Monday – Friday 6am-10am

With almost 40 years in radio, Karen West lives and breathes the Country Radio lifestyle! As 97.3 The Eagle’s Assistant Brand Manager, Music Director and on-air morning personality, Karen’s love and passion for the format are unparalleled.

Obsessed with the new country artists Jackson Dean, Nate Smith, Bailey Zimmerman, Lainey Wilson, Chapel Hart, Priscilla Block, Jelly Roll…as well as those artists that blew the doors open for them…Waylon, Loretta, Garth, Strait.

Outside of radio Karen’s is extremely passionate about the many charitable causes that she gives her time to. The American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” campaign in memory of her sister Ginni, who passed away peacefully of breast cancer in 2005, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital’s endeavors to end childhood cancer are two charities that hold a very special place in her heart.

Karen is an author who has written two books to benefit various charities. Amazing Trace, A Sister’s Journal follows the story of her sister’s battle with breast cancer. Karen’s works are available at most online book retailers.

Her favorite quote of all time is from Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said; people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Karen is a Hampton Roads native, born and raised in Newport News and now lives in Norfolk. She has four daughters who are her best friends.

Jelly Roll Hilariously Shuts Down a Karen on Social Media

Not everyone is a fan of Lonely Road, the new Jelly Roll and Machine Gun Kelly collaboration that borrows the melody of the John Denver classic Take Me Home, Country Roads, while adding new lyrics. A person on social media named “Karen Z” said, “How long will it take for [them] to get sued for…

Jelly Roll Made His “SNL” Comedy Debut—But the Skit Got Cut for Time

This past weekend, Jelly Roll made his debut as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, and fans were eager to see if he’d test out his comedy chops. As it turns out, he did—but his big skit was unfortunately cut from the live show due to time constraints. This happens often on SNL, but…

Luke Bryan’s ASL Interpreter Steals the Show at 2024 Farm Tour Stop [WATCH]

Luke Bryan’s 2024 Farm Tour made a memorable stop in Shelbyville, Kentucky, last week, but this time, it wasn’t just Luke’s famous booty-shaking moves that had the crowd cheering. His ASL interpreter gave him a serious run for his money during his high-energy performance of “Kick the Dust Up.” In the middle of the song,…

Zach Top to Open for Alan Jackson in 2025

If Zach Top hadn’t hit it big on his own, he might’ve had a future as an Alan Jackson impersonator. With his smooth country sound, signature mustache, and even a nod to Jackson’s iconic hit “Chattahoochee” in one of his own songs, Zach has been drawing comparisons to the country legend for some time. Now,…

Morgan Wallen Donates $500,000 for Hurricane Helene Relief

East Tennessee native and country music star Morgan Wallen is stepping up to help his home state in a big way. In the wake of widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, Wallen announced that he is donating $500,000 to the American Red Cross to aid recovery efforts across the region. Wallen shared on social media,…

New Music Monday: Cody Johnson with Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, and More

Happy Monday!  The collaboration from Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood is finally here . . . Plus, there are new songs by Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, and more. 1.  “I’m Gonna Love You” by Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood. 2.  “Truck Still Works“ by Brad Paisley. 3.  “Jesus ‘Bout My Kids“ by Luke Bryan. 4.  “Play Something Country“ by Brooks and Dunn with Lainey Wilson. 5.  “Suit and Tie (Sixteen Tons)” by Cooper Alan.  (WARNING:  There’s profanity in the video.) 6.  “Am I…

Country Music Mourns the Loss of Kris Kristofferson: “Thank You For Being a Beacon of Light”

Singer, songwriter, award-winning actor, and activist Kris Kristofferson died Saturday (September 28th) at his home in Maui, Hawaii at the age of 88. Following the news of Kris Kristofferson‘s passing over the weekend, country stars responded with their sympathies and memories. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton) View this post…

Fall 2024: Get a List of Pumpkin Patches, Hayrides, and Haunted Houses in Hampton Roads

Happy Fall y’all!  Check out a huge list of pumpkin patches, haunted houses, hayrides, and more in Hampton Roads this year. Chesapeake Bergey’s Breadbasket: 2207 Mount Pleasant Road, Chesapeake, Virginia. Monday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Bergey’s Corn Maze will be open through Oct. 29th.  For more click here. Great Bridge Pumpkin Patch: 900…

If You Play Hozier at a Higher Speed, Does it Sound Just Like Dolly Parton?

