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The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Day: October 23, 2025
Kimberly Schlapman from Little Big Town has returned to her hometown to care for her mother, who has Parkinson’s. Now, she’s passionately advocating for awareness, research, and empowerment through a heartfelt campaign with AbbVie. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
The “Snakebite” singer explains how landing a song on ‘Yellowstone’ can launch a country artist’s career — and why it worked for him. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Annie Bosko is proudly embracing every part of who she is in her debut album, California Cowgirl. In honor of the project, out now via QHMG/Stone Country Records), we caught up with the rising singer/songwriter to learn why this collection marks a defining moment for her and how she’s proudly blended her California upbringing with her country roots.
Across the album, produced by Trent Willmon and David “Messy” Mescon, fans hear a few epic collaborations with Dwight Yoakam and Darius Rucker, plus songs written by Lainey Wilson and Garth Brooks. Bosko also leans into her love of western sounds, fiddle and steel guitar, and taps into the kind of storytelling that has shaped her love for music by serving as a co-writer on over half the tracks.
She also discusses how writing empowering anthems like “Country Girls! (Who Runs the World),” and reconnecting with the raw honesty that first drew her to country music has all helped shape California Cowgirl.
Keep reading to learn more about the stories behind her debut album, the lessons she’s learned about authenticity, and how she’s preparing for the opportunity to join Dolly Parton for Dolly: Live in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace in 2026.
What does the album title mean to you, and how does it reflect your personal story in the title track?
The album title is very autobiographical; it’s who I am at my core. There were a number of years, when I first moved to Nashville, when I almost hid that I was from California because people perceive me as not being country. The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve really embraced who I am. I’m proud of who I am. I’m proud of my roots and where I come from. I am the daughter of a third-generation farmer in California, and I was raised on traditional country music with a traditional upbringing. We said grace every night before dinner, and my mom cooked dinner every night. She was a stay-at-home mom, which I still consider to be the hardest job in the world. I think there’s a lot of stereotypes that come with being from California, and I’m really not any of those things. That’s what the title track is about, is that you might look at me and make assumptions because I’m wearing heels or something, but really I’m pretty down home.
How did your upbringing in California influence the rest of the themes and sound of the album?
My upbringing in California had a large influence. Thematically, “Rolling Stone” is about not really feeling like you fit in. I grew up in a place where a lot of people settle down very young – and don’t get me wrong, I definitely want that someday – but I just didn’t choose that path. I chose an unconventional path by pursuing music.
“Maliblue” is about a girl who goes to Malibu to try to get over her heartache, but no matter where you are – even in paradise – you can still be miserable. Sonically, it has a more traditional western country sound; it’s not what you’d expect from the title. I’ve always been so passionate about western music – and by that, I mean anything Texas-West – so fiddle, lap steel guitar, baritone guitar, those elements that come from country western swing.
I think Merle Haggard put it best: western music was born out of the honky tonk, while Nashville music was born out of the church (the Ryman and the Opry both stemmed from that). I love Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam – all that western sound. I love anything that sounds like a Clint Eastwood soundtrack, and I tried to carry that thread throughout the album and keep it authentically country.
There are some awesome collaborations on this project. Were there any moments in the studio that stood out as especially memorable or surprising while working with these other artists?
Working with Dwight Yoakam was a bucket list moment for me. I consider him to be not only one of the greatest artists of all time, but an icon, and to be an icon, you have to leave a unique fingerprint on music history, and that’s exactly what Dwight has done. He has made music that’s both commercial and timeless, yet he has never broken or lost his artistic integrity. Everything he does feels intentional and true to who he is, so getting to collaborate with him was one of the greatest honors of my career. Working with Darius was so impressive on “Old Friends.” He is such a pro and is laser-focused when he goes in to record, which I really appreciate. I think Joe has one of the greatest voices in country music history. It’s so unique, so when you hear it, you just know it’s Joe Nichols.
Along with the featured artists, names like Lainey Wilson and Garth Brooks appear in the credits. How did these particular songs land in your hands?
I believe in choosing great songs no matter where they come from. Kris Kristofferson would record Willie Nelson’s songs and vice versa, and it’s like, “Why not?” If there’s a great Lainey Wilson song out there that she didn’t record, why not give it a home? I don’t feel as though I need to write everything I record, and Garth Brooks is probably the greatest role model when it comes to that. He didn’t write “The Dance” or “Friends in Low Places,” and you could say that Garth Brooks would not be Garth Brooks without those songs. He also wrote undeniably huge hits like “Much Too Old” or Two of a Kind (Workin’ on a Full House)” so he wrote great songs, but he still found great songs, and I believe in doing that.
