He’s got 30 No. 1 hits, but one unexpected song always steals the spotlight when Blake’s on tour. Continue reading…

Heartwarming. It should go without saying that Megan Moroney has become country music’s “it” girl over the past year or so. After breaking out in a big way back in 2023 with the release of her debut album, Lucky, along with the 4x platinum smash hit, “Tennessee Orange,” the Georgia native has continued her rise to the top of the genre recently. Beyond leading last month’s CMA Awards with six nominations, including Female Vocalist and Album of the Year (Am I Okay?), the Georgia native also scored major career milestones, scoring her second career #1 with “6 Months Later” and her second career certified gold album, also for Am I Okay?. With all of that being said, it’s been another huge year for the “I’m Not Pretty” singer, and 2026 is looking to be an even bigger one. Of course, this is thanks to her not only setting the release of her third studio album, Cloud 9, for February 20th but also plotting her massive international tour of the same name, which will hit seven countries across 48 shows throughout the year. With the year winding to a close and Christmas just one day away, Moroney decided to give fans an early Christmas gift in the form of an official music video for her most recent single, “Beautiful Things.” Taking to Instagram this morning, she would post a teaser of the music video before indicating that the video itself is completely comprised of fan-submitted videos. Additionally, Moroney would send love to her adoring fans, noting that the holidays themselves aren’t always so magical. “On the 9th day of Cloudmas… the official music video for beautiful things featuring YOU is out now on YouTube. Thinking of y’all this Christmas. I know the holidays can bring a lot of different feelings so wherever you are + whatever you’re carrying I’m sending u love & hugs.” View this post on Instagram The track itself, which was written by Moroney, along with Connie Harrington, Jessie Jo Dillon and Jessi Alexander, is an incredibly raw and personal song that showcases Moroney’s natural knack for storytelling, giving fans a very honest look into how hard the world can be on “beautiful things,” and that it very often has nothing to do with them. The lyrics deliver a poignant message about how even “words can make a mockingbird forget they’re born to sing,” and you can tell all of this comes from very personal lived experiences: “You’re standing at your bathroom mirror Cryin’ ‘What did I do?’ tears Your friends are out and you’re right here There’s a party, you didn’t know You just found out from your phone Did they not want you to go? Oh yeah, you feel that twisting knife Oh, I know it ain’t right Fires burn up canyons A hurricane can wreck a beach Words can make a mockingbird forget they’re born to sing Lies can break a fragile heart And doubt can crush your dreams But honey, just take it from me The world is hard on beautiful things.” As for today’s music video, it’s nothing short of heartwarming. Regardless of your thoughts on Moroney’s music, it’s becoming increasingly clear just how important of a role model and source of inspiration she is for women and young girls across the country. And, of course, it’s highlighted beautifully here (no pun intended). Using videos submitted from hundreds of fans, there’s a little bit of everything here on “Beautiful Things.” Whether it’s concert videos, TikToks, weddings, proposals, pets, babies, graduations, vacations and much, much more, there’s truly no stone that was unturned for the music video. It’s not often that a music video triggers an emotional response from me, but Moroney did it here on “Beautiful Things.” It’s becoming increasingly clear that she’s doing something incredibly special through her music, and today’s music video displays it perfectly. Watch here: Megan Moroney Tour Dates May 29 | Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center May 30 | Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse June 2 | Chicago, IL – United Center June 3 | Chicago, IL – United Center June 5 | Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena June 6 | Greensboro, NC – First Horizon Coliseum June 8 | Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena June 9 | Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena June 12 | Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center June 13 | St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center June 16 | Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena June 18 | Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest June 19 | Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena June 20 | Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena July 6 | Boston, MA – TD Garden July 7 | Boston, MA – TD Garden July 9 | Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center July 10 | Newark, NJ – Prudential