Music – Page 3040 – 105.7 WDNY

Country-rock artist George Frayne, aka Commander Cody, dead at age 77

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

George Frayne IV, the veteran country-rock musician better known by his stage name Commander Cody, died Sunday at the age of 77 after battling cancer for several years, Variety reports.

During the late 1960s and ’70s, Frayne led the group Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, which formed in 1967 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and relocated to San Francisco in 1969. In 1972, the band scored a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with a cover of the 1955 spoken-sung rockabilly-flavored country tune “Hot Rod Lincoln.”

Frayne’s wife, Sue, announced his passing in a message on his Facebook page that reads, “Early this morning, as I lay my head upon his shoulder, George’s soul took to flight. I am heartbroken and weary, and I know your hearts break, too. Thank you so much for all the love you gave and the stories you shared.”

Sue also revealed that two “big gatherings” were being planned — one on Long Island, New York, and one in the Bay Area — to celebrate Commander Cody’s life and also “benefit musicians in need.”

Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen’s music combined elements of country, rockabilly, Western swing, jump blues, jazz and boogie-woogie. The band broke up in 1976, after which, Frayne continued to tour and record under the Commander Cody moniker.

Frayne also was an accomplished painter who published a book of his visual art titled Art Music & Life in 2009. He also taught art at the college level. In addition, an experimental video he made called “Two Triple Cheese Side Order of Fries” is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

As live concerts returned, Bruno Mars cleaned up, says ‘Billboard’

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Since live music is back, Billboard‘s Boxscore Charts, which rank the highest-grossing and highest-attended concerts of the week, is about to make its return. In advance of that, the publication has taken a look at which acts did the best over the summer on the road…and the winner is Bruno Mars.

Over June, July and August, Bruno raked in nearly $19.3 million, but you may not have noticed, because he only did 12 shows: 10 at the MGM Park Theater in Las Vegas and two at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland. Bruno played for some 59,000 fans, and because the average ticket price was a whopping $325, he came out on top in terms of total gross.

In fact, Billboard notes that Bruno’s MGM residency has now out-grossed Lady Gaga‘s MGM residency: She’s made $53.9 million, while Bruno’s made $56.2 million. However, Gaga may catch up, since she’s going to start a run of new shows on October 14.

Other acts that did well on the road over the summer, according to Billboard: Dead & Company, Usher, Zac Brown Band, Billy Joel, James Taylor, The Eagles, Dave Chappelle and Foo Fighters.

New Brian Wilson documentary ‘Long Promised Road’ getting theatrical release in November

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

The recent Brian Wilson documentary Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road, which got its world premiere in June at New York City’s Tribeca Film Festival, will get its theatrical release and will debut on video-on-demand in November.

Long Promised Road features the legendary Beach Boys member discussing his life and music with Rolling Stone editor Jason Fine as the two drive around Los Angeles visiting sites of significance to Wilson and his famous band.

The film also includes interviews with various other music artists who have worked with or were inspired by Brian, including Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, founding Beach Boys singer/guitarist Al Jardine, producer/musician Don Was, pop star Nick Jonas, My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James, Jakob Dylan and Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.

In addition, the documentary features concert and in-studio footage, and includes a new song titled “Right Where I Belong” that Brian co-wrote and recorded with Jim James specifically for the movie.

“As a lifelong fan, I knew this film would have to take some risks to give us insight into Brian’s complex world,” says Long Promised Road director Brent Wilson — no relation to Brian.

According to Deadline, the Screen Media company, which acquired the distribution rights for Long Promised Road, is planning an Oscar campaign that it hopes will include securing a best original song nomination for “Right Where I Belong.”

Meanwhile, Wilson recently announced plans to release a new instrumental album titled At My Piano that features solo piano versions of many classic Beach Boys songs. The album is due out on November 19, and can be pre-ordered now.

A solo rendition of “God Only Knows” from the record has been released as an advance digital track.

