Keith Urban has attended and performed at CMA Fest since its old “Fan Fair” days.
And despite being a veteran performer now, Keith still relishes the fun and camaraderie of the annual festival’s events.
“I love it! It’s like summer camp. I mean, it is!” shares Keith. “It’s a chance to obviously see a lot of people I don’t normally see. I don’t know. It’s just palpable.”
“Since Fan Fair, it’s just been that sort of week-plus of energy; the town just explodes, and what it is we love about this genre and the community aspect of it,” he adds. “I always love it.”
The 2023 CMA Fest takes place in Nashville June 8 to June 11. If you’re going to be there, be sure to catch Keith’s performance at Nissan Stadium on Friday, June 9.
For the full CMA Fest schedule and lineup, visit cmafest.com.
Lil Durk is tapping into his faith with the hope that it will help solve the violence and “petty beef” in his hometown. Taking to his Instagram Stories Wednesday, he revealed his desire to “hold the biggest prayer in Chicago for the Muslims that bring everybody together.”
“Pride to the side, then after [getting problems] off they chest, help the petty beef go away,” he continued, noting the prayer would take place at a private location.
Durk then switched gears to focus on another goal, which is to “Make Hip-Hop fun again.”
“We understand that everybody got money but let’s f*** em up like we was just doing,” he wrote, before shouting out working women and encouraging them to “keep going.”
Durk’s post comes on the heels of his Almost Healed album, which arrived on DSPs Friday. The project debuted atop the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at #3 on the Billboard 200, becoming his biggest sales week yet. Fifteen tracks have also made it onto the Billboard Hot 100: “All My Life” is #4; “Stand by Me” featuring Morgan Wallen is at #22; “Pelle Coat” sits at #35; “War Bout It” featuring 21 Savage is at #41; and “Never Imagined” featuring Future secured a spot at #59.
Almost Healed features 21 songs and is possibly Durk’s last album with over 20 tracks. “I’m going back to 13 songs an album,” he wrote in his Stories. “y’all can have that 20+ song album.”
Britney Spears took to Instagram on Wednesday to air out old grievances against the people behind her conservatorship and to reveal which of her songs is her all-time favorite.
In a now-deleted video of herself dancing to her song “Get Naked (I Got a Plan)” from her Blackout album, Britney wrote, “This is a repost from Maui last year !!! I know it’s not that great BUT the song is my favorite song I’ve ever done !!!”
She went on to note, “It was really weird because my dancers took the stage for this song !!! Oh well !!! I listened to this song today and actually realized it for the first time!!!”
Britney was referring to her Vegas show Britney: Piece of Me — a recording of the song was played during an interlude at the start of Act Five. During that time, Britney was presumably off stage changing while her dancers performed.
Explaining why she didn’t perform “Get Naked (I Got a Plan),” Britney wrote, “I guess it was all those rules you know !!! Guess all those rules and not having a voice for 13 years in what I wanted gave a lot of people a thrill ride !!! Oh well !!! Psss no wonder I quit the business JUST SAYING !!!”
She added, “But I’m going to London next week to go shopping so things aren’t too shabby !!!”
Maybe Britney’s team didn’t want her to sing the song because it features lines like, “Maybe I’m a freak and I don’t really give a damn/ I’m crazy as a motherf*****, bet that on your man.”
(WASHINGTON) — A fresh batch of financial records for justices of the U.S. Supreme Court was published by the federal judiciary on Wednesday, which shed some light on their income and affiliations outside the court did not include key details that critics said will contribute to an elevated atmosphere of mistrust.
These highly anticipated disclosures, which cover all of 2022, arrive in the wake of revelations about Justice Clarence Thomas’ financial ties to Texas billionaire and GOP megadonor Harlan Crow, which critics have called an overt breach of rules and norms – and have prompted renewed calls for more robust transparency and enforcement.
But on Wednesday afternoon, when the records were published online, Thomas’ were not among them, suggesting that the conservative firebrand requested an extension. Justice Samuel Alito’s documents were also unavailable online. A court spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
Even so, experts said that financial disclosures for the other seven justices would draw more attention than normal under the weight of plummeting public trust and questions about their ethical requirements.
“These will definitely be the most scrutinized Supreme Court disclosures since the disclosure law went into effect 40 years ago,” Gabe Roth, executive director of Fix the Court, a leading Supreme Court watchdog, told ABC News. “That said, I think what people will take away from them is how many unanswered questions remain about the justices’ lives outside of the courtroom and their potential entanglements.”
The records released Wednesday offer a glimpse into the personal finances of the justices, including income they received last year from book sales, teaching gigs and investments. And this year in these disclosures, for the first time, justices will also have to share information about the sources of free trips, meals and hospitality, under new guidelines minted by the Judicial Conference, the body that sets and enforces policies for U.S. courts.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., in March called the new rules “big step toward closing the loopholes that kept the public in the dark about who was paying for justices’ lavish lifestyles.”
