Billboard highlights several books, including works from Willie Nelson, Clint Black and Cleve Francis, that celebrate the breadth of country music.
COUNTRY MUSIC FOREVER: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories
Photo courtesy The Mayhem Agency
For music fans who want to go beyond the songs, albums and concerts, music books can make an excellent option, providing behind-the-scenes accounts of the music industry and deeper explorations of music history, offering context and perspectives that fans can’t get from music alone.
Country music has seen a resurgence over the past several years, with Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” topping the Billboard Hot 100 for 20 weeks in 2026, and country songs by Morgan Wallen, Beyoncé, Post Malone, Shaboozey, Jason Aldean and more also topping the chart. Meanwhile, hit TV shows like Landman and Yellowstone helped usher in a renewed cultural focus on all things country music-related.
This year, a number of books have been released (or will soon be released) that cover various facets of country music. Country Music Hall of Famer Willie Nelson is set to add another book to his slate of literary works, while Clint Black looks back on his career arc to becoming part of the country music firmament with hits like “Killin’ Time” and “Like the Rain” in a new memoir, and Cleve Francis details his journey as a Black country music artist in the ‘90s. In addition, longtime music journalists dive deep into the careers of top stars like Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift, and industry professionals shine a light on their own life and career journeys.
Altogether, country music fans have a wealth of options for exploring the genre and learning more about the artists who have helped shape country music’s rich musical tapestry. Below, find a roundup of eight recently released or upcoming country music-related books that devoted music fans can add to their reading lists.
-
Willie Nelson, THE LAST LEAF: Reflections on Late-Life Creativity—and My Longest Love Affair
Beyond being a prolific recording artist and songwriter, Country Music Hall of Famer Willie Nelson has also proven himself to be a prolific author, penning several books.
On Nov. 10, Nelson will release his latest book The LAST LEAF: Reflections on Late-Life Creativity–and My Longest Love Affair, published by Penguin Random House imprint Penguin Press. Nelson, 93, shares decades of hard-earned wisdom and insights, including those gleaned from his relationship with his longtime love, his wife Annie.
“The backbone of this book is a love story,” Nelson said in a statement. “The heroine is my wife, Annie, who kept me alive when I was sure I was gone. COVID nearly got me. I was hurting so bad I wanted out. But Annie wouldn’t let me go. The years I’ve lived since then are because of Annie. And so is this book.”
-
Lauren Jo Black, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs, and Stories
On Sept. 15, longtime country music journalist and Country Now editor-in-chief Lauren Jo Black’s book Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs, and Stories will be released in the United States and Canada (the book was previously released in the UK and Australia). Published by Greenfinch, the book features an A-to-Z guide to country music, with over 100 entries highlighting many of the genre’s biggest artists, but also iconic stage and TV moments, historic locations, fan-favorite songs, and enduring fashions.
-
Emily Yahr, Taylor Swift: The Debut Years
On Oct. 6, Washington Post reporter Emily Yahr will release her first book, Taylor Swift: The Debut Years, which studies the global star’s first decade in Nashville and her initial career rise in country music. The book chronicles Swift’s origin story, including her early work with Music City songwriters including Liz Rose, and producer Nathan Chapman. Taylor Swift: The Debut Years is published through St. Martin’s Press.
-
Cleve Francis, Do My Heart Good: My Odyssey Through Country Music, Medicine and History
Country singer and cardiologist Cleve Francis chronicles his journey as a Black country music artist in the 1990s in this new book, set to be released on Oct. 6 through University of Illinois Press, in conjunction with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Signed with Capitol Nashville/Liberty Records, Francis earned four songs on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart, with the highest-charting being “You Do My Heart Good,” which reached No. 47 in 1992. Francis shares his story of pursuing music and hitting coveted career milestones, while also working to overcome racial barriers in the industry.
-
Annie Zaleski, Dolly Parton: The Stories Behind the Songs
On Aug. 11, journalist and author Zaleski released an examination of the stories behind over 150 of Country Music Hall of Famer Dolly Parton’s top songs, spanning the late singer’s 60+ year career. The book looks at the inspiration behind hits such as “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” many of Parton’s Porter Wagoner duets, such as “The Last Thing On My Mind” and “Holding On To Nothin’,” and additional classics like “The Seeker” and “Coat of Many Colors.” Dolly Parton: The Stories Behind The Songs was published by Welbeck.
-
Clint Black with Craig Shelburne, Killin’ Time: My Life and Music
Clint Black worked with journalist/author Craig Shelburne to release Black’s memoir Killin’ Time: My Life and Music in May. The memoir traces Black’s story from growing up Texas and playing in clubs and hotel bars throughout the state, to his breakthrough success in 1989 with his debut album Killin’ Time (which housed Billboard Hot Country Songs chart-topping songs “A Better Man,” “Walking Away” and “Nobody’s Home”). The book follows his journey to notching 13 Country Songs No. 1 hits, earning a Grammy, navigating the highs and pitfalls of fame — and maintaining an enduring marriage with his wife, actress/singer Lisa Hartman Black. The book is published by Harper Influence.
-
Dawn Delvo, My Greatest Solo: Accompanied By Grace
In June, Black River Entertainment vice president of philanthropy and social impact Dawn Delvo released a heartfelt memoir, giving readers a glimpse into her inspiring journey of weathering personal and professional losses while also navigating single motherhood and building her music industry career. The book’s release also coincided with Delvo’s two-decade anniversary of relocating to Nashville to pursue a career in music business.
-
Jimmy McDonough, Gary Stewart: I Am From The Honky-Tonks
Released in April from esteemed author Jimmy McDonough, this book chronicles the life and career of the late country artist Gary Stewart, who died in 2003. Stewart was known for such songs as 1975’s “She Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles),” and 1974’s “Drinkin’ Thing” and “Out of Hand.” The biography draws from interviews with Stewart, his wife Mary Lou, and artists including Nelson and Tanya Tucker.