All articles tagged with #country music
Dolly Parton, the 80-year-old country icon and philanthropist behind Dollywood and the Imagination Library, died in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer, leaving a legacy of timeless hits (Jolene, I Will Always Love You, 9 to 5) and trailblazing charity—from literacy programs to vaccine support.
A retrospective showing how Dolly Parton turned country clichés inside out—combining a savvy, self-aware image with feminist-tinged songwriting and bold pop crossovers—producing enduring hits like Jolene and 9 to 5, influencing a new generation and proving the joke was on the public in the Barbara Walters interview.
Dolly Parton, the iconic country singer, actress and philanthropist who defined American pop culture with her rhinestones and fearless feminist voice, has died at 80. Her storied career spanned music, film and humanitarian work, leaving a lasting impact on entertainment and society.
Dolly Parton, the legendary country singer, actress, and philanthropist, has died at 80, announced by her nephew. She had recent health issues and canceled a Las Vegas show before her passing, leaving a lasting legacy through Dollywood, the Imagination Library, and decades of influence in music and philanthropy.
Global icon Dolly Parton died in Nashville at age 80 after a seven-decade career defined by hit songs, philanthropy (Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library), and a vast entertainment empire (Dollywood). A private service is planned for immediate family. Her husband Carl Dean preceded her in death last spring, and President Trump ordered flags lowered for a week in her honor. Parton’s legacy includes landmark awards, a forthcoming Broadway musical about her life, and ongoing charitable work; she had recently received global certifications and was set to be honored with the Americana Lifetime Achievement Award next month at the 2026 Americana Honors & Awards. Her final public appearance was June 24 at her Tennessean Travel Stop.
Dolly Parton, the iconic country singer-songwriter and philanthropist behind the Imagination Library, has died at 80. A career spanning hits like Jolene and 9 to 5, film roles, Dollywood, and a lifelong literacy mission, Parton built a sprawling legacy of music, charity and entrepreneurship; she canceled her 2026 Las Vegas residency due to health issues, with a Broadway musical planned to open later this year.
Taylor Swift says she loves her country roots more as she grows, reflecting on Nashville’s influence during a Recording Academy Icon Sessions chat with Harvey Mason Jr. She recalls the Bluebird Cafe as a formative milestone and Faith Hill’s discovery there, notes the self-titled debut’s 20-year anniversary, and highlights her country-leaning single I Knew It, I Knew You while performing a medley on the Eras Tour-era piano.
Brandon Flowers leans fully into country on his third solo LP, Thrasher, enlisting Nashville veterans like David Rawlings and Charlie McCoy to back his neo‑New Wave sensibility with twangy strings, mariachi horns, and sweeping Americana. While some tracks like Red Ground and Tiger’s Blood hit emotionally strong notes, the album often veers into heavy-handed Springsteen‑style melodrama, leaving the back roads feeling more ambitious than cohesive.
Brandon Flowers questions whether fame is worth it as he promotes his Nashville-recorded solo album Thrasher, a country-tinged exploration of his upbringing and personal losses, while balancing expectations for The Killers with family life and hints of a future beyond their early hits.
OutKick reports that Ella Langley posted a Texas-themed Instagram photo dump from three Texas shows (Austin, Corpus Christi, Fort Worth), fueling fan buzz as her hit “Choosin’ Texas” leads the charts and cements her status as a rising country star.
Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” holds at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for an 18th week, bringing it within a week of potentially tying the all-time longest non-holiday No. 1 run; the country hit continues to anchor a Top 5 dominated by country, highlighting the genre’s strong showings on the chart and Langley’s growing record-setting performance.
An expert says Travis Kelce’s rumored shift toward a country music career could cause friction in his newlywed life with Taylor Swift, potentially fueling “marital competitiveness” or a country-legacy handoff, though Swift’s backing could soften tensions. The couple is still in the honeymoon phase after their high-profile wedding, and the outcome may hinge on timing and support.
Taylor Swift will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame this year, joining Lyle Lovett and other Nashville veterans, signaling a warm Nashville welcome for her cross-genre success; she has deep Music Row ties, co-wrote hits with Liz Rose, and is also entering the national Songwriters Hall of Fame this year.
Taylor Swift will become the youngest inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, entering the Contemporary Songwriter/Artists category at a fall ceremony alongside legends like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. She previously became the youngest woman inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in June, and the news comes as she returns to country radio with the Toy Story 5 track “I Knew It, I Knew You.”
Taylor Swift and Lyle Lovett have been named inductees into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, joining other honored writers at the organization’s annual ceremony.