On Thursday (December 4), Megan Moroney announced the dates and details of her extensive 2026 The Cloud 9 Tour. The 43-date arena jaunt kicks off on May 29 in Columbus, Ohio, and runs through October 1 in Belfast, with stops across the U.S., Europe, and the U.K., including major venues like Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, New York’s Barclays Center, Chicago’s United Center, Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, and London’s Hammersmith Apollo. The tour supports Moroney’s upcoming album, Cloud 9, which is set for release on February 20, featuring hit singles “6 Months Later” and “Beautiful Things.” “I am so excited for my fans and I to dive into this new world of Cloud 9 together,” Moroney said in a statement. “Cloud 9 is a state of mind, and I have no doubt this will be the best chapter yet.” Ticket presale begins on Thursday (December 11), followed by a general on-sale on Friday (December 12). (Billboard)

Post Malone is set to headline Bud Light’s Super Bowl concert, "Bud Light Presents Post Malone & Buddies," in February at Fort Mason in San Francisco. The concert will take place on the weekend of Super Bowl LX, which is set to be held on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, about an hour from where Posty will be performing. The chart-topping country singer is promising fans he will "maybe, definitely" debut new music during the show, which continues Malone’s longstanding partnership with the NFL and Bud Light, having previously performed at the Cowboys 2025 Thanksgiving Day game, the 2024 Super Bowl pre-game, and various Bud Light events over the years, “We show up every year to provide football fans with bucket-list experiences,” Todd Allen, Bud Light’s SVP of marketing, said in a statement. “We’re pumped to run it back with Posty, our buddy of nearly a decade, for what will be one of the most electrifying shows of Super Bowl [weekend].” (Billboard)

HARDY led the American Cancer Society’s Country vs. Cancer benefit concert at The Pinnacle in Nashville on Tuesday night (December 2), raising over $350,000 to support cancer research and patient advocacy. Joined by stars like Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Lanie Gardner, McCoy Moore, Chase McGill, Luke Laird, Randy Montana, and Rocky Block, HARDY expressed gratitude for the generosity of his fellow musicians who care deeply about the cause. "I'm just lucky first and foremost to have a platform to stand on, to be able to support just through music," HARDY said, while adding, “I just stand on the shoulders of Nashville and the music industry for putting me in a place where I could do that." The event, co-partnered with Whiskey Jam, successfully raised money and awareness for the worthy cause, while showcasing the Nashville music community’s unity and commitment to making a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer. (People)

During an appearance on Howard Stern’s radio show on Tuesday (December 2), Kenny Chesney reminisced about Jimmy Buffett’s posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. Buffett was honored with a heartfelt tribute performance of his 1974 song, “Come Monday,” by his close friends Chesney, James Taylor, and Mac McAnally, with McAnally secretly carrying Buffett’s ashes – given to him by Buffett's daughter Savannah – in his coat pocket on stage. “We were backstage warming up, trying to figure out our parts and stuff, and Mac comes up to me and he goes, ‘Look at this.’ And it was a small urn,” Chesney recalled. “And he had Jimmy’s ashes in his coat pocket. So Jimmy’s ashes were in Mac McAnally’s coat pocket on stage with us as he was getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So even after he passed, Jimmy found a way to join the party.” (People)

Trisha Yearwood hosted NBC’s Christmas in Nashville special on Wednesday night (December 3), performing a spirited rendition of the classic holiday song, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” from the beloved 1966 animated film, How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Filmed at Luke Combs’ Category 10 bar, the special also featured performances by Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers, Lauren Alaina, Ne-Yo, The War and Treaty, and Trace Adkins. The Nashville holiday special aired after NBC’s annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center broadcast, which was hosted by country music icon Reba McEntire, with both events now streaming on Peacock. Yearwood released her new holiday album, Christmastime, on November 7, featuring her version of festive seasonal classics like “Candy Cane Lane” and Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas,” along with the original track, “Merry Christmas, Valentine,” which she recorded with her husband, Garth Brooks. This marks Yearwood’s first solo holiday album since 1994’s The Sweetest Gift, and a follow-up to her 2016 collaboration with Brooks, Christmas Together. (Billboard)

