“His thoughts remain with Ms. Dobbins’ family.” Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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“Our hearts and prayers are with you all.” Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton join forces on a new duet called “A Song to Sing.”
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
She was personable and purposeful, and it brought necessary light to Texans’ hearts. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
They haven’t spoken in years! Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton have teamed up for their first true duet with “A Song To Sing,” a soul-stirring collaboration that captures the power of music and everlasting love.
Written by Lambert and Stapleton, two of country music’s most compelling voices, alongside Jesse Frasure and Jenee Fleenor, and produced by GRAMMY-winner Dave Cobb, “A Song To Sing” paints a picture of love that runs as deep as the music itself. The dreamy tune is filled with rootsy instrumentation with gentle acoustic strums and the timeless harmonies, thus creating a nostalgic sound that with the core message that offers a testament to the kind of love that can withstand every high and low and the kind that doesn’t just inspire the music, but it becomes the music along the way.
They unite to share the story about two people whose connection is strong enough to guide them through the noise and chaos of life. In a world that often moves too fast, the song serves as a reminder to slow down and cherish the power of companionship.
Trading verses and then blending harmonies seamlessly on the chorus, Lambert and Stapleton bring a new level of emotional weight to the track as they reflect on the beauty of everlasting love and the power of getting to share a story through song.
They sing, “You are a part of me/ Baby, you’re the heart of me/ Together, we can write a song to sing/ And, in that melody/ Baby, you’re the harmony that you just can’t find anywhere.”
It’s clear that today’s release, which is set to impact country radio on Monday, July 14, is destined to join the list of the most cherished duets in country music. Together, they channel the timeless spirit of classic country duets among legends like the iconic pairing of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.
The country acts have racked up an impressive combined total of 14 GRAMMYs, 33 CMA Awards, and 59 ACM Awards, each leaving a lasting impact the genre not only with their distinct voices, but also their combined legacy and award-winning storytelling.
“A Song To Sing” brings their shared musical legacy full circle, as it gave Lambert — who handed over her ACM Entertainer of the Year crown to Stapleton in 2023 — a chance to join forces with a fellow trailblazer in a whole new way.
Chris Stapleton will continue his extensive “All-American Road Show” through this summer. The trek includes two upcoming shows at NYC’s Madison Square Garden. Along with Lambert, Stapleton’s recent collaborations include “California Sober” with Post Malone, “Think I’m In Love With You” with Dua Lipa, “Oh Well” with Slash and “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” with George Strait (“Honky Tonk Hall of Fame”). Plus, he released a version of Tom Petty’s “I Should Have Known It” for the new Tom Petty tribute album.
Meanwhile, Miranda Lambert has several upcoming dates across the U.S. and Canada where she will serve as a supporting act for Morgan Wallen’s 2025 I’m The Problem Tour. In between those shows, she will appear at a few fairs and festivals.
The post Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton Deliver Timeless Duet With ‘A Song To Sing’ appeared first on Country Now.
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Priscilla Block is serving up her signature sass and fierce confidence in her new song, “You’re Breaking My Heart (Cecilia).” After teasing the catchy tune on social media, Block gave into the pleas of fans and released the story that finds the songstress putting her own spin on Americana folk duo Simon & Garfunkel’s beloved 1970 hit, “Cecilia.”
Block flips the narrative and reclaims the story from the perspective of the “other woman.” Her unmistakable vocals lend a modern, gritty edge while channeling the bold storytelling of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” in a playful yet piercing anthem.
The writers behind “You’re Breaking My Heart (Cecilia)” include Chris Tompkins, Jesse Frasure, Jessie Jo Dillon, Hailey Whitters and the original writer of “Cecilia,” Paul Simon. Their creativity led to a narrative that has Block prepared to take part in a full-on showdown if the woman dubbed Cecilia doesn’t stop flirting with her man.
She admits to seeing right through the woman’s kind act and while she will “strut right up and hug me,” Block makes it clear she’s going to keep her distance knowing that Cecilia will stab her in the back the first chance she gets.