What do you hope listeners take away from hearing these songs top to bottom?
I hope that listeners listen to this front and back and it surprises them to discover new elements, angles, sides of who I am. I also hope it speaks to them and helps them with whatever they’re currently navigating in their life, because that’s the gift of what music did for me, particularly as a kid. It still does now, but when I think back to when music really hit the hardest, it was when I was growing up. It helped me get through the day.
Tell us about track No. 8, why you decided to add an intro before “Cowboy Up.”
It goes back to my love of old westerns, like something out of a Clint Eastwood or Tarantino movie. That intro has a fun, spaghetti-western-style lick that feels unique and sets the scene. You’re kind of wondering, what’s happening?, and then bam, the song kicks in.
“Country Girls! (Who Runs The World)” is such a fun anthem. Why was it important to make a song like this “for the girls!”
It was important to make a fun song like “Country Girls! (Who Runs The World)” because I wanted to pay homage to the songs that made me want to pursue this in the first place. All my favorite artists had deep, moving beautiful songs that would rattle my soul, but they also had fun, anthemic songs – I always think of Shania when it comes to balancing those – and it was like they were saying, “Don’t forget to have fun,” and that feels like a big part of my personality. I feel like there’s so many anthems from a guy’s point of view, singing about a woman and what makes her special, so I wanted to fill the void and have an anthem about a badass woman from the viewpoint of a woman.
How do you plan to bring the album’s energy and storytelling into your live performances? And which songs from the album are you most excited to perform on tour?
I plan to bring the album’s energy and storytelling to life by showcasing all the different sides of who I am as an artist and as a human being. My goal for every show is to tap into the full range of human emotion. I want the audience to feel like they had a lot of fun, but also maybe they shed a tear. So many of us suppress those feelings day-to-day, and that’s what’s so powerful about live music — it lets you access those emotions you’ve been carrying around or hiding. That’s the magic I hope to create every night.
“Watch Me” is my opener and probably one of my favorite songs to perform live. It’s a total hype song, and I love the message of, “You don’t think I can do something? Well, watch me do it.” And sometimes that can be your own negative voice that you overcome, or the Devil or the industry. People will always tell you why you can’t do something long before you’ll ever hear why you can. But every impossible thing stays that way until somebody finally does it – and eventually, someone always does.
Talk about your goal to get back to real honesty on this record. Why was that an intention for you with these songs?
My goal in getting back to real honesty was about returning to the core of who I am, that little girl who first fell in love with country music. I wanted to reconnect with what made me love it in the first place: the fiddle, steel guitar, storytelling and the messages that spoke straight to my heart. Getting back to that pure, honest place was really important to me on this record.
You were asked to join Dolly Parton for her upcoming Las Vegas shows. Even though they have since been delayed, what does that opportunity mean to you?
It’s going to be such an incredible honor. I consider it one of the greatest opportunities of my career. She’s not only one of the most iconic artists of all time, but also one of the greatest human beings and businesswomen the world will ever know. I can’t think of a better role model for women, both in music and in life. It’s really a little “God Wink” moment for me (not to quote my own song). But as a female artist navigating this industry, the opportunity came at a time when I really needed it the most and feels like a sign that I’m on the right path and to keep going.
The post Annie Bosko Reflects On Her Roots and Rising Career With Debut Album, ‘California Cowgirl’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Now that Parker McCollum’s 2025 tour has officially come to an end, he’s looking back on what he calls the “fastest year of my life.”
From hitting the road as a first-time dad to releasing his fifth studio album and performing in arenas across the country, it’s safe to say the country star’s year was a whirlwind. McCollum went on to reflect on both the highs and lows of the year, calling out the nights that didn’t go perfectly as well as the unforgettable ones.
“Had some nights I wasn’t my best. Had a bunch of nights that I’m not sure my feet ever touched the floor. (Floaters as I call them. When everything is just clicking from start to finish),” he admits in a new statement. “If you’re still reading this, thank you. Thank you for showing up and singing these songs back to us. Thank you for buying merch, waiting in line, making signs, bringing me Zyns, writing me letters, waving back to me from the crowd.”
He continued to express his gratitude to fans for their support on the road each and every night and for all the encouragement they’ve offered alongside new releases. McCollum fully acknowledged that he owes so much to his fans and his team who keeps his life and career running smoothly.
“Every single night I got to do what I love to do with the people I love to do it with. This year was nothing short of magical and none of it is possible without all of you.”
