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- 1Taylor Swift becomes most-awarded artist in MTV VMAs history▼Taylor Swift becomes most-awarded artist in MTV VMAs history, dedicates top prize to Dolly Parton
Taylor Swift has become the most-awarded artist in the history of the MTV Video Music Awards, setting a new record at the ceremony. She dedicated the show's top prize to country legend Dolly Parton, a gesture that drew wide attention and praise from fans and media outlets. Coverage highlights both the record milestone and her tribute to Parton as the defining moments of the night.
- 2Country music legend Dolly Parton dies at 80●Country music legend Dolly Parton dies at 80 after 'brief battle with cancer'
Dolly Parton, the beloved country music icon, has died at the age of 80 following what reports describe as a brief battle with cancer. The singer, songwriter and philanthropist was one of the most celebrated figures in American music, with a career spanning more than six decades and hits including 'Jolene' and 'I Will Always Love You'. Tributes are pouring in from fans and fellow artists worldwide.
- 3Chinese Singer Liu Huan Dies at 63▼Liu Huan, C-Pop Pioneer and Beijing Olympics Vocalist, Dies at 63
Liu Huan, one of China's best-known singers and a pioneer of C-pop, has died at the age of 63. He performed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, singing alongside Sarah Brightman, and was regarded as a founding figure of modern Chinese popular music. Tributes are circulating as fans and musicians mourn one of the country's most iconic voices.
- 4Madonna opens 2026 MTV VMAs as Kacey Musgraves honours Dolly Parton●Madonna kicks off the 2026 MTV VMAs, Kacey Musgraves pays tribute to Dolly Parton
Madonna kicked off the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, delivering the opening moments of the ceremony. Elsewhere in the show, Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to country legend Dolly Parton. The pairing of a pop icon opening the night and a country tribute drew attention from music fans, with coverage focusing on the performances and star power on display.
- 5Kacey Musgraves Honors Dolly Parton With VMAs Tribute Performance●Kacey Musgraves Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton With MTV VMAs Performance
Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to Dolly Parton with a performance at the MTV Video Music Awards. The singer delivered a homage to the country music legend during the ceremony, drawing attention from fans and media covering the show.
- 6Kacey Musgraves Honours Dolly Parton With VMAs Tribute Performance●Kacey Musgraves Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton With ‘I Will Always Love You’ at MTV VMAs
Kacey Musgraves performed a tribute to Dolly Parton at the MTV Video Music Awards, singing 'I Will Always Love You', the song Parton wrote in 1973 and which later became a defining hit for Whitney Houston. The moment is drawing attention as a highlight of this year's ceremony, with fans praising the country star's nod to one of music's most beloved songwriters.
- 7
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are trending in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany and Italy. Coverage so far has focused on the red carpet, with lists of the best-dressed celebrities at the ceremony circulating widely. Searches for the event spiked across multiple regions at the same time, indicating broad international interest in the show and its fashion moments.
- 8New museum invites Austrians to embrace The Sound of Music▼‘A joyful place’: a new museum coaxes Austrians to embrace The Sound of Music
A new museum in Austria is encouraging locals to reconnect with The Sound of Music, the 1965 film that became a global phenomenon yet long went underappreciated at home. The venue, described by curators as 'a joyful place', celebrates the musical's story and filming locations, hoping Austrians will finally embrace a classic that generations of tourists have loved.
- 9
A new Rolling Stone essay examines "Choosin' Texas", drawing fresh attention to the song and its place in country music conversations. Readers are weighing in on the piece, debating the track's themes, its references, and what it says about the genre's current direction. The essay has sparked a wider back-and-forth about the song's meaning among country fans and critics.
- 10
Rolling Stone is covering "Choosin' Texas," the latest release from country star Miranda Lambert, drawing attention to the song's lyrics and its place in her recent Texas-themed work. Music fans are sharing and debating the review, discussing what the track says about heartbreak and home, and weighing in on where it ranks among her recent songs.
- 11Reba McEntire says she missed a final call from Dolly Parton▼Reba McEntire missed a call from Dolly Parton before singer's death
Reba McEntire has revealed that she missed a phone call from Dolly Parton shortly before the singer's death. The detail, shared in a news report, has struck a chord with fans of both country music icons, many of whom are reflecting on the pair's decades-long friendship and shared history in Nashville. The anecdote has quickly become one of the most discussed entertainment stories of the day.
- 12Fans moved to tears by MTV VMAs tribute to Dolly Parton●Dolly Parton fans in tears over ‘perfect’ MTV VMAs tribute https:// fed.brid.gy/r/https://metro.co .uk/2026/09/28/dolly-
A tribute to Dolly Parton at the MTV VMAs has drawn an emotional response from fans, who have described it as perfect. Reactions shared online describe viewers being moved to tears by the performance, which honoured the country legend's career. The tribute has become one of the most talked-about moments of this year's ceremony.
- 13Country legend recalls final phone call with Dolly Parton▼Country music legend said Dolly Parton called before icon’s death: ‘I’ll never know why she called’
A country music legend has revealed that Dolly Parton called him shortly before her death, saying he will never know why she reached out. The remark has drawn attention across US media outlets, with fans reflecting on the relationship between the two country stars and the poignant timing of the final conversation between them.
- 14Senate designates October as National Country Music Month▼Senate made October 'National Country Music Month' as genre grows more popular
The US Senate has passed a resolution designating October as National Country Music Month, a move that comes as country music continues to grow in popularity across the United States. The recognition highlights the genre's expanding audience and cultural reach, and honours its roots and contributors, with Tennessee media noting the significance for Nashville's music industry.
- 15Young country music stars are stepping away from the stage▼Some of country music’s top young stars are stepping away from the stage. Here’s why
Reports from several US news outlets say some of country music's top young performers are stepping back from live touring and stage appearances. The coverage indicates the withdrawals have a shared explanation, though the syndicated headlines do not specify which artists are involved or the exact reasons driving the decisions.
- 16Cantor revives lost Jewish music in Germany●‘The night where music died’: Cantor brings back lost Jewish music to Germany
A cantor is working to bring back Jewish music lost during the Nazi era, performing and recovering works suppressed in Germany. The effort is being described as reclaiming 'the night where music died', restoring a cultural tradition nearly erased by the Holocaust and returning it to the country where it was silenced.
- 17Country star cancels remaining 2026 shows after crash●Country music star’s fans praying after crash forces him to cancel remaining 2026 shows
A country music star has canceled the remainder of his 2026 tour dates after being involved in a crash. Fans have flooded social media with messages of support and prayers for his recovery, with many expressing concern and wishing him well. No further details about the star's identity, the crash, or his condition were provided.
- 18Kacey Musgraves delivers emotional Dolly Parton tribute at MTV VMAs▼Kacey Musgraves proves she’ll always love Dolly Parton with heart-wrenching MTV VMAs performance
Kacey Musgraves performed a heart-wrenching tribute to Dolly Parton at the MTV Video Music Awards, in what was framed as a demonstration of her enduring love and admiration for the country legend. The moment drew attention as one of the emotional highlights of the night, with fans and media reacting to the pairing of two of country music's most beloved figures on the VMAs stage.
- 19Country group to proceed indefinitely without a key member●Popular country music group will be without key member indefinitely: ‘My heart is full’
A popular country music group will be without one of its key members for an indefinite period, according to a report from PennLive. The departing member shared the words 'My heart is full', suggesting the move is an emotional but amicable one. No details have been given on who is stepping away, why, or how long the hiatus will last.
- 20Dolly Parton Hotel Opens in Nashville Without Its Namesake●How Do You Open a Dolly Parton Hotel Without Dolly Parton? https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/28/travel/dolly-parton-songte
A new Dolly Parton-themed hotel, the Songteller Hotel, has opened in Nashville, but the country star herself was absent from the launch, prompting the question of how a celebrity-branded hotel functions without the celebrity. The opening has drawn attention in travel and music circles, with discussion focusing on the hotel's attempt to channel Parton's persona and legacy in her hometown.
