Wolf News

Bruce Willis Thanks Los Angeles First Responders In First Public Appearance Since Dementia Diagnosis

If that doesn't warm your heart, I don't know what will. Back in 2022, the legendary Bruce Willis announced he was stepping away from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, a condition often caused by head trauma or a stroke that causes problems with speaking or comprehending speech due to brain damage. And in 2023, his family revealed the heartbreaking news that the actor had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia: “While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis. FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone. For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know.” Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research. Bruce has always found joy in life — and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us. We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.” At the time, his family said that the disease had progressed and caused problems with his speech, along with other issues, with his wife Emma Heming saying that it was "hard to know" whether Willis was even aware of his condition. The Die Hard actor's ex-wife Demi Moore, with whom he shares three daughters, provided an update on his condition last year, saying that Willis was "in a very stable place," while Heming has shared photos and videos of Willis with the three children that they have together. Heming has also become an outspoken advocate for frontotemporal dementia awareness, and often shares updates on the work being done to diagnose, treat, and ultimately cure the heartbreaking disease. Since his diagnosis, Willis has remained out of the public eye - for obvious reasons. But earlier this week, Heming shared a video of the legendary actor making his first public appearance in years. In the video posted to her Instagram, Willis can be seen shaking hands and greeting Los Angeles police, who have no doubt had a lot on their own plates lately with the devastating wildfires across the region. Heming said that greeting first responders was always something that meant a lot to Bruce, and that was something that hasn't changed since his diagnosis: "Spotting a first responder, Bruce never missed a chance to show his gratitude with a heartfelt handshake and a “thank you for your service.” Yesterday was no different." https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE5Iup8Pylc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== It's nice to see Bruce still able to get out and about, and doing well enough mentally to still want to thank first responders for their hard work. I watched my grandfather suffer from dementia, and it's heartbreaking to watch the disease take your loved one from you, but it really makes you cherish those moments when you have them back, even for just a little while.

Mountain Goats Evade Hungry Mountain Lion In Rare Encounter At Yellowstone National Park

Mountain lion vs mountain goat... a battle of the mountain creatures. When you live in some of the most rugged and demanding terrain in all of North America, it can be a blessing and a curse. Of course, these animals have spent thousands of years adapting to the conditions, but that doesn't mean it is easy. During the cold weather seasons in the mountainous terrains of Western North America, food can become more scarce, temperatures drop into freezing, snow makes it more difficult to navigate, but these animals are built for it. Found primarily in the Rocky Mountains and the Cascade Range, mountain goats are masters of navigating the steepest and most treacherous terrains. Their thick, white coats help them blend into snowy environments and keep warm in cold, high-altitude climates. Both males and females sport beards and have short tails, along with striking black horns. Despite their nimbleness, mountain goats are quite large, and quite jacked. Adults can weigh between 100 to 300 pounds and stand about 3 to 4 feet tall at the shoulder. This size, combined with their powerful muscles, allows them to dominate the rocky slopes they call home. Their hooves are specially adapted with a hard outer shell and a soft, flexible pad that provides the traction needed to scale sheer rock faces. This adaptation enables them to live and thrive in some of the most inaccessible places on Earth. Inaccessible to... mountain lions? Mountain lions are much more widespread than and adaptable than mountain goats, roaming from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes of South America, thriving in a variety of habitats. Isolated sightings occur all over the United States and a small population of the subspecies known as Florida Panthers live down in the Everglades region. But much like the mountain goats, mountain lions use the terrain to their advantage. Their slender, muscular bodies and long tails, which help them maintain balance blend seamlessly with their environment and use it for cover. They are incredibly agile, capable of leaping up to 18 feet vertically and 40 feet horizontally in a single bound. These solitary, stealthy hunters primarily prey on deer, though they will also hunt smaller or larger animals when necessary. Their retractable claws, powerful limbs, and acute senses of sight and hearing make them efficient predators. Two heavyweight of the region... but who has the advantage? The mountain goats. They can simply go where others can't, even some of the absolute best at navigating the terrain. This recent footage from Wolftracker gives is a clear picture of these two majestic creatures in action. You can see a small family of mountain goats posted up on a very steep cliff face, out of reach for even the nimble mountain lion to get to. The big cat paces around, trying to find an lane to attack, but where the goats are located, it's simply not gonna happen. While mountain goats are not native to the area, this rare footage comes to us from the iconic Yellowstone National Park: "Look carefully above the mountain goats to see a cougar stalking them along the mountain side. Our Winter Wolf Watch was lucky enough to get a rare glimpse of this big cat at work but the mountain goats survived in the end by perching on a tall and narrow cliff, leaving no room for the cougar to attack." Check it out: https://www.instagram.com/p/DE50LfgRzcS/

