Month: December 2023

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Go Country 105

It's a birthday + #1 hit celebration for Jelly Roll

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Jelly Roll enjoyed a double celebration on his birthday this year.

The hitmaker, who turned 39, celebrated another trip around the sun and his Lainey Wilson-assisted single, “Save Me,” topping the country charts.

“I couldn't ask for a better birthday. Im surrounded by family that loves me. I write songs and sing them for a living and right now I celebrate having the number 1 song on Country Radio with my sister Lainey Wilson,” Jelly captioned his Instagram post, which featured a selfie of him and his dog, and a video of his family singing “Happy Birthday” to him.

“God is incredible – thanks for all the love,” the reigning CMA New Artist of the Year added. “My wife was waiting for me with my daughter, niece, nephew in law and of course all the dogs when I got home at midnight last night to sing me happy birthday- WHAT A YEAR!”

“Save Me” is off Jelly’s Whitsitt Chapel and follows the album’s chart-topping lead single, “Need a Favor.”

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Brad Paisley brings “the Mountains” to Fallon

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Brad Paisley stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday, December 4, to catch up with Jimmy on life, his music plans and more.

When Jimmy asked about the possibility of a new album, Brad shared that while it’s in the works, a release date has yet to be decided on.

“At this point, I’m still trying to decide what all makes it and what sucks,” Brad said.

A collaboration with Post Malone, whom he recently shared a photo with, might happen as well.

“He’s amazing. I love him. He’s the greatest guy and he loves country music,” said the “We Danced” singer. “We’ll see if we do something.”

Brad later performed a song he wrote for his wedding and “Son of the Mountains,” the title track of his forthcoming full-length record.

While you wait for Brad’s upcoming album, you can check out Son Of The Mountains: The First Four Tracks wherever you enjoy music.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Darius Rucker receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Darius Rucker was honored on Monday, December 4, as he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Grammy-winning singer, who is best known as the lead singer and guitarist of Hootie & the Blowfish, and for songs like “Wagon Wheel” and “True Believers,” was celebrated by his friends and family, including his children and his bandmates.

Rucker's star, which is the 2,766th star on Hollywood Boulevard in the category of recording, has a special location on the iconic street: It is located near his mentor, Charley Pride.

“This is stuff you don't even dream about when you're from South Carolina,” Rucker began. “You know, struggling, growing up, and just wanting to be a singer — that's all I ever wanted to be was a singer. But you never dream that this stuff is going to happen.”

“I'm walking the streets the other day, and I'm seeing Marilyn Monroe and Charley Pride and seeing Buddy Hackett, and I'm just like, these are names that are stuck in my mind because they were big stars,” he continued. “To be here, right here with a star on the Walk of Fame, I said over there, it's the biggest thing that's happened to me.”

The singer also thanked his children, and his ex-wife, Beth Leonard, who he said “raised my kids while I was out chasing my dream.”

“Carrie, Dani and Jack are my heart, they're my soul,” Rucker said about his children, Daniella Rose Rucker, Jack Rucker and Caroline Rucker. “They're everything to me and everything I do is for them.”

You can check out the photos and more on Darius’ Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Good Morning America.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

Stabbing attack at Philadelphia Macy’s kills 1 security guard, injures one other

Macy's building in downtown Philadelphia's Center District; September^19^ 2023

Police in Philadelphia have arrested a suspect in a deadly stabbing that left one security guard dead and another injured on Monday morning at the city’s historic Macy’s department store in Philadelphia, located in the 1300 block of Market Street in Center City.

Interim police commissioner John Stanford said on Monday that the incident began around 10:45 a.m. when a man allegedly attempted to steal multiple hats from the store. After the man was stopped by security, there was a  confrontation and the security guards retrieved the stolen merchandis, with the man allowed to leave – only to return about 15 minutes later.  The suspect headed toward one of the security guards, then ran toward a second security guard with a knife out and began to stab him, at which point he suffered several slash/stab wounds. Stanford said one security guard, a 30-year-old male, was stabbed in the neck and died from his injuries. The second security guard, 23, was stabbed in the arm and face and was listed in stable condition.

