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LeBron James is the greatest basketball player on the planet. Debate all you want about Michael Jordan being the greatest of all time, but even at 35 years old, King James continues to show the rest of the NBA why he’s still a superstar. Three NBA Championships, four NBA MVP awards and two Olympic gold medals are only part of why James is the king of basketball still. The 6-foot-9 power forward has been a threat to other NBA players since the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him No. 1 overall in the 2003 NBA Draft from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School of Akron, Ohio. He's a three-time NBA champion and three-time NBA Finals MVP. He won the NBA Most Valuable Player award four times, made the NBA All-Star game every season since 2005, and that's only part of his incredible list of accomplishments. At 19, James won the NBA Rookie of the Year. Ever since, his production has been off the charts, and he’s been compensated well for his work in re-writing NBA history. James has made about $307 million to date in career earnings playing basketball across 11 seasons with the Cavaliers, four with the Miami Heat and two with the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2018, James traded in Cleveland for Hollywood and joined the Lakers on a four-year, $153-million contract. James signed his first major shoe deal as an 18-year-old in 2003, opting for $87 million from Nike rather than a much larger amount Reebok was willing to offer him. That decision has paid off for James, who in 2015 signed a billion-dollar lifetime deal with Nike. The lifetime endorsement deal is expected to pay him $1 billion by the time he turns 64. LeBron has done endorsement deals with companies like McDonalds, Microsoft, State Farm, Beats by Dre, Coca-Cola, Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins, Samsung, KIA Motors, 2K Sports and others. When Beats Electronics was sold to Apple for $3 billion, James cashed on his one percent stake in the company and took home $30 million from the sale. He owns stake in English Premier League soccer club Liverpool F.C. He and his partners own numerous Blaze Pizza franchises scattered around Chicago and in Florida. His production company, SpringHill Entertainment, has launched shows like The Wall and has movies like Space Jam 2 in the works. James also launched a media company, Uninterrupted, that received a $15.8 million dollar investment from Time Warner in 2015. According to Forbes, James is one of the rare basketball players to earn more each year from endorsement deals than his NBA salary. He earned $36 million on the basketball court and another $53 million from endorsements in 2019. LeBron James’ net worth is an estimated $450 million in 2020. He checked in at No. 8 on the list of the world’s highest-paid athletes in 2019. See more at fanbuzz.com

Have you ever wondered why everyone knows what Pac-man is? Why does almost everyone in the world, regardless of age, know of this arcade game? Is it because its retro look and simple interface are easy to remember? How did this Japanese video game become a legendary international icon defining the cultural era of the 80s? Let’s dive into the history of Pac-man. The original game started in 1979, when a Japanese arcade game designer employed by Namco, Toru Iwatani, found a solution to balancing the heavy number of violent video games. At the time, the more popular video games were Asteroids, Space Invaders, Tail Gunner, and Galaxian- all with more violent themes. And Toru Iwatani found the solution to leveling out the game concepts… while eating. It hit him when he was looking down at his pizza pie. Two pieces were missing from the whole, resembling a mouth almost, as you can see where the physicality of the arcade machine began. This turned into Pakkuman, stemming from the Japanese term “paku-paku taberu” which is basically onomatopoeia describing the “puck-puck” sound a mouth makes when chomping widely and closing quickly after. Which, if you’ve actually played the game, you would realize is the sound the original Pac-man makes when he eats his dots. Hence his original name “Puck-man” was born. However, you can imagine the issues this name would run into, especially when the demographic gamers at the time were adolescent boys. Thus, “Pac-man” became exceedingly popular and became the perfect game to play with friends. And it broke the demographic barrier. By the mid-1990s, this video game was made available in the United States for general computers, game consoles, (who remembers Nintendos?!), and even handheld devices. This little Pac-man character and the other game characters were so well-known that businesses were even capitalizing off of merch. Everyone had Pac-man fever, and it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Let's not forget about the famous Ms. Pac-man and other spin-offs and TV shows that would later make her way into the world! Let Pac-mania live forever!

After thinking about how many hours I spend a month in the grocery store, I decided it was time to maximize my time when it came to running errands. In an attempt to make grocery shopping something I can do in under an hour, I tried three grocery pickup services in Texas. I've used H-E-B for online orders plenty of times already. As someone who loves H-E-B tortillas and numerous H-E-B products, it's no surprise that I love shopping at their store. As for online, I love it just as much. The H-E-B website is easy to navigate, and so is their app. Before I start shopping, I get to choose a pickup slot convenient for me. I love going in the mornings, and I always find a pickup time before work. I often see online coupons while I create my shopping list. Their service offers fantastic scheduling, easy navigation, and coupons. Overall, I love that I'm able to order perishable items. That's right, you can order produce and meat online. Target doesn't have a pickup fee or minimum purchase. I love it! Sometimes I don't want to run inside for five items. Target knows that and allows you to order groceries even if your bill is only $14. You can use those coupons as you shop, so take advantage of it. Once you check out on the app, Target will let you know when your order is ready. This means there is no time slot. If you have no idea when you'll be able to get from work to the Target on the other side of town, no worries, Target will hold your order for three days. Walmart also has a pickup service. Yes, it's completely free. You can shop from the app or a desktop. My biggest con is the minimum order. You must order at least $30 of groceries to use the service. It's worth it to me. I love saving time and, of course, not having to leave my car. As I mentioned, safety does play a massive role for me. I'm not one to grocery shop alone after dark, so having the option to pick up groceries before or after work without leaving my car is fantastic. Be sure to check us out at WideOpenEats.com!

