Music

On June 19, 2006 — 20 years ago — a song named after a country superstar was released by a new artist. It was “Tim McGraw” by 16-year-old Taylor Swift, and the music industry would never be the same again.

Taylor started writing the song in math class, after pondering the impending end of her relationship with her boyfriend, who was a senior and would soon go off to college. She later finished it with songwriter Liz Rose. The head of her record company suggested that she rename it from “When You Think Tim McGraw” to simply “Tim McGraw,” because he thought it would make Tim McGraw fans curious about her.

The song is about a girl who hopes her ex will remember her every time he thinks of her favorite song, which is by Tim McGraw. Thematically, it’s somewhat of a blueprint for many of Taylor’s future songs.

Tim McGraw revealed in 2025 that he was initially “a little apprehensive about” about the song, because he thought, “Have I gotten to that age now to where they’re singing songs about me? Does that mean I’ve jumped the shark a bit?” He eventually got on board with the song, though; the two became friends and have performed together many times.

“Tim McGraw” got good reviews; it hit the top 10 on the Billboard country chart and #40 on the Hot 100. It became the opening track on her self-titled debut album, which came out that October. It was a massive success, spawned four additional hit singles and set Taylor on the path to becoming the world-conquering superstar she is today.

And Taylor’s new single, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” is a full-circle moment, as it returns her to those country roots.

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Nashville will be Keepin’ It Country on Broadway to make sure everybody can experience the last touring show of Alan Jackson’s career.

While the sold-out Last Call: One More for the Road — The Finale is taking place across the Cumberland River at Nissan Stadium, there’ll be a stage and screen set up downtown so fans can watch a free livestream of the concert.

Gates open at 4 p.m. CT for the Saturday, June 27, event, followed by special performances at 5 p.m. by James Carothers and Cory Farley, who’ve both opened for Alan and play regularly at AJ’s Good Time Bar. 

The livestream’s set to start shortly after 6 p.m. It will feature Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Jake Owen, Jon Pardi, Thomas Rhett, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson and Lee Ann Womack.

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Evanescence wasn’t able to take the stage for their scheduled concert in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday.

The “Bring Me to Life” rockers announced in a Facebook post published shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday that the show was being postponed due to severe lightning storms.

“We apologize for any inconvenience, but the well-being of everyone is our top priority,” the post reads. “We WILL be back, stay safe!”

Indeed, the show has been rescheduled for Aug. 4. All previously purchased tickets will be valid for the new date.

Evanescence is currently touring the U.S. in support of their new album, Sanctuary, which is out now. The bill also includes Spiritbox and Nova Twins.

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Myles Smith has racked up billions of streams, won awards and circled the globe on tour, but now he’s done something that usually takes place before all that happens: He’s released his debut album.

While he’s put out some EPs, My Mess, My Heart, My Life is Myles’ first-ever full-length album. It features 15 songs, including his two megahits — “Stargazing” and “Nice to Meet You”; his Niall Horan collaboration, “Drive Safe”; and the previously released songs “Stay (If You Wanna Dance),” “Hold Me in the Dark” and “Gold.”

“It’s been quite an unstructured career in that I’ve been lucky enough to have songs that have done really well and have toured the world two or three times pre-debut album,” Myles tells Music Week. “It’s a really weird period; I’m very conscious I’ve done nothing in order.”

Myles wrote one song on the album, “Dublin Lights,” with his good pal Ed Sheeran, who he’s opening for this summer. “We’ve clicked because we connect as human beings, not as musicians,” he tells Music Week. 

“For him, I think it’s probably nice having another person in his life who’s concerned about Ed the father, the husband or the friend, rather than Ed the global success.”

“I think at the heart of it is that we love making music,” Myles added. “I have no interest in fame; it’s not something I’ve ever been hungry for. It’s always about how music can be the most important and defining part of my career, and I think he sees that in me.”

Myles joins Ed on his Loop stadium tour starting Saturday at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. He’ll also be doing his own headlining shows in between those dates starting in early July.

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Blake Shelton’s just one of the many country superstars you’ll see Thursday night on ABC’s annual CMA Fest special. 

The “Let Him In Anyway” hitmaker traces his first CMA Fest appearance to 2001, and he has a significant CMA Fest memory he associates with one of his signature songs. 

“I remember standing on the stage here at Nissan Stadium and performing ‘Ol’ Red’ for the first time, you know, after the song came out as a single,” he said backstage. “I just felt like this reaction from the audience, you could hear it, and it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I think this song is gonna be a hit.'”

“It had been out, you know, for maybe two or three months, but you know it was still kinda new at radio,” he explains. “And so that was the first time I thought, ‘Man, we may have something here,’ you know.”

“And the audience was right,” he adds. “You know, these are the hardcore fans. If they react to it, you’ve got something.”

Stay tuned to see what Blake performs on Thursday, as Riley Green and GMA‘s Lara Spencer host the three-hour CMA Fest special starting at 8 p.m. ET. 

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Limp Bizkit put out a new single in 2025 called “Making Love to Morgan Wallen,” marking the band’s first fresh material in four years. Guitarist Wes Borland tells ABC Audio that Limp Bizkit plans to work on more new music in 2026 as they continue to grieve the 2025 death of bassist and founding member Sam Rivers.

“We had a death in the band, and that sort of has rocked us a little bit,” Borland says. “We’re kind of moving through that, recovering from that. It’s been an interesting process.”

Borland says that the plan is to get back in the studio in between Limp Bizkit’s upcoming live dates, which include headlining sets at the Rock Fest, Inkcarceration, Louder than Life and Aftershock festivals.

“We are looking to go back into the studio and book studio time this year whenever we can in between travel to try to start working on a new record,” Borland says.

Since returning to the road after Rivers’ passing, Limp Bizkit has been touring with new bassist Richie Buxton, who also plays with the artist Ecca Vandal.

“We’re very stoked with our new bass player,” Borland says. “Hopefully we can keep him for as long as we can.” 

Borland, meanwhile, recently teamed up with Jackson to launch a new signature guitar.

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Almost monday has announced a new album called THANK GOD IT’S ALMOST MONDAY.

The sophomore full-length effort from the “can’t slow down” outfit is due out Sept. 9. It’s the follow-up to their 2024 debut, DIVE.

“We made this during the best and worst year of our lives,” almost monday says of the upcoming record. “It’s the result of an honest life lived; the highs, the lows, the pain, and the joys are all there on this record.”

THANK GOD IT’S ALMOST MONDAY includes the previously released songs “enjoy the ride,” “skinny dip,” “no more regrets” and “leaving is easy.”

Almost monday is currently on tour with Young the Giant and Cold War Kids.

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