Maybe they should just stick to the original vows… In addition to being a very busy country music superstar, Lainey Wilson is in the midst of planning a wedding with her fiancé Devlin “Duck” Hodges, whom she got engaged to last February. They dated for about four years  before getting engaged, and during a party celebrating her radio hit “4X4XU,” Lainey previously shared details about the proposal that happened at the stunning George Jones estate the week after the Super Bowl. Lainey also revealed recently that the night they met she was “broke,” and Duck might’ve thought she was doing a little better than she was, and just a few weeks later, she had to have her sister send her some money so she could continue to stay afloat in Nashville and make her dreams a reality: “That was the night we met. I was broke. I was so broke when we met. And he thought I was doing a little bit better than I was. But a few weeks after we met, my sister had to Venmo me a couple hundred bucks.” That was in 2021, and it’s really incredible how much has changed since the years following. Lainey often talks about how supportive Duck is with her career, and they seem like a great match that have already gone through a lot of change together during the course of their relationship with Lainey’s stardom exploding. While Lainey has said in several interviews over the last several months that the planning is coming together very slowly because of how busy they are, it sounds like it will be a relatively simple affair when it does happen, as Lainey told People in an interview that they just “want it to be about what it’s supposed to be about.” Of course, there will be tons of good music and food, and it will be a party, she doesn’t want to stress over things like floral arrangements and the like: “I think we just want it to be about what it’s supposed to be about, you know. and of course, we’re gonna have a dang good time. We want good music, we just want it to be a celebration and a party, and have our friends and family there. We just want it to be simple, and we wanna make that vow to each other and not be stressed out about, you know, what the flowers look like.” She also said that she thinks she’ll write her own vows, but she’s not sure Duck will do the same, joking that she “doesn’t want to show him up too bad” because he’ll “probably use Chat GPT.” I mean, not everyone is an award-winning songwriter like she is, but still… that’s pretty funny and sounds pretty on-brand for most grooms. Lainey of course says she feels like she can say what she needs to say best when she’s rhyming her words, which should come as a surprise to no one, and I’m sure both of their vows will be heartfelt and beautiful if they do choose to write their own: “I thought about it, and I was like, am I writing my vows? Because I don’t wanna show him up too bad. He’ll probably be using ChatGPT, he’s like, what would I write? What would my vows be? I’ll probably write my vows, for sure. I feel like it might not even be a whole letter to him, it might just be like a poem or something like that. Because sometimes I feel like I can say what I’m trying to say when I rhyme the words. It’s a lot easier for me to communicate just by rhyming the words.” Maybe we might get a new Lainey Wilson love song out of it too? And honestly, I doubt he’d be the first guy to ever use ChatGPT for something like that… but it does take away from the romance, I have to say: @people ChatGPT vows could be just as romantic as any other vows, right? #LaineyWilson opens up about wedding planning with fiancé #DevlinHodges ♬ original sound – People Magazine Lainey will dive much more into her personal life on her forthcoming Netflix documentary “Lainey Wilson: Keepin’ Country Cool,” which will be out very soon on April 22nd. She will give fans a very intimate look at her life both on and off stage, including the process she went through freezing her eggs and much more. You can see the trailer below. The post “I Don’t Wanna Show Him Up Too Bad” — Lainey Wilson Jokes That Her Fiancé Duck Will Probably Use ChatGPT If They Write Their Own Wedding Vows first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

CoJo is officially back. 2026 has already been a huge year for Cody Johnson, and it’s only getting better from here. Riding the highs of his first-ever Male Vocalist of the Year award at the CMAs back in November, Johnson would go on to break George Strait’s Rodeo Houston’s concert-only attendance record in March, performing to a crowd of 80,203. Couple that with four nominations at the upcoming ACM Awards (Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year for “The Fall” and Visual Media for “The Fall”) and his first-ever headlining gig at Stagecoach, the largest country festival in the U.S., and you have yourself one of the best six-month stretches you can ask for. The lingering question that has been surrounding Johnson, despite all the success, is just when he’s going to announce his next album, which has been nearly three years in the making at this point. Taking to Instagram Tuesday afternoon, Johnson would not only tease a brand new song,  but he’d also send fans into a frenzy by noting that it’s time to start the next chapter of his music: “Feels like it’s about time to start the next chapter…” Wasting absolutely no time, yesterday afternoon, the “Dirt Cheap” singer would officially kick off the next chapter, announcing that he will be releasing his tenth studio album, Banks Of The Trinity, on Friday, June 26th. View this post on Instagram In the Instagram post announcing the record, Johnson would note that the album is a reflection of his roots back home in Sebastopol, Texas. Particularly, he’d note that hearing the title track for the first time kick-started the concept for Banks Of The Trinity. “When I heard the song “Banks Of The Trinity” for the first time, it was like a portrait flashed in my head of memories I thought I’d forgotten. It took me straight back home to Sebastopol, Texas, where I grew up on the river. That’s why I chose a photo of Lawrence’s Grocery Store for the album cover. As a kid, I used to ride my bike two miles down an old dirt road just to get a cream soda and a Blue Bell ice cream bar. I’d sit there and listen to the old men talk for a while before heading back home with a basket of groceries. This record is my way of going back to those dirt roads. I can’t wait for you to come with me on that journey back.” In addition to confirming that the record will contain the highly-anticipated collaborations with both Luke Combs on “Shoot the Bull” and Brothers Osborne on “Fool Proof,” teasing yet another project potentially coming later in the year and diving into why Combs was all in on “Shoot the Bull,” Johnson would give fans a preview of the album with its previously-teased lead single, “I Want You,” which released today. View this post on Instagram Written by long-time CoJo co-writers, Matt Rogers, Tom Douglas and Tony Lane, “I Want You,” on its surface, is an incredibly straight-forward love song. As the title suggests, Johnson simply yet poignantly expresses just how badly he wants his wife, Brandi, regardless of where they are in life. Loving her through the highs and lows — the moments she’s pretty and she “ain’t” — the Texas native earnestly declares his love her throughout the track. “I want you in your blue jeans And in your goin’ downtown dress I want you when you’re perfect Or in a perfect mess I want you when you’re healin’ And when you’re broke in two I want you” While the song might not be the most lyrically complex you’ll ever see, I don’t think that’s the goal. Of course, there are some brilliantly crafted love songs out there full of flowery language, complex metaphors and similes. With that being said, however, “I Want You” takes the straight-forward approach to song-writing. What results is an earnest, heart-felt ballad to his wife that feels incredibly authentic. “I Want You” Cody Johnson Tour Dates April 24 – Indio, California – Stagecoach May 2 – Clemson, South Carolina – Death Valley (Clemson Stadium) May 9 – Des Moines, Iowa – Casey’s Corner May 30 – Rosemont, Illinois – Allstate Center July 11 – Cavendish, Prince Edward Island – Cavendish Beach Music Festival July 17 – Columbus, Ohio – Nationwide Arena with Drew Baldridge July 18 – Columbus, Ohio – Nationwide Arena with Ian Munsick & Walker Montgomery July 25 – Jacksonville, Florida – Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena August 8 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Paycom Center August 22 – Knoxville, Tennessee – Food City Center August 29 – Saint Paul, Minnesota – Grand Casinoa Arena September 12 – Tacoma, Washington – Tacoma Dome The post Cody Johnson Previews Upcoming Album, ‘Banks Of The Trinity,’ With Brand New Love Song, “I Want You” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

What a legend. Don Schlitz, the songwriter behind iconic country hits like “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers and “Forever and Ever, Amen” by Randy Travis, has died at the age of 73. According to a press release, Schlitz passed away on Thursday, April 16 at a Nashville hospital following a sudden illness. The songwriter penned 25 number ones over his career, including “The Gambler” and “Forever And Ever, Amen,” as well as songs like “When You Say Nothing At All” by Keith Whitley, “40 Hour Week” by Alabama, “One Promise Too Late” by Reba, and a ton more. A native of Durham, North Carolina, Schlitz moved to Nashville with $80 in his pocket after briefly attending Duke University, and quickly found himself getting attention from some of the country music greats for his songwriting talent. He was among the first performers at the iconic Bluebird Café, and along with fellow songwriters Thom Schuyler, J. Fred Knobloch and Paul Overstreet is credited with creating the venue’s “songwriters in the round” format that’s still used today. He had his first major hit with “The Gambler” back in 1978, a song that would win him both Song of the Year at the CMA Awards and Country Song of the Year at the Grammys. He would also win a Grammy in 1988 for “Forever and Ever, Amen,” while also racking up two more CMA Awards for Song of the Year. Schlitz has also released three albums of his own, including a live album that was recorded at the Bluebird Cafe. His 50 top 10 hits led to Schlitz being named ASCAP Songwriter of the Year for four consecutive years from 1988-1991, and he has been inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. And then in 2017, Schlitz was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, one of only five songwriters at the time to have achieved the honor. Back in 2022, Schlitz became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, frequently stepping into the circle and performing hits like “The Gambler.” And ahead of his Opry induction, he spoke to The Tennessean about why he felt his