Month: February 2022

Take a look at the trailer for the Randy Travis documentary ‘More Life’

Post author By Staff
Post date February 4, 2022
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A new documentary about the life of country star Randy Travis, titled ‘More Life’, will premiere on the Circle Network on Thursday, Feb. 10.

More Life highlights a performance Travis gave in 2012 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his 1986 debut album, Storms of Life. That album went Platinum, marking the first time a debut album had done so in country music. That performance would be the last time Travis would sing those songs; on July 7, 2013, it was announced that Travis was in critical condition after suffering a stroke just one day prior. In a trailer for the documentary, Travis’ wife Mary says the song for which the documentary is named — ‘More Life’ — became their battle cry during his recovery as they fought for more life and more time.

Travis has earned 18 No. 1 hits throughout his career, including “Forever and Ever, Amen”, “On the Other Hand” and “I Told You So.” He also garnered eight Platinum albums, seven Grammy Awards and 10 ACM Awards. Travis’ gospel songs — such as “Three Wooden Crosses” and “Baptism” — also won him Dove Awards. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.

Check out the trailer for More Life – here.

Trailer Shared for Randy Travis Documentary ‘More Life’

Editorial credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Pop Daypop

Jennifer Lopez and Maluma drop the title track from the upcoming film “Marry Me”

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Post date February 4, 2022
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Jennifer Lopez & Maluma’s new single, “Marry Me (Kat & Bastian Duet),” from the ‘Marry Me’ soundtrack is out now. You can listen to the duet at the link – here. Lopez says the pair filmed the performance of Marry Me as seen in the film at one of Maluma’s real-life concerts in New York City.

In the film Marry Me, Lopez and Maluma portray global pop superstars Kat Valdez and Bastian. The story follows Valdez as she headlines a concert of her own, immediately after finding out that Bastian cheated on her. In order to save face and regain control of her unfortunate narrative, she then pulls off a headline-making publicity stunt and selects an unsuspecting math teacher, Charlie (Owen Wilson), from the audience to wed on the spot.

Marry Me will hit theaters and debut on streaming service Peacock on Friday, Feb. 11.

Editorial credit: AGIF / Shutterstock.com

Pop Daypop

Silk Sonic’s Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak entering the world of Epic Games’ ‘Fortnite’

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Post date February 4, 2022
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R&B duo Silk Sonic — comprised of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak — are making their way into Epic Games’ “Fortnite” battle-royale. Epic Games will be bringing Silk Sonic into Fortnite with ’70s-inspired outfits, a new radio station and a player tournament.

Bruno Mars said in a statement: “When ‘Fortnite’ asked me if I wanted to create an outfit for the game, I asked, ‘Are CGI muscles off the table?’ They said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘Deal.’ I’ll see you on the Island.” Anderson .Paak added: “When ‘Fortnite’ agreed to give Bruno CGI muscles, I said, ‘I’m in.’ He could use the help, so I support it. And it makes me cool. Win, win.” It’s the latest music partnership for Epic Games, which has featured Fortnite concerts with Travis Scott, Ariana Grande, J Balvin and Marshmello.

‘Silk Sonic’ outfits and accessories will be available in the Item Shop in Fortnite, beginning Feb. 10, 2022, at 7 p.m. ET. Until then, players can compete in the ‘Silk Sonic Cup’ set to take place Monday, Feb. 7, for a chance to unlock the Mars and .Paak outfits before they are officially released. Fortnite also debuted an in-game radio station, Icon Radio, featuring Silk Sonic and hosted by funk icon and Silk Sonic collaborator Bootsy Collins. Players can listen to tracks from “An Evening With Silk Sonic” by turning on Icon Radio in vehicles in the game.

Editorial credit: Miguel Lagoa / Shutterstock.com

Go Country 105

Nashville notes

Controversial country star Morgan Wallen has postponed the first three dates on his headlining Dangerous Tour due to inclement weather. The tour is part of Morgan's return to the spotlight after staying quiet for much of last year; in February 2021, he was embroiled in a scandal after video footage emerged of him yelling a racist slur.

Fans hoping to celebrate Valentine's Day just like Chris Lane and his Bachelor alumna wife, Lauren Bushnell, are in luck. The pair shared some of their favorite romantic gifts with People.

