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Country

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Ella Langley’s “You Look Like You Love Me,” featuring Riley Green, leaps from No. 7 to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart dated Dec. 14. The song, which the pair penned with Aaron Raitiere, increased by 18% to 26.5 million audience impressions Nov. 29-Dec. 5, according to Luminate. (The six-spot leap ties for the third-greatest to the top in the chart’s nearly 35-year history.)
Langley lands her first Country Airplay No. 1 with her second entry (on SAWGOD/Columbia/Nashville Harbor). “Strangers,” with Kameron Marlowe, spent a week at No. 56 in July. Green nets his second chart-topper, following his featured turn on Thomas Rhett’s “Half of Me,” which led for a week in November 2022.

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Meanwhile, for the first time in 2024, a woman artist rules Country Airplay. Lainey Wilson last led among women, as featured on Jelly Roll’s “Save Me” for two weeks in December. Langley is the first woman to reign in a lead role also since Wilson, who spent three weeks at No. 1 in October 2023 with “Watermelon Moonshine.” Langley ends the longest break – 51 weeks – between women (including groups with prominent female vocals) topping the chart since a record 61-week shutout in 2003-04.

New Top 10s

Morgan Wallen banks his 18th Country Airplay top 10 as “Loves Somebody” lifts 11-9 (20 million, up 10%). The song is the second single from Wallen’s upcoming album, following “Lies Lies Lies,” which topped the Nov. 23-dated chart, becoming his 15th No. 1 – and his fifth of 2024, a new annual high for any artist.

Plus, Tucker Wetmore’s “Wind Up Missin’ You” becomes the singer-songwriter’s first Country Airplay top 10, as it hops 12-10 (18.1 million, up 4%). The 25-year-old previously charted with “Wine Into Whiskey” (No. 56 peak, May). The Kalama, Wash., native, who boasts 1.2 million TikTok followers, sent his debut collection, Waves on a Sunset, to No. 18 on Top Country Albums in October.

All Billboard charts dated Dec. 14 will update on Billboard.com Tuesday, Dec. 10.

Quavo has been showing off his versatility as an artist throughout 2024. He’s dipping back into his country bag while expressing his “Georgia Ways” alongside Luke Bryan and Teddy Swims.

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“Georgia Ways” arrived on Friday (Dec. 6), with the trio paying homage to their Peach State roots. An outdoors-themed visual accompanied the release, with Quavo, Luke and Teddy rumbling through the countryside participating in various activities.

“Magic City, tell a country boy what the hell that means,” Bryan inquisitively asks Quavo about the famous ATL jiggle joint to kick off the clip while casting their fishing rods into the pond.

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“In the South we ball, how about them Dawgs/ Waffle House, soaking up the alcohol/ Lemon pеpper, Magic City on a Monday,” Huncho raps on the track.

Draped in camouflage and Chrome Hearts pants, Quavo goes fishing, drives his quad around and heads to the barn with Bryan before inviting Swims into the fold. The Grammy-nominated “Lose Control” artist throws on his cowboy hat and performs from the bed of his pickup truck.

“G-E-O-R-G-I-A/ Where I B-E, baby, let me hear you say/ G-E-O-R-G-I-A/ A-Town stompin’ on that old red clay,” Swims sings.

“Georgia Ways” was initially debuted during the University of Georgia versus Georgia Tech football game last week, for which Quavo was in attendance. The SEC Championship will also be highlighting a clip from the visual during the conference championship game’s broadcast on ESPN on Saturday (Dec. 7).

It’s been a busy year for the Migos rapper, who could be setting up for another solo project in 2025. He previously notched collabs this year with Lana Del Rey, Lenny Kavitz, Yeat, Giggs, The Kid Laroi and more.

Watch the Wyatt Spain-directed video below.

Duo The War and Treaty are set to release a new album, Plus One, on Valentine’s Day. The 18-song set, which will release via Mercury Nashville, was primarily produced by the duo’s Michael Trotter Jr., and recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala.

