Lauren Alaina Lends a Hand as Special Olympics Ambassador
Lauren Alaina, runner-up on Season 10 of ‘American Idol,’ has been putting in lots of work hours lately and is ‘Growing Her Wings’ in all sorts of ways, including spending a week with Special Olympics athletes in South Korea.
Recently, the growing country star traveled to South Korea to attend the Special Olympics World Games. Before she left, Alaina told the Times Free Press, “I’m the Special Olympics ambassador (Special Olympics Project UNIFY Ambassador for North America.) It’s going to be freezing cold, but think it will be a really fun time.”
As an ambassador, Alaina assists Special Olympics’ efforts to raise awareness and change the attitudes of toward people with intellectual disabilities. It is a high honor for her to play such a vital role in inclusion, and one she is highly passionate about. ”I have been involved with the local chapter in my hometown since I was in 6th grade. There is nothing that makes me happier or inspires me more than spending time with the athletes,” she says (quote via Special Olympics).
The 18-year-old, who made her debut with ‘Wildflower’ in 2011, continues to make huge strides forward in her music career, with numerous stops at some of Nashville’s most iconic locations this weekend. On Friday (Feb. 21), Alaina will be singing at the Grand Ole Opry, and on Saturday she’ll be signing her album at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The rising country star will finish off this impressive weekend taping an episode on the PBS cooking show ‘Sing for Your Supper’ at the Ryman Auditorium, which will be airing this fall.
Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame, and Ryman Auditorium…all in one weekend? Sounds like there will be lots of exciting future news from this ambitious and highly talented singer — and hopefully a sophomore album coming soon.
Annual Book Sale at Willard Library Set for June 1st
The area's largest one day book sale will feature books from nearly every genre along with other materials for purchase.
‘Koalaing’ Could Be the Cutest Web Photo Trend Yet
Forget (if you haven't already) milking, planking, hadokening, any of those-ings that were internet fads for a hot minute. They've been replaced. They're done. Koalaing -- that's the trick o' the day. It involved clinging as tightly to a pole or tree as possible like a koala. It's pretty adorable. Check it out.
Chris Young Doesn’t Feel Pressure When It Comes to Fourth Album
With a string of No. 1 singles – 'Tomorrow' and 'You' from 2011's 'Neon,' and 'Gettin' You Home,' 'The Man I Want to Be' and 'Voices,' from 2009's 'The Man I Want to Be'-- there are expectations surrounding Chris Young's upcoming fourth album. But as for pressure? Pft. He's feeling none of that.
Remember When George Strait Went to Prison?
It was the wildest show behind bars, and George Strait was in the thick of it for one year in the early '80s. He wasn't the only one. Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Tom T. Hall … they all did time behind the walls of the Huntsville Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Dierks Bentley Says Third Baby Was ‘Kinda Planned, Kinda Unplanned’
Dierks Bentley, with decidedly shorter hair, spoke to a Jacksonville radio station during an appreciation event for the military and revealed how his wife Cassidy let him know that their third bundle of joy was on the way. The pregnancy, according to Bentley, was sort of a surprise, but not really.
Would Keith Urban Return to ‘American Idol’?
Most average people hate their jobs, toiling away to earn a wage and to make ends meet. It is a rare and precious few who get to do what they love for a living, and Keith Urban is one of those fortunate folks when it comes to being a judge on the embattled 'American Idol.' The singer and guitarist wants to return to his seat for Season 13 in 2014 and with good reason.
Deer Goes Crazy After Crashing Into a Bus
May 18, 2013 12:00 PM I have had my fair share of run ins with deer. Living in the country, it's just a way of life. You must, during the early morning hours and evening/night hours, constantly be on alert and have your eyes scanning the sides of the road.
Once, on a trip back to Indiana from Tennessee, a deer came inches away from slamming through the passenger side window of my car, injuring my son. Luckily, the deer hit the front of the windshield and rolled off the hood of the car. But in the case of this bus, it came right through the window and went crazy!!
Trick Shot Videos That Would Make LeBron and Tiger Jealous
May 18, 2013 8:00 AM Trick shot videos can be pretty amazing depending on how elaborate they are, which in some cases might even make you question their authenticity. The first Video is one of the most incredible basketball shots you will ever see featuring a guy falling from a 100-goot platform and dropping the ball through the hoop. The second video might be the greates trick golf shot ever and definitely a one-in-a-million shot.
‘Sixty for Sixty’ Campaign for George Strait Falls Short
May 18, 2013 4:00 AM George Strait turns 61 years old TODAY! The "Sixty for Sixty" campaign to get George his 60th #1 single while he was still 60 years old didn't quite make it, "Give It All We Got Tonight" has only made it to #10. But, that's OK, there is no one like George Strait and there quite possibly never will be. Several, I mean tons, of artists made videos to try and urge fans to buy the single. It is very touching. Watch them give love and admiration to the king of country music.
Quadruplets Laughing at Their Dad Will Make Your Weekend
May 17, 2013 8:00 PM This video may not have any real social significance and it's certainly not the most news worthy story of the day. However, with everything going on in the world today and on the nightly newscasts, sometimes we just need something to remind us that life is good and humanity can be a beautiful thing.