Country Now News

Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on Wednesday (December 10), marking two decades since their private ceremony in Oklahoma. Yearwood shared a heartfelt Instagram tribute marking the special occasion, which included a tender photo of her kissing Brooks’ cheek, along with the caption: “The very best part of the last 20 years has been you. Merry Christmas, Valentine. I love you.” Brooks also surprised the audience in Atlanta on Wednesday night with a performance alongside his wife as part of her Christmastime With Trisha Yearwood: 12 Days of Christmas Tour, with the couple performing their new holiday duet, "Merry Christmas, Valentine" in celebration of their special milestone. The collaborative original song is featured on Yearwood's new holiday album, Christmastime, which just debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart. (People)

Hailey Whitters and husband Jake Gear welcomed their first child, son Rye Whitters Gear, on December 4. The couple shared the joyful news on Instagram on Tuesday (Dec. 9) alongside adorable photos of them with their new baby. “And just like that everything is different,” Whitters wrote in the caption. “We don’t know what we ever did without you here. We can’t wait to see who you become. Welcome to the world, our sweet son.” The 36-year-old country star – who won New Female Artist of the Year at the 2023 ACM Awards – announced her pregnancy back in August, calling their baby “our greatest production yet.” Whitters and Gear were married in October 2022 in a quaint country church in her hometown of Shueyville, Iowa, after being together for over a decade. (People)

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani remain "solid" in their marriage despite recent speculation about a possible divorce. A source tells People that there is "no truth to the split rumors," and that the couple is simply managing their demanding careers. Married since 2021 after six years of dating, the pair continue to prioritize family time amid busy schedules – with Shelton releasing his 13th album in May and preparing for a Las Vegas residency in January, while Stefani is promoting her new music and getting ready for No Doubt’s upcoming reunion shows in May. Shelton is a stepdad to Stefani’s three sons she shares with her ex-husband Gavin Rossdale, with the couple trying to strike a balance between work and family life. In May, Shelton said their relationship “still feels new for me,” as the couple celebrated ten years together. (People)

During a recent appearance on the Bruce Springsteen Archives’ Conversation With Our Curator podcast, Kenny Chesney reflected on the profound influence Springsteen has had on his songwriting and live performances. Chesney shared some personal anecdotes about The Boss, including a memorable 2005 encounter when he nervously requested Springsteen play “One Step Up,” a song Chesney covered on his chart-topping 2002 album, No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems, which marked a turning point in his music career. Though Chesney grew up without much exposure to Springsteen’s music in East Tennessee, discovering it in college deeply impacted his artistic approach, inspiring him to give his all on stage much like Springsteen does. “Bruce set a standard and set a bar so high, it's hard to reach it,” Chesney shared. “I do feel like there are some parallels, as far as loving their audience...From the first note, everybody is in this together, and that really struck me. It's how we like to do things out here too.” (Holler)

On Wednesday (December 10), Clint Black announced the details of his forthcoming memoir, Killin’ Time: My Life and Music, which is set for publication on May 19, 2026 via Harper Influence. Named after the Grammy-winning country legend’s breakthrough 1989 album, the book chronicles his journey from a Texas upbringing to his rise in Nashville’s music scene, sharing personal stories about his marriage to Lisa Hartman Black and overcoming a recent spinal injury. “This is the story of a dreamer with a persistent soul,” Black says of the memoir. “After 10 years of playing clubs in Texas, I never knew if I’d get the chance to record my music in Nashville. And then, in one year, my life changed forever.” Black, who has sold over 20 million records and earned numerous accolades including the 2025 BMI Icon Award, expressed excitement about sharing this intimate account of the “40-year rollercoaster ride” that shaped him as a singer-songwriter, husband, and father. Killin’ Time is now available for pre-order from HarperCollins Publishers. (People)

The lineup for CBS Presents New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash has expanded to include newly announced performers Riley Green, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Stephen Wilson Jr., Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Marcus King, Zach Top, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Dwight Yoakam. Those artists will join previously announced headliners Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman during the five-hour televised event airing on December 31, with performances taking place at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. The event will also feature special guests like CeCe Winans and the Fisk Jubilee Singers, and appearances by Dusty Slay, Cassie DiLaura, Buzz Brainard, and UFC champion Kayla Harrison. Fans can also attend a free, 21+ in-person watch party at Luke Combs’ Category 10 bar in Nashville, where Yoakam and King will perform, along with special appearances from Cody Alan and Caylee Hammack. Tickets are available from AXS for guaranteed or VIP entry. (Billboard)

