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Ashley McBryde Makes Space For Sobriety and Storytelling On Broadway With Redemption Bar

Ashley McBryde is bringing her journey with sobriety to Broadway through Redemption Bar, a bold, one-of-a-kind venue inspired by her personal path to healing. The space is designed to be a supportive, judgment-free zone that celebrates honest storytelling, meaningful connection, and the real stories brought to life in the heart of Nashville.

Starting on August 28th, Redemption Bar will open its doors on the fifth floor of Eric Church’s six-story flagship venue, Chief’s. This establishment has partnered with McBryde to unveil the unique concert venue.

Ashley McBryde; Redemption Bar
Ashley McBryde; Redemption Bar

The bar will offer something different than anywhere else on lower Broadway with its zero-proof cocktail menu that features delicious drinks that each tell their own story as they were inspired by lyrics helped McBryde through her darkest days. While traditional drinks are still available, the spotlight is on the creative, inclusive options that don’t require alcohol to feel celebratory.

“When the opportunity to make my mark on Broadway came, I knew I wanted to create a space that champions what’s made a difference in my life; a space that lifts up the brushed aside, and makes sure everyone feels welcome,” McBryde says.

Back in June, the “Ain’t Enough Cowboy Songs” singer celebrated another milestone in her sobriety journey as she marked three years without alcohol. Now, she’s making sure anyone on a similar journey can enjoy thoughtfully crafted non-alcoholic drinks the same as anyone else would while socializing at a traditional bar.

“As someone who is three years sober, the typical response to ‘do you have anything Non-Alcoholic?’ is either ‘why did you come to a bar if you aren’t gonna drink?’ or ‘you can have soda water and a lime I guess.’ Some of my favorite places to socialize became wildly unaccommodating when the only thing that changed was what was in my cup,” McBryde shared with Rolling Stone. “It was vital that I create a space where notdrinking is the forethought – normalized. You can get alcohol drinks in Redemption too, because everyone is welcome.”

Along with the delicious drink menu, fans can also experience the bar’s stage, which is expected to offer a platform for emerging acts to showcase their passion for storytelling through their original songs.

“Songwriters are the backbone of this community,” she continues, “and it’s important to me to create a place for all the tourists on lower Broadway to experience original music from some of the people who are keeping dreams alive in this town.”

Ashley McBryde; Photo by Katie Kauss
Ashley McBryde; Photo by Katie Kauss

The idea to open the bar inside Chief’s also stems from the friendship that has developed between McBryde and Church. These two artists are both known for forging their own paths through honesty, grit, and a fearless commitment to doing things differently, making it the perfect place to combine their one-of-a-kind creativity where others will hopefully feel inspired to do the same.

“Redemption is a great place to start a conversation,” McBryde beams. “A spot with incredible drinks of all kinds that are as well crafted and thought out as the songs you’re hearing from the vagabonds, drifters, and dreamers that make this music city, Music City.”

Redemption Bar offers a fresh take on the Broadway experience with its inclusive menu and direct focus on the music. Customers can get the first taste of the new bar and venue when it opens its doors on August 28.

The post Ashley McBryde Makes Space For Sobriety and Storytelling On Broadway With Redemption Bar appeared first on Country Now.

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Music

Country Icon Jeannie Seely, Beloved Opry Star, Passes Away at 85

Country music icon and Grand Ole Opry legend Jeannie Seely has passed away. She was 85 years old. 

According to a press release, Seely died today, August 1, 2025 at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. Her death was due to complications from an intestinal infection. 

Jeannie Seely; Photo by Cyndi Hornsby
Jeannie Seely; Photo by Cyndi Hornsby

Seely has been facing medical issues since last fall when she was hospitalized following a visit to her hometown in Pennsylvania for a celebration honoring her career achievements. At this time, “Miss Country Soul” was admitted for acute diverticulitis and dehydration. Additionally, she underwent several back surgeries this spring to repair damaged vertebrae, along with two emergency abdominal operations.

Seely’s medical challenges intensified in December 2024 following the death of her husband of 14 years, Eugene W. Ward.  

Jeannie Seely, Eugene W. Ward; Photo Provided
Jeannie Seely, Eugene W. Ward; Photo Provided

She was a Grand Ole Opry staple. By the time of her final Opry performance on February 22, Seely had taken the stage 5,397 times, more than any other artist in the Opry’s century-long history.  Seely was recognized as the longest-performing female artist still actively working in country music at the time of her passing.

