Month: June 2022

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Go Country 105

Kane Brown, Loretta Lynn + more join 'AARP The Magazine''s multi-generational country music cover story

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Country music gets a spotlight in the upcoming June/July edition of AARP The Magazine, which features a sweeping, multi-generational lineup of the genre's biggest acts celebrating America.

Coming just in time for Independence Day next month, the issue includes reflections from country music's living legends — Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, to name a few — to its younger generation of stars, including the 28-year-old Kane Brown.

In response to the prompt of what makes America great, Kane looks to the crowds he's gotten to know all across the country. “There are so many communities across the U.S. that, while people might not have the town name memorized on a map, have been some of my favorite places to visit,” he says. “They have a pride of home and sense of community and helping and looking out for each other.”

Loretta's response points to the freedom she feels to speak her mind. “Freedom for me was what I learned comin' up from the holler, though I might not have known it as a young girl,” she reflects.

“It was freedom to do as you wanted,” she continues, “love as you wanted and say what you wanted, even though some people might not like it.”

The new issue of AARP The Magazine is available now; you can also find it on the publication's website.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Miranda Lambert, Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton + more to receive ACM Honors Special Awards

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The Academy of Country Music announced its Special Awards nominees on Wednesday, putting a spotlight on artists, songwriters and industry members.

Miranda Lambert is being honored for her career-long ACMs success, receiving this year's Triple Crown Award. She qualifies for that honor because throughout her career she was won ACM Top New Female Vocalist, ACM Female Vocalist of the Year and ACM Entertainer of the Year.

The most controversial honoree in the bunch, Morgan Wallen, will win the Milestone Award for his outstanding achievements in the country music field over the past year. It's a major turnaround for Morgan, who was barred from eligibility at the 2021 ACM Awards due to his racist slur scandal, which took place in February of that year.

Chris Stapleton is also being recognized: He'll be awarded the ACM Spirit Award, which draws inspiration from country legend Merle Haggard. The honor is presented to an artist who most exemplifies Haggard's legacy, writing great songs and following their own path.

Shania Twain and legendary songwriter Sonny Throckmorton are the two recipients of the ACM Poet's Award, which they are winning for lyrical contributions and impact on country music culture.

TV series Yellowstone is winning the ACM Film Award; and Paul Barnabee and Dwight Wiles are this year's ACM Lifting Lives Award recipients. Connie Bradley will receive the ACM Icon Award, and Duane Clark will receive the ACM Service Award. Hardy, who won ACM Songwriter of the Year at the most recent awards show, will be recognized, too.

The ACM Honors ceremony will take place Wednesday, August 24, at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. This year's show will also celebrate some of the ACM Awards winners who weren't televised during the major awards show, like studio recording and industry honorees.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

1 dead, 2 injured in shooting after New Orleans high school graduation at Xavier University

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According to the New Orleans Police Department (“NOPD”), one person was killed and another two were injured outside of Xavier University’s convocation center Tuesday, following a New Orleans high school graduation ceremony.  Shots were fired shortly before noon, when the parking lot was full graduating students from Morris Jeff Community School, and their families. The victim of the shooting died at a hospital, and was a grandmother of one of the graduates.

NOPD deputy superintendent Christopher Goodly said during a press conference that the two injured, both men, were taken to the hospital by New Orleans EMS with non life-threatening injuries. A fight between two women broke out in the parking lot shortly after the ceremony ended, but police did not say whether either of the women involved in the altercation was the shooter. Three people were taken in for questioning, but no arrests have been made, Goodly said. Investigators also confiscated more than one weapon.

Xavier University’s convocation center hosts multiple high school graduation ceremonies each spring. This is not the first graduation ceremony to turn violent this season. A large fight broke out inside Xavier University’s convocation center on May 20 shortly after students from G.W. Carver High School graduated.  Governor John Bel Edwards addressed both high school graduation shootings in a statement Tuesday:  “We must do more to ensure that those who pose an unacceptable risk of harm to others aren’t able to acquire or keep firearms.” Edwards said, adding in light of recent gun violence in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas, “gun safety discussions and action involving expanded background checks and red flag laws are very much in order.”

Editorial credit: Elliott Cowand Jr / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Homeland Security recovers 70 missing children and human trafficking victims in Texas operation

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According to a release from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a three-week operation in west Texas dubbed “Operation Lost Souls” has led to the recovery of 70 missing children as well as sex trafficking victims. The investigation was conducted by the Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) and ran from the end of April through mid-May in El Paso, Midland, and Ector.

The missing children, many of them who were identified as runaways, ranged in age from 10 to 17 years old. Some of the children found were also victims of sex trafficking and physical and sexual abuse, according to ICE. Most of the children were recovered from west Texas, but others were found in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as well as Colorado and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

DPS Maj. Matthew Mull said: “At the Department of Public Safety, teamwork is one of our core values. We are grateful for all of our law enforcement partners who participated in this operation and who work around the clock every day to protect our communities, including our youth.” The agencies also provided victim services and counseling to the children rescued and their families.

El Paso Deputy Special Agent in Charge Taekuk Cho said in a statement: “Operation Lost Souls exemplifies Homeland Security Investigations’ commitment to protecting the public from crimes of victimization. HSI is committed to continue working with our law enforcement partners to locate, recover and help missing children heal, while ensuring that perpetrators are held responsible for these heinous crimes and brought to justice.”

No arrests have been announced, but authorities said HSI is investigating “additional information and leads.” If you have information about a human trafficking victim or information about this type of criminal activity, please contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888.

Editorial credit: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Frank Ray on how he “caught lightning in a bottle” with music career

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Frank Ray might still be on the police force if his family and friends hadn’t encouraged him to commit to music full time. 

Frank was a police officer in Las Cruces, New Mexico, when he started building a following playing local bars and honky-tonks. The singer was on the force for a decade before his music career started picking up steam, performing live Saturday nights and having to be up early the next morning for police duties. 

“It didn’t work out. I was calling in a lot. It got real tumultuous because I couldn’t balance the two. I probably would have leaned towards law enforcement had my wife and my family and my team [not] said, ‘No, brother, you’re supposed to be on stage. That’s what … you’re built to do,'” he recalls. “I like the safety net of being able to have a steady gig, benefits and a paycheck. But we took a leap of faith and luckily it’s worked out.”

A defining moment was when Frank’s former band won a contest and opened for Keith Urban when he performed at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces in 2016, which proved to be an eye-opening experience for the future country star. 

“It was my first time that I was really ever on a big, professional tour production kind of stage. Being in my hometown with thousands of people on a Tuesday night singing my songs, it was a big, defining moment for me,” he said. “We built this thing and caught lightning in a bottle, and then I had the support from my family. All the pieces fell into place.” 

Frank is currently in the top 25 on country radio with his debut single, “Country’d Look Good on You.” 

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Thomas Rhett earns his 19th No. 1 with “Slow Down Summer”

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Thomas Rhett has hit No. 1 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart with Slow Down Summer, earning Rhett his 13th consecutive chart-topper and 19th career No. 1. The song was penned by Thomas Rhett, his father Rhett Akins, Sean Douglas, Jesse Frasure, and Ashley Gorley.

Rhett also just released his new single “Half Of Me” featuring Riley Green, written by Thomas Rhett, Rhett Akins, William Bundy and Josh Thompson. Said Rhett: “Today is a really cool day. I’m pretty blown away to be celebrating my 19th No. 1 with ‘Slow Down Summer’ and the release of my new single ‘Half Of Me.’ I wrote both of these songs with my dad, which is special to me, and several other truly incredible songwriters. I hope fans have as much fun singing along to ‘Half Of Me’ as we did writing it.”  Shared Green: “Thomas Rhett always puts out great songs, and I was excited when he asked me to sing on this one. It’s going to be a fun beer-drinking song for the summer.”

Rhett is also about to hit the road on his headlining summer tour dubbed the Bring The Bar To You Tour, which will feature support from Parker McCollum and Conner Smith.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium is designated as an official Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame landmark

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The Ryman Auditorium has been designated as an official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame landmark by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. President of Ryman Hospitality Properties, Mark Fioravanti, and President and CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Greg Harris, made the announcement in a dedication ceremony, joined by Nashville Mayor John Cooper and Old Dominion

During the dedication ceremony, a historic marker was unveiled to celebrate the milestone. The Ryman, currently celebrating its 130th anniversary, now joins 11 other rock & roll landmarks throughout the country. Matthew Ramsey, lead vocalist of Old Dominion, said: “It’s spiritual, and it’s one of the reasons she’s called the Mother Church. Like any good mother, she commands respect and makes you feel at home. As Music City and country music continue to expand around her, she remains the center of the family. She’s a beacon and a bucket list experience for us all, creators and fans alike.”

The Ryman and R&R Hall Of Fame also announced a multi-year partnership, including a new daytime tour exhibit at the Ryman scheduled to open later this year featuring the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees who have graced the Ryman stage over the years.

Ryman Auditorium Designated as Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark

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Pop Daypop

Tracklist for Post Malone’s “Twelve Carat Toothache” features Doja Cat, The Weeknd, Gunna & more

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Post Malone’s fourth studio album “Twelve Carat Toothache” will be his first album in three years, and the follow up to “Hollywood’s Bleeding”.  The project is set to drop on June 3rd, and Post has unveiled the full tracklist, which features a set of 14 tracks.

Guest collaborators include Doja Cat on “I Like You (A Happier Song)”, Gunna on “I Cannot Be (A Sadder Song)”, Fleet Foxes on “Love/Hate Letter To Alcohol” and The Kid LAROI on “Wasting Angels”.  The recently released “Cooped Up” with Roddy Ricch, and last year’s “One Right Now” with The Weeknd will also appear on the LP.

Check out the full tracklist via Apple Music.  Twelve Carat Toothache can be pre-saved – here.

Editorial credit: Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Dua Lipa and Young Thug join Calvin Harris in the video for their new song “Potion”

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Dua Lipa and Young Thug team up with Calvin Harris for their new collaboration “Potion,” and have also released the music video for the song, directed by Emil Nava.  “Potion” is the first single from Harris’ forthcoming album Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2, the follow-up to his Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 released back in 2017.  Vol. 2 is due out this summer.

Harris spoke of his upcoming LP in a new interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, saying: “I wanted the original essence and I want the layers and the grit and the dirt and I don’t want everything to be mixed perfectly. I want things to be too loud and I want things to be like, you know, I want things to be like Sly and the Family Stone when it’s just mixed on the fly.”

Harris previously worked with Dua Lipa on “One Kiss,” and with Young Thug on “Heatstroke.”  You can take a look at the video for “Potion” – here.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com