Who else is going to their grave blaming their laundry detergent and fabric softener on stains and won't admit that it could possibly be food grease? Me too! As long as we're buying laundry detergent and clothes, we're still keeping an eye out of the best stain remover. My Dawn dish washing liquid trick has done more for me than most pre-treatments. According to customer reviews, Fels Naptha Laundry Soap is the laundry stain remover we've been looking for. Like I mentioned, the second I feel a drop of food on my shirt I'm rushing to the sink to add dishwashing liquid to it. The soap bar seems much more efficient! All you have to do is rub the stain with the wet soap bar and let it sit for a few minutes. The next thing you need to do is load the washing machine. This powerful laundry bar is made to remove the tough stains from your clothes. I'm really interested to see if this works well with essential oil stains. Sometimes dealing with diffusers or making homemade face masks can be messy. I was surprised to see that this bar of soap doesn't end with tackling the toughest stains. If you click to the top reviews on Amazon you'll see that this pre-treatment can dry up poison oak and poison ivy. Again, I'm not surprised that this could be safe for sensitive skin. Back in college when I had my first major breakout, I used Dawn dish soap to wash my face. I'm not sure if it was safe, but it did work. It dried out some oily blemishes from finals stress just in time for summer break. I guess if it can remove oily stains, an oily face is nothing! I'm not recommending that of course, but it makes sense that a cleaning product can be safe on skin. You can get this pre-treater bar soap at Amazon or Walmart. This just might be the one saving grace for dealing with oily foods. I've tried making a DIY remover with baking soda and cleaning products, and it didn't work out for me. I'm really looking forward to trying a bar of Fels Naptha. Sometimes I am skeptical about my own laundry detergent. After I made the switch to a certain liquid laundry detergent I noticed random spotting on my T-shirts. They definitely weren't bleach stains. I'm hoping Fels Naptha is the solution to that problem! I can't believe I've missed this at the grocery store all of these years. Word of mouth says a lot, so I'm going to give this Fels Naptha laundry bar a chance. If it can work on soiled baby clothes, hopefully, it will get that taco grease stain out of my favorite T-shirt. See more at wideopeneats.com

Do you remember drinking out of those red plastic cups at your neighborhood Pizza Hut restaurant? Sadly, Yum! Brands Parent company and owner of Taco Bell and KFC, is closing the doors on 500 Pizza Hut Restaurants as the chain focuses on carryout and modern delivery options. That's right, according to the fast food's latest earnings call, the closures are going to take place within the next two years. Goodbye red roof, stuffed crust pan pizza, and countless childhood memories. So what's going to happen with the pizza chain across the United States? Three words: Pizza Hut Express. The locations will be transformed into express stores that only feature takeout. So long Pizza Hut buffets, we miss you already. See more at wideopeneats.com

Hales Bar Marina & Resort is the perfect play for a weekend getaway. Not only will you get to enjoy the stunning sunsets over Nickajack Lake, but you get to stay in your very own floating cabin. The picturesque resort is less than half an hour from Chattanooga and two hours from Nashville. Once you see photos you'll agree it's definitely worth the visit. This marina and resort in Guild, Tennessee has cabins that are actually floating on the sparkling waters of the lake. You can choose between one, two, and three-bedroom options, all ranging in price from $99 to $275 depending on your size of cabin and time of year you plan on visiting. If sleeping on the water really isn't for you, don't worry. There are cabins on the land that still offer lovely views of the water. Hales Bar Marina and Resort is located where the Hales Bar Dam used to be. The dam was completed in 1913 along the Tennessee River but ceased operations in 1967. Due to the number of deaths during construction, the abandoned dam is considered the most haunted location in the entire state of Tennessee as well as one of the most well known in the country. Paranormal investigators frequently visit the area and it's even been featured on numerous tv shows including Ghost Hunters. The good news is, campers shouldn't have to worry about seeing any ghosts since all of the cabins were constructed especially for the resort. You can hit the water from a safe distance before making your way back to your floating cabin. There is also an RV Park if you want to bring your own camper instead of renting a cabin. The nightly rate for waterfront views is $45. There is a mini-golf course on-site as well as a swimming pool in case you need a break from the lake water. Check us out at WideOpenCountry.com!

A bunch of college football teams claim to be “Defensive Back University,” but what program is the real DBU? The Alabama Crimson Tide, Florida Gators, Tennessee Volunteers and Miami Hurricanes have a deep history, but a few other schools are outpacing them these days. The Florida State Seminoles have Jalen Ramsey and Derwin James as two of the top players at their position. They also have a few others like Xavier Rhodes and Ronald Darby that have been extremely good players, too. The Ohio State Buckeyes make a strong claim as well. Guys like Malcolm Jenkins, Malik Hooker, Eli Apple Denzel Ward and Jeffrey Okudah were high draft picks after starring at OSU. These LSU players may give Baton Rouge the best with All-Americans like Morris Claiborne, Patrick Peterson, Eric Reid, Jamal Adams, Tyrann Mathieu and Grant Delpit. Today, the NFL and college football is dominated by only one DBU. LSU sent more than a few star talents in the NFL Draft in recent years. They produced four defensive backs taken inside the top six picks of the draft since 2007. LaRon Landry was taken with the sixth pick of that draft by the Washington Redskins. Patrick Peterson was taken with the fifth pick in the 2011 draft, then Morris Claiborne was taken at No. 6 the following year. Jamal Adams went sixth overall in 2017. LSU sends a ton of players on to be NFL Draft picks. Since 2010, they have had 14 LSU defensive backs drafted. Five of those players were first-round picks and 10 of them were taken in the first three rounds. LSU consistently put out talented defensive backs, having at least one cornerback or safety be drafted in eight of the last nine drafts. They aren’t a school that struggles to get defensive backs draft year in and year out. If a player goes to LSU and earns playing time, there is a really good chance they will be selected come draft day. Some other schools who have had some talent that may want a claim of the title are USC, Texas, Virginia Tech, Iowa, Clemson, and Georgia, but they don’t have near the talent of the top schools and and are a few years away from even having a chance of being in the conversation. See more at fanbuzz.com

