Maggie Baugh isn’t returning to Keith Urban’s tour anytime soon — but the reason might surprise you. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Day: October 16, 2025
Ashland Craft brings her fiery breakup anthem “Kick Rocks Cowboy” to life in a sassy, star-studded new music video.
Directed by Quinton Cooke, the video follows Craft on a quest to find the ultimate cowboy, with viral star Orry “Cornbread Cowboi” Lee, reality TV personality and country artist Logan Crosby, and country singer and real-life saddle bronc rider Chancey Williams all trying to win her over. Craft takes on multiple roles as the panel of judges, each with a bold personality of their own, showing off her acting chops while appearing as herself throughout the fun, tongue-in-cheek clip.
“The making of the ‘Kick Rocks Cowboy’ music video was the most fun I’ve had making a video to date,” Craft shared. “I loved Quinton’s concept right from the jump and I could not stop laughing practically the entire day of shooting. Chancey, Logan and Orry were perfect for their roles and kept the entire day full of energy and were SO hilarious and kind! I’m so thankful for everyone who was a part of making this video happen!”
“I had a ball making this video with Ashland,” Cornbread Cowboi said. “From the time we started til the time we finished it was just a heck of a good time. Folks are really gonna dig the song and enjoy the show that Ashland puts on in the music video and I was glad to be a part of it.”
“I’m so excited for the world to see Ashland’s new music video,” Crosby added. “I met Ashland when I moved to town a few years ago and she has not only been a close friend of mine, but she has constantly worked very hard to achieve her goals in this industry. I think she is one of the most talented people in Music City and I cannot wait to see what she does next!”
“I had a blast being a part of the new Ashland Craft video,” Williams admitted. “I love the way she used her sharp wit and humor to call out the wannabes and highlight the true American Cowboy!”
“Kick Rocks Cowboy” is currently at country radio and appears on Craft’s sophomore album, Dive Bar Beauty Queen, released earlier this year. Written by Craft alongside Jonathan Singleton and Shane Minor, the clever track takes aim at the so-called cowboys who talk the talk but can’t walk the walk. They might have the boots, hat, and “pearlsnap buttoned down,” but underneath it all, they’re missing what it takes to be considered a true cowboy.
Country Now went behind-the-scenes of the music video, which was filmed in East Nashville. Click above to watch.
The post Ashland Craft Puts Wannabe Cowboys on Blast in Fun-Filled ‘Kick Rocks Cowboy’ Music Video appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Cole Swindell recently released a powerful ballad titled “Make Heaven Crowded,” which he revealed was inspired by the shocking death of Charlie Kirk. This week, Swindell performed the heartfelt song on Fox & Friends in honor of what would have been the 32nd birthday of the Turning Point USA co-founder.
Joined by his full band, the country star took the stage on Tuesday (Oct. 14), and poured his heart out through the faith-driven performance. His voice was filled with emotion while delivering the lyrics that prompts listeners to imagine a world where prayers outweigh conflict and violence.
“What if churches had a longer line outside/ Than all them bars on Friday nights? What if people prayed for people who ain’t on their side? What if good ran off the bad? Them streets of gold up there’d be packed/ This whole world would look a lot better than we found it/ If we make Heaven crowded,” he sings.
Accompanied by soft drums, keyboard melodies, and delicate guitar strums, Swindell’s vocals were elevated by the rich harmonies of his backup singers. At the very end of the performance, he leaned into he mic once more to say, “Happy birthday, Charlie.”
“Make Heaven Crowded” was penned by the Georgia native with Greylan James, Joel Hutsell, and Blake Pendergrass and released on September 20, just 10 days after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The conservative activist was just 31 years old when he was fatally shot on Sept. 10 during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University.
This incident clearly struck a chord with Cole Swindell, but it was Kirk’s widow’s words that ultimately inspired the title and message of the song.
When Erika Kick spoke publicly for the first time following her husband’s passing, she said the memorable line, “Charlie, you are alongside Jesus right now, doing what you always wanted to do. Making heaven crowded, right? That’s what it’s all about.”
After writing the tune inspired by her words, Swindell shared it with the world and quickly realized just how great of an impact it was having on fans. Once it officially hit streaming platforms, the song achieved “unbelievable” success, according to the country star. It rose to No. 2 on the all-genre chart and claimed the No. 1 spot on the country chart.
Cole Swindell responded with a heartfelt video thanking fans for all their support.
“I just wanted to say thanks again because it truly does mean the world… supporting me, my music, but this is bigger than that. This is bigger than anything I’ve ever been a part of musically because of the message,” he said on Instagram.
Shortly after, he got to showcase the song again when he joined Brandon Lake on stage as a surprise guest during a recent show.
