With Americana music and a whole lot of tie-dye, WMOT’s Roots on the River might be the best start to the festival season in Nashville. 

The annual event returned to the Two Rivers Mansion on May 31 for eight hours of performances, including Aaron Lee Tasjan, Sam Bush and a surprise guest whose head-banging blues left jaws dropped nearly on the floor.

The event offers festival-goers the opportunity to connect with their community through food and music, while at the same time supporting WMOT, a nonprofit public radio station. 

“Every year I get to meet new people … this is a good time,” said Denise Tucker, a volunteer who travels from South Dakota for Roots on the River each year.

Read on for performance highlights from the one-day show. 

Noeline Hofmann cooks with ‘Purple Gas’

The festival kicked off with up-and-coming country artist Noeline Hofmann and her band of Nashville natives. The 21-year-old rocked the stage with an hour-long set including songs from her new record, “Purple Gas.” Hofmann’s soulful music fit right in with the day’s other performances.

From Alberta, Canada, Hofmann attributes her love of country music to her family and hometown, which she calls “the Nashville of the North.”

“I’d say [my music is] lyric-driven and often country-rooted,” Hofmann said in an interview with Sidelines.

Hofmann ended her time on stage with an unreleased single about being a “honky tonk girl.” The lyrics nod to performing around the country and sleepless nights that accompany traveling as a band.

Roots on the River only kicks off Hofmann’s bustling summer.

This week, she returns to Nashville to perform at CMA Fest alongside one of her inspirations, Wynonna Judd. Later this season, Hofmann will share the stage with country-rock star Zach Bryan in Dublin, Ireland. – Liv Rapier 

Aaron Lee Tasjan riffs with guitarist Laur Joamets

A three-time alum of Roots on the River, Aaron Lee Tasjan rocked the stage with electrifying back-and-forth guitar riffs and songs that rolled into rock.

The singer-songwriter and his band amplified the summer vibe with thrifted designer fits and retro-rock instruments.

Tasjan also brought out a guest musician, guitarist Luar Joamets, who the audience met with abundant applause. An Estonian musician, Joamets returns to Nashville after spending time on tour with Sturgill Simpson. 

Tasjan and Joamets closed out the set by swapping guitar riffs. Fans reveled with the ruffled notes while swaying to the catchy tunes of “The Trouble Drinkin’” and “The Dangerous Kind.

On stage, Tasjan encouraged the audience to “show some support for a great radio station that plays authentic, real American music from the heart.”  – DeAsia McClain

Liz Longley brings ‘New Life’

Liz Longley met the Nashville crowd with charming vocals akin to the singing of perched birds. 

Blending country and folk, Longley utilized familiar sounds from her past albums and new music from her latest release, “New Life,” inspired in part by the birth of her daughter. 

Longley calls the album a “sister” to her previous release, “Funeral from My Past.” As her songs navigate the feelings of death and rebirth, Longley compelled the audience to stop and take note of each melody’s underlying meaning.  

Still, perhaps nothing sums up her music better than Longley herself, as she introduces her closing song: “Here’s the happiest blue song you’ll ever hear.” – Wren Bailey 

Bronwyn Keyth-Hynes’ bluegrass surprise 

Bluegrass artist Brownyn Keyth-Hynes performed songs from her new album “I Built a World” during the Saturday afternoon set. 

After touring the states for the past few months, Keyth-Hynes accepted an invitation from WMOT to play at the Roots Festival following an interview with one of the station’s members. On stage, Keyth-Hynes and her band showcased the work put into the album. 

“I always love playing festivals where there’s different genres of music,” Keyth-Hynes said in an interview with Sidelines.

Keyth-Hynes channeled a childlike spirit as she played the fiddle to a large crowd. The band played the “I Built A World” title track, as well as “Angel Island” and “Trip Around the Sun.” Bluegrass lovers watched in admiration as she shared the humble life stories behind her sweet string tunes. – DeAsia McCain

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram ‘reels in’ a standing ovation

Months before the festival, organizers kept one performance a surprise. Turns out, it was Grammy Award-winning blues artist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram.

Taking a break from the day’s folksy-bluegrass feel, Ingram stood alone with his self-proclaimed “delta blues” style.

Ingram attributed his love for music to his community in a backstage interview with Sidelines.

“I grew up around my Mom, her side of the family, my uncles sang and played,” Ingram said. “I grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi. It’s a blues state.”