Now that McCollum finally has a few gaps in his schedule, he intends to dedicate some time to doing something else he loves – hunting.
“I’m headed to the ranch to enjoy this deer season to the fullest extent. I’ll see you all in 2026! Mad love,” he concluded.
In the comment section of the heartfelt post, McCollum’s wife, Hallie Ray, commended her other half on everything he’s accomplished in the past year, making sure he felt the love.
“my guy!! so proud of you. what an amazing year! i love you so much!!”
The “What Kinda Man” singer’s 2025 headline tour might be over, but his live performances continue with three more dates before the year comes to a close. He will kick off 2026 with special New Year’s Eve performance at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX on December 31st and then hit the road for his next 14-date headline run.
Produced by Emporium Presents, the self-titled tour will launch January 23, 2026 at Don Haskins Center in El Paso, TX followed by a stop at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ on January 24. Parker McCollum 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 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.
A full list of upcoming tour dates can be found at ParkerMcCollum.com.
The post Parker McCollum Reflects On Whirlwind Year, Expresses Gratitude Toward Fans appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Country superstar Luke Combs is taking his Category 10 brand to the Las Vegas Strip. Today, the Grand Ole Opry member and Opry Entertainment Group revealed plans to open a premier location of the bar and restaurant at Flamingo Las Vegas in the Fall of 2026.
The new venue, located at 3555 Las Vegas Boulevard South, follows the success of the original Category 10 in Nashville’s Lower Broadway that opened its doors in November of 2024. Once again inspired by Combs’ 8x platinum debut No. 1 hit, “Hurricane,” the three-story, approximately 34,000-square-foot location will feature multiple experiences influenced by Combs’ music, passions, and personal style, giving fans a unique way to connect with the superstar beyond the stage.
“With Luke’s enormous international appeal, securing the right Las Vegas location for Category 10 has been a priority since we first announced the partnership back in 2023,” said Colin Reed, Executive Chairman of OEG parent company Ryman Hospitality Properties. “The United Kingdom ranks as the leading market for international visitors to Las Vegas outside North America. Combined with the UK’s continued embrace of country music and Luke, this is an ideal moment to bring Category 10 to one of the world’s great entertainment playgrounds.”
Hurricane Hall
On the first floor inside the main dining hall, hailed “Hurricane Hall,” customers will find three bars surrounding a central stage and dance floor, paired with an immersive light and sound experience. Equipped with cutting-edge video, sound, and lighting systems, Hurricane Hall is set to offer a “concert-quality atmosphere” with daily performances. Guests can also join in on the brand’s signature free line dancing lessons.
Beautiful Crazy Women’s Lounge
The new venue will have something for everyone, starting with the “Beautiful Crazy” Women’s Lounge. Located inside the women’s restroom on the first floor, this stylish space will feature a champagne bar, plush seating, makeup counters, and Hollywood-style vanity mirrors, making for the perfect place to snap photos and capture a night out in Las Vegas.
The Still
Drawing inspiration from Combs’ songwriting, “The Still” offers an intimate, elevated experience. Guests can enjoy a curated selection of bourbons, handpicked by Luke himself, while enjoying a birds-eye view of the main stage below. The Still also includes an outdoor patio with scenic city views, making it a thoughtfully designed space for Bootleggers Fan Club members, bourbon enthusiasts, and music lovers alike.
The Eye Rooftop
Rounding out the unique spaces is The Eye Rooftop on the third floor, complete with a DJ booth, dance floor, and bar, all set against breathtaking views of the iconic Las Vegas Strip.
Construction is now underway at OEG’s second Las Vegas Strip project. Reed continued, “We have formed a wonderful relationship with Caesars Entertainment through our Ole Red Las Vegas location, and we look forward to bringing more country music experiences to the market.”
“The addition of Category 10 continues to build on the momentum of a tremendous year transforming Flamingo Las Vegas,” adds Dan Walsh, SVP and General Manager of the resort. “With exciting new experiences like the Go Pool, Pinky’s by Vanderpump, Gordon Ramsay Burger and Havana 1957, we’ve brought a whole new level of energy to our iconic resort. Category 10 elevates that energy even further, bringing one of the biggest names in music to the Flamingo and offering live performances with great food and cocktails at the best location on The Strip.”
2026 Stadium Tour
Today’s announcement of Category 10’s new location follows the country superstar’s highly anticipated 2026 tour announcement. Per this news, Combs is gearing up to headline over 20 dates in both Europe and North America next year. Along the run, he will become the first ever country music artist to headline three consecutive nights at Wembley Stadium in the United Kingdom. This will mark a major milestone in his career.
