Måneskin, Lana Del Rey among 2023 MTV EMA winners

Måneskin, Lana Del Rey among 2023 MTV EMA winners
Måneskin, Lana Del Rey among 2023 MTV EMA winners
Courtesy MTV

While the show itself was canceled, the winners of the 2023 MTV Europe Music Awards were announced Sunday, November 5.

Måneskin earned the Best Rock prize, beating out Foo Fighters, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Arctic Monkeys and The Killers. Lana Del Rey was named Best Alternative, over Thirty Seconds to Mars, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Yungblud and Blur.

Other winners include Billie Eilish for Best Pop and Måneskin for Best Italian Act.

The 2023 MTV EMAs were set to take place Sunday in Paris. In October, it was announced that the event would not be taking place due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

“The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music,” a statement read. “As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration. With thousands of lives already lost, it is a moment of mourning.”

For the full list of winners, visit MTVEMA.com.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

SZA is ‘Variety”s Hitmaker of the Year

SZA is ‘Variety”s Hitmaker of the Year
SZA is ‘Variety”s Hitmaker of the Year
Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for The Webby Awards

SZA‘s list of accomplishments is growing by the day. The singer was recently named Variety‘s Hitmaker of the Year, an honor she’ll receive at the trade’s annual Hitmakers celebration.

“The goal of Hitmakers always has been to honor the top artists and songs of the year, and especially the people behind them,” Variety’s executive music editor, Jem Aswad, said in a statement. “SZA, her ‘SOS’ album and tour, and her hits this year are not only a creative and commercial triumph, but one with a reach that stretches far beyond the music world. We are so proud to honor her as our Hitmaker of the Year.”

The annual event specifically recognizes the writers, producers, publishers, managers and executives behind the 25 most-consumed songs of the year, as measured by Billboard and Luminate charts. Among the others being honored are Producer of the Year Metro Boomin, Label of the Year Republic Records and Storyteller of the Year Olivia Rodrigo.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

‘Dancing with the Stars’ announces Taylor Swift-themed night

‘Dancing with the Stars’ announces Taylor Swift-themed night
‘Dancing with the Stars’ announces Taylor Swift-themed night
Javier Vicencio / Eyepix Group/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Our wildest dreams are coming true: Dancing with the Stars is doing a Taylor Swift-themed night.

The six remaining couples of season 32 will fearlessly perform routines set to Swift’s songs in the November 21 episode, so fill in that blank space on your calendar now, because you know all too well this will be epic.

Mandy Moore, the lead choreographer for Swift’s Eras Tour and a DWTS regular, will join judges Carrie Ann InabaBruno Tonioli and Derek Hough on the panel as a special guest judge for the evening.

The dance style and the Swift song each couple will be dancing to will be revealed at a later date.

The eight remaining couples currently left competing for the Mirrorball Trophy are:

Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber
Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov
Barry Williams and Peta Murgatroyd
Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev
Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold
Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach
Lele Pons and Brandon Armstrong
Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy

Dancing with the Stars airs live Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, streaming the next day on Hulu.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Barbra Streisand’s memoir: Brando, Brolin, her nose and more

Barbra Streisand’s memoir: Brando, Brolin, her nose and more
Barbra Streisand’s memoir: Brando, Brolin, her nose and more
Viking

Maybe Barbra Streisand‘s memoir isn’t as shocking as Britney Spears‘ book, but it certainly has more stories, as the 81-year-old diva opens up about her legendary life and career.

The memoir, My Name is Barbra, is out November 7, but People magazine has published a few excerpts:

On her famous nose:

In the prologue, she writes, “Sometimes I feel like my nose got more press than I did … After all these years, I’m still hurt by the insults and can’t quite believe the praise.” 

In another chapter, she writes, “I had already been told by several people that I should get a nose job and cap my teeth. I thought, ‘Isn’t my talent enough?’ … and who knew what it might do to my voice?

On her relationship with Marlon Brando:

Streisand writes that when she met the famous actor, “He looked into my eyes and said, ‘I’d like to f*** you.’ I was taken aback. ‘That sounds awful,’ I said. After a moment of thought, he said, ‘Okay. Then I’d like to go to a museum with you.’ ‘Now that’s very romantic. I’d like that.'” 

