Month: December 2023

Categories
Sports Daypop

Cincinnati Reds and free agent Jeimer Candelario agree to 3-year, $45M deal

Jeimer Candelario 3rd baseman for the Chicago Cubs at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria Arizona ^ 2017

Switch-hitting infielder Jeimer Candelario and the Cincinnati Reds agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal. Sources told ESPN that the pact includes a $15 million option for 2027.

The Washington Nationals traded Candelario to the Chicago Cubs in July. The 30-year-old free agent hit .251 with a career-high 22 home runs and 70 RBIs over 140 games last season, appearing in 99 games for the Nationals and 41 games for the Cubs during the 2023 campaign. Candelario, an eight-year veteran, also spent time with the Detroit Tigers, hitting a career-high .297 for the Tigers in 2020. He recorded an MLB-best 42 doubles in 2021.

Candelario, an eight-year veteran, has a career .243 batting average, with 88 home runs over 746 games. He has split time at first base, third base and as a designated hitter throughout his career.

Editorial credit: Keeton Gale / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Miranda Lambert shares details of her star-studded 40th birthday party

Miranda Lambert^ husband Brendan McLoughlin at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 7^ 2019 in Las Vegas^ NV

Miranda Lambert shared details of her recently-celebrated 40th birthday, posting pictures alongside her husband, Brendan McLoughlin and many famous faces. The party took place three weeks ago on November 13, just three days after her actual birthday.

Lambert took to her socials to share a series of photos, from her birthday celebration, held at Billy Bob’s Texas, taken by photographer Tyler Conrad. The series of photos began with a picture of Lambert and McLoughlin in front of a balloon arch with pink, gold, and rose gold balloons, surrounding the illuminated number 40 : “My Billy Bob’s Texas boot scootin’ 40th💕 The absolute best birthday my Texas heart could ask for. Thanks @cameronruthm for putting it all together and for the prettiest balloon arches I’ve ever seen. And huge thanks to my pals and hero’s @adamhoodmusic @randyrogersband @wadebowen for over 20 years of friendship and for entertaining us all night. Thanks to my city mouse friend @telemitry for going country, for the late night jams, and even wearing fringe🤠. Thank you @tylerjconrad for capturing all the fun.”

The snapshots also shows Miranda with friends including Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town, songwriter Jessi Alexander, and members of Pistol Annies—Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley. Said Lambert: “I got to enter a new decade with dear friends and family at my favorite honky tonk @billybobstexa. There are so many pics full of joy and smile’s, so I’m going to keep on posting! That’s why it’s taken me 3 weeks to post these. I’ve just been overwhelmed with gratitude and love for everyone that came to scoot your boots with me. I love all of y’all so so so much ❤🤠 Cheers to 40!”

DJ Jesse Frasure, also known as Telemitry, served as the DJ for the party, with Dierks Bentley, Natalie Hemby, Waylon Payne, Caylee Hammack, Lainey Wilson, Terri Jo Box and more also shown celebrating Lambert’s milestone birthday. Lambert’s family, including her brother Luke Lambert, mother Beverly, and father Richard, were also in attendance for the special occasion.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Chelsea Handler returning to host 2024 Critics Choice Awards

Chelsea Handler at Fairmont Century Plaza on January 15^ 2023 in Los Angeles^ CA.

Chelsea Handler is set to return as the host of this year’s Critics Choice Awards, which will air live on the CW on Jan. 14, marking Handler’s second consecutive year hosting the ceremony.

Handler said in a statement: “I am very happy and excited to be hosting the Critics Choice Awards again this year, as last year was one of the most fun nights I’ve had. There is no greater reward than making fun of actors and then getting drunk with them afterward. It’s an honor.”  Added Critics Choice Association CEO Joey Berlin, “We are thrilled to have Chelsea Handler join us once again to host the Critics Choice Awards. After having her as our host last year, we couldn’t wait to have her back up on the stage again.”

The Critics Choice Awards celebrates the best in film and television. TV nominations were just announced, with the Apple TV+ series “The Morning Show” leading the television contenders with six nominations, and HBO’s “Succession” following with five nominations. Film nominations will be revealed on Dec. 13.

