With the 60th Annual CMA Awards just two weeks out, James and Laura make their picks in every major category. Laura goes in blind, James brings the receipts, and we each put our names on a couple of upset picks we’re not backing down from.

Before the predictions, Ella Langley’s Choosin’ Texas hits 26 weeks at No. 1, Zach Bryan surprises everyone, including the songwriter, with a cover of Ian Noe’s Kentucky Hurricane, and we share our first listen to Wyatt McCubbin’s debut album 650.

We wrap with where to find us around Michigan, including Zac Brown Band and Brothers Osborne in Detroit and the final stop of Gavin Adcock’s tour at Van Andel Arena.

New episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Watch the full episode on YouTube.

Follow Country Minute on Instagram for daily country music news: instagram.com/country_minute

ABOUT COUNTRY MINUTE
Country Minute is a husband-and-wife country music platform run by James and Laura Shotwell from West Michigan. With a combined 40 years in the music industry, we bring people together through news, event coverage, and opinion. Community is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re glad you’re here.

A slow weekend in country music means James and Laura get to have some fun. We recap Halloween, then break down Aerosmith’s surprise final shows at the Hollywood Bowl, featuring Eric Church covering "Rag Doll" and "I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing" and the Marcus King Band opening night two.

Then it’s a guide to planning your 2027 festival season, and our case for why every country fan should experience Country Jam USA in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, at least once, with Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, and Gavin Adcock leading next year’s lineup. Plus, Reba celebrates 50 years in country music with the first official release of her sitcom’s theme song.

We wrap by building our 90s country Mount Rushmores, including one pick from each of us that’s sure to start a debate.

New episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Watch the full episode on YouTube.

Follow Country Minute on Instagram for daily country music news: instagram.com/country_minute

ABOUT COUNTRY MINUTE
Country Minute is a husband-and-wife country music platform run by James and Laura Shotwell from West Michigan. With a combined 40 years in the music industry, we bring people together through news, event coverage, and opinion. Community is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re glad you’re here.

Emergency meeting, y’all. (Country) Minutes after we wrapped today’s episode, Morgan Wallen dropped the lineup for Sand in My Boots 2027, so James and Laura ran back to the basement for a bonus episode.

The festival returns to Gulf Shores, Alabama, May 21 to 23, 2027, with Morgan Wallen, Kings of Leon, Ella Langley, Kygo, Third Eye Blind, Gucci Mane, Gavin Adcock, Koe Wetzel, Girl Talk, and a whole lot more, plus a pre-fest party headlined by Stella Lefty. We break down the lineup, predict the headliner nights, and explain how to get tickets, from hotel packages on sale now to the Club Wallen presale ahead of the November 6 on sale.

Our regular Monday episode is right behind this one, so stay tuned.

Follow Country Minute on Instagram for daily country music news: instagram.com/country_minute

ABOUT COUNTRY MINUTE
Country Minute is a husband-and-wife country music platform run by James and Laura Shotwell from West Michigan. With a combined 40 years in the music industry, we bring people together through news, event coverage, and opinion. Community is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re glad you’re here.