Country
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If a dog is really a woman’s best friend, then Kacey Musgraves‘ adorable Australian Cattle Dog Pepper is more like a guardian angel. The singer revealed in an Instagram Story on Sunday that Pepper “honestly saved me” when the “Deeper Well” star almost stepped on a rattlesnake with her bare feet while on a walk with friend recently, according to EW.
“Copperhead: 1, Pepper: 0,” she reported sadly about the snakebite the pup endured from a Timber Rattler — which is venomous and whose bite can be lethal to humans — while trying to protect her. “Got her to the vet quick” Musgraves added about the dash to get Pepper a dose of antivenom alongside a video of the dog with an IV line. “The bite made her lethargic. Those who have Blue Heelers know they ain’t ever this calm.”
“Pepper update: She’s home and sleeping a lot / on pain meds and getting lots of love,” Musgraves wrote. The post also reportedly included pics of Pepper snuggling in bed with her, clearly worse for the wear as evidenced by a red mark on the dog’s snout where the snake struck. “This is wild but the vet was showing me how the inside of her mouth and all down her neck is so bruised from that damn snakebite,” Musgraves wrote along with a snap of Pepper’s lip pulled back to show angry-looking discolored skin. “Thank God for good dogs,” she said.
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Though it didn’t include any action pics, Musgraves took to Instagram again on Monday (Oct. 28) for a photo dump of her month so far, writing, ” Here’s to seeing twilight more often – whether you get up for it or are already up , more sunrise rides (and coffee on said sunrise rides), fresh sourdough handmade by a friend, brave dogs that save you from stepping on a rattlesnake you didn’t see on your back porch, new songs, and all the other little sprinkles.”
The photo roll included snaps of Musgraves riding horses at sunrise with a friend, chilling with Pepper on her lap in the recording studio and giving the pup a nice pet on the head, working on a new song seemingly titled “Back on the Wagon” and, as mentioned above, baking sourdough.
Musgraves is in the midst of her Deeper Well World Tour, which will hit the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Nov. 7, followed by shows in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Brooklyn, Houston, Dallas and Austin through the end of the month.
The Morgan Wallen Foundation is helping music students across the country, donating a total of $500,000 in musical instruments through the “One Instrument at a Time” initiative, in partnership with Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation.
The initiative is donating musical instruments to schools in need across 14 cities Wallen‘s One Night at a Time stadium tour has visited this year. Those cities include Arlington, Texas; Charlotte, N.C.; Denver; East Rutherford, N.J.; Hershey, Pa.; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Mo.; Las Vegas; Minneapolis; Nashville; Oxford, Miss.; Philadelphia; Tampa, Fla.; and Virginia Beach, Va.
Over the past two years, 15-time Billboard Music Awards winner Wallen has donated $3 from every U.S. ticket sold on his 87-concert One Night at a Time World Tour to his nonprofit Morgan Wallen Foundation, which supports programs for youth in music and sports. $1.3 million was distributed to communities across the country in 2023 alone.
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“When I was a kid, access to music profoundly changed my life and gave me a sense of purpose. I want that for others, and I’m blessed to be able to provide instruments to these schools through my foundation,” Wallen said in a statement. “We really wanted to say a big thank you to these awesome communities that welcome us in and let us play for our fans.”
Donelson Middle School Band, led by teacher Laura Shepherd, receives multiple new instruments — including trombones, flutes, saxophones, keyboards, bass drums and more — from the Morgan Wallen Foundation and Mr. Holland’s Opus.
Courtesy of The Morgan Wallen Foundation
“Giving back is an integral part of who Morgan is and how he was raised. So launching ‘One Instrument At A Time’ in conjunction with this tour was incredibly important,” added Kathleen Flaherty, executive director of the Morgan Wallen Foundation. “Partnering with Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation enabled us to utilize their expertise in securing quality instruments and identifying schools in local communities that need them the most. In turn, we hope to impact the lives of kids by giving them access to learn and play music, which is what set the stage for Morgan’s life.”
“Music education plays a crucial role in shaping the development of young minds, nurturing their artistic expression, and instilling a lifelong passion for music. We are grateful to the Morgan Wallen Foundation for their dedication to enhancing music education in our schools,” said Tricia Williams, president/CEO at Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation. “Their generosity will make a profound difference in the lives of students, empowering them to unleash their potential and pursue their dreams.”
The “One Instrument at a Time” initiative is the latest way the Morgan Wallen Foundation is giving back. Last month, the foundation donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross to benefit relief efforts following Hurricane Helene. The Morgan Wallen Foundation also donated $140,000 to Gibbs Youth Sports, coinciding with Wallen’s record-breaking double-header of concerts at the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s Neyland Stadium.
Last year, the Morgan Wallen Foundation made donations that centered on revitalizing baseball parks in touring cities, donating to Chicago Cubs Charities, Atlanta Braves Foundation, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville, Boston Red Sox Foundation.
It’s hard to imagine another celebrity who would make Beyoncé blush. But when Bey met Willie (again) at the Kamala Harris rally in Houston on Friday, the “Texas Hold ‘Em” star could not say enough about how much the country icon means to her.
“The Great Willie! You are the coolest!,” she wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday morning (Oct. 29) featuring a snap of her with Willie Nelson backstage at the event, in which she is wearing her black skirt and jacket ensemble and Nelson is rocking black jeans, a red bandana and a funky Harris/Walz t-shirt. “I admire you, and I sincerely thank you for being the pioneer you are. Thanks for your impactful music, your advocacy, and the gracious way you appreciate and celebrate other artists! You are 1 of 1.”
Bey also recalled that Nelson was “so kind” to her and the other members of Destiny’s Child when they “fanned out” about meeting him years ago. “And you greeted me with the same kindness 20 years later!” she said. “You are one of our national treasures.”
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In addition to meeting up twice in the past 20 years, Bey recruited Nelson for the appropriately toke-tastic “Smoke Hour,” one of the radio-themed interludes on her country-leaning Cowboy Carter album. Both musicians appeared in Bey’s hometown of Houston on Friday (Oct. 25) at a rally for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, where Beyoncé and her Destiny’s Child bandmate, Kelly Rowland endorsed the current Vice President.
“I’m not here as a celebrity,” Beyoncé said. “I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother. A mother who cares, deeply, about the world my children and all of our children live in. A world where we have the freedom to control our bodies. A world where we’re not divided. Our past, our present, our future merge to meet us here.”
Nelson, 91, opened the event for tens of thousands by asking the crowd, “Are we ready to say Madam President?” before playing his classic hits “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” and “On the Road Again.”
Beyoncé didn’t just share the stage with Nelson, though. In her photo roll, Bey also appeared to model a very special souvenir from Nelson — his branded “pretend it never happened” red bandana — smiling broadly with her hands on her head as she showed off the one-of-a-kind keepsake.
The photo series also featured a moody black-and-white snap of Nelson performing, a GIF of the country legend blowing a kiss to the audience, another shot of her and mother, Tina Knowles, posing with Willie, a throwback image of a 2004 Texas Monthly cover story in which Queen Bey wore a Nelson T-shirt and red bandana and a final GIF of her snuggling up to her Nelson headgear.
Nelson and Beyoncé are just the latest in a growing roster of A-listers who have thrown their support behind Harris in her battle against convicted felon Donald Trump. Among the others who’ve endorsed Harris are: Taylor Swift, Usher, Eminem, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cher, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Billie Eilish and Finneas, Charli XCX, George Clooney, Barbra Streisand, Megan Thee Stallion, Stevie Wonder, John Legend and many more.