The internet is buzzing with a mind-blowing discovery: slow down a Dolly Parton song, and it sounds just like Hozier. And if you speed up a Hozier track? You get none other than Dolly Parton herself. 😱 It sounds wild, but fans have been putting this theory to the test. Songs like Dolly’s iconic “Jolene”…

A “Scuffle” Breaks Out at Riley Green Show. . .During “Jesus Saves” Performance!

Riley Green had an unforgettable moment at his recent show in Maryland, but it wasn’t just because of his music. Over the weekend, while performing his song “Jesus Saves,” a scuffle broke out in the crowd, capturing the attention of the entire audience—and even Riley himself. It’s not entirely clear what sparked the incident, but…

Virginia Beach Named One of the Top 10 Coziest U.S. Cities

Are you looking for a cozy getaway this fall where you can put on a sweater and look at the changing leaves while dunking an apple cider doughnut in your pumpkin spice latte? You don’t have to look too far…BetMGM Casino ranked the coziest cities in the U.S. based on a variety of fall-related factors…

New Music Monday: Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini and More Drop New Music

Happy Monday, music lovers! If you’ve been searching for fresh music to start your week, we’ve got you covered with some amazing new releases! Shaboozey is following up his massive hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” with “Highway.” Keith Urban has just dropped his new album “High,” and Kelsea Ballerini has released a track from her…

Kelsea Ballerini and Shania Twain to Guest Star on New ABC Drama This Fall

Kelsea Ballerini and Shania Twain will guest star in a new ABC drama this fall called “Doctor Odyssey.” The show, which stars Joshua Jackson of “Dawson’s Creek” fame, premieres Sept. 26 and will be available on Hulu the following day. According to Variety, “Doctor Odyssey” Jackson plays Max, the “new on-board doctor for a luxury cruise…

Technical Glitch Turns Tigirlily Gold’s Anthem into Unforgettable Stadium Sing-Along

When it comes to live performances, anything can happen—and sometimes, the unexpected can create the most memorable moments. That was certainly the case for Tigirlily Gold when they were invited to sing the National Anthem at the Steelers vs. Broncos game in Denver last Sunday. When the duo started singing, there was a technical issue…

Nate Smith Opens Up About the Pressures of Being a New Artist: “I Am Exhausted Trying to Be Cool”

Nate Smith has been making a big name for himself in country music. He won the ACM Award for New Male Artist of the Year, and he’s had back-to-back #1 hits, but he recently opened up about how having chart-toppers isn’t enough anymore. He shared on Instagram, “I don’t think people realize the amount of…

The Ultimate Guide to the FREE NAS Oceana Air Show: Everything You Need to Know for This Weekend!

2024 NAS Oceana Air Show: What You Need to KnowSaturday, September 21 & Sunday, September 22 Mark your calendars for one of the most thrilling weekends of the year—the 2024 NAS Oceana Air Show is almost here! Join us on Saturday, September 21st, and Sunday, September 22nd for an exciting event showcasing top-tier aviation performances.…

Kelsea Ballerini Gets “Existential” Over a Mispronunciation in Her Upcoming Album ‘Patterns’

Kelsea Ballerini is having an “existential” moment after discovering a mispronunciation in one of the tracks on her upcoming album PATTERNS. The country star took to social media to share her realization. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Entertainment Weekly (@entertainmentweekly) Fans weighed in, writing in the comments, “I’m more irritated by…

Post Malone’s ‘F-1 Trillion Tour’ Set List Revealed

Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion Tour is off and racing.  He just finished up his first two shows in Salt Lake City, and fans seem to be loving everything about it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @postmalone Posty rolling into Virginia Beach on October 4th and if want a sneak peek of the…

