Chris Stapleton

Tucker Wetmore

+22

CARTER FAITH has entered the Buzz list this week (on #13, see below). And she is WELCOME!

Apr 17, 2026

•

8 min read

CARTER FAITH has entered the Buzz list this week (on #13, see below). And she is WELCOME!

I had the opportunity to meet up with Carter in Stockholm, Sweden this week, to conduct and interview for my weekly radio show P4 Country, on Swedish National Radio.Just six months after the release of her phenomenal debut album, "Cherry Valley", she has snagged a prestigious ACM Award nomination for "Album of the Year. Not since Chris Stapleton’s "Traveller" (a decade ago) has a debut album been nominated in that category. It’s truly unbelievable.

Mattias Honky Tonk Hansson

Tucker Wetmore

+20

Help Me Ask the ACM Nominees the Right Questions!

Apr 10, 2026

•

14 min read

Help Me Ask the ACM Nominees the Right Questions!

One of the hottest topics is the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, happening in Las Vegas on May 17th with all the industry’s BIGGEST NAMES in attendance.Two of this year’s standout nominees are the incredible Carter Faith and Tucker Wetmore. And get this—I’m personally meeting up with both Carter and Tucker in my hometown of Stockholm, Sweden, next week! Now, I need your help.

Mattias Honky Tonk Hansson

Tucker Wetmore

+20

PICK UP YOUR PHONE: Honky Tonk Hansson is on the line

Apr 3, 2026

•

18 min read

PICK UP YOUR PHONE: Honky Tonk Hansson is on the line

It’s almost time. This week, the initial lineup was released for this year’s CMA Fest, the world’s largest country music festival, taking place in Nashville from June 4-7, 2026. I head down every year to cover the event and conduct interviews. While I catch the genre’s biggest stars, I spend most of my time scouting the small stages around town, constantly hunting for fresh and often mind-blowing talent.

Mattias Honky Tonk Hansson

Tucker Wetmore

+24

Don’t Miss These at CMA Fest – The Full List

Mar 27, 2026

•

17 min read

Don’t Miss These at CMA Fest – The Full List

Mattias Honky Tonk Hansson

Tucker Wetmore

+15

Today is the DAY. Change is gonna come. It is LUKE COMBS Day.

Mar 20, 2026

•

18 min read

Today is the DAY. Change is gonna come. It is LUKE COMBS Day.

I know because I have had the opportunity to pre-listen to the full Luke Combs-album this week. And I have to say - so far - it is Album Of The Year, with the 22 tracks blasting out the speakers as a masterclass in contemporary country music writing.

Mattias Honky Tonk Hansson

George Strait

+10

Feb 27, 2026

•

15 min read

Don’t let the old man in. BUT George Strait is always welcome. Everywhere, anytime.

The best of the best is still alive and kicking out there. There seems to be no way to stop the ongoing rise of the country music phenomenon that is George Strait. This week, he powers his way into a Top 5 position on my beloved, fascinating, and essential weekly list: the Country Buzz Top 10.

Mattias Honky Tonk Hansson

Tucker Wetmore

+12

INVITATION: Welcome to the NEW Country Music Gold Rush

Feb 13, 2026

•

9 min read

INVITATION: Welcome to the NEW Country Music Gold Rush

This week, my deep dive led me to a country crooner from Woodstock, Georgia: Mr. Kenny Whitmire. With a style reminiscent of Keith Whitley, he has "next big thing" written all over him. If he keeps up this momentum, expect to see him on the main list very soon. Remember where you heard about him first! This is where you find pure COUNTRY GOLD.

Mattias Honky Tonk Hansson

Tyler Childers

+13

FRESH: Grammy Night Reshapes Country Buzz Top 10

Feb 6, 2026

•

11 min read

FRESH: Grammy Night Reshapes Country Buzz Top 10

It is a great time to be alive, being a country music fan. This week's list clearly shows what a Grammy win - and a great Grammy speech! - can do for your career.It's also great to see that all-time favorite Tim McGraw buzzing away right now. Now we really look forward to his new single "Pawn Shop Guitar" dropping in early March. Surprisingly enough, we saw Lainey dropping out of the list this week (probably just temporary, since her new Wrangler line of cool cowgirl gear is bubbling on social media right now).But we still have Ella Langley. Her new song "Dandelion" is targeted for top positions on the charts, and a new album and a major tour are coming up. I cannot get enough of Ella. And I am not alone.

Mattias Honky Tonk Hansson

Zack Bryan

+10

THIS IS THE LIST YOU NEED: Key trends in TOP COUNTRY this week

Jan 30, 2026

•

10 min read

THIS IS THE LIST YOU NEED: Key trends in TOP COUNTRY this week

When I started to put together the weekly COUNTRY BUZZ TOP 10 listings (see below), I could not imagine the impact that the ten artists on the list have on EVERY OTHER single move in the country music industry. If you follow the moves in the industry, you need to know who is on this list (and why!) to fully understand the wonderful world of country music.

Mattias Honky Tonk Hansson

Eric Church

+10

The Best List You Can Read With Your Clothes On.

Jan 23, 2026

•

12 min read

The Best List You Can Read With Your Clothes On.

Stay ahead of the crowd. I have created what I think is the best list to track what’s “buzzing” in the global country community: the Country Buzz Top 10.

Mattias Honky Tonk Hansson

Chris Stapleton

CARTER FAITH has entered the Buzz list this week (on #13, see below). And she is WELCOME!

Help Me Ask the ACM Nominees the Right Questions!

PICK UP YOUR PHONE: Honky Tonk Hansson is on the line

Don’t Miss These at CMA Fest – The Full List

Today is the DAY. Change is gonna come. It is LUKE COMBS Day.

Don’t let the old man in. BUT George Strait is always welcome. Everywhere, anytime.

INVITATION: Welcome to the NEW Country Music Gold Rush

FRESH: Grammy Night Reshapes Country Buzz Top 10

THIS IS THE LIST YOU NEED: Key trends in TOP COUNTRY this week

The Best List You Can Read With Your Clothes On.

Don’t be a stranger – sign up today! 1