Philadelphia police said transit law enforcement apprehended the suspect at the SEPTA’s rapid transit train Somerset Station. Authorities have yet to release the identify of the suspect or victims.

Editorial credit: Florida Chuck / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Former U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia arrested on charges of spying for Cuba for decades

Seal of Justice Department seen during press conference at US Attorney Office library

73-year-old Manuel Rocha, a former American diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to Bolivia, has been arrested in a long-running FBI counterintelligence investigation. Rocha, who is accused of secretly serving as an agent of Cuba’s government, was arrested in Miami on Friday on a criminal complaint.

Rocha’s 25-year diplomatic career was spent under both Democratic and Republican administrations, much of it in Latin America during the Cold War. His roles included a stint at the U.S. Interests Section in Cuba during a time when the U.S. lacked full diplomatic relations with Fidel Castro’s communist government.

Born in Colombia, Rocha was the top U.S. diplomat in Argentina between 1997 and 2000. During his time as ambassador to Bolivia, he intervened directly into the 2002 presidential race, warning weeks ahead of the vote that the U.S. would cut off assistance to the poor South American country if it were to elect former coca grower Evo Morales. Rocha also served in Italy, Honduras, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and worked as a Latin America expert for the National Security Council.

Following his retirement from the State Department, Rocha began a second career serving as the president of a gold mine in the Dominican Republic partly owned by Canada’s Barrick Gold. He’s also held senior roles at XCoal, a Pennsylvania-based coal exporter; Clover Leaf Capital, a company formed to facilitate mergers in the cannabis industry; law firm Foley & Lardner and Spanish public relations firms Llorente & Cuenca.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said on Monday, “This action exposes one of the furthest reaching and longest-lasting infiltrations of the U.S. government by a foreign agent.” Rocha’s initial appearance in court took place Monday, and he will be arraigned later this month.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Luke Combs loves his “crazy busy” life as a father of two

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Earlier in August, Luke Combs and wife, Nicole, welcomed their second baby boy, Beau Lee. 

While the country superstar is overjoyed to be a father of two, juggling work, family life and everything in between is something he’s still getting used to.
 
“It’s wild. I’ll tell you that much. It’s crazy busy, but it’s so much fun,” Luke tells ABC Audio. “We’re really enjoying it. Me and Nicole. And we’re still trying to figure out how we have time to do everything.”

“For me to go to work and [for] her still be able to have time to not go insane. It’s tough. It’s a challenge,” he shares. “But man, we love it so much and wouldn’t trade it for the world.” 

Luke’s currently #14 and rising the country charts with his latest single, “Where the Wild Things Are.”

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Cole Swindell shares lineup for his 2024 ‘Win The Night Tour’

Cole Swindell at Bridgestone Arena on June 5^ 2019 in Nashville^ Tennessee.

Cole Swindell announced he will kick off the “Win The Night Tour” beginning May 2024 in Canada, and will also be making stops across the U.S. stops later that month.  The announcement of the ‘Win The Night Tour’ comes as Swindell readies his fifth full-length studio album.

In addition, Swindell also revealed a star-studded lineup for his 2024 headlining tour, with hitmaker Dylan Scott joining Swindell along with Jon Langston, Lily Rose, Mackenzie Carpenter, Meghan Patrick and Restless Road on select dates.  Swindell posted on Instagram: “Can’t wait to see everyone in 2024 on the Win The Night Tour! Excited to have my friends Dylan Scott, Jon Langston, Lily Rose, Mackenzie Carpenter, Meghan Patrick, and Restless Road out with us. Gonna be a fun Summer 🤝 Tickets on sale Fri 12/8 (10am local).”

