This story just took an even more tragic turn. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Month: September 2025
“Some things are unfathomable,” Underwood begins. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
The early 2000s hitmaker is this week’s guest on the Taste of Country Nights, On Demand podcast. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Jason Aldean delivered a touching musical tribute to the late GRAMMY-winning songwriter Brett James on Thursday during his concert at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Aldean explained that he just learned of James’ passing moments before taking the stage.
“This next song is a song that was one of the songs that was early on in my career that I think was a really big song for my career and for kind of letting people know who we were and what we were about, you know what I mean? We got a little bit of some sad news tonight right before we came on stage. A longtime friend of ours, the guy that wrote this song, actually, we found out today died in a plane crash in North Carolina,” the Georgia native said. “This guy has written a lot of stuff for us over the years.”
Aldean referenced the songs “Two Night Town” from his 2014 album, Old Boots, New Dirt, as well as “Grown Woman,” which features Miranda Lambert and was included on his 2007 project, Relentless.
“He also wrote this next song, which ended up being one of the biggest songs of my career,” Aldean pointed out. “So tonight we want to send this out to our friend that we lost tonight, our boy Mr. Brett James.”
@jasonaldeanmusic Heartbroken to hear of the loss of my friend Brett James tonight. I had nothing but love and respect for that guy and he helped change my life. Honored to have met him and worked with him. Thoughts and prayers going out to his family. 💔
Then, he delivered a touching performance of his chart-topping song “The Truth,” which was written by Brett James with Ashley Monroe. The track is featured on Aldean’s Wide Open album.
Alongside a video of his tribute performance, Aldean wrote, “Heartbroken to hear of the loss of my friend Brett James tonight. I had nothing but love and respect for that guy and he helped change my life. Honored to have met him and worked with him. Thoughts and prayers going out to his family.”
Brett James passed away on Thursday, September 18 following a small plane crash that took place in North Carolina. The 57-year-old was one of three people on board, and no one survived.
James was a GRAMMY winner and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is credited for writing hundreds of hit country songs, including major cuts by Carrie Underwood (“Jesus, Take The Wheel”, “Cowboy Casanova”), “Kenny Chesney (“When The Sun Goes Down”, “Out Last Night,” “Keg In the Closet”), Dierks Bentley (“I Hold On”), Jason Aldean (“The Truth”), and Rascal Flatts (“Summer Nights”).
His untimely passing shook the Nashville music community, with dozens of artists and fellow songwriters sharing touching tributes on social media.
He will be greatly missed.
The post Jason Aldean Pays Tribute to Friend and Hitmaker Brett James After Tragic Passing appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Parker McCollum’s latest announcement proves he’s already looking ahead to the new year. Today the country star shared that he will be hitting road in early 2026 with a 14-date run.
Produced by Emporium Presents, the self-titled tour is set to kick off January 23, 2026 with a show at Don Haskins Center in El Paso, TX followed by a stop at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ on January 24. He will continue making his way across the U.S. before wrapping up with back-to-back nights at the St. Augustine Amphitheater in St. Augustine, FL on March 27-28.
Joining McCollum on this 14-date run are rising Country music stars Max McNown, Jake Worthington, William Beckmann, Jackson Wendell, Tyler Halverson and Laci Kaye Booth as special guests on select dates.
“We cant wait to see y’all in a new year,” he shared in the announcement via social media.
This news follows the release of his highest debuting album, PARKER MCCOLLUM via MCA. The 14-track collection, which serves as McCollum’s fifth studio album, received an overwhelmingly positive response from fans upon its arrival.
“It’s been, like I said, overwhelming, watching all the love the record’s gotten. And all I can say is thank you for actually listening to it. And I knew when we left New York last October that this was the best record I had ever made. I knew it was special. I did not know people would respond to it like this. It’s really been absolutely incredible to witness the impact that it’s had so far, so quickly,” he shared in a video while reflecting on the outpouring of support that he received for the project.
