Month: May 2022

Categories
Country Daypop

Dierks Bentley and Elle King to host and perform during ‘CMA Fest’ special

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The Country Music Association announced that Dierks Bentley and Elle King will host and perform during the three-hour ‘CMA Fest’ special, set to air in August. The organization tweeted: “Who’s ready for “CMA Fest,” the Music Event of Summer? The 3-hour concert special will feature some of Country’s hottest stars, including performances by your HOSTS  @DierksBentley & @ElleKingMusic! Watch Wed, August 3 at 8/7c on @ABCNetwork. It’ll be a party you won’t want to miss!

The special features footage from the CMA Fest music festival, which will take place June 9-12 in Nashville. The lineup includes Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett.

CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said in a press release:  “I’m thrilled we get to partner with Dierks and Elle as our hosts this year. They have such passion for the fans. I know the chemistry and camaraderie they bring to the stage will be felt by the millions of TV viewers around the globe.”

CMA Fest will air Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Kelly Clarkson announces ‘Kellyoke’ EP and drops cover of Billie Eilish’s ‘Happier Than Ever’

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Kelly Clarkson announced that her popular ‘Kellyoke’ segment from The Kelly Clarkson Show is being turned into a six-song EP, set for release on June 9. The Grammy-winner released a cover of Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever,” which Clarkson originally performed on the Sept. 30, 2021, episode of her talk show.

Clarkson said in a statement: “Music is in the DNA of everything I do, so when The Kelly Clarkson Show started we knew it was the perfect way to kick off every episode. Over 500 songs later, and we’re still not running out of amazing artists to pay tribute to. Picking just six [songs] was near-impossible, but these songs have been some of my favorites. Thanks for singing along with me y’all!”

The six tracks on the EP will include “Blue Bayou” by Linda Ronstadt, “Call Out My Name” by The Weeknd, “Queen of the Night” by Whitney Houston, “Trampoline” by Shaed, “Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead and “Happier Than Ever” by Eilish. The EP marks Clarkson’s first release since her holiday album When Christmas Comes Around in October.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Justin Timberlake sells his entire music catalog for $100M

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Justin Timberlake is the latest artist to sell his song catalogue, selling the rights to a London-based music investment company backed by private equity firm Blackstone. The terms of the deal with Hipgnosis Song Management were not disclosed, but reports reveal the deal as valued just above $100 million, not covering future releases.

The 41-year-old Timberlake will turn over full ownership and control to some 200 songs he wrote or co-wrote spanning his career as a frontman for NSYNC, as a solo artist, and for movie soundtracks. His catalogue of hits include “Bye Bye Bye” and “Girlfriend” from his NSYNC days; “Cry Me a River,” “SexyBack” and “Mirrors” from his solo career, and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” from the 2016 animated film “Trolls.”

Timberlake’s deal continues a recent trend of established artists selling their songbooks to big-pocketed investors or music labels. In recent months, Sting sold his song catalog to Universal Music Group for $250 million, and David Bowie’s estate sold his music catalog for $250 million to Warner Chappell Music, the publishing arm of Warner Music Group, and Bruce Springsteen sold his iconic song and publishing catalog to Sony Music for a whopping $500 million. Last year, Bob Dylan sold his massive 600-song catalog to Universal Music Publishing Group for a reported $300 million to $400 million in December 2020.

Justin Timberlake Sells Entire Song Catalog for More Than $100 Million

Editorial credit: Andre Luiz Moreira / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Go Country 105

Craig Morgan will take the stage as part of PBS' National Memorial Day Concert

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Country star and Army veteran Craig Morgan is on deck to perform during PBS' annual National Memorial Day Concert. The annual, 90-minute event features musical performance, stories from military families and more.

Supporting the military is an important component of Craig's career. As a vet who served nearly 10 years of active duty, plus several more years in the reserves, he continues to shine a light on military heroes in his role as a country star.

He recently competed in the CBS reality series Beyond the Edge, for example, where he raised money for Operation Finally Home, an organization that works to provide mortgage-free homes to wounded veterans and first responders.

Craig raised $100,000 for the cause during his time on the show, and presented OFH with the donation during the Grand Ole Opry's annual Salute the Troops show this week.

Musically, Craig is known for hit songs like “Redneck Yacht Club” and “That's What I Love About Sunday,” and he had a viral hit in 2019 with his poignant “The Father, My Son and the Holy Ghost.”

