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Some hotels are simply places to sleep. Others become part of the destination itself. As a long-time traveler and travel writer, I spend as much (if not more) time choosing the hotel where I stay as I do choosing the destination. For me, a hotel is much more than just a place to lay my head after a busy day of sightseeing. It’s an integral part of the experience. It’s the gateway to my vacation and should offer not just the comfort I’m looking for, but also reflect exactly what I want my vacation to be.

That was certainly the case during my recent Nashville visit, when I stayed at two Cambria hotels in two very different parts of the city. Although they share the same name, Cambria Hotel Nashville Midtown and Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown offered completely different experiences, which made my single trip feel like two very different destinations.

Related: The Most Beautiful Boutique Hotel in Miami Beach Isn’t in South Beach

Cambria Nashville Midtown felt polished, creative, and just a little more relaxed. It was close enough to Nashville’s major attractions, yet removed from the constant crowds and noise of Lower Broadway, something that I usually relish on my vacation. It is great for business travelers, those like me who love to eat, shop, and explore the arts rather than going out and partying all night, while the Cambria Nashville Downtown placed me right in the center of the Nashville that most visitors come to see, hear, and experience. Live music, honky-tonks, museums, restaurants, and some of the city’s best-known attractions were only a few blocks away.

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Together, the two hotels showed me two sides of Nashville. One was stylish and sophisticated, with easy access to neighborhoods such as The Gulch, Music Row, and 12 South. The other was energetic, music-filled, and unmistakably country. I still can’t believe that I got to experience two very different vacations in less than one week. What a fun way to make the most of my time there.

Related: You Have to See Dolly Parton’s Dazzling New Truck Stop

A Stylish Stay Near Music Row

Located on Church Street, Cambria Hotel Nashville Midtown felt like a stylish home base for discovering Nashville beyond Broadway. If I had a condo in Nashville, this is what it would be.

Zippy Sandler

The design has a refined, creative personality that fits naturally into the neighborhood. My room felt warm and sophisticated, with a plush blue velvet headboard, a coordinating blue velvet, contemporary artwork that felt welcoming, with walls painted a beautiful soft blue and gold in curves that hug the room, and thoughtful design details that made it feel more personal than the typical chain hotel room.

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My favorite feature is the desk that opened to reveal a lighted mirrored vanity. Anyone who has ever tried to apply makeup in a dimly lit hotel bathroom will understand why I loved this so much. It was practical, unexpected, and exactly the kind of detail that can make a hotel room feel as though it was designed with real travelers in mind. I could write emails in the morning as I sipped my coffee, then open it to put my makeup on before going to dinner at night. I NEED to get one of these for my home.

The rooms are exceptionally large for a city hotel, with enough room to unpack, get comfortable, and settle in without feeling crowded. The rich fabrics and artistic touches gave the room a polished look, but it still felt comfortable enough to put my feet up at the end of the day and the location offered a different perspective on the Nashville I’d read about. Rather than stepping outside into the full-throttle atmosphere of Lower Broadway, Cambria Midtown puts you close to Music Row, Vanderbilt University, Midtown, The Gulch, and some of the city’s most interesting shopping and dining neighborhoods.

Rooms are fully equipped with everything you need for comfort including free WiFi, a coffeemaker, and you’ll love the convenience of that perfect cup of morning coffee at Church & State their in-house spot for Starbucks coffee drinks and quick grab & go beakfasts.

This is Nashville with a slightly softer volume.

What To Do in the Area

If this is one of those “I want to be alone” getaways, you do not even have to leave the hotel to enjoy one of the best views of the neighborhood. The Rux, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and bar, is a magical place to watch the sun go down over the Nashville skyline.

The menu features Southern-inspired food, regional craft beer, Nashville cocktails, and mocktails. I enjoyed a mocktail while taking in the view, and it was one of those moments that reminded me why rooftop spaces can make a hotel stay feel so special. You can spend the day exploring the city and then return to the hotel for dinner, drinks, and a skyline view without having to arrange another ride or figure out where to go next. This is why choosing your hotel wisely is so important.

Zippy Sandler

About a 15-minute walk from the hotel, Midtown Cafe is another good breakfast option. I tried the Music City Eggs Benedict (served over biscuits), and the menu also includes a memorable French toast served with Jack Daniel’s peach compote. It is the kind of locally influenced breakfast that lets you know you’re in Nashville before you’ve even decided what you’re going to do for the day.

I’m a wanderer when I travel, I love just falling into neighborhoods, stores, galleries and the like and the Cambria Midtown for exploring The Gulch (a little over a mile away), one of Nashville’s popular neighborhoods for restaurants, boutiques, murals, and people-watching, it has a more modern, upscale feel than Lower Broadway, making it a good choice when you want to shop or have lunch with your bestie without spending the entire day surrounded by honky-tonks.

Music Row is another natural addition to a Midtown stay. This is the business heart of Nashville’s music industry, with recording studios, publishing companies, and offices connected to the artists and songs that helped make Nashville famous. This walkable area combines locally owned businesses with recognizable fashion and lifestyle brands, along with great Nashville eats.

These experiences all fit naturally with a stay at Cambria Nashville Midtown. You can shop, eat, explore Nashville’s creative neighborhoods, and still return to a hotel that feels calm, comfortable, and removed from the most hectic part of the city.

Related: After 20 Years Away, I Returned to Providence and Found The Secret Spots For Those Over 50

In the Heart of the Action

If Cambria Nashville Midtown showed me Nashville’s polished, creative side, Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown placed me inside the version of the city everyone talks about. It’s blocks from the sights and sounds of Lower Broadway, making it a walkable, in-the-center-of-it-all stay. From here, live music, museums, restaurants, honky-tonks, and major cultural landmarks are just steps away.

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The hotel has an entirely different feel, with more of a rugged yet still refined decor. Wood details, music-inspired artwork, vintage touches, and references to Nashville’s country heritage give it a strong sense of place. Even the hallway leading to the elevators is set with old 78 rpm records featuring country artists and a big gold Victrola.

Zippy Sandler

My room continued that story. With huge swipes of gold painted above the bed and a contrasting leather, nailhead-trimmed headboard. The room featured industrial-style concrete ceilings and art prints of Broadway’s famous honky-tonks.

Zippy Sandler

With a Victrola and a country album in the room, it felt like more than a decorative touch and more of an invitation to slow down and go back in time, put on that 78 and listen to the Nashville you are here for.

The overall look felt like leather and lace. It was somewhere between down-home country and cool, urban artistry. Nothing about it felt generic: nothing felt “chain hotel”. I could have woken up, looked around the room, and known immediately that I was in Nashville.

The hotel also has a rooftop pool, bar, and patio, and after a hot summer day walking through downtown, having a pool waiting upstairs feels like a luxury. You can cool off, order a drink, and look out over the city before heading back out for the evening.

Music is not treated as background decoration here. It’s part of the hotel’s identity.

Related: After 20 Years Away, I Returned to Providence and Found The Secret Spots For Those Over 50

Must-See Downtown Nashville Attractions

One of the easiest places to hear live music is inside the hotel itself. True Music Room and Bar presents live entertainment every evening from approximately 4 to 10 p.m., with a new performer taking the stage every two hours.

Zippy Sandler

The space has a full stage, along with playful touches such as a photo booth and neon wall. It gives guests a chance to hear Nashville performers without immediately plunging into the crowds on Broadway. You can order something to eat, settle in with a drink, and listen to live music just steps from your room.

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When you’re ready to experience Broadway, take a quick right at the corner. The neon signs, rooftop bars, honky-tonks, and nearly nonstop music are only a couple of blocks away. I made my way to Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, one of Broadway’s legendary stops and an essential photo opportunity, even if you only pop in briefly. With three floors of music (a different band/musician on each floor), you’re sure to find a band you love…just walk up a flight. Patsy Cline, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and even Aerosmith have all graced one of the stages at Tootsie’s. Who knows, you may just come across the next Jason Aldean while dancing the night away.

CHANDAN KHANNA / Getty Images

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a quick few blocks from the hotel. Even visitors who do not consider themselves devoted country music fans might be surprised by how broad the museum’s collection is. I certainly did not expect to encounter Ringo Starr as part of my country music experience. The museum explores the artists, instruments, clothing, recordings, and stories that shaped country music. The Taylor Swift Education Center also gives families with kids and teens an interactive experience.