Here’s the full track list of At My Piano:

“God Only Knows”
“In My Room”
“Don’t Worry Baby”
“California Girls”
“The Warmth of the Sun”
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
“You Still Believe in Me”
“I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times”
“Sketches of Smile”
“Surf’s Up”
“Friends”
“Till I Die”
“Love and Mercy”
“Mt. Vernon Farewell”
“Good Vibrations”

Walker Hayes is “Fancy Like” making history

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Walker Hayes is pretty “Fancy” these days — and is making history in the process.

As his earworm track, “Fancy Like,” launches from #17 to #8 this week on the Mediabase Country chart, it marks the biggest jump into the top 10 in 17 years since Gretchen Wilson‘s “Redneck Woman” catapulted into the top 10 in 2004.

Additionally, “Fancy Like” has claimed the #1 slot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 11 consecutive weeks and has ascended to #5 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“Fancy Like” went viral after Walker posted a video of him and 15-year-old daughter Lela performing an original dance to the song on Tik Tok. The genre-bending track shows no signs of slowing down, as it’s front and center in a new Applebees commercial, the restaurant chain also bringing back the Oreo Shake, which is referenced in the song, for a limited time.

Erykah Badu presents a NSFW gift to Rihanna following Savage X Fenty fashion event

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Erykah Badu appeared during Rihanna‘s Savage X Fenty Vol. 3 fashion event last week, and the “Love of My Life” singer expressed her gratitude with a unique NSFW gift.

The 50-year-old artist launched her Badu World Market online store last year, including incense based on the smell of her private part, named Badu P***y.

“Thanks RiRi. I had a ball at your @savagexfenty show. Always cool to spend a lil love time with a fellow visionary Pisces mind,” Erykah commented on Instagram with a photo of her giving a bottle of “BP” to RiRi. “Enjoy the scents. I like your hustle.”

Badu kicked off her 2021 tour September 3 in Dallas, her hometown. Her next show is Wednesday in Portsmouth, VA, and the tour continues through November 13 in Orlando.

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Ingrid Michaelson releasing deluxe edition of ‘Songs for the Season’

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Ingrid Michaelson has gift-wrapped a deluxe edition of her 2018 holiday album for fans this year.

Songs for the Season — Deluxe Edition arrives November 5 with five additional tracks, including a new duet with Zooey Deschanel on the original track “Merry Christmas, Happy New Year,” and her 2019 single with Jason Mraz, “Christmas Valentine.”

“When I released my first Christmas album in 2018, I already knew there would one day be a deluxe. And here we are!” Ingrid says in a statement. “Anyone who knows me knows that I start celebrating Christmas in September and I cherish this time of the year so very much.”

Ingrid says the five tracks — three classics and the two originals — will “create an even greater festive experience,” and adds, “It was very important to me to keep everything in this vintage/nostalgic world.”

The classic tracks added to the project are “Winter Wonderland,” “A Marshmallow World” and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” “Winter Wonderland” is out now for your streaming pleasure.

“’Winter Wonderland’ is such a great holiday song because even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, the song itself still speaks to the joy of the winter season and all that comes with it,” Ingrid notes.

You can pre-order Songs for the Season — Deluxe Edition now, including a limited-edition vinyl version.

Here’s the track list:

“Looks Like A Cold, Cold Winter”
“White Christmas” (Feat. Christina Perri)
“Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (Feat. Will Chase)
“Happy, Happy Christmas”
“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve”
“Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” (Feat. Grace VanderWaal)
“Mele Kalikimaka”
“Christmas Time Is Here”
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” (Feat. Leslie Odom Jr.)
“Auld Lang Syne”
“It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”
“Christmas Valentine” (Feat. Jason Mraz)
“A Marshmallow World”
“Winter Wonderland”
“Merry Christmas, Happy New Year” (Feat. Zooey Deschanel)

Bruce Springsteen to perform at 2021 Stand Up for Heroes benefit in NYC this November

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

As has become tradition, Bruce Springsteen will perform at the 2021 edition of the annual Stand Up for Heroes benefit event, which will take place on November 8 in New York City at Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

The show supports the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s efforts to help wounded service members, veterans and their families.

