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The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Category: Music
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The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Thomas Rhett and his wife, Lauren Akins, are adding another little one to their family: baby No. five is on the way!
The country superstar, 35, shared the exciting news on Instagram early Tuesday (Aug. 26). In the sweet video, Lauren can be heard saying, “Are you ready, honey?” before stepping into the frame to join Thomas, who’s strumming his guitar.
As Lauren, 35, shows off her growing baby bump, Thomas delivers an acoustic rendition of his 2018 hit “Life Changes,” but with a special twist: updated lyrics to announce their big news.
“Well I was wrappin’ my head around bein’ a dad/ A bigger wrench got thrown in the plans we thought we had/ Now Lauren’s showin’ and got one on the way/ Yeah, that’s five under 10, hey what can I say? Yeah, life changes, You wake up ain’t nothin’ the same,” he sings.
As he strums the guitar, Lauren reveals her ultrasound photos with a big smile.
They captioned the clip, “Here we go again! We’ve got some really excited big sisters in our house. God is so good.”
Thomas and Lauren are already parents to four girls: Willa Gray (9), Ada James (8) , Lennon Love (5), and Lillie Carolina (3).
Thomas and Lauren have been open about their desire to have a big family. In 2024, he admitted that they were thinking about having another, telling Backstage Country, “I think we go back and forth because I’ve heard a lot of people older than me say so many times like, ‘I wish I’d had more kids.’ Or you never hear somebody in their sixties be like, ‘I wish I’d had less kids.’ No one ever says that.”
At the time, they were still “trying to figure it out” and decide between adopting and having another biological child.
“Although it would be hard now to add another one or two more or whatever, but I know that time will go by so fast and at some point there could be five or six children sitting at our Thanksgiving table,” he said. “So, it’s not out of the question. I think we’re tryin’ to figure out when, and do we want to try biological, do we wanna adopt again? I think those are questions that we’re kinda dealing with.”
Thomas and Lauren have yet to reveal the due date or gender of their fifth child.
The post Thomas Rhett and Wife Lauren Akins Expecting Fifth Child appeared first on Country Now.
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Two artists, both dads with important messages to share with their sons, are coming together to create deeply personal moment through music. Walker Hayes just released “Song For My Son,” with Kane Brown, a spiritual collaboration that appears on Hayes’ latest album, 17 Problems, out now via RCA Records.
The song came to life during a writing session between Hayes, Ben Williams and Billy Dawson. Although Hayes was quick to admit he isn’t too fond of the act of praying out loud, he found comfort in this song and it’s raw, introspective reflection on fatherhood, faith, and the struggle to break generational cycles.
This narrative follows a father seeking help from the man above as he grapples with the worry that his past of addiction and old habits will be passed down to his son. At the same time, he also feels the weight of raising a son while trying to confront the mistakes of his own father.
Hayes’ strong vocals can be heard in the first portion of the song, which finds him illustrating the emotions running through his mind as he reflects on 10 years of sobriety. Brown then steps in to share his story, stating while he has “nothin’ against my dad,” there are moments when he looks in the mirror and feels anger over his desire to not repeat history with his son.
The story then follows their respective conversations with Jesus, asking him to act as a guide through this chapter even though their connection may be as strong anymore.
They come together to sing their humble pleas on the chorus, “Jesus, please just come on back I need ya/ I’m desperate, messed up, tryin’ to do my best but/ I’m scared all I’m passin’ my son down is my bad stuff/ Father, help me how am I supposed to do this dad stuff/ I hate church but I love you/ And I’m prayin’ he does too/ Looks up to me but I hope he sees me lookin’ up to/ Jesus, Jesus.”
Both Brown and Hayes have openly shared that this kind of a concern is something that has always followed them through life and now, both fathers to young boys, it’s more fitting than ever.
“Crazy to have a song out with @kanebrown that’s a prayer. One for all to hear. One that @billydawsonmusic @ben.williams.music and I wrote and weren’t performing, we were just talking to God,” Hayes wrote in a new Instagram post.
He goes on to further open up about his struggles with faith and vulnerability, stating “I don’t really love praying out loud. It’s tough for me to just focus on my conversation with the Lord, and not think how people listening could potentially be ‘grading’ my performance. And I’m probably, in a weird way, grading myself. I know it’s not a performance and I should only fear the Lord himself but I’m just being honest here…”
He then noted that “Song For My Son” is the “heart” of his just-released album, 17 Problems.
“…it’s the most meaningful track on my album, 17 Problems. It feels like a gift from the Lord…Writing it was a truly special experience, and I hope its honest message touches people,” Hayes admitted. “I’m honored Kane appreciates the song as much as we do, and his voice was perfect; he gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it. It means a lot to have him join me on this.”
The “2 Pair” singer added, “When Walker sent me the song, I knew I just had to jump on it with him. I love the lyrics and sentiment. I connected to it immediately and have such respect for Walker as both an artist and a father.”
Walker Hayes’ new project is hailed as being “his most honest and emotionally raw album to date.” Throughout the 17 songs, he offers unfiltered storytelling and raw vulnerability while covering topics of grief, growth, and gratitude.
