Mayor Eric Adams endorsed Governor Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayor’s race on Thursday — a major turnaround for a mayor who just last month called Mr. Cuomo “a snake and a liar.” This endorsement…

Build Mode is our new podcast that will be a survival guide for early-stage founders navigating the messy, high-stakes chaos of building a company from scratch, hosted by Startup Battlefield Editor Isabelle Johannessen.

Donald Trump is more than a bad president; he is a very bad man (to use Trump’s lingo). America has had several presidents with loose morals, but we’ve never had one (well, except for perhaps Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon Johnson) who had NO morals. It’s really difficult to realize, much less articulate, just how much …

Isabel proves him wrong in SECONDS

Not many country artists who have more going on right now than Kenny Chesney. The country music legend was recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, being honored at the ceremony by artists like Eric Church and Megan Moroney. And as if that wasn’t enough, Kenny recently announced that he’ll be returning to the Las Vegas Sphere in 2026 to reprise his mind-blowing residency from 2025, when he became the first country artist in history to perform at the Sphere. (Seriously, if you missed out like I did, go ahead and make plans to get to Vegas because this is incredible). @vegas I’ll just sit right here and enjoy Kenny Chesney at Sphere. ♬ original sound – Las Vegas But along with his Sphere residency, Kenny is also gearing up to release a new book, Heart Life Music. The book celebrates the life and journey of the legendary entertainer, as well as the impact he’s had on country music throughout his career. From writing hit singles to creating a fanbase like No Shoes Nation, Kenny’s managed to transcend music and become a true cultural icon in ways that few country artists have over the past two decades, something that will no doubt be explored in the upcoming book. Speaking on the new book, Kenny explained that what started out as something he didn’t think was possible turned into something that he hopes will inspire the next person out there who wants to chase their own dreams: “I didn’t think I had a book in me, but the more we worked, the more I realized: this is a love letter to a Nashville that’s forgotten, legends who gave me wisdom along the way, friends who kept me grounded, the horrible addiction to great songs I may’ve always had – but didn’t realize. The more we worked, the more excited I got, because I realized for the next kid out there who doesn’t know how to get out of the backyard to chase their dreams, this is the treasure map!” And for everybody in No Shoes Nation, he’s also announced that he’ll be heading out on a book tour, featuring a conversation with his longtime collaborator and the book’s co-writer, Holly Gleason. The 16-stop book Heart Life Music book tour begins on November 3 in Kenny’s home town of Johnson City, Tennessee and runs through November 16 in Miami, Florida. But after the book tour was announced, many people took to the comments to ask: What exactly is a book tour? Obviously a book tour is different than your usual Kenny Chesney show, so naturally people had questions about what to expect from the upcoming appearances. But long story short, if you’re a Kenny fan, chances are these are events you’re not going to want to miss. If you’ve never been to a book tour before, they’re some of the most up-close and personal events you can get with your favorite artists, a chance to hear them talk about the experiences they write about in a book in a way that’s more in-depth – and unfiltered – than you hear them in their usual interviews. Think of it like sitting at a bar with someone you’ve always wanted to talk to. It’s also an opportunity for the author to dive deeper than they were able to in the book, sharing things they may have forgotten or that just didn’t make the book for whatever reason. And for an artist like Kenny Chesney, it’s also about inspiring the audience to go get their dream, to see how nobody may see you coming and using that until suddenly, you’re making the dream a little more real. So yeah, it’s a little like going to a Kenny show. But at the end, rather than talking with your friends about the music or songs he’d played, you’ll have a deeper understanding of Kenny as both a person and an artist – and you’ll have a signed book to add to your library. Kenny Chesney has cemented himself as one of the best entertainers of our time, and the book tour is going to give fans a chance to have a unique experience, up close and personal with the man behind the music. If you’re interested in catching Kenny on the book tour, or for more information, you can check buy tickets – or pre-order your copy of the book – HERE. Kenny Chesney Announces 2026 Return To The Las Vegas Sphere Officially running it back. Back in May, Kenny Chesney made history as the first country artist in history to perform at Sphere, the $2.3 billion venue and technical marvel, in Las Vegas. Joining the likes of Eagles, Dead and Company, U2, Backstreet Boys, No Doubt, Anyma and film director, Darren Aronofsky, as the select few to headline the venue, the “Summertime” singer performed 15 sold-out shows throughout his first residency this year. Of course, this led to a visual experience quite unlike anything you’ve ever seen, and Chesney took full advantage of it. Creating some mind-blowing visuals, he and his team left absolutely nothing off the table, leaning heavily into his patented beach aesthetic and even incorporating his love of football into the mix with shots from Neyland Stadium, home of the Tennessee Volunteers. Undoubtedly, Chesney’s first residency at Sphere was nothing short of a success, and he made it known that he’d be back sooner than later, telling fans he’d see them next summer. “I got a little carried away. But after all the guests, all the songs we hadn’t planned on, all the people who came from all over, I just didn’t want to keep it a secret. I knew we were coming back, and if No Shoes Nation had half as much fun as we did, I wanted them to know we’d see them right here next summer. What could be better?” Taking to Instagram last Friday, the Country Music Hall of Famer added more fuel to the fire and posted a video of the Sphere sporting his No Shoes Nation logo across the outside of the venue before transitioning to a graphic of Chesney’s silhouette with #Summertime2026 across it. The caption would tell fans to prepare themselves, reading: “#IGoBack2026 … It’s time to get ready, No Shoes Nation.” And just two days after being officially inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame alongside June Carter Cash and Tony Brown, Chesney has officially announced he’s headed back to the Sphere next summer in his second residency titled, I Go Back 2026, with five shows beginning on Friday, June 19, and wrapping up on Saturday, June 27. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kenny Chesney (@kennychesney) Reflecting on his time at Sphere last year, Chesney gushed about the magic present at the venue. He’d also note how he and his team are currently working on updating visuals for songs present on last year’s set while simultaneously adding a few new ones that “deserved this 4-d treatment.” “It’s finally time to make it a REALITY. My first summer at Sphere was so special. Watching you guys experience the magic gave me so many ideas — reworking some songs from last year and adding a few that deserved this 4-D treatment. There are a lot of ways to play this venue, but I’m pretty sure nobody’s had more fun or brought more joy than No Shoes Nation. If you missed it, come on! And if you were there, come live it again — because this isn’t something you get to do every year.” All presales start this Friday, October 24, with premium members of Chesney’s fan club, No Shoes Nation, receiving access first at 10 a.m. PT. General on sale for the public will begin next Friday, October 31st, at 10 a.m. PT. Additionally, VIP Hotel & Ticket packages, presented by Vibee, are on sale now, featuring a two-night stay at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas and/or Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, depending on the package. I Go Back 2026 Dates Friday, June 19 Saturday, June 20 Wednesday, June 24 Friday, June 26 Saturday, June 27The post Kenny Chesney Is Heading Out On A Book Tour For His Upcoming Book, ‘Heart Life Music’ – But What Exactly Is A Book Tour? first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Simply powerful. With so much talent out there today, it’s hard to separate yourself from the rest of the pack. Nowadays, it seems like many artists are looking for a leg up over their peers, using everything from social media trends in an attempt to go viral to stirring up drama with fellow artists to get more ears on their music. While social media gimmicks might pay off in terms of short-term success, bands such as The Red Clay Strays are building something much different and ultimately much more important. Since their debut in 2022 with Moment of Truth, which contains the smash hit, “Wondering Why,” Red Clay has all but flown up the ranks in the alt. country scene. Between frontman Brandon Coleman’s killer vocals, the flawless blend of country and southern rock influences and the sheer musical talent present from each of the five members, the Alabama band has proven themselves as one of the best in the business over the past three years. However, their impact goes far beyond their quality music. While listening through their discography, it shouldn’t take too long to conclude that they’re creating art not for fame or fortune but instead to make an impact on the lives of their fans and listeners. With plenty of moving tracks about faith, mental health and even political division in the country, highlighted poignantly on their new release inspired by the assassination of Charlie Kirk, “People Hatin’,” it becomes increasingly clear that Red Clay is more concerned about the fact that their fans rely on their music as an escape and outlet for their own problems. During their recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Coleman recalled the most moving example of their music making a real-world impact on their fans to date. As Coleman noted, a woman emailed his management team to tell the harrowing moment she attempted to overdose on what he