The 10 Best Oak Ridge Boys Songs
The Oak Ridge Boys, originally a gospel quartet formed in wartime Oak Ridge, Tennessee, transitioned to country music in the 1970s and built a catalog of chart‑topping hits. Their most iconic tracks—ranked from “I’ll Be True to You” to the crossover smash “Elvira”—illustrate a decade‑long streak of No. 1 singles and enduring radio rotation. The group earned Grand Ole Opry membership in 2011 and Country Music Hall of Fame induction in 2015, cementing their status as genre pillars. Despite recent setbacks, including Joe Bonsall’s 2024 death and Richard Sterban’s 2025 cancer diagnosis, the band continues to record and tour.
What Happened to the Letter Lainey Wilson Wrote to Tim McGraw?
Lainey Wilson penned a heartfelt letter to country legend Tim McGraw when she was 18, attaching a demo CD while studying nursing in Louisiana. The letter, shown in her Netflix documentary "Keepin’ Country Cool," never received a public reply, and Wilson...
Tim McGraw Scored a Career-Altering Hit With an Unlikely Anthem
Tim McGraw’s 2016 single “Humble and Kind,” written by Nashville songwriter Lori McKenna, became a career‑defining hit. The song topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, and its simple, universal message resonated with a broad audience. A striking video...
Keith Urban Teases New Music: 'Something Extra Smooth'
Country star Keith Urban posted a beach‑side video on April 22, hinting at new music with the tagline “something extra smooth.” He announced a launch date of April 29, 2026, and described the project as a yacht‑rock album featuring mostly cover songs...
This Is Why the Eagles Fired Guitarist Don Felder
The Eagles terminated guitarist Don Felder on February 6, 2001 after a long‑running power and financial dispute with co‑founders Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Felder, who helped shape the band’s rock sound and co‑wrote hits like “Hotel California,” sued for wrongful...
'American Idol' Finalists Hard-Launch Their Relationship
Season 24 of American Idol saw finalists Brooks Rosser and Rae Boyd publicly confirm their romance during the April 20 live episode, effectively hard‑launching a new power couple on the show. The 22‑year‑old Baltimore singer and the 24‑year‑old from Frederick had...
Zach Top Didn't Expect Country Fans to Embrace Him
Zach Top, a self‑described country‑music staple, earned five nominations at the 2026 ACM Awards, including Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year for “I Never Lie.” In a recent interview he admitted he...
10 Country Songs About Weed You Need to Hear
Country music’s relationship with cannabis has shifted from subtle nods to overt celebration, as illustrated by a curated list of ten tracks spanning from Johnny Cash’s 1970 No. 1 hit to Willie Nelson’s 2015 duet with Merle Haggard. The songs, including...
Billy Bob Thornton Says He's Been Writing Country Music
Billy Bob Thornton, famed actor from *Landman*, has turned his attention to country songwriting, collaborating with longtime friend Mark Collie. He estimates having written 18‑20 songs, five of which appear on the *Landman* soundtrack alongside artists like Flatland Cavalry and...
Why Don Henley Wants a Do-Over on an Eagles Classic
Don Henley revealed in a 2015 interview that he dislikes his own vocal on the Eagles’ 1973 classic “Desperado,” calling it a performance he would redo if given the chance. He said the London studio session with the London Symphony Orchestra...
Aaron Watson Can’t Hold Back: New Country, Zach Bryan + 'Outlaws'
Aaron Watson returned after a three‑year hiatus with *Horse Named Texas*, a 26‑song album that will expand to a 40‑track platinum edition. The Texas‑born independent veteran, who underwent two vocal‑cord surgeries, wrote roughly 99% of the record himself, underscoring his DIY ethos....
The Crazy Story Behind Kenny Rogers' Signature Hit, 'The Gambler'
“The Gambler,” written by Don Schlitz in 1976 while working nights as a computer operator, struggled to find a home in Nashville due to its unconventional structure. Bobby Bare cut the first version in April 1978, but it was Kenny Rogers’...
Legendary 'The Gambler' Songwriter Don Schlitz Dead at 73
Legendary country songwriter Don Schlitz, best known for penning Kenny Rogers’ 1978 hit “The Gambler,” died at 73 after a sudden illness. Over a five‑decade career he amassed 25 No. 1 songs and 50 top‑10 hits, earning multiple CMA, ACM and...
Chris Stapleton's 25 Best Songs Will Put You Through the Wringer
Chris Stapleton’s career vaulted after his 2015 CMA performance with Justin Timberlake, turning a respected songwriter into a mainstream country star. He has released four studio albums, yet a curated list of 25 songs showcases his ability to span blues,...
When Dolly Parton Appeared on 'Reba'
Country music legends Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire teamed up in 2005 when Parton guest‑starred on the sitcom Reba. In the episode “Reba’s Rules of Real Estate,” aired April 15, she portrayed Dolly Majors, a cut‑throat real‑estate mogul. The pair...