The silver lining is in how most of these country women have bounced back. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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Country Women Whose Husbands Died Too Soon
Month: August 2025
Here’s the video, followed by the scoop on all of the singing Wallens, including the sister who did make a record. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
The 35-year-old half-brother to Brandon took to Instagram to share a touching, very brotherly statement. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
A set of new, unverified Instagram and TikTok pages have quietly surfaced, featuring a goldmine of unreleased demos from Luke Combs. And yes, the country superstar is actually behind it. Disguised under the discrete handle, @lcombs77, the account is part of Combs’ new crowdsourcing strategy, giving fans a direct say in which tracks should make it onto his next album.
The buzz surrounding Combs’ next project began when he shared a statement on X back in March, revealing he’s deep into the making of his next project and is feeling confident that this could be the “best record” he’s ever released.
“I’ve been spending the last couple of weeks working on what my next record looks like and as it begins to take shape I can honestly say I’ve never felt better about one at this stage,” he wrote. “It’s early on but I really do think it could wind up being the best record I’ve ever made.”
I’ve been spending the last couple of weeks working on what my next record looks like and as it begins to take shape I can honestly say I’ve never felt better about one at this stage. It’s early on but I really do think it could wind up being the best record I’ve ever made.
— Luke Combs 🎤 (@lukecombs) March 26, 2025
Looking To Fans To Narrow Down The Track List
More recently he shared an update with Katie & Company, stating that he’s recorded over 30 songs for the new record, but doesn’t expect to follow the trend of many of his fellow hitmakers and create a massive project out of those recordings.
“I’ve probably got one recording session left on it, but I’ve already recorded, I don’t know, over 30 songs I would think. I don’t know that there’s any plans to do, like, the big album thing. I just don’t know if I love that idea, you know,” he admitted.
But with that many songs waiting in the wings, Luke Combs is being honest about the fact that he’s going to need some help in deciding which ones to include. In order to do that, he’s going directly to the source and heavily involving his listeners in the selection process.
Taking The “Crowd Sourcing” Approach
The North Carolina native returned to X to let fans in on his unique idea to put the decision making in their hands.
“Seriously considering ‘Crowd Sourcing’ my next record. Like just put up a bunch of demos and work tapes to see what y’all like best,” he wrote.
Seriously considering “Crowd Sourcing” my next record. Like just put up a bunch of demos and worktapes to see what y’all like best.
— Luke Combs 🎤 (@lukecombs) August 5, 2025
His idea came to fruition when he sent an email out to his Bootleggers Fan Club with a link to the new Instagram and TikTok accounts. The North Carolina native’s newest release, “Back In The Saddle,” kicked off this next chapter of new music.
14 New Demos Unveiled So Far
So far, he has previewed 14 brand-new songs on the unverified pages, including “Let Your Heart Have A Mind Of Its Own,” “What Did You Do To Me?,” “Last Thing She Tried On,” “Wild You Were,” “Heaven, Tennessee,” “Stay,” “Hearts On the Window,” “Shouldn’t Miss You Here,” “Always Gonna Be,” “Fastback,” “I Used To Pray,” “Some Bar,” “Set the Record Straight,” and “A Man was Born.”
The Instagram account has since gained over 26k followers and it is following only one profile, Luke Combs’ official page. It didn’t take long for fans to discover the accounts, and they have already gotten to work choosing their favorites.
Luckily, listeners have plenty of time to state their opinions as the new album isn’t expected to drop until 2026. This project will follow 2024’s project, Fathers & Sons.
Luke Combs is gearing up to take the stage at the Jazz Aspen Snowmass in Aspen, CO on August 31 before heading to Royal Albert Hall in London, UK on September 26.
The post Luke Combs Uses Secret Social Media Accounts To Crowdsource His Next Album appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Lauren Alaina continues her reign of personal and straight-from-the-heart tunes with her latest release, “Little Things.”
On the one-year anniversary of her father, J.J. Suddeth’s sudden passing, the songstress announced that she had penned a piece of work that served as a letter to her loved one and also shined a light on the new perspective she gained on life following his death. Today, the world finally gets to her the full version of the song that finds Alaina putting her most vulnerable self on display.