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The duo’s Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter worked with their longtime live band on the album, and wrap in a blend of gospel, bluegrass, country, soul, symphonic pop and more. Along the way, they collaborated with producers including Jonathan Singleton (Luke Combs, Chase Rice), John Shanks (Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow) and Jesse Frasure (Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini).

“We see this record as an open invitation to be a part of what we’re doing — it came from wanting to be the hope we believe people need right now, as well as the hope that we need for ourselves,” Tanya Trotter said in a statement.

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“One of our main intentions with this album is to inspire people to share themselves with others, and open themselves up to the possibility of being loved,” Michael Trotter Jr. added.   

The album’s songs include “Drink From Me” featuring Billy Strings; “Love Like Whiskey,” which the Trotters wrote with Miranda Lambert; and the Black gospel-influenced “Called You by Your Name.”

Plus One follows the duo’s 2023 project Lover’s Game, which earned a Grammy nomination for best American roots song (for the album’s “Blank Page”), while The War and Treaty was nominated for best new artist.

Over the past year, The War and Treaty has opened shows for Chris Stapleton, Zach Bryan and The Rolling Stones. In March, the duo will also launch the Plus One Tour, which will visit 30 cities across the United States, including New York City’s Irving Plaza, The Howard Theatre in D.C., The Troubadour in Los Angeles, The Kessler Theater in Dallas and more. The tour begins March 26 in Minneapolis and will conclude on June 19 in Bristol, Tenn. General ticket on-sale opens next Friday, Dec. 13, at 10 a.m. local time.

See the tracklisting for Plus One below:

“Love Like Whiskey”

“Skyscraper”

“Can I Get an Amen”

“Called You by Your Name”

“Stealing a Kiss”

“Teardrops in the Rain”

“Leads Me Home”

“Carried Away”

“Drink From Me” feat. Billy Strings

“Reminisce”

“Save Me”

“Love Is on Fire”

“I Can’t Let You Go”

“Home”

“Love Light”

“Mr. Fun”

“Tunnel Vision”

“The Glorious Ones”

Dolly Parton wants to give you the chance to slip into her fabulous footsteps. On Thursday (Dec. 5), the country icon and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer announced an open internet casting call for her upcoming Broadway show, Dolly: An Original Musical. “Hey there, it’s Dolly, and I am so excited to share some […]

As Lainey Wilson sings on her latest album, Whirlwind, “country’s cool again.” With tongue slightly planted in cheek, she lovingly pokes fun at fans newly embracing country music, while proudly proclaiming folks like her have been here all along. “Once you get a taste, you’ll lick the spoon/ Learn every word to ‘The Dance’ and […]

Oliver Anthony, who earned a two-week Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper with his song “Rich Men North of Richmond” in August 2023 and became a viral sensation, didn’t hold back in offering his thoughts on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album.
In a video he posted on YouTube on Wednesday (Dec. 4), Anthony spends much of it discussing his experiences with the music industry, including mentioning an unnamed management company that he had begun working with following the success of “Rich Men North of Richmond.”

“In their own words, it was like, ‘We gotta figure out how to make you cool,’” Anthony said, noting that one of the ideas an unnamed music industry member pitched to him involved having the singer-songwriter praise Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album — an idea Anthony rejected.

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“One of the guys I worked with, he wanted me to make some stupid f–king post about Beyoncé’s country album, about how it was good, even though it was complete trash. It makes me just want to throw up,” Oliver said. He also disparaged Beyoncé’s reimagining of Dolly Parton’s classic “Jolene,” saying, “Even half trying to listen to the beginning of, like, her version of ‘Jolene,’ it’s just total cringe.”

Anthony added, “It represents how degenerative our society has become, that a song like a Beyoncé version of ‘Jolene’ can come out and anybody actually listen to it and think it’s not just complete trash. So I was supposed to make a post, basically trying to associate myself with Beyoncé in hopes of us doing some kind of song together, but you know, how many people do that? How many artists do you follow on social media that have never even looked at their social media, and you’re just reading words and posts and things that were written by somebody that you’ve never even met, that aren’t the artist, that don’t even necessarily work directly for the artist … It’s so much theatrics and illusion and characterizations that are built in this whole thing to like keep people hanging on for more.”

Billboard has reached out to Beyoncé’s rep for comment.

Elsewhere during his video, he noted that his approach of keeping his concert ticket prices affordable for fans has been monetarily successful, despite industry members who told him he would not be able to make a profit. “It’s ridiculous how greedy these people are. We did this whole tour for this year, we had a $25 ticket option at every show that I did that was mine, and everybody was like, ‘You can’t do that. You won’t make any money.’ I got so sick of listening to everybody who told me how stupid I was for trying to do it,” he said. “I mean, we made great money this year. I made enough money in one year of touring to never have to work again. So, you don’t have to charge $200 for a ticket. It’s just crazy how it is.”

In October, Anthony stated in a separate YouTube video that he was intent on walking away from aspects of the music business to focus on traveling ministry work, though he clarified that he would still be playing shows and making music. In that video, he stated how his involvement with the music business since the launch of “Rich Men North of Richmond” had “opened my eyes to how much control and how much visibility there is on the top down.”

He also said that upcoming music would come as part of his The Rural Revival Project, an organization that he noted would “be set up legally as a ministry,” while helping to revitalize farming and other rural communities. He noted as well his intent to set up his touring in a way that would allow him to visit towns “that haven’t had music in them in a long time. It stimulates their economy, showcases their culture, it uses local vendors and local musicians.” Added Anthony, “You’re not having to drive out to Pittsburgh to a concrete amphitheater to see a show. It’s done out on a farm or on a main street that desperately needs the economic impact.”

On Easter Sunday, Oliver Anthony released the project Hymnal of a Troubled Man’s Mind, which featured a mix of songs and recitations of Bible verses. The set reached No. 13 on Billboard‘s Heatseekers chart.

In April, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200, marking her eighth No. 1 on that chart. Cowboy Carter also launched at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums, Americana/Folk Albums and Top Album Sales charts. Meanwhile, the album’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Cowboy Carter featured collaborations with Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, while spotlighting country music trailblazer Linda Martell and highlighting the talents of Shaboozey, Willie Jones, Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, Brittney Spencer.

Beyoncé was also just named Billboard‘s Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century, and is up for several Grammys at next year’s ceremony, including album of the year and best country album.

See Oliver Anthony’s full video below:

Carrie Underwood will help ring in 2025 on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest. The country superstar is the latest artist added to the list of performers on the annual countdown that will air on ABC on Dec. 31 beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The most-watched NYE countdown show will once again […]

Shenandoah, Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean recorded a new, collaborative version of Shenandoah’s 1989 song “Sunday in the South” earlier this year. Now, they’ve teamed up for the corresponding music video. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The video clip was directed by Edde Brothers, with segments of […]

Jon Pardi is set to bring his neo-traditional, honky tonk country sound to venues across the country on his headlining Honkytonk Hollywood Tour in 2025, with the 16-date trek launching April 25 in Lubbock, Texas.

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The trek will visit arenas and amphitheaters across the United States and Canada, with support from “Wild As Her” hitmaker Corey Kent on select dates, and Kassi Ashton, who earlier this year released her debut album Made From The Dirt.

Pardi released his most recent album, Mr. Saturday Night, in 2023, but since then he’s released the Luke Bryan collaboration “Cowboys and Plowboys,” as well as “Friday Night Heartbreaker,” which reached No. 34 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart earlier this year.

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To date, Pardi has earned five Country Airplay chart-toppers, including “Head Over Boots” and “Last Night Lonely.” Mr. Saturday Night earned a nomination for album of the year from the Academy of Country Music.