Of course, shopping is one of my favorite things to do, so I suggest heading to 12 South for a food and shopping day. You’ll find a mix of local and larger stores, with favorites including Judith Bright Jewelry, where the pieces are every bit as beautiful as the store itself and my favorite find—UAL for deep discounts on designer clothes (I picked up a $180 Bella Dahl blouse for only $40), and I saw plenty of Farm Rio, Staud, and Cinq à Sept as well.

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Hungry on the Run? The Assembly Food Hall is a great place to grab a bite and hear even more live music. It brings plenty of food options together under one roof, making it especially convenient when everyone in a group wants something different. Try some local flavors, find a seat or grab it to go before heading back to the hotel.

Puckett’s is one of those restaurants where Nashville’s food and music cultures come together. The restaurant serves Southern comfort food, barbecue, gumbo, and a DO NOT MISS banana pudding. Live music adds to the atmosphere and makes the meal feel like part of the Nashville experience rather than simply a place to stop and eat.

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A visit to the Grand Ole Opry requires a ride from the downtown hotel, but it remains one of the city’s must-do experiences. During my visit, I saw Jake Hoot, Riders in the Sky, Josh Tatofi, and Lorrie Morgan. How can you possibly go to Nashville without a night at the Opry?

After the performance, returning to Cambria Nashville Downtown keeps that musical feeling going. Depending on the time, you may hear another singer performing downstairs, see the lights of Broadway nearby, or take a record back to your room and end the night with your own private Nashville soundtrack.

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Which Hotel Should You Choose?

The answer depends on the Nashville experience you want.

Cambria Nashville Midtown is a great choice for easier access to shopping, neighborhood restaurants, and a more relaxed side of the city, while The Rux rooftop provides food, drinks, and skyline views without leaving the hotel.

Cambria Nashville Downtown is perfect for visitors who want a more traditional Nashville experience. You can walk to Broadway, the Country Music Hall of Fame, Assembly Food Hall, honky-tonks, and downtown attractions. Its country-inspired design, nightly live entertainment, and rooftop pool make the hotel feel like an extension of Nashville itself.

I loved that the two properties made my stay feel very different. Each hotel reflected its neighborhood and offered a distinct way to experience the city.

At Cambria Nashville Midtown, I found Nashville’s creative, fashionable, and more relaxed side. At Cambria Nashville Downtown, I stepped directly into the music, neon, energy, and country heritage that have made the city famous.

Two hotels. Two neighborhoods. Two completely different Nashville stays. Which will you choose?

Related: Should Nashville’s International Airport Be Renamed After Dolly Parton?

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If you want to bring a hint of luxury to your home without paying the luxury price tag, this beautiful mirror at T.J. Maxx is just what you are looking for to add to your space. It looks straight out of a French château with its intricate details and gorgeous metallic gold finish, all features of French amboise design.

The Howard Elliot French Amboise Mirror is a striking piece that’s both decorative and functional. Measuring nine inches in width and 14 inches in height, this pretty mirror is on the smaller side and would work beautifully as an accent mirror in an entryway, as part of your vanity setup or even displayed on a curated gallery wall. This Howard Elliot mirror would work particularly well in homes with design styles such as French country, cottagecore, traditional or eclectic.

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Howard Elliot French Amboise Mirror, $39.99 at T.J.Maxx

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Shop It!

While it may be small, this oval-shaped mirror still makes such a gorgeous impact. Bigger isn’t always better! It features an ornate gold frame with scroll and floral details, giving a vintage-style aesthetic that is oh so charming. Its metallic finish adds even more glamour to the piece.

Related: T.J. Maxx Is Selling a Travel-Size Mahjong Set and It’s Too Cute to Pass Up

If you are concerned about hanging this, don’t be. It is very easy to install on your wall thanks to the included sawtooth hanger. Whether you want it in a hallway or on your gallery wall, installing it will be no problem at all.

You can pick up this charming mirror at select T.J. Maxx stores or on TJMaxx.com. It retails for $39.99, saving you $19 off its usual listing price of $59.

If you are interested in other products from T.J. Maxx, be sure to check out these pretty Mary Jane flats that blend cutesy style with all-day comfort, this beautiful four-piece ceramic planter set that’s the easiest refresh for your space or this gorgeous laundry room staple that is giving major Pottery Barn vibes but for so much less. You can order these finds online or find them in select T.J. Maxx locations.

Related: TJ Maxx’s Pretty Area Rug Brings Vintage Charm to Any Space

The English rock band The Dave Clark Five released “Glad All Over” in 1963. The song rose all the way to number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart. When this happened, it knocked the Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” from the top position.

Dave Clark wrote “Glad All Over” with his band member, Mike Smith. When asked how long it took by Gary James, Clark said, “Minutes. When I say minutes, I mean well under an hour. I always felt that the really good songs were written very quickly. An inspiration would come, and you’d finish it very quickly. I’m talking about the actual writing of the song, not the production. The songs that you actually spent days or weeks on never ended up being the album tracks.”

The Dave Clark Five were a successful band, appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show 18 times. However, they almost didn’t appear on the show at all. Clark explained, “What happened was, the Sullivan office called me in London because we had a top five record in America with ‘Glad All Over.’ I actually turned it down, ’cause I had never heard of Ed Sullivan. We didn’t get The Ed Sullivan Show in England.”

He continued, “We had a show in England called Sunday Night at the London Palladium, that was a similar thing to Sullivan, that went out every Sunday night, so maybe that’s why I really turned it down. Then I got a second call from him. They offered to throw in airfares, hotels and everything. We were semi-pro, so I said to the guys, ‘It could be a good experience,’ still not knowing really what The Ed Sullivan Show was and how big it was. I mean, that was purely by accident. It wasn’t planned.”

Related: Legendary Rock Musician From ELO Turns 75

The Dave Clark Five had several more hits throughout the years, including “Because,” Do You Love Me,” “Any Way You Want It,” and “I Like It Like That.” The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.

The band broke up in 1970, after more than ten years together.

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Some dressers are purely functional, giving you the extra storage you need to maintain a clutter-free space. Others are decorative but may lack valuable drawer capacity. As anyone who has shopped for a dresser can confirm, striking the right balance between the two isn’t always straightforward. 

The Wade Logan Tevrat Dresser is a great example of a storage structure that’s more than just a pretty face. It offers the clean lines and classic appeal of a time-honored favorite you can feel confident you’ll use for years. It also features five drawers with “plenty of storage” for you to easily store clothing and other essentials. The deal is pretty much unmatched, too. It’s usually $643 at Wayfair, but currently starts at just $186. While discounts vary by hue, almost every other colorway is at least 65% off, so you’ll score a great deal no matter what.

Wade Logan Tevrat Dresser, From $186 (was $643) at Wayfair

Courtesy of Wayfair

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The Tevrat dresser has over 1,700 five-star reviews from verified buyers, and nearly all of them mention its quality, sturdiness, and style. Most agree it offers the best of all worlds, bringing a classic and aesthetically pleasing detail to the room while helping you get organized. It stands 46.7 inches high by 31.1 inches wide by 16.9 inches deep, with an interior drawer measuring 23.4 inches wide by 5.6 inches high by 13.2 inches deep. That gives you plenty of room to store T-shirts, jeans, sweatpants, and the bulky sweaters that tend to pile up during fall.

Several reviewers noted that it’s a great addition to any space, be it a nursery or a master bedroom. The vertical design makes good use of small spaces, occupying a minimal footprint without sacrificing important details. “It fits perfectly in the space, is very roomy, and most importantly easy to put together,” a customer shared. Plus, the drawers are deep enough to hold folded clothing, linens, and other essentials without feeling cramped.

Safety is key, too. When you open one drawer, all of the others lock to prevent the structure from tipping over. It can bring added peace of mind, especially in homes with kids or pets. Each of the drawers is designed to glide smoothly, and several reviewers noted that they feel stable and “sturdy.”

With its simple yet attractive design, the dresser is uniquely capable of fitting nicely into both traditional and modern spaces. The piece is made from manufactered wood and metal and weighs 108 pounds. “It’s stylish, chic, and made of solid material. It was simple to put together even for a novice,” a reviewer raved. 