- 21Stephen Wilson Jr. Joins Eddie Vedder for 'Hunger Strike' Duet▼Watch Stephen Wilson Jr. Sing ‘Hunger Strike’ With Eddie Vedder
Stephen Wilson Jr. performed 'Hunger Strike' alongside Eddie Vedder at a recent show, delivering the Temple of the Dog classic as a duet. Footage of the collaboration has been shared by Rolling Stone, drawing attention from fans of both artists. The pairing of the rising country singer-songwriter with the Pearl Jam frontman on the grunge-era staple is striking chatter across music circles.
- 22Eddie Vedder performs Hunger Strike duet with Stephen Wilson Jr.▼Eddie Vedder sings Hunger Strike with Stephen Wilson Jr. in the US — Rolling Stone
Eddie Vedder joined singer-songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr. on stage in the United States for a rendition of Hunger Strike, the Temple of the Dog classic, according to Rolling Stone. The pairing of the Pearl Jam frontman with the rising country-rock artist has drawn attention from fans of both acts.
- 23New bill would bring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to New Jersey▼New bill aims to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to New Jersey
New Jersey lawmakers have introduced a bill to bring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to the state, expanding the free book-gifting program for young children. The program, founded by the country music star, mails a free book each month to enrolled children from birth to age five. Supporters say it would boost early literacy for families across New Jersey.
- 24Johnny Cash's 1970 Rolls-Royce Converted to Electric▼Johnny Cash's old 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow has been turned into an EV after it had 'black smoke' coming out of it
A 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow once owned by Johnny Cash has been converted into an electric vehicle. The car was reportedly emitting black smoke, prompting the switch from its original petrol engine. The conversion revives interest in the country legend's former ride and highlights a growing trend of classic cars being given electric drivetrains.
- 25Brock University launches Canada's first international musical theatre double degree●Brock University launches Canada’s first international double degree in musical theatre and education
Brock University in Ontario has announced Canada's first international double degree combining musical theatre and education. The program will allow students to train in performance while qualifying as teachers, with an international component built into the course of study. The university positions the offering as a first of its kind in the country, aiming to draw students interested in both the arts and classroom teaching careers.
- 26Kenny Chesney to play Milwaukee stadium with Eric Church and Sheryl Crow▼Kenny Chesney playing American Family Field with Eric Church & Sheryl Crow next July
Country star Kenny Chesney will perform at American Family Field in Milwaukee next July, joined by Eric Church and Sheryl Crow. The show adds another major concert to the stadium's growing slate of summer events, and fans of all three artists are already taking notice of the lineup announcement.
- 27Kentucky launches state Office of Music under Beshear▼Beshear opens KY Office of Music, cites Childers, Stapleton, Lynn and Monroe
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has opened the state's new Office of Music, an initiative aimed at promoting and supporting Kentucky's music industry and heritage. Announcing the office, Beshear pointed to the state's storied musical legacy, naming artists including Tyler Childers, Chris Stapleton, Loretta Lynn and Bill Monroe as examples of Kentucky's outsized influence on country, bluegrass and roots music.
- 28Beshear Creates Kentucky Governor's Office of Music●Beshear creates a Kentucky Governor’s Office of Music
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has established a Governor's Office of Music, a new state office dedicated to supporting and promoting the state's music industry and heritage. Kentucky has a rich musical tradition, from bluegrass to country, and the move signals an effort to grow the sector's economic and cultural footprint. Details on funding and staffing have not yet been announced.
- 29Country Music Songwriters Festival Coming to Buckeye Lake▼Country music's songwriters festival coming to Buckeye Lake
A country music songwriters festival is set to come to Buckeye Lake, Ohio, bringing the writers behind popular country hits to the village southeast of Columbus. Local outlet WSYX reported the announcement, which puts the lakeside community on the map as a destination for the genre's behind-the-scenes talent. Details on dates, lineup and venue have not yet been widely shared.
- 30Country artist Riley Green to play Spokane next spring▼Country artist Riley Green coming to Spokane next spring
Country singer Riley Green is scheduled to perform in Spokane next spring, according to local outlet KXLY. The announcement gives fans in eastern Washington advance notice to plan for the show, though specific date, venue and ticket details were not included in the initial report.