Latest news with #TheNashvilleTennessean
USA Today
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Country singer Conner Smith strikes and kills pedestrian, 77, in alleged crash, police say
Country singer Conner Smith strikes and kills pedestrian, 77, in alleged crash, police say Show Caption Hide Caption Garth Brooks publicly denies recent sexual assault claims Country music star Garth Brooks has vehemently denied recent sexual assault allegations made against him by a former hairstylist and makeup artist. unbranded - Entertainment Police say country music singer Conner Smith, 24, was driving a pickup truck that struck and killed a pedestrian in Nashville. Dorothy Dobbins, 77, was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk when she was struck. Police say a preliminary investigation indicates Smith's failure to yield was a contributing factor, but he showed no signs of impairment. Country music performer Conner Smith was the driver in a fatal crash involving a pedestrian in Nashville Sunday evening, police said. Dorothy Dobbins, 77, was crossing the street at a crosswalk when she was struck. "The preliminary investigation indicates that a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, driven by Conner Smith, 24, was traveling north on 3rd Avenue North as Dobbins was crossing the roadway," the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said in a news release. Police said Dobbins appeared to be "inside a marked crosswalk when she was struck around 7:30 p.m." on June 8. Police added the crash's preliminary contributing factor "appears to be Smith failing to yield the right of way to the pedestrian." Smith "showed no signs of impairment. There are no charges at present as the investigation continues." Dobbins, "who lived nearby, was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she died," the news release said. Smith's attorney, Worrick G. Robinson, issued a statement to The Nashville Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network: "Mr. Smith was involved in a car accident that tragically claimed a life. His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins' family during this incredibly difficult time. Mr. Smith continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation." Conner Smith's music career included viral TikTok fame Nashville-born Smith is signed to Big Machine's The Valory Music Co. label. He's been affiliated with the imprint since October 2019. In late 2021, Smith released "I Hate Alabama," which became a viral TikTok favorite. He's released two EPs and a debut album, "Smoky Mountains," in January 2024. That recording contained a gold-selling top-20 radio hit, "Creek Will Rise." Smith was nominated for new male artist of the year at the 2024 ACM Awards and was slated to be a special guest on dates of Luke Bryan's 2025 Country Song Came On Tour. The fatal incident occurred on the final day of 2025's CMA Fest. There, a day prior, he'd made a 1:30 p.m. appearance on the Chevy Riverfront Stage. Days before that, he was a guest at the Folds of Honor military charity softball game at Nashville's First Horizon Park.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Christian rock band respond to former member's drug abuse, sexual assault allegations
Christian rock band respond to former member's drug abuse, sexual assault allegations Nashville-based Christian rockers Newsboys are responding to troubling news regarding their 59-year-old former lead singer, Michael Tait. In a post on the group's official Instagram account, the Australian-founded band responded to allegations of drug abuse and inappropriate sexual conduct against Tait while also distancing him from the band. "Last night, our hearts were shattered when we read the news alleging drug abuse and inappropriate sexual actions by our former lead singer, Michael Tait. While Michael has not addressed these allegations, we are devastated even by the implications," the statement read. "First and foremost, our hearts are with the victims who have bravely shared their stories. If you are a victim, we urge you to come forward. We absolutely do not condone any form of sexual assault." The quartet noted that as husbands who are fathers of 14 children in total, they were "horrified, heartbroken, and angry at this report and in many ways, we feel as if we and our families have been deceived for the last fifteen years." Tait told the band he had 'been living a double-life' In January 2025, Tait, who was the lead vocalist of the group for 15 years in their four decades of existence, offered the following in a statement: "Fifteen years ago, my life was forever changed when I received the invite to step into the role of lead singer for Newsboys. The years since have been some of the most fulfilling, faith-filled, and rewarding years of my life." "I have been on an amazing journey all over the globe, performing and ministering to people of all ages, races, and backgrounds." "The decision does not come lightly and has been a shock to even myself, but admist prayer and fasting, I have clarity that this is the right decision," the statement continued. In their June 5 statement, Tait's former bandmates, Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis and Adam Agee, noted that when he left the band, he "confessed" to them and their management that he "had been living a double-life." Through a nearly three-year-long investigation by The Roys Report, it was discovered that for two decades, Tait befriended three young men on Christian music tours in 2004, 2010, and 2014. The trio were all 22 at the time of their first interaction. Allegations of Tait, then two decades older than his accusers, engaging in acts of sexual assault and grooming highlight the lengthy investigation. Latest on Michael Tait As of June 5, Tait has not officially responded to the allegations on his social media accounts or the statement from his former bandmates. As well, there have been no further comments from the group. Upon their 2021 release of "Stand," their 20th studio album, the band spoke with The Nashville Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. It's noted that when Grammy-winner Tait, formerly of DC Talk, replaced Peter Furler as the group's new lead vocalist in 2009, the band no longer had any original members in its ranks.
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Blake Shelton makes debut AMAs performance, gives patriotic Memorial Day nod
Blake Shelton makes debut AMAs performance, gives patriotic Memorial Day nod Show Caption Hide Caption Stevie Nicks, Joni Mitchell and other celebs unite for LA fire victims Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Gwen Stefani and a swath of other celebrities united at the FireAid concerts to raise funds for LA fire victims. Blake Shelton played his new song "Stay Country or Die Tryin'" off his recently released "For Recreational Use Only" album at the May 26 American Music Awards. The 48-year-old country star wore a red, white and blue lapel pin over his navy blue striped shirt in his first-ever performance for the awards show, broadcasting live from Las Vegas. An ideal choice for Memorial Day, Shelton sings: "From the red, white and blue flying high at the farm / To the Boone and Crockett stud on the wall in the barn." He's going to stay country or "die tryin.'" Behind his band, the screens depicted a larger-than-life American flag tacked to a fence. At the end of his toe-tapping song, he pointed to his patriotic pin and nodded. American Music Awards winners list: Gacie Abrams, Kendrick Lamar, SZA and Billie Eilish take home trophies Blake Shelton's wife Gwen Stefani also performs at AMAs Shelton did not walk the purple carpet ahead of the broadcast at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, and neither did his wife, Gwen Stefani, who was also in attendance. 'The only way I feel I have a purpose': Gwen Stefani drops first new album in eight years Shelton introduced her ahead of her performance of "Swallow My Tears," "The Sweet Escape" and "Hollaback Girl." A spiral of bananas played across the auditorium displays as she spelled out the fruit. The audience standing in the pit could be seen holding up hand-hearts and clapping over their heads. 'The Road' and 'For Recreational Use Only' Shelton has a show, "The Road," debuting on CBS in the fall. He is one of the co-creators of the competition show on the quest to find the next big country star. His album "For Recreational Use Only" was released May 9, which features 12 tracks, including a duet with Stefani and country singers Craig Morgan and John Anderson. More: Taylor Swift fans failed to manifest 'Reputation' news at American Music Awards Shelton spoke to The Nashville Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, about the inspiration behind his latest work: "I'm experienced (enough now to) have ideas about my career, plus, in the back of my mind, I always have thoughts."
