Month: July 2023

Maddie & Tae's Maddie enters third trimester, talks pregnancy + cravings

Post author By abookbinder
Post date July 7, 2023
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Maddie & Tae‘s Maddie Font has entered the final trimester of her pregnancy and is excited about the impending arrival of her first child in September.

So far, “pregnancy has been good” for the country singer, except for having to endure the summer heat “with a big belly.”

“We are mostly prepped,” shares Maddie, before admitting to “indulging” in some of her favorite sweet treats.

“I haven't had any weird cravings, but I have been indulging. I'm in my third trimester, so I really only get to eat like crap for the next 12 weeks,” she says with a laugh. “Regular Oreos, ice cream, snow cones. Oh, all the good things!”

In April, Maddie shared that she and her husband, Jonah Font, were expecting their first child – a son.

On the music front, Maddie & Tae recently released their powerful new song, “Heart They Didn't Break.”

Go Country 105

Lauren Alaina drops romantic “Just Wanna Know That You Love Me”

Post author By abookbinder
Post date July 7, 2023
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Lauren Alaina has dropped new song “Just Wanna Know That You Love Me.”

The romantic ode, which Brandy Clark, Joybeth Taylor and Sam Ellis wrote, arrives after Lauren premiered it on ABC’S The Bachelorette July 3.

“I don’t need that house custom built, painted white/ With a wraparound porch and a swing/ I don’t need the riches that money can buy/ I just wanna know that you love me/ I just wanna know that you love me,” Lauren sings in the piano ballad.

“Just Wanna Know That You Love Me” is Lauren’s latest release and follows her six-song Unlocked EP, which arrived in June.

Go Country 105

Ashley McBryde dedicates “Made For This” to touring musicians, military members + more

Post author By abookbinder
Post date July 7, 2023
No Comments on Ashley McBryde dedicates “Made For This” to touring musicians, military members + more

Ashley McBryde has released a rocking new song, “Made For This.”

The anthemic track was penned by Ashley and hit songwriter Travis Meadows, and was inspired by Ashley’s life as a touring artist.

“Travis Meadows and I wrote ‘Made For This,’ and at the time, I was still touring in a van and he was using his truck, so we definitely had touring and the life of musicians top of mind,” shares Ashley.

“But this song reaches beyond that. It's not just touring musicians and bands and crews who are on the road 200+ days a year who are ‘calling home for a telephone goodnight kiss,'” she explains. “It's also members of our military, our truck drivers and those that work long or odd hours sacrificing time with their family. We're lucky we're made for this.”

“Made For This” is the latest preview of Ashley’s forthcoming album, The Devil I Know. Due out September 8, the 11-song record will include its lead single, “Light On In The Kitchen,” which is #25 and rising on the country charts.

The Devil I Know is available for preorder now.

Go Country 105

Miranda Lambert + Leon Bridges head to a dive bar for “If You Were Mine” video

Post author By abookbinder
Post date July 7, 2023
No Comments on Miranda Lambert + Leon Bridges head to a dive bar for “If You Were Mine” video

Miranda Lambert and Leon Bridges have dropped the official music video for their duet, “If You Were Mine.”

The visualizer opens with Miranda and Leon observing a lovey-dovey couple across the dive bar, before taking the stage to deliver their tune about one-sided romance.

“I’d make sure your stars are shining/ Sure as the Frio’s winding/ I’d bottle you up like lightning/ I’d rope the moon for you/ A million times/ That’s what I’d do/ If you were mine,’ the Texas natives harmonize in the chorus.

Fans can watch the live performance debut of Miranda and Leon’s “If You Were Mine” on the upcoming CMA Fest television special, airing Wednesday, July 19, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

While you wait, be sure to watch the “If You Were Mine” music video on YouTube.

Go Country 105

Tim McGraw + Sam Hunt to perform on 'GMA' Summer Concert Series

Post author By abookbinder
Post date July 7, 2023
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The performance lineup for Good Morning America‘s 2023 Summer Concert Series has been revealed.

Among the artists performing are country music’s own Tim McGraw and Sam Hunt.

Tim and Sam will take the stage at New York City’s Central Park on August 25 and September 1, respectively. Tim’s new album, Standing Room Only, is slated to drop on the same day as well, so you can expect him to celebrate it in style.

