Cleveland going country with huge concerts, honky-tonks
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Morgan Wallen will make his way to Cleveland for a pair of stadium shows in August. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
Cleveland may be the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, but country music is making quite a home here.
The big picture: The local country scene is booming with a new bar set to open downtown, Dolly Parton license plates on cars, and numerous concerts — including a stadium show — headlining this year's entertainment slate.
- Heck, even the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is inducting country artists regularly.
Catch up quick: Last month, country star Morgan Wallen announced his "I'm The Problem Tour" will stop at Huntington Bank Field for back-to-back concerts in August.
- Wallen headlines an impressive collection of country stars performing in Northeast Ohio in 2025, including Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson and Willie Nelson.
State of play: Jolene's Honky Tonk, named after Parton's legendary song, plans to open on East 4th Street in April.
- It'll be the third country-themed nightspot to open downtown in recent years following Welcome to the Farm and I Hate Cowboys. Both are owned by country star Chase Rise and located next to each other in the Flats.
Between the lines: Speaking of Parton, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library license plate is now available online and at the BMV.
- In 2022, Parton became the first country artist voted into the Rock Hall since Johnny Cash in 1992.
- Willie Nelson joined her in 2023, the same year the Rock Hall hosted its first concert at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium.
The big picture: Country music is one of the fastest-growing genres in the United States, according to entertainment data firm Luminate.
- Pop stars like Post Malone and Beyoncé have even embraced it, with the latter earning Album of the Year at last Sunday's Grammy Awards for "Cowboy Carter."
What they're saying: "Country music is always growing," says Charlie Kriak, publisher of Cleveland Country Magazine based in North Royalton.
- "It goes back to what country music is — easy to relate to. You don't have to think too much. It's an easy transition for people who are fans of other genres."