The hardware is understated, and it’s available in an assortment of seven colors ranging from cream and black to rustic shades like knotty oak. The top surface also provides some extra usable space, ideal for items like lamps or decor.

The dresser comes with comprehensive assembly instructions. Many shoppers noted it was very easy to put together, but those who haven’t assembled furniture before may need an extra hand. Wayfair recommends two people for the job, since there are several pieces involved.

Related: Wayfair’s ‘Beautiful’ Ceramic Table Lamp Delivers Cozy Farmhouse Charm for Under $50

There’s nothing like a dependable piece to add the perfect finishing touch to your space. If you’re in the market for a stylish option, the Wade Logan Tevrat Dresser is an excellent option for a great price.

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Saxon, the metal veterans, proudly unveiled their new music to fans ahead of their upcoming album.

The five-piece band, fronted by Biff Byford alongside Nigel Glockler on drums, Doug Scarratt and Brian Tatler on guitars and Tim “Nibbs” Carter on bass, officially released the first single from the album.

In an Instagram update, the ’70s metal band officially unveiled their electrifying title track.

“THE MIGHTY SAXON UNLEASH GODS OF THUNDER! The explosive title track from the 25th studio album,” the caption reads, accompanied by a teaser featuring their music video.

Biff Byford, Nibbs Carter, Doug Scarratt and Brian Tatler of Saxon performs during the 2026 Bloodstock Festival in Derby, England.

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According to Byford, the new song is an epic musical journey inspired by their long-standing passion for history.

“‘Gods Of Thunder’ is a mighty tale of Celtic mythology, packed with the spirit and power of true heavy metal. Turn it up and bang your head!” he said, as cited by Blabbermouth.

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As for the soon-to-be-released album, the band sparked anticipation after announcing its Jan. 22 release date, with the album currently available for pre-order.

The upcoming album will be the band’s first record in three years since they released Hell, Fire and Damnation in 2024.

Moreover, the album will not only bring new music to fans but also capture the band’s live, powerful energy while staying true to their classic sound.

Teasing fans about the intensity of “Gods of Thunder,” Saxon’s lead vocalist Biff Byford says the album will be difficult to top and could set a high standard for the band’s future releases.

“We had great fun making this album,” Byford shared, adding, “This is gonna be one to beat!”

With the highly anticipated album set for release in January, Saxon will have a jam-packed 2027 as the metal veterans gear up for a headlining tour in February.

In support of the Gods of Thunder album, the band will have their 11-date tour across the U.K. and Ireland, covering major cities from Wolverhampton on Feb. 13 to London on Feb. 27.

Fans will also see the revival of their legendary 30-foot mechanized Eagle stage prop, which will return for all U.K. and Ireland shows except Cardiff due to venue restrictions, as well as the classic “Castles & Eagles” production design.

Saxon: Gods of Thunder U.K. Tour Dates

Feb. 13: Wolverhampton Civic Hall, UK
Feb. 14: Glasgow O2 Academy, UK
Feb. 16: Belfast Telegraph Building, UK
Feb. 17: Dublin 3Olympia Theatre, Ireland
Feb. 19: Manchester O2 Apollo, UK
Feb. 20: Newcastle O2 City Hall, UK
Feb. 21: Sheffield City Hall, UK
Feb. 23: Cardiff The Great Hall, UK
Feb. 24: Bristol Beacon, UK
Feb. 25: Southampton O2 Guildhall, UK
Feb. 27: London Eventim Apollo, UK

Related: 1962 Country Song, Reimagined by Elvis Presley, Is Still a Major Hit 64 Years Later

Dolly Parton never needed to call herself a feminist for one of the movement’s most influential voices to recognize one when she saw her.

In 1987, Gloria Steinem put Parton on the cover of Ms. magazine alongside the publication’s 12 Women of the Year, a group that included a U.S. senator, a celebrated novelist and a former nun who helped Central American refugees. 

Parton, the country superstar whose career had already made her a cultural force, was among them. For Steinem, Parton’s inclusion wasn’t a contradiction—it was the point.

“People who haven’t listened to Dolly Parton or to feminism may be surprised to learn that they go together,” Steinem wrote in the magazine via ABC News.

Parton, who died on Aug. 25 at 80, had long been careful about embracing political labels, including the word “feminist.” But Steinem argued that a woman didn’t necessarily have to claim the label to embody its ideals, and Parton had been doing exactly that through her music, business career and unapologetically individual approach to her life.

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“She has used her business sense to bring other women and poor people along with her,” Steinem wrote. “And her flamboyant style has turned all the devalued symbols of women to her own ends.”

That distinction became central to Parton’s appeal. The rhinestones, towering blonde hair, revealing outfits and exaggerated femininity could easily have been used to dismiss her. Instead, Parton made them part of her power.

“If feminism means each of us finding our unique power, and helping other women to do the same,” Steinem penned, “Dolly Parton certainly has done both.”

Nearly four decades later, Steinem’s assessment offers a striking way to understand Parton’s legacy—but also a reflection of Steinem’s. Steinem, who died at 92 on Sept. 2, only about a week after Parton, was a powerful force in the feminist movement precisely because she spent her career expanding the definition of what a woman’s power could look like.

In Parton, she recognized something that remains just as striking today: feminism didn’t have to look a certain way, sound a certain way, or even call itself feminism.

Parton may have resisted the label, but she built a life and career on her own terms, used her success to lift others, and turned an image that could have made her easy to underestimate into one of her greatest sources of power.

Steinem saw that in Parton nearly 40 years ago. And with both women now gone, her words about the country music icon feel less like an argument than a lasting tribute.

The 90s were a pretty amazing hodgepodge of cultural explosions with grunge and alt-rock dominating music and cool new filmmakers delivering head-shaking new ideas. And while that chaos included a lot of starkly different elements, few have created a crossover quite like this. Mike Patton, the voice behind Faith No More and Mr. Bungle, and Haley Joel Osment, the child actor who taught a generation to fear the words “I see dead people,” are appearing on the same song.

Patton confirmed the news on Instagram, announcing he’ll appear on three tracks from The Avalanches‘ upcoming album, “Total Recall,” “Superfun™ TV Spot” and “Paradise Island.” It’s the Australian duo’s first collaboration with Patton, despite both acts having spent decades as some of music’s most prolific genre-hoppers. “Superfun™ TV Spot” is the one that also features Osment, who has no prior musical résumé to speak of.

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Osment’s involvement isn’t a total surprise to anyone who’s been tracking the album’s rollout. Back in December, the actor turned up in Avalanches Instagram Stories wearing a uniform branded with the logo of Takumi, a fictional data-archiving company the band invented as part of an elaborate, retro-futurist teaser campaign built around old commercials and lost memories.

Related: Alice Cooper Reveals the “Scary” Reason He Has No Tattoos

The album, called No Bad Memories, arrives October 16 on Modular Recordings, marking The Avalanches’ first full-length since 2020’s We Will Always Love You, a record Stereogum named its Album of the Week. The rollout so far has leaned heavily on the same collaborator-heavy formula that’s defined the band since their 2000 debut Since I Left You: the Portraits of Tracy team-up “Can’t Get Over Losing You,” “Together” with Nikki Nair, Jessy Lanza and Prentiss, “Every Single Weekend” with Jamie xx, and “Blue Shadows” with Karen O. Patton and Osment now join that lineup, alongside Tunisian footwork producer Khadija Al Hanafi, who also appears on “Paradise Island.”

None of this answers the obvious question of what Osment actually does on the track, whether he sings, speaks, or simply lends his voice to the concept in some other way. The Avalanches haven’t released a tracklist or any audio from “Superfun™ TV Spot” yet.

What’s clear is that the pairing fits the band’s whole ethos. The Avalanches have spent a quarter century building pop music out of unlikely fragments, and pulling a 90s alt-metal shapeshifter and a former Oscar nominee onto the same song is very much in that tradition. Whether it works will depend on the song itself, arriving in six weeks.

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In 1981, the Rolling Stones released Tattoo You, an album that featured a mix of previously unreleased material from the 1970s. The album kicked off on a high note with the high-energy Billboard hit “Start Me Up,” but closed on a very different note with “Waiting on a Friend,” a tender track about friendship that had been sitting unfinished for nearly a decade.

Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, “Waiting on a Friend” features a mellow acoustic melody and gentle vocals from Jagger. A soulful saxophone solo from jazz great Sonny Rollins highlights the song.

