Month: November 2022

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Go Country 105

Dierks Bentley, who once met Alan Jackson at the mall, is now honoring him with a CMAs tribute

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It'll be a full-circle moment when Dierks Bentley steps onstage at the CMA Awards tonight, November 9, to honor living legend Alan Jackson.

“I mean, he was one of the first guys I listened to when I got turned on to country music in 94,” Dierks reminisces to ABC Audio.

In fact, AJ was one of Dierks' very first country celebrity sightings after he moved to Nashville to pursue music in the 90s. “I was at the mall, Green Hills Mall, and there's Alan Jackson and his wife, Denise,” he recounts.

“And I was like, Oh my, I have to meet him. So I waited outside for about half an hour,” Dierks continues. “He came out, [I] shook his hand. He said, Thanks a lot, son,' you know, got in his truck and drove away. And so it's kind of a full-circle moment for sure.”

Dierks is in a unique spot in country music: His discography boasts many radio hits, but he also releases and performs bluegrass-leaning music and always makes time to connect with both the mainstream and roots worlds.

“I've always been really happy with my spot in country music, you know? I know a lot of the bluegrass guys and the older country guys, and I love being a part of that world,” he reflects. “But I'm also a huge fan, and I get to collaborate sometimes with the next upcoming generation of kids that are out there making their mark.”

Case in point: Dierks teamed up with Breland and Hardy ?for “Beers on Me,” which earned a CMA nomination for Music Event of the Year in 2022.

The 56th annual CMA Awards airs tonight at 8 p.m. on ABC; the ceremony will broadcast live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

If Cody Johnson had to pick which of his four CMA nods is the most exciting, he'd pick the “team win”

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Cody Johnson is headed into tonight's CMA Awards already a winner: He won Music Video of the Year for “Til You Can't” in an early victory ahead of the ceremony.

He's still got three nominations in the running: Two in the artist-focused categories of New Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year, and another for Single of the Year, also for “Til You Can't.”

Though any of those trophies would be a dream come true, Cody says that Single of the Year is the one he's most excited about.

“Simply because Ben Stennis and Matt Rogers wrote one of the greatest songs ever, in my opinion. And I got to be the voice,” he tells ABC Audio. “Trent Willmon, my producer, and Jack Clarke, my engineer — they built one of the most incredible tracks I've ever heard in the studio.”

In other words, a win in the Single category wouldn't just be a win for Cody — it would celebrate all the people who helped make this massive, chart-topping song.

“I think that would be a team win. So I just think that would feel better,” he continues.

When it comes to categories like Male Vocalist, the competition is fierce — Cody's up against Eric Church, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen and Chris Stapleton — but the singer says he's just happy to be in the mix.

“I would be honored to win any of it, but at the end of the day, I win. I'm here. I'm being accepted,” he points out. “My music is being accepted and celebrated. It doesn't get any better than that.”

The 2022 CMA Awards kick off tonight at 8 p.m. in Nashville. The show will broadcast live on ABC.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Cody Johnson, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde notch early victories ahead of the 2022 CMA Awards

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The CMA Awards haven't even officially started yet, but the first winners are already being named.

Ahead of tonight's show, Cody Johnson won the Music Video of the Year category for his “Til You Can't,” a gripping and emotional visual component to his equally poignant breakout hit.

Cody is by no means finished with the awards show ceremony: He's up in three more categories, including Male Vocalist of the Year, and he's set to perform on the awards show stage tonight, too.

Next up, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde won their latest accolade for “Never Wanted to Be That Girl,” in the category of Musical Event of the Year. Their chart-topping duet is now two for two in that category at major awards shows; it won Music Event of the Year at the ACM Awards back in March, too.

Both early winners were announced during a special segment on ABC's Good Morning America. The 56th annual CMA Awards airs tonight at 8 p.m. on ABC; the ceremony will broadcast live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
News Daypop

2022 Midterm Elections: Control of House and Senate still up in the air

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As of early Wednesday, control of the U.S. House and Senate were up in the air as states across the country tallied votes, and many midterm election races remained neck-and-neck. Millions of Americans also cast their votes in key races for governor, secretary of state and other offices down the ballot.

The close contests will determine whether Democrats keep the majority in the House and Senate, or if Republicans will seize control of one or both chambers of the legislature. Democrats picked up a pivotal Senate seat in Pennsylvania, as Lt. Gov. John Fetterman was projected to defeat Republican Mehmet Oz; however critical Senate races in Georgia, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona were undetermined as of early Wednesday.

Some projections had Republicans ending up with 220 seats in the House, giving them the narrow majority. Republicans came into Election Day hoping to take commanding control of the chamber, which could make a huge difference for President Biden, whose legislative hopes rest on whether Democrats can push his agenda through Congress.

Editorial credit: LenaSunagatova / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Suspect in custody after 1 student is killed in shooting inside Seattle high school

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A suspect is in custody and one student is dead after a shooting at a North Seattle school on Tuesday morning. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz and Representative Pramila Jayapal held a press conference to provide updates about the shooting, where they announced that the student who was shot had died from their injuries.

Just before 10:00 a.m., officers responded to Ingraham High School on North 135th St. for reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they immediately entered the school and found a student with a gunshot wound. Police said the victim was taken to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, and later died. The victim was not identified, and police have not said whether the suspect is a student.

While students were in lockdown and the suspect was at large, parents reported not receiving any communication from the school about the shooting, having heard the news from either social media, text messages or word-of-mouth from neighbors. The Seattle public school district tweeted: “There was gunfire reported at Ingraham High School this morning. One student is believed to have been shot. The campus is currently on lockdown. Seattle Police are on the scene and working with the district’s Safety and Security team. SPD is searching the area for the suspect.”

