It’s been a year since Conner Smith fatally struck a pedestrian in a Nashville crosswalk, and he recently posted a video to reflect on all that’s happened since the tragic day. Smith is most prominently known as an artist who rose in the country music ranks thanks to TikTok. His song “I Hate Alabama” went viral a couple of years ago, and fans might also recognize his hit song “Creek Will Rise,” or his Tennessee anthem “Orange and White.” He also released his debut album Smoky Mountains in January 2024, and has since made plenty of appearances at various country music festivals over the past couple of years. On the last day of CMA Fest in 2025, a day after he played at the event’s Riverfront Stage, Conner Smith was involved in a tragic accident that took the life of Dorothy “Dot” Dobbins. Initial reports from TMZ suggested that country music singer Conner Smith was behind the wheel of a truck that struck and killed an elderly woman in Nashville. According to law enforcement, Smith was heading north on 3rd Avenue in his Chevy Silverado as 77-year-old Dobbins was attempting to cross the street in the marked crosswalk. The 77-year-old Nashvillian was transported to the nearby Vanderbilt Medical Center following the accident, but unfortunately succumbed to her injuries and was officially pronounced dead at the hospital. Smith was initially charged with a misdemeanor citation for failure to yield the right of way resulting in death, but those charges were later dropped. The country music singer took some time out of the spotlight after the accident, and then eventually returned and has since been very open about the incident. He’s profusely apologized, and has also shared that his faith and relationship with God has strengthened throughout the past year. In his most recent video, Smith shared that it had been a year since the darkest day of his life: “A year ago today was the hardest day of my life. I was driving home from The Listening Room Cafe on Sunday evening after CMA Fest. My buddy had asked me to hop up with him at The Listening Room, and I was driving home that night when tragedy came. I’ve talked about it over the last year enough and there’s not much more to add, other than God is so much better that I could have ever imagined. He is sovereign and real and true and an incredible healer.” Conner Smith has previously stated that the only real peace he’s experienced after the tragedy is in his walk of healing with the Lord. The country singer says that he’s experienced the presence of Jesus and God in “unfathomable ways,” and feels as though he’s been shown kindness and forgiveness from those on Earth and from the Lord above. In the eyes of Smith, yet another example of that forgiveness came on the exact one year anniversary of the accident that forever changed his life: “About six weeks ago, my buddy texted me and asked if I would hop up for his song at The Listening Room. I haven’t been back since that night in June. I told him, ‘Yeah, of course.’ I didn’t really think about it much, to be honest… so one year later to the day was the date that he asked me to hop up in The Listening Room. I was sitting with Jesus this morning and thinking about the last year and everything we’ve walked through and everything we’ve experienced. The radical change in my life from walking through a suffering like that. But I was also kind of asking him, ‘Why is it in your intentionality that you’d have me back there (on June 8)?’ As I was talking to a friend, he brought up the point that he felt like God was marking time.” Conner Smith did end up going to The Listening Room on the one-year-anniversary of the tragedy, and he said later on in the video that he felt comfortable doing so because everything he does from here on in his career is for God’s glory. The country singer invited others to explore a relationship with God, and told his followers that he’s handing over his life and career as a musician to the Lord: “Anything that my life ever becomes after this year, do know that it will be for His glory and by His will.” View this post on Instagram The post “God Is Marking Time”: Conner Smith Returned To Nashville Venue He Played Shortly Before Fatal Car Accident Exactly One Year Later first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

