Categories
Country Daypop

Brad Paisley, Emmylou Harris among the 2025 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees

Brad Paisley and Emmylou Harris are among the songwriters set to be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame on October 6th during the 55th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala held at the Music City Center in Nashville.

Also included in the new class are: Steve Bogard and Tony Martin in the contemporary songwriter category; Jim Lauderdale in the contemporary songwriter/artist category; and Don Cook in the veteran songwriter category. These six new songwriters will join the 247 previously inducted members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

  • Paisley, a three-time Grammy-winning country music superstar with 41 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, is known for writing many of his own hit songs including: “He Didn’t Have To Be,” “Alcohol,” “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” “Letter To Me,” and “Remind Me” (a duet with Carrie Underwood).
  • Harris is one of the great American folk singer-songwriters. With 13 Grammys to her name, Harris is best known for such hits like “Boulder To Birmingham,” “White Line” and “Heartbreak Hill.” She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008.
  • Bogard is known for radio staples like George Strait’s “Carried Away,” Rascal Flatts’ “Prayin’ For Daylight” and Dierks Bentley’s “Every Mile A Memory.”
  • Martin also wrote for Strait (“Baby’s Gotten Good At Goodbye”) as well as Jason Aldean (“A Little More Summertime”) and Keith Urban (“You Look Good In My Shirt”).
  • Lauderdale is known for his own songs, like “I Feel Like Singing Today,” “She’s Looking At Me” and “Mighty Lonesome,” but also wrote for other artists including Mark Chesnutt (“Gonna Get A Life”) and Patty Loveless (“Halfway Down.”).
  • Cook wrote T. Graham Brown’s “I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again,” Steve Wariner’s “Small Town Girl” and Brooks & Dunn’s “Only In America.”

The list was announced by Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame board of directors chair Rich Hallworth and executive director Mark Ford during a press conference. Hallworth said in a statement: “Gathering as we do each year — to reveal and welcome the members of our incoming class — is truly one of the highlights of our calendar. To these outstanding songwriters, we say — thank you for sharing your songs and your artistry with us. We are proud to honor you this fall, when you will officially join your legendary peers in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.”

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

The Cult announces two album vinyl reissues for ‘Choice of Weapon’ and ‘Hidden City’

The Cult will reissue two of their most acclaimed albums — 2012’s Choice of Weapon and 2016’s Hidden City — on vinyl on October 17th.

Choice of Weapon arrives as a 2 LP limited-edition color-in-color effect vinyl (LP 1: red/black vinyl, LP 2: purple/black vinyl); while Hidden City has been newly remastered for vinyl by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound and is presented as a 2 LP set (LP 1: red vinyl and LP 2: white vinyl).

The original Choice of Weapon was recorded in the California desert with Chris Goss at the helm and finished by long-time collaborator Bob Rock, who first worked with the band on Sonic Temple.

Hidden City is The Cult’s tenth studio album, was also produced by Rock, with the 12-track project featuring the track “Dark Energy.”

The band is also embarking on a North American tour with Patriarchy opens as special guests. The special performances featuring two sets each night: one from the band’s post-punk origins as Death Cult, and another spanning The Cult’s discography.  For ticket information head HERE.

Preorder the two reissues: HERE.

Editorial credit: DarioZg / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

Hayley Williams drops video for “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party”

Hayley Williams has released the music video for her new single “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party” – one of 17 tracks that were surprise-released on a website designed to look like an early-2000s desktop (nearly four years since Williams’ second album was released).

The video, directed by Zachary Gray, follows Williams around her hometown of Nashville as she drives along a highway with a view of the city skyline before hitting Broadway.

Williams released her debut solo album, Petals for Amor, in 2020, and its follow up, Flowers for Vases / Descansos, in 2021.

See the video for “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party” – HERE.

Editorial credit: L Paul Mann / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

NBC to air ‘Wicked’ special on Nov. 6 ahead of theatrical release of ‘Wicked: For Good’

NBC announced a two-hour Wicked special, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, airing on the network Nov. 6. The special will broadcast ahead of the premiere of the Wicked sequel, Wicked: For Good, arriving in theaters Nov. 21.

Erivo, who portrays Elphaba, and Grande, who portrays Glinda, will helm the two-hour event from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The two are set to perform fan favorites from the first feature alongside “their co-stars and other surprise guests,” according to an official synopsis.

Wicked was released last November and grossed more than $750 million at the worldwide box office to become the biggest Broadway musical adaptation of all time. Both films take their inspiration from the 1995 book penned by Gregory Maguire and the following Broadway adaptation (2003).

