The rising country singer spent release day for his debut album, ‘Dustpiles,’ in the ER, where he revealed he’s battling sepsis while trying to keep his weekend performance plans alive. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Category: Music
Dolly Parton’s remarkable life story is headed to Broadway this winter with the highly anticipated debut of DOLLY: A True Original Musical. Following a record-breaking world premiere in Nashville, the production is making its way to New York, where audiences will experience the country icon’s journey told through her own words and timeless music.
Here’s everything fans need to know before the curtain rises next winter.
When Does DOLLY: A True Original Musical Open?
The musical officially opens on Tuesday, January 19, 2027, a fitting date as it coincides with Parton’s 81st birthday.
Fans won’t have to wait until opening night to see the show, though. Preview performances begin Monday, December 7, 2026, giving audiences an early look before the official Broadway premiere.
What Music Is Included?
Featuring a mix of Dolly Parton’s iconic songs and new music written especially for the stage production, DOLLY: A True Original Musical also includes a book by Parton and two-time Emmy Award winner Maria S. Schlatter. The production is directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher.
Behind the music is an award-winning creative team led by two-time Tony and Grammy winner Stephen Oremus as music supervisor and Charity Wicks as music director. The production also features orchestrations by John Clancy, musical consulting from longtime collaborator Kent Wells, plus vocal and music arrangements from Richard Dennison and Gregg Perry, who have spent decades creating music alongside Parton.
Who Has Been Cast?
Casting for the Broadway production has not yet been announced.
Cast members, creative team updates and production details are expected in the coming weeks.
What Dolly Parton Is Saying
Parton couldn’t be more excited to bring her story to Broadway.
“My whole life has been a musical. A grand ole opera really! We have a wonderful director, sets, costumes, choreography, music and all the things you need to make a wonderful, entertaining show! Can’t wait to see you there!” she shared.
What Others Are Saying
Director Bartlett Sher says audiences will experience a side of Dolly they’ve never seen before.
“During our world premiere in Nashville, I was overwhelmed by the deep connection audiences have with Dolly. You mention her name and people light up and share a time that she has inspired them and brought them joy. But despite all of that genuine love, Dolly has never really shared her story before. She’s offered glimpses and peeks, but this musical allows her to reveal the unfiltered story in her own words. As we prepare to come to Broadway, we’re thrilled to show that rhinestones were never her whole story.”
Adam Speers of ATG Productions also reflected on what audiences can expect from the Broadway version.
“Having worked with Dolly on both the new version of 9 to 5 in the West End and on DOLLY, I can say without hesitation that being in her orbit changes how you think about what one person can give to the world. What defines her is not only extraordinary talent, but a lifetime of conscious choices – to lead with kindness, to contribute meaningfully, and to give back in ways that have endured, all with inimitable style and great humor. After everything we learned during our world-premiere in Nashville, we’re shaping the show and deepening the storytelling so that the Broadway production fully captures the spirit of this amazing woman. To be opening the show on Dolly’s 81st birthday is not only a celebration of a milestone, but of a life shaped by generosity, courage, and purpose that, in this moment, feels not only uplifting and inspiring, but essential.”
Meet the Creative Team
The Broadway production brings together an impressive team of award-winning creatives, including:
- Mandy Moore – Choreography
- Derek McLane – Scenic Design
- Jennifer Moeller – Costume Design
- Donald Holder – Lighting Design
- Peter Hylenski – Sound Design
- Nathan Amzi & Joe Ransom – Video Design
- Robert Pickens – Hair Design
- Studio Pickens – Makeup Design
- Michael J. Passaro – Production Stage Manager
- Jim Carnahan & Carrie Gardner – Casting Directors
How To Get Tickets
Fans who register at the show’s website can access an exclusive pre-sale before tickets become available to the general public.
Eligible Capital One cardholders also receive early access during the pre-sale period.
General ticket sales are on sale now, with performances currently scheduled through November 21, 2027.
Is It Family Friendly?
The production is recommended for most audiences, although children ages 8 and under may find some content unsuitable.
