Month: December 2020

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Go Country 105

Dan + Shay hint at “exciting things” planned for 2021

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ABCFans may have more Christmas music from Dan + Shay to look forward to next year. 

In a reflection letter posted on social media over the weekend, the Grammy-winning duo thanks fans for their support for original tunes “Take Me Home For Christmas” and “Christmas Isn’t Christmas,” while hinting that there could be more Christmas music on the horizon in 2021.

“It’s been really encouraging, and has inspired lots of conversations about doing more next year (if you think we should, let us know),” they tell fans in the letter, with several of their Instagram followers voicing their support for more holiday music. 

“Hopefully, if nothing else, these songs brought a little bit of light and positivity into your world when we all needed it most,” Dan + Shay share. 

The twosome also allude that they’re working on other “exciting” projects planned for 2021.

Additionally, Shay Mooney celebrated his birthday on Sunday, with duo partner Dan Smyers commemorating the day with a series of throwback photos.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Carrie Underwood releasing gospel album, 'My Savior'

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ABCCarrie Underwood has no plans to slow down when it comes to new music. 

In a Twitter video, Carrie reveals that she is working on a gospel album, My Savior. Described as a “companion” to her Christmas album My Gift, the new project will feature covers of gospel hymns she sang during childhood. 

“When I was making this music, I felt like my soul was in such a great place, I wanted to keep making music like the music off of My Gift,” Carrie explains. 

The new project comes in response to fans’ requests over the years for a gospel album. My Savior will arrive in time for Easter.

“It’s just been such a blessing to make music like this, music that is near and dear to my heart and I hope you guys enjoy listening to it as much as I loved making it,” says Carrie. 

This won’t be the first time the superstar has released faith-based music: “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Something in the Water” both topped the country charts in 2006 and 2014, respectively.  

The announcement comes as Carrie’s duet with John Legend on “Hallelujah” sits in the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

 

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Go Country 105

Country star trivia

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Comstock/ThinkstockCountry music’s “Pick Up Man” would be celebrating his 62nd birthday today. An Oklahoma native, this singer first rose to fame in the ‘90s, and he sadly died last March of complications of COVID-19. Can you name him? ANSWER: Joe Diffie.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

President Trump Signs Coronavirus Relief and Government Funding Bill

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With unemployment benefits expiring and a pending government shutdown, President Trump signed the $900 billion coronavirus relief package, the White House announced Sunday night. The pandemic bill extends billions of dollars in coronavirus relief to millions of Americans. “Good news on Covid Relief Bill,” the president tweeted late Sunday before the signing of the bill was announced. “More information to follow!”

Members of Congress had urged the president to sign the pandemic relief bill and a $1.4 trillion omnibus bill to fund the government through September. Just last week, Trump called the relief bill as a “disgrace” and asked for direct payments to Americans to be increased from $600 in the bill to $2,000.  In a statement on Sunday night, the president said he was sending back to Congress “a redlined version” of the coronavirus relief bill insisting that those funds be removed. The President said, “As president, I have told Congress that I want far less wasteful sending and more money going to the American people in the form of $2,000 checks per adult and $600 per child. Much more money is coming.” 

If Trump had not signed the stimulus legislation before a new Congress arrives on Jan. 3, the bills would have expired, forcing lawmakers to negotiate another package.

In reversal, Trump signs spending bill, unlocking Covid aid and averting shutdown

Via www.nbcnews.com
Pandemic unemployment benefits expired Sunday after the president delayed approving the bill and…
 

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News Daypop

Army sergeant charged after shooting at Illinois bowling alley kills 3, wounds 3 others

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Officials said on Sunday that a 37-year-old male Army sergeant has been charged after three people were killed and three others wounded in a shooting Saturday night described as a random act at a bowling alley in northern Illinois.

Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley said during a news conference that suspect Duke Webb has been charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Webb, a resident of Shalimar, Fla., is a special forces assistant operations and intelligence sergeant assigned to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida’s Panhandle. He joined the Army in 2008 and was on leave.

olice received a call about a shooting at Don Carter Lanes, Rockford police Chief Daniel O’Shea said at a news briefing.The fatalities, whose identities have not been released by Winnebago Sheriff’s Office, were three men 73, 65 and 69. A 62-year-old male who received multiple gunshot wounds underwent surgery overnight and is in critical condition. 

Don Carter Lanes owner John Sommer described the four older victims as “regular wonderful costumers.” Two teenagers were picking up food when they were shot. A 14-year-old boy was shot in the face and is now in stable condition, a 16-year-old girl was shot in the shoulder, and has been treated and released from a local hospital. The shooting happened inside and outside the bowling alley.

Active military member charged with murder in Illinois bowling alley shooting

Via www.cbsnews.com
Duke Webb, 37, was also charged with attempted murder for the shooting that left three dead and…
 
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Go Country 105

Nashville notes

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Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockIn case you missed it, Caylee Hammack recently tipped her hat to Dolly Parton with an acoustic fireside performance of “Hard Candy Christmas.”

