Month: September 2021

Loretta Lynn's Hometown Rising concert raises nearly $1 million

Post author By abookbinder
Post date September 17, 2021
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Loretta Lynn was the force behind the star-studded Hometown Rising concert, held at the Grand Ole Opry on September 14, to raise money for those impacted by the devastating floods that struck Middle Tennessee in August.

Proceeds from the show, which drew country music superstars like Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Luke Combs, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban and more, went directly to the United Way of Humphreys County, with the concert netting nearly one million dollars for the worthwhile cause.

“I've heard from so many friends that the show Monday night that my friends put together for our community not only raised money, but it also raised spirits after a long few weeks of loss and heartbreak,” Loretta says. “I loved the performances and the stories.

“While we shared some heartbreaking images and footage from our hometown, what I saw in those moments was the resilience people have shown amid so much loss,” she continues. “We'll all be okay as long as we continue to help one another.”

Donations can still be made by texting TNFLOODRELIEF to 44321.

Go Country 105

Country star trivia

On this day in 1977, a then-rising star made her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, although it definitely didn’t go as planned. The guard didn’t see her name on the list of performers and refused to allow her entrance until she was able to call her booking agent from a pay phone. And, her performance was cut down from two songs to one to make room for a surprise guest, Dolly Parton. She became a member in 1986. ANSWER: Reba McEntire

Go Country 105

Carly Pearce drops 29: Written in Stone, announces headlining tour

Post author By abookbinder
Post date September 17, 2021
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It’s a big day for Carly Pearce! The Grand Ole Opry member has released her autobiographical 29: Written in Stone album, and also announced her own headlining The 29 Tour.

29: Written in Stone is the follow-up to Carly’s telling 29 EP, adding eight new songs to the original project.

“Once I started writing, I thought I'd gotten it all out of my system,” Carly said of the new record. “But the songs just kept on coming, and I realized to truly understand how you come out the other side, not just a quick snapshot, this full project needed to happen. Now people can see how you thrive and shine even in the lowest moments.”

Carly will kick off her headlining tour on November 4 in Des Moines, Iowa. Andrew Jannakos will serve as her opening act. Dates and her new album are available at CarlyPearce.com.

News Daypop

Idaho declares healthcare resource crisis allowing hospitals to ration care

Post author By Staff
Post date September 17, 2021
No Comments on Idaho declares healthcare resource crisis allowing hospitals to ration care

Idaho hospitals are so overwhelmed with patients that health officials are allowing them to ration care. The Idaho Department of Health and Wellness announced that it has activated the ‘Crisis Standards of Care’ for the entire state as healthcare workers struggle to deal with the influx of patients with COVID-19. The declaration allows hospitals to repurpose rooms not meant for patient care and prioritize healthcare decisions based on how sick a patient is. That means that some patients may have to wait longer for treatment or be transferred to another hospital to receive the proper care.

Dave Jeppesen, the director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, said in a statement: “The situation is dire — we don’t have enough resources to adequately treat the patients in our hospitals, whether you are there for COVID-19 or a heart attack or because of a car accident.” Jeppesen also urged people to get vaccinated to help alleviate some of the strain on the healthcare system, saying in part: “Our hospitals and healthcare systems need our help. The best way to end crisis standards of care is for more people to get vaccinated. It dramatically reduces your chances of having to go to the hospital if you do get sick from COVID-19. In addition, please wear a mask indoors in public and outdoors when it’s crowded to help slow the spread.”

Editorial credit: Alexandros Michailidis / Shutterstock.com

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“Damn Strait,” Scotty McCreery's driving the 'Same Truck' from 'Idol' — and delivering an important message

Post author By abookbinder
Post date September 17, 2021
No Comments on “Damn Strait,” Scotty McCreery's driving the 'Same Truck' from 'Idol' — and delivering an important message

More than ten years after winning the tenth season of American Idol, Scotty McCreery arrives with his fifth studio album, driving the Same Truck he won on the popular singing competition.

The 27-year-old wrote ten of the record’s twelve tracks, including his top five hit, “You Time.” In fact, he believed he was almost done with the follow-up to 2018’s Seasons Change — and then 2020 happened.

“You know, I thought I had this album pretty much ready to go a couple of years ago,” Scotty reveals. “But then after COVID hit, suddenly [I] had a lot of extra time on my hands. So I started writing new songs and before I knew it, we’d come up with almost a whole new album.”

For Scotty, Same Truck has both a literal and a much deeper meaning.

“Can you believe I’m actually driving the same truck I won 10 years ago as part of my American Idol title?” he asks. “The truck’s name is Loretta after one of my favorites, Loretta Lynn.”

Amid divisive times, Scotty believes we’re more alike than different, i.e. we’re all in the same boat — or “Same Truck,” if you’re from North Carolina.

“[It] was one of those songs that got started by a conversation talking about how I drive the same truck…” he tells ABC Audio. “But it morphed into something a lot more important than that, just talking about how, ‘Hey, guys, we’re all on the same team here. Let’s build each other up instead of tear each other down.'”

“And it’s just a message I think we all need to hear right now,” he adds. ?

Same Truck is new today, and features Scotty’s nod to King George, “Damn Strait,” which he’s set to sing Tuesday on NBC’s Today show.

