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Chase Rice Debuts Emotional ‘Bench Seat’

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Chase Rice debuted a new song “Bench Seat” this weekend, about a man’s battle with mental health and how his dog ultimately saves him. The song is actually written from the dogs perspective, but the song was written to convey a serious message, according to Rice.

Rice says initially didn’t want to write about this topic because it seemed cliche, but the real story from his friend who had been in a dark place convinced him it was a story he wanted to tell. Rice says his friend was struggling with mental health and addiction, and what convinced him to move forward was that “his dog came and laid his head on his lap, and that connection saved him”

Rice released a music video in addition to his new song, almost 8 minutes long to convey a full story, which follows Rice’s own struggles and the bond he forms with his dog. ultimately showing that there is hope for a happy ending if people are able to get the help they need. The song is a part of his album “I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go To Hell” which comes out February 10th.

Source: Country Now

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1958, twenty-year-old Merle Haggard was convicted of second-degree burglary, after a botched break-in attempt at a Bakersfield, California nightclub. He served two years and nine months in prison at San Quentin, and he really did “turn 21 in prison,” as he sang in his hit “Mama Tried.” He was paroled in 1960, and eventually pardoned by then-California governor, Ronald Reagan, in 1972.
  • Today in 1972, Kris Kristofferson got five nominations at the Grammys for three songs: “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” “For the Good Times,” and “Me and Bobby McGee.”
  • Today in 1981, at the American Music Awards, Kenny Rogers won four awards including Favorite Country Single for “Coward of the Country,” and Country Album for “The Gambler.” The Eagles, The Statler Brothers, and Barbara Mandrell also won awards.
  • Today in 1985, in his first Warner Brothers recording session, Randy Travis recorded “Prairie Rose,” and “On The Other Hand.”
  • Today in 1988, Kathy Mattea’s “Goin’ Gone” became a #1 country single.
  • Today in 1994, at the Super Bowl’s “Rockin’ Country” halftime show, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, and Tanya Tucker were featured. The Judds sang “Love Can Build a Bridge.” The Dallas Cowboys beat the Buffalo Bills 30-13.
  • Today in 2000, Faith Hill sang the national anthem at Super Bowl XXXIV, with Travis Tritt performing in the pre-game show. Faith was especially excited about her participation because the big game featured the St. Louis Rams facing off against the Tennessee Titans. Unfortunately, her performance wasn’t enough to send the Titans home with a ring – the Rams took the prize and defeated Titans 23-to-16.
  • Today in 2001, Faith Hill was among the top picks in the seventh annual Hanes Hosiery Sexy Legs Survey. The survey revealed that for most people, sexy legs are the one physical feature that turns up the heat! Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez may have taken the top prize – but when people were asked whose legs they’d most like theirs to resemble – guess who trounced the competition (including Jennifer)? Yup – none other than Mrs. McGraw!
  • Today in 2001, LeAnn Rimes’ album, “I Need You,” arrived in stores. Around the time of the release, LeAnn took the highly unusual step of publicly distancing herself from the project. In fact, she denounced the existence of the album, saying it was an unauthorized move by the record company. LeAnn and her record company later kissed and made up.
  • Today in 2001, “Stuff” magazine released its list of the “2001 Sexiest Women.” Making the list this time around were Shania Twain and LeAnn Rimes.
  • Today in 2002, the success of Alan Jackson’s “Drive” album was kicking into high gear internationally. Following the previous chart-topping success in the U.S., the project debuted on the Canadian album charts in the #1 spot! If that’s not enough, he also kept Canadian rockers Nickelback in the #2 slot. SoundScan Canada also noted that this wasn’t a close victory for Alan — his sales of 12,900 put him well ahead of the group whose album, “Silver Side Up,” sold 9,100 copies.
  • Today in 2002, Freddy Fender was released from a San Antonio, Texas hospital after having a kidney transplant the week before. Fender had been having problems related to diabetes and hepatitis C.
  • Today in 2003, the “Live” album by Alison Krauss + Union Station was certified gold.
  • Today in 2004, Keith Urban’s “You’ll Think of Me” video premiered on CMT.
  • Today in 2011, Dierks Bentley started recording at the Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, North Carolina for several days, during which time he recorded “Am I The Only One.” The sessions were captured on video, and posted online with no sound.
  • Today in 2013, Blake Shelton’s “Red River Blue” album went platinum.

