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Vincent Mason Faces Heartbreak Head-On In New Song, ‘Damned If I Do’

Rising star Vincent Mason finds himself consumed by heartbreak in his newest release, “Damned If I Do.”  

Co-written by the 24-year-old alongside Jacob Hackworth and Lauren Hungate, “Damned If I Do” finds Mason stepping slightly outside his sonic comfort zone as he explores the lingering pain of heartbreak. He knows he should move on, but he’s left feeling stuck, trapped in the memories of what once was.

Vincent Mason; Photo Provided
Vincent Mason; Photo Provided

“Damn right I’m a damn mess/ In the same damn spot as the night you left/ Hall of fame heartbreaker/ Damned if you ain’t the best/ Ripped the damn thing right out my chest/ Don’t know how I’m supposed to cut you loose/ Don’t know how I’m gonna let you go/ Damned if I do, damned if I don’t/ Get over you, so I guess I won’t,” Mason sings on the chorus. 

It’s raw and relatable, so much so that the track has already garnered over 1 million streams since its Friday release, an impressive feat for a rising star. 

@vincentmason_ THANK Y’ALL #countrymusic #trendingcountry #songwriter #morganwallen ♬ Damned If I Do – Vincent Mason

After learning how many streams the song had racked up in just three days, Vincent Mason took to TikTok to share his gratitude. 

“Thank y’all so much [for real], I can’t say how much I appreciate it,” he wrote. 

Of the inspiration behind the song, the Interscope/MCA Nashville/Music Soup songwriter and artist shared, “Coming off of my first year of touring, I wanted something different musically that I could look forward to playing every night.I wrote it with Lauren Hungate and Jacob Hackworth, two of my favorite writers in town. This song is one of my favorite moments on the new record, and I’m sure it will be one of my favorites on the road.”

Vincent Mason kicked off 2025 with his first-ever headlining tour, Hell Is A Dance Floor, which sold out during presale and was extended with a second leg thanks to high demand. He’s keeping the momentum going all year long, joining Riley Green, Luke Bryan, Jordan Davis, and Parker McCollum on select dates and appearing at major festivals nationwide.

His highly anticipated debut album is expected to drop this fall.

Vincent Mason Tour Dates

7/24/25 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 %
7/25/25 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway %
7/26/25 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion %
8/2/25 – Richmond, VA – Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront %
8/9/25 – Council Grove, KS – Time Stands Still Festival
8/14/25 – Fresno, CA – Selland Arena
8/15/25 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center at San Jose &
8/16/25 – Murphys, CA – Ironstone Amphitheatre &
8/21/25 – Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Casino & Resort &
8/22/25 – Ridgefield, WA – Cascades Amphitheater &
8/23/25 – Abbotsford, BC – Abbotsford Centre &
9/4/25 – Lubbock, TX – United Supermarkets Arena &
9/5/2025 – San Angelo, TX – Foster Communications Coliseum &
9/6/2025 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion &
9/11/2025 – Greater Palm Springs, CA – Acrisure Arena ^
9/12/2025 – Concord, CA – Toyota Pavilion at Concord ^
9/13/2025 – Sacramento, CA – Country in the Park 2
9/18/2025 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre ^
9/19/2025 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre ^
9/20/2025 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater ^
9/24/2025 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheater ^
9/26/2025 – Independence, MO – Cable Dahmer Arena ^
9/27/2025 – St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena ^
10/2/2025 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall ^
10/3/2025 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway ^
10/9/2025 – Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena ^
10/10/2025 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena ^
10/11/2025 – Milwaukee, WI – BMO Harris Pavilion ^
10/12/2025 – Salt Lake City, UT – Redwest
10/16/2025 – Fairborn, OH – Nutter Center ^
10/17/2025 – Hershey, PA – Giant Center ^
10/23/205 – Duluth, GA – Gas South Arena ^
10/24/2025 – Savannah, GA – Enmarket Arena ^
10/25/2025 – Estero, FL – Hertz Arena ^
11/22/2025 – St. Petersburg, FL – St. Pete Country Fest*Luke Bryan
^Jordan Davis
&Parker McCollum
%Riley Green

The post Vincent Mason Faces Heartbreak Head-On In New Song, ‘Damned If I Do’ appeared first on Country Now.

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Zach Top’s Girlfriend Amelia Taylor Shuts Down Rumors About Their Relationship

Zach Top’s girlfriend, Amelia Taylor, is speaking out after facing online harassment and scrutiny from social media users. 

In a new post shared to her TikTok account, Taylor opened up about the emotional toll being with someone in the public eye has taken on her and reminded people that she is human too. 

While Taylor didn’t name names or respond to specific rumors circulating about her, she made it clear that much of the speculation surrounding her relationship with Top is not true, including claims about her age, how they met, and accusations of infidelity. 