Swindell said in a statement: “My band and crew on the road have been a big reason for the successes in my career and I never take that for granted. It is our goal every single night to give the fans the best show we can, so the last three words we say before stepping on stage is ‘Win The Night.’ This one is for my band, my crew, my team and for the ones that continue to show up- the fans! We can’t wait to get out there in 2024 with Dylan and Jon Langston, Lily Rose, Mackenzie Carpenter, Meghan Patrick and Restless Road.

Tickets go on sale Friday (December 8); for information, head here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

Scotty McCreery invited to become member of the Grand Ole Opry

Scotty McCreery at the 2016 American Country Countdown Awards at the Forum in Inglewood^ USA^ 2016.

Scotty McCreery was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry by Opry member Garth Brooks, who surprised McCreery onstage during his spotlight artist performance at the Opry Country Christmas show over the weekend. The Opry posted the news on social media: “BREAKING: @garthbrooks has just invited @scottymccreery to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry! 🎁”

Video clips show Garth walking onto the stage handing McCreery a wrapped gift, saying: “Merry Christmas. This is a Christmas present to the Grand Ole Opry… We would love to invite you to be the newest member of the Opry.”

McCreery replied: “Holy cow. Yes, I would love to. I grew up listening to your records Garth and you’re a part of what made me want to do this for a living and I didn’t think that dream would become a reality, but it is because of all of y’all sitting in this house tonight. God bless y’all … When I got started doing this people asked, ‘what are your goals,’ and I’d say ‘one day I’d like to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry.’” 

Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers shared: “We’re thrilled to extend this much-anticipated invitation to our friend Scotty. Whether he’s on the Opry performing his hits, putting his spin on some old favorites during a performance on one of our Opry Country Classics shows, or offering a holiday set as he did tonight, Scotty consistently delivers and is always at home on the Opry stage. It’ll be exciting to hear the words ‘Scotty McCreery, you’re a member of the Grand Ole Opry!’ in the early days of 2024.”

McCreery’s Grand Ole Opry induction date has yet-to-be announced, but will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Ashanti is pregnant, expecting first child with boyfriend Nelly

Nelly and Ashanti at Cipriani Wall Street on April 26^ 2012 in New York City.

Us Weekly confirmed that singer Ashanti, 43, is pregnant with her first child after rekindling her romance with boyfriend Nelly, 49, earlier this year.

Ashanti and Nelly dated on and off from 2003-2013; this past April, the duo went public and were seen holding hands at a boxing match in Las Vegas, later in October they went Instagram official with Nelly wishing his longtime love a happy birthday with a slideshow of photos and the caption: “One time for the birthday girl. Such a beautiful, an incredible person inside and out and one of the hardest working women. I know.. @ashanti Enjoy your day Ma you look awesome!!!! Happy Birthday Love ya!!!!”

Ashanti sparked pregnancy speculation over the weekend when she attended Nelly’s Black and White Ball in St. Louis. According to a fan video shared by TMZ, Ashanti put her hand on her stomach while on stage with Nelly and he did the same, and the couple broke into laughter after hinting they were expecting.

The baby will be Ashanti’s first child; Nelly, 49, shares daughter Chanelle, 29, and son Cornell Haynes III, 24, with his ex, Channetta Valentine.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Beyoncé shares surprise new song “My House”

Beyonce at the World premiere of 'The Lion King' held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood^ USA on July 9^ 2019.

Beyoncé has released her first new solo music since the release of her 2022 album Renaissance with the surprise new track titled “My House.” Produced by The-Dream and Beyoncé herself, ‘My House’ dropped as part of the debut of her new documentary film ‘Renaissance’, appearing during the credits of the film.

Beyoncé’s Rennaisance film follows the superstar entertainer for a year of live shows in support of the 2022 album of the same name. The Rennaisance tour began back in May, making its way across Europe and North America. The Rennaisance film took the No. 1 spot at the North American box office this weekend with $21M in earnings.

Take a listen to ‘My House’ – here.

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com