West Texas

Last week's fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas was part of a very difficult news week, but country stars like Hunter Hayes are sensitive to the challenges of playing shows in the affected areas immediately afterward. Hayes is opening the Blown Away Tour with Carrie Underwood, which has three stops scheduled this week and last within three hours of the small town.

My dad’s a firefighter, and I am very proud of that. I always told him that I need to have a job that I can make a difference to someone. It’s a job that you put your life on the line day in and day out, but that also a scary aspect, especially for everyone that has a family member in a public service job like my dad. This selfless firefighter proves why these guys are truly heroes.