Zach Top Was Trying To Be A Mechanical Engineer Before Dropping Out To Pursue Music

It's always fun to hear your favorite artist's career path before making it big or going for their dream and pursuing music. Zach Top is one of the hottest names in country music right now. The Washington native has been on the rise since the release of his debut album, Cold Beer & Country Music. The "I Never Lie" singer was even nominated for this first CMA Award last year, making it a breakout year for Top, to say the least. Now, he can't even keep tickets on the shelf as his first headlining tour sold out in what felt like the blind of an eye. The demand for tickets was met with some frustrated fans as they felt like he did not realize his level of fame, chose venues that were too small, and scheduled too few dates for the Cold Beer & Country Music Tour. But good news for fans: Top shared on the Rodeo Time Podcast that he will announce a fall tour this year, including some small arenas. However, before Zach Top made it to where he is today, he (like many artists) had a backup plan. While chatting with Dale Brisby, the two talked about what Top was doing before he started consistently posting on social media. While Top went viral on social media many times over the last year with his music, he was not discovered on social media, as he played music for over a decade before his big break. While Top knew he wanted to make music, he said his parents had no connections to the music world, so they encouraged him to get a stable job in case music didn't work out for him. "Well, it was 2015, actually; I had done two years of junior college. I thought I was going to be a mechanical engineer. Like my parents knew that I was really pretty good (at music), but they had no connection, no idea about the music business. No idea how to how to like point me in the right direction to like, 'If you want to do this for a living.' So my dad's advice was like like, 'No, you go get, you know, a good job where they pay you good, and you can afford to take weekends off and go play for fun at these same bluegrass festivals.' So, that was all I knew was an opportunity. Obviously, I knew people singing for a living and stuff, but I had no idea how to even take a step in that direction."  In 2015, Top moved to Colorado to work for a year before going to CU Boulder for a year, and then he quit and decided to go full in on music. Top then worked to save up and move to Nashville. During this time, Top was sharing a few videos, but nothing that had taken off until he shared a video of Daryle Singletary's "Spilled Whiskey" on the day he passed. That cover was the first one that took off for Top.

@zachtop TikTok keeps blurring out my captions... sooo can we blow it up without em?! Here's "Spilled Whiskey" #recorddeal #coversong#acoustic #4upage #fyp ♬ original sound - Zach Top

Sure enough, after that video took off, he started getting calls from folks asking him to move to Nashville. However, the deals didn't sound like what he thought a record deal should be, so he sat tight. Top waited until he got an email from his current producer, Carson Chamberlain, who asked to start working with him. Top thought he was trying to pull a fast one on him, so he ignored him for some time until the girl he was dating at the time encouraged him to email him back after researching him. Finally, the two got together for lunch, and shortly after their meeting, Top started flying to Nashville in 2018 and began writing with industry professionals. Chamberlain offered Top a deal that seemed like it was how it should be in the music world, and the two have been working together ever since. We can all thank the heavens above that the girl Top was dating encouraged him to contact Chamberlin. Top has extraordinarily shaken up the music scene, and without him, the landscape might not have returned to that traditional '90s sound. Zach Top was meant to be behind a microphone instead of working for an engineering firm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsfHGAtbgqk

JD Clayton Announces Sophomore Album With Clever Tune “Dirt Roads Of Red,”

