Music – Page 3074 – 105.7 WDNY

Rick Astley: “I’ve never been cool, and that’s OK”

May 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Along with New Kids on the Block, En Vogue and Salt-N-Pepa, Rick Astley is one of the stars involved in the just-launched Mixtape Tour, and the “Never Gonna Give You Up” singer says he has no problem being on a bill that’s all about ’80s and ’90s nostalgia.

“I kind of feel all I have to do is show up and do what I’m supposed to,” he tells USA Today, adding, “Nostalgia is not an ugly thing to me. It’s having beautiful emotions about music you grew up listening to.”

Rick’s debut album, Whenever You Need Somebody, is getting the re-release treatment on May 20, and he says seeing the audience’s reaction when he sings the hits from that album — not just “Never Gonna Give You Up,” but also “Together Forever” and “It Would Take a Strong, Strong Man” — means a lot to him.

“If I’m singing in front of an audience, I’m seeing what they remember [about the songs],” he explains. “If I can see someone turn to their husband or wife and give a hug, that’s really special and amazing.”

Rick’s enjoyed a fairly high profile in recent years — not just because of the “Rickrolling” phenomenon, but also because he’s become an unlikely star on TikTok. Plus, “Never Gonna Give You Up” was used to great effect in the touching season-two funeral scene of the Emmy-winning comedy Ted Lasso.

“I was really moved by what they did with the song,” Rick says of that scene.

He adds, “To have a younger audience get into my songs, you have to see that as kind of a bonus…I’m allowed to be involved in the world of music today. I would have loved to be cool, but I’ve never been cool, and that’s O.K.”

Ex-Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman releasing box set featuring 1970s live recordings this week

May 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

A four-CD box set gathering together recordings from various solo concerts that longtime Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman played during the mid-1970s will be released this Friday, May 13.

The Myths and Legends of Rick Wakeman features Wakeman showcasing songs from his first three solo concept albums — 1972’s The Six Wives of Henry VIII, 1974’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth and 1975’s The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

Disc one features performances from shows that Rick played in North America in 1974, disc two was recorded at a 1975 concert at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom, disc three captures a 1976 concert at London’s Hammersmith Odeon, and the final disc features a 1976 performance from the Farnham, U.K., venue The Maltings.

“It’s really lovely to see some of the music I’m most proud of, released in a new way and presented so well,” Wakeman says about the box set. “I’m still wondering though if I am more of a myth than a legend!!!”

The collection includes a 16-page booklet offering liner notes and archival photos. You can order the box set and check out its track list at CleoRecs.com.

Meanwhile, in a new update on his official website, Wakeman reports that he’s busy writing new material for his next album, which he’s planning to have finished by mid-June.

The 72-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer also reveals that he’s been “struggling with osteoarthritis and diabetes,” noting that he’s “slowly getting them under control.”

In addition, he reports that he has a new book coming out around Christmas time titled Ramblings of a Grumpy Old Rock Star, and is working on an official biography that he plans to complete “sometime next year.”

Andy Grammer explains why he’s embraced being known as music’s “positive guy”

May 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Andy Grammer says he knows the secret of connecting with others, and it has something to do with being known as “the positive guy” in music.

Speaking with Billboard‘s Behind the Setlist podcast, the “Saved My Life” singer explained why he’s embraced the moniker, even though it’s “cheesy.” Said Andy, “We all need optimism.”

“We all need a reason to jump out of bed,” he continued. “We all need to go into our soul. It’s just that it comes with so much cynicism that unless you’re doing it at such a high level and so aggressively, it doesn’t get in. But if you do get in, you’ll have fans for life that’ll show up every single time you come through.”

Andy first burst onto the music scene with his 2010 hit “Keep Your Head Up,” which he wrote in the memory of his mother, Kathy Grammer, who died of breast cancer the year prior.

Andy noted that his songs tend to look on the bright side of things, and understood that fans have come to expect that of him.

“I feel so blessed that [with] this art form it’s expected that you play your repertoire,” Andy explained. “It’s just like not the case with other art forms. If you’re an actor, you do your thing and then you gotta go do another thing. And when you show up to your next set, I imagine you’re almost have to let go of all that because people don’t want to see that guy anymore. You got to get into this new role.”

Whereas in music, Andy says, “they’d be p***ed if I don’t play the best stuff that I’ve had over the last 10 years.”

The Black Dahlia Murder frontman Trevor Strnad has died

May 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Trevor Strnad, the frontman for the beloved death metal band The Black Dahlia Murder, has died. He was 41.

Strnad’s band mates shared the news in an Instagram post Wednesday, writing, “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Trevor Scott Strnad.”

The post continues, “Beloved son, brother, and Shepard of good times, he was loved by all that met him. A walking encyclopedia of all things music. He was a hugger, a writer, and truly one of the world’s greatest entertainers. His lyrics provided the world with stories and spells and horror and whimsy. It was his life to be your show.”

The message concludes with the number to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; no cause of death was announced.

The Black Dahlia Murder released nine albums, spanning from 2003’s Unhallowed to 2020’s Verminous, while becoming staples of the melodic death metal genre.

Many figures of the metal community have already expressed their condolences, including Judas Priest‘s Rob Halford, who responded to the post with prayer-hands and broken-heart emojis. Lamb of God‘s Randy Blythe, Testament‘s Alex Skolnick and Slayer‘s Gary Holt also commented.

