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Roots Picnic 2022: Thousands of music fans enjoy two days of hip-hop & gospel from Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park

June 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Tens of thousands of music fans filled Philadelphia’s Fairmount park over the weekend for the city’s Roots Picnic, hosted by legendary hip-hop band, The Roots. For the first time in two years, the entertainment and arts festival welcomed more than 50 podcasters and musicians, who delivered live performances throughout the picnic’s six stages and tents over the course of the two-day Black music showcase.

Mary J. Blige headlined Saturday’s show, delivering performances of popular new songs and beloved hits of the past such as “All Night Long” and “Love No Limit.” Blige was introduced by Roots co-founder and Philadelphia native, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, who, earlier in the day, drew fans close to the festival’s main stage with his performance alongside Rick Ross and Benny the Butcher.

Another Philadelphia’s native, Jazmine Sullivan, also rocked the Toyota Soundstage. While sporting her sparkly blue two-piece outfit, she encouraged fans to sing along to songs from her Grammy winning Heux Tales album, like “Bodies” and past hits like “Bust Your Windows.”

Under the cool shade of the Mann Center’s TD Pavilion, audiences enjoyed lively performances by DJ D-Nice, G Herbo and gospel legend Tye Tribbett, who brought his usual high energy with songs like “No Way” and “Victory.”

Sunday’s Mann Stage saw an electrifying performance from rising star Durand Bernarr as well as a soulful showcase of songs from Suzann Christine. Over on the main stage, up-and-coming singer Jordan Hawkins serenaded with his guitar.

The main stage rounded out on Sunday with performances by Musiq Soulchild with SWV and Keyshia Cole and Kirk Franklin who hyped up the crowd with “Melodies from Heaven” among other timeless gospel hits. Fans anxiously awaited Summer Walker who closed out the picnic with live showings of “Over It” and “Body.”

Lady A thank Brazilian fan for “flying across the world” for their show

June 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Country trio Lady A have gotten to tour internationally over the course of their career, but one fan is motivating them to go somewhere they’ve never been before: Brazil.

In a social media video message, bandmates Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood responded to a Brazilian fan named Victoria, who sent them a letter and even flew to Florida to catch a recent Lady A show.

“Thank you so much for just your support all these years, flying across the world — literally — to come and see us,” Hillary says. “We hope to make it to Brazil one day. That is on our bucket list. Because you have done more than enough traveling, and we need to travel to you. We love you and God bless!”

Hopefully, Victoria and the rest of Lady A’s Brazilian fan base will get a chance to catch a show in their country soon. Until then, the trio have plenty of stops planned across the U.S. this summer, including a two-night hometown stand at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium in August.

“I’m the newest member of the community:” Niecy Nash talks Pride Month with wife Jessica Betts

June 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Since Niecy Nash recently married her wife, Jessica Betts, the actress says she can now participate in June’s Pride Month events and festivities. In a recent sit-down chat with theGrio, the couple discuss Pride plans and the importance of LGBTQ+ representation.

“We’ve come a long way from how the music industry was then but I feel good about the visibility,” said Betts of her career as a singer-songwriter. Betts says she “gets to see herself” in fellow LGBTQ+ artists like Janelle Monae, Kehlani and Lil Nas X.

“You know, I get a chance to dream, I get a chance to dream big! That’s so important — as opposed to back then to when there really was no one to represent.”

As for “new community member” Nash, who recently starred in Betts’ new music video for “We Drip,” the 52-year-old entertainer says she’s looking forward to joining in on the Pride celebrations this year.

“You know I’ve never been to a Pride parade, so maybe somebody will invite me,” she said. “I’m the newest member of the community, so I need my running routes! I don’t know when the parades are, I don’t know anything yet!”

Regardless of which of the many events the couple will make it to, they agree that what matters the most is the visibility they provide to other members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“Me and my wife, we say all the time, representation matters, it really does,” Betts said. “Because now I know that little young girls or that [a] little young boy see themselves [in] someone who is like myself, someone who is like my wife, or anyone. It’s important to see yourself.”

Listen to new Almost Monday song “Sun Keeps on Shining”

June 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Almost Monday has premiered a new song called “Sun Keeps on Shining.”

The appropriately upbeat track finds the “Live Forever” trio trying to find the positives in difficult situations. After all, the sun keeps on shining.

You can listen to “Sun Keeps on Shining” now via digital outlets. Its accompanying video, which was filmed in Australia, is streaming now on YouTube.

“Sun Keeps on Shining” follows the single “Sunburn,” which dropped in April.

Almost Monday is playing a run of headlining and festival dates over the next month, including New York City’s Governors Ball.

Mike Campbell sings praises of guest collaborators on new Dirty Knobs album, ‘External Combustion’

June 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

This Thursday, June 9, founding Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell and his current band, The Dirty Knobs, begin a stint opening for country star Chris Stapleton at various large U.S. venues that runs until late July.