Cars are rarely a good investment. If you buy them new, you get hit with massive depreciation. If you start to modify them, well, you’d be better off addicted to drugs from a financial standpoint. Every so often, a person has the foresight and restraint to buy a cool car and just wait. If stored properly and if it becomes a popular classic car, like a Chevrolet Camaro or Ford Mustang, you may just be rewarded with a pretty decent return. This sure beats watching a stock go up and down, but the key here is living past the time it takes to appreciate. It’s not a venture that always works out, but when it does, it makes for an incredible story. And. speaking of incredible stories, we’ve got a real doozy in this 1979 Pontiac Trans Am. The Story of This Classic 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SE Back in 1978, an 18-year-old William Leland III had the inclination that the Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am was going to be worth big money one day. He also knew most would be bought and trashed, so the only way for this to be a sound investment would be to store the new car as if it were the original Mona Lisa. William, otherwise known as Bill Jr., needed a co-signer for the purchase and was able to convince his father to take on the risk. His dad agreed, but only for a maximum purchase amount of $10,000. Bill went straight over to Pell Pontiac in Massachusetts, and ordered the most optioned version of a black Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am that his 10 grand would buy. Back then, his money went as far as his 1979 Trans Am, sleek body style and all, was almost fully loaded. The special edition collector car came with the 6.6-liter V8 engine, three-speed automatic transmission, starlight black and gold combo, and looked like it came straight off the movie set. We were even expecting Burt Reynolds to show up! Knowing exactly what the plan was for this limited-edition coupe, Bill instructed the dealer not to wash it or drill a front plate bracket, but to basically leave it exactly the way it was delivered. He drove the 20 miles home, and the car sat unregistered for years. When Leland moved, he drove it another 20 miles, and there it sat for another 17 years, never being taken out or seeing any kind of weather. He would start it up, row through the gears, and change fluids, but that’s about it. Eventually, Bill Jr. was sadly diagnosed with Melanoma cancer and passed away at the young age of 42. In 2013, Bill’s father sold the car, and, the next year, it won the “Survivor Award” at the Pontiac-Oakland Club International All GM Car Show. With only 65 actual miles on it, the special edition muscle car was listed on RK Motors for an asking price of $159,000 and was eventually sold. A true showroom beauty! See more at altdriver.com

He may share his name with a notorious outlaw, but famous motorcycle customizer and television personality Jesse James never needed to break bad to make a name for himself. Though, he has had his fair share of controversy over the years. Whether you know him from his TV shows Monster Garage (which is set to return in 2020) or Jesse James Is a Dead Man, his custom motorcycles for Keanu Reeves or Shaquille O’Neal, or his rocky relationship with Sandra Bullock, you know that the guy is great at making headlines. James’ passion for motorcycles at an early age led to a multimillion-dollar enterprise in West Coast Choppers, which eventually spawned a successful television career and several other business ventures. But, after nearly 20 years in the spotlight, the 50-year-old James has managed to withstand the ups and downs by continuing to do what made him famous in the first place: customizing motorcycles. Early Life and Career Jesse Gregory James was born on April 19, 1969, in Long Beach, California. His father ran an antiques shop, which was located right next to a Harley-Davidson parts supplier. Thus, beginning his lifelong obsession with motorcycles. “I remember seeing a pack of Hell’s Angels blasting by our family car when I was about 6, and they were all riding choppers,” James told a Discovery Channel interviewer in 2000. “I remember all the noise and all the chrome. It was the coolest thing I ever saw. I knew then that I was going to be involved in motorcycles in some way.” When a career in football didn’t pan out after several injuries, James dropped out of college and worked as a bodyguard for bands like Slayer and Soundgarden. In 1992, James opened West Coast Choppers, a clothing brand and motorcycle customization shop. After falling off stage during a concert in 1993 and dislocating his elbow, James decided to put all his eggs in the WCC basket. West Coast Choppers Starting in his mother’s garage and eventually moving to a small shop in Long Beach, Jesse James would find that success with West Coast Choppers wouldn’t come overnight. In the early days, James found himself overworked and underpaid, and even got the words “PAY UP SUCKER!” tattooed on his palm to express his frustration over money issues. James’s big break came in 2000 with the Discovery Channel documentary Motorcycle Mania. Giving an inside look into Jesse’s day-to-day life, the multipart series introduced his brand to the masses. West Coast Choppers would move from a one-man crew grinding in a small shop to an organization with more than 50 employees working out of an 18,000 square-foot warehouse. James would go on to design custom bikes for such A-listers as Shaquille O’Neal, Keanu Reeves, and Kid Rock. With a West Coast Chopper motorcycle fetching anywhere from $60,000-$150,000, we’re guessing James rarely needs to show that “PAY UP SUCKER!” tattoo these days. While WCC’s Long Beach location shut down in 2010, James reopened the shop in Austin, Texas in 2013. Television Success and Other Business Ventures Following the success of Motorcycle Mania and his growing celebrity clientele, James was tapped to host the Discovery Channel competition show Monster Garage. The highly-successful series spawned a UK version, two video games, and a number of books. On top of that, 42 of the surviving project vehicles were sold at the 2008 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction. While Monster Garage only aired from 2002-2006, it is set for a 2020 revival. With appearances on Sons of Guns, Celebrity Apprentice, Street Customs, and American Chopper, James also starred on the Spike TV show Jesse James Is a Dead Man, where he performed death-defying stunts. Under his own company Payupsucker Productions, James has also produced such shows as History of the Chopper, Iraq Confidential with Jesse James, and Green Scream. As far as other business ventures go, James opened Cisco Burger in 2006, right across the street from West Coast Choppers. In lock step with WCC, the restaurant has since moved from Long Beach to Austin. Since 2006, James has nationally published Garage magazine and also owns Jesse James Firearms Unlimited. To say that this guy keeps busy is an understatement. Controversy and Legal Issues For as much success as Jesse James has enjoyed over the years, he’s had an almost equal amount of controversy. For one, you could write an entire book chronicling his relationship issues alone. With three children from his first marriage to Karla James, James was married to adult film star Janine Lindemulder from 2002-2004. It was a relationship fraught with drama, including assault charges against Lindemulder and a messy custody battle over the couple’s daughter after Lindemulder’s release from prison over tax evasion charges. James later married actress Sandra Bullock in 2005. That marriage deescalated into tabloid fodder following rumors of James cheating on The Blind Side star with multiple women, which he later admitted was true. James and Bullock divorced in 2010. Following the intense fallout from his infidelity, James checked himself into an Arizona rehabilitation facility for 30 days, where he received treatment for anger management and sex addiction. James is also no stranger to litigation. In 2007, he was fined more than $270,000 by the California Air Resources Board after authorities determined that James’ bikes were in violation of California’s clear air laws and emitted 11 times the legal limits of hydrocarbons. In 2008, James faced two costly lawsuits: One was a $422,680 over a breach of contract with a customer, and the other was $327,533 in unpaid lawyer fees. Jesse James Net Worth and Personal Life Jesse James has an estimated net worth of $100 million. While he’s clearly doing much better from a financial aspect than he was during his early days, he’s also been thriving on the relationship side as well, having been married to drag racer Alexis DeJoria since 2013. See more at altdriver.com