His latest performance on Fox & Friends comes amid his Happy Hour Sad Tour. The headline will close with a three-night run across Florida at the end of October.
The post Cole Swindell Performs ‘Make Heaven Crowded’ In Emotional Tribute To Charlie Kirk On ‘Fox & Friends’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Chart-topping country star Dylan Scott is calling out Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino’s recent claim that concert tickets have been “underpriced” for “a long time.”
Scott, who is in the midst of his Easy Does It Tour, shared his thoughts on the comments from the stage during a recent concert.
In a fan-captured video shared on TikTok, Scott can be heard asking the audience, “Did you see what the CEO of Live Nation said the other day? He said ticket prices need to be more expensive.”
Without hesitation, Scott declared, “That’s some bull crap.”
The crowd cheered as he went on to say, “They need to be lower is what they need to be. People like that don’t realize what it’s like everyday and I do, thank God, because I had a daddy who was a welder and a momma who worked at the church.”
Fans continued to cheer throughout his speech from the stage and it looks like fans on TikTok agree with him.
@nevada.kemp @DylanScott calling out the Live Nation #CEO like a real one🫶 I linked where you can buy tickets for his upcoming shows. Go see him before the tour wraps up! #dylanscott #concert #livemusic ♬ original sound – nevada.kemp
“So glad he’s talking abt it!! tickets are getting way too expensive and we can’t afford it,” one user wrote, while another shared, “Yes!!!! More artists need to say it”
Others called ticket prices “absolutely insane” and declared that they “need to be affordable.”
Rapino’s comments were made during a conversation with CNBC and Boardroom’s Game Plan conference. The CEO, who reportedly has a net worth of $997.1 million, compared concerts to sports
“Music has been under-appreciated,” Rapino said. “In sports, I joke it’s like a badge of honor to spend 70 grand for a Knicks courtside [seat]. They beat me up if we charge $800 for Beyoncé.”
“We have a lot of runway left,” he continued. “So when you read about ticket prices going up, the average concert price is still $72. Try going to a Laker game for that, and there’s 80 of them. The concert is underpriced and has been for a long time.”
Rapino’s comments came days before the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against Live Nation and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, accusing them of engaging in “illegal” ticket resale practices. According to the FTC, the companies “tacitly worked” with scalpers who were able to “unlawfully purchase” tickets in order to boost profits.
According to the lawsuit, Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s “illegal conduct frustrates artists’ desire to maintain affordable ticket prices that fit the needs of ordinary American families, costing ordinary fans millions of dollars every year.”
Additionally, Live Nation is also sued over allegations of antitrust violations by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The post Dylan Scott Blasts Live Nation CEO for Saying Concert Tickets Are ‘Underpriced’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Keith Urban is under doctor’s orders to cancel his performance originally set for tomorrow, October 16, in Greenville, SC.
According to a statement from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena’s official Facebook page, the country superstar is battling laryngitis that developed earlier this week. The post explains that Urban’s longtime laryngologist, Dr. Gaelyn Garrett from the Vanderbilt Voice Center has instructed him to rest his voice and take time off to recover.
By canceling this performance and getting complete vocal rest, Dr. Garrett is “optimistic” that the superstar will be able to return to the stage in time for his following show in Nashville, TN at Bridgestone arena on Friday (Oct. 17).
The statement states that any fans who purchased tickets for the Greenville concert through Ticketmaster will receive an automatic refund.
“There is nothing further ticketholders need to do. If you purchased from a third-party reseller, please reach out to your point of purchase.”
The post also included a statement from Urban in which he apologized to fans who will no longer get to see him take the stage as part of his High And Alive World Tour.
He wrote, “Hey Greenville, I’m so SO sorry to have to cancel the show…I know all the logistics it takes to get to a concert these days and I’ve never taken any of that, or any of YOU for granted. I’m looking forward to getting back there when we can!!!!!”
After decades of performing around the world, the Australian singer/songwriter has developed a strong passion for creating the best live show possible for his loyal fans. He takes great pride in his mission to bring energy and emotion to each show because for him, touring is about more than just showcasing his music. It’s about connecting with fans on a deeper level and making the duration of his concerts unforgettable for everyone in attendance.
”When I think about touring, I just think about the two hours on stage. everything
else is whatever it is, but those two hours on stage is…every minute that we’re on stage is why everybody’s even out there,” Urban shared recently. “That’s why everyone’s backstage; that’s why there’s trucks everywhere; that’s why there’s guys up in the air rigging; that’s why there’s caterers; that’s why people are parking cars; that’s why every single person is doing what they’re doing is just for that two hours that I’m on stage. And so, I’m only ever thinking about that being the best that it can be every single night.”
This week of shows is set to mark the end of his High and Alive World Tour, with Nashville still scheduled to be the final stop. Named after his 11th studio album, the trek launched May 22 in Orange Beach, AL and featured an Australian leg in August with stops across Brisbane, Wollongong, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.
