Tragic situation all around. A Denver man was found guilty last week of second-degree murder in the 2020 shooting of guitarist Zackary Smith. The shooting occurred back on September 10, 2020 when Smith was found dead in his car outside the house of Patrick Apostol. Police interviewed Apostol at the time and requested security footage, but Apostol reportedly told them that his cameras were broken. Later, investigators learned that Smith had been in a relationship with Apostol’s then-girlfriend, and the robe he was wearing during that interview tested positive for gunshot residue. He was ultimately arrested in 2023 and charged with second-degree murder. Apostol is the half-brother of bluegrass star Billy Strings, whose real name is William Lee Apostol. And throughout the case, Denver Westword reports that the suspect credited his famous half-brother for his “lavish lifestyle,” apparently in an attempt to take the focus off his past convictions for drug dealing. Prosecutors allege that Apostol killed Smith after learning of the affair with his girlfriend. During his trial, however, Apostol claimed that the shooting was self-defense, with attorneys arguing that he had left his house to complete a drug deal with another vehicle and panicked when he saw Smith’s SUV. A jury didn’t buy the self-defense argument though, finding Apostol guilty of second-degree murder. Despite Apostol blaming his lifestyle on his half-brother, Billy Strings clarified that the two have never had much of a relationship and dismissed any allegations of a “lavish lifestyle.” “He is my half brother, much older. I met him when I was like 12 years old and I went to Florida to meet my dad’s side of the family. We didn’t grow up together. I’ve probably seen him 50 times in my entire life. … Patrick is a grown man and I have nothing to do with this situation other than having the same father. A father who I never knew. I was 2 years old when he died. I never helped Patrick with anything. I’ve literally only flown private like 3 times myself. I don’t live a “lavish lifestyle” .. I’m a working musician who has been trying to get out from under the shadow of growing up in a family of outlaws and drug addicts my whole life.” Apostol’s sentencing is scheduled for September 14, and he faces up to 48 years in prison. Following the guilty verdict, Denver District Attorney John Walsh released a statement praising the conviction and expressing his sympathy for Zackary Smith: “Zackary Smith was a popular Denver musician. His murder on a September night over 5 years ago was a terrible tragedy for everyone who knew him and loved him, both in Denver and beyond. It was a night when the music died. Today’s guilty verdict ensures that Patrick Apostol will pay a heavy price for his terrible and utterly senseless actions. The verdict won’t bring Zackary back, but it offers a sense that justice has been served, and our thoughts go out to all of his friends and family.” Just a terrible and senseless tragedy, and terrible that Apostol tried to bring his famous brother into it.The post Half-Brother Of Billy Strings Convicted Of Murder Of Denver Guitarist first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Heading to Wildwood, New Jersey this week for Barefoot Country Music Festival? You’ll have to fit in these fun activities while you are there. We’re in the full, festival swing at this point in the year, and one of the best options to get your country music fix – and a beach vacation – is Barefoot Country Music Festival. It’s going to be four days of nonstop entertainment from some of the best artists in country music on the shores of one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. The festival takes place right on the New Jersey coast, between the famous Morey’s Piers, and provides a picturesque backdrop for four nights of country music, along with plenty for festival goers to do during their vacation. Wildwood, New Jersey is the southern-most barrier island in New Jersey and has been recognized as the top family vacation destination at the Jersey Shore for decades. This year’s festival runs from June 18 through June 21, and will include headliners Miranda Lambert, Kelsea Ballerini, Post Malone and Eric Church, along with performances from Cole Swindell, Tracy Lawrence, Tucker Wetmore, Chase Rice, Chase Matthew, Shaboozey, The Fray, Ty Myers, Colt Ford, Braxton Keith, Jake Worthington, Emily Ann Roberts, Lacy Kay Booth, and many, many more. The festival itself will keep you busy, but there’s also plenty more to do while you are there. We went ahead and laid out a full day’s worth of plans for you in case you were looking for ways to explore everything that Wildwood, New Jersey has to offer. Morning Bike Ride Nothing beats getting up and starting the day with a little bike ride around Wildwood. The views are exceptional, and the ocean breeze makes for a pleasant start to the day. View this post on Instagram Hit The Beach Wildwoods has a lot to