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Go Country 105

Miranda Lambert's a big believer in authenticity

With a career spanning over two decades, and numerous hit singles and accolades, Miranda Lambert is undeniably one of country music’s biggest female superstars. While she’s blazed her own trail, the “Kerosene” singer has also been a trailblazer for many of the genre’s up-and-coming female artists.

To celebrate Women’s History Month, Miranda recently spoke with the press to share words of advice and her hopes for “the next generation of women in country music.” 

“I just hope that they know that they're heard and seen, and my biggest wish is that everybody will just be real and be themselves,” Miranda said. “And, you know, it's hard with all the noise that's around with social media and everything else to find your confidence.”

“Sometimes you find yourself confused comparing yourself to other people and what they're doing, what their life is, but I really believe in just standing strong in who you are to the core,” she added.

Miranda’s latest studio album is 2022’s Palomino. The 15-song collection, which includes the singles “If I Was a Cowboy” and “Strange,” served as her final record with her longtime label home, Sony Music Nashville.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Lukas Nelson and Lainey Wilson release the duet ‘More Than Friends’

Willie Nelson’s son Lukas Nelson has teamed up with Lainey Wilson on the new duet “More Than Friends,” written by Nelson. “More Than Friends” arrives ahead of Nelson’s upcoming album, Sticks and Stones, due out on July 14.  To pre-order, head here.

Said Lukas in a press release: “When I wrote ‘More Than Friends,’ I had always envisioned it as a duet. I am a big fan of Lainey, and she was at the top of my list of artists I wanted to sing with me on this track. When we sent her the song, I was thrilled to hear back that she loved it and wanted to do it.”

Wilson adds: “‘More Than Friends’ is a modern-day take on the musical, kindred spirits of icons like Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. I’m so honored to be able to work with someone as talented as Lukas. His artistry and storytelling within music is unlike any other.”

Check out the video for “More Than Friends” – here.

Editorial credit: Carl Beust / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

The Band Perry announce their breakup

The Band Perry announced that they are breaking up, sharing in a statement they want to pursue “individual creative pursuits.”

The trio – comprised of siblings Kimberly, Reid, and Neil Perry — took to social media to share the news: “To our TBP friends and family. We wanted to let you know that the three of us have decided to take a creative break as a group and each focus on our individual creative pursuits … During this season we will continue to support each other as artists and family in all we do. Thank you for making our childhood dreams come true! Love you all.”

The Band Perry formed in 2005 after Kimberly began performing in a band as a teenager, and her brothers Reid and Neil served as road crew. After launching The Band Perry in 2005, three years later Garth Brooks’ manager Bob Doyle discovered the group and sent their recorded music to Scott Borchetta, who was the head of the newly-established Republic Nashville label at the time. The group later signed with Borchetta in August 2009 and soon after debuted their first single, “Hip To My Heart,” earning them their first Top 20 hit at Country radio.

BREAKING: The Band Perry Announces Split

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Dave Matthews Band, Imagine Dragons and more to headline 2023 Summerfest

Milwaukee’s Summerfest festival will celebrate its 55th anniversary this summer with over 100 artists taking the stage over three weekends in June and July.  Milwaukee World Festival Inc. CEO Don Smiley in a statement: “Celebrating 55 years of live music is a true testament to this festival. Together with the City of Milwaukee, we look forward to hosting music fans from across the globe at Summerfest and delivering a world-class lineup with hundreds of artists during our nine-day run”. 

The festival has announced its headlining performers, including Eric Church (with Elle King), the Zac Brown Band (with Marcus King) and James Taylor & His All-Star Band (with Sheryl Crow) on the first weekend (taking place June 22-24). The second weekend (taking place June 29-July 1) will feature headliners Dave Matthews Band, Odesza (with a Bonobo DJ set) and another artists to be announced, with the final weekend (July 6-8) t0 feature Zach Bryan and Imagine Dragons (with AJR).

Other acts appearing at 2023 Summerfest include: The Avett Brothers, Elvis Costello & the Imposters, Bleachers, Three 6 Mafia, Brett Eldredge, Sofi Tukker, Gryffin, Fitz and the Tantrums, NLE Choppa, Cheap Trick, Lyle Lovett, Tegan and Sara, Santa Fe Klan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Noah Kahan, Ava Max, Lord Huron, Yung Gravy, Vance Joy, Cypress Hill, The Pretty Reckless, Sean Paul, Coi Leray, Brett Young, Spin Doctors, Jesus Jones, Japanese Breakfast, Lauren Daigle, Tyler Hubbard, Yellowcard, Smokey Robinson, Fleet Foxes, The War on Drugs, Yungblud, Styx, Grupo Niche, Tesla, Dinosaur Jr., Jenny Lewis, Scotty McCreery and many more.

Tickets for Summerfest are on sale now – summerfest.com.

Editorial credit: Photocarioca / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Adele announces concert film; extends Las Vegas residency

Adele announced during her final “Weekends With Adele” residency show at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace over the weekend that she is adding more dates to her Las Vegas Residency as she films her upcoming concert film.

