Month: September 2022

Categories
Country Daypop

Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley and more set to perform at 5th Annual ‘Dance Party To End ALZ’

shutterstock_1492873211-1

Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley and his Hot Country Knights, Lindsay Ell, and more will perform at the 5th Annual “Dance Party to End ALZ”, set to take place at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon on Nov. 13. Funds raised will directly support the Alzheimer’s Association’s research grant program.

The star-studded benefit, hosted by Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Ashley Williams, and Jay Williams, will also feature performances from Tracy Lawrence, Ashley Campbell, Melinda Doolittle, Charles Esten, Chrissy Metz, and other special guests. Artists will perform their favorite songs from the ’90s to raise awareness and funds in the fight to end Alzheimer’s.

Said Williams-Paisley: “For the past five years, Dance Party to End ALZ has been bringing people together to dress up, dance and experience great live music as some of the biggest names in country music sing cover songs from the ‘80s and ‘90s. Most importantly, though, my siblings Ashley, Jay and I throw this event to help drive awareness and funds for a cause that affects millions of American families, including our own. To date, we’ve raised more than $1.3 million for the Alzheimer’s Association, helping fund research that is going to one day help lead us to a cure for this devastating disease.”

General admission tickets and VIP table packages are available now at alz.org/danceparty.

Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley Among Stars Of Fifth Annual Dance Party to End ALZ

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

80th Golden Globe Awards ceremony returning to NBC on Jan. 10th

shutterstock_1250981794-2

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (“HFPA”), dick clark productions and NBC announced that the 80th Golden Globe Awards will air live on NBC and Peacock on Jan. 10, 2023. No host has been announced as of press time.

Frances Berwick, chairman of entertainment networks at NBCUniversal television and streaming, said in a statement: “We recognize the HFPA’s commitment to ongoing change and look forward to welcoming back the Golden Globes to NBC for its landmark 80th anniversary in January 2023.” 

Helen Hoehne, president of the HFPA, added: “We are thrilled to announce the return of the Golden Globe Awards on NBC and to hosting the ‘party of the year’ for audiences around the world who have been waiting for its return. It’s great to be back at the Beverly Hilton for the must-see celebration recognizing the best in film and television. The HFPA remains committed to important changes and supporting programs which prioritize diversity, inclusion, and transparency. See you on Jan. 10!”

The Golden Globes, honoring excellence in film and TV, were canceled last year as the HFPA worked to improve its business practices and increase the diversity in its membership. The Globes voting body is now 52% female, 51.5% racially and ethnically diverse, with 19.5% Latinx, 12% Asian, 10% Black and 10% Middle Eastern.

Editorial credit: Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Sarah Paulson to portray Gwen Shamblin Lara in HBO Max’s scripted adaptation of ‘The Way Down’

shutterstock_2167988235

Sarah Paulson is set to executive produce and star as the late Gwen Shamblin Lara in the HBO Max scripted adaptation of its docuseries, The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin.

Shamblin rose to fame with her ‘Weigh Down Workshop,’ a Christian-based diet program, and founded the the controversial, Tennessee-based Remnant Fellowship Church.  The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin explored the practices of the Remnant Fellowship Church and the legacy of Lara — a flamboyant and charismatic figure with a carefully curated image, who was accused of emotional, psychological and physical abuse and exploitation for the church’s alleged cult-like practices.

The Way Down docuseries launched in September 2021 with three episodes, becoming the streamer’s most-watched docuseries at the time. Just before finishing the series, Shamblin and her husband died in a plane crash; and the series aired two more episodes where they spoke to more people about the controversial Remnant Fellowship Church. The second part examined the mysterious circumstances surrounding the crash and investigation into the aftermath, including new stories from former survivors who share their experience following Shamblin’s death.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Residents of Jackson, Mississippi file class action lawsuit over water crisis

shutterstock_2195586429-1

Residents of Jackson, Mississippi, have filed a class action lawsuit against the city, its current and former mayors, city officials and engineering companies, alleging that years of neglect culminated in a recent water crisis for more than 150,000 people.  Last week, the city finally had clean water restored following a boil water advisory from July when tests showed water quality was “cloudy.”

The residents asked the court in the lawsuit to force the city to repair the water system and to cancel any bills or debts held by residents for unsafe water or water that was not delivered, and also asked for community health centers to care for people who may have been injured by contaminated water and for an unspecified amount of money for damages.

Flooding of the Pearl River exacerbated the water crisis by causing water pressure issues in the city’s already-damaged system. The plaintiffs also allege that they were poisoned by lead and other contaminants released in Jackson’s drinking water before the water supply failed in August. The lawsuit reads: “These residents lack more than just drinking water, or water for making powdered baby formula, cooking, showering, or laundry. During the long period where the city pipes had no water pressure — and were unable to facilitate the flow of water — residents of Jackson could not flush their toilets for days at a time. This public health crisis, decades in the making, was wholly foreseeable by Defendants’ actions and has left Jackson residents in an untenable position — without access to clean, safe water in 2022 in a major United States city.”

Editorial credit: Chad Robertson Media / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Federal prosecutors press charges against 47 people in Covid scheme for stealing cash meant to help feed needy kids

shutterstock_2152403209-1

On Tuesday, federal prosecutors announced charges were filed against 47 people accused of carrying out the biggest Covid fraud scheme to date, stealing $250 million in a plot that exploited a federal program designed to feed needy children in Minnesota. U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger said in a statement: “This was a brazen scheme of staggering proportions. The defendants worked extremely fast, stealing money at a breakneck pace,” he added at a news conference announcing the charges.”More than 125 million fake meals are at issue in this case.”

Prosecutors say the fraud was overseen by Aimee Bock, who ran a nonprofit called Feeding Our Future. She has denied wrongdoing and argued that if fraud occurred, it was without her knowledge.  Prosecutors say charities, restaurants and individuals were involved in the fraud by claiming they were providing meals for thousands of underserved children — but in fact, the money was going to commercial real estate, luxury cars, and fancy homes. Nonprofits such as Feeding Our Future were supposed to sponsor and oversee the restaurants, community centers and other places where the meals were to be provided.

The indictments say Feeding Our Future opened more than 250 meal distribution sites throughout Minnesota and fraudulently obtained and disbursed more than $240 million in funds from the Federal Child Nutrition Program, run by the Agriculture Department. Many of the defendants are charged not only with fraud but with bribery because the government alleges the charities took kickbacks from the food sites in exchange for steering them federal grants.

The FBI said in court records that in the summer of 2020, state officials became suspicious of the large number of meals being claimed at sites sponsored by Feeding Our Future and sought to deny payments at many of them. State officials ultimately contacted the FBI, which began investigating, and conducted a series of raids in January that closed down the funding streams. The Justice Department has seized property, vehicles and bank accounts worth $50 million so far.

Editorial credit: Bo Shen / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Shania Twain announces new single ‘Waking Up Dreaming’

shutterstock_1672211704

Shania Twain took to social media to announce that she will release her new single ‘Waking Up Dreaming‘ this Friday, Sept. 23rd.   Saying she is entering the “next chapter” of her career, Twain wrote: “Every time I get to announce something like this I get such a rush of adrenaline and nerves – it never gets old. I am super excited to share with you that my new song ‘Waking Up Dreaming’ is coming out this Friday!!  I’ve spent the last couple years working away on new music… on my documentary… on the Vegas residency and it’s been such a creatively fulfilling time for me, I can’t wait for this next chapter and Waking Up Dreaming is just the start.⁠”

Twain teased new music in her Netflix documentary film ‘Not Just A Girl’, which saw her in the studio in London finishing work on tracks for the project: “I am here in London finishing my album – and getting with some great UK talent and creatives,” she said, before offering a look into studio sessions with producer Mark Ralph.  Twain also worked with the Ralph on further tracks for the project, two of which she previewed in the film.

To pre/save ‘Waking Up Dreaming‘, head here.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Zac Brown Band recruits Ingrid Andress for a new version of ‘Any Day Now’

shutterstock_2004628229-3

Zac Brown Band have shared their brand new collaboration with Ingrid Andress for a new version of the song “Any Day Now”.  The new version with Andress is from their forthcoming deluxe edition of “The Comeback”.

Brown enlisted many musical friends to collaborate on “The Comeback (Deluxe)”, which will be hitting stores on September 30th. Special guests include Cody Johnson for “Wild Palomino,” Jamey Johnson for “Stubborn Pride (with Marcus King)” and James Taylor for “Love and Sunsets.”

Check out “Any Day Now” featuring Ingrid Andress, here.
To pre-order/pre-save “The Comeback (Deluxe)” – head here.

Zac Brown Band enlists Ingrid Andress for ‘Any Day Now’

Editorial credit: Brian Friedman / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Broadway’s longest-running show ‘Phantom of the Opera’ announces final curtain call in 2023

shutterstock_312156755

Broadway’s longest-running show, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” is ending its run after 35 years. The final performance will take place on Saturday, February, 18, 2023, at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre. Prior to the Broadway show’s conclusion, “Phantom” will celebrate its 35th anniversary on January 26 with director Seth Sklar-Heyn at the helm.

‘Phantom’ is based on the horror novel Le Fantôme de L’Opéra by Gaston Leroux. Webber and Richard Stilgoe wrote the play with music by Webber and lyrics by Charles Hart. The play tells the story of the Phantom, who haunts the stage of the Paris Opera and subsequently falls in love with a beautiful young soprano. The show has played 13,733 performances since opening January 26, 1988 at New York City’s Majestic Theatre, and has won over 70 theater awards, including seven Tony Awards in 1988 for Best Musical, among others.

However, ‘Phantom’ has been losing between $800,000 and $1 million per month since reopening in October 2021, having failed to recover from the 18 month COVID-19 closure in March 2020. According to The Broadway League, ticket sales recently dropped from 255,000 weekly attendees in May to about 180,000 attendees in September.

The Phantom of the Opera is widely considered one of the most successful productions in history, playing to over 145 million people in 41 countries and 183 cities in 17 languages. The show will continue in London’s Her Majesty’s Theatre in the West End, where it’s played since opening in October 1986.  A recently premiered Melbourne version will also continue, and a Mandarin-language version is slated to debut in China in 2023, along with a Spanish-language venture, starring Antonio Banderas.

Editorial credit: Matthew Dicker / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Kelly Clarkson reunites with original ‘American Idol’ judges at her Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony

shutterstock_1162154995

Kelly Clarkson – the very first winner of American Idol –  received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was joined with some special guests at her ceremony: original Idol judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson.  Clarkson’s daughter River, 8, and son Remington, 6, were also in attendance at the ceremony.

It was 20 years ago this month that Clarkson won the first season of the singing competition. Upon receiving her, Clarkson said, “I think [it’s] important to have not just ‘yes’ people around you, but people that actually love you and care about you and give their honest advice. I’ve always welcomed that, and I think that is why I’m here today. Not just because of myself, but because of having constantly teams of people that love you and support you and really want to make your dreams come true while making their dreams come true.”

The 40-year-old Clarkson wrote via Instagram alongside a photo of her receiving her star on the Walk of Fame: “Thank you so much @NBC, @americanidol, @atlanticrecords, @kellyclarksonshow, @nbcthevoice, @creativeartistsagency, my personal team/crew, my band, my friends and family, and all the fans that came out today at The Walk of Fame ceremony ❤ It meant so much to have y’all there and it was so cool to celebrate with y’all! Here’s to the next 20 years!!🍾 by the way, my star is between Harry Potter and Deadpool ….I dare anyone to top that!”

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Judge orders the release of Adnan Syed after overturning his murder conviction

shutterstock_1015449355

On Monday a judge ordered the release of Adnan Syed, the Baltimore man serving a life sentence for a 1999 murder he says he did not commit, after overturning his conviction. Syed’s case was chronicled in the popular podcast “Serial.” The 42-year-old Syed was released to home confinement after serving more than 20 years in prison.  Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Melissa Phinn said she overturned his conviction “in the interest of justice.”  Prosecutors have not yet said whether they will seek a new trial or drop the charges against him. Phinn gave the state 30 days to decide which course to pursue.

Syed had been convicted in the killing of his former high school girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, whose body was found buried in a Baltimore park. Prosecutors cited a lack of confidence “in the integrity of the conviction” after completing a yearlong investigation with Syed’s attorneys. Lee’s brother, Young, attended the hearing remotely from California. Though he told the court he trusted the system, he also said he felt “betrayed” having believed the right person had been brought to justice.

Phinn’s decision to overturn his conviction follows a request from prosecutors last week, who said they weren’t asserting that Syed is innocent, but that they have uncovered new evidence that potentially links two previously known suspects to Lee’s murder. Evidence about those unidentified individuals had been withheld from Syed’s defense attorneys during his trial.

Syed’s criminal case captured the attention of millions in 2014 when he became the focus of the hit podcast ‘Serial’ that raised doubts about the evidence presented against him, including cellphone tower data. “Serial” podcast host Sarah Koenig was in the courtroom at the time of Syed’s ordered release, and the podcast announced on Twitter that a new episode of the program will be released Tuesday morning.

Editorial credit: Zolnierek / Shutterstock.com