Month: December 2024

Categories
News Daypop

Suspect in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO denied bail in PA; awaits extradition to NY on murder charges

The Pennsylvania State Police Trooper emblem.

The suspect in the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City faced an extradition hearing on murder charges on Tuesday afternoon.

Luigi Mangione contested extradition to New York but was denied bail and remanded to State Correctional Institution Huntingdon in Huntingdon County. The state of Pennsylvania has 30 days to get a warrant from NY Gov. Kathy Hochul for extradition to NY. Mangione has been charged in NY with one count of second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of second-degree possession of a forged document, and one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, online court documents show. He also faces gun charges in Pennsylvania related to the firearm police found on him when he was arrested on Monday.

Mangione was seen on video pulling away from members of the Blair County Sheriff’s Department before entering the courthouse, screaming: “This is completely unjust and an insult to the American people!” He was pinned against a wall before being forced inside.

Per NBC News, Mangione was arrested yesterday morning at a McDonald’s restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on a tip from an employee. Authorities said he had a gun similar to the one used in the shooting, a silencer and a fake ID. In handwritten notes, he said “these parasites had it coming” and that he “wasn’t working with anyone.”

According to a confidential assessment of the crime by the NYPD intelligence bureau (based in part on the suspect’s writings) and reported by ABC News, Mangione “appeared to view the targeted killing … as a symbolic takedown and a direct challenge to its alleged corruption and ‘power games.’”  The suspect allegedly described himself as the “first to face” United Healthcare “with such brutal honesty.”

Additionally, according to the New York arrest warrant when arrested on Monday, Mangione had “written admissions about the crime” with him along with several handwritten pages expressing “disdain for corporate America.” NYPD Chief of Detective Joe Kenny said on Tuesday that Mangione indicated “he’s frustrated with the health care system in the United States. Specifically, he states how we are the No. 1 most expensive health care system in the world, yet the life expectancy of an American is ranked 42 in the world.”

Editorial credit: George Sheldon / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Go Country 105

Chris Janson takes you behind the scenes of recording 'Christmas in Dixie' with Alabama

abc-rss-feed-20241211030000

Having been a fan of “Christmas in Dixie” for years, Chris Janson has long dreamed of covering and releasing his version one day.

Thankfully for him, that moment arrived this year, and not only that, but he got to sing it with the “Christmas in Dixie” hitmakers, Alabama.

Detailing the idea and recording process of his latest holiday release, Chris tells ABC Audio, “I just wanted to record a new Christmas song. I do one a year, and I love [‘Christmas in Dixie’] and I’ve always wanted to do that one and finally did it.”

“So, I cut it and then we were trick-or-treating with the kids and, I don’t know, it just hit me and I said, ‘I’m going to call [Alabama’s] Randy [Owen] and see if he’d join me on it,'” Chris recalls.

“He was so cool and called [bandmate] Teddy [Gentry] and called me back … five minutes later and said, ‘We’re in,'” Chris shares. “That was on Friday night. We recorded on Monday and shot a video.”

Chris’ rendition of the country Christmas classic is one he calls “a true duet.”

“It really is,” says Chris. “We trade off back and forth and then we harmonized together and I take a three-part and it’s just unbelievable.” 

Chris and Alabama’s “Christmas in Dixie” is out now wherever you listen to music.

Meanwhile, Chris continues to climb the country charts with his latest single, “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get.”


Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Listen to Riley Green’s ‘Christmas to Me’

Riley Green performs in Hollywood^ Florida on November 14^ 2024.

Riley Green has shared his new holiday track, “Christmas To Me”, which follows on the heels of Green’s third studio album, Don’t Mind If I Do, which has garnered over 10.2 million streams since its release.

Green is wrapping up a successful year, after winning the 2024 CMA award for ‘Musical Event of the Year’ for his duet “You Look Like You Love Me” featuring Ella Langley, which is currently in the Top 10 at country radio.

Green is also gearing up for his extensive headlining Damn Country Music Tour in 2025, with Ella Langley opening for all shows, along with support from Vincent Mason, Drake White, Jake Worthington, Lauren Watkins, Mike Ryan and more will join as rotating openers for various dates.

Take a listen to Riley Green’s Christmas To Me – HERE.

