This is a place for Ben Merritt to share with the FM area all that’s going on in his head. The good, the bad, the ugly and the phenomenal.
Country Beats Weekly 9-23-24
This week in country music is all about honoring roots and creating fresh tunes that pay homage to the past. Chase Rice is trading in his bro-country hat for a more reflective sound with his new album, "Go Down Singin'." His touching song, "You in '85," is a heartfelt tribute to his late father, ble...
Sep 23, 2024
Country Beats Weekly 8-26-24
Looking for some fresh country tunes to liven up your playlist? Look no further! This week's new releases feature a diverse lineup. Thomas Rhett's new song "Church" from his album About a Woman takes listeners on a romantic trip down memory lane, with heartfelt lyrics inspired by Eric Church's iconic music. I...
Aug 26, 2024
Guitar Star in the Making? Gwen Stefani's Son Shines at Blake Shelton's Bar!
Looks like the country music bug runs deep in the blended Stefani-Shelton family! Zuma, Gwen Stefani's 15-year-old son, recently took the stage at his stepdad Blake Shelton's Ole Red Tishomingo bar in Oklahoma. The youngster showcased his talents with a heartfelt rendition of Zach Bryan's hit "Revival," provi...
Jul 31, 2024
From Convict to Cop: Jelly Roll Officially Sworn in as Deputy
Who saw this coming? Jelly Roll, our favorite artist with a tumultuous past, has just traded in his performing mic for a sheriff's badge! In an inspiring and totally surprising ceremony in Flint, Michigan, Jelly Roll's journey came full circle as he was officially sworn in as a sheriff's deputy. Now that's what we call...
Jul 30, 2024
Lainey Wilson Breaks New Ground with Miranda Lambert Duet!
Get ready to saddle up for some good tunes! Lainey Wilson is shaking things up with her new song, "Good Horses," featuring none other than country queen Miranda Lambert. This track marks a significant milestone as it's the first duet ever to be included on one of Lainey's albums, and we couldn't be more excit...
Jul 30, 2024
Country Beats Weekly 7-29-24
Another Monday, that means it's time to crank up the volume and dive into the latest edition of the Country Beats Weekly. This week's lineup is hotter than a July asphalt road, featuring fresh tunes from Red Clay Strays, American Aquarium, and the legendary Jamey Johnson. Hold onto your cowboy hats because Post Malone ...
Jul 29, 2024
Post Malone's 'F-1 Trillion' Guest List Leaked: Dolly, Jelly Roll, and Country Royalty!
Post Malone is taking us on a wild ride with his 'F-1 Trillion' album, and he's bringing along some legendary passengers. A leaked tracklist from none other than Target's website spilled the beans on a bunch of A-listers set to feature on the album. We're talking Jelly Roll, Dolly Parton, Chris Stapleton, Tim McGraw, B...
Jul 29, 2024
Jelly Roll's Wife Bunnie XO Faces Health Scare: "I'm Really Fu**ing Scared"
Bunnie XO, wife of the country music sensation Jelly Roll, recently shared some troubling news about her health. In an emotional revelation, she admitted feeling "really fu**ing scared and stressed out" after receiving her test results. Bunnie's transparency with her fans not only underscores the gravity of h...
Jul 26, 2024
Riley Green Drops New Single "Rather Be" This Friday-Sneak Peek Inside!
Riley Green is back at it with a brand new single titled "Rather Be," hitting the airwaves this Friday, June 26th. The Alabama native made the exciting announcement earlier this evening. So, what are y'all waiting for? Go on and pre-save it. (Yes, there's a handy link in Riley's bio!) In case you missed it, R...
Jul 26, 2024
When Achy Breaky Love Turns Into a Courtroom Brawl: Billy Ray Cyrus vs. Firerose
WELP, grab your popcorn because the drama between Billy Ray Cyrus and his soon-to-be ex-wife Firerose (formerly known as Johanna Hodges) just cranked up a notch. The "Achy Breaky Heart" star didn't hold back after an audio tape of a heated argument between the couple surfaced. In the tape, Cyrus, with the cha...
