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The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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Jeannie Seely Dead at 85
She was one of the Opry’s leading lights. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Carly Pearce remembers her friend and mentor Jeannie Seely in a moving tribute that celebrates her life, legacy and impact on country music. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Dierks Bentley shocked the crowd in the best way during his headlining show at Salt Lake City’s Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre on Thursday (July 31), when he brought out none other than Post Malone, not once, but twice, for surprise performances.
Midway through the show, Bentley began teasing the crowd about a possible surprise guest, telling them, “There’s a pretty famous singer who lives up here in Utah, but he’s not here! I wish he was. Actually, I know he likes one of my songs. I heard him do it one time.”
While he didn’t mention Post Malone by name, the genre-bending star is known to live in the area, so the crowd corrupted with cheers.
Moments later, Bentley began to pick his guitar and said, “I’ll send this out like the Bat Signal and see if it works.”
The next thing fans knew, Posty walked onto the stage, ready to join the country superstar for a lively rendition of “How Am I Doin’.”
With a cigarette and a Big Light in one hand and a mic in the other, Posty teamed up with Bentley to sing the early 2000s country hit.
In a video shared by Bentley on TikTok, fans deemed the pair the “ultimate duo” and others shared that they witnessed this “amazing” moment unfold in person.
While this epic surprise was surely a highlight of the night, that wasn’t all because later in the show, Post Malone returned to the stage with Bentley, but this time as part of his hilarious ‘90s country cover band, Hot Country Knights.
@madzone2000 @Post Malone returns with @Hot Country Knights!!! #concert #dierks #zachtop #postmalone #utah #slc ♬ original sound – Maddy Johnson
Bentley’s HCK persona Douglas ‘Doug’ Dougalason and his “son” Zach Top’s “Billy Bottoms” welcomed Posty back to the stage and introduced his alter-ego.
“I’ve got some better news for you. Daddy, there’s two of us,” Top said.
Bentley replied, “TWINS?”
“Twins, daddy! You’ve got twins,” Top confirmed. “Want to hear the other one’s name?”
“What’s his name?” Bentley replied.
It’s “Cleetus Raul Yamamuto Jr. III,” he revealed.
Post got into character, sporting a mullet wig, glasses, boots, and cut-off jean shorts, and joined them on stage to deliver a cover of “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)” by John Michael Montgomery.
The crowd went wild.
This memorable moment took place amid Bentley’s Broken Branches Tour, which is set to continue tonight in Nampa, ID and runs through August 30.
While Post Malone has collaborated with several superstar country artists, this marked his first time teaming up with Bentley. Perhaps it’s the beginning of something bigger? Only time will tell.
The post WATCH: Dierks Bentley Brings Out Post Malone Twice in One Night for Epic Surprise in Utah appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Gabby Barrett is back with a brand-new song, “The Easy Part,” and this time, she’s not holding back on delivering the truth.
The songstress is taking the familiar narrative of a breakup ballad, one that’s usually filled with tears, regret, and second guesses, and trades sorrow for strength as she highlights the power of love one can have over two people. Penned by Barrett, Zach Abend, Jon Nite, and Michael Hardy (aka HARDY), the fresh release places empowerment front and center while Barrett delivers lyrics that pack a punch.
Her smokey vocals depict a lover’s quarrel led by a woman who’s fed up with her partner’s careless ways and the emotional whiplash he gives her. The story begins with her speaking confidently to her other half as she sends him a warning that she’s done listening to him beg to stay together after yet another argument.
The fire slowly builds under the Pennsylvania native’s tone as she captures the heat of the moment on the chorus.
“Go on and slam that front door/ Go on and tell me where I can go/ Put that pedal to the floorboard/ Leave me a mess in the middle of the road/ Go all Jack D crazy/ Tell yourself leavin’ me is so hard/ But I got news for you baby/ That’ll be the easy part,” Barrett sings with nothing but truth in her voice.
The multi-platinum artist goes on to let him know that the true sting will come later when the regret starts to set in and he realizes that she’s already moved on, meaning they will never know what could have been.
“The hardest part is knowin’ what we could be/ Knowin’ you’ll never see/ One inch of this town where I ain’t hangin’ round/ Hauntin’ every single corner of your memory,” she continued.
Produced by Zach Kale, Zach Abend, and Ross Copperman, “The Easy Part,” is out now via Warner Music Nashville. The tune marks Gabby Barrett’s first release this year and gives listeners a sneak peek at the next chapter of her career, set to be filled with even more unmatched storytelling.
