Craig Morgan is set to sing “God Bless America” on Saturday as the Seattle Seahawks take on the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. You can watch the game live on ABC/ESPN starting at 5 p.m. PT.
Terri Clark has been honored with the Order of Canada, her native country’s highest accolade for a civilian. Anne Murray, k.d. lang and Joni Mitchell have also received the recognition, which is the “cornerstone of the Canadian Honors System.”
Tucker Wetmore performed a mash-up of his #1 “Wind Up Missin’ You” and his new single, “Brunette,” on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest on ABC. If you missed it, the show’s available to stream now on Hulu.
Before Michael Bublé goes back into deep freeze for another year, give him his flowers for his latest chart accomplishment.
Billboardreports that Michael’s holiday album, Christmas, is #1 on the Canadian Albums chart dated Jan. 3, 2026. The album, which first came out in 2011, has therefore hit #1 in 10 different years, more than any other album in that chart’s history.
Christmas hit #1 in 2011 when it was released and has returned to the top in 2012, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and now 2026. By comparison, it’s only been #1 on the Billboard 200 chart in two different years.
Michael’s record label says that Christmas is the bestselling holiday album of the 21st century, earning billions of streams and more than 16 million physical copies sold worldwide.
On New Year’s Eve, Michael wrote on Instagram that he was “stepping into the new year with gratitude and excitement for what’s ahead. Cheers to 2026!”
Cover of Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’/NPG Records/Warner Records
(SPOILER ALERT)Music has always played a huge role in the Netflix series Stranger Things, and the series finale was no exception.
In season 5, episode 8, which debuted on New Year’s Eve, two songs from Prince’s Purple Rain — “When Doves Cry” and the title track — played a pivotal role in the culmination of the series’ final battle, in which a bomb destroys the Upside Down. Show creators Ross Duffer and MattDuffer have shared their thought process behind using the tracks.
“Once we came up with the idea that the record was going to be the trigger for the bomb, we knew we needed an epic needle drop, and so many ideas were thrown around,” Ross tells Tudum. “I think there’s nothing really more epic than Prince.”
Ross says the two songs from the album “lined up perfectly for us,” noting the choice was right “because I think it summed up the emotion of the moment.”
But there was some fear they might not get the clearance to use the songs.
“What is also very exciting about it is it just has not been used,” Ross says. “[Prince’s] estate does not generally allow that song to be licensed outside the Purple Rain movie.”
Matt credits the renewed popularity of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (Deal With God),” which returned to the charts after it was used on the show, with helping them acquire the rights.
“We were told that it was a real long shot, so we just crossed our fingers,” Matt says. “Thank God they agreed.”
Meanwhile, Variety reports that Spotify streams of the two Prince songs have skyrocketed since they were used in the show. “Purple Rain” has seen a 243% increase in global streams, and “When Doves Cry” has seen a 200% increase. Prince’s catalog has shot up 128% since the episode debuted.
Tony Iommi bows at the curtain call during the press night performance of “Black Sabbath – The Ballet” at Sadler’s Wells Theatre on October 18, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi has given fans an update on his next solo project.
In a New Year’s message, Iommi discussed the highlights of his 2025, including his reunion with his Black Sabbath bandmates Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler for the Back to the Beginning show in July. He also referenced the band getting the Freedom of the City honor from their hometown of Birmingham, England, where the concert took place.
Of course 2025 wasn’t all happy, with Tony noting the “unfortunate” and “sad” passing of Ozzy a couple of weeks after the concert.
Tony detailed what fans can expect in the coming year, offering, “Of course in 2026 I shall have definitely, definitely my solo album out and I’m really looking forward to that.” He added, “I’m enjoying doing it and it’s been great fun and I really hope you enjoy it.”
In other Sabbath-related news, Geezer recently revealed how artificial intelligence is helping him with his music.
Video posted from a Q&A at the 2025 Steel City Con in December shows Geezer responding to an inquiry about whether he has any more albums “in the tank.” He says he’s got “tons of stuff,” noting AI has been helping him update music he wrote in the ’80s and beyond.
“And what held me back before, I didn’t have a singer when I’m at home, but AI came along. So all my songs now, I’ve updated them all and I’m using an AI singer to bring all the lyrics out,” Geezer said. “So now I can take it to singers that I’m gonna be working with and go, ‘This is what I want on the album,’ so they’ve got a better idea. It’s really helped me. A lot of people think it’s cheating.”
Megan Thee Stallion walks the runway at Hot Girl Summer by Megan Thee Stallion during Paraiso Miami Swim Week at The Paraiso Tent on May 29, 2025, in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Hot Girl Summer)
Megan Thee Stallion has officially begun her run as a Popeye’s franchise owner, opening her first restaurant in South Beach, Miami.
She shared a video on Instagram documenting her visit to the location, including her reaction to the space. The clip shows Megan touring the restaurant, meeting each member of the staff and addressing the team in a brief speech.
“This is gonna be the best experience for me, and I hope it’s gonna be a good experience for y’all cuz I’ma be coming up in here and I’ma be acting fool,” she said. “I hope this is a fun job. I hope everyone is having a blast. This is the first Megan Thee Stallion Popeyes. I just want to lead with love. I want everybody to lead with kindness. That’s my main thing. I don’t like that mean s***.”
