“This is absolutely that special song.” Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Month: January 2026
Zach Bryan’s new ‘With Heaven On Top’ album is so much more than the Brianna Chickenfry album. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
A Central Texas man thought country stars Cody Johnson and Chris Young were reaching out. The truth behind the messages left his family heartbroken. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Categories
‘Gunsmoke’ Star Roger Ewing Dead at 83
Roger Ewing, remembered for his role as Deputy Thad Greenwood on ‘Gunsmoke,’ has died at 83. He left acting in the ’70s to pursue a quieter life. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
After hearing high demand from fans for weeks, Brandon Lake and Cody Johnson have finally teamed up for a brand-new version of “When A Cowboy Prays.” The collaboration brings together Lake’s faith-driven songwriting and Johnson’s unmistakable cowboy spirit, turning an already emotional song into something even more powerful.
Lake originally released “When A Cowboy Prays” as a solo track back in September. The humble tune instantly struck a chord with listeners with its prayerful imagery and angelic melody. As fans continued to latch on, they began flooding Lake with requests to record another version with a true cowboy, Cody Johnson. It was their constant persuasion that made that wish became reality.
“Brandon apparently played this song sometime back and called me and said, ‘would you be willing to be on the song?’ because you demanded it,” Johnson said in a new clip, speaking directly to fans.
Lake chimed in to say, “Y’all broke the internet.”
The country star continued, “I immediately said yes. I’m a huge fan. It’s called ‘When A Cowboy Prays.’ Cody Johnson, Brandon Lake. You said it, you got it.”
The soothing sound that emerges from the delicate guitar stums and drumbeats offers the perfect foundation for the imagery that the artists portray. They come together with a set of powerful harmonies to paint a picture of a cowboy who bares great humility when he turns to prayer in his everyday life.
It depicts prayer not as something loud or showy, but as simple, honest, and deeply personal, while connecting faith to rural life and working-class traditions. At its heart, the song suggests that even the quietest prayers have real impact, symbolized by rain falling in Oklahoma, families being reunited, and even stubborn horses finally breaking.
“When a cowboy prays/ It starts raining in Oklahoma/ Long-lost sons come home to mama/ And those stubborn horses break/ When a cowboy prays/ It’s a whisper and a rumble/ And it’s as strong as it is humble/ This old world just ain’t the same/ When a cowboy prays,” Lake and Johnson sing.
Lake admitted that hearing Johnson’s voice on the song took it to another level.
“The one and only @codyjohnson yall!!! I could not be more HONORED & PROUD of this version of “When A Cowboy Prays.” I tear up every time I listen! So thankful for this collab and this friendship,” he shared before adding, “Cowboy or not, I’m praying it blesses every one of you and reminds ya the power of prayer.”
Johnson echoed that sentiment in a previous post, writing “Can’t wait for y’all to hear this… Honored to be part of such an incredible song.”
Even though the song has only been available for a few hours, fans are already calling it a “SONG OF THE YEAR!!” and claiming it to be “Perfect❤️🙌.”
There has been no word on whether or not the two artists will have the chance to perform “When A Cowboy Prays” live in the near future, however they both will be spending a good amount of time on the road this year on their respective tours.
Beginning in March, Brandon Lake will continue his King of Hearts Tour while Cody Johnson will launch his 2026 run in February.
The post Brandon Lake and Cody Johnson Answer Fan Demand With ‘When A Cowboy Prays’ Collaboration appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Parmalee is already setting the tone for the new year, ready to deliver a heavy dose of music, including some surprise collaborations.
The hitmaking group recently co-hosted a weekend of Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton, where they expanded on their plans for 2026. They noted that fans can expect them to unveil songs “more frequently” than ever before, potentially as often as “every 5 or 6 weeks.”
“People want to hear new songs. We want to be able to release songs as we get them. Plus, I have some collabs on my plate. So that’s what we’re looking forward to the most,” they shared.
With all these new tunes on the way, Helton couldn’t help but ask if that meant another project was also in the near future. Their response indicated that after getting the ball rolling with a few singles this year, a bigger project is likely, however they’re unsure exactly what it will look like.
“Hopefully, once we get that started, we’ll have enough for whatever the project is. We want to have something on deck because people want new stuff all the time.”
