Month: June 2021

Russell Dickerson partners with Smirnoff to surprise a travel fan with her dream camper

Post author By abookbinder
Post date June 2, 2021
No Comments on Russell Dickerson partners with Smirnoff to surprise a travel fan with her dream camper

As COVID-19 shutdowns and stay-at-home restrictions come to a close, Russell Dickerson is helping one avid traveler get back out on the road in style.

The singer teamed up with Smirnoff for the brand’s new “Smirnoff Summer of 2,021 Dreams” promotional campaign, gifting a special performance and a custom camper to an Indianapolis resident and frontline nurse named Erin.

Erin, who is a big fan of Russell’s music, also happens to be an avid traveler — but she’s had to put her travel plans on pause for the past year and a half, focusing instead on keeping herself and her patients as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Russell personally made a stop to surprise Erin with her new custom camper, which is fully furnished and ready to hit the road this summer. He also gave an exclusive performance that evening, while Smirnoff treated Erin and her family and friends to its Red, White and Berry line of fruit-flavored seltzer and malt beverages.

Fans will have plenty of chances to see Russell on the road this year. He’s a supporting act for Florida Georgia Line‘s I Love My Country Tour, which starts in September.

Go Country 105

Randy Travis readies a deluxe edition of 'Storms of Life' for the album's 35th anniversary

Post author By abookbinder
Post date June 2, 2021
No Comments on Randy Travis readies a deluxe edition of 'Storms of Life' for the album's 35th anniversary

Wednesday marks 35 years since Randy Travis released his 1986 debut album, Storms of Life. Featuring hit singles like “Diggin' Up Bones” and “On the Other Hand,” the project launched Randy into country music stardom, and also established him as a stalwart traditionalist whose voice would go on to become one of the most recognizable in the genre.

In celebration of the anniversary, Randy has announced his plans to release a deluxe edition of the album, featuring remastered versions of the original 10-song track list.

Storms of Life (35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) will also feature three as-yet-unreleased songs which come from the archives of the singer's recorded material. The bonus tracks are titled “Ain't No Use,” “Carryin' Fire” and “The Wall.”

“I love the timeless lyrics and the traditional country instruments, like steel guitar, banjo, piano, fiddle,” Randy explains of his iconic debut album. “It was music that I believed in, that told a story I wanted to share.”

At the time that he made the project, Randy goes on to explain, the “urban cowboy sound” was fashionable in country music, and he found that he was one of the only recording artists looking for songs that adhered more closely to country music's roots.

“We were fortunate to have a large catalogue of songs to choose from that were more traditional,” Randy adds. “…I got to choose from the best of the best, cream of the crop. It was exciting for all of us to get back to our roots.”

The new deluxe version of the album will arrive September 24, but pre-orders start on August 27.

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Chris Janson will kick off NASCAR Cup Series Race with a performance in Nashville

Post author By abookbinder
Post date June 2, 2021
No Comments on Chris Janson will kick off NASCAR Cup Series Race with a performance in Nashville

Chris Janson has been announced as the artist performing a concert on the track at Nashville Superspeedway, to help launch the “Ally 400” NASCAR Cup Series Race.

The show and race are taking place on Sunday, June 20. Chris' set will occur between that morning's Cup Series qualifying session and the race itself, which kicks off at 2:30 PM. It'll be the first race of its kind to take place in Middle Tennessee in 37 years, and the stands are expected to be packed.

“I'm pumped to have NASCAR back in Nashville for the first time in 10 years with a SOLD-OUT crowd,” the singer says. “I can't think of a better combination than racing fans & country music fans. It will be a glorious day!”

While this particular event might be sold out, you can still pick up tickets to the Nashville Superspeedway's first two Father's Day weekend races; tickets are available at the venue's website.

Fans will have plenty more chances to see Chris on tour this year, as he recently returned to the road for his Back At It Tour, the singer's first since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.

Go Country 105

Country star trivia

Four years ago today, this country superstar released his debut album, This One’s for You. It features hit singles including “Hurricane,” “When It Rains It Pours” and “Beautiful Crazy.” Can you guess who it is? ANSWER: Luke Combs.

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Garth Brooks adds a Kansas City date to his Stadium Tour

Post author By abookbinder
Post date June 2, 2021
No Comments on Garth Brooks adds a Kansas City date to his Stadium Tour

Garth Brooks has booked a new date on his summer 2021 Stadium Tour. In August, he'll head to Kansas City, Missouri for a concert at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, a venue he'll be playing for the very first time.

Tickets for Garth's Kansas City show go on sale on Friday, June 11 at 10 a.m. CT. It's one of five summer shows the singer has planned — he's also hitting Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Nebraska before September 2021. All of his other dates have quickly sold out.

In fact, Garth's July show in Salt Lake City sold out last month at a whiplash-inducing rate, with 50,000 seats snapped up by fans in just under 30 minutes. Not long after, he sold 70,000 tickets in the first 47 minutes after sales opened for his Lincoln, Nebraska show.

