Month: April 2023

U.S. Navy says Iran has seized oil tanker in Gulf of Oman

Post author By Staff
Post date April 28, 2023
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The U.S. Navy announced Thursday that Iran seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman. The Navy’s 5th Fleet said the oil tanker Advantage Sweet, which is registered under a Marshall Islands flag, was seized by Iranian forces after leaving Kuwait on its way to Houston, Texas, and issued a distress call. The U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet said: “Iran’s actions are contrary to international law and disruptive to regional security and stability. Iran should immediately release the oil tanker.”

US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) also released a statement attributing the vessel’s seizure to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy: “Advantage Sweet was seized by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy while transiting international waters in the Gulf of Oman. Iran’s continued harassment of vessels and interference with navigational rights in regional waters are a threat to maritime security and the global economy. In the past two years, Iran has unlawfully seized at least five commerical vessels sailing in the Middle East.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior fellow and Iran expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said: “The Islamic Republic continues to prove that its terrorism and regional destabilization is not limited to land, air, or even international waters. Tehran’s threat to international shipping is almost as old as the Islamic Republic itself. Iran’s continued hostage taking of oil tankers and harassment of other vessels blows a hole through the theory that greater Chinese involvement in the Persian Gulf might restrain the regime’s bad behavior.”

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/us-navy-iran-seized-marshall-islands-flagged-oil-98901669

Editorial credit: agilard / Shutterstock.com

Go Country 105

Nate Smith knew he had to include “World on Fire” on his debut album

Post author By abookbinder
Post date April 28, 2023
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Nate Smith‘s long-awaited self-titled debut album has finally arrived, and it’s got both a standard and deluxe version.

Originally slated for February 17, Nate pushed back the release date to April 28 so that he could be on the road performing and celebrating the release with his fans. The postponement also gave Nate the chance to expand the original track list by six songs, resulting in a 26-song deluxe album.

“We pulled a fast one on you guys. We pulled a fast one there,” Nate tells ABC Audio with a laugh. “Man, it’s great. I’ve wanted to put out an album my entire life, and here we are. It’s finally here.”

The deluxe version includes “World on Fire,” a new track that Nate says was in high demand on social media. “[Fans] were almost venomous. They were asking for this song so much! So they’ve been wanting [me] to get it out there,” Nate says.

While the album’s release strategy and track list aren’t typical for most artists, Nate is grateful for the enduring support he’s received from his label home, Sony Music Nashville.

“Sony has been so good, man. They’ve been so great with me, like working on reacting to these moments because they come and go on socials these days as we know things move really quickly,” shares Nate. “I’m really excited. I really believe in every single song that’s on this with my whole heart, and I think people are going to be stoked.”

Country Daypop

Carrie Underwood extends ‘Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency’

Post author By Staff
Post date April 28, 2023
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Due to high demand, Carrie Underwood has extended her “Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency” at Resorts World Theatre with three shows: Dec. 13, 15 and 16. Underwood said on social media: “You’ve asked for more so we’re giving it to ya! We’ve just added even more dates to #REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency this year! We’ll be in Vegas for shows this Summer, Fall AND Winter, so pick your date and come see REFLECTION in 2023! : axs.com/carrieinvegas”

Underwood will return to kickoff her 2023 residency run this summer, starting June 21. Said Underwood: “We had a blast on the road with ‘The Denim & Rhinestones Tour’, but it’s always nice to come back ‘home’ to Resorts World Las Vegas to continue ‘Reflection’. This show is truly a celebration of all my music, and I love having the chance to welcome fans from all over the world who come to see us in Vegas.”

Tickets for the additional shows will go on sale to the general public this Friday, April 28. For more information, head to: www.axs.com/carrieinvegas.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Country Daypop

ERNEST announces fall 2023 ‘This Fire Tour’

Post author By Staff
Post date April 28, 2023
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Ernest announced he will hit the road on “This Fire Tour” this fall. Serving as support for Ernest on tour will be Jake Worthington, hit songwriter John Morgan and his Cadillac Music songwriter Cody Lohden.

The 15-show run launches in Oxford, Ohio on Oct. 18, making stops in Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, Florida and more before wrapping up on November 28/29 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Ernest said in an announcement: “I’m really excited to get the Ern show back on the road with the fellas The show’s gonna be a hell of a time! Anytime we get to play to a room full of people who come to hear our music—it’s an unmatched feeling. The tour last year was a blast, and since then we dropped another 13 songs. If you haven’t yet, go listen to Two Dozen Roses, then come out and sing some country music with us.”

General on-sale tickets will be available on Friday, April 28th at 10 am local time. Exclusive pre-show VIP Experience Packages are available for all shows at point of purchase, including one general admission ticket, private pre-show performance, group photo with Ernest, signed ‘This Fire Tour’ poster, VIP exclusive gift item and laminate, early entry into the venue, and advance tour merchandise shopping before doors.

