'The Road' winner Adam Sanders talks about visiting the set of 'Marshals' and hanging with Luke Grimes. Continue reading…

Welcome baby Parker to the Alan Jackson family! Continue reading…

It’s getting ridiculous at this point. This morning, the Academy of Country Music announced its picks for the 2026 ACM Awards. After what seems like well over a decade of head-scratching nominations, snubs and wins, many were wondering if they would finally diverge from the mainstream stranglehold that they’ve so clearly found themselves in despite the growth of the independent and alt. country scene over the past five years. Following the trend set last November at the CMA Awards, women absolutely dominate this year’s set of nominees. Megan Moroney racked up the highest number of nominations with nine, followed by Miranda Lambert with eight nominations and then Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson with seven. As for males, Chris Stapleton and Riley Green also received a lot of love, being among the top-nominated. Notably, traditionalist and rising superstar, Zach Top, is also riding the well-deserved buzz gained at both the CMA Awards and Grammys recently, picking up four nominations for Male Artist of the Year (his first), Album of the Year (Ain’t In It For My Health) and Single and Song of the Year (“I Never Lie”). Overall, it’s about what you’d expect from the ACM Awards from a broad perspective. You have a lot of your mainstays getting nominations, such as Stapleton, Wilson, Lambert and Cody Johnson getting a bulk of the awards with hot newcomers, Langley and Moroney. On the other hand, you have the always-confusing New Artists categories, which are highlighted by four artists being renominated from 2025. The biggest highlights, at least in the eyes of independent and alt. country fans, had to be the first-time nominations for 49 Winchester (Group of the Year), Stephen Wilson Jr. (Visual Media of the Year – “Cuckoo”) and Carter Faith (Album of the Year – Cherry Valley). Additionally, it was nice to see Flatland Cavalry, The Red Clay Strays and Muscadine Bloodline receive additional nominations this year as well for both Group and Duo of the Year. There was one juggernaut missing from Group of the Year — none other than the Turnpike Troubadours. If they were in the same position as they were two years ago, I could absolutely see them getting snubbed despite their brilliance. With that being said, Turnpike is undoubtedly the biggest they’ve ever been from a commercial standpoint. In addition to scoring massive opening spots on Cross Canadian Ragweed’s highly successful “Boys From Oklahoma” concert series, both in Stillwater, Oklahoma and Waco, Texas, the Red Dirt legends would also score appearances at Zach Bryan’s concerts over the summer, notably performing to his huge, sold-out shows at both BST Hyde Park in London and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. While Ragweed is still a hidden gem when you talk about the genre from a broad and mainstream perspective, there’s no denying that Bryan, despite also being snubbed and receiving zero ACM nominations (probably didn’t submit any), has aided Turnpike in receiving more attention throughout the past year. In fact, Turnpike has seen a major boost in numbers throughout 2025 and into 2026. In addition to receiving a lot of love critically following the release of The Price of Admission last April, the record (and further attention from Bryan and Co.) boosted their monthly Spotify listeners all the way up to 2.3 million. This also led to them officially sending “With Heaven Passing Through” to country radio, marking their first-ever single released nationally. Though they’re not putting up the same massive numbers as the giants in the genre, Turnpike has established themselves as a consistently impressive group from a streaming perspective despite not having major label backing. Take the aforementioned “With Heaven Passing Through” as an example. Currently sitting at 20 million streams on Spotify alone since its April release, it’s out-streamed Group of the Year nominee, Old Dominion’s, latest single, “Making Good Time,” by nearly nine million. Of course, that’s not even mentioning the ridiculous fact that Rascal Flatts is nominated for Group based solely on the fact that they got back together and released a duet album of all their biggest hits from nearly two decades ago. I hate to boil down Turnpike’s incredible artistry down to numbers here, but for massive award shows, sometimes you have to in an attempt to try to rationalize decisions. Here with Oklahoma natives, I really don’t get it. Sure, they might not have the raw numbers as the giants in the genre. However, when you consider the generational nature of their music, coupled with the fact that they’re going toe-to-toe streaming-wise recently with Nashville and award show darlings like Old Dominion, it begs the question, “What does Turnpike have to do at this point?” Unfortunately, I don’t really have an answer. They were notoriously snubbed from the Grammys earlier this year too. All I know is that Turnpike is continuing to get bigger (and arguably better) by the day, and it further proves that generational talent does not need any awards, fluff pieces or gimmicks to remain one of the most important and impactful acts in the genre. Before you go, fire up what should