Lawsuit: Vegas Strip resorts used vendor to fix hotel rates

Posted on by Sam Parsons

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A federal lawsuit is seeking class-action damages for countless hotel patrons who booked rooms in Las Vegas since 2019. The suit alleges that most hotel-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip have used a third-party vendor to illegally fix prices. The complaint filed Wednesday alleges that MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, Treasure Island and Wynn Resorts share information with a company that uses algorithms to “maximize market-wide prices.” It accuses the resorts and Rainmaker Group Unlimited, owned by Florida-based Cendyn Group, of violating antitrust laws. MGM Resorts calls the lawsuit meritless. Cendyn declined to comment. Other parties did not immediately respond to messages.

First statewide Day of Kindness is today

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

It’s taking the concept of “Iowa Nice” to the next level, as today is the first-ever statewide Day of Kindness.

The effort started a few years ago as an offshoot of a project at the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, and this year, Governor Reynolds signed a proclamation to make it an official day in Iowa. Kara Matheson, at the West Des Moines Chamber, says if everyone starts small it could have huge results.

“Just be intentional. Everyone’s lives are so busy but kindness can go a long way,” Matheson says. “It doesn’t need to be this big, grand gesture. Just write a kind thought on a sticky note and leave it on someone’s car window, maybe sending a quick text. There are so many different ways that you can think of to be kind.”

Matheson says even small acts of kindness can make the biggest difference in someone’s day. “Maybe help with the snow in your neighbor’s driveway,” Matheson says. “Everyone’s very familiar with the ‘pay it forward’ in your line for coffee in the morning, but maybe go to a local school and pay off some of the kids’ lunch tabs. You can get creative with what this looks like.”

Whether big or small, monetary or action-oriented, anonymous or direct, Iowans are encouraged to be intentional with acts of kindness today to make #IowaKind spread far and wide.

“It can be random with anyone you might come across, or it can be picking up the phone and calling a loved one just to check in on them and make sure they’re doing okay,” Matheson says. “Just think about what would make someone smile and take action on that.” She says studies show kindness benefits not only the receiver, but also the giver.

2nd Eggs and Issues with Mahaska Chamber Happening Tomorrow

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — Tomorrow morning, the second round of Eggs & Issues with the Mahaska Chamber in 2023 is happening at Smokey Row in Oskaloosa from 8:30-9:30am.

This time around, the panel will feature 3 lawmakers from the state level: State Senator Ken Rozenboom will be in attendance, as will State House reps Helena Hayes and Barb Kniff-McCulla.

More Eggs & Issues are also scheduled for February and March. The dates and panelists can be found below:

February 11, 2023 – Iowa Great Places: Arts & Culture Roundtable

February 25, 2023 – Iowa Senate #19 Ken Rozenboom; Iowa House #88 Helena Hayes and Iowa House #37 Barb Kniff-McCulla

March 11, 2023 – Mahaska Health, EMA

March 25, 2023 – Iowa Senate #19 Ken Rozenboom; Iowa House #88 Helena Hayes and Iowa House #37 Barb Kniff-McCulla

Marion County Board of Supervisors Continues Budget Discussions

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Marion County Board of Supervisors held their third round of budget discussions of the week yesterday morning. The departments that presented included Development, Zoning, Treasurer, Health Insurance, Sheriff’s Office, and Attorney.

County Economic Development Director Carla Eysink presented on behalf of the development department and said that her department was seeking funding for four main areas.

Eysink has worked with Marion County Development for over 20 years and said she’s planning on retiring in 2025. She explained that current salary levels for Marion County Development were not competitive with similar counties in Iowa and that the requested raise had more to do with attracting talent in the future.

County zoning administrator Melissa Poffenbarger represented another one-person department and she said the position has become increasingly demanding. She floated the idea of adding another person to the department for areas such as code enforcement and inspections. 

The board said they could look into having other departments cooperate for those areas.

