Month: June 2023

Check out Paula Deen's Red, White and Blue bundle

Post author By abookbinder
Post date June 28, 2023
No Comments on Check out Paula Deen's Red, White and Blue bundle

Getting ready to whip up a meal for family and friends this Fourth of July? Then be sure to check out Paula Deen‘s new Red, White and Blue Kitchen Care Package.

The four-item bundle includes a white berry size colander, Time to Eat spatula, red crocheted pot holder and navy blue crocheted pot holder.

Originally priced at $44.96, it’s now available at a promotional price of $29.99.

What are you waiting for? Check it out and grab yours at pauladeenshop.com.

Go Country 105

Miranda's MuttNation Foundation and Tractor Supply Company donate to 52 animal shelters

Post author By abookbinder
Post date June 28, 2023
No Comments on Miranda's MuttNation Foundation and Tractor Supply Company donate to 52 animal shelters

Miranda Lambert's MuttNation Foundation and Tractor Supply Company have joined forces for the third year to donate over $250,000 to 52 animal shelters across the country.

Additionally, through MuttNation's Mutts Across America program, one outstanding shelter or foster-based rescue in every state is presented with a surprise $5,000 grant.

“Finding deserving shelters and rescue groups across the country is easy. It's narrowing it down to just one in each state that's really tough,” shares Bev Lambert, Miranda's mother and the co-founder of MuttNation.

“Mutts Across America is MuttNation's cornerstone – it was our first signature program,” says Miranda. “These grants give us the chance to show our appreciation and spotlight shelters across the country for their hard work, year-round, to improve the lives of shelter pets.”

“We're so proud to partner with Tractor Supply on this and other programs, allowing us to elevate our goals and increase the number of animals' lives we can change,” she adds.

Since its genesis nine years ago, MuttNation's Mutts Across America has helped over 450 shelters with more than $1.75 million in grants. Tractor Supply’s partnership with MuttNation began in 2021.

Go Country 105

Stream Michael Ray's EP release party on Friday

Post author By abookbinder
Post date June 28, 2023
No Comments on Stream Michael Ray's EP release party on Friday

Missed Michael Ray‘s Dive Bars & Broken Hearts EP release party in Nashville? Fret not, he’s got you covered.

The entire release party will stream on YouTube on Friday, June 30, at 10 a.m. CT.

“This whole event is my full band, my live band playing every song on the Dive Bars & Broken Hearts record,” Michael shares in an Instagram video. Meghan Patrick will also perform her duet with Michael, “Spirits and Demons,” for the first time onstage.

After the stream, fans will also be treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Michael’s “Get Her Back” music video.

Be sure to check out the Dive Bars & Broken Hearts EP release party on YouTube Friday.

Go Country 105

Darius Rucker's next stop: The Hollywood Walk of Fame

Post author By abookbinder
Post date June 28, 2023
No Comments on Darius Rucker's next stop: The Hollywood Walk of Fame

Darius Rucker will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Earlier this week, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2024. The new selections in the Recording category are Darius, Gwen Stefani, Toni Braxton, Def Leppard and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, among others.

“The Selection Committee which is made up of fellow Walk of Famers, carefully hand-picks a group of honorees each year that represent various genres of the entertainment world,” shares chair and Walk of Famer Ellen K.

“The Committee did an amazing job choosing these very talented people. We can’t wait to see each honoree’s reaction as they realize that they are becoming a part of Hollywood’s history with the unveiling of their star on the world’s most famous walkway!” she adds.

Other country superstars with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame include Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Tim McGraw and Vince Gill.

Visit walkoffame.com for the full list of this year’s honorees.

Go Country 105

Morgan Wallen + Luke Combs lead Billboard's Hot 100 chart

Post author By abookbinder
Post date June 28, 2023
No Comments on Morgan Wallen + Luke Combs lead Billboard's Hot 100 chart

For the first time in 42 years, two country songs are helming the top spots on Billboard‘s all-genre Hot 100 chart.

Morgan Wallen‘s “Last Night” reigns at #1 for its 12th week, while Luke Combs‘ cover of Tracy Chapman‘s “Fast Car” rises from #3 to #2.

According to Billboard, the last time country songs took the top two spots on its Hot 100 chart was on the chart dated March 7, 1981, when Eddie Rabbitt's “I Love a Rainy Night” and Dolly Parton‘s “9 to 5” took the #1 and #2 positions, respectively.

Congratulations to Morgan and Luke on this record-breaking achievement.

Go Country 105

Lauren Alaina to debut a new song on 'The Bachelorette'

Post author By abookbinder
Post date June 28, 2023
No Comments on Lauren Alaina to debut a new song on 'The Bachelorette'

Fresh off the release of her Unlocked EP, Lauren Alaina is set to perform on an upcoming episode of ABC’s The Bachelorette.

The episode will feature a special one-on-one date as Lauren delivers a brand new, unreleased song for the newest bachelorette, Charity Lawson.

Unlocked arrived earlier in June and includes “Thicc As Thieves,” a fun and sassy duet with Lainey Wilson.

Catch Lauren on The Bachelorette Monday, July 3, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

News Daypop

Government watchdog report states more than $200 billion in pandemic relief was potentially squandered

Post author By Staff
Post date June 28, 2023
No Comments on Government watchdog report states more than $200 billion in pandemic relief was potentially squandered

According to a report published Tuesday by the inspector general of the Small Business Administration (SBA), the federal government squandered more than $200 billion in potential fraud to prop up small businesses as the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the U.S. economy.

The report from the inspector general of the SBA gives an estimate of how much of the $1.2 trillion disbursed by the SBA was stolen by fraudulent claims. At least 17% of all COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds were given away to potentially fraudulent actors, according to Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware. The SBA said: “In the rush to swiftly disburse COVID-19 EIDL and PPP funds, SBA calibrated its internal controls. The agency weakened or removed the controls necessary to prevent fraudsters from easily gaining access to these programs and provide assurance that only eligible entities received funds. However, the allure of ‘easy money’ in this pay and chase environment attracted an overwhelming number of fraudsters to the programs.”

The report focuses on two programs created during the pandemic to support small businesses: the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). According to the report, there was a higher potential fraud in the EIDL program, which was a low-interest disaster loan that would later require repayment. For PPP, which gave money to businesses that would later be forgiven — similar to a grant — the estimate of potential fraud was lower: around $64 billion, representing 8% of the total funds sent out.

Officials said the government watchdog report represents the first comprehensive estimate of fraud to date; nearly $30 billion of those fraudulent funds — about 15% of the fraud that’s been calculated as of May — has been reclaimed through collaboration between the inspector general’s office, the SBA, the U.S. Secret Service and other federal agencies, the report said.

Editorial credit: danielo / Shutterstock.com

News Daypop

Supreme Court overturns online stalker conviction over ‘true threats’

Post author By Staff
Post date June 28, 2023
No Comments on Supreme Court overturns online stalker conviction over ‘true threats’

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Colorado man convicted of making “true threats” who repeatedly sent abusive messages to a local musician. The high court said that Billy Counterman’s conviction — for sending Facebook messages to singer-songwriter Coles Whalen — was based on the wrong legal standard.

The justices ruled on a 7-2 vote that the jury should have been required to make a finding about whether he intended his comments to be genuine threats. If such messages are not true threats, they are deemed protected speech under the Constitution’s First Amendment. The case now returns to lower courts for further proceedings on whether the conviction should be thrown out.

Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the majority: “The state had to show only that a reasonable person would understand his statements as threats. It did not have to show any awareness on his part that the statements should be understood that way. For the reasons stated, that is a violation of the First Amendment.” Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Amy Coney Barrett dissented.

Prosecutors focused on messages Counterman sent to Whalen on Facebook for two years, beginning in 2014. Examples included “I’ve had tapped phone lines before, what do you fear?” and “You’re not being good for human relationships. Die. Don’t need you.” Whalen did not respond to any of them and ultimately reported them to the police in 2016, according to court documents. Counterman was convicted of one count of stalking and sentenced to 4½ years in prison. The conviction was upheld on appeal, prompting him to ask the Supreme Court to intervene.

The case is similar to a 2015 ruling in which the court threw out the conviction of a Pennsylvania man who made threatening remarks on Facebook aimed at his ex-wife. That case was decided on relatively narrow grounds and did not reach the broader constitutional question raised by Counterman’s attorneys.

Editorial credit: EQRoy / Shutterstock.com

Go Country 105

Gabby Barrett talks second album, shares what fans can expect

Post author By abookbinder
Post date June 28, 2023
No Comments on Gabby Barrett talks second album, shares what fans can expect

Anxiously waiting for Gabby Barrett‘s sophomore album? Well, good news: It’s likely to drop later this year.

Sharing an update with ABC Audio, Gabby says she’s been working hard on her second album, “even through maternity leave.”

“I am co-producing this album with Ross Copperman. The date? I don’t have a specific date, but I have a timeline. Hopefully, early fall is when [the] album will come out,” the “I Hope” hitmaker reveals.

Fans can also expect a greater depth in Gabby’s storytelling in the upcoming project, which will chronicle her life journey since her 2020 debut record, Goldmine.

“It definitely has a more mature tone to it. I mean, everybody that knows me knows I’ve lived a lot in a small amount of time,” says Gabby. “So that’s kind of what this album will be talking about. And it’s just a different experience I’ve had than the first album.”

While you wait for Gabby’s sophomore record, preview it with her new single, “Glory Days,” out now.

Country Daypop

Chris Stapleton, Kane Brown, HARDY, and more to receive 2023 ACM Honors

Post author By Staff
Post date June 28, 2023
No Comments on Chris Stapleton, Kane Brown, HARDY, and more to receive 2023 ACM Honors

The Academy of Country Music announced the esteemed recipients of the Special Awards for the 58th Academy Of Country Music Awards.

Clint Black, BRELAND, Kane Brown, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Charlie Cook, Charlie Daniels, Mike Dungan, Ashley Gorley, HARDY, Bill Mayne, Tim McGraw, K.T. Oslin, Chris Stapleton, and Troy Vollhoffer are among the artists who will be honored at the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors (ACM Honors) on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Previously announced Artist-Songwriter of the Year winner Hardy, Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley as well as Studio Recording Award and Industry Award winners, will also be honored at the ACM Honors ceremony.

ACM Award winner Carly Pearce as serve as host for the third consecutive year, taking place at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Said Pearce: “The Academy of Country Music has played such a crucial role in the rise of my career in the last several years, giving me opportunities to expand my artistry with hosting. To be able to come back as the host of the ACM Honors for the third year in a row, I feel so grateful and excited for what I know will be such a special night!”

Tickets for ACM Honors will be available to ACM A-List email newsletter subscribers via an exclusive pre-sale beginning Thursday, June 29. General on-sale begins Friday, June 30th through AXS.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com