Leave it to Chris Stapleton to wax philosophical about country music awards shows.
Of course, he does know a thing or two about the topic, since he’s the most-nominated male artist at Sunday’s 61st ACMs, with a chance to take home six more trophies.
“These things are fantastic things to win, but when you get nominated or invited to these kinda parties, in my estimation, you’ve already won and you’ve already gotten to be far beyond [what] anybody who’s a musician could ever dream of getting to do,” he reflects.
“As far as thinkin’ about goin’ into somethin’,” he adds, “I’m always genuinely surprised to win anything and I’m always grateful for it.”
So where does Stapleton keep his impressive trophy collection?
“Some of ’em, we put ’em out on the road in the VIP section for the fans to see,” he answers. “That’s who they belong to. … I don’t feel like they really belong to me. I don’t have ‘em in my house or anything like that. I don’t sit around making a shrine to myself or anything.”
“We try to make sure that the fans get to see ‘em and enjoy ‘em as much as possible. Some of ‘em are in the Country Music Hall of Fame and places where they can be enjoyed by the people that got me to where I could earn them.”
Stapleton’s one of the rare ACM Triple Crown winners, having picked up new male, male and entertainer to earn the honor.
He could add his sixth male artist honor on Sunday, along with potential trophies for “A Song to Sing” with Miranda Lambert.
The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards stream live from Las Vegas Sunday on Prime Video.
Nick Jonas as Danny and Paul Rudd as Rick in ‘Power Ballad.’ (David Cleary)
Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd are coming to New York City to talk about their new movie Power Ballad, but if you’re not in the Big Apple, you can still watch their discussion.
Nick, Paul and Power Ballad director John Carney will be at New York’s 92nd Street Y cultural center on May 18 for the talk, moderated by journalist and podcast host Josh Horowitz. You can buy tickets to attend in person for 50 bucks, but the cost for a streaming link starts at just $20.
Over 100 independent theaters in the U.K. will screen Power Balladfor free on May 26 and 27.
Power Ballad, opening in select U.S. theaters May 29 and nationwide on June 5, casts Nick as a boy band star named Danny, who’s trying to establish himself as a solo artist. Paul plays a washed-up wedding singer named Rick. When the two spend a night hanging out and jamming, Danny steals one of Rick’s songs. It ignites his career, but leaves a furious Rick trying to get revenge — and the credit he feels he deserves.
Flyer for Everyday’s Friday: Lyrics, Loungin’ and Laughing (Live Nation)
Ice Cube and Mike Epps are celebrating 30 years of the Friday moviefranchise with a one-night-only event taking place July 17 at the Long Beach Amphitheater in Long Beach, California.
Cube will take the stage to perform some of his greatest hits, while Mike will entertain the crowd with his stand-up comedy. There will also be performances from special guests Warren G and Scarface, and cash prizes for the best Friday character costumes.
“Fridayhas always been about and for the fans who made it a classic and kept it alive for nearly 30 years,” Cube said in statement. “To be able to step back out there with Mike Epps and bring that energy to the stage for a one-night-only experience in Long Beach is special. This show represents the beginning of the next chapter.”
Mike shared a similar sentiment. He added in his own statement, “Every day for the last 30 years someone has told me how much they loved The Friday Franchise and how much the characters mean to them. To reunite with Cube and bring this one night only experience to the fans is incredible.”
Tickets to the one-night-only event, dubbed Everyday’s Friday: Lyrics, Loungin’ and Laughing, become available Thursday at 10 a.m. PT via the venue and Live Nation presales. General ticket sales then begin Friday at 10 a.m. PT.
Friday was released in 1995, with Cube as the lead character Craig Jones, a newly employed man who teams with stoner pal Smokey, played by Chris Tucker, to try to pay off a $200 debt. Chris was replaced by Mike’s character, Daymond “Day-Day” Jones, who made his debut in Next Friday (2000) and returned for Friday After Next (2002).
Deep Purple is giving fans the first taste of their upcoming album, SPLAT!
The band has just released a video for the record’s first single, “Arrogant Boy,” which is the lead track from the album.
SPLAT!, dropping July 3, explores the idea of the end of humanity as a transformation rather than a destruction, with the album’s description noting it sees the end “not in any crude apocalyptic sense but as a metamorphosis beyond physical existence.”
It is Deep Purple’s first album since 2024’s =1.
