She’d had hits on QYK already but when Lauren Alaina teamed up with Kane Brown to record “What Ifs,” her career reached another level.  I asked if she thought a duet would be what does that for her. Lauren walked away with the ACM for New Female Vocalist.

Lauren is also a big fan of the Florida Strawberry Festival.  She’s gotta go back though because she only had strawberries when she was in Plant City.  As the ambassador of Funnel Bacon on a Stick, my favorite food of all time, I felt the need to educate her in case a Festival return is in the cards for her.  Everyone needs to experience that maple butter glaze on top of bacon and funnel cake. 

Even though she’s had hit singles, Lauren will forever be linked with fellow American Idol alum Scotty McCreery and a fan wanted to know if there would ever be a collaboration with the two of them.  Lauren says she’s happy for Scotty having his first #1 with “Five More Minutes.”  She relates, saying both of their first albums were missing that personal connection and telling their stories like she did with “Road Less Traveled.”  Clearly the formula has worked for both of them this year.