Stephen Wilson Jr. is one of country music's most honest artists. Continue reading…

Needed a little Jesus after writing that one. After years of being one of the most underrated artists in the mainstream, the last two years have been nothing short of a whirlwind for Riley Green. Though you can attribute some of that to Ella Langley, thanks to the success of their monster collaborations, “you look like you love me” and “Don’t Mind If I Do,” the Alabama native has launched himself into superstardom pretty handily on his own. Even ignoring “you look like you love me’s” massive success, Green has now scored back-to-back #1 singles on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart with the aforementioned “Don’t Mind If I Do” and his steamy, viral track, “Worst Way.” In case you were wondering just how rare that feat is, “Worst Way” became just the 39th song in the chart’s history (and the second in 13 years) to go #1 solely written by the artist who recorded the track. With “Don’t Mind If I Do” also going #1 just six months later, Green became the first artist since Taylor Swift to score back-to-back solo-written #1 hits on the chart. In some ways, the track that started the 37-year-old singer/songwriter’s rise over the last few years was none other than his 2024 track, “Jesus Saves.” Despite not being formally released as a single, the song quickly caught the attention of many. Of course, this was thanks to the incredibly moving story of faith that centers around an Army veteran who has lived a complex, and at times, pretty sad life that led to him being homeless. Outside of the two Langley collaborations, it’s pretty safe to say that “Worst Way” and “Jesus Saves” have been Green’s two defining hits over the past three years. Despite the extremely different subject matter between the two tracks (don’t think I really need to elaborate on that one), the “There Was This Girl” singer actually wrote them back-to-back. @absoluteradiocountry One year ago, @Riley Green gave us “Worst Way”… and we’re still not over it. . . . #RileyGreen #WorstWay #CountryMusic #UKCountryMusic ♬ Worst Way – Riley Green In a recent interview with Absolute Radio Country, one of the U.K.’s largest country stations, Green would reveal that he wrote “Jesus Saves” directly after penning “Worst Way.” Hilariously, he’d quip that he felt like he needed to after writing the other raunchy track. “The funny thing, I tell people, is I wrote that song [‘Worst Way’] at my farm in Alabama. I was by myself. And then a week later, I wrote ‘Jesus Saves,’ the same week. I feel like I needed to after I wrote that one.” Immediately, after, he’d note that he thought that “Worst Way” was his attempt to branch off into writing more love songs. That being said, however, he debated if he went a little too far upon the song’s completion. “You know, I never wrote a ton of love songs. That really wasn’t where my mind would go. I always liked the sad country songs. So I was sitting there, and I was like, ‘Man, I need to try to lean into that a little bit and try to write more love songs.’ And I wrote ‘Worst Way.’  I remember after I wrote it… I was like, ‘Man, is that too much?’ You know?” At the end of the day, life’s all about balance, and I think the dichotomy of the two songs captures that (and Green’s ever-improving songwriting ability) perfectly. “Worst Way” “Jesus Saves” Riley Green Tour Dates April 16th, 2026 – Southaven, MS – Landers Center#~$ April 17th, 2026 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center#~$ April 18th, 2026 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena#~$ May 7th, 2026 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion#~• May 8th, 2026 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre#~• June 18th, 2026 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center#~• June 19th, 2026 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center#~• June 20th, 2026 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater#~• June 25th, 2026 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center#$* June 26th, 2026 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake#$* July 16th, 2026 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center#~• July 23rd, 2026 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre#~• August 6th, 2026 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater#/• August 7th, 2026 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center#/• August 8th, 2026 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live#/• August 13th, 2026 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion#/• August 14th, 2026 – Hartford, CT – The XFINITY Theatre#/• August 15th, 2026 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheatre#/• August 21st, 2026 – Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford#$*^ August 22nd, 2026 – Grand Forks, ND – Ralph Engelstad Arena#$*^ #Justin Moore ~Drake White $Mackenzie Carpenter •Hannah McFarland *Adam Hood /Zach John King ^Not A Live Nation Show The post “I Feel Like I Needed To”: Riley Green Hilariously Reveals “Jesus Saves” Was The First Song He Penned After Writing His Steamy #1 Hit, “Worst Way” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

