Raised Rowdy

I’d say Cole Barnhill and Sterling Elza are the duo we didn’t know we needed, but let’s face it – we knew we needed this entire time. The two have teamed up for COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR, and the result is every bit as fun and badass as you’d hope. The riffs are great, but the melodies might be even better. Both bring an unmistakable energy to the table, and their vocal work fits together incredibly well.

Josh Mitcham has never been one to stay confined to a single sound, and his new album Gonna Be Alright is no different. Throughout his catalog, Mitcham has shown an ability to stretch across a variety of styles while still maintaining an identity that feels distinctly his own. This record continues that trend, bringing together a vintage-inspired sound with an effortlessly cool, “cool as a cucumber” kind of energy.

Rock powerhouse Tim Montana has plenty to celebrate. His sixth album, Entire State of Tim Montana, arrived July 31 via BBR Music Group/Broken Bow Records, delivering 16 tracks of gritty storytelling, Southern-rock swagger, and hard-rock muscle. Named by actor Charlie Sheen, the album features an extraordinary lineup of collaborators and guests, including Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, ZZ Top vocalist and guitarist Billy F. Gibbons, Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell, and Martin and Charlie Sheen.

What type of country music you play, for me personally, depends on the season. For example, Florida Georgia Line, perfect for the summer. Summer can also be Kenny Chesney, some Morgan Wallen songs, and some Zac Brown Band songs. But, with weather starting to turn over, well at least in the great state of New Jersey, it’s time to adjust the music. I’m talking heavily on Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan, and maybe the best of them all, Dylan Gossett.

At this point, this is becoming a Dexter and The Moonrocks fan page, and I’m totally fine with that. The boys have dropped possibly one of their hardest riffs yet with It’s A Lot, immediately grabbing your attention with a booming, loud rhythm that grooves like no other. There’s a heaviness to the track that feels massive without sacrificing the swagger and personality that makes Dexter and The Moonrocks so damn fun.

The Wilder Blue is, in fact, chasin’ the sun. “Chasin’ The Sun” is the title of the band’s most recent single, released on July 24, 2026. It’s a song that creates its own atmosphere from the very first listen, a summertime soundtrack filled with optimism, freedom, and sunshine. The track serves as the latest preview of their highly anticipated upcoming album, Cinco. The new single is a pure, highway cruising, country-infused jam wrapped inside a wandering love story.

Blacktop Mojo are back with another absolute banger in S.A.D., further proving why they’re one of the most consistent rock bands in the game today. Time and time again, the Texas outfit delivers heavy-hitting releases that never miss, and this latest single is no exception. They continue to refine their signature sound while keeping the intensity and authenticity that fans have come to expect.

Dexter & The Moonrocks have done it again. Their latest single, If You Could Talk, is another absolute banger that continues the incredible run this band has been on. With every release, they seem to find new ways to connect with listeners, and this one taps into emotions that just about anyone who’s ever loved and missed someone can understand. If You Could Talk captures the feeling of loving someone from a distance, balancing vulnerability with the band’s signature energy.

The country music legend that is Alan Jackson played the final show of his career on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Nissan Stadium in downtown Nashville. This will go down as one of the most iconic nights in country music history. Alan’s 40 year career has been a legendary run that very few have even come close to replicating. Alan’s last road show was May 17, 2025, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as part of his Last Call: One More for the Road Tour.

Just a good ol’ boy from Georgia is making quite the splash in the pond of country music, joining honky tonkers like Jake Worthington and Zach Top. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: they’re saving country music! On June 26, 2026, Cole Goodwin released his new EP titled Howdy.