Comstock/ThinkstockThe mother in country’s most famous mother-daughter duo is celebrating her 74th birthday today. Together with her daughter, Wynonna, she’s scored 15 chart-topping hit singles and won five Grammy awards, among many other accolades. Can you name her? Naomi Judd of The Judds.
By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
A Capitol Police Officer who responded to the siege on the Capitol building on Wednesday died while off duty, the U.S. Capitol Police said. 51-year-old Officer Howard Liebengood, who had been with the department since April 2005, died while off duty three days after the riot that saw supporters of President Trump make their way inside the Capitol building as Congress was certifying the results of November’s presidential election.
“We are reeling from the death of Officer Liebengood,” Gus Apapthansiou, the chairman of Libengood’s police union said. “Every Capitol Police Officer puts the security of others before their own safety and Officer Liebengood was an example of the selfless service that is the hallmark of USCP. This is a tragic day.”
The White House lowered its flags to half-staff on Sunday following the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died from injuries while responding to the mob on Sunday. One woman, identified as Ashli Babbit was also shot and killed by authorities at the Capitol during the riot. Three others Rosanne Boyland, Benjamin Philip and Kevin Greeson also died due to medical emergencies.
Comstock/ThinkstockAaron Watson’s new album, American Soul, arrived on Friday. The independent artist and native Texan is perhaps best known for his 2017 hit “Outta Style,” which was a top-ten hit at country radio.
Rising duo Walker County recently dropped their new song, “Bits & Pieces.”
On Friday, Tyler Booth dropped a two-pack of new tunes, “Already Got One” and “Palomino Princess.”
By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
ABC Kelsea Ballerini‘s latest top-ten hit, “hole in the bottle,” is a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, since it came to life as a happy accident during a night of drinking.
At the time, Kelsea believed she’d finished crafting songs for her third album, kelsea.
“We were in Florida writing,” Kelsea recalls, “and we went out to dinner to celebrate having a wonderful, productive trip, writing so many songs. [We] had a bunch of wine at dinner, and got back to the house. And [songwriter] Jesse Frasure was playing us some more tracks that he was excited about. And it was Ashley Gorley, Steph Jones, myself, Hillary Lindsey and Jesse.”
“We have a glass of wine,” Kelsea continues, “and we have the doors open, and the beach air is coming in, and we’re just high on life. And he’s playing this track. And Hillary just goes, ‘There’s a hole in the bottle,’ like joking.”
Pretty quickly, they realized they might be onto something.
“We all just start adding lines, just completely joking, having wine, enjoying life, joking about writing the song,” Kelsea continues. “And then at the end of it, we kind of looked at each other and we’re like, ‘Wait, is this really hooky?'”
“And the next morning, we all woke up and again had our coffee, and we’re listening to it,” she remembers. “We’re just like, ‘Wait, even though this is like kind of funny, it’s kind of really, really hooky. Maybe we should rewrite a couple of bits and tighten it up.’ And we did.”
“And it’s one of my favorites on the album. I can’t wait to do this on tour,” says Kelsea.
You can also check out a new version of “hole in the bottle” that adds vocals from Kelsea’s hero, Shania Twain.
By Stephen Hubbard
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
On Sunday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the House will vote on a resolution Monday, calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove President Donald Trump from office. In a letter to her Democratic House colleagues, Pelosi said that the House will on Monday seek to pass the resolution that would call on Pence to convene and mobilize the Cabinet to declare Trump incapable of executing the duties of his office, following his role in an insurrection at the Capitol building on Wednesday by Unanimous Consent. If the measure does not pass by Unanimous Consent, the legislation will be brought up on the House floor the next day, followed by bringing impeachment legislation against Trump.
Republican Sen. Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania joined Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in calling for Trump to resign, saying he had “spiraled down into a kind of madness” following the election. “I think the best way for our country … is for the president to resign and go away as soon as possible,” Toomey said on NBC News’ Meet the Press. “I acknowledge that may not be likely, but I think that would be best.” Toomey had previously said he thought Trump’s actions constituted an “impeachable offense” and on Sunday said he should be disqualified from running for office.
