Reviving a fan-favorite series. It’s still early but 2026 has been off to a great start for Zach Bryan. Shortly after announcing that he’s beginning his sobriety journey late in 2025, he would get married to Samantha Sebastian on New Year’s Eve. Just two weeks later, he’d drop his long-awaited sixth studio album, With Heaven On Top, along with a full-length acoustic version of the record. Delivering another stellar effort, With Heaven On Top would debut #1 on the all-genre Billboard 200, selling 130,00 units in its first week and charting 18/25 songs on the Billboard Hot 100. Fresh off the album, the “Something in the Orange” singer would embark on his international set of dates, With Heaven On Tour, at the start of March. So far, it’s been off to a pretty good start, packing the likes of LSU’s Tiger Stadium, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium, San Antonio’s The Alamodome, Louisville’s L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium and Nebraska University’s Memorial Stadium (which caused some controversy after severe weather caused the show to be shortened) and more. Currently, he’s in the midst of a three-week break from With Heaven On Tour. With that being said, however, he’s keeping fans satisfied with the revival of his fan-favorite series on YouTube: The Belting Bronco. In case you’re unfamiliar with the series, it does what the title suggests and showcases some of Bryan’s friends and favorite artists in the back of his vintage Ford Bronco while they deliver stripped-back, stellar performances of some of their biggest tracks. He’d kick things off all the way back in July of 2020 when he debuted his now-certified gold hit, “Oklahoma City.” Over the years, the Belting Bronco has led many to discover the likes of some of the most underrated artists and songwriters in the genre today, such as fellow bandmate, J.R. Carroll, Kat Hasty, Jonathan and Abigail Peyton, Noeline Hofmann, Slade Coulter and the one and only Charles Wesley Godwin, who performed their duet, “Jamie,” with Bryan. Despite it being such a hit among fans, it’s been over two years since the last episode, which highlighted his “Purple Gas,” duet partner, the incredibly talented Noeline Hofmann. That all changed yesterday with the release of episode eight, featuring the alternative band, The Bends. View this post on Instagram In case you’re unfamiliar with The Bend themselves, they’re an alternative rock band comprised of lead vocalist, Hayden Field,   guitarist, Ian Marmande, bassist, Chase Perkins and Jacob Rhodes on drums. Being based in Louisiana and getting their start at LSU and in the greater college scene in 2023, the band would quickly move to Nashville, where they reside now. Despite debuting in November 2024 with their first single, “Makeup,” the band has simply skyrocketed in popularity over the past year and a half. With over 500,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, an impressive 8 million streams with “Makeup” on Spotify alone and some other stellar tracks like “Smoking in Bed,” “Virginia” and “Weekend Love,” they’re one of the fastest-rising alternative bands in the scene today. What jumps out at you upon your first watch of the new episode is just how much the production quality has jumped up in the past two years for Bryan and Co. In addition to fitting all four members of the band into the back of the Bronco, the number of camera angles — both in the truck itself and outside — is truly impressive. Couple that with some super fun inclusion of subtle special effects like visualized drum beats and vibrating guitar strings, and it’s an incredibly impressive production overall. Overall, it’s an incredibly impressive outing from The Bend. Though they’re a far cry from the likes of Hofmann and Godwin sonically, the Louisiana band is well worth the listen. If you’re a fan of Bryan’s collaborations with Kings of Leon — or enjoy the likes of them, Cage the Elephant, The Strokes, The Black Keys and more in the alternative scene — check the episode out immediately. Watch the full episode here: Zach Bryan Tour Dates May 27 – San Sebastian, Spain – Donostia Arena- Ben Howard & Keenan O’Meara May 31 – Berlin, Germany – Waldbühne – Ben Howard & Keenan O’Meara June 3 – Oslo, Norway – Unity Arena – Ben Howard & Keenan O’Meara June 6 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Parken – Ben Howard & Keenan O’Meara June 9 – Eindhoven, Netherlands – Philips Stadium – Ben Howard & Keenan O’Meara June 12 – Liverpool, United Kingdom – Anfield Stadium – Dijon & Fey Fili June 14 – Edinburgh, United Kingdom – Scottish Gas Murrayfield – Dijon & Fey Fili June 16 – London, United Kingdom – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – Dijon & Fey Fili June 17 – London, United Kingdom – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – Dijon & Fey Fili June 20 – Cork, Ireland – Páirc Úi Chaoimh – Dijon & Fey Fili June 21 – Cork, Ireland – Páirc Úi Chaoimh – Dijon & Fey Fili June 23 – Belfast, Northern Ireland – Boucher Playing Fields – Dijon & Fey Fili June 24 – Belfast, Northern Ireland – Boucher Playing Fields – Dijon & Fey Fili July 24 – Eugene, Oregon – Autzen Stadium – MJ Lenderman & Fey Fili July 31 – San Diego, California – Snapdragon Stadium – MJ Lenderman & Fey Fili August 1 – San Diego, California – Snapdragon Stadium – MJ Lenderman & Fey Fili August 7 – Salt Lake City, Utah – Rice-Eccles Stadium – MJ Lenderman & Fey Fili August 13 – Denver, Colorado – Empower Field at Mile High – MJ Lenderman & Fey Fili August 14 – Denver, Colorado – Empower Field at Mile High – MJ Lenderman & Fey Fili August 22 – Arlington, Texas – AT&T Stadium – MJ Lenderman & Fey Fili September 5 – Glendale, Arizona – State Farm Stadium – MJ Lenderman & Fey Fili September 18 – Dover, Delaware – The Woodlands – Kings of Leon, Fey Fili & Gabriella Rose September 19 – Dover, Delaware – The Woodlands – Alabama Shakes, Fey Fili & Gabriella Rose September 21 – Toronto, Ontario – Rogers Center – Trampled By Turtles & Gabriella Rose September 22 – Toronto, Ontario – Rogers Center – Trampled By Turtles & Gabriella Rose October 2 – Foxborough, Massachusetts – Gillette Stadium – Gregory Alan Isakov & Gabriella Rose October 3 – Foxborough, Massachusetts – Gillette Stadium – Gregory Alan Isakov & Gabriella Rose October 10 – Auburn, Alabama – Jordan-Hare Stadium – Gregory Alan Iskov & Gabriella Rose The post Zach Bryan Revives “Belting Bronco” Series With New Episode Featuring The Bends first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Kyle Busch leaves behind his wife, Samantha, and their two young children after his death at age 41. Continue reading…

He doesn’t miss. Today, Willie Nelson released the next song from his forthcoming album Dream Chaser called “Fly Away,” which is included on Dream Chaser is his 79th solo studio album and 156th album overall, which is set for release next week on May 29th. View this post on Instagram The record will: “Bring together a collection of reflective, story-driven songs focused on relationships, personal growth, and life on the road. Rooted in classic songwriting traditions with a modern perspective, the album balances intimate narratives with universal themes of perseverance, timing, and clarity.” It’s nothing short of impressive, to say the least, that Willie just turned 93-years-old on April 29th, and he continues to put out music, and tour, like he did when he was first getting started just about. Even in the last several years, he’s put out a good five albums, one of which won the Grammy for Best Country Album in 2023 for his A Beautiful Time record. He was nominated once again last year in the Best Traditional Country Album category for his album Oh What a Beautiful World, in addition to receiving a nomination for Best Americana Album for Last Leaf on the Tree in the same ceremony. This new one, “Fly Away,” has that classic country feel that Willie is obviously the best at, and it finds him reflecting on a heartbreak. It was written by Buddy Cannon and Bobby Whitlock, “I wish that I could fly away Back to your arms tonight Wake up in the morning With those arms around me tight I’d love you like I should have All the way from way back then If I could only fly away and make you mine again” He’s simply timeless, and I will never not love a classic Willie Nelson heartbreaker… Willie’s still showing the young guns how it’s done, and he’s still doing it better than anybody. “Fly Away” Wille was also recently featured on Kacey Musgraves’ album on one of my favorite songs (duh) called “Uncertain, TX”: Dream Chaser Track Listing: 1. Dream Chaser 2. Fly Away 3. We’d Make A Good Movie 4. I Can’t Read Your Mind 5. Whiskey Wants Me To 6. Wonder What I’m Gonna Do 7. After All 8. Love Overdue 9. I Don’t Think I’ve Cried Today 10. Developing My Pictures Willie will be on the road again for a summer tour starting in July. Willie Nelson 2026 Tour Dates Friday, July 3, 2026 – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, Irving, TX Willie Nelson & Family Wilco Sheryl Crow Lukas Nelson Stephen Wilson Jr. Margo Price Lily Meola Saturday, July 4, 2026 – Germania Insurance Amphitheater, Austin, TX Willie Nelson & Family Billy Strings Wilco Sheryl Crow Lukas Nelson Stephen Wilson Jr. Margo Price Rodney Crowell Lily Meola Sunday, July 5, 2026 – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Willie Nelson & Family Wilco Sheryl Crow Stephen Wilson Jr. Margo Price Lily Meola Tuesday, August 18, 2026 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater, Maryland Heights, MO Willie Nelson & Family The Avett Brothers Lukas Nelson Stephen Wilson Jr. Sierra Hull Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble Wednesday, August 19, 2026 – Mystic Lake Amphitheater, Shakopee, MN Willie Nelson & Family The Avett Brothers Lukas Nelson Sierra Hull Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble Friday, August 21, 2026 – Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI Willie Nelson & Family The Avett Brothers Lukas Nelson Stephen Wilson Jr. Sierra Hull Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble Saturday, August 22, 2026 – Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI Willie Nelson & Family The Avett Brothers Lukas Nelson Stephen Wilson Jr. Sierra Hull Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble Sunday, August 23, 2026 – Ruoff Music Center, Noblesville, IN Willie Nelson & Family The Avett Brothers Lukas Nelson Stephen Wilson Jr. Sierra Hull Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble Tuesday, August 25, 2026 – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL Willie Nelson & Family The Avett Brothers Lukas Nelson Stephen Wilson Jr. Sierra Hull Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble Friday, August 28 2026 – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY Willie Nelson & Family The Avett Brothers Sheryl Crow Stephen Wilson Jr. Robert Randolph Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble Saturday, August 29, 2026 – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY Willie Nelson & Family The Avett Brothers Sheryl Crow Stephen Wilson Jr. Robert Randolph Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble Sunday, August 30, 2026 – Albany Med Health System at SPAC, Saratoga Springs, NY Willie Nelson & Family The Avett Brothers Sheryl Crow Stephen Wilson Jr. Robert Randolph Don Was and the Pan-Detroit EnsemblThe post Willie Nelson Releases Another Classic Country Heartbreaker “Fly Away,” From His Upcoming 156th-Career Album, ‘Dream Chaser’ first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch died on Thursday (May 21) after a short hospitalization that followed a severe illness. Continue reading…