Adele revealed a series of extended dates running from June-November, as well the making of her concert film. She said to the crowd: “Playing to 4,000 people for 34 nights is not enough, and I know that, so I am coming back. I’ll be back for a few weeks in June, and I’m going to film it and I’m going to release it to make sure that anyone who wants to see this show can see it. And then I’ll be back from the summer. Back in August until the end of fall.”

Adele will be in Vegas June 16/17, 23/24, and June 30/July 1st. Then will appear weekends starting  August 4/5-November 3/4.

For ticket information, head to:   https://verifiedfan.ticketmaster.com/adele

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes: Charley Pride's statue + Ronnie Milsap's birthday

A bronze statue of country legend Charley Pride will be unveiled outside Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, March 29. Bill MonroeLoretta Lynn and Little Jimmy Dickens are also honored with statues at the historic venue.

The War and Treaty will appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday, March 27, to perform their powerful single “Ain’t No Harmin’ Me.” The track is featured on their latest album, Lover’s Game. Watch the duo’s performance at 10:35 p.m. CT on ABC.

Grand Ole Opry member Ronnie Milsap celebrated his 80th birthday at the Opry on Saturday, March 25. The special event, dubbed Ronnie Milsap & Friends, featured performances from Ronnie, as well as Trace AdkinsLittle Big TownMark WillsJeannie SeelyDon Schlitz and Mandy Barnett. View photos from the night on the Opry’s Instagram.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Watch Elle King surprise a high school teacher

Elle King stopped by Chouteau High School in Oklahoma on Friday, March 24, to surprise two special people: Cathy Welker-Graham, one of Elle’s biggest fans and the school’s teacher of the year, and Emma Hughes, a senior student who wrote to Elle about her remarkable teacher. 

During her visit, Elle and her guitarist gifted Cathy, Emma and the school’s faculty, staff and student body with an acoustic performance of her song “America’s Sweetheart.”

“I didn't always have the greatest experience in school,” Elle admits with a laugh to the press. “But every few schools I would find a teacher who believed in me, and it gave me confidence and they told me that I could do something great with my life even if I was different. So I think that great teachers should be celebrated. It was important to me that we show this deserving teacher some well-earned gratitude.”

“As educators, this is why we do what we do,” adds Chouteau High School Principal Clint Hall, who assisted with organizing the event. “We are here to make positive impacts on our students. It took a lot for me to keep a lid on this. Mrs. Welker-Graham is a rockstar teacher and Emma is a great kid! It could not have come together for two better people. This was priceless! Tears of joy from a lot of people today!”

Watch a clip of Elle’s surprise visit on Instagram.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Video of the Year finalists revealed for the 2023 CMT Music Awards

CMT has revealed the top six Video of the Year nominees vying for the highly coveted award at the 2023 CMT Music Awards.

The finalists are Blake Shelton‘s “No Body,” Carrie Underwood‘s “Hate My Heart,” Cody Johnson‘s “Human,” HARDY and Lainey Wilson‘s “wait in the truck,” Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown‘s “Thank God,” and Morgan Wallen‘s “You Proof.”

To view the full list of nominations and to vote for your Video of the Year nominees, visit the 2023 CMT Music Awards website. 

The 2023 CMT Music Awards air live on CBS April 2 at 8 p.m. ET. Livestreaming and on-demand streaming options will also be available via Paramount+.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Carly Pearce's '29' journey gets a “beautiful” ending

Carly Pearce‘s single “What He Didn’t Do” hit number one on the country charts this week.

“WHAT HE DIDNT DO IS #1!!!! I can't even put into words what this moment means,” Carly shared on Instagram. “When I wrote this song, I needed to be reminded of my worth & that I deserved better- and y'all have shown me that I DO matter.”

“Thank you country radio, my co writers @emilyshackelton & Ashley Gorley, fans & my entire team for this. This season of my life started so painful, and is ending so beautiful. What a way to end the 29 chapter,” she added.

“What He Didn’t Do” is the third and final single off Carly’s latest studio album, 29: Written In Stone. The 15-track project includes the earlier singles “Next Girl” and “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” with Ashley McBryde.

Most recently, the Kentucky native released her first live studio album, titled 29: Written In Stone (Live From Music City).

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Categories
Go Country 105

Get ready for a new Kelsea Ballerini music video

Kelsea Ballerini is set to drop the music video for her single “IF YOU GO DOWN (I’M GOIN’ DOWN TOO)” on Tuesday, March 28.

The country-pop star shared the news on social media on Sunday, March 26. “hot girl summer? no, hot girl homicide begins tuesday at 10pm,” Kelsea wrote on Instagram. 

This announcement was accompanied by a cinematic movie poster hinting at the potential drama that ensues.

“IF YOU GO DOWN (I’M GOIN’ DOWN TOO)” is featured on Kelsea’s latest album, SUBJECT TO CHANGE, which arrived last year. The 15-track record includes its lead single, “HEARTFIRST,” and the Kelly Clarkson– and Carly Pearce-assisted collaboration, “YOU’RE DRUNK, GO HOME.”

Earlier in February, Kelsea dropped her surprise six-song EP, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat

“IF YOU GO DOWN (I’M GOIN’ DOWN TOO)” is currently approaching top 40 on the country charts.

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