The legendary group delivered an emphatic performance alongside Carrie Underwood — but some fans weren’t impressed. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
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Hannah Harper has officially been named the Season 24 winner of American Idol. During tonight’s three-hour finale, she secured a spot in the Top 2 alongside Jordan McCullough. After closing out her run with two more standout performances, the show’s host Ryan Seacrest revealed that Harper had received the most votes from America.
Week after week, Harper turned heads on the Season 24 competition with performances that showcased her powerhouse vocals, humble storytelling and growing confidence.
With each round, she continued to earn praise from the judges and secure America’s votes, which ultimately earned her spot in tonight’s three-hour season finale. As her journey comes to a close, we’re looking back at her rise and how she quickly became one of the standout voices of the season.
Harper made a memorable debut on the show when she auditioned with an original song inspired by the realities of motherhood, titled, “String Cheese.” Ahead of her performance, fans got to learn a bit about her musical upbringing, which included taking part in her family’s bluegrass gospel band for seven years. After her dad quit his job at the lead mine to pursue music full time, the entire family moved into a 40-foot-long, bright red tour bus and took their talent on the road. She returned to Missouri in 2016, settled down with a family of her own and eventually found herself turning back to music.
Underwood quickly dubbed Harper her “favorite person” and even shed a few tears after hearing her powerful story.
“Some days I wanna cry, run away and hide/ But I’d worry about their еvery need/ And when I’m ovеrwhelmеd and touched out
Thеy come climbin’ up on the couch/ Sayin’, “Mama, can you open my string cheese?”/ And I smile because I know meetin’ their needs fills my soul/ And being their mama is who I’m meant to be,” Harper sang on the chorus.
Underwood noted, “well, that’s about the most relatable song I’ve ever heard.”
Luke Bryan added to the praise by comparing Harper to iconic country music females like Kacey Musgraves, Dolly Parton and Alison Krauss while Lionel Richie agreed and said she could learn a thing or two lesson Parton’s career.
The Missouri native earned a golden ticket and continued onto Hollywood Week in Nashville, where she performed a cover of “A Little Past Little Rock” by Lee Ann Womack. Harper admitted to the show’s host, Ryan Seacrest that she was feeling the nerves after messing up the lyrics a few times, however the judges felt her delivery was good enough to send her into the Top 30.
This group of hopeful contestants then traveled to Disney’s Aulani resort in Hawaii for the first Ohana Round, where Harper performed a rendition of Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” dedicating it to her late grandfather.
“I’m really excited about the Ohana round to have the chance to honor my grandpa. He was a patriarch. So many branches of talented people that came from him. He played music until the day he died,” she shared at the time.
Harper’s performance struck an immediate chord, bringing her family to tears and earning a standing ovation from the audition. Plus, Bryan once again gave her the highest compliment as he compared her vocals to that of Parton.
“Gosh, there are so many parallels with your voice and Dolly [Parton] and it’s just so beautifully country,” he said.
After earning a spot in the Top 20, she sang “Ain’t No Grave” by Bethel Music & Molly Skaggs (also recorded by Johnny Cash), and stepped out of her comfort zone by ditching her guitar for the first time. This bold decision paid off as she received rave reviews from the judges at the end of the night.
“Great song choice. Your voice gave me chills the entire time. We got a glimpse of a fire that is in you that I feel like the more you go through this whole process, I hope to see more of. You remind me a lot of myself when I was on the show,” Underwood noted. “When I would be on stage, I’d be like…’What are you doing out there, hand? What’s going on? Why are you pointing?’ And all of a sudden it’s like things would kind of start falling apart because I would start thinking about what I was doing.”
This group of contestants then headed out of Hawaii and made their way to Los Angeles to kick off the live performances with Songs of Faith Night. Harper delivered an emotional rendition of “At the Cross (Love Ran Red)” by Chris Tomlin and then learned she would be advancing in the completion as one of the 12 finalists.
The next week she took on “Heads Carolina, Tails California” as part of the 90s Judges Song Contest episode, adding her own flair to the beloved country hit. This performance earned the stamp of approval from the artist who made the song famous, Jo Dee Messina.
Messina documented herself watching from home and joked, “Okay, Hannah, you’re not allowed to sing it better than me!”
This week fans also saw Harper received the ultimate surprise when Messina joined her on stage during her hometown show to perform the hit song together
@jodeemessina Loved this so much! Be sure to tune in to @AmericanIdol on Monday to watch me surprise @hannahharperofficial in her hometown 💜 #americanidol #hannahharper #jodeemessina ♬ original sound – Jo Dee Messina
Harper once again had the chance to step outside of her comfort zone during Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-themed episode. She landed a spot in the Top 9 after a standout performance of “Landslide.”
One of Harper’s favorite nights of the season was the Disney themed episode as served as a moment of “redemption” for her journey. The Season 24 contestant opened up to the guest judge of the week, Jennifer Hudson, about how her previous performance of “Heads Carolina, Tails California” sparked criticism online with users claiming her performance level doesn’t match the talent of her voice.
With that feedback in mind, Harper made a strong effort to go add some choreography to her delivery of “Almost There” from Princess and the Frog.
“Two weeks ago, I had all this choreography planned for ‘Heads Carolina, Tails California’ and I went out there and I froze like a statue…And then as soon as I got online, everyone’s like, ‘Her voice is okay, but she sucks at performing.’ And I was like, ‘Yes, she does. They’re not wrong.’ This week is my redemption moment,” she proudly stated.
Her powerful vocals once again stood out, earning a standing ovation from the judges, her fellow contestants, and the live audience.
“It made my heart smile. It made me smile watching you grow into…You kind of started with this Reba McEntire attitude thing and then you grew into your character, and you didn’t overdo anything. You did it perfectly,” Bryan told her.
This performance earned her enough of American’s votes to move forward in the Top 7.
Next came the highly-anticipated Taylor Swift night. Harper took this opportunity to respond to the criticism she had received online by performing a stripped-back version of Swift’s “Mean.”
The following week she teamed up with Idol alum Kellie Pickler for a rendition of Martina McBride’s “A Broken Wing” for the semifinals/reunion episode, which helped secure Harper a place in the final three.
All these performances and unforgettable moments with Hannah Harper leads us to tonight, the three-hour season finale of American Idol on Monday, May 11. The episode featured a slew of star-studded performances from past contestants as well as the finalists. Harper teamed up with Lee Ann Womack for an emotional duet of the iconic hit, “I Hope You Dance,” and later had a full circle moment as she brought her original audition song, “String Cheese,” back to the stage.
The hopeful singer stood beside runner-up Jordan McCullough before ultimately claiming the coveted title. The biggest smile spread across her face as tears filled her eyes while she took in the life-changing moment. There wasn’t much time to celebrate, though because just moments later, she delivered her final performance of the season, reprising yet another song she previously sang, Chris Tomlin’s “At the Cross (Love Ran Red).” As confetti poured through the room, Harper became so overwhelmed with emotion that she struggled to make it through the song. She celebrated with the entire Season 24 hopefuls by her side.
Immediately following the win, the singer/songwriter took to social media to celebrate with a heartfelt message, reflecting on the “wild, beautiful journey” she has experienced.
“Thank you to every single person who believed in me, prayed over me, voted, and helped carry this dream farther than I ever could’ve imagined. Y’all changed my life. I’m beyond thankful for the doors the Lord has opened and for the opportunity to walk this path.”
She ended her statement by letting fans know that she will be hitting the road soon and that they should keep an eye out for details regarding tour dates.
This might be the end of Hannah Harper’s American Idol journey, but this is just the start of a brand-new chapter.
“…somehow we’re just getting started,” she added.
The post Hannah Harper Wins ‘American Idol,’ Relive Her Unforgettable Journey appeared first on Country Now.
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American Idol finalist Hannah Harper joined forces with country icon Lee Ann Womack during the Idol finale to perform Womack’s iconic hit, “I Hope You Dance.”
Their performance of the beloved country ballad had fans swaying and singing along, including Harper’s parents who appeared to be sobbing as they watched their daughter share the stage with the legendary singer.
Lee Ann Womack’s vocals sounded as powerful and timeless as ever, while Hannah Harper held her own alongside the country star as fog rolled across the stage, adding to the emotional atmosphere.
Harper previously turned heads with a performance of Womack’s “A Little Past Little Rock” during Hollywood Week, which was dubbed Music City Takeover this season.
Sadly, she got caught up in the moment and forgot some of the words, but the judges were pleased with how she handled the situation.
This special performance of “I Hope You Dance” came just a year after Womack celebrated the 25th anniversary of the song.
The chart-topping ballad became both the lead single and title track of I Hope You Dance, released in 2000. The song went on to become one of Lee Ann Womack’s signature hits, taking home several major honors, including CMA Single of the Year, a GRAMMY for Best Country Song, and Song of the Year awards from the ACM, NSAI, and BMI. It has also achieved double platinum certification in digital and retail sales.
Written by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers, “I Hope You Dance” quickly caught Womack’s attention after she heard the demo. She immediately connected with the song and recorded it only a few months after it was written.
“Grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it,” Womack shared on social media in honor of the milestone anniversary. “I Hope You Dance” quickly became a cultural phenomenon as it was one of the most successful singles across multiple genres. To this day, it remains a staple and is often played at weddings.
Hannah Harper was a frontrunner in the competition from the start. She went viral with her audition, featuring a heartfelt performance of her original song, “String Cheese,” documenting her battle with postpartum depression after the birth of her first child.
Since then, she has covered songs like “Go Rest High On That Mountain” by Vince Gill, Landslide by Fleetwood Mac, “Mean” by Taylor Swift, and many more.
Last week, Harper had the opportunity to share the stage with Kellie Pickler, joining together to perform “A Broken Wing” by Martina McBride.
During her hometown visit, Hannah Harper was shocked when country hitmaker Jo Dee Messina surprised her on stage during her performance of “Heads Carolina, Tails California.” Harper was visibly stunned as the pair finished the song together.
Tonight, Hannah Harper was revealed to be among the Top 2 alongside Jordan McCullough. The winner will be revealed at the conclusion of the episode.
The post Hannah Harper Joins Lee Ann Womack for Emotional ‘I Hope You Dance’ Performance on ‘American Idol’ Finale appeared first on Country Now.
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Country superstar Carrie Underwood is doubling down on her love for rock music with a high-energy performance alongside Mötley Crüe during the three-hour American Idol finale.
Underwood and Mötley Crüe delivered a two-song set featuring “Home Sweet Home” and “Kickstart My Heart.” The collaboration brought serious rock energy to the stage, with Underwood head-banging throughout the performance. Toward the end, flames erupted behind them, amplifying the intensity of the moment.
Earlier in the season, Underwood leaned further into her rock side with a performance of “Rebel Yell” alongside Billy Idol and guitarist Steve Stevens as part of the show’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame night. The moment nearly left her speechless.
“What is my life?!?! I got the incredible chance tonight to sing with THE Billy Idol and Steve Stevens as part of our Rock & Roll Hall of Fame night on American Idol. It was an honor for me to get to share the stage with some real legends! Billy was so kind and put up with my nervousness and fangirling…I still can’t believe THAT just happened,” she shared at the time.
While Underwood is known for her powerhouse country vocals and high-energy anthems, she has long embraced her love of rock and metal. She has previously opened up about seeing bands like Green Day, The Offspring, and Slipknot live in concert.
She has also collaborated with several rock icons over the years, including Joan Jett, Papa Roach, and Guns N’ Roses. In fact, she even toured with Guns N’ Roses, opening for them on three dates of their 2023 World Tour.
Underwood also shares a deeper history with Mötley Crüe. In 2007, she reportedly appeared at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville (now Luke Combs’ Category 10) where she joined lead singer Vince Neil to perform “Kickstart My Heart.”
Two years later, she recorded a cover of Mötley Crüe’s “Home Sweet Home,” which served as the official American Idol farewell song during the 2009 season. She also returned to the show that same year to perform the track live. The recording was released on iTunes, with Underwood, 19 Recordings, Sony Music Nashville, and iTunes donating a portion of proceeds from the digital single to The Humane Society of the United States.
“I’ve always loved this song, and besides being very fitting for Idol, to me, the title is also very fitting with animal rescue and finding animals their own homes,” she said at the time. “So we felt it was important to tie the release into an amazing animal charity like the Humane Society Of The United States.”
The three-hour American Idol finale also featured performances from seventeen-time GRAMMY winner Alicia Keys, who served as guest mentor for the night, along with Brad Paisley, Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms, Cameron Whitcomb, Clay Aiken, En Vogue, Jason Mraz, Lee Ann Womack, Nelly, Shinedown, and Tori Kelly.
By the end of the night, American Idol fans officially learned who America chose to win Season 9.
The post Carrie Underwood Goes Full Rock Mode With Mötley Crüe on ‘American Idol’ Finale appeared first on Country Now.
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The park is open (again). Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Rising country singer Tayler Holder is canceling his tour, citing ongoing mental health struggles as the reason behind the difficult decision.
Holder, who first gained fame on TikTok before launching his country music career, took to social media to share the news with fans in an emotional message, admitting that this is one of the “hardest decisions” he has ever had to make.
“I need to cancel my upcoming shows,” he wrote.
Holder went on to detail the battle he has been facing behind the scenes over the past few months.
“Over the past several months, I’ve been in a constant struggle with my mental health in ways that I can no longer ignore. I’ve tried for awhile now to put my head down and just push through this and give everything I have to the music and the people who support me, but truthfully I’ve reached my limit right now and I need to take a step back and focus on getting healthy,” he shared honestly.
The singer admitted that while he is living out the dreams he once hoped for, he’s still struggling internally.
“I’m doing everything I’ve ever dreamed of and I still feel so lonely, still feel so unfulfilled,” he admitted. “Performing for you guys is the greatest privilege of my life, and this decision was not made lightly. I know many of you made plans, spent money, and were looking forward to these nights together. And I’m deeply sorry for the disappointment this causes.”
With his upcoming tour dates now canceled, Holder says he plans to focus fully on his well-being and healing.
“I’m taking this time to rest, seek support, and reconnect with myself away from the pressure and pace of touring. My hope is that this break will allow me to return stronger, healthier, and able to give you guys the performances you deserve.”
In closing, he thanked fans for their “patience, compassion, and continued support.”
“It means more than you’ll ever know,” he added.
Fans quickly filled the comments section with messages of support, encouragement, and prayers for the singer. Fellow artists also reached out publicly.
Brandon Lake shared, “Man lifting you up in prayer right now! That the spirit of panic would break and God would flood your heart and mind with peace. Recognize (the lie), Replace (with truth), and Repeat…has helped me a ton when I’ve battled mentally. Love you dude and believing for a quick shift,” while Graham Barham wrote, “Take care of YOU brother man.”
Tayler Holder, who recently celebrated his Grand Ole Opry debut, did not specify which performances would be affected by the cancellation. At the time of his announcement, he still had dates listed for his When No One’s Around Tour, as well as an upcoming appearance during CMA Fest.
Holder recently released a new song, “When No One’s Around,” which appears to detail his struggles with mental health.
“When no one’s around/ I start to drown/ So throw me a rope/ ‘Cause I only know/ Of one way out/ Is this how it ends/ From losing a fight with myself/ God only knows/ The places I go/ But where is He now/ When no one’s around,” he sings on the chorus.
Fans should stay tuned to Tayler Holder’s social media accounts and website for updates.
The post Tayler Holder Abruptly Cancels Upcoming Shows, Admits He Feels ‘Lonely’ And ‘Unfulfilled’ appeared first on Country Now.
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Chase Matthew has issued a statement after his bandmate, Carsen Richards, was arrested immediately following his concert at BBQ and Barrels in Owensboro, Kentucky on Saturday, May 9.
According to The Owensboro Times, Richards, 22 of Hendersonville, Tennessee was arrested on felony charges at approximately 9:40 pm local time after performing at the Owensboro Convention Center with Chase Matthew. Richards was reportedly known to be “frequently armed” so police handled the situation carefully to “reduce the likelihood of a violent armed encounter in a crowded environment,” according to Owensboro Police Department spokesman Mark Hammonds.
Hammonds confirmed, “A team of officers took Richards into custody shortly after he exited the stage, before he could reach a tour bus and away from the main crowd. Richards was confirmed not to be armed at the time of his arrest.”
Upon being taken into custody, Richards was reportedly booked into the Daviess County Detention Center. According to records filed with Clark County Distrcit Court, he faces two counts of second-degree sodomy and two counts of incest involving a person under 18 by a person three or more years older. He is said to be held on a $75,000 cash bond and is not allowed to have contact with the alleged victim.
These allegations allegedly come from incidents that took place in December 2020 and December 2022 in Clark County.
The Owensboro Times states that court records claim that Richards sexually abused an autistic child when the child was 12 and 14 and that the victim’s mother reported these incidents to Winchester Police in November 2025.
After the news of Carsen Richards’ arrest broke, Chase Matthew shared an emotional statement on social media admitting that this is one of the most “shocking and heartbreaking things” he has ever been through.
“When I first heard the allegations, I was sick to my stomach. I would never associate myself with a person I think could even be remotely capable of something like this, much less hire them to be on my team,” he wrote. “The reality is, you don’t always know what someone may be doing outside of your workplace, and nothing would have made me believe this was a possibility.”
Matthew confirmed that Richards has been removed from his band and that he is no longer associated with his team in any way.
“And I want to be very clear: I do not support or tolerate behavior of this kind whatsoever. I am truly disturbed and disgusted by the details of these allegations. My heart breaks for anyone affected.”
He shared his hopes that the legal system will take care of the situation properly.
“Like you, I’m learning this information as it comes out publicly. I don’t know anything more than y’all know. This is an ongoing legal matter, and I trust that the legal system will go through the correct procedures to get to the bottom of this.”
The post Chase Matthew Speaks Out After Bandmate Carsen Richards Arrested on Serious Felony Charges appeared first on Country Now.
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