Seely made her final public appearance on March 1, 2025, at the grand reopening of the Legends of Country Music Museum in Nashville’s Music Valley. Her likeness is featured on the building’s exterior, and she is celebrated inside with a refreshed exhibit in her honor.

Remembering Jeannie Seely

Born July 6, 1940 in Titusville, Penn., Seely was raised a farm girl and enjoyed listening to the Grand Ole Opry on her family’s large Philco console radio. She began to sing by age 11 and started to perform on local television at 16. She kept busy in high school, serving as a cheerleader, majorette, and honor student.

When she was 21, she packed her bags and headed West to Los Angeles where she landed a position at a record label and began to write songs. She appeared alongside the then-unknown Glen Campbell on the Hollywood Jamboree TV series. 

Thanks to her songwriting, she landed a record deal and began to tour the West Coast. 

Jeannie Seely; Photo by Chris Hollo, Grand Ole Opry
Jeannie Seely; Photo by Chris Hollo, Grand Ole Opry

In 1964, Seely was honored as the “Most Promising Female Artist” by the Country and Western Academy, which would later become the Academy of Country Music. The following year, inspired by encouragement from her friend Dottie West, who had recorded one of her songs, Seely made the move to Nashville and signed with Monument Records. Seely continued to make her mark on Billboard’s country singles chart for 13 straight years.

She became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1967 and famously became the first person to wear a mini skirt on the Opry stage. 

A multi-talented artist and entertainer, Seely appeared in several stage productions, was a radio host, and even published her own book, Pieces Of A Puzzled Mind

Jeannie Seely was a member of the Music City Walk of Fame, and recently received CMA’s prestigious Joe Talbot Award on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

“How wonderful to be honored for doing what you love to do and love to share with others. My surprise was obvious since I am rarely at a loss for words, but this caught me totally speechless,” Seely shared following the surprise presentation. “While Country music will always, and must always evolve, we must always remember the Grand Ole Opry is the cornerstone our industry was built on with music that represented the people. I sincerely appreciate CMA and the folks who recognized how much I care, and I’m proud to be in such great company. Thank you.”

Throughout her career, Seely racked up countless accolades, including her achievement as the third female country artist to win a GRAMMY.

The post Country Icon Jeannie Seely, Beloved Opry Star, Passes Away at 85 appeared first on Country Now.

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Hip Hop

Rah Ali Fires Back At Cardi B’s Version of Airport Confrontation: “That Did Not Happen”

Rah Ali challenged Cardi B over claims the rapper hurled a speaker at her during a heated run-in at Cannes airport, calling the story false and saying there’s no way she wouldn’t have responded with force if it had happened.

She took to social media to respond after Cardi B shared her side of the story.

“I will always be ready to protect myself at all cost,” Ali posted Friday morning (August 1). “However at this stage in my life I’m not interested in making poor choices. Anything and everything I execute is thoroughly calculated.”

She added, “With that being said, had anyone in this whole world hit ME in my head with a speaker, you in fact would be viewing footage of me in handcuffs. I promise to God that did not happen.”

Ali continued, taking a shot at Cardi. “If it makes her feel better, I encourage you all to support that version. Mentally I can handle it,” she said. “I don’t mind. I will NOT be on this app acting a fool.”

The back-and-forth stems from a tense encounter between the two women inside a private lounge at the Cannes airport, their first face-to-face since the 2018 Harper’s Bazaar Icons party clash tied to Nicki Minaj. That earlier incident ended with Cardi leaving the event with a knot on her forehead after a scuffle broke out.

Cardi B Insists She Struck Rah Ali With A Speaker

During a conversation on X Spaces late Wednesday night (July 31), Cardi B gave her version of the recent airport incident, saying she approached Ali to confront her over the past. “If you thought I was going to let that s### fly, you out of your f###### mind,” Cardi said.

She admitted she initiated the confrontation, saying, “I can’t live and die knowing that somebody did put they hands on me and I never did nothing back.” Cardi claimed Ali stared her down in the lounge, prompting her to throw a JBL speaker at her head.

According to Cardi, her security stepped in before the situation escalated, and airport police arrived shortly after to defuse the scene.

