WPYB Country

08/31/2025

If there’s one artist in country music who hardly needs an introduction, it’s Johnny Cash. The Man in Black is arguably the most popular figure in the genre’s history. From his sprawling discography that includes over 100 albums and his 14 #1 hits, which include iconic tracks such as “I Walk The Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Ring of Fire” and “Folsom Prison Blues” to his legendary shows at Folsom Prison and San Quentin, Cash’s legacy is one that simply cannot be replicated.
Cash’s story is one filled with a plethora of different layers. From his struggle with addiction, history of arrests and unwavering faith to his advocacy for the less fortunate, as well as Native Americans and his relationship with June Carter, Cash’s life can be described equally as complicated as it is captivating.
Despite his struggles with addiction and arrests throughout his life, there was one thing that could not be disputed , his Christian faith.
Growing up in the Baptist church in his hometown of Kingsland, Arkansas, Cash was raised a devout Christian. Steeped in the Christian tradition, he grew up singing gospel music in the church. His faith would be showcased early in his career with the release of his third studio album, Hymns by Johnny Cash, in March of 1959. The record contained classic Gospel songs such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “The Old Account” as well as the Cash originals, “It Was Jesus” and “He’ll Be a Friend.”

Famously, Cash cited the main reason for his departure from his original record label, Sun Records, to Columbia was due to the fact that they would not allow him to release Gospel albums.
Under Columbia, Cash would later release multiple other Gospel albums, including The Holy Land (1969) and The Gospel Road (1973), as well as the posthumous releases, My Mother’s Hymn Book (2004), Cash – Ultimate Gospel (2007) and The Gospel Music of Johnny Cash (2008).
“Being a Christian isn’t for sissies. It takes a real man to live for God — a lot more man than to live for the devil, you know? If you really want to live right these days, you gotta be tough.”
Though there’s not a definitive origin to Cash’s quote, it’s undoubtedly one of his most profound and relevant ones even til today. Clearly taking inspiration from verses such as Matthew 7:13-14, which states:
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Let me share with you, today, some of my favorite Johnny Cash gospel songs with my ‘Facebook Post of the Day’

A RIFF on what country is really about.

08/30/2025

Listen to NEW Waylon Jennings music on our ‘Facebook Post of the Day’Three full albums of unheard Waylon Jennings songs are on the way. The new song is called “The Cowboy (Small Texas Town),” and it’s taken from the same recording sessions of Waylon’s 1978 album I’ve Always Been Crazy. This is the same album that Waylon’s “Don’t You Think This Outlaw Bit’s Done Got Out of Hand” came from. That became a hit, along with the title track. Waylon produced the sessions himself with drummer Richie Albright.
“The Cowboy (Small Texas Town)” was written by fellow country legend Johnny Rodriguez, but it’s the perfect composition for Waylon, singing about humble beginnings in small town Texas (In Waylon’s case, Littlefield), along with referencing the “hippies and cowboys” scene that Waymore stumbled upon in Austin, TX after Willie Nelson convinced him to head there from Nashville. The song also takes a stab at white collar criminals—something Waylon interfaced with regularly in the music business.
Listen to NEW Waylon Jennings music on our ‘Facebook Post of the Day’

The new song is called "The Cowboy (Small Texas Town)," and it's taken from the same recording sessions of Waylon's 1978 album 'I've Always Been Crazy.' It also answers the Littlefield Billboard mystery.

08/29/2025

Cody Jinks has released his new album, In My Blood. Out via his label Late August Records on July 25, this collection boasts 11 tracks and is what the multi-Platinum singer/songwriter calls “the best album we’ve released yet.”
“I hope so at least,” the Fort Worth, Texas native told Country Now in a recent interview. “I don’t know if it’s far more honest than I’ve ever been. I’ve always been honest. Maybe vulnerable is the right word. I think this album is really vulnerable.”
Our ‘Facebook Post of the Night' includes Jink’s favorite song on the album was Inspired by the 1962 fantasy novel of the same name by Ray Bradbury, “Something Wicked This Way Comes” conveys a message that the temptations of good and evil tend to recur.

The project finds Jinks tapping into more vulnerability than ever before.

08/28/2025

Man, is it good to hear a new song from John Prine playing through my speakers. It’s been five years since we lost one of the greatest songwriters of our generation, John Prine. John captivated fans throughout his career with his guitar and simple yet poignant messages that evoked complex emotions. He didn’t need fancy bells and whistles to create a beautiful moment, and he helped shape some of the great songwriters today.This year, the Prine estate is gifting fans with some unreleased tunes, keeping his legacy alive and ensuring he continues to inspire more aspiring songwriters. For its 30th anniversary of Lost Dogs + Mixed Blessings, the album will be released on vinyl for the first time since its original release. With it comes five previously unreleased demos and alternate takes. The record’s reissue will be available via Oh Boy Records on September 12th.
Here’s “Hey Ah Nothing’” on our ‘Facebook Post of the Night’

A RIFF on what country is really about.

