Home

TTR News Center

"Beers and Sunshine" is the prelude to the "most mature record" of Darius Rucker's career

No Comments Country Music News

ABC

As Darius Rucker‘s latest hit, “Beers and Sunshine,” nears the top of the chart, the follow-up to 2017’s When Was the Last Time can’t be far behind. 

For his next record, the Hootie and the Blowfish superstar didn’t shy away from tough topics. 

“With everything going on in the world and everything going on in my life, it was easy to find stuff to write about,” he says candidly. “And this record, you know, a lot of it’s really personal.”

Last July, Darius and wife Beth Leonard announced they were ending their nearly 20-year marriage, adding they “remain close friends and parenting partners and continue to be each other’s biggest cheerleaders.”

Darius confesses some of his new material simply hit too close to home.

“I wrote a couple of songs that… actually we cut one of ’em,” he reveals, “And I said, ‘I can’t put that on the record.’ It was just too personal… I just realized that I can’t put that on… And so we took that one off.”

“But that happens when you’re really writing everything and you’re just saying everything,” he reflects, “and then… you hear it back and you say, ‘I guess that’s a little bit too much.'”

Ultimately, Darius believes his next work is some of his very best.

“I have really had a blast making it,” he continues, “And I’ve been listening to it a lot, and it’s just one of those records that, you know, I said a lot of things I wanted to say…”

“It’s probably my most mature record of my career,” he adds. “It’s really a record that I’m really proud of. I can’t wait for you guys to hear it.”

So far, Darius hasn’t announced the title or release date of his new album. 

By Stephen Hubbard
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Morgan Wallen barred from ACM Award eligibility

No Comments Country Music News

ABC

Country singer Morgan Wallen continues to face repercussions after a video surfaced on Tuesday that showed him shouting a racial epithet during a night of partying.

The Academy of Country Music has announced that it is barring the “More Than My Hometown” singer from the ACM Awards.

“The Academy of Country Music will halt Morgan Wallen’s potential involvement and eligibility for this year’s 56th Academy of Country Music Awards cycle,” the Academy tweeted on Wednesday.

“We have made his management team aware of this decision. The Academy does not condone or support intolerance or behavior that doesn’t align with our commitment and dedication to diversity and inclusion,” the statement continued.

The 27-year-old former Voice contestant, who has since apologized for his behavior, has already seen his recording contract “indefinitely” suspended, and several national radio station chains have pulled his music from their playlists. 

CMT also announced it is “in the process of removing his appearances from all of our platforms.”

 

 

 

By George Costantino
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Elizabeth Olsen teases surprise 'WandaVision' appearance from MCU vet

No Comments Entertainment News

Disney+/Marvel Studios(LOS ANGELES) — WandaVision, the new Marvel series on Disney+, has already welcomed back a few familiar MCU faces, including Randall Park’s FBI Agent Jimmy Woo from Ant Man and The Wasp and Kat Dennings’ Thor and Thor: The Dark World character Dr. Darcy Lewis.  Elizabeth Olsen, who plays Wanda, says another MCU vet will be turning up.

Olsen tells TV Line there’s one additional casting she’s “really excited” for and can’t believe it hasn’t been leaked yet.

WandaVision creator Jac Schaeffer was equally tight-lipped about who might pop up on the show, but told TVLine, “There are so many surprises left in store” for the five remaining episodes.

“I encourage all fans to settle in, because there’s more coming,” added Schaeffer.

The first four episodes of WandaVision, also starring Paul Bettany, are currently available for streaming on Disney+, with new episodes added each Friday.

Marvel is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.

By George Costantino
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Rob Gronkowski surprises Florida health care workers with a special invitation

No Comments Sports News

ABCBy HALEY YAMADA and ERIC NOLL, ABC News

(TAMPA BAY, Fla.) — From the front lines to the sidelines, these Florida health care workers got a super surprise courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneer star player Rob Gronkowski.

“I’ve heard that you’re a pretty big Bucs fan and more importantly, that you’ve been a huge help for patients battling tough times this year during the pandemic,” Gronkowski said to the nurses in a video message Monday.

“Guess what… You’re going to Super Bowl 55 as a guest. … You’ll be joining front-line workers from all over the country,” the NFL tight end shared.

The four nurses — Heather Stegmeier, Belinda Spahn, Woody Nixon and Mandy Mueske — will join 7,500 other health care workers as honorary guests at this Sunday’s Super Bowl.

Mueske, a nurse for cancer patients with COVID-19, said it has been a trying year for both her and the patients she cares for.

“It’s already a stressful job in general, and these patients are already dealing with cancer and that diagnosis. And then let alone having a COVID diagnosis,” she said.

Tonight, Gronkowski shared a “thank you” to those like Mueske who are working on the front lines.

”From everyone at the Bucs,” he said. “We sincerely thank you for your amazing sacrifices.”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Former police officer Adam Coy charged with murder in death of Andre Hill

No Comments National News

Franklin County Sheriff’s DepartmentBy WILLIAM MANSELL, ABC News

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Former Columbus, Ohio, police office Adam Coy has been charged with murder in the shooting death of Andre Hill, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Wednesday.

Coy has been arrested and charged with one count of murder, one count of felonious assault and two counts of dereliction duty.

“I believe the evidence supports the indictment,” Yost said during a press conference Wednesday night.

Hill, 47, was shot to death by Coy on Dec. 22. Officers were responding to a 311 non-emergency call for a noise complaint.

Police body camera footage released in December showed officers handcuffing an apparently lifeless Hill after shooting him multiple times and then standing around for five minutes and 11 seconds without rendering first aid.

Hill had a cellphone in his left hand, but no weapons when he emerged from a friend’s garage.

Coy was fired in January after an investigation determined that his use of deadly force was not reasonable.

His bail hearing will be held Thursday.

ABC News’ Bill Hutchinson and Will Gretsky contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.