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The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Month: August 2025
He didn’t miss a beat! Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
The cause of death for ‘American Idol’ executive Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas DeLuca, has been confirmed. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
“Give him the same grace and mercy that God gives everyone.” Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Rising country artist Braxton Keith had enough of unruly fans at his concert. Over the weekend, he made his message loud and clear, abruptly stopping the show and walking off stage at Heritage Hall in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
According to concert attendees, Keith was performing when fans tossed beer onto the stage, promoting him to stop the show and address the situation. The “Baby You Do” singer took it a step further and decided to end the show right then and there.
“Y’all, I know most of y’all are behaving yourselves tonight. But there’s a bunch of people up here that are having a good time, and then there’s a bunch of beer-throwing,” he said. “I don’t come to y’all’s jobs and do anything like that to y’all. So until y’all can learn some concert etiquette, my name is Braxton Keith. Thank y’all for coming out to Ardmore, Oklahoma, tonight.”
Leaving fans puzzled, Keith took off his guitar and exited the stage with his band following him close behind. In a TikTok video, fans could be heard saying “What the F***” as he left the stage.
Based on the comments on the post, fans seemed divided on the situation, with some supporting his decision to leave the stage and others upset that a different course of action wasn’t taken.
One user wrote, “Don’t blame him for being pissed but why you punish everyone because of a few idiots?”
@hunterlee5212008 Tried my best to find the beer getting thrown but oh well
Another shared, “Well the good people that were there to hear him sing don’t get their money back.”
Someone else had a different opinion, writing: “Seems pretty childish of him to me. If he can’t handle that kind of stuff maybe he needs to pick a different career path.”
This isn’t the first time Braxton Keith has made headlines for speaking out about fans’ behavior. Earlier this year, he sparked a minor feud with labelmate Gavin Adcock after comparing his own crowd to the way fans reportedly behave at a Gavin Adcock show.
@thebraxtonkeith Please watch the entire video. This is unacceptable behavior for any concert including my brother @GavinAdcockMusic Nobody likes beer and trash getting thrown at them. I love live music and when given the opportunity to speak up about unruliness in the concert community, I will protect my audience, band, crew, equipment, and most importantly, the integrity of live performance experiences. #respectlivemusic ♬ original sound – Braxton Keith
“I didn’t come here to get beer cans thrown at me, alright? This isn’t a God damn Gavin Adcock concert, okay? Don’t be throwing f***ing beers out here,” he shouted. “These people at the front are gettin’ wet up here and it’s gonna piss them off and it’s gonna piss me off… I just want to get myself clear. I’m not Gavin Adcock, okay. I’m Braxton motherf***ing Keith, okay?”
He later addressed the situation on social media.
“Please watch the entire video. “This is unacceptable behavior for any concert including my brother @GavinAdcockMusic Nobody likes beer and trash getting thrown at them. I love live music and when given the opportunity to speak up about unruliness in the concert community, I will protect my audience, band, crew, equipment, and most importantly, the integrity of live performance experiences,” he wrote.
Braxton Keith is known for his neotraditional country sound and has turned heads with recent releases “Cozy,” and “Cheatin’ On My Honky Tonk” with Randall King.
He’s opened for artists like Cody Johnson, Gavin Adcock, and Luke Bryan, and is currently headlining his, This Ain’t My First Tour Tour, which is set to run through early November.
The post Braxton Keith Walks Off Stage Mid-Show After Fans Toss Beer at Concert in Oklahoma appeared first on Country Now.
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It’s no secret that heartbreak defined a big chapter of Carly Pearce’s story. She first opened up about her year-long marriage and divorce from Michael Ray in her ACM nominated seven song EP 29 and later the full album, 29: Written in Stone. Now, she’s diving even deeper into what really happened during this relationship and breakup while appearing as a guest on Bunnie XO ‘s Dumb Blonde podcast.
Pearce went all the way back to the beginning, revealing she had known Ray through their life in the industry, but it wasn’t until she messaged him on Instagram back in 2018 that the romantic sparks started to fly.
