Month: January 2023

Kacey Musgraves and Reese Witherspoon producing Apple TV+ country music competition series

Post author By Staff
Post date January 18, 2023
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‘My Kind of Country,’ a new eight-episode country music competition show filmed in Nashville and produced by Reese Witherspoon and Kacey Musgraves, is set to kick off on March 24 on Apple TV+. Similar to most talent competition shows, ‘My Kind of Country’ will feature a judge-based approach courtesy of country artists Jimmie Allen, Mickey Guyton, and Orville Peck, who will participate as ‘talent scouts tasked with filling a roster of rising country artists from around the globe for the ultimate musical showcase.’ Witherspoon and Musgraves will also be featured in the series.

A press release says that the show will be “a fresh take on a competition series, breaking down barriers in country music by providing an extraordinary opportunity to diverse and innovative artists from around the world.” The winner at the end of ‘My Kind of Country’ will receive “a life-changing prize from Apple Music, receiving unprecedented support and exposure on the platform,” according to the release.

Guyton shared in a post on Instagram: “The beauty of country music is that it can sound like so many different things and have so many different influences. I have a passion for sharing and discovering new voices and couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the new @AppleTVPlus series #MyKindOfCountry.”

Reese Witherspoon and Kacey Musgraves Search For Diverse Country Stars On New Apple TV+ Competition Series, ‘My Kind of Country’

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Pop Daypop

Madonna announces 40th anniversary ‘Celebration Tour’

Post author By Staff
Post date January 18, 2023
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Madonna plans to celebrate her 40th anniversary with the announcement of the Celebration Tour, her first retrospective concert tour. Said Madonna: “I am excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes to give my fans the show they have been waiting for.” The Celebration Tour is Madonna’s first since her 2019-2020 run of shows in support of her album Madame X. The tour was hampered by Madonna’s back injury that forced several cancellations, and their set lists were dominated by 11 or 12 songs nightly from the album and only a handful of tracks from her earlier classic releases.

The Celebration Tour announcement came via a nearly five-minute video shared to Madonna’s social accounts, where she is seen paying tribute to her 1991 ‘Blond Ambition’ World Tour documentary Truth or Dare. The announcement comes at the end of the video, which features Amy Schumer, Judd Apatow, Jack Black, Lil Wayne, Diplo, Kate Berlant, Eric Andre, Bob the Drag Queen, Larry Owens and Meg Stalter around a table playing the game ‘Truth or Dare.’

Tickets go on sale on Friday (Jan. 20) and Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. local time; click here for a complete list of dates and ticketing options.

Editorial credit: yakub88 / Shutterstock.com

Pop Daypop

Rihanna shares behind-the-scenes look at the making of ‘Lift Me Up’

Post author By Staff
Post date January 18, 2023
No Comments on Rihanna shares behind-the-scenes look at the making of ‘Lift Me Up’

Rihanna is sharing in a behind-the-scenes video the making of her hit song “Lift Me Up” from the soundtrack to “Wakanda Forever.” Rihanna is seen in her recording studio listening to the finished song for the first time with filmmaker Ryan Coogler, composer Ludwig Göransson and Roc Nation CEO Jay Brown.

“Lift Me Up,” which plays over the end credits of “Wakanda Forever,” was co-written by Göransson, Tems, Rihanna and Coogler. The idea for the song stemmed from a trip Göransson and Coogler took when they went to Lagos; Göransson had a musical idea and asked Coogler to write some lyrics, and a few months later Rihanna and Tems added their vocals to the track. The song was recorded as a tribute to celebrate the legacy of actor Chadwick Boseman, who played King T’Challa in the original “Black Panther.” Boseman died of colon cancer in 2020 at the age of 43.

The song also marked a return to music for Rihanna after a six-year hiatus, with her own Westbury Road label releasing the track in partnership with Roc Nation, Def Jam Recordings and Hollywood Records.

Watch the behind-the-scenes video – here.

