Month: July 2022

Maren Morris says 'Humble Quest' is “the most mature version of me”

Post author By abookbinder
Post date July 26, 2022
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Maren Morris is reflecting back on the making of her new album, Humble Quest.

Speaking to the Recording Academy, Maren shares that she went through a lot of “emotional” and “life changes” while making the album during the COVID-19 pandemic and after welcoming her first child, son Hayes, in March 2020.

“It’s like I was gaining motherhood, but losing my identity as an artist in a lot of ways, so I had to really rebuild the pieces,” she explains in regards to her touring life being halted during the pandemic.

The superstar notes that she went through a “resurgence” with Humble Quest and almost felt “born again” while writing the songs. “I felt like it was the most mature version of me and not taking myself so seriously,” she expresses. “I had fun writing these songs and I had the space to actually write them.”

Maren is currently on the Humble Quest Tour that kicked off June 9 in Raleigh, N.C. and continues through December 2, where it will wrap at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

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Hardy partners with Busch Light for theatre tour this summer

Post author By abookbinder
Post date July 26, 2022
No Comments on Hardy partners with Busch Light for theatre tour this summer

Hardy is taking his expansive catalog of hits into an intimate setting.

The hitmaker is teaming up with Busch Light for an exclusive tour, Busch Country: One Night Only featuring HARDY, that takes him to three small theaters across the Midwest later this summer. He’ll perform in Chicago on August 23; Madison, WI on August 28 and will close out the trek in Columbus, Ohio on September 30.

Hardy will perform his many hit songs while sharing the stories behind each one.

“I am so excited. It’s going to be really fun, it’s going to be very up close and personal, back to the really small stages,” Hardy expresses in a video. “I know it’s going to be a really good time.”

Tickets are not available for sale to the public. The only way into the show is to win tickets by entering the contest via the Busch website, listening to your local country radio station for ticket giveaways and following Hardy on socials.

News Daypop

Sixth defendant in ‘Central Park Five’ jogger case is exonerated

Post author By Staff
Post date July 26, 2022
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A sixth man, a co-defendant of the ‘Central Park Five’ who were wrongly convicted in the 1989 rape of a New York jogger, was exonerated of a robbery conviction linked to the attack on Monday. According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, the more than three decades-old conviction of the defendant, Steven Lopez, was overturned. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said: “Many have largely forgotten there were six. Today, Mr. Lopez joins the other five.”

Lopez was 15-years-old when he and five other teenagers were arrested in connection with the vicious beating and sexual assault of investment banker Trisha Meili, who testified she could not remember the attack. The other defendants — Antron Mccray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise — were convicted and served jail time. Lopez took a deal and pleaded guilty to robbing a male jogger in Central Park the same night as the attack to avoid a rape charge, and spent more than three years in prison. District Attorney Bragg told the court: “Mr. Lopez was charged and pleaded guilty in the face of false statements, unreliable forensic analysis and immense external pressure.”

In 2002, convicted rapist and murderer Matias Reyes admitted he was behind Meili’s attack. DNA testing and other evidence confirmed Reye’s confession, prompting then-District Attorney Robert Morgenthau to file a motion to vacate the Central Park Five’s convictions. The five men settled with New York City for $40 million for the time they served in prison — roughly $1 million for each year served.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

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Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell transferred to low-security prison in Florida

Post author By Staff
Post date July 26, 2022
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Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell has been moved to a low-security prison in Florida to serve out a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s sex trafficking scheme. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons,. the 60-year-old Maxwell is currently listed as an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee and was moved on Friday.

Maxwell’s attorneys had requested she serve her time in Danbury, Conn., according to court records filed in the Southern District of New York. They argued that Maxwell received harsh treatment at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn because of her association with Epstein.

The North Florida prison, which houses more than 700 female inmates, will find Maxwell required to wake up at 6 a.m., dress in khaki pants and shirt and perform certain chores. The prison offers a number of activities including yoga, basketball, cooking and painting, according to FCI Tallahassee’s handbook. However Duncan Levin, a former federal prosecutor in New York who was not involved in the case, said: “There is nothing cushy about Maxwell’s designation. She is going to be surrounded by barbed wire and fences.”

Maxwell was sentenced last month to 20 years in prison and ordered to pay a $750,000 fine, after being convicted by a jury in December on five of six counts relating to the sex trafficking scheme in which she was accused of procuring young girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. The former British socialite was found guilty of sex trafficking minors, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and three related conspiracy counts. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Maxwell will be eligible for release in July 2037.

Editorial credit: Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock.com

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Luke Bryan was thinking of the fans when he recorded “Country On”

Post author By abookbinder
Post date July 26, 2022
No Comments on Luke Bryan was thinking of the fans when he recorded “Country On”

For Luke Bryan, his new single “Country On” is a direct message to his fans that speaks to all aspects of country life, one that he instantly connected to when he first heard the song.

“Country On” touches on all-American themes ranging from farmers tending to their rural land to rodeo cowboys, firemen and police officers, carrying forth the message to “country on” through life.

“The first time I heard the song, I loved what was being said. I loved who it was being said to. It’s one of those classic sounding songs that says the message right,” Luke says. “It just says it in a real, honest place.”