“I know you’re getting used to getting/ Whatever you want girl/ Twirling them blonde curls/ And boys round your finger/ And naw he aint the cheating kind/ I’m usually not the jealous type/ But you’re stirring trouble up tonight/ And I don’t like it,” Priscilla Block delivers.
Upon reaching the chorus, the North Carolina native dives the same message home while the infectious upbeat tone with classic country twang brings the energy up.
She sings, “Cecilia/ You’re breaking my heart/ You’re shaking my confidence crazy/ I can feel ya Jolene’in again/ But you ain’t getting him/ So you best get/ Out my way/ I see ya come walking in here/ Batting them lashes/ Making them passes/ Hook line and sinker.”
In celebration of today’s release, one of the creatives behind the track, Hailey Whitters, shared a post congratulating Block on dropping the fiery new anthem. She also gave high praise to her fellow songstress, calling her the perfect artist to cut the song and deliver its unapologetic message.
“I can feeeeeeel ya Jolene-ing again” big congrats to my ‘take no shit’ sister @priscillablock on her new single drop today… had a ball writing this one and very pleased to see it land with the realest artist who would no doubt put a bar-flirting backstabbin’ blond in her lil ol place 😈🔪
Block added, “Thank you for letting me cut this. I’m obsessed!!!!”
“You’re Breaking My Heart (Cecilia)” follows the rising country star’s first release of 2025, the catchy “Yard Sale.” The infectious song once again tackles heartbreak in a hilarious way as she sings about selling her ex’s belongings in an impromptu “Yard Sale,” where everything is “half price.”
After gaining traction on social media and at her live shows, Block revealed that the song was on it’s way to becoming a staple in her catalog.
“Honestly, I didn’t know that I was going to put out ‘Yard Sale’. I thought it was kind of too out there, but every single time I would show this song to people, they’re like, ‘Priscilla, you have to put out ‘Yard Sale. It is so fun,’” she previously told Country Now.
Both songs give fans a glimpse into Priscilla Block’s next musical chapter. This yet-to-be-announced project will serve as the follow-up to her PB2 EP that dropped last summer, along with her debut album, Welcome To The Block Party.
In addition to her slow of solo dates scheduled throughout 2025, Block has also been tapped to serve as an opening act on Cole Swindell’s “Happy Hour Sad Tour.”
The post Priscilla Block Reimagines 1970 Simon & Garfunkel Hit On ‘You’re Breaking My Heart (Cecilia)’ appeared first on Country Now.
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Lainey Wilson teamed up with Red Clay Strays frontman Brandon Coleman for a heart-pounding rendition of “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” at Ottawa Bluesfest on July 10.
During her headlining set, Wilson welcomed Coleman to the stage, and together they delivered a powerful performance of the folk classic, which was popularized by Johnny Cash in the early 2000s.
In a clip shared by the Red Clay Strays, Coleman can be heard taking on the second chorus, his signature vocals crooning: “Go tell that long tongue liar/ Go and tell that midnight rider/ Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter/ Tell them that God’s gonna cut ’em down/ Tell them that God’s gonna cut ’em down.”
Then, on the first verse, Wilson takes the lead, with Coleman joining in moments later.
“Well my goodness gracious, let me tell you the news/ My head’s been wet with the midnight dew/ I’ve been down on bended knee, talkin’ to the man from Galilee/ He spoke to me in the voice so sweet/ I thought I heard the shuffle of the angel’s feet,” they sing.
Later, the two joined forces on the chorus as the crowd cheered them on.
After the show, Coleman shared, “Thanks for letting me sing one with ya, Lainey!” Wilson quickly replied, “Honored to sing with YOU!”
Ottawa Bluesfest runs through July 20 with performances by Hozier, Shania Twain, Green Day, Papa Roach, and more.
“God’s Gonna Cut You Down” has been recorded by a number of artists across a variety of genres, however, Cash’s version proved to be one of the most popular. He originally recorded the track in 2003 but it wasn’t released until 2006 via the posthumously released Johnny Cash album American V: A Hundred Highways. The music video included a slew of celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Owen Wilson, Sheryl Crow, Adam Levine, Sharon Stone, and others.