Combs is also celebrating tremendous success this month alone as he was recently named the highest RIAA certified country artist in history with 168 million units sold.
Of the announcement, the North Carolina native says, “I am stoked about having a second Category 10 location in Las Vegas. 2026 was already going to be an awesome year, but this takes it to the next level. I can’t wait for Bootleggers to have their own place to party on The Strip.”
The post Luke Combs To Open Second Category 10 Location On Las Vegas Strip appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Hit songwriter Shane McAnally and his husband, Michael Baum, are preparing to welcome their third child, a baby boy. The couple are already parents to 12-year-old twins and they’re thrilled to expand their family via surrogate.
McAnally may have just turned 51, but he’s not letting age, or society’s expectations, dictate his choices, including when to grow his family.
“I know things are changing all the time,” McAnally tells PEOPLE, while discussing the expectations society often sets. “And of course, since ours is a nontraditional family anyway, we don’t feel like those rules apply.”
The family of four left the hustle and bustle of Nashville in late 2023 and moved to Santa Barbara, Calif., where they now surround themselves with a much more easygoing setting. McAnally still finds himself traveling to Nashville for work about once a month, but him, his husband and their children have found themselves to be very comfortable and secure in their new home.
This lifestyle change ended up being the reason they felt it was the right time to add another member to their family, which is something the songwriter admits he has wanted for a long time now.
“We have really nested,” says McAnally. “Our kids have found an incredible rhythm here. It’s just been a really good thing for our family. Michael always says, ‘Things grow here,’ and so we just wanted to expand the love. I’ve wanted to have another baby a lot through the years.”
Throughout the process of their second surrogacy, McAnally explains it’s felt like everything has perfectly fallen into place.
“It just started to feel like it was meant to be,” he added. “I have to trust the way the universe does things, and it was all green lights.”
So far, the biggest issue the parents have faced is getting their daughter, Dylan, and son, Dash, on board with the idea of welcoming another sibling at this stage in their lives.
“They were just like, ‘Absolutely not.’ ‘We’re good. We love the number four, and everything’s great.’”
McAnally admits it wasn’t easy breaking the news to their kids, especially because he says they have given them “such license to speak their minds.” When they finally shared a sonogram a few months later, confirming that the baby was on the way, the twins weren’t exactly thrilled.
“It was not well received,” McAnally admits with a laugh.
While listening to the advice of friends who know what it’s like to have their kids years a part, he’s hoping that his kids’ opinions will change once the baby actually arrives. It seems like slowly, but surely, as the due date approaches, his son has at least started to change his tune slightly.
“He’s already asking, ‘How old would he have to be before he could sleep with me?’ and ‘When will I get to show him basketball?,’” McAnally said of his son.
“We just have to get through the initial part and make sure she doesn’t smother the baby!” he added in reference to his daughter.
The couple are expecting their baby boy to arrive in San Diego, with them and their twins present for the occasion. This time around, he expects the process of caring for their newborn to go different than when they welcomed the arrival of their twins.
Their first set of children were born during the height of McAnally’s hit-making streak, and as a result, he admits it became too much on his plate. With baby number three, he has a much clearer head and work schedule. He now finds much more joy in spending time with his kids than chasing hits.
His career was kickstarted in 2010 after his song, “Somewhere with You,” was recorded by Kenny Chesney and became a groundbreaking success. McAnally has gone on to rack up 50 No. 1 songs that he’s written and/or produced for other artists including Sam Hunt, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Kacey Musgraves, as well as the Tony-winning Broadway musical, Shucked.
But that doesn’t mean Shane McAnally is stepping away from his career entirely. In fact, just 10 days after his baby’s due date, he’ll hit the road with Walker Hayes, opening as a stand-up comic for all 10 tour dates.
This major career shift came one day when he decided to try writing an entire stand-up show and ended up falling in love with the newfound way to express his passion. Luckily, he had the support of his husband right from the start.
“He told me, ‘I was wondering when you would figure this out,’” McAnally recalls.
That show that he wrote eventually came to fruition. It was titled “You Never Know,” and debuted at the Bluebird Café in May. Since then, he’s brought his comedy to sold-out crowds at clubs in Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, and Huntsville, Ala.
McAnally’s sets typically run for a full hour and are known to conjure up laughs from stories about his songwriting inspirations, life as a gay dad, and growing up in tiny Mineral Wells, Texas, raised by his mom. He also sneaks in a few of his biggest hits and a few never-to-be-recorded gems.
