The European Commission said on Friday that it has preliminarily found that both companies are not complying with rules of the Digital Services Act (DSA) that mandate them to give researchers adequate access to public data.

The FBI arrested more than two dozen people in a multifaceted gambling operation that included current and former NBAers and the old-school Mafia.

Amen to that. Today, Megan Moroney released her already fan-favorite song “Beautiful Things,” which she wrote with Connie Harrington, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Jessi Alexander. It’s an incredibly raw and personal song that showcases Moroney’s natural knack for storytelling, giving fans a very honest look into how hard the world can be on “beautiful things,” and that it very often has nothing to do with them. I think it’s something any woman can relate to, especially in terms of experiences from growing up, and nothing stings quite like the first time you realize you weren’t invited to something all of your friends were, for example. Megan previously explained that it broke her heart in some way looking at this perfect little baby in her niece when she was born and knowing that, inevitably, the world would be cruel to her and she would lose that sweet innocent the first time she doesn’t get invited to a party with all of her friends, or has her heart broken by a boy for the first time. Megan explained that while it is for her niece, in many ways, the song is for her and a reminder that “we’re all going through something”: “Would y’all be mad if I played an unreleased song? I’ve never played this one in a show before, so y’all are the very first large group of people to hear it. It’s a song that I wrote for my niece, actually. And when she was born, I remember just looking at her and being like, ‘She’s so perfect, and I just never want anything sad to happen to her.’ Or, you know, inevitably, one day she’s gonna get older and maybe someone won’t invite her to a party, and inevitably she’s gonna get her heart broken one day. And I literally, in ‘crazy auntie mode,’ was like, I’ve gotta write her a song so that she never has a bad day, so that she can always listen to this song. And what’s really interesting is that in an interview last week, somebody asked me if I’ve ever written a song to myself. And I had to think about it, and I decided that out of all of my discography, I think if I had to pick a song that I would write to myself, this would also be it. Because I was the girl that, you know, in middle school, I didn’t get invited to the party. And when I got a little bit older, I couldn’t make the guy love me and stay with me. And I just wish I had a song that said exactly this, and so, I think that’s part of the reason why I wrote it for my niece. And I think this song is just a great reminder that we’re all going through something, so just be nice to each other.” The lyrics deliver a poignant message about how even “words can make a mockingbird forget they’re born to sing,” and you can tell all of this comes from very personal lived experiences: “You’re standing at your bathroom mirror Cryin’ ‘What did I do?’ tears Your friends are out and you’re right here There’s a party, you didn’t know You just found out from your phone Did they not want you to go? Oh yeah, you feel that twisting knife Oh, I know it ain’t right Fires burn up canyons A hurricane can wreck a beach Words can make a mockingbird forget they’re born to sing Lies can break a fragile heart And doubt can crush your dreams But honey, just take it from me The world is hard on beautiful things.” While I think this song should be an anthem for young girls everywhere, it’s really a song for everyone, and the evidence is in the fact that so many of her fans of all ages are relating to the song and it’s gotten a big response on social media. Every little girl deservers to hear the message she put so eloquently here, and I think in terms of lyrical content and messaging, it’s one of her best songs. There’s so much truth in “Beautiful Things,” and even though it kind of sucks because no one ever wants to feel left out, especially when you’re young, it’s the honesty in music like this that can really reach people and connect with them in a way no other words really can. It’s the first time I’ve really heard a country song  like this before, and I have no doubt it will be a hit. If you have any little girls in your life, make sure you add this one to the playlist ASAP. It’s just stunning: “Beautiful Things” The post Megan Moroney Assures Young Girls Everywhere That The World Is Hard On “Beautiful Things” In Heartfelt New Single first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Kid Rock christening the new White House ballroom? I wouldn’t be surprised… I’m sure many of you have heard about President Trump’s new White House