“I enjoyed writing on this one. It captures that emotional moment when someone thinks leaving is ‘The Easy Part,’ but what they don’t realize is that the memory of who you were to them will be the hardest to forget. It’s not about encouraging walking away, but about the weight that love can carry even after it’s gone,” Barrett shared. “In some ways, it feels like a distant cousin to ‘I Hope.’ It’s a different kind of heartbreak, one that settles in slow and quiet.”
The “Growin’ Up Raising You” singer recently kicked off her Life I’m Living Tour 2025. Before embarking on the trek that’s set to run through October, Barrett informed fans that these shows are dedicated to the musical journey she’s shared alongside her fanbase as well as the next step in her career that’s slowly building with each new release.
The post Gabby Barrett Flips The Breakup Script In New Song, ‘The Easy Part’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Zach Top is taking listeners back in time while hitting them right in the feels with his new song, “South Of Sanity.”
Written by Top with Carson Chamberlain and Mark Nesler, the gut-wrenching track tells the story of a man caught between the spotlight, his love life and trying to hold it together on stage while he’s falling apart inside. Top explores the emotional toll of performing, especially when forced to hide pain behind a stage-ready smile.
He continues his mission to preserve traditional country music by embracing a classic sound, one where every steel guitar lick and guitar riff burns slowly, giving the lyrics space to fully be heard. It’s the kind of track that transports listeners to country music’s golden era, echoing the talent of legends like Keith Whitley, who didn’t just sing heartbreak songs, they made listeners feel every note as if it was their own personal story.
At the beginning of the song, the Sunnyside, WA places himself at a rodeo in Montana while his other half is 2000 miles away. He digs in to the reality of trying to maintain a relationship while having to constantly be on the road and away from home for his career. The couple expresses their sadness for being apart and finds themselves wishing they could be together in that moment.
As he reaches the chorus, Top vividly captures the moment the woman on the other end of the phone has reached her breaking point and is ready to call it quits on their love story. With that pain now flooding his body, the singer has no choice but to put on a fake smile and step onto the stage in front of screaming fans.
He sings, “I’m somewhere outside of Missoula /They just called my name from the stage/ When we hung up she was talking leavin’ /Now how I’m supposed to sing and play/ She’s left me somewhere south of sanity/ Still just north of insane.”
Once the show ends, Top’s character returns to his true emotional state and recounts his efforts to try and win her back.
“Show is over/ I tried twice to call her back/ But no answer anytime/ My thoughts are racing like a fast car round a track/ And I cant get her off my mind,” Top continues.
The heartache follows him through show after show, giving him no time to properly heal from the breakup. This story is rich in emotions and will resonate with anyone who knows the challenges of a long distance relationship.
“South Of Sanity” comes on the heels the release of Top’s summertime anthem, “Good Times & Tan Lines,” and marks the second track to be unveiled from his highly anticipated sophomore album, Ain’t In It For My Health, out August 29. Alongside today’s release, he also unveiled the the project’s 15-song track list.
Ain’t In It For My Health Track List:
- Guitar
- Good Times & Tan Lines
- When You See Me
- Splitsville
- Between The Ditches
- Flip–Flop
- Livin’ A Lie
- Tightrope
- I Know A Place
- She Makes
- South Of Sanity
- Like I Want You
- Country Boy Blues
- Lovin’ The Wrong Things
- Honky Tonk Till It Hurts
This album follows last year’s debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music, and comes after the news of Top scoring his first No. 1 song at country radio with “I Never Lie.”
Zach Top continues his Cold Beer & Country Music headlining tour through this fall with newly confirmed stops at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center, Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center, Charleston’s Credit One Stadium, Vancouver’s Rogers Arena and Charlottesville’s John Paul Jones Arena among many others.
The fall tour features support from Jake Worthington and Andy Buckner.
The post Zach Top Paints A Vivid Picture Of Heartbreak In Gut-Wrenching Ode To Life On The Road, ‘South Of Sanity’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Ashley McBryde is bringing her journey with sobriety to Broadway through Redemption Bar, a bold, one-of-a-kind venue inspired by her personal path to healing. The space is designed to be a supportive, judgment-free zone that celebrates honest storytelling, meaningful connection, and the real stories brought to life in the heart of Nashville.
Starting on August 28th, Redemption Bar will open its doors on the fifth floor of Eric Church’s six-story flagship venue, Chief’s. This establishment has partnered with McBryde to unveil the unique concert venue.
The bar will offer something different than anywhere else on lower Broadway with its zero-proof cocktail menu that features delicious drinks that each tell their own story as they were inspired by lyrics helped McBryde through her darkest days. While traditional drinks are still available, the spotlight is on the creative, inclusive options that don’t require alcohol to feel celebratory.
