WTNR-FM (Grand Rapids, MI)

The Grand Ole Opry has announced a special tribute to Charley Pride as part of its Opry 100 celebration, recognizing the legendary singer’s lasting influence on country music. The event is scheduled for September 22 and will bring together several artists to celebrate his life and career. The announcement says Darius Rucker, Pam Tillis, Neal McCoy and Dion Pride are set to perform during the evening, with additional guests expected to be revealed later.

Australian country artist Brad Cox says life away from the stage plays a major role in the music he creates. In an interview with Billboard, he described the balance he has found between touring and spending time at his rural property in central Queensland. Cox spends much of his free time outdoors, looking after beehives, planting trees, and working around the land. Those quieter moments give him space to recharge before returning to songwriting and recording.

Chris Stapleton, Ashley McBryde and Steve Earle are set to perform at the ninth annual Nashville Songwriter Awards. Organizers announced that the ceremony will take place September 22, 2026, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The event will recognize several of the industry’s leading songwriters and highlight notable songs from the past year.

Toby Keith’s Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) has become the highest-charting song of his career on the Hot 100. The latest chart update shows the 2002 single re-entering at No. 11 after a major Fourth of July listening surge. The chart results reflect 15.3 million official streams, 2.6 million radio audience impressions and 6,000 digital sales recorded from July 3 through July 9. The new position moves the song past Red Solo Cup, which reached No. 15 in 2012.

Country singer RaeLynn has filed for divorce from her husband, Joshua Davis, after 10 years of marriage. Court documents filed in Nashville in June 2026 cite irreconcilable differences and identify the filing date as the couple’s date of separation. In a public statement released in July, RaeLynn said the decision came after considerable thought and prayer.

Mel Trotter Ministries 225 Commerce Ave SW 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Phone: 616-454-8249 Services include air conditioning, showers, laundry facilities, water, and outreach assistance. Mel Trotter reports increased use as temperatures rise. Exodus Place 322 Front Ave SW 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Phone: 616-242-9130 Grand Rapids Public Library All branches Open during normal branch hours Phone: 616-988-5400 The libraries are being promoted as official cooling locations.

Niall Horan surprised fans in Nashville by joining Thomas Rhett onstage for a performance of Ella Langley’s Choosin’ Texas. During the shared portion of the show, the two singers also performed One Direction’s Steal My Girl, Horan’s solo single Heaven and Rhett’s Die a Happy Man. The song choices brought together material from both artists’ careers while giving the audience an unexpected pop-country collaboration. The appearance also reflected an established connection between Horan and Rhett.

Country music artist John Rich has been appointed Special Envoy for American Landowners, a new role announced alongside the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The appointment, made by President Donald Trump, is intended to strengthen communication between federal officials and people who own and work agricultural land across the country. The announcement says Rich will meet with farmers, ranchers, and private landowners to hear their concerns and share feedback with USDA leadership.

Riley Green has released the official music video for Think As You Drunk, giving fans a visual companion to one of the standout tracks from his latest project. The video follows the song’s easygoing, playful spirit with scenes that match its barroom setting and lighthearted storytelling. The release also shines a light on the song’s connection to country music icon Toby Keith.

Brian Potter, the British born songwriter and producer whose work helped shape some of the biggest hits of the 1970s, has died at the age of 87. His daughter confirmed his death, sharing that he had been living with Alzheimer’s disease in recent years. Potter built a successful career through his songwriting partnership with Dennis Lambert. Together, the pair created songs that crossed pop, country, rock, and soul, working with a wide range of artists during one of music’s most influential decades.