Joe Nichols is done playing the radio game — and he says rising artists like Zach Top are the reason he’s finally returning to the sound that made fans fall in love with his music in the first place. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
During a heartfelt ‘Dancing With the Stars’ moment, the judge had fans wondering — did he just hint at the baby’s gender? Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Chris Young is preparing to mark a very special set of milestones this week. On Friday, October 17, the country star will release of his tenth studio album, I Didn’t Come Here To Leave, and celebrate the eighth anniversary of his induction into the Grand Ole Opry. As the date approaches, Young took a moment to appreciate the milestones and what they represent in his career.
The “I’m Comin’ Over” singer received a life-changing invitation on August 29, 2017, when Vince Gill asked him to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was officially inducted on October 17, 2017, by fellow Opry member Brad Paisley. That night, Young performed four songs for a sold-out audience including his number one single with Cassadee Pope, “Think Of You.”
On Friday, Young will remember that fateful night as he celebrates his eighth Opry anniversary and coincidentally releases his new project. He told Country Now and other outlets that the timing of these two celebrations wasn’t planned, but he’s “really happy” it worked out this way.
Young places tremendous value on his Opry membership and feels that there’s no better way to celebrate it than by launching the next chapter of his career with his tenth studio album.
“Being a member of the Grand Ole operate is something that’s greatly important to me, mainly because a lot of my country music knowledge from the past and what I ended up doing in the future came from my grandfather and sitting at his house,” Young recalled. “He had a little music room, he played piano and played guitar and listened to a lot of Marty Robbins’ records with him when I was at his house. So I’ve always had a deep respect for the history of country music, and it’s one of the reasons that I get excited every single time I walk in that door.”
He goes on to admit that every time he walks inside the coveted venue, he still looks to the wall of Opry members to confirm that his dream of having his name alongside so many greats is still real.
“I’m like, is it there? Yeah, okay. It’s still there. But very, very exciting and obviously being able to marry those two things with an anniversary of becoming an Opry member and a member of that family with an album launch when it’s my 10th album is pretty incredible,” Young added.
I Didn’t Come Here To Leave serves as both his 10th studio album and his first with Black River Entertainment. Upon its release, fans will get their hands on 14 new songs, 11 of which are co-writes.
Young first lunched this new chapter with his single “Til The Last One Dies,” which continues to rise on the country radio and streaming charts. He has also unveiled the title track and the powerful tune that further taps into his passion for the genre, “Jesus, Momma, Country Radio.”
Chris Young has another first in his near future. Beginning November 20 in Grand Rapids, IA, he will launch his first-ever holiday tour dubbed, “It Must Be Christmas – An Acoustic Evening with Chris Young. The trek is set to bring holiday cheer to fans across Illinois, Michigan, Massachusetts, New York and more through December.
The post Chris Young Reflects On Rare Double Milestone: His 10th Album Release And Opry Anniversary appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Rising country star Logan Crosby is opening up like never before, revealing his struggles with alcohol abuse and his ongoing journey to sobriety in a deeply personal open letter to fans.
Crosby shared the emotional message on Instagram, saying he felt it was finally time to be honest about what he’s been through.
“This is the most vulnerable I’ve ever been publicly with my struggles with alcohol. I felt like no time was better than the present to finally have a frank conversation about it. For the past five years I have struggled with my relationship with alcohol,” he began. “That’s just kind of it. There’s no really other way to say it. What began as a fun teenage drinking quickly turned into something darker. Something to numb things I didn’t want to face. Expectations, the fear of not being enough.”
He continued, “All of it got real loud, and I started using alcohol to turn down the volume. But the truth is, it only made everything worse. My body, my mental health, my relationships, my friendships, my family, my love for making art. I was not proud of the person I was becoming.”
Holding nothing back, Crosby revealed the rock-bottom moment that led him to make a major change in his life: “after waking up on my living room floor clutching an empty bottle of vodka, I decided I couldn’t live like this anymore.”
He admitted that this change has “not been easy,” but it’s been worth it.
@reallogancrosby opening up about my struggles with alcohol hasn’t been easy, but if one person feels seen or heard from me talking about it, it’s worth it. #sober ♬ original sound – Logan Crosby
“Sobriety isn’t a switch I flipped and suddenly everything is perfect,” he explained. “It’s a choice I make every day. This journey has been at times uncomfortable, humbling and also very healing. The best thing about this journey has been finding my purpose again.”