Florida Georgia Line‘s album Life Rolls On will be released on February 12th, but the guys are sharing a new track off the upcoming release titled “New Truck.”
FGL’s Tyler Hubbard said: “With ‘New Truck’ we were like, ‘Man, this feels good. I just want to ride around in my truck, listen to this, and have a song to jam to.’” Tyler adds, “When any of our buddies get a new truck now, we can send it to them and say, ‘Yo, bump this in the truck!’” FGL’s Brian Kelley agrees, “It feels really different and fresh. It’s got a fun innocence about it too.”
Check out the lyric video for “New Truck” at the link – here.
Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
Jennifer Wayne of Runaway June married country singer Austin Moody in an intimate ceremony on Florida’s Santa Rosa Beach. The couple, who were engaged just two weeks ago, walked down the aisle on Jan. 9.
“I got to marry my favorite person in the world last night… @theaustinmoody,” Jennifer, who is the granddaughter of silver screen icon John Wayne, wrote on Instagram alongside a photo from their wedding. “My forever now.” The country music stars required the guests to receive a COVID-19 test before attending.
The newlyweds have known each other for five years, but reconnected after Natalie Stovall, Jennifer’s Runaway June bandmate, connected Austin him with Jennifer.
Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
Miley Cyrus has shared an unreleased song titled “Mary Jane,” in honor of the singer’s beloved dog and best friend Mary Jane who passed away after a battle with cancer.
Cyrus wrote on Instagram, “I wrote this song in Malibu years ago on a piano in a house that no longer exists. About my dog Mary Jane who is also gone now. A lot has changed over time. Mostly me. Music is my medicine. This song revolves around loss & heartache. Which I am currently experiencing after Mary Jane’s passing. MJ was a true queen. She wore her grace, dignity & kindness like a crown. She will never be forgotten and will forever be missed. To know her is to love her. It has been my honor being her mom and best friend. #RestInParadise”
Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
Nicki Minaj has agreed to pay Tracy Chapman almost half a million dollars after Chapman sued her for taking her work without permission. Chapman was victorious after suing Minaj for her track “Sorry,” which sampled Chapman’s song “Baby Can I Hold You.” Chapman has accepted Minaj’s offer of judgment, and will not proceed to a trial. In addition to paying $450,000, Minaj will also have to cover Chapman’s legal fees.
Minaj had asked for Chapman’s permission to sample her song “Baby Can I Hold You” while making her 2018 album “Queen” but was rejected. That track, “Sorry,” was not released with the album, but it was allegedly leaked by Minaj to popular New York radio DJ Funkmaster Flex, prompting Chapman to file a lawsuit.
Chapman said in a statement after winning her lawsuit: “I am glad to have this matter resolved and grateful for this legal outcome which affirms that artists’ rights are protected by law and should be respected by other artists. I was asked in this situation numerous times for permission to use my song; in each instance, politely and in a timely manner, I unequivocally said no. Apparently Ms. Minaj chose not to hear and used my composition despite my clear and express intentions.”
Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
Kurt OzanIf you’ve been following Canaan Smith’s career in recent months, it’ll come as no surprise that the music video for his new song, “Cabin in the Woods,” is another venture into the great outdoors.
The video was shot in rural McEwen, Tennessee, and Canaan says, “The whole filming process was a blast. I feel most at home when I’m out in the middle of nowhere, just enjoying nature — and that’s exactly what we did.”
In fact, he reveals to CMT, which exclusively premiered the clip, that he kept the outdoorsy vibes going even when the cameras weren’t rolling.
“The whole experience felt like I was out doing what I would normally do, and the video was just part of it,” he explains. “I actually slept outside in my hammock that night so I could wake up early and have breakfast by the fire.”
For the first time, Canaan also took on a directorial role alongside Kurt Ozan.
“Since this was my first time co-directing, it was that much more exciting for me. I hope fans enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it,” he says.
Canaan also co-produced the track alongside Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley.
Thanks, @CMT, for being the first to premiere my new music video for #CabinInTheWoods! Turn your TV on CMT and CMT Music to catch it throughout the day or find it here: https://t.co/d2iW092D1X pic.twitter.com/Scf6YNxk8B
— Canaan Smith (@canaansmith) January 8, 2021
By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
