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I was lucky enough to attend Luke Bryan’s 11th Annual Crash My Playa this year, and I’m here to tell you: it did not disappoint.
I’ve been covering country music since 2008, and in that time, I’ve had the opportunity to attend and report on music cruises, destination festivals, and events all over the world. After 18 years in this industry, I can confidently say that my experience at Crash My Playa blew everything else out of the water.
The event combines two things I love most: country music and the beach. Taking place at the Moon Palace Resort in sunny Riviera Cancún, Mexico, Crash My Playa also offered a much-appreciated escape from the frigid Nashville winter, and that alone felt like a win. (I say this as I’m back home and awaiting a snow storm that’s predicted to bring 8 to 12 inches to the Nashville area this weekend.)
To be honest, I didn’t know exactly what to expect going into the weekend. Based on photos and videos I’d seen online over the years, I worried I might not be “hardcore” enough for the experience. The fans looked like they partied nonstop from sunup to sundown, staking out stage spots and standing for hours. I arrived with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised because the overall vibe was incredibly laid-back. It truly felt like a vacation.
Here’s my take on Crash My Playa as a first-timer.
The Resort
This was only my second time visiting Mexico and just my third stay at an all-inclusive resort. While opinions on all-inclusives can be mixed, I came away impressed. My room at the Sunrise section of the resort was fairly basic, but it was clean, comfortable, and centrally located. I could get to either the pool stage or the main stage within three to five minutes, which was more than ideal.
The service across the resort stood out most. The staff consistently went above and beyond to help with anything you needed. Breakfast was a general buffet, I rarely had time for lunch, and the dinners exceeded my expectations. Some standout spots included Momo and Palapa Asadero.
The Music
I was genuinely excited about this year’s lineup. I’ve seen every artist on the bill before and knew fans were in for something special. From conversations with attendees, it was clear that many people come to Crash My Playa specifically to discover new music, and this year delivered.
Rising artists like Lauren Watkins, The Castellows, George Birge, and Josh Ross made a strong impression, while Kameron Marlowe, Chase Matthew, Tucker Wetmore, and Priscilla Block brought the energy fans were hoping for.
And then there were the headliners. Luke Bryan, Riley Green, and Dierks Bentley (with an epic appearance from Hot Country Knights!) anchored each night, with additional special appearances from Parker McCollum and Shenandoah. Of course, no Crash My Playa would be complete without the festival’s “Mayor,” Dustin Lynch.
One of the best parts of the weekend was that many of the rising artists had multiple performance opportunities, whether at pool parties, late-night shows, or the main stage, allowing fans to see them in different settings.
The final night alone was worth the trip. Luke Bryan & Friends closed out the festival with a two-and-a-half-hour set that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else. Where else can you see Luke Bryan share the stage with Parker McCollum, Shenandoah, Dierks Bentley, and more in such an intimate setting?
Everything ran on time, but what stood out most was how personal the shows felt, even with artists of this caliber. When you consider that artists like Luke Bryan, Riley Green, and Dierks Bentley typically play arenas and amphitheaters holding 12,000 to 20,000+ fans, seeing them perform for just a few thousand people on a beach feels truly special, and it was.
The Experience
I have nothing but great things to say about the overall experience. Everyone I encountered, from resort staff and festival personnel to fellow fans, was welcoming and kind. I had imagined people rushing the stage or being territorial about their spots, but that simply wasn’t the case. Instead, there was a genuine sense of community. Everyone there shared a love of music, and that was apparent.
Crash My Playa strikes the perfect balance between vacation and music festival. There aren’t multiple stages competing for your attention at the same time, so you never feel torn between sets or worried about missing something.
The pool parties were a major highlight. There’s truly nothing like watching live country music while sipping a cold drink in a pool under the sunshine. Dustin Lynch’s pool party, in particular, was next level, with themed outfits, belly flop contests, and three straight hours of music.
One thing that stood out during conversations with fans was how many people return year after year. And not just for the music, but for the friendships they’ve built along the way. Luke Bryan has created an incredibly loyal community, and that sense of connection is what keeps people coming back.
The advice I heard most often from longtime attendees was simple: “Just book the trip.” It’s an experience you have to see firsthand to fully understand.
That advice carries even more weight when you hear the personal stories behind it. I spoke with fans who had battled cancer and made a promise to themselves to live life to the fullest. Others shared stories of attending with close friends they’ve since lost to the disease. Now, they return each year in their friends’ honor, keeping those memories alive.
Crash My Playa isn’t just a music festival. It’s a reminder that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, and that sometimes the best thing you can do is say yes, book the trip, and make the memories.
I’m just sad it took me 11 years to get there.
The post Inside Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa: A Beach Festival That Delivers on Every Level appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Reading Time: 2 minutes
It’s been a hectic day in the White House.