Her heavenly vocals reflect on how grief can show up in the most mundane moments of life. At the same time, we hear about the different ways this incredible loss impacted Alaina. While the sadness surely comes in waves, it’s the way her outlook on life has changed in his absence that she chose to highlight in this delicate track.
Instead of sweating the small stuff, Lauren Alaina reveals she had a “come to Jesus” moment that reminded her just how valuable each day truly is.
“Bet you’re in Heaven swearing Hell froze over/ Sitting on a cloud, looking down just watching me/ Brush a little more off my shoulder/ Smiling through tears sitting here with a song to sing/ When your whole world stops/ It makes you stop to think/ Since you went and got your big ole angel wings/ I give a little less damn ‘bout the little things,” the Georgia native sings while depicting the lessons she’s learned in the past year.
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The Moment That Changed Her Perspective
Lauren Alaina penned “Little Things” with Ross Copperman, Seth Ennis and Emily Falvey, while Joey Moi served as producer. Looking back on the writing session of this song, the country star recalled a moment with her brother that ended up inspired the story behind this song.
“The loss of my father was unexpected and life shattering. When you have a loss of this magnitude, the little things in life start to matter a lot less,” she shared. “I will never forget the conversation I had with my brother on the way to the session I wrote this song. He said someone had complained to him about the cost of eggs. He said he just kept thinking to himself, ‘My dad just died. I don’t really care about the cost of eggs anymore.’ It really struck me.”
“I told him when something that really matters happens, your eyes are opened to what doesn’t. I told him I was going to write that song for us that day. I know our dad would be proud of us both,” continues Alaina.
J.J. Suddeth Passed Away July 2024
The Grand Ole Opry member revealed the heartbreaking news of her father’s passing on July 24, 2024. While the cause hasn’t been revealed, it appeared to have come as a shock to the family. Over the years, her dad, a U.S. Army veteran, played a powerful role in her music. From “Doin’ Fine,” which reflected on her parents’ divorce and his sobriety journey, to their touching Opry performance of Keith Whitley’s “When You Say Nothing At All,” their bond was undeniable. She also honored that connection during their father-daughter dance at her wedding using an unreleased song called “My Old Man.”
“Little Things” builds on Alaina’s recent run of emotionally charged songs including “All My Exes (feat. Chase Matthew),” which gave Alaina the biggest first-week streaming numbers of her career. Earlier this year, she also dropped “Household,” “Those Kind of Women” and “Heaven Sent,” which honors the birth of her baby girl, Beni Doll.
Lauren Alaina currently has a stacked lineup of tour dates scheduled through October. The full list of shows can be found on her official website.
The post Lauren Alaina Opens Up About Grief And Growth After Losing Her Father In New Song, ‘Little Things’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Cole Swindell and his wife Courtney have welcomed their first child into the world.
One day after the birth, the couple announced that Rainey Gail Swindell arrived August 7, 2025 and is already so loved.
The collaborative Instagram post featured the adorable baby girl looking cozy as can be in her white button-down onsie, knit socks and a matching bow headband. Laid just above her head is a small wooden sign that reads, “Hello world my name is Rainey.”
Their caption read, “Rainey Gail Swindell 🤍 8.7.25 our greatest blessing.”
The baby girl’s first name, Rainey was carried down from the country star’s middle name, however the origins of the name Gail are unknown.
Swindell and his other half first announced the news that they were expecting their first child back in March. At the time, they shared a carousel of photos, starting with a black and white snapshot of them hugging with a clothing line of baby onesies strung in front of them.
The remainder of the post featured images of their sonogram and a young family member proudly sporting a “Big Cousin” embroidered sweater. Plus, Swindell honored his new role as a dad using a baseball cap that read “Dad,” a pair of tennis shoes with a positive pregnancy test inside, and another look at the sonogram.
Shortly after, they shared another post revealing the gender of the baby. The memorable video opens in black and white as the couple holds up a baby onesie and eventually fades into color, revealing that they are expecting a baby girl.
The video was set to the stripped-down rendition of Swindell’s stunning single, “Forever To Me (Our Version).”
