Month: November 2023

Ivanka Trump testifies she wasn’t involved in documents relating to father’s civil fraud trial

Post author By Staff
Post date November 9, 2023
No Comments on Ivanka Trump testifies she wasn’t involved in documents relating to father’s civil fraud trial

Former president Trump’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, testified Wednesday that she was not involved in fraudulent Trump Organization financial statements. Ivanka Trump’s testimony began Wednesday in the New York civil business fraud trial against her father, brothers and the Trump Organization, where she stated she had not worked for the business since 2017.

When Ivanka was asked about a financial statement that has been deemed fraudulent by Judge Arthur Engoron, she said she was not involved and doesn’t know what valuations it contained; however under questioning by the New York attorney general’s office lawyer Louis Solomon, Ivanka Trump admitted she was paid a profit from the Trump Organization 2022 sale of the Old Post Office Building in Washington. Ivanka Trump repeatedly replied “I don’t recall” while on the witness stand, when asked about documents as well as letters and emails she wrote presented to her by the attorney general’s lawyer questioning her. As Solomon continued his questioning about business transactions more than a decade old, Ivanka Trump told Solomon she had given him the same answers to these questions a year and a half ago.

Ivanka Trump was dropped as a defendant in the case when an appeals court ruled her work at the Trump Organization happened too long ago; however, New York Attorney General Letitia James told reporters Wednesday morning that Ivanka is “inextricably tied to the Trump Organization.” Ivanka Trump once served as the executive vice president of the Trump Organization before she became a senior White House adviser after Trump won the 2016 election, forcing her to step away from her role in the family business.

Ivanka is the last Trump to testify in the penalty phase of the $250 million civil fraud trial against her father Donald Trump after he was found liable for inflating the value of his real estate properties in New York. Since her father left office in 2021, Ivanka Trump has neither sought public office nor taken part in his 2024 campaign.

Editorial credit: mark reinstein / Shutterstock.com

Go Country 105

It's a 'Bell Bottom Country' and we're just living in it: Lainey Wilson takes top prizes at the CMA Awards

Post author By abookbinder
Post date November 9, 2023
No Comments on It's a 'Bell Bottom Country' and we're just living in it: Lainey Wilson takes top prizes at the CMA Awards

From Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning hosted Wednesday night’s 57th annual CMA Awards, honoring some of the biggest stars in country music.

Lainey Wilson was a big winner of the night taking home the highly coveted Entertainer of the Year. The win marks the first time a woman has won the award since Taylor Swift in 2011.

“I’ve been in this town for 12-and-a-half years and it finally feels like country music, it’s starting to love me back. I love it with my whole heart,” Wilson said during her acceptance speech.

Wilson also snagged Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for Bell Bottom Country, and her collab with HARDY, “wait in the truck,” won Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year.

Luke Combs also made out well thanks to his hit “Fast Car,” written by Tracy Chapman, which took home Single of the Year and Song of the Year, while Chris Stapleton claimed Male Vocalist of the Year.

Kicking off the night’s star-studded performances was Jelly Roll, joined by country great Wynonna Judd, with his hit “Need a Favor.” Bryan also hit the stage with a medley of his hits including “One Margarita,” “That’s My Kind of Night,” and “Play It Again.”

Morgan Wallen and Eric Church appeared for the television premiere of their collaboration “Man Made a Bar” and, later in the show, Wallen teamed up with Post Malone and HARDY to perform a medley of country classics.

Other country stars like Ashley McBryde, Cody Johnson, Luke Combs, Kelsea Ballerini, Jordan Davis, Alan Jackson, Megan Moroney and Carly Pearce also took a turn on the CMA stage.

Coming full circle, Jelly Roll closed out the show with The Judds‘ “Love Can Build a Bridge” with some help from R&B artist K. Michelle.

Pop Daypop

Olivia Rodrigo drops “Can’t Catch Me Now” from ‘Hunger Games’ soundtrack

Post author By Staff
Post date November 9, 2023
No Comments on Olivia Rodrigo drops “Can’t Catch Me Now” from ‘Hunger Games’ soundtrack

Olivia Rodrigo has shared her new song “Can’t Catch Me Now” off the soundtrack for the upcoming film The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, arriving on November 17, the day of the movie’s release.

Rodrigo shared on Instagram: “yayayayyyy!!!! my new song “Can’t Catch Me Now” from the @thehungergames is out now. the film and the rest of the soundtrack are out November 17th!!!!! hope ya dig “

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes also features new music from Rachel Zegler, Molly Tuttle, Billy Strings, Sierra Ferrell, Flatland Cavalry, Bella White, and Charles Wesley Godwin.

Take a listen to “Can’t Catch Me Now” – here.
Pre-order The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (Music From & Inspired By) – here.

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

Pop Daypop

Megan Thee Stallion shares the video for “Cobra”

Post author By Staff
Post date November 9, 2023
No Comments on Megan Thee Stallion shares the video for “Cobra”

Megan Thee Stallion has dropped the video for her latest song, her first single under Megan’s new independent music and entertainment entity, Hot Girl Productions (since formally cutting ties with 1501 Certified Entertainment). The music video for ‘Cobra,’ directed by Douglas Bernardt, sees Megan crawling out of a snake’s mouth, peels off a layer of her skin, and performs a dance routine to a guitar solo.

“Cobra” follows Megan Thee Stallion’s collab with Cardi B, “Bongos” and her Dicks: The Musical contribution “Out Alpha the Alpha.” Megan said of the song: “Cobras exemplify courage and self-reliance. They stand tall and fierce in the face of challenges, teaching one to tap into their inner strength and rely on oneself to conquer their treats. Emulating the cobra helps one be more confident in the person they are within.”

