Month: November 2023

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Go Country 105

Luke Combs on Gettin' Old's CMA Album of the Year nod: “I'm really proud of this album”

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Luke Combs‘ Gettin’ Old is up for Album of the Year at the 2023 CMA Awards.

Out of the four albums Luke’s released, he says his latest effort is his favorite.

“That’s wild to think about, you know? [Gettin’ Old] is my favorite record that I’ve ever put out, probably. It was just hard [to choose] because I really love This One’s for You as well. But this is the one that I’m probably the most proud of,” Luke tells ABC Audio. “And hey, that means I probably won’t win, to be honest with you. But that’s OK. I’m really proud of this album either way.”

However, if Luke does win, he’ll gladly accept the award on behalf of everyone who’s worked hard on the 18-track record.

“Obviously, would love to take it home for all the people involved. My songwriting buddies; Jonathan [Singleton] and Chip [Matthews] who I produced this record with; all the musicians; just everybody,” he shares. “There’s so many people involved in that process, especially when you’re mostly writing your own stuff. And I have such great close relationships with all the guys that I write with, so I would love to take it home for them too.”

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.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

7 bystanders wounded in shooting at Texas college homecoming party

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Authorities outside of Houston were searching Monday for those responsible for a shooting at a large college homecoming party on Sunday night that injured seven bystanders.

The gunman opened fire following a fight at a trail ride event near the campus of Prairie View A&M University, about 50 miles northwest of downtown Houston. The Waller County Sheriff’s Office says gunfire broke out around 10 p.m. Sunday night; when detectives arrived at the “trail ride pasture party” and found two men, two women and a male minor had been shot. The sheriff’s office said that they all suffered gunshot wounds “to their lower extremities” that appeared not to be life threatening, according to the statement.

According to reports, more than 1,000 people attended the party and that police were called after an argument escalated into gunfire. Investigators are unclear on how many people opened fire but said each of those injured was a bystander. Promoters held the party in the open fields a short drive from the university’s campus, which had been approved by Waller County’s top officials, but the sheriff’s office also stated that “none of the security protocols that were established by the permitting body and agreed to by the promoter were found to be followed at the time of the incident.” The Waller Co. Sheriff’s Office posted this to Facebook, “The mass gathering was approved by the County Judge for the location of FM 362 and Cameron Rd. The party promoter agreed to follow the Judge’s instructions. Please avoid the area of FM 362 to avoid traffic due to people organizing parking in the approved pastures.”

Editorial credit: Fang Deng / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Donald Trump clashes with judge during testimony in civil fraud trial

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Former President Donald Trump took the stand in the penalty phase of his $250 million civil fraud trial in New York on Monday, and quickly became defensive after being sworn in. Trump called the prosecutors and “every other Democratic district attorney, AG, U.S. attorney — Trump haters,” adding that “the judge will rule against me because he will always rule against me.”

Weeks after Trump was found guilty of inflating the value of his real estate properties, Trump said during his testimony that he did believe that values of his statement of financial condition were off, “both high and low”. In response to a question from state attorney Kevin Wallace, Trump stated that his triplex apartment in Trump Tower was overvalued with a correction of about $200 million applied to his financial statement, but argued that the value of his “brand” — not a part of the financial statement — in the billions: “the most valuable asset was the brand value … I became president because of my brand.”

Judge Arthur Engoron attempted to redirect Trump, whose long-winded and off-topic responses on several occasions delayed testimony, and implored him to answer the questions posed to him.  Engoron said: “You can attack me — you can do whatever you want. Please just answer the questions.”

New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the case against Trump, is seeking at least $250 million for the fraud that she asserts inflated Donald Trump’s wealth by $2.2 billion. Trump’s testimony is being used to determine the amount of damages the former president will pay after Engoron issued a summary ruling that found Trump’s real estate business enriched itself by inflating the value of his real estate, including his hotels and golf clubs.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Peyton Manning is saddling up for a fun time hosting the CMA Awards

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With the 2023 CMA Awards just a day away, Peyton Manning is giving country fans a peek into what they can expect from the co-hosts on Country Music’s Biggest Night.

“Well, last year at the CMA Awards, I had a lot of fun and I think that was the main thing. And that’s my main goal again for this year when I host the CMA Awards, [it’s] to have a lot of fun and to smile and laugh,” says Peyton, who’s returning to co-host for a second time.

“I think if the audience sees the host laughing and having a good time, the audience will have a good time, as well. So I see that being pretty easy,” he shares. “With Luke Bryan as your co-host, it’s easy to laugh and easy to have fun.”

Luke ad-libbing is another reason to not miss the award show.

“I think audiences should tune in to Country Music’s Biggest Night at this year’s CMA Awards just to see what Luke Bryan says, to see if he goes off script. It could easily happen,” he notes. “I mean, I spent most of my time just trying to kind of nudge him, ‘No Luke, just read the teleprompter, do what we’ve talked about.'”

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

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Kane Brown releases reimagined version of ‘Blue Christmas’ featuring Elvis Presley

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Kane Brown has created a reimagined version of the late legendary Elvis Presley holiday classic, “Blue Christmas.” Brown shared the news on Instagram, writing: “Blue Christmas” ft. @elvis out now 💙”

Presley recorded “Blue Christmas” in the late 1950s, where it appeared on Elvis’ Christmas Album, a 12-track holiday collection which also included the holiday classics “White Christmas,” “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane),” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Silent Night” and more.

Take a listen to Kane Brown and Elvis Presley’s version of “Blue Christmas” – here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Post Malone added to CMA Awards lineup

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The Country Music Association has announced a second round of performers for the 2023 CMA Awards, with Post Malone, Morgan Wallen, Kelsea Ballerini among those newly added to the lineup.

CMA posted: “MORE PERFORMANCES! 🤩 Watch these stars take the #CMAawards stage –
@KelseaBallerini, @KennyChesney, @LukeCombs, @DanAndShay, @JordanCWDavis, @HARDYMusic, @OfficialJackson,@CodyJohnson, @PostMalone, @MacMcAnally, @AshleyMcBryde, @MorganWallen, @WarAndTreaty,and @ZacBrownBand!”

Along with Ballerini, Wallen and Malone, Luke Combs, Kenny Chesney, Dan and Shay, Jordan Davis, Hardy, Alan Jackson, Cody Johnson, Mac McAnally, Ashley McBryde, War and Treaty, and Zac Brown Band will appear during the ceremony.  The artists join previously announced performers Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll, Carly Pearce, K. Michelle, Little Big Town, Megan Moroney, Old Dominion, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson.

According to the CMA, Wallen and HARDY are set to team up with Post Malone for a ‘not-to-be-missed performance’ featuring a medley of beloved country classics. Wallen will return to the stage along with a yet-to-be announced surprise guest to perform a song from album, One Thing At A Time. Chesney, McAnally, Jackson and Zac Brown Band will perform a tribute to late singer Jimmy Buffet, while Ballerini will perform her song “Leave Me Again,” and Combs will perform his single “Where the Wild Things Are.”

The 57th annual ceremony will take place Nov. 8 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and air at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

Editorial credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Post Malone added to CMA Awards lineup

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The Country Music Association has announced a second round of performers for the 2023 CMA Awards, with Post Malone, Morgan Wallen, Kelsea Ballerini among those newly added to the lineup.

CMA posted: “MORE PERFORMANCES! 🤩 Watch these stars take the #CMAawards stage –
@KelseaBallerini, @KennyChesney, @LukeCombs, @DanAndShay, @JordanCWDavis, @HARDYMusic, @OfficialJackson,@CodyJohnson, @PostMalone, @MacMcAnally, @AshleyMcBryde, @MorganWallen, @WarAndTreaty,and @ZacBrownBand!”