If you are in crisis or know someone in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

Nashville notes: Chris Janson, Eric Church and more

May 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Chris Janson and Eric Church share some of the details about filming their music video, “You, Me & the River,” in a new behind-the-scenes clip that’s been posted on Janson’s YouTube channel.

Lee Brice is heading up a Memorial Day radio special that will benefit the Folded Flag Foundation, a nonprofit that helps fund educational scholarships and grants for the families of fallen soldiers. Listeners can hear the special on their local radio stations, and can donate here.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has announced a special four-day run of programming during CMA Fest. From a showcase of the CMT Next Women of Country to a songwriter session with Caitlyn Smith and a musician spotlight on Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne, there’s something for everyone at the Hall. Visit the venue’s website for more info.

CHVRCHES announces summer & fall US headlining dates

May 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

CHVRCHES has announced a run of U.S. headlining dates in continued support of the band’s latest album, Screen Violence.

The newly added shows begin July 26 in New Orleans, and include stops peppered throughout August and September before wrapping up October 3 in Boise, Idaho.

For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit CHVRCH.es.

Screen Violence, the fourth CHVRCHES album, was released last August. It includes the single “He Said She Said” and the Robert Smith collaboration “How Not to Drown.”

Dreezy teams with Coi Leray for “Balance My Lows”

May 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Dreezy and Coi Leray are getting us ready for summer with their empowering anthem, “Balance My Lows.”

The track is full of layered Autotuned vocals and a swaying beat as the two rap about being validated by the amount of money they’ve made, and looking back at when they had nothing in their bank account.

“Tryna balance look at where my lows/ Yeah goin’ thru some s*** that no one knows/ Every time that I was down I lift my dough, yeah,” Dreezy raps.

The track also calls attention to the “brand new Rollie flood my wrist” that’s “full of diamonds.”

“I used to put this s*** on layaway/ Now we gon’ see better days,” Coi raps,”F*** whoever in the way/ Just pour up let’s get faded.”

“Balance My Lows” is gearing fans up for Dreezy’s debut album HITGIRL, which drops next Friday, May 20. The album is now available for pre-order.

Brooks & Dunn will announce the next Country Music Hall of Fame inductees next week

May 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The Country Music Hall of Fame is planning to announce its next class of inductees on Tuesday, May 17.

Fans can follow along from home, as the event will be livestreamed on the CMA’s YouTube channel beginning at 10 a.m. CT that day. Brooks & Dunn — who joined the Hall of Fame as part of its 2019 class — will be on hand to announce the new inductees.

Each year, the Country Music Hall of Fame welcomes inductees in three different categories. Modern Era and Veterans Era inductees join the Hall each year, and there’s one more rotating category, which can be in the Non-Performer, Songwriter and Recording and/or Touring Musician fields.

The new inductees will be announced less than a month after the last class of inductees were welcomed in the Hall’s annual Medallion Ceremony. This year, The Judds, Ray Charles, Eddie Bayers and Pete Drake joined the Hall. Just one day before the ceremony, Naomi Judd — one half of The Judds — unexpectedly died.

The next class of inductees will be formally welcomed into the hall at a Medallion Ceremony of their own, taking place at a later date.

Thomas Rhett’s daughters are his biggest fans

May 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Thomas Rhett is one of the biggest stars in country music, but it’s clear that his daughters are his biggest fans.

The hitmaker recently performed a show in Austin, TX that turned into a family affair, as he was joined by wife Lauren and their four daughters Willa, Ada, Lennon and Lillie. And while his kids may have been the smallest fans in the audience, they were the most passionate, Thomas sharing pictures from the event that show his family cheering from their seats, a big smile on Lauren’s face.

Another sweet pic finds Thomas carrying eldest daughter Willa on his back, in addition to four-year-old Ada excitedly holding a lit up phone in the air, while sister Lennon claps while being held in Lauren’s arms.

“Thanks for the memories Austin, TX,” Thomas writes alongside the photos that were taken by Lauren’s brother, Grayson Gregory.

Thomas and Lauren adopted Willa from Uganda in May 2017, soon followed by sister Ada, who was born in August of that same year. Lauren gave birth to Lennon in February 2020, with Lillie joining the family in November 2021.

Jon Pardi promises to “Fill ‘Er Up” on Friday with the next new tune off his upcoming album

May 11, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Jon Pardi is keeping the new music rolling. He took to social media this week to preview another new song, called “Fill ‘Er Up,” which will be out in full on Friday.

“Fill ‘er up again, I need another round/ Yeah, I’m cuttin’ loose ‘cause I’m all wound up and I wanna knock ‘em down,” Jon sings in the snippet he shared of the mid-tempo track.

When it arrives, “Fill ‘Er Up” will be the next installment off an as-yet-unnamed upcoming album. He’s already shared the lead single from that project — a song called “Last Night Lonely.”

Though Jon hasn’t revealed all that many details about his next project, it can’t be too far away. Back in April, he shared a celebratory studio shot to mark the album’s completion.

His last studio album, Heartache Medication, came out in 2019. During the pandemic, Pardi also dropped a fun covers project called The Rancho Fiesta Sessions, plus a deluxe version of Heartache Medication.

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