After topping the Billboard Country Airplay chart for the past two weeks with her duet with Blake Shelton, “Nobody But You,” Gwen Stefani made her Grand Ole Opry debut on May 9.
Blake and Gwen performed their No. 1 hit via a remote broadcast performance from Blake’s farm in Oklahoma, while Dustin Lynch and Trace Adkins performed onstage at the Grand Ole Opry House. The Opry registered its 4,923rd consecutive Saturday night broadcast on May 9.
“Nobody But You” is Blake’s 27th No. 1 hit on the country chart. Gwen notched her first No. 1 on the country chart after more than 25 years as a star—both as a solo artist and fronting No Doubt—on the pop charts.
Penned by Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne and Tommy Lee James, “Nobody But You” is one of four new tracks on Blake’s 2019 album, Fully Loaded: God’s Country.
What Blake and Gwen’s performance of “Nobody But You” at the 34-minute mark of the video below.
During the season finale of American Idol on May 17, a number of Idol alum will return to the show to perform a special rendition of “We Are the World.”
Idol judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Katy Perry will perform “We Are the World” with Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Kellie Pickler, Laine Hardy, Gabby Barrett, Alejandro Aranda, Jordin Sparks, Katharine McPhee, Phillip Phillips and Ruben Studdard.
Penned by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson, “We Are the World” was recorded by an all-star group of artists in 1985 to benefit African famine relief. Vocalists on the Grammy-winning song included Stevie Wonder, Kenny Rogers, Billy Joel, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson and more.
The season finale of American Idol airs on May 17 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.
photos: Scotty McCreery by NCD; Gabby Barrett & Lauren Alaina by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com; Kellie Pickler by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com
“These are some of the songs that saved my life,” said Bono in a statement. “The ones I couldn’t have lived without…the ones that got me from there to here, zero to 60…through all the scrapes, all manner of nuisance, from the serious to the silly…and the joy, mostly joy.”
The rocker selected songs from a number of genres, including The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” Ramones’ “Swallow My Pride,” Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power,” Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel,” Adele’s “Chasing Pavements,” Bee Gees’ “Immortality” and more.
On the country music front, Bono selected Johnny Cash’s 2002 cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt.” Johnny’s rendition of the song earned the CMA Award for Single of the Year and Video of the Year, as well as the Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video.
Bono’s 60 Songs That Saved My Life
1. Luciano Pavarotti, Bono & Zucchero – Miserere
2. Sex Pistols – Anarchy In the UK
3. Kanye West – Black Skinhead
4. Billie Eilish – everything i wanted
5. David Bowie – Life on Mars?
6. The Beatles – I Want to Hold your Hand
7. Ramones – Swallow My Pride
8. The Clash – Safe European Home
9. Public Enemy – Fight The Power
10. Patti Smith – People Have the Power
11. John Lennon – Mother
12. The Rolling Stones – Ruby Tuesday
13. Elton John – Daniel
14. Andrea Bocelli- Con Te Partiro
15. Elvis Presley – Heartbreak Hotel
16. Johnny Cash – Hurt
17. This Mortal Coil – Song to the Siren
18. Kraftwerk – Neon Lights
19. The Fugees – Killing Me Softly With His Song
20. Prince – When Doves Cry
21. Daft Punk feat Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers – Get Lucky
22. Madonna – Ray of Light
23. JAY-Z feat Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind
24. Talking Heads – Love Goes to Building on Fire
25. Lou Reed – Satellite of Love
26. The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony
27. Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart
28. New Order – True Faith
29. R.E.M. – Nightswimming
30. Adele – Chasing Pavements
31. Arcade Fire – Wake Up
32. Pixies – Monkey Gone to Heaven
33. Oasis – Live Forever
34. Iggy Pop – Lust for Life
35. Gavin Friday – Angel
36. Massive Attack – Safe From Harm
37. Kendrick Lamar feat U2 – XXX
38. Bob Marley & The Walers – Redemption Song
39. Echo and the Bunnymen – Rescue
40. Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
41. Pearl Jam – Jeremy
42. Bob Dylan – Most of the Time
43. Beyoncé feat Kendrick Lamar – Freedom
