Month: January 2023

Categories
Country Daypop

Luke Bryan, Shania Twain, Zac Brown Band headlining 2023 ‘Faster Horses Festival’

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Luke Bryan, Shania Twain and Zac Brown Band have been announced as headliners for the 10th annual Faster Horses Music Festival at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, slated to take place July 14-16.

The three-day festival’s main stage will also feature performances by Priscilla Block, Blanco Brown, Chris Cagle, Billy Currington, Dustin Lynch, Kameron Marlowe, mike., Kylie Morgan, Dylan Scott, Dee Jay Silver, Conner Smith, Tenille Townes, Hailey Whitters, Dwight Yoakam and Warren Zeiders.

Faster Horses will once again introduce fans to country’s up-and-coming acts with its ‘Next from Nashville’ stage lineup. Set to play the stage in 2023 include newcomers Vivienne Artur, Chayce Beckham, George Birge, Ben Burgess, Mackenzie Carpenter, Ashland Craft, Madeline Edwards, Alexander Ludwig, John Morgan, Megan Moroney, Pillbox Patti, MacKenzie Porter, Peytan Porter, Aaron Raitiere and Lauren Watkins.

Three-day festival passes will go on sale Feb. 10th. For more information, head to FasterHorsesFestival.com.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Willie Nelson to celebrate his 90th birthday with two-day special concert event

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Willie Nelson will commemorate his 90th birthday with a special two-day concert event dubbed “Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90, A Star-Studded Concert Celebrating Willie’s 90th Birthday.” The star-studded festivities are set to take place April 29-30 at the legendary Hollywood Bowl.

The show will include performances by Nelson, Allison Russell, Beck, Billy Strings, Bobby Weir, Charley Crockett, Chris Stapleton, Edie Brickell, Kacey Musgraves, Leon Bridges, Lukas Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Margo Price, Miranda Lambert, Nathaniel Rateliff, Neil Young, Norah Jones, Orville Peck, Particle Kid, Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg, Sturgill Simpson, The Avett Brothers, The Chicks, The Lumineers, Tom Jones, Tyler Childers, Warren Haynes and Ziggy Marley. Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

Said Nelson: “I can’t think of a better way to spend my 90th birthday than being surrounded by family, friends and of course the fans who made this all possible. It’s an honor to perform with such an incredible group of artists at such an iconic venue.”

Two-day packages for the general public go on sale Saturday, Jan. 28, at 10 AM PT at Ticketmaster. For more information, head to www.willienelson90.com.

All-star Willie Nelson 90th anniversary concerts detailed

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Entertainment Daypop

Michael Strahan receives first sports entertainment star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Good Morning America and Fox NFL Sunday host Michael Strahan received the 2,744th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — the first sports entertainment star to achieve the honor. Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, said in a statement: “We are very excited to inaugurate the first sports entertainment star for Michael Strahan. Sports fans will be thrilled to be able to see their favorite sports figures who are involved in the entertainment business receive their stars. Michael’s extensive background in sports and sportscasting makes him the perfect choice to add to the famed sidewalk.”

Actor and former NFL player Terry Crews, along with his ‘GMA” co-hosts, Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Fox NFL Sunday hosts Jay Glazer, Curt Menefee, Howie Long, rap star Wiz Khalifa, and Entertainment Tonight host Kevin Frazier were there to support Strahan at his Walk of Fame ceremony.  Strahan’s three daughters, Tanita, Isabella and Sophia, also attended the ceremony along with his mother, Louise.  You can see the ceremony honoring Strahan at the link – here.

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Entertainment Daypop

Paris Hilton and husband Carter Reum welcome first baby together

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Paris Hilton announced that she and husband Carter Reum have welcomed a baby boy together via surrogate. The 41-year-old Hilton posted the news on social media, sharing a picture of her son’s hand holding onto her thumb with the caption: “You are already loved beyond words.”

Hilton later confirmed to People that her baby boy had arrived via surrogate, less than two months after she revealed that she and Reum had started IVF treatment toward the beginning of the pandemic. The couple were married in November 2021. Hilton told People: “It’s always been my dream to be a mother and I’m so happy that Carter and I found each other. We are so excited to start our family together and our hearts are exploding with love for our baby boy.

