Month: February 2024

Nashville notes: Fresh tracks from Anne Wilson, Dylan Marlowe + Tyler Braden

Post author By abookbinder
Post date February 2, 2024
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Country and Christian artist Anne Wilson has dropped “God & Country” ahead of the April 19 arrival of her forthcoming genre-melding album, REBEL. “I’ve been working so hard over the past 15 months to write these songs, record them and get them into the world! I was raised on two things: the love of God and the love of all things Country. That’s what fuels the music I make and that’s what you’ll hear more of on REBEL,” shares Anne.

Dylan Marlowe‘s autobiographical new track, “You Did It Too,” is out now. Of the acoustic-leaning song, Dylan says, “Every line is true to my life. I write and sing songs about the way of life I know, and you'd probably get it if you did it too.”

Tyler Braden has released a new tune, “Devil I Know.” “This is probably the proudest I've been to be part of a single, because it's a song that so many people can get behind wholeheartedly,” Tyler shares. “It's a song about confidence and not backing down. It's a song about not allowing yourself to be underestimated or taken for granted. It's a song I'll be proud to perform live for years to come.”

Go Country 105

Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Rooftop Bar headed to Pittsburgh

Post author By abookbinder
Post date February 2, 2024
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Jason Aldean‘s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar is opening its third location on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.

The announcement arrived February 1 via a joint Instagram Reel on the restaurant and Jason’s Instagram accounts.

The video opens with a brief aerial shot of Pittsburgh as a snippet of Jason’s “She’s Country” plays. After a three-second countdown, the words “Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar: Pittsburgh Coming Soon” flash across the screen as the big reveal.

Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar first opened in the heart of downtown Nashville in 2018 before expanding with a second outlet in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in 2023.

An opening date for the Pittsburgh location has yet to be announced.

For more information on Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar, head to its website.

Go Country 105

Keith Urban walks the “Straight Line” in style

Post author By abookbinder
Post date February 2, 2024
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Keith Urban has released an anthemic fresh track, “Straight Line.”

The uptempo song was written by Keith, Chase McGill, Jerry Flowers and Greg Wells, and it serves as a kickoff to Keith’s forthcoming new album.

“‘Straight Line’ is the perfect first track off my album because it's a song born of wanting to break out of routine and feeling like somewhere along the line, life lost some color and excitement,” Keith shares. “This song is about getting it back again – a message of taking back your life and driving out from under the dark cloud.”

“While ‘Straight Line’s’ lyrics are about being stuck and trying to break out of the monotony, the melody and energy are a boulevard of nothing but green lights. Every song on this album – even the ballads – carries an energy and a life force that became a very strong through line,” the global superstar teases. “I hope you feel it. I'm so excited for everyone to hear the whole thing.”

Along with “Straight Line” and a new album, a press release teases that Keith will be “releasing his next radio single in March.”

Keith’s latest album is 2020’s The Speed Of Now Part 1. His recent song releases include “Street Called Main,” “Brown Eyes Baby” and “Nightfalls,” all of which arrived in 2022.

Go Country 105

Kenny Chesney previews 'BORN' with “Just to Say We Did”

Post author By abookbinder
Post date February 2, 2024
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Kenny Chesney has dropped a new song, “Just to Say We Did.”

The upbeat track, which Chesney wrote with Brett James, David Lee Murphy and Matt Dragstrem, celebrates life and all the moments that bring one joy.

“Just to say we did/ Just to feel alive/ To take a leap of faith/ To feel that kind of high/ Tonight, let’s turn it up, fall in love wild/ And catch enough buzz to just ride them/ Crazy horses runnin’ through our heads/ Just to say we did,” goes the chorus.

“What can I say? ‘Just To Say We Did’ sounds like me and my friends growing up, and so many people I've met along the way,” shares Kenny. “It's a song where whatever it is, why not? Get out there and live, shoot your shot, do that bucket list thing – just to say you did.”

He adds, “When you can boil down how to create real joy into three minutes that feels this good, I want to sing that song.”

Kenny’s new album, BORN, arrives March 29. Its lead single, “Take Her Home,” is approaching the top 20 of the country charts.

