Monday – Friday 6am-10am

With overs 40 years of experience in radio, Karen West lives and breathes the Country Radio lifestyle! As 97.3 The Eagle’s Brand Manager, Music Director and on-air morning personality, Karen’s love and passion for the format are unparalleled.

Obsessed with the new country artists Jackson Dean, Nate Smith, Bailey Zimmerman, Lainey Wilson, Chapel Hart, Priscilla Block, Jelly Roll…as well as those artists that blew the doors open for them…Waylon, Loretta, Garth, Strait.

Outside of radio Karen’s is extremely passionate about the many charitable causes that she gives her time to. The American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” campaign in memory of her sister Ginni, who passed away peacefully of breast cancer in 2005, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital’s endeavors to end childhood cancer are two charities that hold a very special place in her heart.

Karen is an author who has written two books to benefit various charities. Amazing Trace, A Sister’s Journal follows the story of her sister’s battle with breast cancer. Karen’s works are available at most online book retailers.

Her favorite quote of all time is from Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said; people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Karen is a Hampton Roads native, born and raised in Newport News and now lives in Norfolk. She has four daughters who are her best friends.

Luke Combs Previews Two New Songs at His Nashville Bar

Luke Combs recently played two unreleased songs during an impromptu performance at his new bar in Nashville, giving lucky fans an exclusive first listen to what could be on his next album. Before diving into the first song, Luke joked with the crowd, saying, “This might be really bad, man. I was messing with this…

George Strait Surprises Dairy Queen Drive-Thru Worker in Texas

Imagine heading into your shift like any other day, only to look up and see the King of Country Music at your drive-thru window. That’s exactly what happened to Becky Gonzalez, an employee at a Dairy Queen just outside of San Antonio, Texas, when none other than George Strait rolled up to place an order.…

Thomas Rhett Suffers Ankle Injury Mid-Concert, Powers Through Performance

Thomas Rhett just proved he’s got the heart of a performer and an impressive pain tolerance to match. Thomas recently made a surprise appearance at Forrest Frank’s sold-out show at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.  The country singer was seated in the audience when the spotlight him and he began to make his way to the…

Shaboozey Announces Deluxe Album Featuring Jelly Roll and Sierra Ferrell

Shaboozey revealed that a deluxe version of his 2024 album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going is on the way. Titled Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going: The Complete Edition, the updated release will include six new songs and feature some powerhouse collaborations. Among the most talked-about additions are “Amen” with Jelly Roll…

Lainey Wilson Surprises Fans with Rooftop Show at Her Nashville Bar

Lainey Wilson gave fans in downtown Nashville the ultimate surprise over the weekend. The country star popped up for an impromptu rooftop concert at her very own bar, Lainey Wilson’s Bell Bottoms Up, on Sunday afternoon. The performance celebrated the release of her brand new song, “Bell Bottoms Up,” and just so happened to land…

Post Malone Teases New Country Album: “We’ve Already Made 35 Songs”

Post Malone’s country era might just be getting started. After the massive success of his album “F-1 Trillion,” Posty revealed in a new with Billboard that he’s been back to Nashville not once, but twice to work on even more country tracks. “We just have fun. We just sit and talk and make songs,” Post…

Will This Be the Country Song of the Summer?

Zach Top is at the top of his game right now.  And he just played an unreleased song at a VIP event that some fans are hoping will be the country song of the summer. It’s called “Good Times and Tan Lines” and has a twangy, Jimmy Buffett vibe. @christianfreakinburge Good times and tan lines, can’t wait for…

Jelly Roll Receives Prestigious Global Literacy Award

Jelly Roll continues to inspire far beyond the music charts—this time with a major honor on the world stage. Over the weekend, he was awarded the Global Literacy Award at the 2025 World Literacy Summit held in Oxford, England. The award recognized Jelly Roll for his “global influence on literacy,” a tribute to his advocacy…

Eric Church Surprises Fans During Chief’s Bar Anniversary Celebration

Over the weekend, Eric Church celebrated the first anniversary of his Nashville bar, Chief’s, and let’s just say—he did not disappoint. The festivities spanned the entire day, but the real magic happened upstairs at the Neon Steeple concert venue, where a one-of-a-kind songwriter session took center stage. Two of Eric’s longtime co-writers—Jeff Hyde (who also…

Who is the Country Star Behind the Mad Scientist Monster on The Masked Singer?

