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Deja View: Graham Nash to publish new photo book, A Life in Focus, in November

September 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Graham Nash has had a passion for photography since he was a child, and now the 79-year-old folk-rock legend has curated a collection of photos he’s taken throughout his long life for a new book that will be released on November 16.

A Life in Focus: The Photography of Graham Nash will include photos of his family, friends and musical associates, self-portraits and images of artwork he’s created, as well as commentary he’s written to accompany the pics.

“I’m four months from being 80 years old,” Nash tells Rolling Stone. “I just wanted a collection of my images that turned me on. I’m basically the same as everybody else — if it turns me on, it will probably turn you on, too.”

A Life in Focus features images spanning from photos he snapped of his mother when he was growing up in the U.K. to pics of himself that he took recently at a doctor’s office. The book also includes pics of such famous friends, collaborators and musical contemporaries as Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Mama Cass Elliot, Leon Russell, Bonnie Raitt, his ex-girlfriend Joni Mitchell and his former band mates David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Neil Young.

Regarding his approach to taking photos, Graham tells Rolling Stone, “I want to be invisible. I don’t want people to know that I’m taking their image. I always want to look like James Dean and Tony Curtis, someone cool…[I]n most of these shots, these people never knew I was there.”

The book features a preface written by famous filmmaker and music journalist Cameron Crowe, and a foreword penned by Nash’s friend, veteran rock photographer Joel Bernstein.

A Life in Focus can be pre-ordered now.

You can now enjoy Lionel Richie’s new ice cream “All Night Long”

September 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Say “Hello” to the latest business venture from Lionel Richie: a new flavor of super-premium ice cream.

Lionel has teamed with Tyra Banks‘ new gourmet ice cream brand SMiZE Cream to create his own flavor, dubbed “All Night Love.” It features flavors that Lionel grew up loving: vanilla ice cream, Midnight cookie crumble swirls and a salted caramel ribbon, plus milk chocolate-covered fudge hearts, which were Tyra’s suggestion.

There’s also a SMiZE SURPRiZE hidden inside: a “caramel-scotch” cookie-dough truffle. The container for the flavor comes with a QR code that links to videos featuring Tyra and Lionel, as well as an illustrated version of Lionel that comes alive via Augmented Reality.

Tyra, a huge fan of Lionel’s who even appeared in one of his videos back in the day, says, “His music and presence light up any room. And now, Lionel’s delectable ice cream flavor will light up your palate!”

Lionel, who actually helped create the frozen concoction, notes, “I am so happy to have some of my favorite hometown tastes featured in my very own SMiZE Cream flavor. It’s been fun to work with the incredible Tyra Banks and to be able to share this special treat with everyone.”

You can pre-order “All Night Love” now; it starts shipping on September 8.

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Pharrell Williams proclaims former Gap Band lead singer as the greatest of all time: “Charlie Wilson is the GOAT”

September 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

13-time Grammy winner Pharrell Williams has written and produced music for a who’s who of music, including Prince, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, and dozens more stars. Few people in music have a more impressive resume. Of all the special artists he’s worked with, he declares one legend as the greatest of all time.

“Charlie Wilson is the GOAT, bro. Charlie Wilson, the Gap Band, he tells Variety. “My parents used to play that music, and it’s always been an honor to work with Uncle Charlie.”

Pharrell and Wilson have recorded several songs together, including “That Girl” from Pharrell’s 2006 debut solo album, In My Mind. They’ve also released five collabs with Snoop Dogg, led by the 2003 platinum single, “Beautiful,” which is a staple of Charlie’s concert list.

In 2013, Pharrell joined Snoop and Timberlake in performing a tribute to the former Gap Band lead singer when Wilson was honored for Lifetime Achievement at the 13th annual BET Awards.

Charlie is a favorite for hip-hop features, and Pharrell is thrilled that many other artists are embracing the 68-year-old icon.

“Seeing him get his flowers so many times with Kanye and Tyler, the Creator,” he continues, “and just continuing to be out there, still doing it and sounding amazing.”

Shinedown’s ‘ATTENTION ATTENTION’ realizes its destiny with “conceptual” new film

September 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Shinedown‘s latest project has been three years in the making.

On Friday, the band will premiere ATTENTION ATTENTION, a film inspired by their 2018 album of the same name. As frontman Brent Smith tells ABC Audio, the movie was always the final goal for ATTENTION ATTENTION.

“Once we had the record written, we knew that it was a conceptual piece,” Smith explains. “The goal was always to show it all in its entirety as a visual piece and an accompaniment to the audio and the songs.

The end result is an hour-long optical roller-coaster ride that runs the length of the album, with each song getting its own video separated by Smith’s interstitial voiceover narration. Some of the videos, such as those for singles “GET UP” and “DEVIL,” have already been released, but are presented in a new context within the film as a whole.

Certain characters and visual motifs pop up throughout ATTENTION ATTENTION, though Smith doesn’t feel it comes to a singular, clear-cut conclusion.

“For us, it was about allowing the viewer to have their own interpretation,” Smith says.

ATTENTION ATTENTION was directed by Bill Yukich, whose editing work on Beyoncé‘s Lemonade earned him an Emmy nomination. One of the enduring images from that groundbreaking project was the shot of the “Formation” star wielding a bat while wearing a yellow dress, which is coincidentally paralleled in the use of yellow throughout ATTENTION ATTENTION.

While that parallel was unintentional, Smith sees it as another example of the universe doing what it does in bringing Yukich to Shinedown’s, well, attention.

“We gravitated towards each other because the universe said, ‘Yeah, these four guys and this dude, they need to meet,'” Smith says. “‘They’re gonna create something’ that, in my opinion, is pretty awesome.”

Listen to Lindsey Buckingham’s new solo song, “Scream”; Buckingham launches solo tour tonight

September 1, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Former Fleetwood Mac singer-guitarist Lindsey Buckingham has just released a third advance track from his forthcoming self-titled solo album, which is due out on September 17.

“Scream,” which is available now via digital formats, is a stripped-down yet upbeat tune that kicks off the album.

“Many of the songs on this album are about the work and discipline it takes in maintaining a long-term relationship,” Buckingham explains in a press statement. “Some of them are more about the discipline and some of them are more about the perks. ‘Scream’ is about the perks. It felt very celebratory and it was also very, very simple and short. To the point.”

He adds, “It made its case and got the hell out. It just seemed like a good place to start the album, somehow. It’s very upbeat and very optimistic and very positive. It’s a celebration of an aspect of life.”

As previously reported, the upcoming album is Buckingham’s first solo studio effort since 2011’s Seeds We Sow and his seventh overall.

The 10-song collection, which Buckingham wrote, produced and recorded at his home studio in Los Angeles, will be available on CD, as a vinyl LP, and on digital and streaming platforms.

Lindsey previously released songs from the album called “I Don’t Mind” and “On the Wrong Side.”

The release of “Scream” coincides with the launch of Buckingham’s new U.S. tour, kicking off tonight in Milwaukee. This marks the first time that Lindsey will be playing in-person concerts since he underwent emergency heart surgery in February 2019.

Visit LindseyBuckingham.com to check out his full tour schedule.

In other news, Buckingham contributed acoustic guitar to a song called “Darling” from pop star Halsey‘s recently released album, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power.

Twenty One Pilots earn ninth number-one ‘Billboard’ Alternative single with “Saturday”

September 1, 2021 by WDNY Radio

In addition to painting the town, Twenty One Pilots are painting the Billboard charts.

The duo’s current single, “Saturday,” has hit number one on the Alternative Airplay ranking, giving Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun a total of nine leaders on the tally.

Twenty One Pilots now have the sixth-most Alternative Airplay number-ones in the history of the chart, which first began in 1988. Red Hot Chili Peppers have the most, with 13.

“Saturday” appears on the new Twenty One Pilots Scaled and Icy, which was released in May. The record’s lead single, “Shy Away,” also hit number one on Alternative Airplay.

Twenty One Pilots will perform “Saturday” on this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, airing September 12. The video for “Shy Away” is nominated in the Best Alternative category.

Showtime debuts trailer for The Weeknd’s Super Bowl halftime show documentary

September 1, 2021 by WDNY Radio

The Weeknd received an Emmy nomination for his Super Bowl halftime performance, and now Showtime is taking us behind the scenes of the multi-million dollar production in a new documentary titled The Show.

A trailer was released Wednesday capturing the numerous rehearsals in dance studios and stadiums, and the preparations for the special effects, as well as clips from the actual show.

The Blinding Lights singer, who spent $7 million himself to create his halftime mini-concert, recently told The Hollywood Reporter that he felt enormous pressure to deliver a special show.

“Oh yeah, absolutely. Naturally. Just the idea that it’s the Super Bowl alone, you know, there was that pressure,” he said. “Then, having to adjust to what we’re dealing with and making it a COVID-safe, COVID-free environment.”

“The silver lining was that we got to be very creative and got to make it a cinematic journey,” The Weeknd continued. “Less of a halftime show spectacle, more of a narrative. So there was a silver lining in that, but we didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into. We were kind of blind, but it turned out great.”

The halftime performance is up for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special. The Show will debut Friday, September 24 at 9 p.m., 8 p.m. Central, on Showtime.

50th anniversary of John Lennon’s “Imagine” to be celebrated with film screenings, special vinyl release & more

September 1, 2021 by WDNY Radio

John Lennon‘s widow, Yoko Ono, and their son, Sean, are inviting fans to join them on September 9 for a “Global Party” event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of Lennon’s enduring peace anthem “Imagine” and his album of the same name.

