Well, we finally know why Kid Rock was flying around in an U.S. Apache helicopter recently. Last night, Kid Rock kicked off his Freedom 250 Tour in Dallas, Texas at the Dos Equis Pavilion. Before he took the stage, an intro video played that showed he and Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, riding around in military helicopters. So now the reports of Bob Ritchie (A.K.A. Kid Rock) taking a private jet to Fort Belvoir earlier this week make sense. The country artist started trending after reports said that he was flying around the Washington D.C. area in an Apache helicopter. TMZ later confirmed that Kid Rock was flying around in the military helicopter, and that there were actually two choppers in the air. According to their sources, Kid Rock sat in the gunner’s seat of the aircraft, and the ride was a part of the celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Cameras were apparently rolling for Memorial Day, the July 4th event, and Kid Rock’s Freedom 250 tour. Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, was reportedly in the other Apache helicopter and was sitting shotgun as well. Pete Hegseth took to X later that day to confirm that he and Kid Rock went for rides with the U.S. Army: “Joined my friend Kid Rock – and some of our U.S. Army Apache pilots – for a ride this morning. (More to come on that!) Kid Rock is a patriot and huge supporter of our troops. The War Department is wasting no time celebrating America’s 250th – home of the free because of the brave.” Joined my friend @KidRock — and some of our great @USArmy Apache pilots — for a ride this morning. (More to come on that!) Kid Rock is a patriot and huge supporter of our troops. The War Department is wasting no time celebrating America’s 250th — home of the free because of the… pic.twitter.com/7EyhlaCeUj — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) April 28, 2026 That ride came just a month or so after some Apache helicopters flew by Kid Rock’s Nashville home. That landed he and the pilot crew in some hot water for a bit, before Hegseth swooped in and cleared everything up. And last night, fans got to see why Kid Rock and Pete Hegseth have been spending time together up in the air. Before the “All Summer Long” singer came out on stage, a pre-concert video played, showing Pete Hegseth helping Kid Rock get to his concert. In the video, the country star’s private jet lands, and Hegseth is waiting at the bottom of the plane’s stairs when Kid Rock exits. Kid Rock asks what Hegseth is doing there, and the Secretary of War tells him that he’s going to his show tonight. The “Bawitdaba” singer offers to give Hegseth a lift, to which the secretary responds with this, while pointing at some nearby Apache helicopters: “Well I appreciate that, but how about I give you a ride?” @joys_other_account♬ original sound – Joy’s Other Account That’s one, surefire way to get a crowd of Kid Rock fans fired up. He’s previously said that he’d be “coming to each show in an Apache helicopter,” and this is apparently what he meant by that. So if you are planning on attending one of the many Freedom 250 Tour stops, you might want to get there early so you can catch the Apache helicopter concert intro. Kid Rock’s Freedom 250 Tour Dates May 8 – Raleigh, North Carolina – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek May 9 – Charlotte, North Carolina – Tuliant Amphitheater May 15 – St. Louis, Missouri – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre May 16 – Tinley Park, Illinois – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre May 30 – Tampa, Florida – MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre June 5 – Holmdel, New Jersey – PNC Bank Arts Center June 6 – Mansfield, Massachusetts – Xfinity Center June 19 – Noblesville, Indiana – Ruoff Music Center June 20 – Burgettstown, Pennsylvania – the Pavilion at Star LakeThe post Kid Rock Debuts Apache Helicopter Concert Intro With Pete Hegseth On Opening Night Of ‘Freedom 250 Tour’ first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Never knew country music could make me so hungry. If you’re not familiar with Hannah Dasher, the spitfire Georgia native has made a name for herself not only with her classic country sound and thoughtful songwriting, but also for her chops in the kitchen. Hannah blew up on TikTok a few years ago with her “Stand By Your Pan” cooking videos, set in her kitchen that’s straight out of the ‘70s, which showed off not only her cooking skills but also her magnetic personality and trademark southern wit. Since then, Hannah’s turned heads with her music, including her debut EP The Half Record and the aptly-titled follow up, The Other Damn Half. Songs like “Cryin’ All the Way To the Bank” and “That Thing You Like” showcase her ability to write witty yet relatable lyrics, while singles like “Ugly Houses” and “Go To Bed Early,” which was written by Hannah and originally recorded by Brad Paisley, prove that behind the southern charm is a masterful wordsmith. Well Hannah’s been busy over the past few months with not one but two major projects, both combining her love for country music and good southern cooking. Hannah recently dropped her latest Scattered, Smothered and Covered EP, which features covers of country classics like Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man,” “Holding Her and Loving You” by Earl Thomas Conley, and Hank Williams Jr.’s “Outlaw Women.” View this post on Instagram And it also contains a new track, “Waffle House,” a powerful anthem in the vein of Loretta Lynn’s “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind)” that finds Hannah reminding her man that unlike the 24-hour southern diner, she’s not just a place to get a warm meal after he’s had a few drinks. And naturally she does it with her own signature wit: “Well, go find someone else to make your patty melt I been there and done that, well, you and your flappy jack Ain’t gonna butter up my double-D Dixie cups Until you figure out I ain’t no Waffle House” Not gonna lie, that “flappy jack” line is brutal. But along with her new EP, Hannah is also busy promoting another new project: Her very first cookbook, naturally titled Stand By Your Pan. View this post on Instagram The cookbook features a ton of her viral recipes, like her “Getchyo’ Man Macaroni Cheese,” “Busy Girl Bow Tie Salad,” and her classic southern biscuits and gravy that I’ve been wanting to try for myself for a long time now. But it also features recipes inspired by some country legends, like Naomi Judd’s Possum Pie, and even a recipe from NASCAR legend Richard Petty’s wife Lynda Petty. Stand By Your Pan is exactly what you’d want in a southern cookbook: Family recipes passed down through generations, plenty of tips, wisdom and folksy stories along the way, and most importantly, just good southern cooking. Whether you’re wanting to make fried chicken, pot roast, black eyed peas, or just need some new side dishes because you’re always the one bringing ice to the cookout, there’s plenty in the cookbook that even someone like me who can’t cook for shit can figure out. With the new EP and cookbook, Hannah Dasher is proving yet again what a force she is – both in country music and the kitchen. I’ve long said she’s one of Nashville’s best kept secrets: Her fiddle and steel-soaked sound and masterful songwriting is sure to appeal to traditional country fans who grew up listening to names like Hank Williams Jr., Loretta Lynn and Waylon Jennings. And her cookbook? Well that should appeal to everybody. If they don’t like good southern cooking, I don’t trust ‘em anyway.The post Hannah Dasher Celebrates Classic Country Music, Waffle House & Southern Cooking With New EP & “Stand By Your Pan” Cookbook first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Who's got your vote this week? Continue reading…

You know, there’s something refreshing about a celebrity who just says what’s on their mind. Luke Bryan might just be the king of candidness in country music. Continue reading…

Looking back on some of the wild tales of David Allan Coe. Earlier this week, the heartbreaking news was shared that outlaw legend David Allan Coe had passed away at the age of 86. The news was confirmed by a representative who said that the singer passed away on April 29 while in an intensive care unit. David Allan Coe is one of those country music artists who embody the phrase, “The man, the myth, the legend.” One of the most renowned names in the outlaw music movement, and arguably, the most deserving of the title, he is also one of the most polarizing. But you can’t deny the musical genius… from “You Never Even Called Me by My Name,” to “The Ride,” and “Longhaired Redneck,” he was also the original artist to release “Tennessee Whiskey,” he wrote Johnny Paycheck’s megahit “Take This Job and Shove It.” Born in Akron, Ohio, on September 6, 1939, the country legend had a rough upbringing, being sent to reform school at age 9 and spending most of his childhood and early adulthood there… or behind bars. But while serving time in prison in his hometown, Coe developed a love for songwriting and, after being released in 1967, moved to Nashville to pursue a music career. While many artists back then were making significant sacrifices to realize their dreams, Coe had hardly a dollar to his name and took a massive leap of faith by moving to Music City. However, it did not take him long to get noticed. How did he do this, you might ask? He camped out front of the Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry, in a hearse, often busking for money. It was hard not to notice Coe in a red and white Cadillac hearse, with his name on the back and the words, “SUPPORT THE GRAND OLE’ OP’RY,” singing as folks filed in for shows on the weekend. David Allan Coe, and the hearse he lived in when he moved to Nashville. He parked it directly in front of the Ryman Auditorium on weekends. Whenever people entered the Ryman for the Grand Ole Opry, he would stand on top of the hearse and play for the crowds of people coming in. pic.twitter.com/p6NWXEdcas — VintageCountryMusic (@realcountry1953) January 16, 2026 Sure enough, the red hearse caught the attention of some independent label reps, and it all worked out for David Allan Coe. He was signed to Shelby Singleton’s Plantation Records. Coe’s first two albums on Plantation were Penitentiary Blues in 1970, and Requiem for a Harlequin in 1973. After Tanya Tucker had a #1 hit with Coe’s “Would You Lay With Me (In a Field of Stone)” in 1973, he caught the attention of the major labels and signed with Columbia Records. This number one hit solidified his spot at the table, and the rest is history. They sure don’t make ’em like this anymore. The news of Coe’s passing is extremely heartbreaking, and although he was seen as a polarizing figure in the space, there is no doubt that his sound influenced many artists we love today. His death came just months after sharing photos of himself in the studio and giving fans hope that there may be new music on the way. And while it appears that there will be new music on the way, the album was recorded years ago, and never released. Ken Madson, who was David Allan Coe’s manager, tells TMZ that Coe recorded his final album back in 2017 with a record label, but the label ultimately backed out and decided not to release it – so for the last 9 years, the album has remained unheard. Madson says he hopes to release the album on September 6, 2026 which would have been Coe’s 87th birthday. The album reportedly features a mix of previously released songs and new material, including a new song called “A Million Reasons.” Rest in peace to a true legend. Fire up his rendition of “Would You Lay With Me (In A Field Of Stone)” before you go. The post How the Late David Allan Coe Launched His Career From the Back of a Hearse first appeared on Whiskey Riff.