Go Country 105

Maddie & Tae's Maddie Font reflects on the “pressure” female stars face to juggle motherhood with their careers

Post author By abookbinder
Post date February 3, 2022
No Comments on Maddie & Tae's Maddie Font reflects on the “pressure” female stars face to juggle motherhood with their careers

When Maddie & Tae first settled on the title for their new album, Through the Madness Vol. 1, they had no clue just how much “madness” the year ahead would bring. Taylor Kerr welcomed her first baby in January, quite a bit earlier than her expected spring due date, and just a week before the project's release.

Thankfully, both Tae and her daughter Leighton are getting stronger after a “terrifying” unexpected hospital stay. But as she watches her band mate and best friend settle into motherhood, Maddie admits it's daunting to consider the prospect of having a child of her own someday while maintaining a busy music career.

“You're trying to run a business, you're trying to make fans, you're trying to release new music — and throw a baby into the mix,” she tells Kelleigh Bannen in an installment of Today’s Country Radio. “…And you need [your body] for both jobs.”

Plus, there's the plight of being a working parent, torn between spending time on work and spending time with family.

“And I feel like it's hard as women to…I feel like you're going to feel guilty either way,” Maddie continues. “If you're not with your baby and you're working, you'll feel guilty. Or if you're with your baby, you're not working. I just wish that guilt would go away.”

That's something that Maddie & Tae had to deal with early on in Tae's pregnancy, when they realized they had to start planning around the impending new family member.

“I think there's this pressure on female artists…in the music and entertainment industry in general,” she adds. “Actresses, musicians, everything, that you can't do it all. And I don't know why we as a society think [of] women as that one-dimensional.”

Go Country 105

Faith Hill remembers her “terrifying” experience of singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl

Post author By abookbinder
Post date February 3, 2022
No Comments on Faith Hill remembers her “terrifying” experience of singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill appeared on back-to-back nights of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert this week, each offering separate perspectives on their 1883 roles and more.

During Faith’s stop on the show, she looked back on her “terrifying” experience singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, saying that it was “the most extraordinary amount of pressure ever.”

By the time she sang at the Super Bowl, she knew first-hand the perils of what could go wrong: Early on in her career, she sang the national anthem at a Dallas playoff game, and completely blanked on the lyrics.

“I'm walking out to the center of the field, with this…very generous woman that was walking me out, and I say to her, Would you happen to know just the first word of the national anthem?'” Faith remembers.

“And she said, Seriously?' And I said, I'm serious. I'm very serious,'” she continues. “She said, Honey, I don't know.'”

Fortunately, once the spotlight hit and it was Faith's time to sing, the words came to her. But she had a back-up plan — if she couldn't remember the words, she was going to pivot and sing “Amazing Grace.”

“I thought I would sing Amazing Grace' and be forgiven!” she adds.

This year's Super Bowl is coming up, and another rising country superstar will sing the national anthem in 2022: Mickey Guyton was just announced as the performer, much to Faith's excitement.

“I am such a huge fan and supporter. She is going to slay it,” Faith adds.

Go Country 105

Luke Bryan's Las Vegas residency is his chance to let loose, be “real authentic” and “free”

Post author By abookbinder
Post date February 3, 2022
No Comments on Luke Bryan's Las Vegas residency is his chance to let loose, be “real authentic” and “free”

Luke Bryan opens his Las Vegas residency with nine shows this month. As an artist-in-residency repping country music, he's got some big shoes to fill: Carrie Underwood opened her own, dazzling Vegas show in December.

Now, Luke says he's not trying to compete with Carrie or his fellow American Idol judge, Katy Perry, who recently launched a residency of her own.

“The girls are able to really make it more theatrical,” the country superstar tells People. “My thing is, I'm gonna throw my band on stage.”

While Luke's availing himself of some of the extra bells and whistles that go into a classic Vegas show, he explains it's part of a plan to “keep it real authentic to what I always have been, but just use the technology behind me to really have moments where fans can be wowed.”

Still, his Vegas set might differ a little bit from a stop on, for example, Luke's Farm Tour. That's because the audience will be a little different than his usual crowd, he explains.