BIG news from JD Clayton. Not only did the Arkansas native release a spectacular brand new single, but his latest release was accompanied by the announcement of his sophomore album Blue Sky Sundays. The follow up to Clayton's incredible debut record Long Way From Home in 2023, Blue Sky Sundays features nine tracks and is slated for a February 28 release on Rounder Records. Titled "Dirt Roads of Red," the newest single is a fun, cleverly written tune in which the song's main character has a bone to pick with his preacher talking about "streets of gold." Inspired by a conversation Clayton had with buddy on the golf course one day, Clayton wrote the song in less than hour, and as a pastor's son himself, he particularly enjoys the dialogue between the song's main character and his pastor. Sonically, Clayton continues to hone in on his unique country-funk sound, with instrumentation that is undeniably country, including an awesome slide guitar solo, yet leans a bit funkier than most of his contemporaries. This is all bolstered by the soulful vocal delivery of his clever lyrics that has become a staple of his catalog, and "Dirt Roads of Red" is sure no exception. Clayton provided some context behind how this song came to fruition. "One morning I was playing golf with a buddy from Georgia down at McCabe Golf Course in Nashville when he turned to me and said that there should be a song about wishing that streets of gold in Heaven could be streets of red, referring to the red clay down in Georgia. Now, being an Arkansas kid, I could never bring myself to write a song about Georgia. Thankfully, my favorite state, Colorado, also has a high concentration of iron deposits in its soil." So, without further ado, check out the new single for yourself here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIw0G-6J_tE Self-produced and recorded live to tape with his touring band after moving back to Arkansas from Nashville, Clayton's forthcoming record Blue Sky Sundays is one to look forward to, and if the singles released thus far are any indication, it'll be a special record. By the time he recorded the record, Clayton had already moved back home to the Fort Smith, Arkansas area where he grew up, but he returned to Nashville to record alongside his touring band at the legendary Sound Studios. "When I made my first album I'd never been on the road, but after touring so much over the past few years my band is extremely dialed-in. I wanted to make a record that showcased what's special about each and of my bandmates, and I knew the best way to do that was to produce it myself.  Life is crazy and it's got a lot of blemishes, and I believe that music should too. These songs all came from us locking ourselves in the studio and really having fun with the songs, and I think that's the heart of the album." The nine-track Blue Sky Sundays setlist features seven originals written or co-written by Clayton, along with an interpolation of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Mississippi Kid" where he instead pays homage to his own state, as well as a cover of Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason" in which his soulful vocals are sure to shine. Check out the full track list below, including the that Clayton has already released prior to the album announcement. Otherwise, go ahead and mark your calendars for February 28, because Blue Sky Sundays is coming in hot. "Let You Down" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtWG7d-ur_M "Dirt Roads of Red" "Madelene" "Slow and Steady" "Arkansas Kid" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDbrRppb5Cg "Give Me One Reason" "High Hopes & Low Expectations" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx6P7SBlkXI "Dance Another Dance" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5XEyjX69NY "Goodnight"

Gavin Adcock Tries To Mend A Broken Relationship In New Song “Loose Strings”