Next, Wilson is slated to perform at Cavendish Beach Music Festival on July 12. Her tour schedule comes to a halt after the in preparation for the U.S. leg of her highly anticipated Whirlwind World Tour.
The Red Clay Strays will perform at Cowboys Music Festival in Calgary, Canada before returning to the states for Under the Big Sky Festival in Whitefish, Montana.
The post WATCH: Lainey Wilson and Red Clay Strays’ Brandon Coleman Deliver Soul-Stirring ‘God’s Gonna Cut You Down’ Duet appeared first on Country Now.
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Country Next: Alyssa Flaherty
In the past year alone, Alyssa Flaherty’s hard work has opened doors that have surpassed her wildest dreams. From auditioning for The Voice to sharing the stage with Kevin Costner and joining major country acts on the road, Alyssa has built her career built by brick. Now, she’s taking a leap into her next chapter with the release of her debut EP, Heartbreak, Thank you.
The Annapolis, Maryland native moved to Nashville in 2020 and became the latest up-and-comer ready to show the world her talent. She cut her teeth back home, performing at local schools, charity events, talent shows, and even professional sporting events. But she knew that she was destined to go beyond her hometown in search of bigger ways to showcase her talent.
So with no backup plan in mind, Alyssa and her family packed up and headed for Music City, where she dove headfirst into the scene by playing gigs, learning to play the guitar and honing her songwriting skills.
A major breakthrough came when she performed alongside Kevin Costner and his band, Modern West. This moment ultimately led to her powerful rendition of “Amazing Grace” being featured on the soundtrack for Costner’s epic series, Horizon: An American Saga.
This summer, she’ll cross another milestone when she plays her first international shows in the UK. Alyssa’s upcoming run will give her the chance to showcase her new five-song collection, Heartbreak, Thank You.
This project is as personal as it gets, as she uses five songs to capture a deeply reflective healing journey where heartbreak isn’t the end of the story. Instead, she views it as something that marks the beginning of something stronger. Co-written entirely by Flaherty, the EP includes previously released singles “Broken By You” and “Know You By Heart,” as well as the poignant title track, which captures the growth that follows grief.
We caught up with Alyssa ahead of her EP release to talk about her journey from talent shows to Nashville stages, how heartbreak shaped her songwriting, and more. Keep reading for the full Q&A:
Talk about when you realized music was going to be a bigger part of your life story?
So funny enough, no one in my family is musical or has any kind of musical ability. We always crack up about it, not in a bad way, but it’s just so funny. But when I was literally in diapers, I would just be singing around the house all the time, and then when I was really little, I would sing the little Disney princesses. And so my mom’s girlfriends would come over and be hanging out and they’re like, ‘we think she can sing. We think she’s a singer.’ And my mom was like, yeah, okay. She’s going to play sports. So then I did, I played soccer, basketball, lacrosse my whole life and just did that forever. I’m from Maryland, Annapolis, and so lacrosse is huge up there. So started playing lacrosse and then I was about eight years old and I signed myself up for my school talent show. And my parents were like, ‘are you sure you want to do this? Are you sure?’ And I’m like, ‘yeah, of course I do.’ And they’re like, ‘okay, well, you’re not quitting. You’re going to do it.’ So I was like, ‘oh, done. No worries.’
Did you have any vocal training?
I begged and begged my mom for voice lessons at eight years old. I was like, well, I want to get better at this and I want to learn and be coached like I am in my sports. I ended up getting a voice coach and ended up taking voice lessons for about eight years. And so I was trained classically, and I just kind of applied that to anything I wanted to sing. So I loved all kinds of music. I loved Adele, I loved Bonnie Raitt, I loved Fleetwood Mac, I loved Taylor Swift. I loved country like Shania Twain, Kenny Chesney. And so I just kind of was always obsessed with the music industry and just like music, I just loved it.