“We can’t wait to meet you 🫶🏼,” they wrote in the caption.
It’s unclear when exactly Cole Swindell and Courtney Little started dating, but it’s likely the couple has been together for several years. Courtney is a former NBA dancer and the 2017 Miss Teen North Carolina who now acts as co-owner of The Little Sisters Boutique. She previously appeared in Swindell’s music video for his song “Some Habits,” which dropped in the fall of 2021.
Their love story continued to flourish and after saying “I do” to the “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” singer’s proposal in May of 2023, they tied the knot in a small, intimate ceremony in Sonoma, California on June, 12, 2024.
His caption at the time of the engagement read, “Still couldn’t tell ya everything I said down on one knee… All I know is she said “YES”! 💍
“We’re so excited,” he added.
Little also shared a heartfelt note that read, “Woke up as future Mrs. Swindell 💍 I’ve never been so happy. I can’t believe we are ENGAGED!!!!! 🥹”
The arrival of their little one follows close behind the release of Cole Swindell’s fifth studio album, Spanish Moss. He is now gearing up to embark on his 2025 headlining Happy Hour Sad Tour which kicks off on September 4 in Toledo, OH and runs through October 26 with stops across Georgia, Colorado, Washington, Florida and more.
His next performance isn’t set to take place until August 21, giving him a few weeks to enjoy down time at home with his family of three.
The post Cole Swindell and Wife Courtney Welcome First Child: ‘Our Greatest Blessing’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Bailey Zimmerman’s long-awaited sophomore album Different Night Same Rodeo is officially out now via Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville. Prior to sharing it with the world, the rising country star opened up about his mindset when building out the 18-track project, explaining that his focus this time around wasn’t about chasing charts, it was about creating a body of work that made him and his fans proud.
Since he’s still early into his career and has many years of hard work ahead, Zimmerman says he’s not immune to the fact that there will always be a pressure to produce good music and prove himself. But instead of letting that kind of pressure define this project, he decided to lean into authenticity.
“The most important thing to me on the album was making it something I was super proud of, and making it something that no matter what it does, I feel like as musicians and as artists or whatever, I guess, our job is to make the music, and make what we feel like is something that’s whatever true to us, something our fans are going to love, all the things. And then after that, whatever the music does…,” he told Apple Music’s Kelleigh Bannen.
Zimmerman admits he still feels the weight of expectations, and he likely always will. He’s simply learned to channel that pressure into fuel and motivation to stay true to what matters most.
“You’ve just got to let that go because it’s not like I don’t feel like I have anything to prove. I’m going to have something to prove for the rest of my life, I think, just with music and continuing to write, and do cool collabs, and more albums, and more tours,” the country star continued. “And I think it just helps me just be like, I’m going to make what I love. I’m going to make the music that I think my fans that really love me are going to love and be able to relate to. And then that’s all I can do.”
With these 18 songs, the Illinois native peels back the curtain to unveil a new level of vulnerability and growth, signaling what feels like a big step forward for Zimmerman’s career. Fans still get to hear his rock-influenced country sound, but the stories dive deeper than ever before as he captures the highs and lows of daily life.
This theme begins in the title, which was inspired by a phrase that Zimmerman revealed his father used to tell him frequently growing up, “Same sh**, different day.” The country act put his own country twist on his dad’s words in a way that speaks to his journey as a singer/songwriter.
The depth of the songs alone make it clear that Zimmerman put in countless hours to perfect the album. In fact, he also told Bannen that he had originally planned to release his sophomore project last year, but felt it wasn’t quite ready to share with the world.
“I almost put this album out in 2024 and then just realized, ‘Man,’ it just wasn’t done yet. It just didn’t feel like it was good enough for me. And I’m like, ‘If it’s not good enough for me, I’m not going to put it out. I’m not just going to put something out. I will really regret that,’ and I don’t want to regret anything,” he acknowledged.
Taking this extra time allowed him to include more songs that were still being written at the time. This delay proved to be exactly what Zimmerman needed to feel confident in his next release.
“I’m like, ‘Dude, I don’t want to prematurely put this out. I really think if I just wait, it’ll be a lot better,’ and I can confidently say it is way better than it was last year, and it’s something that I’m just so proud of.”
