Berklee College of Music professor offering online Taylor Swift songwriting workshop this month

Berklee College of Music professor offering online Taylor Swift songwriting workshop this month
Berklee College of Music professor offering online Taylor Swift songwriting workshop this month
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV

Plenty of colleges and universities are now offering classes on Taylor Swift, but if you don’t actually attend said colleges or universities, you can’t participate — until now.

Scarlet Keys, professor of songwriting at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, teaches a course focused on Taylor’s songwriting. Each week, the class has students analyze Taylor’s songs and discuss a new topic or technique she uses in her writing. Then, students are put into groups and go off to write their own songs using Taylor’s techniques.

“[The students] love it,” Keys told MassLive. “They’re coming to class wearing cardigans and red scarves.”

Now, Keys is making elements of the course available to everyone. On November 18 and 19, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET, she’ll be teaching an online workshop focused on what she calls “the signature tools and techniques Taylor Swift uses over and over again to write songs for a global audience.”

The workshop will feature in-class writing, analysis, collaboration and even homework. It promises to give you “new ideas on how to write memorable melodies, hooks and lyrics in a deep dive into the writing of the most popular artist in the world and apply it to your genre.”

You can visit ScarletKeys.com to sign up for the workshop.

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Cody, Megan, ERNEST, Martina + more to perform at Texas’ Two Step Inn

Cody, Megan, ERNEST, Martina + more to perform at Texas’ Two Step Inn
Cody, Megan, ERNEST, Martina + more to perform at Texas’ Two Step Inn
ABC/Connie Chornuk

Two Step Inn is returning to San Gabriel Park in Georgetown, Texas, in 2024 with a star-studded lineup.

Happening April 20 and April 21, the two-day festival will be headlined by Cody Johnson and Turnpike Troubadours. Artists on the performance lineup include Megan MoroneyERNESTMartina McBrideHank Williams Jr.Ian MunsickLee Ann WomackKassi AshtonClint BlackDrake MilliganMark ChesnuttJake WorthingtonDeana Carter and Hannah Dasher.

Presale begins November 3 at 12 p.m. CT. General sales will start after with any remaining tickets available. 

To sign up for the presale code and to view the full lineup, visit twostepinn.com.

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Baby Tate drops “Jersey” music video

Baby Tate drops “Jersey” music video
Baby Tate drops “Jersey” music video
Sekoya Spectrum/Warner Records

Baby Tate dropped off the official music video for one of her latest singles “Jersey.”

In the theater-focused visual, the Atlanta native delivers a monologue-of-sorts over the Jersey club beat, telling the story of a love that didn’t quiet work out.  

“Relationships. A funny thing — always good at the start,” she says, positioned in front of a closed stage curtain. “But the truth is, it doesn’t matter who you love, anyone can break your heart. Baby Tate presents, a sobbing soiree.”

Flanked by a group of four dancers, a visually-emotional Tate — with eyes adorned by teardrop crystal jewelry — then raps lyrics of heartbreak throughout the three minutes. The entire video is captured from the same scene of her theater stage backdrop. 

“Why are you such a liar, You got my eyes on water / Like Niagara Falls, Why are you such a liar / Claimed your desire, Then never called,” she raps. 

The “Jersey” video is the latest rollout for Tate’s new album, Baby Tate Presents–Sexploration: The Musical, following her multipart mocumentary and the music video for “Lollipop,” “a lesbian love song.”

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Rage Against the Machine fan Olivia Rodrigo to perform at Rock Hall induction ceremony

Rage Against the Machine fan Olivia Rodrigo to perform at Rock Hall induction ceremony
Rage Against the Machine fan Olivia Rodrigo to perform at Rock Hall induction ceremony
Courtesy of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Will Olivia Rodrigo be honoring Rage Against the Machine at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony?

You may recall that the “vampire” star told Rolling Stone that the “Killing in the Name” outfit was her “favorite band right now” and was upset that she wouldn’t be able to attend the induction ceremony due to an “immovable schedule conflict.”

“I am literally going to cry myself to sleep about it,” Rodrigo said.

Well, it appears that whatever that conflict was has now been resolved, as the Rock Hall announced on Wednesday, November 1, that Rodrigo will be performing during the induction, which takes place Friday, November 3, in Brooklyn, New York.

The Rock Hall doesn’t mention for whom or what Rodrigo will be playing, only that she “will perform with one of her heroes.”

In addition to Rage, Rodrigo’s also shared love for another 2023 inductee: Sheryl Crow. When the two performed Crow’s “If It Makes Me Happy” together in September, Rodrigo shared, “Sang one of my favorite songs of all time with the greatest of all time @sherylcrow!!!! What an honor!!!!”

The 2023 Rock Hall inductees include Rage, Crow, Kate Bush, Willie Nelson, Missy Elliott, George Michael and The Spinners. Previously announced performers and presenters include Stevie Nicks, Adam Levine, Carrie Underwood, Common, Ice-T, LL Cool J, Miguel, Queen Latifah, Sia, Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews, H.E.R., New Edition and St. Vincent.

You can watch the ceremony streaming live starting at 8 p.m. ET on Disney+. A highlights special will air January 1 on ABC.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Olivia Rodrigo to perform at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Olivia Rodrigo to perform at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony
Olivia Rodrigo to perform at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony
Disney/Randy Holmes

Olivia Rodrigo performed at the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, paying tribute to inductee Carly Simon. She’ll be back again on November 3, paying tribute to yet another inductee.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Instagram account says that Olivia “will perform with one of her heroes.” As for who that hero might be, there are two inductees this year who Olivia is a particular fan of: Sheryl Crow and Rage Against the Machine.

In September, Olivia joined Sheryl at Nashville’s famed Bluebird Cafe to sing Sheryl’s hit “If It Makes You Happy,” and wrote, “pinch me! sang one of my favorite songs of all time with the greatest of all time @sherylcrow!!!!” Could they reprise that performance at the induction?

On the other hand, Olivia told Rolling Stone in September that Rage Against the Machine is her “favorite band right now.” “I want to go to the Rock Hall of Fame so bad because they’re getting inducted,” she said, noting she’d miss it due to “some immovable schedule conflict. At the time, she said, “I am literally going to cry myself to sleep about it.”

Now that the conflict has apparently been resolved, perhaps Olivia will join the groundbreaking band onstage for a rendition of “Killing in the Name” or “Bulls on Parade.”

We’ll find out on Friday night when the Rock & Roll Hall Fame Induction Ceremony streams live on Disney+ starting at 8 p.m. ET.  It’ll be available for viewing afterward, and a highlights special will air January 1 on ABC. 

 

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The Zombies’ Rod Argent thanks fans for their support following illness

The Zombies’ Rod Argent thanks fans for their support following illness
The Zombies’ Rod Argent thanks fans for their support following illness
Nicola Gell/Getty Images for SXSW

The Zombies’ Rod Argent has thanked fans for their support following the band’s decision to cancel the remaining dates of their North American tour. The cancellation came after a member of the group had to be hospitalized. While they didn’t initially reveal who had been sick, Argent’s post on Instagram reveals it was him. 

“I really want to thank everyone, family and friends and fans for the kind words and feelings expressed since I was forced to withdraw from our recent U.S. tour due to ill health,” he writes, noting that medical tests revealed his ailments weren’t anything serious.

“Lack of sleep and a very heavy work schedule, jet lag, etc and I experienced symptoms of a visual migraine which were seriously worrying to all who were witness to the two episodes – followed by debilitating fatigue, exhaustion really,” he explains. “I just have to rest for some time.”

Argent says he’s disappointed to have let everyone down, noting that canceling was “the last thing we wanted to have happened.”   

The Zombies wound up canceling the remaining four dates of the tour, which included stops in Alexandria, Virginia; Beverly, Massachusetts, and New York City.

When they canceled, they let fans know that the tour featured “some of the most enjoyable shows of our career together.” They added, “we’re forever grateful to our fans.”

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Jason Aldean weighs in on “Try That in a Small Town” controversy

Jason Aldean weighs in on “Try That in a Small Town” controversy
Jason Aldean weighs in on “Try That in a Small Town” controversy
ABC

As Jason Aldean readies to release his new album, Highway Desperado, he joined CBS Mornings‘ Jan Crawford on November 1 for his first network news interview about the backlash he got for his latest #1 hit, “Try That in a Small Town.”

