Month: August 2022

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News Daypop

WNBA star Brittney Griner found guilty in Russian drug trial; is sentenced to 9 years in prison

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WNBA star Brittney Griner was found guilty by a Russian court on Thursday on drug smuggling and possession charges, and was sentenced her to nine years in a Russian penal colony.  The verdict came after closing arguments in Griner’s trial at a court near Moscow.

The two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist has been in a Russian jail for almost six months since her arrest at Moscow’s airport in February with two vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her bags.  Cannabis is illegal in Russia, but Griner’s attorneys have argued that she has a valid medical prescription and that she didn’t intentionally pack the cartridges. However in its verdict, the court ruled that Griner had deliberately intended to smuggle cannabis.

The 31-year-old, who’d faced a total of 10 years in prison, pleaded guilty to the charges last month in a bid for leniency from the court. Last week, Griner testified in her own defense, saying she packed the vape cartridges by accident and that she had ‘no intention’ of breaking Russian law. Prosecutors argued for a 9 1/2-year jail sentence for Griner; however, the court rejected those arguments and sentenced Griner to nine years in jail, and a fine of 9 million rubles (equal to about $150,000). The 9-year sentence is considered by many an excessive punishment for Griner possessing less than 2 grams of the cannabis oil. Griner’s attorneys said the verdict was “absolutely unreasonable” and promised to exercise the basketball star’s right to an appeal.

President Joe Biden said he’s doing everything possible to secure Griner’s release: “Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney. It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates. My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and [imprisoned former U.S. Marine] Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible.”

Editorial credit: Keeton Gale / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Lady A postpone Request Line Tour to 2023 as singer Charles Kelley focuses on ‘journey to sobriety’

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Lady A is postponing its Request Line Tour to 2023 while bandmate Charles Kelley focuses on his sobriety.

The country trio shared the news on social media on Thursday (Aug 4th), writing on Instagram: “We have decided to postpone our Request Line Tour until next year. Being on the road with our fans is our greatest joy, so it was a hard but important decision to make. We are a band, but more importantly…we’re family. We’re proud to say that Charles has embarked on a journey to sobriety. So, right now in order to be the healthiest, strongest and most creative band we can be, Lady A will take the time with the support of our families and team of professionals to walk through this together. It’s early on this road, but we are determined to do what will best set us up for many more years together. We’re grateful for your patience.⁣⁣ This update is coming in real time, but in the coming days, your point of purchase will be in touch with new ticket information. We’re looking forward to making 2023 our best year yet!⁣”

Lady A’s Request Line Tour was set to launch next week, August 13th, with back-to-back night’s at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Each night fans were to experience Lady A’s hit songs live, while also interacting with the band in real time to directly request songs — making no two shows the same.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Michael Ray releases new live EP ‘The Warehouse Sessions’

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Michael Ray has released a new live EP, The Warehouse Sessions, featuring four tracks from his album Higher Education – including the lead single “Whiskey And Rain.”

The project also features “Holy Water,” the second single from Higher Education, as well as “Think A Little Less,” his second No. 1 RIAA Platinum-certified single.  Said Ray: “After two years of connecting solely via our screens and dreaming of being back on the road again, there’s nothing like hearing fans sing these songs back to us live. We’re keeping that energy going with The Warehouse Sessions.”

Ray will join Lee Brice on the “Label Me Proud Tour” later this month, along with headlining and festival dates through the fall. For dates, tickets and additional information go to MichaelRayMusic.com.

Michael Ray announces ‘The Warehouse Sessions’ live EP

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Carly Rae Jepsen announces new album ‘The Loneliest Time’

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Carly Rae Jepsen announced she will be releasing her new album, The Loneliest Time, on Oct. 21, the sixth studio album from the Canadian singer. The Loneliest Time will mark Jepsen’s first album since May 2020, when she released the second half of her project Dedicated.

Jepsen said in a tweet announcing the album: “I’m quite fascinated by loneliness. It can be really beautiful when you turn it over and look at it. Just like love, it can cause some extreme human reactions.” The lead single on The Loneliest Time, titled “Western Wind,” was officially released this past May along with a music video.

The singer’s announcement of The Loneliest Time LP comes shortly after she announced her upcoming tour, The So Nice Tour, set to kick off in Cleveland, Ohio this September. From there, she will play shows across the United States and Canada until Nov. 5.

To pre-order “The Loneliest Time” head here.

Editorial credit: ChrisJamesRyanPhotography / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Machine Gun Kelly shares live video for ‘Fake Love Don’t Last’

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Machine Gun Kelly has teamed up with Vevo for a special live performance of “fake love don’t last,” his third installment for the series.  Kelly teams with Iann Dior on the “fake love don’t last” video, the recorded version which appears on his latest album, Mainstream Sellout. The video for “fake love don’t last” follows MGK’s previously shared live performances of “more than life” and “twin flame.”

Mainstream Sellout was released in March of this year, taking the No.1 spot on the album charts and earning MGK a string of Top 10 singles on the Rock charts. MGK released a new track “more than life,” featuring 17-year-old musician Glaive, which appeared as a bonus track on Mainstream Sellout when it was released on vinyl.

Kelly is currently on tour in support of Mainstream Sellout through October. After he finishes his North American run, he’ll be bringing his show across Europe.

Take a look at the live video for “fake love don’t last” – here.

Machine Gun Kelly release third Vevo Official Live Performance Series video

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Go Country 105

Nashville notes: Michael Ray drops a new EP, Jeannie Seely makes Grand Ole Opry history + more

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Michael Ray has announced the release of a live EP called The Warehouse Sessions. The five-song collection arrives Friday, and that same day he's performing as part of Fox & Friends' All-American Concert Series.

Jeannie Seely is now officially the artist who has made the most appearances on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. The country legend will celebrate her 55th anniversary as an Opry member this September.

Gary Allan has parted ways with UMG Nashville, his label home of over 25 years. On social media, the singer told fans that he's excited about the new music that’s in store and plans to share more information soon.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Tim McGraw + Faith Hill's daughter Audrey proves her musical chops with Pat Benatar cover

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Tim McGraw and Faith Hill may be country music royalty, but their talented daughter Audrey's got a flair for rock n' roll.

The 20-year-old put her vocal talents on full display on Instagram this week, sharing a cover of Pat Benatar's “Fire and Ice,” a hit single from 1981. In the black-and-white clip, Audrey accompanies herself on piano as she belts out the song, showcasing multiple musical talents in one performance.

“Put on a pretty dress and attempted to sing a Pat Benatar song on piano…ATTEMPTED!” she wrote in the caption. “Excuse my yelling but I gotta have some rock on there.”

Audrey is no stranger to the spotlight. Last year, she co-starred in her dad's music video for his single “7500 OBO.”

Tim and Faith share three daughters: Audrey, 25-year-old Gracie and 23-year-old Maggie.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Naomi Judd's family files to keep “graphic” records pertaining to her death sealed

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Naomi Judd's family members are headed to court in order to stop the details of her death investigation records from being made public.

Legal records obtained by ABC reveal that Larry Strickland — Naomi's widower and the sole executor of her will — as well as her daughter and The Judds bandmate, Wynonna, are suing Williamson County Sheriff Dusty Rhoades to keep the records pertaining to her death investigation sealed.

Naomi died by suicide on April 30 at the age of 76. She used a firearm to end her life, a detail that her daughter Ashley Judd subsequently shared during an emotional Good Morning America interview.

After her death, per standard procedure, the sheriff's office conducted an investigation, which involved creating records that include “photographs, video recordings, audio recordings and written reports,” according to the filing.

The family is seeking to prevent the release of those records to the public, as they contain “Mrs. Judd depicted in a graphic manner” and their release would cause “irreparable harm in the form of emotional distress, pain and mental anguish.”

The filing also expresses concern that media outlets “have or have planned to file records” to make the information contained in the death investigation public. Plaintiffs say the release of this information would go against their right to “legitimate privacy” as the surviving family members of the country star.

If you are in crisis or know someone in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or by visiting 988lifeline.org. You can also contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. 

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Lady A postpone their Request Line Tour to support Charles Kelley's “journey to sobriety”

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Lady A's Request Line Tour, originally scheduled to begin on August 13, is being postponed to 2023.

“Being on the road with our fans is our greatest joy, so it was a hard but important decision to make,” the country trio said in a statement posted to their social channels on Thursday.

The postponement is due to the group's decision to support bandmate Charles Kelley during an important life change.

“We're proud to say that Charles has embarked on a journey to sobriety,” the statement continues. “So, right now in order to be the healthiest, strongest and most creative band we can be, Lady A will take the time with the support of our families and team of professionals to walk through this together.”

They added, “It's early on this road, but we are determined to do what will best set us up for many more years together. We're grateful for your patience.”

The group also told fans that more information regarding ticketing details for the new Request Line tour dates will become available in the days ahead.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Garth Brooks to host re-airing of highlights from his legendary Central Park show to mark its 25th anniversary

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It's been 25 years since Garth Brooks' unforgettable free Central Park performance, and he's celebrating with a one-time re-airing of the event’s highlights.

Back in 1997, over 1 million fans turned out for the free concert, dubbed “Garthstock,” making it the largest concert ever held in the New York City park.

“It's gonna be good. This Sunday the 7th, the 25th anniversary, starting at show time, actually show time, we're gonna sit and watch it,” Garth revealed during a Thursday morning stop on Good Morning America.

The re-airing event will give anyone who didn't get to attend the concert in person the chance to get a front-row seat — and that includes him. “How bout for the guy that never got to sit in the crowd and watch it?” he says with a smile, raising his hand.

Garth will host the one-time re-airing on August 7, the exact anniversary of the concert, at 8 p.m. ET on his TalkShopLive channel.

“We're gonna relive the whole night 25 years later, but this time I get to be in the crowd. This'll be fun,” the star adds.

Garth's Central Park show consisted of a seven-song set list plus four encores. Billy Joel was a guest singer on three songs, and Don McLean came out during the encore for a performance of “American Pie.”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.