Crosby shared that he hopes his story will inspire others who may be facing similar challenges to reach out for help. He also expressed gratitude to his parents, friends, and bandmates for standing by him through every high and low along the way.
“This is a new chapter for me, and for the first time in a very very long time, I’m excited about where I’m headed,” he shared.
Crosby’s post was flooded with encouraging comments, including messages from Ashley Cooke, Lily Rose, Megan Moroney, Priscilla Block, and more.
Fans first met Logan Crosby on ABC’s Claim to Fame where he was revealed to be the cousin of country superstar Jason Aldean. Since then, Crosby has released his own original music and toured with artists such as Megan Moroney, Alexandra Kay, Kameron Marlowe, and most recently, Cole Swindell.
The post Logan Crosby Opens Up About Alcohol Struggles and Journey to Sobriety in Emotional Letter to Fans appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Team Michael Bublé’s Austin Gilbert and Rob Cole went head-to-head during the Battle Round on this season of The Voice. Together, they delivered a nearly flawless duet of Blake Shelton’s 2011 hit, “Honey Bee” that earned them praise from all four coaches.
Their undeniable talent struck a chord as they took turns performing the playful, tender country ballad. Sung from the perspective of someone stepping out of their comfort zone and wearing their heart on their sleeve, the contestants made Shelton’s fan-favorite story their own.
Their warm vocals took over the clever lyrics that use everyday comparisons to convey how perfect the two characters fit together while Rob Cole simultaneously strummed his acoustic guitar to create the perfect steady tone.
They sang, “If you’ll be my soft and sweet/ I’ll be your strong and steady/ You be my glass of wine/ I’ll be your shot of whiskey/ You be my sunny day/ I’ll be your shade tree/ You be my honeysuckle/ I’ll be your honey bee.”
Both contestants left their hearts on the stage, but unfortunately there could only be one winner of this round. Before Bublé made his final decision, he gave his fellow coaches the chance to share some feedback with the singers.
Snoop Dogg gave one of the highest compliments of them all as he claimed to feel “the spirit of Blake Shelton when y’all was singing that…Something in his seat moved my legs.”
He then took a moment to address the singers separately, starting with Austin.
“I love your energy. I love the way you was engaging the crowd, and your vocal sounded amazing,” he noted before moving onto “brother Rob.” “I was loving how you was plucking, singing, you know what I’m saying? You don’t have to move when you actually moving it with your vocals the way you was.”
Ultimately, Snoop revealed he would pick Austin for winner of “showmanship and just engagement” and Rob as the champion of vocals.
Niall Horan followed the rapper’s lead as he explained he while both performers were “amazing” and were filled with energy, Rob ended up winning him over.
“Rob, I just love how you remind me of some of my favorite country singers. Just clear as day, you can understand every word. Maybe we lean a little bit towards Rob.”
McEntire, however, flipped the script and shared that her vote would go towards Austin. This left Bublé with a very tough decision.
“Austin, I know you can sing your tone, your pitch, all of it’s perfect. You have a sweet, beautiful voice. Rob, I thought today was your best and you were just at ease. Your performance is absolutely great.”
When it came time to make a decision, Bublé ultimately chose Rob as the winner, moving him forward to the Knockouts. But just as it seemed Austin’s run had come to an end, Reba McEntire swooped in with a steal, saving him and keeping his journey on The Voice alive.
“Your enthusiasm, your big heart, your gorgeous voice,” McEntire gushed before pausing to hold back the tears welling in her eyes. “You’re a cowboy. I’m so thrilled that you are now a part of Team Reba.”
She later added, “I loved everything about Austin. He had a childlike attitude about him…I just loved his voice. That’s why I wanted to steal him. I think it’s going to really do well for my team.”
This turned out to be a very emotional ending for Austin, who shed a few tears after hearing McEntire’s kind words. He then beamed with pride as he pointed to his fiancée Brittni in the audience, who was also flooded with tears of joy, and revealed she is carrying his baby.
“Thank you so much for making my dreams come true,” he told the country music icon.
Now, with Reba in his corner, Austin is ready to bring that same country charm and powerhouse energy into the next round while Rob prepares to move forward with Bublé.
The Voice airs on NBC on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The post Austin Gilbert And Rob Cole Shine With Blake Shelton Cover In ‘The Voice’ Battle, Reba McEntire Makes Emotional Steal appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Brantley Gilbert spent much of 2025 on the road on his Tattoos Tour, sharing the stage with a rotating lineup of up-and-coming artists like Jackson Dean, Travis Denning, Austin Snell, and Payton Smith.
