Three country music up-and-comers who are riding high on the ACM Award hog | Music City Minute

Tim McGraw makes Lainey Wilson cry, LOCASH and Parmalee drop summer anthem | Music City Minute

Here's one that'll hit you right in the heart. Lainey Wilson has spent her whole career saying Tim McGraw is the reason she wanted to make country music – the two even grew up just down the road from each other in Franklin Parish, Louisiana, a few decades apart. But incredibly, the two had never actually met. That changed this past weekend at CMA Fest when McGraw invited Wilson to join him for a surprise duet of "I Like It, I Love It" at Nissan Stadium. But it's what happened backstage that has the internet in its feelings. Years ago, a young Lainey wrote Tim a letter that he never received. When McGraw found out about it last year, he did something nobody expected he wrote her back. Backstage before the show, Tim handed Lainey a stuffed envelope and told her quote, "I wrote it as though I had gotten the letter, this is what I would've said." Lainey fought back tears, and honestly, good luck not doing the same when you watch the video.   On a lighter note, if you're looking for your summer soundtrack, LOCASH and Parmalee just delivered. The two acts teamed up on "Let the Country Music Play," a country reimagining of Rupert Holmes' classic "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" that swaps the beach bar for a boat on the lake and name-drops everyone from Shenandoah to Merle Haggard to Alan Jackson. It's fun, it's nostalgic and it's out now on all platforms.   I'm Brailey, and that's your Music City Minute.

Justin Moore steps away, Alan Jackson makes Opry dream come true | Music City Minute

First, some tough news. Justin Moore announced this week that he's stepping away from touring to focus on his health. The "This Is My Dirt" singer shared the news on Instagram, saying "This is the right decision for me and my family, and I appreciate everyone's understanding and support." Moore, who has 11 No. 1 hits to his name, has already canceled two shows in Dewey Beach, Delaware and his participation on Riley Green's Cowboy as It Gets Tour – which kicks off June 18 – is now uncertain. While Moore didn't get into specifics, he says he hopes to be back on stage later this summer.   Now, for a moment that'll give you chills. On Sunday, the 35th anniversary of his own Grand Ole Opry induction, Alan Jackson called his great niece, rising country artist Carlisle Wright, to deliver the news every Nashville dreamer waits for. Jackson, whom Wright affectionately calls "Uncle Hat," invited her to make her Grand Ole Opry debut on June 28. Wright broke down in tears and said, "Words can't describe how special it was to have my Uncle Hat invite me to make my Opry debut." She made her CMA Fest debut last week and will open for Jackson at his sold out Last Call: One More for the Road farewell concert at Nissan Stadium on June 27.   I'm Brailey, and that's your Music City Minute.

CMA Fest took over Nashville this weekend, and it did not disappoint | Music City Minute

CMA Fest rolled into Music City once again, and between pop-up shows, surprise guests and a reunion four years in the making, country fans got one for the books. Thursday night at Nissan Stadium set the tone early when Jelly Roll made an unannounced appearance breaking his own promise not to perform in the current stadium until the new one opens next door. The Nashville native clearly couldn't resist, delivering a fiery set to 60,000 screaming fans. But the biggest moment of the entire weekend came later that night when legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer took the mic and introduced Florida Georgia Line. Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard appeared on opposite sides of the stadium, singing "Round Here" as they made their way through the crowd before meeting on stage and sharing a long embrace. Tyler then grabbed the mic and said quote, "God is good. Life is short. And most importantly we back, baby." The surprises kept rolling from there  Ella Langley joined Gretchen Wilson for a rowdy "Here for the Party," Shaboozey brought out his good buddy and KYGO Birthday Bash artist Kevin Powers for a performance of "Move On," Russell Dickerson pulled off one of the wildest crossover moments in CMA Fest history by bringing Fetty Wap to the Nissan Stadium stage, and Dan + Shay debuted an unreleased track called "She Believes in Me" at Brandon Lake's Cowboy Church. Four days, a hundred surprises and one massive reunion — that was CMA Fest 2026.   I'm Brailey, and that's your Music City Minute.

Garth Brooks eyes record-breaking catalog sale, Luke Bryan has bone to pick with internet | Music City Minute

Two massive headlines out of Nashville today. First, Garth Brooks is reportedly considering selling his entire music catalog, and the price tag is staggering. The "Friends in Low Places" singer is seeking roughly two billion dollars for the rights to both his songwriting and recorded music. That would make it one of the largest catalog sales for a single artist in history. Brooks has sold a record 200 million albums in the U.S. – more than The Beatles, more than Elvis – and has kept a tight grip on his music for decades, famously only streaming through Amazon Music.   And then there's Luke Bryan, who's dealing with a very 2026 problem. His new single "Fish Hunt Golf Drink" drew immediate accusations on social media that it was written by AI. Fans pointed to the chorus "Wake up, coffee/camo, climb tree" and said there's no way a human wrote that. While golfing at the Memorial Pro-Am this week, Bryan fired back, calling the accusers "trolls" and saying, "That song was designed for one thing: to have fun and tell the world what I love to do." The song's cowriters, Chase McGill and Matt Dragstrem, also set the record straight with Rolling Stone, saying it was entirely human created. "It's not rocket science, but it's true to who Luke is."   I'm Brailey, and that's your Music City Minute.

Jordan Davis admits he whiffed on two huge hits | Music City Minute

Jordan Davis is celebrating his 10th #1 songs, but admits he whiffed on two huge hits. Jordan Davis just parked "Turn This Truck Around" at No. 1 on country radio, his tenth chart topper and further proof the Louisiana native is one of the best hitmakers in Nashville. But this week, Davis was refreshingly honest about the ones that got away. On a recent podcast, Davis admitted he's not always the quickest to recognize a smash, and he's got the receipts to prove it. After his single "Next Thing You Know" was climbing the charts, his brother Jacob – a hit Nashville songwriter – sent him a song he'd written called "Backseat Driver." Jordan told his brother it sounded too close to what he already had out. Jacob's response? He told Jordan he might be an idiot. "Backseat Driver" went on to become a massive hit for Kane Brown. And it doesn't stop there. Davis also revealed he was sent "Where the Wild Things Are" early in the process by a songwriter buddy and passed on that one too a song that, of course, landed with Luke Combs and became one of the biggest records of the year. No hard feelings, though. Davis says it ended up in the right hands and calls it one of his favorite Combs songs to date. Ten No. 1s and a couple of honest Ls, and a brother who's never going to let him forget it.   I'm Brailey, and that's your Music City Minute.