Author: Kelly Whitewood

Jamey Johnson & Riley Green: From Alabama Brothers to Duet Partners You could say Jamey Johnson and Riley Green were destined to cross paths. Both proud Alabama natives and former students at Jacksonville State University, the two share not only musical roots but also a friendship built on humor, golf, and mutual respect. “There’s a natural connection with us there,” Johnson said. “I was immediately impressed with his writing and singing.” A Friendship Built on Humor and Respect Johnson admires Green’s sharp wit and easygoing personality — a key part of their bond. “One of my favorite things about Riley…

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Kelly Clarkson Honors Reba McEntire With “Fancy” at the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors When Reba McEntire was named one of the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors recipients, Kelly Clarkson took the stage to deliver a stunning performance of “Fancy” in her honor — and left both the audience and Reba herself in tears. A Tribute to a Country Legend The Kennedy Center Honors celebrate artists who’ve made an enduring cultural impact, and in 2018, Reba joined a prestigious list that included Cher and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. The event took place on December 2, 2018, with fellow artists performing tributes to…

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Blake Shelton’s Raw 2008 Cover of “She Talks to Angels” Remains a Hidden Gem Before he was The Voice coach, TV star, or household name, Blake Shelton was just a hungry country singer with a guitar and a lot of soul. Back in 2008, Shelton delivered a stripped-down, emotionally charged version of The Black Crowes’ rock classic “She Talks to Angels.” At the time, Shelton was still in his early rise — his hair only recently short after the mullet years, his career gaining steam in mainstream country, and his performances marked by grit and heart rather than glitz. Revisiting…

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Brandon Lake & Lainey Wilson Unite for a Soulful New Song, “The Jesus I Know Now” Christian music powerhouse Brandon Lake has teamed up with reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson for an emotional new ballad titled “The Jesus I Know Now.” The collaboration, revealed on November 5th, marks one of Lake’s most anticipated cross-genre partnerships to date — blending heartfelt worship with Wilson’s signature country storytelling. A Collaboration Rooted in Faith and Redemption Lake shared that the song was born out of a deep conversation about how people often grow up being taught a version of Jesus…

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Gracie McGraw Shines at Carnegie Hall — Supported by Proud Parents Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Gracie McGraw, the eldest daughter of country icons Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, recently achieved a major milestone in her music career — performing on the legendary Carnegie Hall stage in New York City. The performance took place on April 21st, as part of The Great War & The Great Gatsby, a concert within historian-narrator John Monksy’s American History Unbound series. A Powerful, Historical Concert According to its official description, the show was “equal parts concert, suspense, drama, romance, tribute, and exhibition of rare…

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Jamey Johnson Talks About Constantly Being Mistaken for Chris Stapleton Country singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson has been a staple in the country music world for over two decades, known for hits like “The Dollar” and songwriting credits for legends such as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Trace Adkins. Despite his long career and unmistakable talent, Jamey admits that fans — and even airport staff — often confuse him with another country superstar: Chris Stapleton. A Familiar Case of Mistaken Identity During an appearance on the Rolling Stone podcast Nashville Now, Johnson revealed that the mix-ups have been happening for years. “People…

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Ella Langley Shares the Story Behind Her Collaboration With HARDY on “Never Met Anyone Like You” Rising country star Ella Langley recently teamed up with HARDY for the fiery duet “Never Met Anyone Like You,” a track that flips expectations — starting as a heartfelt love song before delivering a sharp lyrical twist aimed at the song’s subject. During a live show following its release, Langley shared how the collaboration came to be, calling it an absolute “dream come true.” From Fan to Collaborator Langley told the crowd she had been a HARDY fan long before moving to Nashville, often…

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Everything We Know About CMA Country Christmas 2025 As 2025 draws to a close, the Country Music Association (CMA) is once again bringing holiday cheer with its beloved annual special, CMA Country Christmas. From the hosts to the performers and air date, here’s a full breakdown of what fans can expect from this year’s festive celebration. 📅 When and Where to Watch The holiday special will air on ABC on December 2 at 9/8c, with streaming available the following day on Hulu and Disney+. Filming took place at the Fisher Center on October 8, and the CMA has been teasing…

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Kane Brown Opens Up About His Life-Changing Health Transformation Kane Brown has been on an impressive fitness and wellness journey, shedding 24 pounds and transforming both his body and mindset. In a candid interview with PEOPLE, the country star revealed how quitting nicotine, giving up alcohol, and committing to discipline changed his life from the inside out. Breaking Old Habits Brown said it all started with a New Year’s resolution to quit using ZYN nicotine pouches, a habit he’d picked up after dipping tobacco in high school. He credited his wife, Katelyn Brown, for encouraging him to make the change.…

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Jelly Roll Celebrates Major Milestone in His Health Journey Since beginning his fitness transformation in 2022, country star Jelly Roll has achieved something remarkable — losing 200 pounds and dropping below 300 pounds for the first time since middle school. A New Lease on Life The “Wild Ones” singer’s hard work and determination have given him a new sense of freedom. During a tour stop in Berlin, Germany, Jelly finally got to do something he’d dreamed of for years — ride an electric scooter through the streets. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jelly Roll (@jellyroll615) In…

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