Month: February 2023

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Go Country 105

Dierks Bentley & Ashley McBryde put on their “Cowboy Boots” for new duet

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Dierks Bentley delivers his ode to “Cowboy Boots” in the latest preview of his forthcoming 10th album. 

“When I first really fell in love with country music, Jim Beam and cowboy boots came along for the ride,” Dierks reflects. “I've had a few pair of boots over the years, many requiring duct tape at times. But, they've been my consistent and steady companion through this crazy ride.”

His other companion on the new track is Ashley McBryde. 

“Not only does Ashley have one of the best voices in country music, she also always rocked a pair of boots when we were on tour together last year,” Dierks says. “I wanted someone that I could authentically sing this song with, and I didn't have to look any further than stage left. She's the real deal.”

You can check out a new performance video of “Cowboy Boots” now, which was recently shot at the legendary Robert’s Western World on Nashville’s Lower Broadway.  

Dierks’ Gravel & Gold arrives February 24.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Shania Twain is open to collaborating with Harry Styles: “That would be awesome”

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Shania Twain doesn’t want to double dip when it comes to Harry Styles, but she says she’d love to sing with him again.

Harry famously performed with Shania during his Coachella set last year and, of course, their fans are hoping to see the two collab. She told Entertainment Tonight she doesn’t want to be “greedy” when it comes to performing with Harry because she “was lucky enough to already do that.”

But, if she was able to get a second chance, Shania revealed what song she would love to duet with him. “I do have a dream. I do love his song ‘Falling.’ So if I did that, a duet with him on that, that would be awesome,” she said.

While promoting her new album, Queen of Me, in an interview with E! News, she spoke of other pop icons she loves, like Cher and Madonna.

Speaking of Cher, the country icon proclaimed, “She is the most diverse artist ever … She’s great at everything she does.” Shania added she’s been a fan of the legend since she was a tot and loved “watching her go through all these evolutions in her life.”

Shania is also “a big fan” of Madonna and said, “I always thought her vision of aesthetics were incredible.”

The singer also loves ?Rihanna?, who is set to rock this year’s Super Bowl halftime show. “I just really believe that her voice is one of the most soulful voices,” Shania said. “She’s got some depth that is mysterious.”

Queen of Me, Shania’s sixth studio album, is available now.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Ready for some country soul? Stapleton teams up with Stevie & Smokey on Sunday's Grammys

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Chris Stapleton will likely lean into his R&B side Sunday night as he performs on the Grammys with the legendary Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson. The announcement came Friday on CBS Mornings.

Smokey’s being honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year for 2023, along with his longtime friend, Motown founder Berry Gordy. 

Stapleton, of course, is a Grammy favorite, already amassing a collection of eight trophies. This year he’s up for Best Country Song, but ironically, it’s not for his singing – it’s for writing “I’ll Love You Till the Day I Die” with Rodney Crowell, which was recorded by Willie Nelson.

Luke Combs and Kacey Musgraves will also represent country music at the Grammys, with Kacey set to pay tribute to the late Loretta Lynn. You can watch all the action live from LA Sunday starting at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Carly Pearce writes it in stone one more time, live from Music City

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Before we get to hear new music from Carly Pearce, the ACM New Female Artist of the Year is putting out a live version of her critically acclaimed 29: Written in Stone album. 

Carly co-produced the concert record herself, recording it last April at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works.

In addition to the tracks on the original album, 29: Written in Stone (Live from Music City) adds new versions of Carly’s hits “I Hope You’re Happy Now” (complete with an appearance by Lee Brice), “Every Little Thing” and “Hide the Wine.” Christian artist Matthew West also joins her for a new version of his chart-topping hit “Truth Be Told.”

The guests don’t end there, however. Grand Ole Opry members The Isaacs add harmonies to “Easy Going,” while CMA Musician of the Year Jenee Fleenor joins on the collection’s title track.

You can check out two of the cuts now, ahead of the full album’s arrival March 24: “Never Wanted to Be That Girl” with Ashley McBryde, which is nominated for a Grammy this Sunday, and Carly’s current top 10, “What He Didn’t Do.”

Next up, Carly hits the road with Blake Shelton on his Back to the Honky Tonk Tour, which kicks off February 16. 

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
News Daypop

House votes to oust Rep. Ilhan Omar from Foreign Affairs Committee assignment

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U.S. House of Representatives voted to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., from the Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday. The resolution to remove Omar passed 218 to 211. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said that Omar’s removal is in relation to past behavior the lawmaker has demonstrated, such as a tweet that was condemned by Democratic leadership as antisemitic and that compared the U.S. military with Hamas and the Taliban. McCarthy shared to Twitter: “She said Americans only like Israel because it’s all about the Benjamins. What does that say to other people around the world? It’s not right. We were right in our action and she can serve on other committees. It puts America in jeopardy and I’m not going to do that on my watch. And it’s fair in the process, unlike them.”

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy had repeatedly vowed to remove Omar and two other Democrats, California Reps. Eric Swalwell and Adam Schiff, once Republicans regained power. McCarthy rejected Schiff and Swalwell’s bids to return to the House Intelligence Committee.

Earlier Thursday, House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said the vote was “all about political revenge” and called the resolution written to remove Omar “phony, fake and fraudulent.” Jeffries noted that Democrats immediately condemned Omar for her problematic statements after they were made and acted to condemn antisemitism globally, which Omar voted in favor of. Jeffries said: “This type of poisonous toxic double standard is going to complicate the relationship moving forward between House Democrats and House Republicans.”