The project was produced by longtime collaborator Austin Shawn and features previously released star-studded collaboration “Backup Plan” featuring Luke Combs as well as Top 10 and platinum single “Holy Smokes.” He also shared a preview with songs like “New To Country,” “Hell or High Water,” “Holding On,” “Comin’ In Cold,” “Ashes” with Diplo and his latest drop, “Chevy Silverado.”
Different Night Same Rodeo follows Zimmerman’s debut album Religiously. The Album. Which achieved not only the largest streaming debut ever for a country album, but also the biggest all-genre streaming debut since 2021.
Different Night Same Rodeo Tracklist:
1. Comin’ In Cold
(Jaron Boyer, Matt Gorman, Jake Puliti, Kaylin Roberson)
2. Ashes (Diplo & Bailey Zimmerman) *
(Austin Shawn, Bailey Zimmerman, Josh Serrato, Thomas Wesley, Josh Miller, Jimmy Robbins, Chris Tompkins)
3. Chevy Silverado
(Tucker Beathard, Ilsey Juber, Gavin Lucas, Heath Warren, Bailey Zimmerman)
4. Yours For The Breaking
(Bart Butler, Jacob Davis, Drew Fulk, Austin Shawn)
5. Lost (feat. The Kid LAROI)
(Rodney Clawson, Ryan Hurd, Michael Lotten, The Kid Laroi, Billy Walsh, Bailey Zimmerman, Austin Shawn)
6. Holy Smokes
(Austin Shawn, Bailey Zimmerman, Ben Stennis, Michael Tyler, Lauren Hungate)
7. When It Was
(Kelly Archer, Ben Goldsmith, Carson Wallace, Ben Williams)
8. It’s All Good
(Tucker Beathard, David Dorn, Ryan Tyndell)
9. Backup Plan (feat. Luke Combs)
(Tucker Beathard, Jimi Bell, Jon Sherwood)
10. New To Country
(Austin Shawn, Jacob Hackworth, Heath Warren, Tim Galloway, Bailey Zimmerman)
11. At The Same Time
(Jaxson Free, Aldae, Ben Johnson)
12. Hell or High Water
(Ashley Gorley, Austin Shawn)
13. These Nights
(Nora Collins, Randall Fowler, Mary Kutter, Brad Wagner)
14. Everything But Up
(Devin Dawson, Jacob Hackworth, Sam Martinez, Heath Warren)
15. Before You
(Bailey Zimmerman, Randall Fowler, Brian Alexander, Frank Romano, Austin Shawn, Marty James)
16. Holding On
(Austin Shawn, Blake Whiten)
17. Dare You To Try It
(Austin Shawn, Bailey Zimmerman, Tucker Beathard, Gavin Lucas, Sam Martinez, Heath Warren)
18. Happy Ever After Me
(Tucker Beathard, Jimi Bell)
All songs produced by Austin Shawn
* Additional production by Diplo, Josh Serrato
Bailey is currently on the road for his summer 2025 New To Country Tour. Remaining dates and get tickets can be found at baileyzimmermanmusic.com.
The post Bailey Zimmerman Took His Time and Trusted His Instincts with Sophomore Album, ‘Different Night Same Rodeo’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Luke Bryan has been building his music career since he was just 14 years old and playing in his first band. Over the years, he’s learned the ins and outs of the industry and now, he’s passing that knowledge on to rising stars like Bailey Zimmerman and Ella Langley.
While acting as co-host of Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton, Bryan revealed some of the advice that he’s offered to the two artsits as they begin to cement their own names in the business. The Georgia native first thought back to a low moment in Zimmerman’s career back in January when he delivered a performance that he wasn’t proud of while seemingly intoxicated at Bryan’s Crash My Playa Festival in Cancun, Mexico.
Zimmerman took his usual high-energy antics to a new level as he proceeded to trip and fall on the stage, struggle to deliver his best vocals and at one point forgot the lyrics to his own song. He later apologized and took the experience as a learning moment.
