New Country albums & singles, tour updates, and more…
By Preshias Harris
September’s Need-to-Know news about albums, singles, tours and videos from Lauren Alaina, Big and Rich, Luke Combs, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, American Blonde, Donna Fargo, George Strait plus many others, along with info on rising stars, emerging artists and more… including DollyFest!
QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “I saw this ad that said, ‘You too can look like Dolly Parton for only $500.’ Boy, I sure wish I’d seen that ad before I spent millions of dollars to look like Dolly Parton.” – Dolly Parton (01/19/1946 – 08/25/2026), spoken during a televised interview.
BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH: With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. – Matthew 19:26
ALBUM & EP NEWS
LAUREN ALAINA
LAUREN ALAINA: Country superstar Lauren Alaina has released her highly anticipated album, Stages, out now via Big Loud Records (listen/play here). The 17-song collection was co-produced by hitmakers Joey Moi, Ben Johnson, Jacob Durrett, Mikey Reaves and Adam James. Stages chronicles the defining chapters of Alaina’s life, with her signature lyrical candor and powerhouse vocals. Over the course of the album, she explores coming of age to starting a family and more, marked by three Stages – Stage One: The Dreaming, Stage Two: The Breaking, Stage Three: The Becoming.
Following the 08/28 release of Stages, Lauren played Rock The Country in Ocala, Florida, then the Grand Ole Opry Sept 01, with additional festival dates to close out the summer. Beginning in October, Alaina will head out on her headlining The Stages Tour spotlighting every era of her career, blending new music with the fan-favorite anthems that have defined her rise. Support across select dates will include rising artists Shane Profitt, Ashley Kutcher, and fellow American Idol alum Hannah Harper. Find tour/ticket information and more at Lauren Alaina’s Official Website; follow her on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube.
AMERICAN BLONDE
AMERICAN BLONDE’s long-awaited October 2 release, Delta Home, opens with the gritty, revenge-filled “Mississippi Moonshine,” and instantly sets a high bar for this six-song collection. It’s one that this tight-knit five-piece unit of Mississippi natives tops effortlessly. Fronted by sisters Nata and Tinka Morris, the group features Nata (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Tinka (vocals, drums, percussion), Pete Horne (lead and rhythm guitar), Zach Dickerson (lead and rhythm guitar), and Will Garrett (bass, background vocals). Collectively, the players bring together diverse influences (The Eagles, Paul Gilbert, Carole King, Dave Grohl, Lynyrd Skynyrd) and varied life experiences to create a unique sonic tapestry of Delta Blues-infused Southern Country Rock. Pre-save now.
American Blonde joins multi-Platinum rockers Candlebox for select October shows on their Can’t Quit You Tour. More at www.AmericanBlondeMusic.com, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
JACOB HACKWORTH
JACOB HACKWORTH: After years of writing some of Country music’s biggest songs, Jacob Hackworth is releasing his debut EP, What Took You So Long, arriving October 23 via MCA/Goat Island Sound. The seven-song project is more than a collection of songs, it’s a chronological account of the breakup that unknowingly set Hackworth on the path to Nashville and ultimately, to his life as an artist. The EP opens with the title track (currently climbing at Country radio), placing listeners in that initial moment of confusion and disbelief and unfolds like a book through the emotional stages of a heartbreak. He’s also released the EP’s second song, “I Wanna Quit,” a high-energy, emotionally charged Country banger that finds Hackworth frustrated and unable to let go of his ex.
Written by Hackworth, Jaxson Free, Heath Warren and Tyler Dopps (who produced it with Daniel Ross), “I Wanna Quit” has an undeniable hook, modern Country production and smooth, commanding vocals. The track finds Hackworth wrestling between his head and his heart, caught in the familiar cycle of a toxic relationship—knowing he needs to walk away, but repeatedly finding himself pulled back in. More on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube.