Cyndi Lauper’s hit "Time After Time" was the second single for her debut album, "She’s So Unusual." Lauper was introduced to Rob Hyman of "The Hooters" after her band "Blue Angel" had broken up. When she was in need of musicians to record her album, a Columbia Records producer, Rick Chertoff linked her with Hyman and they hit it off. Rick Chertoff was infamous for telling artists that their records could use “one more song.” She’s So Unusual included big hits such as All Through The Night, She Bop and of course, Girls Just Want To Have Fun. Although these songs are all stellar tracks that have made Lauper the legend she is today, Chertoff felt the album was incomplete and asked them to write one more. In a late writing session at New York recording studio, Record Plant, Lauper spotted a TV Guide advertising a science fiction film, “Time After Time” and it sparked an idea for the song title. Using a simplistic set of piano chords they set out to write a pop song. However, as they progressed the realized it was more of a bittersweet tune; the song meaning something a little different for all of them. To Rob Hyman, it represented a breakup. For Lauper, it was a response to a lover who was “lost,” which alludes to him needing help. She expresses her sympathy for an ex-lover, to the degree of not wanting to move forward without him by her side. The recording you hear of “Time After Time” is raw, meaning the songwriters used the demo and the first version of the song, which is pretty rare. Rob Hyman does backing vocals for Lauper. The song eventually became Lauper’s number 1 hit in the United States and earned her a Grammy nomination in 1985. See more at rare.com

You don't have to be pregnant to enjoy a pickle and peanut butter sandwich. Created during the Great Depression as an unusual pantry sandwich, the pickle and peanut butter sandwich was produced out of necessity. Since then, the PB&P was was a quiet recipe that people would make in the middle of the night for a snack. That is until 2017 when Dwight Garner of The New York Times shared his love of the depression era pickle sandwich in his De Gustibus column. The article brought a whole new life to the sandwich and turned the internet upside down. It influenced every food website and foodie to question if pickles and peanut butter were meant to live together harmoniously in between white bread, myself included. How to Make a Perfect Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich While this sandwich recipe is simple, it does require a little bit of thought. Dill pickles or butter pickles? White bread or slices of wheat bread? Crunchy peanut butter or creamy peanut butter? These are all up to the consumer. Personally I like kosher dill pickles with creamy peanut butter on white bread. The savory and sweet combo on two slices of bread is much better than the traditional PB&J. For more like this, check out WideOpenEats.com.

Betty White’s career has spanned nearly a century, making her a household name. But as with any success, sacrifices have to be made. The Hollywood star has hosted Saturday Night Live, starred in The Golden Girls, Hot In Cleveland, and has authored multiple books. Born in 1922 in Chicago, Illinois, she moved to California with her father during the Great Depression. As a child, she was friends with another comedic star, Lucille Ball. The two would later reboot a version of her late husband’s game show. At 8 Betty got her first role on the radio on a show called Empire Builders, where she played an orphan. After a break from working in the entertainment industry, White experienced her first unsuccessful marriage and joined the American Women’s Voluntary Services in WWII. After that, she returned to entertainment and started working regularly. She started off hosting TV shows before the sitcom Life With Elizabeth sitcom. She later landed the Mary Tyler Moore Show where she won two Emmys. Then there was, of course, Golden Girls. Betty White didn’t have any kids of her own, but she is a step-mother of 3. She married thrice. Once to an army war veteran, Dick Barker. The entertainer even committed to living on his chicken farm, but they divorced just months after they were married. Years later she attempted love again and tied the knot a second time. Lane Allen, her second husband, wanted to have kids immediately but she wanted to focus on her career. This marriage also didn’t manage to last a year. The Emmy award winner's final marriage was to TV game show host, Allen Ludden, in 1963. She met him on the game show Password, where she was a guest panelist. He spent the next year asking her out. And she repeatedly told him no. But eventually, they got together and raised Ludden’s three teens, plus a few pups, together. The couple was married for 18 years until Ludden died of stomach cancer in 1981. Thankful for her step-children, Betty White feels like she made the right decision to not have kids of her own. She’s admittedly an impulsive individual and said that having kids of her own wouldn’t have been conducive to her impulsivity. She has not remarried since Ludden, saying Ludden was the love of her life and didn’t need anything else.

Legendary singer-songwriter John Prine died Tuesday, April 7 from complications of COVID-19. He was 73 years old. Prine was an American treasure and revered as one of the great modern songwriters. After being discovered by Kris Kristofferson, Prine released his self-titled album in 1971, which included "Hello in There," "Sam Stone," "Illegal Smile," "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore" and "Angel From Montgomery," which was famously recorded by Bonnie Raitt and is considered one of Prine's many signature songs. Prine also co-wrote David Allan Coe's "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" with his good friend Steve Goodman, a fellow member of the Chicago folk music scene. Throughout his incredible career, Prine was an inspiration to both his peers and aspiring singer-songwriters in the Americana scene. Kristofferson, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash named him among their favorite songwriters. The folk singer and songwriting hero was a mentor to many in the Nashville scene, including Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert. In 2019, Prine won Album of the Year at the Americana Music Honors and Awards. In 2020, he was given the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Read More: The 10 Best John Prine Songs, Ranked Prine's team took to social media on March 29 to announce that the Americana legend was hospitalized and in critical condition after having coronavirus symptoms. “After a sudden onset of Covid-19 symptoms,” read the Instagram post, “John was hospitalized on Thursday (3/26). He was intubated Saturday evening, and continues to receive care, but his situation is critical. “This is hard news for us to share,” the statement continued. “But so many of you have loved and supported John over the years, we wanted to let you know, and give you the chance to send on more of that love and support now. And know that we love you, and John loves you.” The news came less than two weeks after John Prine's wife and business partner Fiona Prine's March 17 announcement that she'd tested positive for COVID-19. John was tested at the time, but his results came back as "indeterminate." "There's a chance he may not have this virus, and we are working really, really hard and being really diligent about all of the protocols. We are quarantined and isolated from each other and members of the family," Fiona said at the time. "It's hard, I won't lie, but it's absolutely important." Prine, who was a cancer survivor, and his wife, the former Fiona Whelan, ran the Nashville-based label Oh Boy Records, which released John's own music (including the Grammy-nominated 2018 album The Tree of Forgiveness) and, in the past year, music by country music outsider Kelsey Waldon and singer-songwriter Tre Burt. Prior releases include a live album by Kris Kristofferson. Word of Prine's condition broke while Nashville reeled over the death of Grand Ole Oprymember and Grammy winner Joe Diffie,the first mainstream country music star to pass away due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Associated Press reports that public health officials stress hand washing with soap and water for 20 seconds and staying at home when possible as ways to prevent the pandemic's spread and to protect older adults, people with pre-existing health problems and other vulnerable populations. Be sure to visit us at WideOpenCountry.com

We got an exclusive look at the Lacrosse Lodestar Hunting Boots, the newest addition to the Navigator Series highlighting the fall 2020 gear lineup packed with premium components. Most notably, it's the first pair of boots in the Navigator Series to feature a GORE-TEX breathable lining, and has set itself up as an ideal boot for navigating the backcountry. Things start from the ground up, and the new Lodestar is equipped with an exclusive Vibram outsole that features omni-directional lugs for superior traction in just about any condition. There's an oversized X-shank system that helps to distribute weight over your entire foot, which in turn promotes stability and comfort during long days with lots of miles to cover. The Durafit rubber heel cup won't let your heel slide around, virtually locking it in place, and the HexGuard rubber toe gives the boot advanced defense against dings and scratches. The Nubuck leather upper is enhanced with lightweight, abrasion-resistant materials to help with the style and durability. These would work for a wide variety of hunting experiences, from high country mountain elk to upland birds on the prairie. The Lodestar aims to be one of the more versatile boots the market has seen lately, as opposed to the specialized trend that's been so prevalent. The boots were technically debuted during January's SHOT Show in Las Vegas, but they're going to be available for purchase in time for the fall 2020 hunting season. You can see more about the Lodestar and the rest of the Lacrosse Navigator Series at LacrosseFootwear.com.

In a recent interview with 60 Minutes Australia, 74-year-old Dolly Parton set a goal for her 75th birthday: a return to the cover of Playboy Magazine. “I don’t plan to retire. I just turned 74 and I plan to be on the cover of Playboy Magazine again,” she said (as quoted by People). “See I did Playboy Magazine years ago and I thought it’d be such a hoot if they’ll go for it — I don’t know if they will — if I could be on the cover again when I’m 75.” More specifically, Parton became the first country singer to become a Playboy cover model in October 1978. The cover photo shoot showed the country music icon in the iconic Playboy bunny outfit, complete with bunny ears and a bowtie. Parton's cover shot promoted an in-depth article on her career, not that month's centerfold. “I have been asked, back in the day, but that was so totally not me," she says on nudity, as shared on her website. "I would never do that… But that was a good article they ran in there, and it was just a fun thing to do. That was just another way I was trying to market myself, at that time, to kinda get in the mainstream…” When asked if she'd wear the same outfit, Parton employed her signature charm, saying she likely could use it because "boobs are still the same." “I’ve had about all the nips and tucks I can have,” she added about maintaining her iconic look. “The good part with me though, I have my own look. I look kind of cartoonish and cartoons don’t really age that much.” Parton added, “Even when I’m 90, I’ll still probably look about the same way. Just thicker make-up and bigger hair.” Parton's pondering a future issue of Playboy Magazine's cover while promoting a new A&E special titled Biography: Dolly. The April 12 broadcast will follow Parton from a childhood of poverty in East Tennessee to her earliest successes in Nashville, including her crowning moment as a songwriter, "Jolene." For more, check out WideOpenCountry.com!

If you’ve ever flipped the channel to ESPN’s College GameDay or NFL Thursday Night Football, you’ve likely seen David Pollack give insightful commentary as a college football analyst or just having fun recreating Odell Beckham catches. Google his name and you’ll find Pollack was more than just a former college football player. He was the best defensive player in University of Georgia Bulldogs history. Herschel Walker is undoubtedly the greatest offensive player to ever don the red and black thanks to an incredible rushing career. Pollack’s name would carry the same weight had he not suffered a broken vertebrae in the second game (against the Cleveland Browns) of his second season with the Cincinnati Bengals that ended his playing career. From the minute Pollack stepped inside UGA's Sanford Stadium for Mark Richt’s squad, the defensive end and linebacker was an instant force to be reckoned with. NCAA quarterbacks feared for their lives when he shoved his way past offensive linemen. A three-time First-Team All-SEC selection and three-time First-Team All-American, Pollack wreaked havoc on opposing SEC quarterbacks. The 6-foot-2, 255-pound defender totaled 36 sacks over his illustrious career in Athens, which still stands as a school record. A play of Pollack stripping South Carolina quarterback Corey Jenkins in the end zone for a fumble and touchdown in 2002 sums up just how athletic and instinctive he was. Defensive end David Pollack’s long list of awards and honors also included two-time SEC Player of the Year, SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2004), Chuck Bednarik Award (2004), Lott Trophy (2004), Rotary Lombardi Award (2004) and two-time Ted Hendricks Award. Only two Georgia Football players have ever earned All-American honors three times: Pollack and Walker. He was announced as a member of the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020 alongside former collegiate stars like Florida’s Lomas Brown, Nebraska’s Eric Crouch, SMU’s Eric Dickerson, LSU’s Glenn Dorsey, Alabama’s E.J. Junior, Alcorn State’s Steve McNair, and several other inductees. Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Pollack became a three-sport star athlete at Shiloh High School in Snellville, Georgia. He was also named a Class 5A All-State selection as a senior. The Bengals selected Pollack in the first round (17th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft and he played in 14 games his rookie season before suffering the aforementioned injury in 2006. Now you can find Pollack all over ESPN, including on SportsCenter. He first began as an analyst with CBS in 2008 but joined the Thursday Night Football team alongside Jesse Palmer, Rece Davis and Samantha Ponder in 2012. You can also find him firing off tweets on his impressive social media account that has hundreds of thousands of followers. But the former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker should forever be remembered for his bone-crushing play and incredible accomplishments as one of the greatest Georgia football players of all time. And now, a College Football Hall of Famer. See more at fanbuzz.com