At what point did you realize your passion for music might turn into more of a career?
In high school, my aunt ended up signing me up for The Voice. And so we all flew to Houston and I auditioned and did the whole cattle call thing, and that was just such a fun experience. And then came home and ended up finding out that I was going to go to LA. So my mom and I flew to LA, did the auditions there, did not make it on TV or anything, and then we came home. And when you go through those processes, they’re always like, ‘well, who are you?’ And I’m like, ‘well, I’m 13. I don’t know who I am. I just want to sing.’ But I was always just so drawn to country music and the storytelling. And again, love Shania Twain, loved Martina McBride and Kenny Chesney growing up. And I was like, well, we should go to Nashville.
How did you get your start in Music City?
So I ended up, by myself, looking up little independent labels in Nashville and then reached out to them and I was like, ‘I’m Alyssa, I’m 14. Here’s a video of me singing the national Anthem. Let me know if you want to talk.’ And I didn’t tell my parents. I was like, we’ll just pretend this didn’t happen if I don’t hear anything back. But long story short, ended up getting a response back. My parents were kind of like, ‘what did you do? But also you seem very passionate about this.’ And I was like, ‘I really think this is what I want to do. I want to do music and I want to sing, and I want to share it.’ And so we ended up coming back to Nashville and meeting with them and did the back and forth and just fell in love with Nashville. And now we’re here, and now I’m writing and playing and doing shows, and it’s been so much fun.
Did you ever have any backup plan or anything else you wanted to do aside from music?
I remember in eighth grade, our lacrosse coach would be like, ‘give us a list of 40 schools you want to go to and play at.’ And I would be like, ‘I don’t want to do this. This is not what I want to do. I want to sing, and I don’t know how I’m going to do it at all yet, but we’re going to figure it out and it’s going to happen somehow some way we’re going to end up doing it.’ So yeah, again, it kind of has just been slowly unraveling and just kind trusting the process.
When did you officially make the move to Nashville?
My whole family moved. I have a younger brother, and it was March of 2020. I was a junior in high school and we moved March 12th, and so everything shut down on the 13th. So we had gotten here and we’re like, ‘oh gosh, what did we do?’ But it was awesome. Again, it was in a weird way, it was awesome to just not have to do anything and just being able to get to know the area and just kind of settle in and get unpacked and all the things. But yeah, we moved in 2020 and we just love it. We’ve gotten my grandparents to move down here, so it’s a party in Nashville now. We love it.
What was it like trying to get established with the songwriting world in Nashville?
Yeah, it was probably about two years ago. I had just started writing, and a year prior to that, I was like, I need to play guitar. I want to be self-reliant. I don’t want to have to rely on anybody else. And I had an incredible mentor who just taught me guitar. So for a year I was every day learning how to play. The next year I was like, okay, well, we got the guitar down, now let’s write songs. So I wrote my first batch of five songs in the first month, and then ended up going to play my first writer’s round in February of 2023. And so go play the round and end up meeting Erland Wanberg there. And he does so much in town, he’s kind of like a philanthropist. He does everything he writes, he plays, he manages, he does a little bit of everything. And he came up to me after and he was like, ‘Hey, my friend Teddy Morgan, he’s in Kevin Costner’s band, and we would love to write songs with you to pitch to sync, maybe see if we can get a song in Yellowstone, whatever.’ And I’m sitting there, ‘no, you do not want me to do this. I just started writing songs a month ago, I promise you, please go find someone that’s really good at this.’ But he was like, ‘no, we would love to.’ So it was my first co-write and I wrote with them, and I remember leaving that day being like, wow, I love this so much, and I love these people so much, just so encouraging and sweet, and just so nurturing with songwriting. And so we just kind of stuck with that.
How did that friendship lead to the chance to hear your voice in Costner’s series?