Ali, however, painted a different picture in a separate interview. She said Cardi stormed up to her, yelling, “You got me f##### up,” and began tossing shoes and bags before airport staff intervened. Ali said she stayed composed but was ready to defend herself if needed.

“She went about her business,” Ali said, insisting she wasn’t the aggressor either now or in 2018.

 

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Rick Ross Taunts 50 Cent Over “Horrendous” Contract & Ex’s Alleged Ties To Diddy

Rick Ross fired off another jab in his long-standing feud with 50 Cent this week by publicly mocking the rapper’s early music contract and dragging his ex-partner into the crossfire.

In a video posted to Instagram Thursday (July 30), Ross questioned why 50 never renegotiated his deal with Interscope/Aftermath, even after his debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ went diamond.

“I got a question,” he began. “50 Cent, after your first album went diamond, no one around you thought it would be a good idea to renegotiate that horrendous contract you was in for ownership of your master’s after that first album? The second album? Third album? The fourth album?”

Ross didn’t stop there. He continued, comparing 50’s alleged bad business decisions to his ex Daphne Joy and her rumored involvement with Diddy. He asked viewers to consider “who got f##### worse”—50 Cent for staying in what Ross called a “horrendous contract” or Daphne Joy for her alleged role in Diddy’s “freak offs” in Miami.

Though Ross never mentioned Daphne Joy by name, he made pointed references to past online jabs involving 50 Cent’s son and the swirling allegations around Diddy’s private parties.

Rick Ross Drags 50 Cent’s Son Into Rivalry

The implication was clear, and the message was aimed straight at 50’s personal life.

Earlier this week, Ross took another swipe, this time targeting 50 Cent and Daphne Joy’s 12-year-old son Sire. “I’m a buy him a puppy,” Ross said in the video. He added that a small dog might help the child deal with what he called future “trauma.”

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Shannon Sharpe Shenanigans Destroyed Woman’s Rep According To $20M Lawsuit

Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson are getting dragged into court by a youth leader and exec at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, who says they blasted her with lies on their Nightcap podcast.

Jimalita Tillman is suing the pair for $20 million, claiming they trashed her name, made up a whole fake marriage and ruined her rep after a clip of her interacting with Usher at his Vegas show made the rounds online.

Back on April 2, Tillman says she got pulled up for a lighthearted fan moment during Usher’s residency concert.

In court docs, she said, “I participated in a fan engagement moment at a Usher Raymond concert where I interacted with the artist as a selected audience member.”

The video blew up online because of how flirty it looked, but what happened next is what’s got her lawyering up. According to Tillman, Sharpe and Johnson went on their show Nightcap and told their viewers she was a married woman and that her “husband” was so heated he was filing divorce papers.

She shut that down in her legal filing: “Following this event, the defendants made and disseminated false and defamatory statements suggesting that I was married and that my husband was filing for divorce… I am not married, nor am I currently going through a divorce.”

Tillman said their lies spread fast. The fallout, she says, has been rough. She claims it’s messed with her job, her image, and her personal life.

Even worse, Tillman says she tried reaching out to get the record fixed, but no one from the show responded.

“These requests were disregarded,” she said. “The ongoing misinformation has resulted in emotional distress and adversely affected her personal and professional relationships,” according to The U.S. Sun.

This lawsuit’s one more problem Shannon Sharpe doesn’t need right now. He already had to cut a fat settlement check over a sexual assault lawsuit earlier this year.

That case was dismissed after a confidential settlement — rumored to be between $23 million and $50 million. No charges were filed, but Sharpe always said it was bogus and called it “extortion.”

To make matters worse, earlier this week, ESPN gave him the boot.

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Safaree Called “Poster Boy For Deadbeat Dads” By Erica Mena Over Chris Brown Concert Antics

Erica Mena tore into Safaree Samuels after he posted videos from a Chris Brown concert in Miami, calling him the “poster boy” for “deadbeat” dads and accusing him of lying in court to avoid paying child support.

While Safaree shared clips of himself singing along in VIP at Chris Brown’s “Breezy Bowl XX” tour opener earlier this week, Erica was thousands of miles away in Greece, watching from afar—and not impressed.

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A post shared by Safaree 🇯🇲 StuntMan (@safaree)

She unloaded on her Instagram Story, blasting her ex-husband for what she described as performative emotion and parental neglect.