Releasing his first single of 2025. Gavin Adcock had a crazy end of 2024. The Georgia native was getting rough and rowdy at his shows (which is typical for him). Still, it led to some wild incidents—from security punching a fan and getting beer cans thrown at his head on stage to yelling at his fans to "do better" because they were putting other fans at risk of getting hurt. On top of the madness occurring at shows, Adcock closed out his 2024 musically with the release of two singles, "I've Got Three" and "You're For You," right off the heels of his sophomore record's release. Personally, Adcock also went through ending and mending a relationship with his girlfriend, Haley Larkin, who his fans adored, and she gained her own platform from their relationship. In his first single of 2025, "Loose Strings," Adcock appears to be reflecting on his and Haley's time apart. https://www.instagram.com/p/DE7ZJKZRx2Z/ Even the single's cover art features Adcock and his woman in an embrace. The somber song details a broken man trying to make things right to win back the one he loves. Written by Brent Cobb, Erik Dylan and Phillip White, the song first appeared on Hailey Whitters 2020 album The Dream, and then was later recorded by Cobb himself as an Amazon exclusive. The lyrics describe the hurt of not being together after a fight, and the struggle to figure out how to tie down the "Loose Strings" to end up back together, this time with a stable and strong foundation for the relationship. "Maybe if we weren't so hard-headed, maybe we wouldn't fight And if you weren't so damn pretty, I would've slept last night You say you can't live with it, oh, but you can't live without It's the little things that I think about When I staggered home alone, still thinkin' about you I'm through talkin' about all the things I can't change It's hard movin' on, I don't want you gone Ain't it strange the way we keep tryin' to tie down this thing With these loose strings" Although Adcock did not write this song, Brent Cobbs' words reflected his feelings. He hoped to mend his own relationship because he didn't want to lose the woman he loved so dearly. We also see Cobb's signature writing style in these lyrics. He's a master at choosing simple words that lead to profound thoughts and feelings. Gavin Adcock's lyrical delivery makes these words come to life as his fans know how deeply he resonates with this song. Both he and Haley have vulnerably shared this journey online, but because of that, it makes this song come to life. "Loose Strings" is a strong start for Adcock this year, and I can't wait to see what else he has in store for fans. Adcock ended 2024 wearing his heart on his sleeve, and the wild child of country music is carrying that vulnerability into the new year, bearing it with this single.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WikB7IRpEjQ And while you're here, give a listen to the Hailey Whitters rendition... while it was deep cut from the album, but it might be one of my favorites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGK_yel7oGI&pp=ygUVaGFpbGV5dCBsb29zZSBzdHJpbmdz

“We Don’t Get To Not Feed The Cows Cause It’s Cold” – Farmers Who Traveled To DC Aren’t Happy That President Trump’s Inauguration Was Moved Indoors

Traveled to DC for nothing. Final preparations are underway for incoming President Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday. But those plans changed abruptly today when it was announced that the inauguration ceremony would now take place in the United States Capitol rotunda due to expected cold temperatures in Washington DC. According to Trump, the decision was made for the safety of everybody in attendance: "The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows. There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way. It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th (In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly!).   Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather. The various Dignitaries and Guests will be brought into the Capitol. This will be a very beautiful experience for all, and especially for the large TV audience!" https://twitter.com/TrumpDailyPosts/status/1880300018797801690 But apparently that decision isn't sitting well with some people who were prepared for the below-average temperatures. After the announcement, NBC spoke to Trump supporters who had traveled to Washington DC for the inauguration - including two farmers from Oklahoma who were unphased by the prospect of standing outside in the freezing cold: "We have farms, and we don't get to not feed the cows cause it's cold." https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1880382408496988293 Of course they might not be able to attend in person, but Trump announced that Capital One Arena will be set up not only for viewing the inauguration, but will also host the inaugural "parade," which has also been moved indoors. Meanwhile, there are some people who aren't buying the excuse of "cold weather" as the reason the ceremonies are being moved indoors. It's me. I'm not buying it. A lot of people, myself included, worry that the true reason is due to security threats surrounding Trump and his inauguration. I mean, the man's already been shot once, there have been at least two assassination attempts, and a plot to assassinate him that was connected to Iran was foiled by the FBI just a few months ago. Obviously we'll never know if there were threats made to the inauguration, or if that's what caused the ceremonies to move indoors, but you've got to think either way these new arrangements will make it lot easier to secure the incoming president and the event in general. And hey, it might just be because of the cold weather. An Arctic Blast is expected to sweep across most of the country next week, and DC is expected to get 1-3 inches of snow on Sunday before temperatures drop to a high of 25 degrees on Monday with 10-20 mph winds, bringing the wind chill down into the single digits. I know I wouldn't want to stand out in that, so you can't really blame them for moving things indoors. Especially with all of the...well, elderly politicians in attendance. Wouldn't want their fake hips to start freezing up or anything. But unfortunately for a lot of people who already made plans to travel to Washington DC, they're going to be left out in the cold - figuratively speaking - when it comes to watching the inauguration in person.

