Month: May 2023

Categories
Country Daypop

Kenny Chesney replacing Morgan Wallen at 2023 Gulf Coast Jam

shutterstock_42665504585010

Kenny Chesney will replace Morgan Wallen as headliner of Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach, after Wallen was ordered on vocal rest for six week after re-injuring his vocal cords. Wallen announced last week he would be forced to reschedule several shows on his tour, as well as festival appearances, due to his medical issues.  Gulf Coast Jam posted on social media: “SHOES JUST BECAME OPTIONAL!!! We proudly welcome Kenny Chesney and #noshoesnation to Gulf Coast Jam presented by Jim Beam!!!! Y’all get ready to party with the king of beach concerts in Visit Panama City Beach!!!”

Rendy Lovelady, Executive Producer for Gulf Coast Jam, also confirmed the news, sharing on Facebook: “God works in mysterious ways. As broken and as sad as we were, we’ve been trying for 11 years to get (Chesney) to come play Gulf Coast Jam. … We’re excited. We’re humbled. We’re thankful. Pray for Morgan. Don’t be mad at Morgan. I’ve been doing this for 40 years. These things happen.”

Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown, and HARDY are still set to headline June 1-4, 2023. For more information, head to Gulf Coast Jam’s website.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Kelly Clarkson responds to toxic workplace reports on her talk show

shutterstock_1893238954518177

Kelly Clarkson has issued a statement responding to allegations of a toxic work climate behind the scenes at her eponymous talk show. Rolling Stone published a story Friday that quoted several former workers as claiming they were overworked, underpaid and found the environment “traumatizing to their mental health.” Staffers claim their experience on the show “is by far the worst experience I’ve ever had in my entire life,” and that it has “deterred me from wanting to work in daytime ever again.”

Clarkson wrote on Instagram: “In my 20 years in the entertainment industry, I’ve always led with my heart and what I believed to be right. I love my team at The Kelly Clarkson Show, and to find out that anyone is feeling unheard and disrespected on this show is unacceptable. I have always been, and will continue to be, committed to creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment at ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show.’ As we prepare for a move to the East Coast, I am more committed than ever to ensuring that not only our team that is moving but also our new team in NY is comprised of the best and kindest in the business. Part of that build will include leadership training for all of the senior staff, including myself. There is always room to grow and ensure we are all being/becoming the best version of ourselves in any business, especially when it comes to leadership, to ensure that any notion of toxicity is eradicated. -Kelly”

The series, which is now in its fourth season, premiered in 2019 and was taped in Los Angeles. Production is set to move from Universal Studios Hollywood to NBC Studios in Manhattan’s 30 Rockefeller Center next season, where a new set will be built in Studio 6A with accommodation for offices and a live studio audience.  A rep with NBCUniversal, which produces the show, said in a statement, “We are committed to a safe and respectful work environment and take workplace complaints very seriously and to insinuate otherwise is untrue. When issues are reported they are promptly reviewed, investigated and acted upon as appropriate. The Kelly Clarkson Show strives to build a safe, respectful and equitable workplace that nurtures a culture of inclusivity and creativity.”

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Take a look at the new trailer for Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’

shutterstock_787827262149332

A new trailer has been released for Christoper Nolan‘s upcoming summer blockbuster, Oppenheimer, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and the late Martin J. Sherwin.  The book explores how Robert Oppenheimer’s work on the Manhattan Project led to the creation of the first atomic bomb during World War II.

Oppenheimer, written and directed by Nolan, stars Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, an American theoretical physicist known as the “father of the atomic bomb.”  The trailer shows Oppenheimer (Murphy) assemble a secret team of scientists to build the bomb, saying in one scene: “We’ve got one hope. All of America’s industrial might and scientific innovation connected here, a secret laboratory. Keep everyone here until it’s done.”

The film also stars Emily Blunt alongside Murphy as his wife, biologist, and botanist Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer. Matt Damon portrays General Leslie Groves Jr., director of the Manhattan Project, while Robert Downey, Jr. plays Lewis Strauss, a founding commissioner of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. The film also features Florence Pugh, who plays psychiatrist Jean Tatlock, as well as Benny Safdie, Josh Hartnett, Rami Malek and more.

Oppenheimer is set for release in theaters on July 21, 2023. Take a look at the trailer – here.

Editorial credit: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

58th ACM Music Awards: See the full list of winners

shutterstock_614424491829549

The 58th Academy of Country Music Awards was held on Thursday at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, hosted by Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks and streamed live exclusively on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch.

The night’s highest honor, Entertainer of the Year, was awarded to Chris Stapleton. Lainey Wilson and Hardy led the night with four awards each, followed by Cole Swindell who earned three awards.

The 58th ACM Awards is available to watch on Prime Video starting Friday, May 12th at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT on the Amazon Music App, and for free on Amazon Freevee.

For the full list of winners, head here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

U.S. weekly jobless claims hit highest mark since late 2021

shutterstock_1840085851382512

The U.S. Labor Department reported that the four-week moving average for jobless claims through the week ending May 6 was the highest it’s been since November 2021. First-time claims for unemployment insurance increased by 22,000 from last week to reach 264,000. The less-volatile, four-week moving average to the week ending May 6 was 245,250, an increase of 6,000 from last week.  The department reported: “This is the highest level for this average since November 20, 2021, when it was 249,250.”

However, the number of people who’ve filed over multiple weeks during the week ending April 22 was 1.7 million – a decline of nearly 64,000 from the prior week (at the same period last year, there were 1.44 million in continued-week claims).

The uptick in first-time claims may be good news towards fighting inflation. Jerome Powell, the head of the Federal Reserve, said last week that the 25 basis point rate hike was to ensure the labor market remains healthy while at the same time keeping prices stable. Economists say that last week’s surge could mark the start of an upward trend as the cumulative and lagged effects of the Fed’s rate hikes broaden out in the economy. Layoffs also appear to be spreading to other industries. Most were initially based in the technology sector; for example IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, Twitter, Lyft and DoorDash have all announced layoffs in recent months, and Amazon and Facebook have each announced two sets of job cuts since November. But now other industries including McDonald’s, Morgan Stanley and 3M have also recently announced layoffs.

Editorial credit: Andriy Blokhin / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

FDA eases blood donation restrictions specific to gay and bisexual men

shutterstock_1714857430412730

The Food and Drug Administration eased restrictions specifically for gay and bisexual men to donate blood. The agency said in a news release that blood donor eligibility will now be determined using a set of “individual, risk-based questions to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted HIV.”

The recommendations ask that all donors answer individual risk assessment questions to screen for possible HIV exposure. Previously, guidelines required a three-month abstinence period for donations from men who have sex with men; now, that blanket rule is being eliminated. Peter Marks, M.D., PhD., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a news release announcing the finalization of the recommendations: “The FDA has worked diligently to evaluate our policies and ensure we had the scientific evidence to support individual risk assessment for donor eligibility while maintaining appropriate safeguards to protect recipients of blood products. The implementation of these recommendations will represent a significant milestone for the agency and the LGBTQI+ community.”  

The restrictions in place were opposed by gay rights groups and medical societies including the American Medical Association. The FDA said that the goal of the new guidelines is to expand the number of people eligible to donate blood while still “maintaining the appropriate safeguards” to keep the supply of donor blood safe, adding that the new policy is based on “the best available scientific evidence,” and mirrors policies in the United Kingdom and Canada.  The news release said: “The FDA is committed to working closely with the blood collection industry to help ensure timely implementation of the new recommendations and we will continue to monitor the safety of the blood supply once this individual risk-based approach is in place.” 

Editorial credit: Vital Hil/ Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Dolly Parton releases the song ‘World on Fire’ from her upcoming rock album, ‘Rockstar’

shutterstock_2134042097517275

Dolly Parton has released her new song “World on Fire,” the first single from her upcoming rock album “Rockstar”.

Speaking about “World On Fire,” Dolly said: “This is a song I felt very inspired to write. I think it speaks about everything and to everyone this day and time. I hope it is something that will touch you and maybe touch enough people to want to make a change for the better.”

