Country
Five Decades of Lavender Country: Inside the World of a ‘Queer, Screaming Marxist B-tch Country Singer’
For a self-professed “screaming Marxist bitch singer” who dropped a mostly ignored queer country album in 1973, it’s been a busy time for 77-year-old Patrick Haggerty of Lavender Country. On the bootheels of his band’s historical reappraisal after a 2014 reissue and ensuing reunion shows, the pioneering group’s legend continues to grow as the singular beauty and groundbreaking lyrical content of its self-titled album become apparent to more open-minded generations. Not only is there a screenplay about Haggerty’s life floating around Hollywood, but the septuagenarian is reinvesting his energy in recording, duetting with drag star Trixie Mattel last year, releasing the lovely “Treasures That Money Can’t Buy” in January and gearing up...
Minister: Why Twitter, other platforms must register to operate in Nigeria
The Federal Government says its directive that Over the Top (OTT) and social media platforms operating in the country must register and obtain license to operate is in conformity with global trend. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this on Friday when he featured on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) programme “Good Morning Nigeria’’ monitored by newsmen. NAN reports that the Federal Government recently suspended operations of Twitter and directed that all OTT and social media platforms operating in the country must register with Corporate Affairs Commission. The Federal Government said they must also apply for licensing with the National Broadcasting Commission ( NBC). NAN reports that OTT media service is a media service offered directly to viewers via t...
Senate reassures Nigerians on PIB, electoral, constitutional amendment bills
Senate President Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan said on Friday that the Senate was closer to passing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, and the Constitution Amendment Bill, assuring Nigerians that the bills will be passed between now and July year. Lawan who stated this while interacting with journalists to mark the second anniversary of the 9th Senate stated that it was a mark of excellent effort that the ninth senate would soon be ready to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) after twenty years of failed attempts. “This should happen this June, and it should increase accountability, probity, efficiency, equity and justice in that vital sector of our economy. “Our determination to pass the bill is additionally in line with our resolve to be a result-oriented parli...
Nigerian airlines record low patronage over insecurity
Nigerian airlines have confirmed that passenger traffic has reduced in the last four weeks. This, they attributed to the growing insecurity in different parts of the country. Those who spoke to newsmen insisted that high airfares could be a factor, but insecurity was also identified as major reason. They noted that even at the peak of high cost of tickets in May and April, passenger traffic was still high. Newsmen learnt that some airlines that resumed flights to some destinations in the north had to withdraw, while the south-east airports, which used to be lucrative routes after Lagos and Abuja have recorded reduction in passenger movement. Head of Communications, Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa, told newsmen that there is slight reduction in the airline’s load factor in its flights to Enugu, O...
Corey Crowder Tops Country Songwriters Chart Thanks to Hits By Chris Young, Blake Shelton & Chase Rice
Rank, Artist Billing, Title (co-songwriters in addition to Crowder)No. 4, Chris Young & Kane Brown, “Famous Friends” (Young, Cary Barlowe)No. 14, Blake Shelton, “Minimum Wage” (Nicolle Galyon, Jesse Frasure)No. 17, Chase Rice feat. Florida Georgia Line, “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” (Rice, Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley) Crowder also co-produced “Famous Friends,” “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” and Tim McGraw and Tyler Hubbard’s “Undivided” at No. 23. The production credits spark Crowder to No. 8 on the Country Producers chart. Crowder has tallied 28 entries on the Hot Country Songs chart as either a songwriter or a producer. His first charting credit was as a producer on Jamie ...
Georginio Wijnaldum joins PSG on three-year deal
Paris Saint-Germain have announced the signing of Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum from Liverpool on a three-year contract. The Ligue 1 giants made the announcement in a statement released on their official website on Thursday. “Paris Saint-Germain is delighted to announce the transfer of Georginio Wijnaldum. Arriving from Liverpool, the Netherlands international midfielder has signed with the club from the French capital until 30 June 2024. “Born in Rotterdam, and a product of the Sparta Rotterdam youth academy, he played for two of the biggest clubs in his homeland in Feyenoord (135 matches, 25 goals) and then PSV Eindhoven (154 matches, 56 goals) with whom he won the 2014-15 Eredivisie title. “After a season at Newcastle United, ‘Gini’ joined Liverpool FC in the summer of 2016. The ...