There’s one country artist that reigns above all other right now for the Atlanta Braves. Some members of the Braves recently sat down with us on the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast. Third baseman Austin Riley, utility player Kyle Farmer, and the voice of the Braves Radio Network, Ben Ingram, all carved time out of their 162-game schedule to talk about their favorite country artists, what they like to do outside of baseball, and how the Atlanta Braves and country music have always been intertwined. Austin Riley talked to us about how convenient it is for him that baseball season ends right when hunting season begins, Kyle Farmer (a Georgia native) discussed how fitting it is for him to be a member of the Braves at this point in his career, and Ben Ingram also gave some insight on how he takes care of his golden radio voice. Though our conversations with the members of the Atlanta Braves varied, it always came back to country music. When we sat down with Farmer, he told us that he’s personally a big fan of Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen (and loves to cue up some 90s country), and that the team as a whole really digs the country genre: “It’s a good clubhouse with a lot of guys who really love anything. But country music seems to be the theme around here, which is good.” That comment led us to ask Kyle Farmer who the most popular country music artist is in the Braves locker room. Funny enough, the utility player for Atlanta didn’t need much time to think on it. There’s apparently one artist that everyone is in agreement on, and it’s not even close: “Ella Langley, for sure. Probably that one. That’s one’s hot right now. Ella Fellas… where do you get those shirts?” @whiskeyriff @Atlanta Braves #kylefarmer #whiskeyriff #whiskeyriffraff ♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff Imagine the Atlanta Braves rolling up for a game and they are all sporting “Ella Fellas” t-shirts. That’s something that would go viral online in a heartbeat. And the team being super fans of the “Choosin’ Texas” singer works out quite nicely, considering Ella Langley is coming to town to be a part of Braves Country Fest. The celebration of country music is coming up on June 13 at the Home of the Atlanta Braves. It’ll feature a stacked lineup including Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Ernest and Mackenzie Carpenter. The star-studded gathering of artists playing inside Truist Park makes for a can’t-miss event. You can hear more from Austin Riley, Kyle Farmer and Ben Ingram of the Atlanta Braves by checking out the interview on YouTube or making sure to download the podcast on Apple Podcasts by searching “Whiskey Riff Raff” or by clicking here. We’re also available on Spotify and wherever else you can listen to podcasts. Cheers, y’all. Audio Video The post The Atlanta Braves Clubhouse Is Full Of “Ella Fellas” According To Kyle Farmer first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Gulf Coast Jam 2026 is in the books, and it was one for the ages. Now in its 14th year, the festival in Panama City Beach delivered one of the most impressive festival experiences of the year, both in terms of lineup and atmosphere. From start to finish, it felt like the kind of event that sets a new standard for what a country music festival can be. The lineup alone easily ranks among the best of any festival in 2026, but what really made the experience stand out was the setting in Panama City Beach and how seamlessly the beach lifestyle blended with live music all weekend long. Before this trip, I had never been to Panama City Beach, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was genuinely pleasantly surprised by the city surrounding the festival. Gulf Coast Jam makes it incredibly easy to enjoy both worlds at once: Relaxing on the beach during the day and then heading straight into high energy live music at night. That balance alone elevated the entire experience and made the weekend feel like more than just a festival, it felt like a full getaway. Each day brought its own standout moments and surprises. Thursday set the tone early. Wyatt Flores delivered one of the most memorable performances of the entire weekend when he played “Drive All Night.” That song quickly became my personal anthem for the rest of the festival, capturing the exact feeling of being in that environment. Another unexpected highlight came during Keith Urban’s set. His fiddle player, Natalie Stovall, who was extremely pregnant at the time, completely stole the show. She brought an incredible amount of energy to the stage, playing with so much power and presence that she added an extra layer to an already polished Keith Urban performance. Friday was full of standout musicianship and personality. Brent Cobb’s rain set was instantly iconic. He leaned fully into the moment, performing in boots and shorts paired with cup noodle socks, creating one of those festival images that sticks with you long after it’s over. Brent Cobb’s rain set at @GulfCoastJam in shorts and boots and cup-o-noodle socks is iconic pic.twitter.com/xRVfPZJ7jm — Whiskey Riff (@WhiskeyRiff) May 30, 2026 Jackson Dean was another surprise of the day, far exceeding expectations with a performance that proved just how strong of a live artist he is. And Marcus King absolutely shredded. His set was a reminder of just how elite his guitar work and stage presence really are. MELT MY FACE OFF @realmarcusking @GulfCoastJam pic.twitter.com/18OPDYOJFu — Whiskey Riff (@WhiskeyRiff) May 30, 2026 Saturday brought one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend with Koe Wetzel. Having seen him multiple times before, this performance still managed to stand out as possibly my favorite. He seems healthier, more focused, and energized in a way that