Month: April 2021

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Go Country 105

Eric Church to kick off his 'Heart & Soul' rollout with an Amazon Music livestream

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ABC

The three-part release of Eric Church's triple album, Heart & Soul, begins this Friday, and the singer will celebrate with a special livestream show.

Next Tuesday, Eric will give a performance and live Q&A exclusively from Amazon Music. The event will feature brand-new music from Eric's upcoming 24-song collection, including the track “Rock and Roll Found Me,” from his Soul album.

The show comes on the heels of a busy week for Eric, who’s set to perform “Bunch of Nothing” — one of the tracks off of Heart & Soul — at the 2021 ACM Awards this Sunday. Also during the show, an Ad Council PSA for the COVID-19 vaccine will debut featuring Eric, as well as Ashley McBryde and Darius Rucker.

Eric also recently appeared on the cover of Billboard receiving his dose of the shot. He's hoping that widespread vaccination will lead to the speedy return of large-scale, in-person concerts.

This spring, the singer was among the first country acts to announce a major tour for fall 2021. He's booked a slew of dates for his Gather Again Tour, which kicks off in September and stretches through next May.

Catch Eric's Amazon Music exclusive livestream on the platform's app or its Twitch channel, beginning at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 20.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Country star trivia

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Comstock/Thinkstock

Born in 1932 in Butcher Holler, Kentucky, this “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and country icon is celebrating her 89th birthday today. Can you name her? ANSWER: Loretta Lynn. 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Morgan Wallen cancels summer tour following controversy

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ABC

Morgan Wallen took to Instagram on Tuesday to announce he won’t be touring this summer, saying he needs “a little more” time to work on himself.

“I wanted to let you guys know that I've taken a couple months away and feel like I've really worked on myself. I'm proud of the work I've put in, and in many ways thankful to have had the time to do it,” the 27-year-old “Dangerous” singer shared in a handwritten message.

“I will always strive to be better,” he added.  “Not only has this time revealed to me the ways in which I want to improve, but it's also reminded me that I am still very proud of who I am and the man I am becoming.”

Wallen went on to say that, while his time away has been “very valuable,” he needs “a little more of it, and therefore will not be performing tour dates this summer.”

He will also not be playing festivals, or joining Luke Bryan‘s tour as scheduled.

Wallen became embroiled in a controversy after being caught on video using a racial slur, leading to multiple stations across the country to remove his music from their playlists.

Additionally, his label, Big Loud Records, suspended his recording contract indefinitely and he was dropped by talent agency, WME.  The Academy of Country Music also deemed Morgan and Dangerous ineligible for nominations at the 2021 ACM Awards.

Wallen has since apologized for his language, promising “to do better.”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

President Biden to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by 9/11

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President Joe Biden will withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, According to sources, Biden is expected to make the official announcement Wednesday. The full withdrawal will happen before or by the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, extending the May 2021 deadline set by the Trump administration.

The Taliban had threatened an increase in violence should the United States keep armed forces in the country beyond May 1. Sources said that the Biden administration hoped that by setting a new, specific date, it could avoid that violence. 

A senior administration official told CNN that U.S. officials told the Taliban that any attack on U.S. troops in the meantime would be met with retaliation. There are currently more than 2,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Biden to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by September

Via www.nbcnews.com
The drawdown will begin before May 1, the deadline the U.S. had already agreed to with the Taliban.
 

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News Daypop

Minnesota officer, police chief resign after Daunte Wright fatal shooting

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The police chief and the officer in Brooklyn Center, Minn. who fatally shot a 20-year-old black man during a traffic stop resigned on Tuesday.  Officer Kimberly Potter submitted her resignation letter to the Law Enforcement Labor Services, a public safety labor union. Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott said the city didn’t ask Potter, a 26-year veteran, to resign. Police Chief Tim Gannon also issued his resignation in the wake of Sunday’s shooting, which resulted in two days of protests.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said in a statement that Potter discharged her firearm Sunday afternoon during a traffic stop that resulted in the death of Daunte Wright. She was placed on administration leave before her resignation. Authorities released a brief video clip of the incident from her body-worn camera. During a news conference, police chief Gannon said Potter accidentally shot Wright with her firearm and believed that she “had the intention” to deploy her Taser.

