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Go Country 105

In the midst of wedding planning, Hardy admits the logistics are tough: We “fired our wedding planner”

Last August, Hardy got down on one knee on the rose-strewn floor of a historic Mississippi theater and proposed to his longtime love, Caleigh Ryan.

While the newly affianced couple’s special moment was certainly the stuff of fairy tales, organizing the wedding hasn’t always been nearly so romantic in the months since, Hardy admits. “We just fired our wedding planner,” the singer said with a chuckle backstage at the ACM Awards in February. “That’s an update.”

In between co-writing sessions and a rigorous touring schedule, Hardy says it’s been difficult to nail down dates, details and just about everything else about the ceremony.

“We’re just trying to get married in October sometime. We’re still looking at venues. It’s tough, man,” he continues. “We want to have a big wedding with a lot of people, and we’re trying to figure out the right venue for it. It’s been tough, but I think we’re getting there.”

He says “we,” but Hardy is quick to give his bride-to-be the credit for most of the planning. “Caleigh’s taking the reins, no doubt,” he acknowledges.

“And she’s got a little bit more time on her hands. But I’m very responsive,” Hardy goes on to say. “I told her from the beginning: I care, but I don’t have an opinion. So it could be whatever she wants.”

The ceremony may still be in the works, but the couple have already put together one heck of an engagement party. In February, Caleigh shared a string of snapshots of the dazzling, impeccably decorated event, complete with a muted pastel color scheme, wedding-themed duds for the future bride and groom, and a gigantic lit-up sign that reads “Engaged.”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Country Daypop

Milwaukee’s ‘Summerfest’ to feature Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett and more among 2022 lineup

Milwaukee’s Summerfest has announced its star-studded lineup headed to the amphitheater stage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Summerfest hosts the music industry’s biggest acts, emerging talent, and local favorites along with approximately 750,000 fans, for an unforgettable live music experience, according to the release. The festival features over 1,000 performances on 12 permanent stages, along with food, beverages, and activities, all in a world-class festival setting.

The festival takes place over three consecutive weekends—June 23 -25; June 30- July 2 and July 7-9.  Headliners include Justin Bieber, Halsey, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Wayne/Wiz Khalifa/Wu-Tang Clan, Backstreet Boys, Willow, Jason Aldean, The Black Crowes, Rod Stewart, Charli XCX, Thomas Rhett, Steve Miller Band, Anthony Hamilton, The Pretty Reckless, Violent Femmes, and more.  You can view the complete lineup HERE.

A separate American Family Insurance Amphitheater ticket is required for Amphitheater shows. Head to Ticketmaster.com for Amphitheater show tickets. Amphitheater shows include: Jason Aldean, Justin Bieber, Machine Gun Kelly, Halsey, Rod Stewart, Thomas Rhett and their supporting acts.

Tickets for Summerfest are on sale now; visit Summerfest.com for more information.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Shawn Mendes releases the music video for his new song ‘When You’re Gone’

Shawn Mendes has released his new single along with a music video for the song “When You’re Gone.” You can check out the video – here.  The video for “When You’re Gone” gives a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the song, including footage of Mendes performing the track for the first time at SXSW music and film festival this month.

“When You’re Gone” is Mendes’ first single of 2022. The song follows his split from singer Camila Cabello in November after two years of dating. Mendes also released the song “It’ll Be Okay” in the wake of the breakup.

Mendes’ most recent album, Wonder, was released in December 2020.

Editorial credit: Cubankite / Shutterstock.com

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Go Country 105

Grammys 2022: The Backstage Scene

Backstage at the Grammys Sunday night in Las Vegas, artists answered questions from both reporters who were actually backstage at the MGM Grand Arena, and reporters who’d logged in on Zoom from around the country.  But some of the night’s biggest winners didn’t appear backstage.

Olivia Rodrigo and Silk Sonic, both of whom won multiple awards Sunday night, posed for photos, but didn’t talk to reporters. Doja Cat, who won Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for “Kiss Me More,” also declined to speak with reporters, but her duet partner, SZA, did come backstage, despite the fact that she was on crutches due to, as she put it, “falling out of bed” the day before.

“That’s the way it goes,” she laughed. “Everything awesome in my life has always come with something very random, but it just adds to the energy.”

SZA’s Grammy was her first win after 11 nominations, and R&B songstress Jazmine Sullivan and country duo Brothers Osborne were two other artists who finally won for the first time Sunday night after multiple nominations.  Backstage, Sullivan, who actually won two trophies, said, “After losing so many times, I feel like I kinda gave up [hope of ever winning]…so it’s surreal to actually hold these babies!”

