Music

Maren Morris fans will want to tune into MTV Friday night. The singer is set to be a judge on the latest episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which airs at 8 p.m. On Instagram she calls the appearance her chance to “fulfill a decade-long dream.”

Kane Brown is booked to perform at the 2023 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The annual festival is happening April 28 to May 7. Kane is set to perform during the second weekend, May 4 to 7. 

Dolly Parton sent condolences to Priscilla Presley following the news of Lisa Marie Presley‘s death Thursday. “Priscilla, I know how sad you must be. May God comfort you at this time,” she shared. “Elvis, I know how happy you must be to finally have her home and to have her back with you. Lisa Marie, may you Rest In Peace. We all love you.” 

Elle King gave fans a glimpse of her son Lucky’s first birthday celebration, while also sharing a snippet of a new song. The singer posted video of her boy’s cake smash as the song, aptly titled “Lucky,” plays over it, noting that the tune is “one of my favorites.” Elle’s new album, Come Get Your Wife, drops January 27. 

Mickey Guyton is featured on Lukas Graham’s newly released ballad “Home Movies,” which will be featured on Lukas’ upcoming 4 (The Pink Album), dropping January 20. Check it out here.

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After The National guested on Taylor Swift‘s evermore song “coney island,” the pop superstar may be returning the favor.

On Friday, the indie rockers tweeted a link to their website while teasing their upcoming ninth studio effort. Though the site is password protected, Stereogum uncovered that typing in “EVIL FOREBODINGS” opens a clip of a song playing over an image of an open book.

As for how Swift factors in to all this, the text in the book mentions someone named Taylor. You’ll also see references to a “Mrs. Bridgers” and an “Uncle Sufjan,” perhaps hinting at Phoebe Bridgers and Sufjan Stevens collaborations, as well.

In addition to The National being featured on Swift’s “coney island,” guitarist Aaron Dessner co-produced evermore and its predecessor, folkore.

The National’s most recent album is 2019’s I Am Easy to Find.

Swift, meanwhile, made a surprise appearance during The 1975‘s concert in London Thursday, during which she performed the live debut of her hit single “Anti-Hero,” as well as a cover of The 1975’s “The City.”

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Dolly Parton is the latest artist to get the Funko Pop treatment. In celebration of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s upcoming 77th birthday on January 19, the company announced they’re creating two Funko Pop Rocks! Dolls in her honor. 

“Through her heartfelt music, genuine soul and authenticity, Dolly Parton continues to inspire generations across the globe, including the team at Funko,” Ryann Meikle, Funko concept lead, shares. “Known for her unforgettable performances and dazzling attire, Funko wanted to pay homage to the music icon by leaning into the outfits fans will never forget.” 

The dolls will sell for $12 each; one will have her donning the white, rhinestone-studded pantsuit she wore when she performed at Glastonbury in 2014. The other dresses her in an orange-fringed glitter jumpsuit, holding a banjo.

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Dustin Lynch is giving fans a taste of what it’s like to experience a country festival with the video for his new single, “Stars Like Confetti.” 

The clip was shot at the Country Jam USA festival in Eau Clare, Wisconsin, and offers glimpses of hanging him out with fans in the crowd having a good time. It also includes footage of the backstage and onstage experience and is cut with clips of a couple falling in love at the festival.

“With this video, we really wanted to capture one of my favorite things about country music and that’s getting to play at live shows, festivals, and fairs,” Dustin shares in a release. “All of these little pockets across the country are magical and make you realize that, yes – people are coming together, and people are brought together because of country music.” 

He adds, “I also think we captured just how much fun we’re having on the road with our fans, not only onstage, but in-and-around campgrounds before and after. That’s the magic of country music – it’s one big family having a whole lot of fun!”

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Lewis Capaldi might be celebrating his new song “Pointless” finally going to #1 in the United Kingdom, but the singer still can’t shake fans’ fascination with his unreleased and untitled demo.

To recap, Lewis jokingly shared a snippet on TikTok, and his followers have become obsessed with it — to the point of telling him they wish he’d released that song instead of “Pointless.”

Another comment has the Scottish singer reconsidering the song he insists will never see the light of day. 

“So many people have told me this song sounds like it should’ve been a One Direction song and now I’m thinking about all the money I could’ve made if only I had written it in 2014,” he wrote in a new TikTok video.

He also asked pal Niall Horan to “round up the troops at once” so they can turn his moneymaking scheme into a reality.

