Music – Page 2791 – 105.7 WDNY

Jennifer Coolidge, Kristin Chenoweth gush over Ariana Grande: “Her take on things is so advanced”

January 18, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Jennifer Coolidge is having a moment, taking home the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Awards for her standout role in HBO’s The White Lotus. But to hear Jennifer tell it, she owes much of her current success to Ariana Grande.

Speaking to ET Canada about being included in one of Ariana’s music videos, the Legally Blonde star gushed, “That sort of changed a lot for me sort of overnight. I love that girl. She is someone that is such an unusual story because she’s this very, very old person in a very young body.”

“Her take on things is so advanced,” Jennifer added. “I don’t really know how to explain her. I have never met anyone like her in my life.”

About four years ago, after Ariana did a spot-on imitation of Coolidge on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the actress reached out to her, which led to Coolidge getting cast in the video for Ari’s hit “thank u, next.” Jennifer and Ari have been friends ever since; in fact, Ari dressed up as Jennifer’s Best In Show character last Halloween.

And Coolidge isn’t the only veteran actress who’s singing Ariana’s praises. Monday on Live with Kelly & Ryan, Kristin Chenoweth talked about Ariana starring in the upcoming film version of Wicked, playing the part of Glinda, the role Kristin originated on Broadway.

Describing herself and Ariana as very close, Kristin, who’s known Ari since she was 10, said, “I didn’t have children, but I feel like I have a couple out there. I’m just so proud of her.”

(A previous version of this story published on 1/18/23 misspelled Kristin Chenoweth’s name in the headline. The text above has been updated to correct the error.)

Billie Eilish requests restraining order after home invasion

January 18, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Billie Eilish requested a restraining order on Tuesday against a man who allegedly broke into her childhood home in Los Angeles home earlier this month.

The restraining order would be to protect the “bad guy” singer, as well as her brother FINNEAS and their parents, from the suspect, 39-year-old Christopher Anderson, according to legal documents obtained by ABC News.

Eilish’s father said Anderson has visited the family’s home in the Highland Park neighborhood on numerous occasions since late December, allegedly professing his love for the singer and hoping to meet her.

On January 5, Los Angeles Police received a call about a stranger hopping over a fence and trespassing onto the family’s property around 9:15 p.m.

According to legal documents, Billie said the incidents have caused her “substantial anxiety, fear, and emotional distress” over the safety of her family and she reportedly doesn’t feel safe visiting her parents anymore.

This isn’t the first time Billie has encountered an intrusive fan. In 2020, a judge granted her a three-year restraining order against Prenell Rousseau, 24, from Farmingville, New York, after he repeatedly appeared at her Los Angeles home.

Sam Smith will put more priority on their mental and physical health during their new tour

January 18, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Sam Smith is gearing up for their next global tour, but this time it’ll flow a little differently than the last few times.

Speaking with Billboard, the hitmaker revealed they are being mindful of their mental health and limits — even though they are adding new dates for the upcoming Gloria Tour.

The tour kicks off April 23 in Sheffield, England, and Sam just announced five new dates set for Australia later this fall. “I start rehearsals in March,” they revealed. “I’m starting to prep now, really. I’m starting to watch what I eat, what I’m drinking, starting to move my body more, train my voice, just getting ready for the year ahead.”

“I’m not doing as many gigs this time as last time, when I hit nearly 130 gigs. That was really intense. We’re doing a little less, keeping an eye on my mind and my body,” they explained, adding that they have an understanding of what they will and will not be able to do this time around.

“I think I’ll always feel fatigued after a tour, it’s an intense job,” said Sam. “The jetlag and the adrenaline crash you go through every night when you walk off stage, it’s very intense. I plan my breaks, so it’s not going to be impossible. It’s just about getting used to jetlag. Every time I do it, I know how to look after myself more and more.”

Sam will release Gloria on January 27. The singer is set to take their tour through the United Kingdom, Europe, North America and Australia. It is unknown if more dates are being planned at this time.

The intoxicating appeal of Jason Aldean’s “That’s What Tequila Does”

January 18, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Jason Aldean‘s latest top ten hit continues his longstanding tradition of recording songs written by members of his band, particularly Tully Kennedy and Kurt Allison.

And when it comes to “That’s What Tequila Does,” the boss was instantly intoxicated.

“I was like, ‘Man, there’s something really cool about that,'” Jason recalls. “And I think that was one that they specifically went in really kinda trying to write for our album. And I can kinda hear those things like when they play me the song.”

“So I loved it, I thought it was great, really well-written,” he continues. “And we wanted to go back and pull something out [of] the first part of the album. And to me, that was just a cool thing to follow up ‘Trouble With Heartbreak’ and [it] comes off great live.”

“That’s What Tequila Does” is from the Macon half of Jason’s double album, which came out in November of 2021, while his most recent #1, “Trouble with a Heartbreak,” is from Georgia, which arrived in April of last year.

Tully and Kurt had a hand in writing both songs, as well as John Morgan, who’s signed to Jason’s label and opened for him last year. Songwriters John Edwards and Brett Beavers also contributed to “Tequila” and “Trouble,” respectively.

With “Tequila” likely to continue Jason’s streak of number ones, what will the ACM Artist of the Decade order to celebrate?

“My go-to tequila is probably Casamigos, and my go-to tequila drink is tequila — just that’s it. Just a shot!” he laughs. “Shot and chase it with a beer, you know,” he adds.

Former music exec Tony King reveals “mad” experiences working at The Beatles’ label

January 18, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Former music exec Tony King is opening up about the crazy experiences he had working as head of A&R for The Beatles’ label, Apple Records, back in the day.