Jagger once told Rolling Stone that he found “Waiting on a Friend,” which was originally worked on during the sessions for Goats Head Soup in the early ‘70s, while digging through old song bits for Tattoo You.

“Yeah, that’s an old record,” the rock legend shared in a 1995 interview. “It’s all a lot of old tracks that I dug out. And it was very strange circumstances. [Producer] Chris Kimsey and I went through all the tracks from those two previous records. It wasn’t all outtakes; some of it was old songs. And then I went back and found previous ones like ‘Waiting on a Friend’ from Goats Head Soup. …Then I had to write lyrics and melodies.”

While the lyrics speak of “waiting” on a friend, Jagger clarified that unlike most Stones songs, it wasn’t necessarily a woman he was singing about.

“Just let me be cynical for a moment,” he told Musician magazine in 1983. “First of all, it’s really not about waiting on a woman friend. It’s just about a friend; it doesn’t matter if it’s a man or a woman. I can see people saying, ‘Oh, we’re all much older now, Mick’s writing this much more compassionate stuff, must be about a real person.’ But that’s only in their perception of it.”

In fact, the accompanying music video, the Stones’ first for MTV, featured the Rolling Stones bandmates meeting up at a bar in New York’s East Village.

Jagger also addressed the songwriting process and video in the 1993 liner notes for Jump Back: The Best of the Rolling Stones.

“This one dates from the Goats Head Soup sessions. We all liked it at the time, but we didn’t have any lyrics, so there we were,” the Rolling Stones frontman recalled. “As well as the vocal, we stuck on that amazing sax solo at the end by Sonny Rollins. The lyric I added is very gentle and loving, about friendships in the band. At least I think that’s what it was about. The influence of the video comes in here because when we scripted it, we had me and Keith sitting round waiting for each other. But I can’t actually remember now if that was the original idea of the song.”

Forty-five years after its release, “Waiting on a Friend” remains one of the Rolling Stones’ most intriguing songs, and a reminder that the band had a soft side that could be just as powerful as their hard rocking edge.

Related: 1965 No. 1 Classic Rock Hit Ranked Among the ‘Greatest Songs of All Time’ Was Written in Ten Minutes

Gloria Steinem left behind a towering legacy as a feminist icon and pioneering journalist, but one of the experiences that helped shape her career was anything but glamorous.

Years after she went undercover as a Playboy Bunny, Steinem recalled the job in brutally vivid terms: “Being a Playboy Bunny was like being hung on a meat hook.”

Steinem, who died at 92, worked undercover at a Playboy Club in 1963, an experience she later chronicled in her landmark investigation, A Bunny’s Tale. In a later interview, she remembered the physical demands of the job, including working in 3-inch heels and wearing a costume so tight that she could “hardly breathe.” She also offered an unvarnished assessment of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, whom she described as “pathetic” and likened to “an 8-year-old boy pretending to be a grown-up man.”

“Being a Playboy Bunny was like being hung on a meat hook,” she recalled in a 2020 feature in Interview. “I had to work very hard in 3-inch heels and a costume so tight that I could hardly breathe. I did not meet Hugh Hefner during the dreadful experience of being a Playboy Bunny, but I did meet him when I interviewed him. The most surprising thing about him was that he was pathetic. He was like an 8-year-old boy pretending to be a grown-up man.”

Using the fake name Marie, Steinem lied about her age, telling Playboy she was 24 when she was actually four years older. She exposed the underpaid life of a Bunny, as well as the physical toll of spending hours in high heels and a tight corset.

The exposé helped Steinem land assignments for The New York Times and New York Magazine, but she still struggled to be taken seriously by editors. Her assignments often focused on subjects such as ladies’ stockings and the latest hairstyles.

Even decades later, the Playboy connection followed her. “To this day when people don’t like me, they introduce me as a former Bunny, as a put-down,” she told The New York Times in 2016. “On the other hand, I did improve the working conditions for those women.”

Of course, the Playboy exposé was only the beginning of Steinem’s impact. She went on to become one of the most influential voices in the women’s movement, co-founding Ms. magazine, organizing for the Equal Rights Amendment and reproductive rights, and advocating for gender equality for decades. Her work earned her numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and helped inspire generations of women to challenge the systems that held them back.

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Cozy season is on the horizon, and even if it’s not exactly cool yet, it’s not too early to add a few fall essentials to your closet. One piece you can always rely on to keep you warm when temperatures finally drop is the Sunbs Polo Sweatshirt. It’s a dressier take on the style, with a distinctive collar that makes it look more pulled together.

It’s also an incredible deal at Walmart right now. While it retails for $40, right now the coffee-gray version is on sale for just $15. You can also snag it in black, gray, or gray-blue for $17. Available in sizes small to 2XL, it offers a relaxed fit and exactly the kind of laid-back vibe you expect from the best off-duty staples.

Sunbs Polo Sweatshirt, from $15 (was $40) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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With its blend of polyester, cotton, and a hint of spandex, the top boasts a buttery softness that rivals your favorite blanket. It’s a toasty everyday option that wraps you up in comfort without weighing you down. You can easily wear it solo or layer it over a lightweight top when the weather calls for it. 

The little details lend it an irresistibly preppy vibe, from the crisp lapel to the trio of buttons on the front. Those polished accents are nicely balanced by the super casual drop shoulders, which give the arms just a little volume for a more effortless fit. Whether you throw it on with jeans or a pair of joggers, you’ll look laid-back — but never sloppy.

Reviewers love the top, with one praising the soft feel and noting it’s “super cozy for the fall and winter months.” Another person called it “very flattering,” while a third shopper commented that the heavier weight makes it a must for chilly days. It’s also easy to maintain by throwing it in the washing machine using a gentle cold setting, then air drying or tumble drying with low heat.

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• Sunbs High-Waist Wide-Leg Sweatpants, $20 (was $36) at Walmart
• Fantaslook Long-Sleeve Tunic, $12 (was $24) 
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Related: Walmart’s ‘Stunning’ Set of 4 CZ Earrings Offers Diamond-Like ‘Sparkle’ for a Fraction of the Price

With fall just weeks away, now’s the perfect time to add the Sunbs Polo Sweatshirt to your closet. Grab it now in the size of your choice while it’s available on sale at Walmart in your preferred color!

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If you wait all year for fall desserts, Costco’s bakery is giving you two very good reasons to celebrate the new season. Two of the warehouse’s most iconic seasonal sweets are finally making their way back to stores, bringing plenty of warm spices and cozy fall flavor.

And these aren’t exactly subtle desserts. Both are bakery heavyweights made for sharing, whether you’re planning a Sunday dinner, having friends over for football, or just looking for an easy way to put something sweet on the table as the seasons change.

Check out the latest fall bakery arrivals in this TikTok shared by @discovering_costco:

@discovering_costco

🍂 Fall is (sort of) in the air and two fall fave baked goods are coming in hot to Costco 🥧 #costco #costcofinds #bakery #pie #pumpkin

♬ 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton Costco’s Lattice Apple Pie and Pumpkin Pie Are Back for Fall

First up is Costco’s enormous Lattice Apple Pie (#1963060), which is back in the bakery for $12.99. Weighing in at 4 pounds, 11 ounces, this is one dessert that’s definitely made for sharing. It’s an easy option for Sunday dinner, a fall party, or just about any autumn gathering where feeding a crowd is part of the plan. Just add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and dessert is done.

Related: Costco’s New Mini Bakery Treat Is Like a Little Taste of Paris

Also spotted in the video is Costco’s Pumpkin Cheesecake with Whipped Topping (#1951029). The $21.99 seasonal dessert features pumpkin cheesecake on a sweet graham crust with pumpkin whipped topping and toasted graham crumbles.

And the cheesecake isn’t the only pumpkin favorite returning to Costco. The Kirkland Signature Pumpkin Pie (#60809)is officially back, too.

@thecostcomama recently shared the return of the seasonal staple:

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The nearly 4-pound pumpkin pie is priced at just $5.99 and serves 12, which works out to about $0.50 per serving. That’s a hard price to beat for a ready-to-serve dessert big enough for a family dinner or fall get-together.