described as “a lot of pills.” Wanting to listen to music as she slowly let the effects of the overdose consume her, none other than “I’m Still Fine” came on. Hearing the song and its powerful message of redemption and perseverance, she would immediately break down in tears, call her sister and get rushed to the hospital before getting her life saved by the medical staff. “We had one lady who sent us an email saying she decided to off herself, take a lot of pills. And she wanted to ‘go to sleep’ listening to music. As she was waiting there, waiting to take the big nap, our song, ‘I’m Still Fine,’ came on, and it snapped her out of it a little bit. She started crying and immediately regretted it. She got up and called her sister and told her sister what she had just did. And they rushed her to the hospital and did whatever at the hospital for someone who takes a lot of pills at once. [They] saved her life pretty much.” Reflecting on reading the woman’s harrowing, vulnerable story, Coleman would note that accounts such as that are what truly make him and the rest of the band so hungry to pursue their careers in music. “It was so moving, and that’s what really makes it worth it for us, ’cause touring is a lot. Touring sucks a lot of the times. And if we were doing it just to be popular or to be famous or to be relevant, make money, I don’t think that’s enough to keep me going… What keeps us going is those stories and seeing how our music affects people and helps them in a positive way. That’s where we get our fulfillment from.” Hearing the powerful story, Rogan would ask Coleman why he thinks their music connects with broken people. Immediately, the frontman would boldly proclaim that it’s due to the entire band having their own set of issues and struggles they’ve overcome in the past: “A lot of it came from us not feeling good.” It’s not uncommon to see signs bearing something along the lines of “Your music saved me” at concerts. And while those are always powerful to see, nothing compares to hearing some of the harrowing journeys fans have shared with artists. In Red Clay’s case, it’s another testament of just how impactful their stellar work over the past three years have been on the likes of many. Watch the full podcast here: If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741. The Red Clay Strays Tour Dates October 23 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Vega Main October 24 – Hamburg, Germany – Fabrik October 26 – Cologne, Germany – Carlswerk Victoria October 27 – Zurich, Switzerland – X-Tra October 29 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso October 31 – Paris, France – Elysee Montmartre November 2 – Antwerp, Belgium – De Roma November 4 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy November 6 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Academy November 8 – London, UK – Hackney Church November 9 – London, UK – Roundhouse November 11 – Dublin, Ireland – National Stadium November 13 – Belfast, UK – Ulster Hall November 23 – United Central, FL – St. Pete Country Fest December 4-5 – Las Vegas, NV –The Theater at Virgin HotelsThe post Red Clay Strays Share Powerful Story Of Suicidal Fan Who Sought Medical Attention After Hearing One Of Their Songs first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Get into the Halloween spirit with this cover from the “Red Headed Stranger.” Folks, we’re now just a week or so away from Hallow’s Eve. I’m a big fan of “Spooky Season,” which is why I’ve previously done a deep dive on the ghost of Hank Williams haunting Downtown Nashville, as well as analyzed what I believe to be the creepiest song of Johnny Cash’s catalogue. And fortunately for you, I’ve got yet another spook-tacular story ready to go before the spooky season passes us up and gets eaten up by Christmas. If you’ve never heard the song “Gravedigger” before, you are in for a treat (no tricks required). The first version of the song I ever heard was by Willie Nelson, even though the song was actually first written and recorded by Dave Matthews. The front man of the Dave Matthews Band released the song in 2003, and was apparently inspired to write it after strolling through a cemetery: “It’s kind of these different stories that are brought together by walking through a graveyard with their names and the dates of their births and their deaths, and the stories that came out of their lives. It’s sort of just telling those stories and some others as you wander through a graveyard and what you might think if you could walk into the graves and find out what people went through to get there.” Nothing scarier than a song that was brought to life while walking amongst the dead. And though its written by Matthews, and provided plenty of success for “Crash Into Me” singer, I personally feel like the essence of the morbid song was really captured by Willie Nelson. It’s one of those situations where each version is great in its own right… I just happen to prefer the country music legend’s cover. Willie included the song in is 2008 album Moment of Forever, and even made an eerie black and white music video to go with it. There’s just something about hearing Nelson’s patented southern delivery telling the stories that come along with each