On the Hollywood pay gap:

Streisand writes that when she was making Meet the Fockers with Dustin Hoffman, “I was definitely hurt when I found out that Dustin was getting three times as much as me, plus a tiny percentage, which is significant on a movie that made $520 million.” The studio head ended up giving her a bonus, she adds.

On her husband, James Brolin:

“I think the real reason our relationship has endured is that we’re both willing to work at it. Jim and I are very different. As he’s said to me, ‘You’re an expert at looking for what’s wrong, while I’m just happy to wake up in the morning.’”

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Bruce Dickinson announces new solo single, comic book series

Bruce Dickinson announces new solo single, comic book series
Bruce Dickinson announces new solo single, comic book series
John McMurtrie

Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson‘s latest solo project will encompass not just an album but a comic book series, as well.

The first single from the album part of The Mandrake Project will be out December 1. It’s called “Afterglow of Ragnarok,” and as fans of Norse mythology — and Marvel movies — know, Ragnarok refers to the so-called Twilight of the Gods, when the world will be destroyed and gods like Loki, Odin and Thor will perish.

In a statement, Dickinson says, “It was important to set the tone of the project with this track. As befitting its title, it’s a heavy song and there’s a great big riff driving it … but there’s also a real melody in the chorus that displays the light and shade that the rest of the album brings … and just wait until you see the video!”

The Mandrake Project is described as a “dark, adult story of power, abuse and a struggle for identity, set against the backdrop of scientific and occult genius.” The album itself is due in 2024, as is the comic book series,  comprised of 12 episodes that will eventually make up three graphic novels.

The vinyl 7-inch single version of “Afterglow of Ragnarok” will come with an eight-page comic prequel to The Mandrake Project. The flip side of the single features Dickinson’s solo demo of the 2015 Iron Maiden song “If Eternity Should Fail.”

The Mandrake Project will be Dickinson’s first solo album since 2005’s Tyranny Of Souls.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Miranda Lambert + Jon Randall launch new label imprint, Big Loud Texas

Miranda Lambert + Jon Randall launch new label imprint, Big Loud Texas
Miranda Lambert + Jon Randall launch new label imprint, Big Loud Texas
ABC

Miranda Lambert and hit songwriter/producer Jon Randall have teamed up with Big Loud Records to launch a new label imprint, Big Loud Texas.

Miranda and Jon will be directly involved in the signing and development of artists on their label’s roster, with Jon also serving as president of A&R and producer.

“As a teenager chasing my dreams in the honky-tonks of Texas, Nashville seemed so far away,” Miranda recounts. “Every time I’m back home I get to hear the incredible talent our state produces, and I feel a responsibility to help get more of those Texas voices heard. I’m really excited to team up with my buddy Jon Randall and Big Loud to do just that. Get ready, y’all – we’re bringing even more Texas to town!”

“When I was a kid playing in bands and kicking around Texas, I knew that making music was all I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” Jon recalls. “Since then, I’ve gotten to play with so many of my heroes[,] produce legends and friends and travel all over the world … but all those roads lead right back home. I feel very blessed to share this full circle moment with one of my best pals, Miranda Lambert, and help some other dreamers chase their song around the world.”

“I’ve admired what Miranda and Jon have done – both as musicians and as champions of young talent – for many years, so it’s an honor to join forces in this way,” adds Big Loud CEO/partner Seth England.

For more information on Big Loud Texas, visit its website.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Green Day adds London & Milan dates to Hella Tiny tour

Green Day adds London & Milan dates to Hella Tiny tour
Green Day adds London & Milan dates to Hella Tiny tour
ABC/Randy Holmes

Green Day has added two more intimate European shows to their Hella Tiny tour.

The “American Idiot” trio will play club dates in Milan and London on November 7 and November 10, respectively. Both venues hold less than 2,000 people.

For ticket info, visit GreenDay.com.

