Comstock/ThinkstockOn this date in 2003, two superstar solo country acts were nearing the tail end of a 7-week streak at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The song was their good-timing duet, “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere.” Can you name the two artists? ANSWER: Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett.
By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
ABC/Image Group LAKeith Urban and pop superstar Pink will deliver a very special performance during the ACM Awards this week. The singer announced over the weekend that he and his duet partner will give the world television premiere of their new single, “One Too Many.”
The song comes off Keith’s next album, The Speed of Now Part 1, which will drop just two days after the ACMs on September 18.
“One Too Many” is one of a couple different out-of-genre collaborations on the project. Keith also worked with country-rap up-and-comer Breland and guitarist Nile Rodgers. The project also features the duet version of Keith’s single “We Were,” featuring Eric Church, who had a hand in penning the tune.
The ACM Awards will be a busy night for Keith this year. In addition to being a performer, he’s also the show’s host, and will navigate a ceremony that looks very different than usual this year.
Pushed from its usual April date and Las Vegas location due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACM Awards will now take place in Nashville and broadcast from three iconic Music City venues: The Grand Ole Opry House, the Bluebird Cafe and the Ryman Auditorium.
The show will take place this Wednesday, September 16 at 8 p.m. ET. You can watch the festivities live on CBS.
By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg announced on Sunday he is pleding at least $100 million to help Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the crucial state of Florida against President Donald Trump.
Bloomberg, whose net worth is estimated at more than $50 billion, spent about $1 billion on his own failed Democratic primary bid before dropping out and endorsing Biden. He vowed to “do whatever it takes to defeat Trump” and has contributed millions to help Democratic candidates in 2020. He transferred $18 million from his presidential campaign to the Democratic National Committee.
It has been nearly 100 years since a Republican won a presidential election without Florida. A Biden victory there would hurt Trump’s path towards winning the Electoral College and would require the president to win states such as Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Most polls found Biden with a strong lead in Florida through July, before dropping to less than half that by the end of August. Most of Bloomberg’s contribution will go toward television and digital advertising in the state where Republicans are outspending Democrats by about $8 million, according to The Associated Press. The ads will be in both English and Spanish as polls show Biden trailing Trump among Latino voters in the state.
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Kevin Kane/WireImageTaylor Swift‘s music has evolved so much since she first burst into the spotlight with the 2006 debut single “Tim McGraw” and, come Wednesday, she’ll pay homage to her roots at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
For the first time in seven years, Swift, 30, will give her first performance at the country awards show. She’ll grace the ACM stage to perform her country hit “Betty” live from the Grand Ole Opry House.
Swift confirmed her participation on Sunday, teasing on Twitter, “Bout to show up at your party @ACMawards.”
The “cardigan” singer’s performance not only marks her long awaited return to the country stage, but also serves as the first time she’ll perform any song off of folklore, her record-breaking new album.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ACM Awards will look a little different this year and divide its slate of performances across three separate Nashville venues.
In addition to the Opry, performances will take place at The Ryman and Bluebird Cafe.
Besides a performance from Swift, Blake Shelton featuring Gwen Stefani, Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Gabby Barrett, b Ballerini, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett and Trisha Yearwood are just a fraction of country stars gearing up to sing their hearts out on Wednesday night.
Other artists like Lauren Alaina and Darius Rucker are set to present awards at the Academy of Country Music Awards as well.
The show airs Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Bout to show up at your party @ACMawards ?? pic.twitter.com/ekNJfv4hci
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) September 13, 2020
Academy of Country MusicThe show must go on — even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. And this Wednesday night, that’s exactly what will happen, as the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards — originally scheduled for April in Las Vegas — embrace a much different reality, hosted by reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban.
“I’m glad it’s going ahead,” the Australian superstar tells ABC Audio. “I’m glad the ACMs are doing it.”
“You know, we’d never done it in Nashville,” he continues. “We’ve never done it without an audience. We’ve never done it in September. So there’s so many firsts.”
