country music

Taylor Swift made Video Music Awards history with a record-setting win, using her acceptance speech to dedicate the honor to Dolly Parton. The moment, reported by Reuters, pairs her chart-topping dominance with a nod to one of country music's most beloved figures, drawing wide attention from fans and entertainment media.

Madonna kicked off the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, delivering the opening moments of the ceremony. Elsewhere in the show, Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to country legend Dolly Parton. The pairing of a pop icon opening the night and a country tribute drew attention from music fans, with coverage focusing on the performances and star power on display.

Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to Dolly Parton with a performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. The singer delivered a homage to the country music legend during the ceremony, drawing attention from fans and media covering the show.

Kacey Musgraves performed a tribute to Dolly Parton at the MTV Video Music Awards, singing 'I Will Always Love You', the song Parton wrote in 1973 and which later became a defining hit for Whitney Houston. The moment is drawing attention as a highlight of this year's ceremony, with fans praising the country star's nod to one of music's most beloved songwriters.

A new museum in Austria is encouraging locals to reconnect with The Sound of Music, the 1965 film that became a global phenomenon yet long went underappreciated at home. The venue, described by curators as 'a joyful place', celebrates the musical's story and filming locations, hoping Austrians will finally embrace a classic that generations of tourists have loved.

Kacey Musgraves performed a heart-wrenching tribute to Dolly Parton at the MTV Video Music Awards, in what was framed as a demonstration of her enduring love and admiration for the country legend. The moment drew attention as one of the emotional highlights of the night, with fans and media reacting to the pairing of two of country music's most beloved figures on the VMAs stage.

Country star Eric Church has announced his first-ever headline tour of Australia, scheduled for 2027. The news was reported by Rolling Stone Australia, marking a milestone for the American singer-songwriter in the Australian market. Details on dates and venues have drawn attention from country music fans in the region.

Singer-songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr. performed the Temple of the Dog classic 'Hunger Strike' alongside Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, according to Rolling Stone. The collaboration pairs the rising country-rock artist with one of grunge's most iconic voices, and fans of both artists are sharing the performance widely.

Eddie Vedder joined singer-songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr. on stage in the United States for a rendition of Hunger Strike, the Temple of the Dog classic, according to Rolling Stone. The pairing of the Pearl Jam frontman with the rising country-rock artist has drawn attention from fans of both acts.

Brock University in Ontario has announced Canada's first international double degree combining musical theatre and education. The program will allow students to train in performance while qualifying as teachers, with an international component built into the course of study. The university positions the offering as a first of its kind in the country, aiming to draw students interested in both the arts and classroom teaching careers.

Country star Kenny Chesney will perform at American Family Field in Milwaukee next July, joined by Eric Church and Sheryl Crow. The show adds another major concert to the stadium's growing slate of summer events, and fans of all three artists are already taking notice of the lineup announcement.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has opened the state's new Office of Music, an initiative aimed at promoting and supporting Kentucky's music industry and heritage. Announcing the office, Beshear pointed to the state's storied musical legacy, naming artists including Tyler Childers, Chris Stapleton, Loretta Lynn and Bill Monroe as examples of Kentucky's outsized influence on country, bluegrass and roots music.

A country music songwriters festival is set to come to Buckeye Lake, Ohio, bringing the writers behind popular country hits to the village southeast of Columbus. Local outlet WSYX reported the announcement, which puts the lakeside community on the map as a destination for the genre's behind-the-scenes talent. Details on dates, lineup and venue have not yet been widely shared.