On Monday, a number of artists born in Puerto Rico, including Ricky Martin, Bad Bunny and Luis Fonsi — and Jennifer Lopez, whose parents were born in P.R. — also threw their support behind Harris in the wake of the racist, misogynistic and antisemitic comments made by a comedian at twice impeached former President Trump’s rally at New York’s Madison Square Garden over the weekend. Among the off-color jokes made by podcaster Tony Hinchcliffe was one in which he said, “There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”
Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” becomes the latest country hit to top Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart in 2024, debuting at No. 1 on the Nov. 2-dated tally.
In the week ending Oct. 24, “Love Somebody” earned 31.1 million official U.S. streams, according to Luminate.
It’s Wallen’s first No. 1 debut as a lead act; earlier this year, he started atop the ranking as a featured act on Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help,” which reigned for two weeks, one in May and one in August.
He also led the chart for 19 weeks with “Last Night” in 2023, though the song did not reach No. 1 until its sixth week on the list.
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“Love Somebody” is the fourth No. 1 from the country genre on Streaming Songs in 2024. The year began with Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” reigning on the Jan. 6 list (after ruling for the final four weeks of 2023), followed by the aforementioned Malone/Wallen collaboration and then Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” for nine weeks to date beginning in July. “Love Somebody” takes over from “A Bar Song” atop the latest ranking.
In 2023, four country songs topped the list, including Lee, plus Wallen’s “Last Night,” Zach Bryan’s Kacey Musgraves-featuring “I Remember Everything” and Oliver Anthony Music’s “Rich Men North of Richmond.” The genre has not yet boasted more than four rulers in a year.
In the preceding nine years (2013-2022) of the chart, only Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)” had represented the country genre at No. 1 on Streaming Songs, doing so in 2021.
On Country Streaming Songs, “Love Somebody” is Wallen’s 12th leader, twice as many as the next-closest acts, Swift and Florida Georgia Line, with six apiece.
Concurrently, as previously reported, “Love Somebody” debuts at No. 1 on the multimetric Billboard Hot 100, becoming Wallen’s third ruler.
In this week’s crop of new tunes, Willie Nelson and Ringo Starr issue sterling new songs, once again showcasing their timeless approaches, while Drew Baldridge follows his breakthrough hit with a new track celebrating steely determination and fortitude. Meanwhile, Neil Perry (known for his work as part of The Band Perry) makes his solo debut, and Mōriah nods to her heritage on her first country song.
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Check out all of these and more in Billboard‘s roundup of the best country songs of the week below.
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Willie Nelson, “Lost Cause”
Over the years, the 91-year-old Nelson has issued tribute projects to artists including Frank Sinatra and Ray Price. On his upcoming LP, the Micah Nelson-produced Last Leaf on the Tree (out Nov. 1 via Legacy Records), Nelson again showcases his unparalleled artistic range, re-imagining songs made popular by a cavalcade of rock, jazz and soul artists, among them Neil Young, Keith Richards and Nina Simone. In his emotionally intricate interpretation of Beck’s “Lost Cause” (which Beck originally recorded on his 2002 album Sea Change), Nelson’s voice effortlessly embodies weariness and resignation as he looks squarely and resolutely at the conclusion of a relationship on line such as “I’m tired of fightin’/ Fighting for a lost cause.” Mournful guitar and subdued harmonies surround, making this one of Nelson’s most evocative vocal renderings.
Drew Baldridge, “Tough People”
Baldridge follows his breakthrough hit “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” with this tribute to determined people from all walks of life, including grandmothers fighting through pain to work shifts waiting tables, families with children battling cancer, a community devastated by a tornado, and a policeman running toward danger in a school building. While weaving the different heartbreaking scenarios together, the song offers an uplifting voice of motivation to stay strong during challenging times.
Ringo Starr, “Time on My Hands”
Throughout his decades in the spotlight, Starr has made no secret of his passion for country music, from the Beatles’ version of Buck Owens’ “Act Naturally” in 1965 (Owens and Starr would record a duet of the song in 1989), to Starr’s sophomore solo effort, 1970’s Beaucoups of Blues. Ringo Starr again dips into country-inspired sounds, welcoming several of Nashville’s esteemed artists on his upcoming country album, Look Up (out in January), including Alison Krauss, Billy Strings, Larkin Poe and Molly Tuttle. “Time on my Hands” was written by T Bone Burnett, Paul Kennerly and Daniel Tashian. This excellently crafted song puts Starr’s superb vocal in the spotlight, alongside Paul Franklin’s masterful steel guitar playing, making for an enticing first look at the album.
