Longform

Bad traffic forced Tim McGraw to face his feelings and record a very emotional coda to his new Damn Country Music album.

Jay Joyce and Carrie Underwood make strange bedfellows, and that’s the point.

It was "ugly crying." Not tearing up, getting misty, needing a moment or even weeping — ugly crying. Sara Haze is proud of her tears, and she should be. October's #LetTheGirlsPlay artist recently watched a dream come true.

The path to Charles Kelley’s new solo project was short and straight. His Lady Antebellum bandmates were in agreement that after nearly a decade, they needed to take some time to recharge before beginning a new chapter. Kelley had a few ideas for songs that wouldn’t quite work for the trio. Call it a side project, or a solo project, or whatever you want to call it. Kelley calls it “personal.”

Joe Bonsall has seen it all in his 40 years with the legendary Oak Ridge Boys, from the struggles of the early days to the triumph of No. 1 hits, sold-out concerts arenas and winning just about every award imaginable.

Olivia Lane's energy knows no borders. She's Red Bull and coffee mixed with Sara Evans and Jennifer Nettles. When she sings, her big country voice demands that you pay attention, but it does so politely, promising sugar and sprinkles from behind a sweet smile.

Emmylou Harris is not only one of the most-respected musicians of her generation, she is also a very passionate advocate for animals. Her work on behalf of homeless animals is highlighted in the PBS program, Shelter Me: Partners for Life.

If the Judds’ residency in Las Vegas is as entertaining as a 15-minute conversation about their careers and relationship, the Venetian audience will be left begging for more time.

Craig Morgan's new single may be the most autobiographical song he has ever released -- which is particularly interesting in light of the fact that he didn't write it.

Bruno Mars is genre-less. He's too funky to be pop, and he's not quite hip-hop. Adult contemporary radio stations will play his music, and country singers call him an influence. Intentionally or not, the singer has shed himself of labels, and the result is a sound and style that everyone wants to turn up loud.