Zach Bryan has officially conquered the music world. He has taken the country music establishment by storm, completely bypassed the traditional Nashville radio machine, and is currently selling out massive stadiums across the country. Next to Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs, and right now, Ella Langley, he’s the biggest thing in the genre… even if he doesn’t particularly want to b a part of it. But if you ask the average person on the street about him, they will instantly name-drop “Something in the Orange” or “I Remember Everything,” maybe even “Revival” or “Pink Skies” as of late. And those are phenomenal tracks. But at the core of his catalog, Zach Bryan’s actual superpower isn’t writing big stadium anthems—it is his ability to write unpolished, brutally honest deep cuts that rip your heart completely out of your chest. Granted, when you’re as prolific as Zach Bryan, the sheer amount of deep cuts are daunting to parse through, but these are the songs that built his massive cult following. They are unpolished and dripping with the kind of authentic heartbreak that any songwriter is desperate to try and replicate. Zach Bryan doesn’t just write songs, he empties out his veins on a page. He finds the words you’re searching for, the ones you feel, but can’t ever seem to say. If you really want to understand the hype behind Zach Bryan, skip the big hits and dive into the vault. From his early indie days to his surprise EPs and recent massive studio records, here’s 8 of his most underrated deep cuts that will absolutely wreck you. 1. “Loom” Album: Elisabeth (2020) Loving someone who is physically right in front of you, but mentally a million miles away. “Loom” is the definition of a gut-punch. It is a quiet, acoustic track about the sheer exhaustion of trying to love a girl who is still completely hung up on her ex. The genius of the song is in how defeated it sounds. There is no anger in the delivery, just the heavy, tragic realization that you can give someone everything you have, and it still won’t make them forget the ghost they are chasing. A feeling all-too relatable for many, 2. “Letting Someone Go” Album: DeAnn (2019) The exact moment you realize a relationship is over, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. This track is early, raw Zach Bryan at his absolute finest. It captures that specific, suffocating panic of watching someone pack their bags and walk out the door while you just have to sit there and let it happen. The imagery of the taillights fading into the dark is a classic country music trope, but Zach delivers it with such a crack in his voice that it feels completely new and agonizingly real. 3. “November Air” Album: Quiet, Heavy Dreams EP (2020) The suffocating grief of losing your mother and wishing she could see who you became. Zach named his debut album after his late mother, Annette DeAnn Bryan, but “November Air” might be the most devastating tribute to her in his entire catalog. It’s a beautifully strummed, haunting track where he talks directly to her, wishing she could see the mountains and the life he has built. Anyone who has lost a parent will feel the sheer weight of the line, “I know you’re in a better place, but I’m selfish and I want you here. 4. “Half Grown” Album: American Heartbreak (2022) Realizing you are carrying the exact same toxic traits as your parents, and trying to break the cycle. Hidden in the middle of a sprawling 34-song album, “Half Grown” is a masterclass in writing about generational trauma. Zach tackles the harsh reality of growing up in a broken home and the terrifying realization that you might be passing that exact same brokenness onto someone else. Forgiving the people who raised you because they were just trying their best is an incredibly mature, agonizing concept to put into a country song. And Zach offers a glimpse of hope in the line, “You can’t chose your blood, but you can choose to change the chains that chain you down when you was just a child.” 5. “Starved” Album: 24 Live (2024) Shrinking yourself down just so someone else can feel big. He originally released this as a stand alone single, and it immediately became a cult classic for die-hard fans before being recorded again for 24 (Live). “Starved” is a brutal examination of a completely one-sided relationship. It is about pouring absolutely every ounce of your energy, love, and time into someone who takes it all for granted, leaving you completely empty and “starved” for just a fraction of that affection in return. 6. “Jake’s Piano – Long Island” Album: Zach Bryan (2023) The crushing weight of a memory that hits you completely out of nowhere. This is technically two songs stitched together, and the transition between them is absolutely breathtaking. It starts as a mournful piano ballad before shifting into a stripped-down acoustic reflection on the places and things we tie to the people we’ve lost. The emotion in his voice when he starts wailing in the second half of the track isn’t something you can fake in a studio—it sounds like a man completely breaking down in real time. 7. “Billy Stay” Album: American Heartbreak (2022) A devastating look at Alzheimer’s and the cruelty of outliving your own memories. While most of Zach’s heartbreak songs are about young love and toxic breakups, “Billy Stay” is a masterful piece of storytelling from the perspective of a woman watching her husband slowly lose his mind to dementia. When the chorus hits and she begs him to just stay with her mentally for one more night, it is guaranteed to leave anyone who has watched a loved one age in absolute pieces. 