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News Daypop

Justice Department sues Google over its dominance in advertising technology

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The U.S. Justice Department filed its second antitrust lawsuit against Google in just over two years.  The Justice Department, along with the attorneys general of multiple states, filed an antitrust suit Tuesday against Google “for monopolizing multiple digital advertising technology products.” The Department’s earlier lawsuit, filed in October 2020 under the Trump administration, accused Google of using its alleged monopoly power to cut off competition for internet search through exclusionary agreements. That case is expected to go to trial in September.

The second lawsuit, filed in the District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia. is focused on Google’s online advertising business, and seeks to make Google divest parts of the business. The Department of Justice said in a news release Tuesday: “As a result of its illegal monopoly, and by its own estimates, Google pockets on average more than 30% of the advertising dollars that flow through its digital advertising technology products … Google’s anticompetitive conduct has suppressed alternative technologies, hindering their adoption by publishers, advertisers, and rivals.”  The DOJ emphasized that the search advertising market addressed in the 2020 suit is different from the digital advertising technology market addressed in Tuesday’s lawsuit.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said Google has been “wielding its dominance across digital advertising markets to force more publishers and advertisers to use its products; and thwarting the ability to use competing products … Today’s complaint alleges that Google has used anticompetitive, exclusionary, and unlawful conduct to eliminate or severely diminish any threat to its dominance over digital advertising technologies.” 

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News Daypop

Classified documents found at Mike Pence’s home turned over to DOJ

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A lawyer for former Vice President Mike Pence told the National Archives and Records Administration that a “small number” of documents with classified markings were discovered last week at Pence’s Indiana home, and turned over to the FBI. Attorney Greg Jacob, who served as Pence’s top lawyer in the White House, told an official with the Archives in a letter dated Jan. 18 that a Pence aide conducted searched the home last week, following the discovery of classified documents at President Biden’s Wilmington, Delaware, home and former office at a Washington, D.C., think tank. Jacob wrote that “the additional records appear to be a small number of documents bearing classified markings that were inadvertently boxed and transported to the personal home of the former Vice President at the end of the last Administration … Vice President Pence was unaware of the existence of sensitive or classified documents at his personal residence.”

Jacob added that Pence engaged outside counsel ‘with experience in handling classified documents’ and it was during the search that the documents that could “potentially contain sensitive or classified information interspersed throughout the records” were found.  Jacob added: “Vice President Pence’s counsel, however, is unable to provide an exact description of the folders or briefing materials that may contain sensitive or classified information because counsel did not review the contents of the documents once an indicator of potential classification was identified. Vice President Pence immediately secured those documents in a locked safe pending further direction on proper handling from the National Archives.”

In a second letter dated Jan. 22, Jacob said the FBI went to Pence’s Indiana home the night of Jan. 19 to collect the documents, and the transfer was facilitated by Pence’s personal attorney, Two additional boxes were found containing “courtesy copies” of papers from Pence’s vice presidency.  Pence offered to transfer the four boxes to the Archives for a review to ensure they did not contain original documents that qualified as presidential records and therefore had to be turned over to the agency under federal law.  Pence also informed the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Tuesday of the discovery, and its chairman, Rep. James Comer, said “he [Pence] has agreed to fully cooperate with congressional oversight and any questions we have about the matter. Former Vice President Pence’s transparency stands in stark contrast to Biden White House staff who continue to withhold information from Congress and the American people.”

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Categories
Country Daypop

Brooks & Dunn announce 2023 ‘Reboot Tour’ featuring Scotty McCreery

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Brooks & Dunn have announced their 2023 REBOOT TOUR, featuring special guest Scotty McCreery. The duo, comprised of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, took to social media to share the news, saying on Instagram: “The Brooks and Dunn posse rides again. More excited to hit the big stage as we ever have been ! -RD & KB || REBOOT 2023 TOUR with special guest @scottymccreery coming to a city near you! Visit Brooks-Dunn.com for a full list of dates.” The 2023 REBOOT TOUR kicks off at T-Mobile Center on May 4 in Kansas City, Missouri and will run through June 17 in Greensboro, NC at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Brooks said in a press release: “Last year, you all reminded us just how much fun it is to walk out on that stage and share the night with ya! We love what we do, but we’re just surfing your wave …can’t wait!!” And Dunn added:  “The Brooks and Dunn posse rides again. More excited to hit the big stage as we ever have been! Unbelievable band of friends.… annnnnd YOU! Together, let’s rock the house!!”

Scotty McCreery will join Brooks & Dunn on the REBOOT TOUR, which he says is a “dream come true.” Said McCreery: “Having been a huge fan of their music all my life, going out on the road with Kix and Ronnie is a dream come true for me. I can’t wait for this tour to begin!”  McCreery also served as support for Brooks & Dunn on select dates of their headlining tour in 2022.

Fans can purchase VIP Packages, which may include premium tickets, invitation to the Neon Lounge, exclusive poster signed by Kix and Ronnie, VIP merchandise gift & more. For more information, visit vipnation.com. General tickets go on sale Friday, January 27 at 10am local time at brooks-dunn.com and livenation.com.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Chris Stapleton to perform ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at Super Bowl LVII

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Per an announcement from the National Football League, Chris Stapleton will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner,” at Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 12. Stapleton also shared the announcement on his social media pages: “Watch Chris Stapleton perform the National Anthem at Super Bowl LVII on FOX. 2.12.23 • #SBLVII @nfl @nflonfox @rocnation.” Actor Troy Kotsur will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” in American Sign Language. Kotsur is the second deaf person to win an Academy Award, which he received for best supporting actor in the 2021 film CODA.

It was also revealed that Babyface will sing “America the Beautiful,” while Sheryl Lee Ralph will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” As previously reported, Rihanna will be this year’s Super Bowl halftime performer.  Colin Denny will sign “America the Beautiful,” and Justina Miles will sign both “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and the halftime show.

Stapleton will be on the road this year, including stadium shows with George Strait and Little Big Town. He will also be making an appearance at the just-announced Willie Nelson 90th birthday concerts takin place at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles this April.

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Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Netflix’s ‘Cobra Kai’ ending with Season 6

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Netflix announced in a video clip that Season 6 of ‘Cobra Kai’ will be its last. A premiere date hasn’t been set. with the video only saying it is “coming soon.”

Creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg said the decision to end the series is bittersweet: “Reacquainting the world with the Karate Kid universe has been our humble honor. Making Cobra Kai has allowed us to join the same hallowed dojo once inhabited by the great Robert Mark Kamen, John Avildsen, Jerry Weintraub, and all the amazing original cast members. It has also enabled us to play sensei, expanding the original storylines and birthing a new generation of underdogs. We’ve never once taken this opportunity for granted. Our day one goal with Cobra Kai has always been to end it on our terms, leaving the Valley in the time and place we’ve always imagined. So it is with immense pride and thankfulness that we are able to announce that achievement. The upcoming season six will mark the conclusion of Cobra Kai.”

Cobra Kai began as a YouTube series, s continuation of the ‘Karate Kid’ movie franchise with original stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka reprising their roles. After two seasons at YouTube, the show moved to Netflix in 2020.

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Categories
Entertainment Daypop

2023 Oscar Nominations: ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ leads with 11 nods

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The 2023 Academy Awards nominations were announced on Tuesday by actors Allison Williams and Riz Ahmed. from the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, Calif. ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ leads the list of nominations with 11, including the coveted Best Picture category.

Following closely behind is the World War I epic “All Quiet on the Western Front” and the dark comedy “The Banshees of Inisherin,” both of which earned nine nominations. Blockbusters “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Avatar: The Way of Water” each landed nominations in the best film category. Other nominees in the Best Film category are “Elvis,” Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical “The Fabelmans”, ”Tár,” “Women Talking,” and “Triangle of Sadness.”

Jimmy Kimmel will return as host of this year’s Oscars for the third time. The 95th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, and will be televised live on ABC.

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