The campus was placed on lockdown and police secured the campus; and before noon, students were released one classroom at a time. Police then set up a location for families to reunite with students. All activities at the high school are suspended for Wednesday and Thursday.

Editorial credit: VDB Photos / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Carly Pearce and her CMAs collab partners all have divorce in common: “I respect them so much”

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Carly Pearce, Kelsea Ballerini and Kelly Clarkson have more than just their new collaboration, “You're Drunk, Go Home” in common: All three artists have recently gone through very public divorces.

That lends something extra special to their song, which they're performing on the CMA Awards stage on Wednesday night. “It is funny and very ironic,” Carly acknowledges to ABC Audio ahead of the show.

“I think it feels very fitting to have three women who have been through hell and back to sing something that's confident and sassy and fun, kind of like an anthem for girls,” she continues. “I respect them so much, obviously as artists, but more as women for what they've gone through.”

While “You're Drunk, Go Home” will be an uptempo moment in the show, Carly's also digging into her 29: Written in Stone performance during the show, showcasing the range and depth that earned her a 2022 Female Vocalist of the Year nod as well as winning her that same award last year.

“I was doing rehearsals yesterday and I had this moment of going, This is the most me I've ever been on an awards show,'” she says. “I have a very special song on my album, 29. It feels pretty fitting that I get to sing it. And I get to sing it with some musicians that have really inspired me throughout the years.”

The 2022 CMA Awards air Wednesday night on ABC.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Alabama co-founder and guitarist Jeff Cook dies at age 73

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Alabama founding member and guitarist has died at age 73.  A post on social media said that Cook, “a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Musicians Hall of Fame, Fiddlers Hall of Fame, and Gibson’s Guitarist of the Year, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 7, with his family and close friends by his side at his beach home in Destin, Florida.”

Alabama was comprised of Cook, along with singer Randy Owen and bassist Teddy Gentry. In the 1980s, the group achieved major success with 26 number one hits on the Billboard Country chart including “Tennessee River,” “Feels So Right,” “Mountain Music,” and “Love in the First Degree.” Alabama has also posted 12 top 10 albums and won the CMA Entertainer of the Year Award from 1982 through 1984. Tthe band is credited with having sold 75 million albums in its career, overall.

Cook was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012, and due to his health battle, he ceased touring with Alabama in 2018.  Jeff and wife Lisa established The Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation along with The Jeff and Lisa Cook Children’s Home to house orphaned children worldwide.

Cook is survived by his wife of 27 years Lisa Cook, and his mother Betty Cook. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to THE JEFF AND LISA COOK FOUNDATION through the foundation website: thejeffandlisacookfoundation.org. Arrangements for Cook’s “Celebration of Life” will be announced at a later date.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Keith Urban announces 2023 Las Vegas residency

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Keith Urban has announced a new headlining Las Vegas residency at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, following a successful run of shows over the past three years at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Keith Urban: The Las Vegas Residency will be a new show custom designed for Zappos Theater, kicking off Friday, March 3, 2023 for a run of 16 dates. The residency dates are March 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18; June 16, 17, 21, 23, 24, 28, 30; and July 1st.

Caesars Rewards members, Caesars Entertainment’s loyalty program, and Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers will have access to a presale from Thursday, November 10th at 10 am PT until Friday, November 11th at 10 pm PT.  Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets now until Friday, November 11th at 10 pm PT through the Citi Entertainment program. Tickets go on sale to the public starting Saturday, November 12th at 10 am PT via Ticketmaster.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Taylor Swift shares new version of ‘Anti-Hero’ featuring Bleachers

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Taylor Swift is back with a new remixed version of her hit song “Anti-Hero” featuring Bleachers, the official stage name of Jack Antonoff (who serves as producer of Swift’s new album Midnights).  Take a listen to the remix – here.

Swift wrote on social media to announce the release of then remix, which also features new lyrics from Antonoff, which Swift referenced in her post. Swift tweeted: “Jack’s version of ‘sexy baby’ is ‘art bro’ and we sincerely hope it confuses just as many people. Download Anti Hero featuring @bleachersmusic now at http://store.taylorswift.com”. The original verse features Swift singing, “Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby/ And I’m a monster on the hill.”  There was much confusion about those lyrics until people realized Swift was making a reference to a Liz Lemon quote from the beloved NBC show 30 Rock.

Swift recently announced she’ll be hitting the road in 2023 with “The Eras Tour,” and recently shared that eight more shows have been added to the tour in Tampa, Nashville, Los Angeles, Seattle, Philadelphia, Foxborough, Santa Clara, and East Rutherford. The Eras Tour will also feature special guests Paramore, beabadoobee, Phoebe Bridgers, girl in red, MUNA, HAIM, Gayle, Gracie Abrams and OWENN at select dates.

Editorial credit: Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Avril Lavigne and YUNGBLUD share their video for ‘I’m A Mess’

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Avril Lavigne is sharing the video for her new single with YUNGBLUD, I’m A Mess, written by Lavigne and Yungblud (real name Dominic Harirson) alongside frequent collaborator Travis Barker of Blink-182 and John Feldmann.

The track was first teased late last month when the pair of musicians posted the same video to their Instagram accounts, captioned, I’m A Mess. In the clip, Lavigne sits on a toilet while Yungblud is positioned behind her, when the musician begins to cut off a substantial length of Avril’s hair. Later that day, Yungblud wrote on Twitter: “the song we’re about to drop is full-on lookin’ out the window of your parent’s car pretendin’ you’re in a music video vibes.”

Watch the video for I’m A Mess – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com