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Country Music News – Taste of Country
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The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
See all the best snapshots from the 2025 Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Keith Urban blanked on the words to “The Fighter” during his final tour stop — and handled it like a pro. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Mark Chesnutt has been forced to cancel several upcoming concerts after being hospitalized unexpectedly.
According to a statement to Country Now from the country singer’s publicist, Don Murry Grubbs, Chesnutt was set to open for Alabama at the Raising Cane’s River Center in Baton Rouge, La., on Thursday, Oct. 16, but fell ill shortly after his flight landed.
Upon being admitted to the hospital, Doctors discovered that he was suffering from a “low sodium count” and “very high blood pressure.” In addition to the Louisiana concert, Chesnutt also canceled his previously scheduled performance in New Mexico on Sunday, October 18.
The official statement reads, “Mark wants to apologize the fans who came to see him in Baton Rouge and also to those who had planned to see him yesterday in Portales, New Mexico. He hopes to be back to perform in both cities soon.”
The 62-year-old is currently stabilized and was released from the hospital yesterday. He is currently back home in Beaumont, Texas and plans to visit his doctor this morning for follow-up tests on his sodium levels and blood pressure.
“After they get the low sodium and high blood pressure under control, he’ll be good to go,” his publicist adds.
It is currently unclear if any other upgoing shows will be impacted by Mark Chesnutt’s latest health update. He currently has a slew of dates scheduled through February 2026.
Today’s news comes over a year after the “Brother Jukebox” singer underwent emergency quadruple bypass surgery. He was reportedly hospitalized in June of 2024 and due to a “heart health issue.”
At the time, his team shared the update with fans through a social media post. Chesnutt also issued a statement addressed to fans, in which he apologized for having to cancel several shows as a result of his health issues.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the cancellation of my upcoming shows,” Chesnutt wrote. “I send my love and gratitude to my family and friends, the band and fans for your understanding, prayers and support, and look forward to seeing you all again soon at a honky tonk near you.”
Luckily, he later shared another update stating he was “healing at home comfortably” and felt eager to return to the road.
“Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers,” he added. “They have helped and meant the world to me in my time of need. I appreciate you all so very much. See yuh soon!”
A few months prior to his health setback in 2024, Chesnutt was admitted to the hospital for what was vaguely described as a “medical evaluation”. At the time, he and his team expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans, though they chose not to share specific details about his condition.
Not long after, in mid-November, Chesnutt shared a message announcing that he would be stepping away from touring for a while to focus on regaining his health.
“Many of you who know me well, know that I have been struggling with a battle that I’ve fought to overcome for many years on my own. Now after some extreme health issues I’ve recently experienced the time has come. The fight is over,” he wrote.
In his statement, Chesnutt further explained that his main goal was to take care of himself and his family so he could eventually return to the road stronger than ever. He thanked his fans for their continued love and loyalty, promising to come back once he’s fully healed.
Mark Chesnutt made his official comeback to touring in 2025 with the “Redemption Tour,” that began in Texas on May 3. The 40-day trek launched in celebration of his recovery from emergency quadruple bypass surgery and as well as his commitment to sobriety.
The trek was set to wrap on Oct 25 with a stop in New Philadelphia, OH. More updates regarding his upcoming shows are likely to come as Chesnutt receives more information about his current health status.
The post Mark Chesnutt Cancels Shows Following Hospitalization, Issues Health Update appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
It was a special night in Nashville on Sunday evening as Tony Brown, June Carter Cash, and Kenny Chesney were formally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame during the star-studded Medallion Ceremony in the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s CMA Theater.
Dozens of Country Music Hall of Fame members, special guests, family, friends, and members of the country music community gathered in celebration of the 156th, 157th, and 158th members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, country music’s highest distinction.
June Carter Cash
The evening began with a portion honoring the late June Carter Cash, who was welcomed into the Veterans Era Artist category. Her segment featured a series of moving tributes, beginning with Kacey Musgraves and Daniel Tashian performing “Ring of Fire,” followed by Keb’ Mo’ and Ruby Amanfu with “Keep on the Sunny Side,” and Lukas Nelson closing the set with “It Ain’t Me Babe.”