PETER HUTCHISON
PETER HUTCHISON: Healers 2 marks the 10th full-length release from singer-songwriter Peter Hutchison (Empire of Light, Subduing Mara), reviving the acoustic-based ensemble he first assembled in the 1990s. Stream/listen here. The album is the follow-up to The Healers’ breakthrough 2024 debut (Top 15 Relix, Top 40 Alt-Country, Top 100 AMA Americana Album Charts). Healers 2 draws from the rich musical tradition of the Band, the Jayhawks, the Waterboys, Wilco & Whiskeytown – an organic blend of Americana, folk, country, and Celtic influences that feels both timeless and unmistakably contemporary.
Joining Hutchison is an all-star ensemble of Brooklyn musicians, including producer/musician Rod Hohl, veteran drummer Konrad Meissner, multi-instrumentalist Luke Bergman, award-winning fiddler Minnie Jordan, acclaimed Americana vocalist Kara Suzanne, longtime collaborator Brian Wilkens, and Bruce Martin.
The album’s first single, “Some Nights” is a meditation on memory, longing, and our capacity to find our way back to one another. Lifted by soaring harmonies, fiddle, pedal steel and shimmering acoustic guitars, the song sets the emotional compass for an album that embraces both life’s fractures and its enduring capacity for grace. More info hereand on Facebook.
LITTLE BIG TOWN
LITTLE BIG TOWN: Multi-platinum Grammy Award-winning Little Big Town – Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook – unveil their highly anticipated new album It’s A Dying Art, via MCA (stream/listen here). The album’s release is accompanied by the official music video for their previously unreleased song, “The Idea,” streaming now on the band’s official YouTube channel – watch here.
“We’ve said goodbye to loved ones together, we’ve raised families together. We’ve lived a whole lot of life together, and you can hear that in every note of this record,” says Karen Fairchild. “We’re in a different season of life, marked by both grief and gratitude, and we wanted to be honest about that journey. After all these years, we still have each other, and that human connection is at the heart of this music.”
Co-produced by two-time Grammy winner Gena Johnson (Jason Isbell, Dolly Parton, Brandi Carlile) and Little Big Town’s own Karen Fairchild, It’s A Dying Art blends intimate storytelling, emotional balladry, and a focus on human-made music shaped by imperfection and lived experience. Tour updates and more at LittleBigTown.com; follow on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube.
BUDDY MILLER
BUDDY MILLER has shared his new single “As Long As I Have You,” featuring the incredible McCrary Sisters. Premiered by Relix, the soulful new track offers another taste of Buddy’s first solo album in fifteen years, arriving September 11.
The self-titled album, Buddy Miller, brings together country soul, gospel and early rock ‘n’ roll, with an incredible cast of friends including Emmylou Harris, The War & Treaty, Lee Ann Womack, Shawn Colvin, Ashley Monroe, Elizabeth Cook, Jim Lauderdale, Dan Penn, Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams.
Listen to “As Long As I Have You” here, and watch the lyric video here. Pre-order Buddy Miller ahead of its September 11 release here. More at BuddyMiller.com and Facebook, X and Instagram.
MOUNTAIN GRASS UNIT
MOUNTAIN GRASS UNIT: Appalachian Smoke carries the history of Mountain Grass Unit within it: a musical bond forged in childhood jam sessions around Birmingham, years of grassroots touring and the intuitive exchange of musicians who have learned to anticipate one another in real time. Play Appalachian Smoke here. Available now via Dualtone Records, the quartet’s 13-track debut studio album was produced by six-time Grammy winner Vance Powell (Chris Stapleton, Jack White, Phish).
The project preserves the quicksilver interplay of MGU’s live show, and simultaneously provides them room to stretch as composers and arrangers.
Recognition has come from artists and critics alike. In his IBMA keynote, Billy Strings pointed to Mountain Grass Unit as part of a new wave moving bluegrass forward and called them “killer pickers.” Bluegrass Today has likewise praised the quartet’s grounding in bluegrass, instrumental virtuosity and vocal strength. More at MountainGrassUnit.com, Facebook, TikTok, X and YouTube.