For Gilbert, giving young talent a chance to shine is personal as he remembers the artists who helped him early in his career, opening doors and giving him the chance to reach bigger audiences. Now, he’s eager to pay that generosity forward.
“Guys that took me out on tour, especially in the beginning of my career, we were selling out bars and clubs and stepping our way up and really doing a lot without a deal. So, when we could get on shows with big names like that, it was a huge thing because my entire business model was tourin’. Havin’ the opportunity to get in front of crowds that we hadn’t built in bars and clubs was an amazing thing,” he shared. “And all the way through my career I feel like those guys have continued to reach out and do right by me, and I can never say thank you enough. But I mean, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw is another one of those people, Willie Nelson is another one of those people. You know, we had the opportunity to play on some amazing tours.”
As the Tattoos Tour keeps rolling into 2026, Brantley’s proving that the best part of success is helping the next generation find theirs.
The Georgia native recently embarked on a new chapter of his career after signing a new record deal with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. He made the announcement from the stage during a recent stop on his tour.
“I’m fired up to kick off this next chapter with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville,” Gilbert stated following the show. “They support their artists in ways that really move the needle, and it means a lot that they believe in what we’re building and want to be a part of it. We’ve got some big things on the horizon, and I’m looking forward to having this crew in my corner as we take it to the next level.”
“I’ll never forget years ago when JoJamie Hahr came into my office on fire about an independent artist named Brantley Gilbert,” added Jon Loba, BMG Americas President of Frontline Records. ”From my first listen, it was easy to hear what she was so excited about. He proved her right, exploding into the mainstream of Country music. He continues to be one of the most exceptional writers of today with the live show to match. We saw the rabid connection he’s built with his audience again Friday night at First Bank Amphitheater. JoJamie and I dreamed of one day working again with Brantley. Luckily for us and BMG, dreams come true!”
As fans await the arrival of new music, they can keep up with Brantley Gilbert on Instagram.
The post Brantley Gilbert Reflects on Early Career Mentors and Paying It Forward on His Tattoos Tour appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
From the small town of Viburnum, Missouri (population 600), 4-year-old Amelia made a big splash online after delivering an impressive performance of Lainey Wilson’s “Somewhere Over Laredo” at an annual Tiny Tot Pageant for preschool ages to compete in.
Amelia’s mom, Averie, explained to Country Now that every year, a pageant is held during their local fall festival. Last year, Amelia wowed the crowd by shooting her bow and arrow at a fake deer to claim the crown. This year she returned to retire her crown and to showcase another talent of hers – singing.
While Averie stated that this was her little girl’s first time singing in front of a crowd, her confidence radiated on stage as she powered through the dreamy, mid-tempo track that offers a nod to the timeless classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
“She said she wasn’t scared or nervous at all! We were so proud of her courage,” Averie shared.
Amelia is no stranger to singing, and getting the chance to perform a Lainey Wilson song made her feel completely at home. She has been a devoted fan of the country star from the very beginning, which made choosing a song from the Louisiana native’s catalog an easy decision.
“She has been singing since she could hum along to songs at a year old! I swear she can hear a song one time and know the lyrics almost immediately! She knows every song on the Whirlwind album,” her mom said, referring to Wilson’s latest project.
@averiewigger My 4 year old singing Lainey Wilson at our home town pageant Friday night!! #toddlersoftiktok #toddler #laineywilson #laineywilsonmusic #countrymusic ♬ original sound – Averie Wigger
Amelia took her performance to the next level by dressing up just like Lainey Wilson. She rocked a pair of adorable pink bell bottoms, a matching cowboy hat, a western belt, a Lainey Wilson t-shirt, and a fringe vest, perfectly channeling her role model’s signature style.
“She chose the song for her pageant, she says Lainey has blonde hair like her and rides horses like her and she wants to be just like her when she grows up. So we got her the whole outfit to match her! She is BIG Lainey fan!!!”
The video of her performance was shared via TikTok and has since blown up, with over 100k views and hundreds of comments filled with supportive messages. Lainey Wilson herself even commented saying “Superstar!! Killlllllled it sister” and later shared the video to her Instagram story so that even more people could witness the little girl’s tremendous talent.
This outpouring of love from Wilson and thousands of TikTok users has been nothing short of incredible for Amelia and her family.
