Music – Page 2960 – 105.7 WDNY

Jason Mraz is bad at Halloween — but he still inspires many fans’ costumes

October 31, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Compared to some pop stars, Jason Mraz doesn’t have a particularly outrageous look. But apparently it’s still distinctive enough to inspire many fans to dress themselves — and their kids, their dogs and their cats — like him for Halloween.

“Oh, yeah. Anything in a Fedora qualifies as me,” laughs the hat-wearing singer. “I mean, I’ve seen inanimate objects, pets, babies — you name it. I love it.”

But as for his own costumes, Jason admits he’s not very good at them.

“I never had the foresight to, like, organize an outfit. So I’m the last-minute Halloween outfit guy: I’m putting this and that together and then making something up at the last minute,” he explains.

Then again, Halloween wasn’t that much fun for him as a kid, because his family was always celebrating his sister’s birthday, which is also October 31. Jason says the thrill of Halloween was “absolutely” taken away for him because of that, but he’s the odd man out in the Mraz family.

“My whole family, they go all out [on Halloween],” he says. “I mean, I might grow a pumpkin or a gourd in the garden and that’s the extent of my Halloween festivities. I think because my life is in entertainment, I seldom entertain at home.”

Oh, baby! It’s been a big year for babies, and country stars have the cute kiddos to show for it

October 31, 2022 by WDNY Radio

If you’ve been seeing babies left and right, you’re not imagining things: Nationwide there has been, if not a baby boom, at least a baby blip. Last year saw a modest rise in the number of U.S. births, according to NPR. It’s the first time the birth rate has increased since 2014.

In the music world, that translates to a whole lot of cute new country family members: Thomas Rhett, Mickey Guyton, Gabby Barrett and Chris Lane are just a few of the stars who welcomed babies in 2021.

And in 2022? Well, the rate of births doesn’t seem to be slowing down much. Most recently, Scotty McCreery and his wife, Gabi, brought home their first child, a boy named Avery, and they’ve since been sharing adorable pics.

Also on board the baby train is Luke Combs: He and his wife, Nicole, welcomed their bundle of joy, Tex, in June. Sam Hunt officially became a girl dad; Maddie & Tae’s Taylor Kerr brought home a daughter; and Gabby and her husband, Cade Foehner, are counting down the days until they welcome their second child, a boy, after becoming parents to baby girl Baylah last January.

Lane is in the two under 2 club, too: After his first son, Dutton, was born last summer, he and wife Lauren welcomed baby brother Baker earlier this month.

So, does that mean the birth rate will continue to rise in 2022? We’ll have to wait until next year for the additional data to come out, but in the meantime, country fans can enjoy all the cute country babies and sweet family pictures.

‘Let There Be Drums!’ director Justin Kreutzmann discusses star-studded music doc’s emotional family aspect

October 31, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Let There Be Drums!, a new documentary starring various famous rock drummers, opened in theaters and was released digitally and on-demand on Friday.

The film was directed by Justin Kreutzmann, son founding Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann, who’s featured in the movie and was one of its executive producers.

Justin tells ABC Audio that besides featuring various musicians sharing their stories about how they developed their passion for drumming, the doc examines the experiences of several children of well-known drummers, some of whom followed in their dad’s footsteps and others, like himself, who didn’t.

Justin says the idea to feature stories about drummers’ families came together while he was interviewing late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins for the film.

“[Taylor] said, ‘I don’t know if this is for this documentary, but, like, how stable was your home life growing up?'” Justin notes. “And we started a dialogue, and everybody did that with me.”

Besides such famous musicians as Justin’s father, Ringo Starr, Hawkins, The Police‘s Stewart Copeland, The Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart and Red Hot Chili Peppers‘ Chad Smith, the movie features John Bonham‘s son Jason, Keith Moon‘s daughter Mandy, Ginger Baker‘s son Kofi and Phil Collins‘ son Nic.

In talking to the various drummers’ children, Justin notes, “I was really interested in people’s … home life and growing up on the road or not growing up on the road or what happens when you have issues maybe from childhood because you feel like your dad’s fan base gets more of his time than you do.”

Justin adds that he hopes that the documentary “works on both levels,” for music fans interested in famous drummers’ stories and for people who will appreciate the emotional family aspect.

Let There Be Drums! also will be released on DVD this Tuesday.

Loretta Lynn packs the Opry House one more time, as music’s biggest stars remember the legend

October 31, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Superstars from both the country and rock worlds showed up Sunday night at the Grand Ole Opry House to pay tribute to one of American music’s biggest icons, Loretta Lynn.

Thousands of fans lined up starting at 4 a.m., braving a rainy Nashville day for a lineup that didn’t disappoint. Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow, Barbara Mandrell, Martina McBride, and Hoda Kotb all shared their memories, during a 90-minute celebration of life hosted by Jenna Bush.