08/28/2025

Despite knowing each other for over two decades, Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert had never recorded a duet with just the two of them, until now. Their first official collaboration, “Never You,” appears on Bentley’s latest album, Broken Branches. In honor of this release, Bentley looked back on the early days of their friendship and reflected on getting to watch his fellow artist rise to fame over the years.
“I was telling her and Randy Rogers, I found a picture of Miranda and myself and Randy Rogers back in 2006?
“I’ve just known her for so long and she’s still the same person she was back then. She’s still so fun to be around. Just says whatever’s on her mind,” he acknowledged before later adding, “She’s just one of the greatest singers, and she’d hate for me to say this, but she’s a future Hall of Fame member. That makes you sound old, but she’s going to be the Country Music Hall of Fame. She’s just all time. She’s so great. So happy to have her on that track.” Dierks shares it with us on our ‘Facebook Post of the Night’

Bentley reflected on his decades-long friendship with Lambert and shared his excitement over finally recording a duet together.

08/27/2025

Mark your calendars! Our Veterans are counting on you to come out and celebrate them. 💕🇱🇷 Make it a family event. Bring your children and grandchildren . Start them at an early age to respect and appreciate our Veterans.

08/27/2025

2025 is shaping up to be a memorable year for HARDY. The country rocker and his wife, Caleigh, welcomed their daughter in March, made his first-ever appearance at the Grand Ole Opry in April, embarked on his biggest headlining tour yet in May, and on September 26, he’s set to release his brand new album, COUNTRY! COUNTRY!, via Big Loud.
That project includes “Favorite Country Song,” HARDY’s latest single on our ‘Facebook Post of the Night’

HARDY is returning to his roots, feeling recharged, inspired, and ready to dive back in.

08/26/2025

🚨🍕 BATTLE OF THE BADGES 2025 🍕🚨

Who’s taking home the bragging rights this year — Police 🚔 or Fire/EMS 🚒?
Come out and enjoy some friendly competition while supporting a great cause!

📅 Friday, Sept 5, 2025
🕚 11 AM – 2 PM
📍 Pizza Inn Parking Lot – Dunn

👉 We’re accepting FOOD & MONETARY donations for the DUMA Food Pantry.
💪 The challenge: Who can collect the most — Police or Fire/EMS?

🍕 Plus, Pizza Inn is donating 10% of lunch sales to support the cause.

🎯 Come cheer on your heroes, donate, and enjoy good food and fun!

08/25/2025

This summer has been a good one for small country music artists. With every artist from Luke Bryan to Morgan Wallen going on tour right now, it's up to the big names to choose smaller names that will set the stage for a great show to come. From Tucker Wetmore to Corey Kent, here are some of our favorite openers that have gone on tour this summer; we're willing to bet that you're gonna love these guys almost as much as you love the headliners.
Tucker Wetmore
A supporting act on Thomas Rhett's Better In Boots Tour, Wetmore has already started to make a name for himself. Influenced by artists such as Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, and Luke Bryan, this country artist has already gained significant traction for his single releases, which have spent some time on the Billboard Hot 100. Right now, he's promoting his debut album, What Not To, and is working on building a solid fanbase. Thomas Rhett fans seem to love him, and we have no doubt you will too.
Corey Kent
As the opener for Morgan Wallen on his I'm The Problem Tour, Corey Kent is one to watch. This country singer describes his style as a "'90s all-American kid playing country music with a rock'n'roll spirit," which makes him the perfect opener for Wallen. With already two albums out and one of his songs, "Something's Gonna Kill Me" certified gold, Kent is already on the path to stardom. We're willing to bet that opening for Wallen has given him exactly the push he needs to take that talent to a larger audience and make him stand out in a sea of young country heartthrobs; heck, we know he's already turning our heads!

Dylan Marlowe
Currently part of the lineup on Bailey Zimmerman's New To Country Summer Tour, Dylan Marlowe has made it clear that he's got something country fans should be looking out for. After moving to Nashville in 2018, Marlowe initially went viral for doing a country cover of Olivia Rodrigo's "Driver's License". Now, he's focusing on building a fanbase for his "real country" style, in which he often talks about the struggles of being in your twenties and small-town life. We have no doubt that his raw messages and authenticity will eventually capture the hearts of many, but for now, he's still small enough to be your best-kept country music secret.

Here are three of our top country music openers to watch this summer who are going on tour with artists like Morgan Wallen and Thomas Rhett.

08/24/2025

Scott Wolverton is carving his own path in country music, bringing a fresh take to the genre with what he proudly calls “Midwestern Country Music.” Raised on a farm in Seward, Nebraska, Wolverton blends rural authenticity with a modern sound that’s catching fire on streaming services, thanks to standout releases like “Good Hearted Woman (feat. Madalynn Rose)” and “Do Si Do.”
Now, the rising artist has released his most personal track yet, “Cattleman’s Call,” a heartfelt tribute to the man who helped shape him: his father.
The just-released song, produced by Brian Elmquist, features a unique touch, a real voice memo of Wolverton’s father calling cattle on the farm, on our “Facebook Post of the Day’

“Wrote this tune about my dad and all the life lessons he taught us kids growing up on the farm..."

08/23/2025

A new song and video is here from Tim McGraw! The father of three just released “King Rodeo,” a live version, which he performed at the Inaugural Music City Rodeo. McGraw wrote the song with Tom Douglas.
“We’ve been working on a new record, and we thought that this song was appropriate for the night,” McGraw shares. The song says in part, “So the spotlight’s faded, you moved a little past your prime The video shows McGraw performing at the Music City Rodeo, seated on a stool, backed only by a piano. Interspersed in the video are highlights from McGraw’s career, spanning more than 30 years.

Tim McGraw has a new song and video out!