Country
Police seek support to meet operational, infrastructural needs
The Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mr Mohammed Adamu, has called on well meaning individuals and corporate bodies to support the Nigeria Police to meets its operational and infrastructural needs. The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Frank Mba, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the I-G made the call when he received three operational vehicles donated by Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited. He said the I-G, represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), in charge of Operations, Mr Abdulmajid Ali, said the vehicles were donated to support the Community Policing programme. The I-G said the force had continued to receive commendable support from governments, corporate bodies and private individuals to ensure effective implementation of the community p...
Is Luke Bryan Becoming an Underwear Model?
He has a new album, he’s back on ‘Idol’ and now he’s teaming up with an iconic underwear brand. Luke Bryan got a little nervous when his wife, Caroline, opened a package of underwear Jockey sent him. The country couple, newly announced as brand ambassadors, unboxed some Jockey goodies for a comical campaign spot — and even though Bryan insisted he’s “been working out,” he wasn’t so sure about the thong. “Here’s your new go-to,” Caroline teased her husband, holding up a garment that would leave little to the imagination. “This is a prank, is what that is,” he playfully shot back in the clip, which was filmed in Nashville. (For the record, Bryan was all smiles about wearing the boxer briefs.) On Instagram, where the pair...
First Country: New Music From Josh Turner, Brothers Osborne, Dolly Parton & More
Josh Turner, Country State of Mind Turner’s steady baritone is the perfect match for this collection of classic country tunes. It’s his first country album in three years and the set marks a welcome return, especially since it finds him paired with some of his musical heroes and contemporaries. John Anderson joins Turner for a remake of Anderson’s 1993 common-man theme on “I’ve Got It Made,” as does Kris Kristofferson on his standard “Why Me,” which is bolstered by an especially moving performance by Turner. Randy Travis, who lost his singing voice following his stroke years ago, shows up for Turner’s loving take on “Forever and Ever, Amen.” Maddie & Tae, Runaway June, Allison Moorer and Chris Janson also join Turner. Expertly curated selections and Turner’s rock solid vocals make for ...
Faith Hill Shares Romantic Slow Dance With Tim McGraw During His Surprise ‘Family Album Release Party’
Tim McGraw is finally unveiling his Here on Earth album on Friday (Aug. 21), but a pandemic is not stopping his family from throwing him a proper celebration. Faith Hill took to Instagram on Tuesday (Aug. 18) to share that she and the couple’s daughters “surprised Tim with our first ever family album release party. Yeah, I know…..Honestly, it is the truth. We have never listened to one of our new albums with just the girls. Ever.” “An unforgettable evening for what in my humble opinion is one of the greatest albums Tim has ever recorded,” she continued. “We listened to the double vinyl records blaring from the speakers!!!!!! A night we will never forget.” The post featured the McGraws’ twinkle light-covered home, with the country power ...
Luke Bryan’s ‘Born Here Live Here Die Here’ Launches at No. 1 on Top Country Albums Chart
Plus, Mary Chapin Carpenter extends her history on Top Country Albums. Luke Bryan banks his ninth No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart, and his eighth to arrive at the pinnacle, as Born Here Live Here Die Here soars in at the summit on the survey dated Aug. 22. The set earned 65,000 equivalent album units (48,000 in album sales) in the week ending Aug. 13. On the all-genre Billboard 200, it enters at No. 5, marking Bryan’s 11th top 10. Released Aug. 7, the album, co-produced by the father-and-son team of Jeff and Jody Stevens, was originally due April 24 but was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [embedded content] Three singles, all of which topped Country Airplay, have been released from the new LP so far: “Knockin’ Boots” led for two weeks i...
Barack Obama Reveals 2020 Summer Playlist: Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, Childish Gambino
Former president Barack Obama has shared his 2020 summer playlist. Similar to his past playlists, it’s a hodgepodge of modern hits and all-time classics, though this year he’s spotlighting a number of artists on the campaign trail. “Over the past few months, I’ve spent a lot of time listening to music with my family,” he announced on Twitter with an accompanying screenshot of his 53 selections. “I wanted to share some of my favorites from the summer — including songs from some of the artists at this week’s @DemConvention.” In good faith, he starred those heading to the Convention, specifically Leon Bridges (“Texas Sun”), Common (“Forever Begins”), John Legend (“Don’t Walk Away”), The Chicks (“Gaslighter”), Billie Eilish (“My Future”), Maggie Rogers (“Love You for a Long Time”), Billy Porte...
Orville Peck and Shania Twain Cut Loose In An Empty Dive Bar For ‘Legends’ Duet: Watch
Orville Peck just might be the ultimate show pony. Don’t believe it? Well, the unconventional Canadian country artist called his latest EP Show Pony. Coincidence? On Monday night, Peck showed us what he’s made of for a late-night TV performance with his compatriot Shania Twain, with an empty dive bar their location. Peck showed us some slick moves, his face hidden from view. Twain brought the class that comes with winning a swag of Grammys. And the pair had a moment with their rendition of “Legends Never Die” on The Tonight Show. Speaking to Billboard earlier this year, Peck admitted he was star-struck by working with Twain. “I’ve been the biggest Shania fan my whole life, and she was literally the last person I got to hang out with before [self-isolating],” he explained. They’...
There’s Now a Dolly Parton Mural in Nashville Honoring Her Stance on Black Lives Matter
Dolly Parton‘s viral statement on Black Lives Matter from her current Billboard cover story is now painted alongside a mural of the country legend in Nashville. Nashville-based artist Kim Radford painted a flowery picture of Parton outside of The 5 Spot, a famous music venue in East Nashville, which she started last Thursday (Aug. 13). Then she read the country singer’s cover interview with Billboard last Friday (Aug. 14) where Parton proudly proclaimed her support for Black Lives Matter with this standout quote: “And of course Black lives matter. Do we think our little white a–es are the only ones that matter? No!” “The day before I finished the mural, Dolly had an amazing press release about her upcoming Christmas album and her interview with...
Song of the Week: Orville Peck and Shania Twain Play by Their Own Rules on “Legends Never Die”
Song of the Week breaks down and talks about the song we just can’t get out of our head each week. Find these songs and more on our Spotify New Sounds playlist. Today’s world feels a bit like the wild, wild west, doesn’t it? The more we get used to our new normal, the less it all makes sense. Between the pandemic, the much-needed Black Lives Matter protests, the upcoming election, and social distancing, this summer has been a lot, to say the least. Luckily for us, we got a slight reprieve from the madness this week from Orville Peck via his brand-new EP, Show Pony. The six-song collection from the mysterious country singer includes our Song of the Week, “Legends Never Die”, a duet with one country legend that’s hard not to recognize: Shania Twain. “Legends Never Die” is a timeless, classic...
Orville Peck Unleashes New Show Pony EP: Stream
Orville Peck has finally dropped his new Show Pony EP. The effort was originally due out earlier this year, but Peck postponed the release so as not to distract from the Black Lives Matter protests. The six-track project is highlighted by a so-called “dream come true” duet with country legend Shania Twain, aptly titled “Legends Never Die”. There’s also a cover of the Bobbie Gentry classic “Fancy”, as well as early original singles “Summertime” and “No Glory in the West”. Show Pony is Peck’s second-ever project following last year’s Pony debut album, which earned the masked alt-country star widespread critical acclaim. It also comes a month after his cover of Bronski Beat’s “Smalltown Boy”, released in honor of Pride month. Editors’ Picks Stream Show Pony below via Apple Music an...
Margo Price Covers Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” on The Daily Show: Watch
Although Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” may already be the song of the summer, it’s caused some predictable controversy amongst those with more conservative tastes. Everyone from congressional candidates to Tiger King stars have taken issue with the track, which begs the question: Is this yet another example of women — particularly Black women — facing a different level of public scrutiny? Exploring that thesis on The Daily Show on Thursday night, Margo Price recontextualized “WAP” as a beautiful country song. Would it be any less “offensive”? Price’s cover came as host Trevor Noah and remote correspondent Dulce Sloan examined the media’s sexist reaction to Kamala Harris being selected as presumptive democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s running mate. While arguing that...
One dead in fresh Ivory Coast clashes over president’s re-election bid
vAt least one person was killed in clashes in Ivory Coast on Saturday in the latest violence sparked by President Alassane Ouattara’s controversial decision to run for a third term in October. The shooting death brings to four the number of people killed in the central town of Daoukro, a stronghold of former president Henri Konan Bedie, who is also a candidate in the election. Across Ivory Coast, at least six people have died and more than 100 have been injured in violence after Ouattara’s shock announcement. Tensions were high on Saturday in Daoukro, where clashes between supporters of Bedie and Ouattara began on Tuesday. The town’s main market and shops were closed and police were deployed all over. Armed with shotguns, clubs and machetes, young people from the village of Anoumabo rushed...
