On the Charts 55 Years Ago, a Pair of Country Legends Were at No. 1 for the First Time With...
On March 27, 1971 Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with the duet “After the Fire Is Gone,” holding No. 1 for two weeks. The track earned a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and launched a string of CMA Vocal Duo of the Year awards from 1972‑1975. Both artists were already established solo stars, and their collaboration became a template for future country duos. Their partnership, sparked by producer Owen Bradley, cemented a legacy that still influences country collaborations today.
3 Modern Country Live Performances Where the Vocals Are Better Than the Studio Version
The article spotlights three modern country live performances that outshine their studio recordings: Chris Stapleton’s acoustic rendition of “Whiskey And You,” Riley Green and Ella Langley’s duet “Don’t Mind If I Do,” and Cody Johnson’s CMA Fest performance of “The Fall.” Each artist leverages the...
Miley Cyrus To Be Honored With Innovator Award at 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards
Miley Cyrus will be honored with the Innovator Award at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, broadcast live from Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre. The accolade places her among a distinguished roster that includes Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake, U2, and Beyoncé. Her...
Filmmaker Eric Geadelmann Discusses ‘They Called Us Outlaws’, the Outlaw Country Documentary That Made Waves at SXSW (Exclusive)
Filmmaker Eric Geadelmann previewed his decade‑long, 10‑part docuseries "They Called Us Outlaws" at SXSW with a sold‑out, 90‑minute Austin‑centric episode. The standalone prologue dives into the city’s outlaw‑country roots and features interviews with 64 artists, from Waylon Jennings‑era legends to...
On This Day in 2023, We Lost the Jean Shepard Duet Partner and Opry Mainstay Who Notched a String of...
Ray Pillow, the 85‑year‑old country singer best known for his 1966 top‑10 duet “I’ll Take the Dog” with Jean Shepard, died on March 26, 2023 in Nashville. He charted several modest hits in the 1960s, released 11 albums, and spent more than...
Here’s Every Performer From Tonight’s iHeartRadio Music Awards
The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards featured a packed performer lineup at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theater, with Ludacris hosting and receiving the Landmark Award. Taylor Swift led the nominations with nine nods, while Alex Warren, Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter each earned eight....
3 Country One-Hit Wonders From the 90s That You Probably Forgot About
The 1990s produced several country acts that burst onto the scene with a single, unforgettable hit before fading from mainstream view. The Tractors cracked the Billboard Top 20 with “Baby Likes To Rock It” in 1994, earning Grammy and CMA recognition....
3 of the Most Important Albums in Country Music History All Came Out in 1973
1973 stands out as a watershed year for country music, delivering three albums that reshaped the genre. Charley Pride’s “Sweet Country” produced two No. 1 singles and reinforced his crossover appeal. The Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn collaboration “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi...
3 Retro Rock Songs That We Can Still Feel the Influence of Today
Modern rock artists are increasingly drawing from 1970s and 1980s classics, with Bruce Springsteen’s “Born To Run,” Talking Heads’ “This Must Be The Place (Naïve Melody),” and Stevie Nicks’ “Gypsy” highlighted as key inspirations. The article notes that acts such...
On This Day in 2008, We Lost the “Fifth Beatle” Who Kept the Fab Four’s Music Empire Running for Almost...
Neil Aspinall, often dubbed the Beatles’ “fifth Beatle,” died on March 24, 2008, at age 66 after battling lung cancer. Starting as a part‑time road manager in the early 1960s, he progressed to personal assistant, photographer, and occasional musician for...
Syd Barrett Wrote and Recorded This Slightly Cynical Ode to Bob Dylan in 1970 That David Gilmour Saved for 30...
Syd Barrett wrote an acoustic‑blues tribute called “Bob Dylan Blues” after seeing Bob Dylan perform in London in the mid‑1960s. The demo was recorded on February 27, 1970 at Abbey Road Studios but was omitted from his solo album *Barrett*...
3 Folk Gems From 1963 That Show How Bob Dylan Transformed Pop Music
In 1963, Bob Dylan’s sophomore albums reshaped popular music, prompting folk artists to reinterpret his songs for wider audiences. Joan Baez’s live rendition of “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” linked traditional folk with Dylan’s modern lyricism, while Peter, Paul & Mary turned his compositions into chart‑ready pop hits...