And its popularity isn’t exactly a secret. @thecostcomama notes that Costco sells more than 6 million pumpkin pies each season, helping put into perspective just how much of a fall tradition this bakery favorite has become.

Availability can vary by warehouse as seasonal bakery items roll out, but seeing these oversized desserts returning is a pretty good sign that fall has officially arrived at Costco. Between the enormous apple pie, famous pumpkin pie, and returning pumpkin cheesecake, there are plenty of reasons to save room in the cart for dessert.

Ask any well-traveled friend to name the best train journey for fall foliage in Europe, and you’ll get many different answers. The continent’s autumn months are so beautiful—and the train options so varied—that it’s tough to choose a single journey.

But when I spoke with three travel advisors who specialize in European rail journeys, all three pointed to the same trip: the vintage-style luxury sleeper train Belmond Royal Scotsman, and its five-day Classic Splendours itinerary through the Scottish Highlands.

Here’s why fall journeys on this train have become the go-to recommendation for clients seeking a grand train adventure through the golden birches, crimson rowans and amber hillsides of Scotland.

Related: Best Winter Train Ride to Europe’s Christmas Markets

Why Fall is the Best Season to Ride The luxury sleeper train Belmond Royal Scotsman offers itineraries throughout the Scottish Highlands.

Photo by Pia Riverola, courtesy of Belmond

The Royal Scotsman typically runs seasonally (spring through autumn), but October has historically been the best month to catch Scotland’s fall colors. This is when the Highlands undergo their annual transformation to rich shades of gold, bronze and rust.

“The wonderful thing about traveling by train is that you can fully relax and enjoy the changing autumn views of the countryside,” says travel advisor Jolin DaPrato, lead advisor for Andrew Harper‘s Europe team. “There’s no need to pack and unpack, and you see so much more untouched beauty than you would staying at a resort.”

It’s also the ideal time to visit Scotland: the train’s October departures take place after the summer crowds have thinned, but while the weather is still clear enough for the open-air viewing platform and countryside excursions that define the trip. While rain is always possible, a five-day rail journey through changing terrain and elevation ensures greater chances of catching brilliant fall colors and dry skies.

“There is an old-world charm to this journey that you simply cannot replicate any other way,” says Duncan Greenfield-Turk, chief travel designer and CEO at Global Travel Moments. “Scotland in autumn is already dramatic, but seeing it from the Royal Scotsman in October, when the colors are at their peak, feels like the country is showing you its best self.”

Related: The Genius European Train-Ticket Trick I Wish I Learned Sooner

Onboard: Vintage Cars, Luxurious Comfort Cabins aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman are elegant and comfortable.

Photo by Ludovic Balay, courtesy of Belmond

A fleet of magnificent vintage-style trains found across Europe, the UK, Southeast Asia and South America, Belmond’s trains are famous for their detailed historic restoration, fine dining and slow-travel style of vacationing.

“One of the things that makes the Royal Scotsman truly unique in fall is its open-air observation car,” says Rachel Hardy, a luxury travel advisor and CEO of The Society of International Railway Travelers. “There’s nothing like that fresh-air feeling with the Highlands rolling past—sweater on, cozy hat and a glass of perfectly aged whiskey in hand. It’s one of the most beautiful ways to take in the outdoors.”

A journey aboard the Royal Scotsman feels less like a train ride than a stay at a chic boutique hotel on rails. The original 1960s-era carriages have been meticulously restored, with wood paneling, tartan upholstery and brass fittings that lean into old-world Highland romance. Onboard, guests will find a dedicated Dior Spa car, two dining cars and traditional Scottish entertainment after dinner each night. With a maximum of 36 passengers per journey, cabins are luxurious and comfortable, with en-suite bathrooms, high-quality linens and nightly turn-down service.

“The staff are phenomenal, and incredibly attentive,” Hardy says. “If you mention in passing that you loved the honey from a beekeeping excursion, you’ll come back to your cabin to find some of that honey waiting for you, packed up to take home. It’s the kind of thing that makes the trip really special.”

Related: The New England Fall Road Trip Travel Experts Swear By

The Most Scenic Stretch of the Journey The Scottish Highlands are on full display on the Belmond Royal Scotsman’s fall train journeys.

Photo by Sue Flood, courtesy of Belmond

If there’s one stretch of the journey that’s unforgettable in fall, it’s the train ride west from Keith to the Kyle of Lochalsh. The route traces the Moray Firth toward Inverness, then passes through some of the most celebrated rail scenery in the United Kingdom—past Loch Luichart, over the Luib summit and through Achnashellach Forest, where the tree canopy turns into a tunnel of color. From there, the train continues to Strathcarron and follows the edge of Loch Carron, its water framed by hillsides in shades of red, orange and copper.

“This stretch is where the heritage of the journey really hits you,” says Greenfield-Turk. “You are moving through landscapes that have barely changed in centuries, and the train itself feels like it belongs to that world.”

Related: An AccuWeather Meteorologist Reveals the Top Spots for Fall Foliage This Season

The Scottish Highlands’ Picturesque Stops The village of Plockton is a popular stop on the Belmond Royal Scotsman’s autumn itineraries.

Photo by Paul Carroll and Mhairi Carroll, courtesy of Getty Images

Beyond what’s visible through the train’s windows, the Highlands themselves are a showstopper. The itinerary’s stop in Plockton, a small fishing village on the west coast, pairs a seal-watching boat trip with sweeping views across the bay to the Applecross Mountains: a landscape that’s dramatic and wild in autumn.

“Plockton is exquisite in the fall. It’s a beautiful little town on a bay with stunning views overlooking Loch Carron,” Hardy says.

Inland, a private visit to Ballindalloch Castle offers a classical kind of fall beauty: immaculate gardens and woodlands surrounding an estate that’s been home to the same family for centuries. And the Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms brings views of ancient green pine forests interspersed with the changing colors of birch and rowan.

“What makes this trip so special is the range you get in a single journey. You’re not just seeing one kind of fall beauty, you’re seeing all of it, from manicured gardens to wild forest to open water,” DaPrato says.

Why Edinburgh Deserves a Fall Detour The city of Edinburgh, Scotland, is especially picturesque in fall.

Photo by Andrew Merry, courtesy of Getty Images

The journey starts and ends in Edinburgh, a destination worth at least two or three nights before or after the train trip, particularly in autumn. Its volcanic topography and centuries-old stonework are strikingly beautiful once the city’s leafy trees turn golden.

“Edinburgh is incredible in fall; you’ve got music spilling out of every pub on every corner,” Hardy says. “It’s a bigger city with a small-town feel, and it has such a fun, youthful energy combined with centuries of history.”

Autumn is also one of the best times of year to explore the city on foot. August’s festival crowds have cleared out, the air is crisp and the Royal Mile’s steep, narrow alleyways and courtyards are stunning under low autumn light. The Royal Botanic Garden’s maples reach full color by mid-October, and the perfect hotel for the trip is The Balmoral—perched directly above Waverley Station, with the Royal Scotsman’s platform just an escalator away.

“The Balmoral is a grand, five-star landmark hotel, and staying there before your train journey is a wonderful experience,” Hardy says. “You simply call down for your luggage and meet your group right there in the hotel.”

Related: I Ditched My iPhone for a ’90s-Style Disney Vacation

More Scenic Rail Routes to Try This Fall Switzerland’s Bernina Express, ranked among Europe’s top fall foliage rides, crosses the Alps into Tirano, Italy.

Photo by Roberto Moila/Sysaworld, courtesy of Getty Images

• Glacier Express (Zermatt–St. Moritz, Switzerland): Eight hours through larch forests turning gold against high alpine passes. “The views are unlike anything I have experienced on a train anywhere in the world. You are moving through landscapes that feel almost impossible,” Greenfield-Turk says.
• GoldenPass Line (Montreux–Interlaken, Switzerland): A shorter Bernese Oberland run aboard vintage Belle Époque carriages.
• Bernina Express (Chur or St. Moritz, Switzerland, to Tirano, Italy): A UNESCO-listed climb from high alpine passes into Italian terrain. “It’s a great option for clients who want a lot of scenic variety without committing to a multi-day journey,” Greenfield-Turk says.
• The Foliage Train (Domodossola, Italy–Locarno, Switzerland): A compact two-hour ride over 83 bridges through the Centovalli to Lake Maggiore.
• Semmering Railway (Gloggnitz–Mürzzuschlag, Austria): One of the world’s oldest mountain railways. “It’s a historic line, and the fall color along the mountainside makes it worth the detour,” Greenfield-Turk says.

