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
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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
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
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.
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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
A husband protects his wife as they step into the public eye together — this duet promises to reveal a heartfelt journey. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
A husband protects his wife as they step into the public eye together — this duet promises to reveal a heartfelt journey. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Yellow cedar trees are seen in this Creative Commons-licensed photo by Richard Droker on Oct. 24, 2015. (Richard Droker photo)
A commercial fisherman in Kodiak will plead guilty to stealing 16 yellow cedar trees from the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska.
Mitchell Keplinger, charged with theft of government property in April, was scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska on Wednesday for his formal arraignment.
Keplinger signed a plea deal the day after he was charged. Under the terms of the deal, he will avoid jail time but will pay $85,682.17 in restitution and be on probation for three years, a term that may later be reduced to no less than 18 months.
That would be significantly lower than the maximum penalty for theft of government property, which can be punished by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Keplinger’s attorney did not return a phone call seeking comment on Wednesday.
According to the text of the plea deal, Keplinger and his boat, the 54-foot seiner Alinchak, were working in the Sitka herring seine fishery in late March and early April 2024. After the fishery closed, Keplinger used his boat and crew “to harvest Alaska yellow cedar trees on U.S. Forest Service lands near Sawmill Creek, Sugarloaf Mountain and in and around Sitka Sound.”
The plea deal states that Keplinger knew that a permit was required to cut the trees and knew that he did not have that permit.
“Keplinger’s crew, who were cutting the trees at his direction, had covered one of the stumps with moss to conceal the theft,” the plea deal states.
Paul Robbins, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service in the Tongass, said by email that yellow cedar “is important culturally, ecologically, and economically. Its strength is seen in durable wood products from canoe paddles to engineered timber frames and the unique rot-resistant chemistry of its heartwood allows it to live for over 1000 years and to persist long after death as sequestered carbon.”
The 16 trees allegedly taken by Keplinger yielded 22 logs, “belonging to the United States, with a market value of $4,476.25,” according to the plea deal.
Keplinger then used his boat to take the logs to Kodiak, the plea deal states. The restitution required under the plea deal includes the cost of transporting the logs back to Sitka and the Forest Service.
“Timber theft by individuals is not common on the Tongass National Forest,” Robbins said.
Court documents do not state why Keplinger took the trees or how the theft was discovered. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Alaska declined to talk about anything not covered by public court documents, as did Robbins with the Forest Service.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye called Mike Vrabel “a great human being,” and said he doesn’t think the head coach’s off-field issues will be a distraction for the defending AFC champions this upcoming season. “No, I don’t,” Maye said. “I mean, he’s our head coach. I think he’s done a great job of talking to us and talking us through it. I’m just looking forward to getting back to work and getting ready.” Maye spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday following the Truist Championship Pro-Am in Charlotte in which he was paired with PGA Tour pro Gary Woodland on the back nine at Quail Hollow. Vrabel has found himself entangled in controversy after the New York Post posted pictures of him with longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. Vrabel said on April 24 that he was taking accountability for his actions without addressing specifics about the published photos. Vrabel missed the third day of the draft to attend counseling. Vrabel said he had to have hard conversations with the people that he cared about the most, including his family, his team and members of the Patriots organization. He added that, “My previous actions don’t meet the standard that I hold myself to. They don’t.” When asked if the issues are something the Patriots will need to put behind them before the season, Maye said, “I think that’ll take care of itself.” “I know he’s got the right mindset and I know he’s a great human being,” Maye added. “I think he’s … like I said, I love playing for him.” [More Patriots: Ranking the 10 Best NFL Offenses Entering Offseason Workouts] Maye, the third overall pick in 2024 who grew up in nearby Huntersville, North Carolina, led the Patriots to an appearance in Super Bowl 60 in just his second season. He was runner-up to Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford for the AP NFL MVP award in 2025. Maye also addressed former Patriots teammate Stefon Diggs’ acquittal on charges that he assaulted his live-in personal chef. The charges stemmed from a Dec. 2 incident at his Massachusetts home where Jamila Adams testified that Diggs slapped and choked her during an argument. Diggs had pled not guilty to a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before clearing Diggs of all charges. The acquittal in court clears a path for the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver to return to the field, although he could still face discipline from the NFL. “Well, you know, he’s always been a great teammate to me and I know he’ll do great things,” Maye said. “I was fortunate enough to have a year with him, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens to him. He’s a great player.” And as for the shoulder injury that hampered him down the stretch last season, Maye said he’s doing “great.” “Nothing, nothing, no problems at all,” said Maye, adding that he did not need surgery. The Patriots will host a three-day rookie minicamp beginning Friday in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Reporting by The Associated Press.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
After the success of their debut album Access All Areas, Flo is gearing up for their sophomore album. The British pop/R&B trio have officially announced the new album Therapy at the Club will debut on July 24, 2026, and have shared the title track from the album as its second single. “Therapy At The Club” is available to purchase and stream now, while the album is officially available for preorder.
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“We’re incredibly proud to finally share Therapy at the Club, our sophomore album with the world. It’s a body of work that feels super personal to us, it’s been a labour of love. For us, the club is more than just a night out, it’s like therapy. I mean, where else do you feel more understood than in a girls bathroom on a night out…that’s the vibe!” say Flo about their new album. “We’ve been very hands on with the writing and creation of this project alongside our very special collaborators, and that’s made it even more meaningful to us. This album represents where we are right now – honest, evolving, and unafraid to feel everything. We really hope you love it!”
Flo first shared a taste of Therapy at the Club with the lead single “Leak It,” which debuted in March. That track takes the best elements of a Y2K-era club banger and gives it a pulsing update brimming with Flo’s tight harmonies. “Leak It” and “Therapy in the Club,” which shows the group in a more soulful balladic mode, introduce what promises to be a processing of difficult emotions on the dance floor. The group has also enlisted an all-star group of collaborators for the project, including Amy Allen, Steph Jones (both of whom have recently worked with Sabrina Carpenter), Julian Bunetta, and Boy Matthews.
Access All Areas earned a Grammy nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album, making Flo the first British girl group nominated for a Grammy in 20 years. That album features hits like “Walk Like This,” “In My Bag” with Glorilla, and “Check.”
Order Flo’s Therapy at the Club now.
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