Upcoming Beyoncé LP creating a stir

By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN —There is enormous buzz, discussion and some controversy over the reaction to a pair of singles from the upcoming new Beyonce album. Though the full release won’t be available until March 29, the two songs that were issued via her website and in a Verizon ad, as well as on the Tidal streaming service, are “Texas Hold ‘Em: and “16 Carriages.” This is the second part of her celebrated 2022 “Renaissance” album, which has long been rumored to be a trilogy. Videos posted on her website and on Instagram featured the tease “Act II” along with the date of March 29. The video certainly offers a country vibe. It begins showing the license plate of a car taking off down a dirt road with the license plate “HOLD’EM.” Several songs play as if someone is flipping through country music stations on the radio, including a yodeling song and Chuck Berry’s “Maybelline.” It switches to a country-tinged song by Beyoncé, with her singing, “Say Texas, ain’t no hold ’em, lay your cards down down down down.” It also features a billboard with an image of Beyoncé waving as several men ogle it. A wave of commentaries,...