Take a look at the video for ‘Cobra’ – here.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Go Country 105

57th annual CMA Awards: The winners

Post author By abookbinder
Post date November 8, 2023
No Comments on 57th annual CMA Awards: The winners

The biggest names in country music were honored at the 57th annual Country Music Association Awards Wednesday night, hosted once again by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning.

Here is the complete list of winners:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Lainey Wilson

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“Fast Car,” Luke Combs

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Bell Bottom Country, Lainey Wilson

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Fast Car”

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Lainey Wilson

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Chris Stapleton

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Old Dominion

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brothers Osborne

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
“wait in the truck,” HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson)

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Jenee Fleenor

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“wait in the truck,” HARDY (feat. Lainey Wilson)

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jelly Roll

Go Country 105

HARDY is hoping “Wait in the Truck” wins CMA Song of the Year

Post author By abookbinder
Post date November 8, 2023
No Comments on HARDY is hoping “Wait in the Truck” wins CMA Song of the Year

“Wait in the Truck” notched early wins for Musical Event and Music Video of the Year ahead of the 2023 CMA Awards broadcast.

It’s still in the running for two more awards: Single and Song of the Year, the latter of which HARDY‘s hoping will emerge victorious this year.

“A huge, huge goal of mine is to win Song of the Year. I’ve checked a lot of stuff off of my goal list or my music industry bucket list, and I do not have a Song of the Year yet,” HARDY tells ABC Audio. “I really want [one], I’m not going lie. So maybe, maybe this is the year. Who knows?”

The 57th CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, November 8, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Go Country 105

Brothers Osborne on their longtime CMA Awards love

Post author By abookbinder
Post date November 8, 2023
No Comments on Brothers Osborne on their longtime CMA Awards love

Brothers Osborne have already notched five wins for CMA Vocal Duo of the Year, and they’re nominated for their sixth one this year.

In a recent interview with ABC Audio, the pair’s John and TJ discussed their longstanding CMA love and the potential secret to their victories.

“I would guess, like, we’re really good huggers, and we like to give people a good hug. I’m telling you, that goes a long way,” John says in jest. “But I don’t know. I mean, we do our thing. I don’t really think about it too much.”

“We’ve been in Nashville for a long time,” adds TJ. “So, I think people have seen us around. John was in a different band before this. I was out doing solo stuff. And I think the fact that we’ve come here together as brothers and doing this and people have gotten to know us over the years, I don’t know. I guess they just want to see us do well. But I certainly appreciate it.”

The 57th CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, November 8, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Go Country 105

Cody Johnson's CMA Awards performance will feature an “elaborate stage plot”

Post author By abookbinder
Post date November 8, 2023
No Comments on Cody Johnson's CMA Awards performance will feature an “elaborate stage plot”

Cody Johnson‘s saddling up to take his latest single, “The Painter,” to the CMA Awards stage.

Speaking with ABC Audio recently, Cody teased his upcoming performance and shared what audiences can expect.

“This is probably the most elaborate stage plot I’ve ever used. There’s a lot of visual. I mean, I don’t want to give away too much. There’s going to be a lot of visual cues for it,” he shares. “There’s a lot going on onstage.”

Cody’s also excited and grateful to be stepping into Country Music’s Biggest Night as a Male Vocalist of the Year nominee.

“I was born with whatever I have. I’ve been singing since, really, before I could talk,” says Cody. “You know, I was trying to imitate people’s voices and it’s a God-given thing. And so to be nominated and I guess acknowledged for it, that means a lot.”

The 57th CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, November 8, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Go Country 105

HARDY on the importance of “Wait in the Truck” + jumping on “Lainey mania”

Post author By abookbinder
Post date November 8, 2023
No Comments on HARDY on the importance of “Wait in the Truck” + jumping on “Lainey mania”

HARDY and Lainey Wilson‘s “Wait in the Truck” has earned four nominations at the 2023 CMA Awards, two of which the song’s already won: Musical Event and Music Video of the Year.

“It’s important for me in my career, but I think also what it stands for and what it says is very important,” HARDY tells ABC Audio of his hit “murder ballad story song.” “I think once every ten years, there needs to be a song like that on the radio and to exist and do well because that’s the foundation that country music was built on, and I don’t think we should ever get too, too far away from that.”

Enlisting Lainey as his “Wait in the Truck” duet partner was an easy decision for him, one that played out well.

“Lainey and I were already so close and really, truly she and I had had a relationship with each other. We toured a ton together and I just knew that she was going to play that character so well and to be so convicting. And she did,” HARDY says.

“The whole ‘Lainey mania’ just worked out really well. She did [‘Wait in the Truck’] and then just immediately blew up right after that,” he notes. “I’m also just so proud of her and everything she’s done and she’s worked so hard. But selfishly, it was perfect timing for all that because she has really blown up. It’s amazing.”

The 57th CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, November 8, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Go Country 105

Old Dominion is keeping things fresh as a band

Post author By abookbinder
Post date November 8, 2023
No Comments on Old Dominion is keeping things fresh as a band

As reigning Vocal Group of the Year Old Dominion readies to step into Country Music’s Biggest Night, lead singer Matthew Ramsey shares how the band keeps things interesting every year.

“The music keeps it fresh for us. Just the excitement that we have around creating new music and performing it and touring and all of that. You know, if we were sort of complacent and not doing that, this wouldn’t really mean as much to us,” Matthew tells ABC Audio.

“This is like a sign that we’re doing the right things and we’re making the right choices musically and professionally,” he adds.

In addition to being Vocal Group and Musical Event of the Year nominees, Old Dominion will team with Megan Moroney to perform their latest single, “Can’t Break Up Now.”

The 57th CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, airs live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, November 8, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.