“The world’s poster boy deadbeat at the Chris Brown concert shedding fake tears for yet another man,” she wrote. “Clown, ain’t you in court right now lying under oath about being broke just so you don’t have to lift a finger or a dollar for kids you don’t even see. Even your mother should be ashamed.”

The former Love & Hip Hop star didn’t stop there. She called his behavior “embarrassing” and reminded him that their children need more than social media theatrics. In a follow-up post, she extended her message to other women dealing with absentee fathers.

“To every woman who has reached out to me Thank you. I see you,” she wrote. “Your messages have all touched me. The fact that so many of us are dealing with these so-called fathers who scream ‘broke’ in court is sick. They’d rather flaunt this fake lifestyle over actually providing for their own kids. Flaunting luxury and a fake lifestyle online like it’s a performance.”

She continued, “And let’s not ignore the weak circle of ‘men’ and the women in family who proudly stand with these weak Dead beats who they know don’t even really spend time with their kids let alone provide says so much. It’s disgusting.”

Instagram/Erica Mena

Safaree has not publicly addressed Erica’s pointed remarks but did post a cryptic caption on Instagram that read, “Ya couldn’t pay me to be miserable.”

The two reality TV personalities tied the knot in 2019, welcomed two children together, and finalized their divorce in 2022.

Since then, they’ve been locked in a contentious legal battle over custody and financial support. 

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Blonde Beyoncé Dragged Into Sydney Sweeney “Racist” Genes Controversy”

Beyoncé and Sydney Sweeney somehow ended up in the same convo this week after Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign got bashed online for being racially tone-deaf—and a pic of Queen Bey’s Levi’s ad got dragged into the mess.

The chaos started when Sydney Sweeney starred in a new American Eagle promo with a brash pun: “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.”

In the ad, Sweeney says, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue.”

The camera zooms in on her icy blue eyes and denim fit and that’s when the internet lost it. Folks on social media, including Doja Cat, slammed the campaign, calling it creepy and saying it pushed eugenics-era vibes.

Critics said the whole “great genes” thing, paired with Sweeney’s white, blonde, blue-eyed look, felt like a nod to white superiority. Some even called it “Nazi propaganda.”

Now, conservative voices jumped in. Senator Ted Cruz and Fox News contributor Nicole Saphier tried to flip the outrage.

Cruz defended the ad by calling Sweeney “beautiful” and trashed the “left” for pushing woke ideology.

“Wow. Now the crazy Left has come out against beautiful women. I’m sure that will poll well,” Ted Cruz wrote on X.

Saphier posted a still from Beyoncé‘s Levi’s “REIIMAGINE” campaign and wrote, “Just going to leave this pic from Beyoncé Levi’s campaign right here for those saying Sydney Sweeney with her blond hair/denim/sultry look is racist.”

That post lit up timelines with people debating whether Beyoncé’s denim campaign was even comparable. Bey’s Levi’s project is a 2025 reboot of old-school Levi’s ads, including “Launderette,” “Pool Hall” and “Refrigerator.”

It’s a full-on aesthetic tribute to vintage denim culture, not a science lesson about DNA.

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Cam Newton Roasts Gillie Da Kid on His Birthday—But It’s All Eagles Love

Cam Newton picked the perfect time to roast Gillie Da Kid—his birthday. On Thursday (July 31), the former NFL MVP showed up to the “party” with a blowtorch.

Gillie, a true Philly boy to the core, had something to say last week when Cam Newton made what some would call “constructive criticism” (others would say shade) about Jalen Hurts, the current QB1 of the Philadelphia Eagles and a champion. Hurts did bring a ring back to Philly and Cam… well… didn’t.

Now, if you know Gillie, you know he bleeds green. Disrespect Jalen Hurts? Not on Gillie’s time. You might as well be talking about Wallo. So Gillie snapped. “Jalen did what Cam couldn’t do,” he barked. That Super Blow sore spot was crazy low.

The original vid came out the day before the IG vid, which was on his birthday.

But Cam Newton wasn’t just gonna eat that slice of humble pie. Oh no. He clapped back with a vengeance. He did not even mention Hurts. Cam sidestepped all that and went straight for the man himself. “I can beat you at anything.” YIKES. Football, life, chess, checkers, hopscotch, podcast ratings, arm wrestling … anything. Well, he cannot rap better than Gillie. I know that for sure!

