Author: Kristin M. Hall
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Grand Ole Opry under fire for Morgan Wallen performance
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Morgan Wallen stepped on country music’s most historic and storied stage over the weekend, a sign that many interpreted as the Grand Ole Opry giving the troubled star its blessing and a path to reconciliation after he used a racial slur on camera. While the country star’s return to the public…
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Underwood, Rhett tie for top prize
NASHVILLE, Tenn. • In surprise twist that fit an unexpected year of firsts, Carrie Underwood and Thomas Rhett tied for entertainer of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards, the first time the top prize has been split between two artists. Underwood and Rhett seemed equally surprised after host Keith Urban announced the…
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Little Richard, flamboyant rock ‘n’ roll pioneer, dead at 87
NASHVILLE — Little Richard, the self-proclaimed “architect of rock ‘n’ roll” whose piercing wail, pounding piano and towering pompadour irrevocably altered popular music while introducing black R&B to white America, has died Saturday. He was 87. Pastor Bill Minson, a close friend of Little Richard’s, told The Associated Press that Little Richard died Saturday morning.…
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Eddie Money, ‘Two Tickets to Paradise’ singer, dies
A publicist for Eddie Money said the rock star has died after he recently announced he had stage 4 esophageal cancer. He was 70. Cindy Ronzoni provided a statement from the family and said Money died Friday morning in Los Angeles. The husky-voiced, blue collar performer was known for such hits as “Two Tickets to…
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Students ran for their lives as shots erupted in high school
BENTON, Ky. — They ran silently, too stunned to shout. Some of the children ran into classrooms to hide from the boy with the gun. Some ran out of the building, into the fields, across the streets, through the doors of nearby businesses. “No one screamed,” said 16-year-old Alexandria Caporali, recounting the moment her high…
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2 dead, 17 injured in Kentucky school shooting; suspect held
BENTON, Ky. — A 15-year-old student killed two classmates and hit a dozen others with gunfire Tuesday, methodically firing a handgun inside a crowded atrium at his rural Kentucky high school. “He was determined. He knew what he was doing,” said Alexandria Caporali, who grabbed her stunned friend and ran into a classroom as their…
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WATCH: Winfrey says ‘time is up’ for abusive men in Globes speech
Oprah Winfrey earned multiple standing ovations at Sunday’s Golden Globes as she accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award with a moving speech referencing civil rights and the #MeToo movement, declaring that the reign of abusive men was coming to an end: “Their time is up!” The OWN founder, former talk show host, actress, film and…
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Keith Urban records song inspired by Harvey Weinstein
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Country star Keith Urban will debut a new song on the Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday inspired by the allegations of sexual assault and harassment hurled against Harvey Weinstein. BMI country songwriter of the year Ross Copperman said that the widening sexual harassment crisis that has developed after multiple women accused…
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Country Music Association Awards predictions: Who will win, and who won’t
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 2017 Country Music Association Awards take place Wednesday, and we at The Associated Press are placing bets on who will have a great night, and who won’t. Miranda Lambert is the top contender with five nominations, while Little Big Town and Keith Urban earned four each. The show, hosted by Brad…
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Many in country music mum over gun issues after Vegas deaths
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — When singer Meghan Linsey first started her country duo Steel Magnolia, a partnership with the National Rifle Association was suggested as a way to grow their audience. The proposal, which she refused, was a commonplace example of how intertwined gun ownership is with country music. The mass shooting on the final day…