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'Hollywood Gold': Parker McCollum's new EP features song written by Chris Stapleton

• No Comments • Country Music News

MCA NashvilleParker McCollum has a batch of new music on the way. 

The singer and songwriter behind the hit “Pretty Heart” is set to release a new EP, Hollywood Gold, on October 16. The title has personal significance for the singer, taking its name after the horse his grandfather owned years ago.

In a Facebook video, Parker shares that growing up, his grandmother often told him the tale of the Australian race horse that his grandfather owned called Hollywood Gold. Not long after he bought the horse, it was stolen from their property and took months to find. 

Though the singer had heard the story multiple times, there was one particular instance when it stuck. Parker fixated on the name Hollywood Gold, which inspired him to use it as the title for a future project.

“If you listen to all of the songs, they all come from the same place. It’s near and dear to me and I hope y’all dig it,” he says of the EP in the video.

Hollywood Gold features six original songs, five of which were written by Parker and one co-written by Chris Stapleton, called “Like a Cowboy.” 

Other titles featured are the previously released “Young Man’s Blues,” “Hallie Ray of Light,” “Hold Me Back” and “Love You Like That.”

The EP also includes Parker’s major label debut single, “Pretty Heart,” which is currently in the top 15 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

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

Florida lifts all COVID-19 restrictions

• No Comments • National News

eyfoto /iStockBY: ERIN SCHUMAKER, ABC NEWS

(MIAMI) — Florida residents will no longer be fined for not wearing face masks and COVID-19 restrictions on all businesses in the state, including restaurants and bars, have been lifted in an effort to help the state’s economy, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“Every business has the right to operate,” DeSantis said at news conference Friday. “Some of the locals can do reasonable regulations. But you can’t just say no.”

Local governments can put their own restrictions in place as long as they don’t limit restaurant seating to less than 50% occupancy. Local officials will be required to justify restrictions that limit a restaurant’s occupancy to less than 100% capacity.

Florida logged nearly 2,000 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday and the state’s total number of cases tops 700,000.

In addition to infections, at least 14,037 residents have died of the virus, according to the state health department.

A report released by the state health department Monday found that the state’s positivity rate ranged from 5.33% to 7.54% over the past two weeks, which is higher than the threshold recommended by health experts.

A high positivity rate can be a sign that a state is only testing its sickest patients and failing to cast a net wide enough to accurately capture community transmission, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The World Health Organization recommends that governments get their positivity testing threshold below 5%.

Despite the state’s fluctuating positivity rate, DeSantis has said Florida plans to move forward with hosting “a full Super Bowl” in Tampa in February.

Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Dolly Parton launches personal holiday collection with Williams Sonoma

• No Comments • Country Music News

Williams SonomaDolly Parton is prepared to hit you with all the Christmas feels with her new holiday-themed line at Williams Sonoma.  

The home goods brand has teamed up with the global star for a collection that features items connected to Dolly’s own family’s holiday traditions, ranging from her original sugar cookie mix to a gingerbread house modeled after her childhood home in the mountains of East Tennessee. 

The cookie baking kit boasts a variety of cookie cutters that come in Dolly-themed shapes like a music note, guitar and butterfly, along with traditional Christmas items like a star, angel and Christmas tree.

Her famous “Coat of Many Colors” tune also comes to life in the form of an apron and oven mitts that feature pretty patchwork of red and green plaid, holly leaves, snowflakes and more.

“Sharing my families’ Christmas traditions is a dream come true, and who better to partner with than Williams Sonoma. We joined together to create a whole bunch of goodies that will fit in perfectly with your family celebration or get you started on creating new traditions that will last a lifetime,” Dolly shares in a statement.

The singer partnered with Williams Sonoma earlier this year to design a butterfly spatula for the brand’s No Kid Hungry campaign.

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

The Rock welcomes Aldis Hodge to the 'Black Adam' cast; shares Hodge's surprised reaction

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Aldis Hodge has officially landed the high-flying role of Hawkman in the the forthcoming DC Comics film Black Adam.

In an Instagram post over the weekend, the film’s star, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, welcomed Hodge to the Black Adam family.

“Hawkman is a critical leading role for our movie, as he is the fiery leader of the JSA (Justice Society of America) and one of the most beloved and legendary characters in the DC UNIVERSE,” The Rock wrote in the post. “I called Aldis personally as I wanted to surprise him that he got the role and it wound up being one of the greatest conversations I’ve ever had.”

According to The Rock, Aldis was in disbelief that he was actually getting a call from Dwayne Johnson himself.

“Whoever this is stop playing on my phone,” The Rock wrote, sharing Aldis’ response to his call. 

“Aldis, this is DJ. I just called to say thank you so much for sending in your audition – it was great and I really appreciate the efforts you made,” the Rock continued, sharing more of their conversation. “Just wanted to say thanks and best of luck in all you do. And one more thing — welcome to Black Adam.”

At that point, The Rock says Aldis had the “longest pause” and told him to “hold on” as he walked away to celebrate.

After asking him if he was “okay,” Johnson told Hodge that he was “gonna crush [his] role, and the two proceeded to have “an awesome conversation full of gratitude, love and motivation.”

Hodge later responded to the news in his own Instagram post, adding “So the cat’s out of the bag. @therock, it’s going to be an honor to join you.”

By Candice Williams
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Amanda Seyfried welcomes second child with Thomas Sadoski

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — The Hollywood baby boom continues.

Amanda Seyfried welcomed her second child — a baby boy — with husband Thomas Sadoski. The two revealed the news to INARA and War Child USA, organizations that provide life-saving assistance to children impacted by war.

“Since the birth of our daughter 3 years ago our commitment to the innocent children that are so brutally affected by conflict and war has been a driving force in our lives,” Seyfried and Sadoski said in a statement. “With the birth of our son the work of INARA and War Child has become our North Star.”

They also shared a photo of the newborn along with the announcement.

Seyfried, 34, and Sadoski, 44, are board members of INARA and ambassadors to War Child USA. They had not announced their second pregnancy publicly.

By Andrea Tuccillo
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.