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Go Country 105

Garth Brooks is looking forward to being in legendary company at the Kennedy Center Honors

Garth Brooks is one of five guests of honor at this week's Kennedy Center Honors ceremony in Washington, D.C. While he's excited to “get to fly the country music flag,” the singer says he's even more excited to be surrounded by his legendary “classmates.”

2020's other four honorees are singer Joan Baez, actor Dick Van Dyke, violinist Midori and choreographer and director Debbie Allen.

“Everybody knows my sister was probably the greatest influence on me, music-wise,” Garth recounted in a recent episode of Inside Studio G. “I wanted to be her when I was a kid, cause she was always so cool. And Joan Baez is, like, [a] major influence for my sister. So to sit in the same booth with Miss Joan is going to be friggin' awesome.”

Garth adds, “Dick Van Dyke — I don't know how you get any cooler than that. So, this is going to be a fun, fun weekend.”

The singer's wife, fellow country legend Trisha Yearwood, adds that Garth doesn't even know all the details about just what a fun weekend it will be. A number of performers will be on hand to tribute Garth at the ceremony, many of whom will be surprise guests.

“He doesn't know all the people that're going to be there to honor him. I'm really, really excited about it,” Trisha hints.

The Kennedy Center Honors ceremony typically takes place in December. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 event was postponed.

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Go Country 105

Blake Shelton revealed his first dance song with Gwen Stefani — and it isn't country

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are throwing it back to the 80s for their first dance as a married couple.

Blake made a virtual stop on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Wednesday night, and when Jimmy Fallon asked him what the couple's first dance song might be, Blake said it’s “If You Leave,” from the Pretty in Pink soundtrack.  The song, by OMD — also known as Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark — hit number four in 1986 and is a big part of the movie’s final scene.

When Jimmy said he thought Blake was lying, Blake held up his phone and said, “I swear! I have it right here! We talked about this: We both love the song, we’re both fans of the ’80s…why not?  Why not, Jimmy?”

Gwen has long been vocal about how she and her band, No Doubt, were inspired by the music of the 80s. Blake's 80s fandom may come a little bit more out of left field, but he did previously cover the number-one 1984 hit “Footloose” for the 2011 remake of the film of the same name.

Blake will stick to his traditional country influences in his own next musical chapter. His next album, Body Language, drops on Friday.

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Go Country 105

George Strait is among the headlining acts at the 2021 Austin City Limits Music Festival

Just in time for its 20th anniversary, the Austin City Limits Music Festival will return in person in 2021, bringing a diverse array of acts to its eight stages in the first two weekends of October.

The country genre will be well represented this year at the all-genre fest. George Strait is a headlining act. Also performing are Jon Pardi, Cam and Tanya Tucker, in a lineup that also includes folk and Americana-leaning acts such as Charley Crockett and Asleep at the Wheel. Trixie Mattel, the country-singing drag queen, will also perform.

Outside of country music, the festival's stacked assembly of headliners also includes Billie Eilish, Stevie Nicks, Miley Cyrus, DaBaby and more.

ACL Fest will take place at Austin, Texas' Zilker Park on October 1-3 and October 8-10. Tickets are on sale beginning Thursday at 12PM CT. General admission tickets will be available for purchase, along with a variety of VIP and Platinum tickets and hotel packages.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Go Country 105

Country star trivia

This country star is likely having a “Birthday Pardi” today — he's turning 36 years old. Hailing from Dixon, California, he put out his most recent full-length album, Heartache Medication, in 2019. Do you know who he is? ANSWER: Jon Pardi.

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News Daypop

Texas governor Abbott signs law outlawing abortion after 6 weeks

On Wednesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into a law a bill outlawing abortion as early as six weeks into pregnancy. However, unlike the other so-called “heartbeat” bills, Texas’ bill has a provision that would allow private citizens to file civil lawsuits against doctors, staff, or even a patient’s family or friends who “aid and abet” in such procedures.

Abortion rights groups say the law is unconstitutional and in violation of Roe v. Wade, which prohibits states from banning abortion before fetal viability, which generally happens around 24 weeks into a pregnancy.

