Kacey Musgraves shares title track of new album and short film ‘Star-Crossed’

Kacey Musgraves has announced her new album ‘Star-Crossed,’ the follow-up to 2018’s ‘Golden Hour,’ due out September 10. Musgraves produced the album’s title track with Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk, who also served as writers/producers on ‘Golden Hour.’ Musgraves recorded ‘Star-Crossed’ in Nashville earlier this year in just under three weeks, according to a press release. The album is described as “a modern-day tragedy in three acts” that “tells an extremely personal journey of heartache and healing.”

Musgraves will also release a 50-minute ‘Star-Crossed’ film on Paramount+ on September 10. The film, directed by Bardia Zeinali, stars Musgraves along with cameo appearances from Eugene Levy, Princess Nokia, and others. Director Zeinali said in a statement: “We wanted it to feel cinematic and epic without compromising the heart and the emotion. to feel fantastical and heightened and tell her story through the lens of art and fashion.”  Check out the trailer for the short film – here.

You can stream the title track instantly by pre-order the upcoming LP at your streaming service of choice.

Kacey Musgraves Officially Announces New Album ‘Star-Crossed’, Releases Title Track & Film Trailer

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Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts dies at age 80

Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts has died at age 80. Watts’ publicist confirmed the new in a statement, saying: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family.”  Watts was described as “a cherished husband, father and grandfather” and “one of the greatest drummers of his generation.  In closing, the statement read: “We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time.”  The band also posted on social media with a statement about Charlie’s passing.

The news of Watts’ death comes shortly after he dropped out of the Stones’ U.S. tour earlier this month due to a recent unspecified medical procedure. Watts said at the time, “For once my timing has been a little off. I am working hard to get fully fit but I have today accepted on the advice of the experts that this will take a while. After all the fans’ suffering caused by COVID I really do not want the many RS fans who have been holding tickets for this tour to be disappointed by another postponement or cancellation. I have therefore asked my great friend Steve Jordan to stand in for me.” Watts previously underwent treatment for throat cancer in 2004.

Watts joined the Rolling Stones early in 1963 and remained with the band over the next 60 years, ranked just behind Mick Jagger and Keith Richards as the group’s longest member.

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Season 11 of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ coming to HBO in October

HBO has announced that Season 11 of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ will premiere in October. The network made the announcement on Twitter alongside a photo of star and creator Larry David looking surprised while holding a dog, and the caption: “You’re allowed to be happy, but not in front of me. #CurbYourEnthusiasm is back this October.”

‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ follows David as an exaggerated version of himself on his misadventures through Hollywood as he critiques the trivial details of everyday life. Jeff Garlin, J.B. Smoove, Susie Essman, Cheryl Hines, Richard Lewis and Ted Danson also star on the series.  Season 10 of the series debuted in January 2020 after Season 9 had premiered in 2017. The show went through a lengthy hiatus after Season 8, which was wrapped up in 2011.

An exact premiere date for Season 11 has not been announced as of press time.

‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’: HBO Teases Season 11 Return

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NY Governor Andrew Cuomo defiant in farewell address on his last day in office before resignation takes effect

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo released a farewell message on his last day in office on Monday, defiantly citing himself as the victim of a “political stampede” that cut his term short. Cuomo’s resignation follows an investigation conducted by private attorneys that concluded he sexually harassed 11 women during his time in office, some of whom were employed by the state. The findings were released in a 165-page report by Attorney General Letitia James.

In a pre-recorded message, Cuomo questioned the fairness of that report and its findings, saying he authorized the attorney general’s investigation in February and repeatedly asked constituents and critics alike to wait for their findings before issuing judgement upon his administration. Cuomo said Monday, “The truth is, ultimately, always revealed. The attorney general’s report was designed to be a political firecracker on an explosive topic and it worked. There was a political and media stampede.”

However, the governor reaffirmed his decision to step down amid growing bipartisan calls at both a state and federal level. New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will be sworn in as governor at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, scheduled to serve the remainder left in Cuomo’s term. Hochul will become the first woman to hold the position of NY governo, and has also announced plans to run for governor once this partial term ends.

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U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, cautions against use in younger children

The US Food and Drug Administration has fully approved the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for people age 16 and older, and authorized it for people as young as 12. However the agency is warning against using the vaccine “off-label” in children younger than 12, saying it “would not be appropriate.” The Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is not currently approved nor authorized for children younger than 12, and the appropriate dosage for this age group has yet to be determined.

‘Off-label’ refers to an approved product being used in a way or in a patient that it wasn’t necessarily approved for; it happens commonly with some drugs, such as when a chemotherapy approved for one type of cancer is used to treat a different type.

The FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) both strongly recommend that all eligible adolescents ages 12 to 17, be vaccinated as soon as possible, especially as the highly transmissible Delta coronavirus variant continues to circulate nationwide. As of last week, the AAP reported 180,000 new cases of Covid-19 among children and adolescents, according to the Academy. Currently approximately 8.5 million or 34% of all adolescents ages 12 to 17 are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

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Florida Georgia Line cancels their 2021 concert tour due to surge in COVID-19 cases

Florida Georgia Line have announced their ‘I Love My Country’ tour has been canceled due to concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The 29-date arena and amphitheater tour was set to kick off on Sept. 24 at the Cellairis Amphitheater in Atlanta.

The musicians tweeted: “While we’ve been able to see some of y’all at shows recently, everyone’s continued safety has been weighing heavy on us. We’re so bummed to have to cancel this tour, but we love y’all and can’t wait to be back out when the time is right. For all current ticket holders, refunds will be issued to the original method of payment used at time of purchase. No action is required to obtain a refund.”

Band member Tyler Hubbard wrote a statement on his Instagram, “Due to the rising COVID cases and risk of putting our family, band and crew, friends, and fans in harms way, we’ve decided it’s best to cancel the fall tour. He added that it was “one of the toughest decisions” and that canceling the shows “breaks our hearts.” Brian Kelley added on his Instagram stories. “Massive bummer y’all!!!! Was looking forward to this more than anything! Sad day. LOVEYALL.”

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Keith Urban returns with new single ‘Wild Hearts’

Keith Urban has released his latest song “Wild Hearts,” writing on Instagram: “To all of the lost ones who aren’t really lost ones, this song is for you. We are WILD HEARTS!”

“Wild Hearts” is Urban’s first new single since his album ‘The Speed of Now Part 1’ was released in September 2020. The album features “God Whispered Your Name,” “Superman,” “Out the Cage” featuring Breland and Nile Rodgers and other singles.

Take a listen to “Wild Hearts” – here.

Keith Urban Says Pursue and Manifest Your Dreams in New Song ‘Wild Hearts’

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‘Schitt’s Creek’ farewell tour canceled due to concern over surge of COVID-19 cases

Eugene Levy announced on Twitter that the Schitt’s Creek: The Farewell tour has been canceled due to a surge in COVID-19 cases across the country.  Series co-starts Eugene Levy and his son, Dan Levy had scheduled tour visits to several North American towns to talk to fans about the show; however, the duo has since decided to cancel all live speaking engagements.

Eugene and Dan Levy starred on the Emmy-winning sitcom for six seasons. Eugene Levy said in a statement: “We’re so sorry to be missing you, and we will continue to try to find a way to see you in the future.”  Tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase.

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Mayim Bialik to guest host ‘Jeopardy!’ for three weeks in wake of Mike Richards departure

Mayim Bialik, 45, will temporarily step in as “Jeopardy!” host for three weeks, following longtime executive producer Mike Richards’ decision to remove himself as full-time host amid controversy surrounding his past comments. Bialik will start filming episodes this week, which will air beginning Sept. 20. Bialik will film a total of 15 episodes which will air after the five episodes Richards had already pre-taped.

Richards and Bialik were announced as the new “Jeopardy!” hosts earlier this month, with Richards set to host regular broadcasts, while Bialik was tapped to host the primetime and spin-off editions of the quiz show. Both Richards and Bialik served as guest hosts of “Jeopardy!” this year as the show searched to find a permanent replacement for the late Alex Trebek, who died last year after a long battle with cancer at age 80. However last week, Richards stepped down as host of the game show after the recent resurfacing of misogynistic, racist and anti-semitic jokes he told on a podcast that ran from 2013 to 2014.

A Sony rep said: “As we move forward with production on this season of ‘Jeopardy!’, additional guest hosts will be announced.” Richards will still remain an executive producer of “Jeopardy!”

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Defense secretary orders emergency use of 18 US commercial aircrafts to transport Afghan evacuees

On Sunday, defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the emergency use of 18 U.S. commercial aircrafts to transport Afghan evacuees out of Kabul. The U.S. continues to evacuate Americans and Afghan people with special immigrant visas, a week since the Taliban entered Afghanistan’s capital city and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled. Seventeen thousand people have been taken out of Afghanistan in the past week; however, the scene at Hamid Karzai International Airport remains chaotic.

The Defense Department is acting under Stage I of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) and confirmed the commercial aircraft wouldn’t be flying in and out of Kabul.  Instead, officials say the planes will move evacuees “from bases in Germany, Qatar and Bahrain to ease overcrowding pressure and transport bottlenecks.”

Among the airlines who will provide commercial aircrafts are American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines and Omni Air, each of which will contribute three planes; Hawaiian Airlines, which will contribute two; and United Airlines, four.

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