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Former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett debuts “Wingbeats,” lead single from upcoming studio album

July 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett has released the first single from his forthcoming studio album, Surrender of Silence, which is due out on September 10.

The track, “Wingbeats,” combines African rhythms and musical elements with melodic pop and prog-rock influences. The song is available now as a digital download and via streaming services, while a companion music video has premiered on YouTube.

Hackett shares vocals on “Wingbeats” with his sister-in-law, Amanda Lehmann, as well as with Pink Floyd session and touring singer Durga McBroom and her sister, Lorelei.

The video includes footage of indigenous African people, wildlife, and beautiful scenic landscapes from the continent.

As previously reported, Surrender of Silence is an 11-track collection offering an eclectic mix of World Music genres, including Russian classical music as well as sounds of the Far East, Africa and more. The album is scheduled to arrive less than eight months after Hackett’s previous studio effort, the classical-inspired acoustic instrumental project Under a Mediterranean Sky, which was released in January.

Surrender of Silence can be pre-ordered now, and will be available in various formats and configurations. Visit HackettSongs.com for more details.

Jesse Colin Young celebrates July 4 by releasing video of new rendition of “America the Beautiful”

July 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Just in time for the Fourth of July, Jesse Colin Young, former frontman of the folk-rock band The Youngbloods, has released a video of himself performing a stripped-down acoustic version of the classic patriotic anthem “America the Beautiful.”

The clip, which you can watch now at Young’s official YouTube channel, features the artist singing in front of the backdrop of beautiful natural landscapes from various locations around the U.S.

“Coming out of the pandemic we are able to see this country, our America, with fresh eyes,” says the 79-year-old singer/songwriter in a statement. “I have always loved this song, and wanted to share my version with you so we could revel together in the beauty of this place we call home.”

Last November, Young released his 22nd solo album, Highway Troubadour. The 11-track collection features new solo acoustic versions of songs from throughout Jesse’s 50-year-plus career, including renditions of the Youngbloods tunes “Darkness, Darkness” and “Sugar Babe,” plus the recent song “Cast a Stone” from his 2019 solo album, Dreamers.

Highway Troubadour was inspired by Young’s online video series “One Song at a Time,” which he launched during the COVID-19 lockdown. It features him playing various songs from his back catalog while accompanying himself on acoustic guitar.

Get revved up for Kevin Hart and his buds in ‘Kevin Hart’s Muscle Car Crew’

July 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

L-R Hart, Ratchford and the rest of the Muscle Car Crew/Kevin Kwan

Today, arguably the hardest-working man in showbiz, Kevin Hart, launches his new show on the Motor Trend app.

Kevin Hart’s Muscle Car Crew has the stand-up comedian, actor and car enthusiast joining his comic pals who tour as the Plastic Cup Boyz, as they drive deep into the world of classic cars. The cast includes Will “Spank” Horton, John “Burgandee” Clausell, Kevin’s trainer Ronald “Boss” Everline, Joey “Dubb” Wells, and co-executive producer Harry Ratchford.

More than a year ago, Hart bought each of his five closest friends a car that reflected their personality. “That was something that I basically did based off the sporadic conversations that we were having while we were on tour,” Hart tells ABC Audio. “Little questions would come up: ‘If you could get an old school, what would it be?’…And, you know, as expected, some of our guys were a little more into classic cars than others.”

He adds, “And they got bit by the bug heavy.”

The show follows the crew to car shows, into garages, and into the lives of those who share their passion.

For Hart, it was a chance to open some metaphorical doors, as well.

“The car community, they care about cars. And even though we all don’t look the same, we all don’t share the same skin color, we all love the same thing,” Kevin notes. “So if that’s our purpose and that’s the thing that attracts us all, then that means that we should embrace all.”

Harry Ratchford, agrees.

“In a car-culture world, there’s many different-colored cars, but I can truly say that it’s a colorless community,” Ratchford explains. “It crosses all lines — socioeconomic lines, racial lines. You pull up in a nice car or just the interesting car, and people are willing to sit there and talk to you, no matter what your background is.”

He says of the series, “If you’re viewing this, you can enjoy both learning and the learning process, and if you’re a veteran and you know, you have some knowledge, you can enjoy seeing where you once was. ‘I remember when I didn’t know what the exhaust was’ or etcetera, etcetera. So, you know, we in the show, we have enjoyable content for everybody.”

Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard releases new song “4th of July” with Painted Shield side band

July 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard has released a new song called “4th of July” with his band Painted Shield.

The track, which is available now as a digital download and via streaming services, is a meditation on “the moral injury experienced by many service members as they return home from conflicts abroad.”

“The lyrics to this song were inspired by the stories of friends of mine who have served in the military,” says vocalist Mason Jennings. “It touches on the recovery work needed to integrate back into civilian life after being in conflict.”

With “4th of July,” Painted Shield is also hoping to raise awareness for No One Left Behind, an initiative to protect Afghan interpreters from potential danger as the U.S. leaves Afghanistan.

A companion music video for the song has been posted on Painted Shield’s official YouTube channel. The clip includes footage of urban areas devastated by war.

Along with Gossard and Jennings, Painted Shield includes keyboardist/vocalist Brittany Davis and onetime Pearl Jam drummer Matt Chamberlain. The group released their self-titled debut album last fall.

Miley Cyrus sells eclectic LA mansion for $7.2 million

July 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Vijat Mohindra/Peacock/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Miley Cyrus is ready to move on to a new property.

The real estate website Dirt reports that Miley has sold her 1950s-era home in LA’s exclusive neighborhood of Hidden Hills for a whopping $7.2 million.

It was just last year that Miley purchased the property for a bit under $5 million. She then worked with her mother, Tish Cyrus, to transform the interior of the six-bedroom, seven-bathroom estate from an all-white design to a more colorful aesthetic.

Photos taken by Architectural Digest earlier this year show a multi-colored seashell-shaped chair and blue couches in the black-walled den, and custom tiger face wallpaper made by Gucci in the powder room. Another room boasts leopard wallpaper, while Miley’s studio features an array of neon signs and a colorful motif on the wall.

The 1.2 acre property also includes a lagoon-style swimming pool, an open-air pavilion with an outdoor kitchen and rolling green hills.

The superstar singer also owns a property in Studio City in LA and a 33-acre ranch just outside her native Nashville, Tennessee.

Mickey Guyton calls out Instagram user’s hateful message directed at her infant son

July 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Mickey Guyton is no stranger to facing hate on social media, but when it comes to hateful messages directed at her infant son, Grayson, the “Black Like Me” star doesn’t mind naming names.

This week, Mickey shared a screenshot of a DM she received from a stranger on Instagram, calling baby Grayson “the ugliest child I’ve ever seen.”

“[Y]ou should take it and go back to the projects,” the message continued, in part. “Nashville doesn’t need trash like you.”

“This deserves front and center attention,” Mickey explains in her caption, sharing the username of the person who “came for my child.” She shared the same image on Twitter, as well.

Several of Mickey’s fellow country stars quickly turned out in the comments section to voice their support. “The truth is these are the types of messages we see and get all the time. Good thing is you know who you are sis and your worth. These lost hearts can’t take your smile,” replied Jimmie Allen.

“So despicable,” added Morgane Stapleton, who is Chris Stapleton’s wife and backup singer. “Keep that pretty head of yours held high. You and your precious family are loved by so many!”

Mickey has long been vocal about her experiences with racism as a Black woman in country music. While pregnant with Grayson last fall, she also opened up about her fears regarding raising a Black son.

“I’ve seen racial injustice happen to my husband. I’ve had a ‘Karen’ falsely make claims against him and say some of the most heinous things, like the n-word. I’m growing this Black child in my belly that is going to have to face this,” Mickey told People at the time, adding of her then-unborn son, “I pray for him.”

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Music legends, Kermit the Frog, and a message from space: host Vanessa Williams on 2021’s ‘A Capitol Fourth’

July 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

With fireworks and large gatherings cancelled over COVID-19 concerns, along with the racial strife in the streets, PBS’s annual A Capitol Fourth celebration was a more somber affair last year. For Sunday night’s telecast, however, host Vanessa Williams tells ABC Audio things feel different.

“It definitely feels like the needle has moved forward,” Williams explains. “There has been so many people are healthy and businesses are open again, so there will be a refreshing take this year to the Capitol Fourth.”

The actress and recording artist’s hosting and singing segments will be live, as will the fireworks, though “amazing” musical acts have been pre-recorded.

“Kermit the Frog is actually going to be doing a couple of segments with me. So it’s not John Stamos, but it’s Kermit, so we’ll take that,” she says with a laugh about her frequent co-host.

Williams continues, “Broadway phenoms like Cynthia Erivo and Christopher Jackson from Hamilton and Alan Jackson from country. Jennifer Nettles from the Country world, Train from the Rock and Roll world. My dear friend Renée Fleming from the opera world. Pentatonix…I mean, so many,” she enthuses.

There will also be a message from astronauts on the International Space Station.

As she did last year, Williams’ performances will touch on deeper issues. “I’m doing a tribute to Juneteenth…to highlight our new federal holiday, and I’m singing ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’, which has been kind of our Negro national anthem back in the day.”

She adds, “I will be singing ‘God Bless America’ while the fireworks are in the air.”

“It’s a wonderful tradition,” Williams says of the celebration that starts at 8 p.m. Sunday. “So I’m happy to listen to everyone and be a fan as well as a host.”

Missy Elliott receives a custom Lamborghini as a 50th birthday gift from her mom

July 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott received a custom Lamborghini from her mother, Patricia Elliott, on her 50th birthday Thursday.

The Grammy-winner took to Instagram to share a video of her new Black Lamborghini boasting with neon green accents, inside and out.

“This is my birthday gift from my mother to me,” Missy says in the clip. “She says I work so so hard. So she bought me the Lambo SVJ Roadster.”

In the caption, the Supa Dupa Fly artist thanks her mother for her expensive gift and reflected on her decades-spanning career in the music industry.

“Thank you, mommy, for my Bday gift. I Love you with all my HEART,” Missy writes. “I been in the industry over 25 years, and I have only been on three vacations in my whole career. So my mom said I work hard, so she brought me a SVJ Lambo Roadster. And I just want to say I am so grateful for all. Y’all BDAY wishes had me in tears. So filled with joy and all the blogs and my fans. I Love Yall!!!!! CancerSeason.”

Supa Dupa Fly helped set up Missy to become one of the most groundbreaking hip-hop artists of the last two decades. Her 1997 debut album received two Grammy nominations, including Best Rap Album and Best Rap Solo Performance for its Timbaland-produced track “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly).”

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Ed Sheeran scores 10th number one in the UK: “I really don’t take this for granted”

July 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Looks like Ed Sheeran‘s “Bad Habits” lead to hit singles.

The star’s new track has just debuted at the top of the chart in his native U.K., and it’s his 10th number one there overall. Britain’s Official Charts Company points out that Ed is one of just nine artists who’ve had 10 number ones or more in the U.K. He’s in pretty good company: Those artists include Eminem, who’s one of Ed’s heroes, as well as Madonna, The Beatles and Elvis Presley.

In a video celebrating his achievement, Ed says, “I want to say thank you so much to everyone that made this happen. I’ve been away for such a long time and I really, really don’t take this for granted, this is an amazing thing. Thank you for making me feel the love.”

Ed goes on to say he hopes “Bad Habits” is knocked out of number one next week by a 1996 song called “Three Lions,” which is the unofficial anthem of English soccer. The song would likely hit number one next week if England wins the European Football Championship.

“We’re going to win the Euros. It’s coming home!” Ed predicts.

New Billie Eilish song “NDA” dropping next week

July 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

After this weekend’s fireworks, get ready to celebrate another holiday: New Billie Eilish Music Day.

The “bad guy” artist has announced the release of another cut of her much-anticipated sophomore album, Happier Than Ever. The track is titled “NDA,” and will drop next Friday, July 9, along with a video.

“NDA” — which typically stands for “non-disclosure agreement,” a legal document that restricts a person from publicly sharing certain information — will be the fifth Happier Than Ever song to be released, following “Therefore I Am,” “Your Power,” “Lost Cause” and “my future.” The whole album arrives July 30.

Happier Than Ever is the follow-up to Eilish’s massive Grammy-winning 2019 debut WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?, which spawned singles including “bad guy,” “bury a friend,” “you should see me in a crown” and “all the good girls go to hell.”

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