Deep Purple is set to kick off a European tour on June 11 in Finland. The trek includes several festival appearances, including a show at the Montreux Jazz Festival on July 12. They launch a North American tour Aug. 4 in Raleigh, North Carolina, with dates confirmed through Sept. 12 in Sparks, Nevada.
A complete list of dates can be found at DeepPurple.com.
John Ford Coley performs at Rock The Yacht 2019 at Mayo Center Performing Arts on August 20, 2019 in Morristown, New Jersey. (Photo by Bobby Bank/Getty Images)
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the soft rock hit “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” by England Dan and John Ford Coley, and to mark the occasion, a new take on the song has just been released.
The reimagined version has Coley “reuniting” with his late singing partner Dan Seals, with Coley singing the second verse, not just the harmonies like he did in the original song.
“I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” written by Parker McGee, was a huge hit for the duo, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. But Coley says he and Seals originally “fought against” recording it. Of course, their first instinct turned out to be the wrong one.
“The first time that I knew that I was wrong was when I saw the first royalty check,” Coley tells ABC Audio, explaining he and Seals originally didn’t like the song because they wanted to be known as singer-songwriters.
“Unfortunately, all the songs that we had written generated about $1.98 in sales,” he jokes.
The song has caused some confusion over the years, with fans mishearing what Seals is singing in the opening of the chorus, as he mumbles the line “I’m not talking about moving in.” Coley says to this day he still gets people asking about it.
“I’ve gotten, ‘I’m not talking about wiggling, M&M’s, Bolivia, linen,’ it just goes on,” he says. ”And I get a couple that I cannot repeat in polite company.”
Looking back, the 77-year-old Coley can’t quite believe it’s been 50 years since the song came out.
“It’s ironic for me because I don’t even think I’m 50 years old myself yet,” he says. “And to have something stay around that long, I mean, I’m flabbergasted, staggered by the whole thing.”
Cristo Fernandez attends Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 34th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on March 15, 2026 in West Hollywood, California. (Jerod Harris/Getty Images)
Cristo Fernández is turning his on-screen soccer dreams into reality.
The actor best known for playing Dani Rojas on the hit Apple TV+ comedy Ted Lasso has signed a professional soccer contract with El Paso Locomotive FC, the club announced Tuesday.
Fernández, 35, joined the USL Championship side after completing what the club described as an “extensive” two-month trial.
During that stretch, the Mexican actor and forward trained regularly with the team and appeared in a preseason match against New Mexico United.
“Fútbol has always been a huge part of my life and identity, and no matter where life has taken me, the dream of competing professionally never truly left my heart,” Fernández said in a statement released by the club.
Long before his acting career took off, Fernández played youth soccer for Mexican club Tecos FC. However, an injury forced him to step away from the sport when he was 15 years old.
He later shifted his focus to acting and became one of the breakout stars of Ted Lasso in 2020.
His character, Dani Rojas, became a fan favorite for his upbeat personality and memorable catchphrase, “Fútbol is life.”
In recent years, Fernández has shared his journey back to soccer on social media, posting videos of himself training with professional clubs across the country, including teams connected to Major League Soccer organizations.
El Paso Locomotive FC head coach Junior Gonzalez said Fernández will bring both talent and leadership to the squad.
“Cristo is a great addition to our roster, adding another attacking threat to our forward line,” Gonzalez said. “His passion for the game and leadership qualities for our locker room allow us to continue growing the positive culture we strive for as a club.”
Fernández said the opportunity represents more than just a return to soccer.
“This journey back to professional soccer is about believing in yourself, taking risks, and continuing to chase your dreams no matter how unexpected the path may be,” he said.
President Donald Trump speaks to the press as he departs the White House, May 12, 2026 in Washington.(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
(WASHINGTON) — President Donald Trump said Americans’ financial situation was “not even a little bit” of a motivating factor for him reaching a deal to end the war in Iran, despite a new report that inflation rose for a second consecutive month and hit a three-year high.
Trump made the comment on Tuesday as he took questions from reporters as he left the White House for a high-stakes trip to China.
“Not even a little bit,” the president said when asked to what extent Americans’ financial situations were motivating him to make a deal with Iran, as the war stretches into its 11th week.
“The only thing that matters when I’m talking about Iran, they can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump continued. “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing: we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all.”
ABC News White House Correspondent Karen Travers pressed Trump to clarify whether he was considering the financial impact of the war on Americans. He doubled down.
“The most important thing, by far, is Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
“What about the pressure on Americans and prices, right now?” ABC’s Travers asked.
“Every American understands,” Trump said.