Editorial credit: stock_photo_world / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

President Biden says he expects quick de-escalation of attacks in Gaza, as Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu says he’s ‘determined’ to continue the strikes

President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone on Wednesday and said he expects a quick de-escalation of military attacks against Palestinian targets in Gaza to make way for a cease-fire. In response to Wednesday’s call, Netanyahu said he’s “determined to continue” the strikes until their “objective is achieved — to bring back the quiet and security” to Israelis. “With every day that passes, we strike more abilities of the terrorist organizations,” Netanyahu said. “We are thwarting more senior commanders, toppling more terrorist towers, striking more arms caches.”
The call came two days after Biden last spoke with Netanyahu. On Monday, the U.S. president said Israel has a right to defend itself but called for a cessation of hostilities, encouraging Israel to make every effort to protect innocent civilians. The White House said, “The two leaders had a detailed discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel’s progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and the United States. The president conveyed to the prime minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire.”

Editorial credit: yakub88 / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes

Clint Black's Circle Network series, Talking in Circles With Clint Black, will premiere this Saturday, May 22 at 10PM ET. The show's first guest is Darius Rucker.

RaeLynn announced her first-ever honky tonk residency this week. Taking place at her former The Voice coach Blake Shelton's downtown Nashville spot, Ole Red, the six-date series will run from late May through early July. The shows benefit the CMA Foundation and ACM Lifting Lives' COVID-19 Response Fund.

Florida Georgia Line will give the debut live performance of their song, “Always Gonna Love You,” during a stop on The Ellen DeGeneres Show next Tuesday. The song comes off the duo's latest album, Life Rolls On.

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Country Daypop

Scotty McCreery announces new dates for “You Time” tour

Scotty McCreery has announced new dates for his 2021 You Time Tour. The tour is named for McCreery’s new single ‘You Time,’ which was released in September as the first single from his upcoming new album, due out this Fall.

McCreery in a statement: “This last year I was glad to get more ‘you time’ with my wife Gabi than ever before, as well as a lot of ‘you time’ with some of my favorite songwriters via zoom as we created new songs for the upcoming album. And now that we’re able to tour again, I cannot wait to get back on the road and have some ‘you time’ with fans this summer. This song’s message and timing really hit home for me and I hope we keep a few things like the intention of the time we spent with others this last year as we look ahead. I, for one, will never take going to a show or playing music live for fans for granted after this last year without it.”

McCreery will also be joining Old Dominion as support on select dates of their Live from the Ballpark Tour. For information about Scotty’s “You Time” tour, head over to his official website.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

 

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Country Daypop

George Strait to return to Las Vegas in August

George Strait will return to Las Vegas this year, playing two shows at the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas on Friday, Aug. 13, and Saturday, Aug. 14. Strait wrote on social media: “The Ace in the Hole Band and I have been looking forward to this day for a year and a half. I cannot wait to see Vegas and all of my great fans once again. It’s been way too long. We will finally ride again. See you soon.”

This news comes after Strait’s concert at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana, with special guests Brothers Osborne and Chris Stapleton, was canceled.  A statement on the school’s website read: “With spectator safety the highest priority, a concert featuring country music star George Strait on Aug. 7 at Notre Dame Stadium has been canceled.” Fans who already purchased tickets should receive a refund at the point of purchase.

Tickets for Strait’s Las Vegas show are available at the link- here. Tickets purchased for Strait’s canceled August 2020 Vegas shows will be honored.

For a full list of Strait’s upcoming tour dates, visit here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

George Strait to return to Las Vegas in August

George Strait will return to Las Vegas this year, playing two shows at the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas on Friday, Aug. 13, and Saturday, Aug. 14. Strait wrote on social media: “The Ace in the Hole Band and I have been looking forward to this day for a year and a half. I cannot wait to see Vegas and all of my great fans once again. It’s been way too long. We will finally ride again. See you soon.” For a full list of Strait’s upcoming tour dates, visit here.

The Las Vegas announcement comes after Strait’s concert at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana, with special guests Brothers Osborne and Chris Stapleton, was canceled.  A statement on the school’s website had read: “With spectator safety the highest priority, a concert featuring country music star George Strait on Aug. 7 at Notre Dame Stadium has been canceled.” Fans who already purchased tickets should receive a refund at the point of purchase.

Tickets for Strait’s Las Vegas show are available at the link- here. Tickets purchased for Strait’s canceled August 2020 Vegas shows will be honored.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com