Country Music Hall of Fame member Emmylou Harris then took the stage for the Medallion presentation.
“It’s really truly a privilege to stand before you this evening as we honor my beautiful friend June Carter Cash,” Harris began.
She went on to remember June’s kind-hearted, nurturing spirit (and her often competitive side!) recalling a few intense Scrabble games they once played together.
“June was of course, the ultimate southern hostess attending to our every need and comfort. That is until she brought out the Scrabble board and then all bets were off,” she laughed.
Harris said she was thrilled to take part in the “long-awaited” opportunity to celebrate her dear friend and welcomed John Carter Cash and Carlene Carter to the stage to accept the Medallion on their mother’s behalf.
“Mom would love this. She’s here…I know in everyone’s heart here tonight because I know she made a difference in this world. I know she made a difference in Nashville and in the music community,” they collectively shared.
Tony Brown
Music executive and famed record producer Tony Brown was welcomed into the Non-Performer category following a string of stunning tributes. Lyle Lovett honored him with a performance of “If I Had a Boat,” Steve Earle followed with “Guitar Town,” Trisha Yearwood performed “Perfect Love,” and Country Music Hall of Fame member George Strait closed the segment with “Troubadour.”
Strait delivered a short speech prior to his performance, telling Brown, “Tony, you are the man. I appreciate all the records that we were able to make together. I had so much fun with you in the studio and a lot of these guys up here played on a bunch of ’em too. And you are just an amazing producer, Tony, and a friend…”
Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill brought both laughs and heartfelt moments during Brown’s Medallion presentation, reflecting on their decades-long friendship and Brown’s impact on his life and career.
“I was trying to get a pop record deal out in LA and nobody wanted to hire an overweight high singer to a record deal, and every time I would talk to Tony about wanting to be an artist, it never really crossed my mind before that, he said, ‘you should be a country singer,’” Gill recalled. “He said, ‘everything you do is country. You talk country. Everything you say is country.’ He said, ‘and you would never fit in leather pants.’”
With Brown’s encouragement and guidance, Gill later went on to sign with MCA Nashville under Brown’s reign, and the two enjoyed a stellar run on the charts together. It was only fitting that Gill was the one to welcome Brown into the Hall.
Brown kept his speech short and sweet but incredibly impactful.
“Well, needless to say, I’ve had some big things happen in my life. This is by far the biggest. For years, everybody thought my life, my career, was defined by playing for Elvis Presley. Now my career is defined by being elected into the Country Music Hall Fame,” he stated.
Kenny Chesney
Modern Era Artist category inductee Kenny Chesney sat between his mother and father in the front row as three of his dear friends and former tourmates delivered surprise performances in his honor. Kelsea Ballerini performed “Somewhere with You,” Megan Moroney offered a heartfelt rendition of “Knowing You,” and Eric Church, who was called just 12 hours before the event to fill in for another performer, took the stage for a medley of “I Go Back,” “Anything But Mine,” “El Cerrito Place,” “Never Wanted Nothing More,” and “The Boys of Fall.”
Eric Church joked with the crowd about getting the last-minute call, admitting he was “winging it.” He went on to share a memory of the first time he saw Kenny Chesney live, during the George Strait Music Festival in Clemson, South Carolina, and how it left a lasting impact. “I watched reality change,” Church recalled, describing how Chesney’s performance transformed the entire crowd.
Chesney’s longtime friend and former label president, Country Music Hall of Fame member Joe Galante, was on hand to present the East Tennessee native with the Medallion, officially welcoming him as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
An emotional Chesney called the moment “overwhelming” as he delivered a nearly 15-minute heartfelt speech reflecting on his journey and the people who made it possible: his friends, family, road crew, manager, publicist, and more. It was clear this honor meant the world to him.
