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Florida teen stabbed to death by ‘homeless drifter,’ police say

December 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(MIAMI) — Investigators arrested a homeless man in Miami, who, they said, was responsible for the homicide of a 14-year-old boy in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Police said they took Semmie Lee Williams Jr., a 39-year-old “homeless drifter,” into custody on Wednesday night on the charge of stabbing Ryan Rogers to death on Nov. 15.

According to an affidavit, Rogers’ autopsy revealed that he had been stabbed numerous times in the head and face and his cause of death was stab wounds.

DNA evidence from a pair of headphones found near Rogers’ body was entered into a database and provided a positive match to Williams, police said.

Police said they located Williams in Miami and found DNA belonging to Rogers on a bloody bandana.

The homicide was a “completely random act,” Palm Beach Gardens Police Chief Clint Shannon said in a press conference Tuesday morning.

He described the incident as an “innocent child victim having a chance encounter with a very violent criminal.”

Rogers left his house on his bike on Nov. 15 around 6:40 p.m. local time and was reported missing later that night by his mother when he didn’t return home. His body was found the next day on Central Boulevard near an I-95 overpass, police said.

On Nov. 25, police ruled Rogers’ death a homicide and announced a reward for information linked to it.

Williams has been charged with first-degree murder with a weapon and was presented in court Tuesday morning, where his bond was denied. He holds a criminal record and has been previously convicted for domestic violence, battery and aggravated assault.

Shannon called Williams “an animal who probably shouldn’t be out on our streets” and thanked the public officers and investigators who “removed a very dangerous monster from our street” in the Tuesday morning press conference.

Williams’ next court date is set for Jan. 3, 2022, according to local ABC affiliate WPBF.

Marilyn Manson dropped from one of two Grammy nominations

December 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Marilyn Manson has lost one of his two Grammy nominations.

As reported by The New York Times, and confirmed on the official Grammy update page, the embattled shock-rocker, born Brian Warner, was removed as a songwriter on the Kanye West track “Jail,” which is up for Best Rap Song.

Warner still appears to be a nominee as a contributor to West’s album Donda, which is up for Album of the Year. He’s credited a co-writer of another Donda song, “Jail pt 2.”

That Warner has been nominated at all has been controversial, since multiple women, including ex-fiancée Evan Rachel Wood, actor Esmé Bianco, model Ashley Morgan Smithline, and Warner’s former assistant, Ashley Walters, have this year accused the musician of physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

In a statement to The Wrap about Warner’s nomination, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said, “We won’t restrict the people who can submit their material for consideration.”

“We won’t look back at people’s history, we won’t look at their criminal record,” Mason elaborated. “We won’t look at anything other than the legality within our rules of, is this recording for this work eligible based on date and other criteria. If it is, they can submit for consideration.”

Katy Perry’s new Las Vegas residency will let her “strike more of a balance” in her life

December 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Like Celine Dion before her, Katy Perry was attracted to the idea of a Las Vegas residency because it allows her to perform for fans while still spending time with her child, daughter Daisy Dove.

“I really wanted to be able to strike more of a balance — to have a child and take her to preschool — but also be artistic and play with that energy,” she explains in an interview in Modern Luxury magazine.

“I’m not saying that my tours are done, but a residency is actually the perfect thing for me right now,” the singer notes. “I could not have done this in my 20s, and I am not sure that I would want to do it as I go out to pasture. But I definitely want to do this when I am vital and excited [about] creating and offering what I think is my best show ever.”

Describing her show, PLAY, which opens at Resorts World Las Vegas on December 29, Katy says it’s “hit-dominated, which is what the fans want.”

“I like to bring a visual feast, and this is a set-in-the-’60s, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids movie on mushrooms,” she adds.

To set PLAY apart from the many other residencies flooding Sin City, Katy is also incorporating NFTs into her show — a way to own piece of unique digital content, such as songs, images or videos.

“The first thing we’re going to be auctioning off with the NFT is the craziest thing I’ve ever done. We’ll be creating something unique in the NFT space every single night,” Katy explains. “Imagine if I put my finger up during the song ‘Firework’ and you wanted to own that moment — now you could.”

For more on that, visit THETADrop.com.

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Britney Spears heads to Cabo to celebrate 40th birthday

December 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Britney Spears and fiancé Sam Asghari shared photos of them boarding a private plane on Wednesday, but they didn’t tell fans where they were going. The only clue came from Britney, who said in an Instagram post that they’ll be “out of the country.”

According to People, the lovebirds jetted off to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. A source told the outlet, “Britney was very excited. She loves beach vacations and hasn’t been to Mexico in many years.”

Now that the “Toxic” singer is no longer confined by her 13-year conservatorship, she is free to go wherever she pleases whenever she wants.

So, how is she dealing with this newfound freedom?

“She is doing well. She is taking care of herself both physically and mentally,” the insider claims. “She feels very lucky to be spending her 40th birthday with [her fiancé.] Such perfect timing to be out of the conservatorship. She feels beyond blessed in so many ways.”

The Grammy winner recently spoke about how she’s been processing her new life, and wrote on Instagram, “I know I’m lucky to be present and exist today !!!! I fought for that an extremely long time. I’m grateful for that but also I still need lots of healing !!!! Not therapy … but the kind of healing that comes from within !!!!”

Also, Sam shared a peek at Britney’s luxurious birthday cake to his Instagram Stories on Thursday. It’s a multi-layer cake in the shape of the letter “B” and it’s covered in gold-dusted red and pink roses, as well as some macaroons. Yum!

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Timbaland teases joint album with Missy Elliott

December 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Two music icons who have created hits together for thirty years are teasing heir first joint album.

Timbaland and Missy Elliott grew up together in Virginia, and he produced tracks in 1991 for her all-female group, Sista. Now 30 years later, it appears they are preparing their first duo project.

“Who ready for that @missymisdemeanorelliott Timbo album?????,” the “Give It To Me” rapper/producer commented on Instagram, with a video of Missy and a snippet of a song.

Elliott shared the same post.

Ginuwine, who began his career as a member of the Swing Mob collective in the 90s featuring the duo, replied, “Absolutely.” Brandy reacted as if this were a dream and commented, “Stop playing!!!”

Tim and Missy have written and produced hits together for numerous stars, including Destiny’s Child, Aaliyah, 702, Total and SWV. They created nine songs on Aaliyah’s 1996, RIAA double-Platinum second album, One In a Million, including “If Your Girl Only Knew,” and the title track.

Timbaland, born Timothy Mosley, also worked as a producer and/or executive producer on all of Elliott’s six solo albums, beginning with Supa Dupa Fly in 1997.

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Neon Trees to celebrate 10th anniversary of “Everybody Talks” with new EP

December 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Neon Trees are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their sleeper hit “Everybody Talks,” which shook up the summer charts in 2012, by releasing a brand-new EP next week. The offering, called versions of you, arrives December 10.

For those who may be confused about why the EP is coming out now, it’s because Neon Trees released “Everybody Talks” on December 20, 2011. The track debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 2012 and spent six months climbing up the chart before peaking at number six on September 15 of that year.

The single has since sold over five million copies in the U.S. and is considered one of the band’s biggest hits. To celebrate it turning the big 1-0, Neon Trees rerecorded the song and will release it as part of their four-track versions of you EP.

That’s not the only song that got a 2021 facelift — Neon Tress rerecorded their other hits “Animal” and “Sleeping with a Friend,” which are also featured on the EP. Versions of you will also come with a brand-new song, the title track.

Fans can pre-save and pre-add the EP on Neon Trees’ official website.

Concert featuring Chrissie Hynde performing Bob Dylan songs to premiere on Veeps.com this month

December 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

A streaming event focusing on a recent concert by Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde showcasing her 2021 Bob Dylan covers album Standing in the Doorway will premiere December 26 on the Veeps.com platform.

The show, Chrissie Hynde & Co. Sing Bob Dylan (and Other Songs), was recorded during a three-night engagement Hynde played this past July at London’s Royal Opera House. The concert featured renditions of all nine Dylan songs Chrissie recorded for Standing in the Doorway, as well as a couple of classic Kinks tunes, selections from The Pretenders’ 2020 album Hate for Sale, and more.

Hynde was accompanied at the shows by Pretenders guitarist James Walbourne — her main Standing in the Doorway collaborator — along with Carwyn Ellis on keyboards and Danny Williams on upright bass.

Tickets are available now at Veeps.com for $22.

The show debuts at 3 p.m. ET on December 26. Anyone purchasing tickets will be able to re-watch the concert until January 3, 2022, at 2:59 a.m. ET.

Standing in the Doorway: Chrissie Hynde Sings Bob Dylan was released in May, coinciding with the folk-rock legend’s 80th birthday. The album came together over the course of 15 weeks in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and includes renditions of nine Dylan songs that Hynde recorded remotely with Walbourne.

We’re pleased to announce the ‘Chrissie Hynde & Co. Sing Bob Dylan (and Other Songs) Streaming Event’ taking place Dec. 26th

Filmed at Royal Opera House, Chrissie Hynde and Co. perform Bob Dylan covers, classic Kinks, Pretenders & more.

Tickets: https://t.co/Qi1zmDBtIx @Veeps pic.twitter.com/P6cxMW5TeS

— Chrissie Hynde (@ChrissieHynde) December 1, 2021

“Something to remember me by”: Scott Adkins tore Dolph Lundgren’s bicep in their ‘Castle Falls’ fight scene

December 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

While stuntman and actor Scott Adkins and Dolph Lundgren are both no stranger to action on screen, their dust-up in the Lundgren-directed action pic Castle Falls proved painful — for Dolph.

