Nobody mixes genres, rhythms and postcards from life like Kenny Chesney. Just listening to “Carry On,” the ebullient cocktail of iconic bartender wisdom from the man the Los Angeles Times called “The People’s Superstar,” one is served a masterclass in the things that matter, the joy that should be harvested no matter what else is going on and the choices we’re given on a daily, even hourly, basis.
After spending 2025 as the first solo headliner and first country artist to play Vegas’ Sphere, two No. 1 New York Times best-seller list debuts for Heart Life Music, which was deemed “a love letter to the journey,” and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the East Tennessee songwriter/superstar returns to music with new waves of inspiration and passion for the laidback magic of being completely, unabashedly alive.
Quick to empower people to see the glass as half full, Chesney serves “Carry On,” where electric guitars cascade into a molasses melody and the lyrics capture a picture-perfect polaroid of a barmaid who’s figured out the secret of life. Sixty-nine, smoking hot and pouring drinks at Key West’s legendary Schooner Wharf, the heroine who “kissed Elvis” and had stories that “would make Penny Lane jealous” knew how to shake off what didn’t matter – with a bridge that declares, “If it feels good do it, if it doesn’t, then don’t…”
“It felt great in the studio,” explains Billboard’s Top Country Artist of the 21st Century. “Sometimes when you’re running down a song, it all just falls into place because it just feels good. ‘Carry On’ was fun, because of all the different genres we drew from. Plus, I love a chorus that throws life wide open – and reminds you how to find the light no matter what’s happening.”
Crystalizing that truth, the chorus – which begs for arms-around-each-other shout-alongs – offers a benediction that delivers everything you need on a Tuesday morning or a white-hot Saturday night. Warm baritone forward, he leans into the declaration with gusto:
“Carry on karaoke, it don’t matter if you can’t/carry a tune in a bucket anyways
Carry on, who cares what the naysayers say/if it’s Saturday night get carried away
Carry on, carry on, you can’t carry nothing with you and it won’t be long…
til it’s six carrying you home… til then you gotta carry on…”
Co-producing with Buddy Cannon, Chesney reaches – as always – for the hardcore positive vibes that define his outlook and what his songs are made of. In the same vein as the multiple-week No. 1s “American Kids,” “Save It for a Rainy Day” and “Get Along,” “Carry On” is a road map to inspire through tough times, good times and all the other times in between.
“Nothing lifts a mood like music. It’s something people can find their attitude adjustment in without doing too much work,” Chesney says. “I love that this song says, ‘Get out there and sing, even if you can’t carry a tune in a bucket – because that’s real. We don’t care how you sound, we just wanna see everybody with their hands up, singing along with everything they’ve got. Those songs that change your energy are everything.”
Mixing his 20th studio release, Chesney’s focus remains great songs, pushing boundaries without betraying who he is and finding hits that open up possibilities for what feeling good sounds like.
IAN MUNSICK’S “LOVE IS BLIND” ARRIVES AS MOST-ADDED AT COUNTRY RADIO
Wyoming native Ian Munsick took his first single to Country radio today under his newly-minted partnership with his own WEST TO THE REST RECORDS and Triple Tigers Records. Written by Munsick, Ryan Tyndell and Jeremy Spillman, “Love Is Blind” arrived as the most-added single upon impact, with 66 total stations adding it to rotation. Listen to “Love Is Blind” HERE.
“Love Is Blind” is Munsick’s latest release following his WEST TO THE REST RECORDS/Triple Tigers Records debut, “Geronimo.” Directed by Ben Christensen, the accompanying music video was shot in Wyoming by Isaac Spotts and produced by Caroline Munsick. Watch HERE.
Munsick also recently announced he’ll be partnering with The Landmark Hotel & Casino to open the Ian Munsick Cowboy Bar & Western Grill in August in Deadwood, S.D. Built between 1894-1920, The Landmark is Deadwood’s largest historic structure at approximately 35,000 square feet. The Ian Munsick Cowboy Bar & Western Grill will reside within over 2,600 square feet of the footprint. The venue will promote and celebrate country and western music with old school country bar decor, along with two performance stages, one indoors and one outdoors.
The Eagle Flies Free Tour, which kicked off on February 13 in Charlotte, N.C., is currently underway. With upcoming stops in Wilmington, Ohio, Pelham, Tenn. and more, Munsick is joined by a rotating lineup of guests including Ben Haggard and Kenny Whitmire. The run will include Munsick’s second headlining show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on August 25, with special guests ERNEST and Ned LeDoux.
The Eagle Flies Free Tour Dates:
Friday, April 24 || Wilmington, Ohio || Bowstring Brewyard +
Saturday, April 25 || Marietta, Ohio || Peoples Bank Arena +
Friday, May 22 || Isle of Palms, S.C. || The Wind Jammer +
Saturday, May 23 || Pelham, Tenn. || The Caverns +
Saturday, May 30 || Cocoa, Fla. || Cocoa Riverfront Park Amphitheater +
Friday, June 5 || Louisville, Ky. || Fourth Street Live
Saturday, June 27 || Libby, Mont. || Happys Inn
Tuesday, Aug. 25 || Red Rocks Amphitheatre || Morrison, Colo. &
^ w/ Ben Haggard
& w/ ERNEST and Ned LeDoux
+ w/ Kenny Whitmire
MIRANDA LAMBERT ALIGNS WITH MCA
Three-time GRAMMY Award winner Miranda Lambert will release future music with MCA, marking an exciting new chapter in her decorated recording career.
One of the most influential and enduring voices in country music, Lambert’s decision to align her next phase with a Nashville-based label reflects a continued commitment to the creative community and roots that have long shaped her artistry. With MCA, she will be supported by a team focused on global reach and impactful storytelling.
“Miranda is a generational artist whose influence and artistry continue to shape modern music,” said Mike Harris, MCA President & CEO. “We are honored to work alongside her as she enters this next chapter and we look forward to building something truly special together.”
“Throughout my life and career, I have found that the common thread in every chapter is finding the right people – songwriters, musicians, collaborators and team members – to match the moment,” says Lambert. “I am honored to join a roster and a team with such a rich history of championing artistry. I look forward to sharing this new music with the world under their banner.”
Lambert, known for her honest storytelling, commanding live performances and unwavering authenticity, continues to push the boundaries of country music while maintaining a deep connection with its roots and its fans.
A multi-dimensional superstar, she’s earned seven No. 1 solo albums, 10 No. 1 radio singles, more than 80 prestigious awards and countless RIAA certifications; conquered Las Vegas with her twice-extended Velvet Rodeo residency; blurred genres with wide-ranging collaborations; and was named to the TIME100 list of the world’s most influential people. The most-awarded artist in Academy of Country Music history, she is among the most-nominated at this year’s ceremony, with eight nods recognizing her contributions not only as an artist, yet also as a songwriter and producer.
This next chapter further reinforces MCA’s role in shaping country music’s future, bringing together a defining voice in the genre with a label committed to building lasting careers and supporting artists who continue to move the genre forward.
Lambert continues in her role as Founder of Big Loud Texas, where she remains actively involved in her business partnership and ongoing artist development efforts across the label and its publishing company.
Miranda Lambert Aligns with MCA (L-R: Stephanie Wright, EVP/Head of A&R, MCA; Mike Harris, President & CEO, MCA; Miranda Lambert; Katie McCartney, EVP/General Manager, MCA; Rob Femia, COO/EVP Business & Legal Affairs, MCA; Damon Moberly, SVP Promotion, MCA) | Photo Credit: Tyler Conrad
KENNY CHESNEY TAKES OVER FLORA-BAMA’S DOME TO CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF NO SHOES RADIO ON SIRIUSXM
Orders from Waffle House were arriving curbside before 6 a.m. as No Shoes Nation lined up, hoping to just get inside the sprawling Flora-Bama Lounge, Package Store & Oyster Bar. While only 388 would cram into the Dome with decades of bras hanging from the ceiling, even proximity to Kenny Chesney’s freewheeling romp across ten years of No Shoes Radio on SiriusXM was enough to draw hundreds of people before daybreak.
