Maybe time to look at a Red Rocks residency. Eric Church is heading back to the iconic concert venue in Morrison, Colorado, announcing earlier this week that he would be performing three shows at Red Rocks this summer on July 6-8. Tickets went on sale this week, first to his Church Choir fan club on Wednesday while an allotment of tickets were held back to be offered up to the general public this morning. But if you weren’t quick, you weren’t getting them. I bought my tickets when they went on sale to the Church Choir on Wednesday, and there wasn’t an option to buy a single ticket for all three nights so each night had to be purchased individually. Well I was logged on right at 10 AM MT, and by the time I secured tickets for the first two nights the third night was already running low. And I checked again not long after, and sure enough the entire allotment of tickets for the fan club was gone before it was even time to clock out and put a drink in my hand. Well the rest of the tickets opened up today for the general public to have a crack at them and…they were gone within minutes. Pretty insane. For reference, Red Rocks has a capacity of around 9,500, which means Church sold around 28,500 tickets in a matter of minutes, less than a week after announcing the shows. Just absolutely incredible. And to do it all just days after wrapping up his Free the Machine Tour, which took him across the country, just shows how passionate the Church Choir really is. Of course everyone who bought tickets probably understands what a treat they’re in for: Church played Red Rocks for three nights last year and performed three unique shows that anyone who was there will tell you were among the best of his career. And this year, the shows take place just a week or so before the 20th anniversary of Church’s debut album, Sinners Like Me. After those shows, Church’s team confirmed to Whiskey Riff that fans had traveled from all 50 states for the special performances, which included one show that featured strings, orchestra and choir, one with just the original Eric Church Band, and one that was fully acoustic – just Church and his guitar (and his powerhouse background vocalist Joanna Cotten). Last year’s shows were my first time at Red Rocks, and I can see why it’s such a special venue: The scenery, the view, the sound…I would say they were once-in-a-lifetime shows, if I weren’t going back to do it all over again this year. (I just hope it doesn’t rain like it did on the final night last year, when I was concerned that the Coast Guard was going to have to rescue us from 6,500 feet up in the Rocky Mountains). It’s no doubt going to be a magical run of shows once again, and this year will feature special guests Corey Kent, 49 Winchester and The Creekers kicking things off. I can’t wait to get back to Red Rocks, and at this point I’m down to make it a yearly tradition if Church is. And judging by how fast tickets sold out, I have a feeling there are a lot of people who agree with me.The post Eric Church’s Three-Night Run At Red Rocks This Summer Sells Out Within Minutes first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Didn’t expect all the outrage. Country songwriter Shane McAnally, who’s one of the most prolific hitmakers of the genre with songs like Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road,” “Follow Your Arrow” by Kacey Musgraves, “Somewhere With You” by Kenny Chesney, Morgan Wallen’s “7 Summers,” and many, many others, found himself going viral after posting what he thought was a funny video with his husband and young son. McAnally and his husband, Michael Baum, welcomed their third child, Texson Ray McAnally Baum, via surrogate back in October 2025. And earlier this week, McAnally shared a video of his husband playing with their new son and trying to get the baby to say “Dada” or “Pop” – but Tex had other plans, and would only say “Mama.” View this post on Instagram Baum tells the baby that “there is no mama,” and in the comments somebody suggested that they “throw it away and start over,” to which McAnally responded with a laughing emoji. And shortly after, many began criticizing McAnally and the video: “Babies are not accessories to your life . A baby needs mother and a father.” “Every baby needs a mama” “Children are not accessories. We have lost our way.” “This is disgusting beyond belief” “The baby knows this is unnatural” “This is horrifying! I want to cry for this little angel. What a sick world we live in! Breaks my heart!” “Someone, please, rescue that poor baby.” “Paying for a baby to use as a toy on social media for views while laughing at it while it cries for its mother. WOW, truly disgusting & disturbing” Well the Daily Mail caught up with McAnally, who says he was “shocked” by the outrage to what he says was a video that was meant to be self-deprecating: “We found it hilarious. He’s five months old, he obviously doesn’t understand English.” McAnally says that the entire thing was taken out of context, which led to what he says are appalling comments: “I was appalled by what some people have been saying. Some people have taken it out of context.” According to McAnally, he and his husband just thought it was funny that babies usually say “dada” first – but when given the choice between two dads, their son went the other direction: “Babies usually say dada first, but people wouldn’t then say the babies are only wanting their dads? It doesn’t really make sense. People have been saying some awful things.” And he also assured everyone who’s concerned that their son is perfectly fine: “He’s the