Month: April 2025

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Go Country 105

It's no April Fools' joke: Dolly's 'Jolene' turns into jeans

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Even though Dolly Parton‘s often said “Jolene” is one of her most-covered songs, there’s a new version you probably didn’t see coming. In fact, this time it’s not even a song – it’s blue jeans.

The beloved icon’s teaming up with Good American, unleashing a limited-edition collection known as Dolly’s Joleans. Appropriately, the line features rhinestones and other Dolly-esque details.

“I've always believed what you wear should make you feel as fabulous as you truly are, and this brand new line, Dolly's Joleans, is all about celebrating individuality with a touch of sparkle,” Dolly says. “I'm inspired by Good American’s ability to create clothes that make women feel confident and ready to shine!”

The collection runs between $64 and $229, and comes in sizes ranging from XS to 5X. It’ll be available in select Nordstrom stores and online.

Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Watch Zach Top turn 'I Never Lie' into a sing-along at the Ryman

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You can check out a new live version of Zach Top‘s current top-10 hit, “I Never Lie,” shot on the stage of the Mother Church of Country Music. 

The new performance video was recorded during his sold-out two-night headlining stint at the Ryman in Nashville earlier this year.

The newcomer’s hot streak continues as he’s up for both new male artist of the year and album of the year at the 60th ACM Awards in Texas in May. 

Zach continues his Cold Beer & Country Music Tour – named for his album – Wednesday, April 2, in Oxford, Mississippi.

Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

'People' cover girl Kelsea Ballerini explores 'tough choices' that led to 'being happy and steady'

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Making it to the cover of People magazine is a big deal, so it’s no wonder Kelsea Ballerini is excited about it. 

“you're telling me i can walk into my neighborhood kroger and see this?! wilddddddd. thank you for letting me be your cover girl @people,” she shared on Instagram, along with some photos and behind-the-scenes moments from the shoot.  

The Knoxville native goes deep in the accompanying article, looking over the life changes that led to her latest album, Patterns.

“I had to shed some skin and make some tough choices and know that although things would be difficult for moments, it would make things so much better in the long run,” she told People.

Of course, Kelsea’s tough choices include a painful divorce from fellow country star Morgan Evans.

“I think it's running toward things that scare you and standing up for things you believe in and doing it all unabashedly. That's really been the biggest change in my life, just going, Rip the Band-Aid.' That's what I credit being happy and steady to.”

You can check out Kelsea’s full People magazine feature online now. 

Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Rascal Flatts is ready to make history as reunion tour wraps

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If Rascal Flatts takes home the Academy of Country Music award for group of the year, they’ll make history as the winningest act in the category. 

Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney marked the milestone during their recent Life Is a Highway tour stop in Ft. Worth, TX. 

“We've got some good news to share, we were nominated for group of the year for the ACM awards,” Gary told the crowd. 

“We just found out this morning,” Jay continued, “and as fate would have it, we couldn’t pick a better place to celebrate that tonight.”

“It's so amazing, we are so grateful to get to play live music for you guys,” Joe Don responded. “Thank you so much. It’s all because of our fans!”

We’ll find out if Rascal Flatts can secure the record Thursday, May 8, when the 60th ACM Awards air live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, TX, on Prime Video. 

Meanwhile, the trio wraps the tour they started in February with three sold-out stops this weekend in Florida. Their new album, Life Is a Highway: Refueled Duets, drops June 6.

Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

3 U.S. soldiers found dead, 1 still missing after training mission in Lithuania

Pabrade Lithuania A Leopard 2A7 main battle tank is captured in action^ firing its main cannon during a live-fire exercise. 10-13 - 2020

Military officials said Monday that the bodies of three U.S. Army soldiers — who went missing in Lithuania during a training exercise last week after their armored vehicle sank in a body of water — have been found. Search and recovery efforts were ongoing to locate a fourth missing soldier.

The soldiers had been deployed to Lithuania in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, and were permanently stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Lithuanian armed forces and law enforcement worked alongside them during last week’s training exercise. The Army later shared in a statement that the soldiers’ identities were being withheld pending notification of their next of kin.

The soldiers, assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, went missing the morning of March 25 after their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle became submerged in a peat bog during a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle. The submerged armored recovery vehicle was found by the Army and Lithuanian authorities last Wednesday; in an update from over the weekend, the Army said the vehicle was under at least 15 feet of water, clay-like mud and silt. Their 63-ton armored vehicle was removed from the peat bog early Monday morning.

Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, said in a statement: “our hearts are heavy with a sorrow that echoes across the whole Marne Division, both forward and at home. We stand in grief with the families and loved ones of these extraordinary ‘Dogface Soldiers’ during this unimaginable time.”

Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda expressed his condolences to President Trump and the United States in a post on social platform X. “It is with deep sadness and sorrow that I received the news of the tragic loss of three U.S. soldiers during a US-led training exercise in Lithuania. The search and rescue operation will continue until the fourth soldier is found. @realDonaldTrump, Lithuania mourns together with the American nation. Please accept my heartfelt condolences, as well as those of the Lithuanian people, to you, the loved ones of those who lost their lives, and all the people of the United States of America. During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with you.”

Editorial credit: Karolis Kavolelis / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Online mortgage company Rocket to acquire Mr. Cooper in all-stock $9.4 billion deal

ROCKET Mortgage Fieldhouse^ in the heart of downtown Cleveland^ Ohio. Cleveland^ Ohio

The financial technology platform Rocket Companies — , which includes real estate, title and personal finance businesses, and mortgages under its umbrella — has acquired the mortgage company Mr. Cooper Group Inc. in an all-stock deal valued at $9.4 billion.  The acquisition of Mr. Cooper by Rocket creates an entity that will represent nearly 20% of all mortgages in the United States.

Per AP News: Rocket said Monday that the purchase of Mr. Cooper Group Inc. will create a business representing one in every six mortgages in the United States and give it almost 7 million additional clients. The deal will boost loan volumes, while lowering client acquisition costs; with Rocket stating in a press release that “it will bring its industry-leading mortgage recapture capabilities to a combined servicing book of $2.1 trillion across nearly 10 million clients, representing one in every six mortgages in America.”

The move comes just weeks after Rocket acquired real estate listing company Redfin in an all-stock deal worth $1.75 billion.. The acquisitions of Mr. Cooper and Redfin will allow Rocket to speed up its AI-powered platform “and remove the friction and complexities plaguing today’s homebuying process,” according to the release.

The combined company will see Mr. Cooper Group Chairperson and CEO Jay Bray become President and CEO of Rocket Mortgage, who will work under Rocket CEO Varun Krishna. Bray said in a statement: “By combining Mr. Cooper and Rocket, we will form the strongest mortgage company in the industry, offering an end-to-end homeownership experience backed by leading technology and grounded in customer care.”

Rocket shareholders will own approximately 75% of the combined company, while Mr. Cooper stockholders will own about 25%. The combined company’s board will have 11 members, with nine being from Rocket and two from Mr. Cooper.

Editorial credit: Adam McCullough / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Thomas Rhett's bucket list breakthrough at the ballpark

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With spring underway, there are plenty of us singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” – perhaps none more than Thomas Rhett, who’ll make his dream come true when he plays Boston’s Fenway Park. It’s something he’s wanted to do for some time. 

“I kinda feel like at some point in your career, you just have to sort of just go for it,” TR says. “I've been thinking about doing a baseball stadium since 2019. And I think we even had three or four on hold for 2020. And then, you know how that went.”

Subsequent years didn’t prove to be much better, but TR and his team never completely gave up.

“We just kinda kept going, ‘Well, maybe 2021 is not the year,'” he recalls. “‘Well, maybe 2022 is not the year. Maybe ’23 is not the year.’ And then finally, I think we just sat down and we were just like, ‘If we're ever gonna try it, we should try it now.'”

Teddy Swims, Tucker Wetmore and The Castellows will join Thomas at Fenway Park on July 19.

“I've definitely got a couple more bucket list things on my career sheet,” TR says, “but that is definitely at the tip top of bucket list items for me to accomplish before I am old and gone one day.” 

Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Country Daypop

NBC renews Reba McEntire’s ‘Happy’s Place’ for Season 2

Reba McEntire at the NBCUniversal TCA Press Tour at the Langham Hotel on July 14^ 2024 in Pasadena^ CA

NBC has greenlit a second season for Reba McEntire’s Happy’s Place, which premiered in October 2024. The series was initially picked up for 13 episodes, but NBC ordered five additional scripts last fall for a total of 18 episodes last season.

Happy’s Place reunites some of the cast of McEntire’s popular “Reba” series, premiered on October 18th, garnering ten million viewers across NBC and Peacock.  The series airs on Fridays at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC or the next day on Peacock.

In the series, McEntire plays Bobbie, who inherits her late father’s tavern, Happy’s Place, and discovers that she has a new business partner in Isabella (Belissa Escobedo) — a twentysomething half-sister she never knew she had. Melissa Peterman, Pablo Castelblanco, Tokala Black Elk and McEntire’s boyfriend Rex Linn stars.

Former Reba executive producers Michael Hanel and Mindy Schultheis are returning alongside Julie Abbott and McEntire. The series was written by Kevin Abbott (the showrunner for Reba from 2002-2007).

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

INXS’ ‘Listen Like Thieves’ to celebrate 40th anniversary with new deluxe edition

Rock group INXS at the VH1 Big in 05 Awards at Sony Studios^ Culver City. December 3^ 2005 Culver City^ CA. 2005

INXS’ album Listen Like Thieves will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a new deluxe edition. Listen Like Thieves was released Oct. 14, 1985 and was INXS’ fifth studio album, featuring their first top-five single, “What You Need,” and reaching #11 in the U.S.

Listen Like Thieves (40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) will feature a brand-new remix of the album by Giles Martin and Paul Hicks, along with 19 previously unreleased demos and outtakes curated by Martin and a newly unearthed BBC recording, Live From The Royal Albert Hall, London, 1986. There will also be a new interview with the band by journalist Paul Sexton.

INXS’ Andrew Farriss – who co-wrote much of the album with late INXS frontman Michael Hutchence – shares: “’Listen Like Thieves’ was an important moment for us. It stepped up what was possible, and also Chris Thomas stepped up what was possible as a record producer for us. Giles and Paul captured the original raw energy we felt when we first recorded the album and created a sonic depth to give the record an entirely new dimension that we couldn’t be prouder of.”   Lead guitarist Tim Farriss (Andrew’s brother) added:  “It was a real interesting milestone in our career because we were on this sort of rise at that point, and we were constantly touring. We were on the cusp, if you like.”

Giles Martin describes ‘Listen Like Thieves’ as “a really, really good album… It could be my favorite album of theirs, because it’s not so packed with the singles, as it were. To me, this album in some ways has more depth to it, and I love it. I just hope this stimulates a whole load of new fans. You just want to shine the spotlight on it and hope people take notice. It’s been such an honor to work on this pivotal album from INXS’s career. It’s a collection of recordings masterly produced by Chris Thomas, which helped the band define their own style and reach a massive global audience. It’s an iconic rock album of its age.”

In addition to the three-CD/LP deluxe edition, there will be a two-CD extended edition, which includes the new mix and the CD of B-sides, remixes and live recordings, as well as a single LP edition with just the remix.

All versions of Listen Like Thieves (40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) will be released May 9 and can be pre-ordered HERE.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Jelly Roll, Doechii, Pitbull, Chris Stapleton to perform at March Madness festival

Jelly Roll at the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 LA Premiere at TCL Chinese Theater IMAX on December 16^ 2024 in Los Angeles^ CA

Jelly Roll, Doechii and Pitbull are among the artists taking the stage at the 2025 NCAA March Madness Music Festival, in conjunction with the Division I Men’s Final Four.  A press release states that “the March Madness Music Festival provides fans access to unforgettable entertainment and activations they won’t want to miss.”

NCAA and TNT Sports Live Events announced the star-studded line-up of artists performing at the musical event, which will take place at Tower Park in San Antonio, Texas.

  • Pitbull will kick things off on April 4 to headline the AT&T Block Party, followed by performances by Doechii and R&B star Ravyn Lenae.
  • Jelly Roll will take the stage at Coca-Cola Live! on April 5, along with performance by T-Pain and Willow Avalon.
  • Chris Stapleton will close things out on April 6 as headliner of Capital One JamFest, with Benson Boone, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and Brothers Osborne also set to take the stage at the event.

The Final Four will air on CBS, beginning with the National Semifinals on Saturday, April 5, and the National Championship on Monday, April 7.  For more details about the weekend and streaming availabilities, visit: ncaa.com/marchmadness/musicfest.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com