Month: July 2023

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News Daypop

Elon Musk forms new AI company dubbed ‘xAI’

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After months of teasing plans to build a rival to ChatGPT, Elon Musk announced he is starting a new artificial intelligence company. The billionaire confirmed the formation of a new company, ‘xAI’, in a tweet on Wednesday; without elaborating, the Twitter CEO and Tesla found said his new xAI firm will seek to “understand reality.” According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, the company was incorporated in Nevada in the spring, with sources cited indicating Musk’s desire to compete with Microsoft’s OpenAI.

xAI unveiled a website and a team of a dozen staffers; the new company will be led by Musk, according to the website, and “will work closely with X (Twitter), Tesla, and other companies to make progress towards our mission … ‘The goal of xAI is to understand the true nature of the universe.’”  The xAI Twitter account had just one post as of press time.

Back in March, Musk and other big tech leaders, including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and politician Andrew Yang called for a temporary pause on artificial intelligence innovation because of “profound risks to society and humanity.”  They said “Advanced AI could represent a profound change in the history of life on Earth, and should be planned for and managed with commensurate care and resources.”

https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/elon-musk-unveils-new-ai-startup-team-top-101186737

Editorial credit: Adrian Tusar / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

HARDY and sister Madison had a “pretty crazy” career flip: “I definitely followed in her footsteps”

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With several awards under his belt, HARDY‘s fast become one of Nashville’s most in-demand songwriters. He’s also notched his own chart-topping hits as an artist, with the latest being “wait in the truck” with Lainey Wilson.

Singing and writing songs wasn’t the career path HARDY had in mind, however. As he recalls, it was his sister, Madison Hardy Dennis, who had first moved to Nashville with the artist dream.

“I definitely followed in her footsteps,” HARDY says. “When we were kids, like when I was 6 years old to literally 15, 16, she was – I wouldn’t call myself the black sheep – but she was the golden child. She was the singer and she won competitions and had opportunities and did this whole thing. And then she moved to Nashville.”

“Shortly after a couple of years into her moving to Nashville, I had written a couple of songs and was singing a little bit, and she basically called me and said, ‘Hey, there’s this thing called a publishing deal if you ever wanted to move to Nashville to try to write songs.’ And then that’s when it all started,” recounts HARDY.

“It was a pretty crazy flip that kind of happened out of nowhere. I think even my parents and everybody were like, ‘What the hell is going on?’ It sort of just worked out,” HARDY continues. “[Madison] has been nothing but supportive of me and has not ever looked back on her, like, wanting to be a singer.”

While Madison’s now a makeup artist and owner of the Nashville-based MHD Beauty Parlour, she occasionally joins HARDY onstage for his performance of “One Beer.” So if you’re lucky, you might catch that at an upcoming show.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

ABC’s ‘CMA Fest’ special to include Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs and more

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CMA has shared the set list for the upcoming ‘CMA Fest’ special airing on ABC, filmed during the 2023 CMA Fest in downtown Nashville on June 8-11, 2023.

Roughly 30 songs will be performed by a range of artists on the three-hour special, including rising stars Lainey Wilson, HARDY, Cody Johnson and Jelly Roll, and legends Reba McEntire, Tanya Tucker and Alabama. Luke Combs, Luke Bryan,  Jordan Davis, HARDY and Keith Urban are also set to perform.

Miranda Lambert will make multiple appearances throughout the show, teaming up with Avril Lavigne for a duet of her hit “Kerosene” and Lavigne’s classic “Sk8er Boi” and will join Leon Bridges on their new duet, “If You Were Mine.” Lambert and CMA Fest co-host Elle King also perform “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).”

Carly Pearce and Jo Dee Messina, Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Ashley McBryde and Darius Rucker are also among the many other performers appearing on the special.

CMA Fest airs on Wednesday (July 19) at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. ABC will broadcast the documentary, CMA Fest: 50 Years of Fan Fair, on Tuesday, July 18th.  Both shows will also be available to stream on Hulu.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Lainey Wilson shares the music video for “Watermelon Moonshine”

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Lainey Wilson has released a new cinematic music video for her latest single, “Watermelon Moonshine”. Directed by Stephen and Alexa Kinigopoulos, the clip stars Rachel Lynn Matthews as she reminisces about her past and the boy who stole her heart, played by Sam Sherrod. Take a look at the video for “Watermelon Moonshine” – here.

Lainey shared on Instagram: “Boy did this one take me back…Watermelon Moonshine is all about that young, wild, and crazy love. It’s the love that makes you feel like you’ve got somethin really special that can’t ever be taken away. Filming out in the pasture brought me back to those days and made me feel right at home. I’m real proud of how this one turned out and hope y’all love it too! ✨ 🍉”. Lainey added in a statement: “I’m so excited to premiere the ‘Watermelon Moonshine’ music video. From locking eyes for the first time, to playing spin the bottle with an Ole Smoky mason jar, to being too crazy about each other to tame it, I am so happy with how Rachel Lynn Matthews and Sam Sherrod brought the vision to life through their portrayal of their innocently passionate characters.”

