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Walker Hayes says his three older kids remember the tough financial times before his “Fancy Like” success

On Tuesday, Walker Hayes celebrated one year since the release of “Fancy Like” — a song that would go on to become a viral hit, sending him careening toward country superstardom after years of working hard to make it in the music business.

One surprising side effect of “Fancy Like”'s success is how it strengthened Walker's bond with his oldest daughter Lela, the star tells ET Online. “My daughter and I really bonded,” he says. “We just did two quick takes of this dance that Lela and I threw together.”

He also admits that “Fancy Like”'s success allowed him to “pay a lot of bills” and pull his family out of debt.

Walker is a dad to six kids, three of whom are old enough to remember much more difficult financial times the family faced. “My big three, they had a tough life financially,” he continues.

“It's funny. Bagels were a luxury item,” the singer elaborates. “So this new lifestyle, they're very appreciative of it.”

But the singer's younger three kids have a different perspective since they don't remember much of the lean years. “Our little ones, on the other hand — [this lifestyle] is kinda all they know. So it's challenging trying to keep them grounded,” he adds.

Walker's whole family can be spotted in the music video for his newest single, “Y'all Life,” and the singer says that’s just part of making his career a team operation. “They gotta help on the farm. They gotta earn their dinner,” he jokes.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Lainey Wilson returns to the road following her father's health crisis: “I have seen the power of prayer”

Lainey Wilson will be back on the road this weekend after taking some time off due to a family emergency surrounding her father's health.

“I just want you to know that I have seen the power of prayer start to work miracles,” the “Heart Like a Truck” singer told fans in a video update. “Every single prayer, every single heart has been felt by me and my family.”

When she first canceled shows, Lainey asked fans to pray for her family, subsequently posting a picture of herself with her father. In response, the “support and outreach has been unreal,” she goes on to say in her update.

Lainey's dad is still in the ICU in Houston, so he's got a long road to recovery ahead of him, but the singer says the best way she can honor him is by going back to doing what she does best.

“As much as I want to spend time, every minute of every hour, by my daddy's side, and my family's side, I know that he takes pride in hard work. So that's what I'm gonna do,” she continues. “So I'll be back out on the road this weekend, singing every note for him and making him proud.”

Lainey has a busy calendar ahead of her: She's scheduled to perform with Jon Pardi through the fall and will pick up with Luke Combs' Middle of Somewhere Tour in October.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

Senate approves legislation to expand veteran health care benefits due to burn pit exposure

On Tuesday night, the Senate overwhelmingly approved the PACT Act with an 86-to-11 vote. The PACT Act is a bill to expand health care benefits for veterans who developed illnesses due to their exposure to burn pits during military service.

The vote came after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Tuesday afternoon that he and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had come to an agreement.  Schumer said after the vote: “This is a wonderful moment, especially for all the people who have made this happen who are observing it. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.” The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk.

Burn pits are holes in the ground the U.S. military dug near bases in countries that had limited infrastructure where troops would dump trash and burn it to dispose of it. The legislation would expand benefits for an estimated 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxic burn pits during the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as remove the burden of proof from veterans seeking care for conditions related to exposure from burn pits by presuming a number of conditions, including terminal cancers, are related to the exposure.

Editorial credit: Mark Van Scyoc / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lands in Taiwan despite threat of Chinese retaliation

On Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi landed in Taipei, showing support for Taiwan despite China’s threats of retaliation over the visit. Pelosi’s visit marks the first time that a House Speaker has visited Taiwan in 25 years. A Taiwanese official told CNN that Pelosi is expected to stay in Taipei overnight.

Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan comes at a low point regarding US-China relations, and despite warnings from China against a stop in Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory. China warned against the “egregious political impact” of Pelosi’s visit, saying that the Chinese military “won’t sit by idly” if Beijing believes its “sovereignty and territorial integrity” is being threatened.