The 29th annual Critics Choice Awards, taking place at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, will air live on the CW on Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. ET.

Editorial credit: Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Kim Kardashian to star in Netflix comedy film ‘The Fifth Wheel’

Kim Kardashian on November 12^ 2022 in West Hollywood^ CA

Kim Kardashian is set to produce and star in the new comedy movie for Netflix, The Fifth Wheel.  Kim will co-produce and star in an all-new comedy from producer and writer Paula Pell (SNL, Sisters) and writer Janine Brito (Girls5eva).

Netflix shared on X:  “Kim Kardashian is about to be The Fifth Wheel. Kim will co-produce and star in an all-new comedy from producer and writer Paula Pell (SNL, Sisters) and writer Janine Brito (Girls5eva) — coming soon to Netflix! Paula Pell and Janine Brito are writing the film. Pell is also a producer on the project.”

Kardashian can currently be seen in the latest American Horror Story season, ‘Delicate,’  She has also lent her voice to animated features like the PAW Patrol film and its sequel The Mighty Movie.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Lana Del Rey covers John Denver’s ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’

Lana Del Rey at Beverly Hilton Hotel on November 30^ 2022 in Beverly Hills^ CA

Lana Del Rey has released a cover of country-folk singer John Denver’s classic hit song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. Del Rey’s cover, produced by Zachary Dawes, swaps out Denver’s original acoustic guitar for piano as she sings the song solo until the end, when a choir of background singers join in for the final chorus.

The 38-year-old singer-songwriter has previously included nods to Denver in her own music, notably in her song “The Grants” from her album Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.   A lyric in that song reads “My pastor told me, ‘When you leave, all you take is your memories’ … I’m gonna take mine of you with me/ Like ‘Rocky Mountain High’ the way John Denver sings,” referencing Denver’s 1972 smash.

Denver, who died at age 53 in 1997, released the original “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in 1971. It has become synonymous with West Virginia, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971. The legendary songwriter went on to top the chart four times: in 1974 for “Sunshine on My Shoulders” and “Annie’s Song”; and in 1975 for “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” and “I’m Sorry.”

Take listen to Del Rey’s version of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

Lana Del Rey covers John Denver’s ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’

Lana Del Rey at Beverly Hilton Hotel on November 30^ 2022 in Beverly Hills^ CA

Lana Del Rey has released a cover of country-folk singer John Denver’s classic hit song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. Del Rey’s cover, produced by Zachary Dawes, swaps out Denver’s original acoustic guitar for piano as she sings the song solo until the end, when a choir of background singers join in for the final chorus.

The 38-year-old singer-songwriter has previously included nods to Denver in her own music, notably in her song “The Grants” from her album Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.   A lyric in that song reads “My pastor told me, ‘When you leave, all you take is your memories’ … I’m gonna take mine of you with me/ Like ‘Rocky Mountain High’ the way John Denver sings,” referencing Denver’s 1972 smash.

Denver, who died at age 53 in 1997, released the original “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in 1971. It has become synonymous with West Virginia, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971. The legendary songwriter went on to top the chart four times: in 1974 for “Sunshine on My Shoulders” and “Annie’s Song”; and in 1975 for “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” and “I’m Sorry.”

Take listen to Del Rey’s version of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – here.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

U2 reveal dates of final Las Vegas Sphere residency shows

The MSG Sphere showing U2:UV advert for U2 concert ; Las Vegas^ Nevada^ November 7^ 2023:

Due to popular demand, U2‘s Achtung Baby Las Vegas residency at the newly-opened MSG Sphere has been expanded with four additional dates. The final shows in the residency will take place on Feb. 23 and 24 and March 1 and 2, bringing the total run of U2’s concerts to 40 performances.

U2 first opened the venue in September, with their residency dedicated to their 1991 album, Achtung Baby. U2 said in a statement when the residency was first announced: “The Sphere show has been in the works for a long time. We don’t want to let people down, least of all our audience… the truth is we miss them as much as they appear to miss us… our audience was always the fifth member of the band.”