This year’s event, the 15th annual installment of the fundraiser, will once again be held in front of a live audience after the 2020 show was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Stand Up for Heroes benefit offers an evening of music and comedy, held in conjunction with the annual New York Comedy Festival. In addition to Springsteen, the event’s confirmed lineup includes Jon Stewart, Jim Gaffigan, Nikki Glaser and Nate Bargatze, among others.

The Boss usually plays a short acoustic set at the benefit.

“Our military community sacrifices so much for their fellow citizens. They have earned our enduring respect, and more importantly, our support, says ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff, co-founder of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. “For 15 years, that has been the inspiration behind Stand Up for Heroes — an evening to honor, celebrate, and take action in support of our veterans and their families.”

Tickets for the Stand Up for Heroes show are on sale now via BobWoodruffFoundation.org and the Lincoln Center box office. Discount tickets are available for military members, veterans, first responders and healthcare professionals.

Attendees most provide proof of full vaccination and must wear a mask or face covering.

Alan Jackson shares he has a genetic neurological disorder

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Alan Jackson is opening up about a degenerative nerve condition he’s been living with for the past 10 years.

In an interview on the Today show, the country legend shares that he’s been diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a genetic neurological disorder that affects the nerves and muscles in his legs, arms and hands and has left him with mobility and balance issues.

CMT is related to muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease. Though the illness gets worse over time and there’s no cure for it, the singer says CMT is not fatal.

“It’s already affecting me tremendously,” Jackson reveals in an interview from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, adding that he’s been having trouble balancing in front of the microphone onstage. “It’s been affecting me for years and it’s getting more and more obvious. So I just feel very uncomfortable.”

Jackson inherited CMT from his father, later finding out that his grandmother on his father’s side had it and his older sister is living with it.

“This is not a condition that I would be complaining about typically, but it is going to affect me performance-wise onstage and I don’t know how much I’ll continue to tour,” he continues.

The “Small Town Southern Man” singer says he will try to tour “as much as I can” and plans to continue to release new music.

Jackson released his 21st studio album, Where Have You Gone, in May. He’s scheduled to perform at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on October 8.

Jimmie Allen rumbas to his own hit song on ‘Dancing With the Stars’

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

When Jimmie Allen took to the ballroom on Dancing With the Stars last night, he was equipped with one of his hit songs.

During his second appearance on the popular ABC show, Jimmie and his partner Emma Slater rumbaed around the dance floor to his 2020 hit, “Make Me Want To.” Dressed in a purple ensemble, the country star glided his dance parter around the ballroom floor, as judge Bruno Tonioli could be seen mirroring their moves, dancing from his seat.

The pair scored 27 out of 40 and will return for week three.

“Still can’t believe I got to dance to my song “Make Me Want To” with my amazing partner @theemmaslater on @dancingabc,” Jimmie shared on Instagram after the performance. “So honored to represent Country Music on this great show.”

“Make Me Want To” was released as the second single from Jimmie’s debut album, Mercury Lane. It became his second consecutive #1 hit, following his debut single, “Best Shot.”

Davus Maximus? Grohl almost joined GWAR

September 28, 2021 by WDNY Radio

We almost lived in a world where Dave Grohl was the drummer for GWAR.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, the Foo Fighters frontman reveals that he was invited to join the cult costumed metal outfit back when he was just starting out as a teenage drummer. He even got as far as designing his own GWAR outfit.

“At the time GWAR was a band that would draw like 700 people, right?” Grohl says. “Which is huge.”

As for why he didn’t take the gig, Grohl wasn’t completely sure about GWAR’s vulgar stage antics.

“The more I thought about it, am I really gonna invite my uncle to see me play when there’s like fake blood and [other fluids] shooting all over the place?” Grohl says.

In the Rolling Stone piece, Grohl also recalls an enlightening songwriting conversation with Weezer‘s Rivers Cuomo, jamming with Rick Astley and writing future Foo Fighters songs on Kurt Cobain‘s guitar while in Nirvana.

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