High praise from the ’90s legend. Simply put, there’s no one doing it quite as well as Zach Top these days. Though there are plenty of other stellar artists keeping the traditional scene alive, such as Jake Worthington, Charley Crockett and more, the Washington native has launched himself into the stratosphere as of late. Of course, this was highlighted on a national scale the past few months when he not only took home Best New Artist at the CMA Awards in November, which he accepted with a Coors Banquet in hand, but also when he scored his first-career Grammy earlier this month. In turn, Top became the first-ever winner of the brand-new Best Traditional Country Album category, winning it with his sophomore album, Ain’t In It For My Health. Keeping the momentum going, the “South of Sanity” singer would snag not one but five nominations at the upcoming 61st annual CMA Awards next Sunday. In addition to scoring his first-career Male Artist of the Year nod, the Washington native would also score nominations for Album of the Year (Ain’t In It For My Health) as well as Single and Song of the Year (“I Never Lie”). Along the way, Top has garnered high praise from fellow artists and legends such as Tracy Lawrence, Dierks Bentley, Travis Tritt and many more over the past few years. Recently, ’90s legend Mark Chesnutt, who scored hits with the likes of “Bubba Shot the Jukebox,” “Almost Goodbye” and “It’s a Little Too Late” throughout the decade, was the latest traditionalist to offer up some high praise for the “Use Me” singer. During an interview with Andrew Pope on his Pickin’ It Out podcast, the “Too Cold at Home” singer would explain that Top was the first artist recently to truly break through into the mainstream with a wholly traditional sound, clearly referencing the fact that other traditionalists such as Randall King, who were undoubtedly buzzy a few years ago, never quite took off the way he did. “Ole Zach… When I first saw him come along, I thought, ‘Now we’re talking. Finally, somebody’s speaking my language again.’ And it’s getting heard. There’s been so many people come up over the years that were really traditional and couldn’t break.” Chesnutt then recalled the first time he ever listened to Top. Noting that he’d heard his name being thrown around for years, he’d say that he was “floored” the first time listening to the young star’s breakout hit, “I Never Lie.” “I heard Zach Top. I’ve been hearing about him for years. I heard all about him, but I never *heard* him. And the first time I heard ‘I Never Lie,’ It just floored me. I thought, ‘Now we’re going somewhere.’ Thank God that [traditional country] is not dead — dead as I thought it was. I thought it was long gone. The 62-year-old singer/songwriter would then offer up some high praise to the hottest country star on the planet right now, Ella Langley. Quite bluntly, he’d praise her style, distinct vocals and songwriting before saying he thinks she’ll be around “forever.” “I’ll tell you, I love that Ella Langley, man. I love her singing. She’s got it going on, man. She’s not up there wearing tit dancer clothes like a lot of these other singers are doing — pop singers and even some country singers. She goes out there dressed nice… She looks a lot like Jessi Colter. [She] reminds me a lot of  her — except her singing. She got her own distinct style of singing. She sings like she talks, too. I like that. She writes good. She got it going on; I think she’s gonna be around forever.” It’s pretty safe to say that Chesnutt hits the nail on the head here. The genre’s future is pretty damn bright at the moment, especially with Top and Langley leading the charge. Listen to the full interview here: Zach Top Summer Tour Dates June 5 – Durant, Oklahoma – Choctaw Grand Theater with Cole Goodwin June 12 – Orange Beach, Alabama – The Wharf Amphitheater with Cole Goodwin June 20 – Columbia, Maryland – Merriweather Lakehouse with Wyatt McCubbin July 9 – Salt Lake City, Utah – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheater with Jake Worthington July 10 – Boise, Idaho – ExtraMile Arena with Jake Worthington July 15 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Sasktel Centre with Lukas Nelson July 16 – Edmonton, Alberta – Rogers Place with Lukas Nelson August 7 – Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Tire Centre with Wyatt McCubbin August 8 – Canandaigua, New York – CMAC – Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center with Wyatt McCubbin August 13 – Wantagh, New York – Jones Beach Amphitheater with Marty Stuart  August 20 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – PPG Paints Arena with Marcus King August 21 – Allentown, Pennsylvania – PPL Center August 22 – Bangor, Maine – Maine Savings Bank Amphitheater with Marcus King August 28 – Gilford, New Hampshire – BankNH Pavilion with Marcus KingThe post Mark Chesnutt Says He Was “Floored” When He First Heard Zach Top: “Finally, Somebody’s Speaking My Language Again” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

