Month: April 2023

Diplo to drop new country album ‘Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2 – Swamp Savant’

Post author By Staff
Post date April 11, 2023
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Diplo announced his alter-ego will be back for a new country album: Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2 – Swamp Savant is the latest project Diplo will be dropping under the name Thomas Wesley. Swamp Savant is the follow-up to to 2020’s Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley Chapter 1: Snake Oil, which featured the singles “Heartless” with Morgan Wallen, “Dance With Me” with Thomas Rhett and Young Thug, and “Lonely” with Jonas Brothers. The album peaked at No. 50 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart.

Diplo has dubbed Swamp Savant “the greatest single piece of work I’ve ever done, I can promise you that,” and also detailed the creation process: “To prepare for this new Thomas Wesley project I went back to my father’s house in Florida. It all started in the swamps I was raised in and I spent six months learnin’ guitar, gettin in touch with nature, working his boat when the shrimp were running on full moons at the trailer park … I went to Nashville and had to take out every manager and a&r out to dinner until my credit card was maxed. Went to Kentucky and Texas and tracked down all the guys there and asked everyone to give me a chance and to be on my new project … spent two years going to Stagecoach undercover as an EDM DJ to figure out what people were into … I tried on a lot of cowboy hats. I rode a lot of motorcycles and horses…”

Thomas Wesley: Chapter 2 – Swamp Savant is set for release on April 28th. To pre-save, head here.

Editorial credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com

Pop Daypop

5 Seconds of Summer to release live album; announce world tour

Post author By Staff
Post date April 11, 2023
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5 Seconds of Summer have confirmed the upcoming release of their live album The Feeling of Falling Upwards – Live from Royal Albert Hall (BMG), recorded at the world-famous Royal Albert Hall in London last year. It will be available digitally on April 14. Physical copies of album can be pre-ordered (here), to be released on July 14.

5 Seconds of Summer are also embarking on a world tour this summer; the North American leg of the 5 Seconds of Summer Show will debut on August 10 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, making stops in Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, New York, and more, before heading over to Europe. In October, the band returns to the U.S. for an appearance at the second annual When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, April 11 at 10am local time until Thursday, April 13 at 11:59pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com. General on sale begins Friday, April 14 at 10am local time on ticketmaster.com. The tour will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans in North America. For more information, visit vipnation.com.

5 Seconds of Summer announces live album, 2023 world tour

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Go Country 105

Nashville notes: Tenille Arts and LeAnn Rimes' duet + Chase Matthew's album

Post author By abookbinder
Post date April 10, 2023
No Comments on Nashville notes: Tenille Arts and LeAnn Rimes' duet + Chase Matthew's album

Tenille Arts shared that she’s releasing a duet of her song “Jealous of Myself” with LeAnn Rimes on Friday, April 14. The two recently shared the stage to perform “Blue” at LeAnn’s headlining show in Nashville. See photos from the night on Tenille’s Twitter.

Warner Music Nashville’s Chase Matthew will be dropping his sophomore album, Come Get Your Memory, on June 9. The 25-track record will include the newly released title track, as well as “Hey Montana,” “The Way I Am” and “Love You Again.”

Country duo Smithfield has announced that they’ll be joining rising singer/songwriter Alexandra Kay on selected dates of her Backroad Therapy Tour 2. For tickets, visit Smithfield’s website.

Go Country 105

Lucie Silvas says John Osborne is “truly the best caretaker”

Post author By abookbinder
Post date April 10, 2023
No Comments on Lucie Silvas says John Osborne is “truly the best caretaker”

Brothers Osborne‘s John Osborne and his wife, Lucie Silvas, have returned with their twins from their second stay at the NICU.

John and Lucie welcomed Arthur and Maybelle on March 21. However, Lucie shared on Instagram on April 8 that the newborns had returned to the NICU again.

“Back and forth to NICU but looking forward to being at home yet again. This babies are so so strong. Like their Mum and dad. John is working hard and coming home tomorrow to be with our little babies,” Lucie wrote, before praising her husband. “So proud of him , for working tirelessly on @brothersosborne new music and other projects… but he is truly the best care taker of me and the twins and it’s totally blown me away, even tho I’m not surprised.”

“I’m so proud of you Artie and May – you’re already so strong cause we stayed strong for you and never gave up,” she continued. “This is the biggest lesson in self love and care I’ve ever had in 45 years on this planet…. they taught me that, and they deserve a mother who does that , for me, for them, for our family. Thank you for the love and support.”

Arthur and Maybelle were discharged on Sunday, April 9, just in time for Easter.

“EASTER SUNDAY AND WE ARE FAMILY!!! Home [ward] bound,” Lucie posted in an Instagram story. In her latest Instagram post, she added, “Ok. Round 2. Bye Bye NICU. You are all incredible … We’re so eternally grateful… will never forget you, and we never wanna see you ever again!”

On the music front, Brothers Osborne released their three-song Nobody’s Nobody Sampler on April 7, with a full-length album arriving later this year.

Go Country 105

Michael Ray previews 'Dive Bars & Broken Hearts' EP

Post author By abookbinder
Post date April 10, 2023
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Michael Ray has been giving fans an exciting live preview of his upcoming EP while on the road.

“There’s nowhere I’m more alive than playing to a roomful of people,” Michael shares. “To me, that’s where country music comes to life. I love being in the studio, putting a song into just the right instruments and frame. But if you want to really understand how a song works, go play it somewhere big enough to get loud, but small enough to feel the people.”

Produced by Michael Knox, the Dive Bars & Broken Hearts EP will feature six songs that sonically and lyrically reflect Michael’s upbringing and musical influences.

“When the songs are this strong, you know you’ve got something. And when you were practically born playing this kind of music with your family, literally grew up in the bars and little roadside theaters, you can’t help yourself,” the singer adds.

