Not even the camera crew knew. Continue reading…
Country Music News – Taste of Country
Month: August 2025
The Grand Ole Opry has blended two iconic versions of “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” Continue reading…
Country Music News – Taste of Country
Pusser’s story was turned into several films, including one starring the Rock in 2004. Continue reading…
Country Music News – Taste of Country
Lainey Wilson was a recent guest on Taste of Country Nights and spilled some details about her wedding dress that are kind of surprising. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Not even the camera crew knew. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
A tasty tradition is brewing at Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, where every dollar spent on stars is a step toward honoring our heroes. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
The Grand Ole Opry has blended two iconic versions of “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Pusser’s story was turned into several films, including one starring the Rock in 2004. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Categories
Country Next: Will Jones
Will Jones is a powerhouse artist whose music blends the grittiness of outlaw country with the heartfelt traditions of Appalachian bluegrass. Growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Jones was no stranger to the stage and by the time most kids were learning their ABCs, he was already performing in his family band, The Cana Ramblers, as both a guitarist and lead singer.
With his career now rooted in Nashville, the rising act has cemented himself as a force to be reckoned with while dominating as a songwriter, performer, and musician. He remains authentic by drawing inspiration from his life as a husband and father and tapping into the experiences of his musical upbringing.
Jones is currently setting the stage for his next chapter with his latest collection of releases that capture his ability to force his own path, while staying true to himself. Fans got a small taste of his timeless storytelling and what’s to come in songs like “Lonesome Dove,” “My Country’s Showing,” and “Devil’s Den.”
Now signed with Lady Luck Songs and Blue Harbor Music for publishing and artist development, he has unveiled his latest single, “Come On In.” Both the new song and its accompanying music video capture his fun-loving rebellious spirit with a story that touches on the moments you open the door to something you know you probably shouldn’t have let in.
As more new music and headlining shows approach, Will Jones is ready to continue showcasing a sound that’s unmistakably his own.
Get to know more about the country act in this installment of Country Next.
What was the transition like going from a family band to stepping out on your own? Were you nervous, or just ready?
I wasn’t nervous at all! If anything, the years I spent playing bluegrass music with my family was only preparing me more for stepping out and into the country music scene. So, I was very ready when that time came.
What were the first songs you remember learning, or the ones you felt most connected to as a young performer?
That would definitely be old-school bluegrass… traditional stuff. I remember learning a lot of bluegrass gospel songs early on. Artists like Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, JD Crowe, and Tony Rice… those were the artists I was studying, and learning songs from.
Do you remember the first show you ever played on your own? What sticks with you about that performance?
I do still remember the very first show I played as a solo country artist. It was in my hometown, at this local bar and restaurant I’d booked myself, right after putting my band together for the first time. What stuck with me most was how many people showed up. It was standing room only. That night really reassured me I was on the right path.
In a world that’s often centered around chasing the next viral moment, how do you stay focused on building something lasting and meaningful?
For me, it’s all about being authentic and staying true to who I am — both as a person and as an artist. I want my personality and my craft, whether it’s singing or playing guitar, to speak for itself. That’s what sets me apart. I’m not chasing viral moments; I’m focused on doing what I do consistently and with heart. I’d rather people get to know the real me through the music than go viral for something that doesn’t reflect who I am.
When you play live shows, which songs do you think people seem to resonate most with, or sing along to the most?
I’d say it’s either songs with really honest lyrics or the ones that are super catchy. It’s a tough question because it can go both ways, but I think people connect most with the songs I sing that carry a real, honest message. On the flip side, when it comes to singalongs, it’s all about the fun, feel-good, beer-drinking kind of music.
What is a bucket list venue you have, or any artists you hope to share the road with one day?
That’s a great question. My bucket list venue was always the Ryman Auditorium, and I actually got to check that off in January when I played there with Josh Turner. So that was a dream come true. Next up would be the Grand Ole Opry and Red Rocks, for sure. I’d also love to play some of the iconic rock and roll clubs, like the Troubadour in LA.
As for artists I’d love to hit the road with, well that’s tough, because a lot of my musical idols either aren’t touring anymore or have passed on. But if I had to name a couple, I’d say Dierks Bentley and Eric Church. I think touring with those guys would be really fun.
You’ve said being a husband and father keeps you grounded — how does your family life influence your music and the way you carry yourself as an artist?
That’s another great question because, being a husband and a father IS my why. I am motivated every morning to get up and give them my all. Whether it be writing a song, putting on a show for people and giving them everything I got on stage, I do it for my family, before myself, always. I’d say it really influenced my songwriting and the seriousness with which I approach my work. I take what I do very seriously, because I am doing it all for them.
