First introduced to a national audience during American Idol, McDonald quickly became known for his unmistakable rasp, magnetic presence, and Southern-rooted style. But beyond the spotlight, his journey has been one of evolution. Stepping away from the noise, he leaned into what defines true artistry: living fully, feeling deeply, and writing honestly.
Rolling Stone had them among the “best of what we saw” at RockyGrass in 2025, praising their “rowdy set of high-octane bluegrass numbers,” and noting, “The group itself is a rapidly-rising force on the national touring scene.”
Releasing on April 17, rising star BELLES steps into country music tradition with a bold, imaginative follow-up to one of the genre’s most iconic songs. Reflecting on the moment she learned that Parton wanted to join her for the final recording, the 26-year-old said,“I could die happy now.” — The Sun Like Dolly, BELLES is a songwriter first, with over 100M+ cumulative streams across her catalog. Her song “Crazy As Me” peaked at #3 on the iTunes Country Charts in 2025, momentum that carried her across the country on her headlining Crazy As Me Tour, selling out several venues.
His prolific songwriting is a natural fit for Music City’s Americana, roots, and country communities, garnering praise from publications such as Rolling Stone, Billboard, CMT, Relix, and The Tennessean.
His sixth studio album, Ain’t Dead Yet, marks his most personal chapter to date. Recorded before, during, and after cancer treatment including sessions the day before lung surgery that could have permanently altered his voice, the album explores themes of mortality, gratitude, memory, and transformation. Sonically rooted in pedal steel, fiddle, and Walker’s signature guitar picking, it captures an artist confronting uncertainty with defiance, clarity, and hard-won joy.
