Month: April 2025

Categories
Country Daypop

Kenny Chesney, June Carter Cash, producer-musician Tony Brown named 2025 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees

Kenny Chesney performs onstage at the Runaway Country Music Fest at Osceola Heritage Park on March 19^ 2016 in Kissimmee^ Florida.

Kenny Chesney, June Carter Cash, and producer-musician Tony Brown have been named the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Country Music Association established the Country Music Hall of Fame as a way to recognize and honor individuals for their outstanding contributions to and impact on the advancement of country music.

Chesney will be inducted in the modern era artist category; while June Carter Cash will be inducted in the veteran’s era artist category; and Tony Brown will be inducted into the non-performer category (which rotates every three years with the songwriter and recording and/or touring musician categories).

The Nashville institution announced the trio of music icons as their 2025 inductees during a press conference in the Hall’s rotunda, where the plaques honoring the new class will be installed later this year during the Hall’s annual Medallion Ceremony.  Each year election process consists of nomination of candidates, which is done by committees and election of nominees, done by a voting body of several hundred anonymous professionals in the country music industry.

Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement: “This year’s inductees embody the relentless drive and dedication that defines Country Music. Kenny, June and Tony have each left a lasting imprint on the genre, shaping its history with their contributions. From a young age, each of them was immersed in music, and their lifelong commitment has led to this very moment. Their achievements speak to the passion and dedication that have defined their extraordinary careers, and the impact of their work will continue to inspire future generations. There’s something incredibly special about being able to surprise each inductee or their family with this recognition – it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of my job, knowing how deeply their careers have touched the lives of so many, including myself. It is with great pride that we honor these three remarkable individuals and celebrate the lasting legacy they have created within our format.”

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Eric Church to release new album ‘Evangeline vs. The Machine’

Eric Church headlines BottleRock Music Festival day 3. Napa^ CAUSA: 6-1-14

Eric Church will release his new album, the eight-track Evangeline Vs. the Machine, on May 2 — marking Church’s first release since 2021’s Heart & Soul triple project.

Church said in a statement: “An album is a snapshot in time that lasts for all time. I believe in that time-tested tradition of making records that live and breathe as one piece of art — I think it’s important. I’ve always let creativity be the muse. It’s been a compass for me. The people that I look up to in my career and the kind of musicians I gravitate to never did what I thought they were going to do next — and I love them for it. I never want our fans to get an album and go, ‘Oh, that’s like Chief or that’s like this.’ Painstakingly, I lose sleep at night to try to make sure that whatever we do creatively, they go, ‘Wow, that’s not what I thought.’ I think that’s my job as an artist.”

The new album features a mix of tracks solely written by Church as well as collaborations, featuring Church’s co-writers Casey Beathard, Scooter Carusoe and Luke Laird.

Pre-order Evangeline Vs. the Machine – HERE.

Editorial credit: Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

See Jon Bernthal and Ben Affleck in the trailer for ‘The Accountant 2’

Jon Bernthal arrives for the ‘Ford v Ferrari’ Screening on November 04^ 2019 in Hollywood^ CA

Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal star in the trailer for their upcoming flick ‘The Accountant 2’, the follow-up to the 2016 original film The Accountant.

The trailer shows Affleck’s character reconnecting with Bernthal after the corpse of J. K. Simmons’ character is shown at the morgue.  Later, the pair find an unusual way of bonding when they end up in a bar fight with other patrons. Cynthia Addai-Robinson and Allison Robertson round out the cast.

Affleck and Matt Damon are producing the film via Artists Equity, with executive producers including Artists Equity’s Dani Bernfeld, Kevin Halloran, Michael Joe and Alison Winter. Scott Lastaiti and Jamie Patricof will also serve as executive producers.

Warners Bros.’ 2016 film collected $86 million at the domestic box office and $155 million globally. It centered on Christian Wolff (Affleck), a certified public accountant on the autism spectrum who has worked for criminal organizations and uses his past as an assassin to protect himself when the Treasury Department closes in on him.

The Accountant 2 hits theaters on April 25; see the trailer – HERE.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Kiernan Shipka, Toheeb Jimoh and more star in Season 4 of HBO’s ‘Industry’

Kiernan Shipka outside Stockholm City Hall before entering Max Mara Resort24 fashion show. STOCKHOLM^ SWEDEN - JUNE 11^ 2023

Variety reports that Kiernan Shipka, Jack Farthing, Toheeb Jimoh and Amy James-Kelly have joined the upcoming fourth season of the HBO drama series ‘Industry.’ The eighth-episode fourth season just began production in the UK.