This video now has fans buzzing that Lewis will be the person to bring One Direction back from its yearslong hiatus. The band announced they were going to focus on their individual solo careers back in 2015.

Niall has not yet responded to Lewis’ command, but the Irish singer has teased he has a song of his own coming out soon. He shared a TikTok video of him listening to his future track on his AirPods and saying he can’t yet reveal its title.

But, in the video transcript, he did capitalize “Tell You Yet,” which fans believe is his way of sneakily confirming what the track is called. 

Niall also teased “Not long now” in the caption to hint the song will arrive soon.

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(NOTE LANGUAGE) Elvie Shane is taking on one of The Rolling Stones most iconic songs: “Sympathy for the Devil.”

The tune will be featured on the upcoming country compilation Stoned Cold Country, a celebration of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers’ 60th anniversary. It will feature some of country’s biggest artists, including Jimmie Allen, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Eric Church, Steve Earle, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, Lainey Wilson and Zac Brown Band.

“‘Sympathy for the Devil’ isn’t what the title would suggest. When given the opportunity to sing on this bada** record, I dove headfirst into the lyrics and book that inspired the song,” Shane shares. “I find it to be more of a cautionary tale. All of these atrocities committed in each line were the doings of us, humans – not the Devil. So have some sympathy for the scapegoat.”

He adds, “The message is important. I’m proud to have the chance to put my spin on it.”

Stoned Cold Country is due out this spring.

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Even Harry Styles knows all good things must come to an end — and that includes his massively popular Love on Tour.

Harry announced the final two shows of the North American leg of his tour will take place in a few weeks in Palm Springs, California. He’ll take over the Acrisure Arena on January 31 and February 1 with opener Madi Diaz.

Those hoping to get their hands on tickets can access a special Ticketmaster presale on January 16 beginning at 12 p.m. PT. Fans are urged to register for the Verified Fan program to access the sale, as tickets are expected to sell quickly.

There will be a general public sale starting January 19 at 10 a.m. PT on Harry’s official website.

Harry launched Love on Tour in September 2021 after the pandemic forced him to push back its original starting date. The trek, which is in support of his albums Fine Line and Harry’s House, is expected to wrap July 22 with a final date set at the RCF Arena in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

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Alice Cooper is hitting the road this spring. To celebrate Friday the 13th, the rocker just announced dates for his Too Close for Comfort tour.

The 11-date trek is set to kick off April 29 in Youngstown, Ohio, wrapping May 18 in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Presale tickets go on sale January 17 with the code SICKTHINGS; the general sale begins January 20 at 10 a.m. local time. Check out the complete list of dates here.

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Apple TV+’s new country talent competition My Kind of Country is set to premiere in March, and they’ve just announced the artists who will be helping to find the next country superstar.

Mickey Guyton, Jimmie Allen and Orville Peck are on board as scouts in search of the next big talent. The series is executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and Kacey Musgraves, who will both appear in the show, as well.

The eight-episode series will have Jimmie, Mickey and Orville selecting a roster of artists to invite to Nashville to showcase their work. The winner will receive a “life-changing” prize from Apple Music, which will support them and give them exposure on the service. 

My Kind of Country debuts March 24 on Apple TV+.

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Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars‘ “Uptown Funk” is at the center of a new royalties lawsuit.

Billboard reports family members of the Gap Band, who were credited as the song’s co-writers in 2015, are suing BMG Rights Management for reportedly not paying them royalties.

The suit was filed Thursday by the families of Robert and Ronnie Wilson in Manhattan federal court. They say a 2015 deal allowed them to collect royalties because “Uptown Funk” samples the Gap Band’s 1979 single “I Don’t Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oops Upside Your Head).” The deal allegedly allowed them to collect a 3.4 percent stake in the song’s profits. 

They are accusing BMG of breach of contract. The lawsuit states, in part, “Despite its obligations to account for and pay to plaintiffs their share of all income received from the Uptown Funk musical composition, BMG has refused and failed to provide either the funds due to plaintiffs or an accounting despite plaintiffs’ repeated demands.”

Attorney Michael Steger, who represents the family, said the family had been trying for years to come to a resolution and were ultimately “left with no choice but to pursue litigation to protect their rights.”

Neither Bruno nor Mark Ronson are named in the suit.

Representatives for BMG did not respond to the outlet’s request for comment.

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