“We have been absolutely SO surprised at the outpour of views and likes and positive comments on my tiktok. When Lainey first commented, oh my gosh we all almost cried,” Averie admitted. “And today when she reposted and shared on her socials we have been absolutely shaking with excitement! When I told Millie she said, ‘Mom you mean REAL Lainey Wilson?’ It was SO funny! And so surreal.”
“She’s only 4 so the concept of fame is really still confusing to her. But she’s figuring it out that when you’re famous you’re on tv like Lainey Wilson!!!,” her mom added.
Averie then told us the very exciting news that on Thursday, October 16, Amelia will get to experience her first concert and see the “4x4xU” singer up close as they are planning to attend her upcoming stop in St. Louis, MO.
She explained, “A friend of mine scored us 6 general admission tickets so we will be there and I can’t wait to watch her experience this all and take it all in! I can’t WAIT!”
The show is set to take place at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater as part of the country star’s current Whirlwind Tour.
From a tiny town pageant to a TikTok sensation, Amelia Wigger is already living out her dreams at just four years old. And with her first live concert coming up, this is sure to be a moment Amelia will never forget.
The post 4-Year-Old Amelia Catches Lainey Wilson’s Attention With Viral Performance of ‘Somewhere Over Laredo’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
D’Angelo has passed away. The Richmond-born singer, songwriter, and producer, of the most talented and revered musicians of his generation, passed away after a private battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 51.
“The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life,” D’Angelo’s family said in a statement. “After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, has been called home, departing this life today, October 14th, 2025. We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time but invite you all join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.”
D’Angelo burst into the public consciousness in the mid-1990s as one of the leading lights of the neo-soul movement. At a time when R&B had been moving in a sleeker, poppier direction, he brought a classic, organic feel to the genre while still interacting with hip-hop. After teaming with Brian McKnight and a slate of R&B stars as Black Men United for the Jason’s Lyric soundtrack hit “U Will Know” in 1994, he unveiled his debut album Brown Sugar in 1995. The album was widely received as a landmark release. It spun off the Billboard top 10 single “Lady” and other hits including “Brown Sugar,” “Cruisin’,” and “Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine.”
After several more hits from movie soundtracks and noteworthy collaborations with the likes of Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and Angie Stone, he returned in 2000 with sophomore album Voodoo. Another masterpiece, the album is best known for “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” a slow-build R&B epic with an iconic music video. It also included hits like “Devil’s Pie” and the Method Man & Redman collab “Left & Right.”
Looser and groovier than Brown Sugar, Voodoo went down as one of the crowning achievements of the Soulquarians, a collective of likeminded hip-hop and R&B artists that included D’Angelo alongside Questlove, Badu, Q-Tip, Talib Kweli, James Poyser, and Mos Def. It was honored as Best R&B Album at the 2001 Grammys, with “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” taking home Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
D’Angelo left the public eye for years after the Voodoo era but came back at the end of 2014 with the surprise release of Black Messiah, his third and final album. It was another astonishing record, an instant classic that boasted luxuriant slow jams like “Really Love” and spoke to the tumult that informed the emerging Black Lives Matter movement through tracks like “1000 Deaths” and “The Charade.” Black Messiah won D’Angelo two more Grammys, Best R&B Album and Best R&B Song for “Really Love.” He was greeted as a conquering hero upon the album’s release, a status he will no doubt maintain in perpetuity.
Discover more about the world’s greatest R&B artists | uDiscover Music
Rod Wave is pushing back against a $27 million lawsuit by accusing concert promoter Grizzly Touring of bribery, breach of contract and mismanagement tied to his 2024 “Last Lap” tour. The Florida-based rapper, whose legal name is Rodarius Green, filed a formal response in court denying all claims and alleging the promoter tried to manipulate him into what he described as “indentured servitude.”
At the core of the dispute is a failed arena tour deal that collapsed after Wave canceled 9 of the 35 scheduled shows. Grizzly claims it advanced more than $57 million to cover the tour’s costs, including a $40.25 million guarantee to the rapper. The company says it’s now owed over $27 million in damages.
“Rod Wave refuses to pay Grizzly a single penny of the more than $27 million he owes,” Grizzly’s attorney Pravin Patel said in court documents, as reported by AllHipHop.
Grizzly Touring alleges that Rod Wave used a portion of the advance to fund luxury purchases, including real estate and private flights, while failing to fulfill his full tour obligations. The company also accuses Wave of violating an exclusivity clause by announcing new solo performances through his own company, Hit House Entertainment, which they say directly breached their agreement.
In addition to seeking financial damages, Grizzly wants a court order to prevent Wave from launching future tours without their involvement.
Rod Wave’s legal team paints a different picture. In his filing, the rapper says Grizzly and its production partner, 360 Production, rescheduled shows without his input, leading to logistical issues and harming his reputation. He argues that those decisions—not his cancellations—caused the tour to unravel.
He also disputes the $27 million figure, stating it’s inflated and not supported by the contract. According to his side, he earned nearly $30 million from the shows he did perform and has no obligation to return unused funds.
Wave further argues that the exclusivity and “right of first refusal” clauses in the agreement are legally unenforceable under Florida law, especially since Grizzly allegedly failed to meet its responsibilities.
The most serious charge in Rod Wave’s response involves an alleged bribery attempt. He claims Grizzly tried to sneak unauthorized terms into the contract by offering secret payments to his agent. According to the filing, that effort failed, and the current lawsuit is retaliation for his refusal to accept the altered terms.
Wave and Hit House Entertainment are now asking the court to void the contract entirely and eliminate any remaining obligations tied to the failed tour.
AllHipHop
The Gathering for Justice, the social justice organization founded by the late Harry Belafonte, celebrated its 20th Anniversary Gala, 20 Years of Impact, last night (Oct. 13) in New York City, honoring some of the most influential voices in activism, art and community building.
Hosted by an uncharacteristically hilarious, rhyme reciting Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, the sold-out evening paid tribute to Belafonte’s enduring legacy and also celebrated two decades of movement-building under the leadership of President and CEO Carmen Perez-Jordan. Jordan is stepping away from her role at the organization. So it was fitting that he event also mobilized support for the organization’s next phase of advocacy centered on racial equality, youth empowerment and systemic reform.
Among the honorees were Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nation, who received the Harry Belafonte Social Justice Award; legendary actor and activist Danny Glover, recipient of the Legacy of Justice Award; and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, Co-Executive Director of the Alliance for Quality Education, who accepted the Gathering in Community Award. The latter was a distinction first bestowed upon The Exonerated Five.
This year’s gala coincided with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, symbolizing the organization’s commitment to truth, accountability and inclusion across all communities.
Desiree Perez received a standing ovation after she delivered a stirring acceptance speech that reflected on purpose, perseverance and the legacy of Harry Belafonte.
“When I received this humbling request to accept this award, I was in a moment of questioning my purpose in social justice work,” Perez said. “I was asking myself: Am I truly making a difference? Does my work have any impact? Do people understand my intent — or is it simply not enough? Do I even have the time? Talk about divinity — you saved my spirit.”
She continued, “This isn’t just about a 9-to-5 or raising funds. It’s about everything we do daily… how I run my company, how I conduct business, and the essence and principles behind my choices and words. Everything counts, regardless of its size.”
Perez reflected on her organization’s collaboration with the NFL, the creation of the United Justice Coalition, and her pride in winning an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) alongside the first Black rapper (Kendrick Lamar) to ever headline a Super Bowl halftime show produced by a Black- and Brown-led team.
“Then I learned that Harry Belafonte was the first Black performer to win an Emmy and it was for his variety special, bringing everything full circle for me,” she said. “This work isn’t about being invited to the table or how you get there. It’s much bigger than any one of us. However you show up, as long as you do, we will weaken the walls of injustice.”
Perez closed with a quote from Belafonte that encapsulated the evening’s spirit:
“I’m not quite sure precisely when social and political activism became a visible brand of my DNA, but it seems to me that I was born into it. It is hard to be born into the experience in the world of poverty and not develop some instinct for survival and resistance to those things that oppress you.”
Founded in 2005 after Belafonte witnessed the handcuffing of a five-year-old Black girl in a Florida classroom, The Gathering for Justice continues to unite communities, influence policy, and hold law enforcement accountable. Through mentorship and strategic advocacy, the organization empowers youth to become agents of change in their own communities.
“Our work is rooted in the belief that we must act collectively to influence change and hold institutions accountable,” Perez-Jordan said. “From mobilizing young people to challenging inequities in the justice system, our movement continues to honor Mr. Belafonte’s vision of justice grounded in love, courage, and unity.”
Despite ongoing challenges, from funding cuts to political intimidation, The Gathering for Justice remains steadfast. As Perez-Jordan emphasized, “In these moments of uncertainty, we do what we know best: we fight back.”
Click here for more information or to support: https://www.gatheringforjustice.org
Here are some images provided by AllHipHop CEO Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, who was in attendance.
AllHipHop
