Country on the River

Cole Swindell is currently climbing up the charts with "Let Me See Ya Girl," the fourth and final single from his eponymous freshman album. He isn't sure which song from his upcoming sophomore record will be selected as his next single, but he does know that the project will include a very special song that will definitely be hitting the airwaves at some point down the line.

Blackjack Billy released one heck of a party song, "The Booze Cruise," in 2013. But now, as they prepare to release a new album on Reviver Records, the group plans to show their fans a different, softer side of their music.

There's no question that country music has changed a lot in the 25 years since Joe Diffie released his first album, A Thousand Winding Roads, in 1990 -- and many of the music industry's biggest changes have affected more than just the country world. Many artists have struggled with the rise of digital platforms and other shifts, and Diffie believes that these recent developments have both positives and negatives.

From midday to well after sundown on Friday (Aug. 7), Day 2 of Country on the River 2015 was jam-packed with country music, country music and, yes, more country music.

Country on the River 2016 may be a country music festival, but it's going to have some rock in its lineup -- Kid Rock, that is.

American Young, the duo made up of Kristy Osmunson and Jon Stone, are returning to Prairie du Chien, Wis., for the annual Country on the River festival. Osmunson says that she and Stone have played the event "I don’t even know, as long as American Young has been around," and have made some fun memories each year.

It's been five years since Joe Diffie released Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album and 11 years since his last mainstream record, Tougher Than Nails, but that doesn't mean that he is slowing down. The 56-year-old still spends much of his time on the road, performing more than two decades' worth of hits.

Country on the River 2015 began with a bang on Thursday (Aug. 6). The bands were rockin' and the crowd was all smiles on Day 1 of the three-day country music festival in Prairie du Chien, Wis.

Cole Swindell found success in country music quickly: His eponymous freshman album was released last year, and its first three singles -- "Chillin' It," "Hope You Get Lonely Tonight" and "Ain't Worth the Whiskey" -- each landed at the top of the charts and went either gold or platinum. But now, as "Let Me See Ya Girl," his fourth and final single from the record, is climbing the charts, Swindell says that he isn't at all worried if he'll continue his winning streak, thanks to his level-headed mother.