Don’t punish your taste buds with sad, bland poultry. Chef Gordon Ramsay shared a sharp idea for making chicken legs much more flavorful below the skin.
Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews
Month: May 2026
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2026 ACM Awards Winners List
The 2026 ACM Awards in Las Vegas are set to bring together country music’s biggest stars for a night of performances, wins, and unforgettable moments. Ahead of the big show, a handful of winners have already been announced. Here’s a winners list that will be continuously updated so fans can keep track of the biggest honorees.
Early winners include Avery Anna, who was named New Female Artist of the Year. She was surprised with the news on stage by her friend and duet partner, Sam Barber.
“I cannot believe this. I can’t even behind to process it, thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart. Thank you thank you thank you, ACM Awards,” she shared.
Tucker Wetmore was also surprised on stage, however, this special moment took place in London when his mom interrupted his show to share a video from Thomas Rhett. In the clip, Rhett revealed that Wetmore was the winner of ACM New Male Artist of the Year. In the moment, Wetmore was overcome with emotion and admitted he was “at a loss for words.”
Additionally, Stephen Wilson Jr. was revealed as the winner in the Visual Media of the Year category for his official music video for “Cuckoo,” which he co-directed with Tim Cofield.
It’s unclear if additional winners will be revealed ahead of the show. Winners in more categories will be unveiled at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, set for Sunday, May 17, 2026. Hosted by Shania Twain, the show will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The show will stream live exclusively on Prime Video for a global audience across more than 240 countries and territories at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Jelly Roll
- Cody Johnson
- Megan Moroney
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Lainey Wilson
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Riley Green
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
GROUP OF THE YEAR
- 49 Winchester
- Flatland Cavalry
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Strays
DUO OF THE YEAR
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Muscadine Bloodline
- Thelma & James
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Avery Anna – WINNER!
- Mackenzie Carpenter
- Dasha
- Caroline Jones
- Emily Ann Roberts
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Gavin Adcock
- Vincent Mason
- Shaboozey
- Hudson Westbrook
- Tucker Wetmore – WINNER!
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- Ain’t In It For My Health – Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Record Company-Label: Leo33
- Cherry Valley – Carter Faith
Producer: Tofer Brown
Record Company-Label: Gatsby Records / MCA
- Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) – Riley Green
Producer: Dann Huff, Michael Knox
Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
- I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
Producers: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett
Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records
- Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum
Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse
Record Company-Label: MCA
SONG OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
- A Song To Sing – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure
Publishers: I Wrote These Songs; Pink Dog Publishing; Songs for the Munch Music; Songs of Influence; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp
- Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney
Songwriters: Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon
Publishers: Big Ass Pile of Dimes Music; Big Music Machine
- Choosin’ Texas – Ella Langley
Songwriters: Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor
Publishers: Bada Bing & Bada Langley Publishing; Little Louder Songs; Sony Music Publishing
- I Never Lie – Zach Top
Songwriters: Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols
Publishers: Music and Magazine Publishing; Rio Bravo Music Inc; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Too Broke to Quit Music; Zach Top Music
- Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson
Songwriters: Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg
Publishers: Concord Sounds; Dtown Boogie Music; Emi Feist Catalog Inc; Songs Of Riser House; Songs Of Wild Cat Well Music; Sony/ATV Countryside; Story Farmer; Tacklebox Music Publishing
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- 6 Months Later – Megan Moroney
Producers: Kristian Bush
Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
- Choosin’ Texas – Ella Langley
Producers: Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Ben West
Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records
- I Never Lie – Zach Top
Producers: Carson Chamberlain
Record Company-Label: Leo33
- Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson
Producers: Jay Joyce
Record Company-Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville / Broken Bow Records
- The Fall – Cody Johnson
Producers: Trent Willmon
Record Company-Label: CoJo Music / Warner Records Nashville
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- A Song To Sing – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb
Record Company-Label: Republic Records
- Amen – Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
Producers: Danny Majic, Nevin Sastry, Sean Cook
Record Company-Label: Empire
- Don’t Mind If I Do – Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
Producers: Dann Huff, Michael Knox
Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
- Trailblazer – Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
Producers: Tony Brown, Reba McEntire
Record Company-Label: MCA
- You Had To Be There – Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
Producers: Kristian Bush
Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
- 6 Months Later – Megan Moroney
Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: CeCe Dawson, Megan Moroney
- A Song To Sing – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Producers: James Stratakis
Director: Alexa King Stone, Stephen Kinigopoulos
- Cuckoo -Stephen Wilson, Jr. – WINNER!