Their first release after 2025’s Feels Like Home found Parmalee exploring a more emotional side with “How Do I Let You Go,” a powerful song that digs into themes of grief, loss, and the struggle to say goodbye to someone who has passed away. The band admitted to drawing a personal connection to the lyrics, stating that the song is their way of remembering and honoring their late fathers.
While on Country Countdown USA, Parmalee explained that this track was their opportunity to switch gears a bit and touch on some “real life things.”
“So we got to talking about people we lost too soon. My dad passed 2006, before we got a record deal. This is a note to our dads saying we wish you were here,” they shared.
While Parmalee gets ready for an exciting 2026, they’re also still riding the momentum of “Cowgirl,” the lead single from their latest project, which recently scored them their sixth No. 1 (fifth consecutive) at country radio. It not only topped the charts but also became their longest-running No. 1 on Stoney Creek Records, dominating both Billboard and Country Aircheck/Mediabase.
The high-energy tune spent four weeks atop the Billboard Country Airplay chart—the longest-running No. 1 by a group of three or more members in nearly 14 years—and two weeks at number one on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart. This feat makes Parmalee the only band over the past year to hold the No. 1 spot on Country Airplay for multiple weeks.
Reflecting on the life this song has taken on, they took to social media to say, “Bringing in the new year with the #1 song in the country is an amazing feeling. Not only that but a 4 week billboard number #1 and a multi-week mediabase #1. It’s great to see this song connect with so many of y’all and continue to grow! Thank you guys for making 2025 an amazing year and cheers to 2026 yall! 🤠🤠”
Fresh off their “Feels Like Home” Tour, Parmalee is hitting the ground running in 2026, ready to deliver fresh music and tour stops for their fans. Their next performances will take place across three back-to-back nights in Rutland, VT (Feb. 19)., Foxborough, MA (Feb. 20), and Jordan, NY (Feb. 21).
The post Parmalee Ready to Deliver a Nonstop Wave of New Music and Exciting Collaborations in 2026 appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Ahead of her third studio LP dropping next month, Megan Moroney amped up the anticipation by revealing the full 15-song track list for Cloud 9.
The MULTI-PLATINUM star took the reveal to new heights with an epic, cloud-nine-coded video that perfectly matched the album’s dreamy aesthetic. Stepping off a custom plane that read “C9MM3,” a nod to Cloud 9 being her third project, Moroney rocked a light pink jump suit, matching heels, and a pink helmet, which held her signature blonde hair underneath.
She then looks up to the sky, where she’s met with a stunning scene. The full track list was written across the clouds, spelled out using skywriting. The cinematic moment offered a stunning glimpse into the world of Cloud 9 and only added to the growing excitement surrounding the February 20 release.
The lettering across the sky revealed that the title track will open the project, followed by a mix of unreleased tunes and Country radio hits like the GOLD-certified “6 Months Later”, which is currently sitting at No. 5 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase Airplay chart and No. 6 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, and “Beautiful Things”, now living at the No. 35 and No. 32 spots, respectively.
As fans scan through the track list, a few surprises stand out, including two star-studded collaborations. Moroney teams up with Ed Sheeran on “I Only Miss You” and joins forces with country favorite Kacey Musgraves on “Bells & Whistles.” She’s also finally releasing “Wedding Dress,” a longtime fan favorite that’s gone viral multiple times since she first teased it online. The Georgia native also stepped into a co-producer role on both “Wedding Dress” and “Table for Two.”
Today’s announcement is paired with the news that listeners will have the chance to purchase a brand-new vinyl option dubbed, the Tiger Cloud – BTS Edition. This special edition vinyl features exclusive alternate cover art, a gatefold packed with more than 50 never-before-seen behind-the-scenes photos, and a special insert pulled straight from her album shoot. More information can be found here.
Megan Moroney’s Cloud 9 era will launch in full force this summer on her a 49-date international headline run of the same name. This trek is quickly becoming one of the most in-demand tours of the year, as the U.S. leg alone sold more than 450,000 tickets almost immediately.
