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“Rest now you angel”: Darius Rucker reflects on his friend Loretta Lynn

Darius Rucker is sharing kind words about his friend Loretta Lynn in the wake of her passing. 

Darius was one of the many artists who paid tribute to Loretta’s storied catalog in 2019 during her 87th birthday celebration at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. He performed a cover of one of her signature hits, “The Pill.” 

Darius is now reflecting on the late singer’s legacy with a series of photos from the special night, which capture him sharing a hug and kiss with Loretta backstage and greeting her onstage. 

“She was an iconic legend and did things the way she wanted,” Darius says. “I am so blessed to call her a friend. I miss you already @lorettalynnofficial. Love you. And rest now you angel.” 

Lynn passed away October 4 at her home in Hurricane Mills, TN. She was 90 years old.

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Go Country 105

Carly Pearce tributes Loretta Lynn: “One of the greatest there ever will be”

Carly Pearce is reflecting on the impact of Loretta Lynn

Following Lynn’s passing on October 4 at the age of 90, Carly took to Instagram to honor the legacy of “one of the greatest.” Carly included a musical tribute to the icon, “Dear Miss Loretta” featuring Patty Loveless, on her critically acclaimed album 29: Written in Stone.

Carly debuted “Dear Miss Loretta” during a performance at the Grand Ole Opry in March 2021. After seeing a video of the performance, Loretta left a phone message for Carly saying that she “loved” the song.  

“She showed us all how to unapologetically tell the truth. One of the greatest there ever will be,” Carly writes alongside a vintage black-and-white photo of Loretta. “I'll be singing ‘Dear Miss Loretta’ with a little extra love tonight at the @opry. Now she really is a Honky Tonk Angel.”

Lynn’s family issued a statement this morning saying that she “passed away peacefully” at her ranch in Hurricane Mills, TN. 

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Go Country 105

Country music icon Loretta Lynn has died at age 90

Loretta Lynn, who overcame meager beginnings to transform her country career into international fame and fortune, passed away peacefully in her sleep Tuesday at her ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, according to her publicist. She was 90.

By the time Coal Miner’s Daughter hit the big screen in 1980, based on her signature song of the same name, even the most casual country music fan would’ve been intimately familiar with Lynn’s life story, thanks to the 1970 #1 that paid tribute to her beginnings in rural poverty in Butcher Holler, Kentucky.

The love of Loretta’s life, Doolittle “Doo” Lynn, married 13-year-old Loretta Webb in 1948. By the time Loretta was twenty, she had four children, and her singing around the house made her husband believe she could be a star. Doo bought Loretta a guitar, she taught herself to play. Lynn and her ambitious husband embarked on a grassroots promotional campaign, visiting radio disc jockeys all across the country. By 1960, her debut single, “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl,” reached #14, and she made her Grand Ole Opry debut.   

The legendary Patsy Cline took Loretta under her wing, and her protégée was hard-hit by her sudden death in a plane crash in 1963. Patsy left such an impression on Loretta, she named one of her twins after her when they were born in 1964. 

As a vocalist, Loretta may have carried on the stylings of her idol Kitty Wells, but when it came to songwriting, the untrained musician struck out on a path all her own. Doo’s wandering eye gave life to classics like “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” “Fist City,” and “Don’t Come Home a’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind),” the latter of which would become her first #1 in 1966.  

Loretta never shied away from taboo topics, particularly ones that affected women. She tackled then-controversial issues like divorce and birth control in “Rated X” and “The Pill,” and remained unscathed when they were banned by some radio stations.

Appropriately, the self-styled pioneer was the Country Music Association’s first Female Vocalist of the Year in 1967, an award she’d win again in both 1972 and 1973. The early seventies were an epic time for Loretta as she accomplished a task that’s still difficult today: in 1972, she became the first woman ever to be voted CMA Entertainer of the Year. 

From there, her horizons only expanded. She teamed with Conway Twitty to redefine the country duet with pairings like “After the Fire Is Gone,” “Lead Me On,” and “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man.” The two would be named CMA Vocal Duo every year from 1972 until 1975.  

