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Kane Brown earns his 14th career Top 10 hit on Billboard's Country Airplay chart, as "Backseat Driver" climbs to No. 10 this week. The track was written by Jacob Davis and Jordan Walker, and was produced by Dann Huff. It’s lifted from Brown’s recent record, The High Road, which debuted at No. 2 on the Top Country Albums chart back in February. The 31-year-old Brown holds the active streak record of seven straight Country Airplay chart-toppers, tying him with Jelly Roll, while Jelly aims to extend his success with tracks currently rising up the chart like "Heart of Stone" and "Hard Fought Hallelujah." Elsewhere, Morgan Wallen maintains his No. 1 position on Country Airplay for a second week with "I'm the Problem," the title track from his forthcoming 37-song album due out on May 16. Other songs from Wallen’s highly-anticipated album, including "Just in Case" and "I'm Not Coming Back" with Post Malone, are also currently rising on the Country Airplay chart ahead of the record’s release.

On Friday (April 25), Maren Morris announced the dates and details of her 2025 Dreamsicle World Tour. The country star will be promoting her fourth studio album, which is set for release on May 9. The jaunt features dates across North America running from May 30 to September 26, including stops in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, and more, before moving to Europe in November. “Dreamsicle felt like it was already translating itself to a live environment while I was writing the album,” Morris shared in a statement. “It was coming to life in the studio without an audience, so I’m very excited to finally allow these songs to hit the air and feel them amplified by the energy of a crowd. It’ll be a dreamy experience all around for fans and for myself.” The tour will feature supporting acts Trousdale, Miya Folick, and Jade LeMac in North America, with Bea and her Business in Europe. General ticket sales start on May 2, with various presales available on April 28 and 30. 

During her final show of her Las Vegas residency on April 12, Carrie Underwood was reunited with Noel Miller, a Make-A-Wish recipient with a severe heart condition she first met 15 years ago. The country superstar also donated over $235,000 to the foundation, a portion of which came from her residency ticket sales. Underwood, who has been a WishMaker for nearly 20 years, emphasized the importance of supporting Make-A-Wish and brought Miller on stage to sing "All-American Girl" with her during the emotional performance. "They make dreams come true for kids who need it and deserve it who are in some really dark times in their lives," she told the crowd. Underwood capped off her Reflections residency at Resorts World Theatre after a historic three year run that began back in December 2021, and she now looks forward to returning to her American Idol roots by serving as a judge on the show. 

Drew Baldridge finds himself on the brink of possibly securing another No. 1 hit with his current Top 15 single, “Tough People,” following up the success of his groundbreaking self-released No. 1 hit from 2024, "She's Somebody’s Daughter.” Working alongside Luke Combs to co-write the impactful song with Adam Sanders and Jordan Walker, Baldridge initially hesitated to cut his own version of the track, since Combs recorded it first. However, with Combs' encouragement and support, Baldridge took the leap, and the song is currently climbing the charts. In addition to his musical achievements, Baldridge launched The Tough People Fund earlier this year to "highlight those individuals, families and communities that are experiencing the toughest of times." Baldridge became the first self-funded artist to reach No. 1 on country radio with their debut single, and the success of “Tough People” should continue his rise in the country ranks, along with his upcoming support slot on Bailey Zimmerman’s New To Country Tour this summer. 

On Tuesday (April 22), the Tennessee Board of Parole unanimously recommended that Governor Bill Lee consider pardoning Jelly Roll for his past convictions. The move could potentially allow the singer to travel internationally for performances. After a nearly two-hour session that included testimony from Nashville Sheriff Daron Hall and others, it is now up to Gov. Lee to make the final decision on the pardon. Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord, expressed gratitude for the board's decision after he shared with them his story of redemption through music, while highlighting his desire to inspire others facing similar challenges. “This was incredible,” Jelly Roll said of the board’s decision. “I pray this goes through. But today was special for me, regardless.” The singer's criminal record has previously hindered his ability to perform overseas, but the potential pardon could remove legal barriers and open up new opportunities for him to share his uplifting musical message with his fans around the world. 

Runaway June. Photo: Gregg Rothe

Bailey Zimmerman and Luke Combs are getting ready to release their new collaboration, "Backup Plan," teasing fans with a sneak peek of their anthem in a recent Instagram video. Zimmerman currently has a hit collaboration with BigXThaPlug, “All The Way,” which debuted at No. 4 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, and this pairing with country superstar Combs should be another big hit for the rising star. The duo did not give a specific release date for the highly-anticipated duet, hinting only that the song will be "coming soon." Combs has some high-profile festival appearances scheduled this spring/summer, beginning with his headlining set at Stagecoach this weekend, followed by the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, and Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island. Zimmerman’s next show is May 3 at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, and he’s also scheduled to play Morgan Wallen’s Sand in My Boots festival in May, and at June’s CMA Fest in Nashville. 

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During an appearance on Friday Night Takeover with Rob + Holly, Keith Urban reflected on his recent performance at Opry 100, while also discussing his latest album, HIGH, and his forthcoming new TV series with Blake Shelton, The Road. Urban said that it was a unique experience singing one of Crystal Gayle's hits in front of the legendary singer at the Opry’s 100th anniversary celebration. "They asked me to do a song from one of the Opry members, and then one of my own songs," Urban recalled. "For some reason I just thought about Crystal Gayle, and I was like, 'oh, I might do 'Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.' I love that song, and, so I did it and they invited Crystal to be in the audience. It's a little intimidating. It's very strange when the artist is sitting in the audience watching you play their song." Urban also shared his excitement about his upcoming music competition reality show, The Road, which is set to premiere on CBS in fall 2025.

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Chris Stapleton and festival co-founder Tyler Childers have been announced as the headliners for the 2025 edition of Healing Appalachia, which bills itself as “the largest recovery-based music festival.” The event is relocating to eastern Kentucky after five years in West Virginia, and is set to take place at “a mountaintop near the Boyd County Fairgrounds” in Ashland on September 19-20. Both Childers and Stapleton are native Kentuckyans, making this somewhat of a hometown show for both country stars. The festival aims to raise addiction and recovery awareness, while highlighting empathy and inspiring life-saving action globally. Attendance at the annual festival has grown significantly since it first started, attracting top artists like Jason Isbell, Margo Price, and last year’s headliner, My Morning Jacket. Funds raised by the festival support various life-saving programs across Appalachia and beyond. Tickets are available for purchase, with general admission at $199 for adults and $25 for children, and VIP passes at an early-bird price of $650. 

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Brad Paisley has been announced as the headliner for the NFL Draft Concert Series on April 26, which will bring an end to the 2025 NFL Draft held in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Paisley will perform at the Draft Theater near historic Lambeau Field, offering fans a free concert following Round 7 of the draft. “There’s nothing like football to bring people together, and the NFL Draft is where it all begins,” Paisley said in a statement. “As a lifelong fan, I can’t wait to help close out an unforgettable weekend—with a little music and one heck of a party.” The concert series will also feature a drone show on April 25, that will pay homage to the draft's history and the legacy of the Packers legendary football field. Paisley joins past performers at NFL Draft events including Kings of Leon, Marshmello, Ice Cube, and Fall Out Boy, and the country singer is getting set to launch his headlining Truck Still Works World Tour on May 21. 

On Wednesday (April 16), Morgan Wallen announced the track list for his highly-anticipated fourth album, I'm the Problem. The country star revealed that there are a total of 37 songs on his upcoming record, which is due out May 16 via Big Loud / Mercury. The project includes an impressive list of special guest collaborators, including pop singer Tate McRae – Wallen’s first female duet partner – along with fellow country stars Eric Church, HARDY, ERNEST, and Post Malone. Wallen, whose last album, 2023's One Thing at a Time, spent 19-weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, co-wrote 22 songs on the new record, which includes the previous shared singles, “Lies Lies Lies,” “Love Somebody,” (which debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 in October), “Smile,” the title track (which landed at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs), and “Just in Case.” Wallen’s newest collaboration with Post Malone, “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” was released on Friday (April 18). Wallen’s I'm the Problem Tour is scheduled to begin on June 20 at Houston’s NRG Stadium, and will conclude in September with four dates in Canada. 

