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Brad Paisley's "Waitin' on a Woman" wasn't new in 2008 when Andy Griffith appeared in its music video and a subsequent video mix sent out to country radio. A prior version of the Don Sampson and Wynn Varble composition appeared on Paisley's 2005 album Time Well Wasted and as a bonus track on a reissue of 2007's 5th Gear. However, it went from album cut to one of the best sentimental songs in recent country music history after the star of The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock assumed the role as its wise old man. "Who's the perfect person to sit next to you on a bench and tell you, 'Here's some advice, son'? Andy Griffith," Paisley explained in his spotlight interview during the 2018 Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. "I wrote him a letter. I told him, 'I grew up watching [The Andy Griffith Show]. Your show helped me raise my son. I now know how to raise a boy because of watching that show. If you want to be in the video, that would be great, but if not, thank you for everything you've done.'" In the music video, a newlywed played by Paisley waits as his young wife shops in the mall. An older married man reassures him that the right partner is literally worth the wait. The old man also figures his wife will outlive him, but waiting for her once again, this time in Heaven, will also justify his patience. The song further established Paisley as a traditional-minded country star, willing and able to dispense the sort of earthy wisdom associated with the fictitious folks of Mayberry, North Carolina. It also reconnected Griffith, whose best-known program introduced The Dillards to the masses, with a country music audience. The song became Paisley's eighth consecutive song to top Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. Its music video won the 2008 CMA Award for Music Video of the Year. "Waitin' on a Woman" Lyrics Sittin on a bench at West Town Mall He sat down in his overalls and asked me You Waiting on a woman I nodded yeah and said how 'bout you He said son since nineteen fifty-two I've been Waiting on a woman When I picked her up for our first date I told her I'd be there at eight And she came down the stairs at eight-thirty She said I'm sorry that I took so long Didn't like a thing that I tried on But let me tell you son she sure looked pretty Yeah she'll take her time but I don't mind Waiting on a woman He said the wedding took a year to plan You talk about an anxious man, I was nervous Waiting on a woman And then he nudged my arm like old men do And said, I'll say this about the honeymoon, it was worth it Waiting on a woman And I don't guess we've been anywhere She hasn't made us late I swear Sometimes she does it just cause she can do it Boy it's just a fact of life It'll be the same with your young wife Might as well go on and get used to it She'll take her time because you don't mind Waiting on a woman I've read somewhere statistics show The man's always the first to go And that makes sense cause I know she won't be ready So when it finally comes my time And I get to the other side I'll find myself a bench, if they've got any I hope she takes her time, cause I don't mind Waiting on a woman Honey, take your time, cause I don't mind Waiting on a woman

Is there anything Reba McEntire can't do? She's one of the biggest female voices in country music but she's also a talented actress who's pretty hilarious. That's probably why in addition to starring in multiple films and made for TV movies, she led her own sitcom conveniently called, Reba. The show followed the recently divorced Reba raising her three children and hilariously dealing with her ex and his new girlfriend in the suburbs of Houston, Texas. The show lasted for six seasons and even won McEntire a People's Choice Award for Favorite Female Performer. Unfortunately, the show was canceled in 2017 when WB became the CW. It's been 13 years since the show wrapped, so let's see what the main cast it up to now. Reba McEntire The sarcastic but loving mother Reba Hart was the heart of the show. A few years after the show ended, Reba led an ABC sitcom, Malibu Country, although it only lasted 18 episodes. She also became the first female Colonel Sanders for KFC in a series of commercials. As for music, she released another seven studio albums and served as a guest advisor on The Voice. Christopher Rich Ah the ex-husband Brock Hart. Rich did a great job playing Brock who, despite leaving his wife, had hilarious chemistry with McEntire on screen. After the show ended Rich continued making TV appearances on Boston Legal, Melissa & Joey, Desperate Housewives, and more. JoAnna Garcia Swisher Reba's daughter Cheyenne Hart-Montgomery marries her high school boyfriend on the show after he knocks her up. Reba takes it all in stride even after Cheyenne's boyfriend Van moves in with the family. Outside of the show, JoAnna Garcia married former professional baseball player Nick Swisher in 2010 and they have two adorable daughters together. McEntire and Peterman were even bridesmaids on the big day. She's continued to have a presence on TV appearing on Gossip Girl, Once Upon a Time, The Mindy Project, The Astronaut Wives Club, Kevin (Probably) Saves the World, and most recently the Netflix series, Sweet Magnolias. Scarlett Pomers Middle child Kyra Hart got her mama's sass and was full of a rebellious spirit. Sadly in real life, Pomers suffered from an eating disorder which led to an absence in season 5. Following the show, she only appeared in the Disney original movie, A Ring of Endless Light, before retiring from acting. She founded her own band, Scarlett Pomers Band, and released her own EP in 2010. Steve Howey Van Montgomery was the high school football player who knocked up Cheyenne Hart. His tendency to be a bit dim-witted just made him more loveable. He has a strained relationship with his parents, but his character grows very close to Reba and her family over the course of the show. It's especially heartwarming to see him connect with his daughter, Elizabeth. Following the show, Howey has played the role of Kevin on Showtime's Shameless since 2011. He is married to actress Sarah Shahi and the couple has three children together. Melissa Peterman Who could forget the homewrecker with a heart of gold, Barbra Jean? After playing the ditzy dental hygienist who broke up Reba's marriage, she went on to play the mom for six seasons in Baby Daddy on ABC Family (now Freeform). She also appeared as the host on CMT's The Singing Bee. She and Reba are actually great friends in real life and she even performed stand up on one of McEntire's tours as an opener. Mitch Holleman Youngest child Jake Hart was generally always the reasonable one and had some solid one-liners. Holleman has only had a few acting appearances since the show ended including The Hangover and Shake It Up.