The state of Oklahoma continues to find ways to honor the late, great Toby Keith. Believe it or not, it’s already been over two years since the country music world – and the world at large – lost Toby Keith. He passed away back in February of 2024 at the age of 62 after a long and valiant battle with stomach cancer. The loss is still hard to fathom, and though Keith may no longer be with us physically, his spirit is still alive and well. Tributes to the Big Dog Daddy have basically took place ever since he passed on. The University of Oklahoma implemented a Toby Keith sing along at every one of their home football games, the U.S. Army chorus used Toby Keith’s “American Soldier” as the song to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Army’s 250th birthday celebration, and more recently, Oklahoma declared July 8 as “Toby Keith Day.” Everywhere you look, there’s something going on to honor Toby Keith (even just playing his music loud and proud is a tribute we can all participate in, in my humble opinion). All in all, it’s great to see Toby Keith be remembered and memorialized in so many different ways, and in the latest example, another bill has been signed into law that will rename an interchange in Cleveland County, Oklahoma. Senate Bill 1475 – which was initially introduced in January of this year – was just recently signed into law by Governor Kevin Stitt, and it declares that the interchange of Interstate 35 and Indian Hills Road will forever be known as the Toby Keith Memorial Interchange. State representative Jason Blair, R-Moore, said that the interchange naming is yet another way to further connect Oklahoma and Toby Keith: “As travelers move along one of our busiest corridors connecting Oklahoma to other states, this designation serves as a meaningful way to honor Toby Keith. He was not only a great Oklahoman, but he also left behind a legacy that reflects the Oklahoma Standard. This bridge will stand as a reminder of that character for years to come.” This comes after another resolution was passed back in February that named an east-to-west connecting turnpike in Oklahoma the “Toby Keith Expressway.” I don’t know about you, but I’d more than happy if every important road in the Sooner State eventually had some sort of connection to the Big Dog Daddy in some form or fashion. Toby Keith left behind a legacy as a singer, songwriter, performer, businessman, and entrepreneur. He truly built an empire that will stand the test of time, and now, there are plenty of reminders in Oklahoma that act as a daily reminder that the “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” singer left his home state – and the world – a better place. Might as well cue up one the Big Dog Daddy’s greatest hits while you are here… imagine listening to this while driving through the Toby Keith Memorial Interchange: “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” The post Oklahoma Governor Signs Bill Into Law Establishing The Toby Keith Memorial Interchange first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

It’s a tearjerker… and it’s the perfect song to reflect on as we approach Mother’s Day this Sunday. Carrie Underwood released her song “Mama’s Song” in September of 2010 as the fourth and final single from her third studio album, Play On, which was released in 2009. The song was co-written by Underwood along with Kara DioGuardi, Marti Frederiksen, and Luke Laird, and it ended up being nominated for Best Country Solo Performance at the 54th Grammy Awards. It’s an absolutely beautiful tune Carrie wrote for her mom, Carole Underwood, and finds her reflecting on how she has finally found an answer to her mom’s prayers in her husband, Mike, who will take care of her now. She assures her mom that she no longer needs to worry about her because: “And he is good, so good He treats your little girl like a real man should He is good, so good He makes promises he keeps No, he’s never gonna leave So, don’t you worry about me Don’t you worry about me” It’s just so sweet and I’m sure relatable to many, and Carole is actually taking over Carrie’s SiriusXM channel Carrie’s Country for Mother’s Day, and she let fans in on some cool behind-the-scenes knowledge from the music video, which she, Carrie and Mike are all featured in. Carole explained that the music video director had Carrie write her mom a heartfelt note to put in the photo book they used, which Carole couldn’t read until they actually filmed it. The goal was to make her cry, and Carole admits that it certainly worked: “My next selection is ‘Mamas Song.’ I thought I better throw that one in, because of course, it’s for Mama and I got to do a video with her. The man who produced the video had her to write me a special little note that I did not get to see until I was looking at the photo album for the actual recording, and the whole video of it was to make me cry some. And it did make me cry some.” The video opens with Carole talking about how fast the time has gone by in terms of feeling like it was just yesterday that Carrie was a little girl: “You just don’t think, when your child is small, in just a few years it’s going to be completely different. And You look back and say, ‘Where did that time go?’ It goes by fast.” Honestly, that part alone makes me tear up a little. Carrie has talked many times about how influential her mom has been in her life, and I can’t imagine a more beautiful song a daughter could write for her mom so I have no doubt it means the world to both of them. View this post on Instagram I remember watching this video over and over back in the day when it came out… I’m pretty sure I bought it on iTunes because I loved it so much, and it’s cool to hear from Mama Underwood about her personal feelings toward the song and what it was like to film with her daughter. “Mama’s Song” remains one of the best songs and videos in Carrie’s catalog, in my humble opinion, and it’s the perfect one to add to your Mother’s Day playlist… but it might make you shed a few years so fair warning… “Mama’s Song” The post Carrie Underwood’s Mom Reveals the Behind-the-Scenes Moment That Made Her Cry first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

You couldn’t ask for a better friend and mentor. Ella Langley just kicked off her Dandelion tour last night, which is in support of her sophomore album Dandelion, which was executive produced by country superstar Miranda Lambert, who also helped write and was a huge part of Ella’s smash crossover hit single “Choosin’ Texas,” which they wrote with Luke Dick and Joybeth Taylor. Ella and Miranda have become close friends, and Ella has spoken at length about how much it has meant to her to have Miranda in her corner. And last night, she opened up about just how important it has been to have Miranda there to give her advice during this crazy time in her life. Ella explained that Miranda has always encouraged her to stand up for herself, and her example of always being exactly who she is, no matter who she’s around or what she’s doing, has inspired her deeply both personally and professionally: “Really in this last year, I feel like I’ve kinda pulled it together in a different way. And somebody who helped me so much in that moment was Mrs. Miranda Lambert. I’ll never forget hearing ‘House That Built Me’ for the first time, I’ll never forget watching a show of hers for the first time. And not only do I look up to Miranda as an artist, as a woman, as a songwriter, but I look up to her so much as a person because she’s just who she is no matter what. No matter where she is, no matter what she does, she just is who she is. And she’s also not afraid of who she was. and I think that’s a big thing in this life, is being who you are, but not being afraid of who you were at the same time. Because if you weren’t that person, how the hell could you have ever been the person that’s standing here today? I don’t know. I don’t know… I think it’s really for the people you surround yourself with, like I said Mrs. Miranda, who in the last year, constantly was there for me when I was either doubting myself, am I good enough to do this? Can I say the thing I want to say? Do I want to stand up for myself in this way? And every single time, she said, ‘Hell yes. Hell yes. Hell yes.'” It’s advice we could all take and learn from, and it’s so cool to see how these two have connected and what they’ve been able to do as Miranda has guided Ella into this very successful chapter of her career: “Not only do I look up to Miranda as an artist, a woman and a songwriter but I look up to her so much as a person because she’s just who she is no matter what. She’s also not afraid of who she was.” — Ella on Miranda’s mentorship at the Dandelion Tour pic.twitter.com/UYWRIXpTve — Miranda Lambert Fan (@ranfancentral) May 8, 2026 You can check out Ella’s full set list from night one of the tour below. The Dandelion Tour Night One Setlist “Dandelion” “I Gotta Quit” “Here for the Party” (Gretchen Wilson cover) “Bottom of Your Boots” “paint the town blue” “girl you’re taking home” “20-20” “You & Me Time (live debut) “Broken” “Something Simple” “Butterfly Season” (live debut with Gabriella Rose) “Wish I Didn’t Know Now” (Toby Keith cover) “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” (Kitty Wells cover) “Be Her” “you look like you love me” (with Dylan