“This album is very reflective. I think you can tell I’m in the middle of losing my dad and raising kids. I’m at that corner of the road in life when you’re looking back on your childhood – you can see it as clear as you ever have – but you’re looking down the barrel of raising kids and keeping your family together. Accidentally, that is a common thread. The songs have this ‘in retrospect’ feeling, and then also, ‘what does the future look like? How do I do this?’” Hayes shares.
In addition to “Song For My Son,” fans will find standout tracks like “17 Year Old Problems, “Pocket Knife,” “Neon Lights” and “Mother.”
The Alabama native wrote over 100 songs during the making of the project before ultimately selecting the final 17 tracks. He worked with collaborators including Grammy-winning producers and songwriters Warren “Oak” Felder (Sabrina Carpenter, Lizzo) and Shane McAnally, as well as Grammy-nominated Bart Millard (MercyMe). However, some of the album’s most intimate moments came from Hayes writing alone.
In support of the album, Walker Hayes has announces that he will be hitting the road on Walker Hayes: Unplugged Tour. The 18-date trek will offer fans a stripped-back acoustic experience, allowing them to get a Hayes himself and the stories behind the songs.
Before kicking off the run on October 17, Hayes will make his Grand Ole Opry debut on August 29.
Tickets for the Unplugged Tour are on-sale now HERE.
The post Walker Hayes Teams Up With Kane Brown For Heartfelt ‘Song For My Son’ appeared first on Country Now.
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Over the weekend, Morgan Wallen performed two epic back-to-back shows at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. While fans were given a show to remember, the country music superstar is now facing a hefty fine after violating curfew.
The Boston Herald reported that on Friday, August 22, Wallen extended his show an extra 14 minutes past the 11:30 p.m. curfew set by Foxborough. The fine is calculated at a rate of 25 cents per fan, according to the outlet, meaning he is now being charged with a nearly $16,000 fine.
“The Morgan Wallen concert on Friday night is being fined for exceeding the curfew, and his team is aware of this,” a Foxborough spokesperson shared in a statement. “The curfew was set for 11:30 p.m., but the last song began at 11:44 p.m.— 14 minutes past the cutoff.”
Following Friday night’s extended performance, he then returned to the stage, set in the home of the New England Patriots, and delivered his second of two sold-out shows as part of his “I’m the Problem” tour.
Morgan Wallen isn’t the only artist to exceed the town’s strict curfew policy. He now sits just behind Bruce Springsteen who played close to midnight in 2016 and was fined for over 22k. Springsteen made history with this extended performance and still holds the record for the artist with the biggest fine in Gillette history.
Nonetheless, Wallen made both shows a night to remember. He kicked things off by continuing his now-iconic walk-out tradition and welcomed two special guests to join him in making his way to the stage at the start of the concert. On Friday night, he was walked out with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and on Saturday, he was accompanied by Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski.
“GRONK’S BACKKKKKKKK,” Gillette Stadium and the Patriots wrote on Instagram.
The I’m The Problem Tour kicked off on June 20–21 in Houston, TX, and is set to continue through mid-September. There are only four stops left before the Tennessee native wraps up the highly successful run. He is next set to perform in Toronto, Ontario on September 4 and 5 and then make his way to Edmonton, Alberta for his final shows on September 12 and conclude the hugely successful tour on September 13.
The tour has featured a rotating lineup of artists, including Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett and Koe Wetzel join in direct support with Gavin Adcock, Corey Kent, Ella Langley and Anne Wilson. Having these epic acts on the road have made for plenty of stand-out moments.
Throughout the trek, fans have been treated to a set list full of hits from Wallen’s catalog, in addition to some of his newest releases of his album that inspired the name of the tour.
Once he wraps things up in September, Morgan Wallen’s schedule appears to be clear for the remainder of the year.
The post Morgan Wallen Faces Nearly $16k Fine After Violating Curfew In Foxborough, MA appeared first on Country Now.
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Chapel Hart has revealed that they’re putting their work as a trio on hold as they begin to focus on pursuing their separate dreams and ventures.
The group, made up of sisters Danica Hart and Devynn Hart, and cousin Trea Swindle, took to social media on Tuesday, August 26 to share the news with fans. In a bittersweet message, they reflected on Chapel Hart’s incredible journey, expressing gratitude for the unforgettable moments and experiences they “never could have imagined” having when they first formed the band.
“We have laughed, cried, grown, and stood on stages we used to dream about. More than anything, we have shared a bond that goes deeper than music, and that part will always remain,” the statement began.
With “new seasons” of life ahead for each of the female singer/songwriters, they have decided to step back from working together for the time being. However, they confirmed, “this is not a goodbye,” but instead a “celebration of everything we have built and a step toward everything still to come,” they continued.
The members of Chapel Hart goes on to kindly ask fans for the same grace, understanding and support they have already shown them for so many years as they embark on new endeavors. This new chapter finds Danica stepping out on her own while Devynn and Trea come together to form a new due called Magnolia Rising.