Elsewhere in the video, the chef cooks in the kitchen, the cashier takes orders and Meg attempts to pack a customer’s meal. When someone asks to speak to the manager, Megan pops out from the back and replies, “How can I help you?”
Meg first teased the location in April as the Miami building was under construction. The opening marks the latest chapter in her partnership with Popeyes, following the launch of her Hottie Sauce and the Animegan collection.
“Prepping Thee Hot Staff before THEE OFFICIAL FIRST EVER MEGAN THEE STALLION POPEYES OPENED. I’m so excited, so proud, and I just feel so much gratitude! Hottiessss I’m officially a franchise owner,” she writes. “Come to South Beach Miami and dine with us.”
Ashley McBryde‘s fifth studio album seems destined to arrive in 2026, and so far, she’s simply overwhelmed by what she’s been able to do.
The “One Night Standards” hitmaker shared her thoughts on Instagram, after listening to the rough mixes of the record for the first time.
“This is literally a video I sent to my team after hearing this #newmusic. Stay Tuned!” she wrote.
In the short clip, Ashley’s driving in her car, reacting through a mixture of laughter and tears.
“I’ve been here for every note, every syllable, every breath of this record,” she explains, “and I’m listening to the mixes and it’s like I’ve never heard this record. It’s like I’ve never heard this artist.”
She specifically mentions it was a song she co-wrote titled “Hand Me Downs” that evoked much of the emotion. Ashley also seems to say the name of the album, but it’s obscured in the video.
The forthcoming new record is the follow-up to 2023’s The Devil I Know.
Drummer Alex Van Halen of Van Halen performs during the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Sounds like Alex Van Halen may be getting back to music.
In an interview with Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain on his Metal Sticks podcast, Alex revealed that he is about to work on music with Toto’s Steve Lukather.
“I’m getting ready to do this record with Lukather and a couple of other people,” he said. “It should be exciting.”
While Alex didn’t share any other details about what he and Steve are going to be working on, back in March Steve cleared up speculation that he was going to be recording a possible new Van Halen album with Alex.
That speculation began after the Dutch outlet De Telegraaph claimed Alex had asked Steve to finish some unreleased Van Halen material.
But Steve took to social media to clear up any confusion, writing in a comment to his Jan. 26 birthday tribute to Eddie Van Halen, “I think there is a huge misunderstanding. I will NOT EVER play a guitar note on a VH song ever!”
“Al asked me to help him go thru a ton of unfinished recordings of Al and Ed writing and recording that never saw the light of day. As of now thats [sic] all I got,” he noted. “The fact that ANYONE would think for even a second that I would play anything on this is ridiculous. I have too much love and respect for that and … I play nothing like Ed.. more as a co-producer or something. I am honored Al would ask me though.”
Mgk on ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021.’ (ABC/Jeff Neira)
Mgk has released a new song called “times of my life.”
If you’re an mgk die-hard, then you may have already heard a version of “times of my life.” The track dates back to the sessions for mgk’s 2020 album, Tickets to My Downfall, and a recording that leaked online.
Back in 2020, mgk said that “times of my life” was left off the original Tickets track list due to a “similarity” between the recording and an unnamed Tom Petty song, which the estate of the late Rock & Roll Hall of Famer elected to not clear.
The official “times of my life” was written, produced and recorded with frequent mgk collaborator Travis Barker. You can watch its accompanying video on YouTube.
By the way, in the video mgk is wearing a shirt that says “Don’t think twice it’s all right,” a possible reference to the Bob Dylan song of the same name. Dylan previously narrated the trailer for mgk’s latest album, 2025’s lost americana.
Mgk’s tour in support of lost americana will return to the U.S. in May.
To Whom This May Concern, Jill Scott‘s first album in more than a decade is officially on the way.
The project is described as “equal parts magic, medicine, and mastery” and a body of work that “leans heavily into the power of connectivity, humanity, and collective home,” according to a press release.
Features on the project include Ab-Soul, J.I.D., Tierra Whack and Too $hort, with Adam Blackstone, Om’Mas Keith, DJ Premier, Camper, Andre Harris, Seige Montracity, Trombone Shorty, Eric Wortham, DW Wright and VT Tolan receiving producer credits. Visual artist Marcellus is the man behind the artwork.
Now available for preorder, To Whom This May Concern is set to arrive just in time for Valentine’s Day. “Finally my new album entitled TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN drops Feb. 13th!!!!” Jill writes on Instagram. “PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE and THANK YOU for your patience and your listening ears.”
Ahead of the release, Jill is giving fans a preview with the lead single, “Beautiful People,” which is now available on streaming services.
Both Alex Warren and sombr are competing for the best new artist trophy at the Grammys, but a few days before the Feb. 1 ceremony they’ll both be picking up awards that are guaranteed.
The National Music Publishers Association and Billboardwill hand out their annual Songwriter Awards on Jan. 28 in Hollywood. Alex will receive the song of the year award for his smash “Ordinary.” His co-writers on the song will also be honored. Meanwhile, sombr will be named debut artist of the year.
EJAE, who co-wrote the KPop Demon Hunters song “Golden” and also sang on it, will receive the breakthrough songwriter trophy at the ceremony.
Others who will receive awards at the ceremony will be country star Megan Moroney; Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver; andDJ, producer and songwriter Mustard.