How The Psychedelic Furs’ Only Us Top 40 Hit Piggybacked Off Their Most Well-Known Song
The Psychedelic Furs, a British new‑wave act, never cracked the US Top 40 until the late 1980s. After their 1986 re‑recording of “Pretty In Pink” appeared in John Hughes’s teen‑film, the band rushed the follow‑up album *Midnight To Midnight*. That pressure produced “Heartbreak Beat,” which...
This Major U2 Hit Was Almost Abandoned, Bandmates Called the Earliest Version of the Song “Difficult”
U2’s iconic 1987 single “With Or Without You” almost didn’t make the cut during the recording of The Joshua Tree. The band wrestled with a repetitive chord structure until guitarist the Edge introduced an experimental “infinite guitar” that added endless...
Clay Walker Wanted Either Randy Travis or Clint Black To Record One of His Biggest Hits
In 1993 Clay Walker released "Live Until I Die," a song he wrote at 17 that became his second consecutive No. 1 hit. Despite penning the track himself, Walker lacked confidence in his voice and initially pitched the song to country...
On This Day in 2023, We Said Goodbye to the Brother of a Rock Hall of Famer Who Played in...
Tom Leadon, co‑founder of Tom Petty’s early band Mudcrutch, passed away on March 22 2023 at age 70. After leaving Mudcrutch in the early 1970s, he joined Linda Ronstadt’s backing band and co‑wrote the Eagles’ track “Hollywood Waltz.” In 2007 he reunited with...
On the Charts 46 Years Ago, This British Invasion-Loving Band Who Emerged From the London Punk Scene Scored Its First...
The Jam, a London trio rooted in the late‑1970s punk scene, blended British Invasion melodies with raw energy to dominate UK charts. On March 22, 1980, their non‑album single “Going Underground” debuted at No. 1, delivering a political critique of government...
“I Love You Brother”: Kenny Chesney Takes a Trip Down Memory Lane in Penned Tribute to Tim McGraw
Kenny Chesney posted an emotional Instagram tribute celebrating Tim McGraw’s upcoming induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The two country stars first met in 1991 at Nashville’s Mack’s Café, sparking a friendship that has endured for 35 years....
On This Day in 1974, the Eagles Released the “Best-Sounding Record” They Ever Made, Featuring a 5-Word Hidden Message
On March 22, 1974 the Eagles released *On the Border*, their first album with guitarist Don Felder and a decisive shift toward rock. After a contentious start with producer Glyn Johns, the band moved to Bill Szymczyk, who delivered what...
Ella Langley Credits This Country Genre-Bending King as the Biggest Influence Behind Her Upcoming Project
Ella Langley’s second studio album, Dandelion, drops on April 10, 2026, following her breakout single “Choosin’ Texas.” The record, co‑produced with Miranda Lambert and Ben West, draws heavily on Ronnie Milsap’s genre‑bending 70s‑80s country sound. Langley describes the project as...
How Townes Van Zandt Ended up in a Music Video for a Song He Wrote, Performed by Another Artist
Townes Van Zandt, the original writer of "Pancho And Lefty," made a brief cameo in the 1983 music video for the Willie Nelson‑Merle Haggard duet version. The duet emerged after Nelson’s daughter Lana introduced the song to the two country legends, prompting...
On This Day in 2015, We Lost One-Half of the Husband-Wife Songwriting Duo That Penned Hits for Frank Sinatra and...
Jackie Trent, half of the prolific husband‑wife songwriting team with Tony Hatch, died on March 21, 2015 at age 74. Over three decades the duo penned more than 400 songs for legends such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Petula...
Most People Have Forgotten About These 3 Underrated Yet Stunning Whitney Houston Duets
The article spotlights three often‑overlooked Whitney Houston duets—"When You Believe" with Mariah Carey, "Hold Me" with Teddy Pendergrass, and "Count On Me" with CeCe Winans. Each track emerged from distinct moments in Houston’s career, ranging from her debut single to...
Remember When a Political Campaign Inspired This 1969 Beatles Song?
In 1969 John Lennon attempted to write a campaign anthem for Timothy Leary, producing an early version of what would become the Beatles' hit "Come Together." The song was never used in Leary's political bid, but was reworked for the...
On Stage 52 Years Ago, Elvis Presley Returned to His Hometown To Deliver a Grammy Award-Winning Performance
In March 1974 Elvis Presley returned to Memphis for a four‑show residency at the Mid‑South Coliseum, his first city performance since 1961. The shows were recorded and released as *Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis* in July 1974. Despite...