Tips for Planning Your Fall Train Trip The Belmond Royal Scotsman’s observation car features plush armchairs, live music and an open-air veranda.

Photo by Ludovic Balay, courtesy of Belmond

• Book early. “It’s a popular time to travel, so plan ahead,” Hardy says.
• Check a foliage calendar. “If seeing the leaves change is your goal, pay attention to timing,” DaPrato says.
• Work with a travel advisor. “Find someone who knows trains and who you trust to help you plan,” Hardy says.
• Give yourself the gift of time. “Allow yourself to just look out the window. The view deserves your full attention,” Greenfield-Turk says.
• Bring layers. “Pack for every season. A proper coat and an umbrella are musts,” DaPrato says.
• Don’t overpack. “Consider each item carefully, and leave larger bags at your hotel if you’re continuing on after the trip,” Hardy says.
• Pack a great camera. “This is an unforgettable trip, and you’ll want photos to remember it by,” DaPrato says.
• Extend your trip. “Add a few days to either side. Autumn train journeys are too good to rush to and from,” Greenfield-Turk says.

Related: We Asked 3 Travel Advisors for the Best Fall Leaf-Peeping Train Trip—They All Said the Same Thing

Gloria Steinem, feminist icon and Ms. Magazine co-founder, has died at the age of 92.

The news was shared on her official Instagram page on September 3, 2026. She passed one day prior.

The post read, “Yesterday, Gloria Steinem passed away peacefully at her home in New York City, surrounded by some of the many who loved her. Gloria’s near-century on earth were years well-lived, and she continued working for equality until the very end.”

The message continued, “Gloria’s greatest gift was her ability to listen to others, to make others feel seen and heard. Her words, actions, and example gave people permission to be their truest selves. Gloria lived true to her independent spirit, always with curiosity and a great sense of humor.”

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“She spent her recent years doing the two things she loved most: being in community with others and writing. She has welcomed hundreds of guests into her living room for ‘Talking Circles,’ a tradition she insisted will continue long after she is no longer with us,” the post added.

“As Gloria wrote in her forthcoming book, An Unexpected Life, ‘I have now lived for more than fifty years in this brownstone, in rooms that have witnessed lives before mine, and will know others after I am gone.’ This book, along with her commitment to her home becoming a center for social justice movements, are among the many gifts Gloria has given the world with the hope they have ripple effects for generations to come.”

The message concluded, “Gloria often quoted the adage: ‘The flap of a butterfly’s wing can change the weather hundreds of miles away.’ Gloria loved the tradition of lighting signal fires on hills to light the way to the other side of the mountain. Lighting your own candle for Gloria makes you part of this global and celestial community circle. In lieu of flowers, Gloria has asked that those wishing to honor her with a gift, may make a donation to Gloria’s Foundation.”

The activist was born on March 25, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio. The New York Times reported, “She was 10 when her parents divorced, and she was left to mother her mentally anguished mother — a formative experience that reverberated throughout her life. She had scant formal education until sixth grade; her big dream, as a budding tap dancer, was to become a Rockette.”

As she grew older, Steinem dedicated her life to championing women and defending their right to choose their own paths. That unwavering belief became the foundation of her life’s work, inspiring generations of women to break free from traditional expectations.

ABC News quoted her, saying, “I was angry about the human talent that was lost just because it was born into a female body, and the mediocrity that was rewarded because it was born into a male one.”

Gloria Steinem, editor of Ms. Magazine in 1977/Bettmann/Getty Images

In 1968, she helped found New York Magazine and worked there as a journalist. She co-founded Ms. Magazine in 1971, the first publication not only created by, but run and authored by women, the Times reported. She also co-founded the Ms. Foundation for Women, which helped direct financial resources to support future generations of female activists and community leaders.

Gloria Steinem battled breast cancer in 1986, beating the disease. She was married once, to entrepreneur and animal rights activist David Charles Howard Bale.

Night Ranger’s biggest hit came from its drummer.

The San Francisco band released “Sister Christian” in March 1984, about five months after the song appeared on its second album, Midnight Madness. It reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 on June 9 and became Night Ranger’s highest-charting single.

Night Ranger formed under the name Ranger in 1980. Its first record company went bankrupt while the band’s debut album, Dawn Patrol, was gaining traction. MCA signed the group and quickly asked for a second record. “(You Can Still) Rock in America” came out first, followed by the ballad that moved Night Ranger from 3,000-seat theaters to 10,000-seat arenas.

Drummer Kelly Keagy wrote “Sister Christian” after visiting his family in Oregon. His sister, Christy, was 10 years younger and had grown up quickly while he was away. Back at his apartment near Divisadero and California streets in San Francisco, Keagy put those feelings into a song. “The song’s about not giving it up before you have to, not letting go of innocence, but people can read into it whatever they want,” he told SFGATE.

Keagy originally called it “Sister Christy.” Bassist Jack Blades thought he was singing “Sister Christian” and asked about the words after the band had played it several times. They kept the name Blades heard. Christy was reportedly so embarrassed by the attention that she nearly changed her name.

The chorus produced another common misunderstanding. “You’re motoring” referred to cruising in a car, which teenagers in Christy’s Oregon town did on weekends. Keagy sang the lead vocal while playing drums, with Alan Fitzgerald’s piano setting up the louder second half of the recording.

The song found new listeners in 1997 through Boogie Nights. It plays during the movie’s nervous drug-deal scene, a far different setting from the family story that inspired it. Later uses included the Broadway musical Rock of Ages and the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

Night Ranger is still touring in 2026 with Keagy, Blades and guitarist Brad Gillis in the lineup. Keagy continues to sing “Sister Christian” from behind his drum kit, the same place he sang it on the original recording.

Related: 1975 Soft Rock Song, Inspired by Eleanor Rigby, Is Still a Powerful Hit 51 Years Later

Decades after walking away from Hollywood, beloved 1970s teen icon Kristy McNichol is giving fans another reason to smile.

Following a wave of fan excitement over her recent appearances with Christopher Atkins and Carnie Wilson, the two-time Emmy winner has surfaced in a sweet new video update. Looking radiantly happy and healthy, she appears entirely at ease with the peaceful life she built outside the Hollywood spotlight.

For fans who fell in love with her in Family, Little Darlings, and 1982’s cult favorite The Pirate Movie, seeing McNichol smile feels like a warm gift from the decade that defined a generation. Her genuine warmth in the clip proves why, despite years of stepping out of the spotlight, her hold on pop culture history hasn’t faded one bit.

The video promoted her upcoming appearance at Chiller Theater Expo in Parsippany, New Jersey. The event takes place from October 30 through November 1, 2026.

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McNichol promoted the event in the clip, discussing her upcoming appearance alongside her Pirate Movie co-star, Atkins. The film continues to hold a special place in fans’ hearts more than four decades after its debut.

She greeted her fans by saying, “Hi! It’s Kristy McNichol.”

“Why don’t you come join us at the Chiller Theater on October 30, 31, and November 1st?” she added. “Chris Atkins is going to be there,” McNichol quipped, before bursting into laughter.

Fans reacted to the brief, sweet video clip.

“OMG my favorite actress growing up I cried my eyes out when she left acting. Beyond excited. And she looks fabulous. Best news I’ve heard in a long time,” wrote one Facebook follower.

“So great to see you! Thank you for all of your wonderful work that continues to entertain us until this day!” penned a fan.

A third admirer exclaimed, “I met Kristy at a convention in NJ and it brought out the adolescent in me. She was as sweet as could be and she looks FABULOUS!”

The biannual Chiller Theatre convention takes place in Parsippany, New Jersey, every April and October, bringing together stars from iconic movies and classic television to meet fans, take photos, and sign memorabilia.

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The former actress is promoting her appearance in The Pirate Movie alongside Atkins. The film was originally released on August 6, 1982, and was a loosely based, ’80s-style take on Gilbert and Sullivan‘s classic 1879 musical comedy, The Pirates of Penzance.

RELATED: 48 Years Ago, Kristy McNichol Stole Burt Reynolds’ Heart With an Unforgettable Serenade of a ’60s Girl-Group Hit

The film took a playful approach to the material, swapping its traditional Victorian slant for ’80s pop-infused numbers. In fact, one of those songs, Atkins’ and McNichols’ duet, “First Love”, became a massively popular pop-rock single from the film’s soundtrack.

Kristy McNichol will be joined by celebrities such as the cast of Three’s Company, Andrew McCarthy, Denise Richards, Randy Quaid, Sean Cassidy, Ernest Lee Thomas, and Haywood Nelson from What’s Happening, Nancy Kerrigan, Billy Baldwin, Chynna Phillips, Bijou Phillips, and Brad Savage.

RELATED: Two Rarely Seen ’70s Teen Superstars to Reunite For Historic ‘Family’ 50th Anniversary Gala

Also appearing is Ronnie Schribner, Chuck Zito, Frank Whaley, Julie McCullough, Tia Carrere, Thomas Waites, Brian Geraghty, Larry Hankin, Scott Valentine, Butch Patrick, Mackenzie Phillips, Patti D’Arbanville, and others.

Related: Rarely Seen ’80s Teen Icons Reunite for Beloved ‘The Pirate Movie’ Screening

Randy Travis has something exciting up his sleeve.

The 67-year-old country icon took to social media this week to tease something exciting on the horizon, but he left fans guessing what exactly the big news might be.

In a mysterious post uploaded to Instagram on Wednesday, Sept. 2, Travis teased a “special announcement” that he will be making soon — but for now, fans are being left in the dark. The only clue Travis provided was a photograph of a cassette tape, labeled with the title, “The Same Old Way.” The tape also featured Travis’ name, along with that of his longtime producer, Kyle Lehning.

The date “9.04” could also be seen in the corner of the photo, signifying that fans will only have to wait until Friday, Sept. 4 to find out what Travis is plotting.

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“Let’s go back to the Same Old Way… 📼” Travis teased in the caption, while telling his followers, “Tune in this Friday for a special announcement! What do you think it is?👀”

A number of fans have already started guessing what the big news might be, including theories that “Same Old Way” may be the next single Travis will be unleashing from “the vault.” He has already dropped two previously unreleased original songs in anticipation for his upcoming new album, slated to arrive later this year.

Other fans wondered if “Same Old Way” could be the name of the new album, for which an official title hasn’t yet been announced.

The new record will be Travis’ first album of new material in more than 18 years. He has already dropped two singles from the album so far — “Fish On” and “I Don’t Care” — which were both recorded before he suffered his life-changing stroke in 2013. The original recordings of both songs were restored, remixed and remastered by Lehning, leading fans to believe that “Same Old Way” could be the third single to be released from the vault.

Related: 1955 Johnny Cash Classic, Later Covered by Bob Dylan, Is Still One of Country Music’s Most Iconic Songs

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There’s nothing quite like pulling out your favorite sweaters and jackets when fall arrives, but those cozy layers can make a closet feel crowded in no time. A freestanding clothes rack is an easy way to keep your favorite pieces organized and within reach, whether you need more room in the bedroom, laundry room or entryway — or simply don’t have much closet space to begin with.

Right now, the Giantex Clothes Rack With Pants Hanger at Amazon is on sale for $30, down from $37. Its versatile design has room for everything from dresses and tops to jackets, plus a dedicated section for keeping pants neatly organized. Shoppers called the rack “convenient” for keeping their most-worn clothes within easy reach and said it was an easy way to add more storage to their wardrobe.

Giantex Clothes Rack With Pants Hanger, $30 (was $37) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Measuring 16 inches long, 14 inches wide and 63 inches high, this slim clothes rack makes the most of vertical space without taking up much floor space. It comes with six hanging rods at varying heights that give you plenty of room for everything from sweaters and dresses to T-shirts, scarves and accessories. Additionally, it has ten detachable pants hangers that can each hold two pairs of pants. The hangers can be removed or rearranged, so you can customize the setup to suit your wardrobe. 

Amazon shoppers say the rack is a smart choice for smaller spaces. One reviewer called it “perfect” for their small space, while another highlighted its easy assembly and said they were able to “hang a lot of clothes.” They also noted that the rack helped make their room feel cleaner and more organized. 

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Related: Walmart Has a Stackable Shoe Rack Set With 12 ‘Sturdy’ Tiers for Taming Back-to-School Footwear Clutter

At just $30, the Giantex Clothes Rack With Pants Hanger is an affordable way to add extra storage in any room. The sale will last for a limited time, so Amazon shoppers should hurry and grab one while the discount is still on!

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In 1965, the Beach Boys scored their second No. 1 hit with “Help Me, Rhonda,” knocking the Beatles’ “Ticket to Ride” out of the top spot. But the voice out front didn’t belong to Brian Wilson or Mike Love.

It belonged to Al Jardine, who celebrates his 84th birthday on Sept. 3.

Jardine, born Sept. 3, 1942, in Lima, Ohio, co-founded the Beach Boys with brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson and Love. A rhythm guitarist and harmony vocalist who only occasionally took the lead, Jardine nevertheless wound up singing one of the band’s biggest records.

“Help Me, Rhonda” was one of just three Beach Boys singles to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, along with “I Get Around” and “Good Vibrations.”

And Jardine almost wasn’t the man singing it.

Brian Wilson Had Al Jardine’s Voice ‘in His Head’ for ‘Help Me, Rhonda’

Written by Brian Wilson with additional lyrics by Love, “Help Me, Rhonda” first appeared on the 1965 album The Beach Boys Today! as “Help Me, Ronda.” But that wasn’t the version that became a smash.

“We did two versions of ‘Help Me Rhonda,'” Brian recalled in an interview with Goldmine. “We did one with the ukulele and we did one with guitars. We chose to use the guitar version.”

And Jardine wasn’t initially supposed to sing lead.

“I heard myself singing lead on it originally and then I turned it over to Al,” Brian explained. “I produced the Beach Boys so I decided who would sing lead. I just had a sixth sense about who should sing what songs.”

Decades later, Jardine remembered the process much the same way. Speaking to Goldmine in April 2026, he recalled Brian calling him from Big Sur to sing another song, “Honkin’ Down the Highway,” because Brian thought his voice was right for it.

“Just like ‘Help Me, Rhonda,’ he had my voice in his head,” Jardine said. “He could take our individual voices and turn them into instruments.”

That idea was central to Jardine’s role in the Beach Boys. In a 2000 interview with Goldmine, he described himself and Carl Wilson as “the anchors in the back” and said he never craved more recognition.

“No. No way. I was happy,” Jardine said. “We locked, our harmonies locked, that’s all I cared about. Carl and I had a really good blend.”

‘Help Me, Rhonda’ Became One of Only 3 Beach Boys No. 1 Hits

The original version of “Help Me, Rhonda” appeared on The Beach Boys Today!, but Brian heard greater potential in the song.

In “The Heart of Rock & Soul,” critic Dave Marsh writes that Beach Boys collaborator Gary Usher became so convinced the song could be a hit that he talked about recording his own version. Brian quickly assembled the group to remake it, shortening the song by 22 seconds, increasing the tempo and streamlining the arrangement.

Jardine remembered the original recording rather skeptically.

“I thought it was odd because Brian kept messing with the fader,” he told Goldmine in 2010. “It went loud then soft, then loud and soft… and I thought, ‘This is never gonna work.'”

The single session was another story.

“For the single we had a highly charged session,” Jardine recalled. “All the families came and sat around with refreshments.”

Jardine was also the co-writer and lead singer on the Beach Boys’ 1971 environmental anthem “Don’t Go Near the Water.”

Related: Lost 1967 Album Just Named No. 1 ‘Ghost’ Album in Rock History

Al Jardine Wanted to Keep the Beach Boys’ Music Going

After Carl Wilson’s death in 1998, Jardine stopped touring as part of the Beach Boys and later performed under his own name. He reunited with Brian for numerous projects and tours, including the Beach Boys’ 50th anniversary reunion in 2012.

Speaking to the Dayton Daily News in 2013, Jardine reflected on what he and Brian had created together.

“People are still catching up to the greatness we created in those early days, even myself,” Jardine said, adding that the vocals were “what The Beach Boys are all about.”

He was disappointed that the 50th anniversary reunion didn’t continue and made clear that, for him, preserving the music mattered more than who was standing onstage.

“It’s real important to keep our focus on making new, vital music and continuing the legacy,” he said. “It’s not about the messenger, it’s about the music.”

Jardine continued performing alongside Brian for years, including what would become Brian’s final tour in 2022. After Brian died in June 2025 at age 82, Jardine carried on with planned shows featuring the Pet Sounds Band in his longtime friend’s honor.

Today, Jardine and 85-year-old Love are the two surviving co-founders of the Beach Boys. Dennis Wilson died in 1983 at 39, Carl Wilson died in 1998 at 51, and Brian Wilson died in 2025 at 82. Member Bruce Johnston, 84, who joined the group four years after it was formed, is also still around—in fact, he just stopped touring with the Beach Boys earlier this year.

Related: Meet the Newest Beach Boys Member — and The Crazy Way He Got the Gig

The waterpark opened this month on Great Stirrup Cay. Credit: Erica Lamberg

There’s a special kind of excitement that comes with standing on a beautiful private island in the Bahamas, turquoise water all around you, while something brand-new is about to open. I had been excited to visit Great Tides Waterpark at Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay, and after being there for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, I can honestly say I was beyond impressed. After the local dignitaries presented remarks, and the ribbon was cut, a colorful Junkanoo performance brought music, drums and Bahamian spirit to the moment, and watching the venue officially open felt like one of those “Wow, I’m really here” travel moments. What stood out even more was how quickly the space went from big construction project to a place where guests could have fun and make memories.

If you’re a woman over 40 like me, you may hear “water park” and immediately picture screaming kids, long lines and not much for adults. I wondered the same thing. But honestly, Great Tides surprised me. It’s not just a place for families with young children, the attraction is a smart, fun addition that gives grown-ups a good excuse to play a little, too.

The new attraction was designed for travelers of all ages and includes:

• 19 waterslides
• The cruise industry’s first cliff jumps
• A dedicated kids splash zone
• The immersive Wandering River
• Family-friendly and relaxation-focused experiences throughout the park

The “Drive to the Port” Advantage

Before we dive into the slides, let’s talk about a money-saving way to experience this: homeport cruising. There is an underrated, blissful luxury in being able to drive your own car to the port, or take a ride share, whether you’re departing from Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville or even Philadelphia or New York.

For many of us, flying can be the least relaxing part of a trip and a big cost consideration, plus the security lines, the delays and the constant worry about whether your luggage will make it. That’s why cruising from a homeport feels so easy and a vacation starts right away. By the time you reach Great Stirrup Cay, you’re already relaxed, which makes the water park feel like a fun bonus instead of one more thing to figure out.

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The 3 Best Features for Adults Fun for the young and young at heart at Great Tides Waterpark. Credit: Erica Lamberg

Erica Lamberg

As I walked around the nearly six-acre park, I realized it’s not just about big slides and loud music. There are plenty of spots that work well for adults who want some fun, but also want comfort, shade, food and a drink nearby. Here’s where I’d spend my time:

The Wandering River & Floataway Bar

This isn’t the lazy river you may remember from family vacations years ago. It stretches more than 800 feet and feels like an actual experience, not just a slow loop. I spent most of my time here because it was relaxing without being boring. And the best part is the Floataway Bar. You can stay right in the water and still order a drink. Floating along, dipping in and out of the shade, with a cocktail close by? That’s my kind of water park.

A Culinary Scene That Doesn’t Cut Corners

Theme park food can be hit or miss, but the food here was better than I expected. My advice is to skip the basic options and head for the food trucks. For an added expense, Catch of the Cay has amazing seafood like breaded shrimp platters and overstuffed lobster rolls and Low Tide Smoke is a solid choice if you want barbecue after a morning in the water. It’s casual and easy, but it still feels like a real lunch, not like the included BBQ buffet that you grab because you’re hungry.

Approachable Thrills

I’ll be honest: I saw the 15-foot cliff jumps at Cliffside Cove and immediately thought, “That one’s not for me.” But Tropic Spiral and The Great Slide are approachable for the adult demographic. You can laugh with your partner or friends as you go down together. It’s the right amount of thrill for adults.

Related: We Asked 3 Cruise Travel Agents How to Best Spend Onboard Credit—Here’s What They Said

The One Thing to Skip (And My Pro-Tip)

Here’s my honest take: don’t plan to spend the entire day there. It’s still a water park, and it’s still the tropics, so it gets hot. By early afternoon, you may be ready for something calmer and a little more comfortable.

Spend the morning enjoying the slides, the Wandering River, the jumps, and the delicious food truck lunch. But early afternoon, pack up your things and head to the Vibe Shore Club.

Yes, the day pass costs extra, but if you’re looking for one splurge, this would be mine. Vibe is adults-only, with nicer loungers, umbrellas and a quieter feel than the main beach areas. To me, that makes it the perfect second half of the day. You get your water park fun in the morning, then switch to a slower pace in the afternoon with a cold drink and a cozy place to relax. It’s a perfect balance for your day at Great Stirrup Cay.  

Related: Is This The Best New Cruise Cabin for Families? A Look Inside the Norwegian Luna

Ready to Book? Cool off with cold drinks throughout the park. Credit: NCL

When you book your cruise, keep an eye on your myNCL account, or your app, that’s where you’ll be able to reserve your water park pass. I’d book the shore excursion early, because space is limited and you don’t want to miss out. Pack your swimsuit, a cool hat and maybe a book for that quiet afternoon at Vibe. You deserve a day that’s exactly as fun, or as relaxing, as you want it to be. Hope you enjoy Great Tides as much as I did. I can’t wait to return.

Related: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Next Mega-Ship Is Bringing a Massive Dining First to Sea

In the early 1970s, Danny Bonaduce was a star on The Partridge Family, playing middle child/bass player Danny Partridge on the music-themed sitcom for four seasons. But when the show was canceled in 1974, someone forgot to tell the young actor—and he got the news when he showed up for work.

During a Sept. 2 appearance on The Scott Baio Podcast, Bonaduce, 67, told host Scott Baio that The Partridge Family was shot at Columbia Ranch, and that the first day of shooting each week was allotted to the show’s weekly musical number. Tuesday through Friday, the cast shot the rest of the show with the dialogue. But one day in 1974, he arrived at the studio’s security gate and was told The Partridge Family was over.

“That’s how I got the news The Partridge Family was canceled,” Bonaduce revealed. “I pulled up with my mom. The guy’s name was Scotty, the security guard. We pulled up like we’d done every day for four years, and the guy looked mortified and he said, ‘Oh, didn’t anybody tell you the Partridge family doesn’t live here anymore.’”

“And that’s how we found out we were canceled,” the actor continued. “But I thought it was good news. I get to go ride my bike, play around for whatever. I didn’t realize that that was a truly cherished moment in my life.”

Starring Bonaduce alongside David Cassidy, Shirley Jones, Susan Dey, Dave Madden, Brian Forster and Suzanne Crough, The Partridge Family was a massive hit fueled by the bubblegum pop music that accompanied it. Cassidy, who was the only Partridge besides Jones who really sang on the records, was knee-deep in a grueling solo touring career at the height of the show’s popularity.

By the time the show’s fourth season aired, Cassidy wanted out. And new competition from CBS’ hit show All in the Family ultimately did the show in.

“Our show was out of style, and we wouldn’t be able to compete with a show like All In The Family,” Jones once said in an interview with Television Academy Foundation. “I think David, at this point in time, had had it on the show. He wanted to do a different kind of music than just The Partridge Family kind of music. And I think they made the decision [to cancel] with those two things in mind.”

RELATED: Danny Bonaduce Shares Details of On Set Clash That Got ‘Partridge Family’ Star Fired

On Baio’s podcast, Bonaduce clarified that he “loved” working on The Partridge Family but didn’t watch it when it was originally on TV.

“I watched the first episode at my neighbor’s house. We lived in Little Hills in the San Fernando Valley, and I watched the first episode there, but, you know, it was on at 8:30 at night on Fridays, and I was 10, 11, 12. So, I found other things to do besides watch The Partridge Family. And I don’t watch myself on TV at all.”

The actor also revealed that The Partridge Family house was later torn down to make way for a supermarket.

Related: ‘Partridge Family’ Star Danny Bonaduce Gives Rare Update on Susan Dey and Shirley Jones