Month: February 2022

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Go Country 105

Keith Urban got a “panicked” call from Las Vegas asking him to fill in for Adele's postponed residency dates

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When Adele abruptly hit the brakes on her Las Vegas residency last month, Keith Urban was there to pick up the vacant dates at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

The country star — whose Keith Urban Live – Las Vegas residency launched in 2020 and resumed in 2021 after a year plagued with pandemic-related postponements — says he added five new dates in March and April when he heard that the venue was scrambling to fill the show slots.

“We got a very panicked call one night, asking if we could fill in a bunch of shows and it worked out perfect,” Keith tells People (The TV Show). “We were able to do it.”

Those dates are March 25, 26 and 30, plus April 1 and 2. Keith already has residency dates at the Colosseum planned for late May, so he'll spend quite a bit of time in Vegas this spring.

In the meantime, he's continuing to work on new music. Keith released the music video for his 2021 single “Wild Hearts” earlier this week, and he hints that more new material might be ahead — though he can't say much about it quite yet.

“I've got a good [collaboration] in my mind, so hopefully we can pull that off,” the singer hints, when asked if there are any big duets in the offing for his next project.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

Virgina Gov. Glenn Youngkin signs bill ending mask mandates in schools throughout the state

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On Wednesday, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a law ending mask mandates in schools throughout Virginia.  The law allows parents to opt-out their children from wearing masks, despite conflicting local mandates, without providing a reason or getting an exemption. It also bars online learning options, preventing schools from enacting hybrid systems, and requires schools be open for in-person learning five days a week.

Youngkin had signed an executive order barring mask mandates on the day he was inaugurated in mid-January, but several school districts challenged it in court.  The newly-elected governor was pushing to deliver on his campaign promises to end the mandates, and affirm what he said are ‘the rights of parents in education.’  The new law comes as school board meetings have become political battlegrounds over COVID mandates, and as an increasing number of states have let indoor mask mandates expire this month, including California, New York, Delaware and Nevada.  In addition, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut and Oregon will stop requiring masks in the next few weeks, leaving it up to individual school districts to decide if students should wear them or not — and Texas, Utah, Florida, and Oklahoma are banning requirements altogether at a state level.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends that all children ages two and older wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.

Editorial credit: Michael Robb Photography / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Pentagon says Russian jets intercepted U.S. Navy planes

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The U.S. military announced Wednesday that Russian military jets intercepted three U.S. Navy aircrafts over the weekend in an “unprofessional” manner.

U.S. Navy Capt. Mike Kafka, director of Defense Press Operations, said the intercepts happened while the U.S. aircraft were in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea.  Captain Kafka said in a statement: “We can confirm that over the course of last weekend, three U.S. Navy P-8A aircraft experienced unprofessional intercepts by Russian aircraft. We have made our concerns known to Russian officials through diplomatic channels. While no one was hurt, interactions such as these could result in miscalculations and mistakes that lead to more dangerous outcomes. The U.S. will continue to operate safely, professionally and consistent with international law in international waters and airspace. We expect Russia to do the same.”

The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Russia over the Moscow’s buildup of troops along the Russian border with Ukraine. The United States and its NATO allies have warned Russia against invading Ukraine, threatening to levy sanctions and other punishments against Moscow. Russia has said it condemns any attempts by Ukraine to join NATO and wants the military alliance to withdraw its deployment to its pre-1997 positions.

Editorial credit: Phuong D. Nguyen / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

A “moment of boldness” and some personal reflection made Kelsea Ballerini's “Half of My Hometown” a hit

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As Kelsea Ballerini's duet with Kenny Chesney, “Half of My Hometown,” sits at the number-two spot on the country charts, the singer is reflecting on the deeply personal backstory that inspired the song.

“Obviously, I live in Nashville, but Knoxville is my hometown and I started going [to my] hometown more. I started going home to see my dad,” the singer says, adding that her relationship with Knoxville, Tennessee has continued to evolve and change since she first left home.

“I was so excited to leave when I was 15 because I just wanted to go to Nashville and be a country singer,” Kelsea remembers. “I never took the time to miss it until recently, and that's what that song's about. It's about that tug of war: I love it, but I want to leave, but I love it, but I want to leave.”

As for her superstar duet partner? Kelsea says she sent Kenny — who's also from Knoxville — the song in a moment of uncharacteristic boldness.

“He is my hometown hero,” she explains. “I really had only had a couple of interactions with him before, but I had this random blackout moment of boldness where I just hit send' and texted him the song. I'm telling you, that is so not my personality, but I did it.”

Being brave paid off. Kenny lends his vocals to “Half of My Hometown,” and the finished product won Kelsea her first-ever CMA Award in 2021, for Musical Event of the Year.

In addition to becoming a top-five radio hit, “Half of My Hometown” also earned a nomination for Music Event of the Year at the upcoming ACM Awards.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Country Daypop

Luke Bryan adds dates to 2022 Las Vegas residency

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Luke Bryan is expanding his residency at at Resorts World Las Vegas. Luke’s residency currently runs until February 26th, but Luke announced he is adding shows to his residency in June, August, and September.

Tickets for Luke’s added shows in June (15, 17, 18, 22, 24, 25), August (31), and September (3, 4) go on sale next Monday February 21st at 10 A.M. PST.

Citi is the official presale credit card of Luke Bryan’s headlining engagement at Resorts World Theatre. Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets to the new shows from Wednesday, February 16 through Sunday, February 20 at 10 p.m. PST through the Citi Entertainment program.

Citi is the official presale credit card of Luke Bryan’s headlining engagement at Resorts World Theatre. Citi card members will have access to purchase presale tickets to the new shows now through Sunday, February 20 at 10 p.m. PST through the Citi Entertainment program.

Tickets and VIP packages are available at AXS.com/lukeinvegas.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Coachella and Stagecoach Festivals drop all COVID-related restrictions

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The Coachella and Stagecoach festivals have revealed that there will no longer be any COVID-related barriers to entry.  After stating last fall that vaccinations would not be required for entry, now attendees will not be required to present a negative COVD-19 test, and there will be no requirement to wear masks while attending the festivals.  The California Department of Public Health issued new guidelines that went into effect Wednesday, saying vaccination proof will no longer be required for large outdoor events.

A tweet from the Stagecoach account read: “Festival Admission Update: As we prepare to spend an incredible weekend in the desert together we are announcing that there will be no vaccination, testing or masking requirements at Stagecoach 2022, in accordance with local guidelines.”  Visit http://stagecoachfestival.com for more info.

No similar tweet has come from the Coachella account, but Coachella’s safety page declares an “update” which says: “In accordance with local guidelines, there will be no vaccination, testing or masking requirements at Coachella 2022.”  A bullet point adds: “However, the event shall be presented in accordance with applicable public health conditions as of the date of the event and which may change at any time as determined by federal, state or local government agencies or instrumentalities, artists or the promoter; such requirements may include, without limitation, changes to capacity, attendance procedures and entry requirements, such as proof of vaccination and/or negative COVID-19 test, and other protective measures such as requiring attendees to wear face coverings.”

Coachella will take place over two successive weekends — April 15-17 and 22-24 — with headliners Harry Styles, Billie Eilish and Kanye West.  Stagecoach takes place April 29-May 1 with Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett headlining the festival.

Editorial credit: BCFC / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Troye Sivan previews new music in the first trailer for his film ‘Three Months’

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Australian pop star Troye Sivan portrays Caleb, a teenager from South Florida, in the coming-of-age film ‘Three Months.’  The film marks Sivan’s first return to the big screen since 2018’s Boy Erased, where he portrayed a young man named Gary going through the motions at a gay conversion therapy assessment program.

In Three Months, the character of Caleb finds out he’s been exposed to HIV the day before he’s scheduled to walk across the stage at his high school graduation.  The trailer for Three Months introduces the characters who play a role in Caleb’s understanding of the world as he waits 90 days for a definitive test result that could change his future.  This moment in Caleb’s life is accompanied in the trailer by a new song from Sivan; the film features two new songs from Sivan, whose last single “Angel Baby” was released in September 2021.

Three Months arrives to Paramount+ on February 23.  You can check out the trailer for the film – here.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes

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Luke Bryan will headline the one-night-only Tee Off & Rock On Event to benefit ACM Lifting Lives. Also on the bill are Jordan Davis and Lainey Wilson; the event takes place on March 6 at TopGolf Las Vegas ahead of the ACM Awards.

Due to continuing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, Willie Nelson has canceled a number of headlining indoor shows, Billboard reports. Check out his website for dates and details about the cancellations; he’s still booked for all planned upcoming outdoor appearances.

In celebration of his upcoming solo project, Brooks & Dunn‘s Ronnie Dunn is giving away a signed guitar. He just released a new single, called “Broken Neon Hearts.”

In case you missed it, Dolly Parton went live on streaming platform TalkShopLive to discuss her new book and companion album, Run Rose Run, this afternoon. She was joined by author James Patterson, who co-wrote the book.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Keith Urban chronicles his journey from dreamer to superstar in “Wild Hearts” music video

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Keith Urban's newest music video, for his single “Wild Hearts,” recreates his journey to the top of the country music industry.

At the beginning of the clip, Keith presses play on a tape in a boom box, an image that he says is a throwback to his early days as a musician.

“It represents the beginning, when I had no band, and I just played to a couple of people,” the singer explains, adding that “I wanted to create the feeling of the journey I've been on from day one — hoping that one day I'd be playing live in front of as many people as can be jammed into a concert hall.

As the video continues, Keith's career starts to ascend — literally. “The building I'm playing on starts rising higher, as the audience grows,” he goes on to say. “All of this leading to a starry sky becoming a sea of camera phones in the air — a phenomenal sight to see from any stage.”

“Wild Hearts” arrived in 2021, the first taste of new music from Keith since the release of his The Speed of Now Part 1 album in 2020. This spring, Keith will head out on his The Speed of Now World Tour, which kicks off in late April with seven shows in the U.K.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Kane Brown + Jimmie Allen are repping country music at the 2022 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game

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Kane Brown and Jimmie Allen will be showing off their athletic abilities this Friday as they compete in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.

They're on opposite teams: Kane's competing for Team Nique, coached by former pro basketball player Dominique Wilkins, while Jimmie's on Team Walton, coached by Bill Walton.

Also stepping onto the court for the event are a host of other celebrities, including rocker Machine Gun Kelly, The Bachelor contestant Matt James, comedian Tiffany Haddish, and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.

Both Kane and Jimmie are talented amateur athletes. Kane's said in interviews that he played basketball in high school and considered pursuing the sport on the college level, but the music business came calling instead.

Meanwhile, Jimmie recently proved his love of physical fitness during a stint on Dancing with the Stars, where he learned how to dance the tango, paso doble and more.

The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game will air Friday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. The game will take place at Cleveland, Ohio's Wolstein Center.

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