“The truth is, I’ve never really let myself sit in accomplishment very much. I’ve always been very creative, very driven. But tonight, I can tell you, walking into that rotunda and taking the group shot with a lot of my heroes and a lot of my friends, it was the first time that I have ever felt accomplished in my life,” he shared, later adding, “It’s an unbelievable feeling to stand here in this moment. And with every cell in my body, I feel the gravity of this moment.”
Standing at the podium, a humble Chesney expressed gratitude to the many people who helped him along the way before closing his speech in a fitting way.
“The thing that I am very thankful for is the fact that I got to do this with so many people. I’m standing up here at night because of all the people I got to play music with and all the people that I got to live this life with,” he explained. “And several years ago I wrote a song called ‘I Didn’t Get Here Alone,’ and I’m going to leave you guys with this. It goes: To everyone who helped pave my way/ If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here today/ To all my friends, the girls, the broken hearts/ All the critics, cynics and doubters/ Y’all know who you are/ Because I didn’t get here alone/ This road’s just too rough and long/ I might be the one the spotlight’s on/ But I didn’t get here alone.”
As applause filled the room, Chesney shared, “I know I didn’t get here alone, and I’m honored tonight to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Thank you guys.”
The Medallion ceremony wrapped up with a moving performance of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” led by Country Music Hall of Fame member John Anderson.
The Medallion All-Star Band provided the music for the evening, featuring an impressive lineup of musicians: Paul Franklin (steel guitar), Jen Gunderman (keyboards), Tania Hancheroff (vocals), Brent Mason (electric guitar), Jerry Pentecost (drums), Alison Prestwood (bass), Deanie Richardson (fiddle and mandolin), Mica Roberts (vocals), Biff Watson (bandleader and acoustic guitar), Jeff White (acoustic guitar and vocals), and Charlie Worsham (guitar and vocals).
The post Kenny Chesney, Tony Brown, and June Carter Cash Officially Inducted Into the Country Music Hall of Fame appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
After spending the past year performing at major festivals, selling out his headlining debut at the historic Ryman Auditorium and serving as support for Thomas Rhett, Tucker Wetmore is ready to embark on his next headline run in 2026. Today, the rising country star announced his 22-stop headlining The Brunette World Tour.
Named after his fan-favorite hit, The trek is set to launch on February 12 in Boston, MA and continue through April with stops across the U.S., EU and UK. Wetmore will be joined by special guests Dasha, Carter Faith and Jacob Hackworth for select dates.
“A Party Every Night”
The 2025 CMA New Artist of the Year nominee has quickly earned a reputation as one of country music’s most electric live performers, and it appears that he plans to uphold that title on his upcoming tour.
“I’ve been lucky to play these songs for fans all over the country in the past year and a half, but getting to headline my own tour — and take it to fans in the U.K. and Europe for the first time — is something I’ve dreamed about for a long time,” shares Wetmore. “I’m bringing some of my favorite people out on the road with me and you can bet we’re going to make it a party every night.”
How To Purchase Tickets
Tickets for the U.S. leg of The Brunette World Tour go on presale this Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 12 p.m. local time, with general onsale beginning Friday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. local time. EU/UK presales begin Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 12 p.m. local time, with general onsale Friday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. local time.
Tickets will be available for purchase at www.tuckerwetmore.com. A portion of each ticket sold will go towards Face the Fight, supporting veterans’ mental health care and suicide prevention efforts.
Today’s announcement of The Brunette World Tour arrives less than two years after Tucker Wetmore made his explosive debut on the country scene in March 2024. The momentum continued into April when he released his record-breaking first album, What Not To, via Back Blocks Music/MCA/Mercury Records. The album made history as the biggest country album debut from a new artist in 2025. It debuted at No. 15 on Billboard’s all-genre 200 Albums chart and helped Wetmore amass over 1.4 billion global streams in just over a year.
After scoring his first Country radio No. 1 with “Wind Up Missin’ You,” his follow-up single, “3,2,1,” continues its rise, reaching No. 9 this week.
More information regarding the upcoming trek can be found on Tucker Wetmore’s website at tuckerwetmore.com.