happiest baby in the world.” While there was plenty of criticism (and outright hate) in the comments, there were also plenty of people supporting the couple and their family: “I am so sorry that you’re on the receiving end of such vitriol. It’s very clear to me that you’re joking around about the baby babble (your little one is adorable btw). Your baby is expressing frustration in the only way they know how and are biologically capable of. For people to think it’s due to the not mama is insane. Again, I’m sorry. It’s so tragic that people jump to the absolute worst conclusions without applying an ounce of critical thinking.” Just another day on the internet.The post “I Was Appalled” – Gay Hitmaking Country Songwriter Speaks Out On Outrage Over Video Of His Newborn Son first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Aaron Watson has a funny Ella Langley story that kind of paints a picture of where he's at in life and country music. The "Choosin' Texas" singer is a passive player in this (admittedly unchecked) Texas yarn. Talking to Evan Paul, Watson began praising "Choosin' Texas," Langley's career-defining hit... Continue reading…

The biggest hits from the late legend. This morning, the country music community suffered a huge loss with the passing of Don Schlitz. According to a press release, the legendary songwriter passed away at the age of 73 on Thursday, April 16 at a Nashville hospital following a sudden illness. A native of Durham, North Carolina, Schlitz moved to Nashville with $80 in his pocket after briefly attending Duke University, and quickly found himself getting attention from some of the country music greats for his songwriting talent. He was among the first performers at the iconic Bluebird Café, and along with fellow songwriters Thom Schuyler, J. Fred Knobloch and Paul Overstreet is credited with creating the venue’s “songwriters in the round” format that’s still used today. He had his first major hit with “The Gambler” back in 1978, a song that would win him both Song of the Year at the CMA Awards and Country Song of the Year at the Grammys. He would also win a Grammy in 1988 for “Forever and Ever, Amen,” while also racking up two more CMA Awards for Song of the Year. Throughout his career, Schlitz penned 25 number ones over his career, including “The Gambler” and “Forever And Ever, Amen,” as well as songs like “When You Say Nothing At All” by Keith Whitley, “40 Hour Week” by Alabama, “One Promise Too Late” by Reba, and a ton more. His long career as a songwriter prompted him to win ASCAP Songwriter of the Year for four consecutive years from 1988-1991, be inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Additionally, Schlitz would receive the two highest honors a songwriter in the genre can achieve, being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017 and becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2022. In honor of Schlitz passing, let’s take a look at 10 of his biggest hits throughout his storied career. 1. “The Gambler” – Kenny Rogers Undoubtedly Schlitz’s biggest hit of his career, “The Gambler” has remained not only one of the most popular country songs in the 1980s but in the 20th century as a whole. Written soley by the North Carolina native, the track was first recorded Bobby Bare before being popularized by Kenny Rogers. In addition to going #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, it would go Top 5 on the Adult Contemporary chart, the Top 20 on the all-genre Hot 100. “The Gambler” would receive its biggest honor in 2018 when  it was entered the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” 2. “Forever and Ever, Amen” – Randy Travis Schlitz’s third #1 hit alongside co-writer and fellow Country Music Hall of Famer, Paul Overstreet, with Randy Travis was undoubtedly their biggest. Since its release in March 1987, “Forever and Ever, Amen” has remained one of Travis’ signature songs. In addition to going #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart for three weeks in June 1987, it would win Single and Song of the Year at the 1987 ACM Awards, Favorite Country Single and Video at the 1988 American Music Awards as well as Single of the Year at the 1987 CMA Awards. 3. “When You Say Nothing At All” – Keith Whitley Yet another co-write from both Schlitz and Overstreet, they produced another career staple for the late, great Keith Whitley. Released in 1988 on Whitley’s sophomore album, Don’t Close Your Eyes, “When You Say Nothing At All” became his second of five career #1 hits. The track would be further popularized by Alison Krauss & Union Station when they covered it in 1995. Unlike Whitley’s classic version, Krauss and Co. would win Single of the Year at the 1995 CMA Awards for their cover. 4. “Deeper Than the Holler” – Randy Travis “Deeper Than the Holler” was the third and final #1 hit from the Schlitz-Overstreet-Travis trifecta from 1986-1988. The track went #1 in January 1989, becoming Travis’ sixth-straight chart-topper and eight of his career. Additionally, the track won Favorite Country Single at the 1990 American Music Awards and would receive a platinum certification from the RIAA in 2021. 5. “40 Hour Week (For A Livin’)” – Alabama Co-written by Schlitz, along with Dave Loggins and Lisa Silver, “40 Hour Week (For a Livin’)” was the title track for Alabama’s ninth studio album in 1985. Though there’s been some controversy surrounding it, the track aided the band to set the record for longest #1 streak in the history of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, being their 17th of 21-straight chart toppers. In addition to going #1, “40 Hour Week” would receive an ACM nomination for Video of the Year in 1986. 