By the time the East Tennessee songwriter/superstar took the stage with a 1, 2 sweep of “Get Along” and anthemic “Flora-Bama,” the crowd was singing as loud as the band – and a clearly emotional Chesney announced, “thank you is a word you’re going to hear a lot,” it was clear this set was going to distill all the joy, all the freedom and all the revelry that has defined No Shoes Nation, “a concertgoing community rivaled perhaps only by Parrotheads and Deadheads” according to Variety.
With a summer residency at Sphere in Vegas, FloraBama was the moment where Chesney could have fun with the music, veer from the set list – “The Good Stuff” after asking for the key, a forgotten, but obvious “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems” and a lost-in-it version of George Strait’s “Carried Away” – and also dial up the sing-alongs, the positive energy and life affirming truths with the rarely played “Guitars and Tiki Bars,” Chris Stapleton’s “Never Wanted Nothing More” and the put it aside make the moment “Save It For A Rainy Day.”
By the time a particularly robust “When The Sun Goes Down” was headed to the final verse, bombshell writer/superstar-in-the-making Megan Moroney rolled onstage in a grey No Shoes Nation “corset,” and picked up the chorus. After telling the live audience and everyone listening on SiriusXM Channel 59 the story of their friendship, mutual admiration and adventures, Rosie & The Revival swooped into Moroney’s “You Had To Be There.”
Announcing Megan had just joined the band, the pair shared the smoky “You & Tequila,” a song of knowing better and somehow giving in. That ability to make intimacy massive had defined earlier performances of “Island Boy,” sent out to Boat Captain Ben in Maine, a surging “When I See This Bar” dedicated to FloraBama pirate/poet Jimmy Lewis, and a jubilant “Three Little Birds” for good friend Ziggy Marley and the entire Marley family that led into the tropical “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven” that felt like personal witness.
“Some days, the songs are just bigger than you are, and they take you where they and the people want to be,” Chesney said of the show. “It was so alive, so free and we were all so glad to be together playing, being with the people, that energy took over everything. Whether it was up tempo or thoughtful, talking or laughing, it reminds me why music is the most powerful force to bring us together.”
Indeed, the turbo-shanty “Pirate Flag” came with all the swagger and bravado required; right down to a woman dressed in full wench regalia in the sweltering crowd. For a band built to rock, they kicked things into another gear. But “American Kids,” which closed the 90 minutes, delivered the loudest, biggest cheers and rush of what a great band can do.
“It’s crazy: people more on fire at the end than the beginning,” Chesney marveled. “When we hit that intro, you could feel the energy double and slam right into us. Talk about a wild ride! It’s the exact reason we do this, and the reason we can’t get to Vegas soon enough.
“I’ve lived a lot of life on No Shoes Radio. I am so grateful to SiriusXM for taking what we do and amplifying it all over the world. A whole lot has happened over the last ten years, and because of them, we’ve been able to live it with everyone who loves these songs.”
Photo Credit: Allister Ann
ERIC CHURCH IMMEDIATELY SELLS OUT THREE-NIGHT STAND AT RED ROCKS
With Church Choir fan club members exhausting their entire ticket allotment during the presale – once again underscoring Eric Church’s commitment to putting fans first – the limited tickets remaining for this morning’s general onsale were snapped up within minutes, officially selling out all three nights at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre for the second consecutive year.
Fresh off the critically acclaimed Free the Machine Tour, which honored boundary-defying album Evangeline vs. The Machine, the 11-time GRAMMY nominee returns to Red Rocks this July to celebrate 20 years of music with shows designed to be as unpredictable as they are unrepeatable. As with past destination runs, each night promises a unique experience shaped by setting, spontaneity and the unmistakable energy that defines a Church performance.
Church will follow the three-show run with a two-night stand at Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre, in addition to playing headlining sets at festivals throughout the summer including Barefoot Country Music Fest, the California Mid-State Fair, Boots on the Bend and more.
For more information and to purchase tickets to the upcoming shows, visit EricChurch.com and follow on TikTok, Facebookand Twitter/X @ericchurch and Instagram @ericchurchmusic.
JONAH GORDON JOINS JODY WILLIAMS SONGS STAFF, TENASIE COURTRIGHT PROMOTED
Jonah Gordon has joined Jody Williams Songs (JWS) as Manager, Sync & A&R. Gordon comes to JWS from the sync department of Big Yellow Dog Music (BYD), which was recently acquired by Sony Music Publishing.
“Jonah is the right person at the right time to ramp up our sync business and enhance creative services for our writers,” shares Nina Fisher, VP/GM of JWS. “He brings a skill set to our company that will help us to evolve and broaden the reach of our songs.”
In addition, JWS announces the promotion of Tenasie Courtright to Director, Creative & A&R. Formerly Creative Director at the company, Courtright took on added duties by performing hands-on A&R for JWS writer-artists Emily Ann Roberts, Ashley McBryde, Harper O’Neill and Peytan Porter.
“When we discovered Tenasie’s natural abilities for A&R we encouraged her in this area and were extremely pleased with the results,” Fisher adds. “She is a key member of our creative team, and we are lucky to have her.”
JWS is an independent music publishing company that is a joint venture with Warner Chappell Music. The company represents Ashley McBryde, Driver Williams, Ed Williams, Emily Ann Roberts, Harper O’Neill, Jason Nix, Jeremy Spillman, Natalie Hemby, Peytan Porter and Vince Gill.
Jody Williams is founder of the company and serves as CEO.
Congratulate Gordon at jonah@jodywilliamssongs.co and Courtright at tenasie@jodywilliamssongs.co.
Jonah Gordon , Tenasie Courtright Photo Credit: Gina Di Maio
COREY KENT STRIPS IT BACK WITH SOUL-STIRRING NEW SINGLE “WANNABE”
Multi-platinum, Sony Music Nashville recording artist Corey Kent returns with his latest release, “Wannabe,” a stripped-down, deeply personal track that signals the sonic direction of his next chapter. Listen to “Wannabe” HERE and watch the official music video below.
“‘Wannabe' was the first song we wrote for the new record, and as soon as we finished it, we knew it represented the sound we were chasing for this project," shared Kent. "It’s simple on purpose, and that’s what I love about it. It’s a song about how the little things and everyday moments in life mean more than fame and fortune ever could."
Serene and pared down to what matters most, “Wannabe” is all about discovering who you really want to be. Further described by Kent as a “cowboy campfire ballad,” homespun acoustic guitar, ethereal steel, and haunting fiddle frame an aspirational anthem with a back-to-basics target. It’s not fame or fortune driving Kent but simple-life fulfillment.
The new track follows Kent’s latest release “Empty Words,” which was fast-tracked due to overwhelming fan demand after generating more than 20 million views across social media. In just 13 weeks he also sits in the top 20-and-climbing at Country radio with “Rocky Mountain Low” featuring Koe Wetzel. The new releases have propelled him to 11 million streams a week as “Wannabe” offers fans another glimpse into his evolving sound for his forthcoming new project.
Surpassing 1 billion career streams earlier this year, Kent continues to build momentum as one of country music’s most compelling rising voices. His second No. 1 single “This Heart” was certified GOLD by the RIAA, while his hard-driving hit “Something’s Gonna Kill Me” was recently certified PLATINUM. Both join Kent’s TRIPLE-PLATINUM No. 1 breakout “Wild As Her.”