have been nominated for Song of the Year, “Heaven Passing Through.” Turnpike Troubadours Tour Dates June 12 – Chicago, Illinois – Huntington Bank Pavilion with Muscadine Bloodline & Katie Pruitt June 13 – Sterling Heights, Michigan – Michigan Lottery Amphitheater with Muscadine Bloodline & Katie Pruitt July 2 – Woodinville, Washington – Chateau Ste. Michelle with Muscadine Bloodline & Dexter & the Moonrocks July 3 – Spokane, Washington – BECU Live with Muscadine Bloodline & Dexter & the Moonrocks July 17 – Charlotte, North Carolina – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheater with Muscadine Bloodline & Dexter & the Moonrocks July 23 – Grand Rapids, Michigan – The Wharf Amphitheater with Muscadine Bloodline & The Creekers July 24 – Nashville, Tennessee – Ascend Amphitheater with Muscadine Bloodline & The Creekers July 31 – Indianapolis, Indiana – Everwise Amphitheater with Muscadine Bloodline & Dexter & the Moonrocks August 1 – Kansas City, Missouri – Starlight Theater with Muscadine Bloodline & Dexter & the Moonrocks August 14 – Lewiston, New York – Artpark Amphitheater with Muscadine Bloodline & The Creekers August 15 – Bethel, New York – Woods Center for the Arts with Muscadine Bloodline & The Creekers October 2 – Charleston, South Carolina – Firefly Distillery with Muscadine Bloodline & The Creekers October 3 – Richmond, Virginia – Allianz Amphitheater with Muscadine Bloodline & The Creekers October 9 – Atlanta, Georgia – Synovus Bank Amphitheater with Muscadine Bloodline & The Creekers October 10 – Raleigh, North Carolina – The Red Hat Amphitheater with Muscadine Bloodline & The Creekers October 24 – St. Augustine, Florida – The St. Augustine Amphitheater with Muscadine Bloodline & Drayton Farley October 25 – Clearwater, Florida – The BayCare Sound with Muscadine Bloodline & Drayton FarleyThe post ACM Snub: What Do The Turnpike Troubadours Have To Do To Earn An Awards Show Nomination? first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Ella Langley’s highly-anticipated album Dandelion is dropping tomorrow (well tonight at midnight EST), April 10th, and her latest single “Choosin’ Texas” is already the biggest song of her career, and is on its way to becoming the biggest song of 2026 in ANY genre. As of this morning, she’s one of the top-nominated artists being up for Ella Langley is one of the top nominees for the 61st Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, earning seven nominations with Single of the Year for “Choosin’ Texas,” Song of the Year for “Choosin’ Texas,” Music Event of the Year for “Don’t Mind If I Do,” as well as Female Artist of the Year Visual Media of the Year, Artist-Songwriter of the Year and Single of the Year (Producer), her first nomination credited as a producer. And this week she sat down with Theo Von for his This Past Weekend podcast, where she talked about her life growing up, her passion for music, and what it has been like to adjust to her newfound fame that’s no well past just country fans. She talked about how people will come up and ask her for selfies at less-than-ideal times (like when she’s on the floor at the gym working out), and while her career has obviously taken off, she’s still working on finding a relationship. Of course, we all know her dating life has been put directly in the spotlight, especially when it came to Ella and Riley Green and whatever they may or may not have been, and I can’t imagine that is exactly fun to have people constantly speculating and wanting to know about your personal life. She told Theo that she has been saying and trying to figure out that part of her life, but obviously, it’s been even more complicated with everything going on in her career: “I mean, me being 26 and not married, I’ve been dating, you know. I’ve been trying to figure that portion of my life out too, which is complicated when you have pretty much given your everything to this one thing.” Ella still has plenty of time, and I have no doubt she’ll find the right guy eventually, and while in many ways dating is probably even more exciting given her status, it has to be super challenging, too, because just never know someone’s true motivations, especially in the beginning. Theo asked if she had any commitment issues or songs that stem from that place, and Ella explained that she’s still trying to figure everything out, and when it comes to her music, she wants to just have fun with it most of all: “You know, I think that’s a thing that sometimes, people thing abut too much, honestly. Where it’s like, what is the purpose to everything? What is the finished product? I don’t know, I’m only 26. It’s like, I’m not going in there thinking, play, I need an up tempo song today and I need it to be perfect for radio, or I need to write this type of acoustic thing. I’m going in there and just writing songs. Like, whatever comes out that day comes out. I’m really big on not forcing… if I  feel like I’m in there and ‘m not having fun, why are we dong this? I somehow got to do the job I’ve always wanted to do. No way I’m not gonna let it be fun. We’re sitting in here writing songs, you know? So yeah, sometimes I’ll have a little that I really want to write or someone in the room will say something, and if all you click on that title, you’ve gotta chase it.” Like most artists who write their own songs, I think Ella pulls from her personal