6. “One Promise Too Late” – Reba Like “40 Hours,” “One Promise Too Late” was another successful outing from Schlitz, Loggins and Silver. Released in April 1987 on Reba’s 11th studio album, What Am I Gonna Do About You, the track became the eighth #1 single of her career. 7. “On The Other Hand” – Randy Travis This classic heartbreaker was the second of three #1s from Schlitz, Overstreet and Travis. Originally, the track was released as a single in July 1985 but received middling success, only peaking at #67. After the success of Travis’ single, “1982,” however, “On the Other Hand” was re-released to radio. The decision to re-release it ended up paying dividends. “On the Other Hand” became Travis’ first #1 hit in both the U.S. and Canada. It would also win Single of the Year at the 1986 ACM Awards and receive a nomination for Single of the Year at the 1986 CMA Awards. 8. “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her” – Mary Chapin Carpenter Despite “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her” not being a #1 hit, peaking at #2 in March 1994, it’s one of his most critically acclaimed tracks. Co-written alongside Carpenter herself, the track was nominated for the all-genre Record of the Year at the 1995 Grammys as well as Single and Song of the Year at the 1994 CMA Awards. 9. “Turn It Loose” – The Judds Co-written by Schlitz, Craig Bickhardt and Brent Maher, “Turn It Loose” was released as the fourth single from The Judds’ 1987 record, Heartland. The track would quickly climb the charts and become the duo’s 11th #1 hit of their career. 10. “Almost Goodbye” – Mark Chesnutt Written by Schlitz and Billy Livsey, “Almost Goodbye” was Mark Chesnutt’s third career #1 hit, topping Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in November 1993. Additionally, it was shortlisted for Single Record of the Year at the 29th ACM Awards. The post Remembering Don Schlitz: 10 Of The Biggest Hits Written By The Late, Great Country Music Songwriter first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Don’t feel bad sports fans… even the people who own some of your favorite teams are superstitious. If you have a rooting interest in a sports team, chances are you’ve gotten a little superstitious. Maybe you’ve got a lucky seat on the couch, or a go-to shirt or jersey to wear for big games. It sounds silly, but a lot of sports fans do it. And if you were to ask the Houston Texans about their good luck charm, their answer isn’t a pre-game ritual, or a certain jersey color. Rather, it’s a person. Country music star Parker McCollum. The “Pretty Heart” singer grew up just outside of Houston and is known to be a passionate Texans fan. If he’s not touring, and he’s back in his home state of Texas when the NFL franchise has a home game, chances are Parker McCollum will be there. And he’s not just a famous fan of the team… if you ask Hannah McNair – the wife of the owner of the Houston Texans – he’s the franchise’s good luck charm. Why does she believe that? Well, it comes down the performance of the Texans in last year’s postseason. Parker McCollum was there at the stadium when Houston been the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. When the Texans went on the road to play the New England Patriots, the country singer wasn’t able to make it, and the team ended up losing. Coincidence? Hannah McNair sure doesn’t think so, and during the NFL’s annual league meeting earlier this month, the wife of the Houston Texans owner told KPRC 2 that their loss in the postseason was all Parker McCollum’s fault: “I blame Parker McCollum for not coming to New England (when we played the) Patriots, because he was at the Steelers game. I told him that when we saw him at the (Houston Livestock Show and) Rodeo. I said, ‘You know you’re the reason that we lost that game.’ Hopefully he comes to all of our playoff games next year.” “I blame @ParkerMcCollum for not coming to New England Patriots because he was at the Steelers game. When we saw him for rodeo I said ‘you know you’re the reason that we lost that game.’ Hopefully he comes to all of our playoff games next year.” – Hannah McNair … pic.twitter.com/uv56NsMcJO — Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) April 2, 2026 Cal McNair, the owner, chairman and chief executive officer of the Houston Texans, didn’t appear to disagree with his wife on that one. Parker McCollum needs to clear his schedule when the NFL postseason rolls around. And if you thought Parker McCollum would just brush off these claims and accusations, you’d be wrong. Not long after Hanna McNair placed the weight of the Texans’ postseason struggles on the country music singer, he responded with a formal apology: “Sorry guys.” .@ParkerMcCollum apologizing for the Texans loss to NE https://t.co/YmiR41moIz pic.twitter.com/82Lm7sG66S — Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) April 5, 2026 Okay… maybe not formal, but it was still an apology nonetheless, which is hilarious. If you ask me, the Houston Texans just need to reach out to Parker McCollum and see if he’ll get on the payroll during the Texans postseason. Have him give speeches to the team, or maybe even just play ambient music in or near the locker room. Whatever they have to do to make sure that he’s there for every game… so the Texans can finally go on a Super Bowl run.The post Wife Of Houston Texans Owner Blames Postseason Loss On Country Music Star Parker McCollum first appeared on Whiskey Riff.