Fine Arts 

Despite growing demand for equality within the country music industry of America, the divide between female and male artists is ever so clear. The gap has been notable since the 1920s, when country music was first broadcasted. Eck Robertson was the first name to be produced and broadcasted in 1922. The first women to release country music songs were “Aunt” Samantha Bumgarner and Eva Davis in 1924. Throughout history, women like Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Reba McEntire have certainly made their way through the country music scene in a groundbreaking fashion, setting the standard for the present day aspiring artists. While their efforts were rewarded and their success was measured, men still have the advantage of the industry. In 2023, less than 6% of the artists on the Billboard Chart for country music were female. A study in 2018 conducted by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative revealed that for every 9.7 songs sung by a male artist that was played on the radio, there was one song by a female artist. The study also found that during the whole year, male produced music occupied 90% of air time. These statistics prove that there is a problem within the industry and with the disproportionate popularity, there are many current women in the country music industry that deserve the spotlight as well. 

Sierra Ferrell

Sierra Ferrell, from Charleston, West Virginia, left home in her early 20s and traveled the US in her van with music at the core of her experience. She played in countless public spaces around New Orleans and Seattle such as truck stops, alleyways, railroad stops and public streets. During this time, she struggled with addiction which hindered her career. Her nomadic lifestyle introduced her to the substances, and looking back on her choices she believes the experiences led to growth. “It was hell for me to be stuck in a small town, but I got out and finally realized what the world had to offer. Now I’m here, and I’m so much healthier and happier,” she said in an interview with Opry. Ferrell moved to Nashville in 2014 with hopes to be discovered in the city of country music. Her first album Long Time Coming was received with high praise in 2021, putting her on the country music map. Her following album, Trail of Flowers (2024) really proved her extreme fame and earned her four Grammy Awards, including Best Americana Album, Best American Roots Song, Best Americana Performance, and Best American Roots Performance.

Songs I recommend:

In Dreams

Don't Let Your Deal Go Down

I Could Drive You Crazy

Megan Moroney

Raised in Douglasville Georgia, Megan Moroney grew up in a family of music. From singing covers and playing piano constantly with her father, Moroney discovered her love for performing at a young age. She went to college at the University of Georgia, and she majored in accounting. It was through her sorority that she began to perform for audiences. Kappa Delta had a mixer where she opened, and luckily Chase Rice was in the crowd and he saw her talent. He asked her to open for him under the condition that she perform one original song. After graduation, she moved to Nashville where she met Sugarland’s Kristain Bush who helped Moroney build up her platform on social media. She released her first single “Wonder” in 2021, and her first EP “Pistol Made of Roses” in 2022. Directly after releasing Tennessee Orange in 2022, the single brought her fame to the highest level. The song peaked No. 10 on the Billboard charts. Praised for her relatable, fun and emotional style, Moroney didn't stop there. In 2023, she released her debut album “Lucky” which was received extremely well by listeners and also earned her 2023 ACM award for New Female Artist of the year and 2024 CMA award New Artist of the Year. Moroney’s highly anticipated sophomore album, “Am I OK?” was released in 2024, which tied the knot of her success. The viral praise and acclaim for Moroney earned the album No. 9 on the Billboard Charts. Moroney connects with her fans through her social media, and she has become a fan favorite of the country music scene. 

Songs I recommend:

I’m Not Pretty

Till It All Goes South

Noah

Lainey Wilson

Raised in the small town Baskin, Louisiana, Lainey Wilson always was immersed in music. At 11, she was given her first guitar which inspired her to start writing songs and performing. In high school, Wilson had the job of performing as Hannah Montana at different local events. After graduation, she moved to Nashville to try and launch her career in the music industry. Living from a camper, she waited to be discovered and played in any public space she could find. Her efforts paid off when Wilson signed a publishing contract with Broken Bow Records 7 years later, leading to her release of her first hit “Things A Man Oughta Know” in 2020. Wilson’s debut album, “Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ ” was popular, but it was her sophomore album that raised Wilson to the fame she has now. “Bell Bottom Country,”  released in 2022, earned the singer a Grammy for Best Country Album. Wilson’s songs are frequently part of the hit television series, YellowStone where her southern twang is easily recognized. Known for her unapologetic uniqueness, Wilson rocks the bell bottoms as her signature look, a style she adopted from her youth back in Baskin.

Songs I Recommend:

Watermelon Moonshine

Heart Like a Truck

Things a Man Oughta Know

Maren Morris

Born in Arlington, Texas, Maren Morris grew up loving performing. By the age of 12, she had already booked gigs in different restaurants, events, and local gatherings. At 20, she moved to Nashville to pursue songwriting. She consistently wrote for Tim McGraw, Kelly Clarkson and many others. It was through her passion for music that she got up the nerve to audition for talent cable shows. Rejected from the Voice and American Idol, she persisted and continued performing all around Nashville. After signing with Columbia Nashville, Morris opened for Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town, which allowed her name to become more and more popular. Her highly anticipated debut album, “Hero,” released in 2016 earning high praise from all ages nationally. Her soulful song style allowed her to connect to listeners and listeners loved her lyrics. Her first hit song, “My Church” reached No.1 on the Billboard Chart. She was nominated for three other Grammys in 2017, including Best New Artist, earning her the distinction as that year’s most-nominated country artist. Along with her Grammy nods, Morris also scored five 2016 CMA nominations and won the Best New Artist award. She was once again nominated for a Grammy in 2018, this time for Best Country Solo Performance for her hit “I Could Use a Love Song.” Her 2017 tour for Hero was extremely successful and popular, as her music trended heavily. In 2019, Morris released her sophomore album, “Girl” which earned her Female Artist of the Year at the ACM awards. She also earned Song of The Year for her hit single off the album, “The Bones.” After such success, Morris revealed in 2023 that she would step back from the country music industry scene due to its history with racism and misogyny. She now refuses to submit her work to nominations for awards in protest. Morris’s journey is inspiring because she stood true to herself the whole time and is a role model for other girls looking to make a living performing.

Songs I recommend:

80s Mercedes

I Could Use a Love Song

My Church

Who Is Mel Robbins?

Mel Robbins is a bestselling author, motivational speaker, and former criminal defense attorney. She first became popular because of her viral TEDx talk and her book The 5 Second Rule, which is an extremely famous method that has helped millions of people take control of their mindset and habits.

In The Let Them Theory, Robbins begins by sharing her own life story– how and why she hit rock bottom and the steps she took to bounce back. This personal background is the foundation for everything that follows. Understanding her past helps the reader to understand that this is lived advice. The honesty and vulnerability gives weight to the insights and tools she shares.

What is the Let Them Theory?

Mel Robbins suggests that instead of trying to control what others do (or don’t do), we should just “let them.” The Let Them Theory is the idea that when people act in ways you don’t like, whether that’s leaving you out, dealing with things in a way you disagree with, ignoring you, etc., you should just let them. But it goes further.

Robbins introduces the “let me” part, where the real power lies: Let them, then let me move on, prioritize my peace, and be the change I wish to see. Whatever it may be, it’s easier said than done, but Robbins breaks it down in a way that’s digestible and realistic. Through honest truths, relatable stories, and actionable tools, The Let Them Theory offers a straightforward approach to reclaiming your power– by letting go of what you can’t control and focusing on what you can: YOU. 

Is This Book For You?

Whether you’re type A, constantly stressing about what others think, or someone who feels the need to be in control all the time, this book is for you. Even if you don’t identify with those traits, Robbins’ insights are universally relatable. No matter what age or stage of life you are in, there’s something valuable in this book for everyone. 

My Thoughts:

From the very first chapter, Robbins hits the reader with a powerful truth: people only hold power over you if you give it to them. As an anxiety-prone person, I often find myself wasting energy on things I can’t control. Robbins uses real-life stories and science-backed research to explain why so many of us fall into this trap, and how the Let Them Theory offers a way out. “All human beings have a hard-wired need for control,” Robbins states. She shares her own struggles with trying to “fix” things, even when it wasn’t her place to do so. She explains that it comes from our innate urge to have control, as control gives us the illusion of safety. Understanding the why helped me to understand my own tendencies and how I can use The Let Them Theory to let me let it go. She explains that a lot of suffering comes from wishing things were different than the way they are. It is tricky to train your brain away from trying to “fix” things, but successfully doing so will set you free in many areas in your life.

Robbins does this while emphasizing that “letting them” is only half the job. Without the “let me” piece, this mindset can feel very isolating. The real strength comes from the combination of the theories: Let them, then let me.

This theory stems deeper than just letting your friends book a trip without inviting you. Robbins applies it to more complex emotional challenges– jealousy, comparison, boundaries, even addiction. Something I found intriguing was how she explains that when you feel envy, it’s pointing to something you want. Instead of resentment, you can use it as fuel for your own growth and benefit. This flips comparison into motivation.

In terms of my reading experience, I really appreciate the way this book was written. The end of most chapters follow a specific structure– after spending the chapter introducing and elaborating on a specific idea, she lists the problem, the truth, and the solution, making her points crystal clear and helping to guide the reader in knowing exactly what to do next. Reading is great for the brain, but it can get very boring very quickly. I appreciated how this information got straight to the point instead of dancing around the hard truths. Overall, the structure of this book made it engaging and easy to follow which I believe to be imperative for a book of this nature.

The second half of the book touches on more “adult” themes– breakups, emotional immaturity, and helping loved ones who are struggling. She really focuses on what to do when you want someone you love to be different than they are. Robbins shares this crucial truth: “No one gets sober until being drunk is more painful than doing the work to get sober.” This idea applies to all struggles, not just addiction. The key takeaway here is that you need to understand that you cannot make someone change. They have to want it for themselves. It’s frustrating because your judgement and anger comes from a place of worry and love, but they don’t see it that way. Robbins also warns us that rescuing people from their problems enables them to stay where they are.

You have to let them struggle. Then you have to choose to be the change you wish to see. Be a positive influence and maybe they’ll pick up on it. 

This review isn’t meant to summarize the book– it’s much too layered for that. I just wanted to dive a little deeper into a few key ideas to show just how powerful and practical this theory is, and in how many different areas of life it can be applied.

By the end, Robbins makes it clear that the secret of The Let Them Theory is that it’s really not about “them”-- it's about YOU. It’s a mindset shift. And a powerful one. This book is empowering, relatable, and I have already seen small differences in my day-to-day life after implementing some of these skills. It’s a quick and easy read, but the lessons are long-lasting. I highly recommend it.

Big Takeaways:

Uploading other people's opinions and fearing judgment ruins your potential in your chances of success.

Stop getting in the way of yourself by focusing on other people's opinions that don't matter .

When you operate in a way that makes you proud of yourself it doesn't matter what other people think .

You can't expect people to change. You can change– and change what you tolerate.

Stop prioritizing someone else's needs at the expense of your own happiness.

Struggle is a critical part of the human experience and serves a purpose in someone choosing to get better.

Stop rescuing people from their problems. Start believing that they have the ability to face them.

People's behavior shows you how they feel about you– believe them.

The life you create full of meaningful relationships and joy starts with how you choose to love yourself.

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Napoleon Dynamite got his hands on a billion-dollar CGI budget and a chest full of enchanted pickaxes, A Minecraft Movie is your (deeply confusing) answer. Directed by Jared Hess (yes, the guy behind Napoleon Dynamite), this film is what happens when you mix pixelated nostalgia, tater tots, and existential confusion into one cinematic smoothie. 

First things first: Jack Black and Jason Momoa carry this movie like a baby zombie riding a chicken. Momoa in particular, channeling the energy of the jock from Napoleon Dynamite, delivers lines with such unhinged charisma, you’ll find yourself rooting for him even when you have no idea what’s going on. And honestly if you aren’t familiar with the game, that’s most of the time. 

If you don’t play Minecraft, you might as well have the wikipedia page pulled up, because this plot very rarely stops to explain itself. There are llamas, there are explosions, there are deep themes of returning home, friendship, and even financial instability (because what’s more Minecraft than not being able to afford diamond armor?). This movie incorporated every theme known to man, which made it feel like there was so much going on that nothing really mattered.

The storyline itself? It’s like someone took a bunch of sidequests, tied them together, and blew them up as they rode off into the distance, and of course a dramatic explosion in the background. The plot goes everywhere and nowhere, oddly reminiscent of you and your friends two-week Minecraft phase. 

And yet, it’s fun. As a fan of the game, watching mobs explode, villagers grunting unintelligibly (and in an elegant english accent), and Jack Black yelling “CHICKEN JOCKEY” with thunderous applause from the audience, all makes sense, and also doesn’t. Jason Momoa fully transforms into a blocky adventurer with emotional depth, a love of llamas, and (probably) a stash of hidden tater tots.

A Minecraft Movie isn't just a movie–it's an experience. A chaotic, hilarious, Jeep Grand Cherokee-filled adventure. Bring your friends, a live chicken, and your understanding of obscure crafting recipes. And if you leave the theater asking “Bro…you had tots the whole time?” – congrats, you got the full experience.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the comedy.

⭐️ for the plot.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you’re a llama from Idaho.