Joining the country star on the road to deliver a 20-minute opening set each night will be a full circle moment for the pair of creatives, as McAnally has already worked alongside Hayes in various ways over the past 10 years.
The tour, dubbed Walker Hayes Tour Live, is underway now. Shane McAnally is set to join on November 6 in Paducah, KY and continue through the very last date of the trek, November 22.
The post Shane McAnally Reflects On Expanding His Family Via Surrogate And Finding Joy Beyond The Hits appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Reba McEntire and her fiancé Rex Linn have been holding onto a big secret for nearly a year now. In September, the couple finally broke the news that they are engaged, but it turns out the proposal had taken place in December of 2024.
While speaking to People about the exciting chapter of their relationship, McEntire revealed that her other half popped the question on Christmas Eve in Leiper’s Fork. We now know that they decided to keep this detail to themselves until appearing on the Emmys red carpet simply because the timing wasn’t right before then.
“We got engaged then, we were gonna make the announcement when we got back to L.A. in January And the fires happened,” she explained to the outlet. “And it wasn’t appropriate.”
A little over a month after the lovebirds got engaged, tragedy struck California. The fires tore through large parts of Los Angeles and San Diego counties for nearly a month, starting on Jan. 7 and continuing until the last blaze was contained on Jan. 31. McEntire and Linn were among those who had to evacuate their homes at the time.
“Our joy was like oh my gosh, these people are losing their homes — they’re taken out of their homes. We had to evacuate twice, so that wasn’t the time. And the time never presented itself until the Emmys, when it just happened.”
“It wasn’t planned at all,” she added.
The “Fancy” singer also revealed that Linn had several other opportunities to propose, including their trip to Africa last year, but made sure to wait until the perfect moment.
“He’s very romantic,” Reba McEntire acknowledged. “It was up to him totally I had no idea it was a total surprise…It was Rex Linn timing.”
She noted she was “thrilled to death” to say “yes” to her other half. There is currently no date set for the wedding as they are focusing on having fun with their engagement period and not putting too much pressure to iron out all the details right away.
McEntire and Linn’s love story began on the set of The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw in 1991. Over the years, their friendship blossomed, but their romantic connection didn’t form until January of 2020 when they reunited on the set of the popular TV show, Young Sheldon.
Things started to fall into place for the couple until the pandemic hit and they were forced to transition to long distance. They took to facetime dates to get them through and as a result, created an incredibly strong bond that has carried their relationship to this very moment.
Along the way, they have also worked together on a number of projects, including TV shows like Big Sky and Young Sheldon, Happy’s Place and the film, The Hammer.
With years of experience under her belt, Reba McEntire had the perfect advice to offer anyone who might be felling like they will never have their happy ending with their true love.
She encouraged fans to “Never give up. If you’re in heartbreak right now, take care of yourself, take care of your heart and be open with it. I was not looking for love at all. So It just happened right rime right place. God’s timing is everything.”
The post Reba McEntire Reveals Why She And Rex Linn Kept Their Engagement A Secret For Almost A Year appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
MusiCares has announced that Mariah Carey will be the 2026 MusiCares Person of the Year. The 35th annual Person of the Year benefit gala will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday, January 30, 2026. According to a press release, Carey was chosen due to “her extraordinary career as well as her long-standing commitment to supporting communities and people in need.”
“Mariah Carey’s influence extends far beyond her remarkable artistry,” said Theresa Wolters, Executive Director of MusiCares. “She has used her platform consistently to provide tangible support to communities, whether through disaster relief, youth empowerment, or programs that help those facing barriers to opportunity. Her work exemplifies the values at the heart of MusiCares: creating systems of care that lift people up and ensure music professionals and communities can thrive. Honoring her as Person of the Year celebrates both her incredible musical legacy and her dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”
“We are honored to recognize Mariah Carey as this year’s MusiCares Person of the Year, a true creative force and once-in-a-generation talent,” said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares. “Her artistry and her voice have helped shape the sound of our times. We look forward to celebrating her remarkable career on this very special night.”
Of particular note, Carey founded Camp Mariah alongside the Fresh Air Fund. The entity aims to support underserved youth, pinpointing crucial programs advancing health, education, and social welfare.
This isn’t the first honor bestowed upon the great Mariah Carey recently. Last month at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, which took place at Long Island’s UBS Arena, Mariah Carey was presented with the Video Vanguard Award. Carey performed a discography-spanning medley, which marked her first performance at the Awards since 2005. In addition to her Video Vanguard Award, Carey also won her first ever VMA for Best R&B for “Type Dangerous.”
Shop for Mariah Carey’s music on vinyl or CD now.
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