Neil Perry, “If You Can’t, Don’t”
Perry, known for his hits as part of sibling trio The Band Perry, makes his solo debut on this raw, heartfelt track. “At times I see the devil in myself/ Through the cracks of who I’m meant to be,” he sings with his conversational storytelling style front and center, elevated by refined production, as he implores a loved one to accept both his strengths and quirks, but doesn’t hold it against them if they can’t. He approaches his solo single with a more storyteller/folk tilt than his pop-country work as part of TBP, but it’s a style that suits his vocal admirably.
Josiah and the Bonnevilles with Trampled By Turtles, “Rocky Mountain High”
Josiah Leming joins forces with Trampled By Turtles for a version of this John Denver classic, offering an intricate swirl of guitar, banjo and harmonies. Earlier this year, they collaborated on the song during Trampled By Turtles’ show at Red Rocks, with Josiah and the Bonnevilles opening. Their crisp rendering builds upon Denver’s version, creating an open-hearted, freewheeling take on this timeless ode to the picturesque mountains of Colorado.
Mōriah, “Hasta Mañana“
Mexican-American songwriter Mōriah has previously earned hits in the Contemporary Christian music genre, and is known for her work on films and television series such as Unsung Hero and The Chosen. But with her country debut, she delves into her passion for both her roots and country music, melding country sounds, mariachi flair and her own dusky, dulcet vocal for an outing that is both extremely promising and proudly confident.
Perhaps it was the ultimate irony that Concert for Carolina, Saturday night’s (Oct. 26) benefit for Hurricane Helene relief organized by Luke Combs and Eric Church, was delayed for nearly two hours because of severe weather as patrons were sent to shelter in the concourse at Charlotte’s Bank of America stadium, home of the Carolina […]
Brad Paisley stepped into the baseball diamond on Friday night (Oct. 25), where he performed the national anthem at the first game of the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Accompanied by a green electric […]
Jelly Roll, Luke Combs and Keith Urban are set to headline the 12th annual Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival, which will take place April 4-6, 2025 at Ft. Lauderdale Beach in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Jelly Roll will headline on Friday, April 4, followed by Urban on Saturday, April 5, and Combs on Sunday, April 6.
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Jelly Roll just notched his first all-genre Billboard 200 chart-topping album with his new set, Beautifully Broken, while Urban and Combs will soon join Eric Church, James Taylor, Billy Strings and other artists in raising aid for those impacted by Hurricane Helene, during the Oct. 26 benefit Concert For Carolina in Charlotte, N.C.
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The oceanside Tortuga Music Festival was named the Academy of Country Music’s festival of the year, and aims to continue its lauded offerings with a stable of artists for 2025 that also includes Gary Allan, Rodney Atkins, Artikal Sound System, Bumpin Uglies, Ashland Craft, Jordan Davis, Gavin DeGraw, Wyatt Flores, Gashi, Caylee Hammack, Ezra Ray Hart (ft. Mark McGrath, Kevin Griffin, Emerson Hart), Cody Jinks, Corey Kent, Marcus King, Ludacris, Parker McCollum, John Morgan, Megan Moroney, Angie K, Drew Parker, Meghan Patrick, Restless Road, DJ Rock, Lily Rose, Shaboozey, Dee Jay Silver, The Original Wailers, Wheeland Brothers and Yelawolf.
Additionally, the Next From Nashville stage will feature emerging Nashville-based artists including Abby Anderson, Avery Anna, Bayker Blankenship, Karley Scott Collins, Kashus Culpepper, Denitia, Jade Eagleson, Mae Estes, Thomas Edwards, Lanie Gardner, Noah Hicks, Jenna LaMaster, Bryce Leatherwood, Lauren Watkins and Charlie Worsham.