ballroom project, which is currently underway where The East Wing sits, and many in the media are not happy about it. The administration has confirmed multiple times that this project is not being funded by any taxpayer dollars, but rather multiple private companies have made large donations for the over $300 million project. CNN confirmed companies like Apple, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Google, Coinbase, Comcast and Meta have all made donations contributing to the project, and last night during an appearance on Jesse Watters Primetime, Kid Rock discussed the ballroom and hinted he might be the first artist to perform in the ballroom once it’s completed. Kid Rock is a longtime supporter of President Trump, and Watters told him he’d heard from sources that he was in the works to be the first to do it, and Kid Rock responded with a very Kid Rock answer, saying he hopes that is the case: “I hope so. Ball ’til you fall, that’s what I say.” He went onto explain that he doesn’t agree with the backlash from the left wing media about it, because they’re not using taxpayers money for it and he believes the majority of people agree with it, since the President was elected by a majority of Americans: “I’ve heard all the talking points, like you have, from the left wing, especially the media. ‘This is the people’s house.’ That is correct, that is the people’s house. And guess what, we the people elected this man overwhelmingly to be in that house. He’s gonna build a big beautiful addition, it’s not gonna take any of the taxpayers money to do it, and thank God, if he’s gonna sidestep a few regulations, which I don’t know that to be a fact, but I wouldn’t be mad at him. I’ve built some things… and I can only imagine the regulations if he tried to do it all exactly by the book. All he has to do it say, ‘We’re gonna put in a gender neutral bathroom and they’ll be like ‘Oh, we love your ballroom idea.'” The most Kid Rock segment of al time… and considering he’s close friends with the President, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him take the stage first once the ballroom opens, though an official completion deadline or date has not been announced. Did Trump invite KID ROCK to be the FIRST to play at the Big Beautiful Ballroom? @KidRock says he’s about to “BALL OUT” pic.twitter.com/q1j3usldnb — Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) October 24, 2025 The post Kid Rock Says He Hopes To Be First Performer At New White House Ballroom: “Ball ‘Til You Fall… This Is The People’s House” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Benjamin Tod has never been one to shy away from his mistakes. Whether you are listening to his solo work or the spectacular music he has released as the frontman of Lost Dog Street Band, it doesn’t take long when traversing through Tod’s catalog to realize that he has been through some serious things in his life. Constantly in and out of trouble as a child and teenager, the Tennessee native traded his adolescence for life on street corners and in boxcars, drifting across the United States and living hard in the process. While he always had music as an outlet, Tod’s vagrant lifestyle led to years of substance abuse in which he often found himself surrounded by violence and betrayal. It is clear in his music that these experiences took a toll on him, both physically and mentally, as they would on anybody. And this lifestyle formed a perception of right and wrong that likely differs from that of a person living comfortably within the typical boundaries of society. It is also clear in Tod’s music, though, that as a result of the clearer mind that comes with sobriety, his perception of right and wrong has evolved, or perhaps more importantly, his ability to act accordingly. And as a result, he lives with a lot of regret and trauma from his early years, leaving him with a lot of thoughts and memories that are difficult to reconcile. This notion brings us to his latest release, “My Pride.” Prolific in his musical output, Tod has been on an absolute heater of releases between his solo work and with his Lost Dog Street Band. With a sound that often ranges from stripped-back singer-songwriter to fiddle and steel-soaked country music, and with introspective lyricism that tackles concepts not for the faint of heart, Tod’s music is as outlaw country as it gets, and his brand new single is no exception. In “My Pride,” Tod vaguely reflects on actions related to his relationship with his wife that still haunt him to this day, and he does so in typical fashion, with powerful vocals and succinctly descriptive lyricism. Benjamin provided some painstakingly honest commentary that sets the scene for “My Pride” and the feeling of regret that it embodies: “I’ve read many times more recently young folks say, ‘I don’t have any regrets.’ All I can make of that is they are unaware of their impact. If you don’t have any regrets, you either have no genuine empathy or you’re not taking many risks… This song is about one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made as a husband. It’s one of those moments you never quite swallow, like an argument before someone’s death or leaving a scar on someone you love.” With that said, give Benjamin Tod’s latest single “My Pride” a listen for yourself. In case this dose of hard-hitting introspection didn’t quite give you your fix, there is plenty more of where that came form in Tod’s catalog. In fact, this type of song content and writing style is in a lot of ways what he built his fan base upon. Here are a couple of his hits that fit right in with his latest work. “September Doves” “Using Again” And in case you missed, Tod teamed up with Matt Heckler earlier this month for a couple of additional singles and rare co-writes for both artists. Check those out here: “Cry You a River” “Kentucky Coal” The post Benjamin Tod Grapples With Regret In Introspective New Single, “My Pride” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Charley Crockett on Austin City Limits just makes sense. Ever since Willie Nelson helped launch the program all the way back in 1974, ACL has been an integral piece of country music and its history. In case you didn’t know, Nelson’s presence on the pilot episode of Austin City Limits helped make Austin, Texas as much of a country music destination as Nashville, Tennessee. It’s tough to say whether ACL – now the longest running music series in television history – should be credited with Willie’s success or vice versa, but Nelson and his outlaw-ness and ACL will always be intertwined. Speaking of outlaw… that theming with Austin City Limits continued when Charley Crockett returned to the ACL stage and graced the Texas-based program with his presence. The Texas native has always done things his own way, mixing the stylings of country and blues to craft his very signature and personal sound. And might I add that the man stays busy? Since 2015, Crockett has released over 15 albums, with his most recent projects being $10 Cowboy, $10 Cowboy Chapter II – Visions of Dallas and his 2025 releases Lonesome Drifter and Dollar A Day. Both of his 2025 releases have been riddled with hits, in my personal opinion. There aren’t many like Charley Crockett in the music industry. He’s faced some criticism amidst his recent feuds with other country stars like Morgan Wallen and Gavin Adcock, but I don’t think Crockett has picked any of those fights in bad taste. Seems like he’s just sticking up for music, which makes sense considering that’s all he’s focused on (good, quality songs) ever since he dropped his debut album back in 2015. Charley went with his 2024 hit “Good At Losing” for part of his show, which you can view in the video below. He and the Blue Drifters tore through the song from his $10 Cowboy record, and showcased Crockett’s signature Gulf country style. ACL executive producer Terry Lickona had this to say to Whiskey Riff about Charley (and the artist named Waxahatchee, who is also featured in the hour and made her ACL debut): “You can try to put a label on either Charley Crockett or Waxahatchee’s music, but the one thing they have in common is that they are both outliers. Charley is anything but straight-ahead country music… it’s Charley Crockett music, which is a wild mix of everything.” That’s a good way of putting it. Check out this impressive portion of Crockett’s Austin City Limits performance: “Good At Losing – Live From Austin City Limits” If you liked that, just wait until the entire show airs. You’ll want to tune in on Saturday, October 25 at 7pm CT/8pm ET to catch the rest of Charley’s performance. ACL airs weekly on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings) with full episodes available to stream at pbs.org/austincitylimits and on the PBS App immediately following the initial broadcast. Here’s Charley’s setlist for the show in case you plan on tuning in: “One Trick Pony” “Good At Losing” “Tom Turkey” “Killers of the Flower Moon” “Jamestown Ferry” “$10 Cowboy” “Lonesome Drifter”The post Charley Crockett Returns To ‘Austin City Limits’ & Fires Up “Good At Losing” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Honoring her friend. On September 18th, the country music world tragically lost a great singer and songwriter when Brett James, his wife, and stepdaughter were very tragically killed in a plane crash in North Carolina. According to authorities in Macon County, NC, the Cirrus SR22T with tail number N218VB took off from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville shortly after noon on Thursday before crashing near Iotla Valley Elementary School in Franklin, North Carolina. Thankfully, all students and