Marlowe) “Loving Life Again” “Choosin’ Texas” “weren’t for the wind” The Dandelion Tour Dates 5/8/2026 St. Louis, MO Chaifetz Arena (+,&) 5/14/2026 Estero, FL Hertz Arena (@, &) 5/15/2026 Savannah, GA Enmarket Arena (@, &) 6/18/2026 Oklahoma City, OK Zoo Amphitheatre (+,&) 6/19/2026 Independence, MO Cable Dahmer Arena (+,&) 6/25/2026 Salem, VA Salem Civic Center (+,&) 6/26/2026 Wilmington, NC Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park (+,&) 7/23/2026 Pikeville, KY Appalachian Wireless Arena (#, %) 7/24/2026 Cary, NC Koka Booth Amphitheatre (#, %) 7/25/2026 North Charleston, SC North Charleston Coliseum (#, %) 7/30/2026 Gilford, NH BankNH Pavilion (@, %) 7/31/2026 Canandaigua, NY CMAC (@, %) 8/13/2026 Austin, TX Moody Center (#, &) 8/14/2026 Corpus Christi, TX Hilliard Center (#, &) 8/15/2026 Fort Worth, TX Dickies Arena (#, &) @ Kameron Marlowe + Dylan Marlowe # Kaitlin Butts & Gabriella Rose % Laci Kaye Booth “Butterfly Season” The post “She’s Who She Is No Matter What” — Ella Langley Says Miranda Lambert Has Always Encouraged Her To Stand Up For Herself first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Kane Brown recently provided a rather interesting “Mount Rushmore of Country Music.” There’s nothing like sitting around with some fellow country fans and chatting about personal favorites and all time greats. Those are often two different conversations, but in a recent interview with Hard Rock Bet, Kane Brown meshed the two together when he was asked to name his all-time country music Mount Rushmore. If you aren’t familiar with “Mount Rushmore” conversations, they’re obviously inspired by the national monument in South Dakota that features George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln carved into the side of Mount Rushmore. Since those four presidents are historically viewed as some of the most important in American history, having a Mount Rushmore conversation in another topic is basically asking… who are the greatest four people in (insert category here)? There are a lot of names that come to mind if country music were the category. Granted, Kane Brown covered one of those big names that would likely be included. But the others that he went with varied from questionable to too-soon-to-tell. Here’s who the “Miles On It” singer went with: “Definitely got to put George Strait up there. Oh man. It’s so hard because country music’s doing so well right now. I feel like you got to put Morgan (Wallen) up there, man. Morgan’s got to go. I’m going to put Shania Twain. This is so hard. See, I would put Ella (Langley) up there right now because she’s killing it, but it’s too early.” At least Kane Brown caught himself and said Ella Langley might be a little “too early” to confirm. He went on to add himself in the conversation for “most influential” artists in country music right now… That’s the thing about Mount Rushmore, right? It’s permanent. They aren’t out there in South Dakota cycling in and out presidents. Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln have been up there for a long time (since 1941), and they’ll be on Mount Rushmore long after we are all gone. Recency bias didn’t get in the way when those four presidents were chosen for the memorial… it sure seems like it affected Kane Brown’s list. Like I mentioned earlier, George Strait is a fine pick, but even the “King of Country” might not make the cut when you consider the legends of the genre. And like the four presidents featured on Mount Rushmore, we’re looking for names that helped act as a foundation for what it’s known as today. So with that being said, you simply can’t leave out names like: -Johnny Cash -Dolly Parton -Hank Williams -Willie Nelson -Merle Haggard -Loretta Lynn -Waylon Jennings – George Jones I know there are more than four names there, but you’d think that a country music Mount Rushmore would have to be some sort of combination of those 9 names (throw in George Strait if you’d like and make it nine options, maybe Reba for a nice top 10). And it’s also important to note… Kane Brown was asked what his Mount Rushmore of country music would be. As previously stated, everyone has their favorites, and the country-pop singer just so happens to like George Strait, Morgan Wallen, Shania Twain and Ella Langley…. I guess. Rather shocking to be honest… even for him. If it’s a subjective list, that’s all fine and dandy. But if we’re looking at an objective country music Mount Rushmore… I don’t think that collection of names is holding up. We actually asked our fans a few years back, and held it to a vote, and Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and George Strait emerged victorious. More on that story HERE.The post Kane Brown’s Mount Rushmore Of Country Music Is… Definitely A Choice first appeared on Whiskey Riff.