The Brunette World Tour Dates:
Feb. 12, 2026 in Boston, Mass.at Roadrunner *+
Feb. 13, 2026 in New York, N.Y.at Terminal 5 *+
Feb. 14, 2026 in Harrisburg, Penn.at Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex
Feb. 21, 2026 in Okeechobee, Fla.at Fred Smith Rodeo Arena *
Feb. 22, 2026 in Hollywood, Fla.at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood *
Feb. 26, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn.at The Armory *+
Feb. 27, 2026 in St. Louis, Mo.at The Factory *+
Feb. 28, 2026 in Durant, Okla.at The Grand Theater – Choctaw Casino & Resort *
April 8, 2026 in Zurich, CHat Kaufleuten ~
April 9, 2026 in Cologne, DEat Carlswerk Victoria ~
April 10, 2026 in Brussels, BEat La Madeleine ~
April 12, 2026 in Copenhagen, DKat Vega Main Hall ~
April 13, 2026 in Stockholm, SEat Nalen ~
April 14, 2026 in Oslo, NO at Rockefeller ~
April 16, 2026 in Hamburg, DEat Fabrik ~
April 17, 2026 in Amsterdam, NLat Melkweg Max ~
April 20, 2026 in Dublin, IEat The Academy ~
April 21, 2026 in Belfast, N.I.at Ulster Hall ~
April 23, 2026 in Glasgow, UKat O2 Academy ~
April 24, 2026 in Manchester, UKat The Academy ~
April 26, 2026 in Birmingham, UKat O2 Institute ~
April 28, 2026 in London, UKat O2 Forum Kentish Town ~
* with special guest Dasha
+ with special guest Jacob Hackworth
~ with special guest Carter Faith
The post Tucker Wetmore Plots The Brunette World Tour For 2026 appeared first on Country Now.
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Morgan Wallen takes a good, hard look at his messy love life in the official music video for the fan-favorite “20 Cigarettes,” which appears on his 37-song album, I’m The Problem.
Directed by Justin Clough, the video opens with Morgan Wallen lighting a cigarette in a dimly lit bar. As the song unfolds, the camera expands to reveal the country superstar watching multiple versions of himself interacting with different women. Across various settings, from the bar to moonlit streets and inside his truck, each encounter mirrors the song’s storyline, with cigarettes always present at the center of the moment.
By the end, the video comes full circle, leaving Wallen alone once again with just the shadows of his cigarette smoke illuminating against a dark background.
While the music video captures several different late-night rendezvous, the song finds Wallen recounting a single one-night-stand with a woman he met out at a bar.
He recalls the fleeting encounter as he sings, “We had a beer bottle looking like an ashtray/ Under that full moon, she was ’bout halfway/ Naked in my truck bed so I helped her with the rest/ She was saying my name, barely even knew it/ We were both lying, said we never do this/ To the music of the wind through the woods.”
Penned by Chris LaCorte, Chase McGill, Blake Pendergrass and Josh Miller, “20 Cigarettes” debuted as most-added at Country radio today. This news and music video comes as another buzzed-about track “I Got Better” becomes Morgan Wallen’s 20th Country Aircheck/Mediabase No. 1, and his fifth No. 1 from I’m The Problem.
Justin Clough is also responsible for producing the dramatic music video for “I Got Better,” which once again features intense visuals and cinematic storytelling. Both songs appear on Wallen’s fourth studio album, I’m The Problem, which arrived on May 16. I’m The Problem spent 12 non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 albums chart and 13 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart. It also became Wallen’s first album to debut at No. 1 on the UK Official Charts – making him one of only five artists to debut at summit with a country album.
The project debuted at No. 1 in seven countries upon release. In Australia, I’m The Problem became the longest-running No. 1 album by a country artist in 10 years, with three consecutive weeks atop the ARIA albums chart, while “What I Want (feat. Tate McRae)” spent five weeks at No. 1 on Australia’s Country Airplay chart.
The Tennessee native recently wrapped up his 20-stadium-show 2025 I’m the Problem Tour with a show in Edmonton, Alberta. In addition to the stadium performances, Wallen’s tour schedule also included his inaugural Sand In My Boots Music Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama in May and an intimate album release show at The Roundhouse in London.
