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Garth Brooks learned not to take life for granted during COVID-19 pandemic

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Kevin Mazur/BBMA2020/Getty Images for dcpAs Garth Brooks reflects on the past year, he’s learned to appreciate the simple moments in life. 

During the Monday night episode of Inside Studio G, Garth shares that he took the “little things” in life for granted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, whether going out for dinner with his wife Trisha Yearwood or having friends over to watch a football game. 

“What I’ve learned during this crazy year is I thought I was grateful, I thought I didn’t take things for granted. I totally took things for granted,” he expresses. “I think if I ever sit down in a restaurant with my wife again and me and her order dinner across from each other and just get to stare at each other, I think I might break down.” 

The superstar also shared that he’s received a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and is still following the precautions recommended for people who are vaccinated. 

“It’s not here yet, but it’s coming if we just do our job,” Garth advises of returning to normalcy, encouraging fans to “stay strong,” and adding, “Hopefully things are getting back to normal.” 

Garth has had to postpone multiple shows on his Stadium Tour in response to the ongoing pandemic. He’s currently scheduled to perform in Las Vegas in July, as well as Cincinnati and Charlotte in September.

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

Kelsea Ballerini on recording "Half of My Hometown" with Kenny Chesney: "It's special"

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ABCKelsea Ballerini admits it’s hard to pick a favorite song off an album when they all feel like your “babies,” but it was a no-brainer selecting “Half of my Hometown,” featuring Kenny Chesney, as her next radio single. 

During a virtual appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Kelsea shared that her duet with the fellow Tennessee native is “very easily” her favorite song off her 2020 album, kelsea. 

“It’s one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written and been a part of,” she declared. “Having the guy that was from Knoxville, my home town, that I grew up listening to hop on the song just adds a level that I really can’t explain. “It’s special…and I’m stoked about it.” 

“Half of my Hometown” follows Kelsea’s previous chart-topping single “Hole in the Bottle,” which she also released as a remix featuring another one of her idols, Shania Twain.

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

"American Idol" recap: Tori Kelly, Jason Aldean, and more join for duets and solos

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ABC/Eric McCandlessLet the All-star duets and solos continue!

The journey to become the next American Idol continued on Monday night with the second group of 12 from the Top 24 contestants giving their best shot at both a solo and duet performance.

For the duet round, each singer was paired up with an A-list mentor. The mentors on Monday night’s episode were powerhouse singer Tori Kelly, country superstar Jason Aldean, Incubus frontman Brandon Boyd, multi-platinum artist Josh Groban, and Grammy-award winning musicians Jewel and PJ Morton.

While judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan were there to give their expert advise following each performance, only eight of the contestants from each group will move forward in the competition and into the Top 16 — and that decision will be determined by America’s votes. 

Here’s are the performances from Monday night. 

Jason Warrior – 25, Chicago, IL, Music Teacher
Mentor: PJ Morton
Solo: “Call Out My Name” The Weeknd
Duet: “How Deep Is Your Love” Bee Gees

Madison Watkins – 26, Fayetteville, AR, Hair Model
Mentor: Tori Kelly
Solo: “Holy” Justin Bieber
Duet: “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing” Stevie Wonder

Beane – 23, Brighton, MA, Wedding Singer
Mentor: Josh Groban
Solo: “Don’t Start Now” Dua Lipa
Duet: “Angels” Robbie Williams

Hannah Everhart – 17, Canton, MI, High School Student
Mentor: Jason Aldean
Solo: “I Was Wrong” Chris Stapleton
Duet: “She’s Country” Jason Aldean

Mary Jo Young – 19, Cleveland, OH, Real Estate Sales Associate 
Mentor: Jewel
Solo: “Castle On The Hill” Ed Sheeran
Duet: “Foolish Games” Jewel

Chayce Beckham – 24, Apple Valley, CA, Heavy Machine Operator
Mentor: Brandon Boyd
Solo: “Afterglow” Ed Sheeran
Duet: “Drive” Incubus

Colin Jamieson – 22, Boxford, MA, Wedding Singer
Mentor: Tori Kelly
Solo: “Locked Out Of Heaven” Bruno Mars
Duet: “Hollow” Tori Kelly

Liahona Olayan – 17, Wahiawa, HI, High School Student
Mentor: PJ Morton
Solo: “Just Friends” Audrey Mika
Duet: “Say So” PJ Morton featuring JoJo

Ava August – 15, Laguna Niguel, CA, High School Student
Mentor: Josh Groban
Solo: “drivers license” Olivia Rodrigo
Duet: “Both Sides Now” Joni Mitchell

Caleb Kennedy – 16, Roebuck, SC, High School Student
Mentor: Jason Aldean
Solo: “Midnight Rider” The Allman Brothers Band
Duet: “Fly Over States” Jason Aldean

Hunter Metts – 22, Franklin, TN, Software Developer
Mentor: Jewel
Solo: “Chandelier” Sia
Duet: “Who Will Save Your Soul” Jewel

Casey Bishop – 16, Estero, FL, High School Student
Mentor: Brandon Boyd
Solo: “Decode” Paramore
Duet: “Wish You Were Here” Incubus

Find out who America voted into the Top 16 when American Idol returns Sunday, April 11 at 8 p.m. ET.

By Danielle Long
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Florida Georgia Line cruises to their 18th #1 with "Long Live"

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John ShearerFlorida Georgia Line grabs their 18th career number one this week, as “Long Live” ascends to the top of the country chart.

Even though Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley have collected nearly 20 chart-toppers at this point, they confess their latest one connects them with their first — the 11-time platinum smash, “Cruise.”

“‘Long Live’ was just a really, really special song that we wrote, I don’t know, now probably a couple of years ago,” Tyler explains. “I remember being on the road, and we felt like the whole time that we were channeling that 2012 Florida Georgia Line and just some of that real feel-good, nostalgic party music.”

“I don’t know,” he continues, “it just had a really good energy and [was] really positive and felt like it just took us back down memory lane every time we heard it.”

When it came time to record their fifth full-length album, Life Rolls On, there was no question that “Long Live” would make the cut.

“We just continued to listen to it and fall in love with it more and more over the course of the next year,” Tyler recalls. “And then [it] came time to cut the album, we said, ‘This song is a no-brainer. It has to go on this album.'”

“It feels like such a big song,” he adds, “and such a necessary song and a timely song, and [it’s] even more timely now than ever.”

“Long Live” may be at the top of the chart, but it’s not FGL’s only song in the top-30 these days. They’re also featured on Chase Rice‘s “Drinkin’ Beer Talkin’ God Amen,” while Tyler duets with Tim McGraw as well on “Undivided.”

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

Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert booked for 2021 Rock the South

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ABCLuke Combs and Miranda Lambert lead the lineup for the 2021 Rock the South festival. 

Dubbed “the biggest party in the South,” the two-day live music event that unites country and southern rock will also feature performances by Ingrid Andress, Jordan Davis, Ashley McBryde, Nelly, American Idol winner Laine Hardy, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more. 

“When you say the names Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Nelly, you have the perfect recipe for the biggest party in the South. We couldn’t think of a better way to re-launch the live concert industry in the South,” Shane Quick, co-founder of Rock the South, says in a statement. 

The 2020 festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later moved to June 2021. The festival has been postponed again and will now take place August 13-14 in Cullman, Alabama. 

Launched in 2011 as a fundraiser in the aftermath of devastating tornadoes that tore through Alabama, Rock the South has become an annual event that benefits local organizations in Cullman. 

Pre-sale tickets will be available on April 8 at 9 a.m. ET. 

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