Jul 25, 2024
Justin Moore's New Single "Put A Boot In It" Promises to Call Out the Posers
If you've been itching for some new music from Justin Moore, your wait is almost over. After dropping the heartfelt "This Is My Dirt" last year, Moore is back with a fire starter that's sure to resonate with true country fans. On Friday, he'll be releasing his newest single, "Put A Boot In It," a so...
Jul 25, 2024
Is Jelly Roll Biting Off More Than He Can Chew? Half Marathon Dreams on Hold!
Jelly Roll, the man with the infectious mix of country, rock, and rap, recently had a chat with Evan Paul that had fans both chuckling and nodding in agreement. It seems the star's ambitions might have gotten the best of him as he comically admitted he might need to rethink his goal of running a half marathon. Looks li...
Jul 24, 2024
Miranda Lambert's Fresh Start: 'Postcards From Texas' Brings a New Chapter
Miranda Lambert is ready to turn over a new leaf with her upcoming album "Postcards From Texas," set to be released on September 13. This isn't just any album drop; it's her first major project since parting ways with her longtime record label, Sony. Step aside, old flames, because Lambert's ready to set the ...
Jul 24, 2024
Zach Bryan Calls Out Internet Rumors: "Stop Being Weirdos"
The internet's rumor mill was working overtime this weekend. All it took was a missed guest spot at Noah Kahan's Fenway Park concert to spark wild speculation. Fans were convinced that Zach Bryan was the mega guest, but things got messy when a Deuxmoi tip hinted he backed out because of a little too much partying. Awkw...
Jul 23, 2024
Kane Brown's Fenway Fancy: Stage Fire Adds Pyro Drama to the Show!
Kane Brown's concert at Boston's Fenway Park went up in flames-literally. As fans grooved to country beats on Saturday night, a fire ignited on the rigging above the stage. Talk about adding some real heat to the performance! The concert had to be paused while crews heroically scaled the scaffolding to douse the blaze....
Jul 23, 2024
Country Beats Weekly 7-22-24
This week's country playlist sees a fantastic blend of collaborations and solo efforts from some of the industry's best. Kicking things off, Jelly Roll teams up with Alexandra Kay for "Leave the Light On," a standout track from the Twisters: The Album soundtrack. Jelly Roll trades his rock-fueled hits for a m...
Jul 22, 2024
Carrie Underwood Brings Southern Charm to the Tropics with Historic Hawaii Shows
Carrie Underwood just made waves in the Aloha State by playing her first-ever shows in Hawaii over the weekend. That's right, this seven-time Grammy Award-winning artist finally graced the islands with her powerhouse vocals and electrifying performance style, leaving fans with a musical experience for the memory books....
Jul 22, 2024
jenniferlinneaphotography / CC
The Next Big Thing in Country Music According to Carly Pearce and Megan Moroney
Carly Pearce and Megan Moroney have given us the inside scoop on who they think is the next to explode onto the country music scene. Say hello to Ella Langley, the name you'll want to remember. According to these two country queens, her talent is beyond ready to shine. With Pearce and Moroney's seal of approval, Langle...
Jul 19, 2024
Mark Chesnutt's Heartfelt Comeback: Recovered and Ready to Rock!
Mark Chesnutt, the iconic '90s country singer, hit a rough patch in June with a serious heart issue that led to an emergency quadruple bypass surgery. But the "Too Cold At Home" singer isn't one to stay down for long. After a successful surgery and some well-deserved porch time soaking in the Texas sun, Chesn...
Jul 19, 2024
Lainey Wilson Teases Return to Yellowstone and Premieres in Twister Movie: Double Whammy!
Lainey Wilson is living the dream - not only is she rocking the country music charts, but she might also be gracing our TV screens again! Lainey attended the star-studded premiere of the Twisters movie this week, proudly featured alongside country giants like Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, and Tyler Childers on the Twist...
Jul 18, 2024