Jelly Roll got emotional when Craig Morgan surprised him with an invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry during Wednesday’s (Dec. 10) episode of The Joe Rogan Experience. This marks a full-circle moment for the Grammy-nominated singer, who credited Morgan’s song, "Almost Home," with helping him through incarceration. Having made his official Opry debut in 2021, Jelly shared how Morgan’s music inspired him to pursue a career in country music. In a pre-taped video, Morgan told Jelly “how much it meant to me to hear you say my music helped you get through some really tough times," while adding, "And who would've ever dreamed that I'd be back at the Opry House today to say Jelly Roll, you're officially invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. It's an honor to say welcome to the family, brother." Jelly then buried his head in his hands and broke down in tears over the news, clearly moved by the invite. (People)

Morgan Wallen's Sand in My Boots festival, which replaced the Hangout Music Festival for 2025, will not return in 2026. Gulf Shores, Ala., Mayor Robert Craft announced the news during a city council meeting, citing organizers' inability to secure suitable artists for the festival. The decision to cancel the 2026 event was made by AEG Presents and supported by the city, allowing time for event organizers to plan a higher-quality festival in the future, with permits already approved for Hangout Music Festival to return in 2027. Wallen, who launched Sand in My Boots alongside his chart-topping latest album, I’m the Problem, had expressed hopes to host the festival again, but the city insists future events avoid the rowdy crowds and behavior issues linked to previous Hangout lineups. Craft added that Sand in My Boots festival attendees, compared to those at Hangout Fest, were "more mature" and "better behaved." (People)

Trisha Yearwood has shared her cherished holiday traditions in a new interview with People, including a yearly cookie party where family and friends bring their favorite recipes from their childhood. The 61-year-old country star also says she waits to decorate the Christmas tree until the whole family is together – usually by her wedding anniversary on December 10, a date she marks as special since marrying Garth Brooks during the holidays. She keeps decorations up through January to enjoy the festive atmosphere, and bakes nostalgic treats like her mother’s cheese straws and a beloved green punch that she calls the "best in the world." Yearwood just released a new holiday album, Christmastime, featuring meaningful seasonal songs including a favorite from A Charlie Brown Christmas, and an original romantic duet with Brooks, “Merry Christmas Valentine.” Yearwood is also celebrating the festive season with her 12 Days of Christmas Tour across several US cities this December. (People)

Zac Brown Band launched a limited run of visually striking shows at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Friday (December 5). The performances are in support of the country band's eighth studio album, Love & Fear, which explores the duality of human experience through themes representing both pain and joy. The performance features powerful imagery, including a fiery skeleton with a crown of thorns during the dark song "Animal," a moment some fans found provocative but the visuals fit within the album’s narrative. Frontman Zac Brown says of his new project: “Love and fear push us, challenge us, and shape who we become. These songs reflect the highs, the lows and everything in between." The band continues their run at the Sphere with sold-out performances on Dec. 12 and Dec. 13, as well as a series of shows in the new year on January 9, 10, 16 and 17, 2026. (People)

Morgan Wallen has been named Billboard’s Top Artist of 2025, becoming the first male country act to achieve the honor in over 30 years, following Garth Brooks’ back-to-back year-end wins in 1992-93. The recognition was fueled by the massive success of Wallen’s 2025 album, I’m the Problem, which spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, as well as the continued popularity of his earlier albums, One Thing at a Time and Dangerous: The Double Album. Wallen also placed 41 songs on the Hot 100, including nine Top 10 hits and the No. 1 single, “What I Want” featuring Tate McRae. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl comes in at No. 1 on the year-end Billboard 200 Albums chart, marking her fifth time at No. 1 on the final tally, while also making her the Top Female Artist of 2025. Notably, Swift was the last country act to be crowned the overall Top Artist of the Year back in 2009, marking her first win in the annual recap at the time. (Billboard)

