He beat his decades-long addiction for his son… and it proved to be the best decision he ever made. It’s no secret that Waylon Jennings knew how to party, as he was very open during his lifetime about how much he struggled with a cocaine addiction. At the peak of his addiction, he was spending $1,000 a day on drugs, as were friends like Johnny Cash. Waylon recalled during his 2001 CMT Inside Fame episode that he finally saw the light and realized how much he was hurting those around him. While Jennings acknowledged the anguish he was putting his wife through, this seemingly simple act with Shooter was the final straw for him: “He came over and sat down and put his arm through my arm and colored for about an hour or something like that, maybe more. That was the first time he was able to do that because I was so scattered all the time, you know. I thought, ‘Well, this is it.’” Drawing with his five-year-old was the moment that changed it all. After that shared moment, he went to Jessi Colter and told her that he was done for good. He then gave the remainder of the drugs and handed them to Jessi to throw away. “I heard her in the bathroom, pouring it down the commode, hollering, ‘Hallelujah, praise the Lord. Hallelujah, praise the Lord.’” When Waylon did finally quit his bad drug habit for good, he did it cold turkey, instead of going to a hospital or rehab facility when he was ready to quit, like his friend Johnny did. Waylon decided to rent a house out in the Arizona desert, clear everything on the calendar, and camp out there until he was clean and had everything out of his system. And if that sounds crazy, that’s because it is, and of course not the way any medical professional would recommend doing the process, but we all know that Waylon was simply a different breed. It worked for him, though, as he stayed away from drugs for the rest of his life, and Shooter had an incredible father as a result. During a recent interview with CBS Sunday Morning about the next the archival album of Waylon’s never-before-heard music called Diamonds, Shooter opened up about how his father’s drug addiction did… or more so, did not, affect him as a kid. Shooter explained that it bothered his dad a lot, but it didn’t affect him “one bit” because he was so young when Waylon quit: “You know, he did, of course. But it bothered him so much, like, it didn’t affect me one bit. When I was a kid, he quit by the time I was like five or six, and I think once he won the battle is when he realized he didn’t need it anymore, you know. And he was a great dad.” He’s lucky that he didn’t remember the years when his dad was on drugs, and it’s really a testament to the man Waylon was and how badly he wanted to be an incredible dad: “Yeah, I do miss him. Of course I miss him, but that’s not why I cry. I get emotional because I feel how important this all is.” Shooter says he simply wants people to know “the guy I know,” and he has found a new purpose in carrying on his dad’s legacy in this way: “I want everybody to know the guy I know, and I think I’m in a place where I’m in the studio and I’m able to put this out there, and people will get it and hear it. So I feel like that should be my purpose in a way.” It’s a noble quest, and I know fans absolutely cannot wait to hear all of the new music, and the album is set to be released on November 13th as a physical copy, and on streaming platforms on December 11th. So far, Shooter has only put out one song from Diamonds, which is the title track, and features Glen Campbell on guitar: The full interview is available below. The post Shooter Jennings Says Waylon’s Drug Addiction Did Not Affect Him One Bit: “He Was A Great Dad” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Summer speaks. Just weeks after the country music world was rocked by one of the highest-profile divorces in recent memory, with Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo announcing their split after 10 years, Jon Pardi has just announced he will be divorcing his wife, Summer. Taking to Instagram in a joint post, Jon and Summer announced that they will be ending their marriage: “After much thought, we have made the difficult decision to end our marriage. Our daughters will always remain our highest priority and we are committed to moving forward with love and respect as co-parents. Thank you for your understanding, support, and respect as we navigate these changes as a family.” View this post on Instagram In the wake of the news, Jon announced on his Instagram story that he will be continuing his current stretch of shows throughout the summer. However, he explained that he will be taking a break from social media to better focus on himself and his family as he enters a new chapter of his life: “While I navigate this next chapter, I’m going to take some time away social media to focus on myself and my family. Thanks to you all for the love and support. My team will handle posting for the time being. I’ll see you at the shows.” And now, Summer is finally addressing the news herself. In a brief Instagram story, Summer essentially said that fans have been asking for her to share more on the divorce and ultimately that she’s declining to do so. She confessed that this is an extremely difficult time for her and her family, as you might expect, but that it will remain a private matter. “I know many of you have seen the news about Jon and me. I wanted to acknowledge it here beyond the joint statement we put out. This has been a very difficult and deeply personal time for our family. While so much of our life is shared online, there are parts of it that I’ll always choose to keep private, especially something as difficult as this. I’m so