Campbell and his group are supporting their sophomore album, External Combustion, which was released in March. A follow-up to the group’s 2020 debut, Wreckless Abandon, the new record is an 11-track collection that includes guest appearances from Mott the Hoople frontman Ian Hunter, Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench, and acclaimed alt-country artist Margo Price.

Campbell tells ABC Audio that he’s “a huge fan” of Hunter and Mott the Hoople, and explains that the collaboration came about after Ian had tapped him to add guitar to some of his new tracks, and, in return, he asked Hunter if he’d sing on one of his own new tunes.

“[W]e had this song called ‘It’s a Dirty Job,’ and he was gracious to do it,” Mike notes. “He puts some Mott the Hoople piano in it, and he sang a verse and some harmonies, and he really brought the song up with his presence.”

As for Tench, Campbell says he asked his longtime band mate to play piano on a tune called “Lightning Boogie,” which he figured Benmont would like.

“[H]e just killed it,” Mike notes. “He added his flavor to it, so it’s got a little Heartbreakers nuance to it.”

Campbell says Price’s contributions to External Combustion came about when he got together with her to do some songwriting. Mike wound up asking Margo to sing on two tracks — “State of Mind” and “Cheap Talk.”

“[S]he did a great job and really made the songs better,” Campell says.

Visit TheDirtyKnobs.com to check out the band’s full tour schedule.

Newly minted “Dr. Shaggy” talks “freakin’ nuts” new album, “transcending generations” with music

June 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Shaggy is now “Dr. Shaggy” after receiving an honorary degree from Brown University at the Ivy League school’s recent graduation ceremony. And Shaggy says he was shocked that the graduating seniors not only knew him, but all seemed to be big fans of his, too.

“I was blown away in many ways [by] that whole experience,” he tells ABC Audio. “I was walking and people were just yelling, ‘Shaggy, Shaggy, Shaggy!’ Right as…the president introduced me, the whole auditorium was like, ‘Shaggy!’ She’s like, ‘Okay, I got to give the man his degree, calm down!'”

And the “It Wasn’t Me” singer says everyone at the after-party recognized him too.

“There was a commencement dinner afterwards — y’know, a lot of the honorees, including Nancy Pelosi and a whole bunch of Nobel Peace Prize winners and…congresspeople and senators and donors. And again, it was a huge reception,” Shaggy says. “I was like, ‘Wow, I really transcend through generations here with these songs!'”

According to Shaggy, that’s because he’s worked hard to try and make “timeless music” — and his new album is certainly that. After teaming up with Sting in 2018 for a Grammy-winning album, the two reunited for Come Fly Wid Mi, which features Shaggy singing reggae versions of Frank Sinatra classics. Yes, Shaggy admits that the idea of him singing Sinatra was “freakin’ nuts,” but he was down.

“The thing that Sting and I have in common is that we are both allergic to boredom and we like to think outside the box…And so it wasn’t far-fetched for me,” Shaggy tells ABC Audio. “It was scary…singing isn’t something that I was very confident on.”

But Sting, who produced the album, says Shaggy did a great job.

“It just makes people smile,” he says. “And what does the world need more than a smile at the moment?”

Three Days Grace’s Brad Walst says “everything’s good” with ex-frontman Adam Gontier: “It’s been 10 years”

June 6, 2022 by WDNY Radio

If you’re not on good terms with your former bandmates, then Three Days Grace is definitely not just like you.

Earlier this year, ex-TDG frontman Adam Gontier revealed that he had met up with drummer Neil Sanderson, marking the first time the two had seen each other since Gontier left the band in 2013 and was replaced by Matt Walst, the younger brother of founding bassist Brad Walst. As Brad tells ABC Audio, that goodwill extends to the rest of Three Days Grace, as well.

“It’s been 10 years,” Brad says. “Obviously, [Gontier’s] changed a lot, and so have we.”

“I think it’s good that [Gontier and Sanderson] got to meet up and have lunch,” the bassist adds. “Adam lives 20 minutes from me here, we often text and have coffee. So, it’s great. I’m glad he’s doing well and he’s happy. He’s got a good family going on, couple kids. Yeah, so everything’s good.”

In fact, the Walst brothers will see Gontier again when the three are honored at their old high school’s graduation this month.

“They want Adam, Matt and myself to be on their ‘wall of honor,'” Brad shares. “I contacted Adam and I contacted Matt, and I was, like, ‘You guys wanna do this?’ And they’re both in.”

Brad thinks the ceremony will be “pretty cool” for the trio, especially since he admits that they “weren’t the best students” in their later high school days.

“We were all rockers, and didn’t give a s***,” he laughs.

In addition to preparing to go back to school, Three Days Grace is getting ready for a U.S. tour in support of the band’s new album, Explosions. The outing launches in July.

Explosions, which features the singles “Lifetime” and “So Called Life,” is out now.

Queen, Rod, Elton, Duran Duran, Diana Ross among artists who rocked Platinum Party at the Palace on Saturday

June 5, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Queen + Adam Lambert, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Duran Duran and Diana Ross were among the performers Saturday night at The Platinum Party at the Palace, a star-studded concert celebrating Queen Elizabeth II‘s 70-year reign that took place in front of London’s Buckingham Palace.

The event was viewed by a TV audience of 13.3 million, while thousands and thousands of flag-waving spectators crammed the Mall leading to the Palace to watch in person. The show was highlighted by a spectacular video display projected onto the palace.

The concert kicked off with an adorable video showing Queen Elizabeth having tea with a CGI version of Paddington Bear, in which both shared their love of marmalade sandwiches. Then, Her Majesty began striking her teacup in a familiar rhythm: the unmistakable drumbeat that starts Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” Cut to Buckingham Palace, where Queen and Lambert got the crowd going with that song, followed by “Don’t Stop Me Now” and “We Are the Champions.”

Rod Stewart sang his chart-topping U.K. hit “Baby Jane” and then led a massive singalong as he belted out, of all things, Neil Diamond‘s “Sweet Caroline,” which is a soccer anthem in the U.K. Duran Duran performed “Notorious” and “Girls on Film,” joined by Nile Rodgers of Chic on guitar.

In a performance taped in the Red Drawing Room at Windsor Castle that was projected onto the Palace, Elton John sang “Your Song” and, addressing the Queen, said, “Long may you reign.” Ross closed out the festivities with performances of “Chain Reaction,” “Thank You” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

The event also featured speeches from Prince Charles and Prince William, as well as performances by Alicia Keys, George Ezra and others.

Rod, Elton, Alicia, Duran Duran, Adam Lambert & Diana Ross rock Platinum Party at the Palace; Ed Sheeran helps close out the Jubilee festivities

June 5, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Ed Sheeran helped bring the U.K.’s Platinum Jubilee celebration to a close on Sunday by performing his hit “Perfect” at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, the final big event of the four-day celebration marking Queen Elizabeth II‘s 70 years on the throne.

Wearing a blue suit and armed with just his acoustic guitar, Ed sang his ballad “Perfect” in front of Buckingham Palace, as video clips of the Queen and her late husband, Prince Phillip, were shown: The romantic song was chosen to reflect the couple’s relationship. Her Majesty herself then appeared briefly on the balcony of the Palace.

The low-key performance was a far cry from the flash and spectacle of the Platinum Party at the Palace, the star-studded concert that took place Saturday night in the same location. The event was viewed by 13.3 million on TV, while thousands and thousands of flag-waving spectators crammed the Mall leading to the Palace to watch in person.

The concert kicked off with an adorable video showing the Queen having tea with a CGI version of Paddington Bear, in which both shared their love of marmalade sandwiches. Then, Her Majesty began striking her teacup in a familiar rhythm: the unmistakable drumbeat that starts “We Will Rock You” by the other Queen. Cut to Buckingham Palace, where Queen + Adam Lambert got the crowd going with that song, plus “Don’t Stop Me Now” and, of course, “We Are the Champions.”

Rod Stewart sang his hit “Baby Jane” and then led a massive singalong as he belted out, of all things, Neil Diamond‘s “Sweet Caroline,” which is a soccer anthem in the U.K. Duran Duran performed “Notorious” and “Girls on Film,” joined by Nile Rodgers of Chic on guitar, while Alicia Keys sang “Superwoman,” “Girl on Fire” and “Empire State of Mind,” changing the lyrics of the latter song to “Let’s hear it for London” at the end.

In a performance taped in the Red Drawing Room at Windsor Castle that was projected onto the Palace, Elton John sang “Your Song” and, addressing the Queen, said, “Long may you reign.” Diana Ross closed out the festivities with performances of “Chain Reaction,” “Thank You” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

Original Bon Jovi bassist Alec John Such dead at age 70

June 5, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Founding Bon Jovi bassist Alec John Such has died, according to a message posted Sunday on the band’s social media sites. He was 70.

“We are heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of our dear friend Alec John Such,” reads the note, apparently from frontman Jon Bon Jovi. “He was an original. As a founding member of Bon Jovi, Alec was integral to the formation of the band. To be honest, we found our way to each other thru him — he was a childhood friend of [drummer] Tico [Torres] and brought [longtime guitarist] Richie [Sambora] to see us perform.”

The message concludes, “Alec was always wild and full of life. Today those special memories bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. We’ll miss him dearly.”

Such was a member of Bon Jovi from the group’s 1983 formation until 1994, when he was replaced by Hugh McDonald. Alec played on the band’s first five studio albums, including the hugely successful Slippery When Wet and New Jersey, which topped the Billboard 200 in 1986 and 1988, respectively.

Among the many major Bon Jovi hits on which he appears are “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “Bad Medicine,” “Born to Be My Baby,” “I’ll Be There for You,” “Lay Your Hands on Me” and “Bed of Roses.”

Such was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Bon Jovi in 2018, and he performed with his old band mates at the ceremony.

During his speech, Alec said, “These guys are the best. We had so many great times together…Love them to death and always will.”

Meanwhile, Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan, who recruited Such for the band, posted his own tribute to Alec that reads, “RIP my soul brother…It was an honor and pleasure to share the stage and to share life with you.”

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