8. “Bass Boat” Album: The Great American Bar Scene (2024) Looking in the mirror, reckoning with your mistakes, and begging for grace. Zach’s 2024 record had some massive stadium-ready hits, but “Bass Boat” is where he strips it all down to the studs. It’s an incredibly vulnerable track about self-reflection, family turmoil, and recognizing the damage you’ve done to the people around you. The raw imagery of blood and bruised knuckles mixed with the innocent nostalgia of being out on a boat makes this one of the most quietly devastating songs he has ever penned. The post 8 Zach Bryan Deep Cuts That Will Absolutely Wreck You first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

More history for the Hall of Famer. Though you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who says he’s one of the quintessential country acts of all time, there’s simply no denying the career Kenny Chesney has had over the past four decades. Beyond his recent induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame last year, the Tennessee native has additionally been named Billboard’s Top Country Artist of the 21st Century and the seventh-most popular touring act of the millennium by Pollstar. Of course, this fails to mention the fact that Chesney has additionally scored 33 #1 hits throughout his career, sold over 100 million units in the U.S. alone, won a combined 23 CMA and ACM Awards over the past three decades and curated one of the most successful live shows in country music thanks to the dedication of his fanbase, No Shoes Nation. Today, Chesney has added yet another accomplishment to his belt on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with the release of the new track, “Carry On,” which was released on May 8th and marked the first single on Hey Now Records. This week, “Carry On” debuted at #31 on the Hot Country Songs chart and #20 on Country Airplay, totaling 1.5 million streams, 10.5 million radio impressions and selling 2,000 units. With the placement on both charts, Chesney has now scored his 100th hit. In turn, he is now the fourth artist in history to pass the elusive 100-song mark on the Hot Country Songs chart, joining the likes of George Jones, who leads with a staggering 157, Morgan Wallen, who has an impressive 119 in the past eight years, and Taylor Swift, who managed to chart 108 songs before transitioning to pop. As for the Country Airplay chart, Chesney is now tied with George Strait for the most ever, with both scoring 100 hits as of today. The “Summertime” singer is now ahead of the likes of Garth Brooks (93), Tim McGraw (91) and Alan Jackson (82), all of whom round out the top five. Due to Chesney’s longevity on the charts over the past 30 years, he’s looking to extend his lead for most #1 hits on the Country Airplay chart with “Carry On.” As of today, he has the most ever with 33, which is ahead of the likes of Wallen, Jackson, Strait, McGraw, Blake Shelton, Toby Keith and more. Most #1s On Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart Kenny Chesney – 33 Blake Shelton – 30 Tim McGraw – 29 Jason Aldean – 26 Luke Bryan – 26 Alan Jackson – 26 George Strait – 26 Thomas Rhett – 21 Keith Urban – 21 Brooks & Dunn – 20 Luke Combs – 20 Toby Keith – 20 Brad Paisley – 20 Morgan Wallen – 20 “Carry On” I Go Back 2026 Dates Friday, June 19 Saturday, June 20 Wednesday, June 24 Friday, June 26 Saturday, June 27 Wednesday, July 1 Wednesday, July 8 Friday, July 10 Saturday, July 11The post Kenny Chesney Charts His 100th Hit On Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart, Tying George Strait’s Record first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Taylor Sheridan’s playlist is what ended up in Yellowstone? And other Yellowstone spinoffs and shows with his name on it? According to Luke Grimes, it’s just that simple. It’s no secret that Taylor Sheridan has played an intricate role in the growth and popularity of country music. Almost any series that he has his hands on puts country music front and center, and shows like Yellowstone and Landman are the only programs including songs from artists like Colter Wall, Charley Crockett and Whiskey Myers, who traditionally don’t get much mainstream attention. There’s even a name we coined for the phenomenon after we researched it: it’s called the “Yellowstone Effect.” When an artist has a song featured on the show, or any Sheridan show for that matter, it provides an incredible growth opportunity and the song typically shoots up to the top of the charts and sees a massive increase in streams once it’s been featured. A number of artists, including Whiskey Myers, Shane Smith and the Saints, and more have the data to back it up. And as Luke Grimes explained in his recent interview with Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast, his music career – and his acting career – benefited from it as well. The Marshals actor provided his understanding of how Sheridan hand selects songs to be featured in the show, and