Month: March 2022

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Go Country 105

Parker McCollum, Elvie Shane & more on the lineup for CMT Awards side stage

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CMT is spotlighting some of country music’s rising stars during the CMT Awards next month. 

Performing on the Ram Trucks Side Stage will be Parker McCollum, Elvie Shane and Breland, along with TikTok star Priscilla Block, Caitlyn Smith and Jessie James Decker. Elvie will take the stage with his debut hit, “My Boy,” while Parker will perform his recent #1 hit, “To Be Loved By You” and Breland will bring the energy with the spirited “Praise the Lord.”

Priscilla is set to deliver “My Bar,” Caitlyn will offer her new single, “High,” and Jessie James is slated to sing “Should Have Known Better.”

Several of the performers are also nominated for Breakthrough Video of the Year, with Elvie, Parker, Breland, Priscilla and Caitlyn all appearing in the category alongside Tenille Arts. Voting is open until April 4 at 10 a.m. ET. 

On the main stage, fans can expect to see Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Carly Pearce and more perform when the CMT Awards air on CBS on April 11 at 8 p.m. ET.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

Federal Judge rules former-President Trump ‘likely’ committed felonies in efforts related to Jan. 6 attack on Capitol

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A federal judge has ruled that former President Donald Trump and legal adviser John Eastman ‘likely’ committed federal felonies in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol by radical Trump supporters.

U.S. District Judge David Carter wrote in his 44-page ruling (which can be viewed here in full)  that dozens of documents authored by Eastman should be made available to the House committee investigating the attack, and that sufficient evidence exists to conclude that Trump committed multiple crimes. Eastman is believed to have helped craft Trump’s White House legal strategy to get then-Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Pence, who presided over the certification of the vote during a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, rejected the pressure.

Wrote Judge Carter: “Based on the evidence, the court finds it more likely than not that President Trump corruptly attempted to obstruct the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021.”  In the civil case ruling, Carter found that 101 emails written by Eastman were not covered by attorney-client privilege in part because Trump “likely knew” a plan advanced by Eastman to have Pence unilaterally act to overturn President Joe Biden’s election victory “was illegal.”  Carter wrote that there’s sufficient evidence to conclude that Trump likely committed at least two felonies — obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

Editorial credit: Michael Candelori / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs controversial ‘don’t say gay’ bill into law

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On Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into a law a controversial measure restricting what can be taught in classrooms on gender identity or sexual orientation, which critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. DeSantis signed House Bill 1557, officially known as the Parental Rights in Education bill, at the Classical Preparatory School in Spring Hill, Fla.

The new law prohibits classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity and also bars educators from discouraging or prohibiting “parental notification and involvement in critical decisions affecting a student’s mental, emotional, or physical well-being.”  The governor told reporters the measure it is meant to protect the rights of parents to shield their children from “clearly inappropriate” instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity.  DeSantis claimed six school districts in Florida had policies that cut parents out of decisions regarding what their children are taught on the subjects.

The measure is strongly opposed by LGBTQ+ advocates, student groups, President Joe Biden, Democratic lawmakers, the Walt Disney Company and many entertainment figures.  Opponents argue it interferes with the rights of students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, to speak out about who they are, and potentially harms them by outing them as LGBTQ to parents under a notification provision.

Disney, one of the largest employers in the state, had vowed to help repeal the legislation, saying in part: “We are dedicated to standing up for the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ members of the Disney family, as well as the LGBTQ+ community in Florida and across the country.”

Editorial credit: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Keith Urban explains how he personalized “Wild Hearts”

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It’s hard to imagine a world where Keith Urban nearly passed on his current single, “Wild Hearts,” but the singer is opening up about why it didn’t click with him at first.

Co-written by Old Dominion‘s Brad Tursi, Jennifer Wayne of Runaway June, and Eric Paslay, whom Keith praises as praising as “really great songwriters,” he says he loved “Wild Hearts” the first time he heard it, but admits that there was something missing. “I listened to it and I really liked the song, but it didn’t speak to me,” he explains. “I think it was probably more the verses that didn’t speak to me, and so I passed on the song.” 

Not long after, the singer woke up with the chorus ringing in his head, a sign that the song was destined to be his, but he realized that the lyrics needed a personal touch. 

“About a week later, I woke up one morning singing this chorus, and I was like, ‘That’s that song I got sent,'” he explains. “So I went and listened to it again a couple of times and I thought, ‘It’s a really good song, great chorus,’ but the verses just didn’t speak to me. So I called the writers and said, ‘Would you mind if I rewrote the verses so that they were more about my journey?'”

That’s when Keith stepped in and personalized the verses, which recall his first concert at five years old seeing Johnny Cash with his father, and referencing his tattoos of an eagle and a phoenix, making the song truly his own.

“Wild Hearts” serves as the lead single of Keith’s upcoming album. It’s currently in the top 10 on country radio.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Chris Stapleton added to lineup of performers at the 2022 Grammy Awards

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The second round of performers at this year’s GRAMMY Awards were announced by the Recording Academy, with Chris Stapleton among the lineup of artists taking the stage at the 64th Grammy Awards ceremony.