Molly Tuttle and Old Crow Medicine Show frontman Ketch Secor announced their engagement on Instagram on Wednesday (December 3), sharing heartfelt photos and a tender message reflecting on their journey together. “We first met at the Ryman Auditorium. We became friends, then harmony singers, then songwriters, then much more,” the couple captioned their post. “This Thanksgiving, in an old growth forest, with our families, we decided it’s time to make our biggest move yet, forever. ❤️”  Both artists have collaborated extensively on each other’s recent albums, with Secor contributing multiple instruments to Tuttle’s So Long Little Miss Sunshine, while Tuttle appeared on Secor’s solo album, Story The Crow Told Me. The couple received congratulations from fellow musicians like Charlie Worsham, Sierra Hull, and Gabe Lee, and with Tuttle recently nominated for two Grammys – for Best Americana Album and Best Americana Performance for “That’s Gonna Leave a Mark” – their engagement is one of many things that the couple can celebrate together this holiday season. (Billboard)

Ahead of Billboard’s full 2025 year-end chart reveal on December 9, Morgan Wallen dominates the country rankings, as his album, I’m the Problem, leads the Top Country Albums chart, while his 2023 LP, One Thing at a Time, is No. 2 on the tally, and his 2021 release, Dangerous: The Double Album, is No. 3. Multiple hit singles from Wallen also rank in the Hot Country Songs Top 10, including “Love Somebody” (No. 2), “I’m the Problem” (No. 3), his Post Malone collaboration, “I Had Some Help” (No. 4), and “Just In Case” (No. 5). Shaboozey’s crossover smash, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” topped the Hot Country Songs chart and claims the No. 1 spot on the year-end list. “A Bar Song” debuted at No. 6 on the April 27, 2024 chart and rose to No. 1 a week later, where it remained throughout much of 2025 until its final week on the chart in May. Other notable artists in the Top 10 album tally include three releases from Zach Bryan alongside records from Jelly Roll and Post Malone, while Wallen’s overall chart dominance underscores his continued impact on country music throughout 2025. (Billboard)

Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson have made a rare dual female impact on the top of the country music charts, with Langley scoring her first No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs with “Choosin’ Texas,” while Wilson claims her fifth No. 1 on Country Airplay with “Somewhere Over Laredo.” Langley’s track, co-written with Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, and Joybeth Taylor, climbed to the top in just six weeks, while Wilson’s song, which interpolates Judy Garland’s Wizard of Oz classic, “Over the Rainbow,” surged to No. 1 on the strength of a 22% increase to reach a radio audience of 28 million. This is only the seventh time since 2012 that solo women have simultaneously led both charts, highlighting a notable moment in country music where female artists dominate both the streaming and radio airplay metrics that these distinct charts measure. The feat was first accomplished in October 2012 when Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” topped Country Airplay while Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” led Hot Country Songs. (Billboard)

Bad Bunny dominates Spotify’s 2025 year-end Wrapped campaign, securing the No. 1 spot as the Global Top Artist with over 19.8 billion streams, ahead of Taylor Swift and The Weeknd, and leading the Global Top Albums chart with DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. This marks Benito’s fourth time being recognized as Spotify’s global streaming leader, after ruling the rankings in 2020, 2021 and 2022. His single “DtMF” ranks No. 5 globally, while Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With A Smile” tops the global songs chart, followed by Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather” at No. 2, while Mars' collab with Blackpink’s Rosé, “APT.” comes in at No. 3, and Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” is No. 4. Swift is the top U.S. artist (after coming in second globally), while Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem is the most streamed album in the U.S., and Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s joint track, “Luther,” was the most streamed song in America. Bad Bunny’s continued streaming success sets the stage for his Super Bowl Halftime Show headlining performance in February, while reinforcing his status as one of the world’s biggest artists in 2025. (Billboard)

Tim McGraw paid a heartfelt tribute to his daughter Gracie by sharing a video of her powerful mash-up covers of Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain” and Chappell Roan’s “Picture You” during a recent performance at Joe’s Pub in New York. McGraw proudly captioned the post, “We had a blast (and a few tears) catching our oldest girl Gracie’s show at Joes Pub in NYC a few weeks ago!” Gracie, an accomplished actor and vocalist who has clearly inherited the singing prowess of her famous parents, McGraw and Faith Hill, previously collaborated with her father on his 2015 song “Here Tonight.” In addition to her well-received club show, Gracie impressed viewers with her commanding performance during the PBS Special, American Heart in WWI: A Carnegie Hall Tribute, which aired on Veterans Day. Meanwhile, McGraw prepares to launch his Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum Theater at Caesars Palace later this week, stepping in for Dolly Parton, who had to postpone her performances due to health issues. (Holler)

On Tuesday (December 2), Tyler Childers announced the dates and details of his 2026 Snipe Hunt Tour. The 14-date trek will kick off on April 23 in Dallas, making stops throughout the U.S. including Lexington, St. Louis, Chicago, Boulder, and Seattle, before concluding on October 3 in Portland. Supported by openers Jon Batiste, Evan Honer, Wednesday, and Scott T. Smith on select dates, the tour promotes Childers’ Grammy-nominated album Snipe Hunter, which earned a nod for Best Contemporary Country Album. A pair of singles from the album are also nominated, as “Bitin’ List” is up for Best Country Song, and “Nose on the Grindstone” is up for Best Country Solo Performance, while Childers also received a nod for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for his collaboration with Margo Price, “Love Me Like You Used to Do,” featured on her album Hard Headed Woman. Artist pre-sale begins on Wednesday (Dec. 10), with a general on-sale starting Friday (Dec. 12). (Billboard)

Dan + Shay revealed in a recent Taste of Country Nights interview that Blake Shelton is famously affectionate, known for giving long hugs and kissing his friends. When the duo was asked who is the best hugger in country music, Shay Mooney was quick to answer Shelton, saying, "He might be the longest hugger — he’s a lingerer.” Dan Smyers chimed in to add that Shelton will "kiss you on the top of your head, too.” Mooney agreed, describing a time when Shelton “spins me around backwards, then I’m just nuzzled in there. Then he looks down at my head and kisses me. It’s awesome.” Smyers shared that they even have a photo capturing one of Shelton’s kisses, with Mooney joking that he's “traumatized” by the pic. The duo’s anecdotes highlight Shelton’s affectionate nature, which fans have seen in public moments like his playful kisses with Adam Levine on The Voice, and a sweet post-Thanksgiving kiss on the cheek with his wife Gwen Stefani that she recently shared on social media. (People)

In a recent ask-me-anything style Q&A on her Instagram Stories, Kelsea Ballerini disclosed how she was doing amid rumors of her split with Outer Banks star Chase Stokes. In response to a fan’s question, "How are YOU?!? You heal a lot of us, what do YOU need?," the 32-year-old country star responded by revealing, “I'm in a steady and happy place right now, truly excited for this Australia tour and the holidays." The six-time Grammy nominee went on to share: "If I had one favor, it would be honoring that I'm trying to make my personal life personal for now. Unless it comes from me, its not from me. and that is really important in protecting my peace right now." Ballerini’s statement comes amid recent cryptic social media posts from the 33-year-old Stokes that hint at their breakup, with the actor writing "Sorry ❤️ I tried" and "I'm sorry for those who believed in us.” (People)

Rosé and Bruno Mars’ hit “APT.” dominated Apple Music’s 2025 global year-end charts, topping multiple categories including the overall Global Songs, Shazam, Radio, and Lyrics charts. While Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s chart-topping collaboration, “Luther,” secured the No. 2 spot, with Lamar placing five songs in the Top 25 and nine in the Top 100. Other notable entries include Lady Gaga and Mars’ “Die With a Smile,” Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather,” Lola Young’s “Messy,” and Alex Warren’s “Ordinary,” which all ranked highly on the Global Songs and Global Radio charts, while Morgan Wallen led all artists with the most Top 100 entries, as a total of 12 of his songs appeared on the tally. Apple Music’s global year-end charts was released to coincide with its annual Apple Replay ’25, which provides users with a comprehensive look back at their listening habits over the past year. (Variety)

Mariah Carey, Chappell Roan, and Post Malone lead the diverse lineup of performers set to be featured on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest special that will ring in 2026. Other acts set to perform at the annual holiday event include KPop Demon Hunters chart-topping trio HUNTR/X featuring EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, Maren Morris, 50 Cent, Little Big Town, Demi Lovato, Jordan Davis, New Kids on the Block, Jessie Murph, Tucker Wetmore, and OneRepublic. The celebration, co-hosted by Seacrest and Rita Ora from Times Square, includes DJ Cassidy’s “Pass the Mic Live!” featuring Busta Rhymes, T.I., and Wyclef Jean, with an additional Times Square headliner performing just before midnight who will be announced soon. This will be the show's longest telecast to date, with the ABC broadcast running from 8 p.m. ET on December 31 until 4 a.m. ET on January 1, with a first-ever live countdown from Chicago led by Chance the Rapper, alongside live festivities in New York, Las Vegas, and Puerto Rico. The event will be simulcast on 150 iHeartRadio stations and available to stream on Hulu the following day. (Variety)

