Fans at Hoofbeat Country Fest in Cadott, WI, got a night to remember when Riley Green turned what could have been a setback into something unforgettable. With Ella Langley unexpectedly dropping from the lineup, Green decided to give a couple of rising stars the chance to shine — and they absolutely delivered.

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During his headlining set in front of more than 20,000 fans, Green surprised the crowd by bringing out Hailey James and country trio Just Jayne to fill in for Langley on their duets.

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Hailey, who had already performed on the main stage earlier in the day, wasted no time shooting her shot. After hearing the news about Langley’s exit on 102.9 The Wolf, she posted a heartfelt video on social media asking Green to let her step in. She introduced herself, reminded him that she once went viral for being pulled on stage by Dustin Lynch, and even sang an acoustic version of “You Look Like You Love Me” to prove she was ready. Her boldness paid off — the very next night, she joined Green on stage, singing her heart out to roaring applause.

@cow97.1

You never know what’ll happen in the Hayfield! #midwestcmo #countrymusic #rileygreen #ellalangley 🎥: @ty beanie baby

♬ original sound – COW97.1

But Hailey wasn’t the only one to catch Green’s attention. Country trio Just Jayne made their pitch in true TikTok fashion, posting playful videos ahead of the festival. One showed them joking about scrolling Riley’s Instagram, while another featured a band member listening to his duet “Don’t Mind If I Do” with Langley. Their creativity worked — Green invited them up, too, and the crowd loved every second of it.

What could have been a disappointment turned into a breakout moment for two up-and-coming acts, proving Riley Green isn’t just a headliner — he’s also a champion for the next generation of country music.

@justjaynemusic

crying 😭

♬ Worst Way – Riley Green

The festival rolls on with Lainey Wilson taking the stage tonight and Brooks & Dunn closing things out tomorrow, but it’s safe to say Riley’s set will be one fans talk about for years.

When it comes to honoring Glen Campbell, one song stands above the rest — “Rhinestone Cowboy.” It wasn’t just his biggest hit, it became his nickname, his anthem, and the song that carried him to ACM Single of the Year, multiple American Music Awards, and Grammy nominations.

Glen’s career speaks for itself: more than 70 albums, over 45 million records sold, countless chart-toppers, and even a role in True Grit that earned him acting acclaim. With more than five decades in the spotlight, the Academy of Country Music recognized his remarkable journey by presenting him with the Career Achievement Award at the 2016 ACM Honors.

So when it came time to pay tribute, it took not one, but four country powerhouses to do it justice. Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Dierks Bentley, and Keith Urban took the stage together, blending their voices on “Rhinestone Cowboy” in a performance that was equal parts heartfelt and electric.

And the most touching part? Glen’s youngest daughter, Ashley Campbell, stood alongside them, playing banjo and singing backup. Her presence made the moment feel deeply personal, as if the family itself was sharing this tribute with the world.

The crowd clapped along, smiling through tears, and for a few minutes, Glen’s spirit filled the room again. Though Alzheimer’s took him from us in 2017, this performance was a reminder that his music — and his legacy — will always shine.

Rapper BigXthaPlug is shaking things up with his brand-new country-inspired album I Hope You’re Happy, which dropped this past Friday. The project features some of the biggest names in the country scene — Ella Langley, Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Bailey Zimmerman, and Luke Combs — blending hip-hop beats with country storytelling.

The record is already making waves. His collaboration with Bailey Zimmerman, “All The Way”, soared to the top of the country airplay charts and even cracked the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 — a rare crossover hit that’s got both country and rap fans buzzing.

Of course, some country traditionalists are raising eyebrows at the idea of a rapper “going country.” But BigX has been clear: this isn’t a straight-up country album — it’s a collab project, with country artists lending their voices to rap tracks. Think of it less as “rap meets country” and more as “rap meets country stars.” Similar to when Diplo and Audien blended EDM with country, this one is about breaking boundaries.

