Billboard-charting rising superstar Alexandra Kay’s hotly awaited sophomore album, Second Wind, will release on October 24. Featuring previously released, bold, fan-favorite standouts “Feminine Energy,” “The Last” and “Cupid’s A Cowgirl,” the heart-stirring collection has already ignited a fury of demand amongst her 8.6M social following. Weaving heartbreak, hope and healing into one journey, Second Wind embodies what Pandora’s “2025 Artist to Watch: Country” calls her “lover-girl era.”

Coming up – on September 13, the compelling entertainer will take the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) stage with Dallas Smith to perform their hit single “How Do You Miss Me” that’s currently top 10 at Canadian country radio. Following the CCMAs, she immediately heads out on her third headlining tour of the year. Hitting cities like Nashville, New Orleans, Anaheim, Las Vegas and more, Second Wind: The Tour spans 30-nationwide dates and kicks off on September 26 in Atlanta. Public on-sale starts this Friday, August 8 at 10 am local time.

“I’m so ready to share these songs with the people who have been with me every step of the way,” shares the rising starlet. “Over the past two years, I’ve done a lot of growing — and over the last year, I’ve had the chance to write about the version of myself that’s emerged from that growth. This album reflects a new side of me, and I can’t wait for my fans to experience it live — especially the happier songs that I’m hoping they’ll be screaming right back at me from the crowd.”

With her independent debut album, All I’ve Ever Known, hitting #1 on iTunes (All Genre & Country) and Top 10 on multiple Billboard charts (Country Album, Emerging Artist and HeatSeeker), the heart-first songstress – now signed to BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville – is serving up the same tear-streaked ballads, raw, poetic storytelling and diary-deep honesty that her fans crave on her upcoming project.

Born from the wreckage of a divorce, her debut was survival in real time, and although heartbreak still lingers, it no longer leads. Breathing new life into her story, Second Wind is a revival, hitting like a spark in the dark – magnetic and glowing with possibility. Produced by Andrew DeRoberts, with Alexandra co-writing all but two tracks, this album finds her heart not only healed but shining brighter than ever.

“One of my favorite things about my fans is that somehow, even before the music is officially released, they already know every word,” she continues. “That kind of connection is rare, and this tour is going to be such a special way to close out what’s already been an unforgettable year.”

Currently out with Brad Paisley, following a worldwide headlining tour with over 80k tickets sold, the multi-threat powerhouse is firing on all cylinders with the fierce anthem “Straight For The Heart,” available Friday (8/8). Striking like a lightning bolt of emotion, the charged-up song demands that even if this love isn’t going to last, one should take the shot and not miss. With soaring vocals and an epic, thunderous chorus, the showstopping track sets the tone for what promises to be a soul-baring and career-defining project.

Most recently, Alexandra added entrepreneur to her growing list of accolades with the launch of her first coffee shop, The Coffee Girl, in her hometown of Waterloo, Illinois. Already known by that nickname thanks to her viral “Coffee Covers” series on social media, she turned her casual morning routine into a must-watch moment, earning millions of views and national attention. Her cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” alone soared past 60M views and caught the eye of country legends like Randy Travis and Tim McGraw, who later invited her out on tour. What began as a front-porch-worthy phenomenon, her cozy kitchen corner quickly evolved into a springboard for her career. Now, with her first business venture, she’s turned that viral magic into something even more lasting.

About Alexandra Kay:
With over 8.6 MILLION social media followers, Alexandra Kay, who starred on Netflix’s series Westside, holds the rare and extraordinary ability to genuinely connect with audiences by just being her authentic true self via heartfelt melodies, her “refreshing brand of storytelling…custom-made for the country music genre” (People), and her “angelic, yet soaring vocals” (American Songwriter). Cementing herself as a force to be reckoned with in the industry, the bright and tenacious rising star that Billboard acclaimed as “an adept, propitious singer-songwriter,” dropped her debut album – All I’ve Ever Known – in 2023. The project reached #1 on the iTunes All Genre and Country charts globally and earned her a spot in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Country Album, Emerging Artist and HeatSeeker charts, independently.