As part of the celebration, John and Yoko’s experimental 1971 film Imagine will be screened that day at 2:30 p.m. ET at select theaters or online for free. Fans also will be able to check out the movie, which was restored and re-released in 2018, on Amazon Prime’s music-themed streaming service The Coda Collection. A free seven-day trial is available for non-subscribers.

Also, U.K. radio presenter Tim Burgess will host a special edition of his popular Tim’s Twitter Listening Party at the same time as the Imagine screenings. A variety of notable people associated with Lennon and the album are confirmed to take part in the event, including Yoko, Sean, bassist Klaus Voormann and drummer Alan White.

Subscribers of the AXS TV channel in the U.S. also will be available to watch the movie. The Imagine film can be rented or purchased via Apple TV, iTunes or Amazon Prime, or on Blu-Ray and DVD.

Prior to the September 9 celebrations, AXS TV will be airing an Imagine-related programming block on September 6 starting at 8 p.m. ET. The channel will screen the 1988 documentary Imagine: John Lennon, followed by the Imagine film.

Various well-known musicians also will appear on AXS TV to discuss how John and Yoko have impacted their lives, and the influence the “Imagine” song and album.

Also, a limited-edition, two-LP white-vinyl set featuring the 2018 “Ultimate Mix” of Imagine plus select outtakes will be released on September 10. Here’s the track list:

LP 1: Imagine — Ultimate Mixes

Side A
“Imagine”
“Crippled Inside”
“Jealous Guy”
“It’s So Hard”
“I Don’t Wanna Be a Soldier Mama I Don’t Wanna Die

Side B
“Gimme Some Truth”
“Oh My Love”
“How Do You Sleep?”
“How?”
“Oh Yoko!”

LP 2: Imagine Outtakes

Side C
“Imagine” (Original demo recorded at Ascot Studios)
“Imagine” (Take 1)
“Crippled Inside” (Take 3)
“Crippled Inside” (Take 6 alternate guitar solo)
“Jealous Guy” (Take 9)
“It’s So Hard” (Take 6)

Side D
“I Don’t Wanna Be a Soldier Mama I Don’t Wanna Die” (Take 25)
“Gimme Some Truth” (Take 4)
“Oh My Love” (Take 6)
“How Do You Sleep?” (Takes 1 & 2)
“Oh Yoko!” (From Bed Peace footage – Sheraton Hotel, Bahamas 1969)

Lady Gaga’s charity teams with ‘Words with Friends’ for #BeKind21 campaign

September 1, 2021 by WDNY Radio

If you’re a Lady Gaga fan, you may want to have some Words with Friends today.

Gaga’s charity, the Born This Way Foundation, has teamed up with a number of partners, including Zynga’s super-popular game, Words with Friends, to promote its annual #BeKind campaign, now in its fourth year. Today, September 1, the Word of the Day on Words with Friends is “Kindness,” in honor of the campaign, which encourages players to sign up to practice kindness for 21 days.

Specifically, the #BeKind21 campaign is asking participants to pledge to do one act of kindness each day from September 1 to September 21 to build “kinder, more connected communities” that “foster mental wellness.”

Words with Friends is one of 400 non-profit organizations, businesses, communities and school districts that are coming together for #BeKind21. Some of those partners include Duncan Hines, CareBares, Hilton, Indeed, Kate Space, PacSun, MGM Resorts, Under Armour and Zappos.

Gaga’s mom, Cynthia Germanotta, the president and co-founder of the Born This Way Foundation, says, “We’ve learned from young people that they believe experiencing, and even witnessing, more kindness in the places they live, work, and play will help to improve their mental wellness.”

Jimmie Allen joins Elton John on new album

September 1, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Jimmie Allen is joining Elton John on a song, “Beauty in the Bones,” on John’s upcoming The Lockdown Sessions, out on October 22. The 16-track project includes collaborations from artists of all genres, including Brandi Carlile, Stevie Wonder, Eddie Vedder, Charlie Puth and more.

Allen is thrilled to join his musical hero on the new record. “I have been a [Elton John] fan for as long as I can remember. One of my ultimate dreams was to work with him.. IT HAPPENED!” Allen wrote on Instagram.

All of the songs were recorded during the pandemic.

“Some of the sessions were recorded under very stringent safety regulations: working with another artist, but separated by glass screens,” John said in a statement. “But all the tracks I worked on were really interesting and diverse, stuff that was completely different to anything I’m known for, stuff that took me out of my comfort zone into completely new territory.

Although he had never written via Zoom before, John did say it was reminiscent of his early years as a studio musician.

“At the start of my career, in the late 60s, I worked as a session musician,” he explained. “Working with different artists during lockdown reminded me of that. I’d come full circle: I was a session musician again. And it was still a blast.”

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