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Country Daypop

Beyoncé drops ‘Act II: Cowboy Carter’

Beyoncé has dropped her new album, Act II: Cowboy Carter, the follow-up to her Grammy-winning album Renaissance.

A press release detailing the album drop states in part that “COWBOY CARTER, executive produced by Beyoncé, is about genres, all of them, while deeply rooted in Country. This is the work of an artist who thrives in her freedom to grow, expand, and create limitlessly. It makes no apologies, and seeks no permission in elevating, amplifying, and redefining the sounds of music, while dismantling accepted false norms about Americana culture. It pays homage to the past, honoring musical pioneers in Country, Rock, Classical, and Opera”

Per The Hollywood Reporter the album features 27-songs, including a cover of Dolly Parton’s classic hit “Jolene,” as well as a collaboration with Willie Nelson on a song titled “Smoke Hour.” Post Malone is also reportedly featured on the track “Levii’s Jeans,” while Miley Cyrus is a guest vocalist on “II Most Wanted.”

In addition to her previously released singles “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em,” the tracklist for Act II: Cowboy Carter includes the songs: “Protector,” “Ameriican Requiem,” “Bodyguard,” “Daughter,” “Spaghettii,” “Smoke Hour II,” “Just for Fun,” “Flamenco,” “Ya Ya,” “Oh Louisiana,” “Desert Eagle,” “Riiverdance,” “Tyrant,” “II Hands II Heaven,” “Sweet Honey Buckin’,” “Alliigator Tears,” “Amen,” and a cover of The Beatles’ classic “Blackbird.”

Beyoncé, who recently shared the artwork and a note prior to the release of Cowboy Carter, stated: “This ain’t a Country album .. This is a ‘Beyoncé album.”

To stream “Cowboy Carter” head here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Beyoncé drops ‘Act II: Cowboy Carter’

Beyoncé has dropped her new album, Act II: Cowboy Carter, the follow-up to her Grammy-winning album Renaissance.

A press release detailing the album drop states in part that “COWBOY CARTER, executive produced by Beyoncé, is about genres, all of them, while deeply rooted in Country. This is the work of an artist who thrives in her freedom to grow, expand, and create limitlessly. It makes no apologies, and seeks no permission in elevating, amplifying, and redefining the sounds of music, while dismantling accepted false norms about Americana culture. It pays homage to the past, honoring musical pioneers in Country, Rock, Classical, and Opera”

Per The Hollywood Reporter the album features 27-songs, including a cover of Dolly Parton’s classic hit “Jolene,” as well as a collaboration with Willie Nelson on a song titled “Smoke Hour.” Post Malone is also reportedly featured on the track “Levii’s Jeans,” while Miley Cyrus is a guest vocalist on “II Most Wanted.”

In addition to her previously released singles “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em,” the tracklist for Act II: Cowboy Carter includes the songs: “Protector,” “Ameriican Requiem,” “Bodyguard,” “Daughter,” “Spaghettii,” “Smoke Hour II,” “Just for Fun,” “Flamenco,” “Ya Ya,” “Oh Louisiana,” “Desert Eagle,” “Riiverdance,” “Tyrant,” “II Hands II Heaven,” “Sweet Honey Buckin’,” “Alliigator Tears,” “Amen,” and a cover of The Beatles’ classic “Blackbird.”

Beyoncé, who recently shared the artwork and a note prior to the release of Cowboy Carter, stated: “This ain’t a Country album .. This is a ‘Beyoncé album.”

To stream “Cowboy Carter” head here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Suspect charged in connection with stabbing attack that left 4 dead, 7 injured in Rockford, Illinois

A man has been charged in connection with a stabbing attack that left four people dead – including one teenager – and seven others injured Wednesday afternoon in Rockford, Illinois. Rockford is a city of around 150,000 about 60 miles northwest of Chicago.

On Thursday morning, the Rockford Police Department confirmed to ABC News that the suspect, 22-year-old Christian Soto, was arrested as a suspect in the knife attack. Soto faces four counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder, as well as two counts of home invasion with a dangerous weapon. Authorities said that Soto is being held in the Winnebago County Jail.

Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana said that the brutal attack first began during a home invasion near Florence Street and Eggleston Road; a young woman trying to get away was stabbed in the face and hands and seriously wounded, while a Good Samaritan who tried to help the woman also was stabbed. The attacker then went on a rampage in the areas of Holmes Street, Winnetka Drive, and Cleveland Avenue in Rockford, police said. Calls for police and paramedics were soon coming in at multiple scenes in Rockford and surrounding parts of Winnebago County.

Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd said a total of four people were killed, with one critically injured, and four others taken to hospitals, where they remain in stable condition. Redd said not all of the victims were stabbed, but there were no gunshot victims. The victims who were killed include a 15-year-old girl, a 63-year-old woman, a 49-year-old man, and a 22-year-old man.

