Month: May 2024

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Go Country 105

Cody Johnson, Darius Rucker + Wynonna Judd perform on 'Idol' finale

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Some of music’s biggest stars performed on Sunday’s American Idol season 22 finale, including country’s own Cody Johnson, Darius Rucker and Wynonna Judd.

Cody performed his #1 hit “‘Til You Can’t” with Triston Harper, while Loretta Lynn‘s granddaughter Emmy Russell joined Wynonna to cover her grandma’s iconic tune, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Both contestants finished in the top five of the competition. 

Darius’ Hootie & The Blowfish sang a medley of their hits with runner-up Will Moseley, and Idol judge Luke Bryan also stepped onstage to sing his latest single, “Love You, Miss You, Mean It,” with top 10 finalist Mia Matthews. 

Other stars who graced the Idol stage include Jon Bon Jovi, Jason Mraz, Cece Winans, New Kids On The Block, and judges Katy Perry and Lionel Ritchie.

The night concluded with Abi Carter crowned Idol‘s season 22 winner.

If you missed the performances, you can watch the videos now on American Idol‘s YouTube channel.




Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is killed in helicopter crash

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi New York^ US - 16 Apr 2024

Iranian state media reported that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was killed after a helicopter carrying him suffered a crash landing on Sunday as it traveled through rainy and foggy conditions in the rural mountainous area near ​​Kalibar and Warzghan in northern Iran, near the borders with Azerbaijan and Armenia. The officials were returning from the border with the country of Azerbaijan — in the northwest of Iran, some 375 miles from the capital of Tehran — where Raisi was inaugurating a dam on the Aras river with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.  Raisi’s administration began an emergency meeting on Monday following the news of his death.

Iranian media reported that the 63-year-old Raisi was traveling with Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan’s governor, Malik Rahmati, and Raisi’s security detail when their helicopter made a “hard landing.”  All seven onboard were killed in the crash.

On Sunday afternoon, Iran’s Vice President Mohsen Mansouri reported that two people from the helicopter flight had made contact with the rescue team, with the commander of the East Azerbaijan Army saying that a signal from the helicopter and a cellphone belonging to one of the crew members at the accident site was received.

Red Crescent Relief and Rescue Organization crews were sent to the scene to locate the helicopter; they confirmed earlier Monday it had located the missing helicopter carrying Raisi, with the head of Iran’s Red Crescent, Hossein Kolivand, telling state media there was “no sign of life.”

Raisi was the elected president and led the government, however, he still answered to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is the head of state. Khamenei had said that there would be no disruption to state affairs. Under Iranian law, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will assume power after getting the nod from Khamenei. A presidential election must then be called within 50 days.

Editorial credit: photosince / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Child among 3 killed after Amtrak train hits pickup truck in upstate New York

AMTRAK Passenger train Toronto - New York stands at Niagara Falls station on June 29^ 2011 in Niagara Falls^ Canada.

A child was among three people killed after an Amtrak train struck a vehicle in Upstate New York near Buffalo. The North Tonawanda Police said on Facebook that the three deceased were in a Dodge pickup truck around 7:56 p.m. on Friday when it collided with the train, which was on its way from New York City to Niagara Falls when the accident happened.

Per ABC News, North Tonawanda Police Department Captain Daryl Truty said in a statement posted that the victims included a 6-year-old boy, a 66-year-old woman, and a 69-year-old man. The names of the victims had not been released as of Sunday morning.

Amtrak spokesperson Olivia Irvin said in a statement that none of the Amtrak crew or its 21 passengers were injured in the crash. The North Tonawanda firefighter’s union said in a statement that he pickup was severely damaged with heavy equipment was required to reach the victims, adding that all three victims died at the scene. Photos shared on Facebook by the North Tonawanda Fire Department appeared to show no visible damage to the Amtrak train. An investigation is ongoing and police did not detail how the crash happened.

Editorial credit: Locomotive74 / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Thomas Rhett shares why he picked “Beautiful as You” as a lead single

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Thomas Rhett may have released “Beautiful as You” recently, but you won’t have to wait long for even more new music.

“I got a whole record coming out in August and [I’m] going to start releasing songs throughout the summer,” Thomas teases in an interview with ABC Audio.

But why did he choose “Beautiful as You” to introduce his upcoming album?

“‘Beautiful as You’ just sort of reminded me of how I used to kind of start my records, sort of with a big swing, different sound, sonically different, melodically different, and a song that my kids just really, really enjoyed and danced to,” Thomas explains. “So it seemed like the right first choice to us.”

“[I’ve] been working on this record for a year and a half and [I’m] just excited to finally get new music out into the world, because it’s been a minute for me,” he adds. 

“Beautiful as You” is currently approaching the top 20 of the country charts. 

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Carly Pearce shares the video for her latest single “Fault Line”

Carly Pearce at the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year Honoring Jon Bon Jovi at the Convention Center on February 2^ 2024 in Los Angeles^ CA

Carly Pearce has shared the video for ‘Fault Line,’ the latest song off her upcoming album Hummingbird, due out June 7.

Pearce took to social media to announce the song, sharing: “fault line” is my little ode to the era of country music that made me fall in love with it. When I was little, my grandpa bought me album sets from every decade of country music and told me to study it. I fell in love with the early sounds & wrote this song as if I was an artist living in that time. I can’t help but hear Tammy & George singing it in my head 🙂 Link in bio to pre-save my new album out June 7 ❤”

Adds Carly: “Some of my favorite songs were in the era of Tammy Wynette and George Jones. “‘Fault Line’ is my take on writing one of those classic, ‘I’m gonna rip your head off’ country songs. The playful angst in this song makes it one of my favorite moments on the record.”

Pearce has previously shared five other songs from Hummingbird, including “We Don’t Fight Anymore” with Chris Stapleton, and more recently “My Place.”

Check out the official music video for “Fault Line” – here.
To pre-save ‘Hummingbird’, head here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Darius Rucker announces 15th annual ‘DARIUS & FRIENDS’ benefit concert

Darius Rucker in concert at Hard Rock Live. HOLLYWOOD^ FLORIDA - MARCH 19^ 2023

Darius Rucker has revealed the details for his 15th annual ‘Darius & Friends’ concert benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, taking place at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Monday, June 3rd

This year’s Darius & Friends event will once again will feature a surprise all-star roster of friends; the annual event unofficially kicks off the week of CMA Fest in downtown Nashville, and has raised more than $3.6 million to date.

Rucker will also be releasing his first book, a memoir titled Life’s Too Short, on May 28th. The memoir explores the “story of Rucker’s life through the lens of the music that defined it.” To pre-order Life’s Too Short, head HERE.

Rucker will also be hitting the road with his Hootie & the Blowfish bandmates in May for the Summer Camp with Trucks tour (for info, head HERE.)

Rucker has supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for nearly two decades. After taking a tour of the hospital, Rucker learned how St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Tickets to the 15th annual benefit concert are on sale now; head HERE for more information.

Editorial credit: Geoffrey Clowes / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs issues apology after footage of him assaulting ex-Cassie Ventura in 2016 surfaces

Sean 'P Diddy' Combs at TAO Asian Bistro and Nightclub Fourth Anniversary Party^ TAO Nightclub at The Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino^ Las Vegas^ October 3^ 2009

On Sunday, Sean “Diddy” Combs issued an apology after the release of a 2016 video that shows him shoving and kicking his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.

CNN obtained and released the security footage in question on Friday, May 17, in which Diddy could be seen pushing over and kicking Cassie in front of an elevator at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles. As Cassie walks toward the elevator wearing a hoodie and carrying a bag, Diddy is shown running out of a hotel room after her, wearing a towel around his waist. They meet at the elevator, where Diddy yanks her to the ground before kicking her, picking up her bags and attempting to drag her back to the room. Cassie proceeds to get up and make a call on a hotel phone located near the elevator, and Diddy later returns to the elevator, shoves Cassie into a corner and throws an object in her direction.

The 54-year-old Combs responded via a video on Instagram, captioned: “I’m truly sorry.” He proceeds to state: “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life Sometimes you gotta do that. I was f—– up. I mean I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable … I take full responsibility for my actions in that video .. Disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it, I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help, going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry, but I’m committed to be a better man. Each and every day.”  He concludes the video by stating that he is “not asking for forgiveness,” and is “truly sorry.”

Prior to the video showing Combs assault on Ventura, the rapper vehemently denied he allegations of abuse and rape, calling them “offensive and outrageous.” Just days after Ventura’s November 2023 lawsuit against Combs, the pair settled for an undisclosed amount, which the rapper claimed was in “no way an admission of wrongdoing” at the time.

In response to Combs’ video apology, Cassie‘s legal team issued a statement. Meredith Firetog, a partner at Wigdor LLP, shared the following with Us Weekly: “Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt. When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday. That he was only compelled to ‘apologize’ once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words.”

 

Editorial credit: Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Foo Fighters, Noah Kahan to headline renamed Soundside Festival in Connecticut

Fighters Dave Grohl at the Rock in Rio festival; Rio de Janeiro^ Brazil september 28th^ 2019

Foo Fighters and Noah Kahan are the headliners for Connecticut’s Soundside Music Festival, previously known in its first two incarnations as ‘Sound on Sound’. The 2024 Soundside Music Festival will take place Sept. 28-29 at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Ct., next to the Long Island Sound.

Noah Kahan will headline the first day of the festival on 9/28, which will also feature artists including Goo Goo Dolls, Fleet Foxes, Boyz II Men, Grace Potter, R&B/soul act Thee Sacred Souls, blues guitarist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Lisa Loeb and her band Nine Stories, singer/songwriter Madi Diaz and singer/guitarist Rijah.

On Sunday 9/29, Foo Fighters will serve as headliners alongside Queens of the Stone Age, Norah Jones, singer/songwriter Teddy Swims, South African-born performer Gregory Alan Isakov, The Kills, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, country duo The War & Treaty, Hurray For The Riff Raff, and Darren Kiely.

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim shared in a statement: “In past years, this festival has drawn in over 50,000 visitors. I am sure this year it will again draw tens of thousands who will get to experience all that Bridgeport has to offer. This is another example of how Bridgeport is ‘on the move’ as we strengthen our legacy of being the music and entertainment capital of Connecticut.”

The first two Sound on Sound festivals drew tens of thousands of concertgoers to Seaside Park, with the inaugural 2022 event headlined by Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, the Lumineers and Stevie Nicks, and the 2023 edition led by John Mayer, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Alanis Morissette.

For tickets and additional information on the Soundside Music Festival, head to their official website.

Editorial credit: Antonio Scorza / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Go Country 105

Nashville notes: Timothy Wayne's debut + Luke Bryan's new Farm Tour date

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Country up-and-comer Timothy Wayne has released his debut track, “God Made a Country Boy,” with Universal Music Group Nashville. “I grew up working on our family farm in the summers, working in the fields, bush hogging, mowing, taking care of the horses, and I loved it. It taught me a lot about responsibility,” says Timothy. “When I heard this song, I really liked the idea behind it and knew I wanted to record it because it really showcases who I am as a person.”

Luke Bryan has announced that he’s bringing his 2024 Farm Tour to Chesapeake, Virginia, on September 20. Tickets go on sale May 22 at 10 a.m. ET on Luke’s website.

Darius Rucker has dropped a new summer collection of merch items, which includes T-shirts, a hat and a koozie. You can check them out now at Darius’ merch store.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

HARDY goes “Psycho” with debut rock album, 'Quit!!'

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HARDY has unveiled the track list and cover for his debut rock album, Quit!!

Arriving July 12, the project features 13 songs, including the previously released title track, “Rockstar” and “Psycho,” which arrived alongside HARDY’s announcement on Friday.

“I know that you guys are dying to hear new music, and I will tell you we’re going to drop a lot of songs between now and then and you’re going to hear a lot of new songs. We’re going to play a lot of new songs live, so don’t worry,” HARDY shares in an Instagram video. “But I want to let you know the album comes out July 12, and it is awesome and I’m so excited for y’all to hear it.”

“Psycho” is accompanied by its music video, which features HARDY as a heartbroken lunatic lamenting his post-breakup woes in a straitjacket.

Quit!! is the follow-up to HARDY’s 2023 half-country and half-rock album, the mockingbird & THE CROW.

Quit!! is available for preorder and presave now.



Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.