Looking ahead, Kent will return to Stagecoach in Indio, California on April 25 and in May, he’ll be back overseas for the Highways Festival in London, U.K. followed by a handful of headline dates in Germany and The Netherlands.
Rolling Stone noted the Oklahoma native has given “the region's signature sound a shot of mainstream sensibility” becoming one of the genre’s most exciting voices and earning accolades from CMT and the Opry Next Stage program while touring alongside Morgan Wallen, Jon Pardi, Jason Aldean, Koe Wetzel and Parker McCollum.
For the latest news and information about Corey Kent, visit coreykentofficial.com.
IAN MUNSICK’S COWBOY BAR & WESTERN GRILL SETS GRAND OPENING FOR SEPTEMBER 18-20
Wyoming native Ian Munsick and The Landmark Hotel & Casino set the grand opening of Ian Munsick’s Cowboy Bar & Western Grill for the weekend of September 18-20. The opening coincides with Munsick’s performance at Outlaw Square for Deadwood Jam on September 18 with special guest Ashland Craft. Tickets can be purchased at IanMunsick.com.
The celebration will kick off Friday, September 18 with a Day Party from 11am to 8pm, featuring performances from Munsick’s friends and family. Munsick will be joined by Ashland Craft at Outlaw Square for Deadwood Jam beginning at 6:30pm, and later, a VIP After Party featuring Ryan Charles will close the night at the Cowboy Bar & Western Grill. Saturday and Sunday will each feature performances from Munsick’s band, Rocky Mountain Fever, at 2pm and 7pm, with a mimosa drink special at 11am on Saturday and a bloody mary drink special at 11am on Sunday.
Built between 1894-1920, The Landmark is Deadwood’s largest historic structure at approximately 35,000 square feet. The Ian Munsick Cowboy Bar & Western Grill will reside within over 2,600 square feet of the footprint. The venue will promote and celebrate country and western music with old school country bar decor, along with two performance stages, one indoors and one outdoors.
COWBOY BAR & WESTERN GRILL GRAND OPENING SCHEDULE:
Friday, September 18
11am - 8pm || Day Party with special performances by Ian’s friends & family
6:30pm - 10pm || Ian Munsick with Ashland Craft in concert at Outlaw Square
10pm - 2am || 21+ VIP After Party with a performance by Ryan Charles (Sold Out)
Saturday, September 19
11am || Mimosa Brunch
2pm || Rocky Mountain Fever
7pm || Rocky Mountain Fever
Sunday, September 20
11am || Bloody Mary Bar
2pm || Rocky Mountain Fever
7pm || Rocky Mountain Fever
The news comes as Munsick continues to tease a new chapter of upcoming music, with the recent releases of “Geronimo” and “Love Is Blind” – his first songs under WEST TO THE REST RECORDS/Triple Tigers Records. “Love Is Blind” impacts country radio on Monday, April 20.
Jamey Johnson Announces 2026 'Traveling Truebadour' Headlining Tour
Singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson will bring his award-winning traditional country music across the nation this year with his Traveling Truebadour headlining tour, which runs from May through October.
The tour begins on May 8 at the Anderson Music Hall in Hiawassee, GA, and currently runs through Oct. 11 at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY. Thirty-one shows are announced now, with more being added. (Please see full schedule below.)
The Grand Ole Opry member, called “one of the greatest country singers of our time” by The Washington Post, is known for never playing the same setlist twice because he tailors his performance to each audience. His 2026 tour will feature songs from his latest album, Midnight Gasoline, and new music from his upcoming album, as well as hits including “In Color” and “High Cost of Living.”
His solo acoustic shows, featuring his deep and timeless baritone, are mesmerizing, while his full band collaborations are powerful because he surrounds himself with the best musicians in country music.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the release of his major label debut, The Dollar. Critics have consistently lauded his singing and songwriting talents for two decades. Rolling Stone says he has one of country music’s most seasoned voices,” while Southern Living says he has “one of the most recognizable voices in country music.”
Tickets go on sale Friday, April 17 at 10 a.m. local time at jameyjohnson.com/tour.
Traveling Truebadour Routing
Fri, May 8 | Hiawassee, GA | Anderson Music Hall
Fri, May 22 | Quapaw, OK | Downstream Casino Resort - Indoor Pavilion
Sat, May 23 | Richmond, MO | Branded Outdoor Theater
Wed, June 3 | Wheeling, WV | The Capitol Theatre*
Thurs, June 4 | Farmington, PA | Timber Rock Amphitheatre*
Fri, June 5 | Charlotte, NC | The TD Amp Ballantyne
Sat, June 6 | Paris, TN | Tennessee River Jam ^
Thurs, June 11 | Chesterfield, MO | The Chesterfield Amphitheater*
Fri, June 12 | Sheffield, IL | Psycho Silo Saloon*
Thurs, July 9 | Fort Loramie, OH | Country Concert At Hickory Hill Lakes•
Fri, July 10 | Bethlehem, PA | Wind Creek Event Center
Sat, July 11 | Danville, VA | The Pantheon at Caesars Virginia*
Sat, July 25 | Bowler, WI | North Star Mohican Casino*
Fri, July 31 | Lake Charles, LA | Golden Nugget Lake Charles*
Sat, August 1 | Bossier City, LA | Paradise Theater at Margaritaville Resort Casino*
Sat, August 8 | Detroit Lakes, MN | WE Fest•
Sun, August 9 | Vale, SD | Full Throttle Saloon^
Thurs, August 13 | Shipshewana, IN | Blue Gate Performing Arts Center*
Sat, August 15 | French Lick, IN | French Lick Resort
Fri, September 4 | Fort Worth, TX | Billy Bob's Texas*
Sat, September 5 | Grant, OK | Choctaw Casino Stage 271*
Fri, September 11 | New Haven, KY | The Amp at Log Still*
Sat, September 12 | Petros, TN | Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary
Sat, September 19 | Effingham, IL | Effingham Performance Center*
Sun, September 20 | Marion, IL | Marion Cultural and Civic Center*
Fri, October 2 | Gautier, MS | The Sound Amphitheater *
Sat, October 3 | Pine Bluff, AR | Saracen Event Center at Saracen Casino Resort %
Thurs, October 8 | Bristol, VA | Hard Rock Live Bristol*
Fri, October 9 | Charles Town, WV | The Event Center at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races*
Sat, October 10 | Atlantic City, NJ | Tropicana Atlantic City – Tropicana Showroom*
Sun, October 11 | Verona, NY | Turning Stone Resort Casino - Event Center*
* On Sale Friday, April 17 at 10 a.m. local time
• Festival
^ Free Event
% On Sale Date TBD
Cindy Mabe Launches Joan of Arc Music with Strategic Distribution Partnership with Warner Records Nashville
Music industry trailblazer Cindy Mabe today announced the launch of Joan of Arc Music, a comprehensive entertainment company dedicated to preserving the legacy of country music while championing its future through artist development, label services, publishing, management, TV/film production, next generation technologies and philanthropic impact. Joan of Arc Music protects artistry, cultivates innovation and builds long-lasting careers by bridging heritage with the future of entertainment.
Mabe brings decades of proven success in developing country music's biggest stars to her new venture. She has guided the careers of superstars including Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Brad Paisley, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, and George Strait, among countless others.
“Country music is at a crossroads,” said Mabe, Founder and CEO of Joan of Arc Music. “We risk losing the very essence of what makes country music special – its authentic storytelling, its connection to people’s real lives, and its deep cultural roots. Joan of Arc Music exists to be warriors for creators and protect artistry.”
