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Parmalee and Blanco Brown team up to make unexpected, chart-topping magic with "Just the Way"

• No Comments • Country Music News

Cody Heckber

This week, the band Parmalee and Blanco Brown return to the top of the country chart, this time with their collaboration, “Just the Way.”

The Tarheel natives Parmalee previously topped the radio airplay tally with “Carolina” in 2013, while Blanco made a name for himself with his triple-Platinum earworm, “The Git Up,” just a couple years ago.

“When I created the song, I had this mindset of bringing joy to everyone that heard the record, because it brought me so much joy,” Blanco reflects on “The Git Up.” “And I told myself when I was creating it, man, it could be like the 2019/2020 ‘Achy Breaky Heart.’ And I put out a one-minute clip video and it just WENT!”

Along the way, Blanco got to be good friends with Matt Thomas and his bandmates, who also happen to work with the same record company.

“I met ’em at Jason Aldean‘s spot [in] downtown [Nashville] last year,” Blanco told ABC Audio in 2019, “and we just clicked.”

“And since then we’ve been jeep-jumping, BB-thumping!” he added.

Both acts knew they were onto something with “Just the Way,” which Matt co-wrote.

“Ah man, we have something special special!” Blanco says of the collab. “It’s gonna be good to you, good to the world! It’s purposeful, and the song is just out of here.”

Matt believes part of the magic is definitely Blanco’s vocals.

“It’s a song that allows Blanco to really sing, because he can sing,” Matt declares. “And it mixes it up with our band, and it’s just a cool, like, combination that you probably wouldn’t expect from either of us. But it’s a really cool song with a great message.”  

You can check out the uplifting, inclusive video for “Just the Way” now.

 

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

'The Talk' extends hiatus, Sharon Osbourne accused of racist behavior

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — The Talk will remain on hiatus for another week after show co-host Sharon Osbourne found herself in hot water for defending Piers Morgan, whose comments about Meghan Markle have been deemed racist.

Osbourne ignited an intense debate with Sheryl Underwood about racism versus freedom of speech, which didn’t sit well with fans of the show.

Following the explosive episode last week, CBS told ABC Audio that the show will remain on hiatus until Wednesday, March 17.

However, in light of new accusations against Osbourne, CBS said the show will stay dark until next Tuesday, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “We’re also very mindful of the important concerns expressed and discussions taking place regarding events on The Talk.  This includes a process where all voices are heard, claims are investigated and appropriate action is taken where necessary.”

Several former Talk cast members have taken to social media to speak out against Osbourne’s previous behavior, claiming she created a “toxic” work environment.

Holly Robinson Peete, an original host of the show, retweeted a 2011 video where the British personality told fellow co-host Leah Remini on air that she was “ghetto” because of the way she spoke.

Remini later joined journalist Yashar Ali on Substack and, along with 10 other The Talk sources, levied more allegations of racist, hateful behavior against Osbourne, saying she has been “getting away with” it for years. 

Among the damning claims is a report that Osbourne used homophobic language against executive producer Sara Gilbert, who is a lesbian, and referred to then-co-host Julie Chen as “slanty eyes” and “wonton.”

The report also revisited past bigoted statements from Osbourne, such as a 2011 remark against Justin Bieber during his rebellious phase where she criticized, “I think he doesn’t realize he’s white and not Black.”

Osbourne and her team denies the accusations.

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

Olympic torch relay will include strict rules to prevent spread of coronavirus

• No Comments • Sports News

JoelPapallini/iStockBy IVAN PEREIRA, ABC News

(TOKYO) — After a yearlong wait, thousands of runners will begin passing the Olympic torch across Japan starting next week in the lead-up to the summer games.

But the traditional revelry of the torch relay will be subdued this year, as organizers revealed strict rules for fans to ensure they don’t spread the coronavirus.

The organizers announced Tuesday that that ceremonial torch relay will start on March 25 from northeastern Fukushima prefecture and travel across the country for the next four months, according to The Associated Press. While crowds will still be allowed to gather and watch the journey, they will have to commit to social distancing and mask wearing and are asked to cheer quietly, according to organizers.

“The objective of the Olympic torch relay is to enhance the enthusiasm,” said Toshiro Muto, the CEO of the organizing committee who has also been put in charge of the relay, according to the AP. “We need to balance things out between bringing enthusiasm and preventing COVID-19 infection.”

Fans will not be allowed at the “Grand Start” ceremony at J-Village next week and organizers warned that they could change their plans based on the country’s situation. This includes stopping or rerouting the torch or removing runners.

Roughly 10,000 runners are participating in the torch relay that links all 47 Japanese prefectures. The relay will end on July 23, the tentative start date for the games.

The International Olympic Committee and Japanese officials have been working to ensure that the delayed games run smoothly without any surges in COVID-19 cases. As of March 16, the country has recorded over 449,113 cases and 8,682 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University’s coronavirus resource center.

Participating athletes will operate in a bubble and there will be rigorous testing. The committee hasn’t decided if it will allow international fans to attend the games.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

7 dead in 3 shootings at Georgia spas; police investigating whether incidents connected

• No Comments • National News

Cherokee Sheriff’s OfficeBy IVAN PEREIRA and MATT FOSTER, ABC News

(ACWORTH, Ga.) — At least seven people were killed in three separate shootings at spas in the Atlanta area on Tuesday, according to law enforcement officials.

While responding to a spa in Acworth, Georgia, at about 5 p.m. deputies found two people dead and three others injured, according to a spokesman from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. The three injured were taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where one later died, said Capt. Jay Baker, director of communications from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

About 47 minutes after that incident, Atlanta police responded to a 911 call of a robbery in progress at a spa on Piedmont Road and found three women dead from gunshot wounds, a spokesman told ABC News in a statement.

While on the scene, the officers were advised of shots fired at a spa across the street. When they went to investigate, police found a woman inside dead from a gunshot wound, Sgt. John Chafee of the Atlanta Police Department said in a statement.

No suspect has been arrested in any of the three shootings.

It was unclear whether they were related, police said.

“Many have asked whether these shootings are related to Cherokee County’s shootings. At the moment, it is too early to confirm that, but we have spoken with Cherokee County officials and we are looking into that possibility,” Atlanta police said in a statement.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office shared photos of the suspect leaving Young’s Asian Massage in Acworth.

Chafee said the investigation at the two Atlanta shootings is ongoing, police are checking similar businesses nearby and patrols have been increased.

ABC News’ Mark Osborne and Darren Reynolds contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

101-year-old Sister Jean vaccinated, cleared to attend Loyola's NCAA tournament game

• No Comments • Sports News

Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesBy HALEY YAMADA and ERIC NOLL, ABC News

(CHICAGO) — The Loyola University Chicago Ramblers’ lucky charm is on her way to March Madness.

The school confirmed Tuesday that Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt is vaccinated and cleared to attend the Ramblers’ first game in the NCAA tournament against Georgia Tech on Friday in Indianapolis.

Three years ago, Schmidt made headlines for being the secret weapon of the basketball team during their successful March Madness run.

“I say a prayer. But sometimes there’s a little more than talking to God in the prayer. But I do begin with good and gracious God,” Schmidt told “World News Tonight” in 2018. “I pray for the other team, perhaps not as hard.”

MORE: On 100th birthday, Loyola University Chicago treasure Sister Jean shares ‘good recipe’ for life
Due to the pandemic, Schmidt has been in isolation and not been able to see her players in person.

On Tuesday, she told “World News Tonight” that she’s back in action as the team’s chaplain and chief cheerleader.

“I have had my vaccine injections, and I’m doing well,” she said. “I can hardly wait to go to Indy for March Madness to watch the 68 teams play basketball.”

She also encouraged others to get the vaccine so that they can get back to cheering courtside, too.

“I encourage you, if you are able, to please get your vaccinations,” she said. “It’s been a difficult year for all of us, but like spring, a new one is coming.”

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.