Music

Lainey Wilson’s highly-anticipated new album, Bell Bottom Country, arrives on Friday following a breakout couple of years for the rising star.

So, what does “bell bottom country” mean, anyway? It’s “country with a flair,” Lainey jokes to ABC Audio.

In all seriousness, the singer’s rise to fame is far from an overnight success: Lainey’s been grinding in Nashville for over a decade. She says that her stardom is the result of a long process of self-discovery and brand-building.

“I feel like I’ve learned a lot about myself as a singer, songwriter and really, a person,” she details. “…I’m showing you who I am unapologetically.”

Now, Lainey hopes her new album will inspire listeners to be themselves. “Lean into whatever it is that makes you you, and different — whether it’s where you’re from, how you were raised, the way you look, the way you talk — lean into it,” she advises.

“Be you — I mean, everyone else is taken,” Lainey goes on to say. “That’s what this record stands for, and that’s what I’ve learned about myself over the past few years.”

In Lainey’s case, being herself is paying off in spades. She’s the most-nominated artist at the upcoming 2022 CMA Awards, with an impressive six nominations, and she’s also teaming up with Hardy for a performance of their duet, “Wait in the Truck,” at the awards show.

To watch Lainey at the 2022 CMAs, tune into ABC on November 9. The show, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, will air live from Nashville.

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Karamo Brown is publicly addressing his son’ overdose for the first time.

In a promo clip from his syndicated talk show, Karamo, obtained by People, he emotionally recalls the incident, which happened two years ago.

“Today, I’m going to be very vulnerable with you all,” he begins, adding “It’s something that I’ve never talked about publicly.”

“Almost two years ago, I found my oldest son Jason, lying on the floor, dying from a drug overdose “And I was terrified,” Brown continues. “I was about to lose my son. I didn’t know what to do. I was in shock.”

“For anybody else who’s out there that’s going through this stuff, there are people out there that want to help you,” the Queer Eye star concludes, before inviting Jason, 25, to sit with him on stage.

Jason will discuss his drug use, what he remembers from that day and how he’s doing now on Thursday’s show.

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A few months back, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford revealed the band was working on tracks for its next studio album. Now the singer has shared an update on the status of the group’s follow-up to 2018’s Firepower.

“It’s all done, apart from me,” Halford tells ABC Audio. “You saw [Priest guitarist] Richie [Faulkner] said in the press, ‘We’re waiting for him.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, God, it’s all on my back.’ The record is finished, but I’ve got to sing on it.”

The 71-year-old heavy metal legend continues, “I’ve got to be in the right place to sing. I have to be in the right frame of mind … And I’m not really in the right frame of mind right now. There’s too many intrusive things, because I’m like a world barometer, and there are too many things that are going on.”

Halford adds, “It’s not too far off, you know? I’ve got my kind of mental calendar preparing me to go in the studio. So yeah, it won’t be too long.”

Judas Priest, of course, is currently in the midst of the fall U.S. leg of their 50 Heavy Metal Years tour. The band will take a short break from the trek late next week, as they will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 5, at a ceremony held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Check out all the group’s upcoming tour dates at JudasPriest.com.

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For his breakout hit “Betty (Get Money),” Yung Gravy looked to the ’80s — a 1987 Rick Astley hit —  for musical inspiration. But with his leisure suits, turtlenecks and gold chains, he definitely looks to the ’70s for fashion inspo, which is probably why his fans like to dress like him on Halloween.

The rapper says there have been some great fan costumes over the years, including couples dressed as him and Martha Stewart, who he name-checked in a song and starred with in a commercial. But it turns out the best Yung Gravy costume wasn’t a costume at all.

“I actually did a show one time … on Halloween,” he laughs. “And I showed up to a party at some bar afterwards and they gave me a trophy and a little cash reward for looking the most like Yung Gravy.”  

Expect more Yung Gravy costumes this Halloween, now that “Betty (Get Money)” is the rapper’s biggest hit yet. Calling it a good introduction to his style, he jokes, “It’s cleaner than most of my music, so it’s a little bit misleading.”

But if you go to see Gravy and his pal bbno$ on their joint tour next month, you’ll see he’s much more than that one song.

“My show is very interactive and fun,” he notes. “And I think it’s good for someone who’s maybe heard a song or two by me to … see that I actually can bring it and have a whole catalog.” 

You might also see Gravy bring out a special guest: Rick Astley.

“I haven’t talked to him directly. I want to,” Gravy tells ABC Audio, adding, “He’s been on tour. I’m about to go on tour. We’re hoping to find a place where I can bring him out in a show and do the song together.”

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It’s been 25 years since Titanic sailed into theaters, and to celebrate, its soundtrack is being reissued as a limited edition vinyl pressing. The Music Universe reports the LP sets will come with an eight-page booklet and print replica of the newspaper that announced the Titanic’s sinking. These vinyl records are super limited edition, so don’t wait to get your hands on a copy.

