As the country music community grieves the death of the Mavericks’ singer Raul Malo, his wife has taken to social media with a statement that describes how she’ll remember him.
Betty Malo shared that her husband died at 8:52PM on Dec. 8, ending his battle with cancer… Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
A Tennessee judge just placed limits on what WhistlinDiesel can say online about his tax case — but it’s not a full gag order. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Even after decades on the road, the country legend says there are still a few songs that stir something deep — including two of his own. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Lainey Wilson’s fans always show up in style for her live shows, but one young cowboy at her Vegas concert stole the spotlight, creating an unforgettable moment.
During her recent run of shows, Wilson has made it a tradition to bring a young female fan onstage to be crowned the “Cowgirl of the Night.” At her T-Mobile Arena concert during the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas on Sunday, Dec. 7, she added a new twist, welcoming another fan who instantly caught her eye to join her on stage as well.
While scanning the crowd, the Louisiana native took notice of a boy who was dressed up as someone very near and dear to her heart – her fiancé, Devlin “Duck” Hodges. The fan was seen sporting a pair of blue jeans, a camo hat, a fake mustache and a black long sleeve that had “duck” written in white letters across the chest, making it very clear that he was trying and replicate the former NFL player’s signature look.
Wilson pulled the boy on stage at the perfect time in the setlist as she sang the upbeat “Yesterday, All Day, Every Day,” a song that portrays her love story with her fiancé. The tune finds Wilson sharing a look into the night they first met in 2021 at Nashville’s Silverado Dance Hall & Saloon after being introduced by a mutual friend. With playful, vivid lyrics, she recounts that magical night want goes on to wish that she could relive it again and again.
“Yesterday all day, every day/ Stuck in a loop like Punxsutawney/ No tock on the ticker, I don’t wanna change/ Twenty-four more of you loving on me,” she delivers on the chorus.
Holding the young boy’s hand, she twirled and danced around the stage, singing the heartfelt track. Once she gently escorted him offstage, she returned to the mic to finish the song on her own. In the midst of the permeance she jokingly told the crowd, “I’m marrying a man named Duck…y’all keep him in your prayers.”
“Yesterday, All Day, Every Day” appears on the expanded version of her GRAMMY-winning album, Whirlwind, which arrived on August 22. The five additional tracks also includes “Bell Bottoms Up,” “King Ranch, King George, King James,” “Somewhere Over Laredo” and “Peace, Love, and Cowboys.”
Lainey Wilson and the real “Duck” are currently in the midst of wedding planning, following their engagement back in February. He popped the question on the porch of the late country legend George Jones’ estate in Franklin, Tennessee, and she said “yes.”
Along with wedding planning, the multi-PLATINUM singer, songwriter has a lot more on her plate as she prepares to extends her headline tour in 2026. The new dates will include stops across Australia and New Zealand with special guests Flatland Cavalry and Kaitlin Butts on select dates.
A full list of upcoming dates can be found on Lainey Wilson’s official website.
The post WATCH: Lainey Wilson Welcomes A Mini Version of Her Fiancé ‘Duck’ On Stage During Las Vegas Concert appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Laci Kaye Booth has unveiled a new single that may sound sweet on the surface, but actually holds a whole different story hiding underneath. “I’m In Love With A Man” starts off like a gentle love ballad, only to unravel into something far more heartbreaking, once again proving the extent of her captivating songwriting and storytelling skills.
The songstress didn’t bring this idea to life alone. She had help from her co-writers Tofer Brown and Lauren Hungate while Ben West produced. Their work resulted in a story that dives into the emotional tug-of-war a woman is facing quietly in her relationship.
At first, she paints the picture of a man who notices the little things, never calls her crazy even when it’s warranted and loves her with his whole heart. Her words reveal that while on paper he’s the kind of partner anyone would be lucky to have, she comes to the conclusion that he’s just not the one for her.
Booth’s soft, dreamy vocals dance along the lyrics while pain is lingering at the core. Upon reaching the chorus, she finally reveals the truth she’s been carrying, causing the entire song to shift in an instant.
“I’m not a traitor/ I’m not a crier/ I’m not a leaver/ Not even a fighter/ A liar/ But when we go to bed/ I pretend he’s next to me/ I’m in love with a man/ I’m in love with a man/ He’ll never be,” she sings.