Editorial credit: YES Market Media / Shutterstock.com

Pop Daypop

Jack Harlow announces surprise album ‘Jackman’

Post author By Staff
Post date April 28, 2023
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Jack Harlow revealed that his third studio album ‘Jackman’ will drop on Friday (April 28). aHarlow did not divulge any information about the album aside from its cover art, which shows him shirtless on the street of a humble neighborhood. Harlow posted the image on social media with the caption: “Jackman. My new album. Out this Friday 4/28.”

Harlow released his debut album, ‘Thats What They All Say’ in December 2020, which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart. He followed that up with his sophomore record, ‘Come Home the Kids Miss You’ in May 2022. ‘Come Home the Kids Miss You’ featured chart-toppers like “Churchill Downs (feat. Drake)” and the Fergie-inspired “First Class,” reaching No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

Editorial credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com

Pop Daypop

SZA earns her first No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 chart with ‘Kill Bill’

Post author By Staff
Post date April 28, 2023
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SZA earned her first-ever No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart with her breakout hit single, “Kill Bill.” The song has spent a total of 18 weeks on the Hot 100 charts — eight of those weeks were at No. 2.

The top position for ‘Kill Bill’ comes after SZA released a remix of the single with Doja Cat; however according to Billboard, “all versions of the song roll up into one chart listing; Doja Cat is not listed on ‘Kill Bill’ on the Hot 100, as the remix did not account for the majority of the song’s overall consumption during the tracking week.”

SZA’s album SOS sat at the top of the music charts for over ten weeks, but “Kill Bill” is the first song of SZA’s to make it to the top of Billboard’s charts. SZA’s collaboration with Doja Cat “Kiss Me More” is SZA’s longest-charting song, peaking at the No. 3 spot.

Take a look at the video for ‘Kill Bill’ – here.

Editorial credit: Hunter Crenian / Shutterstock.com

Go Country 105

Nashville notes: Old Dominion's merch sale + Payton Smith's new EP

Post author By abookbinder
Post date April 27, 2023
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Old Dominion is having a buy one, get one free sale on their online merchandise store. Eligible items include hoodies, T-shirts and hats. Check out shop.weareolddominion.com.

Rising country artist Payton Smith has announced his new EP, What Colors You Wild. The seven-song set drops May 19 and is available for presave now.

Neo-traditional country artist Chancey Williams made his Grand Ole Opry debut recently. While on the hallowed stage, he performed his songs “The Saint” and new single “One of These Days.” Check out photos on Chancey’s Instagram.

Go Country 105

Here's a sneak peek of Miranda Lambert's Wanda June Home Spring collection

Post author By abookbinder
Post date April 27, 2023
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Get ready to spruce up your spring with the Spring collection from Miranda Lambert‘s Wanda June Home line.

While not launching until mid-May, the Walmart home-goods line shared a preview of what fans can expect on Instagram. The video post featured glimpses of the upcoming “Bless Your Heart” and “Hello Darlin'” doormats, among others.

Sneak a peek of the upcoming Spring collection on Wanda June Home’s Instagram and shop the available items at Walmart.

Go Country 105

A new house is underway for Jon Pardi

Post author By abookbinder
Post date April 27, 2023
No Comments on A new house is underway for Jon Pardi

Jon Pardi has some “dirt on [his] boots” and jeans. That’s because he’s on the location of his soon-to-be-constructed new house.

Though not quite built yet, Jon posted pictures on Instagram of him and his family standing on the land of his future home with construction forklifts in the background.

“Almost ready to build the new house, stupid permits!! So family picture break,” he wrote in the caption.

The photos featured Jon, his wife, Summer, their firstborn, Presley Fawn, and Jon’s father. The country singer even took a photo of him and little Presley inside a forklift.

View the photos on Jon’s Instagram.

Jon is currently in the top 20 on the country charts with his single “Your Heart Or Mine.”

Go Country 105

Garth Brooks admires Matthew McConaughey's leadership

Post author By abookbinder
Post date April 27, 2023
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Garth Brooks is set to perform at Matthew McConaughey‘s 11th annual fundraising event, Mack, Jack & McConaughey, on Thursday, April 27.

Led by Matthew, and co-organized by singer/songwriter Jack Ingram and ESPN analyst and Texas coaching legend Mack Brown, the joint nonprofit effort aims to raise funds to empower kids through various charity organizations.

“They team up every year. They were sweet enough to ask me four years ago. And because we had dates, this is the year we could [finally] do it,” Garth shares, before singing his praises about Matthew.

“I gotta tell you, man … Matthew McConaughey – I guess I always looked at him as [just] an actor. But I'm starting to look at him more as a leader every day,” the country star notes. “I think the guy's got his head on straight, and just – I just love the way he … the way he represents himself.”

For more information on MJM 2023, visit its website.