Cindy Watts

2 days ago | americansongwriter.com | Cindy Watts

Timothy Wayne is Tim McGraw’s nephew, but he hopes that’s not the most interesting thing about himself or his fledgling music career. Wayne is a full-time college student in Louisiana who grew up near Nashville with plans to join the Marines. He’s majoring in history and went to college to attend officer candidate school. But music intervened. “Once I finally picked up a guitar and started playing music, I fell in love with it,” Wayne said.

3 days ago | americansongwriter.com | Cindy Watts

Blake Shelton calls it a mix of “Ole Red” and “God’s Country.” And those who pushed play on Shelton’s new album, For Recreational Use Only, immediately heard what he’s talking about. Shelton launched his new 12-song album with “Stay Country or Die Tryin,’” an up-tempo ode to growing up so far from town that your gas tank better be full before you start the drive home. At Shelton’s insistence, the song opens with a bobwhite quail. And he means it – at his insistence.

4 days ago | americansongwriter.com | Cindy Watts

Blake Shelton jokes Rascal Flatts still treats him like their “opening act.” Shelton opened for the trio in the early 2000s. They’ve reunited, and Shelton said they give him no more consideration now than they did then. Shelton is featured on Flatts’ new collaboration project, Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets, which will be available June 6. The 10-song album includes reimagined versions of the trio’s hits featuring Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Carly Pearce, Backstreet Boys, Jordan Davis, and more.

5 days ago | americansongwriter.com | Cindy Watts

Country music fans recently watched Country Music Hall of Famers Brooks & Dunn win their 17th Academy of Country Music Award for Duo of the Year. The stat means they’re the most successful country duo in the Academy of Country Music’s history. The win surprised many as it was the duo’s first trophy at the ACM Awards in 15 years. However, for better or worse, country music has seen its fair share of more shocking duets.

6 days ago | americansongwriter.com | Cindy Watts

Morgan Wallen has never run from his high-profile mistakes, and country music fans consistently forgive him. The East Tennessee native has 18 No. 1 country radio singles and has spent more than 170 weeks at the top of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart — the most in country music history. And while Morgan is grateful for the grace and continued support from fans, he wants to make his 4-year-old song Indigo proud of him more than anything.