Classic Country News

Garth Wishes Trisha Happy Birthday

Garth Brooks honored his wife, Trisha Yearwood, with a special birthday message on social media Tuesday (September 19th).

Brooks wrote, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY @TrishaYearwood!!!! To the woman who brings inspiration, comfort, kindness & love into our hearts every day, today we celebrate YOU! The world is a better place with you in it - country music and what’s on our tables wouldn’t be the same without you!!! love, TeamG.” 

The couple has been married since 2005.

 

 

TheĀ Oak Ridge Boys Farewell Tour

The Oak Ridge Boys will say goodbye to their fans this fall.

The group announced Tuesday (September 19th) that they will embark on the American Made: Farewell Tour in honor of their 50th anniversary.

William Lee Golden said in a statement, "We are doing a farewell tour because we owe it to our fans to say goodbye. They have always been there for us through the good times and the bad. I will always be thankful to every person who came out to a show, bought a t-shirt, played our music, and overall, loved us enough to spend their hard-earned money whenever they could. This tour is for you!"

The trek will kick off in Branson, Missouri on September 20th and hit both The Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, among other stops, before wrapping up in Dekalb, Illinois on December 13th.

 

ARTICLE PHOTO CREDIT: Republic Country Club

Hank Williams Jr. Is Engaged

Hank Williams Jr. is engaged 18 months after the death of his wife Mary.  The 74-year-old country singer announced his engagement to fiancée Brandi in an announcement shared to the Facebook page of The Pure Hank Radio Show last week.  The post showed a photo of the happy couple and read, “The newly engaged outlaw country music and southern rock legend Hank Williams, Jr. alongside is beautiful and lovely fiancée Brandi.” 

 

Martina McBride Hints That A 'Really Personal' Album Is On The Horizon

Martina McBride is ready to get creative again.  The “Independence Day” singer told People in an interview published Thursday (August 31st) that she’s still working to get back to normal after the slowdown of the pandemic. 

McBride said, “I think there were two kinds of people — people that used the time to create and people that used the time to recharge, and I was the recharge type. I'm just getting back into thinking about it really and trying to come up with what I want to do next.”

The country star is “compiling and testing recipes” for a possible new cookbook and thinking about new music. 

She told the outlet, “I think what I’m leaning toward is a really personal album. I've always done songs that talk about life and tell stories and really maybe help other people and tell their stories, but maybe it's time for me to do an album that's maybe more personal.”

 

ARTICLE PHOTO CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS (BRUCE COMER JR)

Patty Loveless Talks Hall Of Fame Exhibit

Patty Loveless recently opened up to People about seeing her career celebrated at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

She said of the new exhibit, “Patty Loveless: No Trouble With The Truth,” “It’s still hard for me to believe. It still feels like a dream that’s come true.”

She added, “It’s just uplifting for me, It’s uplifting for my soul, and my family is just so proud. I’ve been blessed."

Loveless will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, along with Tanya Tucker and songwriter Bob McDill, during a ceremony in October

ARTICLE PHOTO CREDIT

 

Shania Twain Dedicates 'You're Still The One' To Her Fans On Her Birthday

Shania Twain dedicated “You’re Still the One” to her fans in celebration of her 58th birthday Monday (August 28th).

She captioned a video montage of live performances with, “Today I’m celebrating another trip around the sun ???? I’m so grateful for a wonderful year and excited for what’s ahead. This song becomes more and more about me and you guys - still together and still going strong! Happy Birthday to me and lots of good health and happiness to you all (and thank you for all the birthday messages already). I love you.”

The 1998 track was written with and about her then-husband and collaborator, Robert "Mutt" Lange.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Shania Twain (@shaniatwain)

Dolly Parton Doesn't Lose Her Temper, She Uses It

Dolly Parton recently told Nancy O’Dell that she seems sweet and bubbly because she doesn’t lose her temper, she uses it.

She said on TalkShopLive, "I’m just a regular person. I’m not one where I’m one person out here and another [in private]. I’m a businessperson. Sometimes you’ve just kind of gotta pitch a fit to get it done or get it done right."

The 77-year-old “Jolene” singer added, “I don’t lose my temper, but I use my temper. Of course, I’ve lost it a few times but it’s not that I’m losing my temper, I’m trying to use it because sometimes there are just some people you have to speak up to."