“It was so mad, Apple. The poor office boy had to do Ringo (Starr‘s) shopping every Friday,” King shares in a new interview with The Guardian. “There would be all these toilet rolls stacked in the lobby while they counted them out, making sure they’d got the right number for Ringo.”

Noting that the “mad side of it was lovely,” King went on to reveal, “We had an Apple darts team and we’d challenge different record companies. Keith Moon showed up wanting to play, but he was so drunk, the office boys had to hold him up so he could throw a dart.”

King, whose new memoir, The Tastemaker, comes out January 31, was friends with plenty of artists over the years, including Elton John, John Lennon, Freddie Mercury and Charlie Watts. He feels there was a simple reason they liked him. “I suppose I was always very straightforward, a straight speaker,” King says. “I wasn’t an artist but I understood the artists, I was in their camp. I think I had an innate understanding of what artists needed, and I didn’t put up with bullsh**.”

Wage War announces US tour supporting ‘Manic’ album

January 17, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Wage War has announced a U.S. tour in support of the band’s latest album, Manic.

The headlining outing, which will also feature nothing,nowhere. and Spite on the bill, will run from April 11 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to May 20 in Atlanta.

For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit WageWarBand.com.

Manic was released in 2021, and includes the singles “Circle the Drain” and “Godspeed.”

Last year, Wage War toured with Slipknot, Three Days Grace and A Day to Remember.

Portugal. The Man spotlights health care for Alaska Indigenous communities in new video

January 17, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Portugal. The Man has released a new video focusing on the need for health care and services for the Indigenous communities in the band’s home state of Alaska.

The four-minute clip, titled “Pass the Mic: Alaska Native Health,” spotlights “the organizations working to keep Alaska’s communities of Indigenous Peoples healthy and safe,” including the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation.

Portugal. The Man’s PTM Foundation charity is also offering exclusive merch items in support of those organizations.

“I am so honored to be able to go home to Alaska and visit these beautiful communities,” says frontman John Gourley. “Their strength and resilience is incredible and something we can all learn from.”

You can watch “Pass the Mic” via the PTM Foundation’s YouTube channel.

Music notes: Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Gavin DeGraw and Dua Lipa

January 17, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Jennifer Lopez claims she was supposed to take part in that now infamous VMAs kiss with Madonna — not Christina Aguilera. She told E! News she was invited to perform at the 2003 VMAs with Madge and Britney Spears, but she was busy shooting a movie, “So they got Christina to do it.”

Speaking of Christina, she will be joining Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, En Vogue, Blackstreet and other throwback artists for Usher‘s Lovers & Friends Festival in Las Vegas on May 6. Tickets go on sale this Friday, January 20, on the event’s official website.

Kelly Clarkson guest stars on Tuesday’s episode of The Rookie on ABC at 8 p.m. ET. She shared a teaser of her boarding a hospital elevator with balloons and flowers — and dealing with the major annoyance of going nowhere because the cast keeps jumping into the elevator before the doors fully close.

Gavin DeGraw shared a video of him performing a duet of “Follow Through” with country singer Kelsea Ballerini. Posting it to Instagram, he wrote, “Duet vibes. We should do this more.” Kelsea wrote back, “Yes, we’ve only been talking about it for years! let’s do it.”

Dua Lipa is again fanning theories she’s giving acting a go by sharing a photo of her with Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar. She shared the image as part of her “24hrs in Madrid” montage on Instagram.

Music notes: Billie Eilish, Pitbull, Usher, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Clarkson, Gavin DeGraw and Dua Lipa

January 17, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Due to overwhelming demand, 300 more theaters will be showing Billie Eilish‘s Live at the O2 movie, which airs one night only on January 27. Tickets are available on the movie’s website.

Pitbull has a new song out this Friday called “Right Or Wrong” that features AYYBO and ero808. He shared a teaser to Instagram that shows his head replaced by a disco ball. “Get ready to be hypnotized!” he warned.

Speaking of Pitbull, he’ll join Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott and others for Usher’s Lovers & Friends Festival in Las Vegas on May 6. Tickets go on sale this Friday, January 20, on the event’s official website.

Kelly Clarkson guest stars on Tuesday’s episode of The Rookie on ABC at 8 p.m. ET. She shared a teaser of her boarding a hospital elevator and dealing with the major annoyance of going nowhere because the cast keeps jumping in before the doors fully close.

Gavin DeGraw shared a video of him performing a duet of “Follow Through” with country singer Kelsea Ballerini. Posting to Instagram, he wrote, “Duet vibes. We should do this more.” Kelsea wrote back, “Yes, we’ve only been talking about it for years! let’s do it.”

New Keith Emerson book, featuring never-before-seen photos, released

January 17, 2023 by WDNY Radio

A new book dedicated to the late ELP keyboardist Keith Emerson has just been released. The book, Emerson: The Official Illustrated Story, features never-before-seen photos of the rocker from the private Emerson family archives, along with live performance photographs and more.

The book also features new interviews with Keith’s friends and family sharing their favorite memories of him. There are also interviews with fellow artists, such as ex-ELP member Carl Palmer, Rick Wakeman, ex-Doobie Brothers guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and many others.

The book has been released in two versions, the Classic and the Signature, the latter of which is signed by author Chris Welch and Keith’s son Aaron Emerson. It features a CD of an unheard Emerson interview, an exclusive art print portrait of Keith and sheet music for a song called “Quatermass Boogie Woogie,” the first piece Emerson composed at just 12 years old.

Emerson died by suicide in March 2016. He was 71.

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