It was a day of hope and anticipation that quickly turned to heartbreak. Let’s remember the Challenger crew. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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In the months since Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a speaking engagement in Utah, his wife, Erika Kirk, has transformed into a one-woman media empire.
Erika has hosted rallies, visited the White House, and sat for countless interviews.
And this week, she launched her 30-city Make Heaven Crowded Tour.
Some folks think it’s all a bit much for a grieving widow with two young children at home — and Candace Owens is one of those folks.
Owens, a fellow conservative pundit who was friends with Charlie, has long been critical of Erika’s handling of Charlie’s death.
Now, Candace has released what she claims is audio of a giddy Erika thanking her staff for helping her host the September memorial rally for Charlie.
The recording was allegedly made just 11 days after Charlie’s death, and many have pointed out that Erika doesn’t sound how we imagine a grieving widow would sound.
“Wow, I don’t even know where to begin. The fact that we were able to pull off an event of the century is just insane. We had 275,000 people that attended and a stadium overflow,” Erika can be heard saying.
“I think we’re at like 200,000 for merch sales. Don’t quote me on that, cause I think it just keeps like bumping up like crazy. I just wanted to say a huge, huge thank you to the events team, the development team, the graphic design team, and the production team,” she continues, adding:
“Honestly, a lot of the staff that worked on the memorial — they had 20-hour days for a week during the time of us grieving the loss of my husband. And honestly, I know several staff who didn’t even sleep.”
Erika then shifted her tone and instructed her staff to set aside any disagreements between them.
“I don’t care if any of you have beef with each other from the past, or have any issues with, someone said something about this, or that, like if you guys have any of that, please put it to rest,” she said, adding:
“My husband’s dead. Like, I’m not trying to be morbid, but he’s dead. And it puts life into perspective of how short life is, and relationships.”
Many commenters agreed with Candace’s view that Erika seemed unnaturally upbeat in the recording:
“It is the general tone that is off-putting. It’s the laughter that is off-putting. It’s again, we are not even two weeks after watching your husband be assassinated. We’re talking about numbers and metrics that have been hit,” one user wrote.
“I’m so sick of this grieving in their own way. As a widow with small kids, who has been a part of groups of widows with small kids; her behavior is NOT normal,” another added.
Erika continues to enjoy a great deal of support from people who were fans of her husband’s.
But she’s also receiving more criticism than ever, mostly from people who believe she’s exploiting her husband’s memory for personal gain.
Erika Kirk Heard Boasting About Merchandise Sales Just Days After Charlie Kirk’s … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
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Is Angelina Jolie broke?
No. But wealth doesn’t mean unlimited wealth, even for the most successful celebs.
A jarring report says that the sacrifices that Jolie has made for her children have cost her financial opportunities.
Now, she’s selling off property — some of which she’s owned for decades — and preparing for a major change.
Selling one property is just that, but two?
A new report alleges that Jolie is experiencing financial struggles — relatively speaking, at least.
For nearly three decades, she owned an apartment in Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
In July of 2025, she quietly sold the property.
The sale has only just become public, RadarOnline reports.
Jolie’s sale price is not public knowledge, but the unit that she has owned since 1997 had an estimated value just shy of $2 million.
Additionally, Jolie is reportedly preparing for another major property sale.
This one is a little closer to home.
She owns a colossal mansion in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles.
The $25 million property is a six-bedroom, 10-bathroom estate.
Jolie purchased the home in June of 2017, raising her children in safety amidst her ugly divorce battle with Brad Pitt.
Prioritizing her children has cost her in more ways than one
These days, almost all of the Jolie-Pitt children (one might as well just call them the Jolie children, at this point) are legal adults.
Vivienne and Knox are 17. That will change in mere months. This July, they will turn 18.
Angelina has reportedly been unable to move overseas due to the miserable custody situation with Pitt.
Once there are no longer any minors in the equation, she will be free of the legal tether preventing her from moving.
It’s unclear where she will move (speculation is varied and, in some cases, wild), but she’ll have plenty of options.
Rob Shuter wrote on Substack this month about Jolie’s alleged financial issues.
According to a source, the actress is “struggling to keep her lifestyle in Los Angeles.”
The insider acknowledged: “She turned down roles to focus on her family, which is admirable, but it hits the wallet.”
The source explained: “That’s part of why she’s looking abroad – where her money actually stretches.”
To be clear, the insider admitted: “She’s not broke, but she’s not exactly swimming in cash either.”
This is heartbreaking
The source claimed: “The legal battle with Brad over Miraval has drained her accounts faster than anyone imagined.”
