Music

Rolling Stone Nashville Now

Rolling Stone’s weekly deep dive into the hottest genre in music: country. Hosted by Senior Editor Joseph Hudak, each episode breaks down the biggest stories in country, spotlighting rising artists and legends alike and delivering the must-hear songs — all with the insider access only Rolling Stone can provide. From Americana to outlaw to Red Dirt, we’ll bring you behind the scenes of the genre’s biggest moment yet, with sharp commentary, rich history, and just the right amount of attitude.

Latest Episodes:

Dan Auerbach on the Lasting Influence of Gregg Allman May 27, 2026

Show notes

Dan Auerbach has called Gregg Allman “the foundation of what I do.” On the ninth anniversary of the Allman Brothers Band leader’s death, Auerbach joins Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now for a very special episode filmed at Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound in Nashville. The Black Keys singer-guitarist goes deep into how Allman influenced him personally, as well as the music of the Black Keys, and opens up about the grief that informed the band’s new album Peaches!, which was recorded as Auerbach’s father was dying. It’s an emotional interview, steeped in music history and the legacy of Gregg Allman, only on Nashville Now.

Country is Here… Nashville is Now.

Check out our Hear Now playlist on Spotify, updated weekly.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Luke Grimes: From ‘Yellowstone’ to Nashville May 20, 2026

Show notes

Fans of gritty TV dramas know Luke Grimes from his role as Kayce Dutton on Yellowstone and now CBS’s Marshals, which airs it's Season 1 finale on May 24th. But Grimes is every bit the country singer and songwriter as he is accomplished actor. In this freewheeling episode of Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast, the Ohio native turned Montana resident shares what went into his new album Red Bird, how he made the successful transition to all-around artist, and why he said yes to reviving the role of Kayce on CBS’s latest hit. It’s a Nashville-meets-Hollywood conversation, only on Nashville Now.

Country is Here…Nashville is Now.

Check out our Hear Now playlist on Spotify, updated weekly.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tyler White: From ‘Love on the Spectrum’ to Country Music May 13, 2026

Show notes

When Tyler White joined Love on the Spectrum, Netflix’s series about the dating lives of people with varying degrees of autism, he became an instant fan favorite for his Southern charm and wealth of country music knowledge. Now, the Florida native is making a go as a country singer, with help from some Nashville power players. Tyler joins Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast to talk about his debut single “Oh Yeah Baby,” his experience on Love on the Spectrum, and what it’s like to encounter fans of the show. He even shares an update on his and Madison’s wedding plans. It’s a heartwarming episode that highlights the true power of country music, only on Nashville Now.

Country is Here… Nashville is Now.

Check out our ⁠Hear Now⁠ playlist on Spotify, updated weekly.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam Mac and His Courageous Brand of “Queer Country” May 06, 2026

Show notes

Adam Mac is leading a proud, new charge for queer country music, but getting to this point wasn’t without its challenges. The Russellville, Kentucky, native joins us in the Nashville Now cabin to talk about the discrimination he’s faced, including harsh public words from a pastor in his hometown, and how he’s overcome it. Mac also shares the origin of his band the “Cowgays”, with Brooke Eden and Chris Housman, and how he approaches his version of masculinity. And in a candid display of courage, the singer opens up about rewriting a homophobic song by Hank Williams Jr. He’s a new face of country music, only on Nashville Now.

Country is Here… Nashville is Now.

Check out our Hear Now playlist on Spotify, updated weekly.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One By Willie x Nashville Now: Happy Birthday Willie Nelson! Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

Happy birthday, Willie Nelson! In honor of the country music legend turning 93 on April 29, Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast joins forces with Texas Monthly and PRX’s One By Willie podcast for a very special crossover episode. One By Willie host John Spong, the preeminent scholar on all things Willie, joins Nashville Now host Joseph Hudak in the cabin to talk about Willie’s catalog of songs and why each is uniquely important. Then, Spong asks Hudak about the impact that Nelson’s 1980 Number One hit “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” had on his own life. It’s a celebration of the Red Headed Stranger!

Country is Here…Nashville is Now.

Check out our ⁠Hear Now⁠ playlist on Spotify, updated weekly.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ne-Yo Opens Up About His Country Debut Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

Back in 2012, Ne-Yo teamed up with Tim McGraw for the country/R&B collaboration “She Is.” Now, Ne-Yo is returning to Nashville to work on his own country-influenced project. We welcome the singer to the Nashville Now cabin to talk about going country, his love of Reba McEntire, and the time Tim and Faith Hill had him over for fried chicken. He also opens up about his personal experience so far in Music City and on the rowdy blocks of Lower Broadway, and how it may be different than what some fans might expect. It’s a sit-down with an R&B great, only on Nashville Now.

Country is Here… Nashville is Now.

Check out our Hear Now playlist on Spotify, updated weekly.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2026 ACM Awards Nominations: When Will Voters Get It Right? Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

Nominations for the 2026 ACM Awards are out now and we have some questions. Rolling Stone’s Senior Music Editor Joseph Hudak and longtime RS contributor and author Marissa R. Moss break down five key storylines, from the dominance by this year’s women nominees to the wildly confusing New Artist races. Check out our hot takes and be sure to tune in to the 61st ACMs airing May 17 on Prime Video, live from Las Vegas.

Country is Here… Nashville is Now.

Check out our Hear Now playlist on Spotify, updated weekly.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Maddox Batson “Country Music’s Justin Bieber”? Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

From Taylor Swift to Tanya Tucker, country music has a rich history of child stars. Maddox Batson, at just 16, is the latest, drawing comparisons to a young Justin Bieber with his songs about middle-school crushes and country living. Maddox joins us in the Nashville Now cabin to talk about songwriting, social media, and the song he co-wrote for Lana Del Rey and Quavo. And for his already hardcore fans, he tells us if there really was a “girl in green.” It’s the future of country music, only on Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now.

Country is Here… Nashville is Now.

Check out our Hear Now playlist on Spotify, updated weekly.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Paul Cauthen Country’s Reformed Rebel? Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

You’ve never met a mother quite like Paul Cauthen. The outrageous Texas country singer remains proudly defiant on his new album The Book of Paul, which he says is about “the freaking trials and tribulations of Paul.” In a new episode of Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast, the man known as “Big Velvet” tells us exactly what those tribulations are. He also talks about writing songs for Beyoncé, explains a lyric that dissed Kenny Chesney, and reveals where his alter-ego “Big Velvet” ends and Paul Cauthen begins. It’s a wild ride with one of country music’s most complex figures.

Country is Here… Nashville is Now.

Check out our Hear Now playlist on Spotify, updated weekly.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brandon Lake is Bringing His Faith to Country Music Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Brandon Lake has made a name for himself as one of Christian music’s most successful stars. Now he’s setting his sights on country music and Nashville, teaming up with artists from Jelly Roll and Cody Johnson to Lainey Wilson. In this new episode of Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now, we ask Lake about the intersection between Christian music and country, if he’s worried about faith being exploited by politics, and if listeners of all faiths can have a seat at his table.

Country is Here…Nashville is Now.

Check out our Hear Now playlist on Spotify, updated weekly.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Rolling Stone Nashville Now

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected