Month: February 2022

Categories
Country Daypop

Chris Janson is joined by his famous friends in the new video for ‘Cold Beer Truth’

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Chris Janson is joined by some famous friends and heroes in his latest music video “Cold Beer Truth.” Directed by David Bradley. the video was filmed mostly in an old country store, where you see Janson playing cards and chatting with guests who include Kid Rock; fishing legend Bill Dance; the founder of Bass Pro Shops, Johnny Morris; and even NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, who tributes his longtime driver and racing legend Dale Earnhardt.

Said Janson: “The ‘Cold Beer Truth’ video includes some of my best friends, heroes and mentors. It was important to me to highlight those relationships. When I think cold beer truth conversations, I think fishing and being in the outdoors with family and friends. When I think of NASCAR, I think Dale Earnhardt. This video pays tribute to all the good buddies out there in America who have made some great memories while sharing some cold beer truth.”

“Cold Beer Truth” is the third track released from Janson’s upcoming fourth album, All In.  Janson is currently out the road with his Halfway to Crazy Tour, which features special guests Ray Fulcher and Shane Profitt.

You can view the video for Cold Beer Truth – here.

WATCH: Chris Janson’s ‘Cold Beer Truth’ Music Video Features His ‘Best Friends, Heroes and Mentors’

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Britney Spears signs ‘tell-all’ book deal worth a reported $15 Million

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Britney Spears has reportedly signed one of the biggest book deals in publishing history, securing a deal worth as much as $15 million with publishing house Simon & Schuster.

The “tell-all” memoir will cover Spears’ career and family life.  Reports state that Spears’ decision to pen a book came as her sister Jamie Lynn released Things I Should Have Said, over which the two have been publicly feuding. Jamie’s book was release during the end of Britney’s 13-year-long conservatorship.

Spears’ conservatorship was officially terminated in November, after her father—who was appointed as co-conservator with Andrew Wallet in 2008—was suspended from the role in September. Spears asked the court to terminate the conservatorship during a hearing on June 23, and said she hadn’t had control over her finances, medical decisions, and other aspects of her life as a result.

Spears previously teased a potential book when she posted a photo of a typewriter back in January with the caption “shall I start from the beginning.”

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

The Weeknd announces ‘The Dawn FM Experience’ on Amazon’s Prime Video

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The Weeknd has announced ‘The Dawn FM Experience,’ a new immersive music special based on his most recent album of the same name. The special will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on Saturday, February 26.  A synopsis reads that ‘The Dawn FM Experience‘ will expand the Dawn FM album “into a mesmerizing visual, creating a theatrical performance event that will envelop audiences in its unnerving and moody world.”

The Weeknd — Abel Tesfaye — said in a press release:  “I’m ecstatic to partner with Amazon to premiere the most elaborate live TV special I’ve ever done. Welcome to the next phase of Dawn FM — a purgatory otherworld where live performance, theater, and performance art collide for a night out at the club.”

The Dawn FM Experience will only be available to Prime subscribers. Other content will be available around the special program, including an eight-track live EP that will be available to stream exclusively on Amazon Music.  Exclusive merch will also be launched to celebrate the special, including limited-edition items and will only be available to customers in the US via amazon.com/theweeknd from 3pm ET on Friday, 2/25.

Dawn FM was released in January 2022, and features guest appearances by the likes of Lil Wayne, Quincy Jones, Oneohtrix Point Never, Tyler, The Creator, and actor Jim Carrey.  You can buy or stream Dawn FM – here.

Editorial credit: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Go Country 105

Nashville notes

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Luke Bryan is appearing on The View Wednesday. The show airs at 11 a.m. ET on ABC. 

Priscilla Block‘s top-20 hit, “Just About Over You,” has been certified gold by the RIAA. 

Brothers Osborne have released a limited edition poster for their single, “I’m Not for Everyone.” There are only 10 available, and the purchase of each print comes with a signed animated poster. 

Riley Green is kicking off the 4th of July festivities with a performance at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on July 3, marking his first headlining show in Nashville since 2018. Presale tickets are available Wednesday before public release on Friday.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Kane Brown & more added as ACM Awards performers

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Another round of ACM Awards performers have been announced, adding more superstars to the lineup. 

Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, Jason Aldean, Eric Church and Jordan Davis have been tapped to perform at the show, along with Brothers Osborne, Chris Young, Mitchell Tenpenny, Brittney Spencer, Kelsea Ballerini and host Dolly Parton in a series of collaborative performances. 

Dolly and Kelsea are set to team up on “Big Dreams and Faded Jeans,” an original song featured on Dolly’s album Run, Rose, Run, that will be released in tandem with a book of the same name. Dolly’s co-hosts, Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett, will open the show with a two-song set, while Luke will take the stage with Jordan to perform their recent #1 hit, “Buy Dirt.” 

Brittney will make her ACM Awards debut with a special performance with Brothers Osborne, while Chris and Mitchell will join forces on their duet, “At the End of a Bar.” Kane will use the ACMs to debut his brand-new song, “Leave You Alone.” 

The ACM Awards air live from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on March 7 at 8 p.m. ET. The two-hour show will air uninterrupted on Amazon Prime Video.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Luke Bryan says it's “so fun” being a judge on 'American Idol' ahead of its 20th season

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Luke Bryan couldn’t be more excited to return to the judges’ table on American Idol. 