Coming up, Kenny will hit the road on his Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour, which kicks off April 20 in Tampa, Florida, before wrapping up August 25 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. For tickets and a full list of dates, head to Kenny’s website.

Go Country 105

Luke Bryan plots Mind of a Country Boy Tour

Post author By abookbinder
Post date February 2, 2024
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Luke Bryan is hitting the road on his Mind of a Country Boy Tour.

The announcement arrived via Luke’s Instagram Reel, which featured a skit of Luke and his wife, Caroline, fishing by the lake before Caroline serendipitously helps name Luke’s upcoming trek.

The Mind of a Country Boy Tour kicks off April 17 in Calgary, Alberta, and will wrap in Tampa, Florida, on September 14.

Chayce Beckham, George Birge, Kameron Marlowe, Dillon Carmichael, Larry Fleet, Tracy Lawrence, Tenille Arts, Meghan Patrick, Chase Matthew, King Calaway, HunterGirl, Ella Langley, Zach Top, Lily Rose, Josh Ross, Alana Springsteen and DJ Rock will open for Luke on select dates.

Tickets go on sale Friday, February 9, at Luke’s website. Presale for Luke’s fan club members begins Tuesday, February 6, at 8 a.m. local time.

Luke and Jon Pardi are currently in the top 40 of the country charts with their single, “Cowboys and Plowboys.”

Coming up, you can catch Luke, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie as judges on the new season of American Idol, premiering February 18 on ABC.

Go Country 105

Art imitates life in Gabby Barrett's 'Chapter & Verse'

Post author By abookbinder
Post date February 2, 2024
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Gabby Barrett‘s long-awaited sophomore album, Chapter & Verse, has arrived.

The 14-track collection, which Gabby co-produced with Ross Copperman, features its lead single, “Glory Days,” as well as collabs with Luke Combs, who wrote and sang background vocals on “Dance Like No One’s Watching”; Miranda Lambert, who co-wrote “You’re My Texas” with Gabby; and Christian artist Phil Wickham, who sang with Gabby on “The Verse: Doxology (Amen).”

“3 years in the making and Chapter & Verse is officially OUT NOW,” Gabby shares on Instagram. “This album tells the story of my current chapter of life as a Christian, a mother, a wife, a songwriter and an artist, along with all the little verses that happen in between.”

“I'm beyond thankful to such a good buddy, @rosscopperman for co-producing it with me and being just an awesome person,” she adds. “Another BIG thank you to all the amazing songwriters who helped me write these stories into songs. Go listen and let me know what your favorite is.”

“Glory Days” is currently in the top 20 and ascending the country charts.

Go Country 105

Darius Rucker arrested on minor drug charges

Post author By abookbinder
Post date February 2, 2024
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Darius Rucker was arrested on Thursday, February 1, on minor drug charges.

EW reports that Rucker faces charges on “two counts of simple possession or casual exchange” as well as “one count of violation of registration law.”

In a statement to TMZ, Rucker’s attorney Mark Puryear said that the Hootie & the Blowfish frontman is “fully cooperating with authorities related to misdemeanor charges.”

Rucker, who’s known for country hits such as “Alright” and “Wagon Wheel,” was released Thursday on a $10,500 bond, authorities shared.

Rucker has yet to make a statement on his arrest.

Carolyn’s Boy is Rucker’s latest album. It arrived in 2023 and includes “Fires Don’t Start Themselves” and “Same Beer Different Problem.”

News Daypop

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin apologizes for handling of hospitalization, cancer diagnosis

Post author By Staff
Post date February 2, 2024
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U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaking at Ukraine Defense Industrial Base Conference^ Washington DC. Dec 06 2023

Speaking on Thursday during his first press conference at the Pentagon since he was hospitalized at the beginning of January, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin apologized for not properly handling and communicating his cancer diagnosis and treatment to President Joe Biden, Pentagon staff and the general public. Austin was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in mid-January after more than two weeks of hospitalization due to complications following a minimally invasive procedure on Dec. 22 to cure his prostate cancer. The defense secretary said that he’s still recovering from the complications he experienced, such as leg pain, and is undergoing physical therapy to help improve it. He also acknowledged that he’s using a golf cart to move around the Pentagon.

