Comstock/ThinkstockOn this date in 1990, this star released her 17th studio album, Rumor Has It. The record included her version of Bobbie Gentry’s “Fancy,” which quickly became one of her own signature tunes. Can you name her? ANSWER: Reba McEntire.
By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Seven Police Officers in Rochester, New York were suspended on Thursday over the asphyxiation death of a black man who they arrested in March. The brutal incident was revealed in videotape footage made public this week, which was recorded by an officer’s body camera. The video captures a group of officers putting a mesh hood over Daniel Prude’s head as he kneels naked and restrained on a Rochester street and snow falls around him.
The recording was released on Wednesday by members of Prude’s family, who called for the arrest of the officers. Prude, 41, died seven days after the March 23 arrest in Rochester, NY. Protests broke out on Wednesday in downtown Rochester and on Thursday, some 300 miles to the south, several dozen people demonstrated in Times Square in New York City, demanding justice for Prude and police reform.
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, who is black, told reporters on Thursday, “Mr. Daniel Prude was failed by our police department, our mental health care system, our society, and he was failed by me. I’m filled with grief, and anger at myself for all the failures that lead to his death.” Rochester police chief La’Ron Singletary, who is also black, has said that internal and criminal investigations were underway.
Editorial credit: Al Mueller / Shutterstock.com
Warner Music NashvilleNo doubt Kenny Chesney is something of a guru to the multitude of fans that are a part of his No Shoes Nation. And with his latest hit, he’s taking it one step further, putting forward a philosophy that can likely benefit us all.
“‘Happy Does’ is a song that truly, when I heard it, it reminded me of, I don’t know, just trying to live your best life, you know,” the superstar tells ABC Audio.
“Because so many people we know — I’m not that active on social media,” he continues. “I don’t get lost in it and stay in it all day. But some people will live their life looking at other people’s lives on social media. And I think sometimes they do it so much that they forget to live their own.”
In fact, “Happy Does” has a lot in common with Kenny’s most recent number one, the title track of his Here and Now album.
“I think that’s the message of this song,” Kenny reflects, “is just try to stay present and to try to live and to try to be happy within your own life and to stay curious and to stay hungry.”
“And that’s what made me want to record a song like ‘Happy Does,'” he adds.
Late last month, Kenny’s chart-topping Here and Now became his first album ever to be available on vinyl.
By Stephen Hubbard
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockThe Charlie Daniels Brand, Inc. is partnering with Tyler Country Market to create a new line of Black Label Reserve steaks specially crafted to honor the late country legend. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Charlie’s charity The Journey Home Project, which supports veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Garth Brooks is among the subjects of a new AXS TV documentary series, Music’s Greatest Mysteries. Garth’s episode is titled “The Sad Story of ‘Friends in Low Places.’”
A Thousand Horses will make a virtual stop on NBC’s Today with Hoda & Jenna on Monday to perform their newest release, “A Song to Remember.”
By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin reached an informal agreement to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month. Both parties committed to a continuing resolution that would work to avoid a shutdown and be free of certain policy riders that have halted progress on other bills while the two sides also negotiate another round of stimulus in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A timeframe for the continuing resolution has not been agreed upon, but a plan to fund the government at current levels could avoid a shutdown leading into November’s election and possibly through the end of the year. The informal deal comes as Pelosi and Democrats remain in a deadlock with Mnuchin and Republicans over a package to provide economic stimulus in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Editorial credit: Matias Lynch / Shutterstock.com
The Academy of Country Music has announced the second round of performers for the 55th ACM Awards. Artists incuding Eric Church, Mickey Guyton, Morgan Wallen, Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan will all perform at the ceremony.
Previously announced performers include Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Old Dominion, Riley Green, Tenille Townes, and Thomas Rhett featuring Jon Pardi.
The ACM Awards will air live from Nashville on Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, with Keith Urban serving as host for the first time. The show will take place at three iconic Nashville institutions: the Grand Ole Opry House, The Bluebird Cafe and Ryman Auditorium.
Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
After it was first reported last week, singer Liam Payne confirmed his engagement to model Maya Henry during an appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America on Thursday.
Payne said: “We’re just really happy. The last week, I’ve just had a birthday, my son has gone to school for the first time today, so it seems like a lot of firsts for me really, actually, which is great.” The 27-year-old Payne shares a son, Bear, with his ex-girlfriend Cheryl Cole.
Liam also discussed the 10th anniversary of One Direction and discussed the possibility of a reunion, saying: “It feels amazing to be doing 10 years of anything really, especially to have the success level that we’ve had. I’m just really grateful the fans have stuck around and we still, each of us, have a career, which I think has been the most amazing thing out of all of it, really. As far as reunions go, I don’t know too much, but I got wonderful lovely birthday messages from everyone, which was really, really nice.”
Editorial credit: Cubankite / Shutterstock.com
Twenty One Pilots singer Tyler Joseph is apologizing for a tweet he posted this week. Joseph faced backlash over sharing a tone-deaf joke about him reaching his 2.2 million Twitter followers to advance social causes. The singer tweeted two photos of himself wearing platform shoes, saying in the caption: “You guys keep asking me to use my platforms. Feels good to dust these bad boys off.” When he started receiving criticism for the post, however, Joseph explained, “I use music, humor, being alone, breaks from social media, family, uncomfortable and honest conversations with friends, and sometimes cryingA few tools, but they don’t all work for everyone. Mentally/emotionally, I can only carry so much, because what I do care about is so heavy, the thought of adding more on top of it makes me want to stop trying.” Joseph continued to stand behind the photos, saying again, “This isn’t a Notes app moment. I’m doubling down on my platform tweet. It was fantastic.”
However, Joseph ultimately clarified his support for the movement and issued an apology, saying: “My tweet wasn’t suppose[d] to be about human rights. So in case you are wondering where I stand: Black Lives Matter. I just wanted to take a moment to raise awareness about something else that has meant a lot to me for a long time. But now I see there is no room for that right now. I’m truly sorry if it hurt anyone.” The Twenty One Pilots member then shared a link with ways to help the Black Lives Matter movement.
Editorial credit: Melanie Lemahieu / Shutterstock.com
ABC/Image Group LAAfter several weeks of teasing new music on social media, Carly Pearce is finally ready to let fans in on her next musical chapter. She’s dropping a new single, “Next Girl,” on Friday.
Carly tells American Songwriter that her new song taps into the energy of ‘80s and ‘90s country, which was centered around a powerful female perspective.
“That was the thing about Patty Loveless and so many of these women: They were so strong, and so real,” the singer adds. “They stuck up for themselves, earned their own money, fell in love, got hurt, but they were always their own women.”
That generation of female country stars knew how to write kiss-off anthem about love gone bad, too. Carly’s channeling that sentiment in the lyrics of her new song, where she warns another woman to stay away from a womanizer who seems too good to be true.
Earlier this summer, Carly filed for divorce from Michael Ray, her husband of just eight months. Between that major life change and time spent off the road in quarantine, it’s been a fruitful creative period for the CMA-nominated singer, who says she wasn’t expecting to start writing again so soon after her album’s release in February.
By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
ABC/Image Group LAMaren Morris continues to set records both in the country genre and on out-of-genre charts. The singer’s hit “The Bones” has reached the top spot on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart after a 40-week climb.
According to Billboard, “The Bones” now holds the record for taking the longest of any single by a woman to top this particular chart. Prior to Maren’s hit, the previous record was held by Enya’s 2001 song “Only Time,” with a 33-week climb.
It’s the second time that Maren’s been at the top of the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, following her 2018 hit “The Middle,” a collaboration with Zedd and Grey.
“The Bones” was also a country chart-topper for Maren earlier this year; she previously scored number-one hits on country charts with “I Could Use a Love Song” and “Girl.”
Maren’s newest accolade comes toward the end of a big week for her. The singer earned five nominations for the upcoming 2020 CMA Awards, including in the category of Female Vocalist of the Year.
By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
