Month: February 2022

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Go Country 105

Jason Aldean revisits older songs on 'Macon, Georgia,' but don't expect his full 'Greatest Hits' anytime soon

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On his new double album, Macon, Georgia, Jason Aldean does some things he's never tried before. First of all, the project was released across two discs, the first of which came out last November as Macon and the second of which, Georgia, will arrive in April.

It's also the tenth album of Jason's career, so he wanted to do something special. He's never done a greatest hits package or a live album, and while Macon, Georgia doesn't qualify as either, it does include some elements of both. Each disc ends with five live tracks of Aldean classics like “Amarillo Sky,” “Big Green Tractor” and “Any Ol' Barstool.”

“The idea was to at least pull one live song from each of the previous nine albums,” the singer says. “Obviously, one album will have two off it. But after this long [of a career], you know, you're trying to just get creative and find new ways to give your fans something different that you haven't given them yet.”

But don't expect a full greatest hits album from Jason anytime soon. “We've never done a greatest hits record. That's been by choice for me,” he points out.

“I hope I got a lot more hits in the tank, so I don't want to put out a Greatest Hits yet, because I don't feel like I'm finished,” he reflects, but adds that his creative approach to structuring his new album was his way of giving listeners a little bit of that ‘greatest hits’ feel.

“I felt like that was sort of a way to do that, a little bit,” Jason explains.

Georgia, the second half of the country star's double album, is due out on April 22.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Morgan Wallen’s “Sand In My Boots” reaches No. 1 on country radio

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Morgan Wallen has the #1 song at country radio with “Sand In My Boots,” which rises to the top of this week’s Mediabase country radio singles chart.

Wallen last scored a country radio No. 1 in November 2020 with his hit “More Than My Hometown.”  Other single from Wallen, such as “7 Summers,” were likely on track for #1, but many radio programmers pulled Wallen’s music in early 2021 after his controversial, racially-insensitive video surfaced on social media.

Elsewhere on country radio, Kelsea Ballerini’s “half of my hometown (featuring Kenny Chesney)” rises one spot to #2 this week, and Kane Brown’s “One Mississippi” ticks up a spot to #3. Parker McCollum’s “To Be Loved By You” jumps three spots to #4, and Jordan Davis’ “Buy Dirt (featuring Luke Bryan)” rises one place to #5.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Sam Hunt’s pregnant wife Hannah Lee Fowler files for divorce, citing adultery

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Hannah Lee Fowler, the wife of country singer Sam Hunt, has filed for divorce. In court documents filed on February 18th in Tennessee, Fowler revealed that she is pregnant with the couple’s first child, and cited “inappropriate marital conduct” and “adultery” as the reasons for divorce. The couple had not publicly announced that they were expecting, however, court documents state that Fowler is pregnant and due in May. Fowler is asking for alimony, child support and primary custody of the child, as well as for each party to be “awarded their respective separate property.” The documents also state: “The husband is guilty of such cruel and inhuman treatment or conduct toward the spouse as renders cohabitation unsafe or improper.”

Hunt and Fowler were married in 2017, but first met when Hunt was a quarterback for the University of Alabama, Birmingham. Hunt’s debut 2014 album ‘Montevallo’ is named after Fowler’s hometown, and his song “Drinkin’ Too Much,” featured on his 2020 album ‘Southside,’ references their relationship.

In 2019, Hunt was arrested on DUI and open container charges in Nashville, and pleaded guilty in 2021. Hunt was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in jail with all time suspended except for 48 hours. Hunt agreed to serve time at DUI Education Centers and complete an alcohol safety course.

Sam Hunt’s Pregnant Wife Files For Divorce, Says He’s “Guilty Of Adultery”

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Categories
Pop Daypop

Olivia Rodrigo shares the making of ‘Sour’ in the film ‘Driving Home 2 U’ to air on Disney+

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Disney+ will exclusively premiere Olivia Rodrigo’s film Driving Home 2 U, which will chronicle the creation of her 2021 breakthrough record Sour.  Rodrigo shares in the trailer: “I think I just wanted to tell people what was going on in the back of my head in a way that was proud and not ashamed. Coming from this place of hurt and you manage to turn it into something that you’re proud of – there’s like nothing better than that.”

The hybrid film, directed by Stacey Lee, ‘paints the picture of Sour using behind-the-scenes footage captured in the studio and throughout Rodrigo’s day-to-day life, from her process of transfixing hyper-personal experiences into chart-topping songs to her parlay into the realm of pop’s elite as a young woman.’

Driving Home 2 U is set to debut on March 25.  Shortly after the film’s release, the 18-year-old Rodrigo will make her first appearance at the Grammy Awards where she’s nominated for seven awards including Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Solo Performance.

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Categories
Pop Daypop

Billboard Music Awards to be broadcast live on NBC this May 15th

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The 2022 Billboard Music Awards are set to air live on NBC from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 15. A host and performers for the event, which celebrates music’s greatest achievements, will be announced in coming weeks.

Honorees for the Billboard Awards will be determined by their performance on the Billboard charts, while nominees and winners are based on key fan interactions with music including streaming, album, digital sales, radio airplay, touring and more.

This year’s broadcast will include the ICON Award, honoring record-breaking artists and their wider impact. Pink was the recipient of this award in 2021, with other past recipients including Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Stevie Wonder and Janet Jackson.

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Categories
Go Country 105

Sam Hunt and wife Hannah Fowler file for divorce, Fowler announces she's pregnant

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Sam Hunt and his wife Hannah Fowler are getting divorced. 

On Monday, TMZ broke the news that Fowler had filed for divorce from Hunt after nearly five years of marriage. In the paperwork filed in Tennessee, Fowler reveals that she is pregnant and due in May. She cites “inappropriate marital conduct” and “adultery” as the reasons for the separation. 

The documents also state that Fowler is requesting primary custody of their child, alimony and child support, as well as that “the parties be awarded their respective separate property.” 

Hunt and Fowler have yet to speak publicly on the matter.

The two met around 2008 and dated on-and-off for several years before getting engaged in 2016. They married on April 15, 2017 in Hunt’s native Cedartown, GA.

Hunt’s breakthrough album, Montevallo, was inspired by Fowler. Numerous songs he’s penned over the years are also about their relationship, including “Downtown’s Dead” and “Drinkin’ Too Much.”   

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
News Daypop

One woman dead, five others injured in shooting at Portland, Oregon park

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One woman was killed and five others injured during a shooting Saturday night in Portland. The Portland Police Bureau said that the woman was dead when officers arrived just after 8 p.m. at the scene near Normandale Park, a frequent hub for protests against racism and police killings. The wounded victims, two men and three women, were transported to hospitals. Authorities have not released information about their conditions and have not identified a suspect or those shot.

On Sunday, police said they believe the incident “started with a confrontation between an armed homeowner and armed protesters.” Officials have not publicly discussed a potential motive, saying the investigation is “very complicated,” and adding that witnesses were unwilling to talk to responding officers.  Department spokesperson Lt. Nathan Sheppard would not say whether police had made any arrests in connection to the shooting, telling reporters at a virtual briefing on Sunday afternoon that “things are changing constantly in this investigation. As we learn more, things change. At this point, it would be irresponsible of me to comment on arrests that were made, if any.”

According to information on social media, protesters were set to gather in the park at 7 p.m. Saturday, seeking to highlight the cases of Amir Locke, a 22-year-old Black man who was shot and killed by a Minneapolis police officer earlier this month during a no-knock raid, and Patrick Kimmons, a 27-year-old Black man killed by Portland police during a 2018 altercation.  An initial statement from Portland police said that homicide detectives were investigating the scene and that the Oregon State Medical Examiner would determine the cause and manner of the victim’s death.

In a statement. Portland police said the scene of the shooting “was extremely chaotic, and a number of witnesses were uncooperative with responding officers. Most people on scene left without talking to police. Detectives believe a large number of people either witnessed what happened, or recorded the incident as it unfolded. This is a very complicated incident, and investigators are trying to put this puzzle together without having all the pieces.”

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Categories
News Daypop

Queen Elizabeth ‘experiencing mild symptoms’ after testing positive for COVID-19

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Buckingham Palace announced Sunday that Queen Elizabeth II, 95, has tested positive for coronavirus and is experiencing “mild cold-like symptoms.” A palace statement read: “Buckingham Palace confirm that the queen has today tested positive for Covid. Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week. She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines.”

Queen Elizabeth II is Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. On Feb. 6, she reached her Platinum Jubilee at her country estate, Sandringham. The day earlier, she carried out her first major public engagement for more than three months, meeting with charity workers at Sandringham House. The Queen received her first vaccine in January 2021, and while it had not been officially released whether she received a second dose and a booster, the BBC reported it is believed she has received all follow-up vaccinations.

Nearly two weeks ago, Prince Charles, the 73-year-old heir to the British throne, tested positive for coronavirus for a second time, and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, confirmed Monday she had the virus. Queen Elizabeth had been in contact with her eldest son and heir.

According to Bloomberg tracking, Britain has vaccinated 78.3% of its total population with at least one dose. Currently in England, you are not legally required to self-isolate after testing positive for the virus. The prime minister will confirm all of England’s pandemic regulations will end when he lays out his “living with Covid” plan on Monday.

Queen Elizabeth II Tests Positive for COVID-19, Receiving Medical Attention

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Categories
Country Daypop

Garth Brooks announces concert date at Notre Dame Stadium

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Garth Brooks has announced another concert date as part of his ongoing Stadium Tour at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Ind., on Saturday, May 7, 2022. The Notre Dame show will mark Brooks’ first Notre Dame Stadium concert in three-and-a-half years. The Stadium Tour is currently schedule to wrap up with five dates at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, which are slated for Sep. 9-11 and Sep. 16-17.

Tickets for the newly announced show are slated to go on sale on Friday, Feb. 25, at 10AM ET, with a limit of eight tickets per purchase.  All seats to Brooks’ Notre Dame University performance will cost $98.95, which includes all applicable taxes and fees. As with other shows on the Garth Brooks Stadium Tour, the performance at Notre Dame will feature in-the-round seating. All COVID-19 restrictions apply, and the purchaser assumes all risk of COVID-19.

Tickets will be available by visiting ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks or via the Garth Brooks line at Ticketmaster, 1-877-654-2784, as well as through the Ticketmaster mobile phone app . There will be no ticket sales at the venue box office on Feb. 25.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Jimmie Allen and Bebe Rexha to serve as celebrity mentors on Season 20 of “American Idol”

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Jimmie Allen and Bebe Rexha will serve as celebrity mentors on the upcoming Season 20 of American Idol. Allen shared the news from Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawaii in a video clip, saying “Cannot wait for you guys to see the talent they have in store for you.” And on Twitter, American Idol also also shared the news.

The role of ‘celebrity mentor’ has previously been filled by country radio DJ Bobby Bones for the past four seasons, but Bones revealed in January that he won’t return to Idol this season because of a conflict with another show that he’s involved in.

Season 20 of American Idol will premiere on Sunday, Feb. 27 at 8PM ET on ABC, its network home for the past four seasons. Ryan Seacrest will return as host, and the show’s celebrity judges will remain Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.

‘American Idol’ Announces Bebe Rexha, Jimmie Allen As Celebrity Mentors

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