Hayden Panettiere would have turned 37 years old on Friday (Aug. 21). Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Month: August 2026
When it comes to drinking whisky, tastes vary. That said, some bottles are just more drinkable than others as-is, without any fanfare.
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While most folks know about light and dark soy sauce, Taiwanese thick soy sauce stands out as a lesser-known variety with its own distinct appeal.
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Consider this your sign to see Garth Brooks live. If you haven’t experienced one of his shows yet, you’re missing out on the kind of larger-than-life magic that the country music icon can bring to the stage.
On opening night of his Blame It All on My Roots tour, which took place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Thursday, Aug. 20, Brooks reminded everyone exactly why he’s been a force in country music for nearly four decades and why his timeless catalog has kept generations of fans coming back. It’s safe to say this was a show unlike any other.
For starters, there was no opening act. Instead, Brooks let the anticipation build while fans piled into the arena setting. A handful of video montages played across the screens, warming up the crowd and taking fans through moments from his career, followed by a pre-recorded video message filmed just for his Indianapolis audience.
“Band, crew’s been working their butts off two years. Saw drawings of this thing start happening two years ago. Can’t thank you enough for how you showed up on sale day. And I think the wish here is the same wish that I’m wishing for the band and crew and myself. I just hope you have the best time in your life,” he stated.
The lights went dark and a countdown appeared on “The Halo,” a 360-degree video system with inward-and outward-facing screens that was just one part of the cutting-edge technology woven throughout the show. As the clock struck zero, Brooks rose onto the stage to a screaming arena packed with fans who have been there since the beginning of his career, as well as a younger generation of country fans who may have been discovering his music for the first time.
Brooks made it clear that his goal with this run was to take everything fans loved about his legendary arena shows and rebuild it for 2026. He incorporated retro staging that transported the sold-out crowd back in time and at the center of that experience was the return of the iconic Drum Pod. This piece of stage technology Brooks debuted during his 1996-98 World Tour and now, after nearly 30 years later, it has come back in full force. The tour also serves as the foundation for Killer Live, a groundbreaking new approach to live recording that continues Brooks’ tradition of capturing history in real time.
The nostalgia runs even deeper in Indianapolis, in particular. While his current tour launched at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, his 1996-98 World Tour stop in the same city took place at Market Square Arena, the downtown venue that was demolished in 2001. The venue may have changed, but all these years later, Brooks is still fulfilling his mission of making every seat feel like the best seat in the house.
“Some traditions never will die, good Lord willing. From the band, the crew, and especially myself, thanks for letting us come back to the great state of Indiana to play our music,” she said.
The nearly two-hour show kicked off with slew of 90s releases including “The Old Stuff,” “Rodeo,” “Two of a Kind, Workin’ On A Full House,” “The Beaches of Cheyenne,” “Two Pina Coladas,” and “Papa Loved Mama.”
Garth Brooks quickly realized that the audience “came here to sing,” as he scanned the packed arena in awe of the energy, heart and excitement that filled the room.
“Let me tell you, this business, if they show up, you’re lucky. If they come back, you are blessed. Thank you so, so much.”
Right from the jump, it became clear to Brooks that this was going to be a night to remember not just for fans, but for him too. There wasn’t a single song that didn’t get the entire venue on their feet and singing along. Performing songs like “The River” appeared to visibly move the Oklahoma native as he witnessed the impact his music continues to have on fans.
“You set the pace for the whole tour I cannot thank you enough,” he stated proudly to his Indiana crowd. “It’s crazy. This is just absolutely crazy people. You know how this business works. You come into a town, especially opening night on a tour and it’s starting like this. It’s crazy. And everybody’s going to have their opinions on socials, critics, everything…I’ve already given you your review. Whoever comes here tomorrow night or the next night or the rest of this tour better pack their fu**ing lunch to beat this one.”
The night continued with fan favorites like “Unanswered Prayers” and “That Summer,” along with iconic hits including “Callin’ Baton Rouge” and “The Thunder Rolls.” During the latter, the stage transformed into a full-blown thunderstorm, with cracks of thunder rattling through the speakers as the screens filled with dark, stormy skies and images of pouring rain.
One of the most memorable parts of the entire show was Brooks’ attention to his fans. With the 360-degree stage setup, he was able to move around the arena, making fans even in the highest seats feel like they were getting an up-close view. Throughout the night, he noticed couples holding each other during the love songs, parents who had brought their children to experience the show with them and read as many fan signs as he could. But one sign in particular caught his attention early in the night.
