Nashville notes: Carrie Underwood, Brantley Gilbert + more

Nashville notes: Carrie Underwood, Brantley Gilbert + more
Nashville notes: Carrie Underwood, Brantley Gilbert + more

Carrie Underwood is planning a one-night-only event to celebrate the release of her Denim & Rhinestones album. On June 9 — one day before the album drops — she’ll give a live performance from Nashville’s Historic Bell Tower. You can watch by tuning into Amazon Prime Video or Amazon Music’s Twitch app at 8 p.m. CT.

Next month, Brantley Gilbert is headlining a benefit concert mounted by Shaquille O’Neal and the Pepsi Stronger Together campaign. The show benefits Atlanta’s Henry County Sheriff’s Office Foundation and will specifically raise funds for its three-day summer youth sports camp, which is attended by over 780 local children. Tickets are available now; the show is set for June 22.

Alabama, Sara Evans, Jamey Johnson and more artists hailing from Alabama contribute to the new theme song of The World Games 2022, called “Hope of Alabama.” The video is available now.

Deborah McCrary, one fourth of the sibling gospel quartet The McCrary Sisters, died on June 1 at age 67. The group has set their voices to countless recordings with a genre-spanning list of artists, including Carrie Underwood on her My Gift album. The family announced Deborah’s death in a statement; information regarding services and an honorarium is forthcoming.

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Aqua unveils fun fan contest to mark 25th anniversary of “Barbie Girl”

Aqua unveils fun fan contest to mark 25th anniversary of “Barbie Girl”
Aqua unveils fun fan contest to mark 25th anniversary of “Barbie Girl”
Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

It’s been 25 years since Aqua released their smash-hit single “Barbie Girl.” To celebrate, the Danish pop group wants fans to get in on the fun.

Taking to TikTok, the hitmakers unveiled a fun new contest where the grand prize is a trip to their native Denmark.  

“Barbie Girl turns 25!  Can you believe it? What an amazing ride,” the group announced, saying they want to “celebrate the life of Barbie Girl and Aquarium [their debut album] with all of you.”

Singer Lene Nystrøm encouraged her fans to, “Share with us your favorite ‘Barbie Girl’ moment” using #BarbieGirl25 on social media.  

She explained the winner will be flown to Denmark to “see us in concert, meet us backstage and hang out” at an upcoming music festival.

It is unknown when the contest ends.

The group recently celebrated their “Barbie Girl” music video hitting a billion YouTube views and told fans, “Absolutely crazy!  Thank you for all the love.”

The song was released in April 1997 and went on to become a global phenomenon. It peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 after it was officially released in the U.S. on August 12, 1997.  

The debut album, Aquarium, is RIAA-certified three times Platinum after selling over 3 million units in the U.S.

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“Thank you for being so patient”: Giveon announces new album ‘Give or Take’ expected June 24

“Thank you for being so patient”: Giveon announces new album ‘Give or Take’ expected June 24
“Thank you for being so patient”: Giveon announces new album ‘Give or Take’ expected June 24
Epic Records

R&B soul singer Giveon is giving fans what they’ve long been waiting for: the singer’s newest album, Give or Take, set to arrive June 24. 

The Long Beach native revealed the album release date Wednesday, along with a cinematic, 48-second album trailer that features his mom’s voice.

As a prelude to Give or Take, Giveon released his hit single “Lie Again” in April, which, as previously reported, seemed to hint at his relationship woes with ex-girlfriend and fellow singer Justine Skye

“Lie Again” could serve as a glimpse of the emotional and evocative music — which Giveon is known for delivering — that may show up on the new full-length project.

The “For Tonight” singer shared the presave information when announcing Give or Take on Twitter and apologized to fans for the wait. “Thank you for being so patient with me. Give or Take. The Album. June 24th. pre-save link in bio,” he said. 

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Timeline: How the Tulsa medical office mass shooting unfolded

Timeline: How the Tulsa medical office mass shooting unfolded
Timeline: How the Tulsa medical office mass shooting unfolded
J Pat Carter/Getty Images

(TULSA, Okla.) — The suspected gunman in a mass shooting at an Oklahoma medical office Wednesday bought an AR-15-style rifle just hours before the massacre, police said.