In 1976, Loretta found time to write her autobiography, Coal Miner’s Daughter. The accompanying 1980 movie of the same name — starring Sissy Spacek as Loretta and Tommy Lee Jones as Doo — became one of the year’s top-ten highest-grossing films. The film’s success earned Spacek the Academy Award for Best Actress, and catapulted Loretta to the status of American music icon. 

By the end of the seventies, Loretta was such a widely marketable commodity, Procter & Gamble chose her to be the spokesperson for its line of oil and shortening. “Criso’ll do you proud every time!” was Loretta’s tagline in a series of memorable TV spots.  

Throughout her life, Loretta remained fiercely devoted to her family, doing her best to help both her siblings and her children launch their own country careers. Her youngest sister, Brenda Gail Webb, was reborn Crystal Gayle after Loretta re-fashioned her name, taking inspiration from a Krystal fast-food sign.

Loretta also set about writing her sister’s first hit, “I’ve Cried (The Blue Right Out of My Eyes).” Crystal would succeed her sister in taking home the CMA Female Vocalist trophy twice, in 1977 and 1978. Loretta’s twin daughters, Patsy and Peggy, also achieved some success in the nineties, signing a contract with Warner Brothers as The Lynns

Loretta’s love for her family also brought her heartbreak. In 1984, life dealt her a difficult blow when her oldest son, 34-year-old Jack Benny Lynn, drowned on her ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.

Just four years later, Loretta achieved the highest honor in her field: induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. 

In the nineties, as her husband’s health began to fail, Loretta focused on taking care of the man she’d fallen in love with as a teenager. She managed to finish the memorable Honky Tonk Angels album with Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette in 1994, but suffered a serious heartbreak when Doo passed away in 1996. 

Though already a country legend, Loretta’s career highlights were still far from over. 2002 brought a second volume of her autobiography, this time titled Still Woman Enough. In 2003, she received the Kennedy Center Honor, ahead of her 2004 Grammy-winning collaboration with rocker Jack WhiteVan Lear Rose

The woman who’d started her music career with only her wit, hard work, and one-of-a-kind sense of humor was never one to give up, even in her 80s. She joked she’d taken care of John Carter Cash backstage at the Opry so his parents, June Carter and Johnny Cash, could perform. In her later years, she headed to Cash Cabin with John Carter Cash as producer, recording in the same space where the Man in Black recorded his final songs.

2016’s Full Circle was nominated for a Grammy, ahead of a holiday volume, White Christmas Blue, that followed the same year. The 2017 release of Loretta’s third album with John Carter, titled Wouldn’t It Be Great, was delayed when she suffered a stroke.

An announcement about Loretta’s memorial is expected in the coming days.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

Biden administration announces $300M to be used to access student mental healthcare

On Monday, the Biden administration announced that $300 million dollars — taken partially from the new bipartisan gun violence law — will be used to help students access mental healthcare.The U.S. Department of Education will allocate competitive grants of $280 million to help with mental health staffing as schools  across the country.

The Department of Health and Human Services will also allocate funds for emergency departments.  According to a report from the National Center for Educational Statistics, mental health professionals are among the five most understaffed jobs at U.S. public schools.

The funding will come from annual appropriations, as well as from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The new law aims to help curb gun violence, specifically mass shootings. The law introduces more stringent background checks on people purchasing firearms, including access to juvenile records and information related to mental health. The law also allocates funding to encourage more mental health professionals to work at schools.

Editorial credit: White House Photography / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Three U.S. postal workers are arrested in $1.3M fraud and identity theft scheme

According to the Department of Justice, three U.S. postal workers in New York and New Jersey have been arrested for allegedly stealing credit cards from the mail in a conspiracy to buy luxury items to sell online. The DOJ announced the arrests of three postal workers, and a fourth person, in connection with a 4-year, $1.3 million fraud and identity theft scheme. U.S. postal workers Nathanael Foucault, Johnathan Persaud, Fabiola Mompoint and civilian Devon Richards — in addition to five other people who have not been arrested — face charges that include Conspiracy to Commit Access Device Fraud, Access Device Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft charges. Each face lengthy prison sentences if convicted.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement: “As alleged, the defendants engaged in a years-long scheme to manipulate credit card companies and major retailers across New York and New Jersey by stealing credit cards and using those cards to purchase, and subsequently sell, luxury goods. The defendants took advantage of the public trust we place in U.S. Postal Service employees for their own financial gain.”

