Michael Ray’s got new music and a new lease on life

Michael Ray’s got new music and a new lease on life
Michael Ray’s got new music and a new lease on life
Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Michael Ray‘s busy working on new music as he gets ready to hit the road in 2023.

He’ll launch his new tour February 18 in Los Fresnos, Texas, on the heels of being in the studio with producer Michael Knox, who’s best known for his work with Jason Aldean.

“My romance with the business of music was starting to take its toll on me,” Michael Ray confesses. “Things really come into focus when you take the time to live a little life.”

He finds that’s making a difference both in the studio and onstage.

“The main things that have kept me going this year is my family, friends, and these incredible fans that have become friends,” he reflects. “I think they’ll see a lot of life lived in these songs, and hopefully they’ll see themselves in it, too.”

The first taste of Michael’s follow-up to 2021’s Higher Education should arrive sometime this spring.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Vanilla Ice reflects on Madonna relationship, says she proposed to him

Vanilla Ice reflects on Madonna relationship, says she proposed to him
Vanilla Ice reflects on Madonna relationship, says she proposed to him
Ryan Emberley/Getty Images for Joyburst

Vanilla Ice reflected on his relationship with Madonna during an appearance on the Just Jenny with Jenny Hut podcast. The two dated for eight months in the early ’90s, and he says the relationship “got weird,” adding, “I didn’t know what was going on.” He compared his life to a snow globe, saying it was shaken up.

“I remember she came back to the dressing room and said hello to me, and she kind of gave me the sexy eyes, and I was like … I must be mistaken on that,” he says of their first real meeting, noting he initially thought she was “too old” for him. 

Vanilla Ice, born Robert Matthew Van Winkle, also reveals that at one point Madonna proposed to him: “Things were going so crazy and fast, man.” 

“I was just like, ‘What?! I thought the guy was supposed to [get down on one knee],’” he offered. “‘What do you mean? Wait a minute. This is too fast. I’m just getting started here, and I’m way too young for this!’”

He says in the end the relationship was ruined when Madonna put him in her Sex book without his knowledge, although he still has good things to say about her. “She’s great, she’s a legend, she’s one of the greatest ever.”

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George Harrison’s sister Louise, who helped The Beatles get their break in America, dies at age 91

George Harrison’s sister Louise, who helped The Beatles get their break in America, dies at age 91
George Harrison’s sister Louise, who helped The Beatles get their break in America, dies at age 91
Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images

Louise Harrison, the older sister of George Harrison who has been credited with helping The Beatles break in America, passed away Sunday at an assisted living facility in Florida, The Mirror reports. She was 91.

The news was revealed on Harrison’s Facebook page, where friends, including Marty Scott, a member of Beatles tribute group Liverpool Legendwrote that Louise died “painlessly and peacefully.”

Louise moved to the U.S. with her first husband in the 1950s, and she helped promote The Beatles in the U.S. as they were just starting out. She’d contact radio and TV stations trying to get them a break, which finally happened when an Illinois radio station played “From Me To You” in 1963.

It would only be a matter of months before they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, which helped propel them to stardom.

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Dr. Dre releases ‘The Chronic’ on streaming services in honor of its 30th anniversary

Dr. Dre releases ‘The Chronic’ on streaming services in honor of its 30th anniversary
Dr. Dre releases ‘The Chronic’ on streaming services in honor of its 30th anniversary
Courtesy Interscope Records

Fans of Dr. Dre‘s debut album are in for some good news: The Chronic is now available on all major DSPs. The project’s rerelease, under original distributor Interscope Records, commemorates the 30th anniversary of its original drop. It will be accompanied by a special merchandise collection.

“I am thrilled to bring The Chronic home to its original distribution partner, Interscope Records,” said Dr. Dre. “Working alongside my longtime colleagues, Steve Berman and John Janick, to re-release the album and make it available to fans all over the world is a full circle moment for me.” 

The Chronic was released on December 15, 1992, featuring two top 10 hits on the Hot 100: “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang” (#2) featuring Snoop Dogg and “F*** Wit Dre Day” (#8).

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Bryan Adams announces U.S. dates for the So Happy It Hurts tour

Bryan Adams announces U.S. dates for the So Happy It Hurts tour
Bryan Adams announces U.S. dates for the So Happy It Hurts tour
BMG/Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams is bringing his tour to North America this year. The “Cuts Like A Knife” singer just announced dates for his So Happy It Hurts tour, featuring special guest Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

The tour kicks off June 6 in Baltimore, Maryland, and hits big cities like Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Nashville and Los Angeles before wrapping August 3 in Seattle, Washington. 

Tickets go on sale Friday, February 3, at 12 p.m. local time. A complete list of tour dates can be found at bryanadams.com

The tour news comes as Bryan kicks off a four-night stand in Las Vegas February 1 at the Encore Theater at the Wynn Las Vegas. He’s there through Saturday, February 5.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Mick Fleetwood, Bonnie Raitt & more to pay tribute to Christine McVie at the Grammys

Mick Fleetwood, Bonnie Raitt & more to pay tribute to Christine McVie at the Grammys
Mick Fleetwood, Bonnie Raitt & more to pay tribute to Christine McVie at the Grammys
CBS/Recording Academy

The lineup for Sunday’s Grammy Awards just got bigger, with the latest talent helping the show pay tribute to some of the artists we lost in the past year.