Five people were killed in the shooting at a medical complex at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, according to the Tulsa Police Department. The alleged shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Among those killed was Dr. Preston Phillips, who had performed back surgery on the alleged gunman last month, Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin said at a news conference Thursday.

A letter recovered on the suspect — identified by police as Michael Louis of Muskogee, Oklahoma — “made it clear that he came with the intent to kill Dr. Phillips and anyone who got in his way,” Franklin said. “He blamed Dr. Phillips for the ongoing pain following the surgery.”

The three others killed were Dr. Stephanie Husen, receptionist Amanda Green and patient William Love, Franklin said.

As police continue to investigate the incident — the 233rd mass shooting in the U.S. so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive — this is what is known so far.

“This information is fluid and can still change but it is the most accurate information that we have at this point,” Franklin said.

All times Central.

May 19
Louis goes into the hospital for back surgery performed by Dr. Phillips.

May 24
Louis is released from the hospital. After being released, he “called several times over several days complaining of pain and wanted additional treatment,” Franklin said.

May 29
The suspect purchases a semi-automatic handgun, a 40-caliber pistol, from a local pawn shop, according to Franklin.

May 31
Phillips sees Louis again for additional treatment.

June 1
The suspect “calls again complaining of back pain and wanting additional assistance,” Franklin said.

2 p.m.: The suspect purchases an AR-15-style rifle from a local gun store, according to Franklin.

4:52 p.m.: A patient who was on a video chat with a doctor at the medical office calls 911, saying “the doctor told her to call 911 saying there has been a shooting,” Franklin said.

4:53 p.m.: The Tulsa Police Department receives a 911 call reporting a shooter in a building.

4:55 p.m.: A 911 caller identifies the shooting location as the Natalie Building, a five-story medical office building on the hospital’s campus. Other calls report a shooting on the second floor of the building.

4:56 p.m.: Police arrive on the scene.

4:58 p.m.: As police advance toward the suspect’s location, they hear a gunshot, which is believed to have been the suspect taking his own life, Franklin said.

Police conduct a search of the building and find a victim in an exam room, Love, who later died at the hospital, Franklin said. He was shot while holding a door closed to allow someone else to escape out of another door, according to Franklin.

A woman was found unharmed hiding under a desk in the lobby area of the office at the suspect’s foot and witnessed the suspect take his life, Franklin said. An additional victim is found dead next to the suspect, he said.

Phillips is found dead in an exam room and a fifth victim is found dead in an open area near a nurse’s station, Franklin said.

5:24 p.m.: The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office calls Tulsa police to report receiving a call from a woman “saying that her husband had killed multiple people at Dr. Phillip’s office,” Franklin said. The suspect appears to have contacted his wife either before or during the shooting, he said.

A letter was found on the suspect that “told us the story,” Franklin said. “This was something that was planned.”

6:33 p.m.: The Muskogee Police Department reports a possible bomb threat inside a residence in Muskogee, about 50 miles southeast of Tulsa. Muskogee Police Chief Johnny Teehee later updates that the incident may be tied to the Tulsa shooting suspect and that officers have cleared the house and are obtaining a warrant to search the residence.

9:06 p.m.: Muskogee Mayor Marlon Coleman updates on Facebook that the “bomb squad has cleared the location of the potential bomb threat.”

The home is believed to be the suspect’s residence, but police are still working to determine what happened, Franklin said Thursday.

ABC News’ Jenna Harrison Esseling contributed to this report.

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“YES!” ‘Beavis and Butt-Head Do The Universe’ debuting June 23 on Paramount+

“YES!” ‘Beavis and Butt-Head Do The Universe’ debuting June 23 on Paramount+
“YES!” ‘Beavis and Butt-Head Do The Universe’ debuting June 23 on Paramount+
Paramount+

Cue the air guitar: Beavis and Butt-Head’s recently announced return is happening sooner than previously thought — June 23.