Wynonna Judd to Tour This October

Wynonna Judd will hit the road for her Back to Wy theater tour, starting on October 26th.

People reports that the country star will be performing songs from her first two solo albums. She told the outlet, "I've been on the road since 19 and '83. So you do the math — and touring is one of my absolute favorite things to do. Coming out of The Judds tribute tour, for me, it was time to get back to the intimacy again. It's years celebrating not only being in country music for 40 years, but me as a soloist — I have so much to celebrate."

Pre-sale tickets will be available for purchase for her fan club on Aug. 22, while general sale will begin on Aug. 25.

Reba McEntire To Host One-Night-Only Event At Ryman Auditorium

Reba McEntire will celebrate the release of her upcoming lifestyle book with a one-night-only special event, “Not That Fancy: An Evening with Reba & Friends,” set for November 5th at Nashville’s iconic Ryman Auditorium.

The singer’s former Reba co-star Melissa Peterman will host the event, which will be an evening of stories with McEntire at the Mother Church.

Tickets go on sale Friday (July 14th) and include a complimentary copy of Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots.

 

Article Photo Credit: wikimedia commons

 

Dolly Parton Has No Plans to Retire

Dolly Parton has no plans to slow down any time soon.

The 77-year-old country music legend told Greatest Hits Radio host Ken Bruce Thursday (July 13th), “I would never retire. I'll just hopefully drop dead in the middle of a song onstage someday, hopefully one I've written. But anyway, that’s how I hope to go because we don't have much of a choice in that.”

The “Jolene” singer added that she’ll continue working as long as she and her husband stay healthy.

 

ARTICLE PHOTO CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Travis Tritt To Drop Gospel Project In September

Travis Tritt has announced highly anticipated debut Gospel project, Country Chapel, will be released on September 15th.

The album's pre-sale begins Friday (July 21st) along with the release of lead single, "When God Dips His Love in My Heart."

The second track, "Like the Father Loves His Son," will be released on August 18th, 2023.

 

 

Johnny Cash's Valentine

On this Valentines’ Day, there are few relationships that are more celebrated than the marriage of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash.  The two met backstage at the Grand Ole Opry back in 1956, but were both married to different people at the time. It was 11 years before they would get together, marrying in 1968. In 1987 Johnny cut a paper heart and penned this poem for June for Valentines Day:

 

(SCREEN GRAB FROM JUNECARTERCASH.COM)

Wynonna Has Dizzy Spell on Stage

Wynonna Judd gave her fans quite a scare during a performance this past weekend in Dayton.  She was in the midst of her headlining "The Judds' Final Tour" on Saturday when she became dizzy.  The 58-year-old was eventually escorted off the stage by Martina McBride and Karen Fairchild, who were on tour with her.  This is not the first time Wynonna has suffered from dizziness in recent weeks.  She was forced to cancel her New Year's Eve show in Nashville with Kelsey Ballerini due to extreme vertigo.   

 

PHOTO CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Reba McEntire's Performance Livestreamed From Reba's Place Grand Opening

Reba McEntire is set to perform live from the grand opening of Reba’s Place in Atoka, OK tonight (Thursday, January 26th). The event is closed to the public, but fans across the country can join in via a live stream from Reba’s socials at 6:45 p.m. CT at Facebook.com/Reba. 

Reba’s Place is a combination restaurant, bar, live music venue and retail store which was constructed in an old Masonic Temple. It features two stories of dining space and a stage for regular live music. The menu includes popular regional dishes including the “Fancy” steak dinner, and Reba’s personal favorite, pinto beans and corn bread. 

 

PHOTO CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Naomi Judd Left Note Stating Wynonna Was Not To Attend Her Funeral

Prior to her sudden and tragic passing, Naomi Judd handwrote a note on a yellow Post-It note stating, “Do not let Wy come to my funeral. She’s mentally ill.” Radar Online obtained a picture of the note from the Sheriff's Office in Williamson County, TN. Naomi died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on April 30th at the age of 76.

The word "not" was underlined in the note, and according to a source, Wynonna Judd was "crushed" by the writing.