U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector-in-Charge Daniel Brubaker said in a statement:  “These nine defendants, three of which are postal employees, sought to enrich themselves by stealing mail directly from hundreds of postal customers  They further compounded their crimes by committing identity theft against those customers to facilitate their elaborate scheme to defraud several national financial institutions.”

The DOJ said the defendants stole credit cards from the mail and activated the cards using stolen personally identifiable information. Other members of the conspiracy used the stolen cards to purchase luxury goods from high-end retailers, such as Chanel, Fendi, Hermes and Dior, and sold them on the website LuxurySnob.com. which calls itself an “online consignment and personal shopping company” specializing in pre-owned luxury items,” but actually sells many items purchased using stolen credit cards.

Editorial credit: Greg K__ca / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Russell Dickerson says his self-titled album is “a soundtrack for whatever you're feeling”

Russell Dickerson says his upcoming album is a “soundtrack” to his life that he hopes fans apply to their own stories. 

Following the release of 2020’s Southern Symphony, Russell is gearing up to share his third studio album. It includes his current single featuring Jake Scott, “She Likes It,” which is in the top 20 on country radio. 

Russell admits he could’t help but have a robust track list of 15 songs, despite trying to whittle it down to 10 or 11. 

“It’s 15 of the songs that I could not stop listening to over the last two years since I put my last record out,” he says. “I had to put 15 because I couldn’t choose and I was like, ‘We’re going to put a big ol’ fat album out there.’ I could not be more stoked.” 

Russell says the self-titled project runs the gamut when it comes to subject matter, ranging from party songs to songs about fatherhood, as he and wife Kailey Dickerson became parents to their first child, son Remington, in September 2020. 

“It’s heartbreak songs, it’s love songs, it’s family songs. I’m a dad now. It’s emotional songs, it’s party songs,” he explains. “It’s literally a soundtrack for whatever you’re feeling, dial up that song. If you’re ready to party, there’s a handful of songs for that. If you’re feeling down, there’s some songs for that. If you’re feeling emotional, if you need uplifting, there’s a song for that.” 

Russell Dickerson will be released on November 4. He’s also shared one of the new songs on the album, “I Wonder.”  

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Country Daypop

Russell Dickerson announces self-titled third album

Russell Dickerson is set to release his third studio album, a 15-track self-titled project, on November 4th. Dickerson, who co-wrote on all 15 tracks, also served as co-producer alongside Dann Huff, Zach Crowell, Casey Brown, Josh Kerr, Ben Johnson and Alysa Vanderheym.  Dickerson posted on social media“RD3. 15 songs. Nov 4th. Pre-order now! ”   To pre-order head here.

A new track from the album, ‘I Wonder’, is out now. Said Dickerson:  “No matter how far we get into this, I want people to know it’s still me. I’m still the hyper, outgoing, fun-loving, crazy dude on stage. But also these songs are so meaningful to me. It’s not all hype and smoke and lights. I am a songwriter, I trust my instincts, and now my instincts are telling me to share 100-percent me, and creatively just let it flow.”