News Daypop

Prominent South Carolina attorney turns himself in on charges connected to insurance fraud scheme

Post author By Staff
Post date September 17, 2021
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Alex Murdaugh, a prominent South Carolina lawyer accused of trying to arrange his own death earlier this month so his son would receive a $10 million life insurance payment, turned himself in to authorities on Thursday. Murdaugh allegedly hired a gunman to kill him, but the planned fatal shot only grazed his head, according to state police. Jim Griffin, Murdaugh’s attorney, said a warrant was issued for his arrest on a charge of conspiracy to commit insurance fraud. The State Law Enforcement Division said in a statement that the alleged shooter, Curtis Edward Smith, was charged with assisted suicide, insurance fraud and several other counts in the September 4 shooting of Murdaugh on a highway in Hampton County.

Still unsolved are the June 7 killings of 52-year-old Maggie Murdaugh and her 22-year-old son Paul Murdaugh. Alex Murdaugh discovered the bodies of his wife and son at their Colleton County home; both had been shot multiple times. Attorneys for Murdaugh said he had been struggling with a longtime addiction to opioids and wanted to end his life. Murdaugh is fully cooperating with the investigation of his shooting as well as the deaths of his wife and son. “Alex is not without fault but he is just one of many whose life has been devastated by opioid addiction,” his attorneys said.

Editorial credit: Nagel Photography / Shutterstock.com

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Nashville notes

Alan Jackson and his daughter, Mattie Selecman, wrote a song together, “Racing the Dark.” The song is available as a download as part of Mattie’s upcoming book, Lemons on Friday, which details her journey of grief following the loss of her husband, Ben Selecman, after 11 months of marriage.

Miranda Lambert, Natalie Hemby and Luke Dick won Song of the Year at the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s (NSAI) annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, for “Bluebird.” Luke Combs won Songwriter-Artist of the Year. See the entire list of winners here.

Hailey Whitters released the official video for “How Far Can It Go,” featuring Trisha Yearwood. The song is from Hailey’s deluxe album, Living the Dream. Watch the video at Whitters’ official YouTube channel.

Country Daypop

Cody Johnson announces lead single from upcoming album ‘Til You Can’t’

Post author By Staff
Post date September 17, 2021
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Cody Johnson will release ‘Til You Can’t’ to country radio on October 18th. The song is the debut single from his upcoming sophomore major-label release, Human: The Double Album, available on October 8th to stream and purchase on all digital music platforms. Copies are also available now for pre-order on Johnson’s website. To date, Johnson has released nine of the album’s 18 songs in advance of the release.

Said Johnson: “I chose to record ‘Til You Can’t’ first because of the positivity in the message of the song. In our world today, we could use more positivity. Secondly because of how dynamic the melody was; I took it and ran with it. I hope y’all enjoy!” You can take a listen to ‘Til You Can’t’ – here.

In addition, Johnson’s feature-length documentary, Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story, can now be rented or purchased exclusively via the Apple TV app through October 8th in the US and Canada.

Editorial credit: Eugene Powers / Shutterstock.com

Country Daypop

Carly Pearce teams up with Ashley McBryde for “Never Wanted To Be That Girl”

Post author By Staff
Post date September 17, 2021
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Carly Pearce’s upcoming album ‘29: Written In Stone’ is set for release today, Friday, September 17. Pearce has now released “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” a duet with Ashley McBryde, which you can take a listen to – here.

Pearce said of the song via Instagram, “This is the story of how a bad man happened to two good women.” She wrote in another Instagram post: “My truth in 15 songs. All written in stone. I can’t wait to share them with you this Friday ”

In a press release, McBryde and Pearce discussed the song’s writing process: Pearce said, “Ashley is such a great drop-into-the-moment writer, she was able to bring that reality bomb truth to what we were doing. She’s fearless, and she understands human nature in a way that let us both really write to the hurt of realizing we’ve been lied to by someone we’re intimate with.” McBryde added, “Carly isn’t afraid to face the less potable subjects,” As a writer she’s willing to get in there and get very honest. Writing this song together with Shane strengthened our friendship and taught us more about one another and ourselves. Seriously, nobody wants to be the other woman. And when you find you are…damn. It’s such a gut punch.”

Carly Pearce + Ashley McBryde Join Forces for ‘Never Wanted to Be That Girl’

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Pop Daypop

Elton John postpones 2021 farewell tour dates due to hip injury

Post author By Staff
Post date September 17, 2021
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Elton John announced Thursday he is postponing his 2021 ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour in Europe and United Kingdom to 2023 due to a hip injury. In 2018, John announced he would be retiring from touring after his 300-date ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour.

The 74-year-old made the announcement on Twitter, saying: “At the end of my summer break I fell awkwardly on a hard surface and have been in considerable pain and discomfort in my hip ever since. Despite intensive physio and specialist treatment, the pain has continued to get worse and is leading to increasing difficulties moving.” John also said he was advised to have surgery so there would not be long-term complications.

John said he will still be able to participate in the Global Citizen event on Sept. 25, and concluded his message thanking fans for their patience: “I completely feel your frustrations after the year we’ve had. I promise you this — the shows will return to the road next year and I will make sure they are more than worth the wait.”

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com