The sign came from a fan who had seen Brooks perform at Southern Junction Nightclub & Steakhouse in Royse City, Texas, in the early 1990s. She asked him to sing “Bury the Hatchet,” a song that doesn’t always make it into the setlist. This trip back to his early career prompted Brooks to follow that up with a performance of his very first single, “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old),” and once again seemed genuinely taken aback by how many people in the arena still knew every word.
Just when fans thought the production couldn’t get any better, Brooks took things to another level during “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til the Sun Comes Up).” The Drum Pod sitting in the center of the stage rose into the air while platforms on either side of the stage also elevated and rotated. Brooks’ bandmates continued performing without missing a beat as the entire setup rose toward the arena ceiling, turning the song into one of the night’s most impressive visual moments.
The night also featured a handful of covers, including a spirited rendition of The Isley Brothers’ “Shout,” led by his background singer, Bob Bailey, and later, a fan-requested Keith Whitley cover of “Ten Feet Away.” But of course, Brooks saved some of his most anticipated songs for the end of the main set.
He closed out the scheduled portion of the setlist with “Friends in Low Places,” sending confetti flying through the arena as thousands of fans sang along to one of his most recognizable hits. And if you haven’t heard thousands of people sing that song with Garth Brooks in an arena, you haven’t truly experienced it. Then came “The Dance,” which quieted as the icon delivered his beloved ballads, with fans once again hanging onto every word.
After briefly stepping offstage, Brooks returned without his bandmates for what has become a popular portion of his live shows, which he refers to as “housekeeping.” For the next few songs, Brooks turned his attention to the crowd, scanning the arena for fan signs and taking requests on the spot. It’s a tradition that allows him to let fans hear songs that often don’t make the regular setlist.
In Indianapolis, that meant a series of unexpected gems, including 1993’s “The Red Strokes,” 1995’s “She’s Every Woman” and 1997’s “Belleau Wood.” Each of these songs, delivered by just Brooks and his guitar, served as a reminder that underneath all the new technology and flashy production elements, the heart of a Garth Brooks show has always been the connection between him and his audience.
The show came to a close with “Standing Outside the Fire,” bringing Brooks’ band back to the stage to help him deliver one final, high-energy performance. With around a dozen musicians and bandmates by his side, a mix of newer faces and longtime members who have been with Brooks for decades, Brooks took a final bow with the band. He waved goodbye to the Indianapolis crowd, removed his signature black cowboy hat and offered a heartfelt nod before walking offstage.
There’s no denying that Garth Brooks has built a catalog that has become part of the soundtrack to countless lives. On Thursday night, that was clear in every corner of Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
As the crowd made its way toward the exits, one fan made a comment that summed up the night perfectly: “That was the best concert of my life.”
And after watching an entire arena sing back nearly 40 years of songs, it was hard to argue.
The Blame it All On My Roots Tour will continue with three more nights in Indianapolis, IN, followed by Denver, CO from September 4–6, Rosemont, IL from September 10–13 and Washington, D.C. from September 18–19.
The post Garth Brooks Kicks Off ‘Blame It All on My Roots’ Tour With a Sold-Out, Show-Stopping Night In Indianapolis appeared first on Country Now.
Country Now
There’s no denying the immense popularity of air fryers, but these convenient appliances aren’t flawless. At times, they can even be dangerous.
Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews
Coco Jones is back with a new, romantic single “Love Me Through.” The new track, the Grammy-award winner’s first release since her August wedding, explores the realities of romance. “No cameras on / This is real life, right now / Good, bad, and ugly / But he still gon’ love me,” Jones sings.
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“Love Me Through” is Jones’ latest release in a recent string of singles, following “Body So Tea” and “Luvagirl.” In a vlog, Jones detailed the process of working on “Body So Tea,” featuring both her personal reflections and a conversation with her collaborators. When asked by HighStandardz CEO “J Dot” Jones about the track’s message of self-love, Coco shared: “I felt like the hook was kind of surface-level, and I felt like I needed to counter that… y’all know I’m way more deep than that.”
Jones previewed the new song before its release with a video of her singing to her husband, NBA player Donovan Mitchell. “I still get nervous playing new songs for him,” she shared in the caption. The couple’s August 1st wedding was recently featured in Vogue, with a story detailing the planning process and featuring photographs from the big day. “The icing on the entire cake is I’m married to my best friend!” Jones told the magazine. “That feeling is priceless.”
Last year, Jones released her debut album Why Not More? via Def Jam and HighStandardz. The record earned Coco her eighth Grammy nomination, and charted on both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hops albums charts. A deluxe edition of the album, Why Not More? (More!), featured a collaboration with Alicia Keys.