songs had connected with so many people around the world: “All music is local. When music you love reaches you, it causes a joyous feeling in your heart, and you make it your own. If that feeling expands from the Grand Ole Opry or Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to a wedding in Zimbabwe, that was my intention. Again, it’s all local. It’s all impacting someone personally. That’s the most local level there is.” And on a personal level, I had the privilege of meeting him a few times at the Opry, and he was also just an incredibly nice and funny guy. Schlitz is survived by his wife, Stacey; his daughter Cory Dixon and her husband Matt Dixon; his son Pete Schlitz and his wife Christian Webb Schlitz; his grandchildren Roman, Gia, Isla, and Lilah; his brother Brad Schlitz; and his sister Kathy Hinkley. What a terrible loss for country music and the songwriting community. Rest in peace, Don Schlitz.The post Don Schlitz, Hall Of Fame Songwriter Behind “The Gambler” & “When You Say Nothing At All,” Dies At The Age 73 first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Muscadine Bloodline continues to strike gold with their 2024 single “10-90.” In case you’re not familiar with this incredible ensemble (which needs to be fixed immediately if you fall into that category), Muscadine Bloodline is made up of Mobile-bred friends Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton, who met in 2012 when Stanton opened a show for Muncaster’s band. They officially formed Muscadine Bloodline in 2016 and named the band after muscadine grapes, which grow in the South. For nearly a decade now, they’ve been forming their own, unique sound in country music, deeply inspired by their Alabama heritage, particularly stories and tales about the blue-collar melting pot of their coastal hometown, Cajun fishing villages, and the idyllic land where they grew up. In 2025, the two finally broke into mainstream country music with their heartfelt love song “10-90.” Originally released in August 2024 on their spectacular The Coastal Plain record, “10-90” became a commercial success for the Alabama duo. Not only was it the most-streamed song from that record, but it was also taken to country radio last year, and in its first week, it was the most-added song. The single later entered the Top 50 on the published US Country Radio (Mediabase) chart. It’s one of two charts used to track their songs’ performance officially, and an impressive feat from a duo that has done it all independently, grinding for years and playing show after show all over the country. For many years, they were ignored by the mainstream, though they’ve put out some truly fantastic music, and fans were thrilled to see them finally get the recognition they deserved by country radio. .@MuscadineBLine’s “10-90” officially enters the Top 50 on this week’s published US Country Radio (Mediabase) chart. It’s the duo’s first song to chart at the format. pic.twitter.com/tYgD9AcAiH — U.S. Radio Updater (@USRadioUpdater) March 10, 2025 Since The Coastal Plains, Muscadine Bloodline has released …And What Was Left Behind,  Long Leaf Lo-Fi, and is gearing up to release a brand new LP on May 1, The Sound of Roses. The concept for this forthcoming record is to amp up some of the love songs they’ve created over the years, just in time for wedding season. “Today is the 10th anniversary of Porch Swing Angel. We’ve come a long way over the last 10 years and y’all have grown with us. Porch Swing Angel, as well some others in our catalog have become “Your Songs” over the years, we wanted to do something a little special to celebrate with wedding season on the horizon. So, we are excited to announce a new album entitled ‘The Sound of Roses’ and will be out everywhere May 1st. We’ve taken 8 love songs and made them piano and string versions.” Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton shared in the album’s announcement post. View this post on Instagram To kick things off, they are sharing the incredible rendition of “10-90,” amping up the heartfelt lyrics by adding orchestral instruments to the melody. The new version of the song makes the lyrics pop even more, and the harmonies of Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton perfectly match the small symphony in the melody. It’s pure magic. If you’re getting married this year and are a “10-90” fan, I’d highly consider putting this song into my wedding setlist. It’s the perfect slow dance song to highlight what true partnership looks like. Check it out: The post Muscadine Bloodline To Release A “Piano & Strings” Album Of Their Best Love Songs, ‘The Sound Of Roses’ first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Readying the brand new album. Like many artists out there today, Kip Moore is one of those names that simply has never gotten the attention he deserves. Despite having a #1 right out of the gate with his debut single “Something ‘Bout a Truck” back in 2012, the Georgia native has routinely fallen into the “severely underrated” category throughout most of his career. And yet, it’s never really mattered. He’s carved his own path, earned his own fans around the country, and even around the world, building a impressive and sustainable career without much help from the likes of country radio. Last February, Moore released yet another fantastic record, Solitary Tracks, which served as his sixth studio album and first under Virgin Music Group. Like nearly every one of his