The superstar singer adds that he had his fans in mind when recording the track, wanting to deliver a message that they could relate to in the hope it would be a symbol of unity.

“I’m a country artist singing music to country people. I try to think about what my fans and what most of your country music fans out there, what makes them wake up every day and get to work and get to rocking?” he says. “I felt like this song really embodies a lot of that and really tells that story of how important it is for everybody to country on through all the stuff.”

“Country On” is currently climbing up the top 30 on country radio. Luke continues on his Raised Up Right Tour through the summer before embarking on the six-date Farm Tour in the fall.

Country Daypop

Miranda Lambert releases her new single ‘Strange’ to country radio

Post author By Staff
Post date July 26, 2022
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Miranda Lambert has released her latest single, “Strange,” to country radio. “Strange” is the second single from Lambert’s latest album, “Palomino,” written by Lambert, Natalie Hemby and Luke Dick. The song is the follow-up to Lambert’s top 10 single “If I Was A Cowboy.”

Said Lambert: “‘Strange’ is permission to just let go for a sec. We were really wanting the chorus to lift – literally and emotionally – and go into a happy place. It’s such a song for the time that we’re in right now, but it doesn’t feel like it won’t matter in 10 years, either. We couldn’t land on a bridge. So, each one of us went and wrote a bridge on our own and came back and we ended up using lines from each person’s – so we co-wrote that without even meaning to. It was pretty cool; everyone’s was different but when we took lines out of mine, Luke’s and Natalie’s, it all fit together.”

Take a listen to “Strange”- here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Country Daypop

Jake Owen releases the video for his track ‘1×1’

Post author By Staff
Post date July 26, 2022
No Comments on Jake Owen releases the video for his track ‘1×1’

Jake Owen has released the video for “1×1.” Directed by Ryan Smith, the video shows Owen strumming an acoustic guitar against a floor-to-ceiling video wall, lit up with vignettes that showcase the moments and memories that make life worth living. Owen’s fiancé and two daughters, Pearl and Paris, joined him on set for filming.

Said Owen: “The second I heard ‘1×1’ it resonated with me, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of it. Working with Spidey to make this song soar on screen was a great experience, and having my family there made it even more meaningful. It’s sentimental and fun and tells a story; I’m excited to share it with you today.”

Owen is currentlly on the road with his Up There Down Here Tour through this fall. Take a look at the video for “1×1”- here.

https://tasteofcountry.com/jake-owen-1×1-music-video/

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Pop Daypop

Halsey to launch second beauty brand exclusively through Walmart

Post author By Staff
Post date July 26, 2022
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Halsey — real name Ashley Frangipane — has revealed they will be releasing a second beauty brand, af94, exclusively through Walmart. The 67 piece line has been co-developed with its exclusive partner Walmart, and Halsey is hoping to tap into a new consumer base with products to be sold in around 2,900 stores as well as online. Along with cosmetic products for eyes, lips, cheeks and body, the brand will also feature cosmetic accessories such as custom-designed body stickers.

af94 is the second – and more affordable — beauty brand launched by Halsey, who launched their first gender fluid line About Face in January 2021. Halsey said in a statement: “After listening to feedback received from fans and friends, I wanted to create another self-expressive line that was lower-priced with a wide reach, which is why we are so excited to be launching this new collection with Walmart.” The release also noted that all af94 products are ‘100 percent vegan and cruelty-free, with a shade range intentionally created to complement all skin tones.’

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Pop Daypop

Adele announces rescheduled ‘Weekends With Adele’ Las Vegas residency dates

Post author By Staff
Post date July 26, 2022
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Adele announced rescheduled dates for her Weekends with Adele show at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace after postponing due to COVID-19. In addition to the 24 rescheduled shows, eight new shows have also been announced. The residency will now run from November 18, 2022 through March 25, 2023 with a show also on Christmas Eve.

The 34-year-old singer said in a statement: “Words can’t explain how ecstatic I am to finally be able to announce these rescheduled shows. I truly was heartbroken to have to cancel them. But after what feels like an eternity or figuring out logistics for the show that I really want to deliver, and knowing it can happen, I’m more excited than ever! To be with you in such an intimate space every week has been what I’ve most been looking forward to and I’m going to give you the absolute best of me. Thank you for your patience, I love you.”

Adele was scheduled to kick off her Weekends With Adele Vegas residency in January, but indefinitely postponed the entire 24 run engagement the day before it was to begin, citing cases of COVID-19 among her team. She said at the time: “We’ve been absolutely destroyed by delivery delays, and half my crew, half my team have come down with COVID. It’s been impossible to finish the show, and I can’t give you what I can right now.”

A select number of tickets will be available across all 32 performances. There will be two opportunities to purchase tickets for these shows. Access will be limited with priority given to fans who held tickets for the original show dates or had previously registered and been waitlisted for the WEEKENDS WITH ADELE Verified Fan Presale. Eligible fans will receive an email invitation from Ticketmaster on Wednesday, August 3. To learn more visit: https://blog.ticketmaster.com/adele-vegas.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

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