Allegedly, Pitt’s complaint about Jolie selling her stake in Chateau Miraval, a winemaking estate, is that she sold this stake without his permission.
Many believe — correctly or otherwise — that Pitt is merely using this legal battle to punish and exercise control over Jolie beyond the bounds of their divorce and custody war.
Even if this is untrue, it is easy to see why it appears that way.
We cannot verify whether the battle has truly drained Jolie’s finances. But she has only remained in LA because she had no choice but to live near her ex, and we’re sure that a decade of legal fights has been expensive.
Angelina Jolie Sells Off More Property Amidst Alleged Financial Woes was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
The Voice contestant, Jay Allen has announced that after over a decade of living in Nashville, he is leaving the hustle and bustle of Music City behind.
In a new post, Allen penned a “goodbye” message addressed to the city that he has called home for 13 years. The singer revealed that he will be moving to Phoenix, AZ. This seems to be an obvious choice for him to continue building a future with his fiancée, Renee Lynn, whose Instagram bio shows she’s from Gilbert, AZ
He reflects on his time in Nashville, noting how the city shaped his musical journey, tested his resilience, and ultimately gave him the realization that true success comes from within, not from a particular place.
“Goodbye Nashville. After 13 years, today we officially packed up my condo and hit the road to Phoenix, AZ. I’ll be forever grateful to the town that gave me a career, broke my heart in more ways than one, and taught me that dreams are not accomplished in a place, but within one’s self,” Allen wrote.
The Iowa native also shared that on the same day he finished packing up the U-Haul and was ready to head out of town, he also celebrated being 21 months “free of alcohol and addiction.” He also promised that this goodbye was not permanent as he planned to return at some point to continue building his career in music.
“I’ll be back for work, but for now — so long, Music City,” the message concluded.
This news follows a major life update for Allen. On December 25, he shared with the world that he had proposed to Lynn while spending the holidays in Arizona. The images captured Allen down on one knee as he popped the question to his other half. Both donning their festive, all-black ensembles, they celebrated the exciting moment among family members.
His caption read, “SHE SAID YES!!!!! Merry Christmas to my beautiful @renee_lynn_r. With a sober mind, I can confidently say that I’m in love with you and want a family with you. God only knows what we’ve both been through to get here. Thank you for waiting for me. My gift is you 🖤”
The excitement doesn’t end there for Jay Allen, because just a few days ago, he delivered yet another update to fans regarding his music career.
“I signed a deal!!!!!,” he wrote. “I’ve known @randallfoster for over 10 years, and it finally made sense for us to partner. I’m proud to announce that I’ll be releasing all of my new solo and forthcoming rock music exclusively through @symphonicdistro. Believing in a positive future with good people.”
Between the new music on the way and a wedding to plan, it sounds like Jay Allen has plenty on his plate right now. Fans can catch him performing live throughout 2026 on his Living Gracefully Tour, with dates through April.
A full list of upcoming performances can be found on his official website.
The post ‘The Voice’ Contestant Says ‘Goodbye’ To Nashville After 13 Years appeared first on Country Now.
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Brett Young’s journey takes an inspiring turn as he opens up about sobriety and the turning point that led him to prioritize family over party life. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Brett Young’s journey takes an inspiring turn as he opens up about sobriety and the turning point that led him to prioritize family over party life. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
HARDY has built a wildly successful songwriting career, and even with his success as a solo artist continuing to soar, that part of his identity still sits at the core of everything he does. So when Blake Shelton recently praised his talent in the songwriting department, HARDY was quick to admit how much that means to him.
As one of Nashville’s most sought-after songwriters, HARDY has penned hits for Florida Georgia Line, Chris Lane, Cole Swindell, Morgan Wallen, and so many more. Even with such an impressive resume, hearing Blake Shelton call him “brilliant” hit differently. During an interview with Audacy’s Katie Neal, the Mississippi native watched a clip of Shelton gushing over his next single “Let Him In Anyway,” which HARDY penned alongside Zach Abend, Kyle Clark and Carson Wallace.
Shelton explained that track off 2025’s For Recreational Use Only album struck him in a way very few ever have, comparing its emotional weight to his 2002 hit “The Baby,” which he still describes as a “punch to the gut” for its powerful storytelling.
“I mean, ‘Let Him In Anyway’ is just, it is hard to find songs that haven’t been written already at this point. And that song, to me, comes in a way that I’ve never heard anyone say it like that before,” Shelton shared.
He continued to boast about HARDY’s undeniable talent to create unique stories, making it clear his respect runs deep.
