Join us as we celebrate the remarkable journey of Brit Taylor, whose decade-long career has been a testament to resilience. After years of highs and lows, Brit faced a breaking point but never gave up. Surrounded by inspiring musicians and driven by her passion, she reclaimed her sound and found a new sense of purpose. Now, in spring 2026, Brit Taylor is back with her latest album, The Land of the Forgotten.

This collection blends 80s and 90s inspired country with a rich touch of bluegrass, evoking the spirit of eastern Kentucky. Brit is here to stay, bringing her music to the forefront and leaving an unforgettable mark on the country scene.

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In this episode, we break down how 'Choosin Texas' went from a country fan favorite to one of the fastest rising songs on the billboard hot 100. From its release and early traction to radio support streaming growth and viral momentum, we explore this breakout moment by Ella Langley. We look at why Choosin Texas connected so deeply with listeners how it spread beyond the country bubble and what separates Ella Langley from the pack of new artists coming up right now.

Ella Langley’s rise is not an accident and Choosin Texas is a perfect case study.

Help us get to 100k subs on YouTube by the end of 2026! I want this to be a community where we can talk all about country, folk and americana music on all platforms.

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In this deep dive, we explore Zach Bryan’s journey leading up to his 2026 album, With Heaven on Top. Over the past year, Zach has faced lots of personal challenges and growth, and this album reflects a more complex and introspective side of his music. I’ll walk you through the themes, the emotions, and my personal interpretation of what makes this album a turning point for Zach.

We’ll also touch on how Zach’s journey through mental health and self-discovery has influenced his sound and lyrics. While this video focuses on the album’s narrative for the main version, it’s worth noting that Zach also released acoustic versions of the tracks. Let me know in the comments which version you prefer!

As always, this is my interpretation, and I’d love to hear your thoughts and reactions. Dive in and let’s discuss Zach Bryan’s evolving sound!

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It’s January 2026, and we’re diving into the heart of country music from 2025. In this episode, we’re gonna unpack all the moments that defined the year, from the top albums that took us by surprise, to the trending songs that had everyone talking. We’ll also touch on some of the unforgettable moments and surprises that made 2025 so unique. And make sure you stick around until the end, because I’ll share my top three defining moments of the year that you won’t want to miss!

If you’re a country music fan or just curious about the scene’s evolution, this is the place to be. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth country music content!

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Chancellor Lawson is an artist whose journey is as real as the songs he writes. Growing up in a small town in Tennessee, music was always part of his world, influenced early on by his mother and the sounds around him. What makes Chancellor’s story different, though, is the road he took to get here. From playing in bands to opening his own bar that became a home for local musicians, every chapter pushed him closer to finding his voice.

In this unfiltered conversation, Chancellor opens up about the ups and downs of chasing music, how his experiences shaped songs like Ups and Downs, and how Cheers to My Friends was inspired by the people he met while running his bars. We also talk about his unique blend of country and Americana, releasing music while on tour, and what it was like opening for 49 Winchester.

This is a raw, honest look at an artist who’s still writing his story, one song and one mile at a time.

Thanks so much for listening to our first episode of 2026! Give our show a like, check out our YouTube and stay up-to-date on all things country music on Instagram, @the_westernside.

We sat down with Kade Hoffman to talk about the road that brought him here. Raised on a ranch in southeast Colorado and homeschooled for most of his life, Kade found music early, teaching himself guitar and writing songs in the quiet moments between ranch work. After an accident at thirteen put him in the hospital, old Andy Griffith episodes and classic country helped spark a deeper connection to music that never left him.

Influenced by artists like Johnny Cash, Kade developed a voice and songwriting style that feel far beyond his years. His song Bonfire Blues has gained millions of streams and helped introduce his sound to a growing audience. Now in his early twenties, Kade is a regular opener for Colter Wall and continues to carve out his own path by honoring tradition while bringing something fresh to country music.

In this conversation, we talk about his upbringing, the stories behind the songs, pivotal moments along the way, and what drives him as an artist. This is a look at an old soul at the beginning of a long journey.

On this episode, we sat down with Nathan Bess just before his Western Side Live Session to get the full story behind the music.

From how he got his start to the stories behind his songs, Nathan opens up about what drives him, his biggest influences, and the journey that’s shaping his sound. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to chase a dream from West Virginia to the stage, this conversation is full of insight, heart, and a love for the craft.

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Marcus King has had one heck of a journey. Join us as we dive into his story, his struggles with substance abuse, and how he overcame it.

In this episode, you'll hear from Marcus directly and end up caring even more deeply about his music.

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