albums, Solitary Tracks was yet another wholly unique venture from Moore, and it subsequently received a deluxe version in August. Wasting next to no time, the “Hey Pretty Girl” singer would signal he’s readying his second album in two years. Back on March 17th, he’d take to social media to announce his seventh studio album, Reason To Believe, is set to release on Friday, May 29th. Produced by Moore himself along with Andrew DeRoberts, who has worked with everyone from Zac Brown Band and Brantley Gilbert to Tate McRae and John Legend, the record marks the first time he’s worked with the producer. Additionally, he’d note that the record encompasses his “daily thoughts” that come straight from the heart: “I felt like I was describing more of who I am as a human. This album is my daily thoughts. In here. It’s an ‘in here’ kind of thing.” View this post on Instagram Moore kicked off the Reason To Believe era back on March 6th with the release of the rockin’, defiant lead single, “Levee.” Today, he’s back with another new single ahead of the album’s release, “Faith In The Wind.” Written by Moore and DeRoberts along with Luke Preston, “Faith In The Wind” is exactly what you’d expect from him in the best way possible. Continuing his long-standing themes of wandering and searching for something bigger than himself, here, Moore grapples with the fact he’s consistently faced the world on his own, lamenting that he always wanted to walk a tight rope but now he can’t get down from it. In the chorus, which feels like a classic Kip, he finds a bit of solace. Like many tracks over the years, he acknowledges that he might not know where he’s going, but he finds comfort in the fact the “wind” is going to set him on the right path. “I don’t know where I’m goin’ I don’t know where I’ve been As long as these tired wings can hold me You know me I’m gonna have faith in the wind” Ultimately, “Faith In The Wind” is another example of Moore playing to his strengths. Throughout his career, some of his best tracks center around his wandering spirit and the simple fact that he doesn’t have all the answers to life’s biggest questions. Here, he’s once again playing with the fact that he might not know exactly where he’s bound, but he’s perfectly okay with that. On an album that’s undoubtedly set to center around grief, faith and ultimately living in the moment, “Faith In The Wind” is a stellar preview of Reason To Believe. “Faith In The Wind” Reason To Believe Tracklist 01) Levee (Kip Moore, Luke Preston, Hank Born) 02) Get What Ya Give (Kip Moore, Luke Preston) 03) The Darkness (Kip Moore, Andrew DeRoberts, Luke Preston) 04) Heartbreaker (Kip Moore, Jaren Johnston, Casey Beathard) 05) Headlights (Kip Moore, Andrew DeRoberts) 06) You & Me (Kip Moore, Andrew DeRoberts, Hillary Lindsey) 07) Faith In The Wind (Kip Moore, Andrew DeRoberts, Luke Preston) 08) Reason To Believe (Kip Moore, Dan Couch, Scott Stepakoff) 09) Lonely Tonight (Kip Moore, Casey Beathard) 10) Long Time Coming (Kip Moore, Andrew DeRoberts, Luke Preston) 11) Wild Things Like You (Kip Moore, Dan Couch) 12) Sober (Kip Moore, Manny Medina, Dave Nassie, Erich Wigdahl, Hank Born, Will Lynde) 13) Josephine (Kip Moore, Manny Medina, Dave Nassie, Erich Wigdahl, Hank Born, Will Lynde) Tour Dates April 18 – Pullman, WA – Beasley Coliseum April 30 – Louisville, KY – Fourth Street Live! May 8 – Sioux Falls, D – Denny Sanford Premier Center ^ May 29 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena ^ June 5 – Hinckley, MN – Hinckley Amphitheater * June 6 – Milwaukee, WI – Landmark Credit Union Live * June 12 – Maryland Heights, MO – Saint Louis Music Park * June 13 – Des Moines, IA – Lauridsen Amphitheater * June 19 – Grolloo, NL – Holland International Blues Festival # June 21 – Munich, DE – TonHalle** June 23 – Zurich, CH – X-TRA** June 25 – Cologne, DE – Carlswerk** June 27 – Chelmsford, UK – State Fayre # July 17 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 * July 18 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage * July 24 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater * July 25 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater * August 7 – Port Wentworth, GA – Port Wentworth Amphitheater * August 8 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy * August 20 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center * August 21 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed * August 22 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill * September 10 – Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery * September 11 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre * September 12 – Richmond, VA – Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront * October 17 – Pretoria, ZA – SuperSport Park Stadium October 23 – Cape Town, ZA – GrandWest Arena October 24 – Cape Town, ZA – GrandWest Arena October 30 – Melbourne, AU – The Forum October 31 – Melbourne, AU – The Forum November 6 – Brisbane, AU – The Fortitude Music Hall November 7 – Brisbane, AU – The Fortitude Music Hall November 13 – Sydney, AU – The Enmore Theatre November 14 – Sydney, AU – The Enmore Theatre November 21 – Christchurch, NZ – Christchurch Town Hall November 22 – Auckland, NZ – Auckland Town Hall ^ – with Cody Johnson * – Billy Currington & Kip Moore: Live In Concert # – Festival ** with Jackson DeanThe post Kip Moore Embraces The Unknown On New Track, “Faith In The Wind” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.