You’ve called yourself a “student of songwriting” — what does that learning process look like for you? Are there any songwriters who have helped you grow in your writing or offered good advice?
Absolutely. There have definitely been songwriters who’ve helped me grow and offered guidance along the way. The first name that comes to mind is Monty Holmes. He’s known for writing songs like “Troubadour” and “When Did You Stop Loving Me” for George Strait and “Never Again, Again” for Lee Ann Womack. Monty really took me under his wing when I first moved to town. We wrote what felt like a million songs together, and through that, I learned how to really write. Since then, I’ve become friends with other great writers like Brice Long and Brandon Kinney — just to name a couple — and they’ve all played a part in helping me grow. The truth is, there’s no shortcut. Every great writer will tell you: it takes 10,000 hours. The only way to get better is to keep writing, especially with people who challenge and inspire you.
How does your new single “Come On In” fit into the bigger picture of what you’re creating right now — is it a hint of what’s to come?
We figured it was time to drop some upbeat honky-tonk music. We’re writing and recording a lot of country damn music. Can’t wait for y’all to hear it!
Have you received any advice from other artists that has helped you on your music journey?
Yeah, I think I’ve learned a lot! Maybe even more than I realized at the time, just from being out on the road with artists like Jon Pardi, Ashley McBryde, and Josh Turner. These are people I really admire, and getting to tour with them gave me a front-row seat to what excellence looks like on stage. What stood out the most is how the bar can always be raised when it comes to a live performance. Whether it’s the quality of the band, the songs they choose, or the way they connect with a crowd, they all bring something powerful to the stage. I learned how important it is to deliver something real and memorable for the fans — because at the end of the day, it’s not about us, it’s about them. That’s something those artists live by, and just getting to watch them work taught me a lot.
What’s next for you?
Fans can look forward to a lot of new music pouring out, and way more fun, interactive content on social media. We’re capturing a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff because I want people to really get to know me beyond the stage. Whether I’m grilling steaks with my family, working on my old truck, fishing or hunting, or just hanging out on the road — dancing around small towns in America — they’ll get a glimpse of the real day-to-day me. So, they can look forward to all of that, but most importantly, a bunch of new songs that I think they’re going to be really excited to hear.
Fans can keep up with Will Jones on Instagram.
The post Country Next: Will Jones appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
From delivering mail in his small town to taking part in Nashville songwriting sessions, Preston Cooper has slowly been building out a catalog of songs that chronicle his journey fueled by hard work and a relentless determination. With his debut album, Toledo Talkin’, out now, we get an inside look into the emotions of leaving his home in Ohio behind to chase a dream in Music City.
With his bold storytelling on full display, the rising country act captures the highs and lows of that journey, from battling homesickness and self-doubt to embracing new risks and opportunities.
Featuring powerful tracks like the chart-climbing single “Weak” and the fearless “The Takedown,” Toledo Talkin’ showcases Cooper’s ability to connect deeply with listeners. Backed by a talented team including the Warren Brothers, who co-wrote much of the album and helped produce it, Preston is quickly establishing himself as a fresh voice with stadium-sized potential rooted in Midwestern grit.
Currently touring with Riley Green on the Damn Country Music Tour, Preston is hitting milestone venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre while sharing his honest stories and dynamic performances across the country.
Learn more about Preston Cooper’s debut album and the next chapter of his career in the exclusive Q&A below:
Your debut single “Weak” is officially inside the Top 40, how has it felt to see that rise soar up the charts?
It’s been a whirlwind. I’m very grateful for what it’s done…It’s in the top 40 now. Yeah, it’s I think 37 or something, so that’s pretty crazy. But yeah, just from writing that melody on the mail route, I used to work for the post office, and then coming to Nashville and writing the lyrics for it. It’s been really cool.
“Numbers On A Mailbox” feels like a standout track on the album as it correlates to your past job with the post office. Can you talk about what made you want to cut this song?
This is a really cool story, and I’m glad you asked. I did not write that song. That song was actually, the Warren Brothers wrote that song like eight years before they met me and they met me and they’re like, ‘you would be perfect for this song from a small town.’ And I worked for the post office and I had a lot to do with mailboxes. So it was just so cool, and it spoke to me personally and I was like, ‘yeah, I’m doing it.’
How did you land on the title, Toledo Talkin’, for the album?