For its inaugural outing in Music City, the ACM Awards will showcase multiple iconic locations.
“I’m gonna be live at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville,” Keith explains. “We’re gonna cross over to some performances at other venues in Nashville.”
“We’re gonna utilize the Bluebird Cafe, which a lot of people around the world know about, but haven’t seen it before,” he adds. “So that’ll be a great opportunity for people to see it.”
“And then the Ryman Auditorium as well, which is one of my favorite venues to play in, in all the world. So I think we’re gonna make it a really fun show,” he predicts.
Expect performances by Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Riley Green, Mickey Guyton, Miranda Lambert,Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Old Dominion, Thomas Rhett featuring Jon Pardi, Blake Shelton featuring Gwen Stefani, Tenille Townes, Carrie Underwood, Morgan Wallen and Trisha Yearwood, with Lauren Alaina, Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black, Cam, Darius Rucker and Runaway June set to present awards as well.
You can tune in for all the action and surprises Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
By Stephen Hubbard
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockBrooks & Dunn will be the showcased artists on an October 5 episode of AXS TV’s Rock & Roll Road Trip With Sammy Hagar. Tune in at 9PM ET for a jam session and a tour of bandmate Ronnie Dunn’s ranch.
The 2020 Americana Honors & Awards ceremony has been pushed from its scheduled date of September 16, due to safety protocols regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. A new date for the annual awards show has not yet been announced.
Elizabeth Cook’s new album, Aftermath, is out today. It features the opening track “Bones.”
By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
On Sunday, authorities announced a $100,000 reward in connection with the manhunt of a lone gunman responsible for shooting two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies in an apparent ambush.The deputies were shot multiple times as they sat in their patrol vehicle in Compton. Surveillance video shows the suspect approach the patrol car, and open fire, then fleeing on foot.
On Saturday night, both victims – identified as a 31-year-old female deputy and 24-year-old male deputy- underwent surgery. The female victim was shot in the jaw and arms and is listed in critical but stable condition, according to the senior sheriff’s officials. Her 24-year-old partner suffered gunshot wounds to his forehead, arms and a hand, but was alert, the official said.=
The gunman was only described as a dark-skinned male, between the age of 28-30, wearing dark clothing. The deputies were able to radio for help, and the department released surveillance video of the shooting via Twitter. Anyone with information about the suspect or this crime was encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be left for L.A. Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) to at http://lacrimestoppers.org.
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Lee Brice has released a new video for “Hey World,” featuring Season 7 The Voice alum Blessing Offor. Lee released “Hey World” back in May to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The new tune is also the title track to Lee’s upcoming fifth studio album, which will drop on Nov. 20.
Hey World will follow the release of Lee’s 2017 self-titled album, which spawned No. 1 hit, “Rumor,” and Top 20 hit, “Boy.” Tthe lead single from Lee’s upcoming album, “One of Them Girls,” is currently No. 4 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
Watch Lee’s new video for “Hey World” at the link: here.
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The Academy of Country Music announced that Taylor Swift will perform at the ACM Awards on Sept. 16. Swift’s appearance will mark her first time performing at the ACM Awards in seven years.
Taylor is a two-time ACM Entertainer of the Year. She is set to perform her current country single, “Betty,” at the Grand Ole Opry House. “Betty” is featured on Taylor’s recent No. 1 album, Folklore.
The ACM Awards will air live from Nashville on Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. The show will take place at three iconic Nashville institutions: the Grand Ole Opry House, The Bluebird Cafe and Ryman Auditorium. Keith Urban will host the show for the first time.
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Alicia Keys has just released a new pop track from her upcoming album, ALICIA, titled “Love Looks Better.”
The 39-year-old Keys co-wrote and co-produced Love Looks Better with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder. ALICIA also features ‘So Done’ with Khalid, the hit, ‘Underdog’, and Show Me Love’ featuring Miguel.
ALICIA is set to be released on September 18. You can take a listen to “Love Looks Better” at the link: here.
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