Designing Women told the story of four southern women in Atlanta, Georgia, working at the fictional interior design firm, Sugarbakers & Associates. Running for seven seasons on CBS, viewers followed the women as they talked about how difficult it was to be women in business, experienced love and heartache, and just generally embraced the meaning of being a southern lady. It also gave us some incredible 80s hairstyles. Here's what the main cast has been up to since the show ended in 1993. Dixie Carter Carter starred as Julia Sugarbaker, the president of Sugarbaker & Associates. She ran the company out of her beautiful house and was the epitome of southern class, always up for putting someone in their place if need be. After the show ended, Carter went on to star in Family Law and had recurring roles on Ladies Man on CBS and Desperate Housewives on ABC. Carter passed away from endometrial cancer in 2010. Annie Potts The sarcastic lead designer at the firm, Mary Jo Shively, was played by the incomparable Annie Potts. While the Nashville native has had a solid film career with lots of memorable characters including Janine Melnitz in Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II, Iona in Pretty In Pink, Helen Downing in Who's Harry Crumb? and Liz Carlson in Jumpin' Jack Flash, Potts has also been the voice of Woody's love interest, Bo Peep, in Disney's Toy Story Pixar franchise, in Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and Toy Story 4. Following Designing Women, Potts went on to star in Love & War, Dangerous Minds, and Any Day Now. She has also appeared in GCB, The Fosters, Ugly Betty, Hallmark film The Music Teacher, Two and a Half Men, NCIS: New Orleans, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Boston Legal, Chicago Med, Major Crimes, and Joan of Arcadia. She is currently starring as Meemaw on the CBS sitcom Young Sheldon. Jean Smart Smart played the sweet but naive and ditzy office manager from Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Charlene Frazier-Stillfield. The TV show was Smart's first big break in the biz and she has gone on to have an incredible career. She was nominated for a Tony after starring in the Broadway production of The Man Who Came to Dinner. She's appeared in numerous romantic comedy films like Life As We Know It, Youth in Revolt, and Sweet Home Alabama. Smart won an Emmy Award for her role in Samantha Who? as well as Critics' Choice Television Awards for her roles in Fargo and Watchmen. Delta Burke The self-absorbed Suzanne Sugarbaker was the sister of Julia. Burke was able to use her former beauty queen days as Miss Florida to bring her character to life and ended up earning a couple of Emmy nominations. At one point, Burke was incredibly close with her castmate Dixie Carter who was even the Maid of Honor at her wedding. But there were some onset disagreements with the number of hours required and Carter sided with the production team. Ultimately, Burke was let go after the fifth season of the show. Burke went on to star on Broadway in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Steel Magnolias. She also had a short-lived show, Delta, followed by a brief resurrection of Suzanne Sugarbaker in Women of the House. She has continued appearing on various TV shows including Boston Legal, Drop Dead Diva, and most recently, Dolly Parton's Heartstrings on Netflix. Meshach Taylor The lone man at the design firm was Anthony Bouvier, the ex-con turned delivery man who is pursuing a law degree. His character was actually only supposed to appear in one episode, but did such a great job and had a great vibe with the ladies so he was kept on for the rest of the series. After earning an Emmy nomination for his role as Bouvier, Taylor went on to appear in M*A*S*H, Hannah Montana, The Drew Carey Show, Dave's World and was Lumière in the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast. He even had his own HGTV show in 1996, The Urban Gardener with Meshach Taylor. The actor passed away in his Los Angeles home in 2014 after a battle with cancer.