verse that screams “Halloween” to me. The first verse focuses in on a fictional person named Cyrus Jones who lived to be 103-years-old: “Cyrus Jones, 1810 to 1913 He made his great grandchildren believe He could live to a hundred and three A hundred and three is forever When you’re just a little kid So Cyrus Jones lived forever” Each verse is linked by a repeating chorus that’s directed at the “Gravedigger,” asking for them to make the narrator’s grave shallow so that they can “feel the rain.” When the song gets into the second verse, the subject matters gets devastating as it focuses on Muriel Stonewall: “Muriel Stonewall, 1903 to 1954 She lost both of her babies in the second great war You should never have to watch As your only children lowered in the ground I mean… never have to bury your own babies” Willie not only nailed the emotion of the song. He also should have won an Academy Award for the acting job he did in the music video. Nelson played the gravedigger, the priest, and the hearse driver. The music video concludes (shortly after it shows a spry Nelson jumping out of the six-foot hole he had just dug) with Willie even playing someone that’s deceased. Check it out (and Happy Halloween): The post Willie Nelson’s Cover Of “Gravedigger” Is The Perfect Song For The Spooky Season first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

He doesn’t miss. Chris Stapleton is one of several country artists featured on the soundtrack for the new season of Nobody Wants This on Netflix, which features a 19-song soundtrack of all-new original songs, featuring artists across all genres, and three of country music’s best made the cut, also including Ella Langley and Kacey Musgraves. They’re all great, but of course, Stapleton just always has that little something extra, and “Heart Letting Go” is an absolutely stunning ballad about heartbreak and coming to the realization that something in a relationship has shifted and is inevitably coming to an end, whether both parties want it to or not. Stapleton penned it with Alan Anderson, and his vocals are just as perfect as ever, and I believe I hear his longtime background vocalist and harmonizer, his wife Morgane Stapleton, lending her voice as well, which always makes any of his songs that much better. I know this song was likely written for this TV show, but it sounds like it could fit right in on any of Stapleton’s albums, which is saying a lot because most TV soundtracks are nowhere near as legit. But when you tap Stapleton for something like this, he’s always going to blow it out of the water… no one does it like him, we all know that. The plot of Nobody Wants This is actually based on a true story, and it became a quick success as fans were captivated by the unconventional love story. The show earned three Emmy nominations, including for outstanding comedy series. The second season is out today, and I’ve definitely seen it in my Netflix “recommended” list before, but I’ve never actually watched it… I might have to now, though, knowing that I can hear some of my favorite country artists on it. Simon Tikhman, co-founder and CEO of music company The Core Entertainment, assembled the soundtrack with Interscope Records, and Tikhman is also the husband of Erin Foster, the creator behind Nobody Wants This. The series is loosely based on their love story, so having him involved in what music is featured in the plotline was an easy call: “The fact that we were able to put together a one-of-a-kind soundtrack with incredible artists speaks to the success of the first season. I wanted the music to reflect the same mix of honesty, sharpness, and heart that Erin brings to the story, while also creating a soundtrack that can stand on its own. I’m deeply invested in this project — and, of course, in its creator — which made getting the music right all the more meaningful.” Clearly, he gave them creative freedom in that Stapleton, Langley and Musgraves were all co-writers on their songs with other country writers, and really got to come up with a song they would actually write and sing in their regular catalogs. This is easily my favorite, though… check it out: “Heart Letting Go” “This Version Of Us” Check out the entire tracklist here: 1. Selena Gomez – “In The Dark” 2. Teddy Swims – “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” 3. Royel Otis – “Who’s Your Boyfriend (Acoustic)” 4. Chris Stapleton – “Heart Letting Go” 5. Kacey Musgraves – “If The World Burns Down” 6. Baylee Lynn – “That’s What I’ll Be” 7. FINNEAS – “Palomino” 8. Towa Bird – “Your Girl” 9. Alessia Cara – “My House” 10. Role Model – “Saddle Again” 11. Just Jayne – “Climate Change” 12. Ella Langley – “This Version Of Us” 13. BENEE –  “What” 14. Portugal. The Man – “Reach You” 15. GIVĒON – “Dancing In The Smoke” 16. Dermot Kennedy – “Melodies” 17. Cuco – “Homesick” 18. Cassandra Coleman – “Bite My Tongue” 19. “Nobody Wants This” Score SuiteThe post Chris Stapleton Releases Stunning Ballad For Netflix Series ‘Nobody Wants This’ Soundtrack, “Heart Letting Go” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed today at her press briefing that the illegal immigrant semi-truck driver, who killed three people earlier this week when he was driving while intoxicated, was . . .