Steve Nedved
Author's posts
May 16
The reason Cody Johnson almost didn’t take ‘The Fall’
Warner Music Nashville Even though Cody Johnson loved the message of his new single, “The Fall,” he almost didn’t record it. “When I heard the song, it sounded like the story of a lot of different people,” he tells Billboard. “It is kind of cowboy, and it is authentic to me, as ‘The ride was …
May 16
HARDY and Koe Wetzel are in the Outlaw beer business
HARDY, Outlaw CEO Ari Opsahl and Koe Wetzel (Outlaw Light Beer) Wanna have a beer with HARDY and Koe Wetzel? Well, you can — sort of. You see, both Koe and HARDY are partners in Outlaw Light Beer, along with Big Loud, HARDY’s record label. The beverage was launched in 2023 and is now “the country’s …
May 16
Coming to CMA Fest? Go through Carly Pearce’s closet
Jason Kempin/Getty Images Carly Pearce is ready to give you the clothes off her back — in exchange for a donation to charity, that is. For the fourth year in a row, the “Truck on Fire” hitmaker is hosting her Carly’s Closet fundraiser during CMA Fest. It will take place Saturday, June 7, on the …
May 16
From ‘I’m the Problem’ to ‘I Got Better’: Morgan Wallen delivers album #4
Big Loud Morgan Wallen‘s much-anticipated fourth album, I’m the Problem, is out now, already boasting six top-10 hits on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and three country number ones: “Lies Lies Lies,” “Love Somebody” and the title track. But it’s the song “I Got Better” that most resonates with Morgan these days. “I’d say that’s one that …
May 16
‘I’m not the viral guy!’ Cyndi Lauper and a dance prove it can ‘Happen to’ Russell Dickerson
Disney/Scott Kirkland Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what’s gonna be a hit. Just ask Russell Dickerson. “‘Bones’ I thought was the one, right?” he says. “It’s like ‘Yours’ part two. ‘Yours’ was such a big hit for me. And you just can’t [predict]. I don’t know. I thought that was it.” Though “Bones” was …
May 15
Nashville notes: Tucker Wetmore’s big debut + Brothers’ Family Reunion
Tucker Wetmore‘s new album, What Not To, is at #15 on the Billboard 200 all-genre album chart, making it the biggest debut by a country artist in 2025. Maren Morris will be giving Australia and New Zealand a taste of her Dreamsicle Tour. The six dates kick off Jan. 30 in Perth and wrap Feb. 13 in …
May 15
Ashley Cooke, Drew Baldridge and more to play ‘Billboard’ Country Live at CMA Fest
Catherine Powell/NBC Billboard Country Live is taking over Category 10 during Nashville’s CMA Fest in June. Ashley Cooke and Drew Baldridge are set to play a showcase-style concert Thursday, June 5, at the venue formerly known as the Wildhorse Saloon. Alexandra Kay, Max McNown and Reyna Roberts will take the stage as well. There’s also a Country …
May 15
Scotty McCreery launches ‘Bottle Rockets’ with a retro Hootie twist
Triple Tigers Scotty McCreery‘s new single, “Bottle Rockets,” not only captures the nostalgia of young love, it also includes a full-on rerecording of 1994’s “Hold My Hand” by Hootie & the Blowfish. “This song takes me back to those summers of having fun with no responsibilities with good times and good tunes,” Scotty says. “For …
May 15
‘Guitar Town’: Chris Young lends another musician a helping hand
Disney/Frank Micelotta Chris Young knows what it feels like when an airline destroys your guitar, so he was eager to help a fellow musician in that situation. His publicist confirms the “Young Love & Saturday Nights” hitmaker recently stepped in and bought acquaintance Sam Hayes a new guitar after his was damaged during a flight on United Airlines. …
May 15
How Good Is That? Old Dominion’s ‘Coming Home’ to arenas this fall
Catherine Powell/NBC Old Dominion‘s adding eight arenas to their How Good Is That World Tour this September. Previously, the trek was primarily amphitheaters. “There’s a special kind of joy at shows that are built for the ODIES,” Matthew Ramsey says, using the band’s nickname for its fans. “They want the deep cuts. They want to …