“I think in Vegas, I've always been able to get away with really being myself, being free, and reacting with the fans in the moment,” he continues. “I think in Vegas, you can get away with that a little more than some conservative country music markets across the country.”

One thing's for sure: Luke's not planning to disappoint any concert-goers expecting a big, exciting show. “I'm going to come out there and deliver the energy, deliver the entertainment,” he promises.

Luke's Vegas shows kick off February 11.

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Lauren Alaina signs on for 'Beyond the Edge,' an extreme celebrity competition show for charity

Post author By abookbinder
Post date February 3, 2022
No Comments on Lauren Alaina signs on for 'Beyond the Edge,' an extreme celebrity competition show for charity

Lauren Alaina is among the stars who've signed on to compete in Beyond the Edge, a CBS reality show that pits celebrities from all aspects of show business against the elements. Variety confirmed the news this week.

The series, which takes some cues from Survivor, brings its star cast to the jungle of Bocas del Toro, Panama, where the celebs will battle “torrential downpours, scorching heat and deadly wildlife,” according to the network.

There's one more twist: Instead of conventional reality show eliminations, the celebs will be able to ring a bell when they're ready to tap out of the grueling experience. But each star will be playing for a charity of their choosing, and at the end of the two-week experience, the two top performers will battle it out in a final competition for the bragging rights of winning the most money for their charity.

Lauren's not the only cast member repping country music: Also heading to Panama for the show is Craig Morgan, who had a viral hit in 2019 with “The Father, My Son and the Holy Ghost.”

Lauren's charity of choice is The Next Door, a Nashville-based facility supporting women impacted by addiction, mental illness, trauma, incarceration and more.

Meanwhile, Craig is playing for Operation Finally Home, a nonprofit that provides custom-built, mortgage-free homes to military veterans.

Other stars participating in Beyond the Edge include Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis, actor Jodie Sweetin, The Bachelor personality Colton Underwood and more. Beyond the Edge will premiere March 16 at 9 p.m. EST.

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Dolly Parton named as host for the 2022 ACM Awards

Post author By abookbinder
Post date February 3, 2022
No Comments on Dolly Parton named as host for the 2022 ACM Awards

Dolly Parton is set to host this year's ACM Awards. The Academy of Country Music broke the news this week, also adding that yet-to-be-announced co-hosts will join her in the gig.

The 2022 ACMs will take place on March 7 at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium. For the first time ever, the show will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. It's the first time a major country awards show has moved to a streaming-only format instead of airing on a TV network.

“I am so excited to be hosting the ACM Awards on March 7 from Vegas,” Dolly said in a statement. “Watch for us because we're going to have some fun.”

In addition to details about Dolly's co-hosts, fans should be on the lookout for the nominees list. The ACMs will reveal this year's nominees next week.

It's been a banner week for Dolly, who was also revealed Wednesday as a nominee for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

News Daypop

CNN President Jeff Zucker announces resignation after failure to disclose relationship with colleague

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Post date February 3, 2022
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Jeff Zucker has resigned as president of CNN Worldwide, effective immediately. The 56-year-old Zucker announced his resignation in a staff memo on Wednesday, explaining that the decision for him to resign was made after he failed to disclose a “consensual relationship” with a colleague.

The statement read in part: “As part of the investigation into Chris Cuomo’s tenure at CNN, I was asked about a consensual relationship with my closest colleague, someone I have worked with for more than 20 years. I acknowledged the relationship evolved in recent years. I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn’t. I was wrong. As a result, I am resigning today.” Zucker did not disclose the colleague’s identity, but the network confirmed his relationship was with chief marketing officer Allison Gollust, who will continue to remain at the company.

Zucker added: “I came to CNN on January 28, 2013. Together we had nine great years. I certainly wish my tenure here had ended differently. But it was an amazing run. And I loved every minute. I am grateful to the thousands of incredibly talented CNN and Turner Sports employees who helped make this such a joy for me, and such a success for all of us. I wish each of you nothing but the best in the years ahead.”

Zucker served as president and CEO of NBCUniversal before taking the role of president of CNN Worldwide. Zucker was married to Caryn Nathanson from 1996 to 2019; the former couple share four children together.

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