We talked to some of our favorite artists about their favorite country music memories.
Russell Dickerson
Latest release: “Home Sweet” feat. Lady A
“Garth at Central Park has to be one of the most inspiring moments of my career. I always want to go bigger and better than anyone else, and this single concert is what I set my sights on.”
Photography: courtesy Spencer Combs
Carly Pearce
Latest release: 29: Written in Stone
“Dolly’s Jolene record is one of my all-time favorites. There are so many songs on the album that show just how timeless Dolly's music is. There’s something so special about her lyricism and the way she makes music that I’ve always looked up to!”
Photography: courtesy Allister Ann
Callie Twisselman
Latest release: Closure
“One of my favorite country music moments was when Carrie Underwood and Dolly Parton performed ‘I Will Always Love You’ for Carrie’s An All-Star Holiday Special in 2009. They are a couple of my favorite country gals, so to see them sing that song together was such a cool moment.”
Photography: courtesy Shelby Caitlin Photography
Adam Mac
Latest release: “Make You Mine”
“When thinking back on some of my favorite moments in country music, without a doubt, the performance that will always stand out in my mind is Reba’s 1993 CMA performance of ‘Does He Love You’ with Linda Davis. She was wearing that iconic red dress, and she completely owned that moment!”
Photography: courtesy Midtown Motion
Johnny Dailey
Latest release: “24”
“I’ve had a lot of great moments so far in country music, but I would say one that stands out to me the most is getting to open up for Old Dominion this past year. I respect those guys as songwriters and performers, so getting to go on the road with them was an honor.”
Photography: courtesy Kirsten Balani
Walker County
Latest release: “Liar”
“One of our favorite country music moments was in 2002 at the CMA Awards! Shania Twain opened the show by riding a motorcycle on stage and then performed ‘I’m Gonna Getcha Good’! It was so badass! After that, we knew we wanted to get the opportunity to do something as cool as that one day!”
Photography: courtesy Shea Flynn
Brandon Lay
Latest release: “Back Home”
“I grew up going to Busch Stadium to watch baseball games with my family once a summer. I don’t think my dad thought too much of the Trip Around the Sun tour we did with Kenny Chesney in ’18 until I told him we were playing there. I actually was the first country artist to play there, and all my extended family came. The cherry on top was walking out with Kenny and doing a song at the end of the night. Magic. What can I say besides it’s the type of dream that makes you move to Nashville.”
Photography: courtesy Brandon Lay
Casi Joy
Latest release: “Winter Wonderland”
“One of my favorite moments in country music actually happened a couple weeks ago when Brandi Carlile performed on Saturday Night Live. She is one of my biggest influences, and I have been obsessed with her new album! When Jason Sudekis announced her for the second time, I was so hoping she would play ‘Right on Time,’ and I cried with my jaw on the floor the whole song. Her performance was so moving yet effortless, and I loved how much we could really see how grateful she was to be there. Performing on SNL is one of my all-time biggest aspirations, and she’s truly set the bar for greatest of all time!”
Photography: courtesy Casi Joy
Photography: (Cover image) courtesy Shelby Caitlin Photography