Zac Brown Band is set to become only the second country act to headline the Sphere in Las Vegas starting on Friday (December 5), coinciding with the release of their highly-anticipated eighth studio album, Love & Fear. To celebrate both momentous occasions, they’ve launched exclusive merchandise collaborations at The Venetian Resort’s Zac Brown Band Experience, featuring Wrangler denim jackets, Dixxon Flannel shirts, Vineyard Vines apparel, and signature Western shirts from H Bar C Ranchwear, gear which will only be sold at the Vegas shows. Zac Brown calls the residency his “masterpiece,” with the country star reportedly investing $6-7 million of his own money into the show, with the band promising fans "the best live show of the year" at their December (5, 6, 12, 13) and January (9, 10, 16, 17) performances. The December dates are all sold-out, with limited tickets remaining for the January shows. (Holler)

On Monday (December 1), the Country Music Association revealed the lineup for the CMA Songwriters Series set to take place on March 12 at London’s Indigo at the O2 Arena as part of the kickoff to the C2C 2026 Festival. The event will feature Keith Urban, Ashley Cooke, Aaron Raitiere, Meg McRee, and Kristian Bush in an intimate writer’s round-style showcase performance. “What makes this work so meaningful is seeing how Country Music continues to connect with audiences far beyond the US,” says Meredith Goucher, the CMA's Director of International Relations and Development. “Every year, C2C and our Songwriters Series remind us that this genre resonates universally, its stories, its craft, its heart.” Tickets for the Songwriters Series are sold separately from the festival and will be available via the O2 Arena website, with presales starting Wednesday (December 3), and general on-sales beginning Friday (Dec. 5). (Holler)

The 61st Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards will return to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 17, after three years at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. For the fourth consecutive year, the ceremony will stream live on Amazon Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, while marking the show's first Sunday night broadcast since 2021. Damon Whiteside, CEO, Academy of Country Music, said the venue “holds a lot of history and special memories for the Academy,” while adding that, “it truly feels like a homecoming for us. There’s no better place to host an exciting, global country music celebration than fabulous Las Vegas!” Established in 1966, the ACM Awards is the longest-running country music awards show, and it made history in 2022 as the first major awards event to stream exclusively online, earning a Primetime Emmy nomination for technical excellence. ACM Awards Week in Vegas will begin on May 15, with tickets available in early 2026. (Billboard)

During an appearance on the Today show on Monday (December 1), Reba McEntire corrected co-anchor Savannah Guthrie after Guthrie referred to Rex Linn as McEntire’s husband. The 70-year-old country superstar quickly clarified, “Now, wait a minute. Before everybody has a conniption fit at home, we’re just engaged.” McEntire set the record straight to avoid confusion among her family, friends and fans, while adding, “My family will go, ‘Wait, you didn’t tell us?!’” The 69-year-old Linn, was in the studio for the interview, and looked confused when the camera initially cut to him, but he eventually smiled as his bride-to-be discussed their relationship. The couple got engaged on Christmas Eve 2024, but McEntire explained that they delayed announcing their engagement due to the tragic fires in California that followed the holiday season. “There was not room for our joy in the devastating situation that everybody else was in,” McEntire said. (People)

In an exclusive interview with People StyleWatch, Megan Moroney says that Kenny Chesney is “one of my best friends,” and credits the country superstar as being a mentor who significantly boosted her career. After opening for Chesney on his 2024 Sun Goes Down stadium tour – her first time performing in large venues – Moroney said she appreciated how he "loudly supported me," including bringing her out to perform with him each night. In gratitude, she co-wrote the sentimental duet, "You Had to Be There," released in May, as a gift to Chesney, who loved the song enough to join her on it. Moroney also credits Chesney’s  influence for helping her win the 2024 CMA New Artist of the Year Award. "I think he had a lot to do with that, just because to his industry friends, he was like, 'I believe in her. You need to listen to her songwriting,'" says Moroney. (People)