Their first adventure in more than 10 years, Beavis and Butt-Head Do The Universe is billing itself as “the dumbest science fiction movie made.”

According to the streaming service, the snickering pair are “sentenced to Space Camp by a ‘creative’ judge in 1998, leading to a trip on the Space Shuttle, with predictably disastrous results.”

“After going through a black hole, they reemerge in our time, where they look for love, misuse iPhones, and are hunted by the Deep State. Spoiler: They don’t score.”

Back in 2020, ABC Audio reported that Beavis and Butt-Head creator Mike Judge had inked a deal to write, produce and, of course, voice new B&B content for Comedy Central.

Paramount+ is owned by the same parent company as the comedy network.

Beavis and Butt-Head launched on MTV in 1993 with a series of janky-looking animated shorts, including Frog Baseball, which would never pass in today’s society, making the movie’s time travel plot a rich comedy field to mine.

The show became a smash and later extended to full episodes that were interspersed with scenes of the boys making fun of music videos … because those were still a thing in 1993.

Beavis and Butt-Head spawned a hit movie, the 1996 road trip flick Beavis and Butt-Head Do America, which spawned a best-selling soundtrack to boot.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Dierks Bentley remembers his dad 10 years after his death: “Think about him every day”

Dierks Bentley remembers his dad 10 years after his death: “Think about him every day”
Dierks Bentley remembers his dad 10 years after his death: “Think about him every day”
ABC

Dierks Bentley is remembering his late father, Leon Bentley, this week on the 10-year anniversary of his death. 

The singer paid tribute to his dad on social media with a special childhood memory, sharing some photos of Leon giving a young Dierks a sip of his beer. The second and third photos show Dierks’ reaction to the beer, with a big smile on his face.

“Funny how a good cold beer has always had the same effect on me!” Dierks joked in the caption, before offering some more serious reflections on his father. “Think about him every day. Find myself wanting a little more advice now than I wanted back then!”

In fact, it was Dierks’ dad who first introduced him to country music. “I remember him saying he liked that even if you didn’t know the song, if it was written right, you could still sing along and guess some of the words,” he said.

“Miss him, wish the kids could have had a little bit more time with Granddude,” Dierks said in the conclusion of his post. “Thanks for being a good dad…Dad!”

Leon died on June 1, 2012, at the age of 88 after a long illness. CMT reported that Dierks — who had already released several albums and achieved considerable country music success — shared the news with his fans in a tweet.

Dierks’ 2014 album Riser included some nods to his dad’s death, including the song “I Hold On,” which mentions the truck he used to drive to Nashville with his dad at the beginning of his career.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Harry Styles donates Apple AirPods commercial proceeds to humanitarian aid

Harry Styles donates Apple AirPods commercial proceeds to humanitarian aid
Harry Styles donates Apple AirPods commercial proceeds to humanitarian aid
Jo Hale/Redferns

In order for Apple to use Harry Styles‘ music and likeness for their new AirPods commercial, they had to agree to one big condition.

Billboard reports the new commercial features Harry’s song “Music for a Sushi Restaurant.” The Grammy winner told the company that if they wanted to use the song, they would have to donate his artist fee to humanitarian relief efforts.

The funds were directed to the International Rescue Committee, a global humanitarian aid effort that works to help people survive crises, then rebuild their lives. IRC announced the donation in a tweet, writing, “From all of us at the IRC: Thank you to @Harry_Styles and @Apple for your generous donation to the IRC.”

The organization continued, “Working in more than 40 countries, your support will help us reach even more refugees and people in need in the world’s toughest places. Honored to have your support!”

The new AirPods commercial is set to air on YouTube, as well as television, and premiered Thursday.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Megan Thee Stallions drops hot new video for “Plan B”

Megan Thee Stallions drops hot new video for “Plan B”
Megan Thee Stallions drops hot new video for “Plan B”
Rich Polk/NBC

Megan Thee Stallion blazed the 2022 Billboard Music Awards stage two weeks ago with a performance of her new song “Plan B.” On Thursday the Houston hottie dropped the track’s official music video.

