When Kenny Rogers first came across “The Gambler,” his instinct was immediate: the song felt like it belonged to Willie Nelson. Convinced it was a perfect fit, Rogers offered the track to his close friend. Nelson listened—and then politely passed. The journey of “The Gambler” began years earlier. Songwriter Don Schlitz wrote it in 1976, … Read more
@kennedycenter They don’t miss. Several weeks ago, the annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremony took place in Washington, D.C., which recognized the King of Country Music alongside cultural icons like KISS, Sylvester Stallone, Broadway actor Michael Crawford, and disco legend Gloria Gaynor. As I’m sure you’ve heard, the building was recently renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, and while … Read more
When Kenny Rogers first heard “The Gambler,” he was convinced he knew exactly who should sing it. To Rogers, the song felt tailor-made for his longtime friend Willie Nelson. So he did what musicians often do—he offered it to him. But Nelson surprised him by saying no. The story of “The Gambler” stretches back before … Read more
Willie Nelson’s patriotism has never been loud or ceremonial—it’s heartfelt, personal, and deeply rooted in his actions as much as his words. Over the years, he has spoken openly about his love for his country, a devotion shaped in part by his own service in the military and reinforced through decades of music that reflects … Read more
At 92, Willie Nelson doesn’t walk onto a stage to prove his strength. He walks onto it because it’s the one place his life has always aligned. So when his body faltered mid-performance, the moment didn’t feel like a failure or an ending. It felt like truth—arriving gently, honestly, and without apology. It happened quickly. … Read more
What should have been a routine network announcement landed like a thunderclap. When ABC extended Jimmy Kimmel’s contract, it didn’t just make headlines—it set off a digital firestorm. Within minutes, timelines fractured. One side hailed the move as a victory for fearless comedy and free expression. The other decried it as a provocation, proof that … Read more
The Grand Ole Opry didn’t fall quiet the way a room empties. It hushed the way a sanctuary does—thick with reverence, weighted with meaning. Center stage, bathed in warm amber light, stood two men carrying more than guitars: Lukas Nelson and Shooter Jennings. They eased into the opening chords of “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies … Read more
Lainey Wilson and Vince Gill teamed up to honor country music icon Dolly Parton during Grand Ole Opry Goes Dolly on Saturday evening (Jan. 17), delivering one of the night’s most unforgettable moments ahead of Parton’s 80th birthday on Monday, January 19. Wilson kicked off her set with fan favorites “WWDD (What Would Dolly Do),” “Somewhere Over Laredo,” and “4X4XU,” before welcoming … Read more
The national spotlight found Jamal Roberts when he stepped to the microphone to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” ahead of the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship in Miami Gardens. Sung before kickoff between Indiana and Miami, the performance marked one of the most high-profile appearances of Roberts’ young career — and unfolded before the largest … Read more
During the ACM Girls Night Out: Superstar Women of Country special, some of country music’s biggest female stars came together for a heartfelt tribute to one of their biggest inspirations: Loretta Lynn. Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland, Miranda Lambert, and the Judds each had their shining moments throughout the show. But the … Read more