Music – Page 2747 – 105.7 WDNY

She’s not the “Next Girl,” she’s the NOW girl: Carly Pearce honored by her Kentucky hometown

September 7, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Shortly after appearing on ABC’s Good Morning America last Thursday, Carly Pearce traveled to her hometown of Taylor Mill, Kentucky, to accept a rare honor: a road sign recognizing her success in country music, as well as the key to the city.

With #1 songs, CMA and ACM Awards, and Grand Ole Opry membership already to her credit, the “Next Girl” hitmaker points out that this new latest accolade is particularly close to her heart.

“Taylor Mill means so much to me on so many levels,” she tells ABC Audio. “So the fact that they want to give me a sign that says ‘Home of Carly Pearce’ is kind of like every little childhood dream that I had, playing at talent shows in the town…Actually, where they’re presenting this with me is where I played so many shows when I first started out.”

Carly adds, “So I’ve always been told to never forget where you came from. And I think [my upcoming] album [29: Written in Stone] in particular has really brought me home, musically.”

The hometown honor is one Carly was able to share with her parents, who supported her decision to leave school at 16 so she could go perform at Dollywood.

“All of these things that are happening to me were a dream that my parents helped bring to fruition for me,” she reflects. “So it’s definitely like a trifecta of emotions through the three of us because they were there every step of the way. And they were there when it wasn’t working, and when I thought about giving up.”

29: Written in Stone arrives on September 17.

Happy 70th Birthday to The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde!

September 7, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde celebrates her 70th birthday today.

Born in Akron, Ohio, Hynde moved to London in 1973 and eventually immersed herself in the city’s punk scene.

She formed The Pretenders in 1978 with drummer Martin Chambers, guitarist James Honeyman-Scott and bassist Pete Farndon. The band’s first single, a 1979 cover of The Kinks‘ “Stop Your Sobbing,” reached #34 on the U.K. charts.

The Pretenders’ 1979 self-titled debut album reached #9 on the Billboard 200. It featured the band’s first stateside hit, “Brass in Pocket,” which peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Pretenders also featured several other enduring songs, including “Precious,” “Kid” and “Mystery Achievement.”

The band’s 1981 sophomore album, The Pretenders II, reached #10 on the Billboard 200 and included the popular tunes “Talk of the Town” and “Message of Love.”

Tragedy struck the band in June 1982 when Honeyman-Scott, 25, died of a drug overdose, two days after Farndon was fired because of his own drug problems. In April 1983, Farndon drowned in his bathtub after overdosing on heroin. He was 30.

Hynde and Chambers soon re-formed The Pretenders, and the band scored its biggest hit in 1982 with “Back on the Chain Gang,” which reached #5 on the Hot 100. Other hits followed, including “Middle of the Road,” “Show Me,” “Don’t Get Me Wrong” and “I’ll Stand by You.”

Hynde also scored a big hit when she teamed up with U.K. reggae band UB40 for a 1985 cover of Sonny & Cher’s classic duet “I Got You Babe.”

Outside of music, Chrissie has had children with two other famous singers. Her daughter Natalie, whose father is Kinks frontman Ray Davies, was born in 1983. From 1984 to 1990, Hynde was married to Simple Minds single Jim Kerr, and the couple’s daughter, Yasmin, was born in ’85.

Chrissie was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with The Pretenders in 2005.

TLC recalls they recorded their landmark ‘CrazySexyCool’ album with limited input from Left Eye: “She was on probation for five years”

September 7, 2021 by WDNY Radio

TLC kicked off their CrazySexyCool Celebration tour over the Labor Day weekend, showcasing many songs from their landmark 1994 album, CrazySexyCool.

Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas says that she and T-Boz did most of the work on the iconic album, with limited input from Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, who was in rehab after burning down the house of her boyfriend, Atlanta Falcons football star Andre Rison.

“It’s so crazy because Lisa could come to the studio to record, but had to go back to the facility and she was on probation for five years,” Chili tells USA Today. “Looking back, when you’re in your 20s, you don’t even think about how serious something like that really was.”

Despite Left Eye’s limited participation, CrazySexyCool became a massive hit, going on to sell over 12 million copies — making it the best-selling album ever by a girl group. It also earned the trio two Grammys: Best R&B Album, and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “Creep.”

Chilli recalls that before the album was released, she knew it would make history.

“We had a listening party in New York and I remember one of the guys at Arista Records was being so sweet and saying, ‘This is really good — it might sell five million copies,’ and I was like, ‘Nuh-uh, we’re going to surpass that!'” she says. “When I heard [the album], I knew it was special, that the entire album was going to show people that we’re here to stay.”

In addition to “Creep,” CrazySexyCool included the hits “Red Light Special,” “Diggin’ On You,” and their signature song, “Waterfalls.” Sadly, Left Eye died in a 2002 car crash.

TLC’s CrazySexyCool Celebration tour, which features 18 shows, winds down October 10 in Concord, California.

Katy Perry on her upcoming Las Vegas residency: “I’m aiming for eight to 80 years old”

September 7, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Daniele Venturelli/Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images for Luisaviaroma

As documented by paparazzi, Katy Perry‘s summer vacation this year involved frolicking in Italy. But she says her seemingly decadent holiday was her last chance to let it all hang out before she returns to the stage later this year for her first-ever Las Vegas residency.

“I have free time for one last hurrah before I start getting ready for Vegas — i.e., stop thinking about eating pasta all the time so I can get back into tour shape again,” Katy told LuisViaRoma magazine while she was in Italy living la dolce vita.

Her Vegas show, Play, starts in December at Resorts World, which coincidentally, Katy says, “sits on the same ground” as the old Stardust Hotel. That’s where, she says, “my aunt was a topless showgirl and my grandmother was a seamstress for the show…so Vegas is very much in my blood.”

But don’t expect any topless shenanigans during Play. “I’m aiming for my audience to be the family — eight to 80 years old,” Katy tells LVR. “I do everything with a wink. Even if it’s a sexual connotation, it’s subtle.”

Katy reveals that the merchandise for the new show will include NFTs, but she’s also working on making her vast archives of props and costumes available for fans to purchase. “My fans love the tangible,” she says.

Of course, Katy’s one-year-old daughter, Daisy, will be with her in Las Vegas. “She is everything I was ever looking for,” gushes Katy. “She is adaptable and happy; her schedule fluctuates. In the beginning, I worried about a schedule, but decided I won’t be that mom. All that matters is that everyone is happy.”

But that doesn’t mean Katy’s a pushover. “You have to be smart and exercise the word ‘no,” she notes.

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Cardi B and Offset welcome a son

September 6, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Cardi B and Offset have welcomed their second child together.

The “WAP” rapper shared a photo of herself cradling the new baby while her husband gazes down at him.

“9/4/21,” she captioned it, along with three emojis including a blue heart and a teddy bear.

“We are so overjoyed to finally meet our son,” the couple told People. “He is already loved so much by family and friends and we can’t wait to introduce him to his other siblings.”

Cardi B, 28, and Offset, 29, quietly married in 2017; their daughter, Kulture, was born the next year. Cardi B, born Belcalis Almánzar, announced her second pregnancy in June 2021.

Offset, born Kiari Cephus, also has three children from previous relationships.

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Kool & the Gang is still “swinging” despite recent passing of two founding members

September 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Kool & the Gang’s Robert “Kool” Bell in 2012; Rob Ball/WireImage

Kool & the Gang reached a milestone with the release of their 25th studio album, Perfect Union, two weeks ago. However, it was difficult to celebrate following the recent passing of two of the founding members.

Saxophonist Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas died on August 7, one year after Ronald Bell, brother of band leader Robert “Kool” Bell, died in 2020.

“Our last show with Dennis Thomas was in Los Angeles on 4th of July weekend,” Kool tells People about their performance at the Hollywood Bowl. “We didn’t know that he would pass two or three weeks later. It was the greatest show. We blended very well with the live orchestra and it was great. We didn’t know that he would be leaving us after that.”

Perfect Union is the Grammy Award-winning band’s first album in eight years, and was conceived by Ronald Bell.

“[He] put together most of this album before he passed,” Kool continues. “The album represents the perfect union the band makes together and the theme of what not only our country, but the world is trying to achieve right now. “

After more than 50 years, Kool & the Gang is ready to document their impressive longevity with a project inspired by their 1974 party classic.

“We’re working on a documentary, a movie as well,” Kool reveals. “My working title is Hollywood Swinging: The Kool and the Gang Story.”

Despite so much recent tragedy, including the passing of his wife, Sakinah, in 2018, Bell is grateful for what has been a very special life.

“A lot of different things over the years were testing periods for me, learning periods of my life,” the 70-year-old bassist comments. “This experience has been a blessing, to be able to travel around the world and see so many different things.”

Foo Fighters nominated for just-added Group of the Year MTV VMA

September 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Foo Fighters are among the nominees for Group of the Year at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.

