Month: September 2025

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Pop Daypop

Ariana Grande sets 2026 ‘Eternal Sunshine’ tour dates

Ariana Grande attends the 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall. London^ England^ UK - February 16^ 2025

Ariana Grande will be hitting the road in 2026 for her first tour in seven years, dubbed the ‘Eternal Sunshine’ tour (in support of her 2024 album of the same name).

Sharing a tour poster on Instagram with the caption “see you next year ♡🧸” Grande revealed the tour will kick-off June 6 in Oakland, Calif., with dates through Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Montreal and more North American cities before finishing with five shows at the O2 Arena in London in August.

Earlier in the week Grande had shared a teaser clip to Instagram in the style of her “Brighter Days Ahead” short film and featured an image of her at a microphone. The short film was released earlier this year as part of a deluxe edition of her 2024 album “Eternal Sunshine,” which included a total of six bonus songs and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Grande’s last tour was back in December of 2019 in support of her albums “Sweetener” and “Thank U, Next”, and has since focused on acting (most notably, in the film franchise ‘Wicked). Last year, Grande told Variety on the prospects of a tour: “I feel so grateful to the acting, and I think my fans know that music and being on stage will always be a part of my life, but I don’t see it coming anytime soon. I think the next few years, hopefully we’ll be exploring different forms of art, and I think acting is feeling like home right now… I am appreciative for [my fans’] understanding. I’m so grateful for the ways in which we’ve grown together over this whole journey with ‘Wicked.’ But music will always be a part of my life.”

For ticket information, head HERE.

Editorial credit: Loredana Sangiuliano / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes: ‘Western Edge’ is closing + 3 digital additions from Charlie Daniels Band

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If you’ve been planning to see the Western Edge: The Roots and Reverberations of Los Angeles Country-Rock exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, time is running out. The installation focusing on the Byrds, Eagles, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and more is set to close Sept. 16.

“Water,” “Chapter 10” and “On a River” are the titles of the three songs Thomas Rhett will release on Friday as the final pieces of his About a Woman (Deluxe) album.

Three albums from The Charlie Daniels Band are now available digitally for the first time: Country Stars N’ Stripes, Scioto County Fair LIVE 2005 and Live From Gilley’s.

Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Walker Hayes is now ‘Fancy Like’ 7-times Platinum

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It’s official: Walker Hayes is now “Fancy Like” seven-times Platinum.

His daughters surprised him with the news Aug. 29 during his debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry. 

Walker’s breakthrough hit from 2021 inspired a viral TikTok dance, was the soundtrack for national Applebee’s commercials, hit #1 on the country chart and became a top-five pop hit.

He’ll kick off his 18-date Walker Hayes: Unplugged Tour Oct. 17 in Duluth, Minnesota, as he promotes his new album, 17 Problems.

Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton hid Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers’ Easter eggs in their video

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With massive hits like “Islands in the Stream” and “Real Love,” Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers are giants when it comes to teaming up for a duet. So it only makes sense that Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton would want to invoke the dynamic duo when they shot the video for their own collaboration.  

“We had legends there in spirit with us during the filming of the ‘A Song to Sing’ music video,” Miranda revealed on Instagram. “We wore jewelry from the @dollyparton & @_kennyrogers estates. What an honor.”

In the accompanying clip, Miranda points out that she’s sporting Dolly’s clip-on hoop earrings, while Stapleton’s adorned with Kenny’s gold lion necklace. 

“The fact you got Stapleton in rollerskates should not be overlooked,” Russell Dickerson quipped in the comments.

Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

For Parmalee, it ‘Feels Like Home’ even when they’re on the road

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Parmalee‘s ready to kick off their fall Feels Like Home Tour Sept. 12 in Norfolk, Virginia, just as their latest hit, “Cowgirl,” breaks into Billboard‘s top 20.

The trek takes its name from a fan-favorite track from the band’s Fell in Love with a Cowgirl album.