The National Memorial Day Concert airs on PBS this Sunday, May 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Also on the bill is Americana star Rhiannon Giddens.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Jimmie Allen trades verses with Jennifer Lopez on a remixed “On My Way,” the latest Tulip Drive release

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Jimmie Allen's latest song release is a full-circle moment: It's a collaboration with Jennifer Lopez, the pop superstar who was a judge on Season 10 of American Idol — the same season that Jimmie competed on the show.

Now, the two stars are peers and duet partners. Their pop-leaning new song, “On My Way,” tells a romantic story of all of life's ups and downs — and how they ultimately lead to the perfect partner.

It's a harmony-packed remix of JLo's solo version of the song, which first appeared in the soundtrack for Marry Me, her romcom that premiered back in February. In its new, remixed version, the song appears on the track list for Tulip Drive, Jimmie's next album.

“On My Way” is one of the few tracks on Tulip Drive that Jimmie didn't have a hand in writing, and he has said that this collection of music is his most personal to date.

“This is the first [album] where I chose to write songs about my own personal experiences, thoughts and hopes,” Jimmie explained in a statement.

The new project also continues the theme of big, cross-genre duets that Jimmie established on his Bettie James project. The track list of Tulip Drive also boasts a collab with CeeLo Green and T-Pain.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
News Daypop

CDC confirms 9 monkeypox cases have been identified in 7 states

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) confirmed on Thursday that nine cases of monkeypox has been identified across seven states. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a news briefing that the nine cases have been identified in Massachusetts, Florida, Utah, Washington, California, Virginia and New York.

Walensky said that while the nine cases “are within gay, bisexual men and other men who have sex with men,” she emphasized that “risk of exposure is not limited to any one particular group.” The United States also has two antiviral treatments that can be used for orthopox, the family of viruses that includes monkeypox. One of the vaccines, with the trade name of Jynneos, is approved for the prevention of monkeypox disease in adults 18 years of age and older.   The CDC has mobilized vaccine for monkeypox to states that have reported cases and plans to move the vaccine where it may be needed.  CDC officials have recommended the vaccination for people at highest risk due to direct contact with someone who has monkeypox. Said Walensky: “The US has the resources we need to help us respond to monkeypox in this country right now. We’ve been preparing for this type of outbreak for decades.”

Officials expect more monkeypox cases to pop up in the future.  Dr. Raj Panjabi, White House senior director for health security and biodefense, said at the press briefing that Americans “shouldn’t be surprised to see more cases reported in the U.S. in the upcoming days. It’s actually a sign that Americans are remaining vigilant, and healthcare providers and public health workers are doing their job.”

Monkeypox got its name from laboratory monkeys who scientists first discovered developed the pox-like disease in 1958. The first human case was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but other cases of the disease spread through infection outside of Africa, linked to international travel. The CDC notes that the virus spreads in humans from “large respiratory droplets,” or lesions on the skin, and signs and symptoms include a rash of lesions on the body, fever, headache, and muscle aches. Unlike smallpox, monkeypox also causes swollen lymph nodes. Illness from monkeypox typically lasts for 2-4 weeks.

Editorial credit: BLACKDAY / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Democratic senators rally for support on gun reform and legislation as bipartisan talks begin

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Shortly ahead of bipartisan talks on possible gun legislation, Democratic members of Congress joined anti-gun violence activists at a press conference and rally on Thursday at the Capitol in Washington D.C.

Students Demand Action activist Addie Hernandez said students “from California to Texas to Vermont” are walking out of classes Thursday to demand action on anti-gun violence legislation.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said Democrats are talking with Republicans in Congress in an effort to find common ground on gun legislation, saying: “Today we will be engaged in bipartisan conversations to try to find a path forward.”   Murphy said the talks will be facilitated by citizens who support action to curb gun violence.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn said to his GOP colleagues, “How is this acceptable? How are you not outraged? We’re outraged!”  Blumenthal added: “We know what can save lives. Universal background checks can save lives. Red flag statutes – taking away a firearm from someone who shows they are dangerous to others or themselves.”  Blumenthal said what the American people want is for NRA to stand for ‘Not Relevant Anymore’ in American politics, while Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass. added:  “The Republican Party is in a vise-like grip of the NRA. They do whatever the NRA tells them to do.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said Republicans need to have a change of heart on the issue of possible gun legislation. Said Klobuchar:  “If there isn’t a change in their heart we will vote in Congress and we will march all the way to the ballot box and vote.”

Editorial credit: viewimage / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Go Country 105

On Memorial Day, Chris Young salutes all military service-members, including those he counts as friends

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Chris Young has a personal connection to the military — his sister and grandfather both served in the Marines — but that's not all: Throughout his career, he's made it a point to uplift and connect with all those who serve.

“There's so many people that I've met,” he says, explaining that his career has afforded him the opportunity to perform for and meet military service men and women of all description. Every one of them has an inspiring story, he adds.

“If I was going to pick one — my buddy Joe Bowser, who lost his leg while he was serving,” Chris continues. “He and I have been friends for years and years and years…I got to meet him through one of my very first trips over to Iraq and German and Kuwait.”

Chris leans on his fellow country stars for inspiration on how to best use his platform to support the military. In particular, he looks up to the late legend Charlie Daniels, whose Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project raises funds for veteran-focused projects.

“They've got a lot of different outreach for veterans, if they're dealing with something, or they might need help,” Chris details.

“Seeing Charlie's love for the military, getting a chance to help them raise money and knowing it's going to help our veterans who might need a leg up,” he goes on to say.

“Having that military connection to my family, having been able to be lucky enough to go around the world playing for military,” he adds,” being able to offer some help to veterans, it's really important for me to have a chance to do that.”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Miranda Lambert named one of Time Magazine’s ‘TIME100 Most Influential People’

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Miranda Lambert has been named as one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. Lambert is included among the 2022 TIME100, the publication’s annual list that recognizes the world’s most influential people.

Miranda shared:  “This is further proof that God dreams bigger than any of us ever do.  I’m so honored to join this year’s class of TIME100 as this recognizes that our team, our band, our crew, fellow songwriters, producers and collaborators are being acknowledged for shaking things up and coloring outside the lines to bring even more people under our Country music tent.”

Lambert’s former tour mate and recent collaborator, Elle King, wrote a message in her honor, which appears on TIME’s website as well as in the upcoming double print issue of TIME, out on newsstands on Friday, May 27. Said King:  “Not a lot of people will take your hand, nudge you right into the spotlight, and share it with you—especially if they’ve already spent decades as one of country music’s most acclaimed performers and songwriters. But that’s exactly what Miranda Lambert did in 2019, when she asked me to be a part of her Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour, during which she brought along a new generation of artists to share her stage. It was Miranda’s idea to bring us all together—she wanted powerful female voices to front the whole thing. That’s her vibe: she’s all about making everybody feel welcome. And there is not one inauthentic hair on her head. Of course, in this industry, you’ve got to have good music. And Miranda is a true country queen. Her shows are incredible; from start to finish, she gives it her absolute all. It was an honor to collaborate with her on our duet last year, which broke decades-long country records…..But the reason that I like Miranda so much is because she is one of the absolute funniest people I’ve ever met. When she and I get together, we don’t lose our voices because we’re singing or because we’re drinking. It’s because we laugh the whole time.”

The 2022 TIME100 also includes celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Channing Tatum, Mary J. Blige, Keanu Reeves and more.  Lambert and Blige will appear on ABC’s broadcast of the TIME100 Gala on Thursday, June 9, 2022.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Kane Brown shares the music video for “Like I Love Country Music”

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Kane Brown has released the video for his new single “Like I Love Country Music”, directed by Alex Alvga.

The video clip begins as Brown arrives at The Nashville Palace, a live music venue in Music City that first opened in 1977 where dozens of country music icons have graced the stage, including Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, George Jones and more. Kane takes to the famous stage, wearing a black cowboy hat, black leather pants and sleeveless shirt, to perform the tune. Brown then joins the bar goers for a choreographed line dance (which could quickly take TikTok by storm as a new viral dance trend).

“Like I Love Country Music” was co-written by Brown, alongside Jordan Schmidt, Taylor Phillips, and Matt McGinn. Special guests Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn lent their voices to the track.

Brown also recently announced an international tour dubbed the Drunk or Dreaming Tour. The trek will feature special guests Restless Road, Jessie James Decker, Blanco Brown and Chris Lane on select dates, and kicks off on September 17 in Melbourne, Australia, continuing through New Zealand, Canada, UK, and Europe.

Take a look at the video for Like I Love Country Music – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com