Country Now News

Dylan Marlowe has officially scored his first No. 1 single on the MediaBase Country Radio chart with “Boys Back Home,” which also features fellow chart-topper Dylan Scott. The track marks the first chart-topping song of the rising country star’s career, and will surely add to his rapid rise in the contemporary music scene. Marlowe took to Instagram to share a personal video where he celebrates his momentous achievement and thanks his dedicated fan base. “Boys Back Home is officially #1!!!!,” he wrote in the caption. “Can’t believe I get to say this, what an insane blessing. @dylanscottcountry thank you for believing in this song enough to hop on it with me, you’re the older brother I never had.”

Dasha congratulated Marlowe in the comments, writing “yessirrrrr,” while future tourmate Bailey Zimmerman chimed in with, “AYYYY LETS GOOOO BROOO🔥🔥” “Boys Back Home” was released in partnership between Sony Music Nashville and Play It Again Music. (All Country News) 

On Monday, Hardy shared an emotional story about his late grandfather in a post on Instagram. The country music star is an avid hunter, as was his grandfather, and in the post Hardy revealed the inspiration behind a new song called “Buck on the Wall” that he wrote in honor of him. “Some of you know, but my grandfather passed away a year ago,” Hardy shared. “In 1989 he built our family a little cabin which we have used as our deer camp for the last 35 years, where there are 30-40 bucks mounted on the wall. This fall/winter season is the first one he hasn’t been a part of, and I wish so bad he could’ve seen this deer, but I’m damn proud to keep our family tradition alive and keep putting bucks on the walls that he built. So this one’s for him. Love you Pop.” Hardy also shared a rousing snippet of “Jim Bob” from his forthcoming Live From Red Rocks album in a separate Instagram post on Monday. (Holler) 

The iHeartCountry Festival announced their lineup on Instagram on Tuesday (January 14), and the impressive list of performers includes Country Music Hall of Famers, award-winning hitmakers, and rising newcomers. The 12th annual country music festival is set to take place on May 3 at the Moody Center in Austin, and will feature performances from Brooks & Dunn, reigning CMA New Artist of the Year Megan Moroney, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flatts, Sam Hunt, Bailey Zimmerman, and Nate Smith. Country radio personality Bobby Bones will again serve as host for the event. “We are so excited about this year’s lineup and bringing these artists to fans all in one night at Moody Center in Austin,” said Rod Phillips, Executive VP of Programming for iHeartCountry. “It’s a thrill every year to watch so much great music come to life on one big iHeartCountry stage.” (Billboard)

Jason Isbell announced on Instagram on Tuesday (January 14) that he is set to release his new album, Foxes in the Snow, on March 7 via Southeastern Records. The new 11-song collection will be Isbell’s first proper solo album in ten years, following 2015’s Something More Than Free. To give fans a taste of what to expect from the record, Isbell also shared the album's lead single, “Bury Me.” The Alabama native will launch his Intimate Evening solo tour in February, beginning with a February 15 show in Chicago before playing multi-night stands in New York City, Washington, D.C., Oakland, and Nashville, and winding down on March 29 in Atlanta. Isbell's last studio album was 2023’s Weathervanes with The 400 Unit, which went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Americana Album, while the track “Cast Iron Skillet” also earned a Grammy for Best American Roots Song. (Billboard)

Ringo Starr announced on Tuesday (January 14) that he is leading benefit concerts for L.A. wildfire relief at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. Ringo’s event is also being recorded for a TV special titled, Ringo & Friends at the Ryman, which will air this spring on CBS and Paramount+. The two-hour special will feature Starr performing songs from his new country album, Look Up, which was released on January 10. He’ll be joined by an impressive array of music superstars on the Ryman’s legendary stage, including Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle — who were both featured on the drummer’s new LP — as well as Jack White, Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow, the War and Treaty, Rodney Crowell, Mickey Guyton, Sarah Jarosz, Jamey Johnson, Brenda Lee, and Larkin Poe. T

aping for Starr’s special takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday (January 14-15). “It is always a thrill to play the Ryman and this time we are going country!” Starr said in a press release. “I’m excited to hear my songs done in a country vein and to play with this incredible group of musicians. It will be two nights of peace, love and country music.” (Billboard)

