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Eric Church, Jazmine Sullivan to perform national anthem at Super Bowl

• No Comments • Country Music News

ABCEric Church is teaming up with R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan to perform the national anthem at the 2021 Super Bowl. 

The NFL announced on Tuesday that the singers are joining forces for the first time to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” ahead of Super Bowl LV, taking place at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida next month. Jazmine is known for hit singles “Need U Bad” and “Bust Your Windows” and has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards.

Eric follows in the footsteps of fellow country star Luke Bryan, who performed the national anthem at the 2017 Super Bowl. Past anthem performers also include Beyoncé, Whitey Houston, Lady Gaga,Mariah Carey and more. 

Additionally, R&B singer-songwriter H.E.R. will perform “America the Beautiful” during the pregame festivities.  The Weeknd will headline the Super Bowl halftime show. 

Super Bowl LV will air globally on CBS on February 7 beginning at 6 p.m. ET. 

By Cillea Houghton 
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Carrie Underwood reveals 'My Savior' release date

• No Comments • Country Music News

Capitol Records Nashville Carrie Underwood is releasing her gospel album, My Savior, on March 26. 

The album, which features a variety of traditional hymns Carrie grew up singing, is co-produced by the singer and Cry Pretty co-producer David Garcia.

In a trailer for the project, Carrie refers to the songs as “legacy stuff,” and says she was intentional about doing “the familiar” in terms of covering the songs she was raised on in church.

“These songs are like a warm hug,” Carrie says in the trailer video over footage of her in the studio, along with a clip of her and husband Mike Fisher singing with friends on the porch swing of their home.

The superstar adds that she’s excited to connect with others who also grew up singing these songs, and to introduce them to a new generation.

“Hymns and gospel music have shaped me as an artist because those were the first things I sang. I think that was just a great foundation for me now as an artist,” she reflects.   

My Savior will also be released on vinyl on April 30.

By Cillea Houghton 
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Tim McGraw and Tyler Hubbard to perform "Undivided" on 'Celebrating America'

• No Comments • Country Music News

Big Machine RecordsTim McGraw and Tyler Hubbard are bringing a message of unity to Inauguration Day. 

The singers are teaming up for a performance of “Undivided” on the special Celebrating America, a televised special part of Wednesday’s Inauguration Day festivities. Tim made the announcement on Instagram, calling the performance an “honor.”

“What an honor it will be to get to share such an important message during such a historical moment in time,” adds Tyler.   

The special, hosted by Tom Hanks, serves as a celebration of soon-to-be President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris after they’re sworn into office, and they will make appearances throughout. It will also spotlight essential workers, teachers and other personnel on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other performers include Jon Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake and Demi Lovato. 

“Through different segments and performances, the program will highlight the strength of our democracy, the perseverance of our people, and our ability to come together during trying times and emerge stronger than ever before,” according to a statement by the Presidential Inaugural Committee. 

Celebrating America airs at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. 

By Cillea Houghton 
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Ice-T reflects on how he went from robbing banks as troubled youth to starring on 'Law & Order: SVU'

• No Comments • Entertainment News

NBC/Virginia Sherwood(NEW YORK) — (NOTE LANGUAGE) Ice-T just marked his 22nd year playing NYPD Sergeant Finn on the NBC drama Law & Order: SVU.  The actor says he still counts his blessings, saying he was a troubled youth who used to run from police who now plays a respected officer on screen.

Speaking Monday on Straight Up Steve Austin, Ice-T exclaimed, “Playing a police! How the f***?”

“I went on the show to do four episodes, man. Here it is, we’re starting the 22nd season. I can’t really explain it,” the rapper furthered, who says he loves what he does.  “It’s fun because of the work environment.”

Ice T, whose real name is Tracy Lauren Marrow, shared a story about how he bonded with the cast and crew — admitting that he had a rough time fitting in at first.

“When I first got on the show I was with Richard Belzer. And I was there for about three months and they were like, ‘Well, Ice, you’re not bonding with the group.’ Meaning I guess they didn’t think I was gonna go out to lunch with them and all that. I was just saying my lines,” he reminisced.

Ice-T, 62, explained how he changed his dynamic with stars Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni, Dann Florek and Belzer, revealing, “I said ‘I used to rob banks. I don’t need to like you guys.'”

“‘I just need to know you know how to drive, you know how to control the room, you know how to go in the safe, you know how to listen to the radio. Guess what? After we rob some banks, we’ll be the best f****** friends in the world,'” the Grammy winner recalled telling them, which was a breakthrough conversation because “We’ve been robbing the bank for 22 years!”

 By Megan Stone
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

It's time to light the lights! 'The Muppet Show' coming to Disney+

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Disney+(LOS ANGELES) — “It’s time to play the music! It’s time to light the lights!” That’s right, it’s time to get things started, because every episode of Jim Henson’s classic variety program The Muppet Show is coming to Disney+.

The fun kicks off February 19.

The series not only featured the visionary puppeteer’s fuzzy friends, but also featured appearances by flesh-and-blood celebrities from John Cleese and Steve Martin to Alice Cooper and Elton John.  It aired in syndication from 1976 to 1981, winning four Primetime Emmys during its run.

This latest acquisition for Disney+ joins the other Muppet-related content on the streaming channel, which includes hit features like 1979’s The Muppet Movie and its sequels, the Jason Segel-penned 2011 film The Muppets, as well as the recent small-screen revival Muppets Now, which aired on ABC. 

Incidentally, the final two seasons of The Muppet Show have never been available for home viewing until this collaboration with the streaming service.

In a statement, Kermit the Frog beamed, “It’s going to be great to welcome back longtime fans, and to give a new generation of fans a chance to see how we got our start, how Miss Piggy became a star and so much more.”

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

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