Lauren Alaina

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in country music!

Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina came up through the ranks of American Idol together in 2011, when they were both just teens, and through that unique journey, they formed a strong bond.

The 2017 CMT Music Awards took over Nashville on Wednesday (June 7), with many country stars going home with the fan-voted awards.

There are a handful of stars making waves in country music. These haven't even seen their 25th birthday yet, but their presence in the genre is undeniable.

Martina McBride fronted the lineup for CMT’s Next Women of Country Tour, with special guests Lauren Alaina, Post Monroe and Maggie Rose. The tour made a stop in the heart of New York City’s Times Square, and McBride led a fully girl-powered show just in time for Women’s Day, with Taste of Country on hand to capture some exclusive concert pictures.

These women are kicking down doors, fighting for equal representation and broadening the path for the female country acts who come after them.

Lauren Alaina is currently out promoting her new album, Road Less Traveled, and she stopped by the Taste of Country Nights studio to talk about one of the most impactful songs on the album, "Three."

When Lauren Alaina said her new album Road Less Traveled was going to be empowering, yet brutally honest, she meant it.

Lauren Alaina has several compelling tracks on her new album, Road Less Traveled, but there's one in particular that's near and dear to the singer's heart because it deals with her struggles with an eating disorder.

Luke Bryan's Huntin’, Fishin’, & Lovin’ Every Day Tour will include six opening acts over a summer-long trek that reaches both coasts and focuses on outdoor amphitheaters. Bryan announced his 2017 tour plans on Tuesday (Jan. 23) with a fantastic throwback video, premiered exclusively on Taste of Country. Duck hunting was involved, but not the kind you're thinking of.