Zach Top, Amelia Taylor; Photo via Instagram
Zach Top, Amelia Taylor; Photo via Instagram

“I think I learn something new about myself on here every day,” she began. “I thought I’d address this in a subtle manner since everyone is so curious.”

She admitted that she doesn’t believe her “personal life needs to be made public,” but felt the need to set the record straight due to receiving “de@Th threats, su!cide wishes, and assault threats.”  

“Being with someone in the public eye doesn’t cancel out the fact that I’m human with real human feelings,” Taylor pointed out. “I’m not 19. I’ve never been anyone’s mistress. I didn’t meet my boyfriend when I was in high school.” 

@ameliagtaylor

I think I learn something new about myself on here every day. I thought I’d address this in a subtle manner since everyone is so curious. Not that I believe my personal life needs to be made public, but simply because the de@Th threats, su!cide wishes, and assault threats are getting a little out of control. Being with someone in the public eye doesn’t cancel out the fact that I’m human with real human feelings. I’m not 19. I’ve never been anyone’s mistress. I didn’t meet my boyfriend when I was in highschool. I specifically meant the signs that are *self-degrading* to the beautiful girls holding them up and objectifying another human simply because of his talent💕 Disliking another human is fine! Differing opinions make the world go round! However, the de*th threats and su!cide wishes are not okay- Let’s remember that everything we read on the internet isn’t always true! Humans are human- they make mistakes, they’re imperfect. It’s simply the beauty of being human! If you’re constantly sending hate my way, of course I’m going to block you. No human is numb to the hurt that words can cause- Learn to love. It makes life a lot more enjoyable🤍 I just wanna travel and pet kangaroos💋💋

♬ original sound – ameliagtaylor

She also took a moment to address her previous TikTok post that called out the “wild texts chicks are holding up” in the crowd at Top’s shows. In her caption, she declared, “We need a lesson on self respect.” She later disabled the comments on that post as it seemed to have ruffled a few feathers. 

“I specifically meant the signs that are *self-degrading* to the beautiful girls holding them up and objectifying another human simply because of his talent,” she clarified. 

@ameliagtaylor

We need a lesson on self respect fr.

♬ Boot Scootin Boogie Real Hypha Remix – RealHypha

Taylor reminded her followers that “everything we read on the internet isn’t always true” and said, “Disliking another human is fine! Differing opinions make the world go round! However, the de*th threats and su!cide wishes are not okay.” 

She promised that she will block anyone who sends hate her way and urged people to choose compassion, writing: “Learn to love. It makes life a lot more enjoyable.”

Zach Top, Amelia Taylor; Photo by Disney/Scott Kirkland
Zach Top, Amelia Taylor; Photo by Disney/Scott Kirkland

Amelia Taylor and Zach Top made their red carpet debut at the 58th Annual CMA Awards in November 2024. Since then, Amelia has often traveled with Top and is known to document their tour experiences on social media. 

They recently walked the red carpet together at the 2025 ACM Awards, where he revealed that he styles himself, which makes it difficult for the couple to coordinate their outfits. 

“I think my girlfriend gets tired of me ‘cause I say like, ‘alright, let’s wear this.’ She wants it to be kind of coordinated. You’ve got to have it on the same page. Then a week before it’s like, ‘maybe I want to wear this instead,’” he explained. “So I give her hell for sure. But she makes it through. She’s a wonderful woman and puts up with a lot of grief for me.” 

The post Zach Top’s Girlfriend Amelia Taylor Shuts Down Rumors About Their Relationship appeared first on Country Now.

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HARDY Turns Fan’s Tough Week Around With Unforgettable Act of Kindness

HARDY turned one fan’s bad week around with an unforgettable act of kindness. Before his July 19 show at the Great Jones County Fair, the country-rocker and his crew stopped at a local restaurant in Monticello, Iowa, where a simple conversation turned into something special.

Inside the American restaurant called the Blind Pig, they met a server, Carter Kurt, who just so happened to also be a HARDY fan. They overheard over customers give Carter a compliment on his hard work, which resulted in him admitting that he’s been going through a rough patch lately.

“The people that were even behind us complimented him and just said, ‘you’re a really great server.’ And he told her ‘Thank you so much. I’ve actually had a really tough week,’” HARDY explained. “We just happened to overhear it. He’s a really nice guy. You can tell he is like a metalhead.”

Not realizing that it was the “Truck Bed” singer himself inside the establishment, Carter asked if they were going to the HARDY concert later that night. After learning he was a fan, HARDY came up with a plan to bring some positivity into Carter’s life and decided to share snippets of the events that unfolded next on social media.

“I’m going to ask him if he wants to come backstage, hang out with us before the show, watch the whole show from side stage. Maybe bring us the flag. So hopefully he’s available tonight and we’ll make it happen.”

Carter happily accepted the invite, and in the following clips is seen hanging out backstage, meeting HARDY again, and then proudly carrying the American flag onstage during the country star’s set. He and the singer hugged in front of the massive crowd before HARDY flashed the prideful symbol from the stage.

HARDY’s simple but powerful gesture is a reminder of the fact that he is the kind of artist who truly cares about his fans.

Carter later took to the comments to express his gratitude. He admitted to feeling very emotional about the entire experience, writing “I’m trying not to cry rn😭😂 Thank yall for the amazing experience, for real even for a lil bit yall made me feel like family❤️ it was an amazing show, I’m absolutely a fan, but dude most of all thanks for being a downright chill, humble, cool, etc. you made my week. You and your whole crew deserves all the love🤘🤘❤️

HARDY with Carter Kurt; Photo via Facebook
HARDY with Carter Kurt; Photo via Facebook

In another post, he reiterated the genuineness of HARDY’s character as he credited the hit songwriter for being “a hell of a human, super down to earth, respectable, and downright fun as sh**. Tonight was a straight up out of body experience idek what to say,” Carter added.

This Iowa show took place during HARDY’s 2025 JIM BOB TOUR. Produced by Live Nation, the massive trek launched May 22 with a show at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, CA and is set to continue through September.

Following his recent decision to cancel the international dates, which were originally set to run from June 19-July 3, HARDY will next perform at WE fest in Detroit Lakes, MN on August 7.

The post HARDY Turns Fan’s Tough Week Around With Unforgettable Act of Kindness appeared first on Country Now.

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Travis Tritt Recalls The Advice From Waylon Jennings That Changed His Career Forever

Travis Tritt may have climbed the charts early in his career, but that didn’t mean Nashville always embraced him with open arms. When the pressure to fit into country music’s mold started to get heavier, Waylon Jennings was a shining light that stepped up to remind him why staying true to himself mattered most.

During an interview on the Marty & McGee CMA Fest Special presented by Regions Bank, the country act recalled how much love he felt after dropping his first three singles – “Country Club,” “Help Me Hold On,” and “I’m Gonna Be Somebody.” These songs were accepted by the Nashville industry because they fit right into the bounds of the genre, however everything changed when he wanted to switch things up to incorporate influences beyond country music in 1990’s “Put Some Drive In Your Country.”

Travis Tritt, Waylon Jennings; Photo Provided
Travis Tritt, Waylon Jennings; Photo Provided

Feeling The Negativity From Music City

“All of a sudden they hated me, man. They were just trashing me left and right. ‘We don’t know what he is. He’s a renegade, he’s a rebel, he’s a non-conformist.’ And then they finally hit on one that they really seemed to stick on. They hit on, ‘oh, we know what he is. He’s an outlaw.’ And man, that was really starting to weigh on me.”

Tritt started to receive major pushback from radio, record labels, etc., despite behind adamant about the fact that he wasn’t trying to make a statement, he was simply trying to show fans all the different musical influences that he grew up on. Waylon Jennings saw Tritt struggling to stay afloat and made sure to call attention to his resilience one night when they were both performing in Atlanta.

Jennings pulled him aside and asked, “you’re still selling records?” to which Tritt responded, “Yes, sir. Every album I’ve done so far has gone platinum or better, still drawing concert tickets. Every show we’re doing sold out.”

Travis Tritt; Photo by David Abbott
Travis Tritt; Photo by David Abbott

The Weight Of Waylon Jennings’ Words

It was what the country icon said next that made all the difference for Travis Tritt.

“He said, ‘well, there you go. That’s all that matters. You must be doing something right if those people are coming in. So to hell with all those people, ignore ’em.’ And man, that just lifted a burden off my shoulders that I don’t even think he realized at the time.”

In another previous interview with Marty Smith, Tritt went on to recall more of that life-changing conversation. He noted how Jennings pointed out that just as Nashville was quick to turn on him, it did the same to legendary acts like himself as well as Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Jr., and Kris Kristofferson.

“He said, ‘these people in Nashville, people at radio stations and these people at the record labels and these people that write for these country music magazines,’ he said, ‘they get their music for free.’ He said, ‘the people that should matter to you are those people that go out there and work 40 and 50 and 60 hours a week hard to earn that living, to put food on the table for their families, and they’re willing to spend a certain amount of that money to go out and buy your music and occasionally go out and buy a concert ticket if you come to town.’ He said, ‘that’s who you play for.’ He said, ‘those other people pay no attention to them. That’s not who you’re playing for…And it was like mind-blowing.”

Finding Success In Authenticity

Hearing this completely changed Travis Tritt’s perspective on the business. From that moment on, he has continued to live by Jennings’ advice and it’s safe to say it’s proved to be successful for him.

Throughout his career, the “Foolish Pride” singer has charted more than 40 times on the Hot Country Songs charts, including five number ones and an additional 15 top ten singles. Plus, he has scored two Grammy Awards, received four awards from the Country Music Association and has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1992.

For Tritt, that conversation marked a turning point that helped him build a legacy on his own terms.

The post Travis Tritt Recalls The Advice From Waylon Jennings That Changed His Career Forever appeared first on Country Now.

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