David Bowie Now Has a Number One Country Music Hit

Chris Young’s song, “Young Love & Saturday Nights,” just reached #1 on the Country Airplay chart. You might recognize it because it features a David Bowie guitar riff from the song “Rebel Rebel.” This marks a unique achievement for Bowie, as he now has a #1 song on the country charts, eight years after his…

Chesapeake Public Schools Announce Schedule Changes Due to Luke Bryan Concert Traffic

Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS) has announced schedule changes for several schools on Friday, Sept. 20, due to anticipated traffic concerns surrounding the Luke Bryan concert at Heritage Park off South Battlefield Boulevard. Southeastern Elementary School and Hickory Elementary School will operate on an early release schedule, with students and staff being dismissed at 1 p.m.…

Dierks Bentley’s Daughter Evie Steals the Show with “Stick Season” Performance [WATCH]

This past weekend, Dierks Bentley brought his Gravel and Gold tour to Nashville for a homecoming show that included surprise performances from Zach Top and his daughter, Evie. @hanleyriggs Singing runs in the fam! #nashvilletn #dierksbentley #gravelandgoldtour @dierksbentley ♬ original sound – Hanley Riggs A highlight of the night came when Dierks’s daughter, Evie, took…

New Music Monday: George Strait & Chris Stapleton, Dwight Yoakam and Post Malone Collaborations, and More

This week brings some exciting new music releases, starting with George Strait’s highly anticipated album Cowboys and Dreamers. The King of Country delivers once again with his 31st studio album, which includes a duet with Chris Stapleton! Speaking of duets, Dwight Yoakam was spotted riding horses down Sunset Blvd with Post Malone. They weren’t just…

Morgan Wallen Leads 2024 CMA Nominations: Full List

The nominees for the 58th Annual CMA Awards were announced on Monday, with Morgan Wallen leading the pack with seven nominations. Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson followed closely behind, each earning five nods. Reigning Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson secured four nominations, tying with Post Malone, who received his first-ever CMA nominations this year.…

Lainey Wilson Has a Great Response to a Fan Who Asked Her Why Her Butt Got Smaller

When Lainey Wilson first skyrocketed to fame, she received a lot of attention for a certain body part. Lainey responded with good humor, trolling everyone by posing in front of a dump truck. pic.twitter.com/fcGk9gbeZA — Lainey Wilson (@laineywilson) December 22, 2022 Recently, after shedding a few pounds, Lainey’s fans seem divided once again. In the…

Kelsea Ballerini Shares Her Dog Dibs Has “Inoperable Heart Cancer”

Country star Kelsea Ballerini is facing heartbreaking news as her beloved dog, Dibs, has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer. Ballerini adopted Dibs in 2015, the same year she released her hit single “Dibs”, which inspired his name. Since then, Dibs has been by her side through the ups and downs of her career, becoming a…

Miranda Lambert Opens Up About New Album and Marrying Brendan McLoughlin After 3 Months: “No Risk, No Reward”

On September 13, Miranda Lambert will release her highly anticipated album Postcards from Texas, marking a new chapter in her music career. The country superstar recently sat down with US Weekly to talk about the album, her whirlwind romance with husband Brendan McLoughlin, and finding the balance between her career and personal life. In the…

Wawa Gives: “Cheers to Classrooms” Offering FREE Any Sized Hot Coffee to Teachers and School Staff

Wawa announced that they will be toasting to teachers and school staff by bringing back their “Cheers to Classrooms” initiative. Wawa is offering free any size hot coffee to teachers and school staff in our Mid-Atlantic stores Monday, September 2 – Sunday, September 15 to toast the new school year. To redeem offer, teachers and…

Zach Top Drops “Beer for Breakfast” Alongside Fresh Tracks from Russell Dickerson, Dylan Scott, and More [LISTEN]

Happy Tuesday (That feels like a Monday)! Check out the latest music releases, including Zach Top’s new single “Beer for Breakfast.” Plus, listen to fresh tracks from Russell Dickerson, Dylan Scott, and more. 1.  “Beer for Breakfast“ by Zach Top 2.  “Don’t Wanna Say Goodnight” by Wyatt Flores 3.  “Sober“ by Jamey Johnson 4.  “Alright” by Carter Faith 5.  “Miss You So (Letters to You)“ by Russell Dickerson 6.  “Put…

80,000 Football Fans Sang Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue”

At their season opener on Friday, 80,000 Oklahoma Sooner fans paid tribute to the late Toby Keith, an Oklahoma native, with a powerful sing-along. The full version of “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” played over the loudspeakers, filling the stadium with his iconic anthem. Now, many are calling for this tribute to become…

Post Malone and Dwight Yoakam Ride Horses Down Sunset Boulevard For New Video [WATCH]

It’s not too often that someone can say they rode a horse down Sunset Boulevard. But when you’re Post Malone, nothing is out of the ordinary. TMZ caught up with Posty riding horseback alongside Dwight Yoakam during the filming of a music video in Hollywood, and it seems like another country collaboration is in the…

Bring Your Old Batteries, Cellphones, Prescriptions, and More to the E-Cycling Event at the Virginia Aquarium this Saturday

The Virginia Aquarium will host an e-cycling event this Saturday, September 7th, from 9 am to noon. Participants can plan on recycling old cell phones, used vehicle batteries, personal electronic items, unneeded prescriptions, cardboard, and more. The event will be a drive-through in the Aquarium’s East Parking Lot with participating vendors including AAA Tidewater Virginia,…

Is Shania Twain Opening A New Bar in Downtown Nashville?

Let’s go girls! Shania Twain feels like a woman who wants her own bar in downtown Nashville. The “Nashville Business Journal” reports that the country singer is partnering with Gavin DeGraw for a rebrand of his Nashville Underground joint on Lower Broadway. The five-story bar opened in 2018, and it’s morphed into more of a nightclub over the…

NEW STUDY: Gen Z TWICE as Likely to Skip Work for a Concert Compared to Millennials- And We’re Not Surprised!

In July 2023, 2,000 adults across the UK were surveyed online. Out of the 2,000, 8% of Millenials (born between 1981 and 1996) said they would call in sick to go to a show, but 19% of Gen Zers (born between 1997-2012) also admitted they would do the same thing. Work doesn’t seem to be…

Watch Lainey Wilson, Carrie Underwood, and More Honor Toby Keith: An American Icon

Earlier this month, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena shone a little brighter as some of country music’s biggest stars gathered to honor the late, great Toby Keith.  Wednesday night, highlights from this unforgettable event aired on NBC, giving fans everywhere a chance to witness a tribute that was as heartfelt as it was star-studded. Country music heavyweights…

Post Malone Is the First Artist in History to Have a #1 Album on the Country, Rap, and Rock Charts

Post Malone is dominating the country music world with his new album, F-1 Trillion, and he just broke another impressive record. According to Billboard, Posty is the first person in music history to have a #1 album on the Top Country Album chart, the Top Rap Album chart, and the Top Rock & Alternative chart.…

Hampton Roads Dairy Queens Sell ‘Pup Cups’ to Support Local Animal Shelters in September

Treat your pup while supporting local animal shelters this September! Mid-Atlantic Dairy Queen will donate 100% of Pup Cup Sales to animal welfare organizations in Hampton Roads this September. This annual event, which began in 2020, has raised over $34,000 since its inception. The doggy sundae, a cup of vanilla ice cream topped with a…

Scotty McCreery Kicks a Violent Fan Out of His Show [VIDEO]

Country singer Scotty McCreery made headlines after stopping his concert in Colorado during the first song. McCreery witnessed a man strike a woman in the audience, which led him to intervene from the stage. McCreery addressed the situation saying, “Hey, Hey, Hey. That’s a lady you just hit, sir… Absolutely not. Police, security, is she…

Parker McCollum Falls On Stage, Quickly Recovers Like A Pro

Country singer Parker McCollum had a bit of a rough start during his first concert since becoming a dad. While performing in New Mexico, McCollum stumbled off a step on stage just five minutes into his set. Fortunately, he managed to turn the fall into a roll, ending up on one knee, “That s–t’s already…

