Music

Forty years ago Thursday — October 6 — an unknown artist named Madonna invited us all to hit the dance floor…and four decades later, she’s still doing it.

On October 6, 1982, Madonna released her self-penned debut single, “Everybody.” She’d convinced Mark Kamins, the DJ at New York’s famed nightclub Danceteria, to play it at the club, and when it went over well with the crowd, he agreed to help her get a record deal. She was eventually signed to a three-single deal by Sire Records with an option for a full album.

When “Everybody” was released, the single cover didn’t have a picture of Madonna on it, leading some to believe she was a Black artist; in fact, Sire Records marketed the single as though she was. That misconception was cleared up, however, when Madonna insisted on shooting a video for the song: a low-budget affair filmed at New York’s Paradise Garage. The video was sent to nightclubs across the country, helping the song become a national dance hit.

While “Everybody” didn’t chart on the Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play Chart. The song’s success even landed Madonna her first magazine cover: She appeared on the November/December 1982 issue of Dance Music Report. 

Over the years, Madonna has performed “Everybody” on many of her tours, most recently on 2015’s Rebel Heart trek. It’s also included on her Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones remix album.

Madonna scholars would later note that with lyrics like “Everybody come on, dance and sing/Everybody get up and do your thing,” “Everybody” was the template for the Queen of Pop’s future career and message that music, as she’d sing in 2000, “makes the people come together.”

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

For George Strait, Codigo 1530 Tequila isn’t just a drink, it’s an experience. 

Now a partner of the private brand, George’s friends introduced him to Codigo more than a decade ago during a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. He became an instant fan, as Codigo helped to expand his palate. 

“I drank a little bit of tequila, but, when I did, it would go into a shot and I tried to get the taste out of my mouth as fast as I could with some lime and salt,” George describes of his previous tequila drinking habits.”[Codigo] was like a new thing for me. A drink that wasn’t like the typical tequila that I’ve ever tasted. It’s definitely my drink of choice now.” 

When it comes to tequila-based drinks, he’s not a fan of sweet margaritas, but does enjoy a paloma. But for the country superstar, nothing beats a glass of straight Añejo tequila on the rocks.

Though he keeps drinking to a minimal at his live shows, George will bust out a bottle of tequila for celebratory moments backstage with his band and crew. 

“For years, it’s kind of been a tradition for me and the band, after the show before we go back out for an encore, we’ll celebrate with a shot of tequila and then we’ll go back out for the encore,” he explains. 

Codigo is so good that George wrote a song about it in 2018. 

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Diddy is attempting to clear his name of long-running allegations that he’s stolen from his artists over the years.

In a recent interview with The Breakfast Club, he spoke candidly about his business relations with his artists and denies claims that he owes any of them money. 

“There has been negative propaganda put out about me that’s not true,” he said. “And has really stained — tried to stain — my legacy.”

In part of a lengthy answer to the question on many people’s mind, Diddy said, “If you think that I’m a scumbag that would ever steal anything — my name is Diddy.” He added, “I never took nothing from nobody a day in my life. All I’ve ever given is opportunity…”

“So, you’re saying you don’t steal from artists?” Charlamagne Tha God reiterates. “Never, never,” Diddy responded.

Referring to Ma$e, one the most notable artists who’s called the producer out, Diddy said, “First of all, I didn’t do nothing to him.”

“I did one album with Ma$e, how much money do you think I owe this guy?” continued the New York entertainer, who seemed annoyed at discussing the issues between he and the former Bad Boy rapper. He then took jabs at Ma$e, calling him a “fake pastor.”

“And [he] went and conned people,” Diddy continued. “And y’all gone let him throw dirt on the God’s name?”

After asserting that he’ll organize some sort of meeting with any artist who’s willing, Diddy said that Ma$e owes him $3 million. 

“That’s facts, I got the receipts,” he said.

He added he’s done being quiet about the issue: “I’m back outside and I’m fighting back for us. And I’m also doing some fighting back for me,” he expressed.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Lainey Wilson has been named CMT’s Breakout Artist of the Year. She will be celebrated at the 2022 CMT Artists of the Year celebration, set to take place on Friday, October 14 in Nashville.

“This past year has been a wild ride,” says Lainey, who earned her first two chart-topping hit singles with “Things a Man Oughta Know” and “Never Say Never” with Cole Swindell.

“To be considered for this award reinforces that the years of hard work my team and I have put in was well worth it,” the singer continues. “The team at CMT feels like family, and the way they genuinely support artists on their platform is so special and important for dreamers like me.”

Previous Breakout Artist of the Year nominees include Ashley McBryde, Mickey Guyton, Kelsea Ballerini and Chris Stapleton.

This Artists of the Year Ceremony will also celebrate a roster of country’s current hitmakers, including Carly Pearce, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Luke Combs and Walker Hayes. Kane and Luke are returning honorees at the ceremony, while Carly, Walker and Cody are all being honored for the first time.

Taking place at at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the CMT Artists of the Year event will broadcast on October 14 at 9 p.m. on CMT.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Paramore has issued a statement following the alleged assault of crowd members who attended their concert in Magna, Utah on Tuesday.

“A man physically and verbally assaulted multiple women, including an engaged couple at our show,” Paramore writes in an Instagram post. “Our security team and venue staff were made aware and were able to restrain and remove him.”

“We did not realize this was happening, as the incident took place out of view from stage,” the statement continues. “Had we seen any of this happening, we would have stopped the show until the situation was under control.”

Paramore also apologizes to “the fans who were hurt by or who witnessed what happened” while adding that the group “DOES NOT CONDONE violence, homophobia, or bigotry of any kind.”

“It is supremely unwelcome in our community and has no place at our shows,” Paramore writes.

The statement concludes, “To make things as clear as possible: Paramore shows are meant to be a safe place for people. If you can’t respect that, do not come.”

The Utah show was the second date on Paramore’s ongoing comeback tour, which marks their first live show in four years. Last week, Hayley Williams and company dropped “This Is Why,” their first new song in five years. It is the title track off their next album, which is due out February 10, 2023.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

beabadoobee is trading Vanessa Carlton‘s traveling piano for distorted guitars in her cover of “A Thousand Miles.”

The “Care” artist performed an alt-rock version of the early 2000s pop classic during an appearance on the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. You can watch the rendition streaming now on YouTube.

beabadoobee will be back stateside later this month when she launches a U.S. tour in support of her new album, Beatopia. The outing kicks off October 25 in Washington, D.C. and will run into December.

Beatopia, beabadoobee’s sophomore effort, was released in July.

Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.