“We kept finding songs that felt right for who I am,” Michael continues, “and we kept singing live and pulling the heart out of the songs. It's been an amazing process. When we've been playing, you can feel the difference with the new stuff … so we're now using the road to really dial in what Dive Bars & Broken Hearts is gonna be.”

Michael’s latest studio collection is 2021’s Higher Education EP. His latest full-length project is 2018’s Amos. No release date has been announced yet for Michael’s new EP.

Visit Michael’s website to see him in a city near you.

Go Country 105

2023 Rome River Jam: See who's performing

Post author By abookbinder
Post date April 10, 2023
No Comments on 2023 Rome River Jam: See who's performing

The lineup for Georgia’s 2023 Rome River Jam has been announced.

Parker McCollum, Lainey Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman, Tracy Lawrence, Jon Langston, Chase Matthew, Baylee Littrell and Gavin Adcock join this year’s performance bill.

Presented by Blue Otter Polarized, the two-day event will take place on the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds on October 21 and October 22.

Presale begins Thursday, April 13, with general sales starting on Friday, April 14.

To sign up for presale access or for more information, visit romeriverjam.com.

Go Country 105

Slip on George Strait's new Justin boat shoes

Post author By abookbinder
Post date April 10, 2023
No Comments on Slip on George Strait's new Justin boat shoes

George Strait has teamed up with Justin Boots to launch a new pair of boat shoes as part of the George Strait Collection.

Priced at $99.95, the Angler Slip-On Casual Shoe marries George’s longtime love for fishing and the beach. Available in cigar brown color, the shoe is made of water-friendly cowhide leather with mesh embellishments, making it both stylish and cozy to use in the water and on the coast.

The new boat shoes from the George Strait by Justin collection are available for purchase now on the Justin Boots website and at select retailers. A portion of each purchase will be donated to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, which supports injured rodeo athletes and their families.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a pair to use the next time you’re enjoying the saltwater in the “Clear Blue Sky.”

Go Country 105

Carrie Underwood to celebrate her 15th anniversary as an Opry member

Post author By abookbinder
Post date April 10, 2023
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Carrie Underwood will return to the Grand Ole Opry stage on Saturday, May 13, to celebrate her 15th anniversary of becoming an Opry member.

The “Jesus, Take the Wheel” hitmaker will perform two shows that night, with artists such as Deana Carter and Michael Ray joining her on the performance bill.

Carrie made her Opry debut on June 10, 2005 and became inducted as a member on May 8, 2008, by fellow Oklahoman and Opry member, Garth Brooks.

Tickets to Carrie’s celebration shows are available now at opry.com and (615) 871-OPRY.

Fans who are unable to join in person can watch a one-hour portion of the night's first show live on Circle Television at 8 p.m. CT, with a re-airing at 11 p.m. CT. The show will also livestream on Circle's social media channels and broadcast on SiriusXM's Willie's Roadhouse Channel 59 and WSM Radio.

Go Country 105

It's going to be a “Damn Good Time” with Jordan Davis

Post author By abookbinder
Post date April 10, 2023
No Comments on It's going to be a “Damn Good Time” with Jordan Davis

Get ready for a “Damn Good Time” with Jordan Davis.

The singer announced on Twitter on April 10 that he’s hitting the road later this year for his Damn Good Time Tour. Named after his song “Damn Good Time,” the multiple-city trek will kick off in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 31 before concluding in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 21.

A rotating list of special guests will open for Jordan. They include Avery Anna, Gabby Barrett, Danielle Bradberry, Dylan Marlowe, Kameron Marlowe, Jameson Rodgers, Conner Smith and Georgia Webster.

On the music front, Jordan is rising up the country charts with his single “Next Thing You Know.” The track and “Damn Good Time” are featured on his latest album, Bluebird Days, which dropped in February.

Jordan’s fan club, The Parish, will get presale access starting Tuesday, April 11. Public sales begin Friday, April 14.

For a full list of dates and to grab tickets, visit Jordan’s website.

News Daypop

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott working to pardon man convicted of murdering BLM protester

Post author By Staff
Post date April 10, 2023
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A Texas man convicted of murder for killing a Black Lives Matter protester in July 2020 will likely receive a pardon from the state’s Gov. Greg Abbott.

Abbott said in a statement that Texas law allows him to request that the Board of Pardons and Paroles determine whether a person should be granted a pardon. Texas law only allows the governor the ability to issue a pardon after a recommendation has been made by the board. Abbott shared on Twitter that he would be “working as swiftly as Texas law allows: to pardon Daniel Perry … Texas has one of the strongest ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws of self-defense that cannot be nullified by a jury or a progressive District Attorney … I have made that request and instructed the board to expedite its review.”

Abbott added that he was ‘certain’ that the board would agree to recommend a pardon, stating that he anticipated approving it “as soon as it hits my desk … Additionally, I have already prioritized reining in rogue District Attorneys, and the Texas Legislature is working on laws to achieve that goal.”

Perry, a sergeant in the U.S. Army, was found guilty of murdering Garrett Foster. The Austin American-Statesman reported that Perry shot the protester five times as he approached his car while allegedly carrying an AK-47 during a march after the death of George Floyd. Perry’s lawyers said during his trial that the 28-year-old Foster raised his weapon at Perry before he was killed, and that Perry had fired in self-defense. Witnesses said that Foster never raised his weapon and no video or photos shown at the trial indicated that he did.

Meanwhile, prosecutors argued that Perry had demonstrated anger towards the protesters, and stated in posts made to social media that ‘people could get away with shooting protesters in Texas.’ Prosecutor Guillermo Gonzalez said: “This is an age-old story about a man who couldn’t keep his anger under control. It’s not about police, and it’s not about protest marchers.”

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com