Throughout the run, he has been joined by special guests Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen and Karley Scott Collins on select dates.
Fans can also catch Keith Urban appearing on the new CBS reality competition series THE ROAD. With Urban serving as a host alongside Blake Shelton, the show will premiere on Sunday, October 19, 2025 and will be available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+.
The post BREAKING: Keith Urban Cancels Tomorrow’s Greenville, SC Concert appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
It’s official: tickets for Alan Jackson’s finale concert at Nissan Stadium in Nashville next summer are completely sold out.
The pre-sale began this morning, and all 55,000 tickets were snapped up before going on sale to the general public.
Fans from across the U.S., Canada, and countries including Australia, Brazil, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and the U.K. rushed for the chance to see the legendary singer-songwriter perform in a one-of-a-kind setting as he wraps up his touring career in Music City. More than half a million people registered for the pre-sale in hopes of securing tickets.
“I’m proud and overwhelmed by the response from my fans. I’m just sorry there weren’t enough seats for everybody who wanted one,” the Country Music Hall of Famer shared in a statement. “I appreciate all the people that have come to my shows and supported me over the years.”
Alan Jackson’s Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale is set for June 27, 2026, in Nashville. The show will celebrate Jackson’s 35+ years of touring as he retires from the road.
Joining Jackson for the special evening is an all-star lineup, including Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Jon Pardi, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Lee Ann Womack, with additional artists to be announced at a later date.
The highly anticipated show was announced just last week.
“We just felt like we had to end it all where it all started for me, and that’s in Nashville – Music City – where country music lives,” Jackson shared.
The “Livin’ On Love” singer had been teasing a major announcement, and after hinting at the news this spring, fans quickly connected the dots. During a May concert in Milwaukee, Alan Jackson surprised the crowd by announcing that he is officially retiring from touring.
“This is my last road show,” he told the sold-out crowd. “It’s been a long, sweet ride. It started 40 years ago. I’ve really lived the American dream for sure – I’m so blessed.”
In 2019, the superstar revealed that he’s living with the neurological condition Charcot-Marie-Tooth. Since then, he’s donated a portion of each ticket sold to the CMT Research Foundation. In total, the tour helped raise more than $2.25 million through direct donations, matching gifts, related efforts, and other revenue inspired by Jackson and the tour, all while bringing greater awareness and understanding to the disease.
Known for his simple, yet impactful songwriting, Alan Jackson has sold nearly 60 million albums worldwide and released over 60 singles, including 50 that reached the Top 10 and 35 that hit No. 1, 26 of which topped the Billboard charts. Over the course of his career, he’s earned more than 150 major music industry awards.
The post All 55,000 Tickets Gone as Fans Worldwide Snap Up Alan Jackson’s Final Show appeared first on Country Now.
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Sean “Diddy” Combs’ conviction on charges related to prostitution has reverberated through the entertainment industry, marking a significant moment in the criminal justice proceedings against the influential music executive.
Combs has been ordered to serve 50 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release after a jury convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution in his closely watched criminal trial.
Judge Arun Subramanian handed down the sentence earlier this month, imposing a $500,000 fine in addition to the prison term. Combs was acquitted of more severe charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering.
According to court filings obtained by TMZ, the Bad Boy Records mogul must comply with several special conditions following his release. He will be required to submit to random searches, avoid contact with victims in the case and participate in outpatient programs addressing substance abuse, mental health treatment and domestic violence prevention.
Subramanian sentenced Combs to four years and two months behind bars, crediting him with 13 months of time served at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. However, it remains unclear where Combs will complete the remainder of his sentence.
In a recent letter to Subramanian, Combs requested a transfer to the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey, citing its rehabilitative programs and proximity to his family. “In order to address drug abuse issues and to maximize family visitation and rehabilitative efforts, we request that the Court strongly recommend to the Bureau of Prisons that Mr. Combs be placed at FCI Fort Dix for RDAP purposes and any other available educational and occupational programs,” his attorney, Teny Geragos, wrote.
Subramanian responded that placement ultimately rests with federal authorities. “The Court will recommend a facility in the geographic location of the defense’s choosing,” he ruled. “But not the specific facility, which is determined by the Bureau of Prisons.”
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Akon’s decades-long marriage has reportedly come to a dramatic end as his wife, Tomeka Thiam, filed for divorce and demanded a staggering 100 million in Euros.
By the way, that’s like $116,240,000 smackaroos. But what shocked many wasn’t the amount—it was the alleged discovery that the global superstar had only $10,000 sitting in his personal account.
Let me find out Akon is broke? Nah, of course he is not broke. But the court looked further into this.