Jackson Dean, known for his high-energy live performances, will be releasing his new single "Be Your Man" on May 9. The country rocker's intense stage presence, highlighted by moments of pushing himself to the point of blacking out, has fueled his successful career following his 2022 chart-topping debut single, "Don't Come Lookin'." With a distinct voice and songs reflecting a restless spirit, Dean stands out in the crowded country music scene. Embracing a truth-telling approach in his music, he has steadily built his fan base and garnered critical acclaim with albums like Greenbroke and On The Back Of My Dreams. Dean is currently on tour in Europe, and will soon return to the US for a series of summer festivals across the country. The rising country star remains focused on maintaining his momentum with the promise of new, more "groovy" music on the horizon while cherishing the addictive thrill he finds in performing live. “I want to make music ‘till I’m dead,” Dean says. 

Chart-topping Nashville country duo LOCASH recently joined Rob + Holly on the Friday Night Takeover to discuss their forthcoming album, Bet The Farm, which is set to be released on Friday (April 18). LOCASH members Chris Lucas and Preston Brust shared insight into their highly-anticiapted new record, which features their current hit single, “Hometown Home,” that spent multiple weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. The pair shared stories about the famous people they have run into lately, from the President to Richard Marx. The humorous musicians talked about the making of the album, and shared some of the incredible moments that they have experienced on their way to country stardom. Bet The Farm is LOCASH’s first full-length album since 2019, and is coming out on their own record label, Galaxy Label Group, in partnership with BMG. 

Zach Bryan recently took to his Instagram Stories to salute Bon Iver's latest album, SABLE, fABLE, expressing his admiration for the project that was released on April 11 to praise from fans and critics alike. Noteworthy for his consistent support of music he appreciates, the country superstar revealed that he has “Been with the record for a few days.” Bryan went on to gush about his overwhelmingly positive response to the record as well as Bon Iver’s mastermind, Justin Vernon. “I'm so proud to be alive when u are @boniver” he wrote. Bryan and Vernon have collaborated together in the past, with the duo joining forces on the title-track from the country singer’s celebrated 2023 Boys of Faith EP. With Bryan preparing to release a new EP and full-length album at some point in 2025, fans are hoping for another potential collaboration between the two award-winning songwriters sometime in the future. 

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During Thomas Rhett’s surprise appearance at Forrest Frank's sold-out show at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Sunday night (April 13), the country star ended up leaving the stage in a wheelchair due to a severe injury. As Frank began performing his hit collaboration with the eight-time ACM Award winner, “Nothing Else,” he asked the crowd, “I can’t sing Thomas Rhett’s verse, can I?” While the crowd cheered, a spotlight shone on Rhett sitting in the crowd, who fell as he ran down the steps toward the stage, resulting in a broken ankle. Despite the mishap, Rhett pushed through the pain to deliver an energetic performance of the duo’s hit – which reached No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart – with fans unaware of his discomfort as he powered through the song. In a video shared on Instagram, Rhett made light of the incident as his wife, Lauren, pushes him in a wheelchair backstage. “@hiforrest told me to pull up and I left in a wheelchair,” Rhett humorously captioned his post. 

On Tuesday (April 15), Morgan Wallen and Post Malone announced the release date of their newest collaboration, “I Ain’t Comin’ Back,” which is due out this Friday (April 18). The country superstars are aiming to replicate their chart-topping success of their previous collaboration, “I Had Some Help,” which ruled at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks back in 2024. Anticipation is building as Wallen prepares for the upcoming release of his eagerly awaited new album, I’m the Problem, on May 16, which features the hit singles “Lies Lies Lies,” “Just in Case,” and “Love Somebody,” followed by a stadium tour this summer. Post Malone just played a triumphant headline set at Coachella on Sunday (April 13), and is set to do it again next weekend. Posty has already “made probably 35 songs” from his next country music project, and will launch his Big Ass Stadium Tour with Jelly Roll on April 29 in Salt Lake City. 

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North Carolina native Eric Church continues his commitment to aid in the area’s recovery from Hurricane Helene as he helped break ground on a new housing development named Blue Haven on Friday (April 11). The project aims to provide 45 energy-efficient homes for displaced families, with Church's nonprofit Chief Cares contributing to covering housing costs for three years. “Dignity and community are key to the long-term success of the blueprint," Church says, while calling the project “a generational shift in a response to a generational disaster like Helene.” North Carolina Governor Josh Stein also took part in the groundbreaking, and emphasized the tangible hope such initiatives bring to a community that has endured significant loss. The goal is to have families moving into Blue Haven by the end of summer, marking a pivotal milestone in the region's recovery from the hurricane. “We’re attempting something that has never been done, but it has the potential to affect the lives of so many — and we’re doing it together,” Church said. 

Ahead of Post Malone’s headlining set at Coachella on Sunday (April 13), the music superstar opened up to Billboard about the new material he’s working on. Posty reveals that he’s already made two trips down to Nashville, and that he’s “made probably 35 songs,” while promising “we’ll have some music releasing very, very soon.” “I’m pretty excited for the new record already,” Post says. The new project will again be a country album, like his chart-topping 2024 record, F-1 Trillion, which debuted atop the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts, and ultimately earned Post an Album of the Year nomination at the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards. “It was so fun to make,” Post says of F-1 Trillion. “I think finally bringing the fun back into what I was doing really showed on the record. And I think a lot of folks had fun listening to it. And we’re going to attempt to do it again. I’m excited to keep going.” 

Jason Aldean claims his 40th Top 10 hit on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart as “Whiskey Drink” climbs three spots to reach No. 8. The song is lifted from Aldean’s 2023 album, Highway Desperado, which was the singer’s 12th career Top 10 on the Top Country Albums chart. He also secures his first simultaneous Top 10 as his collaboration with John Morgan, “Friends Like That,” reaches a Country Airplay peak of No. 4. Also on this week’s chart, Megan Moroney earns her second career Top 10 with “Am I Okay?,” which follows “Lucky,” which hit No. 10 in May 2023. Moroney’s current hit single is the title track from her recent album, which entered the Top Country Albums chart at its No. 3 peak last July. Meanwhile, LOCASH celebrates a career-high second week at No. 1 on Country Airplay with “Hometown Home.” The duo of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas previously topped the chart with “I Know Somebody” for one week in October 2016.

During a recent interview with the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, Vince Gill discussed audience behavior at his concerts, noting that the preference for standing or sitting varies by location and the type of song being performed. "A lot of it is people pay so much money for those seats that the last thing they want to do is have somebody standing up in front of them and they can't see the show," Gill explained. "There's times where everybody's rocking and everybody gets up, and it's fine. All those sweet little ballads and stuff, it's not the time to do that.” The 67-year-old country superstar emphasized the importance of getting some response from an audience, whether they are sitting or standing. "When you're performing, all you want all you want people to do is respond," he said. Gill is currently on tour throughout 2025, with upcoming shows scheduled in Las Vegas (with Eagles), followed by a series of solo appearances in Nashville, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, and New York City. 

Ahead of his groundbreaking Sphere Las Vegas shows, Kenny Chesney is set to unveil a fan-focused museum called ‘Guitars, Tiki Bars and a Whole Lotta Love’ at the Venetian Resort. The two-story museum is scheduled to be open Wednesday through Sunday during show weeks from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibit will showcase artifacts from the country superstar’s illustrious career, including memorabilia, instruments, photographs, handwritten lyrics, and more. Chesney – who was just inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame – sees this museum as a tribute to his dedicated No Shoes Nation fanbase, and is planning on offering them a unique glimpse into his journey and the experiences that have shaped his music. “I wanted to pull back the curtain and let them see at least a piece of it,” Chesney says. With a tropical-themed bar named after his 2013 hit 'Spread the Love' within the museum, Chesney aims to create a specially tailored experience for his loyal fans, promising surprises and special moments during his upcoming Las Vegas residency which kicks off on May 22nd. 

Frank Ray is a country music rulebreaker fusing Latin flair with his soulful, smooth vocals & amplified, party-starting energy. A former police officer from New Mexico, Ray left law enforcement to chase his passion for music, quickly making waves in the genre with his bilingual style & infectious connection with his fans via live performances & online. Signing with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, Ray’s impact & sound caught the industry’s attention leading to his Grand Ole Opry debut in 2022. Since then, he’s been named an “Artist to Watch” by Rolling Stone & a “Listen Up Artist” by CMT. Additionally spotlighted among the Country Radio Seminar’s New Faces Class of 2023, Ray dropped his debut self-titled album that year & has subsequently shared stages with Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Old Dominion, Luke Bryan, Kip Moore & more.

FanDuel's Kentucky Derby Party is set to return to Louisville again this year, and will feature Shaboozey as the headlining act. The exclusive, invite-only event is set for May 2 at Paristown Arts and Entertainment District, with FanDuel planning to make a $100,000 donation to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance as part of the festivities. “I’m hyped to be part of the Derby this year,” Shaboozey said in a statement. “It’s one of those bucket list events you dream about playing and we’ll be bringing serious vibes to Louisville with FanDuel.” Shaboozey's upcoming performance at this legendary horse racing event adds to his recent career achievements, which includes receiving five nominations at the 2025 Grammys for his crossover No. 1 smash hit, “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” He is also scheduled to perform high-profile sets at both the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals in Indio, California this month.

Dasha was under a lot of pressure to follow-up her platinum-selling Top 5 country single, “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’).” “My team was kind of breathing down my throat being like, ‘Dash, we need a follow-up,’” she admits. “I was stressing out because, holy s–t. How do you follow up your first hit single?” But when the 25-year-old rising music star got together with the songwriting team of Ashley Gorley and Ben Johnson, it didn’t take them long to come up with her new single, “Not At This Party.” The claps and stomps that form the heartbeat of the song are all authentically Dasha. “I held my iPhone up and had her stomp and clap into my iPhone,” Johnson recalls. They invested about 90 minutes into writing “Not at This Party,” and another 90 minutes into cutting a demo. “If I had time to overthink it, I might have sung it differently and it wouldn’t have hit as hard,” Dasha says. “I’m so grateful that that happened the way it happened.”

During Kelsea Ballerini's performance at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday (April 5), the country superstar created a heartwarming moment by helping a fan announce her pregnancy and November due date on stage. Ballerini took the fan's phone and filmed a TikTok video where she shared the exciting news while the crowd cheered in support: "Hello, my name is Kelsea Ballerini, and I’m here to tell you that Maddy’s pregnant! She’s due in November!" The fan, Maddy, expressed her disbelief and gratitude on social media, captioning the post, “When @KelseaBallerini announces your first pregnancy!!! Is this real life? How do i go back to a normal life now?” Ballerini's Live On Tour continues with a show in North Charleston, South Carolina on April 9, and concludes on April 13 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario.

On Monday (April 7), Cole Swindell unveiled the dates and details of his highly anticipated 2025 Happy Hour Sad Tour. Opening acts on select dates will be rising country stars Priscilla Block, Logan Crosby, and Greylan James. The tour will showcase songs from Swindell’s upcoming album, Spanish Moss, which is set for release on June 27 via Warner Music Nashville. “I cannot wait to get out on the road this year for the Happy Hour Sad Tour,” Swindell shared. “Getting to write songs and make music for a living is a dream come true… I hope the fans that spend their hard-earned money to come out and support us know how much we appreciate it.” The 20-date tour gets underway on September 4 in Toledo, and spans from West Virginia to Washington, before culminating in a three-night run throughout Florida on October 24-26. Tickets go on sale to the general public starting April 11. 

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On Monday (April 7), Luke Bryan announced the dates and details of his fall 2025 Farm Tour, marking a return to the Midwest roots where the Farm Tour first began. The shows are scheduled from September 18-20, and will take place at family farms in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan, bringing Bryan's big time concert experience to small-town communities. The country superstar is also trying something new in 2025, by embarking on his inaugural spring Farm Tour, which includes the tour's first-ever California dates which will take place from May 15-17. "I have always wanted to raise awareness for the West Coast farmer and I'm so excited to get to do that this year," Bryan said when he announced his spring Farm Tour plans. Tickets for the fall dates go on sale on Friday (April 11), with pre-sales available earlier in the week. Bryan’s Farm Tour programs have provided over nine million meals throughout the country, while awarding 84 college scholarships to students in farming families. 

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During Brooks & Dunn’s encore performance of their 1992 No. 1 hit, "Boot Scootin’ Boogie," at Indianapolis' Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 3, Ronnie Dunn abruptly exited the stage, leaving attendees concerned about his health. Radio host Matt Malone shared a video of the incident on TikTok, where Dunn can be seen encouraging the audience, "sing it if you know it," before making a quick exit. The 71-year-old singer, who has been battling strep throat and COVID while on their current tour, had also mentioned feeling ill during a previous performance in Houston. Despite the abrupt departure, Brooks & Dunn continue their Neon Moon Tour, with upcoming shows in Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, and Texas following the release of their latest album, Reboot II, in November 2024.