It All Began In Nashville
Before heading to Broadway, DOLLY: A True Original Musical debuted in Parton’s hometown of Nashville at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts.
The production sold out its entire run and became the most successful production in the venue’s history, drawing international attention ahead of its Broadway transfer. The musical also reflects Parton’s long-standing relationship with Belmont University through initiatives like Dolly U and her induction into the university’s Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum.
The post Everything You Need To Know About Dolly Parton’s ‘DOLLY: A True Original Musical’ Before It Hits Broadway appeared first on Country Now.
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Meet Rose Palermo, the hot-shot Nashville divorce lawyer who’s representing Jelly Roll, RaeLynn and Summer Pardi in their respective divorces this year. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Meet Rose Palermo, the hot-shot Nashville divorce lawyer who’s representing Jelly Roll, RaeLynn and Summer Pardi in their respective divorces this year. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
If there’s one thing to know about Russell Dickerson, it’s that he will always keep a crowd entertained, even though unplanned moments like a wardrobe malfunction.
On Friday, July 10, he country act took the stage at Arnolds Park Amusement Park in Iowa as part of the venue’s Premium Summer Concert Series. While performing in front of the packed crowd, he discovered that his pants zipper had been down. Rather than letting the mishap derail the show, Dickerson leaned the moment with his signature humor.
He paused to address the issue as soon as he realized what was happening. In a fan-captured video, he’s seen sitting on the steps on his stage and accusing the crowd, “I didn’t see nobody telling me my fly was down.”
The video then cuts to a clip prior to that moment, where Dickerson was unknowingly dancing and grooving his hips while his fly was very clearly down. He finally realized mid-song and even changed the lyrics to the tune he was singing and changed the lyrics to say, “gotta zip my…” while fixing the issue at hand.
Dickerson later apologized, “I’m sorry this is a family friendly event, I know, I’m sorry”
@leah_joy16
He later joked that he had noticed fans motioning that his zipper was down, but at the time he didn’t realize what they were trying to tell him. Russell Dickerson’s initial thought was that they were trying to start a new handshake, and then figured they were having such a great time, they were indicating that they wanted the music turned up even louder. But the truth is they were just attempting to help let him know about the real issue at hand.
“I apologize on behalf of myself, my family, my touring crew, my personal, I’m sorry,” he added, causing laughter to erupt from the crowd.
Once the “Happen To Me” singer’s pants were properly zipped up, the epic show continued.
Russell Dickerson wrapped up his headlining RUSSELLMANIA Tour in May, which included a sold-out Red Rocks show. Throughout the summer he has kept himself busy making appearances at a slew of various fairs and festivals.
Next up, he will head to St. Johns, NL for the Churchill Park Music Festival on July 24 followed by a trip to Timmins, ON for the Rock On the River event on July 25.
A full list of upcoming tour dates can be found on his official website.
The post Russell Dickerson Keeps Fans Laughing After Hilarious Mid-Show Wardrobe Malfunction appeared first on Country Now.
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The Grand Ole Opry is calling on country music fans to help protect the future of AM radio and WSM by supporting the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.
The iconic Nashville establishment is encouraging listeners to contact Congress in support of the bipartisan legislation, which would require all new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. to include AM radio as standard equipment.
For more than a century, 650 AM WSM and the Grand Ole Opry have gone hand in hand, helping introduce sounds of country music, bluegrass and Americana music to audiences around the world while also sharing updates and exciting moments of Music City. Now, with some automakers removing AM radio from newer vehicles the Opry is warning that it’s more important than ever to ensure the technology remains accessible in every vehicle across the U.S.
“Today, AM radio remains a vital source of news, weather, emergency alerts, and local programming for millions of Americans. As automakers continue transitioning to new vehicle technologies, Congress is considering the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act to help ensure AM radio remains available in every car,” the Opry shared in a new statement.
According to the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) AM radio continues to reach tens of millions of listeners each week, serving as a trusted source for local and national news, sports, weather, entertainment and religious programming. It’s also a vital resource for rural and agricultural communities, as it provides farmers and ranchers with important weather updates, crop reports and more.
