Category: Entertainment

Dennis Quaid Releases ‘On My Way to Heaven’ Featuring Tanya Tucker and Kris Kristofferson

Bethany Bowman
Dennis Quaid

Multi-talented artist Dennis Quaid, Tanya Tucker, and the late legendary Songwriter Kris Kristofferson recently released a new single, “On My Way to Heaven,” available from Gaither Music Group.

In 2023, Dennis Quaid released a gospel album, Fallen: A Gospel Album For Sinners, via the Gaither Music Group. The album combined seven soul-stirring renditions of hymns with five original songs, in which Quaid delivered honest, inspiring lyrics sung in an unmistakable tone that reflects heartfelt gratitude and eternal hope.

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Leahy, Brewer Raise Concerns About Sports Betting’s Growing Influence on College Athletics Amid Sorsby Ruling

Kaitlin Housler
Texas Tech Brendan Sorsby

Veteran journalist and public affairs specialist Clint Brewer and The Tennessee Star’s CEO and Editor-in-Chief Michael Patrick Leahy are raising concerns about the future of NCAA oversight and the growing influence of legalized sports betting following a Texas judge’s decision to restore Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility despite the NCAA’s permanent ban over sports wagering violations.

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Music Spotlight: Paige King Johnson

Bethany Bowman
Paige King Johnson

I was instantly drawn to Paige King Johnson and her music when I first met her at CRS in 2023. I knew then that I wanted to feature her in my column, and, more than three years later, I finally get to do so.

Johnson was raised on a horse farm in North Carolina. She shared, “Music has always been in me, as it is for most artists, but I didn’t know it was a job option. I did think that music would be involved in my life somehow.”

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Music Spotlight: Jordan Rainer

Bethany Bowman
Jordan Ranier

Many of the artists I now feature came to my radar because of a singing competition show. You may remember Jordan Rainer as the “girl in the sunglasses” from Team Reba on NBC’s The Voice. America fell in love with her instantly as the quick-witted, shoot-from-the-hip contestant who left producers sweating and never knowing what she would say on live TV. Now, three years later, this gritty, tele-slinging, fire-spitting outlaw country artist returns with her most fearless and defining work to date – an unapologetic record that pushes boundaries both sonically and culturally.

As always, I want to know how the artist got their start. She told me, “From the time I could toddle, my family had a family piano in the living room. I couldn’t even make eye contact with it, but I could reach above my head and play the keys, and I would just think on it. I’ve been drawn to instruments my whole life. From the time I was a kid, if there was a guitar in the corner somewhere, if there was a drumstick, I was hitting something. I just couldn’t make music.”

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Ashley Anne Releases ‘Generational Heartbreak’ EP

Bethany Bowman

Following up with my Music Spotlight artists is one of my favorite things to do. It is fascinating to see what has transpired since the last interview.

Because Ashley Anne got started in the music industry at such a young age, she was (and still is) in the process of discovering who she really is and what is most important to her. Written at age 17, her song “dear dolly” has had more than 3 million streams. Now, at just 22 years of age, Anne has released her 3rd EP, Generational Heartbreak, and the progression in her music, and especially her songwriting, is evident.

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Music Spotlight: Braxton Keith

Bethany Bowman
Braxton Keith

Braxton Keith is from Midland, Texas, and his music proudly reflects that fact. He did not grow up in a musical family, but his great-aunt gave him her piano, which he learned to play. He listened regularly to George Strait, Roger Miller, Marty Robbins, Merle Haggard, and Porter Wagoner, the people that his grandparents liked.

If you listen to as much country music as I have, you know instantly, with his lonesome twang, accompanied by plenty of pedal steel guitar and a sawing fiddle, that Keith is Texan.

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Clint Black Releases New Memoir

Bethany Bowman
Clint Black

If you like biographies, especially autobiographies, about popular musical artists or bands, I recommend Clint Black’s memoir, Killin’ Time: My Life and Music. It is a raw, unflinching story of the man behind the music.

One thing that inspires me as I read about these now-famous artists is the amount of struggle and unfavorable circumstances they had to overcome to get where they are today.

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Fender Celebrates 75 Years of the Telecaster at the Ryman

Bethany Bowman
Teletown

Fender celebrated 75 years of the Telecaster guitar at the historic Ryman Auditorium. The Tele Town event this week united legends, torchbearers, session aces, and rising stars with this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Telecaster guitar, Fender turned to Nashville, the heart of country music and home to generations of legendary Tele players, for a once-in-a-lifetime evening at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Tele Town united legendary artists, modern torchbearers, and rising talent to celebrate “the one that started it all,” the Telecaster, a guitar that helped shape the sound of modern music.

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Music Spotlight: Austin Snell

Bethany Bowman

When I learned that country riser Austin Snell had nearly half 500 million streams in his short career, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It turns out he is one of the most fearless songwriters I have ever encountered, which makes him super relatable to his diverse fanbase.

Snell was born and raised in Dublin, Georgia, about 45 miles south of Macon. While no one in the household was a performer, there was always music going on in his house. Snell listened to a variety of artists, from Nickelback and Three Doors Down to Alan Jackson and Keith Whitley.

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Music Spotlight: Jacob Tolliver

Bethany Bowman

Jacob Tolliver came upon my radar at the end of last year when I featured his high-octane version of “Here Comes Santa Claus” in my 2025 Country Christmas Roundup. I hadn’t heard anyone bang a piano like that since Jerry Lee Lewis. Turns out, Lewis was a major influence on young Tolliver.

Tolliver’s dad is a drummer, but other than that, there wasn’t a lot of direct musical influence growing up. However, on his mother’s side, his great-grandmother was a Wagner and was related to composer Richard Wagner. On his dad’s side, Sir Bartholomew Taliaferro (the anglicized form of Taliaferro is Tolliver) was a shopkeeper and musician for Queen Elizabeth I in 16th-century Venice. Sir Taliaferro was also pals with William Shakespeare, and his “Merchant of Venice” is loosely based on him.

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Music Spotlight: 2 Lane Summer

Bethany Bowman
Two Lane Summer

One reason Nashville is called Music City is that so many songs are written and recorded here. Known for its collaborative writing rooms, Nashville is famous for group writing sessions. Songwriters get together, often as strangers, and create music that may or may not be shared with the world.

In 2022, Joe Hanson and Chris Ray met in a writers’ room. Hanson explained, “Very quickly, we realized we had a ton in common as far as our faith, our upbringing, our musical influences. And it was effortless. When we started singing together, the harmonies just blended organically. And we just had the best time and quickly became good friends.”

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Music Spotlight: Christopher Wzye and the Tellers

Bethany Bowman

So many of the artists I interview cite various blues artists as influences. B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Robert Johnson are just a few of the names who shaped the electric and Delta Blues sounds. Artists like T. Graham Brown, Heidi Newfield, and Slash have mentioned them to me.

So, when I was introduced to Christopher Wyze and learned that he and his Tellers composed and performed original blues music, I was intrigued. Not only that, but he also performs in Clarksdale, Mississippi, often considered the heart of the Delta Blues.

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Music Spotlight Artist Belles Collaborates with Dolly Parton for ‘Son of Jolene’ Release

Bethany Bowman
Belles and Parton

I have interviewed hundreds of singer-songwriters, including Kelli Belles, and if you ask them who the one person they would like to collaborate with is, nearly all will name “Dolly.”

Belles is a third-generation entertainer. When I found out that Dolly Parton was actually going to sing with her on a song she had written, I had to learn the story behind it.

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Music Spotlight: Country Radio Seminar 2026

Bethany Bowman
CRS

Country Radio Seminar (CRS) is an annual convention meticulously designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and foster business practices within the country music industry. With a specific focus on matters relevant to country radio, CRS serves as a vital platform for industry professionals to thrive and contribute.

CRS 2026 wrapped on March 20, after three days of live performances, informative panels, and insightful sessions.

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Music Spotlight: Jason Michael Carroll

Bethany Bowman
Jason Michael Carroll

Back when I first discovered my love for country music more than 20 years ago, a name that kept popping up on the radio was Jason Michael Carroll. He is notorious for his top 40 hits like “Alyssa Lies,” “Livin’ Our Love Song,” “Where I’m From,” “I Can Sleep When I’m Dead,” and his number-one-selling album, Waitin’ In The Country.

Carroll is known for his deep, authentic storytelling and powerhouse vocals. Over the past two decades, he has toured with country music royalty, including Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, and Darius Rucker. He has played iconic venues, including the Grand Ole Opry. He has performed the national anthems at major NFL, NASCAR, and MLB events.

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Aubrie Sellers Releases’ Attachment Theory’ Album

Bethany Bowman
Aubrie Sellers

Music Spotlight artist, Aubrie Sellers, has released her 3rd solo album, Attachment Theory. This project shows a darker, edgier side of the gifted singer/songwriter. It is full of hard-won wisdom from bracing through the hellscape of modern dating. It is paired with a companion podcast of the same name.

Little did we know when I featured Sellers and her Far From Home album in January of 2020 that our world would soon shut down and our lives would be forever changed. Sellers was slated to open for Tanya Tucker on the 2020 CMT Next Women of Country: Bring My Flowers Now Tour, but only a few select dates occurred.

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Steve Earle Announces World Tour

Bethany Bowman

Newly inducted Grand Ole Opry member Steve Earle announced his 2026 World Tour, Fifty-One Years of Songs and Stories. As fitting, he kicked off the tour at the Grand Ole Opry House on St. Patrick’s Day, where his performances have long been favorites of the mostly out-of-town guests.

Besides performing his mega hits, “Guitar Town” and “Copperhead Road,” which have more than a billion streams combined, he brought his beautiful “The Galway Girl,” which is basically a required track on St. Patrick’s Day.

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Music Spotlight: Ashland Craft

Bethany Bowman
Ashland Craft

An unapologetically country-to-the-core artist I have wanted to feature for some time is Ashland Craft. The South Carolina native cut her teeth in dive bars and honky-tonks, creating a work ethic and swagger that defines her sound. By age 18, she was even the lead singer for the house band at Wendell’s Dippin’ Branch.

While working on her craft (no pun intended), Craft did all kinds of odd jobs, from working at McDonald’s to being a receptionist at a beauty salon. But it was her Top 10 finish on season 13 of NBC’s The Voice, where she proudly competed on Miley Cyrus’ team, that she saw the tide start to turn.

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Music Spotlight: Brit Taylor

Bethany Bowman
Brit Taylor

Brit Taylor proudly hails from the Appalachian Foothills of Eastern Kentucky, like many of her musical heroes, including Keith Whitley, The Judds, Tyler Childers, and, of course, country queen Loretta Lynn.

Although the songwriter and recording artist has lived in Nashville for 18 years, she says she’s always homesick. She sees a resilience in her fellow Kentuckians that has helped her chase her dream, even when times were tough.

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Music Spotlight: Travis Bolt

Bethany Bowman
Travis Bolt

When I heard Travis Bolt’s latest single, “Blues At My Funeral,” I knew instantly that this was an artist I wanted to feature. Not only are the lyrics clever, but his voice hits that musical sweet spot; the perfect culmination of blues, country, and southern rock. But his path to the music industry is almost as interesting as his music.

Bolt’s father was a Texas barbecue chef. Because of that, he was asked to cook at events like Larry Joe Taylor’s music festival in Stephenville. Bolt, who has Tourette’s syndrome, got his first guitar at 11. He was backstage at the festival, and as he said it, he got “the bug.”

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The Gatlin Brothers Celebrate 70 Years Together

Bethany Bowman
Gatlin Brothers

The Gatlin Brothers’ 70th Anniversary Tribute concert was held at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Monday.

Known for their incomparable family harmonies, Larry Gatlin, Steve Gatlin, and Rudy Gatlin began singing at a very young age. WSM Opry host Bill Cody stated, “They got their start when they were in single digits: Larry Gatlin was 6, Steve Gatlin was 4, and Rudy Gatlin was 2 1/2.”

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United States Wins Men’s Hockey Gold in Overtime Thriller Against Canada at 2026 Winter Olympics

Christina Botteri
US Men's Hockey Gold in 2026

The United States men’s ice hockey team captured its first Olympic gold medal in 46 years on Sunday, defeating archrival Canada 2-1 in overtime on the final day of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal just 1:41min. into the extra period, sealing the victory and sparking wild celebrations on the ice at the PalaItalia arena.

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Music Spotlight: Ward Davis

Bethany Bowman

When I interviewed Cody Jinks last year, I became aware of his good friend, Ward Davis, who often toured with Jinks. Davis is most known for writing Willie and Merle’s song “Unfair Weather Friend,” which was later performed at Merle’s funeral.

I initially thought Davis was a songwriter-turned-performer, but that was not the case. Davis hails from Arkansas and started taking piano at age seven. But his hero was George Strait, and that’s who he wanted to be like. He was musical and creative, writing songs, but he really didn’t know much about songwriting.

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EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert Movie Coming Soon

Bethany Bowman
Elvis

During the week of Elvis’ birthday this year, I was fortunate to tour Graceland and attend the US premiere of EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert. This is what is learned.

The upcoming EPiC Movie: Elvis Presley in Concert was created by Baz Luhrmann, featuring long-lost footage from Presley’s legendary Vegas residency in the 1970s, woven together with rare 16mm footage from Elvis on Tour and treasured 8mm film from the Graceland archive, along with rediscovered recordings of Elvis telling “his side of the story.”

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Rock Band ‘Heart’ Going Strong in 2026

Bethany Bowman
Heart

Those of us of a certain age grew up listening to the iconic rock band Heart, comprised of sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson and their incredible band. Naturally, when they came to Nashville in 2019, I wanted to see them perform, and they were outstanding despite being in their 60s.

We later learned that Ann had experienced some health issues, so I was surprised to hear about their Royal Flush tour in 2025. This news rekindled my excitement, especially ahead of their last show of 2025 in Nashville, when I was privileged to speak with Nancy Wilson about their forthcoming show and promote their 2026 tour.

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Music Spotlight: Joe Hermes

Bethany Bowman
Joe Hermes

Joe Hermes’ music hits that perfect sweet spot between classic rock and traditional country music. He is a seasoned entertainer whose values are rooted in faith, family, and the American Dream.

I met him a few years back at CRS and was instantly drawn to edgy vocals and devil-may-care attitude. With songs like “Stronger Than Whiskey” and “Baptized By The South,” I was instantly drawn to his music.

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Music Spotlight: Marcus Hummon

Bethany Bowman
Marcus Hummon

Marcus Hummon is a renowned, respected, and much-loved songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. When I learned that he composed an entire album dedicated to the famous American poet Emily Dickinson, I was intrigued.

Born in Washington, D.C., in 1960, he has diverse talents, including composing, scoring films, writing musicals, and releasing his own critically acclaimed albums, always infusing worldly experiences with profound emotional depth. After college, he initially moved to L.A. Still, on the advice of an entertainment attorney, he moved to Nashville in 1986 because he heard it was “exploding.”

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The Grand Ole Opry Celebrates 100th Birthday

Bethany Bowman
Grand Ole Opry

On November 28,  100 years to the date of the premiere, a star-studded tribute was held at the Grand Ole Opry House.

Included in the event were Opry members from all age groups, including Scotty McCreery (32), one of the youngest members, and Bill Anderson (88), the oldest and longest member of the Opry (64 years a member). Retired member Stu Phillips (96) was also in attendance.

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Music Spotlight: The Dugger Band

Bethany Bowman
The Dugger Band

When I heard the Dugger Band and its hit song “True Colors,” I knew I wanted to feature them as soon as time allowed. Jordan and Seth Dugger are from Greeneville, Tennessee. They are known for their energetic, high-velocity country sound that emphasizes family harmony and faith-driven storytelling.

They come from a musical family: their father and his siblings were part of a Southern Gospel band, and their mother was raised singing in church. Growing up, they were always around a touring bus. So, it was no surprise when the pair chose music as their career path.

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Music Spotlight: Cody Hibbard

Bethany Bowman
Cody Hibbard

Cody Hibbard is the fifth artist I have interviewed this season on The Road, and, in my humble opinion, he is the most country-sounding of them all. Fortunately, he took that as the compliment it was meant to be.

Hibbard is Korean but was adopted by an American family from Oklahoma when he was 13 months old. He grew up on a farm and still lives there today. Like many ranchers/farmers, he would get up early and do his chores before heading off to school.

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Red Bull Jukebox Takes over Nashville’s Pinnacle

Bethany Bowman
Red Bull Jukebox

Red Bull Jukebox made its highly anticipated return to Nashville on last weekend at Nashville’s newest venue, the Pinnacle. With its unique live-music experience, the Jukebox gives the audience control over the setlist, including how artists reimagine favorite tunes and which special guests step into the spotlight.

In the capital of country music, the next generation of country stars lit up the stage: Treaty Oak Revival, Ashley Cooke, Kashus Culpepper, Carter Faith, and more. In the months leading up to the event, fans were invited to cast their votes for setlist selections online and on-site via interactive voting mechanisms and light-up wristbands.

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