to see the superstar play live this year, after he wraps his Sphere Las Vegas dates Friday and Saturday.

The lead single from Silver Sands Marina, "carry on," is currently a #12 hit. 

 

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


It's time for Honest Confessions with Carly Pearce

Carly Pearce (Disney/Larry McCormack)

Carly Pearce is ready to get real with her fans. 

"Every song on Honest Woman started with the truth. I want to hear yours," she wrote on her socials, referencing the title of her fifth studio album.

If you click on the link attached to the post, it takes you to a page titled "Choose Your Honest Woman Moment."

What follows are five prompts and your chance to share your experience as part of the Honest Confessions campaign: "The truth I've been afraid to admit is...," "What I've learned the hard way is...," "The most honest thing I've never said out loud is...," "People assume women should..." and "I wish I had known..."

Those who share their stories will have "a chance to win a hand written letter from Carly."

Honest Woman drops Aug. 28.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Why Riley Green may have a weakness for a woman on a scooter

Riley Green's "Think as You Drunk" (Blue Highway Records)

While the odds seem low that Riley Green could ever compete with his steamy video for "Worst Way" in the eyes of fans, he's likely created something equally memorable with the clip for his latest hit.

"'Think As You Drunk' official video out [Thursday] at 4pm CT," he posted on his socials, along with six stills that seem to tease the storyline.

If you've seen the single's cover, the fourth picture's a variation on that: Riley sits on the pavement, one boot missing, drinking from a flask in front of a riding lawn mower with beer cans tied to the back. 

Now, imagine Riley driving the lawn mower, except make it a Hoveround. That's one of the other photos. Next, picture Riley in a bar on the scooter, drinking a beer with the woman who was probably its owner on his lap.

If that's not enough, there's Riley falling over backward in the bar, beer still in hand; Riley resting in the grass amid countless crushed beer cans; and finally, Riley face down on the pavement being handcuffed by a cop.

Tune in to YouTube Thursday at 4 p.m. CT to see how the storyline plays out. The first frame of the video's placeholder reveals it was shot at his bar, Riley Green's Duck Blind in Nashville.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


'McArthur' minus Morgan Wallen, Tim McGraw and Eric Church: See HARDY's solo take on tour

HARDY (Disney/Connie Chornuk)

When HARDY decided to release "McArthur" as his latest radio single, no doubt he was well aware it had a built-in problem: With three superstars on the song, the odds were zero to none he'd ever be able to assemble Tim McGraw, Eric Church and Morgan Wallen to perform it on the road.

So how's he handling it? Now you can check it out yourself. 

"Playing 'McArthur' alone on stage has become such a special moment on the COUNTRY! COUNTRY! tour," HARDY wrote on his socials. "Thought we should make a video of it. Head to YouTube now to watch 'McArthur (Live From Tour).'" 

On July 25, fans in Ann Arbor, Michigan, could potentially see a nonsolo take on the top-15 hit, since HARDY's playing Michigan Stadium on Morgan's tour. 

Aside from that, "McArthur" seems tailor-made for HARDY, Tim, Eric and Morgan to perform it on an awards show. 

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Why Cody Johnson isn't riding a horse on the 'Banks of the Trinity' cover

Cody Johnson's 'Banks of the Trinity' (COJO Music/Warner Records Nashville)

Since the title track of Cody Johnson's new record, Banks of the Trinity, seems like an autobiographical throwback to his Texas childhood, it's easy to assume he wrote it specifically as the album's anchor. 

But the truth is, Cody didn't have a hand in writing it at all — or a vision for what his sixth album would be called.

"I really didn't have a title for my new album until I heard the song 'Banks of the Trinity,'" he reveals. "And I went, 'Oh, that's it. I can paint a visual picture on this piece of work from the vinyls to the CDs to the t-shirts to the hats that's a little bit different than, "Hey, look, it's Cody Johnson on a horse,"' you know."

"That's what I live every day, but the song, 'Banks of The Trinity,' really took me back to a piece of my childhood," he adds. 

"Banks of the Trinity" was written by Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear.

Since the ACM entertainer of the year grew up near the Trinity River in Sebastopol, Texas, hearing the lyrics brought back a flood of memories for him, including ones of Lawrence Grocery, which is immortalized on the cover. 

And speaking of horses, they're still getting their fair share of attention, since the album's lead single is the humorous, rap-adjacent "Horseback."

