On Tuesday (May 20), Jamey Johnson tied the knot with Brittney Eakins in a "timeless" Tennessee wedding at Graystone Quarry in Franklin. The ceremony was attended by a star-studded guest list including Zac Brown, Ella Langley, Lukas Nelson, Luke Grimes, Randy Travis, Colt Ford, Marcus King, and Kid Rock. The couple exchanged personal vows in private, before a larger public ceremony officiated by country star Randy Houser. Johnson’s groomsmen included a group of country singer-songwriters who dubbed themselves "The Trailer Park": Lee Brice, Dallas Davidson, Rob Hatch, Randy Houser, and Jerrod Niemann, with Jeremy Popoff (guitarist in the rock band Lit) serving as best man. The newlyweds shared their first dance to an acoustic rendition of Chris LeDoux's "Look at You Girl" performed by ERNEST, with Party on the Moon playing the rest of the reception. "The best thing about our wedding by far has been bringing together so many people that we love and putting them all in one place," said the couple of their special day. (People)

On Wednesday (May 21), Martina McBride testified in front of Congress, urging them to pass the NO FAKES Act. The country star expressed the urgent need to protect artists and their reputations from unauthorized AI and deepfakes. “I’m pleading with you to give me the tools to stop that kind of betrayal,” McBride said at a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing. “[The NO FAKES Act could] set America on the right course to develop the world’s best AI while preserving the sacred qualities that make our country so special: authenticity, integrity, humanity, and our endlessly inspiring spirit … I urge you to pass this bill now.” The NO FAKES Act aims to establish a federal right of publicity that extends beyond an individual's death, implement a notice-and-takedown system for unauthorized deepfakes, and hold platforms accountable for removing and preventing their dissemination. The bill has garnered bipartisan support and is seen as vital in preserving the integrity of artists' work in the face of evolving AI technology. (Rolling Stone)

Blake Shelton’s latest studio album, For Recreational Use Only, makes a strong debut in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales (No. 6), Top Country Albums (No. 8), and Independent Albums (No. 8) charts. This marks Shelton’s 18th Top 10 on the Top Country Albums chart over the course of his celebrated career, dating back to his 2001 self-titled debut, which peaked at No. 3. For Recreational Use Only was released four years after his last studio album, 2021’s Body Language, which cracked the Top 20 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, while also reaching No. 3 on the Top Country Albums tally. This new project also represents Shelton's transition to BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, with the singer making headlines by signing with them in September 2024 following a successful career with Warner Music Nashville. (Billboard)

During a new interview on Tracy Lawrence's Road House podcast, Tim McGraw credits marrying Faith Hill with transforming  his personal and professional life. "I’ve been lucky. I’ve been very fortunate. First off, meeting my wife saved my life," said the 58-year-old McGraw of Hill, 57. "I was a wild man. I was having fun." The couple met in 1994, eventually falling in love while on tour, before getting married in 1996. "She turned my life around. I couldn’t have found a better woman,” he admits. “Not only beautiful and talented, but just a good, good person. And then having our daughters,” said McGraw, who shares Gracie, 27, Maggie, 26, and Audrey, 23, with Hill. "It’s life-changing. They make you a better person, and they certainly calm the demons in you." The pair of country superstars have toured together multiple times during their celebrated careers, with their most recent run of Soul2Soul shows finishing back in 2018. (People)

On Wednesday (May 21), the Grand Ole Opry revealed the details of their historic, first-ever international live broadcast set to take place at London's Royal Albert Hall on September 26. Grand Ole Opry: Live In London continues the 100th anniversary celebrations of the country music institution, and features a star-studded lineup including Opry members Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Darius Rucker, and Marty Stuart, as well as special guest artists from the UK. BBC Radio 2’s Vernon Kay and WSM Radio/Grand Ole Opry personality Kelly Sutton will serve as hosts. “Being a member of the Grand Ole Opry is a great honor; it’s always felt like the Opry was my home away from home,” Rucker says of the event. “To have the opportunity to bring such a big part of my musical roots to Royal Albert Hall is a full-circle moment for me. I can’t think of a better way to honor the Opry’s global impact on country music as we share its magic with a new generation of fans.” Tickets go on sale on Friday (May 23). (All Country News)