Joan of Arc Music operates through four integrated pillars that work cohesively:
Joan of Arc Entertainment – Comprehensive artist management, recorded music/label services, project development and marketing, and publishing services with a focus on breaking new talent and developing established careers
Joan of Arc Studio Works – Multi-platform content creation including TV/film production, audio content and short-form monetization
Joan of Arc Ventures – Strategic investments in innovative partnerships and equity-backed ventures
Joan of Arc Music Preservation Foundation – Philanthropic division that defines the company’s ethos from day one, protecting the timeless legacy of Country music while championing its continued evolution. Every project across the JOA ecosystem directly supports the Foundation’s work through charitable initiatives that benefit the Country music community.
Inaugural partnerships include:
CMA Foundation – advancing music education in underserved communities
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – contributing to the ongoing cataloguing, preservation and digitization of historical assets for public access
Porter’s Call – providing mental health and wellness services to touring musicians and their families
In a significant industry move, Joan of Arc Music has secured a comprehensive distribution partnership with Warner Records Nashville, one of country music’s most prestigious labels. This strategic alliance provides Joan of Arc with Warner’s global distribution network ensuring maximum reach and impact for the company’s artist roster. The partnership represents Warner Nashville’s commitment to supporting innovative approaches to artist development and legacy preservation.
Photo Credit: Kevin Wimpy
“This partnership with Cris Lacy and the team at Warner Records Nashville amplifies our mission,” shares Mabe. “Cris is a Nashville veteran whose commitment to the legacy of country music aligns with our vision of preserving the genre’s authentic storytelling while embracing innovative distribution and marketing strategies. Together, we’re creating a powerful platform for both emerging and established artists to reach global audiences.”
Mabe’s industry recognition includes being named Billboard’s 2019 Country Power Players Executive of the Year, BillboardWomen in Music list (2015-2024), receiving the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum Award, SOURCE Hall of Fame member and serving on the boards of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Belmont University Alumni Association.
Leading Joan of Arc Music is a seasoned leadership team including Lori Christian, Dawn Gates, Harper Grae, Leigh Morrison and Allison Winkler. This Joan of Arc leadership team brings decades of combined experience across all facets of the music industry, from artist development and marketing to business operations and strategic partnerships.
Joan of Arc Music is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The company plans additional announcements in the coming weeks regarding TV projects, label and management signings, partnerships and ventures.
Congratulate the team:
Cindy Mabe - cindy@joanofarcmusic.com
Lori Christian - lori@joanofarcmusic.com
Dawn Gates - dawn@joanofarcmusic.com
Harper Grae - harper@joanofarcmusic.com
Leigh Morrison - leigh@joanofarcmusic.com
Allison Winkler - allison@joanofarcmusic.com
Kenny Rocks Packed Tortuga; Kracker + Megan Moroney Surprise Walk-Ons
Kenny Chesney walked through a stiff 21.5 MPH wind to take the stage at the 13th Tortuga Music Festival; but those gusts were no match for the high energy performer. With the sounds of the No Shoes Nation-empowering “We Do” ramping up the anticipation, the East Tennessee songwriter/superstar leaned into the honky tonk-tilting “Living In Fast Forward” as he took his place at the top of the T. The crowd was deafening as he delivered his guitar-forward hit about putting it all in the songs.
Chesney’s set came out of the chute hard – “Fast Forward” sweeping into “Young,” slamming into “Beer In Mexico,” then straight into the propulsive “Keg In the Closet.” Clearly savoring the crowd, who filled the two-story cabanas on the street side, packed the balconies of neighboring hotels and overflowed well over half mile of beach, Chesney was exuberant for his sixth headlining appearance at Tortuga.
A dozen songs into the bursting with positive energy set, the calypso-informed “When The Sun Goes Down” introduction took the anticipation to another level. When the second verse rolled up, Uncle Kracker sauntered onto the stage, trucker hat to the side and a black Monster Magnet Superjudge t-shirt on. In a weekend based on friendship, ocean conservation and enjoying the beach, it was the perfect surprise; the pair romped through Kracker’s breakout “Follow Me” and ubiquitous take on Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away.”
“With Kracker playing the festival, we had to do it,” Chesney said after. “Nobody makes me laugh harder, brings more soul to that stage or understands this crowd better – and it’s hard to believe anyone can love music as much as we do, but he does.”
Despite a strict sea turtle protection curfew of 9:55 p.m. on Fort Lauderdale Beach, there was plenty of music to come. The momentum of Kracker’s mini-set built with the banjo-forward “Get Along,” the song meant to remind people our common ground is often bigger than our differences. Even with gusts close to 28 miles per hour, that positivity anchored the night.
In that sweep of emotion, the spring break/summer vacation romp “All The Pretty Girls” felt perfect for Lauderdale beach. But nothing prepared the audience for a denim’n’diamante three-piece mini skirt-set clad Megan Moroney to come bouncing from the wings in full sparkle mode. Blinding in her custom Paige outfit with rhinestone fringe, Moroney’s exuberance made the moment that much more as the crowd lost their collective minds when the young woman who’s the Academy of Country Music Awards’ leading nominee took the stage.
“Megan at our first show in 2026 sets a pretty high bar,” Chesney says. “But between our duet [his 2024 Christmas gift from Moroney, ‘You Had To Be There’] and ‘Am I Okay?,’ her music fits so well with ours, it’s always so much fun when we can sing together. Talk about hitting the beach!
“There’s something about Tortuga – the ocean awareness, how historic this beach is or just the people who’re here singing all these songs back to us, this energy really sets the tone for us. No Shoes Nation was born to come together, forget about everything and really be in the moment, and when we’re here, it’s a whole other level.”
Photo Credit: Jill Trunnell
Eric Church Announces Red Rocks & Lake Tahoe Shows; Wraps 'Free the Machine' Tour
Fresh off the final weekend of the Free the Machine Tour, which honored boundary-defying album Evangeline vs. The Machine, 11-time GRAMMY nominee Eric Church is wasting no time looking ahead. He returns to Red Rocks this July for a three-show run followed by a two-night stand at Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre, with tickets and presale signups available via EricChurch.com as follows:
Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, Colo.
Premium Church Choir presale Wednesday, April 15 at 10 a.m. MT
Public on sale Friday, April 17 at 10 a.m. MT
July 6 – with special guest Corey Kent
July 7 – with special guest 49 Winchester
July 8 – with special guest The Creekers
Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre at Caesars Republic – Stateline, Nev.
Premium Church Choir presale Tuesday, April 21 at 10 a.m. PT
Fan presale Wednesday, April 22 at 10 a.m. PT
Public on sale Friday, April 24 at 10 a.m. PT
July 15 – with special guest ERNEST
July 16 – with special guest ERNEST
Distinct from the Free the Machine Tour, these newly announced dates celebrate 20 years of Church’s catalog with shows designed to be as unpredictable as they are unrepeatable. As with past destination runs, each night promises a unique experience shaped by setting, spontaneity and the unmistakable energy that defines a Church performance.
The shows build on the momentum of the Free the Machine Tour’s risk-taking and rule-breaking run, with the Green Bay Press-Gazette lauding the show “so nuanced, so sneaky sophisticated, so good… [from] an artist who increasingly transcends the boundaries of today’s country to be one of music’s more electrifying live acts – period.” Added the Minnesota Star Tribune, “Eric Church is country music’s most courageous and unpredictable superstar…about conviction not convention, about evolving, not standing pat, about the moment, not tradition.”