“I’m going to be honest. I did. I thought he was so cute. I had heard he’s the nicest guy in the world and I invited him to my number one party for ‘Every Little Thing,” Pearce shared. “Looking back on it, it was just a very, very hot and heavy lust. It wasn’t love…It was just passionate.”
Pearce Knew The Relationship Was Right For Her
At the time, she and Ray were both in the prime of their careers and were feeling nothing but excitement as they formed a life together. Their passion grew so quickly that the couple decided to tie the knot in 2019 and while the songstress had every intention of going the distance together when they said “I do,” She knew in her heart that things weren’t going to last.
“I knew the night I got married, I shouldn’t have, if I’m being completely honest with you,” Pearce revealed.
She ended up filing for divorce less than a year after becoming husband and wife. This downfall of their relationship luckily took place during 2020, giving Pearce the time and the privacy to deal with the realization that her marriage was over.
“I think that I probably would’ve stayed in it longer if I could have avoided it and not had to. I was embarrassed when it happened, of course. And I had shame around that and was heartbroken. But I think if I had to do that in front of people, I would’ve prolonged that relationship longer,” she admitted.
The Breaking Point
When Bunnie asked what her final breaking point was in the relationship, Pearce simply stated, “It wasn’t what I signed up for.”
“It just wasn’t the marriage that I know I deserved. I knew that very quickly…We were only married for eight months. Plenty happened to where it was very clear to me this was not, this just wasn’t a marriage,” she revealed.
Neither Pearce nor Ray have publicly stated that infidelity was a cause in their marital struggles, but she did stress that the songs off her 29 album were inspired by real-life moments in their relationship. The Kentucky native also called attention to the fact that she “shut my mouth for so long” in regards to what really was going on behind closed doors and another woman that may have been involved at the time.
“I’m not here to blow anybody up or I don’t care anymore. But yeah, I mean when you’re faced with somebody that was a really dark season for you and then they go and blow it up on the internet, it’s just like, yeah…But also you go, I don’t know if he told her we were divorced. I don’t know. I don’t know. All I know is that was not a fun situation for me. And I think what’s harder is you want somebody at the end of it to just look you in the eye and be like, ‘yeah, I did this,’ but I never got any of that. And so it’s like I had to piece together a lot of things after the fact, but they were facts.”
Despite everything that has gone down between her and Ray, Pearce revealed she now has gratitude for him because of how much she learned about herself through that incredibly difficult period in her life. And while plenty of rumors, opinions and false statements still circulate, Pearce is confident in the fact that she knows the truth.
“You taught me how strong I am. You put me through things that have made me better now. And I don’t wish him evil. I don’t wish anything on him. I’m so glad that I’m not in that anymore,” she admitted.
Finding Healing In Her Fans
Pearce has found that a big part of her healing has come from the fans who share their similar stories and reveal how her music has gotten through their own tough times.
“The women that come up to me every day, whether it’s after a show, on the street, at the grocery store, and say to me, ‘you helped me through my pain,’ I’d do it all over again because it really is worth that. And I stand on stage singing songs like ‘What He Didn’t Do’ that literally crushed me to write and I’m like, just wait to see yourself after that situation because I don’t identify with her anymore,” she shared. “If you would’ve ever told me I would have ‘29’ tattooed on my arm, the worst year of my life, and I have it as a reminder of, oh no, no, no, no. That was a defining moment of your happiness.”
Then, came 2021, the year of nothing but celebration for Carly Pearce. She revealed that within a 12-month span, she got divorced, released her album, got invited by her “idol,” Dolly Parton to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, became a two-time Female Vocalist of the Year, and won a GRAMMY.
Inside Pearce’s New Relationship
Pearce’s most recent life update with fans revealed that she is now feeling happier than ever in a brand-new relationship with a man named Jordan Karcher. She hard-launched the news in an Instagram post on July 25.
At the end of her podcast interview, the singer/songwriter revealed she and Jordan met on the dating app Raya and while they have only been together for around six months, they are “serious” about their connection.
