Kelsea Ballerini has made great friends in country music and has had some powerful influences on her career. But becoming friends with Reba McEntire has made her think further into the future. 

It's been a while since rising country star Trent Harmon won season 15 of American Idol, and it's been seven seasons since Scotty McCreery took the top prize. Scotty is keeping an eye on this year's competition..

Lauren Alaina went undercover at Cracker Barrel as a server named Ruth and Thomas says touring is all about having a good time.

Selling gold and platinum records, earning number-one singles, scoring big awards, headlining tours and even Opry membership may be great accomplishments for Kelsea Ballerini, but it isn't likely she'll be calling herself "famous" anytime soon. 

The newly minted ACM Artist of the Decade, Jason Aldean, thinks the future of country music is in good hands. He says the new artists he brings on tour are honing their craft by watching and learning.