Along with Ballerini, Wallen and Malone, Luke Combs, Kenny Chesney, Dan and Shay, Jordan Davis, Hardy, Alan Jackson, Cody Johnson, Mac McAnally, Ashley McBryde, War and Treaty, and Zac Brown Band will appear during the ceremony.  The artists join previously announced performers Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll, Carly Pearce, K. Michelle, Little Big Town, Megan Moroney, Old Dominion, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson.

According to the CMA, Wallen and HARDY are set to team up with Post Malone for a ‘not-to-be-missed performance’ featuring a medley of beloved country classics. Wallen will return to the stage along with a yet-to-be announced surprise guest to perform a song from album, One Thing At A Time. Chesney, McAnally, Jackson and Zac Brown Band will perform a tribute to late singer Jimmy Buffet, while Ballerini will perform her song “Leave Me Again,” and Combs will perform his single “Where the Wild Things Are.”

The 57th annual ceremony will take place Nov. 8 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and air at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

Editorial credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Fall Out Boy to celebrate ‘Take This To Your Grave’ with 20th anniversary reissue

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Fall Out Boy are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of their debut album, Take This To Your Grave, with a limited edition 36-page coffee table book and a blue vinyl. The vinyl, which features the unreleased demos ‘Colorado Song’ and ‘Jakus Song’, will be made available exclusively from the band’s website from December 15. Only 5,000 copies will be made available for purchase.

The band shared on their socials: “this is a special one 💙 celebrating the 20th anniversary of Take This To Your Grave a limited edition 36-page hardcover coffee table book + blue vinyl, featuring two unreleased demos (“Colorado Song” + “Jakus Song”). Only 5,000 copies were made, available exclusively in the FOB webstore. it’ll be out december 15th, ya know, right in time for the holidays. pre-order your copy now: http://Falloutboy.lnk.to/store”

The band are currently on the road for their UK run of dates on the ‘So Much For (Tour) Dust’ European headline tour, featuring PVRIS and nothing,nowhere as support.

Fall Out Boy announces limited edition ‘Take This to Your Grave’ vinyls

Editorial credit: Kobby Dagan / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes: Jo Dee Messina's 2024 tour + Kassi Ashton's “Genie in a Bottle”

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Jo Dee Messina has announced the second leg of her Heads Carolina, Tails California Tour. The 2024 trek kicks off February 3 in Key West, Florida, and includes a stop at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. For a full list of dates and tickets, visit jodeemessina.com.

Kassi Ashton has dropped her fan-requested country cover of Christina Aguilera‘s “Genie in a Bottle.” “The cover was born from me just singing the song around my house and wondering what it would sound like slowed and run through an organic country filter,” says Kassi. “It quickly became a go to cover song for us because the crowd response was more than I expected. My DMs started filling with requests for a recorded version.”

Kameron Marlowe‘s new track, “Tennessee Don’t Mind,” has arrived. “To me, Tennessee in this instance really represents Music City. There is a give and take with chasing this dream, and the past two years have been a whirlwind,” Kameron says of the Charles Kelly– and Daniel Tashian-penned tune.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Blake Shelton announces Ole Red Las Vegas

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Blake Shelton has announced that he’s opening his sixth and largest Ole Red bar in Las Vegas.

“This is gonna be the place to be!!!!!!!! @OleRed,” Blake shares on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“We’re in the thick of things down here, dead center,” the country star tells People during an interview on the Las Vegas strip where Ole Red Las Vegas will be located. “I couldn’t be more excited about this spot and what we have to offer people coming to Las Vegas looking for entertainment versus really anywhere else.”

“I’ve seen this phase of the process enough times to know that I can picture it now and there’s similarities to all the Ole Reds, and there’s some similarities to … Nashville with the balcony that looks down on the stage and the bar placement and all that stuff,” Blake shares.

“But it’s also just so much bigger,” he adds. “I mean, this is a giant, and so I don’t know that I would say I'm emotional, but it is overwhelming and it’s hard for me to take it all in right now and just accept that this is really happening and we’re almost to the finish line.”

Ole Red Las Vegas is slated to open in January 2024.

For all things Ole Red, visit olered.com.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.