The Grammy winner teased the new visual on Instagram Wednesday, alerting fans of its release.

“Hotties Thee wait is OVER the ‘Plan B’ video is coming on 6.2.22 @ 3PM ET/12PM PT. TUNE IN WITH ME!” she said, sharing a video snippet. In her caption, she also tagged French fashion luxury brand Mugler, which Megan sports in the video and in her everyday looks, including her Billboard performance.  

The modern and sleek video, directed by Mugler’s Casey Cadwallader and John Miserendino, accompanies the punchy, hardcore lyrics of the song. On the track, which samples Jodeci‘s 1995 hit “Freek ‘N You (Mr. Dalvin Remix) featuring Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, Megan tells a tale of female empowerment.

The first lines of the chorus goes, “Ladies, love yourself cause this s**t could get ugly / That’s why it’s f**k n****s get money.”

To listen to the full song and to watch Megan rock her assortment of Mugler looks, check out the video for “Plan B” on her official YouTube channel. 

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Mariah Carey reflects on 30th anniversary of ‘MTV Unplugged’ EP

Mariah Carey reflects on 30th anniversary of ‘MTV Unplugged’ EP
Mariah Carey reflects on 30th anniversary of ‘MTV Unplugged’ EP
Ke.Mazur/WireImage

It’s officially been 30 years since Mariah Carey dazzled on the MTV Unplugged stage and released her standout EP, and the hitmaker reflected Thursday on how important the pivotal moment was for her career. 

Sharing an Instagram video highlighting moments of her Unplugged set, where she belted out hits from her album Emotions, Mariah reflected on how much she’s changed since 1992.

“Happy anniversary to that girl on stage who was so nervous and scared to even sing in front of a crowd. Also she had no idea this last minute ‘unplugged’ show would become a ‘thing!'” she remarked.

Mariah also revealed how that performance changed the course of her career.

“During that performance, I remember having a breakthrough moment…the realization that all I needed to do was SING and actually CONNECT with the people in the audience and be in the moment with THEM!!! And then we were in it together,” she recalled.

The Grammy winner continued, “When I watch this now, it’s revelatory how many insanely talented musicians and singers I had the privilege of sharing that small stage with and I truly feel blessed. I am thankful to that majestic group of people who made that stage come to life and to the audience in the room for sharing what became a life changing experience for me and as always.”

“Thank you my fans for sharing this journey with me. You save my life each day,” she closed out the sentimental post.

Mariah’s MTV Unplugged EP sold over 4 million copies and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 200. It also spun off her hit duet with Trey Lorenz, “I’ll Be There,” which was a last-minute addition to her Unplugged set list.  Her cover of the Jackson 5 song earned her two Grammy nods.

 

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Dua Lipa celebrates her debut album’s fifth anniversary

Dua Lipa celebrates her debut album’s fifth anniversary
Dua Lipa celebrates her debut album’s fifth anniversary
Dimitri Hakke/Getty Images

Hard to believe it’s been five years since Dua Lipa released her eponymous debut studio album, which propelled her into superstardom with hits “New Rules”, “IDGAF” and more.

The Grammy winner marked the milestone occasion on Instagram Thursday and shared throwback photos of herself taken five years ago. Photos included her on tour, signing copies of her album and Polaroid snaps.

“5 years ago today I dropped my debut album,” she said. “i’m so proud of every baby step and stepping stone, every room, club and venue, every artist, songwriter and producer that i’ve been lucky to write and collaborate with and that has led me to where I am today.”

Dua continued, “i thank my lucky stars everyday and I thank you all for being on this insane journey with me.”

Dua Lipa, the album, debuted on June 2, 2017, and garnered positive reviews from music critics. It was nominated for numerous awards and earned her the golden gramophone for Best New Artist at the 61st annual Grammy Awards.

The “Cold Heart” singer rereleased the album as a two-disc “complete edition,” which included the standout tracks “Electricity,” “No Lie” and “One Kiss.”

After a nearly three-year wait, she released her sophomore album, Future Nostalgia, on March 27, 2020. Fans are anxiously waiting for her third album and hope she has something to tease very soon.

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