“There was people of all color doing stuff in the video. That’s what I don’t understand,” Jason said candidly, addressing the racism claims he faced. “There was White people in there. There was Black people. I mean, this video did not shine light on one specific group and say, ‘That’s the problem.’ And anybody that saw that in the video, then you weren’t looking hard enough in the video, is all I can tell you.”

Though the song drummed up heavy debate, it wasn’t because of what Jason thought would cause it. He thought it was going to be because of the gun reference in the lyrics, not the music video.

“I didn’t expect it to get the kind of heat that it got,” he shared. “And I think that was more probably because of the video, more so than the actual song.”

“I know what the intentions were behind the location, the video, the song, all of it,” Jason added. “And, you know, and I stand by all that.”

Jason’s full interview on CBS Mornings is available to watch on YouTube.

Highway Desperado arrives November 3 and is available for preorder and presave now.

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Chicago to perform on The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Chicago to perform on The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Chicago to perform on The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
NBC

Chicago is on board to help ring in the holiday season with a performance on The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Chicago, who has released three Christmas albums, is confirmed to perform on The Wondership by Wonder holiday float.

Other Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performers include CherBel Biv DeVoeEn VogueDavid Foster and Katharine McPhee, Pentatonix and the casts of the Broadway musicals & JulietBack to the Future: The Musical and Shucked.

Of course, there will also be plenty of floats and balloons. Seven new balloons will be making their debut, including Beagle Scout Snoopy, Kung Fu Panda’s Po and the Pillsbury Doughboy.

The parade kicks off Thursday, November 23, at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones, thirty minutes earlier than the usual start time. It’ll air on NBC and be simulcast on Peacock; an encore will telecast at 2 p.m ET/PT.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The BET Soul Train 2023 Awards nominees are in: Summer Walker, SZA & Usher lead the pack

The BET Soul Train 2023 Awards nominees are in: Summer Walker, SZA & Usher lead the pack
The BET Soul Train 2023 Awards nominees are in: Summer Walker, SZA & Usher lead the pack
BET

The nominees for the BET Soul Train Awards 2023 have been revealed. Summer WalkerSZA and Usher are among the top leaders. 

With nine nominations each, Summer, SZA and Usher are all up for Song of the Year, The Ashford and Simpson Songwriters Award, Best Dance Performance, Video of the Year and more. 

Usher’s also up for the coveted Certified Soul Award, alongside fellow nominees Ashanti, Ciara, PJ Morton, Anthony Hamilton and more.

21 Savage earned eight nods, including Song of the Year and Video of the Year, while Coco Jones and Victoria Monét each earned six nominations, including Best R&B/Soul Female Artist.

Additional nominees include Burna BoyChris Brown and Janelle Monáe, who are each up for four awards. 

“Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop continue to top the charts and drive culture forward,” said Connie Orlando, EVP of specials, music programming & music strategy at BET. “This year, we are taking inspiration from these genres to innovate and disrupt the award show format while celebrating the legacy of Soul Train.”

The 2023 Soul Train Awards, which celebrates the best in soul music, will tape from its brand new location in Los Angeles, California, and will air on Sunday, November 26, at 8 p.m. ET on BET and BET Her.

For a full list of the nominees and all categories visit BET.com.

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Cher & Chicago to perform on The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Cher & Chicago to perform on The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Cher & Chicago to perform on The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
NBC

Cher and Chicago are on board to help ring in the holiday season with a performance on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Cher, who recently released her first holiday album, Christmas, will perform a new holiday song during the festivities, while Chicago is confirmed to perform on The Wondership by Wonder holiday float.

Other Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performers include Bel Biv DeVoeEn VogueDavid Foster and Katharine McPheePentatonix and the casts of the Broadway musicals & JulietBack to the Future: The Musical and Shucked.

Of course, there will also be plenty of floats and balloons. Seven new balloons will be making their debut, including Beagle Scout Snoopy, Kung Fu Panda’s Po and the Pillsbury Doughboy.

The parade kicks off Thursday, November 23, at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones, thirty minutes earlier than the usual start time. It’ll air on NBC and be simulcast on Peacock; an encore will telecast at 2 p.m ET/PT.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.