A three-person band held down the stage as Ingram made his way onto the lawn during his fourth song, “Not Gonna Lie.” The festival grounds were filled with an Unstoppable groove while Ingram and his band freestyled off each other. He earned a standing ovation after a three-minute guitar riff where Ingram jumped into the middle of the crowd.

By the end of his set, the crowd had crept up to the barricade, encaptured by the artist. – Liv Rapier

Sam Bush speaks up

Sam Bush closed the night by returning the festival to a familiar bluegrass sound.

Before beginning his set, more people lined the barricade to soak in the last of the night. 

Bush and his band flooded the festival with harmonies, string instruments and an unexpected cover of “My Shot” from the hit musical “Hamilton.” 

Besides passionate fiddle playing and anecdotes met with lyrical storytelling, Bush wanted to highlight the importance of events like WMOT’s “Roots.”

“Public radio and the airways of education TV [are] being threatened right now,” Bush said. “We can’t overstate the importance of supporting a radio station like WMOT to bring you quality music and programming of all kinds and all varieties, just like America.” – Wren Bailey

To contact the Features editor, email [email protected].

For more news, visit www.mtsusidelines.com, and follow us on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines and on X and Instagram at @mtsusidelines. Also, sign up for our weekly newsletter here.

KINGSFORD, Mich. (WJMN/WBUP) – Athletes from high schools around the U.P. gathered in Kingsford on Saturday for the 2025 U.P. Track and Field Finals. 

Check out the winners from some of the weekend’s field events in the attached video.

You can find a full list of event standings here.

COPYRIGHT 2025 BY MY UP NOW – WBUP/WJMN. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED

Regional Rankings

Northeast Top 10 
Week 10

1. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), 17-0 (1) 
2. Nyack (N.Y.) 18-0 (2) 
3. Phillips Andover (Mass.), 20-2 (3) 
4. Sacred Heart Greenwich (Conn.), 16-3 (4) 
5. Darien (Conn.), 17-2 (5) 
6. Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.), 17-1 (6) 
7. Noble & Greenough (Mass.), 20-3 (7) 
8. Cicero-North Syracuse (N.Y.), 16-1 (8) 
9. Smithtown West (N.Y.), 16-2 (9)
10. Garden City (N.Y.), 17-2 (10) 

Mid-Atlantic Top 10
Week 13

1. Episcopal (Pa.), 18-0 (1)
2. Maryvale (Md.), 13-5 (2) 
3. Manchester Valley (Md.), 19-0 (3)  
4. Archbishop Spalding (Md.), 13-5 (4) 
5. McDonogh (Md.), 14-3 (5) 
6. St. Paul’s Md., 12-4 (6)
7. Agnes Irwin (Pa.), 18-3 (7) 
8. Good Counsel (Md.), 18-3 (8)
9. Chatham (N.J.), 18-1 (9) 
10. Stone Ridge (Md.), 17-5 (10) 

South Top 10
Week 12

1. Cambridge (Ga.), 19-2 (1)
2. Milton (Ga.), 20-2 (2) 
3. Lake Highland (Fla.), 20-4 (3) 
4. American Heritage-Delray (Fla.), 18-3 (4)
5. Hockaday (Texas), 19-1 (5) 
6. IMG Academy (Fla.), 10-4 (6)
7. Plant (Fla.), 24-0 (7) 
8. Anderson (Texas), 12-1 (8)
9. Oceanside Collegiate (S.C.), 18-4 (9) 
10. Providence Day (N.C.), 20-1 (10) 

Midwest Top 10
Week 12

1. Loyola (Ill.), 21-2 (1)
2. New Trier (Ill.), 20-3 (2)
3. Olentangy Liberty (Ohio), 20-1 (3)
4. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 18-4 (4) 
5. St. Francis DeSales (Ohio), 20-1 (5) 
6. Hinsdale Central (Ill.), 18-5 (6) 
7. Carmel (Ind.), 19-3 (7) 
8. Guerin Catholic (Ind.), 17-2 (8)
9. Prior Lake (Minn.), 14-0 (9) 
10. Hudson (Ohio), 21-0 (10) 

West Top 10
Week 13

1. Coronado (Calif.), 19-0 (1) 
2. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 18-2 (2)
3. Valor Christian (Colo.), 17-1 (3)
4. St. Ignatius (Calif.), 17-5 (4) 
5. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), 20-2 (5) 
6. Redwood (Calif.), 19-4 (6)
7. San Ramon Valley (Calif.), 18-4 (7) 
8. Evergreen (Colo.), 16-2 (8) 
9. Mira Costa (Calif.), 18-1 (9)  
10. Seattle Prep (Wash.), 13-2-1 (10) 

AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine (WAGM) – The Katahdin Cougars have officially locked up the #1 seed in Class D baseball.