A press release states that the NBC special begins at 8 p.m. EDT, and will stream on Peacock the following day.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

NBC to air ‘Wicked’ special on Nov. 6 ahead of theatrical release of ‘Wicked: For Good’

NBC announced a two-hour Wicked special, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, airing on the network Nov. 6. The special will broadcast ahead of the premiere of the Wicked sequel, Wicked: For Good, arriving in theaters Nov. 21.

Erivo, who portrays Elphaba, and Grande, who portrays Glinda, will helm the two-hour event from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The two are set to perform fan favorites from the first feature alongside “their co-stars and other surprise guests,” according to an official synopsis.

Wicked was released last November and grossed more than $750 million at the worldwide box office to become the biggest Broadway musical adaptation of all time. Both films take their inspiration from the 1995 book penned by Gregory Maguire and the following Broadway adaptation (2003).

A press release states that the NBC special begins at 8 p.m. EDT, and will stream on Peacock the following day.

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Taylor Swift announces the ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ theatrical release party

Taylor Swift announced an official release party exclusively in theaters for her new album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ which arrives on Friday, Oct. 3.

Taylor Swift | The Official Release Party of a Showgirl will arrive in theaters from Oct. 3-Oct. 5, in celebration of her twelfth studio album. In addition, theatergoers will be the first to experience the world premiere of the official music video for the first single off ‘Showgirl’ titled “The Fate of Ophelia.”

A post on Swift’s social media read: “I hereby invite you to a *dazzling* soirée, The Official Release Party of a Showgirl: Oct 3 – Oct 5 only in cinemas! You’ll get to see the exclusive world premiere of the music video for my new single “The Fate of Ophelia”, along with never before seen behind-the-scenes footage of how we made it, cut by cut explanations of what inspired this music, and the brand new lyric videos from my new album The Life of a Showgirl ❤️‍🔥 Looks like it’s time to brush off that Eras Tour outfit or orange cardigan… Tickets are on sale now. Dancing is optional but very much encouraged 💃 Showtimes may vary, so check your local listings. Tickets are limited and available at releasepartyofashowgirl.com”

AMC Theatres – who partnered with Swift for her ‘The Eras Tour’ concert film – is once again teaming up with Swift to distribute the ‘The Official Release Party of a Showgirl’ special event. ‘The Eras Tour’ concert film went on to become the top grossing concert film of all time with $261.6 million globally.

Per a press release from AMC Theatres,”The Official Release Party of a Showgirl” will be playing from Oct. 3 to Oct. 5 throughout all 540 AMC Theatres locations. It will additionally be available at non-AMC locations in North America, including Cinemark and Regal theaters. Screenings will kick off across time zones at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT on Oct. 3.

Head to releasepartyofashowgirl.com for details.

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Taylor Swift announces the ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ theatrical release party

Taylor Swift announced an official release party exclusively in theaters for her new album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ which arrives on Friday, Oct. 3.

Taylor Swift | The Official Release Party of a Showgirl will arrive in theaters from Oct. 3-Oct. 5, in celebration of her twelfth studio album. In addition, theatergoers will be the first to experience the world premiere of the official music video for the first single off ‘Showgirl’ titled “The Fate of Ophelia.”

A post on Swift’s social media read: “I hereby invite you to a *dazzling* soirée, The Official Release Party of a Showgirl: Oct 3 – Oct 5 only in cinemas! You’ll get to see the exclusive world premiere of the music video for my new single “The Fate of Ophelia”, along with never before seen behind-the-scenes footage of how we made it, cut by cut explanations of what inspired this music, and the brand new lyric videos from my new album The Life of a Showgirl ❤️‍🔥 Looks like it’s time to brush off that Eras Tour outfit or orange cardigan… Tickets are on sale now. Dancing is optional but very much encouraged 💃 Showtimes may vary, so check your local listings. Tickets are limited and available at releasepartyofashowgirl.com”

AMC Theatres – who partnered with Swift for her ‘The Eras Tour’ concert film – is once again teaming up with Swift to distribute the ‘The Official Release Party of a Showgirl’ special event. ‘The Eras Tour’ concert film went on to become the top grossing concert film of all time with $261.6 million globally.

Per a press release from AMC Theatres,”The Official Release Party of a Showgirl” will be playing from Oct. 3 to Oct. 5 throughout all 540 AMC Theatres locations. It will additionally be available at non-AMC locations in North America, including Cinemark and Regal theaters. Screenings will kick off across time zones at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT on Oct. 3.

Head to releasepartyofashowgirl.com for details.

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Man dies on roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando

A man who was riding a rollercoaster at Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando died Wednesday, park officials said in a statement.

