This is going to sound corny, but I feel like I didn't choose country music. It chose me.

Stagecoach Festival is an annual country music festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Coachella Valley in the Colorado Desert. Organized by Goldenvoice, a subsidiary of AEG Presents, it is a sister event to the Coachella festival, and held on the weekend immediately following the conclusion of Coachella.

First held in 2007, the event has attracted country musicians ranging from mainstream and pop, to folk, bluegrass, roots rock, americana, and alternative country, with a focus on veteran performers and up and coming acts. It is the largest and highest-grossing country music festival in the world.

Before I went to sleep last night, I watched a show that featured Spotify All-Time Most-Streamed Artists, Albums, Songs and More. In observance of its 20th anniversary, for the first time, Spotify created this list based on the most streamed artists, songs, albums, podcasts and audiobooks in its history.

In my wake-up dream this morning, I discovered that an album I owned contained a hidden track - something unavailable anywhere else. In the dream, I replayed it over and over, trying to confirm it was real, though I couldn't recall the artist. I only knew it wasn't a ballad, but something more energetic.

The scene shifted. I shared my discovery with several important people. Suddenly I was being chased by figures intent on stealing the album. Then I woke up.

It makes me wonder ... Could this be a reflection of how I view the music industry today?

Another thought came to mind. If reality was created by algorithms of harmonics and light - was I trying to save the original "Soul Note" that started and ends the simulation? Just saying.

Today I watch my recording of the NFL Draft Part 1 which took place in Pittsburgh. Super exciting as I am a fan of the Steelers. My son-in-law told me there were 320,00 screaming fans at the stadium. It was electric. It's really super exciting to see college students from across the country get drafted by the NFL as the best of the best. Part 2 continues tonight starting at 8:00pm on ABC.

Las Vegas Raiders select Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in 2026 NFL draft

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Social Scene: Your Guide to the 2026 White House Correspondents Dinner Weekend

List of Events
The White House Correspondents' Association dinner social scene is as crowded as ever, with at least 20 parties and events scattered throughout the week and at venues across the District. Some of the newcomers to the 'Nerd Prom' -related lineup include a much buzzed about event hosted by LGBTQ app Grindr, and another get-together, "The Green Room," at the Irish ambassador's residence.

Who's Hosting Events On D.C.'s Big Weekend
Outside of the dinner itself, the weekend will look like it always has: Packed with cocktail parties, receptions, dinners, seminars and other events, often to promote media and tech brands. Standing out this year is a Georgetown fete being hosted by Grindr, the LGBTQ dating and hookup app.

The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) is an organization of journalists who cover the White House and the president of the United States. The dinner is traditionally held on the evening of the last Saturday in April at the Washington Hilton.

Organized by the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA), the dinner traces its roots back to 1914, when reporters banded together to protect their access to President Woodrow Wilson amid fears of government control over press attendance. What began as a defense of journalistic independence has evolved into a high-profile evening that blends humor with deeper meaning.

Since Calvin Coolidge first attended in 1924, every president has taken part - highlighting the symbolic importance of the relationship between the press and the presidency. One notable exception has been Donald Trump, though this Saturday he is expected to attend.

While the dinner is often known for its comedy and lighthearted jabs, its purpose runs deeper. Scholarships are awarded, journalists are honored, and the role of a free press is put front and center. In a time of rapid news cycles and shifting public trust, the evening serves as a reminder that journalism remains a cornerstone of democracy - even when the relationship between reporters and those in power grows complicated.

Originally, the dinner was a relatively low-key gathering focus on journalists and their work covering the presidency. It was more about access, professional camaraderie, and protecting the role of the press, dating back to its founding during the Wilson era.

Over time, especially in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the event evolved into something far more high-profile. Celebrities, entertainers, and major public figures began to attend, transforming the dinner into a hybrid of political ritual and pop culture spectacle. The inclusion of comedians as featured performers further pushed it into mainstream entertainment territory.

That evolution has sparked ongoing debate. Critics argue the celebrity presence can blur the line between journalism and the power it's meant to scrutinize - making the press appear too cozy with those it covers. Supporters, on the other hand, say the visibility helps spotlight press freedom and raises funds for scholarships, keeping the mission relevant in a media-saturated age.

What started as a press-focused dinner has become a mirror of modern media itself - part serious institution, part cultural event, and always a reflection of the relationship between journalism and power in a world of podcasters, social media influencers, conspiracies theorists, and more - where truth competes with narrative, access competes with influence, and the line between reporting and performance grows increasingly blurred.

Set to take place this Saturday, the event continues a long-standing tradition of bringing journalists, political leaders, entertainers, and cultural figures together under one roof - for a night of roasting those in politics and new media.

Instead of a comedian hosting and roasting the room, the featured entertainer is Oz Pearlman, a well-known mentalist marking a shift away from the usual comedy roast format to something more focused on mind-reading, illusion, and entertainment.

While past dinners were hosted by comedians who roasted politicians and the media, this year's event will feel different - less biting humor, more spectacle and psychological performance - something I prefer.

As this year's dinner approaches, it carries both tradition and tension - offering not just a night of entertainment, but a moment to reflect on the evolving role of the media in shaping the national conversation.