Now, signed to BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville and named to Pandora’s “2025 Artist to Watch: Country” list and CMT’s “Next Women of Country: Class of 2025,” Alexandra wrapped a milestone 2024 – in which she headlined her own tour, joined Jelly Roll on his Beautifully Broken Arena Tour where she was taken under his wing and was featured on the GRAMMY-nominated Twisters movie soundtrack. Taking 2025 to the next level, the captivating songstress kicks off her third headlining tour of the year, Second Wind: The Tour, on September 26, before releasing her sophomore album, Second Wind, on October 24. Giving fans a taste of what to expect, the new album will feature the bold fan-favorite tracks “Feminine Energy,” “The Last,” “Cupid’s A Cowgirl,” and electrifying new anthem “Straight For The Heart” that have been lighting up her live show. Commanding stages worldwide, she’s currently out with Brad Paisley and just opened her coffee shop, The Coffee Girl, in her hometown of Waterloo, Ill.

Country music star Jordan Davis gave fans and industry insiders a sneak peek of his highly anticipated album, Learn the Hard Way, at a celebratory release party in Nashville this week. The event, held just days before the album’s official August 15th release, brought together collaborators, friends, and family for a special preview of the new music.

The intimate gathering was highlighted by a special performance from Davis, who played several new tracks for the crowd. He was joined on stage by surprise guests, including Carly Pearce and Marcus King, who collaborated with Davis on the album. Attendees were treated to a genuine taste of Davis’s Louisiana roots with a seafood boil, a personal touch from the multi-platinum artist.

Learn the Hard Way, Davis’s third studio album, has already built significant buzz with pre-released singles like “Bar None” and “Louisiana Stick.” The new project follows his successful Bluebird Days album and is set to explore themes of growth, love, and life lessons.

Following the album release, Davis will embark on his “Ain’t Enough Road Tour” this fall, with his first show kicking off on September 11th. The tour will take him across the country, with stops at iconic venues like Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre and New York City’s Radio City Music Hall. With the new album and a major tour on the horizon, the celebration marked the start of what promises to be an exciting new chapter for the country star.

Grand Ole Opry star and country music legend Jeannie Seely has passed at age 85. Seely died peacefully today at 5:00 p.m. CT at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee, as a result of complications from an intestinal infection.

Seely had battled health issues since last fall, which escalated in December following the passing of her husband, Gene Ward. She’d undergone multiple back surgeries this spring for vertebrae repairs, as well as two emergency abdominal surgeries.

As of her last Grand Ole Opry show on February 22, Seely had made 5,397 Opry performances, more than any other artist in the Opry’s 100-year history. In 2018 Seely began hosting her own weekly “Sundays with Seely” show on the Willie’s Roadhouse on SiriusXM, and her most recent show aired this past Sunday, July 27. A trailblazer and an icon, Seely was considered to be the oldest actively working female entertainer in country music at the time of her death.

Music industry professionals early on praised Seely’s soul-inspired vocals which resulted in her being nicknamed “Miss Country Soul,” a title used throughout her career spanning seven decades. In 2019, Dr. Jeannie Seely was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts from Lincoln Memorial University for her many groundbreaking accomplishments in the music industry.

Born on July 6, 1940, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, Seely was raised on a farm along a dirt road outside of nearby Townville. A year ago this week, Seely returned to her roots when new “Home of Jeannie Seely” signs were unveiled in Townville. The ceremony was held at the Townville Fire Station where decades earlier Seely had first performed in front of a live audience.

When she was barely tall enough to reach the dial on her family’s big Philco console radio, Seely was tuning in the Grand Ole Opry on radio station WSM 650. At age 11, she began singing for a Saturday morning radio show on Meadville station WMGW, and by age 16 she was performing on TV station WICU in Erie. At Hillbilly Park near Franklin, Pennsylvania, Seely had the opportunity to see and meet performers like Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Jean Shepard, Little Jimmy Dickens, and Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, never imagining that one day she’d share the Grand Ole Opry stage with them.

Seely was a cheerleader, majorette, and honor student while attending Townville High School, and she sang at local amateur contests and began performing at weekend dances throughout northwestern Pennsylvania. Following high school graduation in 1958, Seely worked for three years at the Titusville Trust Company and continued her education by completing night classes that were conducted by the American Institute of Banking in Oil City, Pennsylvania.

