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Go Country 105

Michael Ray's got new music and a new lease on life

Michael Ray‘s busy working on new music as he gets ready to hit the road in 2023.

He’ll launch his new tour February 18 in Los Fresnos, Texas, on the heels of being in the studio with producer Michael Knox, who’s best known for his work with Jason Aldean.

“My romance with the business of music was starting to take its toll on me,” Michael Ray confesses. “Things really come into focus when you take the time to live a little life.”

He finds that’s making a difference both in the studio and onstage.

“The main things that have kept me going this year is my family, friends, and these incredible fans that have become friends,” he reflects. “I think they'll see a lot of life lived in these songs, and hopefully they'll see themselves in it, too.”

The first taste of Michael’s follow-up to 2021’s Higher Education should arrive sometime this spring.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Nobody Trashes Tennessee – especially not Chris Janson

Chris Janson‘s now officially a spokesmodel. He’s not hawking a product, however, he’s speaking out for perhaps his favorite cause: protecting the outdoors. 

The Missouri native is the new face of the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s litter prevention campaign, known as Nobody Trashes Tennessee. Chris has made the Volunteer State his home since 2004.

“One of my greatest conservation goals is getting kids out of their houses, off their devices and into the great outdoors,” he says. “Litter on our roads, waterways and woods affects their ability to enjoy nature.”

“It affects all Tennesseans and endangers wildlife,” he continues. “I want to do my part to ensure our state's natural resources are thriving for future generations and I am excited to … work together towards a litter-free state.”

Tennesseans and those passing through should soon start to see Chris in outdoor advertising, public service announcements and more. Find out more at NobodyTrashesTennessee.com.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Kacey Musgraves will sing for Loretta at the Grammys

Kacey Musgraves will perform “Coal Miner’s Daughter” in honor of Loretta Lynn during Sunday night’s Grammys. The country icon passed away peacefully at her Tennessee home last October at the age of 90.

Kacey’s just one part of an expanded In Memoriam segment on this year’s show. Sheryl CrowBonnie Raitt and Mick Fleetwood will remember Fleetwood Mac‘s Christine McVie with “Songbird.” Maverick City Music and Quavo will perform “Without You” for rapper Takeoff.

You can tune in to watch the 65th Grammys Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Any Grammy of Mine? Shania Twain's Sunday plans

Just days after her new album, Queen of Me, comes out on Friday, Shania Twain will be a presenter at this Sunday’s Grammys. 

First lady Jill BidenCardi BJames CordenBilly CrystalViola DavisDwayne Johnson and Olivia Rodrigo are set to take the stage, as well. 

So far, Luke Combs is the only country artist confirmed to perform, though more announcements are expected in the coming days. 

You can tune in to watch the 65th annual Grammy Awards, hosted by Trevor Noah, live from LA’s Crypto.com Arena Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Willie Nelson could follow Dolly into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

First Dolly, now Willie. That’s right: a year after Dolly Parton was nominated, and eventually inducted, into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it’s Willie Nelson‘s turn. 

He’s the latest country artist up for induction into the Hall this year, alongside Nashville resident – and frequent country collaborator – Sheryl Crow. Rockers The White Stripes, which include Loretta Lynn‘s Van Lear Rose cohort Jack White, could also make it in this year.

Among the other potential 2023 inductees are: ’80s icons Cyndi Lauper and George Michael; rockers Iron MaidenJoy Division/New OrderRage Against the MachineSoundgarden and Warren Zevon; hip-hop’s Missy Elliott and A Tribe Called Quest; R&B legends The Spinners and “Running Up That Hill” vocalist Kate Bush.

February 1 through April 28, you can cast your vote online, with the winners to be announced in May. The annual induction takes place in the fall. 

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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News Daypop

Vice President Kamala Harris will attend the funeral of Tyre Nichols in Memphis

The office of Vice President Kamala Harris announced that she will travel to Memphis, Tennessee, to attend the funeral of Tyre Nichols on Wednesday.

Civil rights lawyer and Nichols’ family attorney Ben Crump said Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, and stepfather, Rodney Wells, spoke by phone with Harris for more than 30 minutes on Tuesday about Nichols’ death. Crump said in a statement: “Tyre’s parents invited Vice President Harris to the funeral tomorrow, and were pleased that she accepted their invitation. Mr. and Mrs. Wells are grateful for Vice President Harris reaching out to them during this heartbreaking time and for her sensitivity on the call.”

The 29-year-old Nichols, a black man, died on Jan, 10, three days after he was beaten by Memphis police officers at a traffic stop. Graphic footage of the incident was recorded on officers’ body cameras, and the footage was released to the public on Friday, sparking nationwide outrage. As a result, five officers were fired and charged with second-degree murder in Nichols’ death. Two other officers were relieved of duty amid an ongoing investigation. Three fire department personnel (two EMTs and a lieutenant) who responded to the scene were also fired.

The funeral will be held at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, where Harris will join several other senior White House officials, including Keisha Lance Bottoms, senior adviser to the president for public engagement, Mitch Landrieu, senior adviser and infrastructure implementation coordinator, and Tara Murray, deputy director of the Office of Public Engagement. Breonna Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, and George Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, will also be in attendance. The service is set to begin at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Editorial credit: Maverick Pictures / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

President Biden highlights infrastructure grants for NYC train tunnel

President Joe Biden announced during a visit to New York City on Tuesday $1.2 billion in federal funding for nine key infrastructure projects, the largest of which is the Hudson Tunnel Project on the northeast commuter rail corridor.  The $292 million for the Hudson Tunnel Project will see an entirely new tunnel built, followed by heavy refurbishment of the two existing single-track crossings. The multimillion-dollar investment comes from the National Infrastructure Project Assistance Discretionary Grant Program, part of Biden’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, passed in late 2021.

The current tunnel’s two separate tubes opened in late 1910 and carry Amtrak and New Jersey Transit trains under the Hudson River and connect Manhattan’s Pennsylvania Station with Weehawken, N.J. They allow for a maximum of 24 trains per hour on what is the busiest commuter rail corridor in the country. More than 450 trains carry 200,000 passenger trips per day during the week through the tunnel. Both underpasses were damaged during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The U.S. Department of Transportation says on the project website: “It is in poor condition as a result of storm damage and requires regular and, occasionally, emergency maintenance that disrupts service for hundreds of thousands of rail passengers throughout the region. Despite the ongoing maintenance, the tunnel’s systems continue to degrade and can only be addressed through a comprehensive rehabilitation of the tunnel.”

Biden also highlighted eight other large infrastructure projects across several states. The other major grants announced is $250 million for the Brent Spence Bridge connecting Ohio and Kentucky, as well as $150 million for the Louisiana Department of Transportation for improvements to the Calcasieu River Bridge along a busy stretch of interstate, and also $117 million to improve a two-mile corridor of Illinois’ Metra Commuter Railroad. That corridor includes 11 separate bridge replacements.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Cody Johnson turns six shows into one 'Rockin'' live experience

If you can’t make it out to see Cody Johnson in concert, that’s OK, he can come to you – sort of.

You see, the prison guard turned rodeo cowboy turned country star has just put together an epic, two-disc live set that showcases what he does on the road.

“We’ve been trying for years to capture the live energy in the studio,” he tells ABC Audio. “And I felt like we did a pretty good job of it on ”Til You Can’t.’ It has that vibe, but it just doesn’t replace recording an actual live album.”

Cody’s career-changing song is included in the live set, as is his current hit, “Human.”

“We recorded six shows,” he explains. “You know, some nights the wind would hit the microphone wrong or the guitar amp was a little jacked up. So we just tried to take the best takes from six nights, keep the editing down to a minimum and make it a true live album.”

“But there’s, like, 27 tracks on this record,” he adds.  

Cody Johnson & the Rockin’ CJB Live is out now and also features his previous hits, “On My Way to You” and “Dear Rodeo.” 

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Categories
Country Daypop

Chase Rice shares short film for the song “Bench Seat”

Chase Rice has released a short film video for his brand new single, “Bench Seat”, which comes from his forthcoming album, “I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell,” set for release February 10th.  The video puts the spotlight on mental health struggles.

Says Rice of the song: “My buddy was in a really dark place – to the point where he was ready to end his own life. It took a lot for him to take me back to that moment, but when he told me what stopped him it stopped me in my tracks: his dog came and laid his head on his lap, and that connection saved him. I wrote this song by myself with the point of view from the dog’s perspective – which might not be obvious right away – and what that moment might have meant for the two of them if not for that intervention.”

The video, directed by Kaiser Cunningham, comes in the form of a 7+-minute short film spotlighting the mental health struggle that affects countless people. The intention of the video is to encourage viewers to feel comfortable talking about the topic and seeking the assistance they need, with its conclusion pointing to available resources via wannatalkaboutit.com and for anyone in crisis to call/text 988.

Watch the video for “Bench Seat” – here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong/ Shutterstock.com

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Country Daypop

Morgan Wallen shares three songs from upcoming album ‘One Thing At A Time’

Morgan Wallen took to social media to announce his third studio project, the 36-track album ‘One Thing At A Time,’ which will drop on Friday, March 3rd. To pre-order ‘One Thing At A Time,’ head here.

Wallen shared the details on Instagram: ‘March 3. Wallen 3. 36 New Songs. “One Thing At A Time” – MW. This announcement has been a long time coming. I’m releasing my album pre-order tonight!! And releasing 3 new songs to celebrate – “Last Night”, “Everything I Love” and “I Wrote The Book”.

As mentioned, Wallen dropped the tracks “Last Night,” “Everything I Love” and “I Wrote The Book” from his forthcoming studio album after his announcement.  You can take a listen to the three new songs: here.

Wallen will also be kicking off his world tour. The “One Night At A Time World Tour”, featuring special guests HARDY, Parker McCollum, ERNEST and Bailey Zimmerman.

BREAKING: Morgan Wallen Announces New Album, ‘One Thing At A Time’

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com