The first trailer for Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming film, EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert, premiered on Tuesday (December 9). The movie will offer rare, long-lost footage from Elvis’s legendary 1969 Las Vegas residency, along with archival 16mm and 8mm film from Elvis on Tour and Graceland, synced with restored audio including a 45-minute recording of Presley reflecting on his life. Luhrmann says of the project: “I wouldn’t call it a documentary, or a concert film; our aim here is to make something new in the Elvis canon … to bring something to the screen that befits the magnitude of Elvis as a performer but also offers deeper revelations of his humanity and inner life.” The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and will have advanced screenings at Graceland on January 8, before releasing exclusively in IMAX on February 20 and widely on February 27. This project follows Luhrmann’s critically acclaimed 2022 Elvis biopic starring Austin Butler, which garnered eight Oscar nominations and grossed over $288 million worldwide. (NME)

Raul Malo, the soulful frontman of The Mavericks known for blending Latin flair and lively rock into ’90s country music, died on Monday (December 8) at the age of 60, following a battle with Stage 4 colon cancer. Malo, celebrated for his rich baritone and dynamic stage presence, co-wrote many of the band's hits and also enjoyed a diverse solo career and work with the supergroup Los Super Seven. Formed in 1989, The Mavericks gained fame with albums like 1994’s What a Crying Shame, and were known for their energetic performances and genre-blending sound. After a split in 1999, they reunited in 2011, touring and releasing new music including their 2024 album, Moon & Stars. “Anyone with the pleasure of being in Raul’s orbit knew that he was a force of human nature, with an infectious energy,” the band wrote in tribute to Malo on Instagram. “Over a career of more than three decades entertaining millions around the globe, his towering creative contributions and unrivaled, generational talent created the kind of multicultural American music reaching far beyond America itself.”

The Mavericks just played a series of tribute shows for Malo at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium over the weekend, where special guests like Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, and Maggie Rose honored his musical legacy. Malo couldn’t attend the shows due to his failing health, but wrote in a heartfelt message: “Music has been the guiding force of my entire life. It carried me from my Cuban American childhood in Miami to stages across the world. It introduced me to my brothers, the Mavericks. It gave me a home in Nashville, Tennessee. It allowed me to raise my three incredible sons, Dino, Vincent, and Max, who are my greatest pride and joy. And it connected me to you fans whose love has sustained me through every chapter of this journey.” (Variety)

The Music City Rodeo will return to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena from May 28-30, 2026, headlined by Miranda Lambert, Charley Crockett, and Jon Pardi. The three-day event, featuring professional rodeo competitions like bull riding and barrel racing, will also serve as an official Cinch Playoff Series Rodeo, showcasing top athletes including champion bullfighters Cody Webster and Dusty Tuckness. Three-time Grammy winner Lambert will perform on May 28, followed by two-time Grammy nominee Crockett on May 29, and CMA and ACM Awards winner Pardi on May 30. Co-founder Tim McGraw announced the lineup during his recent Las Vegas residency, following the successful inaugural 2025 event which raised over $292,000 in prize money and featured performances by McGraw, Reba McEntire, and Jelly Roll. A portion of proceeds will support Nashville’s Monroe Carell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, with tickets available starting on Friday, December 12. (Billboard)

Miley Cyrus shared a positive update on her godmother, Dolly Parton, following the country legend’s recent health challenges. While attending the Avatar: Fire and Ash premiere in Los Angeles, Cyrus said of Parton, “She’s always gonna keep the show going,” while adding that “the show must go on. She’s just excited to get back to work." Earlier this year, Parton faced issues including a kidney stone and an infection that led her to postpone her December Las Vegas residency until 2026, while assuring fans, “Don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet.” A source close to Parton told People in November that, “Dolly is getting better every day,” while sharing that the 79-year-old icon is “at home taking care of herself while many friends and family visit her. In true Dolly spirit, she has already started decorating for the holidays — her favorite time of year.” (People)

