Month: May 2022

Ex-Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane pleads guilty to manslaughter in the death of George Floyd

Post author By Staff
Post date May 19, 2022
No Comments on Ex-Minneapolis police officer Thomas Lane pleads guilty to manslaughter in the death of George Floyd

One of the Minneapolis police officers involved in the deadly arrest of George Floyd two years ago has pleaded guilty Wednesday to a charge of aiding and abetting manslaughter in Floyd’s death.

The former police officer, Thomas Lane, entered the plea to second-degree manslaughter in Hennepin County court to Judge Peter Cahill, the same judge that presided over the criminal trial of Derek Chauvin. Chauvin was the officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck for close to 10 minutes and caused his death during an arrest; he was convicted last year on state murder and manslaughter charges and sentenced to more than 22 years in prison.

Lane pleaded guilty on Wednesday in exchange for a three-year prison sentence to be served concurrently with his federal sentence for violating Floyd’s civil rights. That sentence has not yet been imposed. Also as part of the plea, prosecutors will drop a charge of aiding and abetting second-degree unintentional murder.

Former Minneapolis police officers Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng are also scheduled to stand trial next month on state charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death. All three were found guilty in federal court in February of violating Floyd’s civil rights during the May 2020 arrest. Last week, a federal judge accepted a plea deal for Chauvin in which the former officer will receive a sentence of between 20 and 25 years for violating Floyd’s civil rights.

Editorial credit: CHOONGKY / Shutterstock.com

Go Country 105

Ingrid Andress' favorite hobby includes flowers, hearts and 'raunchy' rap lyrics: “It's just so funny to me”

Post author By abookbinder
Post date May 19, 2022
No Comments on Ingrid Andress' favorite hobby includes flowers, hearts and 'raunchy' rap lyrics: “It's just so funny to me”

When Ingrid Andress isn't writing new songs or touring, you can probably find her enjoying a hobby she picked up as a home-schooled kid: cross-stitching.

“I used to cross-stich when I was younger, and now I love cross-stitching rap lyrics,” the singer says. “It's just so funny to me. I don't know why my brain thinks that's hilarious, but cross-stitching weird, raunchy rap lyrics with, like, flowers and hearts around [them] just brings me so much joy, and I have no idea why.”

Hopefully Ingrid's friends and family feel the same way — she says she likes to spread that joy around, especially during the holidays.

“I used to do them as Christmas gifts,” she continues, explaining that she either keeps it in the hoop she uses to make it so the gift recipient can hang it on their wall, or she cross-stitches a pillow or napkin for them.

Ingrid says she's waiting for the perfect cross-stitch craft to make for herself. “I haven't kept one for me yet. Usually I just give them away,” she continues.

Ingrid may be cross-stitching in her free time, but she's currently hard at work on musical pursuits. She released her latest new song, “Seeing Someone Else,” earlier this month.

Country Daypop

Lainey Wilson announces new single ‘Heart Like a Truck’ to drop on Friday

Post author By Staff
Post date May 19, 2022
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Lainey Wilson will release her next single and its accompanying music video, “Heart Like A Truck” on Friday, May 20th; the song will impact country radio on May 23rd and will make its television debut on NBC’s Today on Tuesday, May 24th. You can pre-add/pre-save the song – here.

Says Wilson: “These past few months have been such a whirlwind, but man, it was quite the journey to get here. Miley wasn’t playing when she said, ‘it’s about the climb,’ because it really is what builds character and teaches you the most about yourself. ’Heart Like A Truck’ is all about self-discovery, growth and embracing scars as badges of honor. After all, a truck that has hit a few bumps and earned some scratches has proved itself and its tenacity—the shiny one on the lot can’t say that.”

Lainey recently teased “Heart Like A Truck” on her social media channels, which is the follow up to her second No. 1 song, “Never Say Never” with Cole Swindell. That song remained at No. 1 on country radio for two weeks, and was Wilson’s biggest radio success to date. Fans can also catch Wilson on the Ain’t Always the Cowboy Tour with Jon Pardi and Hailey Whitters this summer, and she will appear on select dates with Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Country Daypop

George Strait announces return to Las Vegas with two ‘Strait to Vegas’ shows in December

Post author By Staff
Post date May 19, 2022
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George Strait is returning to Las Vegas in early December 2022, announcing two dates in his Strait to Vegas series for December 2 and 3.

Strait’s December shows will take place in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, marking the 35th and 36th time he’s played the venue. Joining him at the shows will be Caitlyn Smith.

Tickets for the newly-announced shows go on sale Friday, May 27 at 10AM PT. For complete ticketing information and details about all the shows, visit Strait’s website.

George Strait Announces Two New Shows As Part Of His ‘Strait To Vegas’ Residency

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Pop Daypop

Harry Styles’ ‘One Night Only in New York’ concert to livestream on Apple Music

Post author By Staff
Post date May 19, 2022
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Harry Styles’ “One Night Only in New York” concert is set to take place at UBS Arena at Belmont Park in New York this Friday, May 20, and now Apple Music announced that it will be available to stream exclusively to Apple Music subscribers in 167 countries around the world.

The concert will celebrate Styles’ new album “Harry’s House,” which drops the same day, “and will see Harry performing songs from the album for the first time ever.” All tickets for the show were $25 all-in, including taxes and fees.

Harry Styles’ “One Night Only in New York” will be available to stream live on Apple Music at 9:00p EST / 6p PST on Friday, May 20th. An encore will be shown on May 22nd at 12:00p EST / 9:00a PT / 6:00p CET and on May 26th at 4pm BST / 5pm SGT / 7pm AEST. Head here for information.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Pop Daypop

Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ expanded 40th Anniversary reissue to include never-released tracks

Post author By Staff
Post date May 19, 2022
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Michael Jackson’s iconic album Thriller will be reissued in an expanded edition in celebration of its 40th anniversary on Nov. 18.