Other artists appearing in the concert series include Fitz and the Tantrums, Carly Rae Jepsen and Hozier, who dueted with Maren Morris on “The Bones” in 2019.

For the full lineup and to request for tickets to Tim and Sam’s shows, visit goodmorningamerica.com.

News Daypop

Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, which slows disease progression, gets full FDA approval

Post author By Staff
Post date July 7, 2023
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The Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) announced they have fully approved the first drug shown to slow down Alzheimer’s disease. Leqembi, whose generic name is lecanemab, should be widely covered by the federal Medicare health insurance program, which primarily serves adults age 65 and older – meaning more people who are in the early stages of the disease will have access to the drug, and will be able to afford it.

Leqembi comes from the Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai, and its U.S. partner Biogen. The companies have said Leqembi will cost about $26,500 a year. In studies reviewed by the FDA, Leqembi appeared to slow declines in memory and thinking by about 27% after 18 months of treatment. It also dramatically reduced the sticky beta-amyloid plaques that tend to build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s.

In January, the drug received what’s known as accelerated approval from the FDA, based on its ability to remove the substance beta-amyloid from the brains of people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Full or traditional approval reflects the FDA’s assessment that Leqembi also helps preserve memory and thinking. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced in January it would broaden coverage of Leqembi on the same day the drug received full FDA approval. That should mean the drug will now be covered for most Medicare patients with early signs of cognitive problems and elevated levels of amyloid. Under the expanded coverage, a million or more Medicare patients are potential candidates for the drug. Leqembi requires an initial test to determine amyloid levels in the brain, intravenous infusions every other week, and periodic brain scans to detect side effects.

Dr . Sanjeev Vaishnavi, director of clinical research at the Penn Memory Center, said: “It’s not something that’s going to stop the disease or reverse it. But it may slow down progression of the disease and may give people more meaningful time with their families … It’s very exciting that we’re targeting the actual pathology of the disease.”

Editorial credit: Atthapon Raksthaput / Shutterstock.com

News Daypop

Houston man found after 8 years was ‘never missing’ and at home

Post author By Staff
Post date July 7, 2023
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Houston police said that the 25-year-old man who was ‘located safe’ after allegedly disappearing eight years ago was never really missing, and has been living with his mother most of this time. The man, Rudolph “Rudy” Farias, was found alive at a Houston church roughly 8 miles from his family’s home over the weekend, after he seemingly vanished as a teenager eight years ago. However shortly after the news broke, community members began to raise questions about whether he was ever truly missing.

Police said on Thursday that Farias’ mother, Janie Santana, reported her then 17-year-old son missing on March 7, 2015. While he returned home the following day, on March 8, his mother continued to deceive police by claiming he was still missing. Lt. Christopher Zamora of the homicide division’s missing persons unit at the Houston Police Department said at a news conference Thursday: “During the eight-year time frame where he was missing, investigators followed up on many tips, leads, collected evidence proving that Rudy was not missing during the eight-year period. Many of these facts included contacts and statements with relatives, friends, neighbors and medical professionals.”

Zamora told reporters that there were multiple times when police officers spoke with the young man and he allegedly gave them fake names: “He made contact with patrol officers out on the street. However, during these contacts, fictitious names and dates of birth were given misleading officers, and Rudy would remain missing. In fact, both Janie (Santana), Rudy’s mother, and Rudy himself gave fictitious names while interacting with various patrol officers. After investigators talked with him yesterday, it was discovered that he returned home the following day, on March 8, 2015.” When Farias was seen coming and going from the house over the years, Santana identified him as a nephew and not her allegedly missing son.

Santana said in a statement after Farias was ‘discovered’ that he was nonverbal and unable to communicate, adding that a good Samaritan discovered him and immediately called authorities. Zamora added: “Rudy is safe. He is with his mother by choice. He’s a 25-year-old man.” Police Chief Troy Finner said he doesn’t know why Farias’ mother allegedly maintained that her son was missing all of this time, and when asked if Farias was a victim or a potential suspect, Chief Finner declined to say: “The investigation is still going on … and I’m not going to say if he’s a victim or not.”

