According to Billboard and Nielsen Music, 2016 country albums sales were down 11 percent from 2015. Interestingly enough, the top-selling album of 2016—Chris Stapleton’s Traveller—was released in 2015, and so were two other albums in the Top 10: Thomas Rhett’s Tangled Up and Carrie Underwood’s Storyteller. Sam Hunt’s Montevallo was released in 2014. With sales…… MORE
Running from March 7–26—yes, 20 days—Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one of the largest rodeo and livestock exhibitions in the world. Rodeo Houston features a carnival, a bar-b-que contest, 10K race and some of the best live entertainment in the country. The event pulled in almost 2.5 million attendees during last year’s festivities and…… MORE
From Maren and Miranda to Sturgill and Stapleton—and everyone in between—2016 was a stellar year for country singles. We managed to narrow our list down to 10 of the best singles, and now it’s up to you to help us decide who has the supreme single of 2016. Keep in mind, the single had to…… MORE
What Is It: Smoky Mountains Rise is a three-hour telethon broadcast to raise money for the Dollywood Foundation’s My People Fund to benefit those affected by the Sevier County, Tennessee, wildfires. When: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 8 p.m–11 p.m. EST. Who’s Performing: Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers, Alison Krauss, Chris Stapleton, Hank Williams Jr., Alabama,…… MORE
![Charlie Daniels 80th Birthday Volunteer Jam Celebrates a Night of Great Music for a Worthy Cause [Photo Gallery]](https://www.thehitkicker.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/942/2016/12/Charlie-Daniels-Volunteer-Jam-2016-photo-gallery-125x125.jpg)
Overshadowed by the hubbub surrounding the Luke Bryan incident, the Charlie Daniels 80th Birthday Volunteer Jam on Nov. 30 was a tremendous night of music that benefited The Journey Home Project, an organization that supports U.S. military veterans. In addition to a surprise appearance by Randy Travis to help present Charlie with a humanitarian award,…… MORE
The two-time CMA Male Vocalist of the Year, Chris Stapleton, and his wife, Morgane, visited the Big Apple yesterday (Nov. 10) to perform “You Are My Sunshine” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Morgane, a singer/songwriter in her own right, sings lead on the tune that was recorded for Dave Cobb’s Southern Family compilation…… MORE
More than 30 years after renegades Willie Nelson and Ray Charles teamed up to sing “Seven Spanish Angels” on Willie’s compilation album of duets, Half Nelson, two of country music’s current outlaws, Dwight Yoakam and Chris Stapelton, tackled the tune at the 50th annual CMA Awards on Nov. 2. Chris, along with wife Morgane, kicked…… MORE
Some of country’s biggest stars kept the party rolling last night (Nov. 2) after the CMA Awards by taking part in Jimmy Kimmel Live’s Mean Tweets. Trace Adkins, Bonnie Raitt, Randy Houser, Cassadee Pope, Dan + Shay, Cole Swindell, Jana Kramer, Granger Smith, Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen, Little Big Town, Brett Eldredge,…… MORE
The 50th annual CMA Awards Show may end at 10 p.m. CT on ABC, but the night is still young. Following the CMAs, Jimmy Kimmel Live will broadcast live from Hollywood and via hologram from the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Guests tonight include Academy Award-nominee Jessica…… MORE
Chris Stapleton’s “Fire Away” was announced as the winner of the CMA Award for Video of the Year on Good Morning America this morning (Nov. 2) from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, the site of tonight’s 50th annual CMA Awards. The powerful video, directed by Tim Mattia, addresses the growing concern over mental health awareness. “Fire Away”…… MORE