With the newly announced 2026 dates, fans can look forward to seeing the multi-Platinum star bring his must-see live show to the stage. Throughout the trek, he’s expected to showcase a slew of the new songs including “What Kinda Man,” “Killin’ Me,” “Big Sky,” and “Solid Country Gold” in addition to the chart-topping hits that made him a household name.
Tickets for the PARKER MCCOLLUMTour 2026 will be available starting with a Citi presale starting Tuesday, September 23rd. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, September 26th at 10:00 AM local time at ParkerMcCollum.com.
Citi is the official card of the Parker McCollum 2026 Tour. Citi card members will have access to presale tickets starting Tuesday, September 23rd at 10:00 AM local time until Thursday, September 25th at 10:00 PM local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For more details visit www.citientertainment.com.
Before the year officially comes to a close, Parker McCollum still has plenty of performances on the books. He will be touring throughout the rest of 2025, including a special New Year’s Eve performance at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX on December 31st.
2026 Tour Dates:
1.23.26 | El Paso, TX | Don Haskins Center
1.24.26 | Glendale, AZ | Desert Diamond Arena
1.29.26 | Edinburg, TX | Bert Ogden Arena
1.30.26 | Corpus Christi, TX | Hillard Center Arena
1.31.26 | San Antonio, TX | Frost Bank Center
2.5.26 | Oxford, MS | SJB Pavilion at Ole Miss
2.6.26 | Lexington, KY | Rupp Arena
2.7.26 | Salem, VA | Salem Civic Center
2.12.26 | Winston-Salem, NC | Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2.13.26 | Auburn, AL | Neville Arena
2.14.26 | Savannah, GA | Enmarket Arena
3.26.26 | Estero, FL |Hertz Arena
3.27.26 | St. Augustine, FL | St. Augustine Amphitheater
3.28.26 | St. Augustine, FL | St. Augustine Amphitheater
The post Parker McCollum To Launch 14-Date U.S. Tour In Early 2026 appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
The Nashville songwriting community is mourning a great loss today after learning of the passing of Brett Cornelius, best known as Brett James, a celebrated hitmaker whose songs shaped the sound of country music stars over the years. His passing has sparked an outpouring of sadness across Music City, with many artists reflecting on his lasting impact. Among them is Dustin Lynch, who remembers working alongside James and credits him as an inspiration both personally and professionally.
While acknowledging the sadness of the news, Lynch also took time to highlight the joy of their shared memories while speaking with Country Now.
“I was just thinking this morning I want to dig back into my song log, my catalog, and see. We’ve had a couple songs, I believe, recorded released by other artists through the years. I just want to see what all we’ve done,” Lynch shared.
He went on to credit James for being a “cool presence on Music Row for so many years in the publishing world,” recalling how the veteran songwriter took a chance on him when he was still finding his place as a young songwriter. Beyond music, the Tennessee native noted that James, who was also a pilot, helped inspire him to take up flying himself.
“[He] took a chance on a young songwriter, which was me early on to try and sit down and write songs. But that also inspired me to pick up flying. So it was really special. And he’s been a part of a couple events that I’ve hosted and just been a great dude.”
Lynch is now promising to keep James legacy and memory alive within his shows. One way he plans to do this is by performing a song from his catalog titled “Honky Tonk Heartbreaker,” which he revealed gives a subtle shoutout to Brett James in the lyrics.
“Fun fact that I’ve never talked about, but I will here, so in ‘Honky Tonk Heartbreaker,’ there’s a line called ‘Two Step Brett’ and it’s the guy that comes in, cuts in and takes the girl away from me on the dance floor. And that was inspired by Brett James just because when I was writing that lyric, I’m like, man, who would be really good on the dance tour that you wouldn’t think but is the dude? And I was like, it’s Brett James. So it’s definitely a Two Step Brett. That’s how that lyric happened. So it’s going to be cool to have him in the show tonight and just think about him,” Lynch explained.
Brett James, GRAMMY-winning songwriter, passed away on Thursday, September 18 following a small plane crash that killed all three people on board, including the 57-year-old. FlightAware data reveals the Cirrus SR22T plane took off from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville at 12:41 p.m. (CDT) before it crashed in North Carolina.
