Is Eric Church right about Hardy? Join the conversation this morning when the Taste of Country news team begins Talkin’ Country LIVE.
This weekly live stream takes you inside the week’s biggest news stories with insider analysis, original interview exclusives and the finer details of stories you may have been too busy to ready from top to bottom.
Chief’s comments about the “Truck Bed” singer are one of four topics you’ll have a chance to react to in real time. The best comment will be acknowledged on air making this live stream a true conversation.
Other topics planned for today’s Talkin’ Country LIVE:
- Kelsea Ballerini’s breakup confirmation.
- A sad truth about country music in 2025.
- Are concert tickets really under-priced?
This week, host Wood (Taste of Country Mornings) will lead a panel that includes Senior Editor Billy Dukes, Taste of Country Nights host Evan Paul and Social Media Producer Adison Haager. If you follow Taste of Country you’re familiar with all four.
Moving forward, expect surprise guests and breaking news features to be added. This is not a recap show and it’s NOT a debate show.
Talkin’ Country LIVE is a discussion about stories that matter to you. Look for us every Thursday morning on YouTube and Facebook.
The 25 Best Country Songs of the Last 25 Years (2000-2024)
The best country songs of the last 25 years were felt and heard. Commercial impact was a factor, but emotional impact is what separates these songs from others released in the 2000s.
Technically the century began in 2001, but we reached back to 2000 to summarize this list of top songs. Alan Jackson is the only artist with two songs, but you’ll find 11 Entertainer of the Year winners scattered across a playlist the required several stunning exclusions.
Curious as to why your favorite song missed the cut? Well, there are only 25 spots for the best of 25,000 country song releases. Hard decisions needed to be made!
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
26 Most Important Artists of the Last 25 Years
Without these 26 artists, country music would sound very different in 2025. They’re not all steady hitmakers, and in fact, some of the biggest stars of the 2000s aren’t included.
This list of the 25 most important artists of the last 25 years relies on men, women, duos and groups that either changed the genre in a tangible way, or were undeniably influential.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes