Latest news with #BenefitConcert
Fox News
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
49ers star George Kittle dishes on Taylor Swift's surprise Nashville performance
NASHVILLE – Taylor Swift put on quite a show in support of boyfriend Travis Kelce and other NFL tight ends during an appearance in Nashville Tuesday night. The popular singer and songwriter stepped on stage at the Brooklyn Bowl for a good cause to perform before a sold-out crowd at the Tight Ends and Friends benefit concert, part of the Tight End University's (TEU) annual summer training camp. She performed one song after being introduced on stage by Kane Brown, and, according to one person in attendance, the crowd went wild. "She was fantastic. For the venue that, I think, it was maybe 1,000 people, that was the loudest 1,000 people I've ever heard in my entire life," San Francisco 49ers star and TEU co-founder George Kittle told Fox News Digital Wednesday. "It was an incredible experience. I think everybody had a lot of fun just watching that one live." Kittle, who co-founded TEU alongside Kelce and Carolina Panthers legend and FOX NFL broadcaster Greg Olsen, spoke highly of Swift and her willingness to take part in the evening's festivities. "Taylor could not have been kinder, more nice, and she was like, 'I think it might be fun to go sing 'Shake It Off.' And we were like, 'It'd be amazing. Twist my arm, Taylor, please.'" The concert to benefit charities chosen by the event's founder saw huge success last year, and Kittle wanted to make an even bigger splash this year. "We had a blast last year with Jelly Roll and Jon Pardi and Chase Rice. We were like, 'All right, let's try to do it up big again,'" he said. Kittle told Fox News Digital Olsen also convinced country music star Luke Combs to "come and watch." But he said Olsen and his wife, Claire Kittle, managed to leverage a possible appearance by Swift to get Combs on stage. "Me, Greg and my wife kind of bullied Luke into performing, like, 'Oh, come on man. Taylor Swift said she might perform. You're going to not perform?' And so he went out and did a song with Jordan Davis, which was awesome." The charity event raised $800,000 two years ago and $900,000 last year, The Tennessean reported. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Donald Trump Commutes Life Sentence of Former Chicago Gang Leader Larry Hoover
President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of Larry Hoover, as the former Chicago gang leader was set to spend the rest of his years behind bars in Colorado. Trump has dished out quite a few pardons in recent weeks while in the Oval Office, and he commuted the multiple life sentences of the Gangster Disciples' founder on Wednesday (May 28), according to the Chicago Sun–Times. More from Billboard Kanye West Puts On Masterclass With Drake's Help For Larry Hoover Benefit Concert Reneé Rapp Says Her Name Was Designed for Pop Stardom John Butler Returns With New Solo Album 'PRISM' However, CBS News reports that the 74-year-old will still have to serve the remainder of his 200-year sentence for the murder of drug dealer William 'Pooky' Young in 1973. Federal prosecutors accused the drug kingpin of running a 'criminal enterprise' from behind bars, which helped him still oversee gang activities while imprisoned. Hoover was hit with 40 additional charges and found guilty in 1997. Ye (formerly Kanye West), who is a Chicago native, has long advocated for Hoover's freedom. He spoke about Hoover during a White House visit with Trump in 2018 and then headlined the Free Larry Hoover Benefit Concert with Drake in December 2021 at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. West was overjoyed to learn that Trump commuted Hoover's sentences. 'WORDS CAN'T EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR OUR DEVOTED ENDURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR FREEING LARRY HOOVER,' he wrote to X on Wednesday. Ye even showed love to Drake for joining him onstage in 2021. 'Thank you to Drake for helping to bring Larry Hoover home,' Yeezy added. West gave Larry Hoover's son, Larry Hoover Jr., a guest appearance on his 2021 Donda album and shouted out Hoover on 'Jesus Lord' as well as Vultures 2's 'River.' Hoover Jr. also joined Ye during his Drink Champs interview in 2021. Hoover has continued to petition for a criminal sentence, and U.S. District Judge John Blakey heard a mercy bid from the former gang leader in 2024. 'We did what so many said was impossible,' Hoover's attorney, Justin Moore, told the Sun-Times. 'We got Larry Hoover out of federal prison.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