Carrie Underwood Returns to ‘Sunday Night Football,’ Watch the First Trailer

The new “Sunday Night Football” opening theme song was just released, and Carrie Underwood has, once again, fired us up for football season. Since 2013, Underwood has been the voice behind the beloved opening theme, “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night,” a role she took over from Faith Hill. This year, Underwood has already teased fans with a…

Jelly Roll Announces New Album ‘Beautifully Broken,’ Donates Pre-Order Profits to Mental Health Organizations

Jelly Roll is gearing up for the release of his eagerly anticipated album. Beautifully Broken, the follow-up to his hit album Whitsitt Chapel, will be released on Oct. 11. The musician, who has openly shared his past battles with addiction, announced that all net profits from pre-orders of the album on his website will go to…

New Music Monday: Lainey Wilson, Thomas Rhett, Jelly Roll and More [LISTEN]

Happy Monday! Kick off your week with some of the hottest new music releases we’ve found. Dive into Lainey Wilson’s latest album “Whirlwind,” now available. Plus, enjoy fresh tracks from Thomas Rhett, Jelly Roll, and more. Don’t miss out on these exciting new tunes! 1.  “Whirlwind“ by Lainey Wilson 2.  “Whiskey Colored Crayon“ by Lainey Wilson 3.  Something ‘Bout a Woman“ by Thomas…

Brett Young Pitches and Sings Live with the Savannah Bananas [WATCH]

Country singer Brett Young took on a new gig this week: pitcher for the Savannah Bananas! Young originally started as a baseball player and was drafted out of high school to pitch in the MLB. He opted to play college ball at the University of Mississippi and then Fresno State, where he transferred his junior…

LISTEN: Drew Baldridge Opens up About His Journey to His First #1 as an Independent Artist

Drew Baldridge is on the verge of becoming the first fully independent artist to self-fund his own record label and land a #1 hit with “She’s Somebody’s Daughter”. Drew’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Catch his incredible story as he opens up to Barry Mckay on 97.3 The Eagle.

Enter the Warmer Winter Giveaway!

Starbucks Launches Pumpkin Spice Latte Earlier Than Ever, Introduces New Fall Flavors

Fall might officially start on September 22nd, but Starbucks isn’t waiting around to bring that autumn cheer! The Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) is back today, marking the earliest return in its history. Last year, the PSL made its appearance on August 24th, but this year Starbucks has pushed the date up even further to August…

Jelly Roll Teases “The Biggest Album of My Life”

Jelly Roll has new music on the way!  The “I Am Not Okay” singer took to TikTok recently to tease his upcoming album! The singer shared a new video saying, “What’s up TikTok! It’s your favorite fat person, or one of them… I hope, at least. I’m not really good at social media but I’m…

WATCH: Dillon Carmichael Covers Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’

Dillon Carmichael has a new song coming out on September 18th that you might already know…it’s a cover of Adele’s ‘Someone Like You!’ Dillon gave fans a peek of the new release in a parking lot saying, “Singing in a parking garage trying to get people to pre-save/pre-add my @adele cover” View this post on…

New Music Monday: New Releases from Post Malone, Willie Nelson, Warren Zeiders, and More

It’s a big week for music lovers! If you’re looking for something fresh to add to your playlist, there’s no shortage of great new tracks that just dropped. Post Malone’s highly anticipated album, F-1 Trillion, is finally here, bringing his signature blend of genres with a mix of catchy hooks and heartfelt lyrics. But that’s…

Lainey Wilson Has Epic Response to Internet Troll [Watch]

Lainey Wilson had the clapback to top all clapbacks when a doofus on social media commented that she dances better than she sings. She showed off just how good she can…and can’t….dance. Fellow country singers cheered Lainey on in the comments with Megan Moroney writing, “Hahahahahahhaaha immediately yes” and Ashley McBryde saying, “Git em sister !!!” My…

Keith Urban Plays a Free Pop-Up Concert Outside Alabama Buc-ees

Anyone who has been to a Buc-ee’s knows you can find pretty much anything you need at the southern travel center. But over the weekend, visitors got something they’ve never seen before—a free show from Keith Urban! Hundreds of people turned out for the performance in Athens, about 100 miles (161 kilometers) south of Nashville.…