Month: January 2024

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Go Country 105

Riley Green taps Tracy Lawrence + more for Duckman Jam at Flora-Bama

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Riley Green is headed to Pensacola, Florida, for his annual Duckman Jam at Flora-Bama.

Slated for April 12-13, the two-day festival will feature Riley as headliner with Tracy Lawrence, Jake Worthington, Drake White and Ella Langley serving as opening acts.

“Flora-Bama has always been a big deal to me. I've been going there since I was a young kid, sneaking in on vacation with my family. It's the first place I ever saw a writer's round,” shares Riley.

“I remember going down there as a teenager and standing by the stage, hoping to play. It's pretty exciting to go back and have my own two-day festival there,” he adds. “Having Tracy Lawrence and Drake White there will make it a really fun weekend.”

Tickets go on sale Friday, February 2, at 10 a.m. local time. Presale for Riley Green’s fan club begins Tuesday, January 30, at 10 a.m. local time.

Coming up, Riley will kick off his Ain’t My Last Rodeo Tour in Pikeville, Kentucky, on February 22. For tickets and a full list of dates, head to rileygreenmusic.com.

Riley and Luke Combs‘ “Different ‘Round Here” is currently #3 on the country charts.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

George Birge has his “Mind On” album #2

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George Birge is currently working on his sophomore album, the follow-up to George Birge: Mind On You.

The Texas native recently shared with fans photos of him in the recording studio, offering them a little glimpse into his next music chapter.

“Started makin a record today,” George captioned his Instagram carousel, which featured photos of him in a recording booth, behind a recording mixer and with studio musicians and his crew. George also teased an instrumental snippet of an unreleased song, “Okay Breakin’ Up.”

George recently notched his first career #1 with “Mind on You.”

Coming up, George will hit the road to open for Parker McCollum on select dates of his Burn It Down Tour. For tickets and a full list of dates, head to georgebirge.com. 

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Watch Conner Smith + Hailey Whitters' “Roulette on the Heart” video

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Conner Smith and Hailey Whitters have rolled out a music video for their new collab, “Roulette on the Heart.”

Out now, the video, which is directed by Conner’s brother and creative director Cooper Smith, features Conner and Hailey delivering their romantic ode in a charming cottage-style home.

“‘Roulette On The Heart’ is one of my favorite songs on the record,” says Conner. “Hailey Whitters is my dream duet partner and I feel honored that she wanted to be part of this special song.”

You can find “Roulette on the Heart” on Conner’s debut album, Smoky Mountains. Out now, the 12-track record includes “Creek Will Rise,” which is currently in the top 15 of the country charts. 

Coming up, Conner will perform “Creek Will Rise” on NBC’s Today on January 31.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Charges against Chris Young dropped

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Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk has dropped all charges against Chris Young after his arrest for allegedly assaulting a Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) agent.

WKRN News 2 reported the verdict on January 26 after Funk said his office had “reviewed all evidence in the case and determined all charged will be dismissed.”

“Mr. Young and I are gratified with the DA's decision clearing him of the charges and any wrong-doing,” Bill Ramsey, Young’s attorney, shared in a statement. 

“We respect General Funk's decision to drop the charges against Mr. Young,” the TABC said. “All law enforcement and first responders deserve to be safe while on duty. For your safety and theirs, we ask the public to not make physical contact or interfere with officers while they are working.”

Young was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and assault of an officer on January 22 and released January 23 “on bonds of $250 for the disorderly conduct charge, $1,000 for the resisting arrest charge and $1,250 for the assault charge,” according to People.

After video footage of the physical exchange was shared online, Ramsey made a statement.

“What happened to my client Chris Young at a bar in Nashville on Monday night was wrong and he never should have been arrested and charged in the first place,” his statement read. “In light of the video evidence, Tennessee ABC needs to drop the charges and apologize for the physical, emotional and professional harm done towards my client.”