This year’s In Memoriam segment is set to feature a special tribute to Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, featuring a performance of her classic tune “Songbird” by her bandmate Mick Fleetwood, along with Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt.

The show will also include tributes to Loretta Lynn, with Kacey Musgraves performing “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” and Migos rapper Takeoff, featuring Quavo and Maverick City Music performing “Without You.” 

The 65th annual Grammy Awards air Sunday at 8 p.m. on CBS live from Los Angeles.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Kacey Musgraves will sing for Loretta at the Grammys

Kacey Musgraves will sing for Loretta at the Grammys
Kacey Musgraves will sing for Loretta at the Grammys
CBS/Recording Academy

Kacey Musgraves will perform “Coal Miner’s Daughter” in honor of Loretta Lynn during Sunday night’s Grammys. The country icon passed away peacefully at her Tennessee home last October at the age of 90.

Kacey’s just one part of an expanded In Memoriam segment on this year’s show. Sheryl CrowBonnie Raitt and Mick Fleetwood will remember Fleetwood Mac‘s Christine McVie with “Songbird.” Maverick City Music and Quavo will perform “Without You” for rapper Takeoff.

You can tune in to watch the 65th Grammys Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Joy Division & New Order’s Peter Hook reacts to joint Rock Hall nomination: “I think either band has earned it”

Joy Division & New Order’s Peter Hook reacts to joint Rock Hall nomination: “I think either band has earned it”
Joy Division & New Order’s Peter Hook reacts to joint Rock Hall nomination: “I think either band has earned it”
Courtesy Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Among the quirks of this year’s list of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees is that Joy Division and New Order are on the ballot together as a single entry. Speaking with Billboard, bassist Peter Hook, who played in both bands, shares that the joint nod “feels OK to me.”

“We were always the square peg in a round hole as Joy Division and very much a square peg in a round hole as New Order,” Hook says. “[The Rock Hall] is a hell of an accolade, but my God, I think either band has earned it. We are definitely up there without a shadow of a doubt.”

Hook adds that Joy Division and New Order were “always against this sort of thing when we started” — “It was the old punk thing,” he says — but he now feels humbled by the Rock Hall recognition.

“It’s nice, and it’s fun to be appreciated,” he says.

Hook, guitarist Bernard Sumner and drummer Stephen Morris played together in Joy Division along with lead vocalist Ian Curtis. Following Curtis’ death in 1980, the trio formed New Order alongside keyboardist Gillian Gilbert. Hook, however, hasn’t played with New Order since 2007 and was involved in a lawsuit with the band when they reunited in 2011.

“[We] still haven’t spoken, personally in 11 years,” Hook says of his ex-New Order bandmates. “We’re still fighting hammer and tong, tooth and nail … I think we’re going for the record for the longest group fallout in history. It’s very tragic.”

Should Joy Division and New Order be chosen for induction, Hook wonders if that occasion might be the “olive branch that we may need to end the injustices that were done with New Order in the end.”

The 2023 Rock Hall inductees will be announced in May.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Cyndi Lauper & The Spinners react to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations

Cyndi Lauper & The Spinners react to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations
Cyndi Lauper & The Spinners react to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations
Courtesy of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Cyndi Lauper is among this year’s first-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees, and she calls the recognition “an honor and a thrill.”

“Seeing my name on this year’s ballot with so many talents that I admire means so much to me,” she shares. “It has been a lifetime privilege to reach so many different kinds of fans with a message of following your own path (and having fun along the way, too).” She adds, “To my wonderful fans: Thank you for your support and love over the years!”

The Spinners are also in the running this year, their fourth nomination, and founding member Henry Fambrough is hoping this is the year they finally get in.

“It’s a pleasure being selected by this,” he tells Billboard. “We’ve been in this position over years and years, but we just haven’t won anything yet. But it’s a pleasure being selected like this.” He adds, “When you’re nominated like that, at least someone is thinking about you. You’re not sitting at home not hearing anything — you know what I’m saying?” 

Fan voting is open now through April 28 at rockhall.com, and the top five vote-getters will quality for the “fan’s ballot,” which will help determine this year’s inductees. This year’s Hall of Fame class will be announced in May, with the induction ceremony taking place this fall.

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On This Day – February 1, 1972: Neil Young releases his fourth studio album, ‘Harvest’

On This Day – February 1, 1972: Neil Young releases his fourth studio album, ‘Harvest’
On This Day – February 1, 1972: Neil Young releases his fourth studio album, ‘Harvest’

On this day: February 1, 1972

Neil Young released his fourth studio album, Harvest, which went on to be a classic and signature album for him. The record peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart and became the bestselling album of 1972.

Harvest featured two classic Young songs, “Heart of Gold,” which went to number one on the Hot 100, and “Old Man,” which landed in the Top 40. Other songs on the album include “The Needle and the Damage Done” and “A Man Needs a Maid.” 

The album featured special appearances by London Symphony Orchestra, as well as background vocals from guests like David Crosby, Graham Nash, Linda Ronstadt, Stephen Stills and James Taylor.

In December 2022, Young released a 50th anniversary edition of Harvest that included, among other things, a previously unseen two-hour documentary filmed in 1971 that focuses on the making of the album.

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