During a recent appearance on The Zane Lowe Show, Miley Cyrus confessed to lying about the existence of two new songs after her godmother, Dolly Parton, inquired if she had any hits during a visit two Christmases ago. This fabrication spurred the Grammy-winning pop star to create the songs "More to Lose" and "Every Girl You've Ever Loved" for Cyrus's upcoming album, Something Beautiful. Cyrus and her songwriting partner Michael Pollack set a quick deadline for themselves to write the songs, with that sense of urgency helping fuel their creativity. Cyrus eventually shared “More to Lose” with Parton, who immediately challenged her by asking, “Got any more?” Cyrus credits her godmother's inquiry as the driving force behind their creation, admitting, “I hadn’t even written the songs yet, so all because of her did those two songs ever get created.” Something Beautiful features both Parton-inspired songs, and is set to be released on May 30 along with an accompanying film. (People)

Riley Green has surprised his fans by shaving off his signature mustache. On Tuesday (May 20), the 36-year-old country star shared a bare-faced selfie on his Instagram Story, along with the caption "Never let em know your next move," and the hashtag “#shegone.” Green's decision to remove his mustache comes after fellow country star Ella Langley encouraged him to keep his facial hair for the award-winning music video for their No. 1 hit duet, "You Look Like You Love Me." "You can thank me for Riley’s mustache," Langley said backstage at the ACM Awards. "I told Riley that he could not shave his mustache off, at least for the music video," revealing that she wanted the video to look like "an old Western." Langley added, "So here we are still, a year later, and I don't think he can get rid of the 'stache. We're stuck this way." While Green’s fans are shocked at his new look, no word yet on what Langley thinks of his altered appearance. (People) 

Kelsea Ballerini, Keith Urban, Shaboozey, Lainey Wilson, and more are set to perform at the Spotify House during CMA Fest 2025 at Nashville's Ole Red from June 5-7. The lineup includes a variety of artists performing on the main stage of the 300-capacity venue from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., such as Brothers Osborne, Riley Green, Little Big Town and many others. Co-hosted by Cassie DiLaura and Lily Rose – who will also be performing – the event will feature performances by a diverse range of musicians, including Hailey Whitters, Jordan Davis, and Zac Brown Band. “We're thrilled to return to Nashville and bring back the beloved Spotify House at Ole Red, as we celebrate a decade of Hot Country—our flagship country music playlist," said Jackie Augustus, Spotify's Lead of Country and Folk Artist Partnerships, in a statement. "Over the past 10 years, Hot Country has become a cornerstone in championing the genre, and we’re proud to continue that tradition by bringing fans, emerging artists, and country superstars together under one roof." (People)

On Monday (May 19), Dylan Gossett announced the dates and details of The Westward Tour, which marks the biggest headlining tour yet for the Texas-born singer-songwriter. The 29-date jaunt will be in support of Gossett’s upcoming debut album, Westward, which is scheduled for release on July 18. The tour will kick off in Birmingham, Alabama, on September 11, and finishes on December 6 in Las Vegas, stopping in major cities like Brooklyn, Boston, Los Angeles, and Denver along the way, with special performances at Austin City Limits in October. In addition to his major tour, Gossett will also be making his Grand Ole Opry debut on June 4, a career milestone for the rising country star before he launches the 7-date The American Trail Tour with the Kruse Brothers in July. Tickets for The Westward Tour go on sale on Thursday, May 22. (All Country News)

Scotty McCreery has collaborated with Hootie & the Blowfish to blend their 1994 breakthrough hit, "Hold My Hand," with his new single, "Bottle Rockets." During a snowbound writing retreat, McCreery and his team crafted the track while thinking about summers at the beach. “I had mentioned how much I loved Hootie & the Blowfish, and Frank [Rogers] knew exactly what to do with that,” McCreery says. “We started strumming the tune that would eventually become ‘Bottle Rockets,’ and at the end of the makeshift chorus, Frank went into ‘Hold My Hand.’ It fit like a glove. We knew we were on to something. The song really just spilled out from there.” All four Hootie members took part in reworking their debut single for the new collaboration, with drummer Jim “Soni” Sonefeld sharing: “I was certainly intrigued to see how ‘Hold My Hand’ would be woven into a contemporary song. It truly sounds like all the parts were meant to be together when you hear the single.” (Billboard)