Editorial credit: Artistic Operations / Shutterstock.com

Go Country 105

Chayce Beckham recalls being mobbed by a bachelorette party in Nashville: “It was very traumatic”

Post author By abookbinder
Post date July 7, 2023
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Bachelorette parties have become synonymous with Nashville’s Broadway scene. Every weekend, groups of bridesmaids land on the streets of Music City USA to enjoy the bars, party buses and infamous paddle taverns.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, American Idol season 19 winner Chayce Beckham crossed paths with them when he arrived in town after the show, albeit unexpectedly.

“I was in a hotel, The Graduate Hotel in Nashville, after Idol and I was meeting the record label. All the bridesmaids were in town. I was in the elevator going down to get some Popeyes chicken that I ordered to the lobby, and I got mobbed by, like, 20 bridesmaids,” Chayce recalls to ABC Audio. “They, like, attacked me. It was very traumatic [and] traumatizing.”

He attempted to avoid the impromptu meet-and-greet by pretending he wasn’t Chayce Beckham, but his Popeyes order gave him in.

“I told them I wasn’t Chayce and then I got the chicken and the guy was like, ‘Is this chicken for Chayce?’ And they’re like, ‘We knew that you were Chayce!’ It was a whole thing. But that was rough. I got back upstairs [and] I was like, ‘Mom, I don’t want to go back out there,'” he adds with a laugh.

Chayce is on the road with Luke Bryan this summer on Luke’s Country On Tour and Farm Tour 2023.

His current single, “23,” is #34 and rising on the country charts.

Country Daypop

Gabby Barrett features her family in the video for ‘Glory Days’

Post author By Staff
Post date July 7, 2023
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Gabby Barrett is featuring her husband, Cade Foehner, and two children, Baylah May, 2, and Augustine Boone, 8 months, in the new music video for her song “Glory Days,” directed by Alexa Campbell and co-produced by Barrett and Taylor Vermillion. Barrett said that when she saw the video for the first time, she “couldn’t stop smiling … Seeing my sweet family in this video just melts my heart. I feel so unbelievably blessed.”

The “American Idol” alum said that the song ‘Glory Days” is so personal to her, which is why she wanted her family to co-star in the music video: “What you see literally are my ‘Glory Days’ right now. It’s sitting on the porch and reading the Bible with my husband or rocking my baby to sleep. This video perfectly brings the lyrics to life.” Barrett added: “Just filming with our kids for the first time is something I’ll never forget. We had so much fun during the water balloon fight and were absolutely drenched after filming. The whole shoot we couldn’t stop laughing! … We can all get so caught up in living for the future that we forget to cherish the moments we have right now. I hope that’s the takeaway, to be grateful for what you have.”

“Glory Days” is the first release from Barrett’s upcoming sophomore album, and is the follow-up to her songs “I Hope,” “The Good Ones” and “Pick Me Up.” Take a look at the video for “Glory Days” – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Country Daypop

Luke Combs earns 16th career No. 1 with “Fast Car”

Post author By Staff
Post date July 7, 2023
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Luke Combs’ cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” is No. 1 on country radio — marking Combs’ 16th career No. 1 at country radio and his 15th No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

“Fast Car” hit the top of the charts after just 11 weeks, matching Morgan Wallen’s rise to his recent No. 1, “Last Night.” When counting Combs’ appearance on Jameson Rogers’ No. 1 hit “Cold Beer Calling My Name,” Fast Car technically marks Combs’ 17th time reaching the top of the charts.

The 33-year-old Combs shared the personal significance of “Fast Car” to him: “[It’s] my first favorite song probably ever. I remember listening to that song with my dad in his truck when I was probably four years old. He had a cassette, a tape of it, and we had this old brown camper top F-150. We rode around that thing, and he had a tape cassette player in there, and I have the original cassette — my dad brought it to me a couple of years ago… I have the one, and I have it in my shop The only music I have in my shop is a cassette player. I love to go to antique stores, and just you can get a bunch of cassette tapes for 50 cents, and some of the best records of all time are on cassette.”

Combs’ extensive 2023 World Tour kicked off on March 25 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and runs through October 19, where it will wrap up in London, England at The O2 Arena. Riley Green, Lainey Wilson, Flatland Cavalry, and Brent Cobb serve as support on the North American tour dates, while special guests on the Australian and New Zealand dates include Cody Johnson and Lane Pittman.

Luke Combs scores 16th consecutive No 1 hit

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com