A fresh set of social media pages have already been created for the emerging duo under the handle, magnoliarisingofficial. Their very first post reads, “It’s time to rise. A new chapter begins…
✨This is Magnolia Rising✨We’ve walked through fire and came out stronger, and we can’t wait to share the music, the stories, and the ride with you. 👉 Follow along cause this is only the beginning!!”
Lastly, the trio expressed gratitude for everyone who has been a part of their “incredible ride” up to this point.
“The Chapel Hart story will always be a beautiful part of our lives, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for each of us.”
The Mississippi singer/songwriters will not be leaving fans hanging for their previously scheduled shows together. Instead they have chosen to honor the community they’ve built together over the years by agreeing to perform their upcoming shows as planned.
“We hope that we get to see each and every one of you on the road!! We love and thank you for being a part of the congregation and we look forward to your continued support,” the message concluded.
Chapel Hart currently has two more appearances on the books – one in Stockbridge, GA on August 29 and another at the Keep It Country Festival 2025 in Wolverhampton, UK on October 25.
The news follows the trio’s announcement in November of 2023, which revealed their feelings of defeat in the industry and decision to move forward as independent artists as a result.
“It did take a long time to come to this conclusion, but we feel like it’s really the only way we can proceed,” Swindle shared at the time.
Prior to making this call, Chapel Hart had taken their career to new heights when they appeared on the 17th season of America’s Got Talent. During their time on the singing competition show, the trio earned the coveted Golden Buzzer from the judges and made their way all the way to the finals.
This experience made their band known by major names in the country music community, including Dolly Parton who publicly sang their praises for their reimagined tune, “You Can Have Him Jolene” and Darius Rucker who invited them to sing a track on his latest album, Carolyn’s Boy. Before her passing, Loretta Lynn also personally requested that they write the song “Welcome to Fist City,” inspired by her 1968 classic “Fist City.”
After the show, Chapel Hart’s momentum continued to soar as they made their Grand Ole Opry debut, embarked on a headlining run and released their Glory Days album. Despite all their efforts, they were unable to secure a deal with a major label and found themselves struggling to fill the 1,200-1,500 capacity venues.
It has not been an easy journey for the group over the past few years. While plenty of fans expressed their disappointment over their most recent news, there was also an abundance of support poured out for their decision.
Fans can stay up to date on their next adventures through their respective social media platforms.
The post Chapel Hart Reveals Plans To Put Trio On Hold, Promises ‘This Is Not A Goodbye’ appeared first on Country Now.
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Zach Top is a country artist who prides himself on delivering authenticity in his music and he does so by drawing inspiration from real-life experiences, even the hard ones. During a recent interview with The New York Times, Top opened up about regrets from one of those particularly difficult chapters: his divorce.
It all started when the outlet inquired about his biggest mistake.
“You listen to ‘Use Me’ and figure that out,” he replied, referencing the tune that he’s previously called a “cheatin’ waltz” as it tells the story of two lonely strangers who agree to use each other as a source of comfort while battling strains on their respective love life.
From there, he owned up to the moments in his past where he made decisions he isn’t too proud of. The outlet alluded to the fact that he was speaking on his divorce from a woman named Kinzi whom he’d started dating in college. The pair tied the knot in 2020, and she filed for divorce sometime in 2024 but kept the reason for their split private.
“I [expletive] some big stuff up, made a good mess,” he revealed. “I was always just kinda like, yeah, yeah, I know. It happens to everybody. That [expletive] ain’t gonna happen to me…And yeah, sure enough, it snuck right up on me.”
Top explained that his rapid rise to fame began to take over his focus and suddenly a whole new set of unfamiliar challenges and temptations started to put a strain not only on his former relationship, but his own conscience.
“Most of the time I couldn’t be happier getting to do what I do every day, but yeah,” he continued. “It brought a lot more complication to, whatever it is. Money or, all of a sudden, women wanting you. It brings a lot more complication. And so, I don’t know, I think that raises some more questions about just what exactly am I doing all this for, other than, you know, my love of the music.”
He added, “Every now and then it takes a while to fall asleep, and you start thinking about, the hell am I doing?”
Despite the challenges and lessons learned along the way, the Washington native isn’t slowing down. Instead, he continues to channel those experiences into his music and live performances, allowing him to solidify his place as one of country’s most promising new acts.
And while his songs often explore heartbreak, offstage he’s found happiness again with his new girlfriend Amelia Taylor, who has become a steady presence on the road, at major award shows and even appeared in the music video for his summertime anthem, “Good Times & Tan Lines.”
The couple made their red carpet debut at the 58th Annual CMA Awards in November 2024 and then strutted out together once again at the 2025 ACM Awards.
The “South of Sanity” singer is just a few days from dropping even more personal tunes on his new album Ain’t In It For My Health, arriving Friday, August 29 on Leo33.
Plus, his Cold Beer & Country Music headline tour continues through the fall.
The post Zach Top Opens Up About His Past, The Challenges Of Fame, And Finding Love Again appeared first on Country Now.
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