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


With 'Choosin' Texas' spending its 12th week at #1, Ella Langley's 'Loving Life Again'

Ella Langley (Disney/Connie Chornuk)

"Choosin' Texas" just may be the best decision Ella Langley ever made. 

The lead single from Dandelion is now spending its 12th week atop Billboard's Hot 100, continuing an impressive run that started back in February. 

"Choosin' Texas" is one of only 25 songs to top the chart for a dozen weeks or more since the chart's beginning in 1958. It's also one of only five by solo women, and the only one on the list by a country artist. 

While it's impossible to know what's ahead for the song with seemingly never-ending staying power, we do know what Ella's next single will be. It shouldn't be long before you start hearing "Loving Life Again" on country radio — and probably pop radio, too, given Ella's impressive track record. 

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Hummingbird Dark + Whiskey JYPSI: Eric Church recreates a favorite guitar for the masses

Eric Church with his Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird Dark. (Epiphone)

If you'd like to play a guitar like the one Eric Church has taken with him on tour for the past couple years, it's now possible with the arrival of the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Eric Church Hummingbird Dark.

The limited-edition acoustic-electric guitar was created in the image of The Chief's beloved Gibson Hummingbird, which came out a decade ago. 

“For me, a great guitar is about expression—finding something honest and putting it out into the world,” he says. “We’ve been working on this Epiphone Hummingbird Dark, and it’s been with me out on the road for the past two years, part of that journey every single night."

"It’s where songs take shape," he continues, "where ideas turn into something real. I’m excited for other players to get their hands on it and see where it leads them, because that’s what this is all about—finding your voice and having the right partner to help you say it.”

The new Eric Church Hummingbird Dark costs $800 and is available at authorized Epiphone dealers, at Gibson Garage locations and online.

To celebrate the guitar, Eric's Whiskey JYPSI brand teamed up with Gibson to create a custom case that holds a guitar strap, two rocks glasses and a special bottle of whiskey. You can find out more online.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Dasha's doing Luke Bryan's fall Farm Tour, along with Kenny Whitmire, Peach Pickers and DJ Rock

Luke Bryans' fall Farm Tour 2026 (Courtesy Luke Bryan/Schmidt Relations)

Dasha, new Mercury Nashville artist Kenny Whitmire, songwriter trio the Peach Pickers and DJ Rock will open the fall dates on Luke Bryan's Farm Tour. 

The shows kick off Sept. 17 at 1846 Farms in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, followed by Miller Family Farm in Millersport, Ohio, on Sept. 18. On Sept. 19, it's on to Brookston, Indiana, at Prairie View Farms, before wrapping Sept. 20 at John Schaendorf Dairy in Allegan, Michigan.

The son of a peanut farmer, Luke launched his annual Farm Tour in 2009 as a way to raise money for college scholarships for kids from farming families. 

This fall's dates coincide with the Sept. 18 release of his ninth studio album, Signs.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


They're more than greatest hits to Dustin Lynch, they're 'Setlist Staples'

Dustin Lynch's 'Setlist Staples - 10 #1's' (BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville)

Dustin Lynch launched his career in 2012 with "Cowboys and Angels," and nearly 15 years later, he's put together a greatest hits collection made up of 10 chart-toppers. 

Setlist Staples - 10 #1's is set to arrive Aug. 28.

"These are the songs that have stayed with me and the fans from the very beginning," he says. "No matter how much new music I make, these are the records that always find their way back into the show. They've become part of the soundtrack to so many memories over the years, and I love getting to relive those moments every night onstage."

There's another song that's definitely a concert mainstay these days — his current hit, "Easy to Love," which is in the top 25.

Here's the complete track listing for Setlist Staples - 10 #1's:
"Hell of a Night" 
"Seein' Red"
"Thinking 'Bout You (featuring MacKenzie Porter)"
"Where It's At"
"Chevrolet (featuring Jelly Roll)"
"Ridin' Roads"
"Mind Reader"
"Good Girl" 
"Stars Like Confetti"
"Small Town Boy" 

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


'Don't call it a comeback': Justin Moore's back on the road after a month away

Justin Moore & Riley Green (Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ABA)

Justin Moore will return to the road on Saturday after a little more than a month away.

He'll play the Knox County Fair in Knoxville, Illinois, on July 11, after announcing June 8 he was taking some time to focus on his health. 

"See y’all on the road soon!" he posted on Instagram, along with a video set to LL Cool J's "Mama Said Knock You Out" with its familiar "Don't call it a comeback" line. The clip shows Justin walking to the stage and ends with a look at his remaining 2026 shows. 

In addition to fairs, festivals and his own headlining dates, Justin will play Las Vegas, Phoenix, Detroit, Wichita and beyond on Riley Green's Cowboy as It Gets Tour. 

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Better with age: 'Don't Tell on Me' is Jason Aldean's 27th #1

Jason Aldean (Disney/Larry McCormack)

The second single from Jason Aldean's 13th album has just become his 27th #1 on Billboard's Country Airplay ranking. 

Diving deeper into the numbers, "Don't Tell on Me" is his 50th career entry on the chart and his 42nd top-10 song. 

"We just released this album and [we're] really excited," he says of Songs About Us. "I feel like everybody always says, 'Oh, this is like the best album I've ever done.' I kinda feel that way, but I feel as we have gotten older, the songs have kinda gotten better, and we've gotten more dialed in as a band and as a singer."

"And I love it," he continues. "I love going in the studio, working on these things and creating new music and working on things that we think are really cool. And [the] first single went #1 for us, 'How Far Does A Goodbye Go?' You know, it's a big deal for us."

Jason's work on the road continues with stops in Youngstown and Fort Loramie, Ohio, on Friday and Saturday. 

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Luke Combs is ready to 'Rethink Some Things' as he sets European records

Luke Combs' 'The Way I Am' (Sony)

Luke Combs kicked off the European leg of his My Kind of Saturday Night Tour July 4 with the biggest country concert ever held in the Nordic region.

Since it was Independence Day back in the States, Ullevi Stadium was decorated with American flags as nearly 61,000 concertgoers filled the venue in Gothenburg, Sweden. Most recently, Luke sold out Stockholm's Avicii Arena in 2023. 

Tuesday evening he'll play Accor Arena in Paris, with his European adventures continuing through his Aug. 2 date at London's Wembley Stadium.   

Back home, Luke's just released "Rethink Some Things" as his new radio single from The Way I Am, as "Be By You" continues its climb in the top 10. 

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Midland's 'Up in Texas' and all over on the Stages Tour

Midland's Stages Tour (Blue Highway Records)

Midland's adding six new headlining dates to their Stages Tour, as the band expands their schedule while playing dates with Kacey Musgraves and Clint Black.

Their next gig, however, is a sold-out July 14 conversation at the Grammy Museum in LA. 

From there, they head to Bakersfield, California, for a show on the 16th. Their 2026 dates continue through Nov. 14 in Waco. 

Along the way, they'll play seven dates opening for Kacey Musgraves starting Aug. 20 in Chicago. Their co-headlining concerts with Clint Black crank up Oct. 8 in Charlotte. 

He collabs with the trio on "Up in Texas" from their new Stages album.

Meanwhile, Mark Wystrach, Jess Carson and Cameron Daddy have just launched their Midlanderos fan club app.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Megan Moroney takes another 'Cloud 9' trip to the top with 'Beautiful Things'

Megan Moroney's "Beautiful Things" (Sony)

Megan Moroney's adding to her collection of "Beautiful Things" as the song with the same name rises to #1.

This is the Georgia native's fourth trip to the top of the Mediabase chart, following "Tennessee Orange," "Am I Okay?" and "6 Months Later."

Her latest record, Cloud 9, also debuted atop the all-genre Billboard 200 albums chart in March. 

Up next, Megan's giving radio a dose of "Medicine," which has already started its chart climb.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday the Cloud 9 Tour plays its second night at Boston's TD Garden.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


'Dolly: A True Original Musical' books its Broadway opening

A musical featuring the life and music of Dolly Parton is coming to Broadway in the winter of 2026. (Courtesy Dolly Parton)

Dolly: A True Original Musical will officially open at New York City's St. James Theatre on Jan. 19, 2027, Dolly Parton's 81st birthday. Previews are set to start on Dec. 7.

"This isn't about a story about sparkle and shine on the outside," Parton said in a video announcing the move to Broadway. "It's about where I really come from — what I've lived, what I've lost, what I've loved, and how I found my way and told it in my own words — and through the music, it's been part of me every step of the journey."

The show had a sold-out run at Nashville's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Belmont University last summer.