Tickets for the shows go on sale Friday, Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. local time. An exclusive, early-access presale begins at 9 a.m. local time on Thursday, Dec. 5 at jonpardi.com.

See the full dates for Pardi’s Honkytonk Hollywood Tour below:

April 25: Lubbock, Texas @ United Supermarkets Arena

April 26: Las Cruces, N.M. @ Pan American Center

May 15: Tucson, Ariz. @ Tucson Arena

May 16: Prescott Valley, Ariz. @ Findlay Toyota Center

May 29: Toledo, Ohio @ Huntington Center

May 30: Indianapolis, Ind. @ Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park

May 31: Evansville, Ind. @ Ford Center

June 5: Highland Heights, KY @ Truist Arena

June 6: Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Petersen Events Center

June 7: Allentown, Pa. @ PPL Center

June 11: Regina, SK @ Brandt Centre

June 12: Lethbridge, AB @ VisitLethbridge.com Arena

June 14: Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place

June 18: Idaho Falls, ID @ Mountain America Center *

June 20: Airway Heights, WA @ BECU Live at Northern Quest Amphitheater *

June 21: Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater *

TBA and Kassi Ashton

Parmalee earns its fourth leader on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart as “Gonna Love You” jumps 6-1 on the list dated Dec. 7. During Nov. 22-28, it advanced by 28% to 28.8 million audience impressions, according to Luminate.

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The single, from the band’s upcoming LP, was written by Parmalee frontman Matt Thomas with Abram Dean, David Fanning and Andy Sheridan. It was produced by Fanning (who is also the group’s manager). Parmalee records for Stoney Creek Records, under the Broken Bow Records umbrella.

The act is rounded out by Scott Thomas (Matt’s brother), Barry Knox (a cousin of the Thomases) and Josh McSwain.

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The official video for “Gonna Love You” starkly chronicles a shooting involving armed robbers on the band’s bus following a show in 2010, which culminated with Scott Thomas being critically injured.

“‘Gonna Love You’ is personal to all four of us,” the band collectively tells Billboard. “It allowed us to tell our story and film the music video, which recreates the night we were robbed after a show that resulted in a shooting. A lot of people think it’s just a love song, so it’s been amazing hearing and seeing the responses when they see the video and find out what the song is really about. Having it connect with so many people and go to No. 1 is pretty emotional. But at the same time, we’re like, hell yeah … it was the right song at the right time for us.”

“Gonna Love You” follows Parmalee’s “Girl in Mine,” which reached No. 3 on Country Airplay in October 2023. Before that, the group led with “Take My Name,” for two weeks in June 2022, and “Just the Way,” with Blanco Brown (one week, March 2021). The act first reigned with “Carolina” for a week in December 2013 and has scored two additional top 10s: “Already Callin’ You Mine” (No. 10, December 2015) and “Close Your Eyes” (No. 4, December 2014).

Shaboozey Parties On

Shaboozey’s multi-genre smash “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” logs a 24th week atop Hot Country Songs, tying Walker Hayes’ “Fancy Like” (2021-22) and Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” (2012-13) for the fifth-longest command since the chart became the genre’s singular songs survey in 1958. The tracktotaled 68.1 million in all-format airplay audience, 20.5 million official U.S. streams and 9,000 sold Nov. 22-28.

A week earlier, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” tied Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, for the longest command – 19 weeks – in the all-genre Billboard Hot 100’s history.

Zach Top 10

Zach Top’s“I Never Lie” rises 13-10 on Hot Country Songs, awarding the Sunnyside, Wash., native his first top 10. His co-written single drew 8.8 million streams (up 13%) and sold 2,000. On Country Airplay, it climbs 39-33 (4.5 million impressions, up 33%). The song follows Top’s “Sounds Like the Radio,” which reached Nos. 29 and 15 on the charts, respectively.