Month: March 2024

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Go Country 105

Morgan Wallen drops surprise new song + more from 'Abbey Road Sessions'

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Morgan Wallen has surprised-dropped a seven-video YouTube series, Abbey Road Sessions.

The collection comprises in-studio performances he recorded while he was in London. 

“Recorded a new song, some favorites, and a cover with my band in London at @abbeyroadstudios – you can find them on my YouTube now!” Morgan shares on Instagram.

Among the videos are an unreleased new song, “Lies Lies Lies,” and a cover of rock band Nothing But Thieves‘ “Graveyard Whistling.”

Additionally, Morgan recently teased on Instagram that he’s back in the recording studio working on new music with longtime collaborator and producer Joey Moi.

Morgan’s latest album is 2023’s One Thing At A Time. He’s currently #5 and #8 on the country charts with his collab with Thomas Rhett, “Mamaw’s House,” and the Eric Church-assisted “Man Made a Bar.”




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Categories
News Daypop

Blizzard conditions in Northern California shuts down roads, ski resorts

"Road Closed" sign during atmospheric river winter storm event in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Blizzard conditions have continued to slam the Northern California region throughout the weekend with damaging winds and heavy snow, shutting down roads and ski resorts across the area.  Around 6.5 million people were under winter weather alerts across the Mountain West, with blizzard warnings still in effect for the Sierra Nevada, who have experienced the most extreme weather including whiteout conditions and hurricane-force winds.

The blizzard closed a 70-mile stretch of Interstate 80 near the Nevada state line for more than a day, with the Weather Center adding that “extremely heavy snowfall rates of 2-6 inches an hour combined with very strong winds exceeding 100 mph at times will maintain impossible travel conditions in the Sierra Nevada” and warned of “high to extreme” avalanche danger in the Central Sierra and Greater Lake Tahoe area. About 5-12 feet of snow was forecast to fall along the crest of the Sierra with damaging wind gusts “possibly in excess of 75 mph” expected across the Intermountain West.

Numerous ski areas were closed over the weekend including at Palisades Tahoe, Sierra at Tahoe and Mammoth. The National Weather Service said on Sunday that “winds will wane in intensity, though some additional heavy snowfall is expected through the day, particularly for the southern Cascades/Sierra, Wasatch, and central Rockies.”  Extreme snowfall and roaring winds in the Sierra and parts of the northern ranges mean blowing snow and whiteout conditions making travel “impossible.”

While the storm was expected to wind down on Sunday, it will be followed by a new system on Monday, the National Weather Service said.

Editorial credit: DNB STOCK / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

University of Florida terminates all DEI positions to comply with state law

Entrance to the University of Florida located in Gainesville^ Florida.

According to an administrative memo that was released, the University of Florida has terminated all of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) related positions to comply with a new state law that bars state colleges from using state or federal money to fund the programs. The Florida Board of Education implemented the law January, saying that strict regulations would be put on the Florida College System about the use of tax dollars to support DEI. The board said DEI programs are “programs that categorize individuals based on race or sex for the purpose of differential or preferential treatment.” The rule will affect 28 of Florida’s state schools.

Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. said at the time of the rule’s announcement that the actions will ensure taxpayer money won’t be spent on DEI and “radical indoctrination that promotes division in our society,” adding that higher education needs to return to its “essential foundations of academic integrity” instead of “being corrupted by destructive ideologies.

The University of Florida memo states that they have closed the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, “eliminated DEI positions and administrative appointments, and halted DEI-focused contracts with outside vendors.”  University employees who lost their positions will receive the standard twelve weeks of severance pay and are encouraged to apply for “expedited consideration for different positions currently posted by the university.” The school’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer will reallocate about $5 million formerly funding DEI expenses like salaries and expenditures to now go to a faculty retirement fund.

The memo said: “Finally, the University of Florida is — and will always be —unwavering in our commitment to universal human dignity. As we educate students by thoughtfully engaging a wide range of ideas and views, we will continue to foster a community of trust and respect for every member of Gator Nation.”