So Teddy got a call from Kevin and he was like, ‘Hey, would you produce ‘Amazing Grace’ at the end of Horizons a movie we’re working on?’ And Teddy was like, ‘of course.’ And so he started working on a version with a composer that was out in L.A. and Teddy calls me in July of 2023, and he’s like, ‘Hey, do you want to come in and sing a demo on Amazing Grace? Kevin’s putting it in Horizon, his new movie, his friend’s singing it. She’s already agreed to do it, but we’d love to have you come in the demo.’ So I’m like, ‘okay, my God, this is so cool. I’d love to be a part of it.’ And so go sing the demo, think nothing of it. A month later, it was my 20th birthday, I’m on the way to dinner with my parents and my brother and Teddy’s calling me, and he never calls me, but I was like, am I going to answer? We’re about to walk her into the restaurant. Maybe he could just text me. And I was like, no, I’m going to answer the phone. So I answered the phone and he’s like, ‘Hey, I just got off the phone with Kevin and his friend’s not singing it anymore, and he wants you to sing Amazing Grace in his movie.’ So that was like a holy hell, what is happening right now? So that was just so special and so cool. So we were super fired up about that.
And then you also got the chance to share the stage with Kevin Costner and his band?
Kevin was going out on the road to play some shows in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in Denver, Colorado. And Teddy calls me and he’s like, ‘Kevin wants to have you come with him and sing some duets with him and sing a song that is in Yellowstone. It’s called ‘Killers.” And so it was just such a surreal, I was kind of like, what is going on right now? How is this happening? But it was so special, and I will literally never forget it. It was so awesome.
Talk about how you decided to take the pain of heartache and put a positive spin on it with your debut ep, Heartbreak, Thank You.
I think a huge part of this project has been reflection for me. Even just sitting in the room, it’s like you’re sitting and thinking about certain relationships and You’re hearing about different relationships, and it kind of allows for this beautiful just appreciation for it. You learn so much going through relationships and going through breakups and going through heartache, and I just think it’s such a beautiful thing. You come out so much stronger, you learn so much more about yourself, and I just really want people to take away from this. It didn’t work out for a reason, and it’s not an ending. It’s a beginning and it’s the start to something new and something beautiful, and you’re going to find something that’s worth your love and your time.
What was the thought process behind the sequencing of the track list?
We wrote these songs in chronological order and it was not an intention. It just happened naturally. We were picking songs for a project and we were like, these are the songs. And then I was like, well, this is the order they should be in. And then we looked back at the dates and they were all in order, and I was like, well, this is ironic. This is the total natural progression Of I saw my own growth in it. And you see your own stages of why I was here in this month, and now I’m here and I’m so happy I’m here now. But I just love, I think just with anything in life, it’s like if things don’t work out, it’s not a bad thing. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just not meant for you, and that’s okay. And I think that kind of just mindset is such a powerful thing, and I just really hope I can inspire people and even just help girls and young girls going through that. It’s all up here and it hurts and it sucks, but you got this.
Were there any songs that were you were hesitant to include because they were so honest or vulnerable?
I think for me, it’s the more honest, the better. And I feel like if you’re trying to filter out certain things, people are going to feel that. And so I think for me it was like this just feels so right and it’s so real and it’s so just true to where I was at. But also where people in the room with me were at, before you write these songs, you get into these awesome conversations just about relationships in life and coming from all different kinds of generations. One of the songs on the EP, it’s called ‘Better Memory,’ And this is probably the most gut-wrenching song to me. I was not expecting to write this ballad and journal entry almost of a song, and it was with two guys, Dan Hutson and Jeff Middleton who are older than I am, and they’re just whiskey drinking men. And they’re like, ‘you want a whiskey?’ And it’s like 10:00 AM and I’m like, ‘no, I think I want my latte first, but thank you.’ But even that, it’s such a special thing to get to sit in the room and write these songs and yeah, I think for me, it just felt right. And there was none that I was like, no, it just made sense.
How are you feeling as you prepare for your first international dates in the UK?