“There's no better feeling than being on the road, playing for the fans who've been with us from the start and the new ones we meet every night,” lead singer Matt Thomas says. “This tour is all about that connection – feeling like home no matter where we are.”

Tickets are on sale now for the run that wraps Dec. 13 in Katy, Texas.

Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

‘Good News’: Shaboozey’s planning a free show in NYC

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Shaboozey‘s inviting you to get a wee bit “Tipsy” with him during a free show in New York City. 

The “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” hitmaker will play NYC Terminal 5 Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. ET as part of Jack Daniel’s Highway No. 7 music series. 

“Any time I get to perform, it feels like a special occasion to me,” he says. “But this show feels extra special as it will allow me to do what I love doing most – share my music with fans on an intimate level.”

In addition to the free show, there will be cocktails, a photo booth, giveaways and custom apparel stations. You can register for free tickets online, which will be distributed starting Sept. 18. 

Shaboozey’s currently celebrating his second #1 as “Good News” tops Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart.

Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

See Russell Dickerson, Ashley Cooke & Tucker Wetmore play baseball with 20 MLB All-Stars

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Russell Dickerson‘s already stepped in the wrestling ring – at least metaphorically – with his ongoing Russellmania Tour, and now he’s about to show off his baseball skills. 

He’s one of the stars set to play in The Lucky Classic Celebrity Softball Game Nov. 16 at Nashville’s First Horizon Park. 

It’s put on by the Burger Family Foundation, which was organized by Texas Rangers’ infielder Jake Burger and his wife, Ashlyn Burger, and inspired by their daughter Penelope Burger, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome.

“Ashlyn and I couldn't be more excited to bring The Lucky Classic to Nashville this off-season,” Jake says. “This city is home for us, and we wanted to create something that blends our two worlds, music and baseball, while giving back to a community we love.”

Ashley Cooke and Tucker Wetmore are already on board, along with more than 20 MLB All-Stars, like Corey Seager, Brent Rooker, Brandon Lowe and Bryan Reynolds.

Tickets are on sale now, with more talent additions still to come. 

Copyright © 2025, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

Governor DeSantis, state Surgeon General announce plan to end all vaccine mandates in Florida

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis greets supporters at the Iowa State Fair fair side chats in Des Moines^ Iowa. Des Moines^ Iowa^ USA - August 12^ 2023

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo have announced that they will work to phase out all childhood vaccine mandates in the state.

Ladapo declared at a press conference, “every single one of them. They’re all wrong,” which drew a standing ovation from the audience. Ladapo questioned the government’s authority to make personal health decisions, saying “who am I—or anyone else—to tell you what has to go into your body? Who am I to say what your child must take? That’s not my right.”

Ladapo described mandates as an “immoral” intrusion on people’s rights bordering on “slavery,” and hampers parents’ ability to make health decisions for their children. He said: “People have a right to make their own decisions, informed decisions. They don’t have the right to tell you what to put in your body. Take it away from them.”

The Florida Department of Health will move forward on this plan in coordination with the governor’s office, according to Ladapo, adding that the state Health Department can scrap its own rules for some vaccine mandates, but others would require action by the Florida Legislature.

Currently, Florida law requires children attending public schools to be vaccinated against several diseases, with those guidelines listed on the state health department’s website. Ladapo emphasized, however, that the state is not banning vaccines: “If you choose to get vaccinated, that’s your decision, and I hope it’s an informed one. If you choose not to, that’s also your decision. That’s how it should be.”

Gov. DeSantis also announced on Wednesday the creation of a state-level “Make America Healthy Again” commission modeled after similar initiatives launched at the federal level by President Trump, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The commission will be led by First Lady Casey DeSantis and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, with members including Ladapo, Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Shevaun Harris, and Department of Children and Families Secretary Taylor Hatch. According to DeSantis, the commission will “prioritize reforms that give Floridians more control over their health, cut red tape, hold bad actors accountable, and promote healthier lifestyles and innovation.”

Editorial credit: Juli Hansen / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Judge rules that critical DNA evidence will be allowed in Gilgo Beach serial killer case

Tunnel under Ocean Parkway to enter Gilgo Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. Babylon^ New York^ USA - 14 May 2023

A New York judge ruled Wednesday that prosecutors can present DNA evidence they say connects Rex Heuermann, the suspect accused of being the Gilgo Beach serial killer, to six of the seven women he is charged with murdering.

Suffolk County Judge Tim Mazzei made his ruling that prosecutors can use DNA evidence generated by Astrea Forensics in their case against Rex Heuermann. Astrea Forensics uses new techniques to analyze old and highly degraded DNA samples, like the ones collected from the bodies of the victims. Defense attorneys had fought to block the evidence, arguing that it was obtained through a relatively new method called whole genome sequencing, which had never before been admitted in a New York courtroom; however, prosecutors have said they have a trove of other evidence, including a “blueprint” for the killings and cellphone tracking data, that ties Heuermann to the case.

The defense quickly filed a motion on new grounds in an effort to block the evidence. saying the DNA evidence violates New York public health law that states a for-profit lab cannot submit evidence in criminal cases in the state. Prosecutors countered that the approach is rooted in widely recognized scientific principles. In filings ahead of previous court hearings, they said the defense request to dismiss the evidence should be denied because the method is “well established in the scientific community” and already applied in a range of forensic and research fields.

Heuermann, a New York City architect, was arrested in July 2023 and charged with the killings of three women: Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. Their bodies were among 10 found along Long Island’s Gilgo Beach when police set out in 2010 to search for Shannan Gilbert, a 24-year-old aspiring actress from New Jersey.

In 2024, Heuermann was charged with the killings of four more women: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor, Sandra Costilla and Valerie Mack.  He has pleaded not guilty to killing seven women whose bodies were discovered on Long Island between 1993 and 2011, several of them along Gilgo Beach.

The defense had specifically sought to exclude DNA evidence from hairs recovered from six of the victims: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor, and Valerie Mack. Investigators say they also discovered newspaper and magazine clippings about the Gilgo Beach murders inside his Massapequa Park home.

Prosecutors previously said that hairs found on some of the victims matched Heuermann’s family members through mitochondrial DNA testing, linking them to his wife and daughter. The defense is still awaiting a separate decision on its request to split the charges into multiple trials. Judge Mazzei said he expects to rule on that motion at the next hearing, scheduled for September 23.

Editorial credit: WoodysPhotos / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

A decade in, Kelsea Ballerini’s still eager to take ‘a leap of faith’

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Kelsea Ballerini‘s debut album, The First Time, arrived more than 10 years ago, on May 19, 2025. 

Her debut song made it to #1, and Kelsea admits it’s been a bit surreal ever since.

“It’s crazy, you know. We celebrated ‘Love Me Like You Mean It,’ my first single, being 10 years old last year,” she tells ABC Audio. “And that to me felt [like] in some ways it makes so much sense, because so much life has been lived. But then I also kind of just feel like it was yesterday that I was getting started and getting my bearings. And so it’s just been … a beautiful decade.”

Earlier this year, Kelsea put out The First Time: The 10 Year Anniversary Edition, complete with live versions, work tapes and unreleased demos. 

Back in April, she also wrapped her 36-date headlining arena tour. 

“It felt full circle in a way because my dream has always been to headline arenas,” she reflects. “And I’ve always poured so much into production no matter what kind of headlining rooms we were doing. If it was clubs, my production was always bigger than the shows we were playing. Because I buy into creating this atmosphere for people to step into for 90 minutes.”

“And I think that I finally got to a place where I was like ‘If I’m gonna make this jump, it’s now or never, so let’s just have a leap of faith,'” she adds. “And it’s done now and I can’t believe it. It’s very bittersweet, but it was so fulfilling and exhausting in the best way.”  

Kelsea will perform a special show at Chicago’s Riviera Theatre on Sept. 25, before she heads to Australia for five shows in December. 

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