Reba McEntire was part of the memorial service in Houston, Texas for former president George H. W. Bush last year. The singer performed "The Lord's Prayer" at the funeral service for Bush, who passed away on Nov. 30, 2018 at the age of 94. "It was an honor and privilege to sing at President George H.W. Bush’s funeral this morning. He was a great friend and leader and I will never forget the time we shared together," McEntire wrote on her Facebook page. McEntire was one of two country acts to perform during the memorial service for the 41st president. The Oak Ridge Boys, longtime friends of the late president, performed "Amazing Grace," fulfilling a promisethey made to Bush before his death. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcNbdPPX5-Q "George Bush requested before he passed away that we sing 'Amazing Grace,' his favorite song, at his funeral," Oak Ridge Boysbandmember Richard Sterban told The Tennessean. "There's no way we wouldn't do it. He always taught us to do the right thing, and it is a tremendous honor. One final time here on this earth, we're going to sing it for him and we believe in our hearts we'll see him again one day and we'll sing it for him again." The former president was an avid country music fan and a friend to many within the industry. In 1991, he became the first and only presidentto attend the CMA Awards. Several country stars, including McEntire, Brad Paisleyand Tim McGraw, took to social media share their condolencesand memories of the late Bush.

The holiday season is a stressful time of year, but these simple booze-filled Christmas ornaments from Amazon could be just the thing to take the edge off. Watch our step-by-step video to find out how to add one to your tree this year! Get them here: https://bit.ly/36ENtLX

With her pure country sound, sharp lyrics and heartland spirit, Ashley Wineland is an artist you need to know. Wineland's new album "I'm Gonna Ride" is set for release in 2021.

"Me and Bobby McGee" has become a rock classic over the years. Co-written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster, this iconic song was first conceptualized with just a title -- inspired by a real person. Foster had a bit of a crush on Barbara "Bobbie" McKee who was a secretary on Nashville's music row. When he pitched the title to Kristofferson, he misheard the name as "Me and Bobby McGee," and the name stuck. Kristofferson found inspiration for his lyrics from a film, as he explained to Performing Songwriter: "There was a Mickey Newbury song that was going through my mind--'Why You Been Gone So Long?' It had a rhythm that I really liked. I started singing in that meter. For some reason, I thought of 'La Strada,' this Fellini film, and a scene where Anthony Quinn is going around on this motorcycle and Giulietta Masina is the feeble-minded girl with him, playing the trombone. He got to the point where he couldn't put up with her anymore and left her by the side of the road while she was sleeping," Kristofferson told Performing Songwriter. "Later in the film, he sees this woman hanging out the wash and singing the melody that the girl used to play on the trombone. He asks, 'Where did you hear that song?' And she tells him it was this little girl who had showed up in town, and nobody knew where she was from, and later she died. That night, Quinn goes to a bar and gets in a fight. He's drunk and ends up howling at the stars on the beach." The emotional feeling at the end of the film dictated the lyrics and overall mood of the song. Kristofferson changed the details, mentioning California and Kentucky to focus on the American experience, but that same raw emotion is evident in the lyrics. Due to the gender-neutral name of "Bobby" male and female artists gravitated to cover the song. It could tell a completely different story depending on who is singing it. In 1969, Roger Miller first recorded the song, which peaked at number 12 on the country charts. Miller's recording led to a huge influx of interest from other singers of all different genres. Numerous artists including Gordon Lightfoot, Charley Pride and Kenny Rogers, covered the song before Janis Joplin's version, which was posthumously released on her 1971 album Pearl. "Me and Bobby McGee" became Joplin's only number one hit and is widely considered one of the greatest songs of all time. The song has become a beloved classic, covered by over 50 artists over the years. From Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash to The Grateful Dead and Olivia Newton-John, the story of Bobby McGee has continued to live on in music history. We can't wait to see what new artists will breathe new life into "Me and Bobby McGee". 'Me and Bobby McGee' Lyrics Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin' for a train And I's feelin' near as faded as my jeans Bobby thumbed a diesel down, just before it rained It rode us all the way to New Orleans I pulled my harpoon out of my dirty red bandanna I was playin' soft while Bobby sang the blues, yeah Windshield wipers slappin' time, I was holdin' Bobby's hand in mine We sang every song that driver knew Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose Nothin', don't mean nothin' hon' if it ain't free, no no And, feelin' good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues You know, feelin' good was good enough for me Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee From the Kentucky coal mine to the California sun There Bobby shared the secrets of my soul Through all kinds of weather, through everything we done Yeah, Bobby baby kept me from the cold One day up near Salinas, Lord, I let him slip away He's lookin' for that home, and I hope he finds it But, I'd trade all of my tomorrows, for a single yesterday To be holdin' Bobby's body next to mine Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose Nothin', that's all that Bobby left me, yeah But, feelin' good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues Hey, feelin' good was good enough for me, mm-hmm Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee La da da La da da da La da da da da da da da La da da da da da da da Bobby McGee, yeah La da da da da da da La da da da da da da La da da da da da da Bobby McGee, yeah La da La la da da la da da la da da La da da da da da da da da Hey, my Bobby Oh, my Bobby McGee, yeah La la la la la la la la La la la la la la la la la la la la la la la Hey, my Bobby Oh, my Bobby McGee, yeah Well, I call him my lover, call him my man I said, I call him my lover did the best I can, c'mon Hey now, Bobby now Hey now, Bobby McGee, yeah Woo La da, la da, la da, la da, la da, la da, la da, la la Hey, hey, hey Bobby McGee, yeah La da, la da, la da, la da, la da, la da, la da, la Hey, hey, hey, Bobby McGee, yeah

Ashley Wineland's cover of "Put a Little Holiday in Your Heart" is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit this year. Wineland's third album "I'm Gonna Ride" is set for release in 2021.

