It’s been 17 years since Carrie Underwood was named winner of “American Idol” and she marked the occasion this week by sharing a page from her journal, written at the time of her win.

“Today is the 17 year anniversary of my @americanidol win! Where does the time go?,” she writes. “Please enjoy a page from the journal of a 22-year-old farm girl who just had the most incredible night! I still feel the excitement through the pages!,” adding, “Happy anniversary to me and a forever “thank you” to all who voted! ☺️”

The page details Carrie’s thoughts as she was about to win the talent competition. “It came down to the final moment,” she wrote. “Ryan had the gold card in his hand. Oh year, I forgot to mention that they presented us with keys to 2 identical red convertible 2005 Mustangs! How cool is that?”

She adds, “Anyways, back to the story,” noting, “Big moment. I took one more look at the amazing crowd and let it sink in for a few seconds. Ryan said something like ‘And your 2005 American Idol is…’ My heart beat fast and I closed my eyes. CARRIE UNDERWOOD!!!”

The members of Lady A love a good barbecue like the rest of us, and if they were throwing one for Memorial Day weekend, they know exactly what they’d be serving.

“I like ribeye steaks. That’s kind of my thing,” Charles Kelley shares. “My boy is obsessed with ribeyes, too. So, I’d probably throw on some ribeyes.” Dave Haywood prefers grilling up some wings in “a bunch of different like flavors,” plus he adds, “Gotta have some good drinks – some beers, some bourbon, maybe some margaritas for Hillary (Scott).”

And Hillary would be there to offer up the accompaniment to all that protein. She notes, “I’m a side dish gal. I’d probably make a handful of side dishes.”

Source: Lady A

Wynonna Judd has released her first new music since the death last month of her mother, The Judds’ Naomi Judd. The singer just dropped the new single, “Other Side,” with Waxahatchee (aka Katie Crutchfield).

“In the midst of everything that has happened, I said that I would continue to sing,” Wynonna says. “So, here I am.”

She shares, “I met Katie Crutchfield last year and we connected immediately. We recorded ‘Other Side’ in the studio here on the farm and it was one of my favorite recording experiences ever,” noting, “I’m thankful for the opportunity to sing with the next generation of greatness.” Check out the track below.

• Katie adds, “Wynonna is an icon and a fountain of wisdom. Sharing space with her to create something new was really nothing but a joy and an honor. Her spirit inspires me daily and her continued encouragement has meant the world.”

Source: Consequence of Sound

“Time” magazine is out with their annual Time 100 List of the Most Influential People for 2022, and Miranda Lambert made the list this year. The singer is honored in the Innovators section of the list.

“I’m so honored to join this year’s class of #TIME100,” Miranda shared on Instagram. “I only ever wanted to sing and write songs and thanks to y’all I’ve gotten to do that and so much more. Thank y’all for being on this journey with me????.”

Miranda is honored in the magazine with a write up from her friend and collaborator Elle King.

“Not a lot of people will take your hand, nudge you right into the spotlight, and share it with you — especially if they’ve already spent decades as one of country music’s most acclaimed performers and songwriters,” she writes, “But that’s exactly what Miranda Lambert did in 2019, when she asked me to be a part of her Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour, during which she brought along a new generation of artists to share her stage.”

Elle adds, “It was Miranda’s idea to bring us all together…That’s her vibe: she’s all about making everybody feel welcome. And there is not one inauthentic hair on her head.”

• The mag’s annual Time 100 Gala is set to go down June 6^th, with performances by Miranda and Mary J. Blige, with portions to air on ABC.