The prize is among the just-announced VMA “social categories,” which will be chosen through MTV’s social media channels. Bracket-style voting is set to begin this Saturday, September 4, via MTV’s Instagram Story.

Other nominees include Twenty One Pilots, BTS, Jonas Brothers, Maroon 5, Silk Sonic, BLACKPINK and CNCO.

Foo Fighters are already up for three other VMAs this year: Best Rock, Best Choreography and Best Cinematography, all for the “Shame Shame” video. They’ll also be honored with the Global Icon Award.

Foo Fighters are also performing during the VMA ceremony, which premieres September 12.

Listen to new Badflower song, “Johnny Wants to Fight”

September 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Badflower has released a new song called “Johnny Wants to Fight” off the band’s upcoming album, This Is How the World Ends.

If you’re wondering why “Johnny Wants to Fight,” that’d be because frontman Josh Katz‘s narrator is sleeping with Johnny’s girlfriend.

“Johnny wants to fight, let him fight/ Let him paint my f***ing face all over town,” Katz sings. “Johnny Wants to Fight” is available now via digital outlets and steaming services. You also can check out a lyric video for the tune at Badflower’s official YouTube channel.

“Johnny Wants to Fight” is the fourth track to be released from This Is How the World Ends, following “Family,” “Don’t Hate Me” and “F**boi.” The album, the sophomore follow-up to 2019’s OK, I’m Sick, arrives in full on September 24.

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

New Music Friday: Drake, Soulja Boy, Anderson .Paak and Bobby Shmurda

September 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Drake Certified Lover Boy album cover-Republic Records

Friday was highlighted by the release of the most anticipated album of the year, Drake‘s Certified Lover Boy, which finally dropped after months of delay. The follow-up to Drake’s five-times-platinum 2018 album, Scorpion, includes 21 tracks. The star-studded project features Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Rick Ross, Future, Young Thug, Lil Wayne, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Ty Dolla $ign, Kid Cudi, 21 Savage and many more.

Like Drake, Soulja Boy also is feuding with Kanye West, and earlier this week Draco blasted Yeezy in a marathon Twitter Rage. He’s accusing West of erasing his verse from the song “Remote Control” on the Donda album after telling Soulja Boy that he loved it.

Now the “Crank That” rapper, who has over 60 mixtapes, has dropped another mix project, titled Swag 4. He promoted it with a photo of stacks of cash on Instagram. The 14-song mixtape includes a track with the title “Shawn Carter,” which is of Jay-Z’s legal name.

Anderson .Paak, who has been enjoying his massive success with Bruno Mars as the duo Silk Sonic, has dropped a new solo song, “Fire in the Sky.” The mid-tempo track about falling in love is featured on Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings soundtrack, which also features Swae Lee, Jhene Aiko, Rick Ross, 21 Savage and Saweetie.

Finally, Bobby Shmurda has shared a new freestyle song, “No Time for Sleep,” his first since being released from prison in February after serving five years for conspiracy to commit murder. The song is his first new solo single in seven years, and he will have a chance to perform it for the first time this weekend at Jay-Z’s Made in America festival in Philadelphia.

This Sunday would have been Queen frontman Freddie Mercury’s 75th birthday

September 3, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury was born 75 years ago this Sunday, September 5.

Mercury, who died from AIDS in November 1991 at age 45, is widely regarded as one of the all-time great rock singers. His powerful vocals, flamboyant persona and dynamic performing style helped Queen become one of the most popular and successful bands on the planet.

Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara on the African island of Zanzibar in 1946, and his family lived there until 1964, when they moved to the U.K. In 1970, Mercury teamed up with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor in a band called Smile, and after the addition of bassist John Deacon, the group changed its name to Queen.

Queen blended a variety of genres including rock ‘n’ roll, hard rock, prog-rock, classical, pop, funk and rockabilly for a unique sound that captivated a wide variety of music fans. Mercury was responsible for writing many of the band’s biggest hits, including “Killer Queen,” “Somebody to Love,” “We Are the Champions,” “Bicycle Race,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “Play the Game” and, of course, the enduring rock anthem “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Freddie also co-wrote Queen’s classic 1981 collaboration with David Bowie, “Under Pressure.” Mercury’s performance with Queen at London’s Wembley Stadium at the 1985 Live Aid festival is widely considered one of the highlights of that historic event.

Mercury also released a pair of solo albums during the 1980s, one of which, 1988’s Barcelona, was a duets project with Spanish opera singer Montserrat Caballé.

Mercury and Queen’s other members were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003.

In commemoration of Freddie’s 75th birthday, three special T-shirts are on sale now at Queen’s online store.

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