DANIELLE NICOLE
DANIELLE NICOLE has released her new album, Fireflies, out now on Forty Below Records. Produced by Tony Braunagel (Taj Mahal; Bonnie Raitt), Fireflies is a raw, deeply felt collection that explores grief, resilience, empowerment, and transformation through a rich blend of blues, soul, R&B, and roots music. Listen/stream “Fireflies on Deezer and Shazam.
Recorded in Nicole’s hometown of Kansas City, Fireflies emerged during a profoundly emotional chapter in her life following the loss of her brother Kris – her lifelong friend, bandmate, and musical collaborator. Though grief initially made it difficult to complete the songs, Nicole found renewed inspiration through collaboration with guitarist Brandon Miller and legendary keyboardist Jim Pugh.
The resulting album balances vulnerability with strength and is both deeply personal and universally resonant: a record that honors loss while searching for light, connection, and what comes next. Show dates, music and more at DanielleNicoleMusic.com.
PRESLEY & TAYLOR
PRESLEY & TAYLOR: After years of writing, recording, touring and carving out their own lane, Country newcomers Presley & Taylor are beginning a bold new chapter with their new album Act My Age, set for release October 16. Built around the beautifully messy, hilarious, emotional and often unpredictable reality of being in your 20s, Act My Agefinds Presley & Taylor are honest about every mistake, bad decision, heartbreak, growing pain and hard-earned lesson that comes with figuring out who you are—and refusing to apologize for any of it. It’s clear across the 12-song set, the sisters aren’t trying to present a perfectly polished version of themselves instead, they’re documenting the chaos of growing up, falling in love, getting hurt, chasing a dream, experiencing life and learning—sometimes the hard way—to trust their own instincts.
Presley & Taylor also share their new single, “Drunk,” which flips the script on the classic breakup bender, proving the boys aren’t the only ones who head to the bar when a relationship goes sideways. Listen to “Drunk” here. More atPresleyandTaylor.com, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
BOB SEGER
BOB SEGER: Capitol/UMe will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Bob Seger‘s acclaimed 2006 album Face The Promise with an Expanded Edition arriving September 18. Pre-order the album here.
Among the album’s highlights is “The Answer’s In The Question,” Seger’s duet with Patty Loveless. Fans can stream or download the track, which is also available as an instant grat track with pre-orders of the Expanded Edition. In 2023, Seger helped induct Loveless into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Newly remastered by longtime Seger mastering engineer Robert Vosgien, and available for the first time on streaming services, the Expanded Edition features four bonus tracks—”Time,” “Little Jane,” “Red Eye to Memphis,” and “Let Me Try”—and will also be released on 2LP black vinyl featuring a gatefold jacket and 12-page LP-sized booklet. More at BobSeger.com, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
THE WOODS
THE WOODS: Building on the success of their Nowhere Is Somewhere EP, talented trio The Woods have released their debut full-length album Ready To Run on Big Shadow Glen Records (Save/add here). The 11 tracks feel like a deep breath and a wide-open highway, announcing Raquel Cole, Dan O’Rourke, Leland Rooney as a band quietly becoming something essential. Produced by Grammy-winner Blake Chancey and built on harmonies that feel carved from the same stone, Ready To Run is the album The Woods have been earning the right to make.
All 11 songs on the new album were written or co-written by band members Cole and O’Rourke. They collaborated with the likes of Phil Barton, Molly Brown, Jessica Campbell-Waterman, Jennifer Denmark, Leland Grant, Mark Elliott, Jaren Johnston, Kenny Lamb, Hillary Lindsey, Nell Maynard, Cheyenne Medders, and Molly Reedon all but “Paradise,” which O’Rourke wrote solo. Consummate musicians individually, each played acoustic or electric guitar and mandolin in the studio.
