Month: May 2023

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Go Country 105

Scotty McCreery walks down memory lane in candid 'CMT Stages' episode

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Scotty McCreery takes center stage on the newest episode of CMT Digital’s docuseries CMT Stages.

Sitting down with CMT in a living room setup, Scotty reflected on his American Idol journey, the roller-coaster music career after, a candid recount of being dropped by his first record label after a failed single and how he made a comeback with a song he always loved.

On the episode, Scotty also performed stripped-down versions of his hits and notable tunes, including his debut single “I Love You This Big” and first-ever number one, “Five More Minutes.”

Scotty’s CMT Stages episode is available now on YouTube and Facebook.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Get ready for CMA Fest with a star-studded Opry show

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The Grand Ole Opry has announced a star-studded performance bill for its shows on the night of Tuesday, June 6, just two days before the 50th CMA Fest kicks off.

Artists set to perform on the two-show night are Grand Ole Opry members Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner, The Oak Ridge Boys and Bill Anderson, as well as fast-rising country star Lainey Wilson. 

The shows will begin at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. CT.

Additionally, the Opry Plaza Party will open in the afternoon on June 6, as well as on June 9 and June 10 during CMA Fest. The event will include food trucks, vendors, live performances and more. 

On Saturday, June 10, the “unofficial kick-off to CMA Fest” featuring Carrie, Josh, Lainey, The Oak Ridge Boys and Bill will air on Circle Network and Circle All Access’ Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages.

For more information on all Opry shows during CMA Fest Week and to get tickets, visit opry.com.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Jameson Rodgers pranks Hardy with an onstage hunting trip

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Jameson Rodgers ended his trek on Hardy‘s the mockingbird & THE CROW Tour with an epic prank.

Jameson’s bandmates dressed as deer for the funny stunt, while Jameson played a Nerf gun-armed hunter.

“We’re about to prank Hardy,” Jameson told fans in an Instagram video. “We’re about to go onstage with the band. The band are dressed up as deer, Sean from Blame My Youth is going to be dressed up as a bunny. Everyone’s going to go out there during ‘KILL S*** TILL I DIE,’ oh yeah!” 

The footage showed Jameson and his crew surprising Hardy midway through “KILL S*** TILL I DIE” with a reenactment of a hunting scene. As the dressed-up deer and bunny consume their feed off the floor, Jameson begins to shoot them down with his Nerf gun, all while Hardy continued rocking out onstage. 

The first leg of Hardy’s the mockingbird & THE CROW Tour wrapped in Irving, Texas, on April 29. A second trek will kick off on August 31 in Knoxville, Tennessee, with Lainey Wilson and Dylan Marlowe as openers.

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

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Miranda Lambert's favorite album of 2023? Morgan Wallen's 'One Thing at a Time'

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Miranda Lambert was recently on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen to chat about her new cookbook, music career and favorite things.

During the interview, Miranda shared her go-to karaoke songs, favorite reality television shows and dream collaborator, among other things. The country star was also asked by Andy about her current favorite album of 2023 and in a heartbeat, she responded with Morgan Wallen‘s One Thing at a Time.

“I think Morgan Wallen. I mean, he’s out there kicking ass,” Miranda tells Andy. 

Additionally, during the Spill The Music IndusTea! segment, Miranda candidly recounted a mishap she once had onstage.

“I fell flat on my face during ‘Gunpowder & Lead’ trying to be all tough, like it’s my tough song. And I busted my lip when I fell on my microphone, so I had a bloody lip,” the singer recalls. 

Miranda’s up for five awards and set to perform at the upcoming 58th Academy of Country Music Awards. The show streams live on Amazon Prime Video May 11 at 8 p.m. ET.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Willie Nelson to follow Dolly Parton into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

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This year, Willie Nelson becomes the second consecutive country icon to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, following in Dolly Parton‘s footsteps last year.

Also selected this year in the Performers category are Sheryl Crow, The Spinners, Missy Elliott, Rage Against the Machine, Kate Bush and the late George Michael. Additionally, the Rock Hall will honor hip-hop pioneer DJ Kool Herc and guitar legend Link Wray with the Musical Influence Award; Chaka Khan, Elton John‘s songwriting partner Bernie Taupin and founding Blood, Sweat & Tears member Al Kooper with the Musical Excellence Award; and the late Soul Train creator and host Don Corneliuswith the industry Ahmet Ertegun Award.