For more information and to purchase tickets to the upcoming shows, visit EricChurch.com and follow on TikTok, Facebookand Twitter/X @ericchurch and Instagram @ericchurchmusic.
STILL THE PROBLEM: MORGAN WALLEN’S 2026 STADIUM TOUR IS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY
On the heels of launching his self-curated SiriusXM Channel, Morgan Wallen Radio, with an intimate show at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tennessee last week, Morgan Wallen officially returned to the road last night (April 10), packing U.S. Bank Stadium with a sold-out crowd on night one of his 2026 Still The Problem Tour.
The RIAA’s highest-certified country artist of all time made his entrance flanked by NFL Hall of Famer Jared Allen, as “Broadway Girls” blasted in the background. Prior to the walkout, Theo Von joined Wallen for a cinematic tour-opening video revving up the crowd.
After delving into his current single on Country radio, “Don’t We” followed by One Thing At A Time deep cut “I Wrote The Book,” Wallen took a long pause as he soaked in the cheering audience.
“We took a few months off after tour last year. Whenever I walk out and there’s a welcome like that, I always ask ‘Why did I take so many months off?’ But it’s been good for me, good for my band, good for my team,” Wallen shared. “I feel like we’re ready to do it again this year. I appreciate y’all for being the first night on the Still The Problem Tour. We’re gonna sing quite a few songs tonight. I tried to switch up the setlist a little bit this year – I hope y’all enjoy.”
Wallen sauntered around the stage throughout the night, giving fans the chance to see him regardless of where they were sitting, before walking to stage C in the back of the stadium, where he played an acoustic set of three songs for fans in the back: “Cover Me Up,” “I’m A Little Crazy” and “Wasted On You.”
Joined by guitarists Tyler Tomlinson and Dominic Frost, Wallen introduced them to the crowd before “Cover Me Up,” sharing, “These boys have been with me a long time. We started off playing everything they wanted us to play… There’s pretty much not a venue in the United States that we haven’t played at this point.
“Those days don’t seem that far in the past, and to know that I’m going to walk out into a stadium of people who know all these songs, who believe in these songs, who believe in me – I just want y’all to know how much that means,” he added. “So for the last few years, I’ve been making it a point to look you in the eyes and say thank you. It’s become one of my favorite parts of the show.”
Afterward, support acts Vincent Mason and Gavin Adcock joined Wallen on the main stage for a fiery rendition of his first-ever No. 1 hit, “Up Down,” before Thomas Rhett joined for “Cowgirls.” Overall, Wallen expanded his setlist on opening night to 28 songs, notably bringing back fan-favorites “Chasin’ You” and “7 Summers.”
“I decided to try something different this year and give you guys a song to vote on,” Wallen shared before playing “7 Summers.” “They told me it was kind of a close battle – I expected this song that I’m going to sing to win. This is one of those songs that defined my career and pushed us to the next level, and I appreciate you guys doing that for me.”
Wallen ended the night with an encore of three songs: “Sand In My Boots” performed solo on the piano, followed by his 12x Platinum, 16-week Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 “Last Night” and 13x Platinum “Whiskey Glasses.”
Sponsored by Kawasaki and Monster Energy, and produced by AEG Presents – with the exception of the Tuscaloosa, Ala. show, which is produced by Live Nation – Wallen’s 12-city, 23-date Still The Problem stadium tour will see Wallen playing two nights in most locations, and will include stops at four major college football stadiums: Clemson’s Memorial Stadium, Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Michigan’s Michigan Stadium and one night only at Alabama’s Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
A rotating lineup of guests including Brooks & Dunn, HARDY, Ella Langley and Thomas Rhett join as direct support, along with Gavin Adcock, Hudson Westbrook, Flatland Cavalry, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Zach John King, Vincent Mason and Blake Whiten on select stops.
As with previous tours, a portion of every ticket sold will benefit his Morgan Wallen Foundation (MWF) — which supports programs for youth in the areas of sports and music. As part of MWF’s Tour Give Back initiative, the foundation has contributed over $1 million worth of instruments to schools in need across U.S. touring cities. For more information, visit MorganWallenFoundation.org.
Photo Credit: David Sherman
Still The Problem Tour 2026 Dates:
April 11 || Minneapolis, Minn. || U.S. Bank Stadium w/ HARDY, Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason
April 18 || Tuscaloosa, Ala. || Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Vincent Mason, Zach John King
May 1 || Las Vegas, Nev. || Allegiant Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason
May 2 || Las Vegas, Nev. || Allegiant Stadium w/ Thomas Rhett, Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason
May 8 || Indianapolis, Ind. || Lucas Oil Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Hudson Westbrook, Zach John King
May 9 || Indianapolis, Ind. || Lucas Oil Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Flatland Cavalry, Zach John King
May 15 || Gainesville, Fla. || Ben Hill Griffin Stadium w/ Thomas Rhett, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King
May 16 || Gainesville, Fla. || Ben Hill Griffin Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King
May 29 || Denver, Colo. || Empower Field at Mile High w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason
May 30 || Denver, Colo. || Empower Field at Mile High w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason
June 5 || Pittsburgh, Penn. || Acrisure Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King
June 6 || Pittsburgh, Penn. || Acrisure Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King
June 19 || Chicago, Ill. || Soldier Field w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King
June 20 || Chicago, Ill. || Soldier Field w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King
June 26 || Clemson, S.C. || Clemson Memorial Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat
June 27 || Clemson, S.C. || Clemson Memorial Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat
July 17 || Baltimore, Md. || M&T Bank Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat
July 18 || Baltimore, Md. || M&T Bank Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat
July 24 || Ann Arbor, Mich. || Michigan Stadium w/ Thomas Rhett, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten
July 25 || Ann Arbor, Mich. || Michigan Stadium w/ HARDY, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten
July 31 || Philadelphia, Penn. || Lincoln Financial Field w/ Brooks & Dunn, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten
August 1 || Philadelphia, Penn. || Lincoln Financial Field w/ Ella Langley, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten
George Strait’s Moody Center Return in the Round
In his first show of 2026, George Strait sauntered to Moody’s center stage last night in his signature starched Wranglers and black Resistol hat just after 8:45p, leading more than 15,000 fans through a two-hour, 28-song set singalong in his first night’s set of arena doubles bookending the icon and Country Music Hall of Fame member and recent Kennedy Center Honoree’s seven show season.
Fans weren’t the only ones who dressed up for the occasion. The arena – which Strait opened with Willie Nelson in April 2022 – was decked to the nines in Strait Moody Center signage welcoming “The King of Country” back to the stage for the first time in nearly four years. And Austin didn’t just show up, they came to sway, sing and two-step, taking to the aisles in pairs on “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” and shuffling along to “I Just Want To Dance With You.”
“I see we got some cowboys out there tonight, I love it,” Strait gleamed midway through his setlist including so many of the icon’s 60 No. 1 hits. “I love seeing you cowboys out there because you bring the cowgirls with you; this song is for all you cowgirls,” he proclaimed before performing “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls” from his 2007 album, It Just Comes Natural.
Texas native William Beckmann opened the evening and will return this Saturday, April 11. Additionally, Carter Faith will join George Strait for his return to the Moody Center on May 15 and 16, marking his final shows of the season.
With additional tickets recently released, limited seats remain available for purchase for Strait’s remaining 2026 shows at georgestrait.com.
Photo Credit: Jill Trunnell
Remaining 2026 George Strait Shows:
Saturday, April 11 Austin, Texas Moody Center
Friday, April 24 Lubbock, Texas Jones AT&T Stadium
Saturday, April 25 Lubbock, Texas Jones AT&T Stadium
Saturday, May 2 Clemson, SC Death Valley
Friday, May 15 Austin, Texas Moody Center
Saturday, May 16 Austin, Texas Moody Center
Jamey & Brittney Johnson's Give It Away Fund Awards 11 Grants
Jamey and Brittney Johnson’s Give It Away Fund has made eleven grants so far in 2026, focusing on children in need but also helping several other organizations as well.
