McBride was noted for his Alan Jackson collaborations and wrote hits for dozens of A-List country artists. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Category: Music
This weekend, country superstar Chris Stapleton is shaking things up in Florida with shows that break the winter mold — a bold move for the music scene. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Koe Wetzel is setting the bar high for himself in 2026 as he reveals his next batch of songs is slated to be “one hell of a record.”
The country star recently unveiled a first look at the upcoming project through a teaser posted to Instagram alongside a caption that indicates he’s “ready for this new chapter to start.” The footage opens with what can only be assumed a conversation in the studio, where Wetzel can be heard listening back to unreleased tracks. At one point, he makes a remark about an unnamed song noting, “That might be one of my favorites off the record, man.”
The high-energy teaser then races through glimpses of the diverse array of stories and themes that can be expected. Viewers get brief flashes of this through moments of Wetzel smoking cigars, sipping whiskey, speeding down back roads, and showing off the different personas he’ll embody across the album. It’s a preview that promises a record full of energy and the signature Koe Wetzel edge.
However, in a recent interview with host Lon Helton on Country Countdown USA, the “Damn Near Normal” singer admits the record will also be a bit unexpected with a sound that’s entirely new for him.
“Every artist is going to say that their newest record’s the best one that they’ve ever done,” Wetzel stated. “But for me, this batch of songs and this sound that we’ve kind of come together with, it’s awesome. This whole new sound to me has continued, and it’s, I don’t know, we’re really excited about it.”
Most of Wetzel’s upcoming songs took shape during 2025, a year he dubbed his “rebuild year.” Between serving as a special guest on HARDY’s JIM BOB WORLD TOUR and hitting the studio whenever he wasn’t on the road, Wetzel honed in on one goal, to “cut as much music as possible.”
Even while gearing up for a massive 2026, Wetzel didn’t leave fans completely empty-handed. He released the collaboration “Rocky Mountain Low” with Corey Kent, and celebrated the unexpected success of duet with Jessie Murph, “High Road.” The song became the No. 1 country song of 2025, topped U.S. country radio as the most-played song of the year, and marked Wetzel’s first major country radio No. 1, a milestone that sets the tone for what’s next.
Speaking on his co-write that appears on 2024’s 9 Lives album Wetzel shared, “We knew it was a cool song, and we all really enjoyed it. But for doing what it did, we had no idea it was going to be on that kind of scale,” he admitted. “People kept coming back to it and continue to keep coming back to it, which has been great… it’s just a testament to how strong of a song it was for us. And man, it’s just been great, really.”
No release date has been set yet for the “piles and piles” of new music he’s been storing up, but anticipation is already building as Wetzel hints at a bold new chapter for 2026.
“It’s been a fun year, man,” Wetzel added. “But like I said, it’s been a rebuilding and getting ready for ’26, and we’re really excited for ’26 and can’t wait for everybody to hear all the new music.”
The post Koe Wetzel Says His Next Album Is ‘One Hell of a Record’ as He Teases New Sound appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Shane Profitt can confidently say he had a busy 2025, with his radio single “Long Live Country” gaining traction and his EP, Population Me continuing to earn praise. But the year was also a rollercoaster for the rising country star, in all the best ways, and some of the hardest.
Reflecting on his growth as a songwriter in recent years, Profitt revealed that his next release is something deeply personal, a song he never imagined he would write. The unreleased tune titled “You Could Do Anything” details the emotions that came after catching his father cheating on his mother around a year ago.
To Profitt, this is “hands down, best song I’ve ever been a part of,” and after hearing the previews he’s shared across social media, it’s clear why.
The tune is, overall, something completely different than anything fans have heard from the Columbia, TN native before. Instead of his usual beer drinking, honky-tonk rocker sound, he tapped into a much softer side with a piano melody. His vocals cut through the track with his signature grit and twang accompanied by clear and heartfelt storytelling that comes straight from the heart, bringing the deeply personal lyrics to life in a way that cuts deep.
He uses his real-life emotions to paint a vivid picture of all the things his father could do that’s good, from hunting and fishing to coaching a team to victory, fixing things, and protecting his children from fear. But instead, he acknowledges how his father chose to ignore all that to spend his time cheating on his wife.
“You could hunt and fish and build a dream/ Take some third string boys to a state champ ring/ Make a good buddy outta any old junkyard dog/ That would wanna bite/ You could break any bolt that was wrenched too tight/ Run the boogie man out of my room at night/ Yeah its crazy to think/ Daddy you could do anything/ But you couldn’t love mama right,” he sings.
Profitt began teasing “You Could Do Anything” just a few weeks ago and it has already made waves unlike he’s ever experienced in his career before. Profit says the response from listeners has been so incredible that he’s chosen to play it as the final song in his live shows, instead of his radio single.
“I feel like that song alone is a career defining song for me. I caught my dad cheating on my mom back in January. I wrote a song about it. I’ve never had a response to a song like this,” he explained during an episode of the God’s Country podcast. “I play it last in my set…In my live shows, I just want it to be a rollercoaster – Up, down, up, down, up, down – and then right there on the last of it, that’s when I play this really personal song.”
The singer goes on to explain that when he wrote “You Could Do Anything” with Matt McKinney, Casey Brown and Taylor Phillips, he never had any intentions of sharing it with the world. It was something he wrote for himself as a way to cope with an incredibly difficult and confusing experience in his life.
However, after sharing it with his other half, Chloe, and breaking down over the powerful story together, Profitt realized it was something that could make a huge impact on his listeners.
“I cried like a little girl going back home after I wrote it, listening to the demo. And I got home and she was like, ‘You okay?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ She said, ‘You get a good one today?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ She said, ‘It’s about your dad, isn’t it?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ And so she asked if she could hear it. I played it for her and we stood there in the kitchen…I played it. And dude, we cried. We cried and cried and cried.”
“You Could Do Anything” is a piece of Shane Profitt’s heart that marks a new chapter for him, one where vulnerability leads the way. He also revealed that under his new record deal with Triple Tigers, he is getting ready to release his first full-length album sometime this year.
“I’ve made my full record already,” he shared, before noting that the collection is likely to drop this spring.
When asked how he’s feeling about such a milestone project dropping soon, Profitt stated he’s “more excited than nervous” because these songs will give fans a clear look at who he is and where he wants his music to go.
“It’s kind of like on Christmas, you don’t really know what you’re getting, but you just know it’s going to be good. And so I’m excited. I’m super blessed. And just back to that question, what do I want out of this? I want my music to represent me…What I mean by that is, on this record, I left nothing on the table. You know exactly who I am and what I’m doing here.”
Fans can catch Shane Profitt showcasing his new music during his upcoming performances at Country In The Park in California on May 8 and The Country Fest in Ohio on June 17.
The post Shane Profitt Gets Real About Catching His Dad Cheating in New Song, ‘You Could Do Anything’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Chase Rice is taking a much-needed step back from touring.
In a raw and honest update shared with fans, Rice revealed that after 13 years on the road, he plans to take a break to give himself time to live life more fully. He reassured fans that this decision is not a farewell, but simply a pause, promising that it’s not a “goodbye.”
“Alright everybody, I wasn’t sure whether I was gonna talk about this or not but here we are. I’ve been touring for 13 years and I’ve lived a dream far greater than I could’ve ever expected. This isn’t a goodbye thing or anything like that to be clear upfront, although it may feel like that, but I’m exhausted,” he wrote.
The North Carolina native admitted he hasn’t felt like himself on stage in quite some time and believes stepping away will give him the chance to recharge, enjoy life fully, and return refreshed, ready to write more songs about real-life experiences and eventually make his way back to the road when the time feels right.
“I haven’t been able to be myself on stage in quite a while and really enjoy music and why I got into it in the first place. I love songs, I love living them, hearing stories from other people, and figuring out how to put that life into music. After 13 years it’s finally beat me up to the point where I need to step away for a while. I need to go live life so that I have more real experiences to write down,” he explained. “I won’t be touring this year and it wasn’t even really a decision, it was something I know that I just have to do for myself. A lot of artists do this all the time, but it’s new for me so it’s kind of a big deal in my life.”
In closing, Rice shared a message to everyone who has supported him along the way, including his band, crew, fans, and more.