As always for Garth's stadium shows, tickets to see the singer in Kansas City will cost $94.95, all inclusive. Purchasers assume COVID-19 risk and promise to adhere to the safety protocols in place. Seating and the show's format will be in-the-round style.

Garth's Kansas City concert takes place on August 7 beginning at 7 p.m.. If Garth's other Stadium Tour shows are any indication, tickets will go fast, and fans should be ready to grab their seats as soon as the event goes on sale.

According to local health guidelines, Garth's show will be sold to the full capacity of 76,416, per the venue's website.

News Daypop

President Biden pledges new efforts for racial equity 100 years after Tulsa massacre

Post author By Staff
Post date June 2, 2021

President Joe Biden traveled to Oklahoma on Tuesday for the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. On May 31 and June 1, 1921, an armed White mob ravaged the wealthy Black neighborhood of Greenwood, a hub of Black-owned businesses known as “Black Wall Street,” in Tulsa. The mob destroyed 35 city blocks.

During his visit to the Greenwood Cultural Center, Biden spoke about the diminished impact of the 1921 Tulsa massacre in which a White mob killed hundreds of Black Americans. Biden pledged to expand access to two key wealth creators — home ownership and small business ownership — in communities of color and disadvantaged communities. Said Biden: “My fellow Americans, this was not a riot. This was a massacre. Among the worst in our history. But not the only one — and for too long, forgotten by our history. We do ourselves no favors by pretending none of this ever happened,” Biden said. “We should know the good, the bad, everything. That’s what great nations do. They come to terms with their dark sides.”

Biden announced efforts to block racial discrimination in the U.S. housing market, including an inter-agency effort to address inequity in home appraisals. The White House said the government will use purchasing power to grow federal contracting with small disadvantaged businesses by 50%, which it said would result in an additional $100 billion over five years. To end housing discrimination, the White House said the Department of Housing and Urban Development will move toward “traditional interpretations of the Fair Housing Act” and “more vigorously enforce the Fair Housing Act.”

Editorial credit: Nick_ Raille_07 / Shutterstock.com

News Daypop

One firefighter killed, one injured in Los Angeles fire station shooting

Post author By Staff
Post date June 2, 2021

A Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighter died and another was injured after an off-duty colleague opened fire at a station in Agua Ducle on Tuesday. Agua Ducle is located about 30 miles north of Los Angeles in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Speaking during a news conference, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Brandon Dean said the suspected gunman returned to his home, where he barricaded himself in and set the structure ablaze. Authorities found the suspect, whose name wasn’t released, dead from a possible self-inflicted gunshot wound in the backyard.

Fire Chief Daryl Osby said a 44-year-old firefighter died from his injuries in the shooting and a 54-year-old fire captain was in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. Authorities didn’t reveal a motive for the shooting.

Editorial credit: D-VISIONS / Shutterstock.com

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Nashville notes

Willie Jones will perform his latest single, “Down by the Riverside,” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! tonight. The show airs at 11:35 p.m. ET on ABC.

Hailey Whitters has been selected as the inaugural Opry NextStage artist, a new program from the Grand Ole Opry that spotlights up-and-coming country artists. She’ll perform on the Opry on Saturday night. The broadcast airs beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

Shenandoah will perform in their first-ever livestream concert from Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The set streams on Sessions Live on June 21 at 8 p.m. ET.

Country Daypop

Michael Ray reveals upcoming summer “Just The Way I Am” tour

Post author By Staff
Post date June 2, 2021

Michael Ray has announced his forthcoming summer tour. The “Just the Way I Am Tour” will kick off June 13 with a show at Caroline Music Fest in support of Luke Combs, continuing through Fall 2021 and including other stops supporting Sam Hunt, Chris Young, Ashley McBryde, and more.

Ray said in a statement: “I can’t wait to be back out on the road and be with all of you again. There’s nothing better than being with one another and singing the songs that have brought us together over the years, and I’m so excited to share some new songs with you that have come to mean so much to me. Let’s make some memories.”

You can check out the dates for the Just the Way I Am Tour on social media – here. Tickets are available now at Ray’s official website.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Country Daypop

Brett Young announces 2021 ‘The Weekends Tour’

Post author By Staff
Post date June 2, 2021

Brett Young has announced a 33-date tour titled “The Weekends Tour” set to kick off September 11, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas. Openers include Maddie & Tae and Filmore, along with Ryan Hurd and Matt Ferranti on select dates.

Young said in a press statement: “Announcing a headlining tour and preparing to release new music both in the same week truly feels like a dream and something I won’t ever take for granted. It’s emotional thinking about reuniting not only with my band and crew after so much time apart, but with the fans! I can’t wait to make up for lost time and finally get to perform these new ones we’ve been working on.”

Brett’s new album, Weekends Look a Little Different These Days, serves as the followup to Ticket to L.A., which released back in 2018. Weekends Look a Little Different These Days is due out Friday, June 4. For a full list of tour dates, click – here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com