The fund’s name came from the 2006 George Strait No. 1 hit, “Give It Away,” which Jamey co-wrote with Bill Anderson and Buddy Cannon. The song won Song of the Year at both the Country Music Association Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Johnson donates a dollar for every ticket sold at participating shows to his fund. In addition, he donates all proceeds from the sale of a special T-shirt to his fund. It is available at his shows and online HERE.
The couple chose organizations whose missions spoke to their hearts. For instance, Brittney is a highly respected lawyer from Mississippi, so one of the organizations selected was the Hancock School District in Mississippi. Give It Away’s donation cleared the district’s meal debt for 550 school kids in the six schools in the district in which Brittney attended. This donation made a tremendous impact in this low-income area.
"I grew up in the Hancock County School District, and I'm so proud to give back to my home community in this way,” Brittney says. “My goal was to remove this financial weight from hardworking parents and free students from any pressure they might feel when entering the cafeteria each day. I want the kids to focus on learning and just being kids!"
Four other grants went to non-profits that help children:
First Friday Kids Support Group: This Polk County, FL, organization provides weekend backpacks of food for kids throughout the school year.
The Charley Foundation: Through Rumble on the Row events, this Nashville organization supports charities for kids with critical needs.
Lizana Youth Association: This Pas Christian, MS, organization provides sports programs to children in a low-income community.
Wichita’s Littlest Heroes: This Kansas-based organization provides support to children with life-threatening medical conditions and to their families.
"As founders of the Give It Away Foundation, my husband and I are dedicated to the belief that every child deserves to feel supported, valued, and cared for,” Brittney says. “Part of our mission this year is to support and partner with groups that serve children and create stronger foundations for kids to thrive. It was an easy decision to support these four organizations because they directly and meaningfully impact children's lives on an ongoing basis."
The couple, who own four dogs, also made three grants to organizations that help animals:
Mane Mission: This Tennessee organization rescues and rehabilitates horses that are then utilized for equine therapy for veterans.
Nashville Pittie: This small rescue/rehab for pit bulls saves about 50 dogs annually.
Animal Rescue Corp: This Tennessee organization conducts large-scale emergency rescues of animals who fall victim to abuse and disaster. With law-enforcement officers, they do large puppy mill intakes and hold the dogs throughout the court process.
"Through our foundation and generous donors, we had the honor of supporting two animal nonprofit organizations and a large-scale animal rescue,” Brittney says. “Animals–especially dogs–hold a special place in my heart, and I am deeply passionate about supporting organizations that rescue, protect, and care for them.
"We were proud this year to support a local organization that provides equine therapy, as it combines two causes I care deeply about: supporting veterans and promoting animal-assisted therapy.
"Supporting a nonprofit like Nashville Pittie has been so meaningful and personal, because Jamey and I are passionate advocates of the breed and proud owners of two precious pitties ourselves."
Photo Credit: Joseph Cash
"We were proud this year to support a local organization that provides equine therapy, as it combines two causes I care deeply about: supporting veterans and promoting animal-assisted therapy.
"Supporting a nonprofit like Nashville Pittie has been so meaningful and personal, because Jamey and I are passionate advocates of the breed and proud owners of two precious pitties ourselves."
The fund also awarded grants to:
The Stepping Stone Shelter: This shelter supports homeless in 20 counties in Southwest Kansas.
Heart of the Motor documentary through Donate Life Kentucky Trust: This grant supports the films screenings that bring awareness and organ donor registration at its events.
Nikki Mitchell Foundation: This Nashville organization, which Jamey co-founded in 2013, provides comfort and relief to those affected by pancreatic cancer, while raising awareness and searching for a cure. The grant’s funds were specified to help a 31-year-old mother of a 5-year-old who has Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Living with no furniture and only a mattress on the floor, her son had to move to the floor when she started toxic chemotherapy. Since her car had been under the threat of repossession, she had been hiding it after driving two hours to treatment. She kept her son out of school for special days because she couldn’t afford to purchase the items for special “dress up” days, like Dr. Seuss Day. NMF is facilitating taking care of her needs with this donation.
“Supporting this patient and her family during such a difficult time is a perfect example of why my husband and I started the Give It Away Foundation: to step in when it matters most, because we believe that no one should face life's hardest moments alone. We were proud to partner with the Nikki Mitchell Foundation in this effort.”
Jamey is known for being among the first to help in times of need, whether it’s performing in a charity concert, making calls or donating money. He is also known for his support of the Nikki Mitchell Foundation, which he co-founded in 2013 to help those who have pancreatic cancer. The Marine also works with Toys for Tots and other organizations that help veterans, military members and their families.
Brittney was focused on helping others around the world years before she became an attorney. She taught in a school for women in Kenya, volunteered in an orphanage in Nairobi and participated in activism in a politically displaced persons camp in Kenya.
While attending the University of Mississippi School of Law, she was student coordinator of the school’s Pro Bono Initiative. While living in Mississippi, she was a member of the Junior League of Jackson. She also worked with therapy animals and helped provide hygiene services to the unhoused.
Now married and living in Nashville, the couple have unified their philanthropic hearts into one generous effort to create Give It Away so that they may continue stronger what they began apart.
For more info on the Give It Away fund, visit JameyJohnson.com/Give-It-Away.
Miranda Lambert Lands 8: Artist, Writer and Producer ACM Noms
Multihyphenate superstar Miranda Lambert, the most-decorated artist in Academy of Country Music history, earned eight nominations for the upcoming 61st ACM Awards, the second highest tally of any artist.
“Honored to wake up and be among the most nominated for the ACM Awards,” Lambert shares. “It’s always special to be recognized and it’s even better when it’s alongside friends and heroes.”
She received her 18th nomination for Female Artist of the Year as well as her ninth nomination for Song of the Year and 16th total nomination (including Artist and Songwriter credits) in the category.
“You’d have to look pretty far and wide to find anyone in music who has been as consistently good or eternally enjoyable as Miranda Lambert,” remarks Rolling Stone. “Almost 20 years into her run, she’s defined her career by always going her own way, both musically and lyrically.”
In addition to her own artistry, Lambert is also nominated for her work as both a songwriter and a producer, demonstrating her ongoing impact across the genre. “Choosin’ Texas,” the record-setting hit recorded by Ella Langley, earns nods for Lambert in both the Song and Single of the Year categories as the track’s co-writer and producer.
“Miranda held down women in country on a mainstream level for a decade and change; this is as much a win for her legacy as it is for Ella’s still-growing stardom,” shares Billboard of the song, continuing, “while she continues to make music of her own – she was nominated for a GRAMMY this year – she definitely seems to be thriving behind the scenes, including co-running Big Loud Texas. This is validation for her influence, her talent and underrated ability as a songwriter.”
Additionally, Lambert is honored for her “A Song to Sing” duet with longtime friend and collaborator Chris Stapleton, earning nods in the Song, Music Event and Visual Media of the Year categories for their co-write.
“At a time when country is so many things, Lambert and Stapleton seem both a true north and a hinge for the future of the same Outlaw culture Waylon and Willie conjured,” notes POLLSTAR. “Musically robust, they want to make actual country music with their roots firmly planted, but with the ability to create on their terms. It’s not fighting Music Row as much as fighting for greatness.”
Fittingly for year where four women lead the nomination counts, Lambert also earned a Music Event of the Year nod for her female-empowered collaboration with Reba McEntire and Lainey Wilson, “Trailblazer.”
