In this week’s issue: It’s a jungle out there. So much information, and so little time (to understand it all). Even so in the country music landscape. Your media is cluttered with facts (and “facts”) about your favorite country music stars and emerging acts. It is hard to cope. NOT SO ANYMORE. Because I have sourced the info-verse for you and can present the most important list in country music. COUNTRY BUZZ TOP 10. Only in this newsletter. Names on this week’s list: Morgan Wallen, Ella Langley, Zach Bryan, Megan Moroney, Tucker Wetmore, Cody Johnson and more.

Also: Today’s, and probably this year’s, most massive record drop is the one by Zach Bryan. Below I remind you of the proudest (and not so proud) moments of megastar Zach Bryan, so far.

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I am proud to give you this week’s most important list in country music – Country Buzz Top 10. Here you can follow the moves and grooves of the biggest stars and find some emerging acts too. This is THE list you need to know to know the state of country music in the world right now. Feel free to quote. Feel free to credit your favorite newsletter: www.honkytonkhansson.com.
Methodology: Rankings based on aggregated signals from newsletters and news sources, YouTube, TikTok, Reddit, streaming charts, and social media engagement. Generated: January 6, 2026 (capturing the buzz for the period December 30 - January 6)

In January’s New Year’s sales and clearances around the globe you, might be happy to find some items left over from the magnificent collab between country superstar Lainey Wilson and all cowboys’ and cowgirls’ favorite denim brand, Wrangler. The earth-colored three-piece suit in corduroy is a personal favorite in our family. Bell bottoms up!

See collection here: https://www.wrangler.com/shop/collections-wrangler-x-lainey-wilson

Zach Bryan drops his major album "With Heaven On Top" on January 9 (potentially the year's biggest release). He recently made a surprise New Year's Eve marriage announcement, and a $350M deal signed in 2025 is keeping momentum red-hot into 2026. We love our most CONTROVERSIAL country star of them all, and here is a reminder of his PROUDEST and not so proud moments so far.

Bryan often speaks of his eight years in the U.S. Navy with immense pride. He enlisted at 17, continuing a long family tradition; his father, mother, grandfather, and great-grandfather all served. Reaching the rank of Petty Officer Second Class was a milestone he achieved before being honorably discharged in 2021 to pursue music—a decision he famously described as "chasing a dream" while leaving behind the "best eight years of his life."

His debut album, DeAnn (2019), was written and recorded in just two months and named after his late mother, who passed away in 2016. For an independent artist, the fact that this raw, lo-fi project—recorded with friends in an Airbnb—eventually led to a massive career is a point of deep personal pride. He often notes that his mother’s memory is the driving force behind his songwriting.

In February 2024, Bryan won his first Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for his hit duet with Kacey Musgraves. This was a "proud" moment not just for the trophy, but for the validation of his self-produced, "non-Nashville" sound. He reflected on Instagram afterward, marveling at the irony that just four years prior, he was "just Zach" on a military deployment.

Despite becoming one of the biggest music stars in the world, Bryan fulfilled a lifelong personal goal by graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2023. He finished his studies while on the road for his Burn, Burn, Burn tour, proving his dedication to education and honoring a promise he made to his parents.

Bryan has made "being a man of the people" a core part of his identity. One of his proudest professional stances was his public battle against predatory ticket pricing. He released a live album titled All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster (2022) and launched a tour with intentionally low ticket prices to ensure his original fanbase could still afford to see him, even as his fame skyrocketed.

In September 2023, Bryan was arrested in Vinita, Oklahoma, on a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of an investigation. The incident occurred when he interfered with a traffic stop involving his security guard. Dashcam footage showed Bryan being argumentative with highway patrol officers, at one point telling them, "I’ll go to jail, let’s do it." He later posted an extensive video apology, admitting he was an "idiot" and had gotten "too lippy" with the officers.

In late 2025, Bryan faced significant political backlash after sharing a snippet of an unreleased song titled "Bad News." The lyrics, which criticized ICE raids and police actions, sparked anger among conservative fans and even prompted a response from the White House. Bryan later expressed that he was "embarrassed" and "scared" by the divisiveness the song caused, clarified that he is not "left wing or right wing," and eventually deleted the post.

Following his breakup with podcaster Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia in late 2024, Bryan became embroiled in a messy public feud with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and Josh Richards. The situation escalated when Portnoy released a diss track titled "Smallest Man", and Bryan’s legal team reportedly attempted to have the video removed via copyright claims. The drama led to accusations of Bryan being "immature" and "dishonest" regarding the relationship.

Bryan has occasionally clashed with peers in the indie and country music scenes. In 2025, songwriter John Moreland publicly criticized him after a large tour payout, calling him an "off-brand version" of himself. Other artists, like Drayton Farley, accused Bryan of being "rude" to their families and threatening to "ruin their careers" behind the scenes. These incidents led to a narrative in some music circles that Bryan had become difficult to work with as his fame grew.

Bryan has a history of deleting his social media accounts or making them private following heated exchanges with fans. One notable instance involved him lashing out at "couch warriors" who were harassing his friends after his breakup. He has also been criticized for occasionally being dismissive to fans online, iincluding one instance where he apologized after telling a young fan to "get off my d***" during a digital argument.

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