Fred Rogers, known as Mr. Rogers has captivated the hearts of many. From his children’s TV show to his everyday life, he was said to be the same warm figure you saw onscreen. So, of course, his wife Joanne Rogers has the sweetest story about how the late PBS legend proposed to her. Fred Rogers and Sara Joanne Byrd met at Florida’s Rollins College in 1948 when Rogers transferred from Dartmouth College into the same music composition course. They parted ways after graduation, keeping in touch via mail while Rogers went to New York City to work for NBC and she pursued her master’s degree at Florida State University. Two years into a more casual, long-distance relationship, Fred’s mother found out that Joanne was potentially seeing someone else. This was her last year at Florida State. He sent a letter proposing marriage. Did it seem sudden? Sara Joanne Rogers has said, “Yes, it surprised me, in some ways. I was surprised at the timing…But I don’t think I was very surprised otherwise…I think in some ways, we were both not surprised.” They both felt it was right. The second she got the letter, she ran to a payphone and accepted his proposal. The two married in 1952 and celebrated their 50 years of marriage at the White House. That same day Fred Rogers was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He almost didn’t accept the award, telling the White House correspondent, “Oh, I’m so sorry, I won’t be able to make it. That’s our 50th wedding anniversary.” Thankfully his family, Mrs. Rogers and their two sons, John and James were invited as well. Rogers later started working in children’s television, first on the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. show “Miste Rogers” and later in Pittsburgh in Mister Roger’s Neighborhood, one of the most beloved children’s shows ever. It ran for 31 seasons with almost a thousand episodes, teaching children how to deal with real-life issues through a lens of kindness and creativity. Fred Rogers passed of stomach cancer in 2003 at the age of 74. Since then many accolades have continued to follow him. Pittsburgh declared World Kindness Day as “Cardigan Day” in November. The film “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” starring Tom Hank was released at the end of last year. See more at rare.com

Is that one spot next to the couch in the living room looking a like sparse? Instead of a planted palm, why not grow your own fruit tree indoors like a friendly houseplant? While it may sound impossible (they are huge outdoors!), dwarf trees are the perfect size to fit in any living room, sun room or even that bare spot in the kitchen. Dwarf trees, which are the result of grafting a fruit tree onto a dwarf rootstock, makes it possible to grow these fruits indoors. These types of fruiting trees can be purchased at your local nursery or gardening store or even online. Each plant needs a deep pot (about 1 foot deep at least) and a large layer of drainage material at the bottom of the potting. Water the plant frequently and feed regularly with fertilizer. 1. Peaches Peach trees make great indoor plants. Look for the Bonanza dwarf variety which grow on 30-inch stems. These trees do great in a sunny room until the fruit starts to set, when it needs to be in temperatures of 65 to 70°F. Simply set it outdoors on a porch and wait for the edible fruit to grow. 2. Apricots Like peaches, apricots do great indoors. Buy varieties like Shipleys and Goldcot and place in a large pot filled with compost and draining. Since the flowers cannot pollinate themselves, use a paintbrush to gently transfer the pollen from one flower to another. 3. Figs While most fig plants have large roots, the Negro Largo variety works great in a large pot. Place the fig tree in a well-lit room away from direct sunlight for the best results, feeding with fertilizer two to three times a season. 4. Lemons Citrus trees do extremely well indoors. Grow Meyer lemons, which self pollinate, for the best crop. These plants need a lot of sunlight and humidity, especially Meyer lemon trees, which can be mimicked with a quick spray of water from a spray bottle. 5. Limes Like lemons, limes love growing indoors. Kaffir limes (which also produce amazing leaves to use in Thai cuisine) is the tree of choice for growing inside. Lime trees require about eight to twelve hours of sunlight everyday, so keep them in your sunniest room to produce fruit. 6. Olives These self-pollinating olive trees are easier to care for than most other fruit trees. When buying, look for the Arbequina or Picholine varieties which will grow fruits. Simply water the tree when the top inch has dried out and give about six hours of sunlight each day. 7. Avocado While it's not easy to grow an avocado tree indoors, it is possible. Rather than growing your own fruit from a pit, use varieties like Wurtz, Gwen and Whitsell for the best results. Water the plant regularly and celebrate when the fruit starts coming in. 8. Bananas Self-pollinating, the Super Dwarf Cavendish or Dwarf Red is the best bet for an indoor banana tree. Fertilize the plant monthly and mist with a spray bottle to mimic a bit of humidity. 9. Nectarines Like peaches, nectarine trees can grow as short as 30 inches and love growing in a sunny indoor location. Opt for the nectarella variety and place on the porch when the fruit starts growing. 10. Oranges Calamondin orange trees are the best orange trees inside though the fruit is incredibly source. These dwarf fruit trees are comparable to Meyer lemon trees and lime trees in that they self-pollinate. Have you ever grown fruit plants before? See more at wideopeneats.com

