Luke Combs is taking a stand against the industry’s networking game, prioritizing family over awards and fame. What does this mean for his future in country music? Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
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Luke Combs is taking a stand against the industry’s networking game, prioritizing family over awards and fame. What does this mean for his future in country music? Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Even the strongest women have moments of doubt and fear, something that Ella Langley and Jo Dee Messina proved during their candid conversation at this year’s Country Radio Seminar (CRS). For Messina, one of her most vulnerable moments came in 2017, when she was a single mom battling cancer, longing for someone to hold her through the uncertainty.
“People are like, ‘Oh, you’re a strong woman. You’re such a strong woman.’ And I was like, ‘That doesn’t mean that mean I don’t want to be taken care of,” she told the crowd sitting quietly in the transformed ballroom space.
She went on to describe the nights she would sit on the edge of her bed, overwhelmed by loneliness the distress of going through something so difficult and wishing for someone to share the burden with. Instead, she had to dig deep, push her fears aside and be strong for her young kids.
“People were like, ‘You’re just so strong going through this.’ And I was like, I would cry and be like, ‘Jesus, I wish you had arms. I just want somebody to hold me because this is scary and lonely.’ Then people are like, ‘You’re so strong’ and I’m like, ‘You didn’t see me last night.’ I was sitting on the side of my bed going, ‘I wish somebody would go through this with me,’” she shared honestly.
This experience proves that even though from the outside, Messina might have looked tough, putting on that strong front was just her way of coping, a survival instinct born from that hardship.
“I think sometimes it’s like having to push through, people see it as, ‘oh, you want to push through and you want to push everybody away.’ And it’s like, no, actually this is a survival thing. This is how I survive,” she added.
Ella Langley said she can relate to having a “tough” image, as she is often seen that way despite facing her own struggles behind the fame and success that many assume would bring only happiness. That simply is not always the reality of life in the spotlight.
“It was kind of the same thing when I moved to town. When I would come to these writes and they had an idea of who I was and wanted to write it that way and I was like, ‘Well don’t you think about stuff that way,’” she recalled. “I guess my toughness comes from more life type of things and…I don’t view myself as that way all the time. I kind of view myself as pretty goofy and weird. So it’s odd. I think so many people share their opinion about what they think of you. You’re like, ‘What? I got to work on my face,” Langley added, earning a few laughs.
She later went on to open up about her longtime mental health battles that reached an all-time low last year, forcing her to take a step back from the road for a few weeks. Both women have found different ways to cope with the hardship and a large part of that is leaning into their faith to find that true strength.
The “You Look Like You Love Me” singer noted that she is “grateful” for the journey that her faith has led her down because it has made her the person she is today.
“Last year, every day I started to read my Bible. I pulled my Bible out, had dust all over it. I had looked for it for two days and every day I was just in the word and I’m still doing that and I’m still growing it. And that’s the thing, I think with all these questions like, ‘How are you getting through this?’ It’s that. It is truly that. That is the thing that saved my life last year,” she admitted.
Once she realized that she was put here for a reason, Langley felt confident that even though there have been high highs and low lows, she is exactly where she is supposed to be in life and it’s all because she listened to that calling from above.
Messina also leaned on her faith through difficult times.
The post Jo Dee Messina Gets Vulnerable About Past Battle With Cancer During Candid Conversation with Ella Langley at CRS appeared first on Country Now.
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Taylor Sheridan captured the emotions of tragedy with unthinkable precision. That might be the problem. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Taylor Sheridan captured the emotions of tragedy with unthinkable precision. That might be the problem. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
The Country Music Association unveiled the 2026 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Friday morning (March 20) during a special ceremony held in the iconic Rotunda at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.
Marty Stuart, a Country Music Hall of Famer, served as host of the press conference, revealing this year’s inductees: Paul Overstreet (Songwriter category), The Stanley Brothers (Veterans Era Artist category), and Tim McGraw (Modern Era Artist category).
Paul Overstreet: Songwriter Category
Overstreet, a chart-topping, multi-award-winning songwriter, is behind some of country music’s most iconic hits, including “Forever and Ever, Amen” and “Deeper Than the Holler,” recorded by Randy Travis, “When You Say Nothing at All,” recorded by Keith Whitley and later by Alison Krauss, “Love Can Build A Bridge” by The Judds, “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” by Kenny Chesney, and “Some Beach” recorded by Blake Shelton, among many others. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003, his catalog has since earned more than 50 million U.S. broadcast performances.
Overstreet became emotional during his acceptance speech, holding back tears as he recalled the moment he got the call and what the honor means.
“First of all, as a writer, sometimes we’re faced with the task of putting into words something there aren’t really words for,” Overstreet shared. “But in this case, my writer instinct didn’t have the words at all. I was in a bit of shock – total surprise. When Sarah called, I was in the South China Sea, or the Gulf of Thailand on a boat and the words she spoke gave me such an amazing feeling. I was sitting at a table with 10 people, and I had to fight back tears. What an honor it is to be recognized for my work by such an iconic institution as the Country Music Hall of Fame. I realize now what my friends felt when they were told they were being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Wow… it still hasn’t completely hit me yet.”