Editorial credit: Phil Pasquini / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Memphis library shooting leaves one dead, one officer in critical condition

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The Memphis Tennessee police department said on Thursday that one officer is in “extremely critical condition” and a second individual is dead following a midday shootout at a local library. The incident happened around 12:30 p.m. when cops responded to a call at the Poplar-White Station Library in East Memphis. Police said the wounded officer was taken to Regional One Hospital after the shooting, while the other individual was declared dead at the scene.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said: “The individual was pronounced dead at the scene. The scene is secure  This investigation is active and ongoing.”  The bureau said cops were initially called to the library around noon, and “according to initial reports, as the two officers attempted to talk to the individual he produced a weapon and shot one of the officers. The second officer returned fire, striking the individual. He was pronounced dead at the scene. TBI agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney for his further review and consideration. The TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters.”

The wounded officer and the dead man have not been identified.

Editorial credit: Mont592 / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

The role Miranda Lambert played in Ashley McBryde's Grammy-nominated 'Lindeville'

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At Sunday’s Grammys, one of the unlikeliest records is up for the coveted Best Country Album trophy: Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville. Unlikely, because even Ashley herself agrees it’s a project that by conventional standards would probably never have gotten the green light. 

Lindeville‘s a concept album about a fictional town and its residents, written and performed by some of Nashville’s most talented tunesmiths and singers. 

“It started out with like, ‘We should go do a thing and write these songs,'” Ashley tells ABC Audio. “And then we did. And we’re like, ‘We love them!'”

“And then we got home and we’re playing the work tapes for people,” she continues. “Like, I was over at Miranda [Lambert]’s one day and it was like me and Caylee [Hammack] were over there and hanging out, and I was like, ‘You got to listen to this bra song.'”

“And then people that we’re playing the work tapes for are like, ‘This is dope.’ And I was like, ‘I know. But maybe we can make some demos of it.'”

From there, Ashley got an unexpected avalanche of yeses, from getting the go-ahead to spend money on demos to landing her pal John Osborne as producer.

“I sent him the work tapes, and he was like ‘Hell yes,'” she says, remembering her reaction: “What is happening? Several of these should have been nos.”  

Ironically, Miranda may’ve accidentally created some competition for herself. Her record, Palomino, is up for Best Country Album as well, alongside Luke Combs‘ Growin’ Up, Maren Morris‘ Humble Quest, and Willie Nelson‘s A Beautiful Time.

You can find out who wins Sunday as the Grammys air live from Los Angeles starting at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Michael Ray announces first leg of 2023 tour dates

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Michael Ray announced the “first leg”of his headlining tour in 2023.  The 2023 tour is set to kick off on February 18th in Los Fresnos, Texas.

Ray posted the tour news on social media, saying: “I’m so excited to announce the first leg of my 2023 tour!!! The spirit I’m bringing with me all year long is all about LIVING LIFE. Things really come into focus when you take the time to live a little life. For me, I give more in my live shows when I’m the same human off stage and on, versus only giving y’all one side of me when I’ve got a microphone in my hand. I want y’all to come out to see us this year, hear some NEW MUSIC 🔥🔥 and know that, when you do, my band and I are gonna take great care of that time because it means so much to us!! See y’all very soon!!!”

Tickets are on sale now via Ray’s website: https://www.michaelraymusic.com/.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Chris Janson shares his latest single ‘All I Need Is You’

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Chris Janson has shared his new single “All I Need Is You,” his Big Machine debut out now via BMLG Records.

Executive produced by Janson and Scott Borchetta, Janson says of the track: “There are so many things we all want. We’ve all gotten caught up in the biggest buck of the season, the newest Chevrolet, or whatever’s caught our eye— and that’s half the fun of living. But when you strip it back, when you look at what really matters, it comes down to that one ride-or-die person who believes in you and your dream, no matter what happens. I’m blessed because my person is my wife, my manager, and my best friend.”

Janson added: “Fun songs feel good, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t great musicianship underneath. Working with Scott and Julian, they understand how seriously I take the music and the writing, and they believe in bringing the best of the best into the studio. Recording this was a blast— and there’s so much more music coming this year!”

Take a look at the video for “All I Need Is You” – here.

Chris Janson Finds Inspiration In His Wife, Kelly, For New Single, ‘All I Need Is You,’ Confirms Next Album

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

P!NK unveils tracklist for ‘TRUSTFALL’ featuring Chris Stapleton, The Lumineers and more

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P!NK revealed that her new album, TRUSTFALL, will feature 13 tracks – including duets with Chris Stapleton, The Lumineers, and First Aid Kit.  The singer took to social media to unveil the track list for her forthcoming ninth studio album, writing: “I am so in love with this new album and CANNOT WAIT for you to hear every single song! I’m also honored that my friends First Aid Kit, The Lumineers and Chris Stapleton came to play with me on this record and lent their beautiful voices 💞”

TRUSTFALL includes her current single “Never Gonna Not Dance Again” and the just-released title track, which is described in a press release as “a declaration to leave one’s fears behind and put faith in the unknown.”  The video for ‘TRUSTFALL’ opens with a voiceover from P!nk in which she asks, “Are you gonna fall? Is someone supposed to catch you? Or do you catch yourself?”  The visual shows P!nk and another character “choosing to fall in their own way” over one night.

“TRUSTFALL” is out Feb 17; to pre-order, head here.

Editorial credit: Tony Norkus / Shutterstock.com