We typically think of salad as being built with cool, crisp lettuce or other greens. But if you grew up in the South, especially in Appalachia, you've probably had wilted lettuce salad with warm bacon dressing. The leaf lettuce is gently wilted by the heat from the bacon drippings, and the tangy salad dressing adds just the right bite. With almost no prep time, this recipe is going to become your family's favorite salad. To make this salad as an easy side dish for family dinner, start by cooking four slices bacon until they are extra crispy. When the bacon is done, set the slices onto paper towels to drain. While the bacon is cooking, toss the lettuce with sliced green onions in a large bowl. When the bacon is cool, crumble it over the salad. While the pan you cooked the bacon in is still warm, add the sugar, salt, black pepper, and apple cider vinegar to the warm bacon grease. Add the ingredients gently so that you don't create grease splatters. Whisk everything until the sugar dissolves; if you need to turn the heat back on, keep it on low. Pour the sizzling dressing over the salad and quickly toss to evenly wilt. Serve the wilted lettuce salad with hot bacon dressing while still warm and enjoy! See more at wideopeneats.com

Bobby Allison was part of a transformative era in NASCAR. An era that helped to shape the sport into what it is today. He not only survived those rough and tumble early days of NASCAR, he thrived in them. Simply put, he’s probably one of your favorite NASCAR driver’s favorite drivers. Widely considered to be one of the best to ever set foot inside of a stock car, Bobby Allison cemented his legacy as a NASCAR legend, even in the midst of terrible hardship and tragedy. Named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998 and inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011, Bobby Allison has a number of impressive accolades and accomplishments under his belt. Having made a name for himself as a member of the Alabama Gang — a group of respected NASCAR drivers in the late ’50s — Allison ran his first NASCAR Cup Series race (back when it was the Grand National Series) at the 1961 Daytona 500. He went on to win 84 races in 718 career races run over 25 years, placing him fourth on the all-time wins list.* Besides winning the Winston Cup Series championship in 1983, Allison is a three-time Daytona 500 winner He also ran 43 Xfinity Series races in seven years, earning 15 trips to victory lane and 22 top-10 finishes. Fun fact: Allison joined Penske Racing (now Team Penske), about a year after it was founded, in 1972. He raced twice in the Indy 500, the iconic race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway — a track that Roger Penske now owns along with the entire IndyCar Series. Over the course of his career, Allison, who drove everything from Chevrolet race cars to Buicks to Dodges to even the AMC Matador, was voted the most popular Cup Series driver seven times. He’s also one of only eight drivers to win what many consider to be a career Grand Slam by winning the the Daytona 500, the Winston 500, the Coca-Cola 600, and the Southern 500. The other seven drivers to accomplish this feat are Richard Petty, David Pearson, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Buddy Baker. Add in the fact that Allison became the oldest driver to win the Daytona 500 at the age of 50 in 1988, and that only goes to show how much of a dominant force he truly was on the track. The 1979 Daytona 500 is considered by old school racing fans to be one of the most iconic races in NASCAR history, and not just because it marked Richard Petty’s sixth time winning the race or because it was the first race ever aired on national television from start-to-finish. It was the notorious brawl that pitted Bobby and his brother Donnie against Cale Yarborough that really helped to add to the race’s notoriety. Despite having such an illustrious career, Bobby Allison has also had to deal with his fair share of heartbreak. In 1992, Bobby and Judy Allison’s son Clifford was fatally injured during a practice crash for the NASCAR Busch Series race at Michigan International Speedway. Just a year later, Bobby’s other son Davey was killed in a helicopter accident at Talladega Superspeedway. Bobby himself had a near brush with death, after a severe crash at Pocono in 1988 left him in a momentary vegetative state and eventually led to his retirement. As a result of the crash, Allison no longer remembers the final victory of his career at the 1988 Goody’s 300 or celebrating with Davey Allison following the 1988 Daytona 500, where the pair racked up the first one-two father/son finish in the Daytona 500. Even in spite of the toll that racing took on Bobby Allison later in life, he continues to be actively involved in the sport, especially be promoting rail safety for the CSX “Keep on Living” campaign. And so the NASCAR’s legend’s legacy lives on. See more at altdriver.com

Check out the super-fast Mossberg 940 JM Pro competition shotgun, built to keep up with pro shooter Jerry Miculek. O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. is a name synonymous with great shotgun platforms and it’s no surprise they keep innovating new technology. Right at the turn of the calendar, they've announced a new gun, the 940 JM Pro. In a press release, Mossberg says this new autoloading firearm spent two years in development with input from two of the world’s best shooters, Jerry Miculek and his daughter, Lena Miculek. The gun redesigns some areas of the 940 JM series. This new version of the shotgun has a capacity of 9+1 and features a 24-inch barrel length with a vented rib and an overall length of 45.5 inches. Mossberg fitted it with their “Accu-Choke” system, but are also including Briley extended chokes in cylinder, improved cylinder and modified. The barrel is topped with a fiber optic HIVIZ TriComp sight. To keep this gun versatile, Mossberg made sure users could select from three different colors of optics and three different shapes. The stock and forend are also customizable to adjust drop and length of pull, which the company says is 13-14.25 inches. The stock is available in either black synthetic or their black MultiCam camouflage pattern. Features of the new Mossberg 940 JM Pro Shotgun Mossberg completely redesigned the new gas systems and loading port on this gun. The gas system is built to cycle 2 ¾ or 3-inch shells and uses a stepped and vented-spacer component. Mossberg says this design allows you to fire nearly 1,500 rounds between cleanings. The loading port has redesigned shell catches and an elevator. Mossberg knows that in competition, speed is everything. In recent years, quad-loading ammo has really taken off as the most popular way to load a competition shotgun in just seconds. So, Mossberg designed the 940 for quad-loading straight out of the box, with no mods needed. This gun also offers plenty of other options including a gold-anodized bolt handle, a bolt release button, tungsten gray-anodized receiver, magazine extension nut and more. Both models of the 940 JM Pro have an MSRP of $1,015. For more, check out WideOpenSpaces.com

