Music Country

In the summer of 1979, Conway Twitty earned his 22nd Number One hit with “I May Never Get to Heaven,” written by longtime friends Bill Anderson and Buddy Killen. Anderson had been enshrined in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame four years earlier, but has continued to have hits into …

Before Wheeler Walker Jr. was melding raunchy lyrics with expert country instrumentation, there was Ween’s 1996 cult classic 12 Golden Country Greats. A collection of 10 songs — even the misnumbered title is a gag —the album finds the Nineties weird-rock duo parodying country clichés in tracks like “I Don’t …

There are bands who play country music – and then there are honest-to-goodness country bands. Count Mike and the Moonpies among the latter. On Friday night, the Austin, Texas, six-piece pulled their 1981 Silver Eagle into Nashville for a stop not at one of the city’s all-genre clubs in the …

Cody Jinks chronicles his own restlessness and self-doubt in the new song “Somewhere Between I Love You and I’m Leavin’,” the latest release from the Texas native’s forthcoming album Lifers. Like much of Jinks’ output, there’s an undercurrent of angst that matches up with the roving musician’s life. He has …

The all-star celebration of the enduring legacy of Country Music Hall of Fame legend Roger Miller continues with a preview of two more outstanding cuts from the upcoming double-LP, King of the Road: A Tribute to Roger Miller. Encompassing two divergent styles of Miller’s songwriting styles, “Dang Me” and ‘The …

Thomas Rhett has come a long way from his college dorm room. In his new video for “Life Changes,” he gives a behind-the-scenes look of just how far, with some joyous onstage footage and tender family moments offstage. The video, shot in May by director Shaun Silva, does a clever …

Leon Bridges and Luke Combs share a stage in the middle of downtown Nashville for a simmering rendition of Bridges’ “Beyond,” a collaboration that will be featured in tonight’s new episode of CMT Crossroads. “Beyond,” from Bridges’ 2018 album Good Thing, coasts along on a silky groove while the soulful …

For a group of people now in their 20th year of performing together, Little Big Town never seem content to coast. They began 2018 leading one of the most intriguing lineups available on their Breakers Tour, which included guests Kacey Musgraves and Midland, and this week, they start rehearsals for …

Two extraordinary vocalists meet on “Keeping Score,” the new collaboration between Dan + Shay and pop star Kelly Clarkson that appears on the country duo’s forthcoming self-titled album. Penned by duo member Dan Smyers with Jordan Reynolds and Laura Veltz, “Keeping Score” stresses the importance of existing in the moment …

The house band for Friday night’s kickoff concert celebrating the new Outlaws & Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ’70s exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum was one for the books. Led and assembled by Shooter Jennings and Dave Cobb, the all-star players included Amanda Shires, Robby Turner and …