On Sunday (January 12), Priscilla Presley paid tribute to her daughter Lisa Marie Presley two years after her tragic death in 2023 at the age of 54. Priscilla posted a loving remembrance of Lisa Marie on Instagram, which features a stylish photograph of the late singer/songwriter and only child of Priscilla and Elvis Presley. “I miss you more than words can say,” Priscilla wrote. “I wish I could hold you, talk to you, see your smile just one more time. I wish you could see how much you are still loved, how deeply you are missed by all of us who carry you in our hearts. -Mom” Lisa Marie's daughter, Riley Keough, also remembered her mom on the two-year anniversary of her death, sharing a screenshot of an old FaceTime call with Lisa Marie on her Instagram Stories that she captioned with a heart emoji. (People)

Thomas Rhett took to Instagram on Monday (January 13) to share a video announcing his headlining show at Boston’s historic Fenway Park on July 19. And Rhett is bringing a bunch of his talented friends along with him for the special night which will feature some of the biggest rising stars in country music. Rhett will be joined by Best New Artist Grammy nominee Teddy Swims, along with chart-topping hitmaker Tucker Wetmore, and the harmonic sister trio the Castellows. “Ever since I was 21 I have always dreamed of headlining a baseball stadium,” Rhett wrote. “Boston has always been sooo good to us. Not gonna lie it’s kind of terrifying jumping from an arena or amphitheater to a baseball stadium, but YOLO!! I have never been more excited about something in my career as much as I am about this.” Tickets for Rhett’s Fenway Park show go on sale this Friday (January 17) at 10 a.m. local time on ThomasRhett.com. (All Country News)

During a recent appearance on Audacy’s Friday Night Takeover with Rob + Holly, Brooks & Dunn reflected on the success of their recent Reboot album series. The collections feature the country legends reworking their classic songs with contemporary music stars, introducing B&D’s music to a new generation of fans. “I give Luke Combs and Kacey [Musgraves] kudos for kind of getting this stirred up a little bit,” said Kix Brooks about the origins of their Reboot projects. “Luke was doing ‘Brand New Man’ at his show and he just wanted to do it like we did it… he liked the song and liked playing it like that.” Brooks also praised Musgraves’ distinctive interpretation of one of their big hits. “Kacey, she took real liberties with ‘Neon Moon,’ obviously doin’ her crazy thing on that which we thought was really cool too,” Brooks said. Ronnie Dunn added, “That was probably the primary catalyst for doing what we did with Reboot 2— is what Kacey Musgraves did with ‘Neon Moon.’” (Audacy)

Morgan Wallen recently shared an Instagram story which teases that the country superstar is hunkered down in the recording studio and working on a new album. The post features a smiling Wallen sitting on a stool in the studio, but it is the caption to the story that really excited country music fans. “Locked in,” Wallen wrote, suggesting that the Sneedville singer is creatively focused on recording a follow up to his chart-topping, 7x-platinum selling 2023 album, One Thing At A Time, which recently came in at No. 6 on the Top Billboard 200 Albums of the 21st Century chart. Wallen’s 2021 record, Dangerous: The Double Album, ended up topping that retrospective chart . Wallen’s current single, “Smile,” which he released on New Year’s Eve, lands at No. 4 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, continuing the strong popular reception of his recent singles, which will all most likely find their way on to his as-yet-unnamed new record. (Holler)    

Carrie Underwood has been announced as one of the performers during Donald Trump’s upcoming Presidential inauguration, along with the Village People and Lee Greenwood. The 41-year-old country star, who will perform “America the Beautiful” at the event, issued a public statement on Monday (January 13) explaining her decision to take part in the swearing in ceremony on January 20. “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood said in a statement. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.” In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, Underwood said at the time: "I try to stay far out of politics if possible, at least in public, because nobody wins. Everybody tries to sum everything up and put a bow on it, like it’s black and white. And it’s not like that." (People)

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars hit collaboration “Die With a Smile” spends a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. With the chart-topping success of “Die With a Smile,” Gaga joins Janet and Michael Jackson as the only artists with multiple Hot 100 No. 1s in three different decades, as Gaga now boasts two leaders each in the 2000s, ‘10s and ‘20s. Following its New Year’s Eve release, Morgan Wallen’s “Smile” jumps from No. 27 to No. 4 in its second week on the Hot 100 chart, becoming the country star’s 12th Top 10 of his record-setting career.