Just as the track is about to come to an end, she’s left with a set of lingering questions while wondering why she continues to stay in a relationship that isn’t fulfilling her.
“Do I stay because I’m lonely/ Stupid or sentimental?/ Do I stay because I love you/ Or just love your potential?/ Either way, I’ll probably stay.”
Fans have already started to latch onto the emotional gut-punch of the track, and Booth says the moment she played it live for the first time, she knew it had struck a nerve. That reaction told her that this was a story that would make people feel something, especially as the heartbreak tucked between the lines came to light.
“I played this song at the Bluebird the same week that I wrote it, and I knew from the energy and reaction alone that this was a song people needed as much as I needed to write it,” Booth explained. “‘I’m In Love With A Man’ is like a love story with a twisted ending. A heartbreaking, psychological thriller of a song. I’m very grateful I got to write it with my talented friends Tofer Brown & Lauren Hungate.”
Serving as the follow-up to “Luck Of The Draw,” “I’m In Love With A Man” arrives alongside a hazy, retro-leaning visualizer directed by Natalie Sakstrup, that echo’s the song’s bittersweet undertone.
Laci Kaye Booth spent the year performing on select dates of Parker McCollum’s 2025 arena tour and will join him again next spring for three Florida shows. She’s also set to appear at the Extra Innings, Two Step Inn, and Railbird Music Festival in 2026.
The post Laci Kaye Booth Unveils ‘I’m In Love With A Man,’ a Tender Love Song With a Heartbreaking Twist appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Raul Malo of The Mavericks passed away on Monday, Dec. 8 at the age of 60 following a battle with cancer. Fans and fellow musicians alike are mourning the loss of the iconic singer, songwriter, and bandleader.
The Mavericks shared a heartfelt post in his honor early Tuesday, remembering him as a “force of human nature” and praising the “infectious energy” he brought to both life and the stage.
“Over a career of more than three decades entertaining millions around the globe, his towering creative contributions and unrivaled, generational talent created the kind of multicultural American music reaching far beyond America itself,” the band wrote, noting how his work transcended genres, cultures, and generations.
They continued, detailing the impact of his artistry: “While his spirited performances garnered a massive & loyal following, and his powerful songwriting and musicianship earned multiple Grammy, ACM, and CMA awards, it was his lifelong commitment to the preservation of the multi-lingual American musical repertoire of which he was most proud. He made history in 2020 with the first album ever to debut at the top of both the Latin Pop and Folk-Americana charts.”
The post went on to highlight his dedication beyond the stage: “It was this commitment, along with his steadfast championing of music education as an inspiration for every child across America and throughout the world, for which Raul was honored with the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the National Music Council of the United States’ American Eagle Award.”
The band concluded with a moving sentiment: while Raul’s body may no longer be here, his spirit and music will continue to touch lives across the globe.
“His contributions to American and Latin music will be everlasting, as his songs and voice touched fans and fellow artists around the world.”
Raul Malo is survived by his devoted wife of 34 years, Betty; his sons Dino, Victor, and Max; his mother, Norma; his sister, Carol; and his fellow Mavericks bandmates, Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez, and Jerry Dale McFadden.
The family expresses their gratitude to fans for all the love and support and kindly asks for privacy during this difficult time.
Country artists also paid tribute to Raul on social media, with Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild writing, “What a voice. 💔 So very sorry for your loss,” and Jake Owen adding, “One of the BEST EVER.”
The post Raul Malo, Legendary Voice of The Mavericks, Dies at 60 After Cancer Battle appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Nashville’s Music City Rodeo is saddling up for its second annual showdown, returning to Bridgestone Arena from May 28–30, 2026. As co-founder of the event, Tim McGraw made the exciting announcement on December 4 during the opening night of his Las Vegas residency, which happened to take place during National Finals Rodeo (NFR), the PRCA’s premier championship event.
In the midst of his show, the country superstar invited several of the cowboy and cowgirl athletes on stage to help share the exciting news. Among them were 3X World Champion Bareback Rider Tim O’Connell, NFR qualifier and professional Bull Rider Jace Trosclair, 5X NFR qualifier and Saddle Bronc Rider Rusty Wright, 2025 Miss Music City Rodeo Queen Reagan Caen, World Champion Bull Rider and Hall of Famer Cody Custer, and Music City Rodeo Trick Rider Madison Schalla.