Young’s new album, Young Love & Saturday Nights, arrives March 22.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

3 U.S. troops killed, dozens injured in drone attack on base in Jordan

Expert team of soldiers with weapons attacking enemy

According to United States Central Command, three U.S. troops were killed and over two dozen were injured by Iranian-backed militants, following an aerial drone attack on a base in northeast Jordan, near the Syria border. The strike marked the first line-of-fire deaths of U.S. troops since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7. According to officials, the attack occurred at the Tower 22 outpost. The White House clarified that the attack occurred early Sunday in Jordan, or late Saturday Eastern time.

In a statement, President Joe Biden said that the U.S. was still gathering the facts surrounding the “wholly unjust attack.” Biden said: “Today, America’s heart is heavy. Last night, three U.S. service members were killed — and many wounded — during an unmanned aerial drone attack on our forces stationed in northeast Jordan near the Syria border.” Biden said the three service members were “unwavering in their bravery. Unflinching in their duty. Unbending in their commitment to our country… they were patriots in the highest sense … We will strive to be worthy of their honor and valor. We will carry on their commitment to fight terrorism. And have no doubt — we will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner our choosing.”  The troops have not been identified pending notification of next of kin. An official with the White House National Security Council said that some of the injured service members received serious wounds from shrapnel and some were being screened for traumatic brain injuries.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq released a statement Sunday taking credit for four drone attacks on Al-Shaddadi Base in Syria and the Al-Rukban and Al-Tanf bases at the Syria-Jordan border. The fourth attack was on the Zevulun naval facility in Israel.

Editorial credit: 1st footage / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Nancy Pelosi asks for FBI probe of pro-Palestine protesters, suggesting links to Russia

Speaker Nancy Pelosi holding town hall at Mount Saint Vincent College; New York^ NY - March 14^ 2022

Former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday that she thinks some protests in the United States demanding a ceasefire in Gaza could be linked to Russia, and that the FBI should conduct a probe into their funding.

In an interview with CNN, Pelosi was asked whether opposition to President Joe Biden’s policy in the war in Gaza could hurt the Democrat in November’s presidential election, when she replied that “for them to call for a cease-fire is Mr. Putin’s message, Mr. Putin’s message. Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he would like to see. Same thing with Ukraine. It’s about Putin’s message .. “I think some of these protesters are spontaneous, and organic, and sincere. Some I think are connected to Russia. Some financing should be investigated and I want to ask the FBI to investigate that.”  Pelosi provided no evidence for her claims.

Pelosi’s comments marked the first time a prominent U.S. lawmaker has accused Russia’s leader of backing U.S. protesters calling for a ceasefire. Her comments were dismissed as “unsubstantiated smears” by some rights advocates, who said such remarks amounted to dehumanization of the Palestinian people. Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesperson for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said: “It is unconscionable that an individual with such influence in this nation would spread unsubstantiated smears targeting those who seek an end to the slaughter of civilians in Gaza and a just resolution to that conflict. Her comments once again show the negative impact of decades of dehumanization of the Palestinian people.”

The U.N. has demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, but Washington has vetoed resolutions for such calls in the United Nations Security Council, saying it would let Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which governs Gaza, regroup and rebuild.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Jason Aldean's working on the follow-up album to 'Highway Desperado'

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Jason Aldean‘s Highway Desperado may have dropped in November 2023, but the album was in the works for months prior.

“It started out as the tour name. And then we started [finishing] writing some songs and ‘Highway Desperado’ was one of the last songs. I loved it so much I wanted to name the album that,” Jason tells ABC Audio of the album’s genesis. “We finished this thing in April or May [of 2023]. So I’ve been chomping at the bit to get this thing out for a while.”

Now that the record’s out, Jason’s begun working on its follow-up project.

“We’re already working on the next album now,” says Jason. “We’ve been living with this one for a while, so I’m glad it’s out. We can get some feedback from people and see what songs they’re liking, not liking, whatever. So yeah, we’ve already moved on to the next album now.” 

Coming up, Jason will perform his hits and songs from Highway Deperado on the Highway Desperado Tour, which kicks off May 18 in Thackerville, Oklahoma. For tickets and a full list of dates, head to Jason’s website.