offer, but it’s hard to beat the award-winning beaches. Get your toes in the water and your you-know-what in the sand at a beach that was voted the best in New Jersey by USA Today. View this post on Instagram Photo Op At Famous Wildwoods Sign If you went to the beach and didn’t take a picture while you are there, did you even really go? The perfect photo op for your trip to Wildwoods is right in front of the iconic Wildwoods sign. View this post on Instagram Dine Out with Alfresco Dining There’s so many dining options to choose from in Wildwoods… so you’ll just have to try them all. Grab a seat and take in the views as you eat. Food just tastes better when you are looking at the water. View this post on Instagram Stroll the Boardwalk At Night & Visit Morey’s Amusement Piers And finally, you can’t visit Wildwoods without taking a walk on the boardwalk and checking out Morey’s Amusement Piers. It’s especially breathtaking to stroll the boardwalk at night, and make sure you ride the famous Wildwoods Sightseer Tram Car. View this post on Instagram All in all, it’s going to be a great week at Wildwoods for the Barefoot Country Music Festival. You can find more information and lock in your tickets before prices increase HERE, and as an added bonus if you use promo code WHISKEYRIFF, you can even get 10% off your purchase. It’s four days of incredible country music at one of the top-rated beaches in the country. Get your tickets now, and we’ll see you at the beach. View this post on Instagram The post 5 Things To Do While You’re In Wildwood, New Jersey, For Barefoot Country Music Festival first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Scottish folks have been having an absolute blast in Boston for the World Cup, but for the lads and lassies who stayed home in Edinburgh, Zach Bryan gave them one helluva show. 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, the LP 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. During the American leg, he packed the likes of LSU’s Tiger Stadium, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium, San Antonio’s The Aladome, the Carolina Panthers’ Bank of America Stadium, University of Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium and more. Recently, Bryan has been taking his talents across the pond, performing in the likes of Germany, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and even San Sebastian, Spain. Over the weekend, he’d make his way to Edinburgh, Scotland, performing to a sold-out crowd of over 67,000 at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium. From the get-go, it was clear that the Oklahoma native was going all-in during his trip to Scotland. In addition to rocking an incredibly traditional, Renaissance-era lace-up shirt with some green flannel pants, multiple members of the band were dressed in kilts. In case that wasn’t enough, Bryan and Co. decided to give fans a nod by incorporating the bagpipe, which is native to the country, in multiple hits, including the likes of “Motorcycle Drive By,” “Say Why,” “Drowning” and “East Side of Sorrow.” “Say Why” @tom_t325 This we neeed a permanent bag pipes in Zach Bryan’s band #zachbryan #scotland #livemusic #country #usa @Cammy Barnes ♬ original sound – Tom “Motorcycle Drive By” @tom_t325 We love the Scottish version of Zachs songs! #zachbryan #livemusic #scotland #country ♬ original sound – Tom Bryan’s nods didn’t just stop there. Just when you thought he couldn’t have added more of a Scottish flair to the set, he returned for his typical, sprawling 20-minute rendition of “Revival” dressed in a kilt of his own. @tom_t325 A kilt suits Zach! #zachbryan #livemusic #scotland #kilt #livemusic ♬ original sound – Tom You’d think simply rocking the kilt would have been enough to make the performance memorable, but the “I Remember Everything” singer went above and beyond Sunday night. Keeping the recent Mumford and Sons-esque tradition of scaling the stage during the song, he’d do it once again, still dressed in the Scottish attire. @jordonfraser A kilt, Revival and a Scottish crowd #zachbryan #scotland ♬ original sound – Jordon Fraser It’s pretty safe to say that the Scottish welcomed Bryan with open arms and absolutely loved his set. One commenter even went as far as to say he’s one of their own now after the sold-out show. “Zach Bryan is one of our own!!!” “This was one of the best events I’ve been to, that finale was unlike anything else! Greatful to be apart of it.” “Best gig I’ve been to by far“ “Won’t recover” What can you say, he’s definitely a man of the people. Zach Bryan Tour Dates 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 Fires Up Scottish Crowd With Bagpipes & A Kilt During Electric Encore Performance Of “Revival” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

At least seven country stars are lined up for a televised 4th of July celebration in Nashville. Continue reading…

It sounds like Brett has found the love of his life. Continue reading…