The Best New Country and Roots Albums of 2026 So Far
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As we near the halfway pole of the musical year, it’s time to reflect back on the best albums that have been released so far. The top ten albums listed below should be considered early Album of the Year contenders.
Album Review – Bobby Dove’s “Fortune Teller”
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Bobby Dove once again creates a vibrant and enriching listening experience that reminds you why you devote time to digging deeper than the surface to discover the best stuff.
Country Bass Player Arrested on Child Sex Abuse Charges
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Carsen Richards, who was the bass player and music director for pop country star Chase Matthew, has been arrested on numerous child sex charges. The 22-year-old was arrested at a festival in Kentucky.
Kenny Whitmire Signs New Deal with MCA – Readies Debut EP
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If your appetite for neotraditional country is insatiable, and you’re looking for your next fix wherever it might present itself, Kenny Whitmire would definitely be somewhere to point your nose.
30 Years Ago: Uncle Walt’s Band Founder Dies in ValuJet Plane Crash
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Walter Hyatt of Uncle Walt’s Band might not be as well-recognized of a name as Patsy Cline, Buddy Holly, Montgomery Gentry, or Reba McEntire. But his death was just as tragic, and the fight he died on was tragic.
Western Artist Zach Aaron and the True Meaning of Authenticity
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What exactly “authenticity” is, and what role it plays or should play in country and Western music has always been a fiercely-debated topic; almost as fiercely debated as what country music even is by definition.
What’s (Likely) Going On with Charley Crockett’s New Album “Clovis”
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We don’t know for sure since nobody is talking in either the Charley Crockett camp, or at Island Records. But talking to numerous individuals within the music industry, there is a handful of likely reasons ‘Clovis’ was pulled.
Ballhooter Festival Offers Beefy New Lineup for 2026
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Out in the mountains of West Virginia sits Cheat Mountain and the Snowshoe Ski Resort. This picturesque setting in the heart of Appalachia will be the site for the 2026 Ballhooter Festival set to happen on Labor Day Weekend.
Album Review – Ashley McBryde’s “Wild”
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If Ashley isn’t blowing out your speakers with flamethrowing chainsaw guitar, she’s drowning you in a torrential downpour of waterworks with a power ballad. Even the more hushed moments come with intensity.
See Katrina Cain Win Gold Patch, Emotional Moment on ‘The Hook’
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The inaugural taping of The Hook in Austin, TX happened on May 3rd at Sagebrush, and it was a good thing the cameras were rolling, because numerous moments went down that deserved to be shared with the world.
Charley Crockett New Album “Clovis” Pulled From Streaming
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Streaming service users in the United States and elsewhere noticed on Wednesday afternoon (5-6) that all the tracks on ‘Clovis’ were greyed out, if the album could be found at all.
Move Over Morgan Wallen: The Case That Ella Langley is Country’s New #1 Artist
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What is indisputable at this point is that Ella Langley is nothing short of a country music superstar. She is one of the biggest stars to be launched from the country genre in years, and is one of the biggest artists in all music.
After Raul Malo, The Mavericks Move Forward with New Tribute
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When Malo passed, many wondered would it even be possible for The Mavericks to move forward in any capacity, or would that task be difficult to impossible without the presence of Raul?