Month: March 2023

Tyson Foods closing two chicken plants affecting 1,700 workers in Virginia, Arkansas

Post author By Staff
Post date March 15, 2023
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Tyson Foods has announced that it will be closing two chicken plants that employ more than 1,600 people because of a drastic drop in sales over the past year, and in an effort to streamline its U.S. poultry business. The plants in Glen Allen, Va., and Van Buren, Ark., will be shut down on May 12th.

In a statement to CNBC, Tyson said “while the decision was not easy, it reflects our broader strategy to strengthen our poultry business by optimizing operations and utilizing full available capacity at each plant.” The Springdale, Arkansas-based company said it will work with its 692 employees in Glen Allen and its 969 employees in Van Buren to apply for open positions at other plants.

Tyson said operating inefficiencies were partly to blame for its lower-than-expected profit in its fiscal first quarter, which ended Dec. 31. The company said its operating income dropped 68% to $467 million in the period. Tyson has recently made other efforts to consolidate its operations: last October, the company announced it would relocate 1,000 corporate staff from offices in Illinois and South Dakota to Arkansas.

Editorial credit: mark reinstein / Shutterstock.com

News Daypop

Russian jet collides with U.S. drone in international airspace over Black Sea

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Post date March 15, 2023
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According to the U.S. military, a Russian fighter jet forced down a US Air Force drone over the Black Sea on Tuesday after damaging the propeller of the American MQ-9 Reaper drone, according to the US military.

A statement from U.S. European Command said that the Reaper drone and two Russian Su-27 aircraft were flying over international waters over the Black Sea when one of the Russian jets intentionally flew in front of and dumped fuel on the unmanned drone several times. The aircraft then hit the propeller of the drone, prompting U.S. forces to bring the MQ-9 drone down in international waters. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, commander of US Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa, said in the statement: “Our MQ-9 aircraft was conducting routine operations in international airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian aircraft, resulting in a crash and complete loss of the MQ-9. In fact, this unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians nearly caused both aircraft to crash.”

According to CNN, the incident was the first direct contact between Russian and U.S. aircraft since the start of the Russia’s war in Ukraine. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said President Biden was briefed on the incident t by national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Tuesday morning. Kirby said it was “not uncommon” for Russian aircraft to intercept US aircraft over the Black Sea, and said there had been other intercepts in recent weeks; however, he said the incident on Tuesday was unique in how “unsafe, unprofessional and reckless” the Russian actions were.

Editorial credit: Mike Mareen / Shutterstock.com

Go Country 105

Watch Keith Urban literally crush a car in Vegas

Post author By abookbinder
Post date March 15, 2023
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Keith Urban can now officially add “car crusher” to his resume.

Last weekend, Keith took a trip out to Dig This Vegas in Las Vegas to try his hand at crushing a car.

“A huge thank you to everyone at @DigThisVegas for letting me go mad in your big a** sandbox & annihilate a poor, unsuspecting Ford Focus before the show last weekend !” Keith tweeted.

In the accompanying video, the “Wasted Time” singer is captured having complete fun in a forklift as he lands seismic crushes on a white Ford Focus. “Take that, you son of a b****!” exclaimed Keith as he overturned the battered car.

Keith is currently in Las Vegas for his headlining residency. For a full list of dates and to get tickets, visit Keith’s website.

Country Daypop

Luke Combs hits No. 1 on Country Airplay for the 15th time

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Post date March 15, 2023
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Country superstar Luke Combs added on his record-breaking run at country radio as his single, “Going, Going, Gone,” reached No. 1 — marking Combs’ 15th consecutive No. 1 single. This feat is the longest consecutive streak for an artist since their debut.

Combs will release his new album, Gettin’ Old—a companion to his acclaimed 2022 record, Growin’ Up—next Friday, March 24th. Produced by Combs, Chip Matthews and Jonathan Singleton, Gettin’ Old is Combs’ fourth full-length album following Growin’ Up, 2019’s What You See is What You Get and his debut, This One’s For You.

Additionally, Combs will kick off his massive World Tour next weekend with 16 North American stadium shows, and 39 shows across three continents and 16 countries. The run is the largest tour ever for a country artist, and includes shows at Arlington, TX’s AT&T Stadium, Nashville’s Nissan Stadium and Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium, as well as stops in Australia, New Zealand, U.K., Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, France and Belgium.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Country Daypop

Darius Rucker to launch 2023 ‘Starting Fires’ Tour

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Post date March 15, 2023
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Darius Rucker is hitting the road this summer across the U.S. and Canada on his 21-date Starting Fires Tour, kicking off June 15th in Virginia. Joining Rucker as direct support across most dates is the band Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, with rising star Drew Green as direct support on select dates.

In addition, Rucker’s Riverfront Revival Music Festival is set to return in 2023 in his hometown of Charleston, SC, taking place October 7-8th, with the 2023 lineup expected to be announced soon. He will also be returning to the stage this spring with his Hootie & the Blowfish bandmates for the second annual HootieFest: The Big Splash, a four-day celebration taking place April 26-29th at Moon Palace Cancún. That event will feature three headlining performances on the beach by the band, plus daily pool parties, intimate oceanfront performances from Goo Goo Dolls, Barenaked Ladies, Collective Soul, Gin Blossoms, Everclear, Edwin McCain, Lit and Cowboy Mouth, as well as a special Hootie & the Blowfish sunset show.

Tickets for most dates will go on sale beginning Friday, March 17, at 10 AM local time via Ticketmaster. Fans can purchase tickets for Rucker’s stops in Farmingville, N.Y., and Highland, Calif., beginning Monday, March 20, at 10 AM local time. You can find additional information on ticketing options at Darius Rucker’s official website.

Editorial credit: Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.com

Pop Daypop

Ellie Goulding special concert coming to Freevee on March 31st

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Post date March 15, 2023
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Ellie Goulding revealed that she performed a secret concert which fans will soon be able to watch. The singer announced her concert special Monumental: Ellie Goulding at Kew Gardens will premiere on Amazon Freevee on March 31. The special was directed by Liz Clare, who previously helmed An Audience with Adele.

Goulding described on Instagram how meaningful it was to perform at West Sussex’s Wakehurst Kew Gardens botanical gardens, said to be the world’s largest and most diverse. She said she was honored to “perform exclusive songs from my new album Higher than Heaven among the giant succulents and lily pads … I can’t wait for you to share this magical experience.”

In addition to performing, Monumental: Ellie Goulding at Kew Gardens will see Goulding in an in-depth conversation about her new album, life as a mom and the importance of conservation. The upcoming concert special will lead up to the release of Ellie’s new studio album, Higher Than Heaven, which arrives April 7. You can pre-order Higher Than Heaven – here.

Editorial credit: Delmiro Junior / Shutterstock.com

Pop Daypop

Miley Cyrus shares video for her new single ‘River’

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Post date March 15, 2023
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Miley Cyrus has shared the official music video for her latest single, ‘River,’ which appears on the pop star’s eighth studio album ‘Endless Summer Vacation.’ In the black-and-white visuals, the singer dances under a spotlight on a raised, lit-up platform and later in the video, water begins to rain on the performers as ‘River’ intensifies towards the end.

Cyrus explained recently on social media that ‘Endless Summer Vacation’ was split into two parts, ‘AM’ and ‘PM’: “The ‘AM’ to me is representing the morning time, where there’s a buzz and an energy and there’s a potential of new possibilities. It’s a new day … As for the ‘PM’ part … At nighttime, it feels like there’s a slinky, seediness and kind of a grime but a glamour at the same time. In the evening, it’s a great time for rest, it’s a time to recover. Or it’s a time to go out and experience the wild side. In LA, there’s a certain energy to the night and you can feel trouble boil up to the surface and it’s very inspiring to me.”

‘Endless Summer Vacation,’ described by Cyrus as a “love letter to LA”, was recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Kid Harpoon, Greg Kurstin, Mike WiLL Made-It and Tyler Johnson. Take a look at the video for “River” – here.

Editorial credit: Brian Friedman / Shutterstock.com

Go Country 105

Nashville Notes: Jo Dee Messina on 'Today' + Willie Nelson's 90th birthday tour

Post author By abookbinder
Post date March 14, 2023
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Jo Dee Messina appeared on NBC’s Today show to perform her hit single “Heads Carolina, Tails California.” While there, she promoted her newly released greatest hits collection, The Best of Jo Dee Messina, and teased new music coming “in the next couple months.” In case you missed it, watch Jo Dee’s performance on the Today show’s website.

BMG/BBR Music Group has announced the signing of a new trio, The Frontman. The supergroup comprises members of three ’90s country bands: former Lonestar lead singer Richie McDonald, former Little Texas lead vocalist and guitarist Tim Rushlow, and Larry Stewart of Restless Heart.

Willie Nelson has announced the first 16 shows of his 2023 Outlaw Music Festival Tour. “I can't wait to be on the road with the amazing group of artists joining us on this year's Outlaw Music Festival Tour,” Willie shares. “It is always a great day of music and fun with family, friends and the incredible fans, and even more special this year in celebration of my 90th birthday.” Margo Price, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, The Avett Brothers and Brittney Spencer are included in the lineup. View the full list of tour dates and performers at the festival’s website.

Go Country 105

Feed your cats and puppies Trisha Yearwood's new animal food

Post author By abookbinder
Post date March 14, 2023
No Comments on Feed your cats and puppies Trisha Yearwood's new animal food

Not only is Trisha Yearwood well known for her many hits, she’s also known for providing tasty and wholesome food for animals. That’s why the “How Do I Live” singer has announced the extension of her Trisha Yearwood Pet Collection with a new line of cat food and specially formulated puppy food.

“All of our food is formulated for animals of all ages,” Trisha shared on her Coffee Talk Facebook series on Saturday, March 11, before adding a little disclaimer about the puppy food.

“So the regular dog food is fine to give your puppy. But a lot of people want a specific puppy food, so this was also formulated for a puppy. But I mix the dog food with the puppy for all my dogs. That also makes it easier to feed everybody. They love it,” Trisha said.

Fans and pet owners can shop the Trisha Yearwood Pet Collection at its online store.

Go Country 105

Morgan Evans announces new song, “On My Own Again”

Post author By abookbinder
Post date March 14, 2023
No Comments on Morgan Evans announces new song, “On My Own Again”

Morgan Evans is slated to release a new song, “On My Own Again,” on Friday, March 17.

Composed by Morgan with Zach Kale, Geoff Warburton and producer Chris DeStefano, the track is the follow-up to his 2022 viral single, “Over For You.”

Though not much is known about the song yet, a press release from Morgan’s label home, Warner Music Nashville, teased a lyric: “If forever's gonna end like that, I guess I'd better start the rest of my life like the best time's up around the bend. Oh, on my own again…”

It seems safe to say that this release will be another deeply personal one for the Australia-born country singer.

On the touring front, Morgan just wrapped up his co-headlining U.K. Day Drunk Me tour with Mitchell Tenpenny. Later this month, he will open for Brett Young on his 5 Tour 3 2 1 trek in the U.S. For a full list of dates and to get tickets, visit Morgan’s website.