James was a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is credited for writing hundreds of hit country songs, including major cuts by Carrie Underwood (“Jesus, Take The Wheel”, “Cowboy Casanova”), “Kenny Chesney (“When The Sun Goes Down”, “Out Last Night,” “Keg In the Closet”), Dierks Bentley (“I Hold On”), Jason Aldean (“The Truth”), and Rascal Flatts (“Summer Nights”).
Looking back on James’ life and legacy, Dustin Lynch shared that while the loss is painful, there’s some comfort in knowing that James passed doing something he loves.
“So yeah, it’s just one of those days where it’s heavy,” he added.
The post Dustin Lynch Remembers Late Songwriter Brett James As A Mentor, Friend, And Inspiration appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Carrie Underwood is mourning the loss of Brett James, the celebrated songwriter behind her hit “Jesus, Take The Wheel.”
In an emotional new statement, the songstress shares her sadness following the news that broke Thursday, September 18, revealing that the 57-year-old GRAMMY-winning songwriter was one of three people who died in a small plane crash.
“Some things are just unfathomable. The loss of Brett James to his family, friends and our music community is too great to put into words,” her message began.
Alongside the kind words was a slideshow of photos that found Underwood and James posing in the studio and at various events. She went on to gush over her fellow songwriter, noting that he was “the epitome of ‘cool.’”
“I see him in my mind riding up to my cabins to write on his motorcycle…his hair somehow perfectly coiffed despite being under a helmet for however long. I always loved hearing him sing ‘Cowboy Casanova’ because a sassy girl anthem should’ve sounded ridiculous coming from a macho dude like him, but somehow, he even made that cool.”
“He was a good guy,” she continued. “I remember writing with him on a song that he basically wrote 75% of and had ready when he walked in the room. We filled in the blanks and added a little melody and I told him after that I didn’t feel right splitting the credit evenly when he did most of the work. He wouldn’t have it. He insisted that everything be equal. He was just that kind of guy…”
Beyond the music, Underwood reveals that the two of them connected through their dedication to their faith.
“Brett loved the Lord. Which is the only comfort we can hold on to now. We even had the pleasure of singing together at church. My favorite songs to sing of ours are the ones that he or we wrote about Jesus because the thoughts and feelings behind them are so genuine and pure. I won’t ever sing one note of them again without thinking of him.”
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member is responsible for penning hundreds of hit country songs, including Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take The Wheel” and “Cowboy Casanova.” To this day, “Jesus Take The Wheel” remains one of Carrie Underwoods most beloved hits. It went on to win multiple major awards including a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and an ACM award for Single Record of the Year.
James’ success didn’t stop at Carrie Underwood. He is also responsible for writing hits for plenty other country acts such as Kenny Chesney (“When The Sun Goes Down”, “Out Last Night,” “Keg In the Closet”), Dierks Bentley (“I Hold On”), Jason Aldean (“The Truth”), and Rascal Flatts (“Summer Nights”).
Brett James’ incredible contributions to the country music industry will never be forgotten, allowing his legacy to live on through his passion for music.
The post Carrie Underwood Mourns The Loss Of ‘Jesus, Take The Wheel’ Songwriter, Brett James appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
The country music community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of songwriter Brett James, who tragically passed away on Thursday (September 18) in a small plane crash in North Carolina.
Throughout his celebrated career, James had more than 500 songs recorded by artists such as Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, and many others. His work earned him ACM nominations, multiple CMA Triple Play Awards, a GRAMMY win, and induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
A cherished figure in Nashville, James was not only a hitmaker but also a mentor who often took chances on new songwriters. Friends and colleagues remember him as a true legend, a loyal friend, and a creative force whose impact on the genre is immeasurable.
Carrie Underwood penned a lengthy remembrance post, admitting, “Brett’s passing is leaving a hole in all of us that I fear won’t ever go away.”
His sudden passing has left the music community shaken, and tributes have poured in from artists and fellow songwriters across social media. See their heartfelt messages below.
Dierks Bentley
Rest in peace pal. Total stud. Fellow aviator. One of the best singer-songwriters in our town….total legend.
I brought a couple of roughly sketched verse ideas of I Hold On to Brett after my dad died and he just did his thing. The chorus is all him. When I sing that song live, I’m always thinking of my dad, but I also think about that day we wrote it. He just got it, just lit into it. It was one of the first times we wrote and I decided to drop the most meaningful and necessary idea of a song I had on him, because I felt like God was telling me to do so. Our friendship and that song changed my life.
Rodney Atkins
Heartbroken to hear about my friend Brett James. He and Angelo Petraglia wrote “It’s America,” a song that’s been such a big part of my journey. Brett had a gift for putting hope and heart into words, and his songs will keep singing long after. I’m grateful for his life and his music and will be keeping his family in my prayers.
Chris Young
So sad you’re gone… Nashville is less without you, Brett James.
Jake Owen
This is heartbreaking. Wow. I’m shocked and saddened for our entire Nashville community and Brett’s family.
Caitlyn Smith
My heart is so broken. I can’t believe he’s gone. I wish I could tell him one more time how much he meant to me… to all of us. I signed my first publishing deal with Brett James in 2010 and was part of the Cornman family for 9 years…It’s impossible to sum up in a tidy little paragraph all that he was to me. My mentor, champion and big brother, he taught me so much… and him and @natetarpon introduced me to the whole damn music community. We dreamed together, wrote so many songs together, made a record together, played dozens of rounds together, spent countless nights out laughing and singing and having fun… I’ll forever picture him dancing with a rum in his hand. We had so many great talks. He loved the Lord. He loved his kids. He loved adventure. He gave the best hugs. Such a passionate, bright and beautiful light – I have so many sweet memories with him in it… and I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today without him. Go rest high, my friend. I love you so much.
Luke Laird
The first time I heard Brett James was when I bought his album (on cassette) when I was in high school. The first time we met was in 2002, shortly after I signed my first publishing deal. By this point, Brett was one of the biggest hit makers in Nashville. He was a force in the writing room. Lyrics, melody, incredible singer…the total package. The thing I remember was him treating me so kindly and encouraging me. I told him I had his tape, and he just laughed. I brought it to our next write and showed him. He got a kick out of it.
We had a few cuts together and we played several writer rounds together over the years and he always asked, not “what do you have going on?”..or “what cuts have you had recently?”…but “How’s your family?” I always liked to joke with him before shows we played together. I’d ask him “You gonna hit the crowd with some “Female Bonding” or “Wake Up and Smell The Whiskey”? He’d always get a good laugh out of that. The writing community in Nashville is a brotherhood and sisterhood I’m so honored to be a part of. Brett has been a part of that fabric for a long time and he will be deeply missed. My prayers go out to some of his closest longtime collaborators like Hillary Lindsey and Troy Verges as well as his family.
Lee Thomas Miller
Today we mourn the tragic loss of a Music Row giant. Brett James has been a consistent powerhouse songwriter, publisher, and producer for over 30 years. He achieved heights that few songwriters in our town have ever seen. He was a star himself in every way a star can be defined, racking up dozens of hits for the who’s who of music. He represented the Nashville songwriting community all over the world, performing his hits as well as educating fans and lawmakers about the threats to intellectual property. He was a longtime board member and officer for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), serving in any role he was asked. NSAI and country music are better because of Brett. He will be missed more than I can even begin to say.
Mitchell Tenpenny
It’s hard to find the words to put in a damn caption after losing someone that inspired the dream you chase. Thank you for your songs and your impact on country music but more importantly thank you for being my friend. You gave me so much of your time and wisdom when I had nothing to offer you. You always made me feel like I belonged in the same room as you even when I didn’t. You were cool as shit and just always making me feel cool. You were one of a kind and will be deeply missed. Thank you for everything Brett. What a legend.
Sara Evans
I am absolutely devastated at the loss of one of the best writers I’ve ever written with and recorded several of his songs. Brett James. I’m praying for his loved ones. What a tragic and sad day. He will be so missed.
Charles Kelley
This is just heartbreaking. Can’t believe you’re gone buddy. Gonna miss seeing your face in the gym every week. Brett James was the coolest cat Nashville ever had.
Jessi Alexander
So many fun nights on stage we shared and memories we made traveling around making music together. He lived large and always made me feel special. Music Row will never be the same.
Trannie Anderson
My heart is so broken. Brett made such an impact on music row and the world with his songs & friendship. What a legacy!
Ryan Tedder
RIP. Got to know this talented fellow Oklahoman and writer and speak with him on different occasions. God bless his family.
Karen Fairchild
Rest in peace friend. You left us too soon. Our hearts are broken and our prayers are with your family.
Rascal Flatts
Sending our heartfelt condolences to the family of our dear friend Brett James. A brilliant songwriter and amazing man. He was the pen behind “Summer Nights”, “Love You out Loud”, and countless songs we’ve all sang along too. He will be greatly missed.
Bobby Bones
Really sad to see that Brett James died. He was always extremely kind, and exceptionally generous with his time and stories. We had worked together a couple of times, and he had been on my podcast as well. And all were a joy. So sorry to hear the news and terribly sad for his family.
Hillary Scott
Every interaction I had with Brett James was warm and kind. He was so gifted and leaves a giant hole in the musical tapestry of this town that will never be repaired or replaced. Jesus, be near and bring his family and all who love him comfort.
Lauren Alaina
Devastated to hear this. The first song I wrote after being on American Idol and singing my deal was with Brett James and Luke Laird. I felt like I was big time because of working with them. It was the perfect introduction to my songwriting story in Nashville. Brett was such a light and talent. He will be missed.
Jason Aldean
Heartbroken to hear of the loss of my friend Brett James tonight. I had nothing but love and respect for that guy and he helped change my life. Honored to have met him and worked with him. Thoughts and prayers going out to his family.
Tim McGraw
So heartbroken to hear about the passing of Brett James. Brett was one of the most talented and most respected songwriters in Nashville and wrote some of my personal favorite songs I ever recorded, Telluride and Drugs or Jesus. Our family’s hearts go out to his family, friends and everyone who loved him.
The post Tributes Pour In for Beloved Nashville Songwriter Brett James: ‘Music Row Will Never Be the Same’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Once upon a time, she was just the little kid sister to one of the most famous pop groups in the world. But by the late 1980s, Janet Jackson was a massive solo star in her own right, and anticipation was at fever pitch as she released her new solo project, Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814, internationally on September 18, 1989.
Jackson had struggled to find her own sound and personality with her self-titled debut A&M album in 1982. The 1984 follow-up Dream Street contained an incongruous but engaging duet with British pop king Cliff Richard, “Two To The Power Of Love.” But when she started working with the mighty writing and production team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, there was no stopping them. The Control album of 1986 sold five million copies in the US and some 14m worldwide, and Rhythm Nation was to match that feat.
The “1814” in the title seemed cryptic to many, but was later explained by Jackson as a logical choice. When she was writing the title track with Harris and Lewis, “I was kidding around, saying, ‘God, you guys, I feel like this could be the national anthem for the 90s,” she said. “Just by a crazy chance we decided to look up when Francis Scott Key wrote the national anthem, and it was September 14, 1814.”
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“At the time, we were trying to make some statements about worldly things,” Terry Lewis told Billboard of the album in 2014. “We used to talk about everything before we would even engage in starting a song. We went on talking tirades, just conversational tirades, trying to figure out not only what was going on in the world, but what was going on in Janet’s head.
‘You have to bring some awareness’
“In the history of music, there’s always been a social commentary with most artists that were substantial artists. You can only talk about so much love and clubs. You have to bring some awareness and have a voice in the times that you live in.”