Morgan Wallen has yet to announce a run of shows for the new year, but he recently shared a few snapshots of his life since wrapping the 2025 tour and dropped a teaser in the caption.
“What I do when I’m trying to decide if ima tour in ‘26 or not,” he wrote.
There are currently no upcoming performances scheduled on Morgan Wallen’s website.
The post WATCH: Morgan Wallen Debuts Moody ‘20 Cigarettes’ Music Video appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Ashley Cooke is stepping into a fresh chapter with her upcoming project, Ace, arriving November 14 via Big Loud / Back Blocks Music. The nine-track collection will feature five brand-new songs, including her long-awaited fan favorite, “baby blues.”
Cooke shared that the project’s unique title doesn’t come from the name of a track on the project. Instead, it derives from a nickname her dad gave her when she was younger.
“Growing up, my dad gave me this nickname: Ace. I’m not sure if it was his love of blackjack or because it’s kind of my initials, but nonetheless, it just stuck. It makes me think of the person that I am, truly, to my core, behind closed doors,” she explained.
After releasing her debut album more than two years ago, the “swear words” singer says she’s ready to dive into everything that’s happened since. Calling Ace a project built on “brutal honesty,” she says the songs unfold in chronological order, tracing her real-life stories of the highs, lows, heartbreaks, and love that have shaped her along the way.
“It’s been about two and a half years since my debut record was released. So many incredible, bucket-list things filled the days after with the best people I could ever imagine getting to share them with. But life has a funny way of spitting rain when you think it’s gonna be a sunny day. I swear, one thing hit after another. I lost some of the most important people in my life, and health issues in my family piled up left and right. Love came, and love went.”
Cooke welcomes fans into her next chapter with a deeply personal collection of songs, encouraging them to “make yourself at home” as they take in all the vulnerable storytelling.
“This music is derived from those real situations. It’s brutal honesty. It’s a story in chronological order. And it’s a collection of songs welcoming you to the next chapter,” she added.
ace Tracklist
- gettin’ old (Ashley Cooke / Johnny Clawson / Kyle Sturrock)
- baby blues (Ashley Cooke / Johnny Clawson / Kyle Sturrock / Seth Ennis / Joe Fox)
- the f word (Emily Weisband / Lori McKenna / Gordie Sampson)
- talk about (Ashley Cooke / Emily Weisband / Chase McGill / Chris LaCorte)
- the hell you are (Ashley Cooke / Emily Weisband / Chase McGill / Seth Ennis / Joe Fox)
- swear words (Ashley Cooke / Johnny Clawson / Kyle Sturrock / Seth Ennis / Madeline Merlo / Joe Fox)
- excuses (Ashley Cooke / Johnny Clawson / Kyle Sturrock)
- tin foil hat (panic attack version) (Emily Weisband / Seth Ennis / Mike Robinson)
- (my worst fear) (Ashley Cooke / Emily Weisband / Johnny Clawson / Kyle Sturrock / Seth Ennis / Joe Fox)
All tracks produced by Dann Huff
Earlier this month, Ashley Cooke lit up country radio with her bold new single “the hell you are,” which quickly became the No. 1 most-added song. She followed that up with the release of two emotional versions of “tin foil hat,” including a “panic attack” rendition paired with an official music video.
Before officially announcing her next project, Cooke surprised fans with the news that the highly anticipated track that’s been heating up her live shows, “baby blues” will finally drop on November 14. Now, listeners know that it will be unveiled alongside the rest of the 9-song track list. Fans have also gotten an early taste of the collection through “the f word.”
Ashley Cooke spent the first part of the year headlining herYour Place Tour and also joined Kane Brown on the road. She has only a few remaining shows this year and then will return to the stage in 2026 with dates across the U.S and the UK
For the full list of tour dates, visit www.ashleycooke.com.
The post Ashley Cooke Announces Release Date For Vulnerable New Project, ‘Ace’ appeared first on Country Now.
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