The 10 Biggest Country Stories of the Year: Women Rule in the C-Suite, Coastal Labels Swarm, Post Malone, Beyoncé and More

As Lainey Wilson sings on her latest album, Whirlwind, “country’s cool again.” With tongue slightly planted in cheek, she lovingly pokes fun at fans newly embracing country music, while proudly proclaiming folks like her have been here all along. “Once you get a taste, you’ll lick the spoon/ Learn every word to ‘The Dance’ and ‘Neon Moon’,” she predicts.

The song perfectly encapsulates the year in country music. The tent keeps getting bigger as the genre’s popularity swells, fueled by the continued success of artists like Wilson, Morgan Wallen, Zach Bryan and Luke Combs, as well as through pop/R&B acts like Post Malone and Beyoncé releasing highly successful and impactful country-leaning sets.

As noted below, country consumption continues to grow, though it has slowed from the staggering pace in 2023. And streaming numbers continue to increase: In Spotify Wrapped — the DSP’s recently released year-end figures — Bryan and Wallen were the third- and fourth-most streamed artists on the all-genre ranking. Additionally, Wallen joined Taylor Swift in having two LPs in the 10 most-streamed albums in the U.S., spanning all genres. Similarly, country registered three of the top 10 songs streamed in the U.S., with Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” coming in at No. 3, Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help” featuring Wallen at No. 4 and Bryan’s Kacey Musgraves-featuring “I Remember Everything” landing at No. 9.

On Music Row, there were also big changes at the major labels — as the new guard continues to take over and gather steam and, not insignificantly, compete (or collaborate, depending upon whom you ask), with their coastal counterparts, who are increasingly diving into country waters, either through signing artists outright or partnering with a Nashville label.

These are the top 10 country stories of the year.