AM radio also plays a critical role in public safety. Dubbed “the backbone of the nation’s Emergency Alert System,” it has the ability to continue delivering important information during severe weather and other emergencies, especially when power outages or cell service outages leave other forms of communication unavailable.
Despite the fact that AM radio has proved to be incredibly important all around the world, some automakers have already removed AM radio from electric vehicles, while others have indicated they may eliminate it from new models of gas-powered vehicles one day as well.
The bill was introduced on January 29, 2025 by Sens. Ted Cruz (TX) and Ed Markey (MA), along with 41 cosponsors. On February 5, 2025, the Senate Commerce Committee advanced S. 315 via voice vote. More than 60 Senators currently cosponsor S. 315.
If passed, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act would require the U.S. Department of Transportation to establish a rule making AM radio a standard feature in all new passenger vehicles manufactured, imported or sold in the United States. The legislation also aims to ensure drivers can easily access AM radio in their vehicles.
Until that rule takes effect, automakers that choose not to include AM radio would be required to disclose that information to consumers before purchase. They also would not be allowed to charge an additional fee for drivers to access AM radio, according to NAB.
So far, over 125 organizations, including the National Emergency Management Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, AARP, Native Public Media, SAG-AFTRA and the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters, have also chose to support the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.
The Grand Ole Opry is encouraging anyone who values the future of AM radio and WSM to speak up by texting “AM” to 39179. Doing so will send a message to Congress showing the growing support for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.
The post Grand Ole Opry Calls On Fans To Support AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act And Preserve WSM’s Legacy appeared first on Country Now.
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As fans count down to the release of Ashley Cooke‘s self-titled sophomore album, the country star is giving them another reason to get excited.
Earlier this week, Cooke officially unveiled the 15-song track list for ashley cooke, which arrives August 14 via Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music.
Rather than simply posting the songs in a graphic, Cooke revealed the track list in a creative way by showcasing the back of a denim jacket covered in custom patches. Each patch represented a song from the album, while additional embroidered details offered subtle nods to the project. Hidden throughout the jacket are gold stars, a glass of wine, silhouettes of California and Florida, a hotel key tag, an acoustic guitar, a journal and pen, the Gemini zodiac symbol, and other references tied to the album.
The project features Cooke’s current country radio single, “baby blues,” which debuted at country radio on June 22 and was among the format’s most-added songs during its first week, earning 70 station adds on Mediabase. Fans will also recognize previously released tracks including “the hell you are,” “high horse,” and “xs.”
Cooke co-wrote every song on the album alongside some of Nashville’s most celebrated writers, including Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, Ashley Gorley, Hillary Lindsey, and GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter JP Saxe.
Ahead of the album’s release, Cooke sat down with Country Now and admitted she’s “so proud” of the finished project, explaining that it represents her more authentically than anything she’s released before.
“It’s a long time coming. I’ve been working on it for a minute now and it feels like the most me that a project has been so far. I’m just really excited for it,” she shared.
Cooke also reunited with award-winning producer Dann Huff for the project and said the music was inspired by a “coastal country” sound that reflects her upbringing and personality.
“I’m from California, Florida. I’m kind of like a beach girl at heart. And so a lot of the music that I’m creating and even for the next project after this one, it’s all going to kind of have that coastal feel to it just because it’s where I’m from, it’s who I am. But there’s also a lot of traditional country feeling lyric and storytelling in the project too,” she pointed out. “So it has a good bit of everything, but that’s why I wanted to name this Ashley Cooke just like a self-titled record because it just feels like the most me.”
Ashley Cooke’s sophomore album arrives August 14 via Big Loud Records/Back Blocks Music.
