Young Thug’s attorney files motion to make rapper’s lyrics inadmissible during trial

December 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Young Thug‘s attorney is hoping to get his lyrics removed from his RICO indictment.

According to court documents obtained by ABC News, Brian Steel asked the judge to make the rapper’s music inadmissible in court.

According to Steel, using Thugger’s lyrics in court is racist, as it could sway the jury against him. He notes that’s also a violation of his client’s Constitutional rights, as the rapper’s “lyrics are protected under the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution as well as Article I, Section I, Paragraph V of the Georgia Constitution and cannot be used as evidence of crime if they are simply connected to music/freedom of expression/freedom of speech/poetry.”

Steel says that “the admission and use of these lyrics/poetry/artistry” against Thug is also “an abuse of discretion.”

In response, the office of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis requested a hearing on the admissibility of the lyrics.

“The State urges this Court to find that relevant music lyrics written or performed by the defendants or their co-conspirators are admissible evidence at trial,” the office said. “The State’s use of the defendants’ statements through their rap lyrics and other relevant rap lyrics evidence in this prosecution is clearly permitted by precedent from federal and state courts around the nation, and in line with well-established prosecutorial practice in similar cases.”

Young Thug, born Jeffery Lamar Williams, is accused of co-founding a street gang responsible for murders, armed robbery and other violent crimes. He faces one count of conspiring to violate the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, one count of participating in street gang activity, and six additional drugs and weapons charges.

Legendary Times Square comedy club Carolines is closing

December 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Carolines, the legendary New York City comedy club, has announced it will soon be shutting its doors.

In a Facebook post, it was announced that Caroline Hirsch, the namesake owner of the stand-up destination on Broadway, has decided against renewing her lease for 2023.

“After 30 wonderful years at our location in Times Square … our final shows here will be on December 31,” the post began.

“Carolines began 40 years ago in Chelsea and later moved to the South Street Seaport before calling Times Square home in 1992, when many New Yorkers and businesses had written off Times Square and NYC overall due to record high crime and a lack of proactive government solutions.”

The post continued, “People thought we were crazy to invest in Times Square, only later to say that we were ahead of the curve when global brands like Disney, Nasdaq and national retailers and businesses came to the neighborhood. We are very proud to have played an integral role in its resurgence and brought much needed laughter to the neighborhood and the city.”

Ironically, Carolines, which preceded the boom, will be leaving as crime in the city is rising, which critics blame on what they see as soft-on-crime policies.

The post continued, “We’ve had an incredible run these past 40 years, elevating comedy from the very beginning and we are so proud of the comedians that have graced our stages throughout the years with their considerable talents.”

The post hinted that the Carolines brand will live on, though no details were provided.

The announcement concluded by thanking “the comedians, our incredibly talented staff and all of the comedy fans who have visited the club … to help make Carolines the success it has been for the last four decades.”

Mariah Carey reveals the ambitious gift she wants for Christmas

December 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Mariah Carey admits she spoils her 11-year-old twins when it comes to holiday shopping, but does the self-professed Queen of Christmas also want to be spoiled, too?

Speaking with E! Online, Mariah was asked if there’s anything she wants underneath her Christmas tree. “The gift of peace and joy for all,” she replied, adding, “That would truly warm my heart. It’s the greatest gift, I think, any of us could ask for.”

Mariah then hinted she already has her special gift, which was performing “All I Want For Christmas Is You” with her children by her side at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “They are the sweetest most beautiful gift I’ve ever received in my life,” she declared.

Mariah also explained why she gives Moroccan and Monroe everything they want on their Christmas lists.

“I want them to have everything they want. I want them to have everything I couldn’t and know they can be whoever they choose to,” she said. Mariah also clarified, “They’re always on Santa’s ‘nice’ list, so the surprises are always a treat.”

As for what her twins usually ask for, the singer remarked, “They usually have their lists, and are so excited to walk me through this new game and that new gadget.”

