This Week in Country Music: New Hits, Record Breakers, & More

Hey there Country Fans,

Here’s your quick rundown of the biggest news from the last week:

• New Music:

  • Kelsea Ballerini dropped a deluxe version of her latest album with fresh bonus tracks.

  • Riley Green released his steamy single “Worst Way,” teasing a bold new music video.

• Record-Setting Charts:

  • Rising artist Shaboozey reclaimed the Hot Country Songs No. 1 spot with “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”—logging one of the longest runs atop the chart.

  • Jelly Roll scored yet another Country Airplay No. 1, continuing his hot streak.

  • Morgan Wallen just broke a Garth Brooks record, spending the most total weeks at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart.

• Artist Headlines:

  • Lainey Wilson announced her engagement—fans got a peek at the ring and sweet proposal photos.

  • Dolly Parton pushed back against proposed state funding cuts for her Imagination Library, underlining the program’s impact on childhood literacy.

• Tour & Festival Updates:

  • Luke Bryan revealed a big summer 2025 tour, featuring a rotating cast of up-and-coming openers.

  • George Strait and Chris Stapleton added stadium dates due to high demand.

  • The Carolina Country Music Fest announced a star-studded 2025 lineup, including Kid Rock, Jelly Roll, and a special Rascal Flatts reunion.

• Industry Trends:

  • Attendees at Country Radio Seminar heard positive news about rising fan engagement, with radio still key to discovering new artists.

  • The CMT Music Awards are on hold for 2025, leaving a gap in next year’s award-show calendar—but the ACMs and CMAs will still go on.

That’s all for now—stay tuned, and keep listening to your favorite country tunes. If you loved this update, share it with a friend who needs a weekly dose of country news!

Talk soon,
Chris from MyCountryLifestyle.com