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
Pop Daypop

Drake drops new video for “Nokia”

Drake preforms at The Joe Louis Arena Detroit^ Michigan- August 16 2016

Drake has dropped the music video for ‘NOKIA’, directed by Theo Skudra and shot entirely on IMAX.

The song, produced by Elkan, appears on the Toronto rapper’s collab album “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” with PARTYNEXTDOOR, and last week rose from #11 to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The black-and-white “Nokia” video features the rapper throwing elaborate parties, rollerblading through neon-lit scenes and coordinating it all with a retro flip phone.

See the video for ‘Nokia’ – HERE.

Editorial credit: Jgphotographydetroit / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

Drummer Zak Starkey breaks silence after being fired from The Who

Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who performs at the 2022 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. New Orleans^ Louisiana - April 30^ 2022

Zak Starkey has spoken out after he was let go from The Who after nearly three decades as their drummer.  Starkey, the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, revealed that he experienced a serious medical issue in January involving blood clots in his right calf, but clarified that the condition has fully healed and has no impact on his drumming. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for The Who told The Guardian that the decision to part ways with Starkey was mutual within the band, and that they continue to hold him in high regard.

In a statement provided to Rolling Stone, Starkey said he was “surprised and saddened” that singer Roger Daltrey had allegedly criticized his performance at a recent Royal Albert Hall show in London: “I’m very proud of my near thirty years with The Who. Filling the shoes of my Godfather, ‘uncle Keith [Moon]’ has been the biggest honor and I remain their biggest fan. They’ve been like family to me. In January, I suffered a serious medical emergency with blood clots in my right bass drum calf. This is now completely healed and does not affect my drumming or running.  After playing those songs with the band for so many decades, I’m surprised and saddened anyone would have an issue with my performance that night, but what can you do? I plan to take some much needed time off with my family, and focus on the release of ‘Domino Bones’ by Mantra of the Cosmos with Noel Gallagher in May and finishing my autobiography written solely by me. Twenty-nine years at any job is a good old run and I wish them the best.”

The performances in question took place on March 18 and 20 as part of a benefit for the Teenage Cancer Trust, a cause long supported by Daltrey. According to Metro, Daltrey—who recently disclosed issues with his hearing and eyesight—appeared visibly frustrated on stage, stopping songs mid-performance and citing difficulties hearing over Starkey’s drums. During a performance of “The Song Is Over,” Daltrey told the audience (seen here at about the 3:10 mark): “To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t. All I’ve got is drum sound: boom, boom, boom. And I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry guys.” 

Starkey first joined The Who in 1996 during their Quadrophenia reunion tour.  Alongside his tenure with The Who, Starkey has also performed with acts like Oasis, Johnny Marr, and Paul Weller, and currently plays in the supergroup Mantra of the Cosmos, which includes members of Happy Mondays, Oasis, and Ride.

Editorial credit: Adam McCullough / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

Godsmack to release ‘The Oracle’ on vinyl for first time

Singer/guitarist Sully Erna from Godsmack perform live at Manchester Academy Uk. Manchester^United Kingdom^ 9th october 2022

Godsmack announced they are releasing their fifth studio album, 2010’s “The Oracle“, on vinyl for the first time ever on May 2nd complete with a full audio re-master.

Originally released in 2010, The Oracle was a landmark album for Godsmack, marking their third consecutive number-one debut on the Billboard 200. It includes the tracks “War and Peace,” “The Oracle,” and “Cryin’ Like a Bitch,” and marked the group’s first time collaborating with producer Dave Fortman, known for his work with bands like Evanescence and Slipknot.

The new edition of The Oracle comes in two versions: a standard black vinyl and a limited-edition “Saints and Sinners” deluxe edition, which pays homage to the record’s working title. The deluxe also features a bonus 7-inch single, featuring Billboard No. 1 hit “Whiskey Hangover” on the A-side and “I Blame You” on the B-side.

The remastered album is available to pre-order – HERE.

Editorial credit: ChrisJamesRyanPhotography / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

See Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco in the video for ‘Sunset Blvd’

Selena Gomez at the premiere for Emilia Perez at the Egyptian Theatre. LOS ANGELES^ CA. October 21^ 2024

Selena Gomez has shared the video for “Sunset Blvd,” featuring fiancé Benny Blanco. The track appears on the couple’s collaborative album “I Said I Love You First.”

Gomez said on Instagram prior to the song’s release: “Sunset Blvd will always be a special place to us 🖤 Song and video with @itsbennyblanco out now! Video by @petrafcollins #SunsetBlvd”

Sunset Blvd follows the previously-released tracks “Call Me When You Break Up” with Gracie Abrams, “Scared of Loving You” and “…I Can’t Get Enough” with J Balvin and Tainy.

See the video for ‘Sunset Blvd’ – HERE.

Stream I Said I Loved You First – HERE.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / 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