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Reba and Darius have plenty of chemistry to guide the CMA Awards through 2020

• No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/CMATonight may be Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker‘s first time hosting the CMA Awards together, but it’s instantly obvious the two have chemistry. 

“This year is a really crazy year and different,” Darius explains, “and to be hosting with Reba is such an honor. We’re gonna try to just get the performers on the stage… and be good hosts and have a lot of fun. And hopefully, you know, we laugh a lot.”

“Yeah,” Reba picks up, “because everything has happened with the pandemic, the quarantine, we’re gonna try to keep it light, be funny.”

“That’s up to you,” she adds, turning to Darius, who immediately breaks up.

“See? That’s all I got to say, and he starts laughing,” Reba prods.

“‘Cause you make me laugh!” Darius cackles. 

Of course, there will be some serious moments, including a super-secret duet by the co-hosts.

“We’re really proud of it,” Darius reflects. “It’s something we’re really excited to get to sing together. You know, can’t give too much away… But it’s gonna be something really special to us.”

“We do have a lot of people that we’re going to acknowledge, because of their passing,” Reba continues. “The tributes and things, [I’m] looking forward to that, because those folks have done so much for us to pave the way for Darius and me to be doing what we’re doing today.”

Reba will also perform the CMA-nominated “Be a Light” with Thomas Rhett, Hillary Scott, and Chris Tomlin, while Lady A will join Darius to do his hit, “Beers and Sunshine.”

“Charles [Kelley] is my best friend in the business…” Darius says.

“I gotta find you new friends!” Reba jokes, quickly adding, “Love you Charles!”

Country Music’s Biggest Night kicks off at 8 p.m. ET, live from Nashville, on ABC. 

By Stephen Hubbard
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

'The Bachelorette' recap: The guys meet Tayshia — and four new bachelors

• No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Craig Sjodin(LOS ANGELES) — On Tuesday’s episode of The Bachelorette, Tayshia Adams, a fan favorite from past seasons of The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise, finally arrived at the villa… and she had company.

The episode opened with Tayshia meeting the 16 remaining men for the first time, but just as they were getting to know each other, host Chris Harrison pulled her away to announce that “everything is about to change.”

Another limo then pulled up and dropped off four new guys: Spencer, a 30-year-old Water treatment engineer from La Jolla, California; Montel, a 30-year-old Boston-based gym owner; another Massachusetts resident, Peter, a 32-year-old real estate agent from Framingham; and 25-year-old Noah, a registered travel nurse from Tulsa.

Spencer’s opening line to the men, “Which one of you guys scared off Clare?” didn’t go over well with the guys, and they became all the angrier when he immediately pulled Tayshia aside for some one-on-one time. She felt differently, and gave him the first impression rose.

The first group date went to Blake, Riley, Zac, Jordan, Noah, Peter, Kenny, Jay, Eazy and Spencer, who joined Tayshia poolside before being divided into two teams to compete in a game of “splashball” while wearing tiny speedos.  The winners earned more time with Tayshia while the losers were sent back to the villa.

The competition was intense, especially between Riley and Spencer, the latter of whom ended up with a bloody lip. The pain was worth it though, as Spencer — along with Noah, Zac, Kenny and Eazy — were victorious in the end. Eazy scored a double win by also walking away with the group date rose.

Meanwhile, Jason continued to struggle with his feelings for Clare and announced that he was going home.

A one-on-one date went to Brandan, who, while excited about the chance to deepen his connection with Tayshia, worried that his prior failed marriage might ruin his chances with her. He was relieved to learn that she, too, went through a divorce, which allowed them to bond over their shared pasts. He not only earned the date rose, but Tayshia even gushed to the camera that she could see herself marrying the 30-year-old roofer from Milford, Massachusetts.

The episode also featured Clare Crawley and Dale Moss sitting down with Harrison for their first interview since getting engaged, where they discussed their whirlwind romance that shocked Bachelor Nation.  The two also cleared the air regarding several rumors swirling around them.

The biggest the two shot down was the report that the two contacted each other prior to filming.

“One hundred percent no,” said Clare. “And I can whole heartedly attest to this on my dad’s grave, there was never ever a single ounce of contact, communication through friends through outlets, through telephone, through any sort of source, through anything.”

Dale echoed Clare’s comments, adding that he didn’t even ask for her number until they left to go home.

The Bachelorette returns Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

By George Costantino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. 

CDC issues robust new Thanksgiving guidance as cases surge in US

• No Comments • National News

pinkomelet/iStockBy MEREDITH DELISO, ABC News

(WASHINGTON) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided its most robust guidelines yet for Thanksgiving, as cases surge throughout the United States and several states have issued restrictions ahead of the holidays.

