Country Music

The band performs its revved-up take on roots music at the Tiny Desk.

The Country Music Association of Texas has named Gruene Hall the best live music venue in Texas—for the second time.

The three-hour show was an ode to the robustness and stability of country music. But the genre dominated charts and discourse this year thanks to pop superstars Beyoncé, Post Malone and Shaboozey.

Yoakam has recorded a harmonious new duet with Post Malone. Morris is stretching beyond country's borders. And Thompson — half of the duo Thompson Square — looks back to the roots of honky-tonk.

Musician and film star Kris Kristofferson has died at age 88. His hit songs include "Me and Bobby McGee" and he starred in dozens of films, including A Star Is Born, opposite Barbra Streisand.

The relationship between George Jones and Tammy Wynette, two of country music’s biggest stars, is one of the most tumultuous and legendary in the genre’s history. But it's also been largely misunderstood. Podcaster and author Tyler Mahan Coe sets the record straight in "Cocaine & Rhinestones."

From the beginning of her career, Grammy-winning musician Kacey Musgraves has been doing what feels authentic to herself. She sings about familiar country themes like falling in love and heartbreak. But she also sings about smoking pot and queer relationships. Musgraves talks to Rachel about not being defined by anyone but herself, becoming more open-minded and living with the ghost of her grandma. To listen sponsor-free, access bonus episodes and support the show, sign up for Wild Card+ at plus.npr.org/wildcard

The whole deeply charming set announced Wilson as a star with staying power.

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter returned to Nashville to find a community of women determined to resurrect her career.

Country music has been all over the pop charts this summer.