@madeitoutofmexico

Describes a lot of usss 🤣🤣❤️❤️ #ellalangley #countrymusic #bigxthaplug #hellatnight #foryoupage

♬ original sound – Dalton J. Hammock

One of the standouts from the album is his track with Ella Langley, “Hell At Night.” And in a recent chat with Amber Anderson and Kelly Sutton on Amazon’s Country Heat Weekly podcast, BigX opened up about meeting Ella for the first time — and the story sounds straight out of a rom-com.

He admitted he didn’t even know who she was until the day they met, but the moment she walked into the room, everything changed:

“Ella Langley, I didn’t know who she was at the time. She comes walking up to me, it was like a light around her. And she was just walking and her hair was just… it was like a movie.

I’ve never fell in love with a person the first day, I was in love. I was in love. I have a crush on Ella Langley. I will say that right now, I do.”

With Ella quickly becoming one of the most exciting young voices in country music — scoring major radio hits and winning awards — it’s no surprise BigX was captivated. And while she’s taking a short break from touring this month, fans are already joking that he’ll be even more smitten once he sees her live show in action.

For now, the internet is loving this unexpected crossover — not just musically, but maybe romantically too. After all, sometimes the best duets start with a little spark offstage.

Miranda Lambert showed incredible strength on Saturday as she returned to the stage for the first time since the heartbreaking loss of her dear friend and longtime bandmate, Scotty Wray.

The country superstar lit up the NHL Stadium Series in Nashville, TN, dazzling the packed Nissan Stadium crowd in a sparkling silver sequin top, skinny jeans, a studded belt, and a fringed jacket. With her signature energy and charm, Miranda delivered powerful performances of “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” and “Kerosene.”

She later joined Dierks Bentley for a crowd-pleasing duet of ZZ Top’s “Gimme All Your Lovin’” during the game’s intermission. Even after the Nashville Predators’ tough loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Miranda kept spirits high, wrapping up in a cozy floor-length coat as she enjoyed the rest of the evening with fans.

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A few days later, she shared some fun snapshots on Instagram with the simple caption: “Weekend fun.” Fans couldn’t stop gushing over her look and presence:

• “Loving this lip color and makeup on you, lady… just beautiful,” wrote one admirer.

• “You looked gorgeous, and the performance was amazing,” added another.

• “Queen energy! You’re truly in your prime,” cheered a fan.

But beneath the glitter and smiles, Miranda is still carrying the weight of her loss. Just days earlier, she paid a heartfelt tribute to Scotty on Instagram, sharing photos from their 20+ years of friendship and music together.

“Last night I lost one of my most treasured friends, bandmates, and road family members, Scotty Wray,” she wrote. “We met in 2001 when I was just 17, and that was the beginning of our journey. We played countless gigs, wrote songs, fought, laughed, cried, and even got matching arrow tattoos after making it through tough times together.”

Calling him one of the most talented guitar players she’d ever known, Miranda added: “Heaven is lucky, because that honky-tonk band up there just gained another guitar-pickin’ angel.”

Through her grief, Miranda continues to honor Scotty’s memory the best way she knows how—by pouring her heart into her music and connecting with fans who have loved her through every high and low.

Gwen Stefani gave fans the surprise of the night when she popped up at her husband Blake Shelton’s show and belted out her classic hit “Don’t Speak.” Though she’s stepped back from the spotlight in recent years, Gwen proved she hasn’t lost her spark, commanding the stage with her signature energy and charisma.

The performance wasn’t just a throwback—it came with a country twist. Backed by Blake’s band, the rock ballad was reimagined with a Southern flavor, and Gwen delivered it with the same passion she did nearly 30 years ago. Fans were on their feet instantly, soaking up every moment.

Blake, meanwhile, was happy to play the supporting role, strumming along on acoustic guitar and letting his wife shine. It was a heartfelt moment that showed just how much the couple loves performing together. The crowd couldn’t get enough of Gwen’s infectious stage presence, and the room buzzed with excitement.

Of course, this isn’t the first time the two have teamed up musically. They recorded the duet “Nobody But You” for Blake’s 2019 Fully Loaded: God’s Country album. At the time, Blake praised Gwen’s perfectionism and raw talent, admitting she often doesn’t realize just how powerful her voice really is.