“I mean, the guy is just brilliant, I think,” Shelton continued. “And he’s been really good to me, and I think we’ve been an important part of other’s journey. He certainly doesn’t need me anymore. And the fact that he sent this song over to me and let go of it means a lot to me. Really does.”
In turn, the “Bottomland” singer echoed that sentiment, reflecting on just how much Shelton has influenced him over the years and how much it means to now have him in his corner.
“Blake is a huge influence of mine when it comes to, well, really a lot of stuff. I mean, he has such a wide spectrum of personalities, kind of similar to me. It’s like you can have a song like ‘Hillbilly Bone’ and a year later have a song ‘Mine Would Be You.’ And that was always really inspiring to me that he could pull off so many different things,” he explained. “And so I’m a huge, massive Blake fan. And then getting to know him and know how kind and cool and normal he is. I love it, man. I want Blake Shelton singles till I die.”
HARDY was also quick to point out that Shelton saying he doesn’t need him anymore is simply “crazy.” And the truth is, no matter how much he excels in his artist career, songwriting will always be a passion that continues to drive him.
“I remember I sent Dierks [Bentley] a song not too long ago, and he called me an idiot. And I was like, ‘what?’ He was like, ‘dude, you’re one of the biggest artists in town. Why are you pitching me songs?’ And I’m like, ‘dude, I’m a songwriter.’ I will always have that grind in me.”
While HARDY has yet to confirm when his next new music will arrive, he did hint that a wave of songs he had a hand in writing could be on the way. The hitmaker teased that he may have “four or five” cuts dropping around the same time. He kept the names of the artists behind the unreleased tracks under wraps, though he did reveal that one belongs to a female artist and another will likely be his own.
“I can’t talk about anything else,” he said, cryptically.
The timing couldn’t be better, as HARDY is fresh off another major career milestone. His latest single, “Favorite Country Song,” has reached No. 1 on both the Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase Country charts, marking his fifth No. 1 as an artist and 16th as a songwriter.
Something special also seems to be in the works as HARDY, Tim McGraw, Morgan Wallen, and Eric Church each posted a similar cover-style image featuring different names and dates to their Instagram accounts on Monday (Jan. 26). Fans are now speculating that a collaboration of some kind could be on the horizon.
Adding to the excitement, HARDY is also gearing up to launch his COUNTRY! COUNTRY! TOUR for 2026. The trek kicks off next month and will run through August.
The post HARDY Reacts to Blake Shelton Calling Him A ‘Brilliant’ Songwriter appeared first on Country Now.
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If your Valentine’s Day date is a foodie, especially one who loves all things Trader Joe’s, then you need to check out this list for the best gifts.
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![<a href="https://countrynow.com/from-a-california-ranch-to-the-grand-ole-opry-callie-twisselman-breaks-down-her-musical-journey-exclusive/" target="_blank">From A California Ranch to the Grand Ole Opry: Callie Twisselman Breaks Down Her Musical Journey [Exclusive]</a>](https://countrynow.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2-22-1024x683.jpg)
With a voice shaped by her upbringing on a seven-generation grain and cattle ranch in Central California and a catalog fueled by real-life stories of love, faith, and family, Callie Twisselman is emerging as one of country music’s most compelling new voices.
Since moving to Nashville in 2017, the rising star has achieved more than she could have imagined when she first set out in pursuit of a music career. Highlights include collaborating with Dolly Parton on 2024’s “Gonna Be You” alongside Maddie & Tae and Jessie James Decker, supporting major country acts like Jelly Roll and Jon Pardi, and making her Grand Ole Opry debut in December 2025.
Along the way, Twisselman has also built a catalog of songs that celebrate the values she was raised with, including hard work, country living, and a deep connection to faith and family. Her most recent Growing in Grace EP, a five-song collection was inspired by a year of growth and reflects themes of imperfection, resilience, and gratitude.
Keep reading to learn more from Callie Twisselman’s discussion with Country Now, where she reflects on her journey, shares what inspires her music, and offers a sneak peek at the new songs she’s preparing to release ahead of opening for Dolly Parton in Las Vegas this September.
You grew up on a ranch in California that’s been in your family for seven generations. Can you share how that upbringing has influenced your career today?
Well, I grew up on a grain and cattle ranch in Central California. And it’s been in my family for seven generations. So pretty much bred in me to be a country girl. And I grew up listening to country music. My mom was a singer in a country band local around where we’re from and so I’d watch her sing and just decided that’s what I wanted to do. But a lot of my inspiration for songwriting comes from my upbringing. So I feel like that also helped me a lot as a songwriter and just shaped me and what I write about and my lifestyle. And I just always knew I wanted to sing.