He added, “They understand that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. If Iran has a nuclear weapon, the whole world would be in trouble because they happen to be crazy.”
When pressed on his 2024 campaign promise to bring down inflation in light of Tuesday’s report showing prices rose 3.8% in April compared to last year, Trump insisted his policies are “working incredibly.”
A recent poll from ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos found about two-thirds of Americans (65%) disapproved of how Trump is handling the economy. About three-quarters of Americans disapprove of how Trump is handling the cost of living in the U.S. (76%) with just about a quarter approving (23%). Nearly as many disapprove of how he’s handling inflation (72%), up from 65% who disapproved in February.
Several of the poll’s participants spoke to ABC News about the financial strain they’re experiencing because of soaring gas prices.
As of Tuesday, the national average for a gallon of gas in the U.S. was $4.50, according to data from AAA, up more than $1.50 since the war began in late February.
Trump, who on Monday floated a gas tax holiday to bring some financial relief to Americans, reiterated on Tuesday his belief that prices will go back down once the conflict comes to an end.
“When it’s over, you’re going to have a massive drop in the price of oil,” Trump told reporters.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks during the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing titled “A Review of the President’s FY2027 Budget Request for the Department of Defense,” in Dirksen building on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
(WASHINGTON) — Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Tuesday he does not trust Pakistan and questioned the country’s role as a mediator in negotiations between the U.S. and Iran after a recent report suggested the Pakistanis are working closely with Iran.
“I don’t trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them,” Graham said during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
On Monday, CBS News reported U.S. officials told the outlet that Pakistan had allowed Iranian military aircraft to be parked at its airfields, “potentially shielding them from American airstrikes.”
CBS reported the U.S. officials, who spoke only under condition of anonymity to discuss national security issues, said that days after President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire with Iran in early April, Tehran sent multiple aircraft to Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan.
Leaving the White House on Tuesday for his trip to China, Trump told reporters the Pakistanis have been “great.”
“The Pakistanis have been great, the field marshal and the prime minister of Pakistan have been great,” he said.
Graham first asked Caine if the report was accurate, but Caine would not comment, citing the classified nature of the intelligence. Graham then asked Caine if such a move would be inconsistent with Pakistan’s role as a mediator.
“I wouldn’t want to comment on that based on the ongoing negotiations impact and Pakistan’s role,” Caine responded.
Graham asked Hegseth the same question.
“Again, I wouldn’t want to get in the middle of these negotiations,” Hegseth responded.
“I want to get in the middle of these negotiations,” Graham replied. “I don’t trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them. If they actually do have Iranian aircraft parked in Pakistan bases to protect Iranian military assets, that tells me we should be looking maybe for somebody else to mediate.”
“No wonder this damn thing is going nowhere,” he added.
In a statement provided to ABC News, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs “categorically rejected” the CBS News report, suggesting it was misleading and sensationalized. The statement confirmed that Iranian aircraft are in Pakistan but said American aircraft are also allowed to use its airfields.
“Following the ceasefire and during the initial round of the Islamabad Talks, a number of aircraft from Iran and the United States arrived in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams, and administrative staff associated with the talks process,” the statement said.
“Some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in Pakistan in anticipation of subsequent rounds of engagement,” the statement said.
The ministry added that the aircraft within its borders “arrived during the ceasefire period and bear no linkage whatsoever to any military contingency or preservation arrangement.”
The ministry defended Pakistan’s stance as an “impartial, constructive, and responsible facilitator in support of dialogue and de-escalation.”
“Assertions suggesting otherwise are speculative, misleading, and entirely detached from the factual context,” the statement said.
President Donald Trump speaks to the press as he departs the White House, May 12, 2026, in Washington. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
(WASHINGTON) — A federal appeals court on Tuesday temporarily paused a lower court order that declared President Donald Trump’s global 10% tariffs are unlawful.
In an unsigned decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued an administrative stay of last week’s decision from the Court of International Trade.
The move, effectively a brief legal time-out, will allow an appeals court panel time to consider equities on both sides of the dispute before considering whether or not to invalidate the tariffs while litigation continues.
The court did not take any position on the merits of Trump’s appeal and is still considering issuing a long-term stay pending appeal.
The same court granted the Trump administration’s request to stay last year’s decision blocking Trump’s first round of tariffs.
Last week, a New York-based trade court concluded that the 10% — imposed by Trump after the Supreme Court blocked his initial tariffs — were similarly unlawful.