Aside from gift-giving, what else is Mariah looking forward to this time of year? She revealed, “I try to have a few days where we just spend time at home, relax, decorate and cook some of our favorite holiday dishes —which includes my anointed greens!”

Mariah said she also likes visiting the “winter wonderland” of Aspen for some skiing with her family, saying it gives them “a kind of festive experience that we can’t get at home.”

Reunited Flyleaf joins lineup for 2023 Blue Ridge Rock Fest

December 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The reunited Flyleaf has added another show.

The “I’m So Sick” rockers will play the 2023 Blue Ridge Rock Fest, taking place September 7-10 at Virginia International Speedway. For ticket info, visit BlueRidgeRockFest.com.

Last month, Flyleaf teased that they’d gotten back together with original vocalist Lacey Sturm, who’d left the group in 2012. The reunion was confirmed when Sturm and Flyleaf were included on the lineup for next year’s Sick New World nu metal nostalgia festival, taking place May 13 in Las Vegas.

Sturm sang on Flyleaf’s first three albums: 2005’s self-titled debut, 2009’s Memento Mori and 2012’s New Horizons. Following Sturm’s departure, Flyleaf released one album, 2014’s Between the Stars, with vocalist Kristen May, who then exited the band in 2016. Flyleaf had been on hiatus since.

The Zombies, Stone Gossard’s band Painted Shield to perform at South by Southwest Music Festival

December 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The South by Southwest Music Festival is known for spotlighting emerging artists, but one of the festival’s showcase artists this year has been making records for nearly 60 years.

The Zombies are one of the more than 300 artists announced Wednesday as performers at next year’s edition of the legendary Austin, Texas, festival, which will run March 13 through March 18. The Zombies are from England, of course, but the lineup features acts from all over the world, from Australia, Italy, Turkey, Ukraine, Norway and Colombia to New Zealand, Denmark, Argentina, Nigeria and Japan.

Also included on the list is Painted Shield, the side project of Pearl Jam‘s Stone Gossard. Their debut album, featuring Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready and drummers Josh Freese and Matt Chamberlain, came out in the past few years.

The music festival is part of the larger South by Southwest Conference, which includes TV, movie and comedy festivals, as well as panels and exhibits covering everything from technology and food to climate change, the gaming industry, marketing, transportation, the cannabis industry and more.

From Ashes to New bring the heavy to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” with new cover

December 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

If all you wanted for Christmas is a heavy cover of Mariah Carey‘s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” then you have From Ashes to New to thank.

The “Through It All” rockers have released their own spin on the hit holiday staple, complete with big guitars and screaming vocals.

“We always thought it would be sick to cover a Christmas song, but never did,” shares frontman Matt Brandyberry. “We had some extra studio time and thought this could be the chance. There were so many obvious choices for our style (‘The Grinch,’ ‘Nightmare Before Christmas,’ ‘Carol of the Bells,’ etc.) but we thought it would be so cool to put a dark spin on a lighthearted Christmas classic.”

You can listen to the “All I Want for Christmas” cover now via digital outlets.

From Ashes to New’s most recent album is 2020’s Panic. They’ve released two new singles this year — “Until We Break” and “Heartache” — and are also featured on the all-star track “The Retaliators Theme (21 Bullets)” alongside Mötley Crüe, Asking Alexandria and Ice Nine Kills.

More new From Ashes to New music is expected in 2023.

Michael Bublé reveals he “never had any idea” his ‘Christmas’ album would become a holiday staple

December 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Michael Bublé has become associated with the holidays thanks to his Christmas album, but he admits he never anticipated it would have such an impact on his career.

Speaking with Billboard, he explained, “I mean, I knew what I was doing when I made the record. I had high hopes. I was quite ambitious. Because I really genuinely love the songs.” He also said he “never had any idea that it would be like this ever, ever.”

The singer said he used to become frustrated when the album overshadowed the rest of his music offerings. In July, Michael shared a TikTok about how much he dislikes being told he can only come out around Christmastime.

“Years ago, I would complain about [the album’s success], and I would say [exasperated], ‘Well, you know, they keep talking about the Christmas album,'” he told the outlet. As for what softened his views, he says it was when his then-3-year-old son Noah was battling liver cancer. Noah is now 9 and in remission.

“I remember sitting in the hospital, and I just remember thinking how lucky I was. I just remember thinking so clearly, you know, how wonderful this is, that this is a part of your legacy,” he said, adding, “[Christmas has] become less about what religion you are and it’s become about just a time when us human beings might need a bit of a break. And there’s a little more empathy and kindness.”

“To be connected to something so beautiful, there are much worse things in life … Can you imagine how lucky I feel to be invited into all of that?” he expressed.

Michael released Christmas in October 2011. It sold more than 12 million copies globally and is one of the best-selling holiday albums of all time.

Kane Brown, Breland join the lineup of ‘The Voice’ season 22 finale

December 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Country music will be well represented on the stage of The Voice during the show’s season 22 finale. Kane Brown, Blake Shelton and Breland are among the stars performing during the two-hour event.

Kane will join Blake, who is also a coach on the show, for a rendition of “Different Man,” their latest duet. It’s the title track on Kane’s most recent album.

Meanwhile, Breland will make his debut on the Voice stage with a performance of “For What it’s Worth,” which is his current single at country radio and comes off the track list of his full-length studio debut, Cross Country.

It’ll be a multigeneral musical spread on the finale of The Voice, with performances from stars like Maluma, OneRepublic, Adam Lambert, Kelly Clarkson and Girl Named Tom. All four coaches — Blake, John Legend, Gwen Stefani and Camila Cabello — will perform with the contestants on their respective teams.

Five finalists remain going into next week’s live finale. Bryce Leatherwood, Bodie, Omar Jose Cardona, Brayden Lape and Morgan Myles are all in the running to win The Voice this season.

The event will air on NBC next Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.

White Reaper shares new ’Asking for a Ride’ song “Fog Machine”

December 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

White Reaper has released a new song called “Fog Machine,” a track off the band’s upcoming album Asking for a Ride.

“We had [‘Fog Machine’] in our back pocket for a while,” says frontman Tony Esposito. “We knew we loved playing it together, but it was a little tricky to nail the arrangement at first. We got it together at the last minute before we went into the studio and now it’s our favorite song to play live.”

You can listen to “Fog Machine” now via digital outlets and watch its accompanying video streaming now on YouTube.

Asking for a Ride, which also features the lead single “Pages,” will arrive January 27. It’s the follow-up to 2019’s You Deserve Love, which spawned the single “Might Be Right.”

White Reaper will launch a U.S. tour in support of Asking for a Ride in February.

Journey’s Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon hand reins to Def Leppard’s manager amid dispute

December 7, 2022 by WDNY Radio

It must be hard to play in a band, manage that band and file lawsuits against your fellow bandmates at the same time.

Journey‘s Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain, who were both jointly managing the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame group, have decided to step back from that role, Billboard reports.

Schon and Cain have handed the reins over to Def Leppard‘s manager, Mike Kobayashi, who confirms he was “just hired,” according to Billboard. While the band has been a cash cow on the road, raking in $40 million this year, Cain and Schon have been embroiled in a legal squabble over expenses.

As previously reported, Schon is suing Cain for setting up a band American Express card without his knowledge, while Cain denies that and claims that Schon has been “running up enormous personal charges on the band’s credit card account.” That lawsuit is pending, but it’s not the only recent legal dispute involving the band.

As Billboard notes, in September, former lead singer Steve Perry sued to stop Schon and Cain from trademarking the names of the band’s hits. And in 2020, Schon and Cain sued bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith, accusing them of trying to get control of the band’s name. The lawsuit was settled in 2021, and Valory and Smith left the band.

Amid all these issues, it’s no wonder Journey needs someone to look after their affairs, especially since the band’s 50th anniversary Freedom tour is set to kick off February 4 in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

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