Latest Country music News

JD Souther, who helped write ‘New Kid in Town,’ ‘Heartache Tonight’ and other Eagles hits, has died

Sep. 18, 2024 15:37 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — John David “JD” Souther, a prolific songwriter and musician who helped shape the country-rock sound that took root in Southern California in the 1970s with his collaborations with the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, has died at the age of 78. Souther, who...

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Sept. 22-28

Sep. 16, 2024 09:26 AM EDT

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Sept. 22-28: Sept. 22: Singer-dancer Toni Basil is 81. Actor Paul Le Mat (“American Graffiti”) is 79. Singer David Coverdale (Whitesnake, Deep Purple) is 73. Actor Shari Belafonte is 70. Singer Debby Boone is 68. Country singer June Forester of...

Morgan Wallen leads the 2024 Country Music Association award noms, Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' snubbed

Sep. 09, 2024 16:36 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — He had some help: Morgan Wallen tops the 2024 Country Music Association Awards nominations with seven. For a third year in a row, Wallen is up for both the top prize — entertainer of the year — and the male vocalist categories. Rounding out the...

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Sept. 15-21

Sep. 09, 2024 09:09 AM EDT

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Sept. 15-21: Sept. 15: Screenwriter and director Ron Shelton (“Bull Durham,” “White Men Can’t Jump”) is 79. Actor Tommy Lee Jones is 78. Movie director Oliver Stone is 78. Drummer Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger is 72. Actor Barry Shabaka...

Music Review: On 'Cowboys and Dreamers,' George Strait's traditional country is still a heart warmer

Sep. 06, 2024 11:29 AM EDT

George Strait's 31st studio album, the feel-good “Cowboys and Dreamers,” marks five decades of record releases; a titanic career for a Texas troubadour whose greatest ambition seems to have always been the same: Make pretty, plain-spoken songs about life's true pains and pleasures, and...

Country singer Jelly Roll performs at Oregon prison

Sep. 05, 2024 15:42 PM EDT

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Country singer Jelly Roll has been playing sold-out shows across the U.S. as part of his “Beautifully Broken” tour. But earlier this week, his venue wasn't a massive arena: it was the Oregon State Penitentiary. The award-winning artist posted a video and...

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Sept. 8-14

Sep. 03, 2024 08:49 AM EDT

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Sept. 8-14: Sept. 8: Ventriloquist Willie Tyler (with Lester) is 84. Actor Alan Feinstein is 83. Singer Sal Valentino of The Beau Brummels is 82. Bassist Will Lee of the CBS Orchestra (“Late Show with David Letterman”) is 72. Actor Heather...

Swiss city of Basel is chosen to host next year's Eurovision Song Contest

Aug. 30, 2024 07:45 AM EDT

GENEVA (AP) — The Swiss city of Basel will host next year's Eurovision Song Contest from May 13 to 17, organizers announced Friday. The mostly German-speaking city on the Rhine River bordering both France and Germany was selected over Geneva in a faceoff that generated buzz and...

Criminal charges weighed against a man after a country music star stops show over an alleged assault

Aug. 29, 2024 18:41 PM EDT

PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — Criminal charges were being considered for a man suspected of hitting a woman during a concert at the Colorado State Fair, authorities said Thursday, in an incident that prompted country music star Scotty McCreery to abruptly stop his show and call out the alleged assailant...

Dolly Parton is sending free books to children across 21 states — and around the world

Aug. 28, 2024 07:01 AM EDT

Dolly Parton's father grew up poor and never got the chance to learn to read. Inspired by her upbringing, the 78-year-old country music legend has made it her mission over the past three decades to improve literacy through her Imagination Library book giveaway program. It has...