Center July 11 | Philadelphia, PA – Xfinity Mobile Arena July 14 | Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center July 16 | Orlando, FL – Kia Center July 17 | Tampa, FL – Benchmark International Arena July 18 | Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena July 24 | Monticello, IA – Great Jones County Fair July 25 | Minneapolis, MN – Target Center July 26 | Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena July 28 | Denver, CO – Ball Arena August 1 | Portland, OR – Moda Center August 2 | Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena August 5 | Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center August 7 | Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena August 8 | Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena August 11 | Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena August 14 | Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center August 15 | Tulsa, OK – BOK Center August 16 | Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center August 18 | Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena August 21 | Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena August 22 | Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena September 13 | Oslo, NO – Sentrum Scene September 15 | Stockholm, SE – Annexet September 18 | Cologne, DE – Carlswerk Victoria September 19 | Tilburg, NL – 013 Poppodium September 21 | Paris, FR – Le Trianon September 23 | London, UK – Eventim Apollo September 26 | Manchester, UK – O2 Apollo September 27 | Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy October 1 | Belfast, UK – SSE ArenaThe post Megan Moroney Releases Heartwarming Music Video For “Beautiful Things,” Featuring Fan-Submitted Videos first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

CWG is getting into the holiday spirit. It’s hard to believe it’s already Christmas Eve. Though it seemed like we were in the thick of concert and festival season in the summer just weeks ago, somehow, some way, it’s Christmastime once again. While it’s easy to get caught up in the rush of all the craziness that comes with the holidays — last-minute gift wrapping, travelling, meal prepping and all — it’s key to take a breather and appreciate all the “most wonderful time of the year” has to offer. For me (and many others out there), one of the best ways to do so is simply by listening to some of the best holiday tunes country music has to offer. Though I wouldn’t consider myself the absolute biggest fan of Christmas music in general — hell, I’m still spinning the likes of Turnpike Troubadour’s The Price of Admission and Colby Acuff’s Enjoy the Ride as of late — there’s no denying that there have been some all-time holiday classics in the genre. Of course, you have the likes of Dolly Parton’s “Hard Candy Christmas,” Alabama’s “Christmas in Dixie,” Merle Haggard’s heartbreaking “If We Make It Through December,” Randy Travis’ “Meet Me Under The Mistletoe,” Robert Earl Keen’s hilarious “Merry Christmas From The Family” and countless more. This year, however, we’ve been treated to some absolutely phenomenal live/acoustic performances from some of the biggest stars in the alt. country scene. Namely, Shane Smith & the Saints delivered a bone-chilling live performance of “O Holy Night” as well as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” with reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, Lainey Wilson. Additionally, The Red Clay Strays frontman Brandon Coleman shared an equally impressive acoustic rendition of “Silent Night” earlier this week, prompting fans to beg for a Christmas album from the red-hot band. Over the weekend, none other than Charles Wesley Godwin got in on the Christmas festivities with a stunning acoustic performance of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” View this post on Instagram At this point, there’s absolutely no denying that Charles Wesley Godwin is a certified star in today’s alt. country scene. With three incredible studio records under his belt, continual placement on high-profile festivals throughout the year and high praise from his peers, fans and critics alike, the West Virginia native has cemented himself as a staple throughout multiple subgenres/scenes in the genre. And his performance here on “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” proves why he’s regarded so highly by myself and many others. It’s no secret that he has one of the best pure voices in the genre today, possessing one of the smoothest vocals by a large margin. To no one’s surprise, it translates beautifully here on the Bing Crosby classic, providing the perfect balance of comfort and melancholy. As it is with nearly any of the aforementioned Christmas performances this year, fans in the comment section were absolutely loving the performance and proceeded to beg the “All Again” singer to release a studio version of the song, along with a full Christmas album. “I see a Christmas album in the future “ “A song we didn’t know we needed from the goat” “Drop a Christmas album please“ “F****** chills” “That was beautiful!” “We need a CWG x Christmas album” “Drop this right now” “Well now we need a whole CWG Christmas album” I, for one, am in complete agreement with each and every one of the comments listed above. Though some Christmas albums feel a bit contrived, there’s no doubt that the West Virginia native would go above and beyond on one, pulling from his patented Appalachian sound. For a lack of a better phrase, a Charles Wesley Godwin Christmas album would feed families. Charles Wesley Godwin Tour Dates March 27 – Boise, Idaho – Extramile Arena + March 28 – Salt Lake City, Utah – Maverick Center + April 10 – Little Rock, Arkansas – The Hall ~ April 14 – Oxford, Mississippi – The Lyric ~ April 16 – Atlanta, Georgia – The Eastern ~ April 17 – Chattanooga, Tennessee – The Signal ~ April 23 – Indio, California – Stagecoach = July 19 – Whitefish, Montana – Under The Big Sky = +  Supporting Turnpike Troubadours ~ With Jason Scott & the High Heat = FestivalThe post Charles Wesley Godwin Gets Into The Holiday Spirit With Acoustic Performance Of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Garth Brooks brought back Chris Gaines for a recent performance… sort of. Who could forget Garth’s punk/emo rock alter ego that he brought to life in the 1990s? Brooks probably wishes that everyone would leave it behind (he’s done a pretty good job of scrubbing the internet of any footage), but then he goes and plays some rock music at the 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremony and it all comes rushing back. In case you missed it, the Kennedy Centers Honors event aired last night on CBS, and the King of Country Music – George Strait – was there to be recognized alongside other cultural icons like the rock band KISS, movie star Sylvester Stallone, Broadway actor Michael Crawford, and disco legend Gloria Gaynor. It was a real who’s who. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. is the site for the annual Kennedy Center Honors event that inducts a new group of artists and entertainers each year. The living memorial to President John F. Kennedy (that recently tacked on Donald Trump’s name to the building as well) hosts the event that has honored many notable country acts over the years, including the likes of Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, George Jones and many others. This year, the country music representation at the awards ceremony was the one and only George Strait. You probably saw the viral moment that he and President Trump shared in the Oval Office ahead of the ceremony. That turned into its own sort of spectacle, but what many people were looking forward to was the actual honoring of the notable figures that took place at the Kennedy Center later on. When distinguished individuals are honored at the event, it usually includes performances and kind words shared by others in the same field. Vince Gill was there to praise Strait for his contributions to country music, and he later performed “Troubadour” to honor the King of Country. Brooks & Dunn were also there and cued up “Amarillo By Morning” to pay tribute to their friend, and Miranda Lambert even added in a performance of “Run” that was dedicated to George Strait. Garth Brooks was in attendance too, and he sang… a rock song. Now, to be clear, Garth wasn’t actually there for George Strait. He was actually at the Kennedy Center in support of KISS. That’s why he tapped into his Chris Gaines background with a performance of “Shout It Out Loud” – a classic rock hit by the legendary rock and roll band. As you might imagine, the crowd that was there was a tad perplexed by country music star Garth Brooks singing to honor KISS rather than George Strait. Brooks even addressed the moment while he was on stage, saying: “I see some faces of confusion. No, we are in the right segment of the show, people.” Garth did his best to bridge the two genres of country and rock together, saying that all musicians are bonded by one thing: playing fearlessly in front of a crowd. That’s when he busted out into “Shout It Out Loud,” and it was as close as we’ll get to Chris Gaines in 2025. Check it out: @desertstorm92 #kiss #kissrockband #kennedycenter #fy #fypage ♬ original sound – DesertStorm It’s good to know that Garth Brooks still has that “Chris Gaines Dog” in him, as the kids say nowadays. And for those that might be confused by the country star honoring the rock group, they have actually crossed paths before in the past. In 1994, Garth took the stage with KISS and performed a song with the group on The Tonight Show. “Hard Luck Woman” – KISS & Garth Brooks (1994) The post Garth Brooks Tapped Back Into His Chris Gaines Persona To Pay Tribute To KISS At The Kennedy Center Honors Ceremony first appeared on Whiskey Riff.