Month: March 2024

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Go Country 105

Chris Young's mugshot could appear on a T-shirt

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Would you buy a T-shirt with Chris Young‘s mugshot if he endorsed it?

The “Aw Naw” singer took to Instagram recently to tease a new merch item: an orange T-shirt with his mugshot printed on the front and him holding up a “DISMISSED” sign. 

“Let's go!!!! #newmerch,” Chris captioned his Instagram post. The boomerang video, soundtracked to a snippet of his song “Double Down,” also shows Chris laughing while holding up the T-shirt.

Chris was arrested on January 22 at a Nashville bar after he allegedly assaulted a Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission agent. Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk later said his office had “reviewed all evidence in the case and determined all charged will be dismissed.”

Will Chris’ mugshot drop on his merch store? You can follow his socials to find out.

Chris’ latest album, Young Love & Saturday Nights, arrived March 22 and features its title track, which is approaching the top 20 of the country charts.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Reba + more join HARDY's 'HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE'

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More of your favorite stars will appear on HARDY‘s upcoming Joe Diffie tribute album, HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE.

Arriving Friday, the star-studded project will feature Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, Jon Pardi, Old Dominion, Darius Rucker, Reba McEntire, Hailey Whitters, Tracy Lawrence, Jake Worthington, Toby Keith and Joe’s son Parker Diffie.

They join the previously announced list of artists, including HARDY, Blake Shelton, Chris Young, Nate Smith, Brooks & Dunn, ERNEST, Clint Black, Mark Wills, Kameron Marlowe and Sammy Kershaw.

“I’m super excited about DIFFTAPE. I think it’s a one-of-a-kind project and we’re the first people to do something like this,” says HARDY. “Especially having the original recordings and the fact that we have his family’s blessing to do it, it’s all really special.”

While you wait for HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE to drop, you can take a listen to the “Pickup Man” featuring Post Malone and the HARDY and Morgan Wallen-assisted “John Deere Green”; out now.


Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

Democrat Marilyn Lands flips seat in Alabama House after running on abortion rights

Alabama State House in Montgomery^ Alabama.

Marilyn Lands, a Democratic candidate for a state House seat in Alabama, won a special election on Tuesday, defeating Republican Teddy Powell and  flipping the Republican-held seat. The seat representing Alabama’s 10th district (Madison City) in the state legislature had long been held by Republicans. Lands also ran for the seat in 2022, narrowly losing to her Republican opponent.

As a result of a court ruling in Alabama that threw access to fertility treatments into question, Lands focused her campaign on reproductive rights, including support for access to in vitro fertilization and abortion. Lands, a mental health counselor, said a statement: “Today, Alabama women and families sent a clear message that will be heard in Montgomery and across the nation. Our legislature must repeal Alabama’s no-exceptions abortion ban, fully restore access to IVF, and protect the right to contraception.”

After an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that equated frozen embryos to children, leading to major IVF providers in the state to pause fertility treatments, Lands spoke openly about her own abortion when her pregnancy was nonviable. She ran advertisements on reproductive health care, like contraception and in vitro fertilization.

Heather Williams, president of Democrats’ legislative campaign, called the special election “the first real test, and a harbinger of things to come .. Republicans across the country have been put on notice that there are consequences to attacks on IVF — from the bluest blue state to the reddest red, voters are choosing to fight for their fundamental freedoms by electing Democrats across the country.”

Editorial credit: Donald Walker / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Settlement reached in lawsuit between allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis delivers his economic policy speech. Rochester^ N.H.USA - July 31^ 2023

Following the takeover of the Walt Disney World theme park resort’s government by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Disney and allies of DeSantis reached a settlement agreement on Wednesday after a court fight over how Walt Disney World is developed in the future.

The board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District –which provides municipal services such as firefighting, planning and mosquito control, for example — was controlled by Disney supporters for most of its five decades.  The board members approved the settlement agreement, ending almost two years of litigation that was sparked by DeSantis’ takeover of the district from Disney supporters following the company’s opposition to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, which bans classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. As punishment for Disney’s opposition to the law, DeSantis took over the governing district through legislation passed by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature and appointed a new board of supervisors. Disney sued DeSantis and his appointees, claiming the company’s free speech rights were violated for speaking out against the legislation. A federal judge dismissed that lawsuit in January.

Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said in a statement Wednesday: “this agreement opens a new chapter of constructive engagement with the new leadership of the district and serves the interests of all parties by enabling significant continued investment and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs and economic opportunity in the state.”