According to Sony Music, the double-CD set will feature the original album as well as a second disc of “never-released tracks which were worked on by Michael for” Thriller. Details for the latter will be announced at a future date. The 40th anniversary release will also be available in a limited-edition vinyl and separate exclusive versions from Walmart and Target. The Walmart version of the album will feature an additional cover and the Target version will have a vinyl slip mat. You can pre-order it from the official Michael Jackson store here. Jackson’s web-store is also offering new merchandise with a special ‘Thriller 40’ logo.

Thriller remains the best-selling album in music history. It spent a record-breaking 37 weeks at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 and spawned three Hot 100 chart-toppers with the title track, as well as “Beat It” and “Billie Jean.”

Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ Set for 40th Anniversary Special Release

Editorial credit: Blueee77 / Shutterstock.com

Go Country 105

Luke Bryan pays tribute to fellow 'American Idol' judge and Gershwin Prize recipient Lionel Richie: “Nothing but love”

Post author By abookbinder
Post date May 18, 2022
No Comments on Luke Bryan pays tribute to fellow 'American Idol' judge and Gershwin Prize recipient Lionel Richie: “Nothing but love”

Luke Bryan was among the many performers who turned out at a ceremony on May 12 honoring Lionel Richie, this year's recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. PBS aired the event on Tuesday night.

During his time onstage, Luke performed “Lady,” a classic from Lionel's catalog with a country connection. The song was recorded by Kenny Rogers in 1980, becoming a massive cross-genre hit for both artists.

Before he sang, Luke briefly spoke about his relationship with the honoree. “You know how we all have bad days? I wake up and have a bad day, and then I tell myself, Somewhere, Lionel Richie ain't having a bad day, so you better have a good day,'” he told the crowd.

“This guy is everything you believe he is, I promise you,” Luke added.

The country superstar also marked the moment on his social media, posting some snapshots of his performance and video of the hug he shared with Lionel after the song.

“I've got nothing but love for you [Lionel Richie]!” Luke wrote in the caption of his post. “It was an incredible experience getting to honor you at the #GershwinPrize concert.”

The country genre was well represented during the ceremony, which featured a massive cast of performers from all genres. Garth Brooks and Chris Stapleton were also on hand to tribute the pop legend.

Go Country 105

Nashville notes: Naomi Judd, Priscilla Block + more

Post author By abookbinder
Post date May 18, 2022
No Comments on Nashville notes: Naomi Judd, Priscilla Block + more

Naomi Judd's public memorial, Naomi Judd: A River of Time Celebration, aired on CMT Sunday, and it's become the network's highest rated special in two years. In under 48 hours, the televised event racked up over 16 million cumulative views across all channels. Two encore presentations of the special will take place: this Thursday at 9 p.m. ET and Saturday at 12 p.m. ET.

Priscilla Block is taking her Welcome to the Block Party tour overseas for five dates this August. Head to her website for more information about the shows.

LoCash is sharing the stage with The Beach Boys at the Grand Ole Opry later this month. Set for May 27, the shows will mark the Beach Boys' Grand Ole Opry debut. The two acts recently teamed up for LoCash's new single “Beach Boys.”

Go Country 105

Brothers Osborne's John Osborne on how music helps his mental health: “It allows me to express myself”

Post author By abookbinder
Post date May 18, 2022
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and for Brothers Osborne's John Osborne, that's personal. He has previously discussed his battles with depression and anxiety, saying that he went through a difficult period of depression and suicidal ideation in late 2019 that led to a hospitalization.

In partnership with ACM Lifting Lives, John talks about how he maintains his mental health and how music plays into that.

“I learned to be OK with not being OK,” he reflects. “Being OK with not being OK is just being patient with how you feel.”

Stepping onstage with his guitar and playing music for his fans is an outlet, John continues, that can help him keep his mental health stable. “It allows me to express myself — musically, but it [also] gets all of the feelings that I have inside out.”

And as a listener? John says that he doesn't typically dance, but there's one pop star who he likes to jam out to every now and again.

“I'm a wretched dancer, but if I'm alone and someone plays Dua Lipa, I might shake my butt a little bit,” he jokes.

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or are worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 [TALK] for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even if it feels like it, you are not alone.

Go Country 105

After back-to-back chart-toppers, Lainey Wilson teases her next radio single

Post author By abookbinder
Post date May 18, 2022
No Comments on After back-to-back chart-toppers, Lainey Wilson teases her next radio single

Lainey Wilson's got a new single coming out on Friday, and she's hoping it'll make three for three atop the country radio chart. Her last two singles, “Things a Man Oughta Know” and a Cole Swindell duet called “Never Say Never,” each made it to the top spot.

Her new song is called “Heart Like a Truck,” and Lainey teased the song on her social channels this week, posting video of herself singing along.

“I've got a heart like a truck / It's been drug through the mud / Runs on dreams and gasoline / And that ol' highway holds the key,” she sings in the chorus.

“Heart Like a Truck” marks a new chapter for Lainey. It's the first new music she's put out since Sayin' What I'm Thinkin', her major-label debut from early 2021.

Since that album came out, Lainey's star has rapidly risen, and she shows no signs of slowing down: She's joining Luke Combs on his Middle of Somewhere Tour this year, and she's playing festivals like next month's CMA Fest and the Dierks Bentley-led Seven Peaks Fest, plus appearing in Brian Kelley's May We All musical.