grateful for the kindness, prayers, and support so many of you have already shown us. It truly means more than you know. I will continue showing up on here and sharing links and parts of life with you, like I always have. This space is a part of my work, but it’s also a place that brings me joy, connecting with so many of you. Again, thank you for all of the love and support for our family.” Understandable… perhaps when the wound isn’t so fresh she will be willing to divulge more details. Then again, maybe not… and that’s her right. As much as celebrities and their wives put their personal lives on display for the fans, none of us are entitled to nay information beyond what they’re willing to share with us. Of course, rumors may swirl and fans will believe their own versions of the what and why, but ultimately, we’ll never know what goes on behind closed doors, and the inner workings of someone else’s marriage. Jon & Summer’s Backstory The couple has been together since 2017, something Jon himself called “love at first sight.” Two years later, the two got engaged on the stage at Ryman Auditorium back in 2019. On November 21, 2020, they would marry at Saddle Woods Farm in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Since then, as alluded to in the post, they have had two daughters, Presley Fawn, who is three, and Sienna Grace, who will be turning two this month. Throughout the years, Summer has starred in a plethora of music videos alongside the “Dirt On My Boots” singer, including “Heartache Medication” and, most recently, “Boots Off” earlier in the year. There’s been a ton of speculation about the couple on social media over the past couple months, after internet sleuths picked up on the separation back in May based on the couple’s posts. And as it turns out, they were right. The Complaint The divorce complaint, which was obtained and reviewed by Whiskey Riff, was filed by Summer back on May 12, 2026, and lists the date of separation as May 11, the day before she officially filed. In the complaint, Summer cites irreconcilable differences as the grounds for divorce, which is basically a no-fault grounds in Tennessee that allows the court to grant a divorce without assigning blame when both parties agree to the separation. And she also requests that the court grant her primary custody of their two children: “Wife would show that she is a fit and proper person to be designated as the primary residential parent of the parties’ minor children. The best interests and welfare of the minor children will be served by designating the Wife as the primary residential parent.” And she also requests that the court order her husband to pay spousal support – more commonly known as alimony: “Wife would show that she is in need of spousal support, including but not limited to pendente lite and permanent, and Husband has the ability to pay.” (Pendente lite spousal support means that she’s requesting the court enter an order granting her alimony while the litigation is pending – i.e. she’s asking that he be ordered to pay her before the divorce is actually granted). Summer Pardi is represented by Rose Palermo, the “divorce attorney to the stars” who is also representing Jelly Roll in his divorce, and has represented other high profile clients like Kelsea Ballerini, Kristin Cavallari, Conway Twitty, Wynonna Judd, and many, many more in their divorces.The post Jon Pardi’s Wife, Summer, Breaks Silence On Divorce: “Very Difficult & Deeply Personal Time” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Is the divide between the public and country radio getting further? Reigning ACM Artist of the Decade, Jason Aldean, has had a pretty fascinating career. With 32 #1s, 27 platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and over 51 million units sold in the U.S. alone, the “She’s Country” singer has had a career few could ever dream of. Despite delivering some rock-solid hits over the years, namely with early tracks such as “Why,” “The Truth” and “Laughed Until We Cried,” lately, Aldean hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations in recent memory. Quite frankly, his stretch of three albums starting from 2019’s 9 to the double album, Macon and Georgia, was pretty disastrous, with the Georgia native delivering career lows on tracks such as Georgia’s autotune disaster, “Ain’t Enough Cowboy.” After dropping Highway Desperado back in 2023, Aldean returned once again this year with his 13th studio album, Songs About Us, a lengthy 20-song record that featured his 31st #1 hit, “How Far Does a Goodbye Go,” his first-ever song with his wife, Brittany, “Easier Gone,” and a reunion with Luke Bryan on the title track. After scoring a #1 with “How Far Does a Goodbye Go,” this week, Aldean grabbed his second chart-topper from Songs About Us with “Don’t Tell On Me,” rising from #2 to #1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. In turn, the track became his 27th #1 on the Billboard chart and his 32nd #1 overall. With his 27th #1 on Country Airplay, the Georgia native has now passed both Alan Jackson and George Strait for fourth-most #1s in the chart’s history. Additionally, he’s furthered the gap between legends such as Brooks & Dunn and Toby Keith, as well as modern superstars such as Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs — all of whom have 20 chart-toppers. .