At age 21, Seely packed everything she could into her car, shipped the rest to “General Delivery, Los Angeles” and headed west. She initially took a job at a Beverly Hills bank but left it after a year to take a secretarial position for half the money at Liberty and Imperial Records in Hollywood. With a foot in the door of the music business, she began writing songs for Four Star Music and became a regular act, along with an unknown Glen Campbell, on the Hollywood Jamboree television series. Her songwriting led to her own recording contract on Challenge Records, and a couple regional hits and a West Coast tour resulted.

Seely received the “Most Promising Female Artist” award in 1964 from the Country and Western Academy which later became the Academy of Country Music. A year later upon the encouragement of friend Dottie West who’d recorded one of her songs, Seely moved to Nashville where she signed with Monument Records. Her chart-topping hit “Don’t Touch Me” resulted in Seely becoming only the third female country artist to receive a Grammy Award. After receiving the “Most Promising New Artist” awards from Cashbox, Record World, and Billboard, Seely subsequently went on to appear on Billboard’s country singles chart for 13 consecutive years.

On September 16, 1967, Seely was inducted as a member of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry. She was the first Pennsylvania native to become an Opry member, and then later became the first female to regularly host Opry segments. Widely recognized for changing the image of female country performers, Seely became the first person to wear a mini-skirt on the Opry stage. With fellow Opry member Jack Greene, she formed one of the most successful duets and road shows in country music history. In 2022 the Grand Ole Opry honored Seely for her 5,000+ performances, a record which will likely remain intact forever.

A BMI-awarded songwriter, Seely’s songs were recorded by Country Music Hall of Fame members including Dottie West, Merle Haggard, Connie Smith, Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Faron Young, Ernest Tubb, Little Jimmy Dickens, and Hank Williams Jr. – as well as by artists ranging from Irma Thomas (the “Soul Queen of New Orleans”) to Rhonda Vincent (the “Queen of Bluegrass”), from Chris LeDoux to Moe Bandy, and from Boys II Men to Seal. Seely’s composition “Yours” was named “Song of the Year” at the 2022 Arkansas Country Music Awards.

The star of major stage productions including Always, Patsy Cline, The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, Could It Be Love, and several others, Seely served as a radio disc jockey on her own Armed Forces Network, traveled on military tours throughout Europe and Asia, and published her own book titled Pieces Of A Puzzled Mind. Recordings by Seely have spanned seven decades from her Top 10 Billboard album The Seely Style to her Curb Records album An American Classic which includes her third duet with friend Willie Nelson. Seely appeared in Nelson’s movie Honeysuckle Rose and sang on the platinum soundtrack album.

In 2018 Seely was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame which represents all genres of music. At the inaugural Influencing Women Awards Gala in 2019, the first “Standing Ovation Award” was presented to Seely – and then her name was added to the annual award. In 2022, Seely was the honored recipient of the Legacy Award at The Nashville Women in Film & Television WIFT ALICE Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner. In 2022 Seely was recognized on the nationally televised Country Music Association (CMA) Awards Show, in 2023 she received the CMA’s prestigious Joe Talbot Award, and in 2024 she was honored by SOURCE with the esteemed Jo Walker-Meador Lifetime Achievement Award.

With the release of her single “Suffertime” in 2024 accompanied by a music video and short documentary, Seely established a new record as the vocalist with the longest timespan (60 years) between recording sessions at historic RCA Studio B on Music Row. Following Seely’s 5,381st performance on the Grand Ole Opry in September 2024, the “Jeannie Seely Interchange” was dedicated at the Briley Parkway exit to the Grand Ole Opry House. In March of 2025, Sony Music Publishing Nashville celebrated Seely during Women’s History Month by releasing three reimagined versions of her songs as collaborations with rising female artists.

In late 2024, a display honoring Seely was added to the “Sing Me Back Home” permanent exhibit on the second floor of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and in November Seely visited her display in person. Seely’s Billboard Most Promising Female Vocalist Award trophy is also on display in a special exhibit located in the museum’s concourse to the Omni Hotel.

Seely’s last public appearance was on March 1, 2025, when she attended the rebranded opening of the Legends of Country Music Museum located in Nashville’s Music Valley area. Her image appears on the outside of the building, and she is honored inside with an updated exhibit. In April 2025, the Studio Space at the SAG-AFTRA office on Music Row was named in Seely’s honor and she was scheduled to attend the formal dedication. Until the time of her death, Seely proudly served as the producer for the bluegrass group Cutter & Cash and The Kentucky Grass and she was planning to produce their next recording session.

