Author: Brennen Kelly

Hailing from the Chicagoland area, Brennen graduated from Valparaiso University with a BA in Communication and a minor in Cinema and Media Studies. After covering Arts & Entertainment at his university's newspaper, he began writing for Country Chord in March of 2023. Known for his love of independent country and authentic songwriters, Brennen has a long-history of championing the likes of Zach Bryan, Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers and many others.

After getting arrested on three felony counts of reckless endangerment and one misdemeanor for disorderly conduct for his chair-throwing incident outside of Eric Church’s bar, Chiefs, back in April, Morgan Wallen made headlines yesterday after getting all three felonies reduced in a plea deal. The plea deal consists of Wallen’s charges now being composed of two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment without a weapon, having all three felony counts dropped by the court. Today, at his court hearing, the “Last Night” singer pleaded guilty to the two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment. Alongside the misdemeanor charges, Wallen will serve seven days…

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What a way to ring in the year. Somehow, some way, 2024 is nearly at a close. With Christmas and New Year’s right around the corner, “Best of the Year” lists are being created, year-end charts are being finalized and most excitingly Nashville is prepping for their annual New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville Big Bash event which will air on CBS. Back in October, Keith Urban was announced as the show’s host alongside Entertainment Tonight’s Rachel Smith with Jelly Roll and Kane Brown set to perform throughout the show’s five-hour runtime. Yesterday, the entire lineup was announced, and it’s a…

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, it’s been well-documented that reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, Morgan Wallen’s, chair-throwing incident outside of Eric Church’s bar, Chiefs, back in April has been one of the most controversial stories outside of the studio in country music all year. The arrest led to a plethora of memes and t-shirts with Wallen’s mugshot, as well as criticism being thrown at the “Last Night” singer with Nashville council-member, Jordan Huffman, claiming that the Tennessee native “does not belong” in the town. After getting arrested on three felony counts of reckless endangerment and one misdemeanor for disorderly conduct,…

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After employing the likes of Eric Church, Riley Green, Cody Johnson and Bailey Zimmerman in 2024, Tailgate N’ Tallboys Music Festival has decided to run it back in Bloomington, Illinois again in 2025. Today, they announced that Cody Johnson and Bailey Zimmerman will return as headliners in 2025 along with Koe Wetzel and HARDY, who will conclude the festival which runs from June 12-15. Along with headliners, Wetzel, Zimmerman, Johnson and HARDY, Tailgate N’ Tallboys are hosting the likes of up-and-comers, Tucker Wetmore, Gavin Adcock and Hudson Westbrook, as well as two of the hottest country-rock bands, Ole 60 and…

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What a duo. It’s no stretch to say that Zach Top and Riley Green have been two of the hottest names in country music in 2024. With Top firmly placing himself as a premier act with the release of his debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music and Green continuing his rise to superstardom off of the backs of “Worst Way,” “Jesus Saves” and his current #1 single with Ella Langley, “you look like you love me,” the pair have had as good of a year that any two artists can ask for. Though not on tour together, Green surprised…

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Always a good day when Turnpike drops. Despite not releasing any new music in 2024, the Turnpike Troubadours have steadily put together a fantastic year. Between actively touring throughout 2024 and their stunning involvement in Cross Canadian Ragweed’s reunion shows slated for April 2025, it’s safe to say that the Oklahoman band is officially back. Today, Turnpike decided to cap off their successful year with a surprise collaboration with Western AF, releasing a 4-song live EP featuring “Good Lord Lorrie” and more. For those unfamiliar with Western AF, it is a live performance video production that primarily focuses on highlighting…

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