Cody Johnson opens up about what it feels like to be a role model for kids at his concerts — it’s a lot heavier than you might think. Continue reading…
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Day: December 17, 2025
Garth encouraged Trisha to see herself as a songwriter — even when she doubted she could be one. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Blake Shelton and his wife Gwen Stefani have blended their two very different worlds since marrying in July 2021. Now that they find themselves spending more time in the peacefulness of rural Oklahoma, Shelton says introducing her to his slower, more grounded way of life has become one of the most meaningful parts of their relationship.
The couple splits their time between Los Angeles and Shelton’s Oklahoma ranch, where they often retreat for family time, fresh air, and a break from the fast-paced city life. According to Shelton, Stefani’s upbringing in Southern California didn’t allow her the chance to connect with nature in that way. So with his help, he has gotten to watch her fall in love with that way of life and all the peace that comes with it.
“One of the joys of my lifetime has been, I guess introducing is the word, but bringing Gwen here and letting her experience something that’s just kind of untamed and beautiful, just completely different than anything she’s experienced growing up in Southern California,” Shelton explained during an appearance on the Michael Waddell Podcast.
The country superstar went on to share one of his favorite memories from their early days of living on the ranch and coming together to explore all the stunning scenery it has to offer. He says he and Stefani stumbled up on a creek that runs through the property. Shelton recalled how surprised she was by the idea that something so peaceful and untouched could exist on private land, rather than inside a national or state park.
“One of the first times I ever brought her here, I remember her just being so taken aback. She goes, ‘so this is your, like you own this?’ I go, ‘yeah, this is the ranch. This is part of the ranch.’ And she goes, ‘but I didn’t know you could have a creek or a river. You can have that?’ I go, ‘well, I don’t know what the laws are with the water.’ And then it started confusing me. I was like, wait a minute. She goes, ‘no, I just thought anything like this, what I’m looking at, would be like a national park, like a park or a state park or something, but this is just on your land?’ And I go, yeah,” Shelton recalled.
That moment made him realize how many people never get the chance to experience life in the country or the magic of waking up to wildlife right outside your windows while sipping coffee and just being surrounded by nature instead of noise.
Over time, he says Stefani has fully embraced the ranch lifestyle, noting that she loves getting outside, going on walks around the property, and soaking in the quiet that comes with being far removed from paparazzi and crowds.
“She really has taken to it. She loves nature. I mean, when she’s here, she loves to just get out of the house and go on walks. She’ll just walk around, I got roads around the ranch and she loves to exercise and just be out in it. So she just has really taken to the lifestyle of just having some freedom. For the last 30 years of her life. She steps out of the house and there’s somebody…taking pictures of her, and here there is none of that and she really appreciates it.”
As much as they cherish the calm and freedom that comes with life on the ranch, the demands of their music careers can’t keep them away from the spotlight or the screaming crowds for too long.
Looking ahead, Blake Shelton will be jumping back into the chaos early into 2026 with shows beginning in January. He is scheduled to return to Las Vegas to perform a string of dates across the whole month at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace. Gwen Stefani is also heading to Sin City as she prepares to play a residency at The Sphere with her band, No Doubt, across May and June 2026.
The post Blake Shelton Says Introducing Gwen Stefani to His Oklahoma Ranch Is ‘One of the Joys of My Lifetime’ appeared first on Country Now.
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The Season 28 finale of The Voice kicked off last night with a round of unforgettable performances from four coach-selected artists, along with two wildcard acts voted in by America. Among the wildcards, was Team Niall’s trio, DEK of Hearts, who opened round one with a lively performance of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s “Fishin’ in the Dark.”
Taking the stage, the three band members emerged as a set of silhouettes set against a wooden set illuminated by bright red lights, with a calming starry night backdrop behind them. Their effortless harmonies soared across the stage and seamlessly blended with moments where each member showcased their individual vocals during their warm, groovy rendition of the 1987 classic. By the end of the performance, both the crowd and all four coaches were on their feet, cheering in awe at the unforgettable delivery.
DEK of Hearts also earned rave reviews from their own coach as well as coach Reba McEntire.
The country icon proudly declared, “You guys know how much I love you. That sounded terrific. I’ve loved that song forever and y’all knocked it out of the ballpark.”
Horan added, “Consistency is king around this place, and these guys have never ever, ever put a foot wrong…You guys do bring it every single time. I’m so proud of you. What a way to start the finale of The Voice.”
DEK of Hearts, along with the other finalists, each performed two songs during last night’s episode. They were tasked with choosing a contemporary hit and a classic in order to showcase the versatility of their vocal skills. For the trio’s second performance, they delivered a hauntingly beautiful rendition of James Bay’s “Let It Go.”
This performance had a completely different vibe from their first. The western-style stage was transformed into something more intimate, with a thick fog drifting across the floor and spotlights highlighting the trio. They also slowed things down a bit musically, leaning into the quieter moments to show off their vocals and the way they connect as a band while delivering the painful lyrics of accepting that a relationship has run its course. The group even elevated their ensembles, donning a more classic look to match the performance.
Despite a small technical hiccup that broke out at the start of their delivery, the band didn’t let anything slow them down. They quickly recovered, proving once again why they deserve a place in this competition.
Horan first made sure to commend them on their professionalism in the unexpected moment.
“That would shake a lot of artists and I thought you did such a good job to recover from that,” he noted before asking for America to continue voting the talented act going into finale night.
“Vote for DEK of Hearts, folks. C’mon let’s get this win.”
Going into the finale, DEK of Hearts and Aiden Ross represented Team Niall while Aubrey Nicole represented Team Reba, Jazz McKenzie and Max Chambers represented team Michael, and Ralph Edwards represented Team Snoop.
By the end of the night, America locked in their votes for the final time this season and selected the winner of The Voice Season 28. This marks the first time that The Voice finalists were selected not only by the Coaches but also by viewers at home.
Fans can tune in tonight, Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 9/8c on NBC to watch a slew of star-studded performances before the ultimate winner is crowned.
The post Trio DEK of Hearts Bring Energy to ‘The Voice’ Finale With Standout ‘Fishin’ in the Dark’ Performance appeared first on Country Now.
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Bobby Bones’ popular BobbyCast is heading to Netflix!
Today, iHeartMedia and Netflix announced an exclusive video podcasting partnership that will bring more than 15 of iHeartMedia’s top original podcasts to the streaming platform. The deal will feature all-new episodes from the podcast lineup, along with select episodes from each show’s library.
“Bobby Bones Presents: The BobbyCast” is included in the deal along with “The Breakfast Club,” co-hosted by Charlamagne Tha God, “My Favorite Murder,” a wildly successful true crime podcast, shows from high profile talent such as Grammy-nominated music superstars Fat Joe and Jadakiss on “Joe and Jada,” “Dear Chelsea” with Chelsea Handler and “This Is Important” with “Workaholics” stars Adam Devine, Anders Holm and Blake Anderson.
“Bobby Bones Presents: The BobbyCast”, the hit music and entertainment podcast, features award-winning radio and TV personality Bobby Bones, a two-time New York Times best-selling author and the youngest-ever inductee into the National Radio Hall of Fame, chatting with some of the biggest names in music and entertainment.
“Audio podcasting has been the fastest-growing medium over the past 20 years, and now we’re thrilled to expand that experience with an exciting new category – video podcasts. Netflix has a leading video-first service, and this partnership perfectly complements our strong audio foundation. Working with Netflix—an important leader in entertainment— gives fans one more way to connect with the personalities they love and opens the door to new audiences, including viewers discovering these shows for the first time,” Bob Pittman, CEO of iHeartMedia, shared.
This partnership marks a major step in bringing iHeartMedia’s popular podcasts to a wider audience, giving fans the chance to experience their favorite shows in a whole new way—both through sound and on-screen visuals.
“These shows feature dynamic hosts, compelling conversations, and passionate fan communities—available in both audio and now as a natural video extension. Audiences can now not only listen but also watch and enjoy top-rated iHeartPodcasts alongside award-winning series and movies from Netflix,” Pittman added.