I am so freaking fired up. I’ve never been out of the country. I think my family and I, we went to Mexico one time, but I’ve never been out of the country overseas, especially. I’m dying. I’m dying to just see it. I’m dying to see the architecture. I’m dying to go to the restaurants, go to the shops, and then just meet the fans and meet people that are loving country music that makes me so happy. So I’m so fired up and it’s so exciting. All I’ve heard is everyone over there is so fired up about country music, and that to me is like, let’s go, let’s go. So I’m just so fired up. I cannot wait. It’s going to be awesome.
How does this project and these upcoming tour dates set the tone for this next chapter of your career?
I know it’s been such a crazy last couple of months. Again, I just hope we get to keep doing it and keep hitting the ground running. I’m just so excited for this project to be out there. It’s like your baby that you’re like, all right guys, it’s here. But I’m just so excited to just have it out there and see the response, and hopefully just connect with people and keep that rolling and keep that snowball effect going. So I’m so excited. I cannot wait. I’m looking so forward to the rest of this year. We have a couple little songwriters festivals that we’re doing here shortly, which will be so much fun. But yeah, I’m fired up. I’m ready to go. I’m like, let’s go, guys.
Fans can keep up with Alyssa Flaherty on Instagram.
The post Country Next: Alyssa Flaherty appeared first on Country Now.
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As Texas’ Hill Country works to recover from the recent catastrophic flooding, George Strait is rallying friends and fellow musicians to step up and offer support where it’s needed most.
The legendary Texan has announced that he, along with Tom Cusick, businessman and Vaqueros del Mar partner of 15-years, are organizing Strait to the Heart, an intimate benefit dinner and concert set to take place Sunday, July 27 at Estancia at Thunder Valley indoor arena in Boerne, Texas.
“The destruction and loss in our community from the recent flood is hard to wrap your head around,” shares Strait. “Our hearts and prayers are with you all. The goal with this event is to raise meaningful, immediate support that can be put directly into the hands of flood victims without delay, while also honoring the first responders that work tirelessly to save lives.
Who Will Be Performing?
The exclusive event will host just 1,000 guests and feature performances from Strait himself along with a powerhouse lineup of talent, including William Beckmann, Ray Benson, Wade Bowen, Dean Dillon, Riley Green, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Kyle Park, Hudson Westbrook, and members of Strait’s Ace in the Hole Band.
“Special thanks to our friends and fellow troubadours—William Beckman, Ray Benson, Wade Bowen, Dean Dillon, Riley Green, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Kyle Park, Hudson Westbrook and members of my Ace in the Hole Band—for joining me on stage to lend their talent and their hearts to this mission.”
Cusick, co-founder of the Vaqueros del Mar organization alongside Strait, emphasized the urgency behind the benefit, due to the heartbreaking toll the recent catastrophic flooding has taken across Texas’ Hill Country.
Latest Flood Updates
CNN’s latest update reveals that according to officials, at least 160 people remain unaccounted for, 150 of which are in Kerr County, one of the areas hit hardest by the flooding. USA Today further reports that at least 120 people have been confirmed dead since the devastating rainfall struck on the morning of July 4 causing heavy floods to rip through homes and youth camps. In Kerr County alone, 96 lives have been lost, including at least 36 children.
Cusick states, “The road ahead will be a long one, however the immediate need is so great that we didn’t want to wait. Together, we can show our neighbors that when hardship strikes, Texas and our Country stand strong, and we stand together.”
How To Purchase Tickets
Tickets and tables are available for purchase (price points vary and begin at $1,000). Complimentary tickets will be provided to local area first-responders. Additionally, donations will go to the 501(c)(3) Vaqueros del Mar Texas Flood Relief Fund and will be distributed directly to impacted families, as well as trusted relief organizations already serving the Hill Country.
Anyone interested in purchasing a table or tickets to Vaqueros del Mar’s “Strait To The Heart” Intimate Donor Dinner & Concert or making a contribution to Vaqueros del Mar Texas Flood Relief Fund, can email Vaquerosdm@gmail.com.
The post George Strait Rallies Country Stars For Texas Flood Relief Benefit Dinner And Concert, ‘Strait To The Heart’ appeared first on Country Now.
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