So I picked “Toledo Talkin’” because there’s such a big story behind that, and it’s kind of how I got found and how the professional side of the music business started for me and just really took it to the next level. But I was playing a gig in Toledo at a Holiday Inn in a ballroom, and I opened up for the Warren Brothers, and so they had seen me play there, and then they’re like, ‘dude, you got to get to Nashville.’ So I came to Nashville three weeks later and we wrote “Weak.” Then we wrote another song the same day right after that. It was called “Toledo Talkin’,” but the whole name behind that song was from a conversation that we had had. I walked in the doors and they’re like, ‘alright, when are you moving here?’ And it was literally five minutes in. I was like, ‘dude, slow down. This is my first time in Nashville.’ And they’re like, ‘well, you got to move here.’ And I was just explaining how it’s scary because I’ve heard a lot of bad stories about people moving here and just not working out, having to move back home. And they said, ‘nah, that’s just Toledo talking.’ And so that’s the moment where we’re like, we got to write that song. So we literally sat down and wrote it right there in the spot, and it was just such a fitting album title.
You proceeded to build a project with songs that highlight different parts of your journey, even if you didn’t have a hand in writing all of them. Since it’s your debut project was that always your goal with this album?
Yeah, it was just kind of the whole coming to Nashville sign, the period of my life. It was all about that and moving and just taking chances. Basically a lot of the album is about that. So I know “The Takedown” is really big in that too.
Can you dive a little bit more into “The Takedown” and the story behind it?
Yeah, I wrote “The Takedown” with Brett [Warren] and I was at his house in his little apartment above the garage, and we were just hanging out and talking. I was just telling him how it was hard at the time. I just moved here and I was like, ‘man, I just have to take down all the stuff off my wall because it’s like I can’t focus on that. It kind of takes away from what I’m trying to do, [which] is pursue this career. It’s distracting to see all that stuff from my hometown.’ So he’s like, ‘dude, that’s a great song. The takedown.’ So we literally wrote “The Takedown” and that’s kind of what it’s about.
Did you take the best song wins approach for this project?
I’m not opposed to picking a song that I didn’t write. If it’s a great song, it’s a great song and I’m going to sing it, especially if I love it. It speaks to me like “Numbers On A Mailbox” spoke to me. “Around Around Here” was the same way. It was really catchy first of all, but it was like, I just loved it because of the small town vibe it had. You can’t go anywhere around here without seeing somebody that you know around here. You know what I mean? So that was a really cool song. I think the other one, “Used To,” I love that song so much because my hero, Chris Stapleton wrote it. So I was like, yeah, I’d love to have that opportunity to sing a song that he wrote.
You have been getting a lot of comparisons to Chris Stapleton. How do you feel when you hear that?
I think it’s a compliment. I mean, he’s one of probably the best singers in country music, in my opinion, on the planet. I mean, that’s not a bad thing to be compared to him, and he’s my hero.
Was there anything about this process of making this project that was very challenging or very unexpected for you since this is your first time building out a full album?
Yeah, there was some challenging times during the making of the album. I was traveling back and forth from Ohio to Nashville. I was still playing gigs at the time, at the bars, the local bars and stuff. I had tons of stuff booked. So I was doing all that just to make enough money to live here while coming down and making the album. I had to do both of that at the same time. And it was hard mentally to go to Ohio and play some gigs, but then come back and get into the mode of creating. It was really hard to keep going back and forth and just moving here. It was just tough in the beginning, it really was. But it was fun at the same time. It was a journey, and I’m so glad that I did it, and I think everything happens for a reason. So yeah, that’s kind of my experience with it.
Hows it been being on the road with Riley Green?
It’s been great. Riley’s whole crew is awesome. Riley himself is just an amazing guy and super nice, and then he treats everybody well. But just playing in front of that many people is pretty cool. The biggest crowd so far I think has been 18,000, and that was eye opening to me. It’s like, wow, I’m really doing it. To be on that tour is such an honor. So it’s just I’m very thankful for that.
Have you had the chance to sit down and have some good conversations with Riley?
When we do hang out, it’s more about hunting than anything. We don’t really talk about the business much…I do learn a lot from him though. When he’s playing I go out and watch him quite a bit, so that’s pretty cool. I learned how to do things that he does and take some of that and put it in my own show. But yeah, it’s fun to hang out with him. We’ve had some good conversations and stuff.
What was your reaction when you found out that you were going to play Red Rocks Amphitheater?
I was kind of speechless. I didn’t really know how to act, to be honest. It was so early on that I learned that information and it’s just, like I said, I was speechless. I didn’t know how to act. It was cool… I did visit it not too long ago. I was doing a radio visit out there, and we did go out and just see it. There was no show going on. It’s a park, so it’s cool. You can just go walk around.
What are some of your other bucket list venues?
Madison Square Garden is one of my dream venues. I had a lot of inspirational musicians play there, and just a place I always loved. And then the Ryman Auditorium is another one.
The post Exclusive Q&A: Preston Cooper Dives Into The Making Of His Debut Album, ‘Toledo Talkin” appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now