Wynonna Judd kicked off the musical tributes with an unforgettable version of “How Great Thou Art,” backed by members of the Gaither Vocal Band and her stepfather Larry Strickland. Keith Urban pulled up a voicemail from Loretta herself before doing a banjo-fueled take on “You’re Looking at Country.” Tanya Tucker transformed herself into a “Blue Kentucky Girl,” before Darius Rucker took the crowd to “Fist City.”

Taylor Swift, Kid Rock, Kacey Musgraves, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Marty Stuart, and Sissy Spacek all offered recorded remembrances.

George Strait made a rare appearance to do Loretta’s first #1, “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’,” while Alan Jackson did the song he’d composed for his own mother’s funeral, the emotional “Where Her Heart Has Always Been.” Little Big Town covered Dolly’s Honky Tonk Angels contribution, “Let Her Fly,” from the album she and Loretta did with Tammy Wynette.

There was also Jack White’s “Van Lear Rose,” Margo Price‘s “The Pill,” and Brandi Carlile‘s take on Patsy Cline‘s “She’s Got You.” The Highwomen — with Brittany Spencer subbing for Maren Morris — closed with Lynn’s signature work, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

Loretta passed away October 4 at the age of 90 at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. The tribute’s set to re-air Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET and Sunday at 11 a.m. ET on CMT.

Natural Born Chart Leader: Highly Suspect earns third #1 ‘Billboard’ single

October 29, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Highly Suspect‘s “Natural Born Killer” has hit #1 on Billboard‘s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.

The track, the lead single off the rock outfit’s new The Midnight Demon Club album, gives Johnny Stevens and company their third leader on the chart, following “16” and “My Name Is Human.”

In an Instagram post celebrating the accomplishment, Stevens writes, “A massive thank you to our MCID ride or die fans and family that continue to give us love and support throughout the years as we quest onward. Much love to you all and thank you again.”

The Midnight Demon Club, the fourth Highly Suspect album and follow-up to 2019’s MCID, was released in September. Highly Suspect’s current U.S. tour in support of the record will conclude November 5 in Houston.

Elton John, Mick Jagger, John Fogerty among stars paying tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis

October 29, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Following the passing of Jerry Lee Lewis on Friday at age 87, a variety of well-known musicians and other celebrities have taken to social media to post message paying homage to the rock ‘n’ roll pioneer.

Among the famous artists who have paid tribute to Lewis are Elton John, The Rolling Stones‘ Mick Jagger and former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty.

“Without Jerry Lee Lewis, I wouldn’t have become who I am today,” Elton writes. “He was groundbreaking and exciting, and he pulverized the piano. A brilliant singer too. Thank you for your trailblazing inspiration and all the rock ‘n’ roll memories.”

Jagger’s tribute reads, “God bless you Jerry Lee … Your songs lit up my life!”

As for Fogerty, he posted a message that reads, “Sad to hear of the passing of Jerry Lee Lewis. I love his music and I was hugely influenced by his records and live performances which were always full of fire and inspiration! No one could touch him! God Bless you, Jerry Lee.”

John accompanied the note with a video clip of him performing with Lewis, as well as audio of a duet the two did on the CCR classic “Bad Moon Rising.”

Here are some more celebrity tributes to Lewis:

Ringo Starr: “God bless Jerry lee Lewis peace and love to all his family.”

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood: “R.I.P. JLL the KILLER -What a man.”

KISS‘ Gene Simmons: “Sadly, One of the pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll has passed. A rebel to the end. RIP, Jerry Lee Lewis.”

George Thorogood and the Destroyers: “We are saddened to hear about the passing of the great Jerry Lee Lewis, your music and influence will shine on forever.”

Slash: “RIP #JerryLeeLewis”

Dennis Quaid, who portrayed Lewis in the 1989 biopic Great Balls of Fire: “Jerry Lee was a Christian, an American icon and the greatest piano player in the world. People will be listening to ‘Great Balls of Fire’ and ‘Whole Lot of Shakin” 500 years from now. I will miss him. God bless you Jerry Lee.”

Bryan Adams reveals he almost asked Nile Rodgers to produce his biggest album

October 28, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Bryan Adams is the guest on the latest episode of Chic guitarist and famed producer Nile Rogers‘ Apple Music 1 podcast Deep Hidden Meaning Radio, which premieres Saturday, October 29, at 11 a.m. ET.

During the interview, Adams reveals that he’d considered contacting Rodgers about producing what became his chart-topping 1984 album, Reckless, and says Nile’s music inspired one of the album’s big hits.

Bryan explains that Bob Clearmountain was lined up to produce Reckless, but then got very busy and it looked like he wouldn’t be available.

“There was a moment there where I was like, ‘Wow, who do I want to work with?’ And I thought of you,” he tells Rodgers. “And so I put together a song which I thought you would dig and it’s called ‘Somebody.’ You could have produced the album. So I had this riff … And I thought, ‘That’s Nile, that’s my interpretation of Nile.'”