“Don’t Speak” holds a special place in Gwen’s career. Written during her breakup with No Doubt bandmate Tony Kanal, the song marked a turning point in her journey as a songwriter. Despite the heartbreak that inspired it, the single went on to become No Doubt’s biggest global hit, topping charts around the world and racking up hundreds of millions of streams to this day.

Decades later, the song still resonates—and seeing Gwen bring it to life on Blake’s stage was proof that true classics never fade.

At Riley Green’s Damn Country Music Tour stop in Youngstown, Ohio, fans got a performance that shut down a lot of chatter — at least for one night.

For weeks, country music circles have been buzzing about a rumored love triangle involving Riley, his duet partner Ella Langley, and fellow star Megan Moroney. It all started after the ACM Awards, when Riley and Ella’s chemistry on their duet “You Look Like You Love Me” had fans convinced there was something more than friendship going on. Both artists laughed it off quickly, with Riley joking that Ella was “too smart” to date him. Still, they knew from the beginning that the song’s romantic storyline would spark comparisons to classic country couples like Tim McGraw and Faith Hill or George Jones and Tammy Wynette.

@grace.ipp

#rileygreen #ellalangley #countrymusic #country

♬ original sound – grace.ipp

Riley explained it this way:

“Ella’s probably too smart to date me anyway. But that’s kinda the thing about country fans — they love the idea of a country music couple. We knew people would talk, but it’s part of the fun.”

Even Ella made it clear that they’re just good friends. But once Riley was spotted more often with Megan Moroney, the rumor mill shifted gears — fans started speculating that they might be the real couple.

Some even thought Riley and Ella’s friendship had soured. But judging by last night’s performance, that couldn’t be further from the truth. During their duet, Riley once again switched up the lyrics to “You Look Like You Love Me”, dropping the line:

“Boy, let me tell you, she was the prettiest thing I’d ever seen wearing bangs and a pair of boots.”

The crowd went wild, and Ella couldn’t help but laugh on stage.

Fans who’ve been following the saga were quick to point out in the comments that whatever tension there may have been, it doesn’t show anymore:

“Idk what has changed, and it’s not my business, but they are having fun singing this song again, and that’s all I will say.”

So, whether it’s just a great stage act or a sign of an easy friendship, one thing is clear — Riley and Ella still know how to make their duet shine.

And when it comes down to it, “You Look Like You Love Me” remains exactly what it was meant to be: a country love song that fans can’t stop talking about.

Amid her fast-rising career, Ella Langley recently sat down with Country Now for a special “Pupdate” chat, where she opened up about her journey in music, life with her two beloved pups, and her passion for helping animals.

It’s a chilly morning in Nashville, and Ella is cozied up in a brown winter coat inside a suite at the JW Marriott. As soon as she settles onto the couch, her dogs Crue and Bee jump right up beside her, eager for attention. With a smile and a few treats in hand, Ella introduces her furry companions.

Meet Crue and Bee
Crue, her six-year-old Spaniel, is her “ride or die.” She adopted him while in college at Auburn, and he’s been her constant companion ever since. “He’s literally toured everywhere I’ve played. He’s my road dog,” Ella laughs, calling him “too smart for his own good.”

Then there’s Bee, her one-and-a-half-year-old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, who Ella lovingly describes as her “silly girl.” Still adjusting to life on the road, Bee is playful, quirky, and, as Ella notes, “kind of slinky — she’s got a little fox in her.”

Growing up on a farm with cows, horses, and chickens, Ella says her love for animals started early and has only deepened as her career has grown.

Giving Back Through Rescue
That love has also inspired Ella to take action. She’s now a founding board member of The Pawsitive Rescue Division, a nonprofit dedicated to finding forever homes for dogs in need. What started with Ella making simple adoption videos has already led to multiple rescues finding families. Since then, she’s helped with adoption events, fundraising efforts, and hopes to do even more.

“I didn’t really plan on starting a nonprofit in the middle of the busiest time of my career,” she admits with a grin, “but it just happened — and I’m so glad it did.”