The Stanley Brothers: Veterans Era Artist Category
Comprised of Carter and Ralph Stanley, The Stanley Brothers built a raw, emotional sound deeply rooted in the mountains of Virginia, where they were raised on gospel music and the Grand Ole Opry. After forming the Clinch Mountain Boys in the late ’40s, they carved out their own lane in bluegrass with signature three-part harmonies and Carter’s simple yet powerful songwriting, taking their music from radio stages to the Newport Folk Festival and helping songs like “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow” stand the test of time. Following Carter’s death in 1966 at just 41, Ralph carried on the legacy for decades, mentoring future stars like Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley and later introducing their sound to a new generation with “O Death” in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, proving their influence spans generations.
The Stanley Brothers will be inducted posthumously. Their family, who continues to carry on their musical legacy, was on hand to accept the honor.
“This moment is deeply personal for our entire family,” The Stanley Brothers’ family stated. “Seeing Ralph and Carter – The Stanley Brothers – inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame is an extraordinary honor, and something we know would have meant so much to them. The fact that people around the world still love their music speaks to the heart and soul they poured into every recording and performance. Carter’s emotional lead combined with Ralph’s haunting tenor created a sound that was truly special. After Carter’s passing, Ralph carried on the music they began together, dedicating his life to preserving the spirit of traditional mountain music and sharing it with audiences everywhere through the Clinch Mountain Boys before his passing in 2016. To see The Stanley Brothers recognized together, side by side, is incredibly meaningful for our family and a testament to a legacy that continues to live on through their music.”
Tim McGraw: Modern Era Artist Category
For more than 30 years, McGraw has remained one of country music’s most consistent hitmakers, earning over 49 No. 1 singles, selling more than 106 million records worldwide, and landing 13 studio albums atop Billboard Top Country Albums. The Louisiana native has also built a successful acting career with roles in Friday Night Lights and The Blind Side, starred in Country Strong, and led the hit series 1883. In addition, he co-authored the bestselling book Songs of America with Jon Meacham and has earned 11 CMA Awards and three Grammys.
McGraw, who will be inducted in the Modern Era Artist category, called the moment the “greatest honor.”
“Everything good in my life has come from Country Music,” McGraw said. “From my best memories as a kid, to meeting my wife, to this music community, to the friendships I’ve made along the way. To represent Country Music at the highest level is the greatest honor anyone could bestow on me. I admit, I’ve imagined this moment many times through my career — worked towards it, thought of how I could be the kind of artist who was worthy of it. But my imagination didn’t do it justice. As I stand here, I’ll be the first to tell you I’m only worthy of it because it’s not mine alone. It also belongs to my family, to my team on and off the road, to the songwriters who trust me with their songs, to the musicians, the actors, the co-authors and to the many, many greats that came before me and taught me how it’s done. I am so honored.”
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern reflected on the announcement, noting it “serves as a powerful reminder of the people whose passion and dedication have defined Country Music at its very best.”
She continued, “As we welcome Tim McGraw, Paul Overstreet and The Stanley Brothers into the Country Music Hall of Fame, we celebrate not only their extraordinary achievements, but the lasting influence their music will have on future generations. It has been one of the greatest honors of my career to help recognize these legacies and share in this unforgettable milestone.”
Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, added, “The new inductees each followed their own distinctive career paths, but they have one critical commonality: they have left an indelible mark on Country Music,” said Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO. “Louisiana native Tim McGraw has built a catalog of hits defined by emotionally resonant, thought-provoking songs, achieving more than 60 Top 10 Country hits, nearly 30 No. 1 Country singles, and a formidable acting career. Raised in Mississippi, hit songwriter Paul Overstreet has penned modern Country classics for numerous Country Music Hall of Fame members, as well embarking on a successful recording career of his own. Hailing from mountainous southwestern Virginia, the Stanley Brothers – Ralph and Carter – were a foundational act in bluegrass whose music has influenced generations of artists in a variety of genres. Now, they will permanently be enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame alongside their esteemed peers and fellow pioneers.”
The 2026 inductees will be formally welcomed during the Medallion Ceremony later this year.
The post Tim McGraw, The Stanley Brothers, Paul Overstreet Named 2026 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees appeared first on Country Now.
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On Monday night in Los Angeles, Miley Cyrus gathered with friends, family, fans and fellow co-stars of her early 2000s Disney Channel series, Hannah Montana, to celebrate the premiere of the show’s 20th Anniversary special. However, fans noticed that there was one important person who was absent from the premiere, Cyrus’ father, Billy Ray Cyrus.
A new social media post from the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer make it seem as though he traded the premiere for some time in the studio in Nashville to work on his next album. His new era of music also includes help from his son Braison and daughter Noah, who will be joining him on their father-daughter duet, “On Our Way Along,” dropping April 3.
His caption read, “Been in the studio all night in Nashville working on my new record with my youngins Braison and Noah preparing for our @todayshow performance on Good Friday! Dang feels like this is my “Sweet Niblets“ Sweet 16 on the road to the Final Four!”