Police confirmed Thursday, that there were no other offenders involved in the attack, with Mayor Tom McNamara releasing the following statement: “Today, we are shocked by another horrific act of violence against innocent members of our community. We can report that the suspect is in custody and the threat has been neutralized. Now that he is in custody, our primary concern is ensuring that our community members directly impacted by this violence are supported throughout their healing and recovery. We are working with community partners to provide support and services quickly and conveniently to those residents. We will announce those details soon. We have multiple jurisdictions working on multiple crime scenes to develop an understanding of what transpired in an effort to prevent this from happening again. We will continue to provide updates.”

Editorial credit: Fer Gregory / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison on fraud charges

Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, 32, was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Thursday after he was found guilty on fraud charges related to the downfall of the failed cryptocurrency exchange.

Judge Lewis Kaplan delivered the sentence, calling the defense argument ‘misleading, logically flawed and speculative.’ Kaplan said that Bankman-Fried had obstructed justice and tampered with witnesses in mounting his defense, which he weighed in making his decision on sentencing.

Bankman-Fried  was accused of using customer deposits on the cryptocurrency trading platform FTX, the company he founded, to cover losses at his hedge fund, pay off loans and buy lavish real estate, among other personal expenses.  He was convicted last November on two wire fraud conspiracy counts, two counts of wire fraud, one money-laundering conspiracy count, plus two counts of commodities fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to commit securities fraud. The wire fraud and money laundering charges each carried a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while the other charges carry a maximum sentence of five years each.

Via NBC News, Damian Williams, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement that Bankman-Fried had orchestrated one of the largest frauds in financial history: “Today’s sentence will prevent the defendant from ever again committing fraud and is an important message to others who might be tempted to engage in financial crimes that justice will be swift, and the consequences will be severe.”

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

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Entertainment Daypop

‘Sex and the City’ to premiere on Netflix on April 1

Per The Hollywood Reporter, the classic HBO comedy Sex and the City will make its Netflix premiere on April 1. All 94 episodes of the show, which ran between 1998-2004, will be made available on the streaming services. Netflix’s social media read: “Hello, lover! Sex and the City — The Complete Series — is coming to Netflix on April 1”

Sex and the City starred Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon and Kim Cattrall as best friends Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha, navigating careers and relationships in New York City. The show was followed by two movie sequels in 2008 and 2010.

Parker, Davis and Nixon reunited in 2020 for the Sex and the City followup series, ‘And Just Like That …’, which will return for its third season this year. Sex and the City will continue to stream on Warner Bros. Discovery’s in-house streaming service, which is also the home of ‘And Just Like That…’

Editorial credit: Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Milwaukee’s Summerfest 2024 lineup: Maroon 5, Kane Brown, Mötley Crüe, Lil Uzi Vert & more

The lineup for Milwaukee’s 2024 Summerfest was revealed, featuring artists across all-genres including Keith Urban, Maroon 5, Mötley Crüe, REO Speedwagon, Illenium and more (per The Music Universe).

Festival organizers posted on social media: “Living in our mind rent-free 😍 The Summerfest lineup presented by @AmFam is here 🙌 Now sound off and tell us who you’re excited to see and tag your Summerfest Squad to get the party started ✌

The Wisconsin music festival runs across three consecutive weekends in downtown Milwaukee, from noon to midnight on June 20-22, 27-29 and July 4-6. The festival hosts 140 headliners over three weekends, comprising more than 1,000 performances across 12 different stages.

Additional performers at SUMMERFEST 2024 include: Kane Brown with Kameron Marlowe, Tyler Childers, Lil Uzi Vert with Lil Yachty, JID, Rico Nasty, Maroon 5, AJR with Carly Rae Jepsen, Keith Urban, Mötley Crüe with Seether and Buckcherry, Ivan Cornejo, Bryson Tiller, MUNA, Mt. Joy, David Kushner, Hippo Campus, Alison Wonderland, Jessie Murph, Lil Tecca, Cold War Kids, FLETCHER, Sleater-Kinney, Black Pumas, REO SPEEDWAGON, Umphrey’s McGee, En Vogue, Charles Wesley Godwin, Goo Goo Dolls, Ken Carson, Key Glock, Ethel Cain, The Wallflowers, Taking Back Sunday, Mariah the Scientist, Local Natives, Three Dog Night, and many more.

Sarah Pancheri, President and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc: “Our 2024 lineup embodies the essence of what makes Summerfest so special. With a curated selection of artists spanning genres and styles, the festival reflects the vibrancy of today’s music scene. With 600 artists at a 75-acre permanent festival park, Summerfest creates a one-of-a-kind environment that our fans look forward to every summer.”

Visit Summerfest.com for ticket information, and for the full festival lineup (including artist date, stage, and times), head here.

Editorial credit: James Meyer / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Democrat Marilyn Lands flips seat in Alabama House after running on abortion rights

Marilyn Lands, a Democratic candidate for a state House seat in Alabama, won a special election on Tuesday, defeating Republican Teddy Powell and  flipping the Republican-held seat. The seat representing Alabama’s 10th district (Madison City) in the state legislature had long been held by Republicans. Lands also ran for the seat in 2022, narrowly losing to her Republican opponent.

As a result of a court ruling in Alabama that threw access to fertility treatments into question, Lands focused her campaign on reproductive rights, including support for access to in vitro fertilization and abortion. Lands, a mental health counselor, said a statement: “Today, Alabama women and families sent a clear message that will be heard in Montgomery and across the nation. Our legislature must repeal Alabama’s no-exceptions abortion ban, fully restore access to IVF, and protect the right to contraception.”

After an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that equated frozen embryos to children, leading to major IVF providers in the state to pause fertility treatments, Lands spoke openly about her own abortion when her pregnancy was nonviable. She ran advertisements on reproductive health care, like contraception and in vitro fertilization.

Heather Williams, president of Democrats’ legislative campaign, called the special election “the first real test, and a harbinger of things to come .. Republicans across the country have been put on notice that there are consequences to attacks on IVF — from the bluest blue state to the reddest red, voters are choosing to fight for their fundamental freedoms by electing Democrats across the country.”

Editorial credit: Donald Walker / Shutterstock.com

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News Daypop

Settlement reached in lawsuit between allies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney

Following the takeover of the Walt Disney World theme park resort’s government by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Disney and allies of DeSantis reached a settlement agreement on Wednesday after a court fight over how Walt Disney World is developed in the future.

The board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District –which provides municipal services such as firefighting, planning and mosquito control, for example — was controlled by Disney supporters for most of its five decades.  The board members approved the settlement agreement, ending almost two years of litigation that was sparked by DeSantis’ takeover of the district from Disney supporters following the company’s opposition to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, which bans classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. As punishment for Disney’s opposition to the law, DeSantis took over the governing district through legislation passed by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature and appointed a new board of supervisors. Disney sued DeSantis and his appointees, claiming the company’s free speech rights were violated for speaking out against the legislation. A federal judge dismissed that lawsuit in January.

Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said in a statement Wednesday: “this agreement opens a new chapter of constructive engagement with the new leadership of the district and serves the interests of all parties by enabling significant continued investment and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs and economic opportunity in the state.”

Under the terms of Wednesday’s settlement agreement, Disney lets stand a determination by the board of DeSantis appointees that the comprehensive plan approved by the Disney supporters before the takeover is null and void. According to the settlement terms, Disney also agrees that a development agreement and restrictive covenants passed before the takeover are also not valid. As such, a comprehensive plan from 2020 will be used with the new board able to make changes to it, and the agreement suggests Disney and the new board will negotiate a new development agreement in the near future.

https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/settlement-reached-lawsuit-disney-florida-gov-ron-desantis-108552678

Editorial credit: Andrew Cline / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Thomas Rhett and Morgan Wallen hit No. 1 with “Mamaw’s House”

Thomas Rhett and Morgan Wallen hit No. 1 on country radio with “Mamaw’s House,” marking Rhett’s 22nd No. 1 at country radio, and Wallen’s 12th. “Mamaw’s House” appears on Rhett’s retrospective 20 NUMBER ONES collection, honoring the achievement of earning 20 No. 1 hits in just 10 years.

Rhett has worked with Wallen before, and is listed as a co-writer on several tracks on Wallen’s record-breaking sophomore project, Dangerous: The Double Album, including “Whiskey’d My Way” and “Your Bartender.” He previously shared of ‘Mamaw’s House’ that the song “wasn’t even supposed to be a single, and now it’s becoming a hit,” and was certain that the collaboration “didn’t have a chance.” Rhett added, “maybe there were too many collaborations, but it seems there can’t be too many collaborations. Not with Morgan.”

Rhett also shared how the song came together over a Zoom call in 2020: “Morgan and I wrote this song in 2020 on Zoom. Halfway through the session, Morgan got a call from his grandmother. After that, we decided to write a song about our grandmothers. The fact that we can write a song about our grandmothers, and it could be a No. 1 is pretty awesome. The song describes my grandmothers and Morgan’s as well – we wanted to describe a small town piece of paradise. Growing up, I can remember going to both of my grandmothers’ houses in South Georgia. I learned so many life lessons there about hard work, manners, and respect. This song really hits home for me and I hope everyone feels the same.”

Wallen added: “Many times in the past, I’ve been open and honest about the love I have for my Mamaw Boots“It was only a matter of time before a song was inspired by her. I dedicate this one to not only her, but to my living grandmothers as well. I hope they know what a big part they’ve all played in shaping my life. TR had a similar experience growing up, so I’m really glad we got to write and record this song together. Hope y’all enjoy it.”

Take a look at the lyric video for “Mamaw’s House” – here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Chris Janson drops ‘Whatcha See is Whatcha Get’

Chris Janson is sharing his latest song, “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get”, co-written by Janson, Tyler Hubbard, RaeLynn, Blake Hubbard and Jarrod Ingram, and produced by Julian Raymond.

Janson, who just signed with BMLG Records, reached the top of country radio with “All I Need Is You,” off his album The Outlaw Side of Me, marking his fifth No. 1 at country radio.

Janson is currently on the road with his headlining tour, and will join Cody Johnson for select dates as well. Janson will also be hitting the stage with his friend and CMT Crossroads partner Bret Michaels for his upcoming Pardi-Gras 2.0 kicking off on July 12th.

Take a look at the lyric video for ‘Whatcha See is Whatcha Get’ – here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com