As it turned out Clearmountain was available to work on the album. “Somebody” went on to reach #11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Adams also tells Rodgers the story of how he was struggling to get the right sound while working on his hit “Summer of ’69.” He wound up using a young, unknown drummer named Pat Seward, who he saw playing in a bar and realized could deliver the energy that the track had been lacking.

“Pat came in, we cut the track and it was just, like, bang,” Bryan recalls.

Meanwhile, the two-CD deluxe version of Adams’ latest studio album, So Happy It Hurts, was released on Friday. The expanded collection includes a 12-track bonus disc featuring tracks that appeared on Adams’ 2022 Classic and Classic Pt. 2 digital albums, which boasted newly recorded versions of many of Bryan’s best-known tunes.

Listen to 1972 Beach Boys rarity “Carry Me Home” from upcoming ‘Sail On Sailor’ box set

October 28, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The Beach Boys have released the rare 1972 song “Carry Me Home” as an advance track from their upcoming archival box set, Sail On Sailor – 1972, which focuses on two of the band’s albums — 1972’s Carl and the Passions – “So Tough” and 1973’s Holland.

“Carry Me Home,” which was written and produced by late Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson, was recorded during the Holland sessions. The haunting ballad, which features vocals by Dennis and Blondie Chaplin, is about a soldier dying in the Vietnam War. The track, which was frequently bootlegged over the years, will get its first official release as part of the box set.

Sail On Sailor – 1972 will be released on November 18 and can be preordered now. It will be available as a five-CD set, as a vinyl package featuring seven LPs and one EP, and via digital formats.

The 105-track collection features newly remastered versions of the two albums, as well as 80 previously unreleased recordings.

Among the latter are unreleased outtakes, radio promos, alternate versions and mixes, isolated backing tracks and more from the recordings sessions, as well as live performances from the era.

The collection includes the Mount Vernon and Fairway (A Fairytale) EP, which was originally included as a bonus disc with Holland, and a full previously unreleased concert The Beach Boys played at Carnegie Hall in November 1972.

Carl and the Passions and Holland peaked at #50 and #36, respectively, on the Billboard 200. The highest-charting single released from the albums was Holland‘s “Sailor On Sailor,” which reached #49 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a popular radio track.

The Sail On Sailor – 1972 collection also be released in abbreviated versions, including a two-CD set and a two-LP/one-EP package.

New Music Friday: Rihanna, Alicia Keys, SZA, Chlöe and more

October 28, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The hottest new tracks and videos for the Halloween weekend.

Rihanna,“Lift Me Up” — RiRi not only released her first song in six years, “Lift Me Up,” she also followed up with its music video on Friday.

The clip features the nine-time Grammy winner standing before a bonfire on the beach as the sun sets. Interspersed between Rihanna performing the song are clips from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

“Lift Me Up” is the lead single off the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — Music From and Inspired By soundtrack. The track is also a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who starred as T’Challa/Black Panther.

Alicia Keys, “December Back 2 June” — The 15-time Grammy winner dropped this original holiday track from her first Christmas album, Santa Baby, which will be released on November 4.

SZA, “Shirt” — The Oscar nominee dropped her long-awaited single with a video featuring LaKeith Stanfield from Judas and the Black Messiah.

Chlöe, “For The Night” featuring Latto — The 24-year-old singer teams up with the A-T-L rapper for her fifth single. Chlöe co-directed the video, which takes her fans behind the scenes of a day in her life, including a festival performance.

Kodak Black, Kutthroat Bill: Vol.1 — The Florida MC dropped his fifth solo album with 19 tracks, including his new single, “300 Blackout.”

Ashanti, “Falling For You” — The member of the Hollywood Walk of Fame released her second single of the year and tells her partner, “No more falling for your games.”

Jeezy, “Put The Minks Down” featuring 42 Dugg — The Snowman teams up with the Detroit rapper as they parade a fleet of exquisite cars around the Motor City.

Rihanna releases emotional “Lift Me Up” music video, featuring scenes from ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

October 28, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Rihanna not only released her first song in six years, “Lift Me Up,” she also followed up with its music video on Friday.

The clip features Rihanna standing before a bonfire on the beach as the sun sets over the tranquil ocean. Interspersed between Rihanna performing the song are clips from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Each scene shows one of the main characters looking solemn, starting with Letitia Wright‘s Shuri at what appears to be a celebration of life. Another scene shows Angela Bassett‘s Queen Ramonda sitting at her throne as Danai Gurira’s Okoye cries, while the final glimpse is of Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia wearing armor and staring at the ocean.

“Lift Me Up” is the lead single off the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — Music From and Inspired By soundtrack. The track is also a tribute and send-off to Chadwick Boseman, who starred as T’Challa/Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Boseman died in 2020 after a silent battle with colon cancer at age 43.

Rihanna penned the track alongside Nigerian artist Tems, Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson and director Ryan Coogler.

Tems spoke about the track’s significance in a Wednesday statement: “After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life. I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them.”

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever opens November 11 from Marvel Studios, which is owned by Disney, parent company of ABC News.

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