The CDC’s guidance, which was first updated on Monday, emphasizes that the safest option for the holiday is celebrating only with people in your household. However, if you do celebrate with others, the agency advises you to take extra precautions, like wearing masks and keeping your distance.

“Traditional Thanksgiving gatherings with family and friends are fun but can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu,” the CDC said. “The safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is to celebrate with people in your household.”

Public health officials have observed that family gatherings are partly fueling an increase in cases. In Canada, where its national Thanksgiving is celebrated Oct. 12, health officials have said clusters of new cases have since been tied to family get-togethers.

The CDC’s new guidance stresses that even with friends and family, people need to be cautious during the holidays to prevent from adding to the trend of increasing cases.

For those who do plan to spend Thanksgiving with people outside their household, the CDC advises that you wear a well-fitting mask, keep 6 feet of distance from people who do not live with you and wash your hands often.

If attending a gathering, the agency recommends that you bring your own plate, cups and utensils; store your mask safely while eating and drinking; avoid going in and out of the kitchen while food is being prepared; and use single-use options for condiments and food containers.

Hosts can plan the meal outdoors with a limited group or open windows if dining indoors, talk with guests about expectations beforehand, sanitize surfaces and even have guests bring their own food and drinks, the CDC said.

Around the thorny issue of travel, the CDC advises that “staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.”

“Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19,” the agency said.

Still, airlines are anticipating peaks around the holiday. United Airlines, for instance, said it is adding more than 1,400 domestic flights to peak travel days during Thanksgiving week.

If you are traveling, the CDC emphasizes checking travel restrictions, getting your flu shot, wearing a mask, distancing and washing your hands often in public places.

The guidance comes as every state in the country is reporting an increasing number of new COVID-19 cases, according to the COVID Tracking Project, a volunteer-run data organization.

In Washington, D.C., and five states — California, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont — cases are low but increasing. In the remaining 45 states as well as Guam and Puerto Rico, cases are high and staying high.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, discussed Thanksgiving travel on MSNBC this Tuesday, saying that each family is going to have to make a “risk assessment,” especially if you have an elderly person or someone with an underlying condition in your family.

“You really need to make a decision,” the nation’s leading infectious disease expert said. “Do I want to put that person at an increased risk by having people coming in from all parts of the country, usually in a crowded airport, without necessarily knowing if they’re infected, without having time to get tested or time to do quarantine?”

In recent weeks, state leaders have issued their own holiday guidance and ordered new restrictions to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

In California, officials released holiday guidelines suggesting that residents limit themselves to outdoor gatherings with people from no more than three households for no more than two hours.

Rhode Island has urged residents to avoid travel for the holidays. It also recently decreased its social gathering limit from 15 people to 10 as cases rise in the state.

Massachusetts advises short in-person visits and virtual holiday dinners with extended family and friends, “especially if they are at higher risk for illness from COVID-19.” Last week, amid rising cases, the state also issued new limits on gatherings at private residences, reducing them from 25 to 10, and placing a 9:30 p.m. curfew on all gatherings until further notice.

To read more about Thanksgiving safety, see here.

ABC News’ Stephanie Ebbs, Sophie Tatum, Arielle Mitropoulos, Soo Rin Kim, Brian Hartman, Ben Bell and Gio Benitez contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Brad Paisley, Mickey Guyton performing at Stand Up for Heroes

• No Comments • Country Music News

Phylicia J.L. MunnCountry music will be represented during the 2020 Stand Up for Heroes event. 

The New York-based event that honor veterans and their families will feature virtual performances by Brad Paisley and Mickey Guyton, who appear alongside a diverse roster of musicians and comedians including Bruce Springsteen and Sheryl Crow, actor/comedians Tiffany Haddish and Ray Romano, comedians Iliza Shlesinger, Nate Bargatze and Ronny Chieng, comedy writer Jeannie Gaffigan and more. 

The event, which is being held virtually for the first time in its 14-year history, will be hosted by Jon Stewart and feature appearances by Prince Harry and The Duke of Sussex. 

Stand Up for Heroes also raises awareness and proceeds for the Bob Woodruff Foundation.  

“For the last 14 years, the Stand Up for Heroes event has continued to inspire our nation and serves as a reminder of all of the brave individuals that have defended our country selflessly in our military,” said Bob Woodruff, ABC News correspondent and Bob Woodruff Foundation co-founder. “This year, it is especially important that we unite to show support for their sacrifices as we come together virtually to stand up for our heroes.”

Stand Up for Heroes will stream on November 18 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC News Live, TikTok, Facebook, Cheddar, Twitch and the Armed Forces Network.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.