Mel Gibson, Who Lost His Home In California Wildfires, Had A Hilarious Response To Being Named “Special Ambassador” To Hollywood

I thought ambassadors were for foreign countries? While it might seem like a different country, as it turns out, Hollywood is still, in fact, part of the United States. And apparently Donald Trump wants to work with Hollywood to strengthen and revive the struggling movie industry. Worldwide, the global film industry lost billions of dollars due to shutdowns during the COVID pandemic. But even after things reopened, the entire landscape of the entertainment industry had changed, with theatrical releases becoming shorter as more and more customers opted to wait for movies to be released on streaming a short time later. To give you an idea of how things are going, the highest grossing film of 2019 was Avengers: Endgame, which made over $858 million in the United States, making it the second highest-grossing movie of all time. Since then, the highest-grossing movie has been Spider Man: No Way Home in 2021 at just over $800 million, and the numbers have only been falling every year since. In fact, the highest-grossing movie of 2024 was Inside Out 2, which grossed only around $653 million, the lowest amount for a year's top movie since 2017 - and that's not adjusted for inflation, so it's even worse than the raw numbers would suggest. But Trump wants to revive Hollywood and usher in a new Golden Age for the troubled film industry. That might sound a little strange, considering Trump and Hollywood aren't exactly fans of each other. It's a pretty safe bet that not many people in Hollywood voted for Trump, who has often criticized the film industry as being overly liberal and biased. But hey, gotta put those issues aside when you're president, right? To help with his mission to save the film industry, Trump announced yesterday that he was appointing actors Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson as "Special Ambassadors" to Hollywood: "It is my honor to announce Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone, to be Special Ambassadors to a great but very troubled place, Hollywood, California. They will serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries, BACK—BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE! These three very talented people will be my eyes and ears, and I will get done what they suggest. It will again be, like The United States of America itself, The Golden Age of Hollywood!" https://twitter.com/TrumpDailyPosts/status/1879963668307407262 All three of the actors supported Trump during the 2024 presidential election, so it's not really a secret why he chose the three men to lead the project. But Mel Gibson is currently facing his own challenges after recently losing his house during the devastating wildfires in California. During a recent interview with News Nation, Gibson revealed that his house burned down while he was in Austin, Texas for an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast: “I was in Austin, Texas. I was doing the Rogan podcast and I was kind of ill at ease while we were talking because I knew my neighborhood was on fire. So I thought, ‘I wonder if my place is still there.’ When I got home, sure enough, it wasn’t there. I went home and said to myself, ‘Well, at least I don’t have any of those pesky plumbing problems anymore.'” Despite the challenges, Gibson said he was excited about the opportunity to help President Trump - though he did have an important question about the new role: Does it come with a house? "I got the tweet at the same time as all of you and was just as surprised. Nevertheless, I heed the call. My duty as a citizen is to give any help and insight I can. Any chance the position comes with an Ambassador's residence?"  https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/1880022088347709826 Would probably come in handy right about now.