According to reports, mostly international, the court overseeing the proceedings found that most of Akon’s wealth isn’t in his own name. Instead, Mama Kon is apparently in control of his fortune. The money is allegedly in her name. The streets are talking.
READ ALSO:One of Akon’s Wives Files For Divorce Days Before 29th Anniversary
Akon has always been admired for his business acumen. Beyond music, he has a reputation as an entrepreneur and philanthropist. Not everything has worked as planned—like Akon City—but the good outweighs the bad. But apparently the claim of having only $10,000 is not flying with the court. I will tell you, the streets are proud. City Boy are way up.
Still, in high-profile divorces, where litigation is reality, this will get complicated. Don’t cheer too fast, gents. The court could accuse Akon of intentionally shielding his assets. Remember, from what gather, this is not America we are talking about. The conversation has shifted to whether or not cultural and familial trust practices are common in parts of West Africa.
In many African households, wealth is often intertwined with family members, with mothers or elders managing finances on behalf of the group. Needless to say: neither Akon nor Tomeka Thiam has publicly commented on the proceedings. So we gossip about it.
We must remember these two have been together since the early stages of Akon’s career and share several children. Akon is the cornerstone of the money. I have so many questions, but I am sure the wife knows a little about how much money they are making. This divorce could become very interesting.
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Kim Kardashian described her marriage to Kanye West as “toxic” and revealed that his refusal to change forced her to leave the relationship for the sake of her children and her own mental health.
During a revealing conversation on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Kardashian, 44, opened up about the emotional strain of her eight-year marriage to the Hip-Hop artist and entrepreneur. She said the relationship became unsustainable because West wasn’t “willing to make changes” that she believed would improve their lives.
“It makes it really hard to continue on in a relationship that can be toxic,” Kardashian said. “When you have kids, it’s definitely harder to leave than it is to stay. And it changes everyone’s life forever.”
The former couple, who married in 2014 and finalized their divorce in 2022, share four children: North, 12, Saint, 9, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 6.
Kardashian said she tried to support West through difficult moments, including his public mental health struggles.
“People can say that there was, like, signs and maybe I wasn’t paying attention to them,” she told host Alex Cooper. “And I think when someone has their first, like, mental break, you know, you wanna be super supportive and you wanna, like, help figure that out and you wanna really get into that with them and be there for them.”
But over time, Kardashian said she realized staying in the marriage was taking a toll on her ability to function as a parent.
“Once my mental health starts to get affected and then I can’t parent the way that I need to and I can’t be present and focused, then there’s gotta be one of us that can,” she said. “And I had to save myself in order to be a better mom for everyone. And I think, like, when everyone’s older, they’ll be able to understand it and see that all.”
Since the divorce, Kardashian said she’s approached dating with more intention and clarity. “I do have a problem of only remembering the good,” she said. “I’m a really forgiving person, but I really haven’t dated like that to, like, have those kinds of toxic relationships since I’ve been divorced.”
She added, “I think when you get older, you just don’t tolerate that s**t. You don’t have time.”
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Australia’s High Court has upheld the government’s decision to ban right-wing commentator Candace Owens from entering the country.
The ruling comes months after the nation similarly barred rapper Kanye West due to Australia’s strict stance against controversial figures.
Three judges unanimously rejected Owens’ challenge to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s visa denial.
The court cited her past statements about Muslims, Jews, vaccines, and the LGBTQ community as reasons for the ban.
“Inciting discord might be the way some people make money, but it’s not welcome in Australia,” Burke said after the ruling. “Australia’s national interest is best served when Candace Owens is somewhere else.”
The influencer had planned a November 2024 speaking tour but was blocked from entering the country. Owens argued unsuccessfully that her visit was protected by freedom of political communication rights.
Owen’s ban follows a similar decision against Kanye West in July 2025. Australia canceled the rapper’s visa after he released a song titled “Heil Hitler.”
West, who has called himself a Nazi, was deemed to fail the country’s character test.
The connection between Owens and West runs deep. The pair have maintained a close political alliance since 2018. They appeared together wearing “White Lives Matter” shirts at a 2022 fashion show.
West also attempted to purchase Parler, the social media platform where Owens’ husband serves as CEO. Owens has consistently defended West despite his antisemitic statements.
“I will always defend Kanye,” she said in a May 2025 interview, calling him a “friend” and “cultural lightning rod.”
Australia’s Migration Act allows officials to deny entry based on character concerns. The law gives the Home Affairs Minister broad discretion to protect national interests.
New Zealand initially followed Australia’s lead in banning Owens but later overturned its decision. The court ordered Owens to pay legal costs for her unsuccessful challenge.
A spokesman for Owens said she would address the ruling this week. The ban prevents her from entering Australia indefinitely unless the decision is reversed.
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