Tour dates, new music, and more at getintothewoods.com, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
CHRISTMAS MUSIC NEWS
CHRIS TOMLIN
CHRIS TOMLIN: Grammy Award-winning artist and one of the most influential voices in Christian music, Chris Tomlin, will celebrate the hope and wonder of the Christmas season with the Good News of Great Joy Tour, starting 12/01.
“Christmas started with a song… with the announcement of Jesus’s birth,” said Tomlin. “What better time than this Christmas to gather at the church to worship and celebrate together! My prayer for this Christmas Tour is that we may be reminded that God is near to us… that when everything is stripped away, all the lights, decorations and gifts… that God is with us. I hope you, your family, and your friends will join me and celebrate!”
Presale tickets for the Christmas With Chris Tomlin: Good News of Great Joy Tour will be available beginning Wednesday, September 2. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, September 4. Tickets and additional information available here. More at Chris Tomlin.com, X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
CLASSIC COUNTRY NEWS
TG SHEPPARD
TG SHEPPARD: Country music legend T.G. Sheppard is celebrating the 45th anniversary of his signature No. 1 hit, “Party Time,” written by Bruce Channel and produced by Buddy Killen. Released in June 1981 as the second single from Sheppard’s album I Love ‘Em All, the song became Sheppard’s eighth No. 1 hit on the country charts.
“I found this song more than 45 years ago while digging through the tape and song vault at Tree Publishing Company, looking for material for a new album. I was told I couldn’t record it because Jerry Lee Lewis had it on hold and was planning to record it the very next day. For whatever reason, Jerry Lee decided to pass on the song, and as soon as I found out, I rushed into the studio to record it. The rest is history. It has gone on to become one of the most popular songs I’ve ever recorded.” – T.G. Sheppard
Sheppard’s most recent solo album, Midnight In Memphis, is available now, with the title track being written by his friend, Barry Gibb. More at www.tgsheppard.com, Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
HALL OF FAME NEWS
MUSICIANS HALL OF FAME
MUSICIANS HALL OF FAME: Check out the fascinating new exhibit in the heart of Nashville. You can now experience the extraordinary legacy of Roy Orbison at the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum. Their newest exhibit celebrates the unmistakable voice, timeless songs, and lasting influence of one of music’s most iconic artists. The Roy Orbison exhibit is now open and included with museum admission. Plan your visit here.
Additionally, the Musicians HoF is currently featuring the Ringo Starr Beats & Threads exhibit, and the Grammy Gallery where you can discover the stories behind session musicians, engineers and producers who created some of the greatest recordings of all time.
This year, the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum celebrates 20 years of honoring the musicians who created the soundtrack of our lives. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, they rely on the support of visitors, members, and music lovers like you to help us preserve these stories for generations to come. See how to donate here.
NON-PROFIT NEWS
SONGWRITING WITH SOLDIERS
SONGWRITING WITH SOLDIERS: Non-profit SongwritingWith:Soldiers (SW:S) continues to share Veterans’ voices with a brand-new album, The Power of Being Heard, set to release November 6th ahead of Veterans Day. The 15-song project amplifies 24 Veteran voices through music written and performed alongside hit songwriters including Erin Enderlin, Radney Foster, Will Kimbrough, Trent Willmon and many more. The album is available now for pre-add/save here.
“Every song on The Power of Being Heard shows that no one has to carry their story alone and that our service members’ and their families’ stories matter,” shares Kristin Starling, President, SongwritingWith:Soldiers. “These are the voices of the veterans, service members and their families who trusted us to help them tell their story. Our hope is to create connections far beyond the retreat.”
SongwritingWith:Soldiers’ mission is to transform lives by using collaborative songwriting to build creativity, connections, and strengths. SW:S holds weekend retreats across the U.S. for veterans and their families from all conflicts. More at songwritingwithsoldiers.org, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube.
SINGLES NEWS
BIG & RICH
BIG & RICH: Throughout their career, Big & Rich have never shied away from tackling topics that spark conversation, challenge conventional thinking, and encourage audiences to see the world through a different lens. From patriotic anthems to cultural commentary, the award-winning duo has built a reputation for hitting the bullseye on issues that matter to everyday Americans.
Kenny Alphin and John Rich penned “Hello, AI” to generate meaningful conversation about the future of creativity, intellectual property, and the irreplaceable role of human experience in the art of songwriting. The video is directed by frequent collaborator “Doc” Abbott. Purchase / listen here; watch here.
More than a song, “Hello, AI” is a conversation starter. It asks listeners to consider the future of intellectual property, artistic ownership, and the value of authentic human expression in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. The song shines a spotlight on a growing concern among songwriters, artists, authors, filmmakers, and creators around the world: Can technology replicate creativity, or merely imitate it? Tour dates and more at BigAndRich.com; keep up on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube.
MATT BURD
MATT BURD: “Leaving for the Last Time” is an emotional roots ballad with old school country touches of violin, piano, and lush harmonies from Matt Burd (listen/stream here). It’s about leaving a loved one and not knowing if you’ll see them again, something we all face as people get older and distances get wider. This is third single from the upcoming Lost in the Short Grass EP, following “Blackballed & Exiled” and “Thicker than Water,” which are getting radio airplay across the US and Canada.
Matt Burd is a singer-songwriter in Calgary, Canada who tells stories of loss and love to a roots and blues soundtrack. His songs paint pictures with a palette including roots and blues. While a late-bloomer, a lifetime of listening to music of all types prepared him for when the songs finally came. He is an active member of the Calgary Songsmiths group. More at MattBurd.ca, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
DONNA FARGO
DONNA FARGO: Fifty-four years after the release of her signature million-selling hit, “The Happiest Girl In The Whole USA,” Donna Fargo is debuting on the chart once again. The country legend’s latest single, “Small Town Hillbilly Good-Time Saturday Night” debuts at 72 on the Cashbox Chart for the month of September.
Donna Fargo is featured in a full page spread in the September issue of Cashbox Magazine as well. This is the second single to chart with Cashbox recently. Fargo’s uptempo pledge of love, “You Can Count On Me” climbed to number two earlier this year.
The title of Donna Fargo’s latest song says it all, “Small Town Hillbilly Good-Time Saturday Night.” “It is fun and will make you want to dance,” Donna shares with enthusiasm.
Donna Fargo wrote the song with summer gatherings and fall bonfires in mind. You can order your personal copy of the single on her website, DonnaFargo.com. More about Donna on Facebook.
ORION NYLES
ORION NYLES: Indie recording artist Orion Nyles (3rd King Entertainment) announces the release of his new single “Everywhere I Go” available here. The recording spotlights a vocal performance by Brandon Chase (Season 5 The Voice) and serves as Nyles’ formal introduction to the country music scene.
Co-written by Nyles and Chase and produced by Nyles with Adam Curry featured on guitar (Brantley Gilbert/Riley Green), the trio masterfully brings the sonic vision to life. The meticulously crafted, genre-blending, original trio seamlessly fuses heartfelt country storytelling and traditional instrumentation with high-energy hip-hop elements.
Delving into the crushing weight of heartbreak and memories that refuse to fade, the storyline is a personal reflection on loss and the inability to escape a ghost from the past. Whether through the finality of death or the conclusion of a romantic relationship, the memory becomes a haunting presence on every road, in every breeze, at every turn.
Nyles is a genre-blending country artist whose music lives between melody and rhythm. More about Orion Nyles on Facebook and Instagram.
TRISTAN ROBERSON
TRISTAN ROBERSON: Texas Country hitmaker Tristan Roberson returns with “Down For The Ride,” the title track and focus single from his highly anticipated sophomore album.