life when it comes to some of her songs, and she hinted that some of them could be interpreted that way if fans want to dig for it. I have no doubt that they will, fans are great at that kind of thing, but I can’t wait to hear all fo the new music because Ella has put out some great singles in the lead up to this huge release. “Choosin’ Texas” The post Ella Langley Reveals Why It’s “Complicated” Trying To Date At This Point In Her Country Music Career first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Tanner Usrey has been one of the buzziest names flying out of the uber-talented Texas scene the last few years. After scoring early hits with tracks like “Come Back Down,” “Josephine” and “Beautiful Lies,” which was later re-recorded with Ella Langley, he signed to a major label deal with Atlantic Records in 2023 and subsequently released his major label album, Crossing Lines. In the years following, Usrey has been red-hot. In addition to having tracks featured on Taylor Sheridan’s hit TV shows, Yellowstone and Landman, the Texas native teamed up with Dave Cobb in 2025 for his sophomore album, These Days, which showed off his distinctively swampy, gritty, and soulful sound that fans have fallen in love with as of late. Unfortunately, the last few months haven’t come without some challenges and missteps for the “Take Me Home” singer. Back in February, Usrey made national headlines after a Wyoming man began sending him “Charlie Kirk” death threats, presumably because he is set to perform at Kid Rock’s Rock The Country festival. After drawing attention to the threats on social media, the man was then arrested. At the beginning of the month, Usrey himself was then arrested in Collin County, Texas, and charged with a DWI and two felony drug possession charges. Though the arrest hasn’t come without its consequences, Usrey is attempting to get back on the right track and is giving back in a big way with his upcoming event: Tanner Usrey’s Down Range Memorial Benefit. Announced earlier this week, Usrey will be teaming up with Merging Vets and Players, a nonprofit dedicated to helping support combat veterans and former professional athletes, for a benefit concert featuring some of the best in the Red Dirt scene in both Texas and Oklahoma. View this post on Instagram Usrey’s Down Range Memorial Benefit will take place on May 24th at Union 28 in Midlothian, Texas. Existing more as a one-day festival, there will be performances throughout the day, beginning at 12:30 p.m. before Usrey closes the night with a set of his own. As for who to expect from the benefit concert, the “Beautiful Lies” singer is enlisting an all-star cast of alternative country artists with Them Dirty Roses, The Droptines, Lance Roark, Taylor Hunnicut, Canaan Bryce and Kirk House all set to perform throughout the day. Discussing the event, Usrey would tell us here at Whiskey Riff that it’s been in the works for a while. Noting that he’s been trying to find a way to better support veterans for years at this point, his desire to give back was reignited thanks to some close friendships with former military members. “So for a long time I have been wondering how I could help veterans, to give back to the people that sacrifice so much for us to be able to live the lives we live. And over the past few years I’ve gotten really close to a group of guys that I now call family who served this country, listened to their stories, and decided to do something for them.” The Texas native would then go on to explain that he got the idea to host the star-studded benefit concert back in December, deciding to call on some of his closest friends and favorite bands like The Droptines. He’d also note that holding it at Union 28 was a no-brainer. Calling the venue’s owner, Justin Crocker, a close friend, Usrey said he did not hesitate to help him host the concert. “So I woke up one day in December and thought, ‘What if I just got a bunch of my best friends/favorite bands together to raise money for our veterans?’ So I called my buddy Justin Crocker who owns Union 28 (which is an absolutely amazing venue) in Midlothian, Texas,  and he didn’t hesitate one bit. He had a venue. I had some buddies that wanted to play, so we partnered with MVP (Merging Veterans and Players) to put this thing on.” Finally, Usrey would note how excited he is to see the concert come to fruition and help raise money for veterans with support from MVP. “I am so excited to see this come to fruition, and can’t wait to raise money for the people that have given everything to us.” Tickets for the benefit concert can be purchased HERE. Tanner Usrey 2026 Tour Dates April 11 Conroe, TX – Montgomery County Fairgrounds April 17–18 San Antonio, TX – Fiesta Oyster Bake (St. Mary’s University) April 19–25 Stephenville, TX – Larry Joe Taylor’s Texas Music Festival May 1–2 Bellville, TX – Rock The Country (Austin County Fairgrounds) May 5 McKinney, TX – Local Yocal BBQ & Grill May 29 Waterloo, NE – Buck’s Bar & Grill June 26–28 Aztec, NM – Tico Time Country Festival September 10–12 Madison, IN – Unbroken Circle Music Festival September 10–12 Miami, FL – Unbroken Circle Music Festival September 12 Weatherford, TX – Bosque Ranch LiveThe post Tanner Usrey To Host ‘Down Range Memorial Benefit’ Concert Supporting Veterans Alongside The Droptines, Them Dirty Roses & More first appeared on Whiskey Riff.