The second group of performers include Jon Batiste, H.E.R., and Nas, in addition to Stapleton.  In addition, Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Ben Platt, and Rachel Zegler will perform a series of songs from legendary composer Stephen Sondheim for an In Memoriam performance. Sondheim passed away on November 26, 2021.  Previously announced performers at the Grammy Awards include Brothers Osbourne, Brandi Carlile, BTS, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X with Jack Harlow, and Olivia Rodrigo.

The 2022 Grammy Awards will be held April 3 in Las Vegas. The Daily Show host Trevor Noah will host the event, which airs at 8 p.m. EDT on CBS.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell set for MusiCares virtual fundraiser

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The Recording Academy’s MusiCares will be hosting a new virtual fundraiser on March 30 that will feature new recorded performances from Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell and more. Recorded performances from K.D. Lang, Shawn Colvin, Jesse & Joy, Gian Marco, Dante Spinetta, Fantastic Negrito, Amythyst Kiah, Morgxn, Fitz of Fitz and The Tantrums, Zach Person and Emily Wolfe will also be featured.

MusiCares: Music on a Mission was first held in March 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; the virtual fundraiser will celebrate the career of ‘MusiCares Person of the Year 2022’ Joni Mitchell, and showcase members of the music community who have been helped by MusiCares. The show will also include a 2017 performance by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, when the late Petty was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year.

Tickets for Music on a Mission are available now and priced at $25, with all proceeds benefiting those in need in the music community.

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Harry Styles announces first song “As It Was” from upcoming album Harry’s House

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Harry Styles has announced the first single from his anticipated new album Harry’s House. The new song is called “As It Was” will officially drop on Thursday, March 31, at 7 p.m. Eastern.   You can preorder Harry’s House – here.

Harry’s House will be Styles’ third solo album, following 2019’s Fine Line and 2017’s Harry Styles. The new album shares a title with the 1975 Joni Mitchell song “Harry’s House / Centerpiece.” Mitchell’s official Twitter account wrote to Styles last week: “love the title.”

Later this year, Styles is going on tour and he is also headlining the 2022 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Machine Gun Kelly releases video for ‘maybe’ featuring Oli Sykes & Travis Barker

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Machine Gun Kelly celebrated the release of his latest album, Mainstream Sellout by dropping the video for “maybe,” his collaboration with Bring Me The Horizon’s Oli Sykes and featuring drummer Travis Barker. The video shows the two singers and Barker rocking out inside The Shard in London.  Watch the video for “maybe” – here.

Mainstream Sellout is the second album from MGK’s rock era, following his pop-punk debut, Tickets To My Downfall.  MGK shared four tracks prior to the album’s release: “Maybe,” “papercuts,” “Emo Girl” featuring Willow, and “Ay” featuring Lil Wayne.

MGK is also launching a massive tour in support of Mainstream Sellout beginning June 8th in Austin, TX and  featuring supporting acts including Avril Lavigne, Travis Barker, Willow, blackbear, Trippie Redd, iann dior and more rotating throughout the length of the tour.  For more info about the Mainstream Sellout tour, head to Ticketmaster.

Machine Gun Kelly drops ‘Maybe’ video

Editorial credit: hurricanehank / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes

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Maren Morris is appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers tonight. It airs at 12:35 p.m. ET on NBC.

Kacey Musgraves and Willie Nelson will perform as part of the inaugural Palomino Festival at Brookside at the Rose Bowl just outside Los Angeles on July 9. Tickets go on sale on April 1 at 3 p.m. ET. 

CMT Crossroads: LeAnn Rimes & Friends will premiere on April 14 at 8 p.m. ET. LeAnn will celebrate the 25th anniversary of her career with collaborative performances with Carly Pearce, Ashley McBryde, Mickey Guyton and Brandy Clark. 

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Kane Brown, Russell Dickerson & more to perform at Breland's benefit concert in Nashville

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Breland is calling on a few of his famous friends to support a cause close to his heart. 

The “My Truck” hitmaker has organized a benefit concert for the Oasis Center that will take place at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on April 12, with Kane Brown, Russell Dickerson and Mickey Guyton set to perform. Also on the bill are Lady A‘s Charles Kelley, Brittney Spencer, RaeLynn, duo Seaforth and trio Restless Road, the latter of whom are signed to Kane’s label imprint, 1021 Entertainment.

The show will raise money for the Nashville-based organization that provides services to youth, including crisis intervention and community engagement. 

“Oasis Center does incredible work with youth in crisis, and their impact on the Nashville community and beyond is unmatched,” Breland reflects in a statement. “I can’t think of a better location to celebrate and raise money for this amazing organization than the Mother Church itself. Every artist I have joining me at the Ryman represents the same altruistic ideals as the Oasis Center, and I’m so excited to share the stage with them.”

The New Jersey native is currently inching his way to the top of the country charts as a featured collaborator on Dierks Bentley‘s “Beers on Me.” He’s also teamed up with Thomas Rhett on his own single, “Praise the Lord.”

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