Austin apologized for not being more transparent about his medical issues and provided more detail on his prostate cancer diagnosis. Said Austin: “I want to be crystal clear. We did not handle this right. And I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public, and I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people.”

The defense secretary made it clear that during his hospitalization there were “no gaps in authority, and no risk to the department’s command and control”. Summarizing what he went through since receiving his cancer diagnosis in December, Austin said that he was “offering all of this as an explanation and not an excuse … The news shook me, and I know that it shakes so many others, especially in the Black community. It was a gut punch.” He said his first instinct was to keep the matter private, but added that “I’ve learned from this experience that taking this kind of job means losing some of the privacy that most of us expect. The American people have a right to know if their leaders are facing health challenges that might affect their ability to perform their duties, even temporarily. So a wider circle should have been notified, especially the president.”

Austin said he was offering this information as an explanation, not as an excuse, adding: “I can tell you I’ve apologized directly to President Biden, and I’ve told him that I’m deeply sorry for not letting him know immediately that I received a heavy diagnosis and was getting treatment. And he has responded with a grace and warm heart that anyone who knows President Biden would expect. And I’m grateful for his full confidence in me.”

Austin said he fully supports the ongoing internal review in the Department of Defense, and an inspector general review, adding that the Pentagon has already instituted new procedures to ensure no future lapses in notification. In the future if the deputy secretary needs to assume the duties of his office, she and several White House offices will be immediately notified, including the White House Situation Room.

Editorial credit: photowalking / Shutterstock.com

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Pres. Biden sanctions extremist West Bank Israeli settlers for violence against Palestinians

Post author By Staff
Post date February 2, 2024
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President Joe Biden speaks in Washington^ DC US - Mar 13^ 2023

On Thursday, President Joe Biden issued an executive order targeting extremist WestBank Israeli settlers in the West Bank for their actions against Palestinians in the occupied territory, imposing financial sanctions and visa bans in an initial round against four individuals.

In a White House statement, Biden said the violence has forced the displacement of people and villages and has destroyed property: “[the violence] has reached intolerable levels and constitutes a serious threat to the peace, security and stability of the West Bank and Gaza, Israel and the broader Middle East region. These actions undermine the foreign policy objectives of the United States, including the viability of a two-state solution and ensuring Israelis Palestinians can attain equal measures of security, prosperity and freedom.” Biden added that the actions of extremist settlers undermine Israel’s security because of its potential to destabilize the region while threatening U.S. personnel and interests: “for these reasons, these actions constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.”

The order authorizes sanctions against those involved in acts of violence in the West Bank, as well as threats and attempts to destroy or seize Palestinian property. The penalties block them from using the U.S. financial system and bar American citizens from dealing with them. The State Department identified the four individuals hit with sanctions as Israeli settlers who have attacked Palestinians in the past..

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that Biden’s executive order allows the Treasury to level financial sanctions against those participating in violence against peaceful civilians in the West Bank: “today’s actions seek to promote peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

Editorial credit: Consolidated News Photos / Shutterstock.com

Go Country 105

Luke Combs looks back on first Grammy Awards performance: “I was mega nervous”

Post author By abookbinder
Post date February 2, 2024
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As Luke Combs readies to perform at the 2024 Grammy Awards – with Tracy Chapman, as Variety reports – the country superstar is looking back on his debut performance at last year’s show.

“I’m really thankful that wasn’t my first award show performance. Just because it’s such a big stage,” Luke shares. “I try not to look at the crowd really anytime I’m doing an award show performance just to not make yourself nervous singing in front of all these people that you listen to and love … But yeah, it was crazy.”

Performing “Going Going Gone” while singing and playing the guitar was no easy feat for Luke.

“It was tough for me too because I’m not the best guitar player,” he recalls. “The first verse and chorus of that performance is just me playing live guitar and singing, right? So I was mega nervous that I was going to mess that up.”

“And then it’s like, there’s nobody to save you if you mess that up,” Luke adds. “So I was really focused on the playing [of the guitar] in that one. It was fun. I’m really glad we did it. It was a great time.”

Luke’s cover of Tracy’s “Fast Car” is nominated in the Best Country Solo Performance category at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

The Grammys take place Sunday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The ceremony will air live on CBS and stream live on Paramount+.