“Wilson is just about inarguably the best thing to happen to country music since Miranda Lambert, who in turn was one of the best things to happen since Reba. So it felt intuitively natural – but by no means commercially inevitable – when those three teamed up,” declares Variety of the song praised by Music Row as “an utterly historic collaboration among three generations of female country excellence.”
The 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans will also be able to watch the broadcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, as well as in the Amazon Music app.
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards week events are available for purchase on AXS.com, offering fans exclusive entry into a nonstop weekend packed with performances by their favorite Country stars.
JAMEY JOHNSON HONORS MERLE HAGGARD ON OUTLAW LEGEND’S BIRTHDAY W/ “PRETTY WHEN IT’S NEW”
In observance of legendary outlaw country singer Merle Haggard’s birthday today, April 6, Jamey Johnson is honoring his memory with a cover of Haggard’s 2010 release, “Pretty When It’s New.” Produced by The Kent Hardly Playboys and recorded at The Moose Lodge, with T.W. Cargile serving as engineer, Johnson’s version of “Pretty When It’s New” is available everywhere now. Listen Below.
Haggard was born on this day in 1937 and died on this same date ten years ago at age 79. One of the most important figures in the history of country music, the California native was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1977.
Haggard also received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2010, and Johnson was among those who honored him, performing “Ramblin’ Fever” with Willie Nelson and Kid Rock.
Bobby Bare introduced Johnson to Haggard during a party in 2008, and later they were both booked on a show in Hodag, WI. Haggard invited Johnson to spend time with him on his bus and they became fast friends. Haggard would call him, sometimes at 3 a.m., to talk about music, musicians, fishing, the military, or whatever was on his mind.
Johnson performed with Haggard numerous times, such as the memorable collaboration during the 2012 Ohio State Fair, where Johnson joined Haggard on “Long Black Veil,” a performance that some said signified the passing of the torch—two generations of outlaw-leaning country artists sharing a classic. Around this time, the two also performed “Heaven Was a Drink of Wine” during a Haggard concert.
Haggard and Willie Nelson recorded “It’s All Going to Pot,” written by Johnson, Buddy Cannon and Larry Shell, for their 2015 album Django & Jimmie. The light-hearted song became a fan favorite from their final collaboration together.
Haggard and Johnson recorded “I Fall to Pieces” for Johnson’s 2012 album, Livin’ for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran.
Johnson often performed Haggard’s songs during his show, including “Mama Tried” and “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink.” After Haggard’s death, Johnson filled in for Haggard on the nine dates that had been planned with Nelson.
Rolling Stone asked Johnson to write a tribute to Haggard after his death and published it in April 2016.
Johnson wrote, “Merle Haggard was a mentor to me. But more than that, he cared about me. He wanted to make sure I learned something from him—not just the music, not just the lifestyle, but something good. You’ve heard it said, ‘You give a man a fish, he eats for a day. You teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.’ Merle taught me how to make music, and that’s how I make my living and feed my family today. I couldn’t owe anybody a greater debt of gratitude than I owe Merle Haggard.”
About Jamey Johnson
Award-winning singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson has served as country music’s north star for nearly two decades, inspiring a generation of artists with his unforgettable albums that have built a bridge connecting traditional country with the music of today.
The 10-time GRAMMY nominee has been called “one of the greatest country singers of our time,” by The Washington Post. As rock legend Don Henley says, Johnson is “the nearest thing” we have to late country icon George Jones. His music has garnered international acclaim and is embraced by fans of classic and contemporary country, as well as Americana and mainstream rock.
The Grand Ole Opry member is also widely regarded as one of the greatest country songwriters of his generation. He is one of only two people in the history of country music (along with Kris Kristofferson) to win two Song of the Year awards in the same year – for “Give It Away” and “In Color” – from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association
Paul Cauthen Brings "Texas Swagger" to "The Kelly Clarkson Show"
To celebrate the release of his latest album Book of Paul, available now via Velvet Rose Records/Thirty Tigers, country iconoclast Paul Cauthen performed “Texas Swagger” on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” on Friday, April 3. Watch his performance Below and listen to Book of Paul HERE.
With Book of Paul, Cauthen continues both his streak of against-the-grain attitude, and his genuine fascination with spiritual truth. But at this point in his career, he’s less interested in the wild-eyed abandon of revival, and more in his own path. A path of utterly authentic country music; fearless, proud, and with two middle fingers in the air. “I wanted to take it back to my roots and where it all began in East Texas,” he says.
And “Texas Swagger,” with its bronc-bucking beat, dark twang and barely contained sense of danger, serves as a mission statement:
“If all else fails, just remember where you came from,” Cauthen proclaims, noting he co-wrote the track with Rob Ragosta and Sam Martinez, who also produced. “We got it hot and cooking, put a little drumbeat on it, built that son of a bitch in 30 minutes. I was like ‘Alright, last time I felt like this was ‘Cocaine Country Dancing.’ It’s got a really fierce feel to it. It’s danceable as shit.”
With his nearly sold-out Tonkin’ ‘N Tejas Tour, Cauthen has added stops at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 11 and Denver’s The Mission Ballroom on Oct. 9. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit paulcauthenmusic.com.
Paul Cauthen Tour Dates:
April 18 | Kalispell, MT | Majestic Valley Arena
July 11 | Saint Paul, MN | Minnesota Country Club Festival
July 16 | Jackson, WY | Snow King Mountain
Sept. 11 | Nashville, TN | Ryman Auditorium
Sept. 19 | Pryor, OK | Born & Raised Festival
Oct. 9 | Denver, CO | The Mission Ballroom
About Paul Cauthen
Whether he knows it or not, every man lives by a code. And for country provocateur Paul Cauthen, that code is simple. Always bet on yourself. A singer-songwriter with a well-documented distaste for playing by anyone else’s rules, the East Texas native spent two decades clawing his way through the country underground, embodying the independent spirit with a monolithic Big Velvet vocal. Fusing classic-country grit, gospel power and a rhinestoned rock edge, four previous albums proclaimed his singular style with a booming baritone and near-biblical swagger. Taught to sing by his grandfather in a Church of Christ, Cauthen hit the scene with the duo Sons of Fathers in 2009, before My Gospel, Room 41, Country Coming Down and Black on Black unveiled a vulnerable, fire-and-brimstone songwriter with brazen Texas attitude – craving deliverance, yet possessed by a “bird dog” instinct for theatrical rapture. Cauthen has toured the world, collaborating with Margo Price, Orville Peck, Cody Jinks and Lana Del Rey. With favorites like “Cocaine Country Dancing,” “Fuck You Money” and his GOLD-certified collab with Shaboozey on “Last Of My Kind,” he counts over 442 million global streams. Cauthen’s fifth album, Book of Paul, takes him further down his path of utterly authentic country music; fearless, proud and with two middle fingers in the air. Co-writing 12 of 13 tracks, the troubadour confesses to his wild side and wrestles with the sin. He spares no detail – and makes no compromise. For more information, visit paulcauthenmusic.com.
Darius Rucker’s ‘Riverfront Revival’ Charleston Music Fest Announces 2026 Lineup; Tickets On Sale April 8
For the fifth consecutive year, three-time GRAMMY Award winner and Charleston native Darius Rucker teams up with SRE Entertainment to return Riverfront Revival to North Charleston’s Riverfront Park on Friday, Oct. 9, and Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026 - bringing one of the Lowcountry’s most anticipated music weekends back to the waterfront.
This year’s lineup reflects the festival’s continued evolution: rooted in country while expanding its reach with the addition of hip-hop and genre-blending artists. Rucker, will be joined by Gavin Adcock, Old Dominion, BigXthaPlug, Nelly, Charles Wesley Godwin, Chase Matthew, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Austin Williams, Atlus, Dani Rucker, Gullah Collective, Karley Scott Collins, Saluda Shoals, Mel Washington, Whiskey Run and AC Scar, highlighting a mix of established names and rising talent.
“Riverfront Revival has always been about bringing great music and great people together in a place that means everything to me,” reflects Rucker. "Getting to build this in Charleston year after year has been incredible, and this lineup shows how much it’s grown while still staying true to what the festival is all about.”
Presales are now open. Festivalgoers can sign up HERE to receive a presale passcode. General onsale begins Wednesday, April 8, at 10 a.m. local time via RiverfrontRevival.FrontgateTickets.com.
Two-day passes will be available for General Admission (starting at $215), GA Plus (starting at $400) and VIP (starting at $660). Single-day passes will also be available for all three tiers (starting at $135, $280, $405, respectively). VIP tickets include dedicated entrances, premium viewing areas at both stages, VIP parking, dedicated bar, premium restrooms and exclusive lounge areas, GA Plus includes a private bar, lounge and air-conditioned restrooms.
Beyond the music, Riverfront Revival continues to support the Charleston community through philanthropic efforts. A portion of proceeds from each ticket sold benefits the Carolyn G. Rucker Nursing Scholarship at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Rock ‘N Roll Rescue, which delivers equitable access to music education locally.
For updates and additional information, visit RiverfrontRevival.com and follow @riverfrontrevival on Facebook and Instagram.
Paul Cauthen Delivers Unfiltered 13-Track Album BOOK OF PAUL
With four albums and 442 million streams to-date, country iconoclast Paul Cauthen propels into a new chapter with Book of Paul, out now on Velvet Rose Records/Thirty Tigers. Fusing classic country grit, gospel power and a rhinestone rock-and-roll edge, Cauthen delivers 13 tracks filled with a booming baritone and personal truth.
Listen to Cauthen’s Book of Paul Below.
With a well-documented distaste for playing by anyone else’s rules, the singer-songwriter known as “Big Velvet” returns to his East Texas roots, writing his own creative code in permanent ink with Book of Paul.
“It’s just being who you are – unapologetically yourself – and that’s every one of my records,” Cauthen says. “Does it dance? Does it make you cry? Does it make you feel? As far as I’m concerned I’ve made it already. I can already do whatever I want musically. And when you get to this point you look back. I have built my whole career going against the grain, and that’s what this record is. The freaking trials and tribulations of Paul. It’s everything I wanted on an album.”
Tapping the strengths of longtime family friend and chart-topping co-writer Ryan Tyndell, Steve Rusch (Jessie Murph, Koe Wetzel), Sam Martinez (Tyler Braden, Carrie Underwood), Fustin (Priscilla Block) plus Nate Ferraro (Beyoncé) for production, they captured Cauthen’s unruly essence with all the charm of a rattlesnake (and the vocal venom to match).
Cauthen co-write 12 of the 13 tracks while also playing bass and drums on select tracks, making sure each song had the twisted backbone he craved. “It’s a nitty gritty, swampy, East-Texas-muddy-roots kind of feel,” Cauthen says with pride. “My claws are deep in it.”
Cauthen wastes no time getting to his point. Led by his burly, vibrato-laden baritone, “Book of Paul” opens the album on a minimalist mix of acoustic guitar and snare, as the troubadour confesses to his wild side, while wrestling with the sin. He spares no detail – and makes no compromise.
“If you look at the Bible, there is no book of Paul,” he explains. “I just wanted to write something that embodies me, because I’m sick of hearing records catered to what’s hot and what’s working. Me, I’ve always been this country boy, East Texas guy. Roots, rock and roll, Texas gospel. If you look back at all my albums, I’m proud to say I meant everything I’ve said.”
Tracks like “Texas Swagger,” which Cauthen will perform on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” today (check local listings HERE), serve as a mission statement, with its bronc-bucking beat, dark twang, and barely contained sense of danger. Cauthen started off with a frenetic guitar riff and some eerie “yee haw” background vocals, then added a strong dose of Big Velvet attitude.
Meanwhile, Cauthen puts his code to the test on “Dark Horse,” a cosmic-Western ballad fueled by epiphany he calls “a long ride on the back of a mule on a bunch of mushrooms.” The lonesome “Road Dog” recalls the bleak resignation of Johnny Cash’s “Hurt,” with coyote yips and an acoustic-industrial vibe. And with the warm, relaxing shimmer of ‘70s rock, “Cigarettes & Billy Graham” burns with an easy self acceptance – an anthem for those preachers of the open road.
Elsewhere, Cauthen enters a kind of voluntary lockup with the hypnotic, outlaw-country romance of “Ain’t No Crime,” and taps a “Chattahoochee” groove for the hazy, summertime twang of “Tossin’ Back Time” (feat. Jake Worthington).
Soul pop and gospel twang reach a slow-rolling confluence on the East Texas love story “Bayou By You,” and Cauthen teams with Delaney Ramsdell for the aching barstool ballad, “Chain Smoking.” “Breakaway” saunters into the sunset with a supremely casual indie-roots strut. And a colorful, character-driven country throwback unfolds on “Blue Denim & Black Gold” (the album’s only outside cut, written by Tyndell and Jeff Hyde).
Meanwhile, “Texas Gravel Road” unleashes every weapon in Cauthen’s creative arsenal. Built off a slowed-down latin beat, it’s a bellowing tribute to the blood, sweat and tears behind the star’s pockmarked path – a grungy gutter rocker draped in distorted dark twang. And with the album ending on “The Voice Inside (Silence),” Cauthen enters a state of acoustic prayer. With that velvet vocal at its most raw, an anguished internal battle between dark and light unfolds. … Yet those voices may be something else entirely. Knowing them is the key to Cauthen’s code, and the driving force behind his country music.
“That’s what God is. That’s the spirit. That’s you. The un-talked about. That’s the good shit,” he explains. “This record is the Book of Paul, but I would say everybody needs their own book, and the chapters in life create that. What I mean is, bet on your own. Everybody pointing fingers at you because you’re the black sheep, or because you have this trait or that, that’s what actually makes you different. So bet on that.”
Cauthen was taught to sing by his grandfather in a Church of Christ, and Cauthen hit the scene with the duo Sons of Fathers in 2009, before My Gospel, Room 41, Country Coming Down and Black on Black unveiled a vulnerable, fire-and-brimstone songwriter with brazen attitude – craving deliverance, yet possessed by a “bird dog” instinct for theatrical rapture. Cauthen has toured the world, collaborating with Margo Price, Orville Peck, Cody Jinks and Lana Del Rey. Fan favorites include “Cocaine Country Dancing,” “Fuck You Money” and his GOLD-certified collab with Shaboozey,“Last Of My Kind.”
With his nearly sold-out Tonkin’ ‘N Tejas Tour, Cauthen continues to hit the Texas touring scene while adding stops at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 11 and Denver’s The Mission Ballroom on Oct. 9. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit paulcauthenmusic.com.
Paul Cauthen Tour Dates:
April 3 | Helotes, TX | Floore’s Country Store
April 18 | Kalispell, MT | Majestic Valley Arena
July 11 | Saint Paul, MN | Minnesota Country Club Festival
July 16 | Jackson, WY | Snow King Mountain
Sept. 11 | Nashville, TN | Ryman Auditorium
Sept. 19 | Pryor, OK | Born & Raised Festival
Oct. 9 | Denver, CO | The Mission Ballroom