“To my band and crew, I love y’all. You’ve seen me at my worst yet you still love me back like I’ve lived my best. I hope we can all get together in the coming years and get back to enjoying life on the road again. To any fans that have followed me along this journey, I love y’all too, you have truly made a dream of mine come true,” he wrote. “I’ve got a handful of shows this year, but it will not look like anything like what I’ve done the last 13 years of my life. I hope this year brings new experiences for me to put into songs that will make y’all happy. Until then, thanks for the ride.”
Chase Rice has built a 15-year career as a singer and songwriter, most notably co-writing the Diamond-certified hit “Cruise,” recorded by Florida Georgia Line. He’s also celebrated two No. 1s at country radio with “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” and “Eyes On You,” and has shared the stage with icons like Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, and more.
The post Chase Rice Announces Touring Hiatus: ‘I’m Exhausted’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Jim McBride, a beloved hitmaker among the country music community, has died. On the morning of Thursday, January 8, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame shared the news, citing that McBride passed at the age of 78.
His love for music developed during his upbringing in Huntsville, Alabama, in the 1950s. Country music was particularly popular in his household and his family even enjoyed spending time together by listening to the Grand Ole Opry every Saturday night.
That passion and appreciation for the genre led McBride to become a songwriter whose resume includes numerous chart-topping hits throughout the 1980s and 90s. Some of his most notable writes includes songs made famous by Alan Jackson, including “Chattahoochee” and “Chasing That Neon Rainbow.”
According to American Songwriter, the inspiration for “Chattahoochee” came from the Chattahoochee River that lies near Alan Jackson’s hometown of Newnan, Georgia. McBride got the ball rolling by writing the opening lines and melody, which then sparked the rest of the creative process. From there, Jackson stepped in to continue the story, shaping the song into what it is today.
That early spark turned into a massive success. “Chattahoochee” went on to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and earned Jackson both Single of the Year and Song of the Year at the CMA Awards.
Following his death, Alan Jackson took to social media to remember his fellow songwriter with a heartfelt message that credits McBride for helping him reach new heights in his career.
He wrote, “Jim was a good man and a great and genuine songwriter. He understood country music and touched many with his songs. Jim and I wrote some of my favorite songs together and I don’t know if my career would have ended up quite the same without his help, inspiration, and encouragement in my early years. Thank you Jim, rest in peace. – AJ.”
Alan Jackson wasn’t the only notable name in country music that worked alongside McBride. Other artists who have recorded his songs include Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Reba McEntire, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charley Pride, Travis Tritt, Toby Keith, Dwight Yokam, The Oak Ridge Boys, Keith Whitley, Crystal Gayle, Gene Watson, Trace Atkins, Alabama and more.
McBride’s work as a songwriter has earned widespread recognition across the industry. He received multiple accolades including five Song of the Year Grammy nominations on top of the CMA Song of the Year award for “Chattahoochee.”
Additionally, honors were earned from ASCAP, BMI, NSAI, NARAS, CMA, AMA, ACM and Billboard Magazine. Plus, he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2017, became a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and served a former president of Nashville Songwriters Association International.
Jim McBride’s influence on country music is undeniable, and although he has passed on, his legacy will continue to live on through his songs.
The post Country Songwriter Jim McBride Dies at 78, Leaving a Legacy of Hits Including Alan Jackson’s ‘Chattahoochee’ appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Chris Stapleton has extended his All-American Road Show, adding 20 new dates to the tour.
The newly announced run will bring Stapleton to several major stadiums, including Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Detroit’s Ford Field, with very special guest Lainey Wilson. The trek will also stop at Toronto’s Rogers Stadium and Boston’s Fenway Park, where Zach Top will join as a very special guest, among many other cities.
Additional dates will feature support from Allen Stone, Ashley McBryde, Carter Faith, Grace Potter, Maggie Rose, Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs, Molly Tuttle, Nikki Lane, and The Teskey Brothers.
Tickets for the newly announced shows will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, January 16 at 10:00 a.m. local time.
Members of Stapleton’s fan club will receive first access through an exclusive pre-sale running from Tuesday, January 13 at 10:00 a.m. local time through Thursday, January 15 at 10:00 p.m. local time.
Citi cardmembers can also take advantage of an early pre-sale, as Citi serves as the official card of the All-American Road Show. This pre-sale will be available from Tuesday, January 13 at 10:00 a.m. through Thursday, January 15 at 10:00 p.m. local time via the Citi Entertainment program. Full details can be found at citientertainment.com.