Rising country music star and official CMT artist Ashley Wineland suggests heeding fatherly advice with "Daddy's Creed," from her forthcoming album "I'm Gonna Ride."

The Paramount Network TV series Yellowstone, starring Kevin Costner as John Dutton, Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton, Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton, Wes Bentley as Jamie Dutton, and Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler follows the Dutton family, who owns the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. The show is about the Dutton ranch's fight to keep its borders intact come hell or high water as a Native American Indian Reservation, land developers, rival ranching families, and Yellowstone National Park all try to encroach onto the land. The hit modern western has a star-studded cast and has been airing for three seasons, but here are some things you probably didn't know about the show. It Streams for For Free Yellowstone is not available on Netflix or Hulu, however, you can stream the entire first season on the Paramount Network website for free. The second season and third season can be purchased on Amazon Prime. A fourth season has been ordered but has not yet aired. Its Network Has Identity Issues The drama series airs on the Paramount Network, which has gone through several iterations as a channel. From 1983 to 2000 it was called The Nashville Network (or TNN). From 2000 to 2001 it was rebranded to The National Network. From 2001 to 2003 it was called "The New TNN". In 2003 the network rebranded as Spike TV and pivoted from country themed TV shows to men's programming. In 2006 the network dropped the "TV" from its name and became known simply as Spike. Then, finally, someone in Hollywood came to their senses and, in 2018, the network became known as The Paramount Network. The Show Shoots in Several States -- and NOT Wyoming Though the Paramount Network show takes place in Montana it is shot in both Montana and Utah. Some shooting locations include Park City, Utah, the Chief Joseph Ranch in Montana, and Darby, Montana according to IMDb. Its Stars Have Worked Together Before Prior to appearing together in Yellowstone, Wes Bentley and Danny Huston previously appeared together in season four of American Horror Story. Dave Annabel and Luke Grimes, who plays Kayce Dutton on the show, also previously appeared together in the show Brothers and Sisters. Meanwhile, Yellowstone lead and Oscar-winner Kevin Costner, who plays John Dutton on the show, and Ian Bohen had already done another western together. They both appeared in the 1994 film Wyatt Earp. Not only that, but they played the same character. Costner was the titular lead in the film while Bohen played the younger version of Wyatt Earp. They Have Super Hero Alums Both Danny Huston and Kevin Costner have been in DC Universe superhero movies. Danny Huston appeared as the antagonist in the first Wonder Woman film while Kevin Costner played Superman's adoptive father, Jonathan Kent, in Man of Steel.

How does someone get lucky enough to marry an American Idol winner and country music royalty like Carrie Underwood? Oh, you know, just be a super handsome professional athlete, is all. Is being a hockey player hard to do? Underwood and her husband, Nashville Predators star and Canada native Mike Fisher, might seem like an odd couple at first (hockey and country music aren't exactly a natural pairing) but once you see them and hear their love story it's obvious the two belong together. Underwood and Fisher met in late 2008 backstage at one of her concerts. Fisher was a friend of Underwood's bass player Mark Childers, who'd been trying to set up the two for a while (though Underwood says she wasn't interested). God had other plans, though. Once Underwood met the then-Ottawa Senators player, however, she pretty much immediately changed her mind about him. (His jawline will do that.) However, dating wasn't easy. Both Underwood and Fisher had busy schedules. The Cry Pretty singer and the hockey player had to do things long distance for a while. They talked on the phone regularly before finally meeting up again and sharing their first kiss on New Year's Eve in Times Square as the ball dropped. So basically the most romantic first kiss ever. Underwood even made the first move! According to her, Fisher isn't a big PDA guy, so she figured she should initiate things. By December 2009 the couple was engaged. (Not surprising that Fisher wanted to lock her down). on July 10, 2010, at the Ritz-Carlton resort on Lake Oconee, Georgia, the couple got married. For a while, the couple split time between living in Nashville, Tennessee and Ontario, Canada. They admitted it wasn't easy but then, through some good fortune, Fisher was traded to the Nashville Predators of all teams. In 2015 the couple welcomed their first child, Isaiah Michael Fisher, into the world. The baby boy is now four years old and likes to come on stage with his mom at concerts. Then, on January 21st, 2019, Isaiah became a big brother when the country singer and her husband were blessed again with a second son, Jacob Bryan Fisher. With a big family, a handsome and successful husband, and an incredible career as a country music icon, things are looking pretty good for Carrie Underwood's family.

Every January, thousands of Elvis fans make the trek to Graceland to celebrate The King's birthday with four days of events. If you're one of the many planning to honor the American legend with a trip to his Memphis, Tennessee abode, study up on the iconic Southern mansion with this list of things you may not have known about Elvis Presley's Graceland. Every January, thousands of Elvis fans make the trek to Graceland to celebrate The King's birthday with four days of events. If you're one of the many planning to honor the American legend with a trip to his Memphis, Tennessee abode, study up on the iconic Southern mansion with this list of things you may not have known about Elvis Presley's Graceland. Elvis Bought the Mansion When He Was Only 22 The King purchased Graceland in 1957 for $102,500, which equals about $900,000 in today's money. It's Second Only to the White House ...in visitors that is. Graceland, which was named a National Historic Landmark in 2006, is the second most visited home in the United States with over 700,000 visitors a year. Only the White House has more visitors. The Name Graceland Comes From the Original Owners The name "Graceland" will forever be associated with Elvis, but the King didn't actually name the property. The mansion was named by the family who originally owned the property, The Moores. Presley purchased Graceland from Mrs. Ruth Brown Moore, who named the property after her aunt, Grace Toof. Elvis Ran a $500 a Week Grocery Bill We all know about the King's love of fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches, but People reports that the superstar also required his pantry and fridge to be stocked with. Among the items Elvis required at all times: a case of Pepsi, six cans of biscuits and sauerkraut. The Upstairs is Forbidden to the Public Though much of the 17,500 square-foot Graceland property is open to the public, there is one portion that isn't. The master suite on the second floor is blocked from visitors. In fact, only Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley and the Graceland curator are allowed in. It was in the bathroom of the second floor suite that Presley's body was found after his death on Aug. 16, 1977. Bruce Springsteen Once Trespassed There The Boss is a huge fan of The King and one night in 1976, Springsteen set out to meet his idol by hopping the Graceland fence. The rocker's efforts were thwarted by security. It turns out that Elvis wasn't even home that night. swimming pool Elvis Had Three TVs (shooting the television) family Every January, thousands of Elvis fans make the trek to Graceland to celebrate The King's birthday with four days of events. If you're one of the many planning to honor the American legend with a trip to his Memphis, Tennessee abode, study up on the iconic Southern mansion with this list of things you may not have known about Elvis Presley's Graceland. 8. Elvis Bought the Mansion When He Was Only 22 The King purchased Graceland in 1957 for $102,500, which equals about $900,000 in today's money. 7. It's Second Only to the White House ...in visitors that is. Graceland, which was named a National Historic Landmark in 2006, is the second most visited home in the United States with over 700,000 visitors a year. Only the White House has more visitors. 6. The Name Graceland Comes From the Original Owners The name "Graceland" will forever be associated with Elvis, but the King didn't actually name the property. The mansion was named by the family who originally owned the property, The Moores. Presley purchased Graceland from Mrs. Ruth Brown Moore, who named the property after her aunt, Grace Toof. Presley added several features to the property, including a swimming pool in 1957. 5. The King Ran a $500 a Week Grocery Bill We all know about the King's love of fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches, but People reports that the superstar also required several other things in his pantry and fridge. Among the items Elvis required at all times: a case of Pepsi, six cans of biscuits and sauerkraut. 4. The Upstairs is Sealed Off to the Public Though much of the 17,500 square-foot Graceland property is open to the public, there is one portion that isn't. The master suite on the second floor is blocked from visitors. In fact, only Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley and the Graceland curator are allowed in. It was in the bathroom of the second floor suite that Presley's body was found after his death on Aug. 16, 1977. 3. Bruce Springsteen Once Trespassed There The Boss is a huge fan of The King and one night in 1976, Springsteen set out to meet his idol by hopping the Graceland fence. The rocker's efforts were thwarted by security, but it turns out that Elvis wasn't even home that night. 2. Graceland Was (and is) a Family Affair Elvis loved having his family close by -- so close that he moved his parents and grandparents into Graceland with him. His parents, Vernon and Gladys, and paternal grandmother, Minnie Mae Presley, moved in while Presley was filming the 1957 film Jailhouse Rock. To this day, tributes to Presley's family can be found all around Graceland. Visitors can see the King's planes, one of which is named for his daughter Lisa Marie, and visit a memorial marker for Presley's twin brother Jesse Garon Presley, who died at birth. (Jesse Garon Presley is buried in Tupelo, Mississippi.) Graceland's Meditation Garden is the final resting place for Elvis, along with his parents and grandmother. 1. Elvis Made His Final Recordings in the Jungle Room Arguably the most captivating room in Graceland, the Jungle Room was where Elvis really let his decorative taste go wild. The kitschy den, featuring green shag carpet, plastic plants, wood paneling and tiki-inspired decor, was where the King spent much of his time. By the mid-1970s, Presley's career had stalled and his interest in recording had wavered. So RCA did what they could to entice the superstar: they turned his beloved Jungle Room into a makeshift recording studio. In the comfort of his own home, Presley recorded his final musical output, which included a cover of George Jones' "She Thinks I Still Care." Several of the recordings were released on the albums Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee (1976), Moody Blue (1977) and Elvis: Way Down in the Jungle Room, a two-disc set released in 2016.