At just 18 years old, Roberson continues to build momentum as one of country music’s fastest-rising independent artists, earning four consecutive #1 singles on the Texas Regional Radio Report, charting on the Mediabase Country Indie Chart, and surpassing 23 million streams across more than 182 countries.
His recent accolades include induction into the Texas State Songwriters Association Hall of Fame, Emerging Artist of the Year at the Texas Country Music Awards, New Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2026 Texas Regional Radio Music Awards. Roberson continues touring throughout Texas and beyond with strong radio support. Tour dates and more at www.TristanRobersonMusic.com; Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
SHELTON & WILLIAMS
SHELTON & WILLIAMS: There are some roads that lead to more than a destination, they lead straight back to the memories and places that made us who we are. Shelton & Williams’ new single, “Highway Eleven,” on Huckleberry Records, captures that feeling in a heartfelt reflection on leaving home and discovering that the pull of your roots never really goes away. “Highway Eleven” is available on all digital music streaming platforms.
Set against the familiar landscape of Highway 11 and written by award-winning songwriter, Johnny Williams, the song looks back on springtime days filled with wildflowers, childhood afternoons spent on a hillside, and the comfort of a place once taken for granted. The lyrics recall leaving home to start a new life only to find that time and distance have made those memories even more precious.
Ultimately, Shelton & Williams’ “Highway Eleven” is about realizing that home isn’t simply where you live. It’s the hillside where you played, the flowers that return every spring, the house you still picture exactly as it was, and the road that can take you there. More at SheltonandWilliams.com and on Facebook.
CJ SOLAR
CJ SOLAR and The Old Souls, Nashville independent singer-songwriter CJ Solar’s exciting new artistic endeavor, have just released “Heartbreak And A Good Thing,” an upbeat tune that traces the winding road between a life spent making the wrong choices and finally finding the person who makes everything click. Listen to “Heartbreak And A Good Thing” here.
Blending Southern Rock swagger with an easygoing, jam-band sensibility, the track showcases Solar’s knack for pairing heartfelt storytelling with musicianship that refuses to sit still. Driven by soaring guitars and a series of instrumental breaks, “Heartbreak And A Good Thing” gives Solar plenty of room to let the guitars speak with solos sounding like a musical conversation between two players. The result is a track that feels equally at home on a back-porch speaker, a road-trip playlist or a packed barroom stage. Written by Solar and Jordan Allen about Solar’s real life love story, “Heartbreak And A Good Thing,” is a celebration of finding something worth holding onto after finally learning what it takes to get there. More at www.CJSolar.com, Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, YouTube.
MIA VAN DE LOO
MIA VAN DE LOO: Independent indie pop artist Mia Van de Loo has officially announced the imminent release of her newest single, “someday,” which is scheduled to drop on September 11, 2026.
The Nashville-based singer-songwriter created buzz with her early August track, “upstream,” a raw indie folk single, noted in media reviews for its genuine honesty and emotional clarity. The Mashpee, MA-born singer-songwriter continues to expand her signature acoustic, melodic indie sound ahead of the new release. Van de Loo achieved indie music recognition with her debut EP from late 2023, the 5-song Open Book, featuring standout tracks like “Fairytale” and “Doll”. Her early work focused on navigating teenage identity and growth.
Pre-save “someday” here, where you can also stream her previous song, “upstream”. Follow Mia Van de Loo on Instagram and YouTube.
BLAKE WHITEN
BLAKE WHITEN: Enchntmnt / Warner Records’ Blake Whiten is off to a strong start at Country radio, with his debut single “Bet On That” snagging the No.1 most added track of the week after landing 46 stations. Listen/play “Bet On That” here.
“Bet On That” has quickly become one of Whiten’s biggest songs to date, averaging nearly 1 million streams per week. Featured on his debut album Something To Say, the track brings Whiten’s gravel-toned vocal and restless edge to radio for the first time following a breakout summer that has included his national television debut on NBC’s TODAY and stadium dates with Morgan Wallen.