“This year’s incredible group of Inductees reflects the diverse artists and sounds that define rock & roll,” says John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “We are honored that this November’s Induction Ceremony in New York will coincide with two milestones in music culture; the 90th birthday of Willie Nelson and the 50th Anniversary of the birth of Hip Hop.”

Rage is being inducted after appearing on the ballot five times, while Bush makes it on her fourth try. Missy Elliott, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson and George Michael were all chosen for induction following their first time on the ballot.

This year’s nominees who were not inducted include The White Stripes, Soundgarden, Iron Maiden, Warren Zevon, Joy Division and New Order, Cyndi Lauper and A Tribe Called Quest.

The 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place November 3 at New York City’s Barclays Center.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

Operation targeting fentanyl trafficking on dark web leads to 300 arrests

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On Tuesday, the U.S. Justice Department – as well as International law enforcement organizations including European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) — announced 228 arrests in 9 countries, and the seizure of more than a hundred guns in a “record-breaking” joint law-enforcement operation targeting fentanyl and opioid traffic on the dark web. The DOJ also said that the culmination of the operation included confiscating $53 million in cash and virtual currencies, as well as 850 kilograms of drugs that included 64 kilograms of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced narcotics.

Dubbed “Operation SpecTor” by the Justice Department, the law enforcement action was conducted by the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement team, composed of multiple government agencies. Taking part in the operation: the FBI; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. postal inspectors; the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; the Internal Revenue Service; and Homeland Security. Working alongside these agencies was international law-enforcement partners in Austria, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Britain, Brazil, Poland, and Switzerland.

In a statement, the DOJ said: “Operation SpecTor was a coordinated international effort spanning three continents to disrupt fentanyl and opioid trafficking on the darknet, or dark web … The operation was conducted across the United States, Europe, and South America, and was a result of the continued partnership between JCODE and foreign law enforcement against the illegal sale of drugs and other illicit goods and services on the darknet.”  

Attorney General Merrick Garland said the operation seized “117 firearms, 850 kilograms of drugs that include 64 kilograms of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced narcotics, and $53 million in cash and virtual currencies … Our message to criminals on the dark web is this: You can try to hide in the furthest reaches of the Internet, but the Justice Department will find you and hold you accountable for your crimes. The availably of dangerous substances like fentanyl on dark net marketplaces is helping to fuel the crisis that has claimed far too many American lives. We will continue to illuminate the dark web and we will bring to justice those who try to hide their crimes there.”

Editorial credit: Heidi Besen / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Shelter-in-place ordered after third stabbing near campus of UC Davis, California

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After a third person was stabbed in a week in the college town of Davis, Calif., the city issued a shelter-in-place order for a part of Tuesday morning. The two previous stabbings resulted in death, marking the first homicides in Davis in three years. The latest stabbing in the home of the University of California, Davis, came just before midnight on Monday at a homeless encampment, where a woman was stabbed multiple times through a tent. The UC Davis Medical Center listed her in critical condition as of Tuesday.

A message issued by the city of Davis and the university read: “The suspect matches the description of previous stabbing incidents. He is described as a male wearing all dark clothing, possibly a blue shirt and jeans, carrying a black backpack and wearing black Adidas shoes with stripes.” Authorities said they looked for a suspect until close to dawn on Tuesday, at which point they lifted their shelter-in-place order. Davis Police were joined in the search by the Sacramento Police Department, Elk Grove Police Department, Yolo County Sheriff, West Sacramento Police Department, and Woodland Police Department. UC Davis said it brought in extra private security to the campus and added staffers to after-hours Safe Ride vans.

The first stabbing took place on Thursday at Davis’ Central Park. Police Chief Darren Pytel said at the time that the victim suffered from a “significant number of stab wounds.” Monday’s stabbing came shortly after the stabbing death on Saturday of UC Davis student Karim Abou Najm, 20, who was a local student expected to graduate this spring with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Editorial credit: Chris Allan / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Russell Dickerson's “God Gave Me A Girl” was inspired by his love story

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Russell Dickerson‘s “God Gave Me A Girl” is his life story encapsulated in a song.