In addition, Verizon customers will have access to a special pre-sale for select stadium dates. Available simply for being a Verizon customer, this pre-sale runs from Tuesday, January 13 at 10:00 a.m. through Thursday, January 15 at 10:00 p.m. local time. Fans can visit myAccess in the MyVerizon app for more information.
The 11x Grammy, 19x CMA and 21x ACM Award-winner will potentially add to his long list of accolades at the upcoming 68th Annual Grammy Awards where is is nominated for four awards, including Best Country Song (“A Song To Sing” with Miranda Lambert), Best Country Solo Performance (“Bad As I Used To Be”) and two nods in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category (“A Song To Sing” with Lambert and “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” with George Strait.
CHRIS STAPLETON 2026 TOUR DATES
BOLD on-sale next Friday, January 16 at 10:00am local time
January 10—Hollywood, FL—Hard Rock Live (SOLD OUT)
January 11—Hollywood, FL—Hard Rock Live (SOLD OUT)
February 4—Las Vegas, NV—Dolby Live at Park MGM (SOLD OUT)
February 5—Las Vegas, NV—Dolby Live at Park MGM (SOLD OUT)
February 7—San Francisco, CA—Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (SOLD OUT)
February 20—Thackerville, OK—WinStar Lukas Oil Live (SOLD OUT)
February 21—Thackerville, OK—WinStar Lukas Oil Live (SOLD OUT)
February 27—Uncasville, CT—Mohegan Sun Casino (SOLD OUT)
February 28—Uncasville, CT—Mohegan Sun Casino (SOLD OUT)
April 19—Georgetown, TX—Two Step Inn
May 23—Nashville, TN—Nissan Stadium*
May 29—Panama City, FL—Gulf Coast Jam
June 11—Jacksonville, FL—Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena†
June 13—Tampa, FL—Raymond James Stadium*
June 17—Burgettstown, PA—The Pavilion at Star Lake†
June 20—Charlotte, NC—Bank of America Stadium*
June 24—Hershey, PA—Hersheypark Stadium#
June 26—North Charleston, SC—North Charleston Coliseum#
July 8—Mountain View, CA—Shoreline Amphitheatre‡
July 10—Chula Vista, CA—North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre‡
July 14—Paso Robles, CA—California Mid-State Fair‡
July 17—Portland, OR—Providence Park#
July 19—Whitefish, MT—Under The Big Sky Festival
July 22—Vancouver, BC—Rogers Arena%
July 24—George, WA—The Gorge#
July 29—Shakopee, MN—Mystic Lake Amphitheater†
August 1—Cincinnati, OH—Paycor Stadium*
August 6—Toronto, ON—Rogers Stadium+
August 8—Detroit, MI—Ford Field*
August 14—Boston, MA—Fenway Park+
August 18—Virginia Beach, VA—Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach~
August 21—Atlanta, GA—Mercedes-Benz Stadium^
August 26—Wantagh, NY—Northwell at Jones Beach Theater**
August 28—Philadelphia, PA—Freedom Mortgage Pavilion**
October 2—Bristow, VA—Jiffy Lube Live††
October 7—Lincoln, NE—Pinnacle Bank Arena‡‡
October 9—Kansas City, MO—Morton Amphitheater‡‡
*with special guests Lainey Wilson and Allen Stone
†with special guest Allen Stone
‡with special guest Molly Tuttle
#with special guest Grace Potter
+with special guests Zach Top and Allen Stone
%with special guest The Teskey Brothers
~with special guest Maggie Rose
^with special guests Lainey Wilson and Ashley McBryde
**with special guest Carter Faith
††with special guest Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
‡‡with special guest Nikki Lane
The post Chris Stapleton Adds 20 Dates to All-American Road Show, Bringing Lainey Wilson, Zach Top & More Along the Way appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Kelsea Ballerini is mourning the loss of her longtime furry companion, Dibs, who’s been a part of the country singer’s life for a decade. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Just two more episodes of ‘Landman’ Season 2 remain. Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Riley Green’s getting a lot of attention lately, but it seems his exes are keeping their distance. What gives? Continue reading…
The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs