Category: Music

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.

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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.

​Country Now

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. 

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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.

​Country Now

Lainey Wilson’s journey into country music is coming to one of the world’s biggest streaming platforms, giving fans a real look at the woman behind the songs and her rise to the top of the genre.

Deadline reports that Netflix has officially picked up Lainey Wilson: Keepin’ Country Cool, a new documentary that takes an inside look at the chart-topping artist’s personal evolution and her impact on modern country music. The film, produced by Teton Ridge Entertainment, Sandbox Studios and MakeMake in association with Shark Pig Studios, is set to premiere on April 22.

Directed by Amy Scott, the documentary offers an up-close look at a defining period in Wilson’s career, following her as she navigates the challenges and milestones that come with rapid success. From life on the road to moments of self-reflection, the film highlights how Wilson has remained grounded while defining what it means to be a modern country star.

Wilson shared her excitement about the project reaching a worldwide audience, noting that the experience was deeply meaningful to her. She hopes viewers walk away believing that authenticity and staying true to yourself can open doors you never imagined possible.

“I couldn’t be more excited that this documentary is going to be on Netflix,” Wilson said. “This was such a special project to make, and I hope that folks who watch it see that no dream is too big and that staying true to who you are will always lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.”

Scott explains that the project evolved in an unexpected way. It started as just an ambitious idea and quickly became a close, personal look at one of country music’s brightest stars. Viewers will get to see Wilson’s inspiring and authentic journey through a whole new lens when it premieres on the streaming service this spring.

“What began as a fever dream project became an intimate journey with one of the most dynamic and fascinating artists of today,” Scott said. “Lainey’s story is deeply personal, wildly inspiring, and rooted in authenticity, and I can’t imagine a better platform to share it with the world.”

Lainey Wilson: Keepin’ Country Cool was produced by Angus Wall, Terry Leonard, Kent Kubena, Thomas Tull, Jillian Share, Jason Owen, and Jen Gorton, with Mandelyn Monchick, Josh Miller, Katie Admire, Jillian Apfelbaum,and Nicolas Gordonserving as executive producers.

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This documentary will arrive a few months after the “Somewhere Over Laredo” singer makes her feature film debut in Reminders of Him.

Fans can also catch her performing on stages across the globe on her extended headline run as well as on select dates of Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show.

The post Netflix to Spotlight Lainey Wilson’s Musical Journey In New ‘Keepin’ Country Cool’ Documentary appeared first on Country Now.

​Country Now

Big changes are brewing at UPS, with thousands of employees facing uncertainty as the company reassesses its relationship with Amazon. Continue reading…​Country Music News – Taste of Country

Big changes are brewing at UPS, with thousands of employees facing uncertainty as the company reassesses its relationship with Amazon. Continue reading…​The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs

Neither Wade nor Faith gave any official reason for why they left the festival, but Maren Morris shared some insight on why a new artist might be booked for a festival even if it doesn’t align with their values. Continue reading…​Country Music News – Taste of Country

Neither Wade nor Faith gave any official reason for why they left the festival, but Maren Morris shared some insight on why a new artist might be booked for a festival even if it doesn’t align with their values. Continue reading…​The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs

Imagine packing your life into a Subaru and chasing a dream, despite someone back home saying you’ll never make it. That’s the story of Tucker Wetmore. Continue reading…​Country Music News – Taste of Country

Imagine packing your life into a Subaru and chasing a dream, despite someone back home saying you’ll never make it. That’s the story of Tucker Wetmore. Continue reading…​The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs

Gabby Barrett is opening up about what life currently looks like at home with her husband Cade Foehner and their three children and sharing how she’s learned to navigate marriage, motherhood, and a demanding career all at once.

Since tying the knot in 2019, the couple has continued to grow both personally and professionally while finding ways to stay connected. A big part of that has been working side by side, with Foehner serving as Barrett’s lead guitar player during her live shows while still carving out space for each of their own artistry.

Now, as parents, they’ve taken that same approach on the road. She explained all five of them travel together as a family so they never have to choose between a career and their home life.

“I think of it as a whole, in regards to my music and my family and my beliefs and things like that, and what am I called to and am I being faithful in that regard, that’s how I kind of measure success in what I’m doing,” Barrett shared with Kaitlyn Bristowe on an episode Off The Vine.

“My kids come with me to all of our tour dates on the road. They’re on the tour bus in their bunks. I’m so blessed. I am honestly living the dream,” she gushed.

The Pennsylvania native admits that even though they have established this routine that works for them, she still experiences plenty of hard moments. But at the end of the day, no amount of fame or success is more important to Barrett than being present with her children.

“I definitely keep them first. I keep priority of them first and foremost, and I want to be a very present mother for them,” she admitted honestly. “That’s very important to me, for them to say when they get older, ‘Mom was here even though she had all this going on, and it’s very admirable.’ But I get to live both and it’s very, very cool.”

Barrett was just 18 years old when she and Cade Foehner wrapped their time on American Idol, a moment that quickly pushed both of their lives into the spotlight. Since then, their relationship has drawn its fair share of outside opinions and assumptions from the public. Still, Barrett says she’s learned to tune out the noise, choosing instead to focus on what truly matters to them and what life really looks like behind the camera.

“I don’t really pay attention to people’s perception on marriage very much. I just don’t spend much time on it because I know who I am as a person. I also know who he is as a person, and what’s important to us is what we’re doing and committing to behind cameras,” she explained. “I think that’s a solid way to keep things together and not so separated because when things get out and spread too much, it can get a little sticky. So yeah, he’s a good guy and I’m really, really thankful for him.”

From her nerve-wracking Idol performances to stages across the country and major award show appearances, the “Glory Days” singer praises Cade for always being her biggest supporter.

“A lot of those high-pressure moments in the beginning where the songs ‘I Hope’ and ‘The Good Ones’ and all of that, and I was on award shows and different things like that. It was really nice to be able to look over and see him there because this is all so new back in front of the cameras, all the live moments, and so he’s been a rock for me through it,” she explained.

Toward the end of the interview, Gabby Barrett hinted that more music is set to drop in coming months, and eventually a new album. She has already started to share a look into this next musical chapter through songs like “Ain’t Supposed To Be” and “The Easy Part.”

The post Gabby Barrett On Juggling Life as a Touring Artist, Wife, and Mom of Three: ‘I Am Honestly Living The Dream’ appeared first on Country Now.

​Country Now