it honestly sounds like a very organic process that the Yellowstone creator utilizes: “I was one of them. Taylor put one of my songs in Yellowstone and it really helped me out. I don’t want to speak for Taylor, but as I understand it, the way that all happened was very organic because he writes to music. I think he loves (country music). He would be writing to these certain songs, and then sometimes he would just put the song he wrote it to in the show.” Makes sense right? If a song – either consciously or subconsciously – inspired the writing, why wouldn’t it be featured right along the scene? Luke Grimes says it helps that Taylor Sheridan has a great music taste. It’s one that perfectly aligns with pretty much every show that he’s doing. Everyone knows that a well-placed song can completely lift a scene and help make it memorable, and Sheridan has perfected that. And Grimes says all fans of Taylor Sheridan shows are really doing is listening along to the writer and creator’s playlist: “He’s really well versed. The guy knows his stuff. He’s a huge, huge music fan. He has really good taste, and likes all kinds of country and Americana music. I think that’s sort of how that happened, and it started becoming a thing. We are basically just listening to Taylor’s playlist.” What an honor it is to do just that. You can hear more from Luke Grimes in the Nashville Now podcast, which is hosted by Rolling Stone Deputy Editor Joseph Hudak: Oh, and speaking of Taylor Sheridan’s playlist, we’re keeping this Dutton Ranch playlist up to date as episodes air, so make sure to stay tuned in: The post Taylor Sheridan Listens To Country Music As He Writes For Yellowstone & Landman, & That’s How Some Songs Make The Soundtrack first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

I think everyone would agree with that statement. For all intents and purposes, Ella Langley and Riley Green have become nothing short of a powerhouse duo in country music over the past two years. Though their relationship has unfortunately become a focal point for tabloids, with fans and outlets alike trying to paint the two as a couple and even subsequently dragging Megan Moroney into the mix in an attempt to create a “love triangle,” the two have been dominant as of late — both as singular artists and as duet partners. As we all know by now, 2024’s “you look like you love me” became a lightning rod for the success they’ve experienced lately. Beyond streaming and chart success, which includes a hefty 356 million streams on Spotify alone, a 2x platinum certification from the RIAA and a #1 spot on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart last December, it received a staggering seven separate wins across the ACM and CMA Awards. They notched their first win in 2024 at the 58th CMA Awards when the track won its only nomination of the night for Musical Event of the Year. Fast forward a few months to the 2025 ACM Awards, and the floodgates began to open. On a huge night for Langley that included a win for New Female Artist of the Year, she also struck gold with “you look like you love me” once again. Scoring wins for Visual Media, Music Event and Single of the Year. Finally, it completed its generational run at the 59th CMA Awards last November when it won Single and Song of the Year as well as Music Video of the Year, becoming the first song in the history of the CMAs to take home all three awards on a single night. Just when you thought that the two were done teaming up, they would then follow it up with the release of “Don’t Mind If I Do,” the title track to Green’s third studio album, just three months after “you look like you love me.” Though it didn’t quite reach the heights of their previous single, it was still wildly successful. On top of fanning the flames of the dating rumors, the track would score the pair another #1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, along with another platinum certification from the RIAA. Following in the footsteps of “you look like you love me,” “Don’t Mind If I Do” took home the pair’s second-straight Music Event of the Year Award at the 61st ACM Awards last Sunday, marking their eighth award at the ACMs and CMAs over the last two years. After the ACMs concluded, with Langley breaking the record for most wins in a single night with SEVEN, Entertainment Tonight would ask Green about the potential of yet another duet. Immediately, Green would reply that it seems “crazy” not to given the incredible success of the first two: “It seems crazy not to.” With that being said, however, he’d admit that there are no plans for a third duet any time soon, praising Langley’s new album and referencing the incredible success she’s had throughout the year thanks to “Choosin’ Texas.” “She’s putting out so many great songs that she’s gotta find time to do a song with me again.” With two #1 hits and eight awards to show for their first two collaborations, I think it’s safe to say that it would, in fact, be crazy not to run it back for a third time. For now, however, we’ll just have to wait and see. “Don’t Mind If I Do” Riley Green Tour Dates 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 ShowThe post Riley Green Says It Would Be “Crazy Not To” Record Another Song With Ella Langley first appeared on Whiskey Riff.