Green Day recently played similarly sized concerts in Las Vegas and Paris. They’ll headline much bigger venues on their 2024 stadium tour, which launches in the U.S. in July.

The 2024 tour will support Green Day’s upcoming album, Saviors, due out January 19, and celebrate the 20th and 30th anniversaries of their 2004 and 1994 albums, American Idiot and Dookie, respectively.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Mariah Carey talks “All I Want for Christmas Is You” legacy, new holiday tour

Mariah Carey talks “All I Want for Christmas Is You” legacy, new holiday tour
Mariah Carey talks “All I Want for Christmas Is You” legacy, new holiday tour
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MC

Mariah Carey wrote “All I Want for Christmas Is You” nearly 30 years ago — and she’s still spreading holiday joy with it.

The five-time Grammy winner sat down with ABC News’ Juju Chang to reflect on the song’s legacy and to discuss her upcoming holiday tour, the Merry Christmas One and All Tour, which kicks off next week.

“I was working on it by myself … on this little Casio keyboard and writing down words and thinking about, ‘What do I think of at Christmas? What do I love? What do I want? What do I dream of?'” Mariah said. “And that’s what started it.”

“My goal was to do something timeless, so it didn’t feel like the ’90s, which is when I wrote it,” she said.

Of the song’s enduring appeal, Mariah chalked that up to the fact that she “really, truly” loves the holidays. “It’s not fake,” she said.

The singer is kicking off her new holiday tour on November 15; it will take her across the U.S., with a brief stop in Canada. Last year’s tour only stopped in Toronto and New York City.

“Last year we didn’t go, like, across the country,” she said. “So this year we’re doing that.”

Carey said her tour is a way to help give her fans “the merriest of Christmases” and for them to have an experience where they’re “enjoying being together.”

In terms of what fans can look forward to in the future, Carey said that new music is on the horizon.

“I’ve been working … on just writing new songs,” she teased. “Yesterday we were in the studio working on something with a choir, working on a new song. So it’s exciting.”

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

“It’s time to do it”: Richie Sambora talks Bon Jovi reunion

“It’s time to do it”: Richie Sambora talks Bon Jovi reunion
“It’s time to do it”: Richie Sambora talks Bon Jovi reunion
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Richie Sambora left Bon Jovi in 2013 to spend more time with his family, but it seems like ever since then, he’s been talking about the possibility of getting back together with the band.

Speaking to People on November 4, Sambora said there’s talk about a reunion.

“There’s a documentary that’s being done about the band and stuff that I’ve participated in, and people want to come see us play, and it’s going to make everybody happy,” Sambora added. “I mean, essentially, that’s why you do it at this point.”

“So yeah, it definitely could happen,” he teased. “It’s just a question of when everybody’s ready to go do it. It will be a big, massive kind of undertaking.”

When asked for a timeline of this supposed reunion, Sambora admitted, “I’m not sure. It’s up to peoples [sic], it’s got to be right. That’s all. It’s time to do it, though. This is our 40th anniversary, but I feel younger than ever. I’m having a ball.”

Bon Jovi formed in 1983. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1984, but it was their third album, 1986’s Slippery When Wet, that made them global superstars.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Keith Urban, Lady A, Darius Rucker + more to present at 57th CMA Awards

Keith Urban, Lady A, Darius Rucker + more to present at 57th CMA Awards
Keith Urban, Lady A, Darius Rucker + more to present at 57th CMA Awards
ABC/Connie Chornuk

The Country Music Association has revealed its star-studded list of presenters for the 2023 CMA Awards.

Keith UrbanLady ADarius RuckerParker McCollumChris YoungBrian KelleyJordan DavisHailey WhittersMartina McBrideBill AndersonSara Evans and Craig Morgan will present at Country Music’s Biggest Night. 

Also joining them are Paula Abdul; Grammy-nominated comedian, podcaster, director and producer Nate Bargatze; Tony Award-nominated actor Kevin Cahoon; 2023 World Series MVP Corey Seager; and The Golden Bachelor‘s Gerry Turner.

To see the full list of performers, presenters and nominees, visit cmaawards.com.

The 57th CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, November 8, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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