Taylor Swift’s latest album, “Folklore,” is holding onto the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart for the third week in a row, marking the first album by a solo woman to spend its first three weeks at No. 1 since 2018. The last time a solo female musician accomplished this was Swift herself, with her “Reputation” album back in 2017. “Folklore” is her eighth studio album.
The continued success of “Folklore” was aided last week by the CD sales in stores, with 136,000 album units sold in the U.S. in the week ending Aug. 13. Before that, it was only available for digital download on her website and iTunes.
Folklore sold 1.3 million copies on its first day and 2 million copies in its first week globally.
ABC/Image Group LAEli Young Band are reimagining their song “Saltwater Gospel” with a special guest, and they’re asking fans on social media to guess who it is.
Yesterday, the group revealed via Instagram that they’ll be releasing a new version of the song, which was originally a single off their 2017 album Fingerprints, as a collaboration with a surprise artist.
In addition to citing this person as “an incredible legendary artist that we’re so excited about,” the band has been offering clues as to who it could be.
Clue #1 reveals that it’s a male artist who’s sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, while the second hint states that in addition to being a musician, he is also a best-selling author.
Each clue is featured against a beach backdrop of crystal clear water crashing onto the white sand shore.
Fans have turned to the comment section to share their guesses that include George Strait, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney.
They’ll find out who it is when the song is released on Friday.
Sparrow Records/Capitol RecordsThomas Rhett and Florida Georgia Line are teaming up with Christian artist Chris Tomlin for a set of performances of their new song, “Thank You Lord.”
Chris will make his debut on both the Late Late Show With James Corden and the Today show alongside the two country acts. They’ll perform “Thank You Lord” on the Late Late show tonight, followed by a performance on Today on August 25.
“Thank You Lord” was co-written by Chris, Thomas, Tyler Hubbard of FGL, Corey Crowder and David Garcia, with Chris sharing in a statement that the collaboration is a reflection of his “deep friendships” with the two acts. FGL also executive produced the album.
The song is featured on the Dove Award winning artist’s latest project Chris Tomlin & Friends that sees him collaborating with several other country stars including Lady A, Brett Young, Russell Dickerson and RaeLynn.
Chris Tomlin & Friends hit number one on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart following its July release.
Comstock/ThinkstockOn this day in 2003, this Arizona native’s self-titled debut album was released. It features his debut number-one single “What Was I Thinkin’,” along with “How Am I Doin'” and “My Last Name.” Can you name him? ANSWER: Dierks Bentley.
ABC/Eric McCandlessThe American Idol judges’ panel is staying the same.
Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan are all returning for a fourth season of the reality competition show on ABC. Ryan Seacrest will also return as host.
In a statement, Karey Burke, the president of ABC Entertainment, said, referring to last season’s remote episodes, “American Idol has always been able to bring people together, entertain and inspire — and I am so proud of how this show continued to deliver joy and laughter into people’s homes during a time when we needed it the most.”
She added, “There is no one who we feel more confident about leading us into a new season of high notes than Luke, Katy, Lionel and the incomparable Ryan Seacrest.”
Showrunner Trish Kinane noted, “Katy, Lionel and Luke are fun, astute and really know how to spot talent. Their chemistry is undeniable, and we are delighted that they, along with host Ryan Seacrest, are returning to find the next superstar and take American Idol to new heights next season.”
American Idol executive producer Eli Holzman said, “At times like these, it is more important than ever to give families wholesome entertainment, packed full of hope, talent and inspiration — where dreams come true. And that is what American Idol is all about.”
Virtual auditions for the new season are underway via Idol Across America, a remote campaign that allows contestants from all 50 states to participate.
There’s no definitive word yet on when the new season will get underway.
The Democratic Party officially nominated Joe Biden as their presidential candidate on Day 2 of the National Convention. The DNC began the second day of its convention with speeches from former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, as well as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Stacey Abrams, and Jill Biden, amongst many others.
With many speakers appearing remotely amid the coronavirus pandemic, the event included a program called “Roll Call Across America,” featuring voters, delegates, teachers, small-business owners and leaders from all 57 states and U.S. territories.
The second day of the convention included meetings of the LGBTQ, rural and Native American caucuses, and the veterans and military families, climate crisis and Jewish councils.
Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockThe Cadillac Three have partnered with popular Nashville music venue The Basement for live concert series Country Fuzz Presents Live from the Basement now through September. Proceeds from ticket sales will go toward Second Harvest Food Bank, with the goal of donating 100,000 meals to children and families in the community over the next 100 days. The Cadillac Three kicks off the series with a performance tonight at 9 p.m. ET.
Maddie & Tae recently delivered a performance of their number-one song “Die from a Broken Heart” as part of the Recording Academy’s virtual Press Play series that raises money for the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Matt Stell will virtually perform the National Anthem ahead of the “Drydene 311” NASCAR Cup Series at the Dover International Speedway on Sunday. The race will air on NBCS at 4 p.m. ET.
NetflixFans have grown to love Jay DeMarcus as one-third of Rascal Flatts. Now, with his Netflix reality show DeMarcus Family Rules, you’ll get to know him better, along with wife Allison and their two kids, 9-year-old Madeline and 8-year-old Dylan.
The show grew out of the couple’s appearances on the hit USA series, Chrisley Knows Best.
“Todd and Julie [Chrisley] are some of our dearest friends…” Jay tells ABC Audio, “They’re just hysterical.”
“So one night we went to dinner and they said, ‘We feel like you guys have a show,'” he reveals. “And Todd was like, ‘I totally think you do… You and Allison together are hysterical. And I think there’s something there.'”
“And we wondered if that was a compliment or not,” Allison laughs. “We weren’t real sure. Like, ‘You’re so crazy that you need a show!'”
You get a taste of what’s ahead, as the conversation turns to all the family time they’ve enjoyed since Rascal Flatts’ Farewell Tour was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think they’re all going to… clamor to get back on their buses and back on the road to see people who adore them…” Allison prods. “I know Jay really… doesn’t think that there are big enough fans here in the house.”
“I don’t have any fans in this house… They hate everything I do,” Jay deadpans, before Allison takes it one step further.
“I think that they’re gonna want to probably stay on the road another twenty years now due to the pandemic,” she predicts.
“No way in hell!” Jay jokes. “I’m not gonna be singing ‘Praying for Daylight’ when I’m 84 years old. There’s no way!”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Tuesday as extreme heat and wildfires took over the state.
Newsom’s declaration comes after about 20 wildfires caused by lightning led to evacuations in several Northern California counties. The fires, known as the Santa Clara Unit Lightning Complex, were situated in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Santa Clara and Stanislaus counties. Officials ordered evacuations in Alameda, Contra Costa and Stanislaus counties, and issued warnings elsewhere.
In Southern California, firefighters have nearly contained the Apple Fire, which as of Tuesday morning burned more than 33,000 acres. The blaze spans across Riverside and San Bernardino counties, north of Banning. It’s situated mostly in the San Bernardino National Forest.
In neighboring Los Angeles County, the Lake Fire grew to more than 21,000 acres and was 38% contained.
Luke Bryan’s new album, Born Here, Live Here, Die Her hasdebuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
The album, which dropped on Aug. 7, also took the No. 5 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, behind Taylor Swift, Juice WRLD, Pop Smoke and Rod Wave.
Born Here, Live Here, Die Here features Bryan’s three back-to-back-to-back No. 1 singles: “Knockin’ Boots,” “What She Wants Tonight” and “One Margarita.”