Chief Justice John Roberts defended the integrity of the court in May amid slumping public approval and growing political pressure to tweak the guidelines.
“I want to assure people that I am committed to making certain that we as a Court adhere to the highest standards of conduct,” Roberts said at the time.
But to critics, the new supplemental reporting requirements remain insufficient. Justices, for example, will not be required to put a dollar amount of reimbursements for travel expenses or meals, unlike members of Congress and other government officials.
“The public should know that sort of thing,” Roth said. “There’s a big difference between the Hardee’s star and a Michelin star, and between the Ritz and the Radisson.”
In April, ABC News reported on how some law schools have sought to leverage their financial resources for opportunities to access Supreme Court justices, often footing the bill for justices and their families to travel around the world for speaking engagements without the justices having to include most details of those trips on disclosure reports.
Advocacy groups and lawmakers have pushed to change that. A bill proposed by Whitehouse would require the court to adopt a “code of conduct” akin to what is imposed on members of Congress, who must report specific dollar amounts of gifts within a month of receiving them.
Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, introduced a separate bill this week that would require the court to appoint an official to handle any violations of a code of conduct.
(NEW YORK) — Smoke from wildfires in Canada has spread across most of the U.S. Northeast, triggering air quality alerts in 13 states. The poor air quality extends as far south as the Carolinas.
Wildfire smoke and ash can irritate eyes, nose, throat and lungs, making you cough or wheeze and can make it hard to breathe, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The most effective way to protect yourself during wildfire emergencies is to stay indoors or limit time outdoors when there is smoke in the air, according to the CDC. This is especially important for those with heart or lung conditions who are at higher risk for adverse health effects.
“People who are most at risk are [the] elderly, immunocompromised, young children and people who already have respiratory problems, people with asthma and things like that,” said Dr. Stephanie Widmer, a member of ABC News’ Medical Unit.
Kids with asthma should avoid playing outside and going to playgrounds until the air quality improves, Widmer said. It is best to stay inside and wear masks in the meantime.
If you can, try to avoid exercising outdoors until the air quality improves, especially those with underlying lung disease.
“People with asthma and people who already have lung disease or underlying lung problems, it can exacerbate that, it can irritate that. And if the air quality is bad enough, it can even cause some symptoms of feeling unwell and respiratory symptoms in people who are healthy,” Widmer said.
“Some people are more vulnerable than others, some people can be outside for longer than others. Try to limit your time outside as best as you can and if you can’t and if you’re not sure how long you’d be outside, throw on a mask,” Widmer said.
Pregnant people should also try to avoid spending time outdoors, especially those who are further along, Widmer said.
“A lot of times, very pregnant people are carrying almost a large weight that sometimes can compromise their respiratory ability. And sometimes they feel short of breath at baseline. So very poor air quality could worsen that,” Widmer said.
You should wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth, fits tightly to your face and can filter out smoke or ash particles before you breathe them in, according to the CDC. N95 or P100 masks can help protect your lungs from smoke or ash.
Those spending extensive time outdoors in smoky air or an ash-covered area should use a tight-fitting N95 or P100 mask to reduce exposure. Make sure the mask fits over your nose, under your chin and seals tightly to your face. Any leakage around your face will cause unfiltered air to enter and be inhaled, according to the CDC.
Because the particles are so small, Widmer said P100 masks may be more effective in filtering out the smoke particles. But an N95 mask is also a good option.
Wearing a mask while it is hot outside or you are physically active can increase the risk of heat-related illness. Make sure to take breaks often and drink water, according to the CDC.
When inside your house, choose a room closed off from outside air. You could set up a portable air cleaner or a filter to keep the air in this room clean even when it’s smoky in the rest of the building and outdoors, according to the CDC.
Keep an eye out for any signs of illness in pets too, including trouble breathing, fatigue, coughing or gagging, red or watery eyes, nasal discharge, inflammation of throat or mouth or reluctance to eat hard foods. Call your veterinarian if you notice any of these symptoms develop.
The CDC advises people avoid using candles, gas, propane, wood-burning stoves, fireplaces or aerosol sprays and don’t fry or broil meat, smoke tobacco products or vacuum.
Be on the lookout for coughing, wheezing, general shortness of breath and a general sense of not feeling well, Widmer said.
“If you don’t feel right, call your doctor,” Widmer said.
Yungblud has premiered a new single called “Lowlife.”
“I wrote ‘Lowlife’ because I just didn’t want to leave my house,” Yungblud explains. “I was sick of people, of games, of myself, my friends, anytime I did anything some idiot had an opinion about it. What I should do or be.”
