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Rascal Flatts marks twenty years at the top with 'How They Remember You'

• No Comments • Country Music News

Big MachineAs Rascal Flatts celebrates two decades as a band this year, the trio’s latest hit, “How They Remember You,” couldn’t be more appropriate, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic happening at the same time.

“We felt the timing was perfect, the message was perfect at this time in this crazy madness,” Gary LeVox says. “You know, it really leaves the question with, you know, over a hundred-thousand people dying of the coronavirus and all of that, you know, it’s what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?”

“And that’s kind of what the song is about,” he continues. “And so I think timing-wise, it just, everything kind of lined up.”

Even though their farewell tour is on hold for now, the guys have inevitably done some thinking about their own legacy.

“I would hope that when we do lay it down,” Joe Don Rooney reflects, “that the fans remember us for for being true to ourselves and making music that is hopefully impactful music that will live out way longer than what we can ever tour for or be a part of anymore when we’re older.”

“Most importantly, though,” he adds, “is the charitable aspect of what Rascal Flatts has been able to do. We’ve been so blessed beyond belief. And to be able to give back to our main charity, the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, is the real legacy piece for us.”

The trio’s new seven-song EP, also titled How They Remember You, is out now.

Jay DeMarcus‘ new reality show, DeMarcus Family Rules, also premieres August 19 on Netflix. 

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

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOgvFhb-Rl0&w=640&h=360]

3 hot air balloons crash in Wyoming, injuring up to 20 people

• No Comments • National News

iStock/MotortionBy: MEREDITH DELISO and LISA SIVERTSEN, ABC News

(NEW YORK) — As many as 20 people were injured when three hot air balloons crashed in Wyoming Monday morning.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson, each balloon “landed hard under unknown circumstances” shortly after 8 a.m. local time in Teton Village, near Jackson in western Wyoming.

Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr told ABC affiliate KIFI-TV that emergency responders were treating between 16 and 20 people for a wide range of injuries. No deaths have been reported.

A local hospital confirmed to ABC News that as of mid-afternoon Monday it had received 10 people involved in the crashes. Two were admitted, three were still being evaluated and five were treated and released, the hospital said.

Passenger Clinton Phillips was visiting Wyoming from Austin, Texas, with his wife and three children, and said a hot air balloon ride was on their “bucket list.” The family was in the largest balloon that crashed and saw the other two balloons hit the ground first, Phillips told ABC News.

The winds were “pushing up hard sideways,” he said, and the second balloon was “getting tossed around” before it crashed and tipped over.

“While we were so busy looking at that, we didn’t realize that we were coming down,” Phillips said. “Our pilot hadn’t said anything, and I turned around and looked and I shouted, ‘Brace for impact!'”

“People were screaming for their lives and sobbing,” he said. “It was horrific.”

Phillips said that one of his daughters fainted in the ordeal, he believes his son has a concussion, and that his wife’s ribs are “very likely” broken. She was one of over 20 people, he estimated, who went to a hospital. One person was airlifted, he said.

“I was in tears, just so relieved that everybody was OK and not dead,” he said.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crashes. They may have been weather-related, Carr told KIFI-TV.

ABC News’ Amanda Maile contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

"Done": Chris Janson's "special" song hits number one

• No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAChris Janson has topped the country charts with his current single, “Done.” 

Co-written with Mitch Oglesby, Jamie Paulin and Matt Roy, the song is inspired by Chris’ love-at-first-sight reaction to his wife Kelly, sharing in a statement that the moment he first saw her, he knew he was “done.” 

“This song is about knowing right then and there that I’d work for the rest of my life to make her happy. It’s just the truth. That’s why it’s so special,” the singer says. 

The couple wed in 2010 and share two children, in addition to Kelly’s two other children from a previous marriage that Chris calls his “bonus kids.” 

The song’s success comes weeks after Chris’ performance at Hwy 30 Fest at the end of June in Idaho came under fire, as it appeared that the crowd of fans gathered at the show were not wearing masks or social distancing.  

“Done” follows Chris’ previous chart-toppers “Fix a Drink,” “Good Vibes” and his 2015 breakthrough, “Buy Me a Boat.” 

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

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7dJFk2hk80&w=640&h=360]

'IMDY': Paapa Essiedu explains why his close friendship with Michaela Coel doesn't give him "more allowances" on set

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Natalie Seery/HBO (NEW YORK) — On the critically-acclaimed HBO drama series, I May Destroy You, Paapa Essiedu gets to work alongside his longtime friend and collaborator Michaela Coel, who also happens to be his boss. 

Essiedu tells ABC Audio that thankfully there’s no egos involved when it comes to Coel, who he says is always open to support new ideas.

“I think that Michaela is good. She’s humble with it. And…not precious,” he says. “So like, she’s up for taking the ideas. She’s like a sponge. She absorbs it. And she’s very eager to say yes to someone offering something up.”

However, even with their close friendship, that dates back to drama school, Essiedu admits Coel is definitely not a pushover when it comes to getting down to business.

“But… I don’t think… because I was friends with her, I actually got any more allowances than anybody else,” he says.

In fact, because of their friendship, Essiedu notes that he’s even a bit reluctant to offer his input when it comes to his character Kwame.

“And also, I didn’t want to kind of push it that way… because I think it hurts more if your friend tells you, ‘No, you can’t do that.’ You know? Rather than like it’s just like some person that you’re working with. So like, we keep it kind of professional to an extent.”

Still, Essiedu says it’s hard not to let their real-life camaraderie reflect on set.

“We’re playing friends in the show. So obviously [it’s] going to mirror what we’re like in real life,” he says.

“[But, Coel] is just like the most incredible collaborator, the most talented… person I ever worked with,” he adds.

I May Destroy You airs tonight at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

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

Hannah Brown emotionally reflects on how life changed since she starred in 'The Bachelor'

• No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Eric McCandless(LOS ANGELES) — Exciting things are in the works for Hannah Brown.  The 25-year-old opened up about her emotional journey that started in 2019 when she agreed to compete on The Bachelor.

“Today feels really symbolic for me. As I get ready to move into a new home, I realize that I am starting a new chapter and closing another,” Brown penned on Saturday, who remarked that it was nice transition for her because “I’m usually rushing to the next chapter before I finish the one before!”

Although she didn’t disclose what she has cooking up, the Dancing with the Stars champ hinted it was enough to make her look back at how much her life has changed since she was swept up in a whirlwind of new experiences last year.

“I took a trip down memory lane this morning, looking at footage and personal journals from The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, and couldn’t help but feel a little proud of how much I’ve evolved since then,” She expressed, sharing a video recording she made after she watched the first few episodes of The Bachelor where she fretted over how people perceived her and her faith.

“Oh sweet baby Han didn’t know then it was just the start of all the crazy mess she’d get into,” Brown cracked. “I’ve had lots of highs and a lot of lows, and although I would prefer some things to have gone differently, I wouldn’t change a single thing.”

Once Colton Underwood’s season of The Bachelor ended, Brown found herself in the starring role of The Bachelorette but her season ended with her calling off her engagement to Jeff Wyatt. 

She then competed on DWTS, where she and partner Alan Bersten took home the Mirrorball Trophy.

“Cheers, to new beginnings y’all,” she concluded her post. 

By Megan Stone
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.