44. Depeche Mode – Walking In My Shoes
45. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Into My Arms
46. Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence
47. Coldplay – Clocks
48. INXS – Never Tear Us Apart
49. New Radicals – You Get What You Give
50. Angélique Kidjo – Agolo
51. Lady Gaga – Born This Way
52. Frank Sinatra & Bono – Under My Skin
53. David Bowie – Heroes
54. Simple Minds – New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)
55. Sinéad O’Connor – You Made Me The Thief Of Your Heart
56. Van Morrison – A Sense of Wonder
57. Bruce Springsteen – There Goes My Miracle
58. Daniel Lanois – The Maker
59. Peter Frampton – Show Me The Way
60. Bee Gees – Immortality – Demo Version
Kenny Chesney scored his ninth No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 Albums chart with his new record, Here & Now
Here and Now moved 233,000 equivalent album units, according to Nielsen Music. Kenny’s nine No. 1s on the Billboard 200 chart tie him with Garth Brooks for most all time among country acts. The album’s debut also marks Kenny’s 17th No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
“This number one is so gratifying,” says Kenny. “It says so much about the players and the songwriters, everyone working in a creative capacity in Nashville, as well as all the people working to get this music into the hands of the people who love and want it.”
Kenny is the first country artist to top the Billboard 200 chart since Luke Combs in November 2019 with What You See Is What You Get.
The Grand Ole Opry will tally its 4,924th consecutive Saturday night broadcast on May 16 with a showcase featuring Opry members Keith Urban and Kelsea Ballerini, as well as Morgan Evans.
The show will air at 7 p.m. CT on 650 AM WSM and be broadcast live on Circle Television, as well as streamed on Circle’s Facebook and YouTube.
On May 2, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood took the stage for the 4,922nd consecutive Saturday night Opry show, while Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins, Dustin Lynch and Gwen Stefani performed for the 4,923rd show on May 9.
For the past nine weeks during the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Grand Ole Opry has aired without an audience present. The Opry has aired every Saturday for more than 90 years. Opry fans are invited to contribute to the Opry’s #UNBROKEN charitable campaign, which raises money for the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund to benefit artists and musicians struggling through the pandemic.
Miranda Lambert dedicated her Tonight Show performance of “Bluebird” on May 8 to COVID-19 first responders and essential workers.
“I want to send this one especially out to the first responders and healthcare workers and grocery people that are keeping us safe and fed,” said Miranda before her at-home video performance. “We’re praying for y’all and we’re so thankful for you and you’re all heroes. Hopefully we’re almost through this thing.”
“Bluebird, which Miranda co-wrote with Luke Dick and Natalie Hemby, is featured on her seventh studio, Wildcard, which was released in November 2019. The single is currently No. 16 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart after 20 weeks.
ESPN basketball national recruiting director Paul Biancardi visited with Heather Harrington and me on Sports 180 recently.
He touched on a lot of different topics about Tennessee recruiting and basketball.
Below are just some of the quick quotes followed by the full interview with much more you should listen to.
On Rick Barnes’ recruiting:
“Rick Barnes made a major statement when he arrived on campus and he put together that initial class with Grant Williams.”
On what impresses him about Barnes:
“What Coach Barnes does a great job of is identifying the talent and then developing that talent. From the success he’s had at Tennessee, now he’s able to recruit even better talent but the same type of person that he values as a worker. He’s done a marvelous job of bringing Tennessee back to life in the SEC. He’s done that through recruiting and player development.”
On 2020 Class true freshman Jaden Springer:
“He’s a really good on-the-ball defender. We know how much Coach Barnes values playing defense and playing hard. I see him as a battle tested player that comes in right away and he gives Tennessee a big contribution right out of the gate.”
On 2020 Class true freshman Keon Johnson:
“An explosive athlete. This guy elevates in tight spaces very well. Great finisher. Can really defend.”