Kicking off on May 29 at Schottenstein Center in Columbus, OH, the Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records singer/songwriter will make her way to major arenas throughout North America, Europe, and the UK, including United Center in Chicago (June 2 and 3), State Farm Arena in Atlanta (June 8 and 9), TD Garden in Boston (July 6 and 7), Barclays Center in New York City (July 9), Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles (August 7 and 8), and Bridgestone Arena in Nashville (August 21 and 22).
Cloud 9 Tracklist:
1. “Cloud 9” (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Ernest Keith Smith)*
2. “Medicine” (Megan Moroney, Connie Harrington, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Jessi Alexander)*
3. “6 Months Later” (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, Rob Hatch, and David “Messy” Mescon)*
4. “Stupid” (Megan Moroney, Amy Allen, and David “Messy” Mescon)*
5. “Beautiful Things” (Megan Moroney, Connie Harrington, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Jessi Alexander)*
6. “Convincing” (Megan Moroney, Connie Harrington, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Jessi Alexander)*
7. “Liars & Tigers & Bears” (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, and Jessie Jo Dillon)*
8. “I Only Miss You (ft. Ed Sheeran)” (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, Mackenzie Carpenter, Micah Carpenter, and Ed Sheeran)*
9. “Wedding Dress” (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, and Colin Healy)+
10. “Change of Heart” (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, Mackenzie Carpenter, and Micah Carpenter)*
11. “Bells & Whistles (ft. Kacey Musgraves)” (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, Mackenzie Carpenter, and Micah Carpenter)*
12. “Table for Two” (Megan Moroney, Ben Williams, Mackenzie Carpenter, and Micah Carpenter)^
13. “Wish I Didn’t” (Megan Moroney, Emily Weisband, Hillary Lindsey, and Luke Laird)*
14. “Who Hurt You?” (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, and Jessie Jo Dillon)*
15. “Waiting on the Rain” (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, and Jessie Jo Dillon)*
* Produced by Kristian Bush
+ Produced by Luke Laird and Megan Moroney, additional production by Kristian Bush
^ Produced by Luke Laird and Megan Moroney
The post Megan Moroney Reveals Cloud 9 Track List, Featuring Star-Studded Collaborations appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Dylan DeMarcus, son of Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus, is proving that musical talent runs deep in the family with the release of his cover of the Rascal Flatts mega-hit “Bless The Broken Road.”
The 13-year-old was inspired to record the song after a video of him singing it, posted by his uncle and Rascal Flatts lead vocalist Gary LeVox, went viral.
“Dylan and I had already begun working on some music for him to release when the time was right. The timing became right after the huge reaction from a couple of posts that Gary was kind enough to showcase on his own platforms,” Jay explained. “We went into the studio last Saturday and rushed to finish this first release.”
While Dylan has been playing and singing for years, this marks his debut track—and it’s a moment his dad couldn’t be prouder of.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my son obviously, but to watch his growth in musicality, and see his passion for it continue to grow over the last couple of years, has been astounding. He has all of the things you can’t teach,” Jay pointed out.
Click below to listen to Dylan DeMarcus’ just-released cover of “Bless The Broken Road,” which was produced by Jay DeMarcus and features his father’s instrumentation on both the keys and electric guitar.
“Bless The Broken Road” was written by Jeff Hanna, Marcus Hummon, and Bobby Boyd. It was originally recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1994 and by Hummon himself in 1995.
Eventually, the song was recorded by supergroup Rascal Flatts for their third studio album, Feels Like Today. Released in November 2004, years before Dylan was even born, the track went on to become a five-week No. 1 single.
The release comes ahead of Rascal Flatts’ 2026 tour, set to launch on January 15 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The trek will make stops in Knoxville, Nashville, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and more before wrapping up on February 28.
Rascal Flatts will also appear at RodeoHouston and perform at select festivals this summer, including the Voices of America Country Music Festival and Boots and Hearts Music Festival.
The post 13-Year-Old Dylan DeMarcus Follows in Dad’s Footsteps With Stunning Rascal Flatts Cover appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
RODEOHOUSTON is gearing up to head back to NRG Stadium in Houston, TX from March 2–22, and it’s bringing an epic performance lineup with it. Today’s announcement reveals the 2026 entertainers will include a mix of established superstars, rising acts, a few long-awaited returns.
According to a statement from Chris Boleman, president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, this year’s event promises to raise the bar with the level of talent taking the stage.