3 Little-Known One-Hit Wonders From the 1990s That Weren’t Grunge or Even Rock
While the 1990s are remembered for grunge, several non‑rock one‑hit wonders also made a splash. Latin hip‑hop artist Mellow Man Ace reached No. 14 with “Mentirosa,” synth‑pop duo Cause&Effect hit No. 38 with “You Think You Know Her,” and UK electronic act The Prodigy’s “Firestarter”...
Neil Diamond To Release New Album in 2026, Featuring Unheard Songs From His 2000s Collaborations With Rick Rubin
Legendary singer‑songwriter Neil Diamond will issue a new album, *Wild At Heart*, on May 8, 2026. The record features nine previously unheard songs from the 2007 *Home Before Dark* sessions and an alternate take of “Forgotten.” Produced by Rick Rubin, the release...
3 Country Covers That Sound Like They Were Written by the Artists Who Borrowed Them
The article spotlights three country covers—Brooks & Dunn’s “My Maria,” Alison Krauss’s rendition of “When You Say Nothing At All,” and Glen Campbell’s “Gentle On My Mind”—that have eclipsed their originals and become signature hits for the performers. Each cover retained core lyrical hooks while adding distinct vocal or instrumental flair, making the...
On Stage 36 Years Ago, Eric Clapton Appears on ‘SNL’ to Perform a Song About His and George Harrison’s Ex-Wife
In March 1990, Eric Clapton appeared on Saturday Night Live and performed three songs, including the ballad “Wonderful Tonight,” which he originally wrote for Pattie Boyd, the former wife of George Harrison. The SNL slot was part of a hectic...
On This Day in 1967, The Beatles Scored Their 13th No. 1 Hit in the US With a Song Based...
On March 18, 1967 the Beatles topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with “Penny Lane,” a psychedelic pop single that stayed at number 1 for one week and remained on the chart for ten weeks. The track was released as a double A‑side with “Strawberry Fields Forever,”...
What Are John Lennon’s 5 Biggest US Hits?
John Lennon's solo catalog, though brief, produced five US chart‑topping hits. The list runs from the 1970 protest anthem "Instant Karma!" to the posthumous 1980 comeback "(Just Like) Starting Over," each reaching the top three on the Billboard Hot 100....
The Bay City Rollers’ First US Hit Was the Song’s Second Chance
The Scottish teen‑idol group Bay City Rollers broke into the United States in 1976 when they re‑recorded their 1973 single “Saturday Night.” The new version featured new frontman Les McKeown, the band’s own instrumentation, and a push from U.S. executive Clive Davis. The track...
Luke Combs Pushes Back on People Who Say They Don’t Like Country Music
Luke Combs is set to release his new album The Way I Am on March 17, 2026, following 2024’s Fathers & Sons. He has already pushed two singles, Back in the Saddle and I Ain’t No Cowboy, to build momentum....
Carly Pearce Talks Chemistry With Riley Green in “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay” Video
Country singers Carly Pearce and Riley Green teamed up for the duet “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay,” recording the track within minutes after Green’s swift reply. The accompanying music video, featuring steamy on‑screen chemistry, has already garnered over...
Born on This Day in 1912, the Country-Blues Legend and Guitar Hero Who Influenced Hank Williams Jr.
Lightnin’ Hopkins, born Samuel John Hopkins on March 15, 1912 in Centerville, Texas, rose from a cigar‑box guitar to become a seminal country‑blues figure. After early mentorship from Blind Lemon Jefferson and a stint in a Texas prison farm, he...
On This Day in 1955, Elvis Presley Signed With a Man Who Once Managed Dancing Chickens
On March 15, 1955 Colonel Tom Parker formally signed Elvis Presley, marking the start of a partnership that would define rock‑n‑roll’s commercial rise. Parker, a Dutch immigrant with a colorful past that included a circus featuring dancing chickens, leveraged his promotional savvy...
Guns N’ Roses Rejected This Slash Lyric From Their 1989 Hit “Paradise City” (And I Can’t Say I Blame Them)
During a 1989 van jam session, Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash suggested a raunchy rewrite for the chorus of “Paradise City,” proposing the line “where the girls are fat, and they’ve got big t****es.” The band rejected the lyric in favor...