“With this partnership we are incredibly excited to offer our members such unmatched variety, and to deliver highly entertaining podcasts featuring some of the world’s most dynamic personalities,” Lauren Smith, Netflix VP of Content Licensing and Programming Strategy, continued.
The first new video podcast episodes are set to premiere on Netflix in the U.S. in early 2026, with additional markets to follow.
The post Bobby Bones’ ‘BobbyCast’ Is Coming to Netflix appeared first on Country Now.
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Aubrey Nicole delivered two show-stopping performances during night one of the two-part The Voice Season 28 finale, starting with Cody Johnson’s heartfelt hit, “‘Til You Can’t.”
Prior to taking the stage the songstress explained she wanted to deliver a song that would allow her to send one final message of encouragement to anyone listening who needs that extra push to chase their dreams, just like she has with this competition. For her, that song was Johnson’s chart-topping hit.
Dressed in a white, flowery western outfit complete with a matching cowboy hat, Nicole poured her heart into the country anthem. She began slowly, letting the emotion of the lyrics build with intensity until it evolved into a full-blown powerhouse moment, leaving McEntire “exhausted” from the rush of nerves and pride she felt for her team member.
Before McEntire saw Nicole take the stage, she praised her talent, her on-camera skills and her kind heart, all of which is giving her what the country icon deems to be a “great chance of making it big in the country business.”
After watching the performance unfold, Snoop Dogg chimed in with his own admiration as he stated, “Aubrey, you deserve to be here. You are phenomenal. This was one of the greatest performances I’ve seen you do. You just get better every time you hit that stage.”
McEntire shared even more praise for the contestant, saying “Now I know how my mom always felt when I got on stage. She was mouthing every word, so nervous and excited. I’m so proud of you. You’re beautiful inside and out. I couldn’t be more proud.”
Aubrey Nicole’s memorable impressions didn’t stop there because later in the show she also performed a rendition of her coach Reba McEntire’s classic, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.” This time, she was decked out in an all-red look while tapping into the country classic that offers a mix of vulnerability and strength.
McEntire couldn’t resist recognizing her talent once again.
She said, “I will love that song for forever…congratulations girl, you knocked it out of the ballpark again.”
Heading into night one of the Season 28 finale, Aubrey Nicole represented Team Reba, going up against Dek of Hearts and Aiden Ross from Team Niall, Jazz McKenzie and Max Chambers from Team Michael, and Ralph Edwards from Team Snoop.
This season featured a new twist that allowed The Voice finalists to be chosen not only by the Coaches but also by viewers at home for the very first time. The results of those votes will be revealed this evening when the Season 28 winner is crowned.
The finale will conclude on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 9/8c on NBC. Along with this season’s contestants coming together to celebrate their hard work, the night will also feature a few star-studded performances by guest musical acts.
The post WATCH: Aubrey Nicole Covers Cody Johnson and Reba McEntire On ‘The Voice’ Finale appeared first on Country Now.
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Cooper Alan is officially a dad!
The country singer took to social media on Tuesday evening (Dec. 16) to share the exciting news, proudly introducing the world to his baby girl, Coley Frances Cooper.
His announcement featured a heartwarming collection of photos from Coley’s first days, including sweet moments at the hospital, her first time at home, and even her introduction to the family’s Goldendoodle, Weezie.
Sharing the milestone, the proud new dad wrote, “Coley Frances Cooper 💗 Everything we’ve prayed for, dreamed about, & then some! Thank you Jesus!” Fans quickly flooded the comments section with congratulatory messages for Cooper and his wife, Hally, as they welcomed their newest addition.
We caught up with the North Carolina native earlier this fall to chat about his album, named after his hometown of Winston-Salem, and his excitement about becoming a father. At the time, he admitted he couldn’t wait for this next chapter.