“When the opportunity to make my mark on Broadway came, I knew I wanted to create a space that champions what’s made a difference in my life; a space that lifts up the brushed aside, and makes sure everyone feels welcome,” McBryde says.
Back in June, the “Ain’t Enough Cowboy Songs” singer celebrated another milestone in her sobriety journey as she marked three years without alcohol. Now, she’s making sure anyone on a similar journey can enjoy thoughtfully crafted non-alcoholic drinks the same as anyone else would while socializing at a traditional bar.
“As someone who is three years sober, the typical response to ‘do you have anything Non-Alcoholic?’ is either ‘why did you come to a bar if you aren’t gonna drink?’ or ‘you can have soda water and a lime I guess.’ Some of my favorite places to socialize became wildly unaccommodating when the only thing that changed was what was in my cup,” McBryde shared with Rolling Stone. “It was vital that I create a space where notdrinking is the forethought – normalized. You can get alcohol drinks in Redemption too, because everyone is welcome.”
Along with the delicious drink menu, fans can also experience the bar’s stage, which is expected to offer a platform for emerging acts to showcase their passion for storytelling through their original songs.
“Songwriters are the backbone of this community,” she continues, “and it’s important to me to create a place for all the tourists on lower Broadway to experience original music from some of the people who are keeping dreams alive in this town.”
The idea to open the bar inside Chief’s also stems from the friendship that has developed between McBryde and Church. These two artists are both known for forging their own paths through honesty, grit, and a fearless commitment to doing things differently, making it the perfect place to combine their one-of-a-kind creativity where others will hopefully feel inspired to do the same.
“Redemption is a great place to start a conversation,” McBryde beams. “A spot with incredible drinks of all kinds that are as well crafted and thought out as the songs you’re hearing from the vagabonds, drifters, and dreamers that make this music city, Music City.”
Redemption Bar offers a fresh take on the Broadway experience with its inclusive menu and direct focus on the music. Customers can get the first taste of the new bar and venue when it opens its doors on August 28.
The post Ashley McBryde Makes Space For Sobriety and Storytelling On Broadway With Redemption Bar appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Country music icon and Grand Ole Opry legend Jeannie Seely has passed away. She was 85 years old.
According to a press release, Seely died today, August 1, 2025 at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. Her death was due to complications from an intestinal infection.
Seely has been facing medical issues since last fall when she was hospitalized following a visit to her hometown in Pennsylvania for a celebration honoring her career achievements. At this time, “Miss Country Soul” was admitted for acute diverticulitis and dehydration. Additionally, she underwent several back surgeries this spring to repair damaged vertebrae, along with two emergency abdominal operations.
Seely’s medical challenges intensified in December 2024 following the death of her husband of 14 years, Eugene W. Ward.
She was a Grand Ole Opry staple. By the time of her final Opry performance on February 22, Seely had taken the stage 5,397 times, more than any other artist in the Opry’s century-long history. Seely was recognized as the longest-performing female artist still actively working in country music at the time of her passing.
Seely made her final public appearance on March 1, 2025, at the grand reopening of the Legends of Country Music Museum in Nashville’s Music Valley. Her likeness is featured on the building’s exterior, and she is celebrated inside with a refreshed exhibit in her honor.
Remembering Jeannie Seely
Born July 6, 1940 in Titusville, Penn., Seely was raised a farm girl and enjoyed listening to the Grand Ole Opry on her family’s large Philco console radio. She began to sing by age 11 and started to perform on local television at 16. She kept busy in high school, serving as a cheerleader, majorette, and honor student.
When she was 21, she packed her bags and headed West to Los Angeles where she landed a position at a record label and began to write songs. She appeared alongside the then-unknown Glen Campbell on the Hollywood Jamboree TV series.
Thanks to her songwriting, she landed a record deal and began to tour the West Coast.
In 1964, Seely was honored as the “Most Promising Female Artist” by the Country and Western Academy, which would later become the Academy of Country Music. The following year, inspired by encouragement from her friend Dottie West, who had recorded one of her songs, Seely made the move to Nashville and signed with Monument Records. Seely continued to make her mark on Billboard’s country singles chart for 13 straight years.
She became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1967 and famously became the first person to wear a mini skirt on the Opry stage.
A multi-talented artist and entertainer, Seely appeared in several stage productions, was a radio host, and even published her own book, Pieces Of A Puzzled Mind.
Jeannie Seely was a member of the Music City Walk of Fame, and recently received CMA’s prestigious Joe Talbot Award on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.