Wilson is also currently on the road with Luke Combs on his 2023 World Tour, and will continue to serve as direct support for Combs throughout the U.S. leg of the trek, which wraps up on July 29 in Philadelphia, PA at Lincoln Financial Field. Following her trek with Combs, Wilson will hit the road with Eric Church for select dates of his The Outsiders Revival Tour. Wilson will also join HARDY for the second leg of his the mockingbird & THE CROW tour, which kicks off on August 31 in Knoxville, Tennessee at Knoxville Civic Coliseum. For more information on Wilson’s upcoming tour dates, visit her official website HERE.

Lainey Wilson releases ‘Watermelon Moonshine’ video

Editorial credit: Vicki L. Miller / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

BTS’s Jung Kook dropping the track ‘Seven’ as he kicks off GMA Summer Concert series

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BTS’s Jungkook will kick off Good Morning America‘s 2023 summer concert series on Friday, July 14, the same day as the release of his solo single “Seven.”  Seven will be Jungkook’s first solo single of 2023; the singer released two solo singles, “Stay Alive” and “Dreamers,” in 2022, and he also released the song “Left and Right” with Charlie Puth.

BIGHIT Music had previously announced via Weverse Jungkook’s single, describing Seven as “an invigorating summer song” that has “the full breadth of Jung Kook’s charm.” BTS’ agency, Big Hit Music, said in a statement: “We hope that ‘Seven’ will bring your summer fun to the next level.”

BTS has officially been on hiatus since October as the members fulfill their mandatory military service in South Korea, but members of the group have been dropping solo projects. BTS celebrated its 10th anniversary this month, and to mark the milestone, released new single “Take Two” on June 9.

Jungkook previously performed with BTS as part of GMA’s 2021 summer concert series. The GMA summer concert series lineup also includes Fitz and the Tantrums; Carly Rae Jepsen; Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe and Remy Ma (who will perform a special tribute celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop); Hozier; Tim McGraw and Sam Hunt.

Editorial credit: Silvia Elizabeth Pangaro / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Britney Spears reveals cover and release date for her memoir ‘The Woman In Me’

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Britney Spears’ memoir, ‘Britney Spears’ The Woman in Me’ will be released Oct. 24 by Gallery Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. The 41-year-old singer shared the cover and release date for the book on social media, saying the book will tell ‘her story on her own terms’ along with the simple caption: 10.24.23

Gallery Books describes Spear’s memoir as “a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope.” On the book’s website, Gallery writes, “In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history. Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last.”

Gallery Books SVP and publisher Jennifer Bergstrom said in a statement to People: “Britney’s compelling testimony in open court shook the world, changed laws, and showed her inspiring strength and bravery. I have no doubt her memoir will have a similar impact — and will be the publishing event of the year. We couldn’t be more proud to help share her story at last.”

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes: Chris Janson's summer sale + Brad Paisley on 'Today'

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Chris Janson‘s merch store is having a summer sale right now. Shop your favorite T-shirts and koozies now at store.chrisjanson.com.

Brad Paisley will perform on Today‘s Citi Concert Series on Friday, July 14. Be sure to tune in.

Corey Kent has added new T-shirts to his merch store, with all of them priced at $30. Check it out at shop.coreykentofficial.com.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Thomas Rhett to release new collection with Tecovas

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Country superstar Thomas Rhett is teaming up with cowboy boots and Western-style apparel retailer Tecovas to launch the new Thomas Rhett x Tecovas Collection.

The announcement arrived on July 11 via a collaborative Instagram reel on Thomas and Tecovas’ profiles.

“Back in 2019 two buds bonded over a love of cowboy boots. Fast forward and they have a full collaboration launching!” Tecovas captions the post. “Mark your calendars, The Thomas Rhett x Tecovas Collection is coming July 20th [eyes emoji].”

Interested in this collection? Then head over to tecovas.com to register your interest and be notified as soon as it drops.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Nate Smith drops fiery “World on Fire” video

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Nate Smith has released the music video for his anthemic new single, “World on Fire.”

Directed by Chris Ashlee, the scorching visualizer features Nate performing the heartbreak tune with his band in a room surrounded by fire.

“I was thrilled when Chris Ashlee turned in the treatment for the music video because it would give fans an idea of what the energy is like at a live show!” shares Nate. 

“I wrote ‘World On Fire’ alongside Ashley Gorley, Taylor Phillips, and producer Lindsay Rimes,” he adds. “The song touches on aspects of the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, CA, but is used as a metaphor for a failed relationship.”

“World on Fire” is the second single off Nate’s self-titled debut album, which dropped in April. The 26-track project also includes his #1 hit, “Whiskey On You.”

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town + more to perform at ATLive

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This year’s ATLive lineup has been announced, and it’s stacked with country superstars.

George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Willie Nelson & Family and Little Big Town are slated to perform on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium stage in Atlanta on Saturday, October 21. 

“We are extremely excited to once again bring an incredible lineup of artists to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for ATLive,” shares Doug Roberts, AMB Sports and Entertainment’s vice-president of stadium events and premium sales. “The ATLive concert series has quickly become one of the can't-miss concert events of the year and we look forward to welcoming fans of both Latin and Country music for two great nights at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in October.”

The two-night festival kicks off Friday, October 20, with performances from several award-winning Latin artists.

Tickets go on sale Friday, July 21, at 10 a.m. ET via Ticketmaster. To register for the presale on Wednesday, July 19, visit atliveconcertseries.com.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.