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

Go Country 105

Nashville notes: Gabby's Platinum + Danielle's headed out with the girls

Post author By abookbinder
Post date January 17, 2023
No Comments on Nashville notes: Gabby's Platinum + Danielle's headed out with the girls

Gabby Barrett‘s top five hit, “Pick Me Up,” has been certified Platinum.

The debut EP from new duo Walker County, titled No Smoke and Mirrors, comes out February 10. The tracks “Mirror Mirror” and “You and Jesus” are out now.

Newcomers Tiera Kennedy and Mackenzie Carpenter will open for Danielle Bradbery on her A Special Place Tour, which kicks off February 23 in Indianapolis.

Ian Munsick‘s set to play his debut headlining concert at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on May 16. It’ll be the official album release show for his sophomore album, White Buffalo, which drops April 7.

Go Country 105

At nearly 90, Willie Nelson 'Don't Know a Thing' about slowing down

Post author By abookbinder
Post date January 17, 2023
No Comments on At nearly 90, Willie Nelson 'Don't Know a Thing' about slowing down

Willie Nelson will turn 90 at the end of April, but his new album will arrive long before then.

I Don’t Know a Thing About Love, Willie’s tribute to the legendary songwriter Harlan Howard, comes out March 3. Howard passed away in 2002.

The album’s first single is Willie’s take on “Busted,” which has been a hit for Johnny Cash & The Carter Family, Ray Charles and John Conlee. The remaining tracks include classics like “Tiger by the Tail,” “Life Turned Her That Way,” “Streets of Baltimore,” “She Called Me Baby” and “Too Many Rivers.”

Later this week, the five-part Willie Nelson & Family documentary premieres at Sundance Film Festival.

Go Country 105

Wanna cook like Dolly? Duncan Hines is here to help

Post author By abookbinder
Post date January 17, 2023
No Comments on Wanna cook like Dolly? Duncan Hines is here to help

Dolly Parton‘s headed back into the kitchen with Duncan Hines, and she hopes you’re ready to do some cooking, too!

Last January, the superstar from East Tennessee launched her own line of cake mixes and frostings. Now, she’s rolling out four new baking mixes: two savory and two sweet.

The new products are two kinds of brownie mixes, Caramel Turtle and Fabulously Fudgy, plus a Buttermilk Biscuit Mix, as well as a Sweet Cornbread & Muffin Mix. The packages also include instructions on how to bake ’em just like Dolly would, transforming them into treats like Pecan Brownies, a Peanut Butter Brownie Skillet Sundae, Cheddar & Chive Biscuits and Jalapeño Cornbread.

You should start seeing Dolly’s new offerings in stores soon, and you’ll be able to order a special kit, complete with “What Would Dolly Do?” tea towels and spatulas, at the beginning of February. You can check out all the details online.

Go Country 105

Dierks Bentley bids farewell to Nashville's iconic Exit/In with “Same Ol' Me”

Post author By abookbinder
Post date January 17, 2023
No Comments on Dierks Bentley bids farewell to Nashville's iconic Exit/In with “Same Ol' Me”

Dierks Bentley‘s marking the end of an era with his new video for “Same Ol’ Me.”

The “Gold” hitmaker shot the performance at Nashville’s iconic Exit/In at the end of last year, shortly before the beloved venue closed.

“It was bittersweet to be in there during the last days of December as they were closing it down,” Dierks reflects. “I felt honored to take a shot with the guys and toast to the history there and turn the lights off.”

Dierks also has a great story about his initial experience in the tiny club.

“My first time playing Exit/In was just as meaningful to me as playing the Ryman and Bridgestone Arena. I opened for Asleep at the Wheel before I had a record deal or anything,” he recalls. “A manager was supposed to come watch me play, but they didn't show up.”

“I had a few too many Busch Lights and passed out under a bench,” Dierks admits. “The last thing I remember hearing was [lead singer] Ray Benson's booming voice. I woke up around 4:00 a.m. and realized I was all alone!”

“Same Ol’ Me” is the opening track of Dierks’ upcoming 10th album, Gravel & Gold, which arrives February 24.