“This year we had our inaugural Music City Rodeo, the very first PRCA rodeo in Nashville,” he began. “We’re here to announce that we’re also doing the second annual Music City Rodeo in Nashville, the 28th, 29th and 30th of May. So we want you guys to show up.”
McGraw, who has played more than 20 Rodeos in his career, went on to reveal that next year’s highly-anticipated event will feature a variety of can’t-miss rodeo events from bull riding to barrel racing, team roping to broncs, and a whole lot of country music.
The 2026 performance lineup includes three-time Grammy-award winning artist Miranda Lambert on opening night (5/28), followed by Grammy-nominated artist Charley Crockett (5/29), and Multi-Platinum country music star Jon Pardi to close out the weekend (5/30).
The 2025 inaugural Music City Rodeo was a groundbreaking success and marked the first time Nashville hosted a major PRCA event, uniting country music with the rodeo in the heart of Tennessee. The festival drew more than 30 World Champion athletes, awarded over $292,000 in total prize money, and quickly became the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi and in the Southeastern Circuit. Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire and Jelly Roll served as the first musical line-up and Rodeo Co-Founders.
Building on that momentum, the 2026 edition has been officially designated an official Cinch Playoff Series Rodeo that’s set to feature top-tier talent from across the nation, including decorated bullfighting duo Cody Webster and Dusty Tuckness, who together earned 15 Bullfighter of the Year titles, and eleven-time Stock Contractor of the Year Smith Pro Rodeo.
The Music City Rodeo offers plenty of family-friendly entertainment with mutton bustin’, clowns, Rodeo Queens, and more. Fans will get to see athletes compete for $300,000 in prize money before ending each night with an epic concert in the arena.
A portion of the event’s proceeds will support Nashville’s Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, advancing pediatric health care, training, and research. Last year, the event raised over $50,000 for the good cause.
Pre-sale tickets for Music City Rodeo go on-sale starting December 5, with regular tickets on sale on December 12th at 10am CT here. More event information and additional scheduling can be found at MusicCityRodeo.com.
The post Tim McGraw Taps Rodeo Champions To Announce Second Annual Music City Rodeo appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Country Thunder, North America’s largest country music festival brand, is making waves—literally. For the first time in its history, Country Thunder Florida is going beachfront with plans to host it’s 2026 festival on the sugar-white sands of St. Pete Beach from May 8–10.
Today’s announcement also included the full lineup for next year’s concert experience on the Gulf shoreline, which confirms it’s going to celebrate the historic year with a star-studded weekend.
Headliners Zach Top, Gavin Adcock, and Kane Brown will lead the beachfront stage for one weekend only, while a powerhouse supporting acts including Randy Houser, Max McNown, Shaboozey, Dasha, Gretchen Wilson, Braxton Keith, Cole Goodwin, Elizabeth Nichols, Solon Holt, Jay Webb, and more will keeps the music pumping from day into night. Rising artists from the “Sunshine State” and a Songwriter Showcase will also appear throughout the weekend, allowing concertgoers to meet the talent behind some of the biggest hits in country music.
Beyond the performances, Country Thunder Florida promises to be the brand’s “biggest and boldest” event yet, complete with cowboy hat and apparel vendors, signature carnival rides, a variety of food options, and surprise artist meet-and-greets to keep the excitement going all weekend long.
“Bringing Country Thunder to St. Pete Beach marks an exciting new era for our festival,” says Troy Vollhoffer, CEO & President of Country Thunder. “From the moment we first stepped onto the white sands at TradeWinds, we knew this was the perfect home for an elevated fan experience. Partnering with a world-class resort that has been a cornerstone of this community allows us to deliver something truly special — not just for our fans, but for the entire region. With the Gulf as our backdrop and Country music’s biggest artists on our stage, 2026 will be one for the books.”
Spanning the 40-acre grounds of TradeWinds Resort, home to Island Grand and RumFish Beach, Country Thunder Florida will place festivalgoers just steps from turquoise Gulf waters, surrounded by swaying palm trees and breathtaking sunsets. Known for its sun-filled weekends and vibrant atmosphere, TradeWinds sets the stage for the festival’s first-ever beachfront experience, allowing music lovers to enjoy a beach vacation and high-energy country music event all in one weekend.