Mariah Carey twinned with daughter Monroe while out and about in New York City. Mariah shared the photo to Twitter, showing them wearing matching curly hairstyles and black, shimmery outfits as they stand outside a souped-up ride.

It’s been 20 years since Christina Aguilera released Stripped, and she threw it back to 2002 by recreating the now-iconic look she debuted during that music era. Fans freaked over the TikTok video, which sees Xtina rocking that signature bleach-blond and black hair and dramatic makeup.

Speaking of Stripped, Christina also released an all-new merchandise drop celebrating the standout album. Fans can now get their hands on a matching sweat set, graphics paying homage to the 2002 album and more. The new collection is available to buy on the official Christina store.

Elton John sweetly shouted out the marching bands from University of Iowa and Ohio State University for performing his music together when their respective football teams went head to head. Sir Elton retweeted the video of their joint performance and lauded, “Thank you, @tbdbitl and @hawkeyeband! What an incredible dedication with so much creativity!”

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Ariana Grande has gone blond! The singer showed off her golden locks on Instagram and cheekily titled it “New earrings.” Ariana is playing Glinda in the upcoming movie adaption of the Wicked Broadway musical, so chances are that is why she lightened up her hair.

Jack Harlow is pulling double duty on Saturday Night Live and the teaser for the forthcoming episode has finally arrived. In it, the cast mistakes Jack’s lavish outfit for a Halloween costume — like a sexy yeti or Macklemore. “Guys, it’s just my outfit,” a wounded Harlow sighs before revealing he’s dressed as Meryl Streep.

If you need cheering up, just watch Charlie Puth play with a bunch of puppies during his interview with BuzzFeed Celeb. Charlie got into a “silly mood” by continually scooping up the puppies and snuggling them as he answered questions about his music, fanbase and personal tastes. 

It’s been 20 years since Christina Aguilera released Stripped, and she threw it back to 2002 by recreating the now-iconic look she debuted during that music era. Fans freaked over the TikTok video, which sees Xtina rocking that signature bleach-blond and black hair and dramatic makeup.

Speaking of Stripped, Christina also released a new merchandise drop celebrating the standout album. Fans can now get their hands on a matching sweat set, graphics paying homage to the 2002 album and more. The new collection is available to buy on the official Christina store.

Elton John sweetly shouted out the marching bands from University of Iowa and Ohio State University for performing his music together when their respective football teams went head to head. Sir Elton retweeted the video of their joint performance and lauded, “Thank you, @tbdbitl and @hawkeyeband! What an incredible dedication with so much creativity!”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Mötley Crüe‘s Mick Mars is getting off the road.

In a statement provided to Variety, the 71-year-old guitarist announces that he’s retiring from touring, citing his ongoing battle with the inflammatory disease ankylosing spondylitis, or AS.

“Mick will continue as a member of the band, but can no longer handle the rigors of the road,” the statement reads. “AS is an extremely painful and crippling degenerative disease, which affects the spine.”

Mars is Mötley Crüe’s original guitarist, having joined the band when it was founded in 1981. He remained with the group until 2015, when the Crüe played their so-called “final” show after signing a “cessation of touring” contract meant to legally prevent the “Home Sweet Home” rockers from performing live together again.

Mötley then announced in 2019 that they’d be reuniting for a 2020 tour, featuring original members Mars, Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee and Vince Neil. After a two-year pandemic delay, the stadium outing launched in 2022 with co-headliner Def Leppard. According to Billboard, the trek earned $173.5 million, making it the biggest tour of Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard’s careers.

Next year, Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard will unite once more for an international tour. A replacement for Mars hasn’t been announced, though Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 has been heavily rumored.

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Adele is hopping on the Midnights madness train and revealed she thinks Taylor Swift‘s a “Mastermind” at songwriting.

The powerhouse singer, ahead of the release of the long-awaited music video for “I Drink Wine,” spoke with fans during a Happy Hour With Adele event. During the fan event, she was asked point-blank what she thinks about Taylor’s new Midnights album.

Her response was shared on Twitter by user @ShivamT5088452. Although Adele has yet to listen to the ultra-hyped album, she has a very good reason for why she hasn’t pressed play. “I’ve been in rehearsals for, like, 12 hours a f****** day,” she remarked.

Adele is gearing up for her Weekends with Adele Las Vegas residency.

Still, Adele proved she’s a Swiftie — a name given to Taylor’s fans — by declaring, “I think Taylor’s one of the greatest songwriters of our generation.” Adele vows she will definitely listen to the Midnights album … once she has a free moment.

Adele revealed she loved listening to evermore and folklore — the sister albums Taylor released during the pandemic. The British singer expressed, “I think she’s fun, as well, she makes a release fun!”

Speaking of Taylor’s new album, Billboard reports it’s on pace to top this week’s albums chart. Midnights surpassed 1 million sales within its first three days of release and is blowing up the streaming charts, which the outlet estimates makes it worthy of a first place finish when the chart updates at the end of the week.

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