Just minutes after President Donald Trump wrapped up his 90-minute surprise appearance at the daily press briefing, his vice president revealed a surprise of his own.
On their Instagram pages, J.D. and Usha Vance announced moments ago that she is currently pregnant with their fourth child.
“We’re very excited to share the news that Usha is pregnant with our fourth child, a boy,” the couple revealed.
“Usha and the baby are doing well, and we are all looking forward to welcoming him in late July.”
The couple went on to thank the military doctors who have treated Usha during the early months of her pregnancy.
“During this exciting and hectic time, we are particularly grateful for the military doctors who take excellent care of our family and for the staff members who do so much to ensure that we can serve the country while enjoying a wonderful life with our children,” they wrote.
The Vances currently have two sons and one daughter, Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel.
Today’s news coincides with the first anniversary of Vance’s swearing in as vice president.
The Ohio native — who has become a wildly contentious figure in his first year on the job — usually keeps a pretty tight lid on his private life.
He is open, however, about certain aspects of his domestic situation, such as the fact that he is a recent convert to Catholicism, while his wife is a practicing Hindu.
Vance became a Catholic in 2019, and he has publicly clashed with both popes who have served in the years since.
Vance has made numerous headlines in recent weeks due to his unquestioning defense of the ICE agent who shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minnesota mother.
Earlier this month, a man was arrested for breaking windows at the Vances’ Ohio home, but the family was not inside at the time, and no one was injured.
Our congratulations go out to Usha and J.D. during this exciting time.
Usha Vance, Wife of Vice President J.D. Vance, Pregnant With Fourth Child was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
Season 2 of Landman finished strong. Was that enough to right a rocky ride? Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Season 2 of Landman finished strong. Was that enough to right a rocky ride? Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
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The Queer Eye stars are no strangers to drama.
Putting a group of experts together and having them travel together as “best friends” doesn’t always lead to lasting friendships off-camera.
But for Karamo Brown to skip out on group interviews and blindside his castmates … oof.
What happened?
Even before he started ditching interviews, there were signs
Before we get into the on-air bombshell, fans had already picked up on something being off. The signs were there.
In addition to the overall lack of group promotion ahead of Queer Eye‘s 10th and final season (normally they tour together), there was a major hint on social media.
Karamo had unfollowed three of his co-stars.
He is no longer following Tan France, Antoni Porowski, or Jonathan van Ness.
That would be eye-catching even if it happened years from now. But happening just as the show airs its grand finale? That’s drama.
Originally, Karamo would have appeared alongside all four of his Queer Eye co-stars on CBS Mornings on Tuesday, January 20.
Instead, as you can see in the video above, he was a very conspicuous no-show.
While Jonathan, Tan, Jeremiah, and Antoni showed solidarity together, Gayle King wanted to get the glaring omission out of the way.
Less than an hour before he was due on camera, he instead sent a letter, which Gayle read aloud.
Additionally, Karamo’s assistant informed CBS Mornings that the absent star feared being “bullied.”
Who is trying to ‘destroy’ his peace?
“I hope everyone remembers the main theme I have tried to teach them over the past decade,” Gayle read from Karamo’s letter.
“Which is to focus on and to protect their mental health/peace,” he detailed.
Karamo wrote of guarding one’s peace “from people or a world who seek to destroy it.”
Dramatically, he added: “Which is why I can’t be there today.”
This was a stunning declaration. And, even with at least a few minutes’ warning to prepare, it left his co-stars (appropriately) stunned.
“Surprised is a fair understatement,” Antoni expressed to Gayle.
“I will say our ‘Queer Eye’ family, we’ve been doing this for almost a decade,” he noted, “which is pretty wild to believe.”
Antoni continued: “Families are complicated. And we’re definitely not excluded from that.”
He then added, however vaguely: “But I think two things can exist at the same time.”
Antoni concluded: “And while that is definitely true, we’re also here to showcase the incredible heroes that we have and honor the legacy of this past decade of our lives.”
We should remember that there’s a lot that we don’t know
After Antoni’s admittedly awkward take, Jonathan chimed in with his own take.
“I would say one thing that I’ve been so honored to learn about Karamo in that time is that we have to meet people we’re they’re at,” he expressed.
“He has taught people to center what they need. And I’m actually really proud of him,” Jonathan added. “Center what you need, do the things that you need to do to take care of you. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel like that sometimes.”
Jonathan concluded: “It’s really beautiful. We do need to center what’s best for us sometimes. And I take my hat off to him for doing that today.”
Obviously, none of that explains any points of contention. This leaves the internet guessing. Is the group being mean to him, or is this an Ashley Tisdale situation?
On social media, some are Team Karamo, others are siding with his now former colleagues. And perhaps the wisest of all are Team Nobody — because they’re withholding judgment until they know more.
Karamo Brown: Why He’s Skipping ‘Queer Eye’ Interviews with Castmates was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip