Tailgating after the event? Now that’s something that I could get behind. Australian country music artist Wade Forster recently stopped by the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast, and it was one heck of a ride. The Aussie talked to us about the first time he played in Nashville (thanks to winning an Australian talent competition), living a 22 hour drive from the nearest major city in Australia, being bullied for listening to country music when he was younger, and let us in on his theory as to why his thick, Aussie accent goes away when he sings. Forster noted that he thinks Australians and Texans get along quite well, which makes a lot of sense if you think about it. The “Cigarettes” singer also cut through the lies of Australian stereotypes, talked about his former life as a rodeo cowboy and rugby player, and gave his go-to advice for avoiding lethal creatures in his homeland. If you can’t tell… Forster covered a ton of ground in our conversation with him. But the most important thing he touched on was tailgating. Fans of Wade Forster know that his latest album is titled Gooseneck Party. If there was any sort of confusion as to what that is, the Australian country artist cleared that up… and included a very important detail in his description: “A gooseneck party is a trailer party. It’s sort of like… what do you guys call it? Tailgating? You all do that at football games. We do it at rodeos, but it’s after the rodeo.” After the rodeo, you say? Unlike tailgating here in the United States, which is typically done prior to games and thus has a finite end point, gooseneck parties get going after the event is over. It’s a brilliant idea, and there’s a reason why it’s caught on in Australia: “The cowboys don’t get to go out and party while the rodeo is going on because we’re rodeoing. Then when the rodeo is over, the shut down the bars like two hours later. We only get like three beers in. So we go back to the horse trailer and we stay up until four or five in the morning, drinking beers and telling old cowboy stories. I’ve woke up in some terrible states because of gooseneck parties.” @whiskeyriff @Wade Forster #whiskeyriff ♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff That’s one area where tailgates and gooseneck parties overlap. Though I suppose it’s better to be in a terrible state after a gooseneck party than after a tailgate… where the drinking leads right into the big event itself. Blackout after the event, not before it… And Forster told us that gooseneck parties were worthy of having an album named after them for good reason. The country music artist says its a time where Aussies come together like family: “It’s sort of a sacred thing down there, because we go and sit down and talk about anything. You can say, ‘Hey I’m not doing too well.’ Or ‘That was a good run cowboy’ and ‘Did you see this person is dating that person?’ It’s like what you’d do at dinner. Normal family stuff. It’s always a good time.” It certainly sounds like a great idea, and Americans should really consider taking a play out of the Australian playbook and moving tailgates to afterwards. I’m sure American rodeo cowboys do similar afterparties here in the states as well, but how about we start tailgating after concerts? After football games? Of course, designated drivers are going to be all the more important, but I could get behind it. To hear more from Wade Forster, make sure to download the podcast on Apple Podcasts by searching “Whiskey Riff Raff” or by clicking here. We’re also available on Spotify and wherever else you can listen to podcasts. Cheers, y’all. Audio Video The post Wade Forster Says Australians Tailgate AFTER Rodeo Events & That’s Something Americans Can Get Behind first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Showing love to his fellow 90s icon. Yesterday, the Country Music Association gathered at the Hall of Fame Rotunda to announce the 2026 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. After Kenny Chesney, June Carter Cash and Tony Brown received inductions in 2025, this year was highlighted by fellow 90s legend, Tim McGraw, receiving the modern artist induction with The Stanley Brothers and Paul Overstreet getting veteran and songwriter nods, respectively. It should go without saying that McGraw has remained one of country music’s biggest superstars over the past four decades. Scoring 49 #1s hits, 13 #1 albums, 14 CMA Awards, 11 ACM Awards and 3 Grammys, the “My Best Friend” singer is undoubtedly one of the most highly-decorated artists in the genre’s history. Tearfully accepting his nomination, the 58-year-old singer-songwriter would recall the day he arrived in Nashville on a Greyhound bus. Reflecting on the fact that he arrived May 9, 1989, the same day Keith Whitley died, McGraw would tear up once again and express the gratitude he has for all the friends he made in Nashville. “Keith was one of my heroes and one of the main reasons that I got on that bus to start with. That night, country music suffered a terrible loss, but I gained some new friends. I found a community who loved country music as much as I did. I found my home. I found my wife, my family, my band, my team. To go to a bar called the Hall of Fame to be here in the actual Country Music Hall of Fame, surrounded by all of these legends and a lot of my friends, it’s impossible for me to believe.” Finally, the Louisiana native would wrap up his acceptance speech by thanking the CMA, the voters and the Hall of Fame, thanking them for their kindness. “Thank you Sarah and the CMA. Thank you to all those who voted. Thank you to Kyle, the Country Music Hall of Fame. Thank you to everyone who’s had a hand in my career and in my life to help to make today happen. Thank you for your kindness. I am so grateful and so humbled. This is just incredible.” It’s pretty safe to say that the writing was on the wall for McGraw to earn his induction nomination this year. Coming off the heels of Chesney’s induction last year, who debuted a year after the “Don’t Take the Girl” singer in 1994, the two have remained two of the biggest stars in the genre over the past four decades. Beyond the stardom, they’ve had a storied friendship throughout the years. Even ignoring collaborations such as their 2012 Top 20 hit, “Feel Like a Rock Star,” and their joint Brothers of the Sun Tour the same year, the pair have made some wild headlines, like the time back in 2000 Chesney stole a horse after a festival and McGraw wound up getting arrested for assaulting a police officer during the entire scene. Needless to say, they’ve been close for a very long time, and soon they will both be immortalized in the Country Music Hall of Fame together. After McGraw’s nomination earlier this morning, Chesney would take to Instagram to post photos of the two over the years along with a heartfelt caption. View this post on Instagram Chesney would begin by reminiscing about the day they met at Mack’s Cafe all the way back in 1991. As the “Summertime” singer recalls, he was new in town, and McGraw quickly became one of his first friends in Nashville. This meeting proved to be the birth of a lifelong friendship for the pair, who “shared the same dream” and “same love for great songs.” “I met Tim McGraw in 1991 at a meat and three lunch place called Mack’s cafe. I was brand new in Nashville and didn’t really know anybody. That was the beginning of our friendship and our journey in this business together. Although Tim went on the road before I did we shared the same dream, the same love for great songs, and knew we were standing on the shoulders of our musical heroes once our dreams started to come true. We have been through a lot together on the road and off and today I am overwhelmed with joy to find out that my friend Tim McGraw will be inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame.” He’d finish by saying how proud he is to be McGraw’s friend and how happy he is for the “Don’t Take the Girl” singer and his family, commenting on how crazy it is that those “two kids at Mack’s Cafe” ended up becoming members of the Country Music Hall of Fame 35 years later. You deserve all of it Tim. I am proud to be your friend and to be on this amazing Journey with you. Who knew those two kids at Mack’s Cafe 35 years ago wouldn’t just share some of the biggest stages together, but would one day share a place in the country music hall of fame. I love you brother and I’m so happy for you and your family.” Good stuff. Time McGraw Tour Dates July 9, 2026 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts * July 10, 2026 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center * July 11, 2026 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium *+≠^ July 16, 2026 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre * July 17, 2026 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center * July 18, 2026 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake * July 23, 2026 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion * July 24, 2026 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater * July 25, 2026 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center * July 30, 2026 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park *+≠^ July 31, 2026 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview * August 1, 2026 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater* August 6, 2026 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach * August 7, 2026 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek * August 8, 2026 – Daniel Island – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium ^ August 13, 2026 – Birmingham, AL – Coca-Cola Amphitheater * August 14, 2026 – Charlotte, NC – Truliant Amphitheater (PNC Music Pavilion) * August 15, 2026 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live * August 21, 2026 – Kansas City, MO – Morton Amphitheater August 22, 2026 – East Troy, WI – Alpine Valley Music Theatre * August 23, 2026 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Field *+≠^ August 27, 2026 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center *^ August 28, 2026 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre * August 29, 2026 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater * September 10, 2026 – Austin, TX – Moody Center *^ September 11, 2026 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion *^ September 12, 2026 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP * September 17, 2026 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater September 18, 2026 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center * September 19, 2026 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre * September 24, 2026 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre September 25, 2026 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre * September 26, 2026 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre * * 49 Winchester + The Chicks ≠ Lady A ^ Timothy WayneThe post “You Deserve All Of It Tim”: Kenny Chesney Pens Heartfelt Tribute To Tim McGraw Following Country Music Hall Of Fame Announcement first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

These country singers shared the screen with the legendary Chuck Norris. Continue reading…

Keith Urban is diving into the calm, serene waters of yacht rock with his next project. No need to double take. You read that right. The prolific guitarist and country music artist is evidently changing things up after his divorce from actress Nicole Kidman. He’s taking his talents to the underrated, under-appreciated genre of yacht rock. If you’ve never heard of the style of music before, it originated and became popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s… and dads everywhere absolutely love it. There wasn’t really a legitimate name for the sub-genre of rock until someone associated it with “the type of music you listen to while boating.” Considering one of the biggest hits of yacht rock is “Sailing” by Christopher Cross, that makes sense. And if you’ve never listened to yacht rock while on a boat… you should try it. Admittedly, there’s something spiritual about yacht rocking while the yacht (or in my case, a pontoon boat) is rocking in the water. Keith Urban has evidently felt that connection, and he’s ready to share with the world that he’s going all in on yacht rock with his next album. While speaking at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, the 58-year-old artist shocked a lot of people – and made them think he was joking – when he broke the news that he’s putting out an album of yacht rock covers: “It’s the first time I’ve done an album of covers. There is one original on the record. It’s a thematic record… yacht rock songs. You think I’m kidding? I’m not kidding.” Just to make sure people knew he wasn’t joking, Urban immediately transitioned into a yacht rock classic from 1977. Those in attendance were serenaded by Keith Urban with a piece of a new original, as well as two cover snippets of Stephen Bishop’s “On and On,” which peaked as high as 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 at its height, and Robbie Dupree’s top 10 hit, “Steal Away.” I’ve got to say… I wasn’t so sure about Keith Urban doing yacht rock, but after watching this video, I believe: @whiskeyriff @Keith Urban #whiskeyriff ♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff It’ll certainly be interesting to see Keith Urban tackle the smooth, winding, jazz-influenced genre. And hey, I’ll give the “Blue Ain’t Your Color” singer some credit. While all the other pop and hip-hop artists out there are dipping their toes in country music, he’s leaving the country music genre – albeit just for a small, side project – and choosing to test out the yacht rock waters. As I’ve already touched on before, the waters of yacht rock are always calm, soulful, and full of relaxation. That might be exactly what the doctor ordered for Keith Urban right about now. Urban gets divorced and then immediately shows an increased, public interest in yacht rock? That checks out. And good on him for going back to the well and choosing this iconic tune from Stephen Bishop to introduce his yacht rock era to the world. “On And On” by Stephen Bishop The post Keith Urban Announces His First Ever Cover Album… Of Yacht Rock Songs: “You Think I’m Kidding? I’m Not Kidding” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.