Penned by Russell, Ashley Gorley, Chase McGill and Zach Crowell, the uptempo love song chronicles the highs and lows Russell experienced before realizing the gift he had all along – the love of his life, wife Kailey.

“We broke up back in college. We had just graduated, actually. And I was out on the road. I was playing show after show just like, ‘I’m going to live this rock star dream until the wheels fall off,'” Russell recalls in an interview with ABC Audio. “And it literally took about a month to where I was like, ‘What am I doing?’ And that was kind of that a-ha moment of, like in the first verse, it’s talking about [pouring] my heart out to empty bars [that left] me with a broken heart. And then the chorus is like, ‘No, God gave me a girl.'”

It’s hard for Russell to imagine life and a music career without Kailey. On top of being his muse, Kailey’s also been a tremendous help to him on the road during his early touring days.

“That girl helped me,” says Russell. “Oh, I mean, she inspired ‘Yours,’ obviously. All of my songs. She came on the road, she helped out, she drove the van, she sold the merch, and it was just that without her, we wouldn’t be where I am today.”

“God Gave Me A Girl” is Russell’s latest single off his self-titled third album.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Shania Twain releases ‘Queen of Me (Royal Edition)’

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Shania Twain has released ‘Queen of Me (Royal Edition)’, the deluxe edition of latest album Queen Of Me. The deluxe ‘royal edition’ features five extra tracks, including two new originals – “Bone Dry” and “Wanted Man.”  To stream Queen of Me (Royal Edition), head here.

Twain shares: “I wrote ‘Bone Dry’ alone on the acoustic guitar and the song is about having everything in the world but still feeling empty. I guess it’s about whatever you want it to be about as the listener but there is some reading between the lines with this song! I remember waking up thinking I’ve got everything I could want in the world; I should wake up super happy and feeling grateful and enthusiastic about the day. But the good life I have now compared to my underprivileged youth can sometimes leave me feeling impatient and impossible to satisfy. ‘Bone Dry’ is my reflection on how money, beauty, fame, power, elements that really don’t bring genuine fulfillment. It’s the simple things in life that do for me personally. Like the joy of parenting, being in love, smelling roses, the company of animals, dreaming, creative freedom, nature. When I stay connected to these things, I’m truly happy and whole.”

Twain also collaborated with Breland on the reimagining of “Inhale/Exhale Air.” Shared Breland: “I am a huge Shania Twain fan and have always dreamt of singing on a song with her. The first Super Bowl I can remember watching was the one that she played halftime, and once I got into country music as an artist, she was my number one dream collab. What she represents for country music and beyond is so important, and she’s opened up doors for artists like me. It was a no-brainer for me to be on this song and I’m looking forward to playing some shows with her this summer.”

Shania’s Queen of Me Tour just kicked-off on Friday, April 28th at Spokane Arena in Spokane, WA. The tour will make stops across North America and Europe in Vancouver, Denver, Toronto, Los Angeles, New York, London, Dublin and more before wrapping up on November 14th at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC.

Editorial credit: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Hardy and Lainey Wilson hit No. 1 on country radio with ‘Wait in the Truck”

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Hardy and Lainey Wilson are No. 1 on the Mediabase country chart with their now certified Platinum hit, “Wait in the Truck.” Said Hardy on social media: ““wait in the truck” is #1. Thank you Country Radio, @laineywilsonmusic and especially the writers @hunterphelpsmusic, Jordan Schmidt and @reneeblair. LFCROW”

Hardy added in a statement: “I’m just so happy a song like this still has a place in country music. Thanks to everyone involved for taking this song to the top, and for believing in this one.”  Wilson added: “I’m so honored Hardy asked me to join him on a song that’s had an impact on so many people and shed light on a topic a lot of folks are scared to talk about. He is one of the most brilliant songwriters I’ve ever met and puts on one heck of a show. I can’t wait to be back out on the road together this fall!”

“Wait in the Truck” earned three nominations at the 2023 ACM Awards for Song Of The Year, Music Event Of The Year, and Visual Media Of The Year.  The song was streamed over 219 million times, and was paired with a cinematic official music video.

Hardy & Lainey Wilson Score No. 1 With ‘Wait In The Truck’

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com