The final round of budget discussions is scheduled for today with Marion County Veteran’s Affairs and Conservation set to present to the board.

Luke Combs Details His New 18-Track Album ‘Gettin’ Old’

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Luke Combs has shared new details about his upcoming album “Gettin’ Old.” Combs announced the title and cover art on social media, revealed that the album will be 18 tracks long, and is personal – reflecting his current stage of life.

The album covers a whole host of themes including: coming of age, loving where life is now but also missing how it used to be, falling in love, wondering how much time one has left, family, friends, being thankful, and leaving a legacy.

Combs also shared that he will be releasing a new song “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old” from the 18-track album today (check it out below), while the full album will be released on March 24th. The new album is a continuation of his previously released project, “Growin’ Up“, which can be seen quite literally by looking at the two albums side by side: the album art connects together to make one big picture!

https://youtu.be/BlSsYozbH2w

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1956, Elvis’ first single, “Heartbreak Hotel” was released.
  • Today in 1979, Johnny Horton recorded “The Battle of New Orleans.”
  • Today in 1973, Tom Hall reached #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “(Old Dogs-Children And) Watermelon Wine.”
  • Today in 1992, at the American Music Awards, Garth Brooks won three trophies and Wynonna sang “She Is His Only Need.”
  • Today in 1998, The Dixie Chicks’ first major label album, “Wide Open Spaces,” was released.
  • Today in 2004, Two songs performed in “Cold Mountain” by Alison Kraus won Oscar nominations: “You Will Be My Ain True Love,” by Sting, and “The Scarlet Tide,” by Bone Burnett and Elvis Costello.
  • Today in 2007, “Watching You” by Rodney Atkins was at the top of the Billboard country singles chart.
  • Today in 2014, the video “This is How We Roll” was shot by Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan.
  • Today in 2017, PBS aired “Brad Paisley – Landmarks Live In Concert: A Great Performances Special.” Filmed at West Virginia University, it included renditions of “Mud On The Tires,” “Then,” “Southern Comfort Zone,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “I’m Still A Guy,” the latter featuring guest Chris Young.
  • Today in 2017, Scotty McCreery had a surprise visitor, Randy Travis, when he performed at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. McCreery sang “Forever And Ever, Amen” during the show, as tribute.
  • Today in 2017, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Bonnie Owens, Billy Mize and Red Simpson were the inaugural inductees in the Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame.
  • Today in 2018, Chris Stapleton was the musical guest on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” surprising viewers by bringing along unannounced guest Sturgill Simpson for performances of “Midnight Train To Memphis” and “Hard Livin’.”
  • Today in 2020, Kane Brown received quintuple-platinum singles from the RIAA for “Heaven” and for “What Ifs,” his duet with Lauren Alaina.
  • Today in 2020, Luke Combs’ single, “Does To Me,” which features Eric Church, hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2021, Kris Kristofferson’s retirement was noted in passing as part of an official press release announcing Morris Higham Management would oversee his estate.
  • Today in 2021, Tyler Farr and his wife, Hannah, welcomed their daughter, Hollis Caroline, in Tennessee.

MEET THE H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: “HURRICANE”

Posted on by Bob Ballard

This week’s H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week is “Hurricane”, a one and a half year old male kitty who gets along great with other cats. He’s kind of a lazy guy and likes to relax, but he enjoys some attention from time to time. Hurricane would enjoy curling up on the couch with you in front of the TV, and would love to meet you!

If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Hurricane or any of the pets at Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter, visit https://www.stephenmemorial.org/ and fill out an adoption application.

Check out our visit about Hurricane with Shanna from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:

Asteroid coming exceedingly close to Earth, but will miss

Posted on by Sam Parsons

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An asteroid the size of a delivery truck will whip past Earth on Thursday night, one of the closest encounters ever recorded. NASA insists it will be a near miss. The space agency said Wednesday that this newly discovered asteroid will zoom 2,200 miles above the southern tip of South America. NASA says there’s “no risk” of an impact. Even if it came a lot closer, scientists say most of it would burn up in the atmosphere. Discovered Saturday, the asteroid is believed to be between 11 feet and 28 feet across.

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