Wide Open Country

Wide Open Country is a fresh media platform dedicated to country music and the lifestyle that surrounds it. We see country music not just as a genre, but as a way of living. Located in Austin, Texas, Wide Open Country offers a wide range of content that explores everything from mainstream to indie country music. Our coverage also includes topics like country fashion, food and drinks, travel within the country, and various aspects of country culture. Established in 2015, Wide Open Country is a sister site to Wide Open Spaces, which is the leading online resource for hunting, fishing, and shooting sports.

National

English

Online/Digital

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#77594

United States

#18075

News and Media

#876

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

4 Country Artists Who Reinvented Themselves and Came Out Even Stronger

2 days ago | wideopencountry.com | Gayle Thompson

Just because an artist starts out one way in country music, doesn't mean they have to stay that way. As the genre evolves and changes, so have several of the most successful country music stars. We picked four of our favorite country music artists who chose to reinvent themselves, and came out even stronger as a result. For Trisha Yearwood, it's never too late to make a change.
4 Of The Oldest Country Stars Still Touring Today

2 days ago | wideopencountry.com | Gayle Thompson

For some country stars, retirement just isn't an option. Several of the biggest hitmakers within the genre maintain a robust touring schedule, in spite of their advanced years. We picked four of the oldest country stars who are still touring today. Any list about country stars who refuse to let age slow them down needs to include Willie Nelson. Now 92 years old, Nelson is still touring, with more dates on his calendar than artists half his age.
Grammy-Nominated Singer To Undergo Double Mastectomy After Breast Cancer Diagnosis'

2 days ago | wideopencountry.com | Gayle Thompson

Jessie J is sharing some heartbreaking news with her fans. The Grammy-nominated singer, whose real name is Jessica Ellen Cornish, reveals on social media that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and will be undergoing a double mastectomy. The news comes shortly after the talented singer released her "No Secrets" single.
Faith Hill Seems To Have Disappeared From Country Music, And She May Not Be Coming Back

3 days ago | wideopencountry.com | Gayle Thompson

Faith Hill seems to have disappeared from country music, and she may not be coming back. The former country music superstar had a lengthy list of hits, spanning almost two decades. Hill had a No. 1 hit with her debut single, "Wild One," in 1993. That song was followed by several more radio hits, including "Take Me As I Am," "Piece of My Heart," "This Kiss" and more.
4 Country Covers That Are Arguably Better Than the Original Song

3 days ago | wideopencountry.com | Gayle Thompson

While country music artists often like to write and record their own songs, numerous artists over the years have covered someone else's songs, whether it's country or an entirely different genre. We picked four country covers that definitely sound better than the original. Reba McEntire made "Fancy" so popular, it's easy to forget that someone else recorded the song first. McEntire released "Fancy" in 1991, from her Rumor Has It album.
Thomas Rhett Defends Artists Like Post Malone And Beyoncé In Country Music

3 days ago | wideopencountry.com | Gayle Thompson

Thomas Rhett is defending artists like Post Malone and Beyoncé in country music. Amid the ongoing arguments, Rhett says their addition in country music is only good for the genre. "I guess you have to ask yourself the question, 'How many people do you want to know about country music?'" Rhett reflects. "[There are] a lot of people that were brought into country music with a lot of different artists in our genre. [They] might not have listened, had it not been for a couple of different artists.
Darius Rucker Reveals He Wanted To Be A Country Singer Before Hootie & the Blowfish

3 days ago | wideopencountry.com | Gayle Thompson

Darius Rucker shocked plenty of country music fans in 2008, when he released his first country music album, Back to Then. At the time, Rucker was best known as the founding member and lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish. While many assumed Rucker's country album was just a temporary creative departure, Rucker reveals he actually wanted to be a country music singer before ever starting Hootie & the Blowfish, ever since hearing Radney Foster's Del Rio, TX 1959, released in 1992.
Jelly Roll's Wife Bunnie Xo Calls IVF The 'Worst Thing' As She Considers Calling It Quits

3 days ago | wideopencountry.com | Gayle Thompson

Jelly Roll's wife Bunnie Xo is having a hard time as she is undergoing IVF. The couple hoped to have a child together via in vitro fertilization, but the "Save Me" singer's spouse admits she is considering calling it quits, due to the toll it is taking on her body. "I'm in medical menopause and it's been hellacious," Bunnie Xo admits on her Dumb Blonde podcast.
Lainey Wilson Reveals One Surprising Detail About Her Upcoming Wedding

4 days ago | wideopencountry.com | Gayle Thompson

Lainey Wilson just revealed one very surprising detail about her upcoming wedding to Devlin "Duck" Hodges. The two-time ACM Entertainer of the Year reveals that there will likely not be any country music at her nuptials! Instead, Wilson tells Taste of Country Nights that they will be going "the jazz route," a nod to her Louisiana roots. Wilson says they will likely hire a jazz band to perform, allowing her friends to just enjoy the celebration.
Kane Brown To Star Alongside Taylor Lautner In Movie Debut

4 days ago | wideopencountry.com | Gayle Thompson

Kane Brown is making his movie debut! The country music singer will star alongside Twilight actor Taylor Lautner, in a new film, The Token Groomsman. Deadline reports that Lautner portrays a man named Scott, who is invited to be a groomsmen at a lavish wedding in Italy, except he doesn't remember the groom. Scott decides to attend the wedding, not for the celebration, but to make new business connections. He unexpectedly falls for the bride's sister, Mia, while at the wedding festivities.