@Jason_Aldean's "Don't Tell On Me" rises 2-1 on this week's Country Airplay chart. It's his 27th No. 1 at the format, helping him pass Alan Jackson, George Strait and Luke Bryan for the fourth-most in the chart's history, after Kenny Chesney (33), Blake Shelton (30) and Tim… — billboard charts (@billboardcharts) July 7, 2026 If you take a look at “Don’t Tell On Me’s” streaming numbers, it doesn’t quite reflect how seemingly “popular” the song has been from a broad perspective. Taking a look at Spotify, the track has 11 million streams since its release on Songs About It on April 23rd. In comparison, Morgan Wallen and Ella Langley’s “I Can’t Love You Anymore,” which was released on the same day, has over 71 million streams on the platform. Despite this, it is lagging behind Aldean at #5 on Country Airplay. While I’m not accusing Aldean and his label of payola, it’s become increasingly clear over the years that country radio has lost a lot of its luster, especially in today’s streaming-dominated era. In turn, it’s launched some fairly unpopular songs to #1. For a deeper dive on this phenomenon, read HERE. Most #1s On Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart Kenny Chesney – 33 Blake Shelton – 30 Tim McGraw – 29 Jason Aldean – 27 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 “Don’t Tell On Me” Jason Aldean Tour Dates July 16 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater^ July 17 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center^ July 18 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts^ July 23 – Wichita, KS – INTRUST Bank Arena^ July 24 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center^ July 25 – Kansas City, MO – Morton Amphitheater^ July 30 – Ridgefield, WA – Cascades Amphitheater^ July 31 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater^ Aug 14 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre^ Aug 15 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center at Fresno State^ Aug 22 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center#% Aug 27 – Bossier City, LA – Brookshire Grocery Arena^ Aug 28 – Brandon, MS – Brandon Amphitheater^ Aug 29 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater^ Sep 10 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach^ Sep 11 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater^ Sep 12 – Hartford, CT – The Meadows Music Theatre^ Sep 17 – Hamilton, ON – TD Coliseum^ Sep 18 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview^ Sep 19 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion^ Sep 25 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion^ Sep 26 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion^ ^ with Chase Matthew, Mackenzie Carpenter and Dee Jay Silver # with Chase Matthew and Dee Jay Silver % with Elizabeth NicholsThe post Jason Aldean Passes George Strait & Alan Jackson, Now Owns The Fourth-Most #1 Hits On Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

It didn’t stop fans from streaming it, apparently. There’s really no way around it; Morgan Wallen is equally the most successful artist in country music history as he is the most controversial. From a charts and sales standpoint, he’s truly unmatched. Scoring four all-genre #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 over the past few years and recently dethroning Garth Brooks to become the highest-selling country artist of all time (3rd all-genre), the “Whiskey Glasses” singer has experienced unprecedented numbers in terms of crossover success, unlike anything we’ve ever seen so far. Despite all the hit albums, singles and collaborations, there’s one black sheep in terms of Wallen’s lucrative discography. That project, of course, is none other than the 2024 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of his debut EP, Stand Alone. In case you missed it, Wallen obviously released the EP as his debut project all the way back in 2015. Upon its release, it contained five tracks, including the fan-favorite, “Spin You Around.” In 2024, however, his former label and management team, Panacea Records, went behind his back and released a deluxe version of Stand Alone against the “Don’t We” singer’s wishes. That deluxe edition of Stand Alone was something Wallen did not want put out, and he shared in a lengthy post on Instagram that he “cringes” when he listens to those songs now. He added that he explored every avenue possible to stop its release, calling the move “gross, greedy & an example of how the dark side of the music business can suck the soul out of artists.” “Tonight, those colleagues I parted ways with almost 10 years ago plan to release a “10th Anniversary” edition of Stand Alone against my wishes & include 8 unreleased songs, distributing it with the assistance of my former managers. For months I’ve been exploring every avenue possible to acquire the rights to this old music & keep the quality of my catalog consistent with songs I choose to release & believe in.   It’s gross, greedy & an example of how the dark side of the music business can suck the soul out of artists.    I want you to know this is NOT my new music & I don’t want to see this happen to anyone else. I cringe when I listen to these songs & I’m concerned my fans may mistakenly believe this is a new release by me. I begin recording my next project at the end of February. I’m feeling inspired creatively & super excited to make more music I’m proud of.” View this post on Instagram In response, the Tennessee native not only pledged $100k from the Morgan Wallen Foundation to the Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals For The Arts (VLPA) program in hopes of preventing the same situation from happening to young artists, but he also went ahead and re-recorded his own version of “Spin You Around,” which he subtitled ‘1/24,’ with producers, Joey Moi and Bryan Sutton. Despite Wallen publicly denouncing the EP’s re-release, it appears that it didn’t stop some fans from buying and streaming the project in waves over the past two and a half years. As of today, June 