staff at the elementary school were safe, but all three passengers on the plane were killed in the crash. The aircraft was registered to James, whose full name was Brett James Cornelius. Brett James got his start in the music industry after he decided to drop out of medical school at the University of Oklahoma after the release of his self-titled debut record in 1995. Two singles from the project charted, “Chasing Amy” and “After All,” which later led him to sign a record deal with Arista Nashville in the 2000s. However, James never released another record as a solo artist. Later in his career, he would go on to release a few singles, finding that his talent was as a songwriter more than a solo artist. After his music career failed to take off, James signed a songwriting deal, but decided to return to medical school. James continued writing songs while attending medical school to fulfill his contract. From there, he found himself having success at his side gig, scoring 33 songs recorded by major artists, so he decided to focus on songwriting once and for all. During his career, James penned 27 #1 hits including songs like “Jesus, Take The Wheel” for Carrie Underwood, “When The Sun Goes Down” and “Out Last Night” by Kenny Chesney, “The Truth” by Jason Aldean, “The Man I Want To Be” by Chris Young, and “Somethin’ Bad” by Miranda Lambert. But that’s just the start, James wrote tunes for artists like Tim McGraw, Wynonna, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dierks Bentley, Lorrie Morgan, and artists outside of the country realm like Bon Jovi and the Backstreet Boys. Obviously, one of his biggest songs was with Carrie Underwood is “Jesus Take The Wheel,” and they were close friends. He was also part of her hits like “Something in the Water,” “Cowboy Casanova,” “Love Wins,” “Church Bells” and more. She was completely devastated by his passing, previously sharing a lengthy post on Instagram, saying his loss was “too great to put into words.” She also talked about his faith, and how they sang together at church, noting just how genuine and pure he was: “Brett was the epitome of ‘cool.’ I see him in my mind riding up to my cabins to write on his motorcycle…his hair somehow perfectly coiffed despite being under a helmet for however long. I always loved hearing him sing “Cowboy Casanova” because a sassy girl anthem should’ve sounded ridiculous coming from a macho dude like him, but somehow, he even made that cool… Brett loved the Lord. Which is the only comfort we can hold on to now. We even had the pleasure of singing together at church. My favorite songs to sing of ours are the ones that he or we wrote about Jesus because the thoughts and feelings behind them are so genuine and pure. I won’t ever sing one note of them again without thinking of him. Brett’s passing is leaving a hole in all of us that I fear won’t ever go away. It will forever be a reminder that this life is but a moment…we have to make the most of each day we’re given here on earth. Each day is a gift. I’m asking all of you to pray for his family, friends and all of us that were blessed enough to know Brett. Love you, man. I’ll see you again someday.” You can read the full post here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) And this week, she is dedicating her Countdown, on her Sirius XM channel Carrie’s Country, to honoring the life, legacy, and music of Brett. She shared a portion of the audio from her introductory segment this week explaining her decision, where you could hear her getting very emotional as she talked about her friend. Carrie admitted she had “cried [her] way through it,” but felt called to celebrate his life in this way. Carrie also discussed how strange it would be not to write with him anymore, but she will continue to keep his spirit alive in her music going forward: “I chose to make this countdown about remembering Brett James, because I feel like it is healing. It is celebratory… it’s just fitting. You know, he’s gonna be missed so much by anybody that knew him. It’s gonna be weird writing and not having him on the schedule. But hopefully, we can take everything that we have learned from Brett with us and continue to write amazing songs, maybe inspired by him. But I hope you all enjoy the countdown. Sorry I cried my way through it. But you just can’t lose somebody like that without a few tears.” Aside from helping write some of her biggest, career-changing hits, it’s clear how much Brett meant to Carrie as a friend, and this is a beautiful way to honor his legacy. You can listen below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) “Jesus, Take The Wheel” “Cowboy Casanova” The post Carrie Underwood Gets Emotional Talking About Her Late Friend Brett James: “You Can’t Lose Somebody Like That Without A Few Tears” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.