“How wonderful to be honored for doing what you love to do and love to share with others. My surprise was obvious since I am rarely at a loss for words, but this caught me totally speechless,” Seely shared following the surprise presentation. “While Country music will always, and must always evolve, we must always remember the Grand Ole Opry is the cornerstone our industry was built on with music that represented the people. I sincerely appreciate CMA and the folks who recognized how much I care, and I’m proud to be in such great company. Thank you.”
Throughout her career, Seely racked up countless accolades, including her achievement as the third female country artist to win a GRAMMY.
The post Country Icon Jeannie Seely, Beloved Opry Star, Passes Away at 85 appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Rah Ali challenged Cardi B over claims the rapper hurled a speaker at her during a heated run-in at Cannes airport, calling the story false and saying there’s no way she wouldn’t have responded with force if it had happened.
She took to social media to respond after Cardi B shared her side of the story.
“I will always be ready to protect myself at all cost,” Ali posted Friday morning (August 1). “However at this stage in my life I’m not interested in making poor choices. Anything and everything I execute is thoroughly calculated.”
She added, “With that being said, had anyone in this whole world hit ME in my head with a speaker, you in fact would be viewing footage of me in handcuffs. I promise to God that did not happen.”
Ali continued, taking a shot at Cardi. “If it makes her feel better, I encourage you all to support that version. Mentally I can handle it,” she said. “I don’t mind. I will NOT be on this app acting a fool.”
The back-and-forth stems from a tense encounter between the two women inside a private lounge at the Cannes airport, their first face-to-face since the 2018 Harper’s Bazaar Icons party clash tied to Nicki Minaj. That earlier incident ended with Cardi leaving the event with a knot on her forehead after a scuffle broke out.
Cardi B Insists She Struck Rah Ali With A Speaker
During a conversation on X Spaces late Wednesday night (July 31), Cardi B gave her version of the recent airport incident, saying she approached Ali to confront her over the past. “If you thought I was going to let that s### fly, you out of your f###### mind,” Cardi said.
She admitted she initiated the confrontation, saying, “I can’t live and die knowing that somebody did put they hands on me and I never did nothing back.” Cardi claimed Ali stared her down in the lounge, prompting her to throw a JBL speaker at her head.
According to Cardi, her security stepped in before the situation escalated, and airport police arrived shortly after to defuse the scene.
Cardi B addressing Rah Ali situation on Spaces. pic.twitter.com/jvegVV4Xvj
— ໊ (@iambrimmy) August 1, 2025
Ali, however, painted a different picture in a separate interview. She said Cardi stormed up to her, yelling, “You got me f##### up,” and began tossing shoes and bags before airport staff intervened. Ali said she stayed composed but was ready to defend herself if needed.
“She went about her business,” Ali said, insisting she wasn’t the aggressor either now or in 2018.
#RahAli talks about her recent run in w/ #CardiB @ the airport in #Cannes (France). The 2 had not been in close proximity of each other since their “Alleged” fight back in 2018 at the #HarpersBazaar Icon party in #NewYork Take a look!
#Bigorecap #Bigolive #Bigousa… pic.twitter.com/v49zEDGPXU
— BIGO RECAP (@bigorecap) August 1, 2025
AllHipHop
Rick Ross fired off another jab in his long-standing feud with 50 Cent this week by publicly mocking the rapper’s early music contract and dragging his ex-partner into the crossfire.
In a video posted to Instagram Thursday (July 30), Ross questioned why 50 never renegotiated his deal with Interscope/Aftermath, even after his debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ went diamond.
“I got a question,” he began. “50 Cent, after your first album went diamond, no one around you thought it would be a good idea to renegotiate that horrendous contract you was in for ownership of your master’s after that first album? The second album? Third album? The fourth album?”
Ross didn’t stop there. He continued, comparing 50’s alleged bad business decisions to his ex Daphne Joy and her rumored involvement with Diddy. He asked viewers to consider “who got f##### worse”—50 Cent for staying in what Ross called a “horrendous contract” or Daphne Joy for her alleged role in Diddy’s “freak offs” in Miami.
Though Ross never mentioned Daphne Joy by name, he made pointed references to past online jabs involving 50 Cent’s son and the swirling allegations around Diddy’s private parties.
Rick Ross Drags 50 Cent’s Son Into Rivalry
The implication was clear, and the message was aimed straight at 50’s personal life.
Earlier this week, Ross took another swipe, this time targeting 50 Cent and Daphne Joy’s 12-year-old son Sire. “I’m a buy him a puppy,” Ross said in the video. He added that a small dog might help the child deal with what he called future “trauma.”
AllHipHop