The heartfelt song, “On Our Way Along,” is reportedly being produced by Braison Cyrus and Ryan Rasmussen while Noah lends her vocals.
Billy Ray’s absence from the red carpet was noticeable especially after fans spotted him in the trailer for the special that dropped today, March 24 on Disney+. The singer played a prominent role in the show as Miley Cyrus’ father, Robby Ray Stewart, and although he did not make an appearance at the premiere, he did offer a sweet message to his daughter when the announcement dropped.
“Robby Ray’s still the proudest dad in the world,” he wrote.
Disney Channel’s hit series, which ran from 2006 to 2011, followed Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus), a teenager leading a double life as pop star Hannah Montana and trying to balance fame with a desire for normalcy. Two decades later, Miley returned to a recreated Hannah Montana soundstage to film a special, joined by guest stars including “Call Her Daddy” podcast host Alex Cooper, Selena Gomez, and Chappell Roan.
Billy Ray wasn’t the only member of the Cyrus family that did not attend the premiere. Miley posed on the red carpet alongside her mom, Tish Cyrus, and older sister, Brandi, before being joined by their respective partners, Maxx Morando, Dominic Purcell and Matt Southcombe. Miley’s sister Noah, as well as brothers Trace, Christopher and Braison were not present either.
Fans were excited to see several of Miley’s co-stars walk the red carpet, including Jason Earles, Moisés Arias, Shanica Knowles, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle and Cody Linley. However, the other two main characters who completed Miley’s friend trio, Emily Osment and Mitchel Musso were not there.
The “Best of Both Worlds” pop star stepped out in a glamorous silver dress, featuring a piece of her “Hannah Montana” character, Miley Stewart’s merch. She also completed the look with a blonde wig to truly embrace her former character.
Even though Billy Ray was not at the premiere, fans can still catch him in today’s special that is now available for streaming on Disney+. Additionally, he will unveil his father-daughter duet next month, marking the first taste of his first full-length album in 14 years. The project is slated to drop sometime this summer.
The post Why Billy Ray Cyrus Missed the ‘Hannah Montana’ 20th Anniversary Premiere appeared first on Country Now.
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![<a href="https://tasteofcountry.com/sam-hunt-country-music-news/" target="_blank">The Real Reason Sam Hunt Hasn’t Released More Music [EXCLUSIVE]</a>](https://townsquare.media/site/204/files/2026/03/attachment-untitled-design-2026-03-24t074719-790.jpg?format=natural)
Sam Hunt’s journey in country music is anything but ordinary —11 chart-toppers from just two albums? Let’s unravel his unique creative process. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Sam Hunt’s journey in country music is anything but ordinary —11 chart-toppers from just two albums? Let’s unravel his unique creative process. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Lainey Wilson has been spending more time on screen lately and she shared that she’s looking forward to exploring even more acting opportunities in the future.
Currently fans can find the country star portraying the role of Amy, assistant manager of the grocery store in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s Reminders of Him. She recently spoke about her time on set while catching up with EXTRA at the premiere of the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary special.
The songstress shared, “Loved it. Loved it. And I’m excited to do more of it. I mean, honestly, like songwriting, you get to kind of like step into other people’s shoes and tell a story from that perspective. And that’s kind of how I felt with this.”
In addition to the film, which is out in theaters now, she is also preparing for the April 22 release of Lainey Wilson: Keepin’ Country Cool, a Netflix documentary that follows her rise from a small-town Louisiana dreamer to a Grammy-winning superstar while offering an inside look at her life on the road and in the studio.
Part of this special glimpse into her real-life journey will take fans back to her very early days of performing, when she would impersonate Hannah Montana at local birthday parties.
“My eighth grade teacher needed somebody to dress up like Hannah Montana and come to her little girl’s birthday party. And I went and I bought the wig and I already had the portable sound system. And I dressed up with Hannah Montana,” she explained to the outlet. “I impersonated her for five years from eighth grade to 12th grade. I did three or four parties a weekend. I would open up, Lainey Wilson would open up the show and then run behind the tree and change into my Hannah Montana get up.”
Things came full circle for Wilson in August of 2024 when she was selected to honor Miley Cyrus at the 2024 Disney Legends Awards ceremony by singing a cover of the Hannah Montana classic, “Best of Both Worlds.”
Wilson noted that because of her deep connection to Cyrus and her pop star alter ego, it felt “wild” to get to be present for the milestone anniversary celebration of the Hannah Montana TV show.
The “Somewhere Over Laredo” singer has a slew of festival appearance also on the books this year, including a set on the Mane Stage at Stagecoach. Between everything she has in the works this year in music and beyond, Lainey Wilson admitted it’s difficult to say what else she could possibly dream of happening to make the year even better for her.
“The truth is, I feel like so many opportunities have come my way that I never in a million years could have ever imagined, but it does seem like there’s something to be excited about every single day,” she shared honestly. “It just seems like opportunity is coming our way. So who knows? I’m open to all of it.”
The post Lainey Wilson Says She’s ‘Excited to Do More’ Acting as Career Expands Beyond Music appeared first on Country Now.
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