Month: December 2021

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Go Country 105

Jimmie Allen & family head to Delaware for Christmas festivities

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The holiday season is in full swing for Jimmie Allen and his family. 

To get in the Christmas spirit, Jimmie and his wife Alexis took two of their three children, one-year-old daughter Naomi and 7-year-old Aadyn, whom Jimmie had from a previous relationship, to Schellville Christmas Village in their native Delaware.

The singer turned to Instagram to share a photo of the family roller skating with a luminous Christmas tree in the background.

“Christmas things back home in Delaware are always special. We love bringing our kids back to where we grew up. No matter where I go, Delaware will always be HOME,” Jimmie writes, alongside holiday-themed emojis.

The country hitmaker also posted a photo of him and his son with beaming smiles as they pose in front of an oceanfront Christmas tree at Lighthouse Dewey Beach. “My Ace,” he captions the sweet picture.

Both Jimmie and Alexis are from Milton, Delaware, but didn’t meet until adulthood when they were introduced by Jimmie’s cousin’s wife. They recently welcomed their second daughter, Zara, in October.  

The country star is set to perform “White Christmas” on Disney Parks’ Magical Christmas Day Parade, airing December 25 at 10 a.m. ET on ABC. 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Kelsea Ballerini voicing character in audiobook of Dolly Parton's 'Run, Rose, Run'

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Following the recent release of her audiobook of poetry, Feel Your Way Through, Kelsea Ballerini is diving into the realm of audio books once again. She’s set to voice a character in Dolly Parton‘s upcoming novel. 

Dolly has teamed up with award-winning author James Patterson to write the thriller, Run, Rose, Run. Kelsea narrates the character of AnnieLee Keyes, an up-and-coming singer-songwriter who ventures to Nashville to launch her career, but is also confronted with darkness and secrets from the past. Dolly voices the character of Ruthanna Ryder, a country legend who crosses paths with AnnieLee. 

Kelsea describes AnnieLee to The Hollywood Reporter as a young woman who has “seen the worst of what people can do to each other,” yet maintains “pure ambition” to make her dreams reality. 

“I cannot even tell you how incredible this @DollyParton & @JP_Books novel is and how obsessed I am with the character I had the honor of bringing to life,” the “Peter Pan” singer raves on Twitter. “Can't wait for you to experience ‘Run, Rose, Run’ and meet AnnieLee!!! (and omg dolly as Ruthanna).”

Run, Rose, Run is set for release on March 7, along with an album of a dozen new songs related to the book.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

Former President Trump sues NY attorney general Letitia James seeking to stop investigation into his company

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Former President Donald Trump and the Trump Organization have sued New York Attorney General Letitia James to ask a federal court to halt or limit her office’s ongoing investigations.  The lawsuit from Trump comes on the heels of James’ office seeking to depose Trump as part of its civil fraud investigation into the Trump Organization, also seeks to enjoin James’ involvement in any civil or criminal actions against the former President or his company.  James’ office is investigating whether the Trump Organization manipulated the value of its properties, and is also working with Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance’s office on a parallel criminal investigation into the Trump Organization. The two investigations are separate, but some attorneys from James’ office have been designated to work on the criminal investigation, which is ongoing.

Filed in federal court in Northern New York on Monday, the lawsuit accuses James of misconduct, claiming she has abused her investigatory powers to target her political adversaries and advance her career.  The suit states: “Since taking office, she has tirelessly bombarded him, his family and his business, Trump Organization LLC, with unwarranted subpoenas in a bitter crusade to ‘take on’ the President.”   The suit also accuses James of “relentlessly pushing” Vance’s office into a criminal investigation of the Trump Organization. A spokesman for Vance’s office declined to comment.

James responded to the suit in a statement Monday, saying the Trump Organization has repeatedly attempted to delay her office’s investigation into its business dealings. James said in a statement:  “To be clear, neither Mr. Trump nor the Trump Organization get to dictate if and where they will answer for their actions. Our investigation will continue undeterred because no one is above the law, not even someone with the name Trump.”

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock

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News Daypop

Stock market drops due to fears of Omicron surge, setback to Biden’s spending plan

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The stock market took a hit on Monday as investors began the trading week with fears of the surging Omicron COVID-19 variant and the setback to President Biden’s Build Back Better social spending bill. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down by about 433 points at the end of trading Monday afternoon, while the broader S&P 500 dropped 1.14%. The Nasdaq Composite sagged 1.24%.

Travel, entertainment and retail stocks had some of the greatest losses earlier in the day but bounced back some by closing. The energy sector also took a significant hit as U.S. crude oil prices tumbled 3% to below $69 per barrel as investors worried that new restrictions might cut into energy demand. The sell-off came after the World Health Organization said Omicron cases are doubling every 1.5 to 3 days in countries where transmissions are documented. European leaders reacted by imposing new restrictions on Friday and over the weekend.

Analysts blamed some of Monday’s market downturn on Sen. Joe Manchin’s surprise announcement Sunday that he would not support President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion Build Back Better social spending agenda. The measure, with its billion of dollars in economic stimulus spending, is unlikely to pass the Senate.

Editorial credit: Eviart / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Why “If We Make it Through December” is “special” for Miranda Lambert's family

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When reflecting on Christmases past, a poignant memory comes to Miranda Lambert‘s mind.

Growing up in Lindale, Texas, Miranda’s parents were private investigators, but her father, Rick Lambert, also dabbled in music. She remembers a particularly challenging time for her family around the holiday season, with her family finding joy in a somber holiday song by Merle Haggard, ?”If We Make It Through December,” that her dad would sing each year.

“I think my favorite Christmas song of all time is ‘If We Make it Through December’ because growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money a lot of the years at the holiday season and my dad, I could just see the look on his face when he would sing that song on his guitar, sitting on the porch every Christmas, trying to make it special for his family,” Miranda recalls. “But sometimes it’s a real struggle.” 

The country superstar is now honoring that memory on the Pistol Annies‘ Christmas album, Hell of a Holiday, which features a cover of the plaintive number. 

Knowing the challenges her family faced, Miranda views the song as a symbol of hope for those who struggle during the holidays. 

“When I hear that song, it brings back those emotions of there’s families out there who really don’t have a way to do the whole Santa, Christmas morning,” she describes. “So that song just really speaks to that.” 

Hell of a Holiday is available now. 

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Lauren Alaina invited by Trisha Yearwood to become a member of The Grand Ole Opry

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10 years after making her debut on the Opry stage, Lauren Alaina was surprised over the weekend and invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry by friend/mentor Trisha Yearwood.

Artists were making video appearances sharing their Christmas wishes during the show; and when it was time for Yearwood to share her wish, she said: “Also, is that Lauren Alaina because I think that’s Lauren Alaina, is that you? Junior (her nickname for Alaina), I have a present for you. Hold on.” Yearwood then made her way out to the stage to surprise Alaina, saying: “I have some surprises for you too. I know your Mom is here and I know your Dad is as well. He’s super proud of you right now because I have the honor of asking you on behalf of the Grand Ole Opry if you will please accept our invitation to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.” Alaina fell to her knees and began to cry, and after catching her breath she said: “I did not expect this. You are my hero. I could not have picked a more perfect person to ask me. She calls me Junior- y’all I’m in her phone as Junior which is the coolest thing to have happened to me besides this!”

Said Yearwood: “You are the real deal. You’ve played over 50 times. It’s obvious what this means to you. This is a very special club to be in so you have to understand what the Opry means to be asked. It’s such an honor. Country music is in good hands with you. Soak up every second!”

Alaina’s induction into the Opry will take place in early 2022, with a date TBD.

Editoria credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Chris Lane reveals he is battling COVID-19 Omicron variant

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Chris Lane has tested positive for a breakthrough case of the coronavirus, sharing his diagnosis on his Instagram Story and saying: “Well… COVID finally got me. It finally got my hind end.” He also shared that he has the new Omicron variant of COVID, adding, “Praying the rest of the family doesn’t get it.” Lane is married to Lauren Bushnell Lane, 31, with whom he shares their 6-month-old son, Dutton Walker. Bushnell Lane shared earlier this year that the couple had received the COVID vaccine.

The 37-year-old Lane’s diagnosis also comes ahead of his Fill Them Boots tour, which is set to kick off Jan. 13. The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is the most contagious yet, has more mutations than any before it, and seems to evade the previously-effective two-dose vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna.

Lane joins a number of country artists dealing with COVID; Brett Eldredge was forced to cancel shows over the weekend because he tested positive for COVID-19, and Dan + Shay also scrapped a handful of shows this fall after experiencing some positive COVID-19 cases in their camp.

Editorial credit Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

The lineup for Miley Cyrus and Pete Davidson’s “Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party” is revealed

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A star-studded lineup of special guests and musical performances have been announced for Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party, hosted by Miley Cyrus and Pete Davidson and broadcasting live from Miami on Dec. 31st.

Joining Cyrus and Davidson to celebrate the end of 2021 are Brandi Carlile, Billie Joe Armstrong, Saweetie, Anitta, Jack Harlow, 24kGoldn, Kitty Ca$h and “more surprises to come,” according to the network.

NBCUniversal executive vice president of live events, specials and E! News Jen Neal said in a statement when the special was announced earlier this month: “In what is sure to be an exciting and fun evening, we are looking forward to partnering with Lorne Michaels and ringing in 2022 with a night of incredible entertainment, led by Miley and Pete.”

Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party broadcasts live from Miami on Dec. 31 from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. ET on both NBC and Peacock.

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Jonas Brothers recreate ‘Joe Byron’ TikTok video with President Joe Biden

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The Jonas Brothers have enlisted President Bifen for a recreation of the viral “Joe Byron” TikTok video.   The video, shot in the actual White House and posted to social media, shows Joe, Nick, and Kevin Jonas pop up in various locations at the President’s pad while lip-syncing to lines from the video. At the end, none other than the President himself is revealed to be “behind the camera.”

The “Joe Byron” clip stems from videos posted by Sidetalk NYC on YouTube, which went viral on TikTok in October. TikTok features numerous clips of people lip-syncing to lines from Sidetalk’s videos, such as “Bing Bong! Are you vaccinated? Yes, sir. Ey yo!”

Editorial credit: Brian Friedman / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes

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Miranda Lambert has shared a video of herself shopping at Tractor Supply in Franklin, Tennessee and surprising pet shelters in the Nashville area with toys and items as part of her MuttNation Foundation. 

Lee Brice and Michael Ray are performing on the Helping A Hero Telethon, airing on December 27. The telethon is in benefit of Helping a Hero, an organization that builds home specified to the needs of wounded veterans. 

Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry announced on Instagram that she secretly married Johnny Costello ?this summer, tying the knot on June 18 in Las Vegas. The singer was previously married to former MLB player J.P. Arencibia, but they divorced in 2018. 

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