Month: November 2021

Categories
Go Country 105

Thomas Rhett celebrates his dad's Songwriters Hall of Fame induction: “I have learned so much from you”

abc-rss-feed-20211103103000

Before Thomas Rhett became a country superstar with a string of number-one hits and sold-out tour dates, he was a budding teenage songwriter who learned important lessons about country music from his dad, Rhett Akins.

Back in the 90s, Rhett had a successful career as a recording artists with top-10 hits like “Don't Get Me Started” and “That Ain't My Truck.” But in the years that followed, he found greater success as an in-demand Nashville songwriter, writing for the likes of Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean and Justin Moore.

This week, Rhett officially joined the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and his superstar son accompanied him to the ceremony. Afterward, Thomas hopped on social media to share a few words about what his dad has meant to him as a songwriter over the years.

“Dad, I can't express how amazed I am at your talent, creativity, drive and even though you have all that drive how calm you are through the process,” he wrote, alongside a picture of himself and Rhett at the induction ceremony.

“I have learned so much from you and will continue to learn from you,” TR continues. “It's mind blowing that we get to work together as songwriters and we have such a blast doing it. I love you and tonight was so well-deserved.”

Not only do the father-son duo often write together, but they tour together, too: Rhett most recently joined his son as an opening act on Thomas' Center Point Road Tour.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

“Pick Out a Christmas Tree”: Dan + Shay are back with another original tune to get you into the holiday spirit

abc-rss-feed-20211103090920

Last year, Dan + Shay treated fans to original Christmas songs “Take Me Home for Christmas” and “Christmas Isn't Christmas.” After releasing those tunes, the duo hinted that they weren't quite done spreading Christmas cheer, and sure enough, they're back for more festive original Christmas music in 2021.

The band released a new tune, “Pick Out a Christmas Tree,” as an Amazon Music Original song this week. In a behind-the-scenes clip shared with People, Dan + Shay admit that it's especially daunting to write a new Christmas song since there are already so many classics in the canon.

“One day we sat down to write it and it sort of poured out of us,” they explain about their newly released song. “It's just the soundtrack for folks going out [with] families, friends, going to a Christmas tree farm or going to a store down the street and picking out Christmas trees — so that's how this song came about.”

“Pick Out a Christmas Tree” is available on Amazon now.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
News Daypop

CDC advisory unanimously recommends Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 years old

shutterstock_2017557179

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s advisory panel unanimously recommended on Tuesday that children between ages 5 and 11 receive Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.

The final decision regarding when children will be able to receive the vaccine could happen as soon as Wednesday, and rests with CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. “Today is a monumental day in the course of this pandemic,” Walensky told the panel, adding, “The chances a child will have severe COVID, require hospitalization or develop a long term complication like MIS-C remains low but still the risk remains too high and too devastating to our children and far higher for many other diseases for which we vaccinate our children.”

The Food and Drug Administration signed off last week on Pfizer’s vaccine for younger children after a recommendation from its advisory panel. The proposed dose for younger children is a third of the dose given to recipients over age 12. The children would receive two shots three weeks apart.

Emergency use authorization for child doses would give Pfizer’s vaccine a head start over the other two available vaccines in the United States, from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Those companies are still studying the effects of their vaccines in younger children. Researchers found no serious side effects related to the child doses of Pfizer’s shot. Usual side effects include headache and fatigue.

Categories
Go Country 105

Brothers Osborne step “into a new era” with their CMA-nominated 'Skeletons'

abc-rss-feed-20211103030100

One week from today, Brothers Osborne could add to their already impressive collection of CMA trophies, potentially claiming the prestigious Album of the Year award for Skeletons, which celebrated its first birthday last month. 

The cover shows TJ and John walking through an enormous keyhole — an equally ominous piece of symbolism for the siblings.

“We didn’t want to be extremely on the nose with having a skull and bones on there or something, but we wanted a skeleton keyhole…” TJ explains. “For us, it’s really kind of symbolizing us kind of stepping out into a new era of Brothers Osborne.”

Skeletons builds on 2016’s Pawn Shop and 2018’s Port Saint Joe, without fundamentally altering the DNA of the duo.

“Obviously, with every record, you want to get, not only better, but you also just wanna be different than the record before,” TJ tells ABC Audio, “so you have something fresh, and it’s not the same thing over and over again, but at the same time, not lose that very thing that the fans love to begin with.”

Ultimately, it’s an evolution that leaves TJ and John right where they want to be.

“I think we’ve learned a lot about who we are between our first two records,” TJ reflects. “And it really allowed us to kinda be able to focus in on what Brothers Osborne is, and what people respond to.”

“And that hasn’t always been what we thought it would be sometimes,” he confesses. “And I think now that we’re here, I really feel like this is the version of us that our fans have grown to love over the years.” 

The brothers are also up for Music Video for the non-album track, “Younger Me,” as well as Duo, which they’ve won three times before.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
News Daypop

U.S Justice Department sues against Penguin Random House’s acquisition of Simon & Schuster

shutterstock_2060334035

On Tuesday, the U.S Justice Department sued against Penguin Random House’s planned acquisition of one of its main competitors, Simon & Schuster. The Biden administration said the acquisition would enable the publishing company to “exert outsized influence over which books are published in the United States and how much authors are paid for their work.”

Penguin Random House, the largest book publisher in the world, promised earlier this year to allow Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster editors to bid against each other post-acquisition. However, the Justice Department believes the proposed merge would cut back on “this important competition” and result in lower advances for authors. Attorney General Merrick Garland said: “The complaint filed today to ensure fair competition in the U.S. publishing industry is the latest demonstration of the Justice Department’s commitment to pursuing economic opportunity and fairness through antitrust enforcement.”

Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the Justice Department’s complaint said that if Penguin Random House acquires Simon & Schuster for a proposed $2.18 billion, it would put the former in control of close to half of the publishing market for top-selling books. In response to the lawsuit, the two publishing companies said they planned to fight the lawsuit.

Editorial credit: Alejandro Guzmani / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Kenny Chesney to launch ‘Here and Now’ tour beginning April 2022

shutterstock_4071673-2

Kenny Chesney is going on tour in 2022, shared plans for his Here and Now stadium tour. Chesney wrote on Instagram:  “I’m so excited to finally be able to say we’re bringing the music back to the road in 2022 with @danandshay, @olddominionmusic and @carlypearce.”  Chesney released his 19th studio album, ‘Here and Now,’ in May 2020. The album features the singles “Tip of My Tongue,” “Here and Now,” “Happy Does” and “Knowing You.”

The Here and Now tour begins April 23, 2022, in Tampa, Fla., and ends Aug. 27 in Foxboro, Mass. Chesney will be joined by Dan + Shay, Old Dominion and Carly Pearce as opening acts. Chesney said in a statement: “No matter who you are, someone who’s been coming since the very beginning or is curious what the fuss is all about, I wanted to give No Shoes Nation the best lineup of music that’s gonna give them the kind of celebratory night we all deserve after waiting so long.”

Tour information can be found here: https://www.kennychesney.com/tour.  American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets beginning Wednesday, Nov 3 at 10 a.m. ET before tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. ET.

Editorial credit: pasphotography / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Walker Hayes to hit the road on ‘The Fancy Like Tour’ in 2022

shutterstock_1367056019

Walker Hayes has announced his headlining “The Fancy Like Tour” for 2022, with rising artist MacKenzie Porter serving as support on all tour dates.

Walker shared on social media: “Fancy Like Tour comin at cha…jacked to be playin all these cities. MacKenzie Porter will be joinin and if you don’t know her yet…you should. Tix on sale everywhere Friday OR you can text me for the presale code 615-808-8426.”

Walker continued: “When you get up on stage and you sing a song…especially that you wrote, and you look out, and there’s just lines of people reciting your lyrics back to you…I don’t know, it just kind of affirms all that work you did. And not just on that song, but maybe every one that you wrote to get to that one. You know, it’s such a gratifying feeling.”

Walker Hayes’ The Fancy Like Tour launches on January 27th in Grand Rapids, Michigan, wrapping up late April in Louisville, Kentucky. Tickets go on sale this Friday, November 5th.  For more information head to Walker’s official website.

Walker Hayes Announces the ‘Fancy Like Tour’

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Ed Sheeran given the ‘all clear’ to perform on Saturday Night Live after COVID-19 quarantine

shutterstock_252887458

Ed Sheeran said on Tuesday that he’s completed his COVID-19 quarantine after testing positive for the virus, and will be able to perform on this weekend’s “Saturday Night Live” as planned.

The 30-year-old singer said  on social media: “Posting this pic to say I’m released from covid isolation today, so if you see me out and about I’ve had the all clear and done my quarantine. Excited to hit the ground running with work again, and SNL is still on, so tune in Saturday, see you there x.” 

Sheeran announced Oct. 24 that he tested positive for COVID-19, posting at that time: “Quick note to tell you that I’ve sadly tested positive for Covid, so I’m now self-isolating and following government guidelines. It means that I’m now unable to plough ahead with any in person commitments for now, so I’ll be doing as many of my planned interviews/performances I can from my house. Apologies to anyone I’ve let down. Be safe everyone.”

Editorial credit: yakub88 / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Cardi B announced as host of the 2021 American Music Awards

shutterstock_1446544112

Cardi B will host the 2021 American Music Awards, marking the first time the 29-year-old rapper has hosted the AMAs. The 49th annual awards show will be held on Nov. 21 in Los Angeles. The AMAs posted on social media confirming the news, with the caption: “We wanna party with Cardi, so we asked her to be our host and she said YES! Get ready for @iamcardib as she hosts the #AMAs Sunday, Nov 21 at 8/7c on ABC. #CardiAMAs

Cardi B said in a statement: “When I received the invite to host the AMAs, I was so excited. I’m ready to bring my personality to the AMAs stage! Thank you to Jesse Collins, ABC and MRC for making this happen.”  Executive producer Jesse Collins added: “We are immensely excited to have the dynamic Cardi B bring her infectious energy to the American Music Awards as a first-time host. She will excite the viewers, push the limits and deliver a show that will be remembered forever!” 

Cardi B is a five-time AMAs winner, who performed at the show in 2018.  The AMAs will air Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. Olivia Rodrigo leads the nominees with seven, followed by The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, Doja Cat and Giveon.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Go Country 105

Nashville notes

abc-rss-feed-20211102140000

Carly Pearce is headlining the LiveXLive Presents: Rooftop Series tonight in Austin, Texas, where she’ll perform her new album, 29: Written in Stone, in its entirety. The concert streams at 8 p.m. ET. 

Trisha Yearwood has been invited to the White House by ?First Lady Jill Biden ?for the special A White House Thanksgiving. Trisha and the First Lady will cook various holiday dishes and discuss the First Family’s Thanksgiving traditions and favorite recipes. The special airs on the Food Network on November 20 at 12 p.m. ET.

Lauren Alaina is the CMA Foundation’s new Artist Ambassador to help support its mission for equitable music education opportunities across the U.S. As part of the program, Lauren sat down with ABC’s On the Red Carpet series, airing November 6-7. 

Breland is making his Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday where he’ll perform his viral hit, “My Truck.” 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.