Producers: Tim Cofield
Director: Tim Cofield
- Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson
Producers: Katie Babbage
Director: TK McKamy
- The Fall – Cody Johnson
Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: Dustin Haney
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
- Jessie Jo Dillon
- Ashley Gorley
- Charlie Handsome
- Chase McGill
- Blake Pendergrass
ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Riley Green
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Morgan Wallen
The post 2026 ACM Awards Winners List appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
Seven decades of country music hits are represented on this list of sexy songs. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Seven decades of country music hits are represented on this list of sexy songs. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Imagine a small town bursting with pride as their favorite son makes waves in the country music scene. Tucker Wetmore is on the rise, and he’s got a story to tell. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Imagine a small town bursting with pride as their favorite son makes waves in the country music scene. Tucker Wetmore is on the rise, and he’s got a story to tell. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Hannah Harper has officially earned a spot in American Idol’s Top 3, which meant returning home to Willow Springs, Missouri for the show’s “Hometown Hero” tradition. Amid the excitement of the already special weekend, Harper received the surprise of a lifetime when country music icon Jo Dee Messina unexpectedly joined her on stage.
Fan-captured videos have surfaced online, showing the moment the Idol standout was overcome with pure shock. She was in the midst of performing Messina’s signature hit, “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” the same song she had delivered previously in the season as part of the Judges’ Song Contest.
Harper returned to her usual style with a blue patchwork dress and had fans singing and dancing along to the beloved tune. Suddenly as she reached the chorus, the cheers from the crowd amped up and Harper noticed another voice had joined her. Turning to the side, the “String Cheese” singer let out a massive scream and jumped back from the microphone at the sight of Messina.
Meanwhile, Messina confidently strutted across the stage towards Harper, who was trying to wrap her head around the moment unfolding before her. After taking a second to process everything, she let the country music superstar finish off the chorus and then introduced her to the crowd.
“Jo Dee Messina, everybody,” she said before turning to Messina saying, “Welcome to Willow Springs, Jo Dee!”
@elizabethsummerw What an amazing night supporting our girl @hannahharperofficial with a surprise guest @Jo Dee Messina ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #joedeemessina #hannahharper #americanidol #idol #hannah ♬ original sound – elizabeth | MO Hairstylist
Harper joked that she wouldn’t be able to continue singing the track in front of the artist behind it, but she persevered and the two of them traded off the remaining lyrics, making for a performance to remember.
The initial surprise may have thrown Harper off guard, but like the true professional she is, she was able to collect herself enough to finish it off.
This isn’t the first time Messina has shown support for the Idol contestant. Last month she posted a heartfelt video reacting to Harper’s performance of the same tune.
“Okay Hannah, you’re not allowed to sing it better to me,” she joked. A few seconds later tears filled her eyes as she watched the vocalist take on her song in front of the Idol judges.
After the show, Harper took to Facebook to fully reflect on how much this recent surprise meant to her.
“I can’t even begin to thank every single person who showed up or worked behind the scenes to make yesterday happen. I flew into Missouri with no idea what the schedule was, and I was surprised all throughout the day in the sweetest ways,” she began. “This was my “Hometown Hero” visit, and getting to experience it surrounded by the people and places that shaped me made it even more special. I was born and raised in Bunker, Missouri, and later married into Willow Springs — the town where Devon and I are raising our babies.”
She went on to say that getting the chance to return to the place that means so much to her and her family, surrounded by everyone who has supported her dreams throughout this journey is something she will “never forget.”