Bryan says he stepped up to help guide Zimmerman through the experience. Unfortunately, with today’s technology, his situation was further elevated by the large number of concertgoers who caught the moment on video and shared it across social media. While Bryan is no stranger to mishaps on stage, he’s learned that at the end of the day, to best thing to do is to use it as an opportunity for growth and to remember that mistakes happen.
“When I was his age, people didn’t shoot video of everything. I told him, ‘Learn, be better, and you’re human.’ Then we did a song together, He said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it!’ He’s being Bailey. When he walked out, the fans lost it. We got him in, and we got him outta there,” Bryan explained as he recalled their conversation at the time.
Zimmerman isn’t the only rising artist Bryan has taken under his wing. He also shared some guidance with one of his recent opening acts, Ella Langley, during a pivotal moment in her journey.
“It so exciting to be on the cusp of your dreams coming true. She’s becoming a celebrity,” he shared. “It’s really fun. She has the right tools. I introduced her to the music of KT Oslin. I told her, ‘You need to listen to KT Oslin.’”
He went on to praise Langley and Lainey Wilson for being strong female forces in the industry who proudly display their “country accents.”
“It’s so great,” Bryan gushed.
Luke Bryan is currently on the road for his A Country Song Came On tour. The trek launched in May and has a few remaining dates left through the end of August. He will then return to his annual Farm Tour in September.
Along with his upcoming dates, the hitmaker teased that he has new music in the works.
“It’s nice to kind of depart from what they expect and give them something new. Now they’ll be wanting, hopefully, the next chapter of my singles, and keeping them guessing, and me trying to stay on top of my game,” he revealed.
The post Luke Bryan Reveals The Career Advice He Offered Bailey Zimmerman and Ella Langley appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Cassie Ventura made her first public appearance on social media Thursday (August 7) with a lighthearted nod to postpartum life, just over two months after giving birth to her third child and nearly three months after testifying in the federal trial of her ex, Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The singer and model shared an Instagram Story featuring a meme of a man dancing.
The post was captioned. “When your old self slowly starts coming out postpartum.” She added her own comment: “Factual. Little by little. lol.”
The post marks Cassie Ventura’s first since delivering a baby boy on May 27 with husband Alex Fine, and it comes on the heels of her emotional testimony against Combs, where she detailed years of alleged abuse and trauma during their relationship.
Combs was convicted on two prostitution-related charges but cleared of the most serious allegations.
Fine, who has remained publicly supportive throughout the ordeal, praised Ventura’s strength in a statement following her four-day testimony.
He made it clear she was the one who took control of her life.
“Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, manipulation, violence, and intimidation,” he wrote.
He also addressed the emotional toll of seeing her face her past in court, saying, “I have felt profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in front of a person who tried to break her. You did not break her spirit nor her smile.”
Fine emphasized that their home is now filled with peace, joy and healing, and asked for privacy as their family continues to grow and move forward.
AllHipHop
Troy Ave found himself at the center of a viral shooting video and a police investigation in San Diego, but authorities say it was all smoke and mirrors.
The Hip-Hop artist appeared in a widely shared clip from July 2025, seemingly firing a gun during what was described as an attempted robbery targeting him and celebrity chef Geoff Cole.
But after digging into the claims, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office told TMZ the incident was “not substantiated” and confirmed the case is now closed.
The footage, initially posted by Cole, showed a man approaching the pair before Troy Ave pulled a weapon and fired several shots. The supposed assailant then ran off. Cole praised Ave in a now-deleted social media post, writing, “I came home after Celebrating the success of a sold out Chef Fest with Love & support from all over the West Coast! And a hater from the SAME CITY tried 2 take it all away! This the 2nd time but it WON’T be a 3rd! s/o 2 my BROTHER Ave for Holding it Down in a situation where most woulda RAN or FOLDED.”
But behind the scenes, investigators weren’t buying it.
According to multiple reports and sources close to both men, the entire incident may have been staged for social media attention.
No live rounds were fired, and no one was injured. San Diego police also confirmed there were no emergency calls or official reports of a robbery or gunfire involving either Troy Ave or Cole on the date in question.
With no physical evidence and no cooperating witnesses, law enforcement officially shut down the case.
AllHipHop