Track List for ashley cooke:
- “if i’m being honest” (Ashley Cooke, Johnny Clawson, Kyle Sturrock) ^
- “high school sweetheart” (Ashley Cooke, Boy Matthews, Cleo Tighe, Lauren Hungate, AFTERHRS) *
- “baby blues” (Ashley Cooke, Johnny Clawson, Joe Fox, Kyle Sturrock, Seth Ennis) *
- “famous to frances” (Ashley Cooke, Johnny Clawson, Kyle Sturrock) *
- “johnny ‘n june” (Ashley Cooke, Lauren Hungate, Emily Weisband, Will Weatherly) *
- “excuses” (Ashley Cooke, Johnny Clawson, Kyle Sturrock) *
- “dance around it” (Ashley Cooke, Jacob Durrett, Trevor Rosen, Emily Weisband) #
- “sleepless in seattle” (Ashley Cooke, Lauren Hungate, Matt Roy, Johnny Clawson) *
- “man behind the glass (feat. JP Saxe)” (Ashley Cooke, JP Saxe, Emily Weisband, Scott Krueger) + ♡
- “i’m up and i’m down” (Ashley Cooke, Jordan Minton, Jordan Reynolds, Mark Trussell) *
- “the hell you are” (Ashley Cooke, Chase McGill, Emily Weisband, Seth Ennis, Joe Fox) *
- “between the lines” (Ashley Cooke, Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose) *
- “xs” (Ashley Cooke, Ashley Gorley, Emily Weisband, Will Weatherly) *
- “when we’re 30” (Ashley Cooke, Will Weatherly, Kyle Sturrock) *
- “the girl who cried wolf” (Ashley Cooke, Emily Weisband, Lauren Hungate, Joe Fox) ~ ♡
Produced by Dann Huff *
Produced by Will Weatherly ^
Produced by Jacob Durrett #
Produced by Joe Fox ~
Produced by Spacecamp +
Produced by Ashley Cooke ♡
The post Ashley Cooke Reveals Sophomore Album Track List, Says Project ‘Feels Like the Most Me’ appeared first on Country Now.
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Morgan Wallen is once again teasing unreleased music with nothing but his voice and a piano, giving fans a stripped-down preview of a track that already has listeners begging for a release.
The country superstar has previously made it a habit of teasing unreleased songs in this fashion. By taking the focus off the heavy production, fans are able to focus on the story at hand, as they take in the lyrics emerging from his raw vocals.
In a new Instagram video, the camera captures him sitting at a piano, singing a vulnerable song about a relationship that may simply not be meant to last. Although no title was given yet, Wallen teased, “Maybe I’ll release this one before the boats get winterized this time.”
From just the brief snippet of the tune, it’s clear that this track finds the Tennessee native wrestling with the realization that despite two people wanting to make a relationship work, love alone isn’t always enough.
It seems that at things were good at the start of their romance, but over time their connection has slowly started to fade, making for a bittersweet ballad about knowing when it’s time to let go.
Wallen sings, “We don’t even fight like we used to/ We don’t even care enough to cry no more/ It’s been a hundred nights since I knew you/How long we gonna keep looking at that door/ If it was meant to be we woulda been by now/ We wouldn’t have to keep trying to work things out/ And baby we’re a breeze when the lights go down/ It wouldn’t be so hard when we ain’t in the dark/ We were in the stars that aligned right up/ Maybe from the start we’ve been trying too much/ I know you want to think that it’s what we found but if it was meant to be we’d of been by now/ Been by now.”
The intimate preview immediately struck a chord with fans. Many flooded the comments section asking the hitmaker to release the song as soon as possible.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting new music since 2025’s massive I’m The Problem album. The 37-song project featured five collaborations including Tate McRae on “What I Want,” Eric Church on “Number 3 and Number 7,” HARDY on “Come Back As A Redneck,” ERNEST on “The Dealer,” and Post Malone on the previously announced “I Ain’t Comin’ Back.” It also spawned a slew of fan-favorites and several No. 1 hits.
Morgan Wallen is currently nearing the end of his Still the Problem Tour, which launched April 10 in Minneapolis, MN, with back-to-back shows at U.S. Bank Stadium.
With just three weekends left, he will head to Baltimore, MD on July 17 and 18, Ann Arbor, MI on July 24 and 25 and Philadelphia, PA on July 31 and August 1 to close it out.
The post Morgan Wallen Shares Stripped-Down Preview Of Unreleased Song appeared first on Country Now.
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