Said U2’s The Edge: “The beauty of the Sphere is not only the ground-breaking technology that will make it so unique, with the world’s most advanced audio system, integrated into a structure which is designed with sound quality as a priority. It’s also the possibilities around immersive experience in real and imaginary landscapes. In short, it’s a canvas of an unparalleled scale and image resolution and a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We all thought about it and decided we’d be mad not to accept the invitation.”

U2’s Sphere performances have featured a complete performance of Achtung Baby, along with a Rattle & Hum set, and the debut of stand-in drummer Bram Van Den Berg, who has been filling in for Larry Muller Jr. as he recovers from back surgery.

Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

U2 announces final four Vegas dates

Editorial credit: Suzyanne16 / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish to appear as music guests on ‘Saturday Night Live’

Olivia Rodrigo at the TCL Chinese Theater IMAX on November 13^ 2023 in Los Angeles^ CA

Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish will be the final musical guests in 2023 for the 49th season of NBC’s iconic comedy series Saturday Night Live.  

Rodrigo will perform on Saturday, December 9th, with host Adam Driver; while Eilish will perform on the finale episode of 2023, with host and SNL alum Kate McKinnon on Saturday, December 16th.

Both Rodrigo and Eilish are returning musical guests; Rodrigo made her SNL debut in May 2021, when she performed “Drivers License” and “Good 4 U” from her debut album, Sour. Eilish’s appearance on Dec. 16th will mark her third time on SNL; back in 2019, she performed “Bad Guy” and “All the Good Girls Go to Hell” from her debut LP, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?  And in 2021, Eilish pulled double duty as host and musical guest, performing the title track to her LP Happier Than Ever, as well as “Male Fantasy”.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

The Weeknd appears in the trailer to Fortnite’s new “Festival” game mode

The Weeknd on December 12^ 2022 in Hollywood^ CA

Epic Games and The Weeknd have shared a trailer of their upcoming Fortnite Festival collaboration, posting on X: “Get ready to take your stage 🎙🎸✨ #FortniteFestival launches in Fortnite on December 9, 2023.”

The Weeknd will perform an in-game concert that will celebrate the launch of the new Fortnite music game, and the trailer shows the artist take the stage in front of a crowd of fans, as well as features footage of the new game.

According to an Epic Games press release, Fortnite Festival is “a new music game where players can play in a band with friends or perform solo on stage with hit music by their favorite artists.”  The game is built by Harmonix, the studio behind the game ‘Rock Band.’ The Weeknd’s concert will take place Saturday, December 9th – the same day as Fortnite Festival’s launch.

Take a look at the The Weeknd x Fortnite Festival trailer – here.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, ousted Speaker of the House, announces he’s leaving Congress

US House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy speaks with reporters; Washington^ DC^ Nov 15^ 2022:

Ousted Speaker of the House, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, announced on Wednesday he will resign from office at the end of this month. McCarthy has not gone into detail about what his next move will be after his resignation takes effect.

McCarthy, R-Calif., wrote about his resignation in an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, stating: “No matter the odds, or personal cost, we did the right thing. That may seem out of fashion in Washington these days, but delivering results for the American people is still celebrated across the country. It is in this spirit that I have decided to depart the House at the end of this year to serve America in new ways. I know my work is only getting started. I will continue to recruit our country’s best and brightest to run for elected office. The Republican Party is expanding every day, and I am committed to lending my experience to support the next generation of leaders.”

McCarthy also posted about his retirement announcement with a video on X, with the caption: “As the son of a firefighter from Bakersfield, my story is the story of America. For me, every moment came with a great deal of devotion and responsibility. Serving you in Congress and as the 55th Speaker of the House has been my greatest honor.” McCarthy cites a list of achievements that he’s proud of in the video on social media: “Today I sit here having served as your whip, leader and as the 55th speaker of the House. We kept our government operating and our troops paid while wars broke out around the world. … I have faith in this country. Now, it is time to pursue my passion in a new arena.”

McCarthy was ousted as speaker on Oct. 3, by eight Republicans, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who forced out the speaker midsession for the first time in history.

Editorial credit: Consolidated News Photos / Shutterstock.com