The visitor at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park became unresponsive while riding Stardust Racers at the Florida park, a Universal spokesperson said in the statement.  The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said off-duty deputies found a man in his 30s on the ride Wednesday night. He was then taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The man hasn’t been identified, and there is no known cause of death yet. The District Nine Medical Examiner’s Office said the person’s body was in their care and will undergo an examination today.

Universal Orlando Resorts in a statement: “We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones. We are fully committed to cooperating with this ongoing investigation.”

Universal’s Epic Universe opened in May; as a precaution, Stardust Racers will remain closed while the investigation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is underway. The sheriff’s office has not commented on the investigation.

Editorial credit: veritographer / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Pres. Trump asks SCOTUS to allow him to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook

The Trump administration on Thursday formally petitioned the Supreme Court to allow President Trump to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from her position without delay. If the court agrees, it would mark the first time a Fed governor was fired by a president in the central bank’s 111-year history.

A federal appeals court on Monday rejected Trump’s attempt to fire Cook, with the three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issuing a 2-1 emergency ruling ahead of the central bank’s start of monetary policy meetings on Tuesday. By law, Federal Reserve governors can only be removed for misconduct or other qualifying reasons. The White House has repeatedly insisted that Trump acted within his authority by seeking Cook’s removal.

In the Supreme Court filing, Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that a lower court’s decision preventing the dismissal amounted to “improper judicial interference.”  Sauer wrote that “The Federal Reserve Board plays a uniquely critical role in the American economy. That reality only underscores the public’s interest in ensuring that an ethically compromised member is not permitted to wield its significant powers.”

The president invoked a clause in the Federal Reserve Act that allows members to be dismissed “for cause,” pointing to allegations of mortgage fraud against Cook raised by Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, a Trump appointee. Pulte sent criminal referrals for Cook to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi twice since Aug. 15, accusing Cook of mortgage fraud, alleging she listed properties she owns inconsistently on different forms.

Cook has firmly denied the accusations, and she has not been charged with any crime.  Cook has also fought back arguing that Trump doesn’t have the authority to fire her. Cook challenged her removal in court, and won reinstatement. The district found that her firing likely violated the so-called for-cause provision of the Federal Reserve Act and the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.

Editorial credit: Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

NASCAR icon Tony Stewart to race against wife Leah Pruett in Top Fuel dragster series

NASCAR legend Tony Stewart announced his plans to compete for Elite Motorsports against his wife, Leah Pruett, in the Top Fuel drag racing series in 2026.

Stewart’s announcement comes weeks after he said he planned to give his Tony Stewart Racing seat to Pruett, who took a year off to give birth to son Dominic.  However, Stewart said Thursday on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour Podcast: “I said I would not race against my wife and I’ve lied to myself, obviously.”

Stewart retired from full-time NASCAR racing after the 2016 season. He earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 and logged two Top Fuel victories in 2025, and sits in second place in the NHRA standings behind Doug Kalitta.

Pruett married Stewart in 2021, and was announced as the Top Fuel driver the same year for Tony Stewart Racing. Debuting in 2013, Pruett owns 18 career NHRA victories and finished third in the 2023 Top Fuel standings before her hiatus. Stewart said: “I said from the very beginning that I was just keeping Leah’s seat warm and that it was hers as soon as she was ready to come back. Well, she’s coming back in 2026, and that Direct Connection Dodge//SRT Top Fuel dragster is going to have her name on it, not mine. And as much as I wanted to continue driving, TSR is not in a position to add a second Top Fuel car. But with Richard buying Josh Hart’s team and our recent alliance, I can still work as an owner and a driver to help both our organizations grow.”

Once Elite Motorsports secures funding, Stewart is to compete in his third Top Fuel campaign. Elite Motorsports, which maintains a marketing deal with Tony Stewart Racing, signed an agreement earlier this month to acquire Josh Hart’s Top Fuel operation. Drivers Eric Enders and Aaron Stanfield also will test and license the dragster.

Team owner Richard Freeman said in a press release:  “Having Tony as our driver, adding another Top Fuel entry, we’re taking care of the sport and opening up possibilities, that’s why we’ll have Erica and Aaron get licensed in the car, as well. First things first, though, we need to get the program funded, but letting everyone know our intentions, that will help. Tony is a great driver; we all know he can drive anything. He’s great for drag racing, not just as a team owner, but behind the wheel. We’re excited that through our marketing alliance with Tony Stewart Racing, we’re creating an opportunity for Tony to keep a Top Fuel seat and a chance to race alongside his wife, Leah.”

The NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals will be held from Thursday through Sunday in Concord, N.C. The 2026 season will start with the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., taking plae March 5-8.

Editorial credit: Grindstone Media Group / Shutterstock.com