This Massive George Strait Hit Was Actually Written for Johnny Paycheck
George Strait’s debut single “Unwound” was originally written for Johnny Paycheck, who was incarcerated when the song was offered. Songwriters Dean Dillon and Frank Dycus handed the track to producer Blake Mavis, who passed it to Strait’s manager Erv Woolsey....
3 Underrated Songs That Country Artists Released Before They Got Famous
The article spotlights three early, underrated tracks from now‑famous country artists—Megan Moroney’s "Wonder," Ella Langley’s "Damn You," and Riley Green & Randy Owen’s "Better Than Me." Each song was released before the performers broke into mainstream charts and gained a surprising amount of fan attention. The...
On This Day in 1975, the Doobie Brothers Hit No. 1 for the First Time With a Song Later Covered...
On March 15, 1975 the Doobie Brothers’ “Black Water” topped the U.S. singles chart, becoming their first No. 1 hit despite originally being a B‑side. Heavy rotation on a Roanoke, Virginia radio station triggered a cascade of airplay that propelled the...
Remember When Paul McCartney Released a Musical Racing Video Game in 1985?
In 1985 Paul McCartney extended his solo‑career promotion by releasing a video game titled *Give My Regards To Broad Street* for the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. The racing‑puzzle title mirrored the plot of his eponymous film, tasking players with driving around London...
Bob Dylan Admitted He Went “Too Far” With This 1975 Track: “What Did I Do That For?”
Bob Dylan recently reflected on his 1975 track “Idiot Wind” from the album Blood on the Tracks, admitting the song may have gone “too far” in its personal intensity. Although he insists the lyrics weren’t aimed at any specific individual,...
The Tense Night That Resulted in a Rock Classic From David Bowie and Queen
David Bowie and Queen’s impromptu session in a Swiss town birthed the iconic 1981 single “Under Pressure.” Tensions flared as Freddie Mercury and Bowie vied for creative dominance, especially over John Deacon’s now‑legendary bass riff. The rivalry forced Bowie to...
3 New Wave Hits From 1981 That Every 80s Kid Can’t Stop Singing
An article by Thom Donovan spotlights three 1981 new wave hits—Devo’s “Beautiful World,” Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself,” and Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love.” It outlines each song’s origin, from Devo’s self‑produced darker follow‑up to Idol’s remix that launched his solo career, and Soft Cell’s UK‑sourced...
On This Day in 1967, George Harrison Hit Abbey Road Studios To Record a “Solo” Song With Some Legendary Session...
On March 15, 1967 George Harrison recorded “Within You Without You” at Abbey Road Studios, a Beatles track that featured only him and a cadre of Indian and Western session musicians. The song, inspired by Harrison’s 1966 study of sitar with Ravi Shankar,...
On This Day in 1971, a Forgotten Folk Duo Entered the Charts With a Controversial Hit That Featured Jerry Garcia...
On March 13, 1971 Brewer & Shipley cracked the Billboard Hot 100 with “One Toke Over the Line,” peaking at No. 10 despite widespread radio bans. The FCC’s warning memo triggered a purge of songs perceived as glorifying drug use, forcing stations in multiple states to drop the track. The...
The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde Shares Exciting News About a New Album by the Band and Other Recording Projects
Frontwoman Chrissie Hynde announced that The Pretenders will begin recording a new album, tentatively titled Outlaw, within months. She also revealed two side projects: a Brazil‑based +3 collaboration with artists Moreno Veloso, Alexandre Kassin and Domenico Lancellotti, and a second...
“Who’s That Little Pisser?”: Dolly Parton Addresses Health, Dating Rumors During First Major Public Appearance of the Year
Dolly Parton made her first major public appearance of the year at Dollywood's 41st‑season kickoff, addressing recent health setbacks and the loss of her husband, Carl Dean. She confirmed postponing her Las Vegas residency and other engagements to focus on...
How This Groovy 1976 One-Hit Wonder Reflected a Major Musical Shift Happening From the 1970s to 1980s
In 1976 Wild Cherry turned a casual audience comment into the hit "Play That Funky Music," capturing the seismic shift from hard‑rock to disco. The single surged to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and cracked the top ten in multiple...
On This Day in 2006, These Punk Legends Issued a Two-Finger Salute to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—Accompanied...
On March 13, 2006 the Sex Pistols were slated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame but deliberately skipped the ceremony. Instead they faxed a profanity‑laden letter denouncing the institution, which co‑founder Jann Wenner read to the audience. The band’s refusal underscored...