“The truth is I didn’t want to be anything at all sometimes, I wanted to be nothing,” he continues. “So I just didn’t leave bed. I was dissatisfied and craving some sort of boredom. The type of boredom where you sit in your house, in the same sheets and watch f****** mind-numbing TV, so I wrote a song about it.”
You can listen to “Lowlife” now via digital outlets. The song’s accompanied by a lyric video, which is streaming now on YouTube.
“Lowlife” follows Yungblud’s 2022 self-titled album, which features the singles “The Funeral” and “Tissues.”
Yungblud launches a U.S. tour June 27 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Regrettes will also be on the bill for select dates.
The Iron Sheik, a legendary competitor from the glory days of ’80s pro wrestling, has died, according to his social media accounts.
He was 81.
The WWE legend and pro wrestling Hall of Famer, a trash-talking longtime foil of Hulk Hogan, was born in Iran as Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri. He made headlinesunder his fighting name in the Reagan era.
During real-life rising tensions with Iran and Russia, the Iron Sheik was paired with Nikolai Volkoff in Cold War-era face-offs with American pros. In 1985, the pair took the WWF tag team title during the first Wrestlemania, defeating The U.S. Express (Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham).
In a statement on his social media about his passing, a message noted, “Today, we gather with heavy hearts to bid farewell to a true legend, a force of nature, and an iconic figure who left an incredible mark on the world of professional wrestling.”
The post said outside of the ring, The Iron Sheik was a “devoted family man” who “cherished the love and support of his wife of 47 years, Caryl, who stood by his side through thick and thin.”
The message concluded, “We also take solace in knowing that he departed this world peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that will endure for generations to come.”
Bryan Adams kicked off his North American tour in Baltimore Tuesday, treating fans to a 23-song set filled with lots of hits and more.
According to setlist.fm, Adams kicked off the show with the So Happy It Hurts track “Kick A**,” then proceeded to rock the crowd with such classic tracks as “Somebody,” “Summer of 69,” “Cuts Like A Knife,” “Run To You,” “It’s Only Love,” his duet with the late Tina Turner and more.
Of course, there were plenty of ballads, including “Heaven,” “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” and “All For Love,” which was a collaboration with Sting and Rod Stewart. There were even two requests, “Never Gonna Rain” and “The Boys Night Out,” a song he hasn’t played since 2015.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts are opening for Adams on this tour, and while their set was filled with hits, they also took the opportunity to debut some new songs, playing “Shooting Into Space,” “(Make the Music Go) Boom,” “If You’re Blue” and “Whiskey Goes Good” from their just-released EP, Mindsets. The rest of the set was filled with fan favorites, including The Runaways track “Cherry Bomb,” plus classics like “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” “Crimson & Clover,” “I Hate Myself for Loving You” and “Bad Reputation.”
The Bryan Adams/Joan Jett tour hits Philadelphia on Wednesday, June 7. A complete list of dates can be found at bryanadams.com.
(MIAMI) — The founder of MAGA Inc and a former Trump aide, Taylor Budowich, is appearing in front of a South Florida grand jury on Wednesday, which is hearing evidence and witness testimony in the classified documents probe.
An ABC News camera caught Budowich going into the federal court in Miami. He did not respond to questions or a request for comment. His lawyer also didn’t respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
Budowich responded with a Tweet Wednesday, saying this is all an attempt to go after former President Donald Trump.
“Today, in what can only be described as a bogus and deeply troubling effort to use the power of government to ‘get’ Trump, I fulfilled a legal obligation to testify in front a federal grand jury and I answered every question honestly,” Budowich tweeted. “America has become a sick and broken nation—a decline led by Joe Biden and power hungry Democrats. I will not be intimidated by this weaponization of government. For me, the need to unite our nation and make America great again has never been more clear than it is today.
“That starts with re-electing President Donald J. Trump, a purpose I will not be deterred from pursuing,” he continued.
This comes as ABC News has previously reported that Special Counsel Jack Smith has expanded his probe into political action committees that were formed by Trump allies.
A federal grand jury investigating the activities leading up the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and the push by Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election, has expanded its probe to include seeking information about Trump’s leadership PAC, Save America, sources with direct knowledge tell ABC News.
Tenacious D has announced a new run of U.S. tour dates.
The headlining outing begins September 6 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and concludes September 15 in Austin, Texas. Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 9, at 10 a.m. local time.
For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit TenaciousD.com.
Last month, Tenacious D dropped a new, original song called “Video Games,” which they’re set to perform at the Game Awards 10–Year Celebration concert event, taking place June 25 in Los Angeles. They also just released a cover of the Chris Isaak song “Wicked Game.”
