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Biden administration unveils plan to fight against domestic terrorism

The Biden administration unveiled a new national strategy on Tuesday to help combat a rise in domestic terrorism, which includes adding prosecutors and other law enforcement officials across the government. The strategy seeks $100 million to add key personnel in the departments of justice and homeland security, and calls for monitoring federal employees who could pose an inside threat.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said Tuesday in announcing the plan: “First, we are focused on violence, not ideology. We don’t investigate people for their First Amendment activities … There is no place for violence in resolving political differences in our democracy. We will never take our eyes off the risk of another devastating attack by foreign terrorists. At the same time, we must respond to domestic terrorism with the same sense of purpose and dedication.”

President Biden said in a statement: “Domestic terrorism — driven by hate, bigotry and other forms of extremism — is a stain on the soul of America. It goes against everything our country strives for, and it poses a direct challenge to our national security, democracy and unity.” One of the main focuses of Biden’s strategy is to improve the sharing of information across federal agencies to track domestic terrorism, a key failing that investigators say contributed to the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol by radical supporters of former President Donald Trump.  “This is a project that should unite all Americans,” Biden added. “Together we must affirm that domestic terrorism has no place in our society. We must work to root out the hatreds that can too often drive violence.”

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News Daypop

2 dead, 2 injured in shooting at water distribution plant in Alabama

Police in Albertville, Alabama say an employee at a water distribution plant opened fire on co-workers early Tuesday, killing two and injuring two before taking his own life.  The shooting occurred at the Mueller Co. plant, which employs more than 400 people and makes water distribution and measurement products, giving the city of Albertville its nickname, “Fire Hydrant Capital of the World.”

Michael Lee Dobbins and David Lee Horton of Boaz, Alabama died in the shooting around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. The shooter was later identified as Andreas Deon Horton, 34, of Dekalb County.  Police have not determined a motive, and confirmed there was no known familial relation between the Hortons and that they had “no ties” other than working at the same place. The two wounded employees were taken to a hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The shooter used a handgun to fire an unknown number of rounds at his co-workers before fleeing, and was later found dead in the vehicle from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head in Guntersville, about 15 miles away from the factory. Multiple weapons were recovered from the vehicle.

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes

Lauren Alaina will star in the upcoming Hallmark movie, Roadhouse Romance. It premieres on September 11 at 9 p.m. ET. 

Stephanie Quayle has launched the “We Buy Gold Powered by Hitchswitch” campaign. Couples can send in their wedding or engagement videos to Hitchswitch for a chance to be featured in the video for her song, “We Buy Gold.” Entrees will be accepted through July 14.  

Caitlyn Smith is the latest artist ambassador for the CMA Foundation. During her tenure, she’ll offer songwriting tutorials and other activities to inspire students and educators. 

Hit songwriter Rivers Rutherford (“When I Get Where I’m Going,” “Real Good Man”) has signed with Kane Brown‘s publishing company, Verse 2 Music.

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Country Daypop

Carrie Underwood’s Easter livestream ‘My Savior: Live From the Ryman’ to be released on DVD

Carrie Underwood’s gospel album My Savior debuted March 26, shortly before Easter, and to celebrate the season Underwood hosted a special livestream event at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Easter Sunday (April 4).

The event, titled My Savior: Live From the Ryman, raised over $100,000 for ‘Save the Children;’ and now the special will be released on DVD on July 23.  Additionally, a televised special featuring performances from the Easter livestream will air on July 23 on networks including PBS, DIRECTV, DISH TV, Circle TV, TBN, RFD-TV and more; and it will air in Canada on The Miracle Channel, Vision TV, Hope TV and CTS (Crossroads). The special will also air on GAITHERTV (Roku/Apple/Amazon) and on the Gaither TV YouTube Channel for a limited time beginning July 23.

Underwood said in a press release: “This is an album I have always wanted to record and I’m thrilled to be able to bring these uplifting, inspirational songs to life in this special way. It means so much to be able to bring this event to people in their homes on a day that holds so much meaning for us spiritually and to be able to raise much needed funds and awareness for the incredible work of Save the Children as we celebrate the importance of family.”

Editorial credit: MPH Photos / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

Brooks & Dunn announce ‘Reboot 2021’ tour with support from Travis Tritt and Elvie Shane

Brooks & Dunn are ready to hit the road for their Reboot 2021 Tour, which will include seven new dates and feature Travis Tritt and “My Boy” singer Elvie Shane for certain stops on the tour. The tour was originally scheduled for last year before it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tour kicks-off Sept. 2 in Indianapolis and includes stops in Cincinnati, Chicago, Dallas and more, before wrapping at Orange Beach, Alabama on Oct. 9.

In 2019, Brooks & Dunn joined forces again for the album Reboot, featuring country artists including Kacey Musgraves and Luke Combs to take part in remakes of  their biggest hits.

Tickets for the new tour dates go on sale beginning June 18 at 10 a.m. local time at LiveNation.com.