Country fans are buzzing after the latest episode of The Masked Singer! The hit FOX show—known for past reveals like Sara Evans and LeAnn Rimes—has everyone guessing again, thanks to the mysterious Mad Scientist Monster mask. Take a listen: We’ve never seen a #MadScientistMonsterMask like this! 😱 #TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/4xmaw6pefV — The Masked Singer (@MaskedSingerFOX) March…

Megan Moroney Accepts Billboard’s “Rule Breaker” Award: “In Real Life, I’m an Avid Rule Follower”

Megan Moroney has officially been named Billboard Women in Music’s “Rule Breaker of the Year”—but if you ask her, the title might be a little misleading. While accepting the award, Megan gave a funny and refreshingly honest speech that had everyone in the room laughing. “This is so cool. When I found out I was…

Furry Friday: Matilda is Ready to Be Your New Best Friend! 🐾

It’s Furry Friday on 97.3 The Eagle, and this week’s Pitbull Tobacco and More Pet of the Week is Matilda at Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center—a 40-pound bundle of joy! Estimated to be between 1 and 5 years old, Matilda was found alone at Munden Point Park, but now she’s safe, sound, and…

Jordan Davis Teams Up with Peyton Manning to Announce New Tour in Hilarious Golf Video

Country star Jordan Davis just announced his upcoming Ain’t Enough Road Tour—and he did it with a little help from football legend Peyton Manning. In a hilarious video that’s already making the rounds online, Jordan tries his hand at becoming a professional golfer… emphasis on tries. The sketch features him struggling through a round on…

Keith Urban Gives Cancer Survivor a Moment She’ll Never Forget [WATCH]

At a recent performance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Keith Urban made one fan’s dream come true in the most heartfelt way. While performing during a charity event for Susan G. Komen’s breast cancer research, Keith spotted a woman in the crowd holding a sign that read: “I beat cancer to hug Keith Urban.”…

The Funniest April Fools’ Day Pranks in Hampton Roads This Year

From midnight dolphin watching to alcohol-free baseball games, Hampton Roads came through with some seriously creative (and hilarious) April Fools’ Day pranks this year. Local businesses and organizations pulled out all the stops to keep us laughing—and maybe even questioning reality just a little. Here’s a roundup of our favorite 757-fueled foolery that made April…

Ella Langley Leads 2025 ACM Nominations; See the Full List

The nominees for the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards are here—and this one’s for the girls!  Ella Langley received 8 nominations as a first-time nominee!  Plus, Lainey Wilson scored 7 nods and Kelsea Ballerini earned her first Entertainer of the Year nomination! Not to be outdone, the guys are shining too!  Cody Johnson and…

Kenny Chesney Voted Into the Country Music Hall of Fame – “Today Felt Like a Dream”

It’s always a big day in Nashville when the Country Music Hall of Fame announces its newest class of inductees—and this year’s list includes a name that’s been long overdue: Kenny Chesney. The country superstar was officially welcomed into the Hall of Fame’s Modern Era category, joining a prestigious class that also includes June Carter…

Carly Pearce Shares an Unforgettable Moment with Young Fan Battling Stage Four Cancer

At a recent meet-and-greet, Carly Pearce had a moment that she—and many of us—won’t soon forget. She met someone incredibly special: a 21-year-old fan named Jacob, whose story touched everyone in the room. Jacob shared that he was diagnosed with stage three cancer last year. It’s the kind of news that shakes your world. But…

Ella Langley’s “If It Weren’t for the Wind” Video Is Here—And the Backstory Is Iconic!