Elsewhere in the Top 10, Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” remains at No. 2, Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” sticks at No. 3, ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” holds at No. 5, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” drops two places to No. 6, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” stays at No. 7, Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True” drops two places to No. 8, Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help,” featuring Wallen, falls a spot to No. 9, and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” slides a slot to No. 10. (Billboard)

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. announced on Monday (January 13) that the 2025 Grammy Awards will proceed as planned on February 2. Mason Jr. sent out a letter to Academy members assuring them that the ceremony will take place as scheduled at Crypto.com Arena early next month, even as Los Angeles deals with the devastation due to the ongoing wildfires. Mason Jr. wrote that this year’s Grammys will take place “in close coordination with local authorities to ensure public safety and responsible use of area resources.” Mason Jr. pledges that the 2025 Grammys “will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.” Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group have both announced that they have cancelled their annual Grammy parties, donating their allocated money and resources towards fire relief efforts instead. (Rolling Stone)

In a series of Instagram stories posted on Thursday (January 9) on his now private account, Zach Bryan lashed out at social media trolls who came after the country star and his friends following his very public split with Brianna LaPaglia. Bryan said he could “take all the hatred” regarding the break-up, but told those criticizing him to leave his friends out of the discourse. Bryan dispelled Internet rumors about the singer dating again, saying he does not have a girlfriend and doesn't "plan on" having one anytime soon. “All you f--in couch warriors attacking and belittling my friends on the internet because you're assuming I have a girlfriend are weird as hell and should be studied for science," Bryan said. "Everyone wonders why I quit touring and don't want to be attached to music anymore meanwhile you're calling my friends ugly and harassing them? I'm not asking for sympathy but going for my -friends- is so low and so messed up?” (People)

Koe Wetzel and Jessie Murph’s hit collaboration, “High Road,” remains at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart for a fourth consecutive week. “High Road” is the first Country Airplay No. 1 for both Wetzel and Murph, as well as each of their debut entries on the chart. It becomes the first debut track to top the charts for four or more weeks since Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which ruled for seven weeks back in August, setting a record for the longest reign for a debut hit on the Country Airplay chart. Shaboozey’s crossover hit currently sits at No. 5 on this week’s chart, marking a record-tying 28th week in the Top 10, matching Dustin Lynch’s 2021-22 hit “Thinking ‘Bout You,” featuring MacKenzie Porter, for the longest Top 10 run in the history of the Country Airplay chart. (Billboard)

Beloved Australian children’s music group The Wiggles are pairing up with some of country’s biggest stars on their upcoming new album. The record is titled, Wiggle Up, Giddy Up!, and is set to be released on March 7. The collection features collaborations between The Wiggles and celebrated country artists including Dolly Parton, Dasha, Lainey Wilson, Orville Peck, Morgan Evans, Lucky Oceans, Jackson Dean, MacKenzie Porter and more. The album’s title track is a reworking of one of country’s biggest 2024 hits, “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” by Dasha, along with a playful music video featuring the group teaming up with the country star. “It’s a song that’s packed with energy, fun, and plenty of country flair,” said Purple Wiggle Lachy Gillespie. “Collaborating with the incredible Dasha, whose music has already brought country music to a whole new audience, was an absolute joy. Whether you’re three, thirty-three, or ninety-three, this song is all about bringing people together to sing, dance, and even try a bit of line dancing!” (Audacy)

RodeoHouston is set to return to NRG Stadium on March 4-23, 2025, and the lineup for the weeks-long music event was revealed on Instagram on Friday (January 10). Country legends Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, and Brad Paisley top the list of artists set to appear at RodeoHouston, joined by contemporary chart-toppers Old Dominion, Post Malone, and Luke Bryan, and rising singer-songwriters Cody Jinks, Charley Crockett, Zach Top, Bailey Zimmerman, and Riley Green. The event proudly captioned their stellar lineup announcement, “Music to our ears 🎶.” In addition to the music performances scheduled at RodeoHouston, the longstanding festival will also include a variety of family activities for attendees, including light and drone shows, a carnival, animal rides, a petting zoo, and food and beverage vendors from throughout the area. Tickets go on sale beginning at 10 a.m. on January 16. (Billboard)

On Friday, Julia Michaels and Maren Morris release their new collaborative single, “Scissors,” and the accompanying provactive music video directed by Blythe Thomas. The break-up track captures the end of a relationship, but Michaels and Morris’ creative partnership is still going strong. “Scissors” marks the second time that Michaels and Morris have teamed up, after the pair previously worked together on “Cut,” which was released last June. “It was just a wonderful and silly coincidence when these duets came together,” Michaels says, with Morris adding, “They were separate entities, but it felt like cosmic divinity that the titles mirrored each other.” Both music stars have experienced very public splits in recent years, with Morris filing for divorces from Ryan Hurd in 2023 after five years of marriage, while Michaels split with her boyfriend of four years, JP Saxe, back in 2022. "Not everything ends in heartbreak, but sometimes apathy and a lightheartedness which sorely needs representation in breakup songs!" Morris says. (Rolling Stone)

Lil Baby’s new release, WHAM, debuts at No. 1 on this week’s Billboard 200 albums chart. This marks the fourth consecutive chart-topping record from the Atlanta rapper, and his seventh Top 10 album of his career. Another notable release on the current Billboard 200 chart is Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS debuting at No. 2, becoming the international music superstar’s seventh Top 10-charting record. Benito’s album was released on an off-cycle Sunday (January 5), still reaching No. 2 with only five days of activity. This week’s Billboard 200 Top 10 is rounded out by SZA’s SOS which drops two places to No. 3, Kendrick Lamar’s GNX slides down two spots to No. 4, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet slips two slots to No. 5, the Wicked film soundtrack falls two places to No. 6, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft drops two spots to No. 7, Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time remains at No. 8, Gracie Abrams’ The Secret of Us sticks at No. 9, and Tyler, The Creator’s CHROMAKOPIA holds at No. 10. (Billboard)

The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” comes in at No. 1 on Billboard’s look back at the hit songs of the first 25 years of the 21st century, ruling Billboard’s Top Hot 100 Songs of the 21st Century chart. The survey takes into account the collective performances on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart from the start of 2000 through the end of 2024. “Blinding Lights” topped the chart due to a record-setting 57-week run in the Top 10 of the Hot 100 from February 2020 through April 2021, including four weeks at No. 1. “I don’t think [it] has hit me yet,” The Weeknd’s Abel Tesfaye said about earning the honor. “I just count my blessings, and I’m just grateful.”

The rest of the Top 10 of the Billboard’s Top Hot 100 Songs of the 21st Century chart is rounded out by (in order): “Uptown Funk!” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars, “Stay” by The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock, “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas, “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran, “Last Night” by Morgan Wallen, “Closer” by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey, “Levitating” by Dua Lipa, and “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey. (Billboard)

A benefit concert for Los Angeles fire victims dubbed FIREAID is set to take place on January 30 at L.A.’s Intuit Dome. The event, billed as “an evening of music and solidarity,”  will be organized by the Azoff family alongside booking giants Live Nation and AEG Presents. Ticket information and a music lineup will be announced in the next few days. All proceeds from the benefit concert will go towards an organization created to rebuild Los Angeles infrastructure and provide support to displaced families. Event organizers are hoping to take advantage of the A-list artists who are likely to be in L.A. around that time for the upcoming Grammy Awards, which are scheduled for February 2. The music industry has been hit particularly hard by the fires, with over 100 executives and artists losing their homes, recording studios, instruments, and equipment. (Billboard)