TJ Osborne of Brothers Osborne, who admitted that his mother “hates” that he dyed his hair blond, spoke about how “incredibly fulfilling” it’s been to perform for their fans since he came out as gay last year.

But country’s big winner was Chris Stapleton, who took home three trophies, including Best Country Album. Asked backstage who out there he’d like to collaborate with, Stapleton, who’s worked with Taylor Swift, Adele and Santana, among others, said he wouldn’t mind working with Harry Styles.

Country superstar Carrie Underwood won the Best Roots Gospel Album Grammy for her faith-based project My Savior and cried backstage as she spoke about how it “means the world” to her that she won because she’s wanted to make that kind of album “literally my whole career.”

H.E.R., who won the Best Traditional R&B Performance Grammy, was still buzzing from her performance with Lenny Kravitz on the show.  “I was having so much fun…growing up, I’d literally study all his videos…he’s one of the reasons why I even wanted to play guitar, so having this full circle moment…I was at a loss for words.”

And The Late Show with Stephen Colbert bandleader Jon Batiste, who had the most Grammys going into the show, also cited Lenny Kravitz as HIS full circle moment: Kravitz announced that Batiste had won the Album of the Year for his project We Are. “We played together when I was 16, so it was surreal,” Batiste told reporters, adding, “Seeing Uncle Lenny up there, it was just like a whole vibe, like, ‘This is far out.'”

Foo Fighters swept the rock categories, but sadly, they didn’t attend due to the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins. St. Vincent won Best Alternative Album for Daddy’s Home and backstage, she mentioned how happy she was that Jack Antonoff, her co-producer on the album, had been named Producer of the Year.

She also spoke about how “times are changing” in terms of women in alternative rock, while rock legend Bonnie Raitt, who won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, praised the new crop of young female artists, including Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo.

“Across all genres, I think women are kickin’ it,” said Raitt.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Grammys 2022: The Backstage Scene

Backstage at the Grammys Sunday night in Las Vegas, artists answered questions from both reporters who were actually backstage at the MGM Grand Arena, and reporters who’d logged in on Zoom from around the country.  But some of the night’s biggest winners didn’t appear backstage.

Olivia Rodrigo and Silk Sonic, both of whom won multiple awards Sunday night, posed for photos, but didn’t talk to reporters. Doja Cat, who won Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for “Kiss Me More,” also declined to speak with reporters, but her duet partner, SZA, did come backstage, despite the fact that she was on crutches due to, as she put it, “falling out of bed” the day before.

“That’s the way it goes,” she laughed. “Everything awesome in my life has always come with something very random, but it just adds to the energy.”

SZA’s Grammy was her first win after 11 nominations, and R&B songstress Jazmine Sullivan and country duo Brothers Osborne were two other artists who finally won for the first time Sunday night after multiple nominations.  Backstage, Sullivan, who actually won two trophies, said, “After losing so many times, I feel like I kinda gave up [hope of ever winning]…so it’s surreal to actually hold these babies!”

TJ Osborne of Brothers Osborne, who admitted that his mother “hates” that he dyed his hair blond, spoke about how “incredibly fulfilling” it’s been to perform for their fans since he came out as gay last year.

But country’s big winner was Chris Stapleton, who took home three trophies, including Best Country Album. Asked backstage who out there he’d like to collaborate with, Stapleton, who’s worked with Taylor Swift, Adele and Santana, among others, said he wouldn’t mind working with Harry Styles.

Country superstar Carrie Underwood won the Best Roots Gospel Album Grammy for her faith-based project My Savior and cried backstage as she spoke about how it “means the world” to her that she won because she’s wanted to make that kind of album “literally my whole career.”

H.E.R., who won the Best Traditional R&B Performance Grammy, was still buzzing from her performance with Lenny Kravitz on the show.  “I was having so much fun…growing up, I’d literally study all his videos…he’s one of the reasons why I even wanted to play guitar, so having this full circle moment…I was at a loss for words.”

And The Late Show with Stephen Colbert bandleader Jon Batiste, who had the most Grammys going into the show, also cited Lenny Kravitz as HIS full circle moment: Kravitz announced that Batiste had won the Album of the Year for his project We Are. “We played together when I was 16, so it was surreal,” Batiste told reporters, adding, “Seeing Uncle Lenny up there, it was just like a whole vibe, like, ‘This is far out.'”

Foo Fighters swept the rock categories, but sadly, they didn’t attend due to the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins. St. Vincent won Best Alternative Album for Daddy’s Home and backstage, she mentioned how happy she was that Jack Antonoff, her co-producer on the album, had been named Producer of the Year.

She also spoke about how “times are changing” in terms of women in alternative rock, while rock legend Bonnie Raitt, who won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, praised the new crop of young female artists, including Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo.

“Across all genres, I think women are kickin’ it,” said Raitt.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Grammys 2022: Chris Stapleton wins big; Carrie Underwood, Brothers Osborne and more perform

The 64th annual Grammy Awards kicked off live from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday night, hosted by Trevor Noah.

Chris Stapleton won big, snagging the award for Best Country Album for Starting Over during the televised portion of the awards ceremony. He also won Best Country Song for “Cold,” which he later took the stage to effortlessly perform.

Another amazing performance came from Brandi Carlile, who, after being introduced by music icons Bonnie Raitt and Joni Mitchell, sang her Grammy-nominated hit “Right On Time.”

Looking fierce, Carrie Underwood performed her new song “Ghost Story” for the first time ever. Showing off her powerhouse vocals, she was slowly raised into the air on a platform as the song came an end.

Ending on a high, Brothers Osborne closed out the show giving an electric performance of “Dead Man’s Curve,” which comes after the duo, consisting of brothers TJ and John Osborne, won their first ever Grammy award for Best County Duo/Group Performance for “Younger Me.”

Accepting the award, TJ, joined by his brother at the podium during a pre-telecast premiere ceremony, said, “For those of you who do not know, this song was written really in response to me coming out.”

“I never thought I would be able to do music professionally because of my sexuality,” he continued. “And I certainly never thought I would be here on this stage accepting a Grammy after having done something I felt like was going to be life-changing, potentially in a very negative way. And here I am tonight, not only accepting this Grammy award with my brother, who I love so much, but I'm here with a man that I love and who loves me back. I don't know what I did to get so lucky.”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Grammys 2022: Chris Stapleton wins big; Carrie Underwood, Brothers Osborne and more perform

The 64th annual Grammy Awards kicked off live from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday night, hosted by Trevor Noah.

Chris Stapleton won big, snagging the award for Best Country Album for Starting Over during the televised portion of the awards ceremony. He also won Best Country Song for “Cold,” which he later took the stage to effortlessly perform.

Another amazing performance came from Brandi Carlile, who, after being introduced by music icons Bonnie Raitt and Joni Mitchell, sang her Grammy-nominated hit “Right On Time.”

Looking fierce, Carrie Underwood performed her new song “Ghost Story” for the first time ever. Showing off her powerhouse vocals, she was slowly raised into the air on a platform as the song came an end.

Ending on a high, Brothers Osborne closed out the show giving an electric performance of “Dead Man’s Curve,” which comes after the duo, consisting of brothers TJ and John Osborne, won their first ever Grammy award for Best County Duo/Group Performance for “Younger Me.”

Accepting the award, TJ, joined by his brother at the podium during a pre-telecast premiere ceremony, said, “For those of you who do not know, this song was written really in response to me coming out.”

“I never thought I would be able to do music professionally because of my sexuality,” he continued. “And I certainly never thought I would be here on this stage accepting a Grammy after having done something I felt like was going to be life-changing, potentially in a very negative way. And here I am tonight, not only accepting this Grammy award with my brother, who I love so much, but I'm here with a man that I love and who loves me back. I don't know what I did to get so lucky.”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Grammys 2022: The complete winners list

The 64th Annual Grammy Awards aired live from Las Vegas Sunday night on CBS, hosted by Trevor Noah.

Here is the complete list of winners in the major categories:

Record of the Year
“Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic

Album of the Year
We Are, Jon Batiste

Song of the Year
“Leave the Door Open,” Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II & Bruno Mars, songwriters (Silk Sonic)

Best New Artist
Olivia Rodrigo

POP

Best Pop Solo Performance
“driver's license,” Olivia Rodrigo

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat Featuring SZA

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Love For Sale, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga

Best Pop Vocal Album
Sour, Olivia Rodrigo

ROCK/ALTERNATIVE

Best Metal Performance
“The Alien,” Dream Theater

Best Rock Song
“Waiting on a War,” Foo Fighters

Best Rock Performance
“Making a Fire,” Foo Fighters

Best Rock Album
Medicine at Midnight, Foo Fighters

Best Alternative Music Album
Daddy's Home, St. Vincent

R&B/RAP

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE (TIE)
“Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic
and
“Pick Up Your Feelings,” Jazmine Sullivan

Best Traditional R&B Performance
“Fight for You,” H.E.R.

Best R&B Song
“Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic

Best Progressive R&B Album
Table for Two, Lucky Daye

Best R&B Album
Heaux Tales, Jazmine Sullivan

Best Rap Performance
“Family Ties,” Baby Keem Featuring Kendrick Lamar

Best Melodic Rap Performance
“Hurricane,” Kanye West featuring the Weeknd and Lil Baby

Best Rap Song
“Jail,” Dwayne Abernathy, Jr., Shawn Carter, Raul Cubina, Michael Dean, Charles M. Njapa, Sean Solymar, Kanye West and Mark Williams, songwriters (Kanye West featuring Jay-Z)

Best Rap Album
Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler, the Creator

COUNTRY

Best Country Solo Performance
“You Should Probably Leave,” Chris Stapleton

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“Younger Me,” Brothers Osborne

Best Country Song
“Cold,” Dave Cobb, J.T. Cure, Derek Mixon & Chris Stapleton

Best Country Album
Starting Over, Chris Stapleton

DANCE/ELECTRONIC MUSIC

Best Dance Recording
“10%” by Kaytranada feat. Kali Uchis

Best Dance/Electronic Album
Alive, Rüfüs Du Sol

GOSPEL/CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
“Believe For It,” CeCe Winans; Dwan Hill, Kyle Lee, CeCe Winans & Mitch Wong

Best Gospel Album
Believe For It, CeCe Winans

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
Old Church Basement, Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music

Best Roots Gospel Album
My Savior, Carrie Underwood

LATIN

Best Latin Pop Album
Mendó, Alex Cuba

Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
Origen, Juanes

Best Regional Mexican Music Album
A Mis 80s, Vicente Fernandez

Best Tropical Latin Album
Salswing!, Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta

COMEDY

Best Comedy Album
Sincerely, Louis C.K.

MUSICAL THEATER

Best Musical Theater Album
The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, Composers/Lyricists Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Producer Emily Bear

MUSIC FOR VISUAL MEDIA

Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (TIE)
Caros Raphael Rivera, The Queen's Gambit
and
Jon Batiste, Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor, Soul

Best Song Written For Visual Media
“All Eyes on Me” (from Bo Burnham: Inside), Bo Burnham

MUSIC VIDEO/FILM

Best Music Video
“Freedom,” Jon Batiste

Best Music Film
Summer of Soul, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, video director; David Dinerstein, Robert Fyvolent & Joseph Patel, video producers

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Grammys 2022: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers powerful video message

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise appearance at the 64th Grammy Awards and sent a powerful message about the cost of freedom and the healing power of music.

In a pre-taped video, the president spoke from an unknown location in his country, which is being bombarded by Russian bombs in an unprecedented attack to seize control of the country.  Zelenskyy remained poised and spoke with a stern, gravel-like tone about the cost of Russia’s ongoing war.

“The war.  What’s more opposite to music?  The silence of ruined cities and killed people.  Our children draw swooping rockets, not shooting stars.  Over 400 children have been injured and 153 children died and we’ll never see them drawing,” he said. “Our parents are happy to wake up in the morning.  In bomb shelters. Alive.”

Zelenskyy urged, “The war doesn’t let us choose who survived and who stays in eternal silence.”

“Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos.  They sing to the wounded in hospitals.  Even to those who can’t hear them, but the music will break through anyway,” he continued, noting Russia is bringing “horrible silence with its bombs.  The dead silence.”

He urged those at the Grammy Awards to “fill the silence with your music” and to “tell our story” by sharing the “truth” of the Russian invasion “on your social networks, on TV — support us in any way you can.”

While naming the besieged cities of Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Volnovakha and Mariupol, Zelenskyy declared, “I have a dream of them living and free.  Free like you on the Grammy stage.”

The Ukrainian president’s speech was followed by John Legend‘s performance of “Free.” He was joined by Ukrainian instrumentalist Siuzanna Iglidan and singer Mika Newton for the inspiring number.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes

Billy Ray Cyrus has teamed up with Snoop Dogg and The Avila Brothers for a new collaboration, “A Hard Working Man.” The song is out now.

Brett Young joins newcomer Ashley Cooke on her new song “Never Til Now.”

Up-and-comer Breland just released the music video for “Dirt Road Remix,” a collaboration with country-leaning rapper Kidd G.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.