The team faced the Hodgdon Hawks and won 11-1.

Josh Marting led the team batting 1-2 with three RBI and a double.

Kaden DeLand was 1-1 with two RBI and Addison Young went 1-3, also with two RBI.

The Cougars are now 13-0 with one game left in the season.

As Caribou dominated girl’s and boy’s basketball, Katahdin is dominating baseball and softball.

The Lady Cougars won 11-1 behind an eight streikout pitching performance from Jayden Stevens.

Stevens also hit a two-run home run and a double.

Some other top hitters from that game: Polly Cullen hit two singles, Emily McNAlly hit two singles and a double, Dakota Stevens hit a single and a double, Piper Cullen, Avery Cullen, and Mickenzie Landry each hit a single.

The Presque Isle Wildcat’s girls’ tennis team faced the Waterville Panthers in the quarterfinals.

The Panthers won 3-2.

Alice Korzekwa and Sabine Wells-Puckett won their matches to earn two points for Presque Isle.

We are in the final week of regular season spring sports action.

Many teams playing doubleheaders to ensure all of their scheduled games are played.

Mount Desert Island traveled to Presque Isle for a doubleheader at 3:30 and 5:30pm.

The game was delayed as the grounds crew was repairing the field, the Wildcats had a comeback win in game one, 4-3.

Game two started nearly two hours after its scheduled time.

The Trojans scored the first run of the game on a sac fly, then James Downey drove in their second run of the game, 2-0 in the top of the second inning.

Still the second, Colin Sullivan was intentionally walked to load the bases which brought Alex Roos to the plate, he turned on this one, a deep ball off of the left field pole, his first grand slam of his high school career, that will open this game up.

The bats eventually started rolling for the Wildcats, Oliver Woollard will drive in their first run of the game, 6-1 MDI still leads in the bottom of the third.

The third inning was the best for Presque Isle, Ryan Blackstone was the next with a big hit, Brandon Porter and Woollard would score, MDI wins game two 10-4.

A little bit of early rain in Mars Hill didn’t delay the softball game.

Fort Fairfield on the attack first, they would take a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

The Lady Panthers get one run back in the bottom of the first, but the Lady Tigers trying to maintain their lead, Brianna Osterblom with the slide and score.

As the sun came out, so did Central Aroostook’s offense, Mackenzie Davis will tack on two runs for the home team, the Lady Panthers starting to take a bigger lead, Harleigh Allen and Aiden Kinney score.

As the game went on Central Aroostook pulled away, Lily Clair would triple here bringing in all runners, she also homered.

Fort Fairfield would score one more but the Panthers win 14-4.

Soak it all in… This could be the final time we see some highlights from Mars Hill this baseball season.

The Tigers starting strong coming off of their second loss of the season… Lucas Cormier leads off and doubles in the top of the first.

Cayden Ala batting second for Fort with Cormier still occupying second base, Ala gets his bat on the ball, it’s going to drop into the outfield, Cormier will round the bases and score while Ala replaces Cormier at second base.

Levi Cole was walked and Ala moved up to third base… Graedon King hits a groundball to Trace Kinney, Ala takes off as soon as the ball leaves his hand and scores, 2-0 Tigers with runners on the corners again.

Cole secured another run when he took home plate on a pass ball.. quickly 3-0 with no outs.

But that’s when the Panthers defense helped out, first with a double play, then a pop up to the infield would end this inning.

Fort Fairfield beats the Panthers in Mars Hill 17-5.

The Tigers last game of the season is against the only undefeated team in Class D North.

Katahdin will be in Fort Fairfield Wednesday at 4:30.

Presque Isle leading MDI 4-0 in game one of this softball doubleheader, Kolbie Langley will add onto that lead, Astra Laughton will cross the plate on a two out double from Langley here in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Mount Desert Island had their bats going as well, however Presque Isle’s gloves were on fire, Astra Laughton catches a bullet flying back to her.

The team would continue their strong defense holding the Trojans to no runs through five innings.

Top of the 6th inning, the Trojans running out of time to get five runs back and tie this game, a double here with no outs will set them up nicely.

They wouldn’t finish this game without scoring one, Astra Laughton goes nearly 6 innings without giving up a run.