Outside of music, Jones continues her acting endeavors, appearing in Malcolm D. Lee’s physiological thriller Strung, out now on Peacock, and starring in the upcoming romantic comedy That’s Her.
Listen to Coco Jones’ “Love Me Through” here.
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Everyone knew that Brian Hickerson was bad news.
As we process the tragic death of Hayden Panettiere, we’re learning more about her life. Including her secret reconciliation with her abusive boyfriend.
Her neighbors feared Hickerson so much that he HOA put up warning signs urging anyone to call 911 if they saw him on the property.
Neither that nor the no-contact order were enough to keep this terrible man out of her life.
If they saw him, they were supposed to call the police
TMZ reports that there were warning posters featuring Hickerson’s face around the West Hollywood condo where Hayden Panettiere previously lived.
The signs instructed residents to bar him from the building and to contact police if anyone saw him on the property.
This came after a series of complaints and years of disturbances involving Hickerson.
Panettiere purchased the condo when she moved from New York.
Hickerson, who was arrested and even pleaded no contest to punching Panettiere in the face, had a no contact order against him. Even so, he apparently lived there for the past two years.
TMZ spoke to Mia Terrazas, who lived just one door down from Panettiere’s condominium home.
According to her, the HOA posted public warnings about Hickerson in August of 2025.
Terrazas reported feeling frightened of Hickerson and believed that he was dangerous.
(His criminal history and his text messages show that her fears were warranted.)
She also shared that the HOA took down the warnings after only about a week — for some reason no longer believing that Hickerson was dangerous.
What happened?
The narrative about the HOA and the warning sign about Brian Hickerson seems to suggest a sad, familiar story.
Hypothetically, an HOA would put up a sign like that if a person were either a threat to the property as a whole (such as an arsonist) or to one of the property’s residents (such as a girlfriend whom he saw as a target for physical violence).
In the case of Hickerson, his criminal record does not show a propensity for arson. The same cannot be said about domestic violence.
One might assume that he and Panettiere split and he either made threats or took violent action as a result.
Unfortunately, tragically, the HOA might have only taken down the posters if Panettiere had tragically reconciled with him. This is unconfirmed, but it is what many are assuming.
Abusers tend to be very manipulative. The physical violence that they inflict upon their partners is only one of the tools that they use in order to gain a sense of control.
Hickerson was not the first man accused of using Panettiere as a punching bag. He was, however, the last.
The public dislike of him — borne only of an understanding of who he is and what sort of person he has chosen to be — was such that Panettiere was advised to conceal their reconciliation while selling her memoir.
Had Panettiere’s life been free of awful men, there is a chance that she could have lived.
However, there were signs of an alleged overdose. Some speculate that Panettiere relapsed into multiple bad habits — with Hickerson being one of them, and not the cause of the other.
Brian Hickerson Was Banned by Hayden Panettiere’s HOA, Returned to Her Life Anyway was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.
The Hollywood Gossip
Sometimes, a vehicle is much more than a way to get from one place to another. It can hold years of memories, become tied to the people we love and, in some cases, feel completely irreplaceable. That’s exactly what happened with Cole Swindell and his late father’s Bronco, which inspired him to turn those memories and emotions into a song fittingly titled “Bronco.”
What happened after he shared the song with his brothers made the story even more special. Inspired by the lyrics and the memories they shared, his brothers set out to find their dad’s old Ford Bronco. They eventually tracked it down and surprised Swindell with the truck during a special trip back home.
Now, with his dad’s Bronco back in his possession, Swindell has released “Bronco,” a nostalgia-filled song that takes listeners down memory lane through childhood memories, family moments, old friends and the vehicle that was there through so much of it all.
Co-written by Swindell alongside Lauren Hungate, Seth Mosley and Jameson Rodgers, “Bronco” may be deeply personal to the country star, but the story behind it is one that can resonate with anyone who has ever held onto something because of the memories attached to it.
That sentiment comes through in the song’s chorus, as he sings, “A new truck’s fine, but it don’t come close/ It’s a long shot y’all, but if anyone knows/ ‘Bout a for sale sign on an old Bronco/ Hell I’d probably get back twenty years or so/ Couple thousand miles down memory lane I’d go/ If you find it, name the price, and consider it sold.”
Swindell explained that the song came to life after he came across an old photo of himself and his brothers standing alongside their father and his Bronco.
“I had no clue when I found this old picture of me and my brothers standing with our Dad by his old Bronco just how many memories it would bring back,” the Georgia native shared. “It was a huge part of my childhood, and something I’ve always wanted to find and restore. When my brothers surprised me with it, it was a moment I never thought I’d see and now one that I’ll never forget. I’m so grateful for the memories we made with my Dad in that car, and I’m so excited to share this song with you all and sing it out on the road together.”
“Bronco” follows the release of “Girl Dad,” which became the No. 1 most-added song at country radio upon its release, marking Swindell’s biggest add date of his career. The deeply personal track finds him reflecting on the moments he wishes his late father could have experienced with him, including meeting his wife and welcoming their daughter, Rainey, into the world.
The two songs are now tied together by an incredibly special full-circle moment. While Swindell was filming the “Girl Dad” music video, his brothers surprised him by bringing his dad’s old Bronco back into his life. It was a moment that took the memories he had been singing about and made them real again, giving Swindell a piece of his past that he had always hoped he could find.
The post Cole Swindell’s Late Father Inspired His New Song ‘Bronco,’ Then His Brothers Found the Truck appeared first on Country Now.
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The Freedom 250 isn’t the first race hosted in Washington, D.C. by the U.S. president in celebration of America’s birthday. On July 4th, 1801, 225 years ago, to celebrate America’s 25th birthday, President Thomas Jefferson helped put on festivities including horseback riding and cockfighting in Washington, D.C., according to the White House Historical Association. Jefferson, the third President of the United States, and the Washington Jockey Club “established a racecourse just blocks from the White House, with part of the course running across Pennsylvania Avenue and through what is now Lafayette Park.” According to the White House Historical Association, “the north grounds of the President’s Park came alive at daybreak with the raising of tents and booths, soon followed by crowds of people. A festival took place just for the day. Food and drink and cottage goods of all types were sold. There were horse races and parades of the Washington Militia, along with other military companies. After the festivities, Jefferson invited attendees into the White House. The tradition of an annual reception at the White House continued for much of the nineteenth century. Not only did Jefferson host a horse race near the White House, but he was an avid supporter and participant in horse racing. He often attended meets at the National Race Course in Washington, D.C. Now Donald J. Trump, the 47th president of the U.S., is helping to bring a 250-mile, 147-lap race to Washington, D.C. to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. “I’m thrilled to be here with some of the most extraordinary figures in the history of motorsports and any sport, if you think about it,” Trump said at a Freedom 250 Grand Prix Showcase on July 13. “As we count down to the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, this will be like no other race, ever. I don’t think anything will ever be — will ever top what we’re going to be having.” The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., is the first NTT IndyCar Series race ever held in the nation’s capital. The FOX pre-race show will begin at 11:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 23, with the green flag scheduled for 1:13 p.m. ET. The course does not reach the White House, but it runs along Pennsylvania Avenue, Constitution Avenue and in front of the Washington Monument. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is the second event hosted in proximity to the White House this summer, along with UFC Freedom 250. With this being the initial IndyCar race in Washington, D.C., no drivers have course experience as an upper hand. But Alex Palou (542 points) enters Sunday’s race with a healthy lead in the standings, despite finishing fourth at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham last Sunday. The battle for second place is much closer, with Kyle Kirkwood (409), David Malukas (405) and Christian Lundgaard (403) separated by six points. So while the Freedom 250 will be a spectacle to watch, IndyCar’s top drivers can’t lose focus as the stakes are high.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
In Driver’s Eye with James Hinchcliffe, the six-time INDYCAR winner will bring you inside the mind of a racer while breaking down the nuts and bolts of the sport for fans. After a late arrival on the schedule, a myriad of complex logistical hurdles and an unprecedented (but totally justified) amount of promotion and hype, we are finally here: INDYCAR’s Freedom 250. For many people, being able to attend an Indianapolis 500 — or indeed any INDYCAR race — could be a once-in-a-lifetime proposition. We in the industry often forget how lucky we are to get to go to the race track for a living. But even those of us who live and breathe motorsports will be in for a once-in-a-lifetime event this weekend. This is shaping up to truly be one of the most exceptional events in the long and storied history of INDYCAR for a number of reasons. Let’s start with the setting. Having a race track built in D.C., around the National Mall no less, is certainly not something many people thought they would see in their lifetime. To build a track, you have to meet certain prerequisites, and — by a bit of luck and a lot of hard work from a lot of people, both on the D.C. side and the INDYCAR/Penske Entertainment side — all boxes were checked. The backdrop will be unmatched and the visuals will be stunning, as Indy cars flash by some of the nation’s most recognizable monuments and buildings in a 180-mile-an-hour blur. The challenge for the drivers will be equally monumental. We’ve already had two brand-new street circuits this season, so the idea of it all seems old hat by now. But with D.C., things are a little different. Unlike the streets of Arlington, Texas, and Markham, Ontario, D.C. has not been laser scanned to make an accurate track model for the sim. There is a track model, but it’s based off a 2-D CAD drawing and is nowhere near as accurate. Furthermore, teams don’t have exact info on surface conditions or grip levels, so it’s all a bit of a guess. When speaking with Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood on my podcast, “Off Track with Hinch and Rossi,” this week ahead of the race, he said that the pre-race simulations are predicting a lap time of somewhere between 53 and 60 seconds. A seven-second spread! That would be like the difference between a lap in an Indy car and one in an Indy NXT car! So needless to say, drivers are coming in with even more unknowns than they had for either Arlington or Markham. That said, having had the recent experience of Markham under their belts, the engineers especially will be looking back at what worked and what didn’t on another newly designed, freshly paved circuit. But they can’t simply cut and paste setups because the layout of the D.C. course is comprised of several more 90-degree, slower-minimum-speed-type corners than Markham. This means there will be a huge emphasis on longitudinal grip — straight line braking and traction — and less on higher-speed lateral grip. FREEDOM 250: WHAT’S AT STAKE FOR INDYCAR DRIVERS On paper, D.C.’s 1.7-mile circuit looks like more of a traditional street course than what we saw last week. Think a little more Detroit-ish in nature. But tuning the car is only half the battle. You need to make sure your driver is ready to go, too. Firstly, you have to cover the mental state of your driver. We are in the last few rounds of the season, and if your year hasn’t gone well, the desperation level climbs each weekend. For drivers that haven’t won a race yet this year, time is running out, and bigger risks need to be taken. Likewise for drivers who aren’t just thinking about getting a W on the board for this year but don’t have a contract in place for next season. Every race, every session, every lap of a weekend is part of the job interview that could make our break the next step in your career. And let’s not forget about the magnitude of this race. No, it’s not the Indy 500, but if you thought the list of Indy 500 winners was an elite one, the winner of the Freedom 250 will stand alone. One of one. The only driver to conquer the U.S. capital. D.C. doesn’t have the racing history that Indy does, so it will never mean quite as much to drivers. But there is something undeniably cool about being the only driver to have won such a prestigious event. And it will be prestigious! Not only will there be 100,000 fans observing trackside from the ticket lottery, there are also tons of hospitality suites occupied by some of the biggest companies on Earth, and many of the country’s most powerful people will be in attendance. They will say, “I remember when…” And they will remember who won that race. Not going to lie, that’s pretty cool! THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE FAST: WASHINGTON, D.C. So, once you make sure to keep your driver’s head in the game, you’ve gotta hope their body is up to the task. Street courses are physical, but not in the way a Barber or Mid-Ohio is, with the long, fast corners that place the driver under high G-loads. They are physical because the bumps and surface changes send so much feedback through the steering wheel that it feels like it’s going to rip out of your hands. So you are death-gripping the wheel all day long. And in D.C., the day will be long. Very long… In an attempt to make the distance match the name, a handful of laps were added to make the official race distance 250 miles. That means we are going to be racing for 147 laps. Let me put that into perspective. St. Petersburg is one of the longest races of the year out side of the Indy 500. And it’s also hot and humid with a bumpy street track. Makes it a real physical test. That track is about 1.8 miles, and we race there for 100 laps. Even all green, it’s a nearly two-hour race. Throw in a few cautions and you’re looking at two-plus. That’s a long time strapped into a race car in the heat and humidity. The D.C. track is 1.7 miles long. And remember, we’re doing 147 laps. In a very humid city barely above sea level. Even all green, this is set to be a marathon-type race for the drivers. And if what we saw in Markham is any indication, the combination of a new track, a big event and some late-season desperation kicking in means the likelihood of an all green race is slim to none. This will be a different type of physical challenge for drivers, maintaining their cool in composure in an environment where even misjudging an inch or two could fire you into the wall. 1 FOR THE ROAD I will leave you with one final thought: This weekend is going to be memorable. This is going to be a mini Indy 500. And as such, we at FOX have put together a monumental pre-race show, and if I am being totally honest, I am about as excited about that as I am for the race! Knowing what’s coming down the pipeline has got me telling everybody that as much as this race has the potential to be one for the books, don’t sleep on the pre-race show! It kicks off at 11:30am ET for 90 minutes to set the biggest street circuit stage that the sport has ever seen. And you are not going to want to miss it!Latest Sports News from FOX Sports