“I still don’t think I’ve fully processed the entire day, but I was so proud to bring American Idol to Willow Springs. Also Jo Dee Messina made a pit stop from her tour to come to Howell County and surprise me
,” Harper added. “Thank you for showing up. Thank you for praying. Thank you for voting. Thank you for believing in me long before the rest of the world knew my name. It’s because of each and every one of you that I get to continue sharing my music and chasing this dream. To God be all the glory,” she concluded.
Hannah Harper’s hometown performance will air next Monday night, May 11, as part of the three-hour Season 24 finale. Fans will also get to see Harper’s fellow finalists Keyla Richardson and Jordan McCullough take the stage in hopes of taking home the ultimate win.
Next week’s episode will also feature star-studded lineup of special guests, including Blues Traveler, Cameron Whitcomb, En Vogue, Gin Blossoms, Jason Mraz, Lee Ann Womack, Nelly, Shinedown, Tori Kelly, and Clay Aiken.
American Idol airs at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and available to stream the following day on Hulu.
The post ‘American Idol’ Finalist Hannah Harper Shocked as Jo Dee Messina Unexpectedly Crashes Hometown Show appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
By: James Brooks, Alaska Beacon
After four years of effort, the Alaska Legislature has passed a bill offering additional support for the underfunded organization that offers free legal help to Alaskans facing civil lawsuits.
“We’re so excited,” said Maggie Humm, executive director of the Alaska Legal Services Corporation.
ALSC is the state’s largest provider of free legal assistance for survivors of domestic violence and abuse. It generally supports Alaskans who are unable to afford an attorney on their own.
Under state law, Alaska must provide criminal defendants with a defense attorney. No such mandate exists in civil cases, so the work falls to the ALSC, a nonprofit that lacks the budget to take on every request for help.
On Wednesday, the state Senate voted 17-3 to pass House Bill 48 and give the corporation 25% of all state court filing fees, up from 10%. The change is worth an extra $400,000 to the corporation.
The change does not affect funding for the Alaska Court System; the fees are otherwise used for general purposes, not the courts specifically.
Humm said earlier this year that ALSC provided legal help to roughly 6,200 Alaskans in 2024. By email on Wednesday, she said she expects another 800-850 people will be helped by the additional money.
Because the House passed HB 48 on a 27-13 vote in February, the Senate’s action on Wednesday will send the bill to Gov. Mike Dunleavy for final approval or veto.
Sen. Forrest Dunbar, D-Anchorage, proposed an identical bill in 2023, and while that bill passed the Senate, it never received a vote in the House before the 33rd Alaska Legislature expired in 2024.
That left Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, to reintroduce the bill last year and restart the legislative process.
By email, Humm said that if signed into law, the bill “helps to ensure that more low-income Alaskans facing issues such as domestic violence, elder fraud, and access to earned benefits receive the legal help they need to protect their safety, stability, and dignity. Investing in legal services benefits all Alaskans by helping resolve problems early, before they become more serious and costly challenges for both individuals and our communities.”
ALSC has been trying since 2011 to pass a bill that reserves 25% of the state’s court fees for the corporation. In 2018, the Legislature passed a measure allocating 10%.
While this restaurant may be something of a tourist trap in New Orleans, it serves up some of the greatest sandwiches I’ve ever had in my life.
Food Republic – Restaurants, Reviews, Recipes, Cooking Tips
By: Corinne Smith, Alaska Beacon
As Alaska state lawmakers consider Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s pick for attorney general, several have questioned a potential conflict between his involvement with a private, religious school and his role in the state’s top legal office.
Stephen Cox currently leads the Alaska Department of Law, which is defending the state in a lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of spending state homeschool funds on religious and private school tuition.
He is also the treasurer and a founding member of the Thomas More Classical School, a private Christian school for grades Kindergarten through sixth grade, slated to open in Anchorage in the fall, whose website invites the use of state homeschool funding for nonreligious courses.
Cox has served in the role since his appointment in August, and appeared before lawmakers in a series of legislative hearings last week and Monday, ahead of a confirmation vote for attorney general, expected in the next week.
Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, noted the apparent conflict between the state constitution and the school’s financial plans at a May 1 hearing.