On Tuesday, Luke and his fellow judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry visited Good Morning America to chat about the show’s upcoming season, and how their approach has evolved now that they’ve been working together for five seasons. 

“The more comfortable we get, we know how far we can take it joking with one another. I think the fans at home really they want to see us having fun, they want to feel that we’re enjoying the moment too,” the country star describes. “It’s so fun sitting at that judging table because you never know if the next Jennifer Hudson‘s going to walk in or the next Carrie Underwood, so we got to be on our game.”

In honor of the show’s 20th season, the judges awarded a platinum ticket to one contestant in each city where they held auditions, which allows that contestant to sit out a round during Hollywood week and observe the competition.

“We’ve inadvertently been a little tougher on our platinum ticket holders because they showed out in auditions, and then sometimes they have a bad audition and we’re being a little more critical with them,” Luke teases.

American Idol season 20 premieres on Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Luke Combs is “excited” to become a parent, but admits he's also “nervous”

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Luke Combs and his wife Nicole are expecting their first child in the coming months, and Luke he admits he’s a little anxious about becoming a dad.

During his appearance on the Grand Ole Opry this weekend, the superstar opened up about the learning curve of becoming a parent.

“I’m a little nervous. You got a lot of stuff to do. I got a lot on my plate that I don’t even realize is on there yet.I’m uncovering things every day and buying all kind of clothes I didn’t know existed,” Luke  explained, laughing that he hopes to find his favorite style of Columbia shirts in newborn size.

Luke and Nicole have started putting together a nursery for the soon-to-be-born child, with Luke admitting that he didn’t know what a bassinet was. He’s alsor eached out to friends for advice with the question, “what do I need to be doing right now?”

“I realized the baby doesn’t need me at all. I’m just there to clean stuff I think is the idea.When it comes out, it’s like ‘why are you mouth breathing all over me, I don’t need you to be doing that,'” he joked. “We’re excited.”

Luke announced in January that he and Nicole are expecting a baby boy sometime in the spring.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Morgan Wallen sits at #1 with “Sand in My Boots,” his first since video surfaced of him using racial slur

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Morgan Wallen is back at #1. 

The embattled country singer tops the country charts this week with his latest single, “Sand in My Boots.” This is his first single to top the charts since he was caught on video using the N-word in February 2021.

“You guys are the best,” Morgan said in a video thanking fans and country radio for the hit. “I've said it before, I've said it a lot actually, that y'all are the best fans in the world and I don't just say that to say it. I really mean it.” 

In the aftermath of the N-word video’s release, Morgan was temporarily dropped from country radio and disinvited from attending major awards shows, including the ACM and CMA Awards, despite nominations. He was also temporarily suspended from his record label, Big Loud Records, and removed from his former talent agency, WME.

Despite the furor, the East Tennessee native’s sophomore album, Dangerous: The Double Album, on which “Sand” is featured, remained at #1 for 10 weeks on the all-genre Billboard 200 and became one of the top-selling albums of 2021.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
News Daypop

President Biden imposes sanctions on two pro-Moscow regions in Ukraine

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On Monday, the United States announced financial sanctions against rebel territories recognized by Russia in eastern Ukraine, and warned that more sanctions would be imposed, if necessary. Referring to the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Lugansk, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said President Biden issued an executive order to “prohibit new investment, trade, and financing by US persons to, from, or in the so-called DNR and LNR regions of Ukraine.”  Psaki added that the order will “provide authority to impose sanctions on any person determined to operate in those areas of Ukraine,” saying that the measures are separate to wider Western sanctions ready to go “should Russia further invade Ukraine.”

For weeks, the Kremlin has denied invasion plans, but has built up their troops and heavy weaponry on three sides of Ukraine. During Vladimir Putin’s speech on Monday, in which he declared recognition for independence of the two rebel areas, the chances of invasion seemed to increase.  Putin charged Ukraine with being a Western puppet, a threat to Russian security, and claimed that people in the Russian-controlled separatist enclaves needed protection.

What remains in question is whether Russian troops will cross borders to defend the two entities and, if so, whether they will stop at the current frontline in fighting between the separatists and Ukraine’s government, or push further into Ukrainian territory. The extent of a Russian offensive would determine the level of Western sanctions.

Editorial credit: BiksuTong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Former President Donald Trump launches social media app on Apple Store

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Former President Donald Trump’s ‘Truth Social’ app debuted Monday on the Apple store. While the iOS app developed by Trump rolled out Monday, it’s already closed itself to registrations; the new app had automatically downloaded for people who preordered it.

The app hit No. 1 in the App Store’s top charts early Monday, but some people who downloaded the app have been seeing error messages. “Something went wrong,” an error message read. “Please try again.”  Another message people received when they were put on a waitlist read:“Due to massive demand, we have placed you on our waitlist.”   According to a TechCrunch scan of the application programming interface, the app’s “proprietary account registration microservice” is named “Pepe,” which is also the name of a meme that has been associated with racist and anti-Semitic connotations, leading the Anti-Defamation League to call it a hate symbol.

The release of “Truth Social” comes after other social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube banned the former president after the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, which was fueled by his repeated false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.

The app’s launch on Android phones has not yet been announced, but the Truth Social website says the app will be coming to Android’s Google Play store in the near future.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/trumps-social-media-app-launches-year-twitter-ban-83027675

Editorial credit: Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com