The 12-track Something To Say, produced by Austin Shawn, released in July, landed a spot on Billboard‘s Top 200 Albums chart. Listen to Something To Say here. Tour dates and more at www.blakewhitenofficial.com and on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
WILD HORSES
WILD HORSES: “Sunrise on the Absaroke” is the first track from Wild Horses’ upcoming album on their new label, Atlantic Records. Listen to “Sunrise on the Absaroke” here; watch the video here.
Born in the woods of Northern Minnesota and raised on the road, Wild Horses has earned its reputation one show at a time. Traveling the country in a beat-up bus they bought on Facebook Marketplace for $5,000. Wild Horses are building a grassroots fanbase through raw songs and real moments.
The band’s foundation rests in the partnership of husband and wife Jed and Ariana, whose lives are woven throughout the music. Their songs feel less like observations and more like pages torn from a journal written somewhere between home and the next horizon. More at www.WildHorsesMN.com, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
TOUR & SHOW NEWS
BOOTS IN THE PARK
BOOTS IN THE PARK: Time to put on your boots and head for the Park? Here’s some info about upcoming Boots In The Park festivals around the Southwest and beyond.
FRESNO, CA: Woodward Park, September 19. Headliner Zach Top will be joined by Max McNown, Jo Dee Messina, Tyler Braden and Wyatt McCubbin.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA: The Riding Park, San Juan Capistrano, October 17. Jon Pardi takes the stage, along with Corey Kent, Jackson Dean, The Wilder Blue, Myles Morgan and Presley Tennant.
TUCSON, AZ: Rillito Park, October 18. Jon Pardi returns with Koe Wetzel, Corey Kent, The Wilder Blue and Myles Morgan.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM: Balloon Fiesta Park, May 14 – 16, 2027. George Strait tops the bill with Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Zach Top, John Pardi and more to be announced later.
Find more details and tour/ticket info at BootsInThePark.com; updates on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.
LUKE COMBS
LUKE COMBS’ previously-announced My Kinda Saturday Night Tour 2027 will now stretch into June. The country superstar will build on the huge success if both his 2026 tour and the 22-song album, The Way I Am. Twelve additional stops have been added across the USA and Canada, kicking off on April 3, 2027, in Arlington, Texas, wrapping up on June 26, 2027, in San Diego, with tickets selling fast. Stops along the way include Minneapolis, Detroit, Kansas City, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Boise. Find full tour dates and ticket info here. The in-the-round shows will feature special guests Treaty Oak Revival, Avery Anna, Shenandoah and Wyatt McCubbin. More at LukeCombs.com, Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and YouTube.
DOLLYFEST
DOLLYFEST: The legacy of the beloved Dolly Parton continues. Parton’s estate has announced that DollyFest, a two-day festival to be held in Nashville and London, will go ahead across two consecutive weekends in 2027. The festival was originally scheduled to take place in January 2026 — around her 80th birthday — and was going to feature Parton as a performer and host. Now, it will serve as a celebration of her legacy.
“We had the venue booked and we had the announcement ready to go. And then, in August 2025, Dolly had to take a step back after her initial health challenges. A lot of people always say, WWDD (What Would Dolly Do?), and, well, at this moment, Dollyfest is WDWD (What Dolly Would Do!),” organizer Danny Nozell, founder and CEO of CTK Enterprises, said in a statement.
Ticket information and dates for Dollyfest are forthcoming. Fans can sign up to receive additional details at www.dollyparton.com.
REMEMBERING JOE DIFFIE
REMEMBERING JOE DIFFIE: The late Joe Diffie loved music, golf and giving back, and his family is carrying on those traditions by forming the Diffie Classic Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Diffie’s sons, Parker Diffie and Travis Humes, have announced Foundation board member appointments and updates on the 2nd Annual Diffie Classic Golf Tournament and Concert.
Diffie and Humes will be joined on the board by Craig Campbell of Campbell Entertainment Group, Travis Hare of PNC Bank, Chris Lazere of Carter Lumber, Josh Petersen of Music City Management, and Ricky Sessum of Music City Turf.
The 2nd Annual Diffie Classic Golf Tournament is set for Monday, September 21 at 12 Stones Crossing Golf Club in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. As of this writing, only four team slots are available for play. The A Night To Remember Joe Diffie concert, headlined by Mark Wills and John Berry, will be held at The Nashville Palace on Tuesday, September 22. The festive night of music will also include performances by Ben Burgess, Bryan Keith Burns, Craig Campbell, Ashland Craft, Parker Diffie, Ty Graham, Love & Theft, and Jesse Keith Whitley and will be hosted by Bryant Allan and Joe Denim. Concert tickets available here.
GULF COAST JAM
GULF COAST JAM: Another star headliner will be taking the stage at Gulf Coast Jam 2027. It has been announced that Zach Top has been added as the fourth headliner for the event.
Top will join the previously-announced headliners Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Bailey Zimmerman. The event is set for June 3-6 at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach, FL. Find tickets, performer lineup and more info here.
MIRANDA LAMBERT
MIRANDA LAMBERT: The Truth is a new venue about to open in the growing Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood of Nashville, and celebrating the venue’s opening night on October 1st is Country superstar Miranda Lambert. Find tickets and show info here for Lambert’s 8:00 p.m. show. The Truth is located at 440 Chestnut Street, Nashville, TN 37203.
The show precedes the October 2nd release of Lambert’s new album, Crisco. Pre-order/pre-save here.
Additional scheduled shows at The Truth include Jack White, The Chicks, Limp Bizkit, Smashing Pumpkins, Jo Dee Messina and HARDY. Find all upcoming shows at The Truth here.
VIDEO NEWS
JESSE AND NOAH
JESSE AND NOAH have released the official music video for “The Sunshine Shop,” the title track from their sixth studio album, available now through Usonia Records and distributed by Select O Hits. The video was premiered by American Country Network on television and digitally by The Country Note. Watch the video here.
The release of “The Sunshine Shop” video continues an exciting chapter for Jesse and Noah, whose 11-song album has already produced four singles and music videos, including “I Told A Lie,” “Loving This Night,” “Old Cowboys” featuring Riders in the Sky, and “On Again, Off Again” with Tess Frizzell. With the new music video, the duo continues to bring the songs from The Sunshine Shop to life while showcasing the heart and creativity behind their latest project.
Stream/play The Sunshine Shop here.
Jesse and Noah wrote or co-wrote the majority of The Sunshine Shop, while adding their own touch to two carefully selected covers, Rodney Crowell’s “Shame on the Moon,” famously recorded by Bob Seger, and “Me & Magdalena,” from the Monkees’ final studio album. More at JesseandNoah.com, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X and YouTube.
BELLA LAM
BELLA LAM: Rising Asian American country artist Bella Lam gives fans a closer look at the making of her latest single, “Bootfirst,” with the release of “Bootfirst” (Studio Sessions), featuring performance footage captured during the song’s recording at Nashville’s legendary Blackbird Studio with Producer and Mix Engineer Lowell Reynolds. The sessions showcase Lam performing the high-energy country anthem alongside the Nashville musicians who helped bring the track to life, capturing the energy of the room as the song came together.
Watch the “Bootfirst” (Studio Sessions) video here. Bella shared an exclusive behind-the-scenes walk through of the studio during the recording process on her Instagram, here.
The release arrives as “Bootfirst” continues to gain momentum at Country radio, with 32 station adds to date. More at BellaLamMusic.com and on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
My thanks to the artists, their labels and publicists who keep me in the loop with what’s new and exciting in their world. Send me stuff… I love to get it. preshiaswriter@hotmail.com
Preshias Harris is an advocate for songwriters and a music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com @PreshiasHarris #PreshiasHarris