Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.

Cody Jinks; Photo by : Joshua Black Wilkins

Cody Jinks Unveils 11th Studio Album, ‘In My Blood’ – See The Track List

Posted on May 1, 2025

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Lauren Jo Black

The project paints a picture of where Jinks has been—and where he’s headed next.

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Zach Top; Photo by: Todd Owyoung/NBC

Fans Call Zach Top ‘The Man Saving Country Music’ After ‘Tonight Show’ Debut

Posted on May 1, 2025

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Lauren Jo Black

Top took the stage to perform his fast-rising hit, “I Never Lie.”

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Brett Young performs during Live In The Vineyard Goes Country; Photo Courtesy Live In The Vineyard, Will Bucquoy

Live in the Vineyard Goes Country 2025 Welcomes Rising Stars and Chart-Toppers In Stunning Napa Valley

Posted on April 30, 2025

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Lauren Jo Black

The event served up three days of music, wine, and scenic views in the heart of Napa Valley.

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Lanie Gardner; Photo by Alysse Gafkjen

Lanie Gardner Gets Real About New Song, ‘Concrete Cowboy’: ‘I Actually Wrote It About My Current Boyfriend’ [Exclusive]

Posted on April 29, 2025

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Lauren Jo Black

“Call me Taylor Swift, but I do write about all of my relationships…”

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Toby Keith, Toby Keith's Dream Walkin' Farms' horse Render Judgment (photo credit: Churchill Downs/Coady Media)

Toby Keith’s Horse Render Judgment Will Compete In The 151st Kentucky Derby

Posted on April 28, 2025

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Lauren Jo Black

“My dad dreamed of having his horses in the Kentucky Derby for over 30 years,” Keith’s daughter, Krystal, shared.

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Carrie Underwood; Photos Courtesy YouTube, ABC/American Idol

Carrie Underwood Recreates Her Iconic ‘American Idol’ Performance Of Heart’s ‘Alone’ 20 Years Later

Posted on April 28, 2025

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Lauren Jo Black

“You might remember the high note, but you definitely remember the mile high hair,” she joked of her original performance.

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Riley Green with Hadley; Photo Provided

Riley Green’s Sweet Meet & Greet With Young Fan Hadley Is Melting Hearts Across the Internet

Posted on April 17, 2025

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Lauren Jo Black

Green admits little Hadley “stole the show.”

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Kane Brown; Photo by Matthew Paskert

Kane Brown Raises The Bar On The High Road Tour

Posted on April 16, 2025

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Lauren Jo Black

The superstar brought his 2025 tour to Nashville for two unforgettable nights at Bridgestone Arena.

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Carrie Underwood; Photo by Jeff Johnson

Carrie Underwood Makes History As Longest-Running Female Country Headliner In Las Vegas With Final REFLECTION Show

Posted on April 14, 2025

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Lauren Jo Black

“REFLECTION has truly been one of the standout moments of my performing career thus far,” she shared.

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Megan Moroney and Chase Matthew; Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for Megan Moroney's Am I Okay? Tour 2025

Megan Moroney and Chase Matthew Share Full-Circle Moment During Sold-Out Nashville Shows

Posted on April 11, 2025

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Lauren Jo Black

“Chase was the first artist to take me out on the road with him back in 2022,” Moroney explained.

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