Editorial credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Liam Payne reveals his battle with substance addiction and severe depression while with One Direction

Liam Payne opened up about struggling with depression and addiction, saying he experienced feelings of isolation and hit “rock bottom” during his time with One Direction.

During an appearance on the podcast “The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett, Payne said he became reliant on alcohol at the height of the band’s fame and experienced “suicidal ideation.”  Payne, who described himself as an addict, said he and his bandmates weren’t given the “freedom to make choices” which escalated his struggles. Payne also revealed he began struggling with alcohol abuse again during the pandemic, but he has now been sober for one month.

When asked about a One Direction reunion, Payne said: “I enjoyed touring for what I enjoyed it for, but there’s parts of it that really, really f—ed me up. But none of us talk about it, it’s like a taboo subject. Like, ‘Oh, we can’t get back together.’ What do you mean? Us in the same room? What the f— is that about?”   He mentioned those he maintains a good relationship with, specifically Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan.

Editorial credit: Cubankite / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Post Malone drops $1.6M on diamond-studded teeth

Post Malone has just spent $1.6 million on a set of diamond-studded teeth, with help from “The Father of Diamond Dentistry,” Dr. Thomas Connelly.

“Post Malone completed his $1,600,000 smile reconstruction last weekend !!,” the dentist captioned a black-and-white portrait of Malone on Instagram, adding, “With a smile that shows off natural Porcelain Veneer work framed with 2 Diamond Fangs with a total weight of 12 Carats, Post Malone literally has $1 million smile!!!”  Dr. Connelly added that the project was a collaboration between himself and cosmetic dentist Naoki Hayashi, a team of gem cutters at Bichachi Diamonds and jewelry experts Angel City Jewelers.

On the music front, Post is set to perform at a range of festivals this year, including Lollapalooza Chicago, Rolling Loud Miami, NYC’s Governors Ball, and Rock in Rio Lisboa in 2022.

Editorial credit: davrilg / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Chris Lane celebrates son Dutton with “Ain't Even Met You Yet”

Chris Lane is paying musical tribute to his newborn son Dutton with “Ain’t Even Met You Yet.” 

The song reflects how Chris felt as a father-to-be and looks ahead to the future when he buys his son his first baseball glove, gives him his first beer and assures him that he’s going to “earn that first truck.” He also admits that tears will fall the day his son moves away.

“I feel ready/But I feel scared to death/All I know is I love you/And I ain’t even met you yet,” Chris professes in the gentle acoustic number. 

“I’ve been waiting to meet Dutton for nine months now, and the easiest way for me personally to describe my feelings and emotions is to write about it! So naturally, I wrote a song,” the country singer shares with People. “It’s called ‘Ain’t Even Met You Yet’ and sums up how I’ve been feeling over the last few months. I can’t wait to share it with him one day.”

Chris and his wife Lauren Bushnell Lane welcomed Dutton on June 8.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGVyUg3F1Zk]

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Go Country 105

“Footprints on the Moon”: Gabby Barrett shares single #3

Gabby Barrett is leaving “Footprints on the Moon” in her latest single. 

The American Idol alum revealed on social media that her third single off her 2020 debut album, Goldmine, is “Footprints on the Moon,” an empowering anthem about overcoming obstacles to achieve one’s dreams. 

“The voices in the night, in your head/ Yeah, they’ll beg you to quit,” Gabby belts in the defining chorus. “And they’ll tell you that it’s hard/ ‘Cause it is/ But you can do anything, anything you want to/ There’s footprints on the moon.”

The inspiring track appears to be a fan favorite, with many fans commenting on the singer’s Instagram post announcing the new single. One fan writes, “Best on the planet!!” while another says, “One of my favorites! Love this song.” 

“Footprints on the Moon” follows Gabby’s back-to-back #1 hits “I Hope” and “The Good Ones.” The 21-year-old took home the trophy for Female Video of the Year for “The Good Ones” at the 2021 CMT Awards last week.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lerQApMDxTo]

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Go Country 105

Cody Johnson adds 2021 tour dates

Cody Johnson is expanding his tour schedule.

Following a series of dates in June and July, including two sold-out headlining shows at the Ryman Auditorium, the “On My Way to You” singer has added a string of new tour dates August through December.

He’ll perform at Springfield Raceway in Missouri on August 21, the ExtraMile Arena in Boise, Idaho on October 14, and Celeste Arena in Columbus, Ohio, where the tour wraps on December 3, visiting several other towns along the way. 

Easton Corbin and Ian Munsick join Cody as supporting acts for most dates.

“There are few feelings more amazing than being on stage with my friends in front of all our fans. I can't tell you how excited the whole gang is to finally be back on the road playing country music for you,” Cody says in a statement. 

The Texan will release a double album later this year. He recently dropped “‘Til You Can’t” and “Longer Than She Did,” along with a cover of Willie Nelson‘s “Sad Songs and Waltzes” that he recorded with the country legend. 

Cody’s current single, “Dear Rodeo,” featuring Reba McEntire, is currently climbing the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlwREmok31o]

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