Adkins, a martial artist and veteran of Marvel movies like Doctor Strange, plays a down on his luck MMA fighter, who discovers that a building about to be demolished contains a stash of illicit money. Lundgren’s character, who needs the dough for his daughter’s medical care, also finds out about the loot, and the pair face off inside the structure.

“Scott and I had a good punch-up,” Lundgren recalls to ABC Audio, noting there’s nearly 20 years between them. “I mean, he’s a bit faster than me, so I have to keep up. And he’s…done more of it lately. And then I ripped my bicep tendon…towards the end of the fight.”

Adkins says with a laugh, “Something to remember me by.”

Lundgren laughs, “Yeah, I do. Every time I watch the movie, I see it. It’s when you crack my arm over your shoulder…”

Onscreen, their characters eventually unite against a team of crooks who also want to raid the cash.

Adkins had worked with Lundgren before, so he was “well over” the fanboy element of acting with the star of films like Rocky IV and Masters of the Universe. He and called it a “no-brainer” when Lundgren asked him to star in a film he was directing.

“Of course he still is Dolph Lundgren, one of the action legends from the golden era,” Adkins says. “I remember going to the cinema to watch He-Man at the tender age of whatever it was, but it’s a pleasure to work with him…”

Castle Falls is available on demand Friday, December 3.

Dolly Parton, Sandra Oh, Simone Biles and America’s Teachers named ‘People’ magazine’s People of the Year

December 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

People magazine is releasing four covers for its 2021 year-end wrap-up, and each hails one of its People of the Year: Dolly Parton, Killing Eve‘s Sandra Oh, Simone Biles and “America’s Teachers” were all given the honor this year.

In the issue, which hits newsstands Friday, the iconic Parton was heralded for her philanthropy. Late last year she gave a million bucks to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University to fund research for the Moderna vaccine. In October, flood-ravaged middle Tennessee benefited from $700,000 from her Dollywood Foundation, and her literacy effort, Imagination Library, has donated more than 170 million books to kids since it launched in 1995.

“I’m kind of addicted to the feeling of giving,” Parton tells the magazine.

The country legend admits, “I have to honestly tell you, I was a little bit skeptical of being put on the cover as one of the People of the Year, because that’s a lot of pressure.” She adds, joking, “I’m glad that I stand for enough stuff to where I’m not the worst person in the world.”

Biles was hailed for bringing mental health to the forefront, when she decided to sit out part of the Tokyo Olympics.

“That’s probably one of the first times in my career where I felt courageous and I felt like I had got to speak up for myself,” the athlete, considered the Greatest of All Time in gymnastics, explains. “I fought hard. I survived.”

Oh talked about wrapping up her Emmy-winning run Killing Eve, and boosting representation for Asian performers like herself.

“When I was growing up, I never saw my face on [People],” she says. “To be asked to be on the cover is a great privilege because it normalizes things for my nephews and nieces.”

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Glass Animals, Machine Gun Kelly & Imagine Dragons lead year-end ‘Billboard’ Rock Artists char

December 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Glass Animals, Machine Gun Kelly and Imagine Dragons were the top three rock artists of 2021, according to Billboard.

The publication has unveiled its annual year-end charts, which determine the biggest acts in a variety of different genres using combination of factors including airplay, sales and streaming data for songs and albums, as well as touring revenue and social media activity.

Glass Animals, who broke out in a big way this year thanks to the hit single “Heat Waves,” is number one on 2021’s Top Rock Artists chart. MGK, who continued to enjoy the success of his 2020 album Tickets to My Downfall, comes in at number two, followed by ID at number three.

Imagine Dragons’ “Follow You,” the lead single off their 2021 album Mercury — Act 1, was the number-one Rock Airplay Song of the year, followed by MGK and blackbear‘s “My Ex’s Best Friend,” All Time Low and blackbear’s “Monsters,” Weezer‘s “All My Favorite Songs,” and Rise Against‘s “Nowhere Generation.’

The rest of the top-10 Billboard Top Rock Artists of 2021 are Fleetwood Mac, AJR, The Beatles, Queen, Twenty One Pilots, Måneskin and AC/DC.

This year’s top 10 Rock Albums, based on sales data, were a mix of mostly classic rock records and best-of compilations, along with a couple more recent releases. The list, in order, is Queen’s Greatest Hits, Kelly’s Tickets, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, Elton John‘s Diamonds, Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s Chronicle, Journey‘s Greatest Hits, AC/DC’s Back in Black, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers‘ Greatest Hits, Glass Animals’ Dreamland, and The Beatles’ 1.

No album released in 2021 made the top 10.

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