The officers pulled Wright over Sunday afternoon and discovered he was wanted on a misdemeanor warrant. In the footage, Wright appears to struggle with the arresting officer and Potter is heard repeatedly saying “Taser” before discharging her weapon, firing a single bullet.

Gov. Tim Walz declared a curfew for the four counties of Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota and Anoka from 7 p.m. Monday until 6 a.m. Tuesday after protesters and police clashed in the Minneapolis suburb for a second night.

Minnesota officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright resigns; police chief also steps down

Via www.nbcnews.com
Kim Potter, a 26-year department veteran, was identified as the officer who fatally shot Wright…
 

Editorial credit: MUNSHOTS / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes

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Burke/Triolo Productions/Thinkstock

Lily Rose is telling her story in the introductory video “This Is Lily Rose.” After releasing “Villian” on TikTok last year, the song went viral and was shipped to country radio as her debut single in March. 

Alyssa Trahan has shared a behind-the-scenes video from the photoshoot for her debut album, Baby Blues & Stilettos, that was released last month.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Thomas Rhett drops new single “Country Again”

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Thomas Rhett has dropped his new single, “Country Again,” and it finds the artist going back to his country roots.

“Country Again,” written by Rhett alongside Ashley Gorley and Zach Crowell, follows his recent chart-topper “What’s Your Country Song.” “Country Again” is also the title track to his upcoming two-part project; the first project, Country Again: Side A releases April 30.

Take a look at Rhett’s video for “Country Again” – here.

Thomas Rhett’s New Song, “Country Again,” Is About His Life

Via www.thecountrydaily.com
Thomas Rhett is following up his number-one hit “What’s Your Country Song”…
 

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Miranda Lambert and Elle King to kick off ACM Awards with performance

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Miranda Lambert and Elle King will open the show at this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards ceremony with a performance of “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).” The collaboration is just one of many that were announced by the Academy of Country Music.

Mickey Guyton, who will co-host alongside Keith Urban, will perform “Hold On.” Last year, Guyton performed “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?” with Urban assisting on piano. Other performances include Carly Pearce with Lee Brice on their chart-topping hit “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” and Carrie Underwood and CeCe Winans performing a medley of gospel hymns from Underwood’s album My Savior. Kenny Chesney will also perform with Kelsea Ballerini on the new track “half of my hometown.”

The ACMs will air on Sunday, April 18 on CBS.

Miranda Lambert and Elle King to Open 2021 ACM Awards With ‘Drunk’ Collab

Via www.rollingstone.com
Singers will give live debut of party song “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” to kick off…
 

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Olivia Rodrigo reveals tracklist and cover for debut album “Sour”

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Just weeks after releasing her second single, “Deja Vu,” Olivia Rodrigo has officially announced Sour, her debut album arriving May 21.  Rodrigo also shared the album cover and track list, which includes 10 songs including the two singles already released, “drivers license” and “deja vu.”

The album arrives the 18-year-old singer debuted her first single (and viral TikTok sensation) “drivers license” in January. The song debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, the first song to do so in 2021, and stayed there for eight consecutive weeks.

See the announcement and full tracklist for Sour on Olivia’s Instagram.

Olivia Rodrigo Details Debut Album ‘Sour,’ Reveals Tracklist

Via www.rollingstone.com
Sour arrives next month
 

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Selena Gomez to host ‘Vax Live’ concert featuring Jennifer Lopez, Foo Fighters and more

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Selena Gomez will serve as host of Global Citizens’ upcoming Vax Live concert, which will feature performances from Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, J Balvin and H.E.R. Vax Live: A Concert to Reunite the World will promote the COVID-19 vaccine and call on world leaders to ensure that vaccines will be available to everyone globally.

The event will air across ABC, CBS, YouTube and iHeartMedia radio stations on May 8 at 8 p.m. EDT. Fox will also broadcast the concert on the same day at 11 p.m. EDT. YouTube will present an extended version of the concert that will run 90 minutes. The extended version will include an additional performance by NCT 127 and appearances by YouTube creators Daniel El Travieso, Kati Morton, ShootforLove, Thembe Mahlaba and The Try Guys. The show will be pre-taped at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Selena Gomez to Host Global Citizen’s Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World

Via people.com
Selena Gomez is hosting Global Citizen’s VAX Live: The Concert to Reunite the World on Saturday,…
 

Editorial credit: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com