Month: June 2023

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News Daypop

Shooter sentenced to life in prison for attack on Club Q nightclub in Colorado Springs

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The shooter who pleaded guilty to killing five people and injuring 17 others at the Club Q gay nightclub in Colorado Springs was sentenced to life in prison on Monday. The victims ranged in age from 22 to 40.

The 23-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich — who identifies as nonbinary and uses Mx. Aldrich — opened fire at the popular Club Q on Nov. 19, 2022. The shooter first entered the club around 10:15 before walking back to the parking lot; they re-entered shortly before midnight, wearing a ballistic vest and carrying an AR-15-style assault rifle and allegedly carried out the attack. After being tackled and disarmed by patrons, the shooter was taken into custody by authorities.

Aldrich was charged with 323 criminal counts including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and bias-motivated crimes. FBI special agent Mark Michalek, who is in charge of the Denver field office, said during a news conference Monday that the agency has opened a case against Aldrich in conjunction with the Department of Justice. He did not provide additional details. FBI officials said later that an indictment or further charges could come from the DOJ or the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Colorado.

Editorial credit: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

State seeks death penalty against suspect Bryan Kohberger in University of Idaho murders

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Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the University of Idaho murders. Kohberger is accused of stabbing to death four college students in an off-campus house on Nov. 13, 2022: Kaylee Goncalves; her lifelong best friend and roommate Madison Mogen; a third roommate, Xana Kernodle; and Kernodle’s boyfriend, Ethan Chapin.

According to a new court filing, “The State gives this notice based on the fact that it has not identified or been provided with any mitigating circumstances sufficient to prohibit the triers of fact from considering all penalties authorized by the Idaho legislature including the possibility of a capital sentence. Consequently, considering all evidence currently known to the State, the State is compelled to file this notice of intent to seek the death penalty.”

After a six-week search for a suspect, 28-year-old Kohberger was arrested on Dec. 30, 2022. Kohberger was a Ph.D. student at nearby Washington State University at the time of the murders. Kohberger chose to “stand silent” at his arraignment last month; by not responding, the judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. His trial is set for Oct. 2.

Editorial credit: P.A.12 / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Lainey Wilson recalls the day she wrote “Watermelon Moonshine”

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You’re not alone if you find Lainey Wilson‘s “Watermelon Moonshine” reminiscent of yesteryears.

For Lainey, the song’s every bit as nostalgic as it sounds, with a story many may resonate with.

“‘Watermelon Moonshine’ is one of those songs where we sat down and really started talking about those little flings that we had growing up,” says Lainey, who wrote the track with Jordan Schmidt and Josh Kear.

“Everybody that I was writing the song with knew exactly that feeling that we were talking about,” she recounts. “I feel like there [are] so many people in life who have experienced that feeling.”

This sentiment was brought to life in the storytelling of “Watermelon Moonshine.”

“Too young to know what love was/ But we were learnin’ on a sweet buzz/ There’s never nothin’ like the first time/ And mine’s always gonna taste like watermelon moonshine,” Lainey sings in the chorus. 

“It was like a time in your life when nothing else mattered,” she adds of the song. “You know, you told your mom and daddy, ‘I’m in love, I promise I’m in love.’ And they’re like, ‘There’s no way that you really know what love is.’ But in your heart, you feel like you do and it’s hard to explain.”

“It’s one of those kind of nostalgic, just take you back kind of songs,” notes Lainey. 

“Watermelon Moonshine” is currently #25 and rising on the country charts, and serves as the second single off Lainey’s album, Bell Bottom Country.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Reba McEntire, Dan + Shay, John Legend and Chance the Rapper coaching ‘The Voice’ Season 25

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NBC’s The Voice announced that Reba McEntire, John Legend, Chance the Rapper and Dan + Shay will serve as coaches for Season 25 of the long-running competition series. The news drops ahead of Season 24, which will premiere this fall and feature McEntire, Niall Horan, John Legend and Gwen Stefani.

McEntire is making her coaching debut in Season 24; she served as the ‘Mega Mentor’ for season 23 and replaces Blake Shelton in the upcoming season. Shelton bid farewell to his red chair following this past season, leaving with eight wins under his belt and having coached 15 artists whose songs have hit No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart. Dan + Shay will be the show’s first-ever coaching duo as they make their debuts in the red chair during season 25; the duo served as Shelton’s ‘Battle Advisors’ during Season 20.

Season 25 will also mark Legend’s ninth season as a coach on The Voice, while Chance the Rapper joined the show for this past Season 23.

Season 25 of the NBC Emmy-winning competition series is set to premiere Spring 2024.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

CMT shares lineup for ‘Next Women Of Country’ showcase

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CMT and City Winery Nashville shared the lineup for its upcoming “Next Women of Country” showcase, taking place on July 18 and co-hosted by Lindsay Ell and CMT’s Leslie Fram.