Dickerson’s chart-topping singles include “Yours”, “Blue Tacoma”, “Every Little Thing”, “Love You Like I Used To”, and most recently Dickerson’s current single “She Likes It” ft. Jake Scott, which has already been certified Gold

Dickerson will also embark on a sold-out tour in the UK and headline a tour throughout the US starting in November.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

CMT to honor Alan Jackson with ‘Artist Of A Lifetime’ Award

CMT announced that country music icon Alan Jackson will receive the “Artist of a Lifetime” award at the 2022 CMT Artists of the Year,  during a 90-minute special airing on CMT on Friday, October 14. CMT wrote on Instagram“The 2022 CMT Artist of a Lifetime ⭐ @officialalanjackson ⭐ Join us as we honor and celebrate him on Friday, October 14 at 9/8c on CMT! #CMTAOTY”

Jackson will join the list of previous “Lifetime” honorees including Randy Travis (2021), Reba McEntire (2019), Loretta Lynn (2018), Shania Twain (2016), Kenny Rogers (2015) and Merle Haggard (2014). CMT said: “We’re honored to recognize the incomparable Alan Jackson as this year’s CMT ‘Artist of a Lifetime.’ For more than thirty years, his traditional sound, iconic voice and beloved catalog of music has captivated audiences across the globe and his talent as a recording artist and songwriter are simply unmatched. From his early beginnings in Newnan, Georgia, to selling out the world’s largest stages, Alan has led fans on a musical journey that proved to be a reflection of their own lives. As his songs continue to inspire new generations of fans, we are privileged to celebrate his lifetime of accomplishments.”

Jackson said in a press release: “I believe I’ve made more videos than just about anybody, and I know how important they have been in bringing my songs to life for the fans, so thank you CMT for all the years and for this sweet honor. I’m very proud.”

The 2022 CMT Artists of the Year will feature some of country music’s biggest stars taking the stage at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center in honor of Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, and Walker Hayes. The star-studded event will premiere on Friday, October 14 at 9/8c.

Editorial credit: Danny E Hooks / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Shawn Mendes releases the song ‘Heartbeat’ from ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’

Shawn Mendes has shared the single and lyric video for the song “Heartbeat”, an original song for his film Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.

Mendes co-wrote and produced “Heartbeat,” posting on social media: “Tracklist for @lylelylecrocodilemovie soundtrack, out 10/7! Heartbeat, an original song I wrote in the movie, will be out next week on 9/30. You can pre-save the soundtrack & get tickets to the movie in theaters at the link in bio” “Heartbeat” will appear on the Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile soundtrack, along with “Top of the World,” “Carried Away,” and songs by Stevie Wonder, Elton John and other artists.

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is based on the Bernard Waber children’s book of the same name, and follows the Primms — a family who move into an old Victorian brownstone and befriend Lyle, the performing crocodile who lives in their bathtub. The live-action and animated musical stars Mendes as the voice of Lyle, Javier Bardem as Lyle’s owner, Hector P. Valenti, and Constance Wu, Winslow Fegley and Scoot McNairy as the Primms. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile opens in theaters Oct. 7.

Take a listen to “Heartbeat” – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Take a look at the video for Elton John & Britney Spears collaboration ‘Hold Me Closer’

Elton John and Britney Spears dropped their collaboration, “Hold Me Closer” last month, and now the duo is sharing the music video for the track.  John and Spears do not appear in the clip, and the video features a number of dancers portraying emotional and heartfelt choreography against the vibrant, colorful backdrop of Mexico City.

Director Tanu Muino said in a statement: “This was an emotional one for me as I grew up with Britney. After seeing ‘Slave For You,’ I decided that I wanted to become a video director. Elton John is an icon that I and the world grew up listening to. Going into this video, I knew there would be a lot of emotional expectations the audience and fans would have. With this responsibility, I had to do something different and unexpected. The visuals had to be different. The dance had to be forward-thinking to raise eyebrows and make Elton and Britney proud. To capture this magic, we shot around all my favorite architectural locations in Mexico City and brought on choreographer Jacob Jonas who does the best contemporary choreography today. Getting the best dancers, crew and access to some of the most private locations in the world was simple as everyone wanted to work with Elton John and be part of his legacy.”

In addition to the music video, it was announced that three collectible, limited edition CD singles of “Hold Me Closer” will be released in November. Each of the three unique discs will feature different artwork — one with the original single artwork and the other two with fan-voted art. Each CD will also have a different track list.

Watch the “Hold Me Closer” music video – here.

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