Editorial credit: Geoffrey Clowes / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Sing-along screenings of ‘Wicked’ announced for Christmas Day

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at the Los Angeles premiere of 'Wicked' held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles^ USA on November 9^ 2024.

Universal Pictures announced that sing-along screenings of Wicked will be held at over 1,000 theaters on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. Stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will make a new video introduction, with the lyrics for all the film’s musical numbers shown on screen. Wicked will also continue its theatrical run in standard format.

Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution for Universal Pictures, said in a statement: “the overwhelming response to ‘Wicked’ has been remarkable. These sing-along screenings offer fans a unique opportunity to become part of the story they’ve embraced so enthusiastically. There’s something extraordinarily special about experiencing this beloved musical together as a community, and we’re thrilled to create that opportunity this holiday season.”

Wicked is based on the Broadway musical prequel to ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Wicked: Part Two is set to debut in theaters on November 21, 2025.  The film is now the highest-grossing Broadway musical film adaptation in U.S. box office history, and has made over $320 million domestic and $457 worldwide. It surpasses ‘Grease’, which held the record for 46 years.

Tickets for the sing-along screenings are available now; visit wickedmovie.com/singalong for details on showtimes and availability.

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Blake Shelton, Taylor Sheridan team up for singing competition series for CBS

Director Taylor Sheridan attends the 'Wind River' photocall during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival. CANNES^ FRANCE - MAY 20^ 2017

Yellowstone co-creator Taylor Sheridan and country superstar Blake Shelton are set to executive produce a new reality competition series for CBS called The Road, set to premiere next year.

The Road will follow a headlining superstar — to be announced at a later date — as they search for the next big music artist.  Sheridan said in a statement: “There is a revolution taking place in country music. Building a platform with Blake for the next leaders of that revolution is an incredibly exciting venture. No more shiny floors and studio audiences. This is where the rubber meets the road — literally. Get in the van, go to the next town and win the crowd. Do it enough, and you become the next leader. Simple as that.”

Shelton and Sheridan will executive produce the docuseries along with Lee Metzger and David Glasser. Per a press release, The Road will offer “a backstage pass into the gritty and unforgiving life of a touring artist” with exclusive access to the behind-the-scenes workings of the music industry. The series will show “what happens when some of the best up-and-coming performers pile into a tour bus and tackle a grueling schedule in pursuit of their dreams.”

Shelton, 48, said in a statement: “I’m a big fan of Taylor’s incredible work, and I’m excited to team with him and my long-time collaborator, Lee, on ‘The Road’. I know a thing or two about singing competitions and what it’s like to chase a music dream and live life on tour. I’m looking forward to discovering new talent and giving them this platform.”

Editorial credit: taniavolobueva / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Stream Nicki Minaj’s 10th anniversary edition of ‘The Pinkprint’

Nicki Minaj arrives at the amfAR Gala Cannes 2017 at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 25^ 2017 in Cap d'Antibes^ France.

Nicki Minaj has shared a new, expanded version of ‘The Pinkprint’ to celebrate the 10th anniversary milestone of its release.

The Pinkprint was initially released in 2014 and includes 16 songs, including hit singles ‘Pills n Potions’, ‘Anaconda’, ‘Only’, ‘Bed Of Lies’, ‘Truffle Butter’ and ‘The Night Is Still Young,’ along with four new tracks added including ‘Turn Ya Cap Back’ starring Swae Lee; ‘It’s Okay’ featuring David Guetta and Davido; ‘Remember Me’ ft. Parker Ighile; and ‘Arctic Tundra’ featuring the late Juice WRLD.

Stream the 10th anniversary deluxe edition of The Pinkprint – HERE.

Editorial credit: Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Go Country 105

Nashville Notes: Midland expands Get Lucky Tour + Caitlyn Smith sings 'Christmas Without You'

abc-rss-feed-20241210135500

Midland has added new 2025 dates to their Get Lucky Tour. Flatland Cavalry and Pug Johnson will open on select dates. Tickets go on sale Friday at Midland’s website.

Dolly Parton has announced that she’ll be on TalkShopLive Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET to chat with Jessie James Decker about her new book, Billy the Kid Comes Home for Christmas, and sign randomly selected copies. You can tune in at talkshop.live. 

Caitlyn Smith has dropped a performance video for her song “Christmas Without You,” which she recorded live in her living room. You can watch it now on YouTube.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Remember when Keith Urban said yes to autographing a leg?

abc-rss-feed-20241210123000

Signing personal items is part and parcel of an artist’s life. But inking one’s autograph on a leg isn’t something you see every day.

During his recent interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Keith Urban recalled being asked to sign a person’s leg in the middle of a show. 

Keith was game for it, as one would expect from him, but the “leg” was not what he expected.

“I was playing a show, it’s sort of one of the odd things you sign, right? So, I’m playing a show and this girl yells out from the audience, ‘Will you sign my leg?’ And I went, ‘Oh, of course.’ What a great moment. So like, ‘Of course.’ This was years, long, long time ago,” Keith recounts.

“So she’s out there and I say, ‘Yep, yep. Come on up,’ you know, and then she disappears. I couldn’t see her. Then she pops up out of the same spot she is and throws this prosthetic leg up onstage, and this leg landed with a thud!” he shares as the audience erupts with laughter.

Reenacting his shocked state, Keith continues, “I picked the leg up and I’m signing the leg and then I’m like, ‘How do I get it back to her?'”

Lucky for Keith, the good ol’ crowd-surfing method worked as fans “surfed [the prosthetic leg] back.”

If you missed Keith’s interview and his performance of “Go Home W U” with Kelly Clarkson, you can rewatch them now on YouTube.

Keith’s current single, “Messed Up as Me,” is now in the top 10 of the country charts.

For tickets to his recently announced High And Alive World Tour next year, visit Keith’s website starting Friday at 10 a.m. local time.



Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Blake Shelton to co-produce Keith Whitley documentary: 'I'm proud and honored'

abc-rss-feed-20241210113000

Blake Shelton is adding documentary co-producer to his resume.

The “God’s Country” hitmaker will team with Lucky Horseshoe Entertainment and Anomaly Content & Entertainment to produce an upcoming Keith Whitley documentary film. Academy Award-nominated director Zach Heinzerling will direct the project.

“Keith Whitley released only three albums during his life, but his music has influenced generations of country music artists and fans,” Blake says in a release.

“Gwen [Stefani] and I love to watch music documentaries, and I looked for his doc one night and couldn't believe that there wasn't one,” the longtime Keith fan shares. “I'm proud and honored we get to bring his incredible story to film.”

Blake also adds in an Instagram post, “The documentary will feature extensive archival footage from the Country Music Hall of Fame and personal collections from Lorrie Morgan, providing a rich tapestry of Whitley’s life and career. It will also explore the small town of Sandy Hook, Kentucky, where Keith grew up, and include reflections from Lorrie as she navigates her own career while honoring his memory.”

Keith’s discography features several chart-topping hits, including “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” “When You Say Nothing at All” and “I’m No Stranger to the Rain.”

The as-yet-untitled Keith Whitley documentary begins filming in January 2025.

Meanwhile, Blake’s new single, “Texas,” is currently approaching the top 20 of the country charts.

To catch Blake at his upcoming six-date Las Vegas residency and Friends & Heroes Tour, visit blakeshelton.com.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Go Country 105

Ella Langley + Riley Green 'Look Like' they've scored a #1

abc-rss-feed-20241210101500

Ella Langley has scored her first chart-topping hit with her Riley Green-assisted single, “You Look Like You Love Me.”

“That little girl has the #1 song at country radio today,” Ella shares in a reflection on Instagram. “Been dreaming this dream for as long as I can remember. I've talked about wanting to do this for as long as I can remember.”

“I haven't lived a single day where this wasn't the plan,” she says. “The thing about a dream is, it's just a dream. Today it feels real.”

“This past year, it's felt real,” Ella adds. “Thank you for listening and sharing and believing.”

Several country singers congratulated Ella on her milestone, including Miranda Lambert, Megan Moroney and George Birge.

“So so [proud] of you! Keep on dreamin!” Miranda wrote in the comments.

Megan echoed Miranda’s sentiments, writing, “PROUD OF U.”

“And she's just getting started,” George said.

This is also Riley’s fourth #1 hit.

You can find “You Look Like You Love Me” on Ella’s debut album, hungover, out now.

To catch Ella opening for Riley on his 2025 Damn Country Music Tour, visit ellalangley.com.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.