translates directly into his live show. There’s a renewed confidence in how he performs, and the crowd responded to it all night long. Koe Wetzel “Forever” at Gulf Coast Jam // https://t.co/hm9LHw1Tsk pic.twitter.com/WOyYCnwvRo — Whiskey Riff (@WhiskeyRiff) May 31, 2026 Sunday closed the weekend on a strong note. 49 Winchester played songs from their newly released album Change of Plans, which added a fresh layer to their set and showed how strong their new material already is live. To close things out, Post Malone proved once again that he can fully cross into the country space and own the stage at a country festival. Even in a lineup full of traditional country acts, his performance fit right in and brought a massive energy to the final night. “I Ain’t Coming Back”@PostMalone @GulfCoastJam pic.twitter.com/EQFDzHdJEs — Whiskey Riff (@WhiskeyRiff) June 1, 2026 Overall, Gulf Coast Jam is an easy festival to recommend. Between the lineup, the beach setting, and the overall production, it’s a standout experience. The only real advice I would give is to get out and explore Panama City Beach as much as you can while you’re in town, and invest in one of the VIP packages. I say this honestly, I am probably too old for GA at this point.The post Gulf Coast Jam 2026: Beach Days, Late Nights, and Some Of The Best Artists Country Music Has To Offer first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Did anybody else notice that this past New Music Friday was unusually loaded? There’s always loads of new music each week, but the sheer volume this past week was insane. Between May 30 and June 5, there were tons of new singles and EPs released, but even more impressively, 26 country (or country-adjacent) albums hit streaming platforms. And that number doesn’t even include John R. Miller’s The Great Unknowing or Sierra Ferrell’s Live From Third Man Records that were only released physically. I’m sure there are even several other new records that I am not aware of that were in the mix too. For whatever reason, there always seems to be an uptick in album releases during the late spring and early summer, but I can’t remember another week when this many records hit streaming services at once. The Red Clay Strays’ third album Grateful was certainly a highlight, but artists like Colby Acuff, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Brent Cobb also dropped new music, meaning there was no shortage of high-profile releases. And beyond those bigger names, there were plenty of albums from lesser-known artists that deserve attention as well. Now more than ever, keeping up with new music has become a daunting task. There are so many talented artists releasing music at such a rapid pace that even the most dedicated country fans are bound to miss something they’d probably enjoy. So, for anyone looking to make sure nothing slipped past them, and to put into context just how big this past week was for new music, I’ve compiled a list of all 26 albums I was able to find that hit streaming platforms this past week. Check them out below: Avry Truex – The Restless Wandering Avry Truex Song Pick: “Restless Wanderer” Bella White – A Sign in the Weather Song Pick: “Trouble” Benny Bleu – When I Am A Fossil Song Pick: “Old Dog” Brent Cobb – Live A Song, Write A Memory, Vol. 1 Song Pick: “Live A Song, Write A Memory” Caleb Caudle – Heavy Thrill Song Pick: “Heavy Thrill” Carling & Will – Oh, Mongoose! Song Pick: “Nightshades” Charlie Marie – Signs Song Pick: “Kancamagus Highway” Colby Acuff – Handmade Horsepower Song Pick: “Long Way From The Bottom” Collin Nash – For the Square Song Pick: “Fat Belly Doe” Deer Tick – Coin-O-Matic Song Pick: “Endless Loop” Drew Cooper – Sadder Songs Than You Had Hoped For Song Pick: “Life Boat” ft. Courtney Patton Futurebirds – Far Out Country I Song Pick: “Sienna Life” Grey DeLisle & Les Greene – Grey & Greene Song Pick: “I’m Gonna Let You Call Me Baby” Haylie Davis – Wandering Star Song Pick: “Wandering Star” Jail Preacher – Cowboy Song Pick: “Sweet Mygdala” Jason Eady – Tulsa Turnaround Song Pick: “Whole Town Jam” Jo Dee Messina – Bridges Song Pick: “Days You Don’t Get Back” Johnny Hastings – Older Song Pick: “Crazy” Liam St. John – Man of the North (Live in the Wild) Song Pick: “Greyhound Bus Blues – Live From Cumberlin Caverns, TN” North State Grass – Pathago Song Pick: “Toad” Old Crow Medicine Show – Union Made Song pick: “Last American Waltz” ft. Molly Tuttle The Carter Sisters – Voices From The Ridge – The Final Sessions Song Pick: “My Clinch Mountain Home” The Red Clay Strays – Grateful Song Pick: “If I Didn’t Know You” The Rounder Circle – California Bound Song Pick: “When I Get Wings” The Two Tracks – Seasons Unknown Song Pick: “Lilac Weather” Tony Kamel – Live From The Bunker Song Pick: “Coal Mining One” The post Over 25 Country Albums Dropped Last Week — Here’s Everything You Might’ve Missed first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Rest in peace, Bill. Bill Cody, a Country Radio Hall of Famer, longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer and one of the most beloved voices in country radio history, was recently admitted to the ICU due to heart and kidney failure four weeks ago and tragically passed away last night at the age of 67. According to his daughter, Hannah, Cody has been on a “roller coaster” of emotions, as well as tests, dialysis, medications and steps both forwards and backwards throughout the last month. Though the Country Radio Hall of Famer passed all tests to receive a double transplant of both his heart and kidney, something Hannah described as the only option for his survival, Cody’s health has taken a downward spiral over the weekend of May 29th. On May 30th, his heart strength and ability to pump blood were severely diminished, causing the doctors to intubate him and put him on an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), which is an advanced artificial life support that continuously pumps blood outside the body and adds oxygen to the lungs. In an Instagram post from WSM Radio, which is the home of the Grand Ole Opry, on Sunday, May 31st, Hannah would provide a list of prayers for her father as well as a further explanation of what the next 48 hours held. View this post on Instagram Despite an outpouring of support from the fellow radio giants, artists and fans alike, Cody tragically passed away in Nashville on Tuesday. WSM Radio would confirm his passing in a heartfelt post on social media, celebrating his life and listing his career accomplishments, which include an induction into the Country Radio Hall of Fame, a star on the Music City Walk of Fame and his forthcoming, posthumous induction into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame View this post on Instagram A plethora of stars took to the comment section to mourn the loss of the radio giant, including the likes of Randy Travis, Garth Brooks, Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen and many more. “Bill Cody will always be the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ in country music! From the time he first introduced me onstage, in Daytona Beach, in the late 80’s, I knew he would always be the friend I could count on… no matter how smooth or turbulent the times might be. Bill was the true example of the heart of country music. If you needed anything, he was first in line to help. Always kind. Always happy. Always encouraging—. Bill’s smile reminded us that everything was well with the world…but, today shades of gray cloud the horizon as news of his passing set in. It is a better world because Bill Cody left his mark on it—never to be erased, or replaced! We send prayers of strength and understanding to his family as they send their angel back home…thank you for sharing him with all of us for so many years.” – Randy Travis “Country Music has lost one of its pillars. Bill was just as important to the fabric of our music and city as any artist, songwriter or musician. No one loved Country Music, its history and its characters more than Bill Cody. Prayers to his family and Charlie and Kelly and everyone that knew and loved him at WSM and the Opry.” – Dierks Bentley “There might be someone somewhere in the world who loved country music as much, but nobody loved country music more than Bill Cody.” – Garth Brooks “Tough loss for our Country Music family.” – Jake Owen “My sweet friend! I’m so grateful that I got to see you and spend time with you yesterday. You were always a safe place for me. I love you so much. I will miss you, for now. I find peace in knowing you had such a rich relationship with Jesus and I will see you in the midst of Gods glory” – Jo Dee Messina “The impact Bill Cody made on country music and its artists is too great to be measured… it will never be the same without him. I’m so thankful I had the honor to know him.” – Emily Ann Roberts “We love you Bill.” – Carly Pearce Born in Lexington, Kentucky, as Trent Clutts, Cody began his career in radio at the age of 17 at a local station, WVLK. Here, he was asked to drop his real name and thus adopted his radio name, Bill Cody, in honor of a childhood hero, “Buffalo Bill” Cody. Cody would eventually find his home at WSM Radio in 1994, hosting the popular morning show “Coffee, Country & Cody.” At the Opry, he hosted “Opry Country Classics” as well as regular weekend editions of the Opry, which remained a staple for the iconic venue. Additionally, Cody hosted the likes of GAC’s “Master Series,” “Tennessee’s Wild Side” for public television, and the syndicated radio shows, “Classic Country Weekend With Bill Cody” and “Pure American Country.” Saturday night’s live broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry, which features the likes of Charles Esten, Dailey & Vincent, Maisie Peters, Riders in the Sky and more, will be dedicated to Lexington native. Additionally, WSM says it will be airing a “special marathon of unforgettable moments from ‘Coffee, Country & Cody'” to honor the late radio legend.The post Longtime Opry Announcer & Radio Host, Bill Cody, Passes Away At 67 first appeared on Whiskey Riff.