“Our constitution directly says ‘schools and institutions so established shall be free of sectarian control. No money shall be paid from public funds for the direct benefit of any religious or private education institution,’” she read.
She pointed to his role as treasurer as a direct conflict with the state constitution because the school’s “tuition assistance” web page said it anticipates accepting payment through state allotment funds for courses “that do not use religious-based publishers and/or content.”
The lawsuit that will decide whether that spending is constitutional is currently underway.
Cox said he was not aware of the school’s tuition information.
“I am on the board of that school. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations,” he said, adding that he was involved in hiring a headmaster and the formation of the school. “I am not aware of that part of the website and I’m also not aware of any decisions with respect to allotment programs.”
He declined to comment further saying the issue was in active litigation.
Each homeschooled student is eligible for up to $4,500 per year, to be spent on curriculum, supplies or other educational resources. But the question on whether that money can go toward religious or private institutions is currently being decided.
A group of parents brought the lawsuit to prohibit state money from going to such institutions against the state in 2023, and a judge ruled the allotment system unconstitutional in 2024, but that ruling was overturned by the Alaska Supreme Court. The case moved back to a lower court — four school districts were named as defendants — and last fall a judge denied a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, citing need for evidence of how allotments are actually spent. A discovery period for both sides to collect evidence is open until June 1.
At a Monday hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Ted Eischeid, D-Anchorage, pressed the question.
“Does that mean that under Alaska ethics law, you would recuse yourself about decisions that might benefit your school, financially related to public money going to private schools?”
Cox answered a slightly different question. He told lawmakers, for background, he had already looked into the question of recusal given his three children are homeschooled through the Anchorage School District’s correspondence program, Family Partnership Correspondence School. He said that he was advised it wasn’t necessary.
“The advice that I received back from my ethics supervisor after an analysis was that it was not a reason for recusal, because I think there are, like, 25,000 Alaskan students that benefit from the allotment, and so the fact that my kids benefit in piano class and tutoring and whatnot wasn’t itself a reason to recuse,” he said.
Cox is Catholic, and is a parishioner at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Anchorage, according to the school’s website.
Cox said he learned that the Thomas More Classical School was anticipating receiving allotment funds during confirmation hearings last week. He said he was not directly involved with the state’s defense in the lawsuit and that he would seek ethics advice about recusing himself from the case.
“I will say that I’m not involved in any of the day-to-day litigation, or even really any of the supervision of the strategic litigation,” he added. “Recently, last week, I learned for the first time that on the website, there was a reference to the school anticipating becoming a vendor of the correspondent school allotment programs. So I have asked my staff to take another look at that from a recusal perspective.”
On Tuesday, the tuition information on the school’s website had been changed. It now says that it still anticipates taking allotment money, but only in accordance with state law.
At the hearing on Monday, Eischeid asked Cox if the school planned to receive public allotment funds.
Cox said the issue is being litigated in court now, and whether it’s constitutional has yet to be determined.
“I want to be very careful, because this is in active litigation, and these are the issues that the judge and the judges ultimately will have to grapple with,” he said. “But as I understand it, the school districts and their correspondence schools — so for example, ASD’s correspondent schools, Family Partnership — the school districts will decide whether or not and to what extent the allotment can be used for private educational or private institutions, and vendors.”
Cox said when a court rules on the question, the Thomas More Classical School will follow the law.
Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, noted that the Thomas More Classical school board president is Charles Gartland, who is also working at the Alaska Department of Law as the civil division director.
“Would he need to recuse from any cases dealing with allotments and private schools?” Gray asked?
Cox said he has asked the department’s ethics lawyers to research the question.
“I would assume that the same analysis that existed for me would also apply with respect to Mr. Gartland,” he said. “But I do not have an answer on that question yet.”
Officials with Alaska Department of Law did not return a request for comment on Tuesday on how decisions on recusal are made.
Gray said Monday there appeared to be a conflict of interest.
“Even if it’s all above board, as a member of the public, I see that, and I think that I would be more comfortable if the chairman of the board of a private school and the treasurer of the board of the private school wouldn’t work on those particular cases,” he said.