Ella Langley just dropped the music video for her latest hit, “If It Weren’t for the Wind,” and let’s be honest—it’s absolutely perfect. The video tells the story of a relationship where the guy just isn’t on board with Ella chasing her dreams. And what does she do? She packs up, moves on, and leaves…

Megan Moroney’s “Girl of the Night” Moment Is the Sweetest Thing You’ll See on Tour

Okay, y’all—have you heard about what Megan Moroney is doing on her Am I Okay tour? It might just be the cutest thing happening in country music right now. At each show, Megan takes a moment to spotlight one lucky fan in the audience with a segment she calls “Girl of the Night.” She hands…

Lady A’s Charles Kelly Announces First Solo Single and Baby News!

It’s a banner week for Charles Kelley — and it’s only Tuesday! The Lady A vocalist kicked off the week by announcing the upcoming release of a brand-new solo single titled “Can’t Lose You.” But the real showstopper? Charles and his wife Cassie just shared some exciting personal news — they’re expecting baby number two!…

Luke Combs Honored with Star on Music City Walk of Fame

Luke Combs just added another major milestone to his already impressive career—he’s officially a star… literally. This past week, Luke was honored with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville, joining an elite group of just 109 recipients. (For a little perspective, the Hollywood Walk of Fame has more than 2,800…

Morgan Wallen Drops Two New Songs Ahead of Album Release

Morgan Wallen just surprised fans with a late-night music drop! The country superstar officially released “Just in Case” and “I’m a Little Crazy”, two tracks he’s previously teased but are now available for streaming. The songs will be featured on his highly anticipated new album, I’m the Problem, which is set to release on May…

Eric Church Announces New Album ‘Evangeline Vs. The Machine’

Eric Church might need a bucket after dealing with some major leaks this week. Fans got a sneak peek at his upcoming album, Evangeline vs. the Machine, when the full tracklist and release date accidentally appeared on Apple Music ahead of schedule. Church, who typically shares big news with his Church Choir fan club first,…

Morgan Wallen Returns to “SNL” – Will He Drop a New Album?

Morgan Wallen is heading back to Saturday Night Live! The country star has been announced as the musical guest for the March 29th episode, with Mikey Madison, star of Best Picture winner Anora, as the host. This will be Wallen’s second time performing on the show—but technically, he’s been booked three times. He was originally…

Luke Combs Makes History as the First-Ever Country Act to Close Lollapalooza

Luke Combs is breaking barriers and making history! It was just announced that he will be headlining Lollapalooza this summer, marking the first time a country artist will close out the festival. This is a huge moment—not just for Luke, but for country music as a whole. The four-day festival takes place July 31 –…

Changes to Parking for Norfolk Tides Games in 2025—Here’s What You Need to Know

If you’re planning to catch a Norfolk Tides game this season, you might need to adjust your parking plans. With the ongoing construction of the Norfolk casino next to Harbor Park, over 800 parking spaces that were previously available to baseball fans are now fenced off. Additionally, more than 100 spots are being used by…

Ed Sheeran Surprises Nashville with Pop-Up Shows and Writers’ Round with Megan Moroney

Ed Sheeran is no stranger to surprising fans, and his latest spontaneous performances in Nashville were no exception. The global pop star took Music City by storm, playing a series of pop-up shows and even joining a legendary writers’ round at the iconic Bluebird Café alongside country singer Megan Moroney. Sheeran popped up at Tootsie’s…

Morgan Wallen Shares Next Album Is “Officially Done” Along with Clip of New Song

Morgan Wallen announced his new album, “I’m the Problem”, back in January and fans have been eagerly waiting for more details ever since. Well, now we don’t have to wait much longer. In a post on Instagram this past weekend, Morgan said, “Album is officially done.  More news for y’all [this] week.” Alongside the huge news, Morgan…

The Savannah Bananas Debut First-Ever Halftime Show with LoCash [WATCH]