7 Can’t-Miss Moments from the 2021 CMT Awards
Kane Brown may have taken home the most awards with two new trophies to add to his shelf, but there were plenty of winning performances. Here are seven unranked can’t miss moments: Chris Stapleton, “Arkansas”Performing from a huge stage set up Bonaroo farm —Stapleroo or Chrisapalooza anyone?— Stapleton channeled Bob Seger’s “Katmandu” with this driving tune about road tripping (and escaping) from current album, Starting Over. Stapleton was in peak growl form, with wife Morgane sounding great as ever on backing vocals. As the lyrics state, it looked like Stapleton was “havin’ so much fun that it’s probably a little bit against the law.” If this one didn’t make you miss live concerts, nothing will. Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall, “Tequila Does”Sitting around a campfi...
EFCC: Top government officials involved in illicit financial flows
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has accused Nigerian leaders and top government officials of aiding the Illicit Financial Flows (IFF) activities in the country. The EFCC also revealed that corrupt government officials and their private sector collaborators used fronts and ownership structures that do not provide sufficient information about the true identities of the natural persons behind the title to hide illicit money and transferred same to safe havens abroad. The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Abduralsheed Bawa, disclosed this during a one-day conference that was organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CSLAC) on IFF on Corruption in Arbitration in Abuja Bawa, who was represented by the Head of Research Unit, Department of Policy Research a...
ASUP: Why we suspended strike after 65 days
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has suspended its 65 days industrial strike with effect from Thursday, following an agreement reached between the union and the federal government. A statement by Mr Abdullahi Yalwa, National Publicity Secretary of ASUP and made available to newsmen in Bauchi, announced on Wednesday. According to the statement, “the suspension of the strike action was for a period of three months, to enable the government complete the implementation of the issues contained in the Memorandum of Action signed with the Union. “Following an appraisal of the report indicating the gradual implementation of the items contained in the Memorandum of Action signed between our Union and the Federal Government, the Union has resolved to suspend its 65 days old industrial...
Here Are All the 2021 CMT Music Awards Winners (Updating Live)
Video of the yearCarrie Underwood with John Legend – “Hallelujah”Kane Brown – “Worldwide Beautiful”Keith Urban with P!nk – “One Too Many”Kelsea Ballerini – “hole in the bottle” Female video of the yearCarly Pearce – “Next Girl”Gabby Barrett – “The Good Ones”Kelsea Ballerini – “hole in the bottle”Maren Morris – “To Hell & Back”Mickey Guyton – “Heaven Down Here”Miranda Lambert – “Settling Down” Male video of the yearChris Stapleton – “Starting Over”Darius Rucker – “Beers and Sunshine”Kane Brown – “Worship You”Luke Bryan – “Down To One”Luke Combs – “Lovin’ On You”Thomas Rhett – “What’s Your Country Song” Duo/group video of the yearBrothers Osborne – “All Night”Lady A – “...
Taylor Swift Gives Her Mom the Sweetest Shoutout After Winning 2021 CMT Music Award For Best Family Feature
The CMT’s announced the best family feature category just days ahead of the show. It celebrates the year’s most emotional videos that focus on country star’s loved ones. This year’s other finalists in the category were Brook Eden’s “Sunroof,” Kane Brown’s “Worship You,” Luke Combs’ “Forever After All,” Miranda Lambert’s “Settling Down,” and Russel Dickerson’s “Home Sweet.” As with the rest of the categories for the CMT Music Awards, fans voted to determine the victor. This year’s ceremony was hosted by Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini, and was streamed live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. See Swift’s sweet message to her mom, and watch the music video below:...
NPC: Census will not consider religion, ethnicity
The National Population Commission says the population census will not take into consideration the number of adherents of any religion or the number of members of ethnic groups. It, therefore, denied including a religious category in the questionnaires being distributed in the first pre-test exercise for the next population and housing census in the country. The Director, Public Affairs of the NPC, Udi Joseph, said this in a statement on Wednesday while reacting to viral Whatsapp messages claiming the NPC had made two separate categories for Muslims and one category for Christians in its questionnaire. In a statement titled, ‘NPC Refutes Fake News on Religion in Census Questionnaires’, the organisation said even in previous population census exercises, religion and ethnicity were not consi...