Ma and Pa Kettle were popular characters in the 40s and 50s films that constantly made audiences laugh watching the hillbilly couple navigate through life with their large family. But did you know that they were based on a real couple? Betty MacDonald published a hilarious memoir in 1945, recounting her experiences as a newlywed on a chicken farm in Washington state. The Egg and I follows her adjustments to farm life as well as her experiences with her slightly offbeat hillbilly neighbors. Readers were incredibly entertained by the main character's "fish out of water" experiences on the farm and the book quickly charted the bestseller list. The following year, MacDonald's quirky stories made it to Hollywood. Universal Studios purchased the film rights for The Egg and I and released a film inspired by the successful book. The film version of the story follows Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray as Betty and Bob MacDonald and Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride as their neighbors, the Kettles. Main brought the character to life so well she earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Viewers were incredibly taken with the Kettles, so much so, that the studio made nine more Ma and Pa Kettle movies as well as a radio adaptation of The Egg and I. Apparently the studio was struggling at the time and these films, grossing $35 million at the box office, prevented bankruptcy. Ma and Pa Kettle Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation Ma and Pa Kettle at Home Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki The Kettles in the Ozarks The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm Main played Ma Kettle in all 10 films from 1947 to 1957. Percy Kilbride played Pa in the first nine films but was replaced by Parker Fennelly in the final film. All of the classic films follow the Kettle family and their fifteen children, their ramshackle farm, and follow their hilarious shenanigans like their entertaining trips to Paris and Hawaii. The story of Ma & Pa Kettle also made its way to the small screen. A 15-minute episode TV show ran on CBS from 1951-1952 starring Doris Rich and Frank Twedell as the quirky couple. The characters also inspired a short-lived cartoon series for Universal Pictures, "Maw and Paw," voiced by Grace Stafford and Dal McKennon. Though its been years since we've last seen Ma and Pa, it's clear that America loved the Kettles and all of the laughter and joy they brought their viewers.

Willie Jones performing Runs In Our Blood

There are many reasons to love the 1994 movie 8 Seconds, which follows the life and career of late champion bull rider Lane Frost, who died in 1989 after a bull named Takin' Care of Business struck him after his ride at the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo. For one, the film, which stars Luke Perry as Frost, perfectly captures the life of rodeo cowboys and cowgirls and showcases Frost as family, friends and fans remember him: a brave man with a big heart. But beyond 8 Seconds'elevation of the rodeo lifestyle, there are several special little moments in the film that stand out even 25 years later: Lane and Kellie Frost's first date at Whataburger, Frost's best friend Tuff Hedeman (Stephen Baldwin) telling him to "Cowboy Up," which every small town child of the '90s undoubtedly said -- or had said to them -- at some point, Cody Lambert's recitation of cowboy poetry, and that incredible wedding line dance scene to Vince Gill and Karla Bonoff's cover of "When Will I Be Loved." The scene, which features Gill and Bonoff as a highly-overqualified wedding singers, begins at Lane and Kellie's wedding reception, where an epic battle breaks out on the dance floor between Frost and Hedeman. I don't think I'm overselling it when I say it's truly one of the great moments of cinema. Read More: 10 of the Best Line Dance Songs of All Time The wedding dance off is so iconic it's been recreated by grooms and their groomsmen (and additional wedding guests) throughout the generations. And I have YouTube proof. Gill and Bonoff's cover of "When Will I Be Loved?" (previously recorded by The Everly Brothers and Linda Ronstandt) is part of the classic 8 Seconds soundtrack. With songs by Brooks & Dunn, Pam Tillis, John Anderson, Reba McEntire, David Lee Murphy, Mark Chesnutt and Billy Dean, the album sounds a lot like the country music '90s cowboys and cowgirls were probably listening to on their way to the next rodeo. If you want to relive the 8 Secondsline dance in all its glory, the film is available here. Until then, shine up those boots and keep practicing those dance moves to teach your own wedding party.

Windows Down by Willie Jones

Willie Jones performing Bachelorettes on Broadway

Willie Jones performing Back Porch

Growing up with two hot country stars for parents definitely has its perks, but its also pretty intimidating. Especially if they happen to be Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Faith and Tim have been one of country music's most beloved couples for years, and fans continued to enjoy following along with their love story after they welcomed three children. All three girls inherited their parent's singing chops. Faith explained to New Beauty that they just do their best to be supportive as two professionals who already had to climb their way to the top. “Tim and I know what it takes to really do this for a living, but, as a parent, you don’t want to stand in the way of their dreams. It’s been one of the most difficult things for me as a mom—especially as a mom of all girls. You want to protect them; you want to make sure they aren’t disappointed. I’m certain all parents would say that about their kids, but there is a point you have to remember, ‘I was 19 once, and I remember the passion and the drive I had, and I just have to let them go and do it.’ Gracie McGraw Faith and Tim's oldest daughter Gracie definitely inherited her parent's musical genes and is no stranger to the big stage. In 2015 she even performed at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville with her father singing a duet to “Here Tonight.” Gracie grew up loving music, and in an interview with New Beauty, her mom shared that she not only taught herself how to play the guitar, but she started a secret band in the basement when she was in high school called Tingo. “It was right under our noses! Right under our roof!” Faith said. “We had no idea.” Gracie recently finished college at New York University and decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. “She’s 22, and on one hand, it’s sad,” Tim shared with Taste of Country, “but on the other hand to have the gumption to go out and chase your dreams … it feels like we did a pretty good job.” When Tim joined the 22-year-old on her cross country road trip, he posted a video of them singing a Barbra Streisand song together. All we have to say is...wow. Gracie clearly has big things ahead of her! "PIPES!!!!!!......Dang, this girl can sing! Gracie and I having fun with Babs and Barry on our trip #chaseyourdreamsgirl" Maggie McGraw Middle daughter Maggie (or Maggie May as her dad calls her) recently turned 21, just one year younger than her older sister. She's currently attending college at Stanford University. Of course, she wasn't the only McGraw child to get a cross country road trip to school, but this time, Faith was behind the wheel. She posted a video of her and her daughter jamming out to "Bad Blood" by Taylor Swift. Maggie also has some serious chops and is currently a member of a rock band called Sister Supply out in California in between her studies. So far, dad hasn't missed a single show, commutin all the way out to Cali from Nashville. Here's a clip of her band performing at the Frost Music Festival in 2018: Audrey McGraw The youngest of the McGraw children, Audrey recently turned 18. Pretty soon Faith and Tim will be empty nesters! For her birthday, Faith posted the cutest throwback video on Instagram of her daughter singing "Single Ladies." "My little sparrow with her head full of dreams. Oh, the places you will go my sweet." Though Audrey hasn't expressed any interest in publicly performing music like her sisters, we know that she can sing. Here's a clip of her performing "Travelin Soldier" in 2014...imagine how good she must be now! In an interview on The TODAY Show, Tim gushed about his family and how proud he is of his three daughters. “We’re so proud of our daughters because the world that they grew up in, it can easily make the kids turn out differently,” adding that they are “so grounded, they’re so humble. They have such big hearts, and they work hard at the things that they want to accomplish.”

Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook have been half of one of country music's beloved music groups for years. Through the band's journey to stardom, they also found love, and it's one of the sweetest stories you'll hear, giving Americans tuned into their country radio stations hope that true love does exist. Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman met while attending Samford University. They reconnected after moving to Nashville and decided to start making music together. Jimi Westbrook then joined, followed by Phillip Sweet, and Little Big Town was officially born. At the time, Fairchild was married to someone else. It ended up not working out and after her divorce finalized, she and Westbrook took a chance. Luckily, LBT survived and wholly thrived. Fairchild tells Us Weekly, "I think Jimi and I had a special friendship and connection that blossomed when we were both single. Sometimes you just have to cross that line and take a chance and when we had that opportunity we did. Of course, we didn't want to mess up the band, but we decided it was worth the risk." After getting married in 2006, the "Pontoon" singers welcomed a child, Elijah Dylan Westbrook in 2010. The band is doing better than ever and continuing to dish out hits including "Better Man," which won Best Performance by a Country Duo/Group at the 2018 Grammy Awards), "Girl Crush," which won 2015 Single of the Year at the CMA Awards, and "Smokin' and Drinkin'" (with Miranda Lambert). Did I mention they were the CMT Artists of the year in 2015 and 2018? They are an institution in Nashville. Heck, they're an institution everywhere country music is loved in the United States. "It is amazing," Fairchild said. "Jimi is my soulmate. I knew there was a deep connection there but once you decide to be together, you find even more, and then to have a child together is a beautiful, beautiful thing for us to share and a dream come true." https://www.instagram.com/p/BsHuB_3leEc/ The couple is completely adorable on social media, where you can catch glimpses of Elijah, the couple hitting the red carpet, and some snaps from the road with other greats in country music. The band debuted "Summer Fever" at the 2018 CMT Music Awards and will most likely continue releasing hits (and getting Vocal group of the year nominations). While I love their music, I can't wait to continue following along with this sweet love story.

Country star and cookbook author Martina McBride appeared on the first episode of Wide Open Country's Fan 2 Fan livestream series on Sept. 22, 2020 to announce that she's partnering with Country Crock's new sustainability initiative, The Cover Crops Project. In the above video, McBride explains how the Cover Crops Project will help Kansas-area farmers before sharing career-spanning memories of everyone from rock songwriter Bob Seger to Nashville legend Tammy Wynette. She even reveals that at her first concert, she saw bat-biting, ballad-singing rocker Ozzy Osbourne. Those topics came up during the show's "lighting round" series of questions, which encourage artists to talk about their own fan experiences. For more, check out WideOpenCountry.com!

Ken Curtis, the actor behind beloved Gunsmoke character Festus Haggen and the son-in-law of Western film director John Ford, had quite the career as a singer, as well, with his musical past creating minimal degrees of separation from Frank Sinatra and Roy Rogers. Curtis, born Curtis Wain Gates on July 2, 1916, grew up in Las Animas, Colorado, where his father was the sheriff. By 1940, he lived in New York and worked as a singer for the NBC radio network. In 1942, Curtis' first brush with fame came when he cut a few songs for Tommy Dorsey's orchestra. At the time, Dorsey's go-to vocalist was another future pop culture icon, Frank Sinatra. The common narrative that Curtis replaced Sinatra seems overblown, but that doesn't diminish that the future Festus collaborated with a fancy orchestra while living in New York City. After serving in the Army infantry during World War II from 1942 to 1945, Curtis signed with Columbia Pictures and began his film career. Early Western roles paired Curtis with other singing talents, from singing cowgirl Carolina Cotton to big screen regulars the Hoosier Hotshots. Curtis' first film as a leading man, 1945's Rhythm Round-Up, even featured Western swing pioneers Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. From 1949 to 1953, Curtis served as lead singer of the Country Music Hall of Fame singing group The Sons of the Pioneers. Prior to Curtis joining, the group featured Roy Rogers, Bob Nolan and other singing cowboy icons and popularized the song "Tumbling Tumbleweeds." With Curtis at the helm, The Sons of the Pioneers scored hits with "Room Full of Roses" and "Ghost Riders in the Sky." In 1950's Hollywood, Curtis became a regular in Ford's films, including the classic John Wayne films Rio Grande (1950), The Quiet Man (1952), Mister Roberts (1955), The Searchers (1956), The Wings of Eagles (1957), The Last Hurrah (1958), The Horse Soldiers (1959), Two Rode Together (1961), How the West Was Won (1962) and Cheyenne Autumn (1964). Curtis also appeared with Wayne in The Alamo (1960). As alluded to before, Curtis was married to Ford's daughter, the former Barbara Ford, from 1952 to 1964. Curtis also owned his own production company during a golden era for sci-fi b-movies which brought us schlocky favorites The Killer Shrews and The Giant Gila Monster (both from 1959). Curtis first transitioned to the small screen in a 1961-'63 television series about parachuting, Ripcord. In '64, Curtis' Festus Haggen character debuted during the eighth season of Gunsmoke. The lovable, disheveled deputy remained in the world of Marshall Matt Dillon (James Arness) and Miss Kitty (Amanda Blake) until the series ended in 1975. Curtis had appeared in Gunsmoke before, as a one-off character in the 1959 episode "Jayhawkers." Before sealing his television legacy as Festus, Curtis appeared in the series Have Gun, Will Travel, Perry Mason and Death Valley Days. Curtis' final film, Sam Elliott's Conagher, aired in 1991, the same year as the singer and actor's death. After decades of Gunsmoke reruns, it's hard to separate Curtis from the beloved Festus. Yet there's clearly more to his legacy, from a series of musical Westerns that blurred the line between motion pictures and early country radio to impressive runs alongside the Sons of the Pioneers and The Duke.

Haven't we all imagined being a ranch hand for the Dutton family? You can now show your love for the Dutton family with a Yellowstone Dutton Ranch hat and Beth Dutton shirt. Amazon has Yellowstone fan merchandise out, and we haven't been this excited about TV show apparel since Friday Night Lights Dillon High football shirts. You too can look like Kayce Dutton with your lookalike hat. Our dream boys Kevin Costner and Luke Grimes sure do look good in their Dutton Ranch hats, but so would you. Grab something from off this list, and you'll look like the cutest ranch hand in Yellowstone. See more at wideopencountry.com

Have you ever peeked inside your favorite artist's multi-million dollar mansion? Often, you'll find that our favorite singers and actors have home theaters in their mansions. I don't think I'm anywhere close in life to build a home theater yet, but an outdoor projector with comfy patio chairs is still in my budget. Outdoor projectors give you that viewing experience that you can only find in movie theaters. Watching movies on the big screen is the best. If you like action or drama movies, you know exactly how I feel. You can't watch a movie like 'Die Hard' on a tablet! You need a large screen to soak up all the action. See more at wideopencountry.com/outdoor-projector