Exclusive

Georgia native Cole Swindell found his first important connection to the country music scene through a surprising source — his college fraternity. Both Swindell and Luke Bryan were members of Georgia Southern University’s Sigma Chi chapter, although Bryan attended a few years earlier. After he found success in Nashville, Bryan returned to play a show in his old

Country music legend Waylon Jennings died in 2002, but he left an indelible mark on the genre. Along with scoring several chart-topping hits as a solo artist, Jennings also found success as part of the supergroup the Highwaymen, a quartet that also included Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash. Throughout his illustrious career, Jennings released more than

In 2003, Miko Marks came to Nashville with a guitar and a dream. Despite performing several times at CMA Fest, releasing two albums and being recognized as “Nashville’s Hottest New Country Star” by People, she struggled to feel fully embraced by the industry. After over a decade away from music, which she herself didn’t expect coming

Sixty-three years ago today (April 13, 1959) was an unforgettable day for George Jones. It was on that date the singer earned his first No. 1 hit with “White Lightning.” “White Lightning” was the title track from Jones’ 1959 album, White Lightning and Other Favorites. Written by Jones’ good friend JP Richardson (a.k.a. the Big Bopper), the

Bryan Martin “Everyone’s An Outlaw” Finessing top 40 country sounds with the gritty distortion of outlaw country, Bryan Martin‘s new song goes down easy amidst its message of defiance. A former “roughneck” oil rig worker turned TikTok sensation, Martin’s upcoming album Self Inflicted Scars is a culmination of his dreams. “Everyone’s An Outlaw” espouses typical country music

Since launching her career in 1971 with her self-titled debut, Bonnie Raitt has established herself as one of the greatest blueswomen – and guitarists – of all time. Come April 22, Raitt will release Just Like That…, her twenty-first album to date. With such an extensive discography to her name, there’s no shortage of essential listening.

Few people would know it now, but John Moreland‘s Oklahoma origins began in punk and hardcore bands. He even released a couple of punk albums with his Black Gold Band, with Things I Can’t Control being a collaboration with legendary punk producer and guitarist Stephen Egerton (Descendents, All). Since those early days, however, he has

In 1986, Keith Whitley earned his first Top 20 hit on country radio with “Miami, My Amy,” a romantic tune about missing the one you love when you’re apart. 36 years after the track’s release, the song is finding a brand new audience on TikTok. If you aren’t familiar with TikTok, it’s an app that allows users to

George Strait was a heartthrob when he first ventured onto the country music scene in his 20s, and it could be argued that he’s even better looking today, in his late 60s, sporting a fit build, the same distinguished features and a million-dollar smile. So, when you combine Strait, his hit songs and a music video

Fifty-nine years ago today, on March 3, 1963, Patsy Cline performed her final show. The singer was killed two days later (March 5, 1963) in a plane crash. On the evening of March 3, Cline performed three benefit shows at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan., to raise money for the family of DJ

Thirty-five years ago today (March 2, 1987) was a great day for fans of strong female voices in country music. It was on that date that the Trio album, a collaboration between Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, was released, uniting three of the most angelic voices of all time on one 11-track record. The three longtime

Keith Urban has built a career as one of the most consistent hitmakers in country music over the past several decades, but he was just a young, rising country singer when he changed his career by scoring his first No. 1 hit. Urban first topped the charts with “But for the Grace of God” on

Jason Isbell has been a road warrior for years, both with his former band Drive-By Truckers and with his current troupe, the 400 Unit. However, in the last half-decade-plus, he has grown into a must-catch live act, whose ability to conjure up roaring Southern rock and story-driven folk rock is unparalleled. Isbell has also had the

Do you know anyone with a leap year birthday? Their actual day of birth (Feb. 29) only comes around every four years … which might explain why there are no country stars with Leap Day birthdays. However, there are plenty of country artists celebrating their birthdays in February: Sheryl Crow, Garth Brooks, Jason Isbell and many more. The month’s

On Jan. 19, 1963, 59 years ago today, “The Ballad of Jed Clampett” hit No. 1 on the Billboard country charts. Known to most as an adaptation of the The Beverly Hillbillies theme, the tune highlights the inimitable bluegrass stylings of country legends Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. (Guitarist Flatt also sang the single version, although

Thirty-two years ago today (Jan. 19, 1990) was a career-changing day for Reba McEntire: It was on that date that the singer made her film debut, appearing in the movie Tremors. Tremors, which stars Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward and Michael Gross, is about residents in a small town who are forced to defend themselves against underground creatures that are

Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year — at least according to Chris Young. The 35-year-old says he loves all things Christmas, from the decorations to the food, and, most importantly, spending time with the ones he loves. “I love everything about it. Not only the time with family, but also the meaning

Dierks Bentley and Cassidy Black first met in eighth grade at Ingleside Middle School in Phoenix, Ariz. The country crooner fell hard but admits he “wasn’t cool enough” yet for his future wife. “I was way too immature and into drinking beer and guns and blowing things up,” he tells People. Black sums it up

Nov. 17, 1997, was an historic day for Shania Twain, and for country music: It was on that date, 24 years ago today, that the singer’s sophomore album, The Woman in Me, was certified diamond, signifying sales of more than 10 million units. Polygram/Mercury The Woman in Me became the first record by a female

Miranda Lambert is a one-of-a-kind, one-in-a-million artist. Ever since her 2003 third-place finish on Nashville Star and then her debut album, Kerosene, in 2005, she’s won a place in country fans’ hearts. There are honestly too many fantastic moments in Lambert’s career to count. She’s won awards, given thousands of sold-out performances and shown her heart