Brandon Lewis
December 23, 2025
Thursday 25th December 2025
Welcome to The List,
Yesterday, the “CMT Music Awards” introduced a new “socially-voted category.” Before I tell you what it is, you should know that you can only vote by swiping up on CMT’s Instagram Story through this Saturday. It’s called the Trending Comeback Song of the Year, and it “honors iconic stars and their hits that stood the test of time but also recently found new popularity.” They’re basically asking you to make an older song popular again.
Here are the seven nominated songs . . .
“Freight Train”, Alan Jackson
“Neon Moon”, Brooks & Dunn
“9 to 5”, Dolly Parton
“I’m a Survivor”, Reba McEntire
“Suds in the Bucket”, Sara Evans
“Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”, Shania Twain
“Love Story”, Taylor Swift
The winner will be announced across CMT’s social platforms before Monday’s show.
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Garth Brooks is opening a “bar and entertainment concept” on Lower Broadway in Nashville. He bought a three-story, 40,000 square foot building that was the former home of the Nashville Sporting Club. There’s no name yet, and it’ll be a while before it opens. He says quote, “The goal is a classic honky-tonk that welcomes all and encourages love and kindness while playing the greatest music in the world in the home of Country Music.”
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Multiple 2022 CMT Music Awards nominee Maren Morris took to social media to share that her latest album “Humble Quest” broke the record for the most first-day and first-week streams on Amazon Music for a country album by a female artist. Thanking her fans on social media saying, “Ya’ll have lost your ever loving minds, thank you so, so much for this.”
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Barring a setback between now and Thursday, Tiger Woods says he’ll play in this week’s Masters tournament. The golf legend just made the announcement at a news conference at Augusta, saying “as of right now” he has plans to tee it up when the tourney begins on Thursday. It’s not so much about Tiger HITTING the ball, it’s the walk around the course, they don’t allow golf carts on the greens and it may look beautiful in video and pictures but Augusta is VERY hilly. Good luck to Tiger we hope he does well if not win the whole thing.
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The Forbes list of Billionaires is out today and pop star Rhianna, made the list this time around. She joins Jay-Z and Kanye West on the short list of the richest of the rich and the 34-year-old expected mom and entrepreneur is Barbados’ FIRST billionaire worth a cool $1.7 Billion.
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Yellowstone National Park is giving away annual passes in exchange for donations of $1,500. But the passes are for the year 2172 . . . 150 years from now. It’s meant to recognize the park’s 150th anniversary.
“It’s the 22nd century…the year…2172…countries are at war, starvation is rampant, gas prices are REDICULOUS…it’s brother against brother…but HEY! You got an annual pass to Yellowstone! YAY!!”
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You can catch The List, weekdays at 2:20 and 4:20 on Iowa’s BEST Country KIX 101.1
Welcome to The List,
Mike Tyson says he’s open to a rematch with Jake Paul after Jake’s recent loss to Anthony Joshua. Tyson claims this time he’s cracked the code on training, saying he went too hard before and “left most of the fight in the gym.” RadarOnline says Mike thinks a smarter camp would change everything. Which is wild, because the man is still Mike Tyson. If this happens, somebody hide the ear protection… literally.
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Taylor Swift reportedly used to be hesitant about dating athletes until Travis Kelce showed up. A source says her mom encouraged her to give Travis a chance, and now Taylor’s outlook has completely changed. Not only that, insiders claim the relationship has boosted the Chiefs’ global presence. Turns out the tight end also unlocked international brand expansion.
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Lainey Wilson told CMT she stays grounded by remembering where she came from. She said it’s about planting your feet, knowing who you are, standing up for what you believe in, and keeping your people close. Which explains why she can win everything, host award shows, and still sound like the most normal human in Nashville.
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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are reportedly still neighbors in Nashville as they focus on co-parenting their daughters. Nicole stays in the family home, Keith lives nearby, and they’re even spotted shopping at the same stores…just separately. A source says their dedication to the kids is unwavering. Awkward? Maybe.
You can catch The List, with Jonathan Knight at 4:20 weekday afternoons. Only on Iowa’s BEST Country KIX 101.1
Thanks for a great 2025!! I'll be back in 2026
Jacob Marley is the name of the of Ebenezer Scrooges's deceased business partner and the first of four ghosts that appear in "A Christmas Carol"
Welcome to The List,
Sad news from the NASCAR world. Greg Biffle, one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers, has died at age 55 in a plane crash in North Carolina. Authorities say seven people were killed, including Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their two children. Beyond his racing success, Biffle was widely praised for his humanitarian work, especially helping communities after Hurricane Helene. The racing world is mourning a champion on and off the track.
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Tom Cruise is allegedly on a long, carefully planned mission to become Sir Tom Cruise. A source says this has been years in the making hosting events, shaking hands, embedding himself deep in the British film world. Apparently he knows exactly how the system works and he’s been playing the long game. At this point, don’t be shocked if the next Mission: Impossible ends with him bowing politely and accepting a sword tap on each shoulder.
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Miranda Lambert is developing a new TV series for Hulu inspired by her music and real-life friendships. The show centers on a messy female friendship, an escape from an abusive marriage, and a fresh start in a small Texas town that turns out to be full of secrets. So basically heartbreak, healing, strong women, and Texas drama which is already Miranda’s brand. Country music meets prestige TV.
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Jon Pardi says Christmas music is what keeps his household sane. He’s got two little girls with very big emotions, so songs like Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph are on constant rotation. Forget parenting books the real hack is letting a cartoon reindeer handle crowd control..
You can catch The List, weekday afternoon at 4:20 with Jonathan Knight. Only on Iowa’s BEST Country KIX 101.1