During her show in Sydney, Australia on Saturday night (December 6), Kelsea Ballerini firmly shut down a heckler who shouted “Team Morgan!” – a reference to her ex-husband, Australian country artist Morgan Evans – while she performed her emotionally charged 2023 song “Penthouse,” which reflects on their divorce. Stopping mid-song, Ballerini responded with “F—k off,” and quickly added, “Team ‘everyone is happy’ here.” The 32-year-old country star later warned concertgoers on her Instagram Story by writing: “Respectfully, if anyone yells anything disrespectful to anyone during this song again, it will no longer be on the setlist.” She added, “Please let this be a song that matters to people and not a place to insert yourself into a world that doesn’t exist and was never yours to begin with. Team everyone’s happy or bust.” The incident comes as Ballerini tours Australia for the first time in seven years, promoting her 2024 album, PATTERNS, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and earned her a CMA Entertainer of the Year nomination. (People)

After 15 years performing and recording as the country duo Maddie & Tae, Maddie Font and Tae Kerr have announced they are ending their professional partnership. The pair are resisting the term "breakup" as they “are embarking on separate journeys,” with Kerr focusing on family life as a stay-at-home mom and Font pursuing a solo music career. “We’re leaving this so open-ended because we might make another record one day,” Font says, while adding, “We might go do some tour dates one day. But just in this season. it doesn't feel aligned for us to do it together.”

Both singers emphasize their enduring friendship and openness to future collaborations, with Kerr prioritizing her children and home while Font prepares to release solo music blending country, gospel, and R&B influences. The duo expressed gratitude for their fans as they plan a series of special final shows together while being careful to avoid calling it a farewell tour. The duo’s 2014 debut single, “Girl in a Country Song,” went to No. 1 when they were both only 19-years-old, and industry accolades quickly followed, with Maddie & Tae receiving 13 CMA nominations, including 11 for vocal duo of the year, 11 ACM nominations, including nine for duo of the year, and six CMT Awards nominations. (People)

During a recent appearance on The Upload with Brooke Taylor podcast, Conner Smith opened up about the deep grief and trauma he has endured since a tragic June accident in Nashville when he struck 77-year-old Dorothy Dobbins with his truck, resulting in her death. Reflecting on the incident, Smith described the experience as a devastating whirlwind of emotions that left him struggling to process reality. He received a misdemeanor citation for failing to yield, and has expressed ongoing sorrow for Dobbins and her family. Smith told Taylor that after the accident, he turned off his phone for a month “because it was so traumatic,” admitting that he “locked [myself]” at his parents’ house where he and his wife were staying. The 25-year-old country singer, who released his debut album, Smoky Mountains, in 2024, returned to performing with a July 31 concert at the Grand Ole Opry, but he currently has no shows scheduled as he continues to navigate the aftermath of the tragic accident. (Rolling Stone)

Megan Moroney was named the Storyteller of the Year at Variety’s Hitmakers event in Los Angeles on Saturday night. The 28-year-old country star credits her storytelling prowess to crafting relatable songs, like those featured on her gold-certified sophomore album, Am I Okay?, which led to her being named CMA’s New Artist of the Year in 2024, followed by a sold-out tour noted for its passionate, predominantly young female audiences. Moroney is preparing to release her third album, Cloud 9, on February 20, marked by a softer, more confident sound that still emphasizes detailed narratives in the songs which create deep emotional connections with listeners, even those who haven’t lived the exact experiences described in the lyrics. Moroney was honored to be named Variety’s Storyteller of the Year, admitting that “I gravitated towards country music at a young age because when you really pay attention to the lyrics, it puts you in that exact spot.” (Variety)

Parmalee claims their fifth No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart as “Cowgirl” climbs up three places to reach the top spot on this week’s chart, reaching 27.2 million audience impressions, an increase of 6% over the previous frame. The song was co-written by all four band members – Barry Knox, Josh McSwain, Matt Thomas, and Scott Thomas – and longtime collaborator David Fanning, who also produced the track. “Cowgirl” is the lead single from the group’s eighth studio album, Fell in Love With a Cowgirl, released in April. Parmalee is now tied with Lady A for the third-most No. 1s by groups since their 2012 debut, trailing only Old Dominion (seven) and Zac Brown Band (six) over that timespan. This also marks the group’s second time earning back-to-back Country Airplay chart-toppers, with “Cowgirl” following the success of “Gonna Love You,” which topped the chart in December 2024. Since their first No. 1 with “Carolina” in 2013, all 11 of Parmalee’s singles have reached the Top 40, including eight Top 10 hits. (Billboard)