“The stigmas that people put on women, I was like, I’m 35, I’m never going to meet somebody. And it’s like, oh, it’s so funny. I am happier than ever.”
She continued, “I just didn’t think you could meet a real person on Raya. I don’t know. I just felt like how am I going to be able to meet somebody that’s aligned with me? He’s not in any kind of entertainment, which is the best thing ever. But yeah, I’m just really happy. And again, I’m in this season of my life where I’m like, I don’t care what you think about me, because for so long it was like, well, everybody thinks I’m dating too many people and there’s something wrong with me because my relationship didn’t work. And it’s like, absolutely not. I hard launched it because I just don’t care anymore.”
When it comes to new music, fans can expect Carly Pearce to drop some of her “favorite” music that she’s ever made “really soon.”
“I just doubled down on the kind of music that I came to town wanting to make. I grew up loving Appalachian, Kentucky, like bluegrass roots music and…I just dove into it and it’s truly my favorite music I’ve made. So there’s a lot,” she revealed.
Bunnie XO’s Dumb Blonde Podcast is available HERE.
The post Carly Pearce Gets Real About Her Marriage and Divorce on Dumb Blonde Podcast appeared first on Country Now.
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American Idol is gearing up for its 2026 season with a familiar trio of judges returning to the panel. Today, August 25, it was announced that Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood will all be returning to the judging panel for the singing competition show’s ninth season on ABC and Hulu and 24th overall.
A new post on American Idol’s official Instagram page revealed the news with a playful “Idol University” themed video, showing that class is officially back in session with America’s favorite judges.
“Class is back in session,” said Bryan.
“This year, we’re majoring in music as we help launch your dreams,” Underwood continued as she packed up school lunches in her kitchen.
With his thermos of coffee in hand, Richie introduced himself as the “professor of positivity.” Bryan then labeled himself “professor of fun…serious, but fun.”
As each of the judges pointed out, the only thing missing from the upcoming semester of “Idol University” is “you,” aka the next round of hopeful singers who are willing to showcase their talent in front of the judges in hopes of becoming the next American Idol.
Last year, Carrie Underwood returned to her Idol roots to serve as a judge for the very first time. She joined Bryan and Richie in their search for America’s next singing sensation. The trio of superstars will reunite for another season of the show, which was named a top unscripted series during its eight seasons on ABC. In 2025, the season finale ranked No. 1 on the night, No. 1 for the week in primetime, and earned the best Total Viewer audience in two years.
The series continues to make waves online, holding the title of the No. 1 Most Social Reality Series across TV, with over 1.65 billion social video views so far this year.
Season nine auditions begin on Tuesday, Aug. 26, with the return of “Idol Across America,” the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar. Contestants will have the chance to perform for an “American Idol” producer at any of the audition dates being held across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with hopes of advancing and coming face-to-face with the superstar judges. Contenders will also be allowed to audition during open call dates, and auditions will be open worldwide to all those eligible.
“Idol Across America” Audition Dates (Subject To Change):
- “First 900” VIP Event (Aug. 26)
- Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi (Aug. 27)
- Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas (Aug. 28)
- Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina (Sept. 2)
- Nationwide open call (Sept. 3)
- Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania (Sept. 4)
- Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, Tennessee (Sept. 8)
- Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington (Sept. 9)
- Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia (Sept. 11)
- East Coast open call (Sept. 12)
- The South open call (Sept. 15)
- Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin (Sept. 16)
- West and Midwest open call (Sept. 18)
- Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C. (Sept. 19)
- Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming (Sept. 22)
- Nationwide open call (Sept. 24)
To sign up for “Idol Across America” and to register to virtually audition in front of an “American Idol” producer, visit americanidol.com/auditions. Contenders may audition on any “Idol Across America” date, regardless of location. Additional information regarding eligibility requirements, details on specific dates, submission forms, and terms and conditions can also be found on the website.
The post Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan & Lionel Richie To Reclaim Their Role As Judges On ‘American Idol’ In 2026 appeared first on Country Now.