On 2020 Class true freshman Corey Walker:
“Another Top 100 player. More of a hybrid forward that can play inside and out at 6’7 plus.”
On Yves Pons as a draft prospect:
“He has physical measurables that the NBA loves, that they’re looking for. The high level athleticism. He’s got huge hands. Got a great wingspan. He’s plus 4 or 5 inches over his height. He elevates so well around the rim. He’s a power defender, shot blocker, but he’s also a multi-dimensional defender. He could probably cover 1s., 2s and some 3s (in the NBA.)”
On where Pons projects in the NBA Draft:
“Right now, you’re looking at, ballpark, a mid-second round pick. If somebody likes him a lot and wants to invest into his offense, they would take him earlier in the second round. Those who just can’t get past his lack of offensive ability for the NBA right now, would take him later in the second round.”
On if Pons returns to Tennessee:
“He’s always gotten better, so there’s no reason to think that by coming back to Tennessee that he can’t get better on the offensive end, expand his offensive game and play to his strengths. That’s why the NBA likes him and then he can impriove his draft status. If he comes back to Tennessee, and does what I just mentioned, it’s a win-win. Tennessee becomes one of the best teams in the country with the recruiting class and him coming back, and he can elevate his draft stock.”
On 5-star 2021 Tennessee target PG Kennedy Chandler from Memphis:
“I think they’re in really good shape with Kennedy Chandler. I just spoke to Kennedy Chandler, actually, this week. He really likes Rick Barnes.”
On 5-star 2021 Tennessee target C Moussa Cisse from Memphis:
“That’s going to be a tougher one. I think him being closer to Memphis, I think Memphis is probably the leader with him.”
On 5-star 2021 Tennessee target PF Paolo Banchero from Seattle:
“He’s really tight with Kennedy Chandler. They have some schools together on their list and Tennessee’s one of them, Memphis and Kentucky also. They would like to play together, if possible. That would have to be Kennedy Chandler committing to Tennessee, I believe, and bringing Banchero with him.”
On 5-star 2021 Tennessee target C Charles Bediako from Ontario, Canada:
“Yeah, they’ve (UT) had great success with guys from up in Canada, so I think they’re in really good shape with him. 6’10 shot blocker.”
MLB.com and MLB Network’s Richard Justice was a guest with Heather Harrington and me on Sports 180 recently.
He discussed a variety of subjects with us.
Below are just some quick quotes followed by the full interview with much more that you should listen to.
On selecting VFL Todd Helton as the best month of May MLB hitter performance he’s ever seen:
“He hit .512 in May 2000. First batting title. You say, ‘Oh, Coors Field.’ That’s right. He hit .548 at Coors Field (in May.) He hit 4-something (.407) on the road. It was when a lot would look at Todd Helton and say, ‘This guy’s not a good player. He’s a great player. He makes the game look easy.”
On how MLB will handle the DH with realignment proposals and an imbalance of AL and NL teams within the new divisions:
“I’m pretty sure we’re going to have a universal DH. My feeling is, for the first time ever in my life, there’s such a cultural line in the sand in both leagues. ‘We want it. They don’t want it.’ I think we’re headed towards having a universal DH in 2021. I could be wrong with that, but this is the first step.”
On Willie Mays and his game-used bats at home:
“Willie had a carousel of bats. Willie would pick up a bat and go, ‘Yeah, I homered off Drysdale on this date’ or ‘I homered in the all-star game with this bat.’ That tells you the expertise of these guys.”
On Willie Mays vs. Hank Aaron:
“The Willie Mays-Hank Aaron rivalry was real. I mean, it was real. They paid attention to what the two were doing.”
On covering Michael Jordan when he played baseball:
“I saw him say in the documentary, ‘I don’t have a gambling problem. I have a competition problem.’ Oh my god. Nothing he’s ever said could be more true. I’m in Birmingham with him, Chattanooga with him. He would play two rounds of golf in the morning, come in and start hustling card games with his teammates then take batting practice. He is a junkie in that way. Obviously, he burned a different fuel.”