“Let Your Boys Be Country,” the second single from Highway Desperado, is approaching the top 30 of the country charts.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

DA drops charges against Chris Young following arrest at Nashville bar

Chris Young at the 7th Annual ACM Honors^ Ryman Auditorium^ Nashville^ TN 09-10-13

Following a review of the evidence and in light of security camera footage released, Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk has dismissed all charges against Chris Young following his January 22nd arrest in Nashville. Funk said in a statement: “Regarding the Chris Young incident – After a review of all the evidence in this case, the Office of the District Attorney has determined that these charges will be dismissed.” 

Young was arrested last Monday following an altercation at DawgHouse Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee, and charged with disorderly conduct, assaulting an officer and resisting arrest. According to an arrest affidavit, Young was initially at Tin Roof at around 8:30 p.m. on Monday when Alcoholic Beverage Commission agents arrived for a compliance check. Young had his ID in his hand when they walked in and his ID was scanned.  As agents walked away, “Mr. Young started asking questions that were answered at that time and then began video recording us. We left the bar after finishing our check and went to Dawg House next door to continue compliance checks.”  The affidavit said Young and his friends approached them. “While walking out the door, Mr. Young put his hands out to stop me from leaving the bar and struck me on the shoulder. I then pushed Mr. Young to create distance since I had no idea of who Mr. Young was or what he had.” Young was taken into custody and later released on bond.

Young’s attorney Bill Ramsey subsequently claimed what happened was inaccurate, and he released a video from the altercation where Young could be seen reaching his hand out to the agent, who then pushed the singer, causing him to stumble backward and fall over a table and chair. After the charges were dropped, Ramsey said in a statement: “Mr. Young and I are gratified with the DA’s decision clearing him of the charges and any wrong-doing.”

Editorial credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Nate Smith’s ‘World On Fire’ remains at No. 1 on country radio for sixth week

Rear view of the man sitting play acoustic guitar on the outdoor concert with a microphone stand in the front

Nate Smith’s smash hit “World On Fire” has earned a sixth consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. “World On Fire” is off Smith’s self-titled album from 2023, which hit the Top 10 on Billboard’s Country albums chart and Top 30 on the Billboard Top 200. ‘World On Fire’ has amassed over 150 million global streams.

Smith is just the third artist, along with Carrie Underwood and Bailey Zimmerman, to have a six-week No. 1 with their first two singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. He is also the first artist to have back-to-back, multi-week No. 1s on the chart with their first two singles since Luke Combs.

Smith recently shared a clip on TikTok of new music in the works, which has been viewed over four million times. He is also currently on his “World On Fire” tour, and will hit the road with Morgan Wallen later in the year. Smith will also be returning to Stagecoach Festival this spring, after making his debut last year.

Nate Smith scores six week No 1 with ‘World on Fire’

Editorial credit: Day Of Victory Studio / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

lce Spice, Travis Scott, Lil Baby to perform at Fanatics Super Bowl Las Vegas party

Ice Spice at the 2023 BET Awards Arrivals at the Microsoft Theater on June 25^ 2023 in Los Angeles^ CA

Michael Rubin’s Fanatics will hosts its annual VIP exclusive party during Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas, at Marquee at the Cosmopolitan.  Rubin is known for his VIP events, such as his Hamptons white party which attracts A-list guests including Jay-Z, Kim Kardashian, Drake Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Brady, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, amongst others.

According to Page Six the party will feature performances from Ice Spice, Travis Scott, the Chainsmokers, A$AP Ferg, Meek Mill, Lil Baby, Fabolous, Ludacris, Ne-Yo and The Kid LAROI.

The guest list for the event, to be held on Feb. 10 (the day before the Super Bowl) is being kept under wraps, with insiders saying: “tens of thousands of people are already trying to get in to the 800-person private party. People are offering hundreds of thousands for tickets.”  And while many high rollers offer upwards of $500,000 for a table, the insider said that “this is one party you cannot buy your way into. You have to be invited by Fanatics.”

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com