Country Music 411 Archives for 2025-04

Toby Keith's Horse to Compete in KY Derby

One of Toby Keith's horses is set to compete in the 2025 Kentucky Derby.  The news was announced in a post on the late singer's Instagram with the caption "Toby will have the best seat in the house" as he cheers on his horse Render Judgement.  In her own post on Instagram, Keith's daughter Krystal said Render made it just hours before the post position drawing. She said out of over 20-thousand race horses born in the same year to  be eligible for this year's race, only 20 will compete in the 2025 Kentucky Derby on May 3rd. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Toby Keith (@tobykeith)


photo credit: ?Spc. Anna-Marie Risner

Public domain

Ella Langley/Zach Top - ACM Winners

Ella Langley and Zach Top are early ACM award winners.  The singers won their first Academy of Country Music awards Friday for New Female/Male Artist of the Year.  The wins were announced ahead of the ACM Awards ceremony on May 8th when most trophies will be handed out.  Langley is this year's top nominee for the awards show with a total of (8) nominations, most of those for her duet "You Look Like You Love Me" with Riley Green. Zach Top is also up for Album of the Year for "Cold Beer and Country Music".

 

photo credit: Sony Music


 

 


 

 

Billy Ray and Elizabeth Hurley??

Billy Ray Cyrus is apparently off the market, and so is actress Elizabeth Hurley.  Cyrus and the British actress made their surprise romance known on Easter when they went Instagram official. He had an ugly divorce from Australian singer Firerose that played out publicly before becoming official last June. Hurley famously dated actor Hugh Grant from 1987-to-2000. The pair reportedly have known each other for some time, starring together in a 2022 film Christmas in Paradise, along with Frasier alum Kelsey Grammar. Just over a week before the couple's Easter announcement, Hurley subtly hinted at their relationship, posting a bikini video set to Billy Ray's, "She's Not Cryin' Anymore", tagging him in the post.


photo credit: The White House / public domain

Jelly Roll Drops 200 Pounds!

Need a little weight-loss inspiration?  Jelly Roll recently announced that he's down almost 200 pounds.  He said he started at 540 pounds, and weighed in at 357 last week.  Jelly says he has another 100 to lose before he can go skydiving with his wife in Sweden. According to most normal skydiving procedures, the max you can weigh is 250 pounds to jump out of an airplane. We can’t wait to see video of that! 

 

photo credit: Setoxxx

Ronnie Dunn Leaves Stage Early in Indy

Ronnie Dunn fans are concerned for the country singer after he abruptly walked off stage during Brooks and Dunn's Thursday night concert at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.  The 71-year-old was singing "Boot Scootin' Boogie" last week during the show's encore when he gestured to another band member that he was done performing.  He pounded his heart and waved to the audience before abruptly walking off stage.  

 

@maloneradio Feel better, Ronnie!!! Thanks for giving us all you could!! #brooksanddunn #concert #country #countrymusic ? original sound - Matt Malone

Dunn also spent some time sitting down during the duo's performance of "Rock My World (Little Country Girl)." Video shows him seated on the risers behind his microphone stand, standing up to sing when he felt able. Fans on social media defended the star, citing a recent bout with strep throat.  Representatives for Brooks and Dunn haven't commented on his exit.   

 

@mackenziebogdon Anyone know what’s going on?!  Hoping a quick bug, and he’s back on stage tomorrow!  #brooksanddunn #concert #indianapolis #ronniedunn #illness ? original sound - Mackenzie Bogdon

photo credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America