Editorial credit: Katherine Welles / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Go Country 105

Travis Denning says “Going Places” offers a good overview of debut album

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Travis Denning‘s upcoming debut album, Roads That Go Nowhere, is set to offer a collective chronicle of his roots, life journey and where he’s headed. But if there’s one track that encapsulates it all, the singer says it’s “Going Places.”

“I think [‘Going Places’] is the most indicative piece of it. You know, I’ve tried to be as deliberate [with] all the songs I’ve recorded for it. This one feels like a better cornerstone than the other two songs [‘Things I’m Going Through’ and ‘Strawberry Wine and a Cheap Six Pack’],” Travis tells ABC Audio. 

“I try to challenge myself sonically on this one and melodically and just do something different,” he says of the track, which he co-wrote with Paul DiGiovanni, Jeremy Stover and Matt Mulhare.

Travis loves and believes in “Going Places” so much that he’s got a hunch it’ll take his career to new heights.

“I don’t like to be the hype guy, but I mean, I feel very excited about this one. It just feels like it could be something,” shares Travis. “I don’t know, it feels good. And, you know, [we’re] trying to go places, so we’re doing it all.”

Roads That Go Nowhere drops May 24 and is available for preorder now.

Here’s the Roads That Go Nowhere track list:

“Why I’m Drinking”
“I Know How It Sounds“
“Better At Leaving“
“Strawberry Wine and a Cheap Six Pack”
“Going Places“
“Someone That Isn’t Me”
“Southern Rock” (featuring HARDY)
“Love You Past That”
“Things I’m Going Through”
“Add Her To The List”
“Roads That Go Nowhere”
“The Sound of a Beer Getting Cracked” (featuring Josh Ross)
“Can’t Find One”
“Here and Her”
“Ocmulgee River”

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Morgan Wallen to open ‘This Bar and Tennessee Kitchen’ in Nashville

Morgan Wallen on July 20^ 2019 at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh^ New York.

Morgan Wallen will opening a six-story venue on Nashville’s Lower Broadway strip, in partnership with TC Restaurant Group (the company behind downtown Nashville ventures from Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert).

Wallen’s ‘This Bar and Tennessee Kitchen’ is named after a song off his Dangerous: The Double Album, will feature pivotal elements that shaped the singer’s life, with each level showcasing photos and memorabilia from his childhood as well as some of his most notable performances to date.

Wallen confirmed the news on his socials, and shared a press release confirming that that the address of a new bar and entertainment hot spot will be located at 107 4th Ave. N. Said Wallen: “I sing about finding myself in ‘this bar’ and now it’s coming to life. This venue will hold true to everything I love and is inspired by my fans and the way they have embraced me and my music.”  Wallen said he’s working with a restaurant team to design a menu inspired by his own “family favorites,” with Chef Tomasz Wosiak curating the menu for This Bar to include some of the singer’s mom’s own recipes. In addition, three live stages and a rooftop bar are planned for the 30,000 square foot establishment.

As of press time, no opening date had been revealed for Wallen’s establishment.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Tom Petty tribute album to feature Dolly Parton, Wynonna Judd, Chris Stapleton

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers perform at the 2017 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival; New Orleans^ Louisiana - April 30^ 2017

Tom Petty passed away in 2017 and now a star-studded tribute album in honor of the singer/songwriter is in the works, set for release on May 31.

Former members of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will be contributing to the album titled Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty, as well as several famous names in music including Dolly Parton, who will be covering “Southern Accents.” George Strait will record a live version of “You Wreck Me,” with Chris Stapleton performing “I Should Have Known It,” and Luke Combs doing his rendition of “Runnin’ Down a Dream.”  Other famous names included on the cover album include Wynonna Judd, Lainey Wilson, Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson, Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives, Rhiannon Giddens, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, and more.

Singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley has released his cover of Petty’s “American Girl,”sharing to Instagram: “When you get asked to reimagine one of the greatest rock & roll songs of all time by one of the most iconic American musicians of all time, the first thing you do is call up some of the greatest acoustic pickers of all time for the assist! My version of #AmericanGirl honoring @tompettyofficial is out today! Y’all let me know what you think, stream at the link in my bio”.  To stream, head here.

Editorial credit: Adam McCullough / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Madonna, the Weeknd & Playboi Carti share video for ‘Popular’

adonna during her performance in Prague^ Czech republic^ November 7^ 2015

Madonna, the Weeknd and Playboi Carti are sharing the video for their collaboration “Popular.” The song, produced by Metro Boomin, Mike Dean, featured assistance from Madonna and Playboi Carti and was released last year as part of The Weeknd’s HBO series The IDOL Vol. 1 Soundtrack.

The video, directed by Cliqua, opens with a close-up for Madonna’s grill while the camera cuts to a shot of The Weeknd (who now goes by his birth name, Abel Tesfaye) singing inside a mansion, then flashing to Carti spilling his red Solo cup drink near a luxury SUV. The scene cuts back to Madonna in a penthouse apartment. The trio never appear together in the visual, which was shot in New York and Atlanta.

Check out the video for “Popular” – here.

Editorial credit: / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Karol G to be honored as Billboard Woman of the Year 2024

Karol G at the Barbie World Premiere at the Shrine Auditorium on July 9^ 2023 in Los Angeles^ CA

Karol G will be honored with the highly acclaimed 2024 Woman of the Year Award at the upcoming Billboard Women in Music Awards on March 6.

Hannah Karp, Billboard’s editorial director, said in a press release: “With her immense talent, Karol G has created a movement for women across the globe due to her empowering lyrics and shameless confidence. The release of her groundbreaking album ‘Mañana Será Bonito’ has proven her a force to be reckoned with in both the English and Spanish charts. We are so excited to honor her as Woman of the Year.”

Karol G released her fourth studio album “Mañana Será Bonito” in 2023, becoming the first female artist to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 with a Spanish-language album. The album also helped her win best música urbana album at the 2024 Grammys, making her the first woman to ever win in that category.

Hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross, the 2024 Billboard Women in Music Awards will take place at the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles on March 6. Karol G will join a lineup of other artists at the event including Charli XCX, Luísa Sonza, Maren Morris, NewJeans, TEMS, Victoria Monét and Young Miko.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Go Country 105

Nashville notes: Drake Milligan's world tour + Ryan Hurd's new track

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Drake Milligan has announced his Jukebox Songs World Tour. The trek will take him for shows in the U.K. and Europe, as well as the U.S. For tickets and a full list of dates, visit Drake’s website.

Ryan Hurd has dropped “Midwest Rock & Roll,” his first independent release since parting ways with Sony Music Nashville. “‘Midwest Rock & Roll’ is the kind of music I've wanted to make since I was a kid first learning to write songs back home in Kalamazoo, Michigan,” shares Ryan. “I'm extremely proud of this song and the music I'm creating, and I hope that this next musical chapter hits people right in the heart.”

To celebrate the release of his new single, “Think I’m In Love With You,” Chris Stapleton‘s rolled out new Think I’m In Love With You merch, which includes a crewneck sweatshirt, women’s T-shirt and mug. You can check them out now at Chris’ merch store.


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Categories
Go Country 105

Lainey, Morgan, Jelly, Kelsea + more featured in new exhibit

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Some of your favorite country stars have been featured in a newly launched exhibit at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

American Currents: State of the Music spotlights country music’s role in American culture over the past year, as well as its ongoing growth in concert venue sizes from clubs to arenas.

Artists featured in the exhibit are Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Megan Moroney, Kacey Musgraves and Martina McBride.

For more information on American Currents: State of the Music and to purchase tickets, head to countrymusichalloffame.

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