Photo:  Brett Carlsen

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Fans eagerly awaiting Lainey Wilson's 2024 album, Whirlwind, were surprised to find her live favorite, “Bell Bottoms Up,” missing from the tracklist. On Friday (April 4), the Louisiana singer-songwriter finally made the infectious single available on streaming platforms. The spirited honky-tonk tune showcases Wilson's traditional country roots and boundless charisma, while referencing her trademark bell-bottom fashion style. “I'm filling up these jeans, like I do my cup / Throw it back, throw it down / Bell bottoms up,” Wilson sings in the track’s rousing chorus. The song clearly carries some added significance to the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, as Wilson named her downtown Nashville bar Bell Bottoms Up. Whether “Bell Bottoms Up” is a standalone single or part of a forthcoming deluxe version of Whirlwind remains unclear, but fans can finally enjoy a studio version of a live favorite that won them over during Wilson's high energy performances. 

During a new interview with Theo Von on the comedian’s This Past Weekend podcast, Morgan Wallen discussed his decision to stay away from bars since his notorious chair-throwing incident in Nashville in April 2024. The country music superstar reflected on the challenges of fame and mentioned how he has made lifestyle changes to cope, emphasizing that avoiding bars has been beneficial for him. “I ain’t been in a bar since the last time I was in a bar that everybody knows about,” Wallen revealed. Despite facing legal consequences for the incident, which led to a guilty plea to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment, Wallen has been focusing on his new music, with his upcoming album, I’m the Problem, set for release on May 16, and his tour starting in June. Wallen says he moved away from the trap beats featured on his earlier work towards a more toned-down sound, saying, “You can still get that same swagger, you can accomplish certain things without doing the exact same thing.”

On Monday (March 31), Jelly Roll shared an Instagram video that highlighted the daily meals that he eats while on tour. The country star praised the work of his nutrition coach, Ian Larios, who creates healthier versions of his favorite foods, including a protein-packed breakfast bowl reminiscent of a popular Waffle House dish. “It all started because I love Waffle House,” Jelly said. “Larios figured out a way to not only make ‘em taste good but good for my tummy.” The 40-year-old musician just finished up his headlining Beautifully Broken Tour, and is gearing up to support Post Malone on The Big A** Stadium Tour, which kicks off on April 29 in Salt Lake City.  Jelly credits his remarkable 140-pound weight loss to his two meals and one snack per day routine, while praising Larios for crafting delicious yet nutritious meals that align with his weight loss journey. 

On Saturday (March 29), rising country star Laci Kaye Booth fulfilled a lifelong dream as she took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry. The Geffen Records artist was dressed in a vintage Bob Mackie gown, exuding classic country elegance and modern star power during her performances of "Daddy's Mugshot" and Patsy Cline's classic, "Crazy." Reflecting on the emotional significance of the night, Booth said, “Tonight I felt the full weight of a little girl’s dream comin’ true. It lit a fire in me all over again — the same one that carried me to Nashville in the first place. I’ll never forget the love in that room, and I’m so thankful for every soul who showed up to share it with me." The Texas native first caught the music world’s attention while competing on American Idol, displaying a vocal talent that led to Booth receiving her Opry invitation from fellow Texan Parker McCollum a month ago while opening for him on tour. 

In the new People cover story feature, Kelsea Ballerini opened up about her relationship with her boyfriend, Chase Stokes. The 31-year-old country music star and current Voice coach revealed that she has a strong and supportive partnership with the 32-year-old Outer Banks star, whom she began dating in January 2023. “My version of love that I’ve found, it’s steady and it’s human, and we work on it,” she says. “That, to me, honestly, is the sexiest thing, like, ‘Hey, you want to go to therapy? Let’s go to therapy.’ Being so down with your person to put in the work for each other and individually, it’s a very new kind of love for me.” Following a difficult divorce from Morgan Evans, Ballerini found solace in Stokes, who has stood by her side through challenging times, while also cheering her on during her ongoing first headlining arena tour. "He helps me see the best things about myself and vice versa," Ballerini says.

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