Tickets for Tortuga Music Festival go on sale Friday, Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. ET at tortugamusicfestival.com, while hotel and VIP packages can be purchased through Vibee at Tortuga.Vibee.com.
Marshmello and Kane Brown’s “Miles on It” rises two spots to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart (dated Nov. 2). The song increased by 14% to 31.5 million audience impressions Oct. 18-24, according to Luminate.
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Marshmello reigns in his rookie Country Airplay appearance. The prominent DJ notches the first debut No. 1 at the format since Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” began its seven-week domination in August.
Brown banks his 12th Country Airplay leader. It’s also his seventh in succession, the longest active streak among all artists. Notably, behind Brown with five consecutive career-opening chart-toppers is Jelly Roll, whose latest single, “I Am Not Okay,” holds at its No. 2 high (30.3 million, up 3%).
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Prior to “Miles on It,” Brown last topped Country Airplay for one week in March with “I Can Feel It.” He first led with “What Ifs” (featuring Lauren Alaina) for a week in October 2017.
Meanwhile, “Miles on It” isn’t the first Marshmello and Brown collaboration. The two topped the streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Country Songs chart with “One Thing Right” for a week in October 2019. They are among the co-writers of their new leader, which has hit No. 4 on the ranking and which introduces Brown’s LP The High Road, due Jan. 24, 2025.
Dasha Kicks Up First Top 10
Dasha’s co-penned “Austin” ascends 12-9 on Country Airplay (16.4 million, down 1%). The breakthrough single by the San Luis Obispo, Calif., native becomes the first freshman entry by a woman to hit the top 10 since Megan Moroney’s “Tennessee Orange,” which reached No. 4 in July 2023.
‘Beautiful’ Music
Plus, Thomas Rhett earns his 24th top 10 as“Beautiful as You” climbs 12-10 (16.1 million, up 7%). The single follows “Mamaw’s House” (featuring Morgan Wallen), which in March became Rhett’s 20th No. 1.
On Oct. 27, 1984, Alabama’s “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas” rose to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. The classic was co-written by Murry Kellum and Dan Mitchell and produced by the band and Harold Shedd.
Formed near Fort Payne, Ala., in the early ‘70s, Alabama was initially billed as Wildcountry, consisting of cousins Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen. They recruited drummer Mark Herndon in 1979.
Starting with Alabama’s 1980 Hot Country Songs No. 1 “Tennessee River” and through its featured turn on Brad Paisley’s “Old Alabama” in 2011, the band banked 33 leaders, among 51 top 10s, both the most among duo/groups. Also beginning with “Tennessee River,” Alabama rattled off a record 21 No. 1s in a row (counting proper, nonseasonal singles) through 1987.
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“We were lookin’ for a song that would use a fiddle,” “Texas” co-producer Shedd shared in Tom Roland’s The Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits. “After ‘Tennessee River’ and [Alabama’s ninth No. 1, 1983’s] ‘Dixieland Delight,’ it became a trademark, so we wanted to do some of those things. If it’s working, you don’t want to get too far away from that. You gotta touch your home base. [“Texas”] was something we could out a fiddle on that would not sound manufactured or contrived.”
“Texas” was released as the third of four singles – all of which topped Hot Country Songs – from Alabama’s eighth LP, and fourth Top Country Albums No. 1, Roll On. It followed “Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)” and “When We Make Love” and preceded “(There’s A) Fire in the Night.”
In 2015, Southern Drawl, Alabama’s first set of new music since 2001, arrived at its No. 2 peak on Top Country Albums. It became the group’s 26th top 10 set, a sum that includes 11 No. 1s logged between 1981 and 2006.
Alabama was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. Cook passed away on Nov. 8, 2022, at his home in Destin, Fla. He was 73. Currently touring, the band makes its next stop in St. Augustine, Fla., on Nov. 8.