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The Video Music Awards have finally acknowledged what music fans have known for years: country music is as much a part of popular music as pop or hip hop. For the first time ever, the VMAs will include a country music category. This week, CBS and MTV announced the nominees for the upcoming 42nd Annual VMAs, and in doing so also revealed the addition of a Best Country Artist category. Considering Morgan Wallen, Shaboozey, and Luke Combs (among others) have marked their territory at the top of the pop charts over the last couple years, it makes perfect sense. Jelly Roll leads the way for country artists with four nominations: Best Country, Best Hip Hop, Best Alternative and Video For Good. Morgan Wallen is right behind him with three noms: Artist of the Year, Best Country and Best Album. Others to receive VMA nominations include Ella Langley, Bailey Zimmerman, Megan Moroney, Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson, Blake Shelton, Shaboozey, Luke Combs, Blake Shelton, Post Malone and Dasha. The VMAs will take place on September 7th at the USB Arena in New York City. CBS and MTV will simulcast the event live, and Paramount+ will stream it.
Rock band Mumford & Sons have kicked off their "Railroad Tour," a short series of shows they get to via...the railroad, of course. Night One was in New Orleans, and they surprised the NoLa crowd by bringing out country superstar Lainey Wilson. Lainey joined them on stage for a joint live performance of her hit "Things A Man Oughtta Know." They also combined for a folked-up rendition of Shania Twain's "Man! I Feel Like A Woman," that sounds nothing like the original. Check out the live "Man! I Feel Like A Woman" below...