“TradeWinds has proudly welcomed generations of families, locals and visitors alike to our shores for decades,” says Scott Robbins, Managing Director of TradeWinds Resort. “Hosting Country Thunder is not only an exciting moment for music lovers, but a major economic driver that will directly benefit our local businesses, hospitality workers, and the broader community we’re so proud to be part of. With top Country stars performing against the backdrop of our iconic white-sand beach, this festival will bring unforgettable energy and memories to St. Pete Beach.”
Building on the success and excitement of last year’s Tampa edition at Raymond James Stadium, the upcoming festival promises to be bigger, bolder, and unforgettable.
The 2026 event is expected to draw fans from across the U.S., and tickets are already on sale here to secure spots at this historic beachfront festival. Options include Premium packages and a new budget-friendly plan, allowing attendees to reserve their weekend with just $20 down and convenient monthly payments.
Festivalgoers staying in St. Pete Beach will have easy access to the grounds, while those coming from surrounding areas can take advantage of off-site parking and a dedicated shuttle service. TradeWinds Resort is also offering exclusive discounted room packages, giving fans the chance to turn their Country Thunder weekend into a full beach getaway. For more information on TradeWinds Resort visit here.
The festival brand is also keeping safety and fan experience front and center for 2026. A new patented barricade system will be in place, reflecting the festival’s dedication to creating a secure, top-tier environment. This further hones in on CEO Troy Vollhoffer’s vision to continually raise the bar on the Country Thunder experience.
The Country Thunder festival season will kick off with Country Thunder Arizona, taking place on April 9-12 at Canyon Moon Ranch in Florence, AZ, followed by Country Thunder Florida, Country Thunder Alberta (June 26-28), Country Thunder Saskatchewan (July 9-12) and Country Thunder Wisconsin (July 16-19).
The post Country Thunder Florida Makes History With Its First-Ever Beachfront Festival in 2026 appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Ja Rule threatened legal action against 50 Cent after the rapper posted a controversial video to his 36 million Instagram followers involving a salacious story about Ja and Diddy in a hotel room.
The post featured a clip from The Art of Dialogue, in which Diddy’s former bodyguard, Gene Deal, recounted an incident in North Carolina involving Ja Rule, Diddy, and two women.
According to Deal, Ja’s cousin tried to enter a hotel suite where Ja and Diddy were allegedly behind closed doors. Deal said he blocked the cousin, who then tried to force his way in, prompting Deal to throw him into a piano.
“Puff and Ja Rule run out the room, Puff got his towel, Ja grabbing his towel, but they butt naked. Ja was like ‘yo what’s going on, yo Gene that’s my cousin.’ Puff’s like ‘Yo Gene, what happened. I said, ‘he tried to get in the room. I told him he couldn’t get in the room.’ Puff looked at Ja. Ja said, “You ain’t want to go in that room because there’s a lot of freaky s### going on.”
In the original clip, Gene Deal suggested Puff and Ja Rule were playing with butt plugs the Bad Bad founder had purchased in New York earlier in the day.
Ja Rule blasted 50 Cent for reposting the clip, calling it defamatory and threatening to take him to court. “I thought jug head was smarter than that, posting a blatant lie to your millions of minions SLANDER and DEFAMATION… DUMMY!!! Lawsuit on the way…”
I thought jug head was smarter than that posting a blatant lie to your millions of minions SLANDER and DEFAMATION… DUMMY!!! Lawsuit on the way…
— Ja Rule (@jarule) December 9, 2025
The feud reignited as the Netflix docuseries Sean Combs: The Reckoning stirred public scrutiny around Diddy’s alleged history of abuse. Ja Rule accused 50 Cent of exploiting the situation for profit and clout, not justice.
On X, formerly Twitter, Ja called 50 “a cancer to the culture” and demanded he donate proceeds from his Diddy documentary to domestic violence organizations, which 50 Cent is already doing.
Ja Rule also resurfaced past allegations against 50, including a 2013 domestic violence case involving Daphne Joy and later accusations she made and dropped, of rape and assault.
“50 is no different,” Ja wrote, suggesting that 50 Cent could easily be the subject of his own exposé. He hinted at creating a documentary of his own, stating there’s “a lot to unpack” about 50 “allegedly.”
Ja also shared old photos of 50 Cent and Diddy together, accusing 50 of hypocrisy and calling him a “dry snitch” for constantly exposing others.
“He always telling on somebody,” Ja said.
As of now, 50 Cent has not responded directly to Ja Rule’s threats or the “cancer to the culture” remark. The clip remains online.
AllHipHop
The Grouch is at his Los Angeles home taking a couple of well deserved days off—kind of. With the second leg of the annual How the Grouch Stole Christmas Tour starting Thursday (December 11) at the Observatory in Santa Ana, California, there’s still a lot to do. As he tells AllHipHop, he’s been “wearing a lot of hats:” driver, merch supervisor and performer, to name a few.
But at this point, Grouch is well seasoned, having launched his music career in the 1990s. He’s gone on dozens of tours, performed at countless venues and traveled around the world with his Living Legends brethren—only this time, there’s one missing.
In August 2025, Derrick McElroy, better known as Aesop the Black Wolf or simply Aesop, died suddenly, leaving the rest of the Living Legends—Luckyiam, The Grouch, Eligh, Bicasso, Sunspot Jonz and Scarub—in shambles. Just 50 years old at the time of his death, Aesop wasn’t supposed to go and the tight knit Hip-Hop collective was by no means ready to say goodbye.
Despite the massive, soul-crushing loss, the Living Legends have soldiered on, honoring Aesop every chance they get, whether it’s with tribute t-shirts, photos, video montages during concerts, social media or his verses. But each show is a challenge in its own way.
“Now that Aesop’s not here, I got to take out his verse or add it, and it’s just been a lot for me,” Grouch explains. “But it’s what I signed up for.”
That’s the easy part. Living Legends performed with Atmosphere, Hieroglyphics, Dilated Peoples, Immortal Technique and CunninLynguists at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheater in September, mere weeks after Aesop’s death. The air was heavy with grief though there was a sense he was there in spirit. That continues to happen on occasion but, of course, a Living Legends show will never be the same.
“We got a tribute part to him in the show,” he says. “But just being on stage and him not being there that’s an obvious thing. We’re missing a person that’s been with us for 30 years. Even staying at some of the hotels we’ve stayed at or being in some of the cities—all these different triggers that can spark a memory of him are just hitting right and left. Sometimes I just block it out, and sometimes it’s just deep and I’m like, ‘Whoa, he’s really not here.’ I just miss his spirit. I miss his laugh.”
Still, without Aesop—who had a huge, colorful personality and truly cared about the people in his life—the vibe has shifted.
“We include his verses on some of the songs, but it’s obviously not the same,” Grouch adds. “Part of me feels like, ‘Oh, he’s on stage with us.’ There’s moments where something will happen and I’ll be like, ‘Oh yeah, like he’s here.’ I love that but, it’s a big void.”
Thankfully, Grouch has his fellow Legends to lean on. For this year’s iteration of How the Grouch Stole Christmas Tour, he’s enlisted Souls of Mischief and CunninLynguists to round out the bill. They, too, have proven to be good support systems. Some of their friendships, in fact, stretch back decades.
“I always try to get a creative lineup,” he says. “A lot of years I tried to do a younger artist and an older artist. I’ve tried a couple things and this time we were just like, ‘Let’s keep it a golden era, underground hip-hop lineup. The Souls of Mischief thing is really huge because I went to high school and even junior high with a couple of the guys.”
In many ways, The Grouch exists because of them. He explains, “They were in a grade higher than me and they were cooler than me, so I didn’t really know them. But I was inspired by them in real life, watching them on Yo! MTV Raps, seeing them sign to Jive Records and have their initial success. I was super inspired. It gave me a feeling that if these guys from my hometown and my actual school can do it, then maybe I can do it, too.”
He adds, “The power of them creating, what I believe is, one of the best Hip-Hop songs of all time,’93 to Infinity,’ those guys are Hip-Hop royalty. To have them on the same stage as us in 2025 is a beautiful blessing.”
Living Legends’ latest album, The Return, was released in 2023. The How the Grouch Stole Christmas Tour wraps up December 20 in Salt Lake City. Find a list of tour dates above.
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