The Savannah Bananas, famous for combining baseball with high-energy entertainment, have had several country stars step up to the plate over the years. But this weekend, they took things to a whole new level with their first-ever halftime show! Before we dive into the big performance, let’s take a look back at the country artists…

Luke Combs Opens Up About His Struggle with an “All-Consuming” Form of OCD

Luke Combs is known for his powerful voice, heartfelt lyrics, and down-to-earth personality. But in a recent interview on 60 Minutes Australia, the country superstar shared something deeply personal—his lifelong battle with an “all-consuming” form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). During the interview, Luke revealed that he’s been living with OCD since he was around 12…

Jelly Roll Rocks Daisy Dukes in Hilarious New Zevia Commercial

Jelly Roll is proving that real men can enjoy zero-sugar soda—in style. The country star teamed up with Zevia for a new commercial promoting their zero-sugar, zero-artificial ingredient soda, and let’s just say, his outfit is stealing the show. In the ad, Jelly Roll rolls up to a rest stop in a red pickup truck,…

Rascal Flatts Announce New “Refueled” Album Featuring Star-Studded Duets

Rascal Flatts Announce New Album Featuring Star-Studded Duets Rascal Flatts fans, get ready—because the band just announced an exciting new album, Life Is a Highway: Refueled Duets, set to drop on June 6th! The album is essentially a greatest hits collection, but with a twist—each song will feature a special guest artist. And they’re bringing…

Dolly Parton Dedicates Heartfelt Song to Late Husband Carl Dean

Dolly Parton Dedicates Heartfelt Song to Late Husband Carl Dean Dolly Parton is honoring the love of her life in the best way she knows how—through music. After the passing of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, last week, the country legend dedicated a deeply personal new song to him titled “If You…

Hardy and Wife Caleigh Welcome Baby Girl, Rosie Ryan Hardy!

Hardy and Wife Caleigh Welcome Baby Girl, Rosie Ryan Hardy! Congratulations to Hardy and his wife, Caleigh, on the arrival of their baby girl! The couple welcomed Rosie Ryan Hardy into the world on March 7, 2025, weighing in at nine pounds, two ounces. Hardy shared the exciting news with fans by adding a sweet…

Russell Dickerson’s “Happen to Me” Dance Trend Takes Off—And Everyone’s Joining In!

Russell Dickerson has officially kicked off the most unexpected (and hilarious) dance trend of the year! His latest single, Happen to Me, has sparked a movement that’s taking over social media—and trust us, you’ll want to see this. The dance moves are so catchy that Russell himself is busting them out everywhere, even during podcast…

Carly Pearce Breaks Up a Fight Mid-Show in the U.K.

Carly Pearce had no time for nonsense during her recent show in Birmingham, England. While wrapping up her European tour, the country star had to pause her performance to break up a fight in the audience. During the show, two women in the crowd started going at it, prompting Carly to stop the music and…

Keith Urban Joins Blake Shelton on His New CBS Music Competition Show “The Road”

Keith Urban is hitting “The Road” on a new reality competition show produced by Blake Shelton! In November, Blake Shelton and “Yellowstone” creator, Taylor Sheridan, teased a new singing competition show called “The Road” to air on CBS this fall saying, “‘The Road’ offers viewers a backstage pass into the gritty and unforgiving life of a touring artist . . .…

Morgan Wallen Previews Emotional New Song About His Son

Fans are eagerly awaiting Morgan Wallen’s upcoming album I’m the Problem, but the country star has kept tight-lipped about its release date. However, he just gave fans a special preview of what’s to come—and this one is personal. Morgan took to Instagram to share a nearly three-minute clip of his new song Superman, his first-ever…

Local Businesses Rally to Support Families of Fallen Officers Girvin and Reese

Several local businesses are stepping up to support the families of Officers Christopher Reese and Cameron Girvin, who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty. Here’s how you can contribute while supporting these generous businesses: Sandbridge Tattoo (Virginia Beach) – Offering walk-in appointments for pre-designed tattoos at $75 each from Tuesday, Feb. 25,…

Kelsea Ballerini Sends Message of Support to Young Fan Battling Cancer

Kelsea Ballerini recently found out that a young girl named Avery was using her song, “This Time Last Year”, as the “anthem” for her battle with cancer. @hfamx5 @Kelsea Ballerini we love you. No pressure. I’m weird. 😂😂🤪🤪 #kelseaballerini #lookatmenow #shootyourshot #averystrong #noonefightsalone ♬ This Time Last Year – Kelsea Ballerini Avery’s mom reached out to…

Luke Combs’ Mom Gets First Look at the New Rooftop at Category 10

Mama Combs has officially given her stamp of approval to the newest addition to Luke Combs’ Nashville bar, Category 10! While the bar has been open since October, its rooftop—The Eye—is just now nearing completion, and it’s set to be the ultimate summer hangout spot. In a sneak peek video, Luke’s mom raved about the…

How to Support the Families of Fallen Virginia Beach Police Officers

The Virginia Beach community is mourning the tragic loss of Officers Christopher Reese, 30, and Cameron Girvin, 25, who were fatally shot during a traffic stop on Friday, February 21, 2025. Officer Reese succumbed to his injuries that night, while Officer Girvin passed away the following morning. The suspect in the case took his own…

Reba McEntire’s Sitcom “Happy’s Place” Renewed for a Second Season

Great news for Reba McEntire fans—her NBC sitcom Happy’s Place has officially been renewed for a second season! With so many shows getting canceled after just one season, this renewal is a big win for Reba and the entire cast. She even got to break the exciting news to her co-stars right before they filmed…

Pam Tillis Mistakes Tucker Wetmore for Riley Green at the Grand Ole Opry

Pam Tillis had a bit of an oops moment onstage at the Grand Ole Opry when she mistook up-and-coming country artist Tucker Wetmore for Riley Green. To be fair, both guys have mustaches, are tall, and fit the country star look—but that didn’t make the mix-up any less awkward. While speaking at an event, Pam…

Grand Ole Opry Announces ‘Opry Next Stage Class of 2025’

Tuesday night at the Grand Old Opry, they announced their Opry Next Stage class for 2025, which includes: Avery Anna, Chase Beckham, Dasha, Caitlin Butts, Kashus Culpepper, Tigirlily Gold, and Tucker Wetmore. This is a huge honor for all of these young artists because it means that the opera believes in them enough that they want to back…

Megan Moroney Launches Her Own Line of Custom Cowgirl Boots

If you want to add a little extra flair to your cowgirl boot collection, Megan Moroney has you covered! The country star has partnered with Lane Boots to create a stylish new pair of white cowgirl boots featuring blue bottoms and unique charms, including a custom heart heel pin. Megan shared her excitement about the…

Emergency Shelters and Warming Centers in Hampton Roads: Where to Find Help During Cold Weather

As Winter Storm Kingston brings below-freezing temperatures and snow to the Hampton Roads area, it’s crucial for individuals experiencing homelessness to know where they can find emergency shelter and support. Several organizations in the region offer services to ensure everyone’s safety during harsh winter conditions. Regional Housing Crisis Hotline The Regional Housing Crisis Hotline serves…

Cold Weather Safety Tips for Pets

With Winter Storm Kingston bringing below-freezing temperatures and snow, it’s crucial to take extra precautions to keep pets safe. Virginia law prohibits leaving dogs chained or tethered outside when the temperature is 32 degrees or below. Failing to bring them inside could result in legal consequences. Animals are particularly vulnerable in cold weather, and this…

Essential Phone Numbers to Have Handy During a Snowstorm

When winter weather hits, be prepared! Save these important phone numbers to stay safe and informed during a snowstorm: 🚗 Transportation: ⚡ Power & Energy: 🚨 Disaster Relief: 🏠 Local Shelters: 🛒 Food Banks & Pantries: 🛑 Price Gouging Concerns: For any emergency, dial 911. Stay safe, and tuned in for weather updates and important…