“Next Women of Country” will feature performances in the round from “CMT Next Women of Country” members spanning the classes of 2020-2023, including Georgia Webster (2023), Kasey Tyndall (2023), MacKenzie Porter (2021), MaRynn Taylor (2023), Megan Moroney (2023), O.N.E The Duo (2023), Priscilla Block (2021) and Tiera Kennedy (2020).

The upcoming showcase marks the third installment of the series this year, following CMT’s January 2023 event, where 16 new artists were named to the “CMT Next Women of Country” franchise. Additional showcases will continue at City Winery Nashville throughout the year.

Tickets are on-sale now via citywinery.com/nashville.

CMT announces Next Women of Country July showcase

Editorial credit: Eric Glenn / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Demi Lovato shares her new song ‘Swine’

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After releasing rock versions of her previous hits such as “Cool for the Summer” and “Heart Attack,” Demi Lovato has shared their first new song since her album Holy Fvck.

The new single “Swine” was released just as the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade occurred. Demi wrote in an Instagram caption: “It’s been one year since the Supreme Court’s decision to dismantle the constitutional right to a safe abortion. Although the path forward will be challenging, we must continue to be united in our fight for reproductive justice.”

Demi also shared the video for “Swine,”directed by Meriel O’Connell-helmed music video. Says Demi: “I created ‘Swine’ to amplify the voices of those who advocate for choice and bodily autonomy. I want this song to empower not only the birthing people of this country, but everyone who stands up for equality, to embrace their agency and fight for a world where every person’s right to make decisions about their own body is honored.” For a period of one year, Lovato’s net profits from “Swine” will be donated to the Reproductive Justice Fund at the Demi Lovato Foundation, which will then be directed to three non-profit organizations: NARAL Pro-Choice America, Plan C and The National Network of Abortion Funds.

Check out Demi’s new music video for “Swine” here.
To stream “Swine,” head here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Olivia Rodrigo announces sophomore album, ‘Guts’

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Olivia Rodrigo has announced the follow-up to her 2021 debut LP, Sour. Rodrigo’s sophomore album, titled Guts, is due out September 8 via Geffen; Rodrigo posted on social media: ‘my sophomore album GUTS comes out september 8th. i am so proud of this record and I can’t wait to share it with you all! u can presave it now! xoxoxoxo❤💜💌🖤’

Rodrigo said in a statement about Guts. “I feel like I grew 10 years between the ages of 18 and 20—it was such an intense period of awkwardness and change. I think that’s all just a natural part of growth, and hopefully the album reflects that.”

The first single from Guts, “Vampire,” will drop on Friday, June 30. Rodrigo announced “Vampire” earlier this month, sharing it was co-written by Daniel Nigro, her collaborator on ‘Sour.’

To pre-save/pre-add Guts, head here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes: Carly Pearce's tote bag + Charles Esten's “In A Bar Somewhere”

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Carly Pearce has dropped a new tote bag inspired by her hometown of Taylor Mills, Kentucky. Check it out at Carly’s merch store.

Tyler Farr‘s new EP, Rednecks Like Me, arrives July 14 and is available for presave now.

Charles Esten‘s released his new song, “In A Bar Somewhere.” The mid-tempo track was written by Charles, Neil Medley and Jason Gantt on Zoom while he was in Barbados filming Netflix’s Outer Banks in 2021.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Gary LeVox launches new LEVOX Wines

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Gary LeVox has teamed up with Hayworth Estate Wines to roll out a new wine collection, LEVOX Wines.

The collection, which includes a 2021 Pinot Noir and 2022 Pinot Gris, came about from the longtime friendship Gary has with the founder of Hayworth Estate Wines, Russ Hayworth.

“Russ Hayworth and I have known each other for over 20 years. His beautiful vineyard, Hayworth Estate Wines, in Oregon is a staple in the community, and I'm so excited to see this wine collection finally come to life,” shares the Rascal Flatts frontman.

“We’ve been working on this collaboration for quite some time now and have prepared an amazing Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris that are out of this world-aged and prepared just right. I can’t wait for everyone to get a hold of them and try some!”

“All of us at Hayworth Estate Wines are honored and excited to be working with Gary to launch LEVOX Wines,” Russ adds. “It's the perfect blend, because good wine and good music are the product of artist passions coming together.”

Shop the new LEVOX Wines collection now at hayworthestatewines.com.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Dylan Scott shares clip of his latest song on piano

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If you’ve had Dylan Scott‘s latest song, “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us,” on repeat, you should probably check this out.

Dylan recently shared a 29-second clip of him playing the song on the piano. That’s right, just Dylan’s vocals and the keys without other instruments or production.

“#Piano version would be cool! What y'all think?” Dylan tweeted alongside the video.

Are you liking this stripped-down version of Dylan’s “This Town’s Been Too Good To Us”? Let Dylan know by responding to his tweet.

You can also catch the country singer on the road this fall on his This Town's Been Too Good To Us Tour. For dates and tickets, visit Dylan’s website.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.