The stage show features some of Dolly's greatest hits, like "9 to 5," "I Will Always Love You," "Jolene" and "Coat of Many Colors," as well as original songs she wrote especially for the production.

Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher, who directed the musical's Nashville run, will also lead the Broadway version.

"Dolly has never really shared her story before. She's offered glimpses and peeks, but this musical allows her to reveal the unfiltered story in her own words," Sher says. "As we prepare to come to Broadway, we're thrilled to show that rhinestones were never her whole story."

Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. ET but a presale will be available starting Thursday at 10 a.m. ET. To sign up, visit DollyMusical.com.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Garth Brooks launches 'retro arena era' with Blame It All on My Roots Tour

Garth Brooks' Blame It All on My Roots Tour (Courtesy Garth Brooks/Ticketmaster)

Garth Brooks will kick off what he's calling the "retro arena era" Aug. 21-22 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis with the start of the Blame It All on My Roots Tour. 

"Going back into the arenas is about putting the stadium show in a box," he says. "The excitement gets multiplied by the intimacy. Every seat is a great seat. This is personal."

All tickets will go on sale simultaneously Friday, July 17, and will be priced at $154. There'll be both end-stage and in-the-round seating, with all seats reserved. There's an eight-ticket limit, with no presales or sales at the box office. 

While subsequent shows have not yet been announced, the trek features the return of Garth's Drum Pod, which he introduced 30 years ago.

These shows will be the foundation for Killer Live, a "groundbreaking new approach to live recording," much like the 1996 tour was for Double Live, which boasts 25 million album sales. 

Garth's already warmed up, having played Milwaukee's Summerfest June 16-17 before his sold-out show at London's Hyde Park June 27. 

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


No, you're not 'Tipsy': Shaboozey's new album was inspired by 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey'

Shaboozey (Disney/Connie Chornuk)

Shaboozey set out to make sure The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales is more than just the follow-up to Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going

"It's kinda like my magnum opus," he says. "It's something I've ... been conceptualizing for almost like the later part of my life, wanting to bring my love of storytelling and films into an album."

"The whole album, from top to bottom, follows this narrative about a farm girl looking for revenge against a group of outlaws who kinda took the things she loves the most, the things that she holds dear to her," he explains. 

If you remember studying epic poems from Greek literature in high school, you already have a head start.

"It's just honestly like a saga, you know, being inspired by like [TheIliad, Homer, like The Odyssey and all those Greek epics," Shaboozey continues, "and wanting to just do a Western in an album form, really trying to just like challenge myself to see if I can pull it off."

"I say it's the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but I think we did it," he adds.

The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales drops July 31, from the man who broke through with the country crossover smash "A Bar Song (Tipsy)." 

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


'Boston' hitmaker Stella Lefty is 'Good at Leaving'

Stella Lefty's 'Is This Heaven?' EP (Atlantic Outpost)

Now that newcomer Stella Lefty's got a smash hit with "Boston," fans are getting "Good at Leaving."

"i lurv this song and i hope u do tooooo," she said on her socials, as she released the fan favorite after debuting the up-tempo groove at recent shows. 

It's her first new music since her debut EP, Is This Heaven?, dropped in May. 

Meanwhile, "Boston" is now at #5 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs tally, and is in the top 15 on both the Hot 100 and Country Airplay charts. 

"Something to Lose," her duet with significant other Vincent Mason, has also cracked the Hot 100.

Currently in London for a Monday show, Stella plays Dublin on Thursday and Amsterdam on Saturday. 

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Riley Green wants to 'Go Again' with Hannah McFarland

Riley Green's "Go Again" with Hannah McFarland (Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment)

Riley Green continues to be the king of the country duet, this time with a new track with Hannah McFarland. 

"Go Again" joins his ever-growing collection of collabs, which includes Carly Pearce's current radio single, "If I Don't Leave I'm Gonna Stay," as well as the number ones "you look like you love me" and "Don't Mind If I Do" with Ella Langley. 

Riley wrote "Go Again" solo. Just like Ella, Hannah's a fellow Alabama native and his frequent tour mate. 

It's the third release from his fourth album, That's Just Me, which comes out Sept. 18, following "My Way" and "Think as You Drunk." 

He's just extended his Cowboy as It Gets Tour into the fall, with Hannah joining him on most of the dates. 

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


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