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Four-time GRAMMY winner and longtime American Idol judge Lionel Richie faced a frightening situation overnight when an intruder broke into his Beverly Hills home just after midnight.
According to NBC Los Angeles, Beverly Hills police received a call from Richie’s home shortly after midnight. Officers quickly responded, searched the area, and located a man who was later taken into custody.
The suspect, identified as 38-year-old John Bond, was arrested on suspicion of residential burglary. Police say Richie’s security system alerted him to the intruder, who appeared startled by the alarm and fled the scene.
Richie’s team told NBC4 that the 76-year-old singer is grateful for the police department’s quick response and happy to know that no one was injured.
Authorities confirmed that nothing was taken from the home.
The news comes just hours after Richie was confirmed to return to American Idol, alongside Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood.
Richie has been a judge since 2018 when the show moved to ABC.
Earlier this year, during the American Idol Season 23 grand finale, the judges teamed up to perform Richie’s iconic hit, “Stuck On You,” on the American Idol stage.
The beloved track was Richie’s debut country single, released in June 1984. It was written solely by Lionel Richie and climbed all the way to No.24 on the country charts.
While Richie is best known for his work as a R&B/Pop/Soul singer, he does have deep country roots. In early 2012, the Alabama native teamed up with a slew of country music’s biggest stars to release Tuskegee, an album that included reinterpretations of some of his biggest hits with country artists. He recreated “Stuck On You” with Darius Rucker, and teamed up with Jason Aldean on “Say You, Say Me,” Kenny Chesney on “My Love,” Shania Twain on “Endless Love,” Willie Nelson on “Easy,” and more.
He also famously wrote “Lady,” a song recorded by country music icon Kenny Rogers. Rogers took it up the charts around the world, and the pair re-recorded it as a duet on Tuskegee.
The post Intruder Breaks Into Lionel Richie’s Home While He Was Inside appeared first on Country Now.
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Legendary country band ALABAMA reunited with former drummer Mark Herndon over the weekend, marking their first time sharing the stage in more than two decades.
The Country Music Hall of Famers headlined the Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, Alabama, on Saturday (August 23) and stunned the sold-out crowd when Herndon appeared just before the night’s final song.
Together, they performed “Mountain Music,” with Herndon delivering his iconic drum solo, a moment that had the crowd on its feet.
“It just fell together,” ALABAMA’s Teddy Gentry shared. “The good Lord blesses us sometimes to do things that we can’t do. All we can do is kind of be in the wings and kind of hope for things. Like I said, we make plans, and he laughs. But there’s nothing he can’t do.”
“I felt like a little kid all day,” Herndon added. “It was so cathartic for everybody. I think it was on God’s time, I really do. It was magic all over again.”
@braydenwmusic1 MARK HERNDON plays with ALABAMA again! #Alabama #mountainmusic #markherndon #countrymusic ♬ original sound – Brayden Williamson
Herndon first joined ALABAMA as their full-time drummer in the late 1970s, performing alongside Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, and the late Jeff Cook for nearly three decades before stepping away following the band’s 2004 Farewell Tour.
As country music’s first superstar band, ALABAMA rose to fame with megahits like “Roll On,” “Dixieland Delight,” and “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band).”
Over their career, they sold more than 80 million albums and notched 43 No. 1 singles, cementing their place as the most successful band in country music history. ALABAMA has gone on to inspire a new generation of country stars, including Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, and Riley Green.
After the passing of Jeff Cook in 2022, Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry have continued to tour in his honor. Their Live in Concert 25 Tour runs through the end of the year.
The band has upcoming shows in Allentown, PA, Roanoke, VA, St. Louis, MO, and more. Click HERE to view a complete list of upcoming ALABAMA tour dates.
The post ALABAMA and Former Drummer Mark Herndon Reunite for the First Time in Over 20 Years appeared first on Country Now.
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Comedian Billy Sorrells demands answers after alleging that Reggie Carroll was killed at Katt Williams’ home, calling out Mo’Nique and Red Grant for their silence.
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