Throughout her career, Seely spearheaded efforts to support and enhance artist, musician, and songwriter roles in the music industry, especially paving the way for females who followed. Instrumental in instilling an atmosphere of fellowship and camaraderie at the Grand Ole Opry – and in any music circle she entered – Seely connected with artists, musicians, songwriters, and industry personnel from all generations and backgrounds.

Seely is survived by numerous friends, family members and her special cat, Corrie. In addition to her husband Gene Ward and her parents Leo and Irene Seely, she was preceded in death by siblings Donald Seely, Bernard Seely, and Mary Lou Seely Lang.

A memorial service will be announced in the coming days. Saturday night’s (8/2/25) Grand Ole Opry will be dedicated to Seely.

On Sunday, July 27, George Strait and his Vaqueros del Mar partner Tom Cusick hosted “Strait To The Heart,” an intimate benefit dinner and concert at Estancia at Thunder Valley in Boerne, Texas, raising $6.25 million and counting for those affected by the catastrophic flooding across Texas’ Hill Country.

As a sold-out crowd of 1,200 guests gathered for a night of music and giving, Texas Jamm Band, featuring members of Strait’s Ace in the Hole Band, kicked off the evening, followed by performances from Kyle Park, William Beckmann, Hudson Westbrook and Ray Benson.

Strait and Cusick took the stage to welcome attendees followed by a prayer and remarks from Pastor Max Lucado.

“I have a bookmark that a friend gave me that’s embroidered,” Pastor Lucado shared. “On one side, it’s nothing but irregular threads. Different lengths, different colors, a lot of knots. But if you flip it over, the message embroidered says ‘God is love.’ Facing a tragedy is learning to face it from the right side. One side is irregular – it’s just knots, it doesn’t make sense. And during a time of tragedy, it’s essential that we do our very best, as difficult as it may be, to see everything from God’s perspective.”

Cusick then introduced a special guest, Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

“There’s a saying that we’ve all repeated many times: pray as though everything is going to be taken care of by God, but act as though everything is up to you,” Governor Abbott remarked. “While we have prayed endlessly, I want you to know that we have acted endlessly also. Texas first responders have rescued or evacuated more than 1,000 people. Lives were saved because of those first responders. Give it up for our fearless first responders.”

To raise additional funds to support the victims of the Hill Country flood, a live auction was held ahead of performances from Wade Bowen, Randy Houser, Dean Dillon, Riley Green and Jamey Johnson.

Strait then began his set with “The Weight of the Badge,” and was then joined by surprise musical guest Garth Brooks for “The Fireman,” honoring first responders. Johnson collaborated on “Give It Away,” and later, Strait enlisted longtime friend and co-writer Dillon and his son Bubba Strait for “Here For A Good Time.”

The evening served as both a heartfelt tribute to the resilient spirit of the region and a critical fundraiser to provide immediate relief to impacted families.

Proceeds from the event and contributions made online will be donated to the 501(c)(3) Vaqueros del Mar Texas Flood Relief Fund and distributed directly to affected families and established Hill Country recovery efforts.

Country music superstar Luke Combs is officially “Back in The Saddle” with the release of his highly anticipated new music video, which dropped on Friday, July 25, 2025. The video, set at the Tri-County Motor Speedway in Granite Falls, NC, features NASCAR legends Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Richard Petty, marking a thrilling return for the chart-topping artist.

Combs, known for his authentic songwriting and powerful vocals, has amassed an impressive string of career highlights. Since his debut, he has consistently dominated the charts with 14 consecutive #1 singles on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, including fan favorites like “Hurricane,” “When It Rains It Pours,” “Beautiful Crazy,” “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” and “Forever After All.” He is a multi-award winner, having received six Country Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year in both 2021 and 2022, and four Academy of Country Music Awards.

The new single and video follow a period where Combs took time off to focus on his growing family. As a devoted father to two sons, he recently channeled his paternal feelings into his latest album, Fathers & Sons. This personal journey has profoundly impacted his outlook, and his brief hiatus allowed him to prioritize being present with his children.

With “Back in The Saddle,” Luke Combs signals a renewed energy and readiness to deliver more of the compelling music his fans have come to love. The video’s star power and the song’s strong message promise another monumental hit for the country music icon.