As you can probably imagine, being a driver on the Monster Jam circuit is no walk in the park. Simply put, when you’re attempting off-the-wall stunts on machines that weigh around 12,000 pounds, your risk of injury goes up significantly. Even the most experienced driver isn’t safe. Nothing hits that point home more so than the injury of longtime Grave Digger driver Dennis Anderson back in 2017. During a freestyle run at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, Anderson attempted a backflip that ended in disaster after the truck stalled in mid-air and landed hard on the roof. Following Anderson’s landing, the crowd continued to cheer, not realizing the extent of Anderson’s injuries or even that he was injured at all. Soon after, he was taken to a local hospital after suffering undisclosed injuries. Anderson’s son Adam, who also competes behind the wheel of Son of Grave Digger, told Fox Sports at the time, “Dad’s been at this for a long time had his fair share of ups and downs. There’s one thing that’s for certain he’s never been stopped before.” “He’s up and moving just gonna have to take it easy for a little while. Can’t wait for him to get home and watch my wild children. Can’t keep him down it’s like he’s half man half machine.” Because of his injury, Anderson was not able to compete at World Finals 18. As a matter of fact, that fateful show at Raymond James Stadium marked his last event as a Monster Jam driver. On September 18, 2017, surrounded by fans at Monster Jam’s 2nd Annual 2018 Season Kickoff Show, Anderson officially announced his retirement, a bittersweet announcement considering that he gave more than 40 years to the sport. But, it just goes to show that the Monster Jam lifestyle is not an easy one. See more at altdriver.com

Looking for the perfect side dish to serve with your BBQ pulled pork? Try this fireball pineapple recipe from Malcom Reed, founder of How to BBQ Right on Youtube. Loaded with brown sugar, raw sugar, fireball whiskey, and ground cinnamon, this recipe features a whole pineapple grilled to perfection on a rotisserie spit. Caramelized and sweet, this grilled pineapple recipe is perfect as an appetizer or even topped on some cool vanilla ice cream. How to Make Fireball Pineapple To start, make sure your charcoal grill has a rotisserie rod or rotisserie setup. Once you have the grill set up, remove the pineapple skin with a sharp knife and cut small slits diagonally along the pineapple. This diamond pattern will make sure all the Fireball whisky soaks into the fruit. Place the cut pineapple in a large ziplock storage bag and add a touch of fireball whisky. Let the pineapple marinate for at least two hours, turning the pineapple every 30 minutes to ensure every side of the pineapple is soaked. Mix together the cinnamon-sugar mixture and press on the pineapple and cook for a total of an hour, adding more cinnamon-sugar mixture when necessary. Slide the pineapple off the rotisserie forks and enjoy your delicious grilled fireball pineapple slices. See more at wideopeneats.com

It's usually a good idea to be well armed when out in bear country. These are the best bear-defense guns for the job. When you head into bear country, be it the Alaskan wilderness or your Florida backyard, you must accept that you are no longer at the top of the food chain. Luckily, most bears usually do not want any trouble and will leave the area as soon as they detect you. However, this is not always the case and you should be prepared for self-defense if you get in a tight situation. A good bear gun should be a part of your defense plan. That said, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. By using your brain and taking a few basic precautions out in the woods, you can dramatically reduce your odds of encountering a bear attack. Give any bear that you encounter (especially a sow with cubs) plenty of space. Make lots of noise so that any bears in the area know that you are there and carry bear spray. Firearms should only be used as a last resort to defend yourself from a bear. A charging bear can move extremely fast and only a hit on the bear's central nervous system (brain or spine) is guaranteed to stop a bear in its tracks. Even on the biggest brown bears or grizzly bears, the central nervous system is not a large target, so stopping a charging bear with a gun makes for some very challenging shooting. Because of this, you should practice shooting your chosen gun extensively. If you use a handgun, then buy a good quality holster and practice drawing it. Remember: even the biggest and most powerful bear-defense guns aren't guaranteed to stop a charging bear if you don't make a good shot. By the same token, even a smaller handgun will get the job done with good shot placements, good bullets, and a little luck. We suggest some well-known bear guns, made by the likes of Ruger, Taurus, and Smith & Wesson, plus some lesser known or unthought of firearms, like big bore rifles, 12-gauge shotguns, and even a lever action for old time's sake. They're all good for close range bear protection when it's needed most. For more, check out WideOpenSpaces.com

Tom Hanks had some of Hollywood’s most popular movies in the late ’90s and early 2000s. There is even a real-life restaurant chain named after his iconic "Forrest Gump" character’s shrimping business. Through the decades we’ve gotten to see him star as many different roles both whi Of all of the Tom Hanks movies, "Cast Away" was one of his most dramatic performances and a crowd favorites. Director Robert Zemeckis’ Golden Globe-winning film grossed over $429 million at the box office and is rated 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. The story centers on a FedEx employee, Chuck Noland, who survives a plane crash and lands on a deserted island in the South Pacific ocean. Using the remains of the plane crash’s cargo he fights to survive for as long as he can (4 years) alone, along with his a volleyball from Wilson Sporting Goods that he personifies with the name “Wilson.” Tom Hanks stars with Helen Hunt as his girlfriend, Kelly Frears, and Nick Searcy is a confidant in this survival drama. Cast Away was filmed on one of the Mamanuca Island in Fiji known as Monuriki Island. While Fiji is incredibly beautiful, the thought of surviving on a deserted island is terrifying. It took countless crew members to make the movie come to life. Hanks, however, was still met with difficulties during filming. For starters, he had to gain and then lose 50 pounds. During filming, thanks to a gnarly, unexpected leg injury, the actor almost died. It started off as a cut on his leg. It later turned into a Staph infection. Onsite medical workers quickly identified the problem and sent Hanks to receive immediate care. Through an interview with BBC, he stated: "'Cast Away' put me in the hospital. I was there for three days with something that, believe it or not, almost killed me,” he revealed at the time…”I went to the doctor who took one look and said, ‘I have to put you in the hospital because we have to get this infection out of you before it poisons your blood and you die.' “ If it weren’t for those doctors, we would have missed out on some of the most well-known films of our time. Then again, for a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination, what wouldn’t you do? See more at rare.com