7th, Stand Alone (10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which means it has sold well over 500,000 units in the U.S. Given the fact that the “Chasin’ You” singer is nothing short of a streaming and sales giant, highlighted by the aforementioned fact that he’s already the highest-selling country artist of all time, a gold certification would hardly be noteworthy at this point in his career. With that being said, however, it’s a bit surprising that this project, in particular, would stream and sell so well, primarily due to the fact that Wallen himself publicly denounced it. I guess when you have a fanbase that is so eager to hear anything, regardless of where it came from, the way Wallen’s is, you should expect it at this point. However, it’s a fascinating development for this undoubtedly shady money-grab from his former label. “Spin You Around (1/24)” ‘Still The Problem’ Tour Dates July 17 || Baltimore, Md. || M&T Bank Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat July 18 || Baltimore, Md. || M&T Bank Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat July 24 || Ann Arbor, Mich. || Michigan Stadium w/ Thomas Rhett, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten July 25 || Ann Arbor, Mich. || Michigan Stadium w/ HARDY, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten July 31 || Philadelphia, Penn. || Lincoln Financial Field w/ ​​Brooks & Dunn, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten August 1 || Philadelphia, Penn. || Lincoln Financial Field w/ Ella Langley, Hudson Westbrook, Blake WhitenThe post Morgan Wallen’s Controversial 10th Anniversary Re-Release Of ‘Stand Alone’ Gets Certified Gold Despite Him Dennouncing It first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Dolly Parton is headed to Broadway. Of course, the country icon has won countless awards, scored chart-topping hits, and has done everything and more she could’ve ever hoped or dreamed to accomplish, and her career is nothing short of extraordinary. She is still topping the charts well into her sixth decade of success, and has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, in addition to being an inductee in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. And now her, life story will be featured as a major production on Broadway in New York City, as DOLLY: A True Original Musical, is set to debut this winter. They already did an early run in Nashville last summer to test it, and it sounds like they’ve ironed out all of the kinks, so to speak, and are ready to hit the Broadway stage: View this post on Instagram Dolly produced it alongside Danny Nozell, Adam Speers for ATG Productions, and Gavin Kalin Productions, and she says her “whole life has been a musical,” which made putting together this production an easy fit: “My whole life has been a musical. A grand ole opera really! We have a wonderful director, sets, costumes, choreography, music and all the things you need to make a wonderful, entertaining show! Can’t wait to see you there!” Preview performances will start on Monday, December 7th, and the show’s opening night will take place on Parton’s 81st birthday on Tuesday, January 19th of 2027. The new musical will only play New York’s St. James Theatre. The music of course features many of Dolly’ original hits, and a few new ones she wrote specifically for the musical. Director Bartlett Sher says he was “overwhelmed” during their world premiere in Nashville, and knows how special this will be for fans: “During our world premiere in Nashville, I was overwhelmed by the deep connection audiences have with Dolly. You mention her name and people light up and share a time that she has inspired them and brought them joy. But despite all of that genuine love, Dolly has never really shared her story before. She’s offered glimpses and peeks, but this musical allows her to reveal the unfiltered story in her own words. As we prepare to come to Broadway, we’re thrilled to show that rhinestones were never her whole story.” Dolly’s musical is told through her own words in songs, from the Smoky Mountains of east Tennessee to superstardom, and beloved hits like “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “9 to 5” will be part of the lineup. According to a press release, “the music team for the production includes two-time Tony Award winner and two-time Grammy® winner Stephen Oremus (music supervisor), Charity Wicks (music director), Tony Award nominee and Grammy Award nominee John Clancy (orchestrations), and Kent Wells (musical consultant). The music team is completed by Richard Dennison (vocal arrangements and music arrangements) and Gregg Perry (music arrangements and vocal arrangements) who are longtime collaborators with Parton and collectively have almost a century of experience creating music with her.” In addition, “the creative team for DOLLY: A True Original Musical includes Emmy Award® winner Mandy Moore (choreography), Tony Award winner Derek McLane (scenic design), Tony Award nominee Jennifer Moeller (costume design), Tony Award winner Donald Holder (lighting design), Tony Award winner Peter Hylenski (sound design), Olivier Award nominee Nathan Amzi and Olivier Award nominee Joe Ransom (video design), Robert Pickens (hair design), Studio Pickens (makeup design), Michael J. Passaro (production stage manager), and Jim Carnahan and Carrie Gardner (casting directors).” Presale tickets go on sale tomorrow, July 8th, and this marks the first major Broadway production about a country star in many years, and if you’re in New York City this winter, it certainly will be one to check out.The post Dolly Parton Announces Debut Date For Broadway Musical first appeared on Whiskey Riff.