Shipka will play Haley Clay, an executive assistant at payment processor Tender. Farthing will play Edward Smith, a troublemaker and long-time friend of Henry’s. Jimoh will portray Kwabena Bannerman, trader at Mostyn Asset Management. James-Kelly will play Jennifer Bevan, the newly promoted Minister in the Labour government. Minghella plays Whitney Halberstram, the CFO and Founder of Tender.

The new additions join  previously announced new cast member Max Minghella, as well as returning cast Myha’la, Marisa Abela, Ken Leung, Sagar Radia, Kit Harington, and Miriam Petche.

Editorial credit: Liv Oeian / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

California Gov. Newsom to challenge Trump administration regarding tariffs

CA Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at a press conference Turlock^ CA - Jan 6^ 2025

On Wednesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom revealed plans to file a lawsuit against President Donald Trump in response to tariffs introduced earlier this month. According to The New York Times, the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, aims to invalidate the tariffs and prevent their enforcement by federal authorities.

As the fifth largest economy globally, California faces substantial economic risk due to these tariffs, which threaten industries ranging from tech in Silicon Valley to agriculture reliant on global markets. The legal move would make California the first state to formally oppose Trump’s extensive tariff measures.

In a video shared on social media, Newsom announced that the state of California would initiate legal action, emphasizing its status as the leading manufacturing hub in the U.S. and a significant player in global trade. Newsom stated in the video: “No state stands to be more affected than California by the Trump administration’s unilateral move to impose what amounts to the biggest tax increase in recent U.S. history. President Trump does not have the legal power to enforce such sweeping tariffs without checks. We’re taking legal steps to stop him.”

Trump enacted the tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which grants the president extensive control over economic activities following a national emergency declaration. The emergency declaration was made on April 2, paving the way for the tariffs that prompted the legal challenge.

The California lawsuit will contend that Trump’s invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to enforce his reciprocal tariff policy is both “unlawful and unprecedented.” Officials say the tariffs pose serious and immediate harm to California’s economy, particularly as the state leads the nation in sectors like manufacturing and agriculture.

The White House pushed back regarding the lawsuit and criticized Newsom’s priorities, with spokesperson Kush Desai said: “Instead of addressing California’s spiraling crime, homelessness, and affordability issues, Gavin Newsom is trying to obstruct President Trump’s historic efforts to confront America’s chronic trade deficits.”

Editorial credit: Sheila Fitzgerald / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

DOJ files civil suit against Maine for defying order to ban transgender athletes in women’s sports

Sign of United States Department of Justice(DOJ) outside their headquarters building in Washington^ D.C. USA. Washington D.C.^ USA - march 1^ 2020

The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated legal action against the state of Maine, challenging its policy that allows transgender athletes to participate in girls’ and women’s sports.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Wednesday that the DOJ filed a lawsuit against Maine, claiming the state is violating Title IX by opposing a presidential executive order regarding transgender participation in women’s sports. Bondi alleges that Maine is engaging in unlawful sex-based discrimination by refusing to follow a directive issued by former President Trump, which bars transgender students from joining girls’ and women’s athletic programs.

Bondi said during a press briefing on Wednesday: “We’ve pursued every other option available. This step became necessary.” Bondi made the announcement alongside Riley Gaines, a prominent critic of transgender inclusion in women’s sports, as well as several Maine parents and students who oppose the state’s current stance. She said: “the Justice Department cannot stand idly by while female athletes face discrimination. This is not just about sports—it’s about protecting these young women’s physical safety. Many of them have shared their personal experiences with me, and what they’ve endured is deeply troubling.”

According to the lawsuit: “Maine’s Department of Education is actively violating federal anti-discrimination laws by allowing policies that force girls to compete against biological males in sports specifically designated for females. By giving precedence to gender identity over biological sex, the state’s actions undermine fair competition, reduce equal opportunities for female athletes, and may result in greater risks of physical harm and emotional distress.”

In response, Maine Governor Janet Mills criticized the lawsuit, suggesting it’s a political move intended to coerce Maine into disregarding constitutional principles and state sovereignty. Mills, a Democrat, called the attempt to revoke federal funding an abuse of executive power: “throughout my career—as a district attorney, attorney general, and now governor—I have consistently advocated for women’s rights, children’s well-being, and the integrity of our state and national constitutions. We will fight back against the DOJ’s actions and defend Maine’s policies in court … This issue has never been genuinely about protecting women or ensuring fairness in school athletics. It’s about the fundamental rights of states to govern themselves and resist federal overreach.”

The executive order at the heart of the dispute refers to transgender women as “men” and threatens to withhold federal funds from educational institutions that permit transgender women to compete in women’s sports. According to the executive order: “It is the policy of the United States to withhold funding from any educational program that denies girls and women equal opportunities in sports.”

Editorial credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Kacey Musgraves, Rüfüs Du Sol headlining inaugural ‘Up In The Sky Music Festival’

Kacey Musgraves^ stage at the 2018 Music Midtown Festival - September 15th/16th 2018 - Piedmont Park Atlanta^ Georgia - USA

Kacey Musgraves and Rüfüs Du Sol will headline the inaugural Up In The Sky Music Festival, taking place August 8 & 9, 2025 at the base of Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colorado.

Produced by Belly Up Aspen in partnership with C3 Presents, the lineup also includes Glass Animals, SG Lewis (Live), Suki Waterhouse, Role Model, Nessa Barrett and more.

Danny Goldberg with Belly Up Aspen said in a press release: “Aspen is home, and we are honored and humbled to have the opportunity to build something new in such a special place with incredible artists. We have spent nearly a decade developing this idea, and our goal is to deliver an unforgettable experience with Up In The Sky.”

For tickets and other information, head to www.upintheskyfestival.com.

Editorial credit: Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Stream Gwen Stefani’s acoustic deluxe edition of ‘Bouquet’ ft. new song with FINNEAS

Gwen Stefani performs with her band No Doubt at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival New Orleans^ LA - May 1^ 2015

Gwen Stefani has released Bouquet Deluxe, the expanded edition of her Bouquet album (originally released in November) featuring acoustic versions of every song from the LP, as well as the new track featuring Finneas.

Gwen and Finneas, 27, collaborated on “Still Gonna Love You,” and Stefani said in a statement:“This song is about love. A love that can’t be broken, a love that no matter what is always going to be there, and a love that can always bring you back home.”  Listen to Still Gonna Love You – HERE.

Stefani recorded Bouquet backed by a full live band, and she shared: “’Bouquet’ represents a blend of everything that I’ve ever been and who I’ve evolved into. Each one of the songs was picked like individual flowers to create a bouquet of the past, the present, and the seeds of hope for the future.”

Stream Bouquet Deluxe – HERE.

Editorial credit: Adam McCullough / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

See Brad Pitt in the new trailer for Apple Original Films ‘F1’

Brad Pitt at Silverstone GP for Filming during the Formula One British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit^ Towcester^ United Kingdom^ 9.July.2023

Apple TV+ released the first trailer for F1, an Apple Original Films production starring Brad Pitt as a former Formula 1 driver who returns to the sport after 30 years.

The film, directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), stars Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 hotshot whose promising career was cut short by an accident on the track in the 1990s. Hayes is brought back into the Formula 1 fold by his former teammate, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), who hires the veteran driver to save his struggling team by racing alongside a new partner, rookie driver Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris).

The trailer, featuring “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac, shows the relationship between Hayes and Pearce quickly turn adversarial. The trailer’s YouTube description reads: “As the engines roar, Sonny’s past catches up with him and he finds that in F1, your teammate is your fiercest competition — and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.” 

There will also be appearances by real life Formula One drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz Jr., Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu, Nico Hülkenberg, Kevin Magnussen, Daniel Ricciardo, Yuki Tsunoda, Logan Sargeant and Alexander Albon.

“F1” premiers in theaters on June 27. The film will also be released on Apple TV+ at a later date.

Check out the new trailer – HERE.

Editorial credit: Jay Hirano / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Jeff Daniels joins Season 3 of Apple TV+‘s ‘Shrinking’

Jeff Daniels attends the 'The Looming Tower' premiere during the 68th Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin at Zoo Palast on February 20^ 2018 in Berlin^ Germany.

Jeff Daniels will guest-star in Season 3 of Apple TV+‘s Shrinking, playing Jimmy’s (Jason Segel) father. Details of how Jimmy’s dad is introduced on the show are being kept under-wraps for now. Shrinking will be Daniels’ first on-screen role in a comedy series.

Daniels, a two-time Emmy winner, joins a cast that also includes Harrison Ford, Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell and Ted McGinley; co-creator Brett Goldstein recurred in Season 2.

Jimmy is a therapist mourning the death of his wife Tia (Lilan Bowden) and raising his teen daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell), while getting support from his colleagues Paul (Harrison Ford) and Gaby (Jessica Williams), as well as neighbors Liz (Christa Miller) and Derek (Ted McGinley). Season 2 ended with Jimmy forgiving the drunk driver (Goldstein) who caused the accident that left him widowed, and for how he had previously handled his relationship with his daughter, Alice.

Editorial credit: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com