Willow Avalon Is A ‘Southern Belle Raisin’ Hell’ On Impressive Debut Album

A southern belle raisin' hell... my kind of girl. Today, up-and-coming artist and Georgia native Willow Avalon released her debut album Southern Belle Raisin' Hell, which includes previously released songs like "Tequila and Whiskey," "Homewrecker," and "Hey There, Dolly." In terms of her back story, Avalon was raised in rural Georgia, and began playing piano in church and taught herself guitar at age 12. From there, she took to songwriting and eventually left home at 15 and spent a brief period living in her car before making her way to California. Now based in New York City, Willow writes, plays and produces her own music, has already amassed over 15 million streams across platforms in just the last two months... which just means fans are already loving her music, and after the release of her full-length album today, I think she's off to the races, so to speak, in terms of her career and continuing to grow a loyal and dedicate fanbase. In terms of her sound, she's country to the core, but incorporates folk and even some rock elements, as well. Of course, when your first word is "Elvis," that's completely natural, and really, expected. Part of what makes her so unique is her vintage, throwback look that is also very present in her music, that is contrasted by her punchy, hard-hitting lyrics that pack a punch full of honesty and authenticity in every song. Willow's voice has a pure, twangy voice and noticeable bleat, which certainly sets her apart from any other current country artist I can think of now, and is much more reminiscent of legends like Loretta Lynn, which is a compliment of the highest order. The music on Southern Belle Raisin' Hell feels so true to who she is, and after you listen just one time through, you'll quickly realize exactly who Willow is, what makes her happy, what makes her sad, and most importantly... what really ticks her off. She doesn't hold back and is completely, unapologetically herself, which is equally refreshing as it is relatable and endears the listener to really connect and listen to the words that have poured straight from her heart. It's hard for me to pick a favorite, though I've loved "Hey There, Dolly" for a while now, but that's just scratching the surface of what this southern belle raisin' hell has to offer. The title track also speaks to me deeply as a southern girl too, and tracks like "The Actor" and "Damned" find her admitting what's gone wrong in past relationships that most anyone can probably relate to. One thing is crystal clear, though, in that Willow is a star, with talent in spades, and who has a long future ahead of her for her pure talent and songwriting savvy that, together, make a lethal combination that puts her in a league of her own. To do all of that in a debut record is a feat, to say the very least, and the 25-year-old rising star has a long career ahead of her and I'm excited to see where this album takes her. The one thing I do know, though, is that when there's a southern belle raisin' any kind of hell, it's best to just get of her way and watch the magic unfold. With Willow Avalon, that magic is a stunning album that will undoubtedly stand the test of time. Do yourself a favor and check it out, and I'll leave a few of my favorites below too. "Hey There, Dolly" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4D2C2KJjHQ "Southern Belle Raisin' Hell" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK4ScSQcRAs "The Actor" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STcFhb_tkas "Damned" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiZFrC3QLQY "Good Morning, Goodbye" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLcNUpdl6vU Southern Belle Raisin' Hell Tracklist: 1. Runs in the Family 2. Something We Regret 3. Homewrecker 4. Yodelayheewho (feat. Maggie Antone) 5. Baby Blue 6. Country Never Leaves 7. Tequila or Whiskey 8. The Actor 9. Southern Belle Raisin' Hell 10. Gettin' Rich, Goin' Broke 11. Hey There, Dolly 12. Want Me Now 13. Damned 14. Good Morning, Goodbye

Willow Avalon 2025 Tour Dates:

January 30 /// Philadelphia, PA /// The Foundry January 31 /// Washington, D.C. /// The Atlantis February 1 /// Richmond, VA /// Richmond Music Hall February 3 /// Charlotte, NC /// Neighborhood Theatre February 4 /// Durham, NC /// Motorco Music Hall February 6 /// Athens, GA /// 40 Watt February 7 /// Nashville, TN /// Exit/In February 8 /// St. Louis, MO /// Off Broadway February 10 /// Indianapolis, IN /// Hi-Fi February 11 /// Columbus, OH /// A&R Bar February 12 /// Cleveland, OH /// Grog Shop February 14 /// Detroit, MI /// El Club February 15 /// Toronto, ON /// Horseshoe Tavern February 16 /// Montreal, QB /// Bar La Ritz February 18 /// Hamden, CT /// Space Ballroom February 19 /// Boston, MA /// The Sinclair February 20 /// New York, NY /// Bowery Ballroom March 10 /// Manchester, U.K. /// Academy 3 March 11 /// Birmingham, U.K. /// O2 Institute2 March 12 /// London, U.K. /// Neon March 14 /// London, U.K. /// Country to Country March 16 /// Glasgow, U.K. /// Country to Country March 18 /// Glasgow, U.K. /// Oran Mor Auditorium March 20 /// Belfast, U.K. /// The Limelight 2 March 21 /// Dublin, IE /// Opium April 4 /// New Orleans, LA /// Hogs for the Cause April 6 /// Georgetown, TX /// Two Step Inn May 10 /// Knoxville, TN /// Southern Skies July 20 /// Whitefish, Montana /// Under the Big Sky Festival