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The accolades rained down on Rhythm Nation 1814, which went on to be placed at No.275 in Rolling Stone’s 2003 list of the 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time. It continued in the Control vein of edgy, inventive funk, dance and pure pop music with brilliant crossover hooks and big production, highly choreographed videos. It went on to top the Billboard 200 for four weeks (Control had achieved two) and the new album’s lead single “Miss You Much” also had a month atop the Hot 100.
The title track then went to No.2, after which came another US No.1 with “Escapade,” a No.4 with “Alright,” No.2 with “Come Back To Me,” another chart-topper in the rocky “Black Cat,” (written by Jackson on her own and featuring Vernon Reid of Living Colour on lead guitar), another pop No.1 in “Love Will Never Do (Without You),” and a Top 5 success with “State Of The World.” That made for an incredible total of eight major hits from one album, as Jackson ruled her own Rhythm Nation.
Shop for Janet Jackson’s music on vinyl or CD now.
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As the Weeknd’s music steadily progressed from back bedrooms to arena stages over the course of a decade, its scope expanded even further thanks to the maximalist disco of his third studio record, 2016’s Starboy. With assists from marquee electronic producers like Daft Punk, Benny Blanco, Diplo, and Cashmere Cat, Starboy took the insights of 2015’s Beauty Behind the Madness – which featured the Weeknd’s first No.1, “I Can’t Feel My Face” – and smoothed out that record’s serrated edges, making for bright, pointed pop. “Die For You” was one of seven singles off of Starboy, but its journey to the charts was a strange one and took years to unfold.
“Die For You” was reportedly one of the last – if not the last – song to be finished for Starboy, making it an unlikely choice for a leading single. (Many insiders suspect the single was challenging to complete, given the emotional turmoil in Tesfaye’s life at the time – more on that in a bit.) Tesfaye’s camp pushed the song to rhythmic contemporary radio, before declining to submit it to pop radio for unknown reasons, therefore “Die For You” had a slow start on the Billboard chart, peaking at No.43 in 2017, a year after the Weeknd initially released Starboy.
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Five years passed, and the single eventually found a new life on TikTok, where it seemed tailor-made for the platform. The construction of “Die For You” closely follows an emotional buildup, verses, and hooks, all barrelling to an explosive conclusion: “Just know that I would die for you!” Tesfaye belts.
“Die For You” brims over with emotionally charged moments, whether it’s the pre-chorus cry of “Hate that you want me, hate that you cry” or the “Keep it real, I would kill for you!” of the bridge. These moments serve as representative snapshots of the Weeknd’s signature tone – party-weary, drug-addled pleas, desperate for meaningful connection, and willing to reach deep into the psyche. Naturally, these snippets became perfect soundtracks for short-form dramas on TikTok or parodies of those situations.
The single saw a resurgence after the Weeknd re-released “Die For You” to mark the fifth anniversary of Starboy, along with a new music video that paid direct homage to E.T. and Stranger Things. The song surged higher on the chart than it did in 2017, peaking at No. 33.
“Die For You” also carries the sheen of tabloid subject matter, given that the song was recorded in the direct aftermath of Tesfaye’s temporary breakup with Gen Z style icon Bella Hadid. “Die For You” is not exactly the first time Hadid has served as Tesfaye’s muse; fans suspect that songs like “After Hours” and “Here We Go… Again” contain direct references to their off-again, on-again relationship. This aspect gives “Die For You” an added layer of intrigue and a dynamic that can be easily channeled by social media expression.
Above all, “Die For You” symbolizes Tesfaye’s staying power in American pop. Once a singer who specialized in dark moods and subdued production, he took over the reins of his own fame and has increasingly pushed his sound into new sonic textures, combining the production prowess of Max Martin and Oneohtrix Point Never’s Daniel Lopatin – an unlikely duo on paper – to create a new musical framework for his persona. It makes sense that his fans would revisit previous eras, tracing the singer’s approach as he rose in stature throughout the early 2020s.
Boiled down, “Die For You” paints an emotional portrait that has resonated in modern American pop culture. While its renewed success feels surprising, in some ways, when you look closer, its resurgence in the current American mood could not make more sense.
Shop for The Weeknd’s music on vinyl or CD now.
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