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I would definitely put this man in a country star category.

In a genre lately where you have voices ranging from the likes of Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson, Turnpike Troubadours and Colter Wall, there’s no one doing it like Zach Top on a national scale right now. I mean there are plenty of other artists keeping the traditional scene alive like Jake Worthington and Charley Crockett…but Zach has really made a name for himself.

Right before the release of “Cold Beer & Country Music”, there’s no arguing that “I Never Lie” was the song that helped Zach become a certified traditional country artist. In addition to becoming a viral online hit to say the least, it would eventually become Zach’s first-career #1 song on country radio in May of 2025. That song also received a two time platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Then during his interview on the Zach Sang Show, Zach revealed that “I Never Lie”, along with the entirety of “Cold Beer & Country Music”, was being passed on by a plethora of different labels in 2023. He pointed out that while there was a lot people saying that the record was really good, but he was met with multiple responses from Nashville executives basically saying “get back to us if anything goes viral.”

“I never got any notes specifically other than ‘this isn’t what’s working right now, so let us know if it goes viral or something.’ Everybody liked it. Everybody was like, ‘Wow, it’s really good, but you hear what’s having hits today? This ain’t it.’”

As usual. Those Nashville executives were wrong about there “this ain’t it” comments. Luckily his now label home, Leo33, wasn’t deaf and knew what was happening and took a chance on Zach as they signed him to a deal.

As it stands today, Zach has landed a Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song nomination at the Grammys, a Single and Song of the Year nomination at the ACM Awards and a Single and Song of the Year nod at the 2026 CMAs…and all for that one hit track of his.

I feel with guys Zach, Jake, Spencer Hatcher, Drake Milligan and Dillion Carmichael to name a few… traditional country music is alive and very well.

It’s Memorial Day weekend for 2026 already. And here are five things you might not know about this important holiday…

1. Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all who served in the Armed Forces.

2. It’s always observed on the last Monday of May, which is May 25th this year.

3. May 25th is the earliest it can be Memorial Day. It always falls between May 25th and May 31st.  It will be on the latest possible date, May 31st, next year.

4. It was called Decoration Day from 1868 to 1970. It didn’t officially become Memorial Day until 1971. That’s also when we began observing it on the last Monday of May.

5. There’s an exact moment of remembrance on Memorial Day.  At 3:00 P.M. local time, we’re supposed to pause and remember the brave men and women who died in service to our nation.

(Almanac / AOL / Fox News)

Who’s the best country singer from every state? There’s a list floating around that is getting people talking online.

Let’s start with the best singers from the south:

1. Texas might have had the toughest battle. But they went with King George Strait over legends like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. And God bless Willie and Waylon. Of they should’ve let Texas pick all three.

2. Tennessee had an easier choice and crowned Dolly Parton as its all-time greatest artist.

3. Alabama picked Hank Williams Sr.

4. Georgia gave the title to Alan Jackson.

5. Kentucky chose Chris Stapleton over Loretta Lynn.

6. Oklahoma went with Toby Keith.

7. Louisiana picked Tim McGraw.

8. Arkansas naturally claimed Johnny Cash.

9. Mississippi chose Conway Twitty over Faith Hill and LeAnn Rimes.

10. And North Carolina gave the nod to Eric Church over Luke Combs.

You can check out the picks for rest of the states on the list here. 

Kenny Chesney is still making country music history. 

He’s got a new label home and new music. His latest single, “Carry On”, just became his 100th song to land on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

He is now tied for the most of all-time with the one-and-only King George Strait. The rest of the Top Five is Garth Brooks with 93…Tim McGraw with 91…and Alan Jackson who has 82.

Kenny also holds the record for the most #1s on the Country Airplay chart with 33.

This is also his first release on Hey Now Records, which is a label that was launched earlier this year. And “Carry On” is the first single from his upcoming 21st album…which he says will be out sometime this year.

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CMA Fest 2026 is almost here y’all!

Spotify House just dropped its lineup for CMA Fest 2026 and it’s pretty stacked. You can see Cody Johnson…Jelly Roll…Kane Brown…Keith Urban…Carly Pearce and many more.

It’s all taking place at Blake Shelton’s Ole Red on Broadway from June 4th to June 6th. It will also be a place to catch some great up-and-comers…and there are usually surprise performers who drop in.

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The NHL and Amazon Music announced that Jelly Roll’s new song “Rise Up” will be the official anthem for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The song debuted during Game 1 of the Western Conference Final and will now be featured throughout the rest of the playoffs. Jelly said, “this song was written for the guys grinding every night for the Cup. This is their song.”

The NHL said Jelly’s music brings the exact “energy, speed and power” the league wanted for the playoffs.

(American Songwriter / NHL)

Welcome to Friday May 22, 2026. And we do in fact have some new country music here.

Now be sure to do your part in visiting your neighbor liquor store to pair your favorite alcohol with your new favorite country music, because it’s how country music is supposed be enjoyed. Don’t let anyone judge you for it neither.

Projects (Albums & EPs): 

Ben Chapman – “Feet On Fire”
Reba McEntire – “Hurt Like That”
Ian Harrison – “Jealous”
Julia Cole – “Love You To Death”

Singles:

Bailey Zimmerman – “The Climb”
Brad Paisley feat. David Lee Murphey – “Hi Ho Silverado”

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Tyler Hubbard – “Land”

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Chris Young feat. Shaylen – “One of Us”
Jesse Welles – “Masks Off”
Elizabeth Nichols – “Paul Revere”
Ingrid Andress – “All The Best”
Erin Kinsey feat. Dylan Marlowe – “Say I’m Wrong”
Landon Smith – “SUPERTRAMP”
Aaron Lewis – “Give My Country Back”

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Brandi Carlile – “Life On The Run”
Jonathan Peyton – “Back to Ohio”
Grace Tyler – “Fear of Flying”
Hayden Coffman – “Last Summer”
Adam Doleac – “Shady”
Lily Meola – “Daisies”
Ryan Jewel – “Barrel Full of Whiskey”
Jimmy Cantwell – “Cowboy Singer”
Christian Parker – “Bottle”
Rose Falcon – “Redneck Blue”
Trevor Snider – “Last Call”

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Getting a Dairy Queen blizzard is serious business.

This one TikTok uses witnessed a DQ customer ran into a bush and lose a muffler just get in line to order a blizzard. Luckily no one harmed in the process.

I’m just wondering what kind of blizzard this lady ordered though.

This woman’s reaction to seeing these being sold was perfect.

I’m sure what there are and when this one woman fashion…shorts/jeans/chaps things she said, “what in the cowgirl hell are these?” And some people are obviously being overcharged for these things too.

If you’re into looking like a country hooker, you too can get some for the low price of $198.

It wouldn’t be uncommon to hear a kid in a school cafeteria complain about something “tasting like dirt.” It would be uncommon for it to be actual dirt.

A delicious dish of baked dirt was accidentally served during a high school community supper in Maine last week. The school admitted the mistake on social media, saying it was an “unfortunate incident.”

Here’s how it happened, “Earlier in the day, students had baked potting soil as part of a science activity, to sterilize it, so they could later test plant growth. The soil had been placed in a baking dish, covered with foil, and set off to the side.”

During the meal, there was some chaos in the kitchen as the servers were working to quickly deliver food to the tables…and the dish was mistakenly grabbed, and brought out.

Three students ate the soil, thinking it was “a dessert item,” and immediately realized that it…tasted like dirt. Mainly because it was. They spit it out, and the dirt was taken away.

The school insisted that this was a coincidence, and not a prank. There’s no indication that anyone was hurt or sickened by the mix-up. 

(WMTW)