'I did the best I could with the information I had in that moment,' Wallen explained. Continue reading…

A final report has closed the investigation into wrestling legend's death, addressing questions that lingered in the months after his passing. Continue reading…

There are few things worse for a country music fan than the dreaded day-of-show cancellation. You’ve been planning for months. You may have dropped a ridiculous amount of money on tickets, booked a hotel room, maybe took time off work (if you work weekends). As someone who spent pretty much all of my concert going years in Chicago, I never really experienced traveling to a show, but for many country music fans… it’s a way of life. For some, it’s their one big summer trip. Unfortunately for tens of thousands of fans in the Steel City, Morgan Wallen has officially pulled the plug on tonight’s massive stadium show in Pittsburgh… and of course, it was completely out of his control. This one simply comes down to the bad weather forecast. Wallen released a statement confirming that dangerous conditions rolling into the area forced his hand. Here is the official announcement: “After talking with local officials and my team, there is no choice but to cancel tonight’s show due to severe adverse weather conditions expected throughout the rest of the day and night. Safety for my fans and crew is the highest priority. Refunds available at point of purchase.” If I was in my younger years, I’d probably already be a few beers deep by now… it’s just an absolute gut punch for fans. And I’m sure it’s tough on Morgan and this crew too. The last person that wants to cancel it is Morgan Wallen. However, when it comes to lightning, high winds, and severe storms at an outdoor open-air stadium, local officials simply won’t mess around with the safety of 70,000-plus people. As for the tickets, fans can get their refunds right at their point of purchase. Since there isn’t a rescheduled date attached to the statement, it looks like everyone will just be getting their money back for now. For the fans currently in Pittsburgh… I’d either go home or head to the bars. If there is one thing country fans know how to do, it’s salvage a ruined night with a spontaneous bar takeover. And those Yinzers can DRINK. Pour one out for the Pittsburgh crowd tonight… they are going to need it. ‘Still The Problem’ Tour Dates June 6 || Pittsburgh, Penn. || Acrisure Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King June 19 || Chicago, Ill. || Soldier Field w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King June 20 || Chicago, Ill. || Soldier Field w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King June 26 || Clemson, SC. || Clemson Memorial Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat June 27 || Clemson, SC. || Clemson Memorial Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High nHeat July 17 || Baltimore, Md. || M&T Bank Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat July 18 || Baltimore, Md. || M&T Bank Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat July 24 || Ann Arbor, Mich. || Michigan Stadium w/ Thomas Rhett, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten July 25 || Ann Arbor, Mich. || Michigan Stadium w/ HARDY, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten July 31 || Philadelphia, Penn. || Lincoln Financial Field w/ ​​Brooks & Dunn, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten August 1 || Philadelphia, Penn. || Lincoln Financial Field w/ Ella Langley, Hudson Westbrook, Blake WhitenThe post Morgan Wallen Forced To Cancel Tonight’s Show in Pittsburgh Due to Severe Weather first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

"Safety for my fans and crew is my highest priority." Continue reading…

Honestly, I’d do the exact same. Every artist has a story about how they got to where they are today, and many folks include working with or for more established artists in the industry. While most people have a mentor they can thank, Ashley McBryde has a very special woman whom she worked for and learned from long before she was writing records and selling out shows. In her early days in Nashville, Ashley McBryde worked for none other than Dolly Parton. While she didn’t work for her for very long, and this was a good 20 years ago, there were a few memorable moments that Ashley recalled during a recent interview with BBC Radio 2, including saving Dolly Parton’s house from a fire. McBryde previously shared during an interview on The Jennifer Hudson Show that Bagel Bites were the culprit of the microwave catching on fire. Nonetheless, the microwave went up in flames. She says she grabbed it with a bear hug and ran it out the door, because Dolly’s house was going through a remodel at the time, and Ashley knew the smoke would only make that much more work for everyone. View this post on Instagram While I am sure a young McBryde was worried that she might no longer have a job after that incident, she sprang into action and made sure that the house and, most importantly, the Queen of country music were safe after that incident. Of course, McBryde made sure she was also safe from the fire, but it sounds like she was more worried about her boss and her belongings than her personal well-being. McBryde also shared that Dolly Parton gave her a special item during her time working for her that she kept hold of for decades after. And it might not be what you’d imagine. Dolly Parton gave Ashley McBryde a tub of ChapStick that she treasured for nearly 20 years. “She also gave me a tube of ChapStick that I had for, I don’t know, probably 20 years after that.” Naturally, like any country music fan, she cherished the item that Dolly gave her, revealing that the ChapStick became a good luck charm for her and she used it very sparingly in the years to come. “I would only use it on special occasions. I got to use my Dolly Parton ChapStick.” Can you blame her? I’d do the exact same thing. I wonder if Dolly Parton knows that a tube of ChapStick turned into such a sentimental item for her former employee. Who knows, maybe that ChapStick carried some voodoo powers that set up McBryde for the incredible career she has today. Regardless, this story is a prime example of never forgetting your humble beginnings. A job that she had when she first moved to Nashville is now a huge flex for the “Water in the River” singer. Check out the entire interview while you’re here: Ashley just released her phenomenal new album Wild, and you can check out some of the standouts below. “Bottle Tells Me So” “Hand Me Downs” Ashley McBryde Tour Dates June 11 – Jackson, MS – Thalia Mara Hall June 12 – Biloxi, MS – IP Casino Resort and Spa June 19 – Rockton, IL – Settler’s Park June 25 – Belfast, UK – Custom House Square Belfast June 27 – London, UK – Hyde Park July 3 – Calgary, AB – Calgary Stampede July 9 – Deerfield, MA – Tree House Brewing Company July 10 – Bar Harbor, ME – 1932 Criterion Theatre July 11 – Cavendish, PE – Cavendish Beach Music Festival July 17 – Colorado Springs, CO – Phil Long Music Hall July 18 – Gypsum, CO – Lundgren Amphitheater July 24 – Larchwood, IA – Grand Falls Casino Resort Event Center July 30 – West Fargo, ND – The Lights Amphitheater July 31 – Plymouth, MN – Hilde Performance CenterThe post Ashley McBryde Kept A ChapStick Dolly Parton Gave Her For 20 Years: “Only Use It On Special Occasions” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.