Ernest Teases New Song With Snoop Dogg, “Gettin’ Gone”

Snoop Dogg is really leaning into the country genre here lately. In addition to him teaming up with Jelly Roll on a song called "Last Dance With Mary Jane" for his recent Missionary album, working with Hardy on a reimagined version of "Gin And Juice," and apparently recording a verse for a Zach Bryan song too, he's also going to be featured on an Ernest tune. This afternoon, Ernest teased an unreleased song featuring Snoop Dogg called "Gettin' Gone," which is a super short clip that only has a few lines of Snoop's part that goes like this: "Hm, plate full of chicken Mama's is in the kitchen Talking on the telephone Kids outside sliding on the slide..." Ernest has been teasing other music lately as well, including a cover of the late, great Kris Kristofferson’s hit “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” which is pretty much the complete opposite of this, so if all of this music is going to be included on one album (which I'm assuming it is), it's going to be very interesting to hear it and how cohesive of a project it is or isn't once everything gets released. You can listen to the teaser of "Gettin' Gone" here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DE8NySJy6jF/ I was actually pretty surprised to see so much positive reaction already, because I'm not still on the fence about it, though of course, I'll reserve my judgment until I hear the full song: "What cant Snoop do." 'This makes my heart happy that it actually happened." "Okay bro you’re absolutely COOKING now." "He understood the assignment." "Bro I love this, did not expect the collab tho💀" "No way bro this is so fire." "BANGER." "Who would have thought this would go so hard." "This is unreal" "So damn sick." "Soooo happy for you.. I'm sure this was one of those pinch me moments in life." "Yet another great entry into the growing subgenre of Stoner Country music." 'LETSSSS GOOO" This comment got me though... like I said, I'll wait and see what I think once I can hear the entire song, but I'll be really honest, my immediate reaction wasn't that I'm obsessed with this song and am dying to hear it all: "Slidin' on the slide." They're both incredibly talented artists in their own right, and obviously Snoop is a legend, so we'll see what comes of this and what it means once more details are announced. Last year, Ernest put out his Nashville, Tennessee album which featured a lot of more traditional, old school-style country, as well as some much more modern production, as well. It kind of seemed like he wanted to really lean into the traditional stylings that made country what it is, though, I'm not so sure that will be the case with this next project now. Honestly, it will probably be another mixed bag, and Ernest actually did get his start rapping before getting into country, so it makes sense he fuses some of that together, and obviously, working with such a legendary artist like Snoop would be a dream come true for almost any musician. You can check out the "Help Me Make It Through the Night" teaser here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEvf1Eqh4xh/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=21484b35-f215-492b-b97f-8550e800abb5

Chris Stapleton Announces Additional ‘All-American Road Show’ 2025 Tour Dates

Adding more dates to his 2025 schedule. Last week, Chris Stapleton announced the 2025 edition of his All-American Road Show tour. His 2025 dates kick off in February in Australia, and he will tour there and New Zealand through March, but his newly announced United States dates will kick off in June and run through October. Stapleton's first round of announced dates includes stops like New York’s Madison Square Garden, Charlottesville’s John Paul Jones Arena, and Denver’s Ball Arena. While fans were thrilled to see the "White Horse" singer announce these dates, fans always want more dates as they hope Stapleton might come closer to their hometown or state. Ask, and you shall receive. Today, Stapleton added additional dates to his 2025 tour schedule. Stapleton added seven dates to his tour schedule, including a second show in Charlottesville, Virginia; New York, New York; Tinley Park, Illinois; Salt Lake City, Utah; Denver, Colorado; Phoenix, Arizona; and Hollywood, Florida. Each night of the All-American Road Show tour includes a group of incredible rotating artists, including Allen Stone, Brittney Spencer, Grace Potter, Maggie Rose, Marcus King, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs, Nikki Lane, and The War and Treaty. https://www.instagram.com/p/DE75zRBPrPS/?img_index=1 Stapleton is coming off an outstanding 2024 to kick off this tour in 2025. In the fall of last year, Stapleton set a new CMA Award record, extending his pre-existing for the most wins for Male Vocalist of the Year, and is now an eight-time award winner. During the awards show, Luke Combs reacted similarly to many of us at home when the Kentucky native won the Male Vocalist of the Year award. It's an artist's dream to win one Male Vocalist of the Year award, and Stapleton has done it eight times—it's unbelievable. https://twitter.com/JaxiePidgeon/status/1859441090115375448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1859441090115375448%7Ctwgr%5Ef02b8ff9be4043b799ae871cf0cb103ca84435b8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whiskeyriff.com%2F2024%2F11%2F21%2Fluke-combs-cma-awards-reaction-chris-stapleton%2F He also became tied with Brooks & Dunn for most CMA Award wins ever, now having 19 to his name. There's a reason Stapleton has so many CMA Awards under his belt, though. If you have had a chance to see him live, then you know what is laid down in the studio is the same as what he delivers on stage. I've had the pleasure of seeing Stapleton live twice now, and I am blown away each time. His shows are straight to the point, and he lets the music shine. He does share a few stories, but he knows that folks buy tickets to hear their favorite songs live, so he does his best to squeeze in as many hits as possible during his setlists. And if his lovely bride Morgane is on stage with him, fans are in for even more of a treat as their chemistry is palpable from the stage. If he's coming near you, I highly recommend snagging tickets. It will be a show you'll never forget. Tickets for these additional dates will go on sale next Friday, January 24th—tickets for previously announced dates are on sale today (January 17th). While you're here, check out his "What Am I Gonna Do" performance from the 2024 CMA Awards. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_VGstdlI7I

Chris Stapleton 2025 Tour Dates

February 25—Melbourne, Australia—Rod Laver Arena* (SOLD OUT) February 26—Melbourne, Australia—Rod Laver Arena* (SOLD OUT) February 28—Brisbane, Australia—Brisbane Entertainment Centre* (SOLD OUT) March 1—Brisbane, Australia—Brisbane Entertainment Centre* (SOLD OUT) March 4—Sydney, Australia—Qudos Bank Arena* (SOLD OUT) March 5—Sydney, Australia—Qudos Bank Arena* (SOLD OUT) March 7—Auckland, New Zealand—Spark Arena* (SOLD OUT) March 8—Auckland, New Zealand—Spark Arena* (SOLD OUT) June 4—Greenville, SC—Bon Secours Wellness Arena† June 6—Charlottesville, VA—John Paul Jones Arena† June 7—Charlottesville, VA—John Paul Jones Arena‡ June 12—Grand Rapids, MI—Van Andel Arena+ June 13—Grand Rapids, MI—Van Andel Arena+ June 18—Greensboro, NC—First Horizon Coliseum^ June 20—Albany, NY—MVP Arena^ June 27—Tinley Park, IL—Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre# June 28—Tinley Park, IL—Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre# July 11—St. Louis, MO—Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre‡ July 12—Milwaukee, WI—Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival July 23—Belmont Park, NY—UBS Arena~ July 25—New York, NY—Madison Square Garden~ July 26—New York, NY—Madison Square Garden~ August 1—Noblesville, IN—Ruoff Music Center** August 8—Phoenix, AZ—Desert Diamond Arena‡‡ August 9—Phoenix, AZ—Desert Diamond Arena‡‡ August 15—Salt Lake City, UT—Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre* August 16—Salt Lake City, UT—Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre* August 22—Denver, CO—Ball Arena** August 23—Denver, CO—Ball Arena** October 10—Hollywood, FL—Hard Rock Live October 11—Hollywood, FL—Hard Rock Live *with special guest Marcus King †with special guest Nikki Lane ‡with special guest Brittney Spencer +with special guest Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs ^with special guest Maggie Rose #with special guest The War & Treaty ~with special guest Grace Potter **with special guest Allen Stone ‡‡with special guest Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives