Matthew Leimkuehler

Assistant journalism professor @MTSU. Former music reporter @Tennessean & @USATODAY Network. Midwesterner. Strange but not a stranger.

[Matthew Leimkuehler @mattleimkuehler]

Went to Denver last month to watch @lukecombs headline Mile High. In the hours ahead of the show, I talked with LC and crew about the landmark moment in his career.

@Tennessean: On the road with Luke Combs, country music's blue-collar champion

https://t.co/9ZIrtiqYsW

[Rolling Stone @RollingStone]

Bonnaroo 2026: The Best Things We Saw

From the positive vibes of Noah Kahan and Tedeschi Trucks Band to the all-or-nothing chaos of Turnstile and Amyl and the Sniffers.
https://t.co/CXRck3uyUL

[Matthew Leimkuehler @mattleimkuehler]

The @PredsNHL score five goals (in the first period!) on the same day I publish this story? Guess I’m covering hockey now!

https://t.co/A09T7LJbUc

[Nick Kappel @NickKappel]

Salvador Perez:

2015 World Series MVP
2020 Comeback Player of the Year
2022 Lou Gehrig Award
2024 Roberto Clemente Award
2024 Stan Musial Award
2026 World Baseball Classic champion
9-time All-Star
5-time Gold Glove
5-time Silver Slugger

[Matthew Leimkuehler @mattleimkuehler]

So incredibly cool to watch @SalvadorPerez15, the greatest @Royals player of his time, catch that final strike.

[Jeff Passan @JeffPassan]

FINAL: Venezuela 3, United States 2

Venezuela wins the World Baseball Classic in a game that lived up to the tournament’s name. Superlative pitching, excellent defense, clutch swings -- the biggest of them Eugenio Suárez’s go-ahead double in the ninth inning. An incredible show.

[Nashville Scene @NashvilleScene]

According to emails reviewed by the Scene, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn coordinated a personal power restoration timeline with NES CEO Teresa Broyles-Aplin during Winter Storm Fern.
https://t.co/QmEmYb6pyX

[Matthew Leimkuehler @mattleimkuehler]

@tnnaterau :(

[Rolling Stone @RollingStone]

As the Grateful Dead's co-lead singer, writer, and guitarist beside Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir's elliptical riffs, eccentric song structures and slightly off-kilter stage presence made him an intrinsic ingredient to the Dead.

More on his life and legacy: https://t.co/L5KscguzMd

[Isiah Whitlock Jr. @IsiahWhitlockJr]

#280characters? Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-it!

[Ashley Monroe @ashleymonroe]

Tennessee Lightning at #9! Thank you @RollingStone ❤️

[Matthew Leimkuehler @mattleimkuehler]

Wrote about a few of my favorites from the year for this list. Check it!

[Rolling Stone @RollingStone]

The 25 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2025

From stellar debuts and posthumous collections to albums by established artists unafraid to rewrite their definition of country music.
https://t.co/kYdlFNaHX3

[Rolling Stone @RollingStone]

Rolling Stone names Tyler Childers' 'Snipe Hunter' as the Best Country and Americana Album of 2025 👑

'Snipe Hunter' makes every risk feel natural, establishing Childers as arguably the most visionary artist in country music today. 

FULL LIST: https://t.co/kYdlFNaHX3

[Steven Hyden @Steven_Hyden]

RIP Raul Malo of The Mavericks. Incredible singer. I've been listening recently to 1994's WHAT A CRYING SHAME, one of my favorite 90s country records. Just listen to this guy's voice. Big time talent. He could go to that Roy Orbison place.
https://t.co/6Zgq9jx16q

[Ryman Auditorium @theryman]

We’re heartbroken to hear of our friend @raulmalo01’s passing. @MavericksMusic brought such magic to our stage many times, and his voice and spirit made every moment unforgettable. We’re keeping his family and all those who loved him in our hearts during this difficult time. ❤️

[Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine]

Farewell to Raul Malo, the lead singer of the Mavericks, one of the greatest bands in country music in the last 30 years. https://t.co/IDPVNYgPHV

[Matthew Leimkuehler @mattleimkuehler]

RIP to Raul, the man behind one of Nashville’s perennially cool bands, @MavericksMusic.

[The Mavericks @MavericksMusic]

It’s with the deepest grief we share the passing of our friend, bandmate and brother Raul Malo on December 8th, 2025 at the age of 60.

Full statement: https://t.co/HywJAKf6Kq

[Jonathan Bernstein @jonbern]

any editor would be silly not to hire brittany to write their cover stories

[Austin City Limits @acltv]

We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Todd Snider, who graced the Austin City Limits stage in Season 21 back in 1996.
A gifted storyteller with a fearless spirit and a songwriter’s heart, Todd brought humor, honesty, and humanity to every lyric. His music left a mark on the ACL stage and on everyone who heard him.
Our love goes out to his family, friends, and fans. His songs and stories will continue to live on. https://t.co/lImfglmiUS

[Lorie Liebig @lorieliebig]

Rest in peace, Todd Snider. I went down to Five Points and left an LED candle for ya at the Purple Building because East Nashville sure feels dim tonight.