He looks back with regret on one career misstep. Continue reading…

Seems like it’s getting better every day. There was a time in the 2010s when country music seemed all but lost. Sure, you had the likes of mainstream acts like Eric Church and Miranda Lambert still delivering great work, as well as the likes of Turnpike Troubadours, Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers and more making waves in the independent scene at the time. Broadly speaking, however, it was an absolute mess from a mainstream perspective, dominated by both the rise of bro-country and its softer, nauseatingly romantic offshoot, boyfriend country. With names like Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Dan + Shay, Sam Hunt, Kane Brown and more rising to the top of the genre from roughly 2012-2018, that six-year period saw the genre arguably hit an all-time low. All hope was not lost in that timeframe, however. Of course, this was thanks in part to Chris Stapleton’s mammoth night at the 2015 CMA Awards that subsequently ushered in a craving for a new, more authentic sound that had been severely lacking in country music. Just a few years after the “Tennessee Whiskey” laid the groundwork for more authenticity in the mainstream, Zach Bryan, for all intents and purposes, completely opened up the floodgates for the independent and alternative side of the genre, thanks to his monster rise to fame. Thanks to some of these key moments, among other developments in the genre over the past decade, it truly feels like country music is in the best shape it’s been since arguably the 70s. While, of course, you still have heaps of pop and other trash still being peddled on radio, we’ve seen a key shift towards more authentic storytelling and, most importantly, traditional instrumentation. It should go without saying that the leader of today’s traditionalist movement is none other than reigning CMA New Artist of the Year and the first-ever winner of the Grammy’s Best Traditional Country Album of the Year, Zach Top. Of course, it’s not like Top is the only artist sticking to the sounds and styles of ’90s country, with names like Randall King, Drake Milligan, Mae Estes and tourmate, Jake Worthington, all carrying the torch of traditionalism. With that being said, however, Top has quite clearly become the leader of the pack over the past two years. If we’re being honest, it’s hard to truly dislike Top. Beyond his killer guitar skills, smooth vocals and aforementioned ’90s sound, he’s also simply charismatic as all hell, effortlessly delivering hilarious moments like when he accepted his Best New Artist Award at the CMAs with a Coors Banquet in his hand. Fresh off his Grammy win earlier in the month, recently, Top sat down with Entertainment Focus to discuss his big night, his upcoming headlining spot at C2C Festival over in Europe, the rise of country music overseas and more. While discussing his fan-appointed title as the “savior of country music” and more reasonably, his role as torchbearer for traditionalism, the “Use Me” singer would give his two cents as to why he thinks his sound has resonated with so many lately. As Top rightfully explains, country music has always been operating on a bit of a pendulum. In other words, once we see a big shift, whether it’s towards pop, hip-hop or any other outside influence, the tide will eventually turn right back towards the traditional sound many associate with the genre. He would admit, however, that the tide has not completely changed, thanks in part to Billboard’s #1 Artist of 2025, Morgan Wallen, still dominating the charts with his country/rap/pop infusion. “I think so. I feel like fans of country always find something new that comes along that’s a little different, a little wacky, and they go chase that. The industry goes and chases that for a while until it’s kind of played itself out. Then it always swings back to the traditional, what we’ve always known and loved to be country music. It’s funny. I think this latest cycle has been a long one, starting back in I think 2010 when ‘Cruise’ came out from Florida Georgia Line. That felt like the big shift toward this hip-hop influence into country. Obviously, Morgan Wallen is at the peak of his powers in that same type of vein as well.” The Washington native would then continue his comparison with how country always swings back and forth, joking and noting how many in the ’80s believed that Randy Travis and George Strait were saving the genre after Kenny Rogers, who dabbled in pop throughout his career, “ruined” the genre. “It feels like the hunger from fans has turned somewhat toward a return to the roots and traditions of country music. It’s just so funny to watch it ’cause back when George Strait and Randy Travis came around, they had to save country music after Kenny Rogers ruined it. I feel like these cycles have been going on as long as country music has been around. There’s always been something new and a little different and edgy that goes on for a little bit and then people return to something traditional and familiar feeling.” It should go without saying that Top is absolutely correct in his assessment on multiple fronts. For starters, this push towards traditionalism, while absolutely incredible due to the absolute slop the genre has experienced over the past 15 or so years, is inherently nothing new. Additionally, he hit the nail on the head when addressing that true country fans will always crave a traditional sound. While flashy, pop-infused artists and songs may attract a few new fans to said artist or song, country music has and will always be carried by the artists and fans who appreciate the genre’s history and identity. Thankfully, Top is leading that charge and making some damn good music in the meantime. Before you go, fire up Top’s Grammy-nominated track, “I Never Lie.” Zach Top Tour Dates February 5 – Scottsdale, Arizona – Coors Light Birds Nest 2026 February 21 – Zurich, Switzerland – The Hall February 25 – Copenhagen, Denmark – K.B. Hallen February 28 – Stockholm, Sweden – Annexet March 3 – Oslo, Norway – Sentrum Scene March 7 – Rotterdamn, Netherlands – Rotterdam Ahoy March 8 – Berlin, Germany – Uber Eats Music Hall March 13 – London, United Kingdom – The O2 March 14 – Belfat, Northern Ireland – SSE Arena March 15 – Glasgow, United Kingdom – OVO Hydro April 9 – Florence, Arizona – Country Thunder Arizona April 24 – Lubbock, Texas – Jones AT&T Stadium May 22 – Norfolk, Virginia – Patriotic FestivalThe post “It Always Swings Back To Traditional”: Zach Top Says Country Music Is Finally Returning Back To Its Roots first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Talk about a steal of a deal. I’ve never felt more motivated to encourage my boyfriend’s Zyn addiction than I am in this moment. Zyn is back at it again, presenting another Zyn Presents concert, and this time it’s featuring one of the hottest names in country music. If you are an avid Zyn user or know someone who is, I am sure you are familiar with their rewards system. When you buy a can of Zyns, you scan the QR code found on the back of the can and earn a few points. As you earn points, you can cash them in for “prizes.” From metal Zyn cans, gift cards, and bottle openers to the more high-ticket items like Dyson hair dryers or grills, there are endless options for what you can get with your points. As of late, Zyn has also been offering exclusive concerts for its rewards members, such as Dierks Bentley in 2024. It’s a genius marketing move by Zyn that’s creating loyal customers. And since one scan is only 15 points, earning enough for those higher-ticket items takes a while, feeding the Zyn addiction and the addiction to collect more points. Zyn Presents is back again, giving fans another exclusive concert experience, and it’s coming up soon. On April 18, the Red Clay Strays will take the stage at Emo’s in Austin, Texas, for Zyn Rewards members only. “Zyn Presents is back! Kick up your heels and get moving with the roots-driven sounds of the Red Clay Strays, live in Austin, TX on April 18th. Join the fun at Emo’s Austin for an exclusive show, just for Rewards members like you. This purchase includes one ticket for you and one ticket for your 21+ guest. Limit one ticket pair per registered account.” Zyn also clarifies that travel and accommodations are not included in this offer, and that all guests will receive 2 drink tickets upon arrival. The bar will be open during the concert as well if those two drinks don’t satiate your thirst. According to the reward offer, the two tickets will cost you only 3,000 points. Now, doing some quick math here: at 15 points per tin, you’ll have to redeem 200 cans to attend…and with a less than two months until the show’s date, that might be light work for the hardcore Zynthusiasts out there. Of course, you have to do this number before tickets sell out. All in all…this is a solid deal. Ladies, if you know your man is sitting on a stack of Zyn points, turn that addiction into date night. Before you go, fire up their latest single, “If I Didn’t Know You.” The post For Only 3,000 Reward Points Zyn Users Can Snag Two Red Clay Strays Tickets In Austin, Texas first appeared on Whiskey Riff.