Dolly Parton and Eric Church were included in Time's first TIME100 Philanthropy List, with both country stars acknowledged for their dedication to generosity while helping shape the future of giving. Parton is recognized within the "Titans" category, with the music legend celebrated for her longstanding charitable work through the Dollywood Foundation, which focuses on helping her home state of Tennessee while extending her charitable efforts globally. Church is honored  as a "Trailblazer," due to his commitment to aiding North Carolina residents after the region was devastated by Hurricane Helene. Church is celebrated for spearheading the Concert for Carolina with Luke Combs, which raised over $24 million, and initiating a rebuilding program for community restoration and housing for affected families. Time's inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy List was published on Tuesday (May 20), and it also recognizes musical theater star Lin-Manuel Miranda, actors Michael Sheen and Mariska Hargitay, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, and many others. (Taste of Country)

During Morgan Wallen’s headlining set on Sunday night (May 18) at his inaugural Sand in My Boots music festival, the country music superstar hinted that he might just put on another event in the future. "Me and a couple of my closest friends and teammates have been throwing around the idea of throwing a music festival for a long time now,” Wallen said. “And with a lot of hard work and a lot of really great artists, we got to make that happen.” Following a huge ovation from the sold-out crowd, Wallen added, "Alright cool. We'll try and do it again sometime." During his set – where he was joined by Bailey Zimmerman and ERNEST – Wallen debuted a series of new songs from his just-released album, I'm the Problem, which dropped on the opening night of the festival on Friday (May 16). Wallen will launch his I'm the Problem Tour on June 20 at NRG Stadium in Houston, with a series of opening acts joining him on select dates including Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, and Thomas Rhett. (People)

Luke Combs is collaborating with Jon Bellion on their tender new duet, "Why," with both the country music star and the pop singer-songwriter sharing teasers of their new track on their respective social media channels on Monday (May 19). The song features a departure from Combs' traditional sound with poppier production, but aligns with his recent focus on more mature and introspective lyrical themes. While Combs plans to take a break from touring in 2025 to spend time with his young family, the two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year has also recently hinted that he is working on new music and preparing for a major tour in 2026. No official release date for "Why" has been announced at this point, with no word yet about whose project will eventually feature the emotional collaboration. Though Bellion’s teaser post lists the track as “Why” (featuring Luke Combs), which suggests that the song will eventually be included on the pop star’s future release. (Taste of Country)

Rising country star Lauren Watkins is currently on the road supporting Zach Top on his Cold Beer and Country Music Tour. During their final show together on Saturday night (May 17) in Indianapolis, Top surprised Watkins with some incredible news. “Before you go anywhere, we’ve got something very special to announce tonight,” Top said. “Miss Lauren Watkins is gonna be making her Grand Ole Opry debut on June 20… you’re gonna kill it.” Watkins shared the emotional moment in an Instagram post following the show, writing: “I’ve been waiting a long time for this exact moment and it couldn’t have been more special. I love country music with all my heart and it is the biggest honor to get to play the Grand Ole Opry on June 20th!” Watkins also revealed that she will be sharing her new single, “I’ll Get Through It,” on May 30. “This is a fun one, I’m so excited for y’all to hear it,” she wrote. “Cheers to more songs in 2025!” (Holler)

Alan Jackson played his final concert on his Last Call: One More for the Road Tour in Milwaukee on Saturday (May 17), marking the end of the country music legend’s 30-year touring career. Jackson is retiring from the road due to the effects of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a nerve disorder that he was diagnosed with four years ago that is impairing his performance. “Y’all may have heard that I’m kinda winding down. In fact, this is my last roadshow of my career,” Jackson said as the crowd cheered in support. “I appreciate it. Y’all gonna make me tear up out here. Thank you all so much for all your support of my music and attending my shows.” The singer then made a surprise announcement of one last special show he has in the works. “We’re planning on doing a big finale show in Nashville next summer sometime. I just felt like I had to end it all where it all started, and that’s in Nashville, Tennessee," he said. "I've got to do my last one there.” (People)

Jelly Roll was joined by special guest Eminem for a surprise performance of the rapper’s 2002 Oscar-winning hit, "Lose Yourself," at Detroit's Ford Field on Sunday night (May 18). Jelly started the song on his own before Em joined him during the second verse, with the duo joining together on the track’s rousing chorus. “Detroit, what up?! Make some noise for Jelly Roll!” Eminem said to the crowd as he was leaving the stage. “Long time, no see. I love y’all. Peace!” Jelly Roll was clearly thrilled to collaborate with the rap superstar in his home city, announcing to the audience, “If you can’t tell, that was a childhood dream come fu**ing true, Detroit. This is the greatest show I’ve ever had in my fu**ing life,” while adding that Eminem’s music “helped me through the darkest moments of my life.” The show was part of Post Malone’s ongoing Big Ass Stadium Tour, which is set to hit U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Tuesday (May 20). (Rolling Stone)

In a new interview with People, Nate Smith reveals how he has shed 55 lbs without dieting by making small lifestyle changes, like reducing his alcohol consumption while increasing his protein intake. The 39-year-old country star, known for hits like "Whiskey on You" and "World on Fire," admits that his success in the music industry encouraged him to lead a self-destructive lifestyle. "Last year and the year before were a blur," admits Smith. “I was drunk so often at shows. I was trying to find an escape, and literally that was my thing. It was the funnest time of my life, but I didn't realize I was killing myself. You can't party every day. It has to be a treat, especially if you want to be here for the long haul." Being diagnosed with a respiratory infection led Smith to adjust his diet and make better life choices, which has caused him to feel happier and more confident. "I’m not even close to my goal," Smith admits, "but I'm way happier where I'm at, and I feel better about the way I look." (People)

Sam Hunt's "Country House" rises two places this week to reach No. 10 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart, marking his 13th career Top 10 hit. The song was co-written by Hunt, Ross Copperman, Michael Lotten, and Josh Osborne, and is included in his recent release, Locked Up. Hunt, a native of Cedartown, Georgia, has a successful history on the charts, with multiple No. 1 hits like "Outskirts," "23," and his crossover smash, "Body Like a Back Road." Hunt is currently on tour, and is next set to perform at the Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City, Florida. Meanwhile, Morgan Wallen continues to dominate Country Airplay with his current hit, "I'm the Problem," holding the No. 1 spot on the chart for a fifth consecutive week. This marks the third chart-topper from his album of the same name, joining “Love Somebody” and “Lies Lies Lies.”  Wallen’s latest single, "Just in Case," is also making a notable climb on the chart, reaching a peak of No. 15 this week. (Billboard)

During an appearance on The Today Show on Friday (May 16), Trisha Yearwood shared a story about being discouraged from songwriting at the age of 19 by an offhand comment from a man. “Bless his heart. I’m sure he probably wouldn’t even remember ever saying it, but… I was 19 years old. And I gave him a bunch of poetry,” Yearwood recalls. “Everybody in Nashville’s writing. I was in college. He just said, ‘Yeah, you’re a good singer, but you’re not really a writer.’ And I just let it be the truth for 40 years.” The 60-year-old country star is now set to release her first album of co-written songs, The Mirror, in July, with Yearwood crediting a fresh, new perspective which led her to start writing for herself. “I had this kind of ‘a ha’ moment. I turned 60 last year, and I highly recommend it. Everything sort of opened up,” she said. “I just thought, ‘That doesn’t have to be the truth about me just because somebody says it.’ And I started writing for me.” (People)

Morgan Wallen's fourth studio album, I'm the Problem, was just released on Friday (May 16), and the album has already scored record-breaking streaming numbers on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music. The 37-track album – released by Big Loud/Mercury – also set new records for the most streamed country album in 2025 on Spotify and Amazon Music, with Billboard confirming its status as the biggest country album of the year by first-day streams. “Morgan Wallen just made country history—again,” Spotify shared on X on Friday. I’m the Problem features high-profile collaborations with artists like Tate McRae, Eric Church, HARDY, ERNEST, and Post Malone, along with a series of previously released chart-topping singles from the album. On the same day that his new album dropped, the country superstar also launched his inaugural Sand in My Boots Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with the three-day event boasting a lineup featuring Wallen alongside fellow headliners Brooks & Dunn and Post Malone, joined by HARDY, Riley Green, Ella Langley, and Bailey Zimmerman. (Billboard)