The stop prompted not only warnings from China but from the Biden administration, which has briefed the speaker about the risks of visiting the democratic, self-governing island.  During remarks at the United Nations, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the decision to visit Taiwan was Pelosi’s: “Congress is an independent, coequal branch of government. The decision is entirely the speaker’s.”

Sources told CNN that President Biden has said publicly that the military did not believe it was a good time for Pelosi to visit Taiwan, but he stopped short of telling her directly not to go, two sources previously told CNN. Administration officials are concerned that Pelosi’s trip comes at a particularly tense moment, as Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to seek an unprecedented third term at the upcoming Chinese Communist Party congress. Chinese party officials are expected to begin laying the groundwork for that conference in the coming weeks, putting pressure on the leadership in Beijing to show strength.

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Go Country 105

Carly Pearce says singing with Wynonna Judd on 'CMA Fest' is “the biggest full-circle moment”

When Carly Pearce brought Wynonna Judd out onstage during CMA Fest, it wasn’t just a surprise for the crowd, but a full-circle moment for the star. 

Growing up in Kentucky, Carly has been a longtime fan of The Judds. Prior to her CMA Fest performance with Wynonna, Carly got to pay tribute to legendary duo when she performed “Grandpa (Tell Me Bout The Good Old Days)” at their Country Music Hall of Fame induction in May.

But the event was marked by tragedy, as Naomi Judd had passed away the day before due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Carly now feels a sense of responsibility to help keep Naomi’s legacy alive.

“I have loved Wynonna and The Judds my whole life. I’ve been so fortunate to get to be a part of some of the very special ceremonies to honor Naomi. And with her passing, I think that it has shined a light on me that I’ve loved them forever and it is my duty as one of the country females to make sure that her legacy stays alive,” Carly says. 

The singer is already fulfilling that wish with a special performance alongside Wynonna that will air during the CMA Fest special Wednesday night on ABC. 

When Carly was presented with the opportunity to sing with Wynonna during her set at Nissan Stadium, she chose The Judds’ 1984 hit “Why Not Me,” citing it as “one of my favorite songs of all time.” 

“I said, ‘I’ve become friends with Wynona a little bit, so maybe I could see if she wanted to sing with me,'” Carly recalls of how the collaboration came about. “Wynona was my first concert when I was eight 8 years old, so this is the biggest full circle moment ever for me.” 

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Country Daypop

Barbara Mandrell celebrates her 50th Grand Ole Opry Anniversary with two shows from some of her famous friends

Grand Ole Opry celebrated Country Music Hall of Fame member Barbara Mandrell on her 50th Anniversary as a member of the Opry family with two shows. Opry member Carrie Underwood, CeCe Winans, Suzy Bogguss, Linda Davis, Jeannie Seely, Janelle Arthur, Mandy Barnett, and Connie Smith honored the music legend, who was in attendance along with her family and friends.

Said Mandrell on Instagram: “To my fans, thank you for celebrating my 50th Opry Anniversary with me last evening. Whether you were there in person or watching from home, I felt so much love from each of you and I wish you could know how you made me feel. Thank you to @carrieunderwood, @cecewinans, @lindadavisnashville, @suzybogguss, @seelyofficial, @realconniesmith, @mandybarnettmusic & @janellearthur for all of the beautiful songs you sang last night. Thank you to the @opry for celebrating me and welcoming me home. Lord knows I love the Opry! Love, Barbara 💜

Mandrell released “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” in April 1981 as the lead single from her album Barbara Mandrell Live. The song hit the No. 1 spot on July 4, 1981, helping her live album to be certified Gold by the RIAA and earning the 1981 CMA Entertainer of the Year award.  Mandrell is also a three-time ACM/CMA Entertainer and four-time ACM/CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, and was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on July 29, 1972.  Regarding the historic Opry stage, Mandrell said, “My last show when I retired in 1997 I chose my home to do my finale performance on and it was this one.”

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Country Daypop

Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning to co-host 56th Annual CMA Awards

Country superstar Luke Bryan and NFL superstar Peyton Manning have been announced as co-hosts of the 56th Annual CMA Awards.  The show, billed as ever as “Country Music’s Biggest Night,” will be broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, November 9, from 8-11pm EST on ABC.

Bryan, who’ll be co-hosting for the second consecutive year, said in a statement:  “Being a part of such a historical night that honors my peers and Country Music is such a privilege. When I was asked if Peyton Manning was someone I would consider co-hosting with I didn’t hesitate. We have become great friends through the years and what he brings to the table is gonna make it even more of a blast. I know he’s been to the CMA Awards before, but he’s never been with me. Hey Peyton, I hope you’re ready for the night of your life!”

Adds Manning: “I cannot wait to head to Nashville and take the CMA Awards stage alongside my friend Luke Bryan. I am such a huge fan of country music, so to have the chance to stand among so many incredibly talented artists is an absolute honor.”

Sarah Trahern, CMA chief executive officer, added: “Country Music’s Biggest Night will without a doubt live up to its expectation this year. During an evening when we celebrate the best of the best in Country Music, we are thrilled to have two award-winning hosts at the helm! I cannot wait to see what Luke and Peyton have up their sleeves, which I’m sure will be hilariously unpredictable and playfully energetic, just like the two of them.”

Final nominees for the 2022 CMAs will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Eminem reveals tracklist for “Curtain Call 2” featuring Beyoncé, Rihanna, 50 Cent, and more

Eminem has revealed the tracklist for his second greatest hits collection, Curtain Call 2, set to be released on August 5th. Included on the project are the classic tracks “Love The Way You Lie,” “The Monster,” and “Not Afraid.” Eminem made the announcement in a post on social media, sharing the full 16 song tracklist. The album features music from all of Eminem’s projects beginning from his sixth studio album, 2009’s Relapse. In addition to Relapse, the timeframe includes five full-length solo studio albums including Recovery (2010), The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013), Revival (2017), Kamikaze (2018), and Music to Be Murdered By (2020), and also includes side projects, guest appearances, and film soundtracks.

In addition to the standard release of Curtain Call 2, there will be a limited edition box set and a limited quantity of autographed vinyl available on Eminem’s official website.  You can pre-order Curtain Call 2here.

The reveal of Em’s Curtain Call 2 tracklist comes a day after the rapper shared a previously unreleased music video for his single, “Crack A Bottle,” featuring 50 Cent and Dr. Dre. The song was released in 2009 as the lead single from Relapse, winning the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2010. Watch the new video for “Crack a Bottle” – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Imagine Dragons to release 10-year anniversary expanded editions of ‘Night Visions’

Imagine Dragons are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their debut album Night Visions by releasing two expanded editions of the album, featuring nine additional studio tracks and two previously unreleased demos. Night Visions (Expanded Edition) is set for release on September 9th in physical and deluxe formats.

Night Visions featured five hit singles including “Hear Me” and “On Top of The World,” “It’s Time,” “Radioactive,” and “Demons.” Night Visions (Super Deluxe Edition) is comprised of four CDs – including the original album, bonus tracks, live recordings, and remixes – in addition to the DVD The Making of Night Visions.   The expanded release will also include previously released tracks including “Cha-Ching (Til We Grow Older)” as well as “Round and Round,” “Selene,” “Fallen,” “Cover Up,” and more, as well as two never-before-heard demos – “Love of Mine” and “Bubble.”

Pre-order Night Visions (Expanded Edition) – here;

and Night Visions (Super Deluxe Edition) – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes: Jimmie Allen's interactive concert, Walker Hayes on Today & more

Jimmie Allen has teamed up with Verizon and The Coda Collection for an interactive concert. Viewers can stream Allen’s June concert from five different camera angles via the Verizon Multi-View Experience App. 

Mitchell Tenpenny‘s current single, “Truth About You,” and his 2018 album, Telling All My Secrets, have been certified Gold. 

Walker Hayes will make the live TV debut performance of his new single, “Y’all Life,” on the Today show on Friday. 

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