Looking ahead, Ella dreams of opening an animal sanctuary in Alabama where she can combine two causes close to her heart: animal care and mental health support. “I’d love to create a place where people can heal while caring for animals. When you hug a horse or play with a dog that hasn’t always been loved, it changes how you see life.”

Balancing Music and Purpose
For Ella, giving back helps balance the often self-focused world of music. “So much of this career is about me — my songs, my shows. But helping animals makes me feel grounded and grateful.”

That mission recently got a boost when Miranda Lambert’s Muttnation Foundation donated $5,000 to The Pawsitive Rescue Division — a full-circle moment for Ella, who looks up to Miranda as both an artist and animal advocate. “It was surreal. I mean, I got to spend the day with Miranda Lambert and help dogs find homes. How amazing is that?”

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Just Getting Started
Of course, Ella’s music career is soaring right alongside her rescue work. After years of grinding, she and her band are now seeing the payoff — sold-out shows packed with fans singing along to every word.

“You can feel that the connection is real,” she says, still a little amazed. “This is just the beginning, and I’m having so much fun.”

With her music taking off and her animal advocacy growing stronger, Ella Langley is proving she’s not just building a career — she’s building a legacy full of heart, purpose, and love for the four-legged friends who’ve been with her every step of the way.

Country music fans got a double dose of good news when Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert both scored big nominations at the upcoming iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Carrie and Jason Aldean’s powerful duet “If I Didn’t Love You” is in the running for Country Song of the Year, and it also picked up a nod for Best Collaboration. Meanwhile, Miranda will be facing off with some of country’s biggest names—Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, and Thomas Rhett—for the coveted Country Artist of the Year award.

The competition is fierce. Alongside Carrie’s duet, hits like “Famous Friends” by Chris Young & Kane Brown, “Forever After All” by Luke Combs, Parmalee & Blanco Brown’s “Just The Way”, and Gabby Barrett’s “The Good Ones” are all up for Country Song of the Year.

Carrie’s nominations don’t stop there—she’ll also be up against the likes of Doja Cat and Justin Bieber in the Best Collaboration category. Fans couldn’t hide their excitement online, with one gushing, “YES!!! CONGRATS!” while others shouted out Miranda’s nominations. One cheeky fan even asked, “What? No Marfa love?” referring to her recent album.

The iHeartRadio Awards are all about celebrating the artists and songs that dominated the airwaves in 2021. This year’s show will also feature fun fan-voted categories like Best Fan Army, Best Lyrics, Best Music Video, TikTok Bop of the Year, and even the first-ever TikTok Songwriter of the Year award.

Beyond country, the star-studded nominee list includes Adele, Abba, and Kacey Musgraves for Best Comeback Album, while Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Ariana Grande, and Dua Lipa battle it out for Female Artist of the Year. On the men’s side, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Lil Nas X, and The Weeknd are all in the running.

The 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards will air live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Tuesday, March 22, streaming on Fox and iHeartMedia stations. Fans can start voting today and have until March 15 to make their voices heard.

Looks like it’s shaping up to be an exciting night — and Carrie and Miranda are right in the spotlight! 🌟🎶

When Little Big Town stepped onto the ACM Awards stage to introduce Keith Urban, they hinted at just how special the next moment would be. They shared that the first time Urban heard “Burden”, he was so moved he had to stop in his tracks. Moments later, everyone watching understood why.

From the very first line, Urban poured his heart into the performance. Singing words like “I could carry your burden” and “Come to me, my brother, and I will sit with you a while”, his voice carried both tenderness and strength. The emotion was palpable — not only in the crowd but also in his biggest supporter, wife Nicole Kidman, who was seen beaming proudly from the front row.

At 51, Urban proved once again that his gift lies in more than just music — it’s in his ability to connect. Whether it’s a chart-topping hit of his own or a soul-stirring cover, he brings an honesty to the stage that leaves audiences feeling both understood and uplifted.

“Burden” has since become one of Urban’s most unforgettable live moments. Fans continue to revisit it online, a reminder of how music can comfort, heal, and bring people together. Keith Urban didn’t just sing that night — he reminded us all that sharing the weight of life’s struggles makes the journey a little lighter.