Month: June 2024

Categories
Country Daypop

Wynonna Judd & Lainey Wilson share cover of Tom Petty’s “Refugee”

Wynonna Judd arriving at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards^ MGM Grand Hotel December 04^ 2006 in Las Vegas^ NV

Wynonna Judd and Lainey Wilson’s cover of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers’ classic “Refugee” is out now, produced by Cactus Moser. Refugee arrives as the fifth single from the highly-anticipated Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty, with a video featuring behind-the-scenes footage of Judd and Wilson recording their version.

Wilson said of recording with Judd: “That was one of the coolest experiences of my life. My gosh, every time I tried to use that growl in my voice, I was trying to channel my inner Wynonna. Everybody wants an inner Wynonna.”

Several tracks have been shared ahead of the album’s release, including Steve Earle’s rendition of “Yer So Bad,” Chris Stapleton’s take on Tom Petty’s “I Should Have Known It,” Dolly Parton’s version of “Southern Accents, and Dierks Bentley’s version of the Petty classic, “American Girl.”

Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty, the country tribute album from some of Petty’s closest friends and collaborators, is set for release on June 21 via Big Machine Records in partnership with the Tom Petty Estate. To pre-order/pre-save the album, head HERE.

Take a look at the studio footage of Judd and Wilson’s version of ‘Refugee’- here.

Editorial credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Trailer for ‘Wicked’ features Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo at the 30th Vanity Fair Oscar Party. LOS ANGELES^ USA. March 10^ 2024.

Universal Pictures dropped the trailer for the initial installment of the two-part film adaptation of the stage musical, Wicked. The studio shared the trailer featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, posting on social media: “Pink goes good with green. #WickedMovie trailer 💚💖.”  The film version of Wicked is written by Winnie Holzman and directed by Jon M. Chu (‘Crazy Rich Asians’).

Wicked, based on the Broadway musical and Gregory Maguire novel, is inspired by L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The film tells the origin story of the witches of Oz — Elphaba (Erivo), the future Wicked Witch of the West, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Glinda, the future Glinda the Good, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.  The trailer shows Glinda and Elphaba meet as students at Shiz University in the Land of Oz, forging an unlikely but profound friendship.

An official film synopsis reads: “Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future.”  The cast also includes Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University headmistress Madame Morrible, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz.

Part One of ‘Wicked’ is set to open in theaters Nov. 27; with Part Two to follow on Nov. 27, 2025.  Take a look at the trailer: here.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Halsey reveals secret health struggle, releases new single ‘The End’

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

Halsey has revealed she has been dealing with a serious health battle, sharing the news alongside the release of her new single, ‘The End.’

The 29-year-old captioned a series of videos via Instagram documenting her health journey with the caption: “long story short, i’m Lucky to be alive. short story long, i wrote an album. it begins with The End. out now. @lupusresearchalliance @llsusa”. While Halsey didn’t share her exact diagnosis, she tagged the Lupus Research Alliance and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in her post.

One video clip shows Halsey rubbing her legs in pain, saying: “Seriously, seriously, I feel like an old lady. I told myself, I’m giving myself two more years to be sick. At 30, I’m having a rebirth and I’m not going to be sick and I’m gonna look super hot, and have lots of energy and I’m just gonna get to redo my twenties and my thirties.”  In the next slide, Halsey sits in a chair as she is attached to a machine while telling the camera: “Today is day one of treatment,” and in another clip, Halsey strums her guitar in the studio with her head shaved. The post ends with a series of videos that show her crying, holding up medicine and spending time in the hospital.

Halsey first teased the release of the single on Monday, announcing her fifth studio album with the caption: “I’m releasing the first song off my 5th album tomorrow 6/04 at 9am pt / 12 et. Before the first single comes, I wanted to share this. It means a lot to me and I love it. Let’s try something different this time and start at “The End.”

You can stream Halsey’s new song ‘The End’ – here.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Go Country 105

Nashville notes: George Strait's album listening party + Tyler Hubbard's new caps

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George Strait‘s Cowboys And Dreamers won’t drop until Sept. 6, but his label, UMG Nashville, is giving you a chance to preview the album. If you’re going to be at CMA Fest, preorder the record at the UMG Nashville Takeover at Skydeck on Broadway, and you’ll get access to the album listening party and a free T-shirt. For more information, visit the event’s RSVP page.

Tyler Hubbard is teasing a new line of caps via a teaser clip on social platform X. The first release is slated to drop on Thursday on hubbcaps.com.

Country newcomer Carter Faith has joined UMG Nashville’s artist roster. “It is a dream come true to sign my first record deal with UMG Nashville. Country music is a part of who I am, and I am grateful that my team at Universal is passionate about my writing and artistry,” says Carter, who’s released songs such as “Buzzkilla,” “Greener Pasture” and a cover of Tammy Wynette‘s “‘Til I Can Make It On My Own” with Sam Williams. 
“[UMGN Chair & CEO] Cindy Mabe and everyone at UMG has made me feel seen and respected and I couldn't be more excited for this next chapter.”

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Thomas Rhett's bringing his fan club party to you

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Unable to make it to Thomas Rhett‘s Home Team fan club party? Fear not, he’s bringing it to you.

Thomas has teamed up with streaming service Veeps to livestream his party and performance for free on Wednesday.

“Hey, what’s up y’all. I’m so excited for our Home Team fan club party tomorrow but I’m so sorry that we’re only able to accommodate a small fraction of the number of you who signed up to try to get tickets,” Thomas shares with fans via video on social platform X.

“So we’ve figured out a way to livestream the performance from the party for free on veeps.com. I’ll be performing right at 1 p.m. central,” he adds.

For more information, head to veeps.com.

Thomas is currently approaching the top 30 of the country charts with his latest single, “Beautiful as You.”

If you’re going to be in Nashville for CMA Fest, you can catch Thomas at Nissan Stadium on Thursday and at the CMA Close Up Stage for an interview on Saturday.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Bailey celebrates two-week #1 with “Where It Ends”

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Bailey Zimmerman‘s “Where It Ends” has reigned on the country charts for two consecutive weeks.

“‘WHERE IT ENDS’ IS #1 FOR A SECOND WEEK IN A ROW,” Bailey wrote on Instagram. “We wrote this song February 16th 2022. OVER 2 YEARS AGO. to still feel so much love from yall and to see it still helping people get through the tough parts of life is INSANE.”

“NONE of this is possible without my fans, my team, and the BEAUTIFUL people at country radio!! Thank YOU for being in my village. I LOVE YALL SO MUCH,” he shares.

“IM SO BLESSED. IM SO GRATEFUL. AND IM CELEBRATING ALL WEEK.. AGAIN!! LETS GOO,” Bailey adds.

Bailey’s post also includes a clip of the demonstration tape for “Where It Ends” and the notes from the day he co-wrote the track.

“Where It Ends” is the fourth single from Bailey’s debut record, Religiously. The Album., which spawned the preceding chart-toppers “Fall In Love,” “Rock and a Hard Place” and “Religiously.”

If you’re going to be in Nashville for CMA Fest, you can catch Bailey performing at Nissan Stadium on Sunday. For more information, head to cmafest.com.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Chris Janson's a proud “All American Guy”

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Chris Janson‘s patriotic pride is taking center stage in a new song, “All American Guy.”

The track will arrive June 14 and previews the follow-up to 2023’s The Outlaw Side of Me.

“What’s up y’all, June 14th, ‘All American Guy’ is coming out so you can stream it all summer long on your boat, along with ‘Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get,’ ‘Buy Me a Boat,’ all the other ones. But, here’s a little taste of ‘All American Guy,'” Chris shares with fans in a video on social platform X, before performing an acoustic version of the track.

Another post on X also offered fans a snippet of the studio version of “All American Guy.”

“Yeah, I’m a pretty simple man/ Ain’t too hard to understand/ I’m an all American guy,” Chris sings in the upbeat song’s chorus.

“Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get” is Chris’ current single and is approaching the top 40 of the country charts.
 

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Luke Combs's new dad song is dropping on Thursday

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Luke Combs is finally going to release “The Man He Sees in Me,” and it’s dropping Thursday.

The track was teased by Luke in January with no release date, leaving fans wondering if or when he’d drop it.

“‘The Man He Sees in Me.’ Out THIS Thursday, June 6 at 4 PM ET,” Luke tells fans on social platform X alongside a clip of him acoustically performing the fatherhood-inspired song.

“He smiles and says, ‘Daddy, there ain’t nothing you can’t do’/ Well I hope he never finds out that I didn’t hang the moon/ And I’ve never scared a monster out the closet of his room/ Some day between him leaving home and driving on my knee/ Maybe I’ll finally be, the man he sees in me,” Luke sings in the video.

You can watch the full preview clip now on X.

Luke’s currently in the top 20 of the country charts with his latest single, “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,” from Twisters: The Album.

For tickets to Luke’s ongoing Growing Up and Getting Old Tour, visit lukecombs.com.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Lainey Wilson's headlining Vegas' MGM Grand

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Lainey Wilson is headed to Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena for her headlining Wildflowers and Wild Horses show.

The one-night event will take place Dec. 14, and feature opening acts Tracy Lawrence and country newcomer Mae Estes.

“We're comin back bigger and better than ever cowboys and cowgirls! We're rounding out [National Finals Rodeo] week at @mgmgrand with my friends @therealtracylawrence and @maeestes on Dec. 14,” Lainey announced to fans on Instagram.

Presale for Lainey’s The Stable fan club begins Tuesday at 10 a.m. local time, before the general sale on Friday at 10 a.m. local time. $1 from every ticket purchased will go to Lainey’s Heart Like a Truck charity fund.

For tickets and more information, visit axs.com.

Meanwhile, if you’re going to be in Nashville for CMA Fest, you can catch Lainey performing at Nissan Stadium on Saturday before her sit-down interview at the CMA Close Up Stage on Sunday. The interview will also be livestreamed on TalkShopLive. 

Lainey’s CMA Fest schedule is available now at cmafest.com.

Her forthcoming album, Whirlwind, will arrive Aug. 23 and is available for preorder and presave now.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
News Daypop

Israel announces four more hostage deaths, including 3 older men seen in Hamas video

Israeli civilians gathered in solidarity for the missing and kidnapped Israeli people^ and demanding to bring the hostages home now from Gaza war. Tel Aviv^ Israel - November^ 2023

The Israel Defense Forces announced that four Hamas hostages being held in Gaza “are no longer alive,” after being taken on Oct 7, 2023.  Three of the men, identified as Amiram Cooper, Yoram Metzger and Haim Peri, were 80 years old, or older, and appeared in a December video released by Hamas under the title, “Don’t let us grow old here,” according to satellite television channel Al Mayadeen.  Peri said in the video that all three men had chronic illnesses and accused Israel of abandoning them. The fourth hostage was identified as Nadav Popplewell.

The IDF said it had told the families of the victims that they are no longer alive and that their bodies are held by the Hamas terrorist organization, based on intelligence and was confirmed by a Ministry of Health expert committee, in coordination with the Ministry of Religious Services and the Chief Rabbi of Israel. The circumstances of their deaths in Hamas captivity are still under examination, according to the IDF, which says it uses a “a wide variety of methods to gather information about the hostages who remain in the Gaza Strip.”

Chief spokesperson for the IDF, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said “Their loved ones were killed a few months ago during Hamas captivity in Gaza and their bodies are still being held by Hamas. We assess that the four of them were killed while together in the area of Khan Younis during an operation there against Hamas.”

More than 250 people were taken hostage and moved to Gaza during Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel but more than 100 were released during a temporary truce last year. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office believes there are still 124 hostages, living and dead, in Gaza; of the remaining 120 who were taken on October 7, Israel now believes 41 are dead.

Last week, President Joe Biden detailed a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas militants that he says would lead to the release of remaining hostages in Gaza. The three-phase proposal would secure the release of hostages paired with a ceasefire. Following news of the four deaths, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum in Israel reiterated its demand to the Israeli government to immediately approve the proposal. The group said in a statement Monday: “The Israeli government must send out a negotiating delegation this evening and return all 124 hostages, both living and murdered, to their homes. Chaim, Yoram, Amiram, and Nadav were kidnapped alive, some of them were with other hostages who returned in the previous deal – and they should have returned alive to their country and their families.” 

Editorial credit: Omri Eliyahu / Shutterstock.com