Under the terms of Wednesday’s settlement agreement, Disney lets stand a determination by the board of DeSantis appointees that the comprehensive plan approved by the Disney supporters before the takeover is null and void. According to the settlement terms, Disney also agrees that a development agreement and restrictive covenants passed before the takeover are also not valid. As such, a comprehensive plan from 2020 will be used with the new board able to make changes to it, and the agreement suggests Disney and the new board will negotiate a new development agreement in the near future.

https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/settlement-reached-lawsuit-disney-florida-gov-ron-desantis-108552678

Editorial credit: Andrew Cline / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Hailey Whitters on her signature style + seeing young girls dress like her

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By now, you probably know Hailey Whitters has a signature style – one that often has her in a bright prairie dress. But did you know that this distinctive look came about serendipitously?

“I don’t know if I ever intentionally settled on that,” Hailey tells ABC Audio. “You know, when I first started out, it was me and my creative director, and we were broke. I would wear a lot of her hand-me-downs, or we would go to a thrift store or a vintage store and buy a bunch of things.”

“If you saw the things that we’d done to make work in like photoshoots, you’d be amazed,” she says.

While not created intentionally, Hailey says her present-day fashion style harkens back to her younger days.

“I grew up doing dance recitals since I was 3 years old, and being in costume and kind of being a little over-the-top and a little extra [has] always been really fun to me,” she shares. “So we just leaned hard into it and just kept going.”

Now, Hailey’s inspired young girls to dress like her, and she loves seeing them out at shows.

“It’s been so cute. I was on the Luke Bryan tour, and someone in his crew was like, ‘There are so many girls out in the crowd right now that look like you.’ They wear these little prairie dresses and cowgirl boots and ribbons in their hair, and it’s so cute,” Hailey shares. 

Hailey’s currently on tour with Dan + Shay on their Heartbreak On The Map Tour. For a full list of dates, visit Hailey’s website.

Hailey’s currently making her way up the country charts with “I’m In Love,” the title track off her latest six-song EP.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Thomas Rhett and Morgan Wallen hit No. 1 with “Mamaw’s House”

Thomas Rhett at the iHeartRadio Theater in New York City on September 28^ 2015.

Thomas Rhett and Morgan Wallen hit No. 1 on country radio with “Mamaw’s House,” marking Rhett’s 22nd No. 1 at country radio, and Wallen’s 12th. “Mamaw’s House” appears on Rhett’s retrospective 20 NUMBER ONES collection, honoring the achievement of earning 20 No. 1 hits in just 10 years.

Rhett has worked with Wallen before, and is listed as a co-writer on several tracks on Wallen’s record-breaking sophomore project, Dangerous: The Double Album, including “Whiskey’d My Way” and “Your Bartender.” He previously shared of ‘Mamaw’s House’ that the song “wasn’t even supposed to be a single, and now it’s becoming a hit,” and was certain that the collaboration “didn’t have a chance.” Rhett added, “maybe there were too many collaborations, but it seems there can’t be too many collaborations. Not with Morgan.”

Rhett also shared how the song came together over a Zoom call in 2020: “Morgan and I wrote this song in 2020 on Zoom. Halfway through the session, Morgan got a call from his grandmother. After that, we decided to write a song about our grandmothers. The fact that we can write a song about our grandmothers, and it could be a No. 1 is pretty awesome. The song describes my grandmothers and Morgan’s as well – we wanted to describe a small town piece of paradise. Growing up, I can remember going to both of my grandmothers’ houses in South Georgia. I learned so many life lessons there about hard work, manners, and respect. This song really hits home for me and I hope everyone feels the same.”

Wallen added: “Many times in the past, I’ve been open and honest about the love I have for my Mamaw Boots“It was only a matter of time before a song was inspired by her. I dedicate this one to not only her, but to my living grandmothers as well. I hope they know what a big part they’ve all played in shaping my life. TR had a similar experience growing up, so I’m really glad we got to write and record this song together. Hope y’all enjoy it.”

Take a look at the lyric video for “Mamaw’s House” – here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Chris Janson drops ‘Whatcha See is Whatcha Get’

Chris Janson performs in concert at The Fest at Long Island Community Hospital at Bald Hill on July 3^ 2019 in Farmingville^ New York.

Chris Janson is sharing his latest song, “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get”, co-written by Janson, Tyler Hubbard, RaeLynn, Blake Hubbard and Jarrod Ingram, and produced by Julian Raymond.

Janson, who just signed with BMLG Records, reached the top of country radio with “All I Need Is You,” off his album The Outlaw Side of Me, marking his fifth No. 1 at country radio.

Janson is currently on the road with his headlining tour, and will join Cody Johnson for select dates as well. Janson will also be hitting the stage with his friend and CMT Crossroads partner Bret Michaels for his upcoming Pardi-Gras 2.0 kicking off on July 12th.

Take a look at the lyric video for ‘Whatcha See is Whatcha Get’ – here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs speaks out after raid of his homes by federal agents

Sean 'Diddy' Combs^ Diddy at the "The Four" Season 1 Finale Viewing Party at Delilah on February 8^ 2018 in West Hollywood^ CA

The attorney for Sean “Diddy” Combs’ has released a statement after Homeland Security raided the rapper’s homes in Miami and Los Angeles on March 25.

In a statement to E! News, Diddy’s attorney, Aaron Dyer, is accusing the government of using excessive force while searching his home reportedly as part of a sex trafficking investigation in his statement. Dyer denounced Homeland Security’s use of force while searching Diddy’s homes, saying: “Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences. There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated.”

The statement said that Combs, 54, spoke to the authorities and he was not arrested, and maintained Diddy’s innocence: “This unprecedented ambush—paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence—leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits. There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.”

The raid comes four months after Diddy settled a lawsuit after his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who accused him of sexual assault. In total, five women have come forward accusing the rapper of sexual assault since late 2023; Diddy released a statement denying the allegations against him.

A rep for Homeland Security Investigations confirmed that their New York branch “executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation” on March 25, with sources familiar with the investigation telling NBC News that the raid may be tied to a federal investigation regarding accusations of sex-trafficking and sexual assault, as well as the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms against Combs.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Cardi B and Shakira team up in the video for “Puntería”

Cardi B at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center BEVERLY HILLS^ CA. March 12^ 2023:

Cardi B and Shakira have teamed up in the music video together, “Punteria,” which appears on Shakira’s 12th studio album, Las Mujeres Ya No Llorana.  Shakira posted: “Puntería @iamcardib official video 🎯🌸 OUT NOW!”

Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran features 15 other tracks, including “Te Felicito” with Rauw Alejandro, “Monotonía” with Ozuna, “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” with Bizarrap and “TQG” with Karol G.  The video for Puntería shows the two women amongst chiseled centaurs and goddesses in a pastel, intergalactic setting.  Shakira is seen holding a bow and arrow as Cardi sits atop a half-horse, half-man, wearing a white, roped ensemble and platinum-blonde tresses.

Ahead of the single’s release, the two superstars spoke about working together. Said Cardi: “When I first met Shakira, it was in Paris at the Fendi show, and I was very, very nervous. I was nervous because I wanted to get next to her, but I was like, ‘I’m not gonna get next to her until they call me.’ I manifested it, but I didn’t know when it was coming …I knew this day would come. It came. God is good, Jesus. I don’t care if she wants me to meow — I’m doing it. Seriously, that is my dream. I always look at your videos and it’s so crazy doing a video with you because all of your videos — you could just tell you take your time from the angle, to the dancing, to the things that pop.”

Shakira added, “I wanted to do something with Cardi. We were always discussing internally if it was a good idea to put someone on this song. I always pictured Cardi on this song. I reached out, and here we are. It’s been so fun to work with you. It’s so easy, honestly. She’s like, ‘I’ll do everything.’ I’m like, ‘Are you ready to work long hours? Because I work long hours.’ She’s like, ‘I’ll be there from 6 to 6 a.m.’”

Take a look at the music video for “Punteria” – here.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes: Ryan Larkins' “The Painter” + Tanya Tucker's Tequila Cantina

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Rising singer/songwriter Ryan Larkins, who co-wrote Cody Johnson‘s “The Painter,” is releasing his version of Cody’s hit on Friday. You can presave the track now to be the first to hear it when it drops.

Tanya Tucker is teaming up with longtime Nashville staple Nudie’s Honky Tonk to open Tanya Tucker's Tequila Cantina on May 2. Per a press release, Nudie's second floor “will transform into a lively cantina-style bar, reflecting the spirit and charisma of Tanya Tucker herself.” “I'm over the moon about Tanya Tucker’s Tequila Cantina,” says Tanya. “It's been a dream for several years to join the big boys on Broadway and [Nudie’s owners] Bill and Shannon Miller are making it all possible.”

Emily Ann Roberts has dropped the music video for her song “Find Me a Man.” “Most girls have the music they turn to when they're taking their time getting ready for a night out, and that's what I wanted to paint a picture of in the music video,” shares Emily.

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