A recent example of this is the song “God Made a Farmer.” Can you tell us about this song and why it was important for you to share a glimpse into your roots through it?
Yeah, “God Made a Farmer” is a song I wrote about my dad. We have barley grain on our ranch and just he’s always working so hard, up at the break of dawn and then working till night. And I just grew up watching him and thinking that’s just how everybody works. But I thought these farmers deserve a song to shine a light upon all that they do because there’s really not a lot of songs about them. And so I thought, I better write it and it just describes who I am and where I’m from.
Did you learn anything from watching your mom pursue music that you now carry into your own performances?
I would watch her perform and I was pretty young at the time, so took in what I could, but I’d pretend with my little microphone outside. But also, all the music that she listened to inspired me as well. Shania Twain, I listened to her and then came across more of her music videos one day and was like, wow, I just want to do that. I love her fashion sense, her sound, her style, everything. And so those two combined really made me decide, okay, country music and I can do all the things.
What was the push that motivated you to make the move to Nashville in 2017?
Everybody was always telling me, “You got to move, you got to move.” And I never listened until it was Danny Nozell, who I now am managed by. But I was going back and forth for a while to Nashville to record songs and whatnot. And it was hard for me to leave California because I’m so close to my family. But when I met up with him and he told me, “This is where you got to be. You’re around when opportunity knocks.” And so I finally listened to him and I’m glad I did because it’s been a great move. And ever since I moved here, I’m always inspired and writing more songs than I’ve ever written since living in California.
From teaming up with Dolly Parton on “Gonna Be You” to opening for her in Las Vegas later this year, she’s been a big part of your journey lately. How has she impacted your music and career?
It’s pretty crazy even thinking back when she was just another artist that I’ve dreamt of and becoming and kind of idolizing and now working with her, it is very full circle and she’s an amazing person and the sweetest soul. And just getting to collaborate on that song, “Gonna Be You” was a dream come true. I’m like, well, now I could say I’m on a song with Dolly Parton. So if that’s all there is, I’m happy. It’s been pretty neat. Dream come true for sure.
What goes into preparing for a gig where you’re opening for a legend like Dolly Parton?
Well, preparing for it, it’s like picking the right songs, obviously, and then making sure you have your show set up because you got to entertain the crowd that loves Dolly. They love the storytelling and all that. So just kind of making sure I have all that together. And she has a guy named Steve Summers, who’s helped me in the past when I’ve gone on tour, creating my tour and what I’m going to speak about and say between songs. So he’s really helpful at that and might have to get him again.
At the end of 2025, you released your EP Growing in Grace. Can you talk about the themes in this project and what they say about this chapter of your career?
It has all the songs that I released throughout last year, as well as the additional song, “Tilted Halo,” and all the songs were basically about my faith and family and relationships. And I thought this perfect timing to put it out around Christmas with “Tilted Halo” because the title came from a line in that song of “Growing in Grace” and just basically talks about all that I’m going through in life and the different aspects. And I’m growing in grace through it all. I feel like in this industry as well, all the years that I’ve spent chasing this dream, I feel like with each step, I’m getting even closer to it and I choose to grow with grace through it all.
How does it feel to release songs like these that are so personal to you and then hear fans connect with them, making them a part of their own stories?
That’s what it’s all about. I always hope that people can take my music and kind of relate to it in their own way. And it’s very special to me. I feel like if I can feel emotion through these songs, somebody else has got to. So I love that I can connect with people through the songs.
Following the project, you made your Grand Ole Opry debut. Was the night everything you hoped it would be?
Yes. The Grand Ole Opry was always a dream of mine. And I got the phone call from my manager, I was at home on the ranch and I just couldn’t believe it because I’ve been telling him this is something I’ve always wanted to do. And so he called me and said it was going to happen. And my whole family flew in, most of them, my grandma who had said that she was going to come to Nashville if I ever got to play. And she did. She flew after 40 years and made the trip to see me. So it was very special and I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better.
You recently posted about being back in the studio. Is there anything you can share about what you’re working on or what fans can expect from you this year?
Yes, I’m working on a lot of new music. I’ll be releasing some singles this year that are going to be leading up to an album next year. So that’s the plan, my first ever album… I feel like it’s really going to dive into who I am and where I’m from and the Cowgirl lifestyle and rodeo and just more of my brand, I guess you’d say. I feel like all these songs are so fun and I don’t know, I’m really excited about this project.
Fans can keep up with Callie Twisselman on Instagram.
The post From A California Ranch to the Grand Ole Opry: Callie Twisselman Breaks Down Her Musical Journey [Exclusive] appeared first on Country Now.
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