“I’m so excited,” he shared. “I didn’t even realize quite how ready I was until we found out Hally was pregnant. [We] started talking about things and planning stuff and everything that goes along with it, and we’re super, super stoked. I’ve got two nieces and a nephew, so I’ve been around kids, and I’m excited to do it myself.”
While stepping into fatherhood comes with some nerves, Alan said he’s confident leaning on Hally as they navigate life with a newborn.
“I’ve got no idea what I’m doing, but my wife really does,” he joked. “She’s really, really good at this stuff and is such a rock for us—the backbone of the family. As long as she’s leading the way, I’ve got a whole lot more to be excited about than nervous about.”
In addition to welcoming his first child, Alan recently celebrated the release of his full-length debut album—a project that offers fans a deeper look into his life and the season he’s currently in. One particularly meaningful track is “Hard Acre,” which reflects the perspective that comes with major life changes.
“When you’re about to turn 30 and you’re about to have your first baby, you just start putting a lot of things into perspective,” he explained. “Life goes really, really fast. Everybody says it, but you don’t realize it until you realize it. And it’s really important to enjoy that journey and soak in every moment, especially those younger years of your family. And that’s kind of the advice that this older guy has given in the song and just something that I’ve tried to take to heart,” he admitted.
With a new album out and a baby girl now at the center of his world, Cooper Alan is clearly embracing one of the most meaningful chapters of his life yet.
The post Cooper Alan and Wife Hally Welcome Baby Girl, Coley Frances appeared first on Country Now.
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Carl Carlton, the singer behind beloved R&B hits like “She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)” and “Everlasting Love,” has passed away. His son Carlton Hudgens II announced the passing in a message on Facebook, accompanied by a photo of his father with a microphone. “RIP Dad, Legend Carl Carlton singer of She’s a Bad Mama Jama,” he wrote. “Long hard fight in life and you will be missed.” Carlton suffered a stroke in 2019, but no cause of death has been announced.
Throughout his multi-decade career, Carlton established himself as a consistent hit-maker at the intersection of soul, funk, and disco, hailed by the Detroit Free Press as “one of the most significant R&B figures in Detroit’s post-Motown era.” He notched his biggest pop-chart success with 1974’s ebullient “Everlasting Love,” which he took to the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. Originally issued as a B-side in 1973, the track got a disco remix in 1974 and became a staple of the genre. It was one of the first disco tracks to cross over from dance club spins to radio airplay on its way to ubiquity, and it remains in heavy rotation on retro stations today.
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But 1981’s “She’s A Bad Mama Jama” may loom even larger. A No. 22 pop hit and a No. 2 smash on the R&B chart, the funky post-disco jam has lingered in the public consciousness, appearing in numerous films and TV shows and becoming a foundational sample for hip-hop producers. Carlton’s smooth vocal, an agile complement to producer Leon Haywood’s synth-powered groove, was key to the song’s appeal.
Carlton’s run as a hit-maker predated those triumphs. Born Carlton Hudgens in Detroit in 1952, he got his start in the music business as a child. Discovered when a neighbor heard him singing during a pickup baseball game and mistook him for the radio, he began recording and performing under the name Little Carl Carlton. His 1968 single “Competition Ain’t Nothing” landed him a record deal with Houston’s Back Beat Records, precipitating a move to Texas. There, he began launching songs to the R&B charts, such as “I Can Feel It” and “Drop By My Place.”
Carlton logged more hits after “Bad Mama Jama,” including his reggae-tinged cover of the Four Tops’ “Baby I Need Your Loving.” By the 1990s, his recording career was slowing down, but he continued to perform live for many years — both in Detroit, where he was revered as a local legend, and across the United States. In 2010, he released one final album, God Is Good, which applied his formidable vocal talents to a gospel sound.
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In an era where virality can crown an artist overnight, Trim has surged into the spotlight with “Boat,” a record that has timelines buzzing and comment sections sharply divided.
Her sharp delivery, animated persona, and expressive mannerisms have sparked immediate comparisons to Nicki Minaj, reigniting a familiar internet debate about influence versus imitation. As her On The Radar performances continue to rack up views, Trim finds herself at the center of a broader cultural conversation—one that questions originality in Hip-Hop, how women rappers are allowed to evolve, and why success for newcomers so often comes with accusations rather than applause. Whether “Boat” signals the arrival of a new voice or reflects a lineage that Nicki helped popularize, one thing is undeniable: Trim has everyone paying attention.
After watching Trim’s performance, there are moments where her cadence and flow echo Roman, one of Nicki Minaj’s most recognizable personas. Still, that influence alone does not amount to imitation. Even if Trim openly acknowledged Nicki Minaj as an inspiration, it would not diminish the catchiness or viral momentum of “Boat.” Instead, it highlights a recurring contradiction within the culture—artists are celebrated for innovation, yet scrutinized the moment their influences become visible.
Hip-Hop, like all genres, is built on lineage. Voices borrow cadence, attitude, and aesthetics from those who came before them to create something new. Nicki Minaj herself drew from the trailblazing women who preceded her, including Lil’ Kim. Beyoncé has long credited legends like Prince and Tina Turner as inspirations. Entire careers have been shaped by honoring what came before while pushing the sound forward. Inspiration has always been the engine of evolution. Yet for emerging artists—particularly women—homage is too often mislabeled as theft.
The real question, then, is not whether Trim has influences, but whether audiences will allow her the space to explore them without denying her the opportunity to grow into her own identity.
Beyond the comparisons, Trim displays a strong presence and confident writing ability that suggest real staying power. Much like Pluto and YK Niece breaking through this year with “Wham Whammie,” Trim feels positioned for a breakout moment of her own. With “Boat” gaining traction, 2026 could very well be her year.
Female rap continues to evolve, and there is more than enough room for fresh voices to rise and reshape the landscape. Trim’s emergence is not a threat to the past—it’s part of the genre’s ongoing story. If you haven’t tapped in yet, now would be a good time.
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Maury Povich announced his willingness to come out of retirement to mediate Hip-Hop feuds using lie detector tests during his appearance on Sherri Shepherd’s talk show.
The legendary talk show host revealed his ambitious plan to tackle some of Hip-Hop’s biggest conflicts. “I would come out of retirement if I could get Nicki Minaj and Cardi B to settle their differences with lie detector tests,” Povich said during his Monday appearance on Sherri.
Povich didn’t stop with the female rap superstars. He also expressed interest in mediating the explosive feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar through primetime specials focused on settling rap disputes.
The timing couldn’t be more relevant. Nicki Minaj and Cardi B reignited their bitter rivalry earlier this year with social media attacks that escalated to personal insults involving their children.
Their conflict dates back to a physical altercation at a New York Fashion Week event in 2018.
Minaj has been particularly active in feuds recently. She’s clashed with SZA, Jay-Z and California Governor Gavin Newsom in recent months. Megan Thee Stallion addressed their alleged beef last year, telling Billboard that they still don’t understand what caused the problems.
Povich’s interest in Hip-Hop drama isn’t entirely new.
The show has had limited but memorable interactions with rap culture over the years. Lil Nas X made headlines in 2021 when he appeared on the show to confront his ex-boyfriend and the man’s wife about their relationship.
The connection between Povich and Hip-Hop got fresh attention recently when 50 Cent posted about running into the TV legend.
The rapper shared a photo with Maury Povich on social media, joking about paternity tests with his signature humor. The post went viral, prompting fans to speculate about potential collaborations.
Drake was also pulled into Maury’s orbit in 2018, when Povich publicly invited the rapper to take a paternity test on his show after Pusha-T released the “The Story of Adidon” diss track.
Povich retired from his daily talk show in 2022 after decades of determining paternity and mediating family disputes.
His wife Connie Chung noted earlier this year that despite his reputation for paternity reveals, “he has a wider vocabulary than ‘you are the father’ and ‘you’re not the father.’”
The veteran broadcaster’s proposal comes as Hip-Hop feuds continue dominating headlines and social media conversations.
His lie detector approach could offer a unique way to resolve conflicts that often play out through diss tracks and online exchanges.
AllHipHop