The Lady Wildcats split the doubleheader.

In game one Presque Isle beat MDI 5-3 while in game two, MDI won 3-1.

The Northern Maine Moose closed out their home games this season with a win.

The Moose won 7-3.

Isaiah Ervin’s senior night ended with 3 goals and three assists, Colton Simoes scored two and 1 assist including a 92% face off win percentage.

Carter Carmichael and Eli Brown each netted one.

Head coach Adam Simoes said, “This was a great win but a tough night for me. This is the core group that started Northern Maine Moose. All players are special but when you look to where and who this program started. To share this victory is truly special.”

Copyright 2025 WAGM. All rights reserved.

Commitment season has arrived, and with it some in-depth breakdowns of several new pledges from the past few days in the latest 247Sports Scouting Report Rundown. Today’s edition highlights 10 recently updated scouting reports, including five Top247 members (plus another four-star prospect), as well as several new commits across the country.

The 247Sports national scouting team is in the process of fulfilling updated scouting reports on the entire 2026 Top247. Simultaneously, we try to produce a significant number of scouting reports on players outside the Top247 with expected impending commitments.

Tuesday’s rundown, of course, features both. Here’s the latest SRR, leading off with some fresh evaluations on a trio of top 100 overall prospects in the 2026 class.

Netflix has had a slew of successes translating the world of sports into compelling series with emotional storylines. Check out the very best titles across a wide range of professional leagues and competitions below.

This 40-minute documentary is a high-stakes snackable dose of sports drama that picks up in the wake of Lewis Hamilton’s shocking departure from the Mercedes F1 team after twelve years and six world champions, and follows 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s promotion to the most prestigious racing league in the world.

It’s a great supplement to Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive series which exploded the league’s popularity, and proved that the elite racing community could deliver as much drama as the Real Housewives. An excuse to see Mercedes Team Principal and F1 zaddy Toto Wolff in his crisp white button down is reason enough to queue this title up.

The riveting story of one woman’s journey to overcome gender stereotypes in rural Nepal and follow her dreams of becoming a professional mountaineer, achieving historic success summiting Mount Everest ten times, the current record for female climbers.

Spanning Sherpa’s life from childhood to motherhood, an abusive marriage, and her immigration to the United States, we see her perseverance and determination impact her life on and off the mountain. Thoughtful attention is paid to her Nepalese roots and the Sherpa culture, and her effort to impart both to two daughters as they grow up in Connecticut.

Following the massive success of Formula 1: Drive To Survive, Netflix took a stab at humanizing the world of professional golf. By following major names like Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Scottie Scheffler and others on and off the course, the series was able to generate compelling suspenseful storylines around a sport without the fights, fouls, or impact of the NHL, NBA, or NFL.

The series explores player friendships and rivalries, the expanding diversity of the league, and the growing tension between the PGA-Tour and Saudi-funded LIV Golf league to provide a modern, nuanced, and evocative view on one of the world’s oldest modern sports.

A household name that simultaneous represents an international soccer career, a high-profile marriage, fashion icons, and pop culture sensations, this documentary literally has something for everyone familiar with the family whether you’re a sports fan or not.

The journey through Beckham’s career from childhood to present day was especially riveting for an American viewer like me who grew up in during his rise to fame and didn’t have previous knowledge of highs and lows, wins and losses. The game clips and interviews with Victoria Beckham and Sir Alex Ferguson felt like experiencing 30 years of sports and pop culture suspense at once.

The Drive To Survive team strikes once again with another behind the scenes series, this time focused on the world of international tennis. Featuring participation from ATP and WTA pros like Nick Kyrgios, Frances Tiafoe, Alexander Zverev, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, and Coco Gauff, the series not only exhibited balanced coverage of men’s and women’s sports, but the physical and mental tolls of training.

Like it’s sister F1 and PGA series, Break Point focuses on the interpersonal relationships between pros, career highs and lows, as well as the immense pressure fame and media attention bring to competing at such an elite level.

The epic 10-part series covering the Chicago Bull’s 1997-98 NBA season as they pursued their sixth championship during Michael Jordan’s final season with the team, brought together over 500 hours of unseen footage, along with in-depth interviews with players, coaches, and other commentators.

The film also covers Jordan’s journey to super-stardom, along with his first retirement after his father’s murder, and pivot to pursue a career in baseball. As with the Beckham documentary, it provided an incredible opportunity for younger sports fans to relive the magic of not just an epic career, but an entire era of basketball.