Go Country 105

Kelsea Ballerini responds to Chase Stokes romance rumors

Post author By abookbinder
Post date January 17, 2023
No Comments on Kelsea Ballerini responds to Chase Stokes romance rumors

Are they or aren’t they? Kelsea Ballerini reacts to rumors she’s dating Outer Banks star Chase Stokes.

In a clip shared to Tik Tok Monday, the country singer appears in front of a screenshot of the celebrity gossip account DeuxMoi that speculates that she and the Netflix star are dating.

“I know, I know, I know. Stop reading, stop reading. Stop looking. But what is happening guys,” Ballerini says in the clip. “Let’s not do this, you know.”

She captioned the post, “i'm about to break up with the internet 5 sure.”

The post comes after Ballerini, 28, and Stokes, 30, sparked romance rumors after being spotted together at the College Football National Championship Game last week.

The “Heartfirst” singer did not explicitly confirm or deny the rumors, which come about five months after she announced her split from husband Morgan Evans after five years of marriage.

“This deeply difficult decision is the result of a journey of love, growth, and effort that ultimately has come to an end,” Kelsea wrote on her Instagram Story at the time. “It’s hard to find the words here…but I feel extremely grateful for the years of marriage to Morgan and hopeful for the next seasons.”

Go Country 105

Thomas Rhett's ready with a new taste of tequila

Post author By abookbinder
Post date January 17, 2023
No Comments on Thomas Rhett's ready with a new taste of tequila

Thomas Rhett‘s expanding his line of high-end liquor, offering fans a taste of his new Dos Primos Tequila Añejo in the coming months.

Set to debut in March, Dos Primos Añejo serves up “bright amber with notes of brown spices, dried fruit and caramel on the palate.” It will run you anywhere between $40 and $55.

“Our Añejo is a super-smooth and flavorful tequila that can be enjoyed year-round,” TR says, “and we can't wait for everyone to enjoy it with their friends and family.“

Dos Primos is a partnership with TR’s cousin Jeff Worn, who’s also a heavy hitter in the Georgia pecan industry.

“It seems like only yesterday when Thomas Rhett and I decided to create the kind of tequila we wanted to drink and share with our family and friends,” Jeff adds. “Now, we have our third Dos Primos Tequila … and I couldn't be more proud of it and how far this brand has come in the past four years.”

Dos Primos is made from blue agave hand harvested in Los Altos and Jalisco, Mexico. It’s then aged for at least 13 months in bourbon barrels. The Añejo joins the original Blanco tequila, which TR and Jeff followed with a Reposado.

To find out where you can buy all three, visit DosPrimosTequila.com.

News Daypop

University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles charged with murder of woman

Post author By Staff
Post date January 17, 2023
No Comments on University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles charged with murder of woman

Tuscaloosa law enforcement announced on Monday that University of Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, 21, has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with a shooting near the campus Sunday, which left a 23-year-old woman dead. The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit said in a press release that 20-year-old Michael Lynn Davis has also been charged in the shooting. Both suspects are charged with capital murder and are being held without bond, it said.

The University of Alabama athletics department said in a statement: “We were made aware of the recent charge against student-athlete Darius Miles, and he is no longer a member of the Alabama men’s basketball team. Investigators said Miles is the only person involved who is connected to the University of Alabama. Miles is a junior at the university from Washington, DC, according to an archived version of the men’s basketball team roster. Miles was playing his third season as a forward for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

According to a release from the violent crimes unit, police responded to the shooting around 1:45 a.m. local time Sunday and discovered that Jamea Jonae Harris had been shot and killed while sitting in a car less than half a mile from the university’s campus. Investigators said that the driver of the car told police that someone had shot into his vehicle and said he returned fire in self defense, possibly striking one of the suspects. According to the press release, “after processing the scenes, speaking with multiple witnesses, and viewing video surveillance, two suspects were developed,” adding that of the suspects had been hit by the returning gunfire and had a non-life-threatening wound. Unit Captain Jack Kennedy said: “It appears that the only motive to this was a minor altercation that these individuals had with the victim as they were out on The Strip.” The Strip is a hub of restaurants and businesses near the university campus.

Editorial credit: University of College / Shutterstock.com