But, roast was surgical. Cam did not even raise his voice. The tone was somewhere between locker room jabs and cold-blooded shade. Gillie’s initial rant had energy, but Cam’s rebuttal had strategy. And it hurt more coming from a dude who’s actually taken NFL snaps and danced in the end zone.

But, it did not stop the celebration.

Gillie turned 49 in style. He was joined by Wallo, exchanging gifts and stacks of cash. They like two uncles at a block party! Oh, and Big Dom, the legendary Eagles security guard brought Gillie the actual Eagles championship trophy to hold. That’s fan royalty. Gillie even sported his custom Eagles ring.

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A post shared by MILLION $ WORTH OF GAME (@mworthofgame)

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A post shared by KING GILLIE (@gilliedaking)

This back-and-forth? Pure entertainment. Nobody’s catching a case. But if you were keeping score, Cam landed a sneaky W with that birthday burn. Still, both these men are solidified winners in their lanes—Gillie in the content world and Cam in the football annals.

But the next time Cam’s in Philly? He might wanna wear neutral colors.

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EXCLUSIVE: Tory Lanez Clowned Megan Thee Stallion’s Lawyer From Prison Now He’s Gotta Pay Up

Tory Lanez acted crazy during a court-ordered Zoom deposition from behind bars and now a judge says he owes Megan Thee Stallion money for wasting everyone’s time.

A Florida federal judge smacked Lanez with a bill for Megan’s legal fees after he gave the most outrageous deposition tied to her defamation case against Milagro Gramz.

The court ruled he has to cough up the attorney costs from the first round of questioning, where he reportedly mocked her lawyer and acted like the whole thing was a joke.

The deposition was supposed to go down smoothly on April 9. Instead, Tory Lanez acted like it was open mic night at Tehachapi prison. He interrupted questions, threw insults, and even clowned Megan’s lawyer’s hair by begging her to comb it.

The original deposition barely lasted an hour before it got shut down due to Lanez’s antics.

Megan’s legal team filed a motion back in April asking why Lanez shouldn’t be held in contempt for derailing the deposition. The judge gave him until April 30 to respond. He didn’t. He didn’t even ask for more time.

Now, the court ruled Tory Lanez has to pay up for the legal fees Megan racked up trying to get answers out of him. And next time, his deposition will be supervised by a magistrate judge to make sure he doesn’t treat it like a roast session.

Megan’s team is also pushing for the court to assign a special master, on Tory Lanez’s dime, to oversee future testimony.

All of this drama is part of Megan’s case against YouTuber Milagro Gramz, who she claims spread lies about her mental health, substance use and integrity—allegedly with some help from Lanez and his dad.

Last month, Megan Thee Stallion also scored a victory against Milagro Gramz. The blogger was also ordered to pay the rapper’s legal fees to the tune of $5,000 for stalling on getting Meg’s team access to her social media accounts for a forensic analysis.

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Donald Trump May Plunge World Into Nuclear War After Exchange With Former Russian President

Donald Trump threw some serious weight around after Dmitry Medvedev ran his mouth with some wild threats that the U.S. President didn’t take lightly.

The ex-Russian prez, now the deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, clapped back at Trump’s warning to end the Ukraine war in 10 days or face tariffs.

Medvedev dismissed it as a “game” and said Trump’s pressure moves were “a step toward war.” Not just with Ukraine—he called out the U.S. directly.

Trump wasn’t feeling the war rhetoric and dropped a bomb —figuratively— by revealing he was ordering two U.S. nuclear subs to move into “appropriate regions” on August 1, 2025.

President Trump jumped on Truth Social and fired off: “Just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that… words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences.”

He also told Medvedev to “watch his words” and called him a “failed former President of Russia who thinks he’s still president.” Trump added that Medvedev was walking into “very dangerous territory.”

Medvedev didn’t exactly back down. He reminded everyone that Russia still has its Soviet-era “Dead Hand” system—a nuclear retaliation setup that launches even if the top brass gets wiped out.

The whole thing’s been playing out like a global beef on social media, which is crazy considering they’re both tied to countries with massive nuclear arsenals.

Right now, no one knows if those subs Trump moved are actually loaded with nukes or just running on nuclear power. And there’s been zero info on where exactly they went.

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