Last week, in an interview with Rolling Stone, singer-songwriter Brent Cobb took a look back at the year and revealed that Dolly Parton was his “biggest hero of 2020.” Brent’s best known for his work with Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and others.


By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

For breakout star Gabby Barrett, 2020 was an “unexpected but blessed” year

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ABCFew artists in country music had a better year than Gabby Barrett. 2020 brought the young singer her debut, chart-topping single, “I Hope,” her first studio album, Goldmine, and a slew of subsequent chart and streaming records, accolades and awards show nominations.

“I’d probably say unexpected but blessed, if I can put it in a small way,” Gabby reflects, when asked to sum up 2020.

That goes for her personal life, too. The singer announced this year that she and her husband, Cade Foehner, are expecting their first child in early 2021.

“There’s just so many things that I never, never would have guessed — with a pandemic, with being pregnant, with all the accomplishments that have come this year. It’s just been a very big year for me, that I’m very humbled by,” Gabby continues.

It might be easy to chalk up Gabby’s career to overnight success, or assumed that her stint on American Idol fast-tracked her into country music stardom. But that’s not necessarily true. For example, she struggled to grab attention from record labels after her American Idol tenure, and wrote “I Hope” — the song that would go on to be a massive, record-breaking hit debut — when she was unsigned, with no major-label prospects anywhere on the horizon.

Plus, though she may be only 20 years old, she’s been in the music business for nearly a decade already.

“Since I was 11, and I would work hard every single year, I never got things handed to me easily,” Gabby points out. “So to see all these things happening this year, it’s just like I’m spinning on my head.”


By Carena Liptak and Stephen Hubbard
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

Authorities Identify Nashville Bomber After Found In Wreckage

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On Sunday, authorities in Nashville identified the bomber, Anthony Quinn Warner, as responsible for an explosion on Christmas morning damaging dozens of businesses in the city’s downtown area.

During a press conference Sunday, investigators declared that they matched human remains at the scene to the 63-year-old Warner’s DNA and matched a vehicle identification number to a registration associated with him. The RV exploded in downtown Nashville on Friday after broadcasting a warning message advising people to leave the area 15 minutes before the blast that damaged 41 businesses, including historic buildings in the area. Authorities did not provide any insight on a possible motive for the explosion, however, Nashville Mayor John Cooper said on Sunday that the presence of an AT&T building in the area of Friday’s blast may have indicated it was intended as an attack on the service.

In a statement Sunday afternoon, AT&T said that more than 75% of mobility sites affected by Friday’s explosion had been restored.

Nashville bomber Anthony Warner ‘perished’ in Christmas Day explosion

Via www.msnbc.com
Nashville officials announced that Anthony Warner was the bomber in the Christmas Day explosion…
 

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Country Daypop

Country Music Reacts to Christmas Day Bombing in Nashville

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Nashville was hit with tragedy on Christmas Day when an explosion rocked downtown’s 2nd Avenue, just steps away from the honky-tonks on Lower Broadway. Nashville Mayor John Cooper said that the 6:30 a.m. bombing on Dec. 25 was an attack on infrastructure. The explosion went off outside the AT&T building which led to cell service outages across the city, and flights were grounded at the Nashville airport. As of Sunday, a motive had not been released by investigators.

Over the weekend, many country stars posted about the incident. Along with many others, Brad Paisley said: “Tough year for Nashville.Be safe everyone.#merrychristmas.” Little Big Town posted: “Merry Christmas! Thinking of our beautiful hometown we love so much. We are beyond grateful to our first responders for your dedication and bravery. Our prayers and love are with all those serving our community. #NashvilleStrong.” Tim McGraw added: “Trying to find the words….but this is a tough one.  Yesterday, on Christmas Morning, the world watched as Nashville was hit by another tragedy.  It’s been a year….but we will rise again.” and Carrie Underwood tweeted, “Merry Christmas everyone! And a huge thank you to all the brave first responders in Nashville this morning.”

Country Music Stars’ Reaction to Christmas Day Bombing in Nashville

Via www.thecountrydaily.com
On a day that should be reserved for joy and celebration, Nashville joined the brotherhood of…
 

Editorial credit: f11photo / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Bluegrass Guitarist Tony Rice Passes Away at 69

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Bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice has died at age 69. His former record label said on social media, “Tony Rice June 8, 1951 – December 25, 2020 We were all deeply saddened by the news of Tony Rice’s sudden passing on Christmas Day, and we offer our deepest condolences to his loved ones and his many fans. May he Rest In Peace.” The cause of his death has not been made public.

The California native was a guitarist famous for his flat-picking skills, playing with the bands J.D. Crowe and the New South, as well as with guitarist Norman Blake, mandolin player David Grisman and the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia. His last album was 2011’s Hartford Rice and Clements, which was recorded in 1988. He was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame in 2013.

Rice hadn’t played guitar publicly due to medical issues.  He was diagnosed with muscle-tension dysphonia in 1994 and hadn’t sung in concert since then.

Tony Rice, influential bluegrass guitarist, dies at 69

Via www.msn.com
Legendary bluegrass guitarist Tony Rice died at his home in North Carolina on Dec. 25. He was…
 

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