“We strive to bring Houston the very best in live entertainment, and the 2026 lineup raises that standard once again,” said Boleman. “From chart-topping newcomers to artists making their long-awaited return after nearly 20 years, this year’s lineup is truly a reflection of both our Western roots and the vibrant footprint of the Houston community.”
The announcement of this year’s lineup kicked off with a surprise moment on January 7, 2026, when Russell Dickerson gave thousands of fans a pop-up performance in Times Square, officially securing his spot in Texas this spring. Dickerson is among the nine artists on the roster that will make their Star Stage debuts this year.
Other first-time performers include Lizzo, Forrest Frank, Megan Moroney, Creed, Shaboozey, Pepe Aguilar, Red Clay Strays, and Koe Wetzel. Meanwhile, country staples Luke Bryan and Tim McGraw will also return to the stage, marking McGraw’s 11th appearance and Bryan’s 13th. Bryan, who was inducted into the Star Trail of Fame in 2025, is one of eleven artists in the lineup to hold this distinction.
Three select artists are set to return to the annual event for the first time in two decades: Dwight Yoakam (last appeared in 2004), Kelly Clarkson (2004), and Cross Canadian Ragweed (2006). Riley Green will also deliver his second consecutive performance after a standout performance in 2025.
Other standout moments will include the four female performers who have been tapped for the 2026 roster, including Lizzo, Megan Moroney, Kelly Clarkson, and Lainey Wilson. Plus, for the third year running, the festival will feature two Latin artists, J Balvin and Pepe Aguilar, who will perform on Go Tejano Day, presented by Fiesta Mart. Aguilar, a rising name in regional Mexican music and mariachi, will take the stage following the Go Tejano Mariachi Invitational Championship, sponsored by Miller Lite.
The festival will close with the fourth concert-only show in Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo history on Sunday, March 22. Cody Johnson will headline the milestone night while Jon Pardi and Randy Houser serve as openers.
No rodeo events will precede Johnson’s show, however all of NRG Park’s attractions, like shopping, dining, carnival rides, and livestock competitions will remain open to the public that day.
With a mix of emerging artists, iconic legends, and returning favorites, RODEOHOUSTON® 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting year’s yet.
Tickets for Cody Johnson’s special concert are available now and the remaining dates go on sale January 15 in two waves, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. More information can be found at rodeohouston.com/tickets.
The post RODEOHOUSTON Unveils Star-Studded Lineup For 2026: Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson & More To Perform appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
The late D’Angelo released his celebrated neo-soul epic Voodoo album in January of 2000. An anniversary celebration will feature a new release of the 2LP, highlighted by a zoetrope design.
Each side of the double-vinyl set has a different design, incorporating elements from D’Angelo’s brilliant career like music videos, album design, and lyrical content.
Voodoo is widely hailed as one of the most important albums of the 21st century. After its release, Voodoo topped the Billboard albums chart just two weeks later, won two Grammys, achieved platinum status, and produced one of the sultriest hit singles of all time with “Untitled (How Does it Feel),” thanks in large part to its iconic video.
Click to load video
Last year, Rolling Stone unearthed audio from a D’Angelo conversation that took place in 2015. In the chat, the singer born Michael Eugene Archer discussed how Voodoo was inspired by the disappointment he felt after releasing his debut, Brown Sugar.
He explained, “Brown Sugar, in retrospect, it’s a great album, but I wasn’t that happy with it. I thought that a lot of the demos felt and sounded better to me that I had done in the crib on a four-track. We had to reproduce that in the studio. I felt like it was overproduced. So my main motivation with Voodoo was for it not to feel like that, for it to feel more like my demos had felt.” The raw immediacy of Voodoo is one of its most celebrated qualities.
He also spoke about expectations going into his third LP, the long-anticipated Black Messiah from 2014. He said, “Voodoo was and is what it was. It’s dishonest for me and unfair to me to think I’m gonna outdo that, so I won’t even attempt. I just wanted to make sure it was the next step in my progression. To break something down to its more essential core — that too can be evolution.”
Buy D’Angelo’s Voodoo on limited edition zoetrope vinyl.
Discover more about the world’s greatest R&B artists | uDiscover Music