Despite Naomi's death, Wynonna has continued on with their planned The Judds: The Final Tour and says it was just what she needed to deal with her grief. She told The Hollywood Reporter, “I have to admit, I’ve had an incredible, incredible opportunity to heal through all of this, to cry and to say things onstage that I’ll never say again. This is a whole other level of deep, and I wasn’t expecting it ... This is me with a broken heart being as open as I’ll probably ever be, and other people are responding to that in a way that I wasn’t expecting.”

The second leg of the tour kicks off on January 26th with special guests including Tanya Tucker, Little Big Town, Brandi Carlile, Martina McBride, Ashley McBryde and Kelsea Ballerini.

George Strait Might Have New Music Soon

George Strait might have some new music to share when he returns to the road for a few stadium dates this spring. He recently told Cowboys & Indians magazine, “I like making records and plan on doing another one soon. I’m narrowing down my song choices now . . . There is no specific message or mood that I’ll be shooting for. I just want to put together a bunch of good songs that stand out individually.”

 

George will be joined by Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town on his upcoming stadium tour which opens on May 6th in Glendale, AZ at State Farm Stadium. They'll stop in Columbus, Milwaukee, Seattle, Denver, and Nashville before wrapping up in Tampa, FL at Raymond James Stadium on August 5th.

 

Dolly Parton And 'Iconic 80s Singers' Team Up On Song For '80 For Brady' Film

Dolly Parton, Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan and Debbie Harry have teamed up for the release of the new single “Gonna Be You” from the Paramount Pictures film 80 For Brady. The song was written by Diane Warren and will be released on January 20th. 

 

80 For Brady is inspired by the true story of four best friends living life to the fullest when they take a wild trip to the 2017 Super Bowl LI to see their hero Tom Brady play. The film stars Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno and Sally Field, along with 7-time Super Bowl Champion and producer Tom Brady80 For Brady arrives in theaters on February 3rd.

 

Diane Warren said, “When I wrote ‘Gonna Be You’ for 80 FOR BRADY, I wanted to write a song that celebrated these women's deep friendship. Since 80 was in the title I got a crazy idea, why not get some of the most iconic singers from the 80s, who are still amazing and always will be, to all sing it?!!!! Everyone I approached said yes and was just as excited as me!! I'm honored to have Dolly Parton, Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan and Debbie Harry on this song!! ‘Gonna Be You’ is that song you want to sing along to with all your good friends!!!”

 

CHECK OUT THE TRAILER HERE: 

 

 

 

ARTICLE PHOTO CREDIT: FLICKR

Garth Brooks To Narrate, Produce New National Geographic Series

Garth Brooks is set to narrate and executive produce National Geographic's upcoming docuseries, America's National Parks. The show will air over the course of five consecutive nights beginning on Monday, August 29th at 9 p.m. ET, according to theboot.com.

Each episode will spotlight a different park, including the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Big Bend, Badlands and Hawai'i Volcanoes. All five episodes of America's National Parks will be available to stream on Disney+ beginning on August 31st.

 

Check out the preview here:

 

Kenny Rogers' Professional, Personal Items To Be Auctioned

Items from the late Kenny Rogers' personal and professional collections will be hitting the auction block this fall. The three-day live auction will take place from Friday, October 21st – Sunday, October 23rd at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills and online on julienslive.com.

The over 1,200 lots will include Kenny's awards, wardrobe, equipment and memorabilia from his recordings, live performances and films, as well as furnishings, artwork, jewelry, household and personal items from his home in Sandy Springs, Georgia.

A portion of the proceeds of the auction will benefit Music Health Alliance, whose mission is to provide compassionate advocacy and access to life-saving healthcare resources that protect, direct, and connect music professionals with medical and financial solutions.   

Kenny died in 2020 at the age of 81.

 

Check out the post here: 

 

Dolly Parton, Jimmie Allen Featured On 'Country Goes Reggae' Project

Dolly Parton, Jimmie Allen, Randy Houser, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Chase Rice, Uncle Kracker, Lainey Wilson and Alabama are blending their country sound with music from some of today's top Reggae musicians in Jamaica for a project called Country Goes Reggae, which is available now.  The 11-track project recreates the musical arrangements behind beloved Country songs including "Red Solo Cup," "Things a Man Oughta Know," and "Two Doors Down."

Dolly said, "To say that I'm proud of the Country Goes Reggae album with Positive Vibrations would be, certainly, an understatement. So many wonderful artists, so many wonderful songs and such great arrangements! I know people will be loving this album forever and I truly hope that you enjoy my song 'Two Doors Down.'" 

 

ARTICLE PHOTO CREDIT: FLICKR

Alan Jackson Is Going To Be A Grandfather!

Alan Jackson is going to be a grandfather for the first time! His oldest daughter, Mattie, revealed the big news in an Instagram story that her sister, Ali, and her husband are expecting their first child and it's a boy! Her story shared pictures and video from the gender reveal which Alan and his wife, Denise, attended. 

Mattie shared a screenshot of Ali’s Instagram post with her husband which was captioned, “Happy Anniversary to my husband and dad to be!! Of course your baby boy is due at the beginning of duck season.” Mattie's caption overlaying the graphic read, “Did I mention my nephew coming 12/2022???”

Ali and her husband, Sam Bradshaw, revealed the gender by having Sam shoot at a clay disc which exploded in blue dust. 

Alan has three daughters so baby Bradshaw will be the first boy. Mattie captioned the gender reveal video with,  “We have no idea what to do but we’re pumped!”

Reba McEntire To Star In Lifetime Movie

Reba McEntire has signed on to star in a new Lifetime movie which also stars her real-life boyfriend, Rex Linn, and reunites her with her Reba sitcom co-star Melissa Peterman. The film is called The Hammer, and Reba is set to play a traveling judge, according to People.com.

 

According to a press release, The Hammer is based on the true story of Judge Kim Wheeler, who was appointed judge of the 5th District of Nevada after the reigning judge died under suspicious circumstances. 

 

No release date for The Hammer has yet been announced.

Shania Twain Put On Voice Rest, Cancels Vegas Show

Shania Twain was forced to cancel her show on Wednesday (June 22nd) in Las Vegas, with the possibility of tonight's (Friday, June 24th) and Saturday's (June 25th) shows still up in the air after doctors ordered her on voice rest. She shared the situation with fans on social media on Wednesday writing in part, “I am sad to say that I woke up this morning feeling unwell and with no voice. I am under strict doctors orders to rest and not sing . . ."

Shania is in the midst of her residency dates at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood. She wrote, “Nothing makes me happier than being on stage and performing for you so I’m extremely disappointed to cancel tonight’s show. I am going to do everything I can to get back on stage for this Friday and Saturday."

Tickets for Wednesday night's show were automatically refunded if they were purchased through Ticketmaster. Otherwise, ticketholders were asked to "contact your point of purchase for their refund policy."

Shania's next string of shows at Zappos Theater are on August 26th, 27th and 31st.

 

Check out her announcement here: 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Shania Twain (@shaniatwain)

Dolly Parton's Best-Selling Novel Headed To Big Screen Via Sony Pictures

Dolly Parton's best-selling novel co-authored with James Patterson, Run, Rose, Run, is headed for the big screen via Sony Pictures. The film will also star and be co-produced by Dolly along with Reese Witherspoon and her Hello Sunshine media company and James Patterson and his James Patterson Entertainment. 

 

Dolly told The Hollywood Reporter, “I am thrilled to be bringing Run, Rose, Run to Sony Pictures. I’m looking forward to working with Sony and being in the movie as well. It’s a good time to be excited, working with some of my favorite people."

 

The book is about a young woman who makes her way to Nashville to pursue her music dreams. It was released on March 7th.

 

In addition to the companion album of the same name which was released with the book through Dolly's own Butterfly Records, she will also write original songs for the project.

 

Check it out here: 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton)

Alan Jackson Cancels CMA Fest Performance, Addition Artists Added To Lineup

Just days before the kickoff of CMA Fest, Alan Jackson has canceled his performance. No details were given, but last year when he revealed his diagnosis with Charcot-Marie-Tooth, he said that it made performing increasingly difficult.

Alan has been open about his health condition, and has also voiced his determination to keep performing for fans as long as he possibly can.

In the recent past, Alan talked about his neuropathy and neurological disease that he inherited from his dad. He said, “There's no cure for it, but it's been affecting me for years. And it's getting more and more obvious. And I know I'm stumbling around on stage. And now I'm having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone, and so I just feel very uncomfortable."

Brothers Osborne and Old Dominion have now been added to fill the empty time slot on the CMA stadium stage.