Earlier this week, Parton, 77, shared the release date and tracklist for Rockstar, which will drop on Nov. 17. The 30-track album will include nine original songs and 21 rock covers, including “Purple Rain,” “We Are the Champions,” “Every Breath You Take” with Sting and “Let It Be” with McCartney, Starr, Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood.  Some of the featured guest performers on Rockstar include Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Lizzo, Miley Cyrus and many more. The Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer said in a statement about her very first rock album: “I’m so excited to finally present my first Rock and Roll album Rockstar! I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers and musicians of all time and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album was a joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together!”

Rockstar is available for pre-order here.
Stream the album’s lead single, “World On Fire,” now.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

‘Yellowstone’ Season 5, Part 1 coming to Peacock on May 25

shutterstock_1412147777593164

Following the announcement that Yellowstone will end with Season 5, Peacock confirmed that the eight most recent episodes of the series (Season 5, Part 1) will stream exclusively on Peacock beginning on May 25. Seasons 1-4 are already available on Peacock. Peacock acquired exclusive streaming rights to Yellowstone in 2020, rather than the Paramount+ streaming service.

Yellowstone, created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, follows the Duttons, a ranch-owning family in Montana. Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser and Kelsey Asbille star in the series, which airs on Paramount Network. Season 5, Part 2 will premiere on Paramount Network in November, and will most likely be available to stream on Peacock at a later date.

It was also announced that a new Yellowstone sequel series will debut in December. The untitled spinoff of the series, created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, will debut on Paramount Network and Paramount+.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya team up in the trailer for ‘Dune: Part Two’

shutterstock_2225915133811354

The first official trailer for the highly anticipated sci-fi epic sequel “Dune: Part 2” has been released, starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.

In 2021’s “Dune,” Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) ventured to Arrakis, the universe’s most dangerous and sandiest planet, to ensure his family and people’s future as evil forces exploded in conflict. In the sequel, Atreides teams up with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen to exact revenge on those who destroyed his family, and he must juggle his love life with the fate of the universe at stake. The trailer shows Paul riding the back of a massive sand worm on the deserts of Arrakis while Chani and the Fremen cheer him on.

“Dune: Part 2” also introduces newcomers Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot, a Bene Gesserit, Souheila Yacoub as a Fremen warrior and Tim Blake Nelson. Returning to the cast alongside Chalamet and Zendaya are Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling and Stephen McKinley Henderson. Villeneuve directed the sequel and penned it with Jon Spaihts.

“Dune: Part 2” will hit theaters Nov. 3. Check out the trailer – here.

‘Dune 2’ Updates: The First Trailer, Release Date & Everything Else You Need To Know

Editorial credit: Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Man freed after 29 years in Louisiana prison for rape the victim says he didn’t commit

shutterstock_1060118858125606

A Louisiana man walked free after spending nearly three decades behind bars for a rape the victim herself insisted he did not commit.  Patrick Brown was convicted in 1994 of aggravated rape in a case involving his 6-year-old stepdaughter, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office in Louisiana said. The sexual assault survivor did not testify at Brown’s trial and, beginning in 2002, she repeatedly asked for the case to be reviewed, insisting Brown wasn’t her attacker. However, the district attorney’s office said that the case was not investigated again until recent years.

According to a statement from the Orleans Parish District Attorney, Brown’s conviction was based on adults testifying “to what they believed she had said.” District Attorney Jason Williams said in a statement that the now-adult woman has remained steadfast for over 20 years that Brown is innocent “and the evidence corroborated the victim’s account … Listening and engaging victims and survivors of sexual assault is a top priority in this office. It is incredibly disheartening to know that this woman was dismissed and ignored, no matter how inconvenient her truth, when all she wanted was the real offender to be held responsible.” Williams added: “When someone is wrongfully convicted, not only is it an injustice for the person who has years of their life stolen, but it is an injustice for the victim and the people of New Orleans because the real perpetrator is left to harm others.” Williams did not provide details on the exonerating evidence.

The district attorney’s office asked the court to vacate Brown’s conviction, and Judge Calvin Johnson presided over a hearing Monday, after which Brown was released. Prosecutors have not shared details regarding the man whom the woman says raped her as a child. District Attorney Williams said the state is “actively reviewing the viability charges against the actual perpetrator…but to say more on that at this time would not be prudent as it could jeopardize the case.”

Editorial credit: clayton harrison / Shutterstock.com